Ross held Rachel's hand as they waited for their friends to return from their honeymoon. They were hoping that their friends would all be happy for them. They had to endure years of denial and arguments whether they were on a break or not. Joey sat at the table with a forkful of turkey pot pie and Phoebe was strumming her guitar. She kept eyeing the couple as they looked at each other.

"Well everyone, we're home." announced Monica as they came through the door. Rachel called Monica over and she whispered in her ear. "You didn't tell him yet, did you?" she said. Monica assured her that she was the only one who knew. Chandler dragged the bags through the door .

"So what's new?' he said as he looked around the room. Joey immediately ran over and asked, "What did you bring me?" Chandler shrugged his shoulders and said. "Joey, you're thirty one." He pulled a bag out of the suitcase and handed it to him. Joey sat down and excitedly opened it.

Ross cleared his throat and stood. "Everyone , we have an announcement. Rachel and I are going to have a baby.' Everyone jumped up at once.

"When?'

"How did this happen?"

"Does this mean you guys got back together?'

The questions kept flying.

"Everyone please." Ross shouted. "We will answer your questions one at time. First of all, about a month ago, Rachel and I slept together . We thought it would just be a bonus night type of thing .Then Rachel found out she was pregnant the day before you guys wedding."

Phoebe interrupted . "I knew it. You guys were acting weird that whole day. Then you disappeared together."

"Well I remember how I was accused of stealing your thunder the night you and Chandler got engaged, so there was no way , I was going to say anything until after the wedding." Rachel added . "So we decided that we are going to get back together and I am going to move in to Ross' so he can be near the baby."

"Ah I am losing the best roomie ever." whined Joey. Chandler looked at him and cleared his throat. "Thanks Joe."

"Oh I mean the hottest roommate ever." Joey said to correct himself. He went over and hugged Rachel. "I am so happy for you though dude, you guys are gonna be a family." Joey was in a way a little bit envious. He had watched his best friend get married and now his other best friend was going to be a father for the second time and with a girl he had loved forever. "Damn, I got a date." he said. "Mona " he smiled.

"I knew it all along. Lobsters." smiled Phoebe. "I was right.'

After the initial celebrating, everyone was tired. Monica and Chandler were still tired from their flight. Everyone would move Rachel the next day. Rachel went home with Ross that night because he really didn't want her to be alone right now and Joey was out with his new girl friend Mona.

"I still can't believe this is happening." said Rachel. "I am going to have a baby." She put her head on Ross shoulder and sighed. "Our baby , " he corrected her. He took his hand and ran it across her now flat stomach. "Hi little baby. I love you very much. I am going to play with you and talk to you and tell you all about life and dinosaurs and stuff." he sweetly said.

"What do you think our baby will look like?" Rachel wondered. "Well whatever it does, I hope it looks just like you. " Ross said as he kissed her forehead. "I hope he or she is as smart as you, and has your gorgeous brown eyes." Rachel said softly. "I hope it has your good heart ." he said holding her hand. "Do you think it is a boy or a girl?" Rachel asked. "Whatever it is, it will definitely be loved." It was the kind of evening that Ross had always hoped he would have with Rachel. Quiet and romantic. Years ago , he had given up the hope of ever having that again. It was his fault and his mistakes that led to it.

Rachel slowly got up from the couch. "It's been a long day and we are both tired. Tomorrow is going to be even longer." Ross took her arm and helped her up. "I can still get up." she protested. "I don't know it just feels like something I needed to do." Ross tried to explain. Rachel started toward the spare bedroom. It would have to do for tonight. She turned and walked back. "I'll see you in the morning." she said as she kissed him on the cheek. As she walked away, he put his hand on her stomach. She smiled at him as if to say , it won't be long. "Good night Ross." she said before she closed the door.

Rachel awoke to a bunch of voices in the living room. Monica had her notebook and her lists.

"Joey, you need to bring over all of her shoes and purses." she ordered as she marked off her list. "Phoebe, coats and jackets." another mark went on the list. "Chandler, dresses, skirts , and blouses, " I will take care of pants and other clothing." Ross you're job is makeup and toiletries. "

"That should take up a week." he laughed. Rachel came out in a pair of Ross' pajamas bottoms and a t shirt. She was never a morning person, so this activity woke her up.

"What's going on ?" she moaned. Monica popped up ."Today is moving day, and we are moving you out of Joey's." she announced.

"Oh my God. I am not dressed yet." Rachel started to run back toward the bedroom. Ross grabbed her arm. "Sweetie, it's all taken care of. You just rest." he said as he led her to the couch. "Monica has categorized your things and they will brought over." he said. "Thank heavens for my obsessive compulsive sister.' he said under his breath. Oh well she was Chandler's problem now.

Toward the end of the evening, when all her stuff had been brought over . Rachel spotted a rather small box and walked over to it . She took off the lid and smiled. Her hands were wrapped around a white piece of cloth that had writing on it.

"What is that?" asked Ross. Rachel shyly hid it. "Nothing." she said as she tried to put it in the box. Ross gave her a look and then started to tickle her and grab it. Helplessly she surrendered.

He held it up and then exclaimed . "Oh my God. You kept this?" He displayed the article as an old t shirt with the phrase FRANKIE SAY RELAX. He remembered it well. It was a symbol of their relationship and the death it went through. She had asked for a momento of what she had said was the best relationship she had ever had.

"You were the best thing that ever happened to me." she said as she leaned toward him. He put his hand through her hair and they began to kiss……

More to come…

I know it has been awhile since I worked on this story, but started to watch season 8, (By the way, my favorite season) and thought I was inspired to write. I love this one because it was the way Season 8 should have been , no Joey declarations and there might even be a few surprises… I rewrote season 9 in Oh Those Barbados Nights.. So sit back Lobster fans… it 's a season as we wait for Emma to be born…

Next a new twist to the TOW Halloween Party…