Hey, just a few notes:
To the person who said that Chandler was not interested in sports, once again Chandler didn't have a drug addiction so I've kind of changed the character anyway.
Also, I think it's obvious by now that I've taken things from the actors actual lives and put them into the True Story series. The intense love of hockey as well as the addiction issues that Chandler deals with come directly from Matthew Perry. Monica having two friends named, Ellie and Laurie come from Courteney Cox's other show-Cougar Town. Ross' friends, Jonathan and Sam come from The Single Guy. David Schwimmer is longtime friends with Jonathan Silverman who was The Single Guy. In this chapter, there will also be a nod to another character Jennifer Aniston played. I won't say who...
Having Chandler love hockey changes nothing about the character...also Matthew Perry has gone on record and said he gets very intense during hockey games, I took it a step further
Enjoy and review!
September 1994-November 1994
He kept staring at her, not believing the words coming out of her mouth. How was that even possible? He knew how that was possible but Carol being pregnant? He had longed for a child but had wanted the child when they were together. Now? They weren't, she was living with Susan and he was….there.
"You're pregnant?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"How?" Carol asked.
"No, I know how but then are we getting back together?"
"No."
"But you're pregnant."
"But I'm still a lesbian."
He needed to sit or stand or walk or do something. He needed to leave the room and get air or do something. He sat on his bed and then stood up and sat down again. Lizzie was still outside in his living room, he could hear Lauren talking about something.
"I'm gonna be a father."
"Yes and Susan and I will….be the moms."
"Oh, yeah Susan," Ross said.
"You know, maybe the four of us should have dinner or…."
"Dinner? Four?"
"Susan and I and you and Lizzie."
"I'm not dating Lizzie."
Suddenly, they were interrupted by a knock. Ross jumped and Carol stared at the closed door.
"Hey, I'm gonna take off. Lauren's getting a little cranky….and so am I," Lizzie said through the door.
"Lizzie, you can come in," Ross said. Carol gave him a look like he had lost his mind.
"What?"
"It's rude to keep her waiting," Ross said as he got up and walked out of the bedroom with Lizzie stepping out of the way.
"What's going on?" Lizzie said.
"Ross, guess what? Look, I had a chip and it looked like a snowman but I ate it because I like potato chips and it was good and also mommy said she's gonna make me a meatball 'cause I like pasta and she's gonna make me lunch," Lauren said, from her spot on the couch where she was combing the hair of one of her Barbie dolls.
"Great, Lauren. Carol's pregnant," Ross said.
"What?" Lizzie asked.
"Ross," Carol said, her voice sounding angry.
"Oh….well, okay….mommy, I wanna have macaroni and cheese and juice," Lauren said.
"I'll make it," Ross said, walking into his kitchen with the Carol and Lizzie following him. He angrily grabbed a box of mac and cheese out of the pantry and slammed it shut. He walked over to another cabinet and loudly grabbed a pot.
"Ross, can we talk?" Carol asked.
"Wait and...why-you're pregnant?" Lizzie asked.
"Hey, Lauren. The pastas are shaped like dinosaurs," Ross said, holding up the box.
"That's my favorite kind," Lauren said, "and I want juice but not in a sippy cup 'cause those are for babies."
"I'll get juice," Lizzie said.
"We've got cranberry and grape….well, the grape juice is also called wine, but I do have it," Ross said.
"Cranberry will be fine," Lizzie said.
"Well, she is going into kindergarten next year, never too early to start," Ross mumbled as he poured the dinosaur shaped pasta into the boiling water.
"Father of the year," Lizzie muttered.
"Ross, seriously. Can you talk to me? We need to have a talk."
"Who wil raise our kid?" Ross asked.
"Well, Susan and I," Carol said.
"You know, maybe I should take Lauren and we should go. Lauren's favorite place to get mac and cheese is right around the corner, I'll take her," Lizzie said.
"I'm making her lunch. The pasta are shaped like dinosaurs and it's her favorite."
"This a not a conversation Lauren needs to be listening to," Lizzie said.
"Mommy, I don't want cranberry juice. I want grape juice," Lauren said.
"You can't have Ross' grape juice, honey," Lizzie said as she brought a cup of cranberry juice to the table and motioned for Lauren to come over.
"Why not?" Lauren asked.
"Too much sugar," Lizzie said as she picked Lauren up and placed her on a chair. She walked over to her purse and pulled out a plastic baggie filled with pink straws that had polka dots on them and stuck one in the juice for Lauren to use.
"I want grape juice," Lauren began whining.
"There's is no grape juice," Lizzie said.
"I want grape juice. You said grape juice," Lauren began crying as Ross and Carol exchanged a look. Lizzie glared at them as the little girl began melting down, screaming about grape juice.
"I can go get grape juice," Ross said.
"No, there's no grape juice. It's either this or water," Lizzie said.
"No," Lauren was in hysterics and with her arm, knocked the cup down, pouring the juice all over the table. Lizzie picked up a still screaming Lauren and walked into Ross' room, shutting the door behind her. They could hear commotion behind the closed door as Ross grabbed paper towels to clean the mess. Carol grabbed some as well and helped him. They began cleaning in silence, listening as Lizzie was calming the screaming four year old. Soon, the screaming began to quiet down and Lizzie emerged.
"Lauren's taking a nap. Rule number one of parenting, don't offer something you can't give them," Lizzie said.
"What happened?" Carol asked.
"She's been asking questions about her dad. She has a couple friends at nursery school and when she goes to their houses, she sees their dads and she has wanted to know why she doesn't have one."
"What have you been saying?" Ross asked.
"That she does and he's a very sweet man but we broke up and he moved away and he loves her very much," Lizzie said. "You're both gonna co-parent, right?"
"Well, Carol and Susan are raising our child," Ross said.
"Ross, you're still involved. That's why I told you. I told you because you will be involved."
"When?"
"I don't know, we will work on an agreement," Carol said.
"Great. I wanted us to be a family. I wanted you and me and our children. Not you, me and Susan."
"I know."
Ross walked back to the kitchen and poured the pasta into a drainer and finished making the mac and cheese for Lauren to eat while Lizzie and Carol continued cleaning the table in silence. He poured the pasta in a bowl and opened the cheese powder pour on top and quickly began mixing it. As soon as he grabbed a spoon, he could hear Lauren calling for Lizzie from his room. Lizzie walked towards his room but Ross stopped her, he shook his head and walked in to see Lauren sitting on his bed, her tear stained face looked up at him as he lay next to her, handing her the bowl of mac and cheese.
"Thank you. I'm sorry I made a mess," Lauren sniffled as she ate.
"It's okay."
"Ross, do you have a daddy?" Lauren asked.
"Yeah, but he's like super old."
"Like ten?"
"Yep."
"I don't have a daddy. Rebecca and Haley have daddies but I don't 'cause he doesn't like me."
"Well, that's not true. You have a daddy. He's on an adventure," Ross said.
"He is? Like Aladdin?"
"Yep, exactly."
"Is he gonna bring me stuff?"
"Yes, tons of presents. More than Rebecca and Haley's daddies give them."
"Why can't I go on his adventure?" Lauren asked.
"'Cause it's for grownups. It's dangerous."
"I miss him."
"He misses you," Ross said as Lauren snuggled up next to him, still eating her macaroni and cheese. "But until he comes back, you got your mommy and me and….Carol and Carol's friend Susan."
"I'm gonna go to kindergarten."
"I know. You're getting big."
"Is my daddy gonna be back from his adventure to take me to kindergarten?" Lauren asked.
"If he's not. I'll take you."
"With mommy?"
"You bet."
"Does he like dinosaurs?"
"He loves them."
"Good."
"Does he like macaroni and cheese?"
"He invented it."
"Really?" Lauren asked, her eyes widening.
"Is he with Simba?" Lauren asked.
"From the Lion King?"
"Yeah."
"He is helping Simba with his kingdom."
"Wow."
"Hey, Lauren," Lizzie said.
Ross looked up and noticed Lizzie and Carol standing in his doorway. Both were smiling at him. He took a deep breath and looked back at the little girl who was still sniffling a little.
"We got Aladdin ready for watch in the other room," Lizzie said.
"And I do have The Lion King," Ross said, grinning, "it's a good movie."
Lauren wiggled towards the edge of the bed and Lizzie walked towards her to help her. She grabbed Lauren's hand walked out of the room. Carol walked in and lay down next to him.
"That was sweet."
"I have to be involved in this kid's life, I'm gonna be a dad."
"We will make this work, Ross. You, me and Susan and you will be in this child's life. You won't be like Lauren's dad."
"I could never do that….maybe you could have a boy and it could be Lauren's future husband."
"She's gonna be like five years older than him," Carol said.
"Yeah, but by the time they're both old enough to get married, what will it matter?" Ross asked. "That would be cool."
"It would, but you will be involved, we share custody, we will make this work. I promise you. Just like Lauren, this kid is gonna get so much love that it won't matter."
"I hate Susan."
"I know, but now it's gonna be the three of us….forever."
"Oh, joy."
"Ross?" Lauren asked walking over to him. "Will you watch with me?"
"I was waiting for you to ask."
"Do you think my daddy is with Aladdin?" Lauren asked as Ross got off the bed and swooped Lauren up in his arms.
"Yes, I do. Aladdin and your daddy are best friends and they go hang out with Simba all the time and have parties."
"Does Princess Jasmine come?" Lauren asked as he carried out into the living room with Carol following.
"Of course," Ross said.
"Cool," Lauren said as Ross sat her back down on the couch and Lizzie gave him a smile. Carol plopped herself down next to Ross as they all continued to watch Aladdin followed by The Lion King. Ross' mind was whirling, he was going to be a father. How would he do this? Carol said he would include him in everything but what would he miss? How much would he get to see his son or daughter? It also dawned on him that he would have to tell people. He would have to tell his parents, his sister and as he watched Aladdin fly with Jasmine on that magic carpet, there was a small part of him that wondered if it was at all possible for him to hitch a ride.
After Carol, Lizzie and Lauren left, he headed over to Monica's for dinner. He was secretly freaking out as he walked up those flights of stairs. As he reached Monica's floor, he heard loud noises coming from Chandler and Joey's apartment. He opened the door just a hammer flew by his head and lodged into a dartboard.
"What the hell are you two doing?" Ross asked.
"Hammer darts," Joey said.
"You gotta learn to knock," man," Chandler said.
"I'm sorry, I didn't expect to walk into you morons throwing hammers at your wall. You do realize you won't be getting the security deposit back," Ross said.
"Oh, I kissed that goodbye a long time ago, look up," Chandler said.
Ross looked up and noticed food stains on the ceiling, "what is that?"
"Food art. We were trying see which condiments had better sticking power," Chandler said.
"It was for science," Joey said.
"You're both grown adults, you do realize that, don't you?" Ross asked.
"Don't be a hater," Chandler said.
"I'll try...by the way, Carol's pregnant. With my child," Ross said.
"Wow, Carol really sucks at being a lesbian," Joey said.
"Whoa, you're gonna be a dad?" Chandler asked.
"Yeah."
"I couldn't even imagine being a dad," Chandler said.
"Oh, that would be my worst nightmare. Some chick calling me up and and going, 'yeah, you got a kid,'. I'd be like wrong number," Joey said.
"You're a classy, classy man," Chandler said.
"I know, right?" Joey said.
"What are you going to do?" Chandler asked.
"I don't know. What would you do?" Ross asked.
"Me? Please, I will never be a father," Chandler said.
"You won't?" Joey asked.
"No, I don't want kids. I grew up in the most fucked home you could imagine and I'd be a horrible dad," Chandler said.
"Okay, what am I going to do?" Ross asked.
"Simple, just don't call back," Joey said.
"Carol's my ex-wife. Alright let's go talk to the girls, maybe they'll help," Ross said as he walked out with the boys following behind him. They walked into the Monica and Rachel's apartment. Monica was cooking while Phoebe and Rachel were on the couch, drinking slow death smoothies.
"Chandler, I thought you said you had shown Phoebe all the John Hughes movies," Rachel said.
"I did," Chandler said.
"Then why did she just say that Ferris Bueller is better than Breakfast Club?" Rachel asked.
"'Cause it is," Chandler said.
"Oh my G-d, you really are an idiot," Rachel got up and began practically marching towards the door.
"Why do you say that Princess?" Chandler asked, grinning.
"We are taking all the John Hughes movies from your collection and we are watching them and I will prove it and-"
"I loved Sixteen Candles," Monica said.
"That was awesome too, I'll be back," Rachel walked out of the apartment.
"Don't touch my movies, I don't want Rachel cooties," Chandler yelled, following her out of the apartment. Monica let out a laugh as Ross joined her in the kitchen and Joey went to join Phoebe on the couch.
"At least they're getting along," Ross said.
"They really are, surprisingly. I guess any hatred they had towards each other went away."
"I was right."
"What were you right about?" Monica asked.
"I had feeling that if they actually got to know each other, they would be friends."
"Ross, you're gonna be a dad?" Phoebe asked from the couch.
"What?" Monica asked.
"Thanks, Joe," Ross said.
"I thought we were telling people," Joey said.
"Stop touching my movies inappropriately," Chandler said as he followed a very angry Rachel back into the apartment. As they walked in, both stopped as it was impossible to ignore the mood change.
"Why is it weird?" Rachel asked.
"You're gonna be a dad?" Monica asked.
"Mazel Tov," Chandler said.
"You already knew," Ross said.
"Ehhh," Chandler said as he grabbed the movies out of Rachel's hands and walked over to the couch, with Rachel glaring at him and storming after him.
"You're gonna be a dad?" Monica asked again.
"Yeah. Carol is pregnant," Ross said.
"How?" Monica asked.
"What?" Ross asked.
"Never mind," Monica said.
"What am I gonna do?" Ross asked.
"You're gonna be a dad. What else can you do? You have no other choice," Monica said.
"It's not like Carol and Susan will move in with me and the kid will live with them most of the time," Ross said.
"It'll be amazing," Monica said.
"And Mon, you'll be an aunt," Phoebe said.
"I will, oh, I will. That'll be even better. It will be practice for when I have my own. Oh, I have to call Carol. We'll have to put together a baby shower. A lesbian baby shower, oh that'll be fun. There's just so much to buy, I have to create a menu and-"
"Are you now more involved in this than I am?" Ross asked, grinning at his forever baby-crazed sister.
"I think I just might be," Monica mused.
"And Chandler will be an amazing uncle," Rachel said.
Ross laughed a little at that. Ever since their little shared moment at Rachel's old apartment, he had a feeling Rachel believed something was going on between Monica and Chandler or something should.
"I am going to kill you," Chandler said.
"Yeah, Rach. I'd be careful seeing as I have a sharp knife in my hand and I am feeling clumsy and by the way, I think Sixteen Candles was better than Ferris Bueller or Breakfast Club," Monica said.
"Get out of your apartment," Chandler said.
"I liked the Ferris Bueller television show. Remember that? The girl who played Jeannie looked so much like me it was scary," Rachel mused.
"No she didn't, that girl was hot," Chandler said.
"Can we please talk about the fact that I'm gonna be a dad?" Ross asked.
"You're gonna be fine, Ross. You're gonna be an amazing dad and I will be an even better aunt and I'm gonna make sure you don't fuck up my nephew. You're not alone," Monica said.
"I know," Ross said as he let out a sigh walked over to the couch. Chandler began to load Ferris Bueller much to Rachel's objection that they watch Breakfast Club first. He liked being surrounded by them, it took his mind off the changes that would soon be happening in his life.
He turned twenty five that October and in the first quarter century of his life, he had been married and divorced and now he would be a father. He got practice with Lauren. That Halloween, he went trick or treating with Lauren and Lizzie and he loved walking with her and holding her hand, having her practice saying "trick or treat" and then "thank you" after she got a piece of candy. It did excite him that he would one day be able to take his own child trick or treating and maybe he could take his kid trick or treating with Lauren?
November came with more changes as the realization that he was going to have a child became even more real with each passing sonogram. He had put off telling his parents. He had not wanted to tell them. Telling them about the divorce was one thing but now they would be grandparents. He knew he had to but it was a matter of when and that moment came sooner than he wanted when apparently painkillers made that choice for him.
During the funeral for his grandmother, Ross had fallen in a grave and had been given painkillers which seemed to result in him telling the truth to everyone. He told his parents that Carol was pregnant with their grandchild and he told Rachel that he was in love with her. It was the worst funeral ever. His parents had many questions when he had come down from his painkiller high as did Rachel. His parents kept leaving messages and Rachel ended up showing up at the museum for an impromptu lunch.
"It was the drugs. I fell in a grave, Rach," Ross tried.
"That must have been terrifying."
"It was not fun."
"Ross….I like you a lot, I do...but….I can't….I just can't get into another relationship."
"What about Paolo?" Ross asked. That was a new development as well. During a citywide blackout, Rachel had met this guy, Paolo whom he thought was a turd. She had told Ross it was all about passion and that after Chip and Barry, she just wanted passion. It didn't make Ross hate Paolo any less.
"I told you...it's different. Ross….I don't know."
"I know. Look, okay...I did like you when we were kids," Ross said, at least giving her that.
"I did too. I liked dancing with you at Monica's Bat Mitzvah."
"I liked that I made ten bucks," Ross grinned.
"I'm sure you did. I just...you know Monica and Chandler like each other," Rachel said.
Ross let out a snort and shook his head. He knew Rachel knew that and was just changing the subject and he was more than happy to follow.
"Oh, I know."
"You know?"
"I know. Monica's twenty first birthday? Apparently, she told the guy that she was dating at the time that she loved Chandler."
"Nooooo," Rachel said.
"Yes and when Chandler and I and these two buddies of ours went on a cross country trip, Chandler mailed Monica a postcard from every city we were in."
"Awwww, that's so sweet."
"So, it's inevitable."
"So then…"
"Well, you know...neither one are that smart," Ross joked, which made Rachel laugh a little.
"I guess so."
"So...how have you been doing? This whole new life?" Ross asked.
"I'm okay. Getting there. It's strange. I haven't spoken to anyone from my old life. You know and it's odd...it's odd how quickly I was dropped. I'm excited for Thanksgiving though, my family is going to Vail. We used to go to the Lake House with Barry's family."
"That place is nice."
"It is...and I used to love Vail. A bunch of us would go every Christmas and New Years. I can't do that this year. We would spend the whole month in Vail, skiing and having so much fun. I almost burnt down Kiki's cabin once because I tried to make to toast."
"Seriously?"
"The toaster was defective."
"I'm sure."
"I'm gonna miss that that though. I mean, don't get me wrong….I would so much rather spend it with you guys but for the past five years, I pretty much spent an entire month in Vail celebrating the holidays in a cabin with fifteen other people. It was fun...it's the first year I really won't be able to, not that I'd be invited now but still….it makes me a little sad," Rachel said.
"Well, we will make it fun. We will all probably hang out and you know, if you want, you and I can make fun of Monica and Chandler and take bets on when they'll finally get together?"
"I love that. When are you thinking?" Rachel asked.
"Next five years."
"So you're betting on 1999?"
"Yeah, you?"
"I'm gonna go a year earlier. 1998."
"Okay…..hundred dollars."
"I'm a waitress," Rachel said.
"We're talking four or five years from now."
"Okay. Hundred dollars."
Rachel grinned as she and Ross shook hands and continued their lunch. Sitting across from her, he wondered. He was single, technically. Sure there was whatever was going on with Lizzie and Rachel was doing something with Paolo but he did like her. He had always liked her and loved what she was doing. She was starting over and those feelings did not go away. She was two face, although, lately he thought she could be...just Rachel.
"Can I ask you something else?" Ross asked, staring at his food and then back at Rachel.
"Sure."
"I know you're not ready and-and-that's okay but when you're ready….if you want...would you wanna maybe go-go out sometimes?"
"On a date?"
"Maybe?"
"On a date with you?" Rachel asked.
"I would like to be there….you know...yeah…"
"Yeah. When I'm ready, I would like that," Rachel said.
He kept thinking about his lunch with Rachel. She kept telling him about Vail. As it got closer to Thanksgiving, the idea of getting away also sounded good. Sure they couldn't afford Vail, but there were places in New York to go skiing. Maybe a daytrip would be a good idea. It would get his mind off of everything. That Thanksgiving ended up being unexpected, the six had Thanksgiving over grilled cheese sandwiches because Monica had accidentally burned the dinner because apparently Chandler had convinced the others to go look at an Underdog balloon from the roof. It was sitting there though, that he decided that they needed a moment away.
"You know…we can still ski," Ross said after Chandler's toast and they continued eating their sandwiches.
"Are we going to Vail?" Rachel asked.
"No, but there are places to ski in New York. Would you guys wanna go skiing tomorrow or this weekend? There are places in the Catskills and I mean, Vail isn't the only place to ski," Ross said.
It was decided, a day in the Catskills Mountains skiing would be the best way to get his mind off everything. If he knew how to ski. He hadn't really thought of that until he and Rachel were standing side by side on the top of a mountain made of ice. He would actually have to ski.
"Ross, have you ever skied before?" Rachel asked.
"Yes."
"When?"
"I had a dream once."
"Okay, Ross ….stand up."
"I can't."
"Come on," Rachel said, reaching for his hand. He grabbed it as she gently pulled him up. She tried to help him remain standing.
"I think I have it," Ross said.
"You sure?" Rachel asked, still not letting go of him.
"Yeah. I think so."
Rachel slowly let go of him but when he started to slip again, she grabbed him.
"Why did you suggest skiing if you've never done it?" Rachel asked.
"'Cause...you wanted to and you were looking forward to Vail so…."
"That's sweet….okay, let's do this although, if you want, we can hit the bunny slopes."
"No, no….it's fine. I don't….I don't want Chandler and Joey to make fun of me."
"Honey, they already make fun of you."
"I know."
"Alright, keep your balance and go slow. Okay?"
Ross nodded as Rachel proceeded to help him ski down the mountain. She laughed as he tried desperately to keep his balance and not fall over. It was a tad awkward considering he had about six inches on her but he did his best. When they finally reached the bottom, he decided he needed a break. So he crawled towards a tree and sat by it. Rachel sat next to him as they watched skiers speed past them.
"So who's your girlfriend?" Rachel asked.
"What?"
"Your girlfriend."
"I don't have a girlfriend."
"Ross, don't lie. I saw you."
"When?" Ross asked, his heart beating a little faster. Had she caught Lizzie and him together?
"A couple days ago. I saw you at the mall holding hands with a very pretty brunette girl."
"Oh, no," Ross said, his heart dropping to his stomach. He had been at the mall with Lizzie, they had been looking for a present for Lauren who was going to be doing a Thanksgiving recital at her nursery school. "Why didn't you say anything?"
"'Cause I wasn't sure, you had never mentioned a girlfriend so I thought I should wait….who is she?"
"Okay, alright….Rach, you cannot tell anyone."
"Okay. Who is she?"
"She's not a girlfriend. At all. She's a friend from college. She's….Lizzie. Chandler's ex-girlfriend. After they broke up, Lizzie and I remained close and she has a four year old. Not mine, not Chandler's...we don't know who the dad is but Liz and I have hooked up, many times and...it's a sort of friends with benefits thing and we have not told Chandler. We cannot tell Chandler. He doesn't know I keep in touch with her."
"Wow, Ross."
"I know."
"Would he be upset if he found out?"
"He wouldn't be happy. He loved that girl….he just treated her like shit but….I love hanging out with Lauren, though. She's so sweet. She was the reason I wanted a kid with Carol. I'm excited about this, you know but it's...it's not how I expected the things to go."
"I know the feeling. But you know, Vail is spectacular. Gorgeous but today….was twenty times better than Vail could ever be. So even though it's not quite what I wanted, it's better and don't worry. I won't tell Chandler."
"Thank you," Ross said.
They remained side by side, silently watching the skiers and Ross kept thinking about Lizzie and Lauren and Carol and Susan. 1995 was just around the corner and with that would bring fatherhood, not what he was expecting but maybe Rachel was right, it would be better.