Chapter 25
I push the couch back and forth, trying to find the perfect spot for it in the living room. I decide to leave it in the center, facing the window wall. And again, I fail at keeping her off my mind. Why is she taking so long? It's almost dinner time...I sit down on the couch and close my eyes to calm down. A couple of minutes later she appears through the door. "Hey," I rise up, sighing with relief. "I'm glad you're back," she smiles faintly as she walks in my direction; her exhaustion is reflected in her eyes. "How did it-how did it go?" She plops down on the couch.
"It was horrible...we talked for hours...he cried and begged me to stay...I almost felt guilty for wanting a divorce...I don't think he even realizes the magnitude of what he did..." She rests her head back on the couch "you know, what else he did?"
"What?"
"He offered me a big raise and a house for myself and anything I wanted if I stayed married to him! Can you believe it? He thinks I'm so shallow that I'd accept such a thing!"
"He's an asshole."
"Do I give that impression? Do I seem like a spoiled brat who only cares about money?"
"Of course not..." I place my hand on her leg, giving it a little squeeze. "So what did you tell him?"
"I said that all I wanted from him were the divorce papers...He eventually caved in...but ugh, why do I feel so guilty!?" I move my arm to her shoulders and bring her to me for a hug.
"Because you're a good person…and you still care about him." She looks up at me, unconvinced.
"Anyway…it's all over. We're getting divorced…I also quit my job…and left my home." Her eyes begin to get misty.
"I know it sounds cliché but…Everything is gonna be alright, I promise." She forces a smile.
"New couch?" She comments after a while.
"Yeah...I spent the morning at Pottery Barn. Do you like it?"
"It's nice," she says caressing the fabric.
"I also bought a coffee table and a couple shelves. They're bringing them in tomorrow."
"So you'll be moving in soon?"
"Yeah, if you're okay with it…"
"Of course, it's your apartment. Actually…there's another thing I wanted to tell you yesterday but I forgot. My father offered me his place uptown…it's kind of far but I think it's the best option for me while I look for my own place. I don't want to be a burden for Monica and Chandler or anyone else."
"Are you kidding? You're not a burden for anybody and I- I thought you were gonna stay here?"
"I know…but…won't it get weird? After all, it's us…"
"But it's a different us...Listen…this is a huge change for myself too, it'd help to have a good friend by my side. All I want is to be there for you and the baby…when Carol was pregnant I missed so many moments, it broke my heart. I don't want to miss anything this time…" she gives me a sympathetic smile "…we can give it a try…and if it doesn't work then…" I trail off.
"Okay…we can be roommates."
January 6th
"What the heck?" I exclaim shocked by the numerous boxes that occupy almost the entire living room. "Rach?!"
"Hi!" Rachel answers, appearing among the boxes. "You're now regretting your decision, aren't you?"
"Kinda," I joke closing the door and moving among the boxes "Is this seriously all your stuff?" I ask still incredulous.
"Yeah…but it's mostly clothes...I'm gonna donate most of them so I'm sorting them out."
"Do you need help? I'm done for the day."
"Yes! Please, that'd be great!" she puts her hands on her hips, scanning the room with her eyes. "These over here I'm done with, Could you take them downstairs, please?"
"Sure thing."
(…)
"Look what I've just found!" Rachel exclaims as I return from my third trip downstairs. I approach her, curious to see what is inside the medium size box she's holding. My heart suddenly stops beating as I immediately recognize the content. "You know, these are the birthday presents you sent me while in London…I had no idea I had kept them! I guess there's no harm in opening them now," She says excitedly, grabbing one of the packages and tearing the letter that was attached to it. I quickly take the package and the envelope from her hands and put it back in the box.
"No, why would you want to open them now? It's been a long time, the presents are already outdated…and you cannot even exchange them now." I joke although all I get from her is a confused frown. I set the box aside and pick a different one, which I proceed to open. "Do you want to keep this dress?"
"Why don't you want me to open the gifts?"
"Because…they're old, and lame. You won't like them."
"Well, I still want to see what they are." She walks around to reach the box but I quickly place my hand on top of it. "Ross, what's going on?" I sigh, helplessly.
"Alright, you can open the gifts if you want." She smiles, grabbing the same package she had had in her hands before "but…do not read the letters, please," I plead. She arches an eyebrow.
"You know that by saying that you're only making me want to read them even more, right?" I look down, embarrassed.
"Just don't, please. The Ross that wrote those letters is not me anymore. Whatever I said there is in the past. I'm not that person." I meet her eyes, silently begging her,"Please." She hesitates for a moment, looking at the package in her hands.
"Alright..." She reluctantly puts it back in the box.
"Thanks."
"But get rid of them or I'll be tempted!" I close the box and lift it up.
"I'll put this downstairs with the rest."
"Okay…"
2 hours later only half a dozen boxes remain unopened. Rachel looks around, pleased with her work.
"I think that's good for today. Thanks Ross." She wraps her arms around my waist and squeezes me in a thankful way.
"No problem." The buzzer rings at that precise moment.
"Oh, that must be the truck that's taking the boxes to the shelter. I'll take care of that."
"Okay. Hey, by the way, I'm meeting the guys in Central Perk in about half an hour, do you want to come?"
"Yeah, I'll join you later; I need to make some calls first."
"Alright, see you there."
(…)
"Guys! You are soooo gonna love me" Rachel rushes into Central Perk. We all look at her expectantly. "My father recently bought a beach house in the Bahamas and-and he's gonna rent it out starting February BUT he told me we could stay there if we go this month! And there's a long weekend coming up in two weeks so...who's in?"
"We are totally in! I could use some sunshine." Monica says excitedly, patting Chandler's leg. Joey groans.
"I can't go...I gotta be in town until we wrap up the movie in March...damn it!"
"Pheebs? Ross?"
"I think Mike already planned a romantic getaway for that weekend...it's our first anniversary." Phoebe grins.
"Aw, well then you'll like to be by yourselves, Won't you? What about you?" Rachel asks looking down at me.
"Is there a possibility your father might show up unexpectedly?" I ask dreadfully.
"I don't think so..."
"Then, I'm in."
"Are you gonna invite Mona?" Monica asks me, I feel Rachel's eyes dart at me.
"Who's Mona?" Phoebe asks.
"You've met her, his New Year's Eve date? She works at my restaurant?"
"Oh right! She's really cute..." She winks at me. I clear my throat uncomfortably.
"Ross, If you want invite her, that's fine with me," Rachel adds.
"Thanks, but I'd rather not...we don't know each other that well yet..."
"Okay, so four us it is. Great! I'll call dad right now!"
A bit short but the next update will be posted within the next few days. Comments? :)