I had originally planned this as one whole chapter but I've decided to split it in two for dramatic effect. The 2nd part will come in just a few days. The song lyrics included in this chapter were performed by Jon McLaughlin for the movie "Enchanted". When I first heard the song I could think of it applying to only one (fictional) couple. You know who ...
Please, if you get the chance listen again and read this. It's almost a perfect fit ...
At that moment in time she felt so many things ranging from sadness to euphoria and everything in-between. Everything changed that day at the moment she heard the news. Her life would never be the same again.
Rachel became lightheaded, caused by her pregnancy and of learning of the news. She started hyperventilating. A few tears dropped from her eyes as she started to panic. She needed to get there. She didn't want to be late …
"Please, can you go any faster?"
"I'm sorry miss but its rush hour. The traffic is really bad through the tunnel." replied the cab driver.
"Is there any way you can get there faster? Maybe you can try another way."
"This is the most direct route to LaGuardia. Just sit back and relax. My guess is that it'll take half an hour to get there."
His estimate was unacceptable to her. The stakes were too great for her to be delayed.
"Half an hour? The flight arrives in forty five minutes. I've got to be there on time!"
"Miss, unless you catch a helicopter to the airport … it will take as long as it takes." replied the driver, becoming frustrated with her lack of patience.
Looking down at her watch Rachel huffed and then sighed as she threw her back against her seat. She placed her hands on her stomach, hoping to feel her unborn child. As she stared out the window she hoped that the cab driver was wrong. She had to be there before his plane arrived. She had a strange, inescapable feeling that her future depended on it …
As the cab pulled up to the curb at arriving flights Rachel tossed some bills at the driver and exited the cab, forgetting to shut the door. Running into the terminal she glanced at her watch to find that she was late, fifteen minutes past his scheduled arrival time. Panicking, she scanned the building for him. Unable to make him out in the mass of humanity that was moving through the terminal she walked over to a huge computerized board used to update arrival and departure times. She scanned the flights for his, finally finding it.
"His flight is late! I can still get to the gate on-time!" she squealed as the others around her stared, confused. Of all the people there, she was the only one that was happy a flight had been delayed.
'Why did I have to wear my heels?' she asked herself as she strode briskly to the gate. She was four months pregnant now and was starting to show. Neither the baby nor her heels would deter her …
Sitting at the gate Rachel found it ironic that she had, for the last few hours made herself sick worrying about getting there on-time … only to find out that she would end up being early, with time to spare. Arriving at his arrival gate she looked about for a place to sit. She had been on her feet for a long time and her feet wore killing her. Finding a seat between two overly large people she sat and took off each shoe, rubbing the soreness out of each foot. Sitting in her seat she fidgeted, trying to get comfortable. Growing anxious she glanced around the gate area at the people waiting for loved-ones to arrive as well as travelers waiting for the flight to arrive to take them to their own destinations. Rachel looked down at her watch and wondered. He would be there any moment and she would tell him. She wondered how would he take the news. Would it change things between them? Would they finally reach that happy ending that she always dreamt about when she was a little girl?
But … would it be too hard for him to take?
You're in my arms
And all the world is calm
The music playing on for only two
So close together
And when I'm with you
So close to feeling alive
Rachel grew ever nervous anticipating his return. Reaching into her purse she searched for a piece of chewing gum to help with her anxiety. Instead, she came across a prescription bottle. Picking up the bottle she opened it she took two pills, swallowing them. Closing the bottle she smiled as she considered her future possibilities. Putting her prenatal vitamins away she hoped that he would be proud of her. Monica, Phoebe and herself had indeed gone shopping … storing the entire lot at his apartment for him to see. He had told her to buy something for herself …she wore the dress that she bought with his credit card. She had bought it just for him …
"American Airlines flight 809 from Miami now arriving at gate 17" blared the airport intercom.
A life goes by
Romantic dreams will stop
So I bid mine goodbye and never knew
So close was waiting, waiting here with you
And now forever I know
All that I wanted to hold you
So close
Rachel jumped to her feet. She was too nervous and excited to sit any longer. She walked toward the arrival doorway as the gate attendant opened it in anticipation of the arriving jet. People stood everywhere blocking her from getting too close. As the first passenger disembarked through the doorway she stood on her tip-toes, trying to get a look.
It wasn't him.
Rachel repeated this process many times until her calves grew sore. As the crowd thinned she finally saw him …
Finally.
So close to reaching that famous happy end
Almost believing this was not pretend
And now you're beside me and look how far we've come
So far we are so close
Finally she saw him. Excited, Rachel started moving towards him, making her way around those in her way. Closer and closer she walked … until she noticed that he wasn't alone.
She stopped, dropping her purse to her side.
He wasn't alone …
It was a different airport, 3 years ago and China … all over again.
She was in shock. She had so much to share with him, but no, it couldn't be … 'Another one?' she asked herself, finding it hard to believe even her own eyes. Coming to her senses she gingerly moved out of his path and sat down on a seat so that she could watch them discretely.
She watched as they came off the jet-way. Ross looked so handsome, wearing a slight beard. She guessed that he hadn't shaved in days. It made him look rugged. Her heart swelled with a yearning she could hardly control. Rachel wanted to run to his side to tell him … but she couldn't. He wasn't alone. As Ross moved to the side she got a better look at her. His new girlfriend was pretty … in a science-geek sort of way. She was tall and relatively thin with red hair and a radiant completion. She looked older then Ross.
They seemed happy …
Rachel fought back the tears, unsuccessfully. Tears poured from her eyes as she tried to stop the flood. She felt that fate had played yet another cruel and painful joke on her. The future she had hoped for melted away as her tears fell. Whenever they had a chance to be together … someone always seemed to get in the way.
Wiping away the tears she stared in disbelief.
And then he kissed her …
How could I face the faceless days
If I should lose you now?
We're so close
To reaching that famous happy end
And almost believing this was not pretend
Let's go on dreaming for we know we are
So close
So close
And still so far
If you get the chance please review. I have only a few more chapters to go. We're almost there ...
Where? you ask. That famous happy end.