February 1998-April 1998

He really had not expected to fall for anyone. He was fine with trying to be single and focus on his last few months of grad school and then Emily showed up. Rachel had told him to take her out because she had a crush on some guy named Joshua and Emily was her boss' niece. Ross was very reluctant to do it but he had been talked into it. Chandler's relationship with Kathy had been very short. She had cheated on him they broke up. So he was feeling bad and then Joey was auditioning for a Charleton Heston movie and not bathing. So Ross was it and the only person Rachel could ask. He reluctantly went and then fell. It was very unexpected as well as the trip to Vermont he ended up on.

"I've never seen Vermont," Emily said as she lay in bed with him. It had been the longest first date ever and the most incredible one.

"I've never seen London."

"I've always wanted to go," Emily said.

"So thank you by the way...for taking me to the opera and deciding we should go to Vermont."

"No, thank you. I needed this. It's been a very crazy couple of years and…"

"You're graduating."

"Yes."

"So what does that mean? You get a PhD and then…."

"Then I can teach, I can go on digs...I bet there are fantastic places to dig in London."

"Hmmm, can we do something? I mean, it's only Saturday, right? We can stay another night? Let's do something."

"Like what?" Ross asked.

"Okay, have you ever had a yes day?"

"No."

"Anything you do, you have to say yes."

"Anything? I don't really want to commit crimes?"

"No, but okay….what if I said we should go tandem skydiving?" Emily asked.

"No."

"It's a yes day. You have to say yes. For twenty four hours, you have to say yes. Come on Ross," Emily said.

Ross let out a sigh and nodded slowly. A yes day, he had never thought of doing that. He had never skydived. He never did anything crazy although, twenty four hours earlier he was in New York, taking a girl he had never met to the opera and now he was lying next to her in bed.

"Okay, yes," Ross said.

"Okay...good, first, no boxers-"

"If I go skydiving today, you better believe I'm gonna wear underwear….and pack an extra pair."

"You're gonna do it?" Emily asked, practically beaming.

"I'll do it."

The next twenty four hours involved a whirlwind of fun he had never truly experienced. He was the guy who played by the rules, followed the straight and narrow but this was unbelievable. He said yes to everything. First, there was breakfast which wasn't quite as exciting although they both ordered for each other. Emily got Ross Maple Nut Waffles and Ross ordered Emily Sugar and Spice Pancakes, both plates had the maple that Vermont was known for and they both enjoyed eating off each other's plates. It was after breakfast where the true excitement began.

Ross wanted to see the Bellows Falls Petroglyphs which looked like alien faces etched onto rocks and are believed to be aliens. They both wanted to see Ben and Jerry's Flavor Graveyard which memorialized departed Ben and Jerry's ice cream flavors. They brought flowers to place onthe graves and of course they had to see the Vermontasaurus which was piles of wood made to look like a giant dinosaur. They went to see the Rock of Ages Granite Quarry and Emily wanted to see the collection of Grandma Moses paintings and the grave of Robert Frost. She also dared him to come with her to the Knight's Spiderweb Museum and he said yes, even though everything about it made him want to start shaking and crying hysterically. The final event was the skydiving. He and Emily were attached to their instructors and before Ross knew it, he was falling out of an airplane, screaming into the wind. He could feel his heartbeat out of his chest and he could just imagine what his parents would say if he told them. When his feet were on the ground, the rush of the day made his knees buckle. He ran to Emily who was beaming as he held her in his arms.

"This has been the most amazing. I can't….I just jumped out of a plane."

"I know."

"I kinda want to throw up a little."

"Me too."

"Thank you, Emily...this is...I could have done without the spider web museum but this was...oh, man...I don't wanna go home."

"I know."

Without even thinking, he leaned into kiss her and she kissed back. He had never felt this alive before, this crazy and he wanted this feeling forever.

Phoebe's thirtieth birthday was ten days later in what was now Chandler and Joey's apartment. During a game, the girls had bet the guys their apartment and lost and now Monica and Rachel lived in Chandler and Joey's old apartment and Chandler and Joey lived in Monica and Rachel's. Ross though was still raving about his day with Emily. He and Emily had not stopped talking with each other ever since Vermont. She prolonged her stay for a few days but had to go back to London which he hated. He hated that she had to leave. He felt so boring without her there.

"I still can't believe you jumped out of a plane," Monica said.

"It was unbelievable. The whole….she's amazing, she's truly amazing and-"

"Guys, where is he?" Phoebe asked, cutting Ross off. She was pissed. Everyone was there, ready to celebrate Phoebe except Chandler. He had vanished. The excitement over Emily was quickly diminished when he let himself think about Chandler being gone. For a moment, he wondered if Chandler had fallen off the wagon again.

"Didn't he say something about Yemen?" Joey asked. The group exchanged looks. While at the nail salon with Rachel, Chandler had run into Janice who wanted to get back together with him and instead of just telling her the truth, he made up a story about going to Yemen. Ross had heard parts of that story but it seemed a little far fetched. Would he really go that far to avoid Janice?

"Wait, you don't think he went to Yemen, do you?" Ross asked.

Ross watched as Rachel stood up and walked into her old bedroom only to reappear a few seconds later.

"His stuff is gone," Rachel said.

Joey, Monica and Ross got up and ran past Rachel into the room. His room was practically empty. He had really gone to Yemen? Ross could feel himself getting pissed off again. Why was he so intent on sabotaging everything. The phone rang as Monica, Ross and Joey walked out of the room.

"I'm not getting that," Phoebe said, getting up and walking towards the big chair. Monica nodded and walked towards the phone, grabbing it.

"Hello?...Chandler, where are you?...Oh, wow...Yemen," Monica said as she lowered the phone and looked at the others, "he's in Yemen," Monica put the phone up to her ear again "What's wrong with you?...I know but…I know...alright….Yeah, she's here," Monica said as she lowered the phone and looked at Phoebe, "he wants to talk to you."

"I'm not here," Phoebe said.

"Phoebe. He's in Yemen and he-"

"Fine, tell him to send me a postcard," Phoebe said as Monica put the phone back up to her ear. "Uh, Chandler...she's a little upset with you right now….No, I'm not going to ask her that….No….Fine," Monica said as she lowered the phone again, "Pheebs, Chandler wants to know if you can pick him up from the airport tomorrow in your cab."

"Tell him to go to hell," Phoebe said.

"Did you hear that?" Monica asked, putting the phone up to her ear. "Yeah, we'll figure it out. Just get home. Call us when you get back to New York," Monica said.

Monica hung up the phone. Ross wanted to say something, he wanted to make things better but he wasn't sure how.

"No, no. Why...okay, why is he so fucking self destructive? So Janice breaks up with him, he develops a drug habit. He kisses Kathy while she was still dating Joey...and this is after we helped him through the drug habit and then...then he fucks things up with Kathy...and now instead of having the balls to say to Janice that he doesn't want to date her, he flies to Yemen...with all his stuff. When is it going to be good enough for Chandler Bing?" Phoebe asked.

"Look, Pheebs...there's a lot you don't know about Chandler," Ross said.

"No, I know a lot. It is my thirtieth birthday and instead of him being here...no and he broke a promise. He left," Phoebe said.

"He's coming back. Tomorrow," Monica said.

Phoebe let out a snort as Monica got up and went to the kitchen to get some more food for the group. Ross looked over at Joey who seemed upset as well. Joey got up and walked into Chandler's now empty room and shut the door. Ross looked over at Monica and walked in, seeing Joey sitting on the bed.

"Leave me alone," Joey said.

"No, I get it," Ross said.

"I wanna be his friend. I do Ross. The guy….and not 'cause he pays for my shit but I really do love the guy but fuck….seriously? He went to Yemen instead of breaking up with Janice? Come on, grow a pair."

"I know."

"You've been his friend for longer than I have. How have you held on?" Joey asked.

"Not sure."

"I'm not sure what to do. Tell me what to do. Seriously, and I'm asking….what the hell am I supposed to do?"

"I wish I knew. I know I make excuses and….I have to think and I know this sounds very Phoebe but there's a reason we were put together as college roommates, you know and I don't….I don't what the reason is and maybe…"

"And it would be so much easier if he was actually an asshole. If he was a jerk, I'd write him off but I like the guy. I don't want to stop but I don't know….how have you not given up? Have you ever gotten close?" Joey asked.

"Oh, yeah. The guy vanished before my wedding to Carol. He didn't even come to my engagement party. We had to track him down. He's….but I like the guy too and you're right, it would be so much easier if he was an asshole. If he was Gandalf or Kip, it would be easy but he….this aside, is actually a good guy. I'm glad you're here though, Joe."

"You are?"

"Oh yeah 'cause I don't know if I'd survive handling him on my own and you live with him so you can keep a better eye on him."

"He's an adult."

"Yeah, I know."

"So you jumped out of a plane?" Joey asked, changing the subject.

"Yes, I did."

"Did you pee your pants?" Joey asked.

"A little bit, not gonna lie."

"You know, you and I should hang out together more."

"That would be awesome."

There was a knock on door and Monica peered in, looking at both of them.

"Boys? Do you want cake?" Monica asked.

"Why is that a question?" Joey asked.

"Yeah, why is that even a question?" Ross asked.

Monica walked in and shut the door behind her as she let out a laugh and starred Ross and Joey. Ross could tell she was sizing them up.

"Okay, I want us to forget about Chandler right now. He is in Yemen. He made his choice and we can all sit around and be angry, I know I am but I want to celebrate Phoebe. She is thirty. This is a big deal for someone who spent ten years living on the streets. I mean, she made it to thirty. Okay, let's be pissed tomorrow. I'm tired and want a break and I know we are all tired and want a break. There is cake. I have drinks but Phoebe, just water, and we will have a good time," Monica said.

"Well, there is cake," Joey said.

"I could use cake," Ross said as he and Joey stood up and followed Monica out of the room and towards the table where Phoebe and Rachel were sitting on the couch, Phoebe was looking at a dress and Rachel was sitting by her. Phoebe held up the dress to show off to the guys. It looked like a blue dress with daisies on it, it was very pretty.

"Look what Rachel made me," Phoebe said.

"Very nice," Ross said.

"You're good at that," Joey said.

"I think so," Rachel said.

"Okay, cake time….." Monica said walking over to the group with a cake decorated with lit candles. The group sang happy birthday and Phoebe blew out the candles and Monica began cutting into it and passing out plates.

"So, Pheebs….how does it feel to be thirty?" Rachel asked.

"Good. I mean, I can't…." Phoebe said.

"Did you think you'd live to see thirty?" Ross asked.

"Of course, why wouldn't I?" Phoebe asked.

"Really? With everything you've been through?" Ross said.

"In order to get through everything I've been through, I had to believe I'd make it to thirty. Look, I know my stories are wild and I know my life stories are unlike anything you've experienced but….they're mine. They're amazingly mine and I went through them and….I'm proud of them," Phoebe said.

"I wanna go out tonight," Joey said.

"Really?" Monica asked.

"Yeah, let's go out. The five of us. I wanna go to a club or….you're thirty Pheebs, we should celebrate that," Joey said.

"I'm pregnant," Phoebe said.

"I'll drink your booze," Joey said.

"Should we go out? Chandler's not here and-"

"He made his choice, right Mon?" Joey asked, cutting off Rachel.

"Right," Monica said, "let's not tell him that we're going out. Let's keep that between us five but I do think we deserve a celebration."

"We should invite Janice," Phoebe said.

"No," Joey said.

"Awww, but Joe she must be so sad that her boyfriend has moved to Yemen," Phoebe said.

"And she must think we are the worst friends ever because we never helped him pack or even said goodbye," Rachel said.

"Exactly, maybe we should invite her because she probably thinks we're really sad too," Phoebe said.

"Her coming would make me sadder," Joey said.

"Are we being mean?" Rachel asked and as if on cue, all eyes landed on Ross. He let out a smile, knowing they were looking to him for the answer.

"I don't think so. Look, we will still pick him up at the airport-"

"I'm not coming with you to pick him up," Phoebe said.

"Okay, then the rest of us will go….we can tell him we stayed at home and celebrated and we did celebrate here but Phoebe should be celebrating. It is a big deal that you made it to thirty. I do wanna go out and we should not have to stop our lives every single time he makes a stupid decision. I don't think we're being mean. This is Phoebe's night. It's not his," Ross said.

"Let's go," Joey said.

The group finished up their cake and soon left the apartment to go out. The five of them took a cab to Club Lava in Manhattan. There was food, there was dancing and it was the five of them. They crowded around a tiny table with drinks and sparkling water in hand.

"Okay, so am I going to be the only sober one by the end of the evening?" Phoebe asked.

"No, I'll be sober," Monica said.

"No, you'll be wasted. That is my dream for you, Mon. That is my birthday wish," Phoebe said.

"Mon, come on….get drunk with me. Let's show Joey and Ross how to be classy drunks," Rachel said.

"We're not classy drunks," Monica said.

"I know but we could try," Rachel said.

"Can I get you guys anything?" A cocktail waitress wearing next to nothing walked towards them.

"Yes, can I have you?" Joey asked.

"Could you be anymore of a pig?" Rachel asked.

"I really can, you wanna see see me try?" Joey asked.

"Okay, a round of tequila shots except for her," Ross said, pointing at Phoebe.

"I'm pregnant," Phoebe said.

"Pregnant, I thought you were just getting fat?" Ross asked, grinning.

"Oh bite me," Phoebe said.

"Alright, I'll get you kids your drinks," the waitress said, walking off leaving the five looking rather stunned.

"Did she just call us 'kids?'" Monica asked.

"Oh, score," Rachel said as they did a five way high five and began laughing.

"How much younger do you think she actually is than all of us?" Phoebe asked.

"That's the worst game ever and I don't wanna play," Rachel said.

"Yeah, it sucks as much as betting your apartment in a trivia game," Ross said.

"Transponster…..it's not a word," Monica said.

"We are getting our place back," Rachel said.

"Like hell you are," Joey said.

"What the hell does he do?" Rachel said. "Phoebe and Joey, you both worked there. What does he do?"

"I don't know," Phoebe said.

"I didn't pay attention," Joey said.

The waitress walked back to the table with four shots and handed them to the group. Ross lifted his up and was followed by Joey, Rachel and Monica lifting up their shots and Phoebe lifting her water glass up.

"To Phoebe-" Ross said as the rest repeated him, "and to Yemen." The group yelled 'Yemen' as loudly as they could as they drank and soon they decided to dance. Joey grabbed Monica and Phoebe and danced with them and Ross and Rachel found their own area to dance in.

"So you like this Emily?" Rachel asked over the music.

"She's nice."

"I can't believe you went sky diving."

"Maybe you and I will do it one day."

"Maybe."

"I went to a spider web museum."

"That sounds cool."

"No, it's not."

Rachel laughed as he held her close to him. They were still dancing. The night wore on with Monica, Rachel, Joey and Ross getting drunk and Phoebe being sad that she had to remain sober. When they left the club around two thirty, three am, the group headed to a pizza place to eat and enjoy themselves more.

The next morning, they woke up in what was now Chandler and Joey's apartment. It was a bit confusing as four of the five were a little hungover. Chandler soon called to let them know he was at JFK and Phoebe went home while Joey, Ross, Monica and Rachel went to the airport. They would not tell Chandler about their fun, not wanting to upset him and also wanting to keep it amongst them. They would act as if nothing was wrong.

"Why wouldn't you just break up with her?" Rachel asked when they finally got Chandler.

"I tried...she said no," Chandler said.

"I can't believe you went to Yemen," Joey said, laughing. "Have I taught you nothing about women?"

Ross was kinda impressed with how Joey was acting. He knew full well Joey was pissed but it was impressive how he was pretending it was all a joke.

"You know as well as I do, she doesn't take rejection easily," Chandler said.

"Still...Yemen."

"Yep, a forty two hundred dollar break up...Joey, get ready to pay rent this month," Chandler remarked.

"Dammit, Chandler," Joey said.

"Is Phoebe really mad?" Chandler asked.

"Well, yeah...she's not pleased," Rachel said.

Monica was barely speaking to him as well. Joey cracked jokes and Ross tried as well but it was getting tiresome. None of them wanted to be there that early in the morning picking Chandler up from the airport, they all wanted to be home. It kept getting more and more irritating and how much farther could he push them? He really did not want to talk to Chandler about it. He wasn't sure what else to say but it was Chandler who wanted to talk to him, a couple days later at Central Perk. They were sitting side by side, sipping their coffee when Chandler broke the ice.

"I'm sorry about Yemen," Chandler said.

"I don't care."

"You don't?"

"I don't know what else to say to you. Just….stop pulling this shit, please. We like you and we want to keep liking you," Ross stressed.

"I caught her doing it the other night," Chandler said.

"What?" Ross asked.

"Monica. After I came back from talking to Phoebe, I heard her throwing up in our bathroom. I-I talked to her and um-I-"

"Seriously?"

"But….I'm taking care of it," Chandler said.

"How?"

"I-by being there?" Chandler asked, "look, you know how I feel about your sister. I'll protect her. I promise you that."

"Hey, guys," Monica said as she walked in and plopped down next to Ross.

"You made yourself throw up again?" Ross asked, alarmed.

"Chandler," Monica admonished.

"I had to, he has to know," Chandler said.

"It was stress, I'm fine," Monica said.

"Mon," Ross said.

"I'm fine. Okay….let's just….I'm fine. I'm getting coffee," Monica said as she got up and walked towards the counter.

"I promise you, Ross. I'm not gonna let anything happen to her. She's too important," Chandler said.

"You still like her, don't you?" Ross asked.

"Sometimes. I just….I don't think I'm good enough for her," Chandler said, "but I will be. I promise you."

"I believe you," Ross said.

"Just don't give up on me yet," Chandler said.

"Haven't yet."

"Did you guys go out for Phoebe's birthday?" Chandler asked.

"No," Ross said.

"Ross."

"Yeah."

"Good."

"Good?"

"She's thirty….that needed to be celebrated."

"That's what we thought. Get better, man," Ross said.

"Tell me about Emily?" Chandler asked which made Ross beam. He began to tell him all about Emily. It was becoming an amazing relationship and he truly loved every single thing about her and by March, he and Emily were even closer. Every weekend was spent with her, she constantly came to New York and when she did, everything felt more amazing. The only hitch was Rachel who was acting very strangely and when she had decided on a last moment party for Emily in an attempt to get to Joshua, he thought she had lost her mind. A thought that was confirmed when she began doing a cheer in her old high school cheerleading outfit and ended up with a fat lip. She eventually retreated outside and he knew he needed to talk to her.

"Room for one more?" Ross asked as he stepped outside of the apartment and sat with Rachel. She had ice on her lip and looked mortified.

"I'm sorry, Ross."

"Should be."

"Thanks."

"What the hell happened tonight? What was that?"

"I don't know. I'm...I'm scared. Maybe that's it. I mean, you're with Emily and you're….it's going well and maybe...we're….I think we're done."

"You and Joshua?"

"You and me. You're with Emily and maybe….it's going well."

"Please, it's...Emily and I are temporary. It's a one time thing. She's going back to England and then we're over. We both agreed on that."

"Ross, I don't think it's temporary. She really likes you."

"Please."

"She just spent the entire night here….and has not left after everything that happened tonight. She's in this, Ross."

"Yeah?"

Rachel let out a pained sigh, "go get her. Just go….I mean, I ruined your relationship with Julie. I ruined your relationship with Bonnie. Maybe with Emily, we can both move on."

"Is that what you want?"

"I think we have to. Ross, we don't work as a couple. We tried and failed and you got a girl in there who wants you."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. I'm sure."

They needed to move on. They needed to close the door on that relationship. It was important. Ross leaned in and gave her a hug and got up to walk back into the apartment. Ross looked at Monica and Emily sitting together, looking over a photo album and he could feel himself falling again. Maybe Rachel was right? Maybe he should move? Thoughts of marriage entered his head and he began wondering if maybe Emily was the person he was supposed to be with. Maybe Emily was supposed to be his person, his wife.

They stood at JFK, Ross had a pink box in his hand to give to her before they left. He kept kissing her and grabbing her hand and Emily kept giggling.

"So, what is that?" Emily asked.

"Scones. Chandler gave them to me. Apparently, he has a buddy he went to high school with who has a British wife and she made scones."

"I can get them at home," Emily said.

"Let's try 'em….it's an American attempt at British pastries….kind of," Ross said opening the box and handing her one and he grabbed one of his own.

"Oh it looks like they're blueberries or raisins," Emily said.

Both bit into their scones and they were quite good. Ross wasn't sure what the berries were because they didn't taste like blueberries or raisins but it was good.

"I like 'em," Ross said.

"Yeah, they're good. I'll bring 'em back."

"Bring McDonalds when you come back."

"I might."

"When are you coming back?" Ross asked.

"Soon, I promise. I need to get back there. I'm gonna lose my job."

"Hurry back," Ross said as they shared another kiss. His heart broke as he watched her leave. It hurt. He wanted her back, he wanted to move to London. He wanted to go somewhere and wanted it to be with Emily.

After leaving JFK, he headed straight to Central Perk where he saw Rachel and Monica cuddled up next to Chandler. They were laughing about something as he walked over and sat in the big chair.

"Hi," Ross said.

"You alright, man?" Chandler asked.

"Just miss Emily. Oh, by the way, Chandler, Emily wanted to say thank you for the scones. I had one. They were awesome."

"No problem. Did Emily have one?" Chandler asked.

"Yes, she really liked it...alright I'm gonna get coffee," Ross said, getting up and walked over to the counter. He needed coffee, something about those scones were not sitting right with him and as he waited, he still thought. He needed Emily to come back.

By April, he had made up his mind officially. Sure it had only been two months but he was graduating and it did occur to him that he was bookending his grad school career with marriage proposals but this was different. He needed to do this and he needed to propose to her. He did it while they were in bed. He asked and she looked at him like he was insane.

"Have you gone mad?" Emily asked.

"No, no. I want you to be my wife. Emily, these last two months have been the most incredible two months ever and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please say yes."

"Oh, yes. Yes. I will," Emily said, kissing him. "Where will we get married? London or America?"

"Let's do it in London. I had a wedding in America, it didn't end well."

"G-d, there's this church in London and I've always dreamt of getting married there."

"Then let's get married there," Ross said.

"It's getting torn down in a month," Emily said.

"Then let's get married in a month."

"Excuse me?" Emily asked.

"Look, next month, there's a whole new chapter of my life that is going to start. I'm officially going to be a PhD and I wanna start that chapter with you. I graduate in the beginning of May and then we'll fly to London and have the wedding."

"Okay," Emily said, looking at him, her eyes widened at what he was saying.

"Okay?"

"Yeah."

The two giggled and shared kisses, remaining in bed until it was time for Ross to drop her off at the airport and he could not wait until he could be with her every single day.

After dropping her off, he went to Lizzie's apartment wanting to tell her everything. When he was let in, he noticed boxes everywhere and he could hear crying coming from another room. It was then that he noticed Lauren's behavioral chart hanging from the wall and her name on red.

"Oh no, what happened?" Ross asked.

"We're officially moving to Tulsa," Lizzie said.

"What? Wait...what about my graduation and...and I also just proposed to Emily."

"I may have to miss your graduation and you proposed? You've been dating for two months."

"I know but it's….I just-"

"What about Rachel?"

"What about her? Rachel and I are done and wait, you're missing my graduation? Will you at least come for the wedding?"

"When is the wedding?"

"Next month."

"Next month? Are you kidding me? Well, probably I won't be able to make it."

"Why are you so pissed off? Why are you even moving?"

"I've had enough. I cannot afford...I am trying to raise a child and...I wanna be with my family and not wrapped up in this stupid drama. Why the hell are you marrying someone you've known for two months when everyone and their mother knows how this will end up and-"

"Maybe it'll end up well. Look, Carol and I dated for a long time and you saw how that ended and-"

"So you think this is the best way to go? Look, we're moving back Tulsa. Ross, do you have any clue how difficult it has been for me? I've barely been on a date in seven years. I don't have a boyfriend. I-I wanna be with family and I want Lauren to know her family and yes we will still have her birthday here and I hope you can come but-"

"Let me talk to Lauren," Ross said as he walked down the hall towards Lauren's room. He could hear her crying as he opened the door and saw her sitting in a chair facing the wall. Ross walked over to her and sat beside her, his back up against the wall.

"You got in trouble?"

"Yeah, I don't wanna move Ross," Lauren cried.

"But you have family there and you'll make lots of friends."

"Are you going to Tulsa?"

"No, I'm not."

"Will you write to me?"

"Everyday."

"Can I write to you and call you?"

Ross got up and walked towards a little craft table. He picked up a piece of construction paper and a crayon and wrote his address and phone number on it. He also drew a stick figure of himself with a stick figure drawing of Lauren. He returned to his spot and handed it to her.

"Here's my address, here's my phone number. You're my little buddy, okay."

Lauren sniffled as she took the paper and looked at it. She nodded before suddenly throwing her arms around him and hugging him. He could feel himself crying as well.

"Hey," Lizzie said appearing in the doorway.

"I don't want you leaving, Liz," Ross said, "you've been my everything. Our friendship has meant so much to me and this kid right here is amazing."

"Yeah, I wanna keep her. But I have no choice Ross. I need help. I know you'll help and everything but I need my family around me and I want Lauren to know them and I've had enough of New York," Lizzie said.

Ross stood up, still carrying Lauren, he walked over to Lizzie and hugged her, tightly. Lauren moved her body a little so she had an arm around Ross and an arm around her mom. Lizzie and Lauren and meant so much to him and now they were leaving. It was a bit too much.

He had to pull himself together before heading over to Monica's. When he reached their building and began getting closer to Monica's apartment, he could hear Rachel, Joey and Chandler cracking up about something. It made him smile as he reached the landing and walked into what was once Rachel and Monica's apartment but apparently had gone back to being Joey and Chandler's and noticed Rachel and Chandler covered in some sort of sticky substance.

"Guys, I have news...Chandler, Rachel...what are...never mind, come on, I wanna tell all of you," Ross said as he ran out of the apartment and into Monica and Rachel's. Phoebe and Monica were chatting and Rachel, Joey and Chandler soon joined them when Ross gave them news that he and Emily would soon be getting married.