PART THIRTY-SEVEN - The one with the party plans.
It was Friday morning and Everyone except Monica, were sitting in the coffee house. Monica and the twins were coming home tomorrow and Chandler had asked everyone if they could help him to organise a party.
Joey was sitting at the small table. Chandler, Ross and Phoebe were all on the sofa and Rachel was sitting in the arm chair.
"So are you excited that Mon's coming home tomorrow?" Joey asked Chandler
"Yeah. I can't wait" Chandler replied
"Me too. It's so weird not going to your apartment everyday" said Phoebe
"I know" said Rachel
"You guys also miss Monica right?" Chandler asked
"Of course" said Ross
"And the twins" Joey added
"Speaking of...what exactly do you have in mind for this party?" Rachel asked Chandler
"Well I just thought we could finish setting the nursery up. Maybe clean up the apartment to Monica's standards" said Chandler "Then we could just hang out, you know in a place that isn't filled with sick people"
"The place shouldn't be that messy" said Ross "No one's really gone in there since Mon went to hospital"
Chandler gave him a 'you've got to be kidding' look.
"You guys have been letting yourselves in and out all week" said Chandler
Everyone looked down, guilty.
"Just to get a few things" Joey mumbled
Chandler shook his head and sighed.
"So what do you guys think?" he asked the group
"I think it's a great idea" said Rachel
"Yeah. Monica will love it" added Ross
"I hope so" said Chandler
"Ooh we could also buy gifts for the twins" Phoebe said excitedly.
"Oh yeah" Rachel agreed with the same enthusiasm
"You guys don't have to..." Chandler began to say
"Pfft" Phoebe said, interrupting him and waving him off.
They talked for half an hour. Deciding what food they were going to have and how the place was going to be decorated. They decided on finger food with wine. Ross was going to get a banner that said 'WELCOME HOME' on it. Rachel and Phoebe were going to supply streamers and balloons. Chandler was going to buy a cake and Joey was going to wrap all of the gifts that everyone would get the babies.
"Are we inviting anyone else?" Ross asked after awhile
"Well I was thinking of inviting your parents..." said Chandler "...But I kinda want Mon to be happy when she comes home"
"What about your parents?" Phoebe asked
"Well let's see...Mum's in Australia promoting her new book. And Dad's in Vegas" Chandler replied
"Really Vegas. Doing what?" Rachel asked
"I'd, uh, rather not say. Thanks" Chandler mumbled loudly
Ross patted Chandler's shoulder sympathetically.
"Chandler your parents do know about the twins though right?" Rachel asked
"Of course. I called them" Chandler replied defensively
"So how come they haven't come to visit?" Rachel inquired
Chandler put up one finger and explained like he was talking to children. "Mum. In Australia" Then he put up a second finger "Dad. In Vegas"
Rachel glared at him for his tone. She folded her arms over her chest.
"Hey Chandler" Joey called out
"Yeah Man?" Chandler asked
"I just realized that this is the longest you've been away from the hospital" Joey told him
"Wow Joe, you're right" said Ross. He turned to Chandler with a mock concerned look on his face "Are you okay, Man?"
"Funny" Chandler scoffed in annoyance
"I'm kidding. But it's true" said Ross
"Yeah Chandler, you can hardly stay one hour away from the hospital" said Rachel
Chandler smiled and said "Alright. You got me" he stood up and grabbed his coat, which was hanging over the arm of the sofa. "I better get back there"
"You're not just going because we teased you?" Phoebe asked
"No" Chandler replied, shaking his head "I'm going because I miss my family"
"Awe" said Rachel
Chandler walked to the door and then stopped and added "Can you guys let yourselves in to the apartment and start setting everything up?" he asked
"Sure" said Ross
"Cool. I'll be 'round later to help" said Chandler "Bye" he said with a wave
"Bye" said Joey
"Tell Mon and the babies we love them" Rachel added
After Chandler left, Joey took his spot on the sofa. They all ordered another coffee, deciding to wait awhile before they started organizing Monica's home coming.
"Do you guy's realize that everything's different now" said Phoebe
"What are you talking about?" Joey asked Phoebe
"Mon, Chandler and the babies" said Phoebe "Things are going to be different"
"That's right" agreed Rachel "I mean they're parents now. Soon they're just gonna wanna hang out with other parents"
"Hey, I'm a parent" said Ross
"Parents as in couples" said Rachel
"I bet they'll also move away from the city" said Phoebe
Joey frowned "I don't want them to move" he wined
"Well sooner or later they're going to" said Rachel
"I guess we never really thought about how different our lives would be" said Ross
"I know" Phoebe agreed
"I don't want our lives to be different" said Joey.
"Do you think it'd be better if they never got together?" Rachel asked the group.
They all sat in silence and thought about what Rachel had said.
"No" said Ross, shaking his head "I kinda like my nieces"
"I agree. Plus I don't think I've ever seen Chandler or Monica happier than they have been lately" said Rachel
"That's true" Joey agreed
"Liljana and Kaylee are so cute" added Phoebe
"At least something good came out of my wedding" Ross joked
Rachel laughed and said "Yeah, Ross. Maybe at your next wedding they'll get engaged"
"Yeah" said Ross
Joey and Phoebe joined Rachel as they all laughed. Suddenly Ross stopped laughing and looked offended.
"Hey!" Ross yelled.
TBC