SUSAN'S GIFT

"Ross?" Monica's voice hitched with surprise.

"Yep it's me, Mon, I'm so sorry I've been avoiding you, you didn't deserve that, I shouldn't have punished you for sticking by your husband, I'm so sorry..."

Monica remained silent on the other end of the line. "Mon, I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I'm hoping you'll give it to me anyway," Ross added anxiously.

"Ok." Monica said thinly.

"Ok…?" Ross asked, slowly, unconvinced.

"Look, Ross, I'm just glad to hear from you. You had me worried." Monica said stiffly, intentionally keeping her distance to mask her hurt.

"Mon, I've missed you, so much. I shouldn't have punished you for sticking with Chandler, he's your husband. I'm really sorry. It's just so hard, y'know? I feel so torn all the time, as Emma's dad." Ross's voice cracked with emotions.

"All this has been tearing me up too," Monica said softly, letting her guard down.

"I think maybe if we avoid dealing with this issue, sweep it under the rug every time we see each other; pretend it's not the elephant in the room. It's not ideal, but I don't know how else to deal with this. I just know I don't want to cut you out of my life, you're my sister."

"I'm your sister," Monica confirmed.

"Mon, there's something I've been meaning to tell you for quite some time," Ross said vaguely

"What is it, Ross?" Monica asked anxiously.

"I um... I proposed to Rachel, at the hospital... after the liver transplant, it just felt like the right time," Ross said shyly.

Monica closed her eyes, a dreamy smile crossing her face. It was the first time since the accident she felt anything resembling happiness. Her brother was marrying the love of his life, the mother of his child, her best friend. After all these years, after all this time, at long last, finally.

"God, it took you long enough," Monica teased gently.

"I know, I should've done it a long time ago... almost losing Emma, it made me realise. She's just... always been the one," Ross said dreamily.

"You don't need to tell me that Ross, haven't we and everybody else always known?" Monica chided.

"Yeah, as Pheebs would say... Lobsters," Ross smiled, "Anyway, I'm throwing her a surprise wedding ceremony, and it would mean the world to me if you could come," he added.

"I'll be there," Monica whispered.

"And I uh... I suppose, knowing you, you'll want to organise the food?" Ross teased awkwardly.

"I thought you'd never ask," chuckled.

"Mon, I love you; you know that, right?" Ross asked guiltily.

"I know you do, Ross," Monica said softly.

Carol stepped into Emma's hospital room and saw Ross sitting on Emma's bed, looking pensive and subdued. "Ross, where's Emma?"

"She's at physiotherapy with Rach and Joey." Carol nodded, seating herself on Emma's bed, beside Ross.

"Carol, I'm tired of being angry. It's exhausting. I'm exhausted." Ross sighed sadly.

"Then stop," Carol replied simply.

Ross nodded, "I think I have. I try not to think about Chandler, cos whenever I think of him, I get all angry, conflicted, confused… empty... I mean, truth be told, I miss him, Carol. I know I'm not supposed to, given what's... transpired, but he was my best friend, and I don't know how to let go. Y'know I've always believed I would marry Rachel some day, I've always known..."

"You and the whole world, Ross," Carol teased. Ross smiled sadly.

"And I always thought Chandler would be my best man," Ross said pensively, "Do you think maybe I should visit him in prison?"

Carol frowned at Ross, "What is it you want to achieve from that? Are you looking for an apology? An admission of guilt? Do you want to be friends again?"

"I don't know, I really don't know, you're right, no good can come of it," Ross whispered.

"I didn't say no good can come of it, I'm saying you need to ask yourself what it is you're looking for, if you decide to visit Chandler, or things will only end in anger and disappointment," Carol advised.

Ross signed forlornly. Carol asked, "And what about your sister? You still avoiding her? Still mad at her?"

"No, actually, I called her today, invited her to the wedding… I guess it's unfair of me to be mad at her for sticking by her husband."

Carol cupped Ross's face in her hands, and planted a gentle kiss on his forehead. Ross smiled at her bewildered, "What was that for?"

"For letting go of your anger; for calling your sister", Carol said seriously, "And besides, can't a lesbian kiss her ex-husband these days?" she added lightly. Ross snorted with laughter.

"Ross, I have something for you."

Taking Ross's hands in hers, Carol pressed a small black velvet box into Ross's hands. Ross opened the box... it was his grandmother's wedding ring. A silver band with a single teardrop-shaped diamond.

"I didn't give it to you when you married Emily, cuz, let's face it, everyone knew it was eventually gonna be you and Rach some day, it was always just a matter of time."

"Carol, I can't accept this, I gave it to you on our wedding day, it belongs to you," Ross whispered, trying to pass the box back to Carol. He felt deeply touched by her beautiful gesture.

Carol folded Ross's fingers over the velvet box, "It belongs to Rachel now."