Chapter 25: Decision time
Thanks to everyone who reviewed my last chapter it took me AGES to write
This chapter is a bit simpler tell me if you like it or not.
Enjoy!
XXX
Rachel listened as she heard the cheerful scream of her 4 year old daughter Ella
"Tonyyyy"
She was not that surprised that he had turned up, he had always been a kind, giving and caring person and never forgot the girls birthdays and always wanted to share those special times with them. But she was still worried because Ross was here; how would he react to meeting Tony?
Ross had frozen on the spot he, couldn't believe he had turned up.
Rachel made her way to the door, when she got there she saw Emma's scowling face looking straight at Tony. Emma muttered through gritted teeth
"Don't …you…ruin…my…birthday"
Tony smiled "I have no intention of ruining it. I only want to make it better"
"Then go away" Emma snapped back
"Sorry no can do kiddo, I came to see your mummy and Ella" while he said this he ruffled Emma's neat hair which she really didn't like; she pulled back roughly and stomped back inside.
"Hello Tony" said Rachel
Ella turned in Tony's arms "I'm so glad you came back Tony, me missed you"
Tony smiled "I missed you too kiddo"
"Hi Rachel" Tony said smiling "can I come in?"
Rachel pondered this for a second then reluctantly let him in "sure" Rachel said, a bit uncertain as to how everyone would react.
Tony walked in holding Ella in his arms and everyone turned to look.
"Everyone, this is a good friend of mine, Tony" announced Rachel
"Ohhhh" and "ahhh" everyone declared, finally putting a face to the name.
Tony smiled at everyone then noticed one person who was glaring at him menacingly
He walked over to him, it was Ross "So who are you then?" he asked
"That's Rossy!" cut in Ella
"Well hello Rossy" Tony said smiling and extending his spare hand out for Ross who took it "Hello Tony" but inside Ross was thinking;
What does this jerk think he's doing, swamping in here with my daughter in his arms, she's my daughter, he was supposed to be gone, everything I worked for with Ella is going to be ruined, no! I won't let that happen.
Tony wondered if this was the same Ross that Rachel had talked about, the one that was a bad father to Ella and never appreciated Rachel to her full extent. You see Tony loved Rachel with all his heart and he was very surprised to find this man standing before him that Rachel loved so much not willing to love her back; he hated Ross for everything he did to Rachel. For driving her away, for hurting her, for all the sleepless nights he had caused. For all the times Rachel had called him up in tears over Ross and for never being there to love her to the extent he thought she deserved.
And most of all he hated Ross because he was the only thing that stood in the way of Rachel, him and the girls being happy as a family. He needed to know if this was the same one, he certainly looked like the one Rachel had described.
"So Ross, are you 'THE' Ross that I've heard so much about from Rachel?" asked Tony nicely
Ross stared at him blankly "I am" but what Ross wanted to say was and are you the Tony that's manipulated my daughter into believing you're her father!
Tony decided that this Ross deserved no respect from him and decided to play with him a bit and see what he was like after 3 years of being away from Rachel and his children; he knew just the thing that would spark him off.
Tony tickled Ella and she giggled
"It must be great having a wife and children" he said to Ross not looking at him, just smiling and concentrating on Ella
Ross was thinking what the hell is this guy up to? Is he taunting me?
"Yeah, it's great always having someone to love who loves you" Ross replied smugly.
By now everyone else had gone back to playing and talking but Rachel was keeping a safe distance from Tony, Ella and Ross and watching them to make sure a fight didn't break out.
"I'd love to have a daughter like Ella, she's beautiful and always has so much love to give" Tony said with a glint in his eye.
Ella smiled and Ross gritted his teeth trying for the sake that they were surrounded by people not to retaliate, if had they been alone he would have punched this jerk out.
But she's my daughter he said to himself, reassuring himself.
"I just love spending time with her" said Tony stroking Ella's hair, Ella smiled and put her head on Tony's shoulder.
This infuriated Ross; he hated seeing his youngest daughter cozying up to another man as if he was her dad.
Tony smirked knowing the affect he was probably having on Ross but he wanted Ross to know that he wasn't the only man in Ella's life anymore and never was for that fact. Tony had spent the last 3 years watching this beautiful intelligent talkative little girl grow up, he had been there for all her firsts and he'd be dammed if he was going to let some idiot take her away from him. The reason he had come here today was because he missed Ella and Rachel so much and he thought being her birthday would be the perfect excuse to see her. He knew he had told Rachel that she should be with Ross but he had not expected Ross to be here.
"And seeing her growing up" Tony continued
She's my daughter, mine! Ross kept saying reassuring himself but Tony was slowly wearing down Ross's patience.
Ross was going in for the kill, his target, Ross's heart.
"Sometimes I feel as if she's my dau…." but before he could finish the doorbell rang and the chanting in Ross's head got louder till he exploded and screamed
"SHE'S MY DAUGHTER!!!"
Everyone went silent, even Tony and Ella were shocked. Ross grabbed Ella from Tony expecting everything to be alright once he had her but, what he didn't expect was for her to scream for Tony.
Rachel glared at Ross she couldn't't believe he was embarrassing himself and her like this
"Put me down Rossy" Ella demanded
"Yeah Ross you heard the girl put her down" Tony said, trying to act all innocent but smirking inside. Tony hoped that now Ross cared about Ella he wouldn't be so quick to lose her and would treat her better. He loved Ella and if Ross was going to be spending so much time with her he wanted to make sure he was treating her right and at least trying to be a better father, though he knew he would never be as good as him and Ella had already shown who she wanted.
Ross looked at Ella in his arms who actually looked a mix of anger and scared, he didn't want to scare her but he also didn't want some man taking his daughter away from him, he had already lost her once he didn't want to lose her again. But he just didn't know what to, hand her over and accept defeat or make her stay with someone she clearly didn't want to be with. He only wanted what was best for her and what made her happy.
He looked over to Rachel who looked VERY angry and he was slightly worried, after all it was her daughter that they were fighting over and it was all because of her. She was so worried about Ella; she was so young and shouldn't have to deal with this. She sighed and shook her head as if to say, this isn't right Ross and you know it.
He then looked to Tony who was keeping a straight face. Everyone was waiting silently to see what Ross would do, he reluctantly put Ella down and she ran to Tony, who hugged her, and at that moment Ross felt like the bad man, he felt like he had lost an ongoing battle and he felt like everyone in the room was thinking of how selfish he was for snatching a little girl away from someone she liked so much when all Ross really wanted was to have Ella back. He didn't want to lose her again and still regretted those 3 years of her life but he had to admit it was partly Rachel's fault though he still felt like he was going to cry right there on the spot in front of everyone.
Tony put his arm around Ella and held her against him. Ross looked down sadly as the little girl stared up at him. Emma had watched the whole scene and felt so bad for her dad, she understood that he was only trying to take what was rightfully his and she also knew how mean Tony could be and how he could manipulate her into believing Tony was her father.
Everyone was still quiet and looking at Ross, Tony and Ella. Emma got off her seat at the dinning table and walked over to Ross, she tugged on his pant leg and Ross looked to his side he saw his oldest daughter Emma standing by his side extending her hands as if to say she wanted to be picked up. Ross picked her up and she hugged his neck as she whispered in his ear.
"I love you daddy and I don't like Tony you will always be the best daddy"
Ross felt like he would cry, he could always count on Emma to make him feel better. He knew Emma would never think of Tony as her dad but held onto her tightly all the same, he was so grateful for her "I love you too Emma, forever and ever" he whispered.
Tony was dragged across the room as everyone went back to doing what they were doing and Ella stood in front of Erica and Jack "these my twiny cousins" she told Tony.
Tony was intrigued "do you two have names?" he asked bending down to there height. Erica got scared and clutched her brother's hand, "Who are your parents then"? Tony asked them, curious as to how these two were related to Ross or Rachel. The twins didn't answer they just ran to their mum and dad clutching their legs. Monica was surprised to see her daughter come running up to her but then noticed where they had come from. She didn't trust Tony after the incident that had just occurred and decided it was time they left.
"Rachel, we're going to go now" Monica said
"Oh ok" Rachel reached over to a table filled with party bags and handed one to Erica and one to Jack.
"Thank you" they both said as they left.
"Awww you're welcome" Rachel said, smiling at them and thinking how cute they looked.
"Look Tony, looks what Rossy got me" Ella said, showing him the bracelet inscribed neatly with "Ella" on it.
As usual Tony wanted to outdo Ross, "That's pretty Ella, but I have a present for you
and Emma, do you want to come and get it?" said Tony.
Ella's face lit up and she nodded enthusiastically.
Tony went over to Emma who was standing by Ross as he avoided all eye contact with Ross and looked at Emma
"Emma I have a present for you, do you want to come and get it"
Emma backed up to Ross and grabbed his hand and shook her head at Tony.
"Come on Emma he says" prompting her.
Ben jumped in "Listen pal" he said "She doesn't want to go, leave the poor girl alone"
"Why should I listen to you you're just a kid" said Tony.
This annoyed Ross, what in the world gave this jerk permission to talk to his son like that.
Ross pushed him back hard, "Hey! Don't talk to my son like that".
"Just what I expected from a Geller" Tony said rolling his eyes.
Ross, Rachel, Ben and Emma were all offended.
"Fine, Ross can come too" said Tony pretending to be polite when all he really wanted to do was punch him in the face.
Emma looked up at Ross then towards Tony and nodded her head
So Rachel, Ella, Tony, Ben, Emma and Ross all trotted downstairs. When they got outside there were 2 pink and purple, shiny bikes.
Emma's had a pink frame, pink wheels and white Stabilizers with a pink seat, it had a basket on the front and purple ribbons on the handles with a matching helmet
Ella's had a purple frame, purple wheels and white stabilizers with a purple seat, it had a seat on the back where Ella could put a doll or Barbie, it had purple ribbons, it came with a matching helmet.
Ross looked away angry that this jerk who had;nt even seen his daughters in about 6 weeks had gone and bought them both new bikes. He was also jealous, i could of bought them new bikes i just did'nt think of it he muttered quietly.
"Wow!!!" Ella said looking up at Tony "Is one for me?"
"Yeah that one", Tony said pointing to the smaller bike.
Ella jumped with glee and rushed over to inspect her new bike.
Emma smiled to herself but remained steadfast and stubborn in loyalty to Ross.
Rachel turned to Emma "Emma sweetie don't you want to play with the new bike that Tony has so kindly bought you?"
However, Emma shouted "I don't want it!"
Rachel was shocked but Tony restrained himself muttering "ungrateful child"
Rachel sighed and shook her head.
Emma turned round and ran off up the steps back to the apartment and into her room, slamming the door. Ben and Ross ran after her.
As they entered Emma's room and saw her sitting on her bed sulking, Emma said angrily "I hate him, why does he have to come and spoil our party?" Ben sat down at the foot of Emma's bed "Emma he did just give you a new bike, why are you so mad at him?"
"Because…because he's here…" Emma stumbled "He's trying to bribe us, I don't want his gifts, I don't even want him here" she continued, trying not to cry because she was so angry. Ben patted Emma's legs her but he heard Susan shouting him. "I've got to go, bye Emma, I hope you feel better and speak to me soon ok I left my number on the table" Ben said hugging his little sister. Emma nodded "Thank you big brother and I will"
With that Ben left and Ross moved up to the top of Emma's bed and held her "Why is he here daddy?" she asked
"I don't know Emma, I really don't know, I don't want him here either"
Emma looked up "If you don't mind I just want to be alone" she said hugging her pillow and facing the wall.
Ross thought it wise to respect her wishes and let her be so he went to leave the room but just as he was about to leave he turned and looked back, feeling grateful that he had such a devoted daughter.
Outside, Rachel went up to Tony "I think you better leave now Tony" Tony nodded "Rach I might come down on Sunday to see you"
Rachel nodded, but was unsure about whether that was a good idea. Tony hugged Ella, turned and left.
In the living room Rachel was bringing Ella's bike in as she trailed behind.
"Rossy is Emma ok?" Ella asked
"Yeah she's fine she's just tired"
"I want to see her" Ella said rushing to the door but Ross stopped her "Ella your sister wants to be alone right now"
"AWWWW" Ella sighed.
Ella turned to her mum as if to ask for another answer but Rachel agreed with Ross "Ella why don't you go play with your new toys" she suggested Ella did as she was told
"Where's Ben?" Rachel asked
"Where's Tony?" Ross countered
"He went home Rachel" answered calmly "Shame" Ross said and Ross and Rachel tidied the rest of the party stuff up in silence.
When they were done Rachel turned to Ross "Now do you understand their relationship?" Ross nodded
Ross had been thinking about what Rachel had said about having 2 weeks to decide whether or not he wanted to be with her. He was still slightly angry that Rachel was making demands after what she had done 4 years ago, taking his children away from him and running off. Although he was beginning to understand where she was coming from; he had been a bad father to the girls, especially Ella and he had not made any attempt to even talk to her in the aftermath. He didn't think he could bear to have a fourth divorce. His first 3 were enough to be ashamed of; he thought that now he was married he wouldn't have to bear the name of being a divorcer. He laughed, it was a funny coincidence how all his divorces somehow seemed to involve Rachel, he had married Carol after being in love with Rachel all through high school, he had finely been able to move on with Carol. He had said Rachel's name at the alter at his second wedding. Then for the third one he had married Rachel when he was drunk and then hid it from her. So he never in a million years wanted a 4th one. He remembered something Rachel had once said.
"I always thought if me and you got married that would be the one that stuck"
Ross thought that too, but when they finely did get married again it started well, like every relationship, but then it had followed the same path and had fallen apart. Now Ross had to decide if he loved Rachel and trusted her enough to be with her again and he didn't think he could make that decision here, he needed to be alone right now. With his and Rachel's history, every time they got together it fell apart he was feeling as if the best course of action would be, as much as he would hate and regret it, to divorce her. He just didn't want to be hurt again, it was like a curse set on them that starts out well then shatters their hearts into pieces.
He went over to Rachel, who was sitting on the sofa, he tapped her on the shoulder, she turned around.
"Rach' I've been thinking about what you said about the 2 weeks and I can't make my decision here so I'm going to go home for the weekend.
"Ross I respect that but please come back on Monday"
"I will" Ross said reassuringly.
Ross went to his room to pack, when he had finished he went to Emma's room and peeked inside, she was asleep so Ross didn't have the chance to say goodbye to her but he did kiss her on the head and whisper "I love you".
Then Ross went over to Ella, who was playing with her new Barbie doll, he knelt down to her level,
"Ella"
"Yeah" she said looking up.
"I'm going away for the weekend"
"Where?" She asked.
"Back home, I have some thinking to do"
"Can i come?" she asked
No sorry princess you stay here and take care of mummy and Emma and be good"
"I will but will you come back?"
"Yes of course"
"Ok Rossy" she said hugging him.
"Goodbye Ella I love you" he whispered in a low voice so she didn't here him.
He hugged Rachel from behind "Bye Rach"
With that Ross left.
XXX
On Sunday, the party had been on Friday, Ella was out on her bike playing and Emma was watching her, she was very tempted to get her bike and play with her younger sister and since her dad was gone for the weekend she thought no harm could come from just having a little go. She ran back to the apartment and grabbed her bike, Rachel smiled at the fact that her daughter finally wanted to try out the present Tony had kindly brought her. So Ella and Emma rode up and down the street. When they were at the top of the street they didn't notice a car pulling up out side there apartment and Tony getting out. He watched Emma playing on her bike and smirked.
He went up the steps and knocked on the apartment door.
Rachel was surprised to see him "Hello Rach, can I come in?"
Rachel had wanted another adult to talk to and with Ross being away that hadn't been possible so she let him in. She left the door open so Emma and Ella could go in and out.
Tony and Rachel sat down on the sofa "Sooo" Tony said "I was wondering where you and Ross stand with each other because he is living here but I've not seen you two hug or kiss or anything?"
Rachel sighed putting her head down
"Well, you see, I thought I would be able to cope with him being here all the time and maybe eventually we would get back together, but that's not the way it's turned out, Ross is great with the girls and he has proved to be a better father but I just can't live with him here knowing I'm married to him but we aren't together.
Rachel didn't know why she was opening up to Tony about her and Ross when she knew he didn't like him, but right now she needed to open up to someone.
"The urge to touch or kiss him and being near him drives me crazy, I want him so much so I went and did the stupidest thing possible"
Tony rubbed Rachel's back, actually feeling sorry for her, even though he hated Ross he also hated seeing Rachel sad or in pain
"What did you do" Tony asked
"It was stupid, we were at the fair and we were on the Ferris wheel. The atmosphere, him being there and the girls were asleep, it was all too much that we were drawn together, I kissed him but he pulled away".
Rachel felt hot tears begin to form in her eyes; Tony noticed them as well so he reached out and pulled Rachel towards him.
"That wasn't stupid, it was bound to happen" Tony said, reassuring her she had normal feelings.
Rachel shook her head "That wasn't the stupid thing"
By now Tony was confused "Then what did you do?" he asked.
Rachel tried to breathe long enough to get the next part out.
"I…I accused him of leading me on and we had this big argument and I said I couldn't live with him and be married to him but not be his wife"
"So i…"
"What" Tony stared at Rachel as she chocked out the next words.
"Told…him…he….had…2….weeks…to…decide….if…he….wanted…to…be…with…me"
Tony shook his head "Ohhh Rach why did you do that?"
"I don't know" she cried sobbing on his chest.
"You shouldn't rush things, let him come to you"
Rachel looked up "What can I do to get him to love me and want to be with me, I don't want to lose him Tony" she said, calming down a little bit.
Tony sighed again "There's not much you can do, if he loves you he will come to you but he probably already loves you, he might just be afraid of getting hurt again.
"So I'm doomed" Rachel sobbed.
"Well" Tony said, "Maybe you two should go away together for the weekend somewhere, talk stuff over, try to save your marriage".
Rachel wiped her eyes "Tony that's a great idea I'll ask Ross when he gets back.
"But don't force it Rachel and maybe I could look after the girls"
"I won't" she said trying to smile
Rachel seemed uncertain though about Tony looking after the girls "With how Emma is with you and Ross's feelings towards you I don't think that's a good idea, I will ask my mum or Ross's parents to look after them, don't worry they will be in safe hands"
Tony smiled, he didn't know exactly why he was helping Rachel with Ross but he half thought it might be because he loved Rachel so much he wanted her to be happy, no matter who she was with.
"Thanks Tony you're a great friend" she said hugging him.
Tony stood up with Rachel.
"Rachel can I do one thing before I leave forever?"
"Sure what is…"
Tony grabbed Rachel's face and pulled her towards him kissing her fully on the lips, not knowing Emma was stood at the door watching, in horror as the man she hated so much kissed her mum. What she couldn't understand was why her mum wasn't pushing him away.
The kiss was quick but intense and when it ended Tony pulled back and whispered "I love you Rachel, I always, will goodbye", she just stood there dazed.
Emma stomped over to them and as Tony turned to her he swore he saw flames in her eyes.
Rachel panicked, "Emma sweetie it isn't what it looks like".
"Then what is it?" she snapped.
"Tony was just saying goodbye Emma"
"To your mouth! " She snapped back.
"He deserves at least a proper good bye" defended Rachel
"He doesn't deserve anything" Emma snapped back
"You" she said pointing at Tony, jabbing him with her finger in his stomach, "Everything was great again until you turned up I hate you! Leave my mum alone!" she shouted and kicked Tony hard on the leg. Tony fell to the floor, Rachel went to help him and Emma stared at her Mum, someone she had once been proud of, "Wait till Daddy hears about this, he loves you and this is what you go and do!" she spat. Emma glared at Tony again and stomped off to her room.
When she got there she barricaded the door with toys, drawers and anything she could find, sat on her bed and started to cry rocking back and forward clutching her knees.
Rachel broke down and started to cry, Tony thought that anything he did now and the longer he stayed would just make the situation worse, so he went out of the door and down the stairs.
He found Ella outside playing and Emma's bike parked up against the stairs.
Tony walked over to Ella and she stopped "Wow your getting good at that".
"Thanks" Ella smiled, looking up at him. He kneeled down to be her height and held both her shoulders as he looked down taking a deep breath and then looked up at her.
"Listen Ella I've got to go now"
"Will you come back?"
"I…I…" Tony said thinking about if he should lie to her or not but realized she meant so much to him that lying to her wouldn't be fair "no I won't, I'm sorry, but listen" but Ella's eyes started to well up with tears.
"Hey hey" he said reaching into his pocket and took out a tissue; he gently wiped the tears away.
"Listen I can't be your Daddy anymore"
"Why" Ella asked wiping more tears away with her sleeve.
"Your real Daddy is back now and he's going to take care of you"
"Rossy?" She asked
"Yeah" Tony said "He's a good man and he loves you a lot"
Ella nodded "I will miss you Tony"
"I will miss you too kiddo" he said hugging her "Now it's dangerous for you to be out here on your own so get yours and Emma's bike and go to your Mummy, I think she needs you now"
Ella nodded she didn't mind, she didn't really feel like playing anymore.
"Bye bye Tony" she said hugging him again.
"Bye bye Ella"
Ella picked up her bike and dragged in up the steps, then went back and got Emma's. When she got to the top of the steps she saw Tony and waved to him, he waved back then left.
Ella went inside with the 2 bikes and saw a sad sight; her mum was kneeling on the sofa curled up in a ball crying. Ella put the bikes against the wall and rushed over to Rachel "Mummy?" She said putting her hand on Rachel's back. Rachel looked up at her youngest daughter her eyes and cheeks stained from crying "Mummy needs hug?" Ella asked quietly. Rachel nodded and Ella gave her a biggg hug "Don't cry mummy" Rachel smiled finding it sweet how concerned her daughter was for her.
They stayed like that for a minute then Ella asked "Where's Emma?" Rachel pointed to Emma and Ella's room "Did Emma make Mummy cry?" she asked
"No Emma didn't make me cry she just got a little mad and went a little crazy" Ella laughed and Rachel did too.
"Did Tony make mummy cry"?
Rachel was surprised, but figured Ella must have seen Tony on his way out.
"No Tony didn't make me cry" she said stroking Ella's soft thin hair.
"Then why Mummy cry?" Ella asked while Rachel fiddled and platted Ella's hair.
"I'm just sad"
"Why?"
"Because Emma's sad and for other reasons"
"Tony leaving?" Ella guessed
Rachel was a little taken back but nodded "Yeah Tony leaving made me sad as well"
"I miss Tony too Mummy me sad too but we got Rossy now" she said trying to sound positive
"Well" Rachel said "Then we can be sad together and your right we do have Ross now he will take care of us"
"No no-one be sad" Ella said getting up and walking towards her room.
Rachel was curious as to what Ella was going to do but was quite surprised when she started banging on her bedroom door shouting "Emma, Emma".
Emma who had been sitting on her bed sulking the whole time shouted back "What!!"
"Open door" Ella shouted
"NOOO!!! I am only coming out when Daddy comes back!! And when I know Tony's gone forever".
"He is gone" shouted Ella "He not coming back!!"
"Really" Emma said a bit quieter.
"Yep"
"Just…..go away" Emma said her voice choking up it was clear she was crying.
"NO " Ella said not wanting to leave her sister like this, "let me in!" going back to Rachel.
"NO Ella just leave me alone"
Ella reluctantly gave up and went back over to Rachel.
XXX
When Ross got back that night he found Ella on Rachel's knee rocking her to sleep and Emma was nowhere in sight, so he just presumed she was in bed .
"Hi" Ross said quietly.
Rachel looked up "Hi" then looked back down at Ella.
Ross went and sat down next to Rachel and Ella. Ella saw Ross and sat up "Hiya Rossy" she said hugging him and moving onto his lap.
Ross held her "Hiya you little sweetie have you been a good little girl while I was gone?"
Ella nodded
Rachel was very surprised that Ella had willingly moved onto Ross's lap. "She's been a very good girl" Rachel said smiling at the sight of father and daughter together.
Ella looked down sadly.
Now Ross was concerned "What's wrong Ella?"
"It's Emma" she said quietly.
Rachel fidgeted.
"What about Emma" Ross asked, now concerned something had happened to his oldest daughter.
"She sad, she blocked door" Ella said pointing to her room.
"Ok" Ross said getting up; he knocked on Emma and Ella's bedroom door.
He heard what sounded like Emma waking up with a shock.
"Emma" he called
"Daddy" she said she sounded tired and like she wasn't fully awake yet.
"Yeah it's me, can I come in?" he asked.
"Yeah wait a minute" Emma said sleepily, she began unblocking the door then opened it, she had got changed into her pajamas and was rubbing her eyes and yawning.
Ross stepped in and got quite a shock, there were books and clothes flung all over the room.
Emma "What's all this" he said looking around the room.
"My anger" she said yawning and waking up.
"Why were you angry?" Ross asked.
"Because I saw Tony kissing mummy".
Ross jumped back, he tried to control his anger for the sake of Emma and Ella he walked out of the room "Ella will you go to your room while I speak to your mummy please?" Ross asked
Ella knew this was one of those times when the grownups wanted to speak about grownup things that she wouldn't understand so she jumped off Rachel's knee toddling into her room.
When she was in her room she sat on Emma's bed next to her and the two held each other worried about what would happen next.
When the kids had gone Ross turned to Rachel but this time with a look of hurt on his face
Rachel looked up
"Is it true?" he said.
"What?" Rachel asked puzzled.
"That Emma saw you kissing Tony".
Rachel looked down but Ross wanted an answer now
"Rach is it true? yes or no?"
"Yes" Rachel muttered
Ross put his head in his hands "for god's sake Rachel why?"
"He was just saying goodbye, because he's never going to come back again"
"And that gives him the right to kiss you?"
"Ross it's not like I'm with you or anyone else now!"
Ross was so shocked "I cannot believe you just said that Rachel you my wife!"
"Well you don't act like I am Ross! And that's why I said about divorce"
Ross sighed so many questions he wanted to ask he took a deep breath
"Did you kiss him first?"
"No he kissed me, Ross he caught me off guard"
"Did you push him off?"
Rachel stuttered "It was so quick, I didn't have time to and I thought he at least deserved to have one last kiss before he went forever"
"Why? Why? Why? does that give him the right, I thought you still loved me Rachel" Ross shouted
Rachel shouted back tears beginning to form in her eyes
"He's in love with me too Ross!!"
Ross went silent he didn't know that Tony was in love with Rachel
Ross went and sat down next to Rachel he took her hand in his
"Rachel I can't be with you again, I'm sorry, I just don't want to put my heart on the line and ruin what we have now."
Rachel started to cry now
"No Ross just give us one last chance Tony he…"
But as soon as his name was mentioned Ross pulled back and rolled his eyes
"Ross just listen"
"He said maybe we should go away for a weekend together just you and me, the girls can stay with my mum or someone, just to at least give us a chance to talk and be with each other alone to see if we still love each other as much as we once did."
"Rachel I do love you… I just can't be with you again"
"Ross please just give us a chance to save our marriage, that spark of wanting each other might still be there but we need to try Ross. Every relationship we had ended because of cheating well there's no one here to cheat on and I wouldn't want too would you?"
Ross shook his head
"So just give us one more chance."
Rachel held Ross's face with both hands "hey I know you love me, I know you do" she went in to kiss him but he pulled away
"Ok fine ONE last chance we will go on the weekend to see if we can save our marriage but i can't gurrentee anything will happen" he agreed
TBC
The next chapter will be 'The second honeymoon