Hi! I'm finally managing to post another chapter. I'm getting closer, but hopefully, the words will come a little easier to me so I can post another chapter or two more quickly than I have been. I thank everyone who has stuck with this story. I appreciate your patience more than you know and hope to be able to post more often as I draw nearer to the conclusion. Thank you, as always, for reading! :-)

Chapter 37

The friends gathered at Phoebe and Mike's apartment on Christmas Eve amid a blustery cold evening with a chance of snow flurries. Monica had planned to host the evening, but when Phoebe called and asked if she and Mike could have everyone come to their place so they could get used to entertaining guests in their home, Monica, with a sense of relief that surprised her, quickly agreed. Monica found herself looking forward to being a guest rather than the hostess.

Dinner was a success, even though Emma and Adrianna were too excited to eat. Although they didn't know if there would be any presents for them to open, they knew Christmas morning was mere hours away.

"Leave the dishes," Mike said. "Let's gather in the living room. There might be a present or two for Emma and Adrianna to open."

Adrianna looked up at Mike with wide eyes and a huge smile. She couldn't help it. He was so nice. And friendly. And cute.

"What about the rest of us?" Joey asked, feigning disappointment.

"There might be a gift with your name on it," Phoebe assured him with a laugh.

"I think Emma and Adrianna should pass out the gifts," Rachel said.

Chandler quickly agreed.

That was fine with the giddy young girls.

Once the gifts had been distributed and opened, Emma and Adrianna asked if they could play with their new toys. Phoebe started to show them to the room when Monica stopped them.

"Rachel and I have one more gift for each of you to open."

Puzzled, Chandler looked at her, but she merely nodded that everything was okay.

"Yes," Rachel said, clapping her hands excitedly. "We want you to open these."

She handed one gaily wrapped box to her daughter while Monica presented Adrianna with a tastefully wrapped box. The girls sat in the middle of the carpeted living room and eagerly opened their unexpected presents. Both gasped with joy when they saw what the boxes contained.

"Show us," an excited Phoebe said.

She saw how the children's eyes danced with happiness. She looked at Mike and realized she couldn't wait to see their children's eyes glow with happiness on Christmas.

"You first," Emma said to Adrianna.

"'Kay. So pretty from Monica. Thank you."

Adrianna held up a red velvet dress with cap sleeves, white lace trim, and a red satin ribbon around the middle.

"So beautiful," Phoebe gushed, knowing the little girl would look adorable and that Monica had done this on her own.

The look of happiness and surprise on Chandler's face proved that.

"Show us yours, Emma," Monica encouraged, unable to hide her delight that Adrianna liked the dress she had picked out especially for her.

Emma proudly displayed her dress which was a black velvet bodice with a shimmering dusty rose dotted skirt.

"Thank you, Mommy," Emma said and rushed to hugged Rachel. "I love it."

Adrianna looked to Chandler who nodded.

The happy little girl then quickly ran to give Monica a hug and thank her, too.

"You'll wear your dresses tomorrow," Rachel said.

The girls nodded eagerly.

"We have white tights and black shoes for you, too," Monica said, sharing a conspiratorial smile with Rachel.

"Thank you!" both girls said in unison.

"So, are we gonna have dessert now?" Joey asked, which made everyone laugh.

"Sure," Mike said.

"I hope cupcakes with holiday decorations on them are okay," Phoebe said. "I didn't have time for much else."

"Cupcakes are great," Joey said, already making his way into the kitchen, "no matter what decorations are on them."

Rachel followed after Ross had discreetly left the apartment so he could get Emma's presents ready to put out once she was asleep. Monica and Chandler remained in the living room. Monica sat on Chandler's lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"I'm so glad Adrianna liked her dress. It was a spur of the moment idea on our part."

"It was a great idea. Thank you for buying her such a beautiful dress. I keep saying it because it's true: you're spoiling her."

"Am not," she retorted with a playful slap to his chest. "But even if I am, it's my pleasure and my prerogative," Monica said and then leaned in for a kiss.

Forgetting momentarily where they were, Monica and Chandler continued to enjoy the melding of their warm, moist lips until the ringing of a cell phone interrupted them. Monica saw it on the couch and told Joey his phone was ringing. With his mouth covered in chocolate, he rushed into the room to answer it before it went to voicemail. Monica chuckled and offered him a napkin from the coffee table.

"Hello," he said, motioning his thanks before he found a more private place to talk when he realized the voice on the other end of the line was Christy's.

"Merry Christmas, baby," he said as he moved to the opposite corner of the room and spoke in a softer tone.

"Merry Christmas to you, too," Christy said. "I hope it's okay I'm calling now. I know you said you guys get together, but I know you're going to be busy with your family tomorrow, too, so…"

"Call me any time. I love hearing your voice."

"I wish I was there," she lamented.

"Me, too. You're not alone, are you?"

"I am now, but I was with some friends earlier. We went to dinner. It was nice."

"You won't be alone tomorrow, will you?"

Joey realized he didn't like that thought. At all.

"No. I have a few cousins in the area. We're getting together at one of their houses. I just wish I could be with you."

"You will be soon, right?"

"Yes. If it's okay with you, I'm catching an earlier flight. I'll be there three days before New Year's Eve instead of one. Does that work for you?"

"Of course it does. It'll be great. We'll have more time to spend together."

"That's what I want. I really miss you, Joey."

"I miss you, too. I can't wait to see you. Send me your info. I'll meet you at the airport."

"I will. I hope you don't mind that I already opened one of the presents you sent me."

"That's okay," Joey said.

Christy could hear the boyish smile in his voice and wished she was there to share the moment with him.

"Which one?"

"The perfume. Thank you so much. I promise I won't open the others until tomorrow. You sent me too many, but I love them. They look good under my tree."

"Believe me, yours look good under my tree, too."

They shared a seductive laugh and then talked a little while longer.

"I better let you go. I don't want your friends to think I'm rude. Tell them Merry Christmas for me and that I'm looking forward to seeing them soon."

"Will do. Merry Christmas."

"Merry Christmas. I probably won't sleep much tonight, so if you want to call me later…"

"I will," Joey quickly replied. "I definitely will."

He ended the call but not before the others saw the silly grin on his face.

"How is Christy?" Phoebe asked in a teasing voice.

"How did you know…oh, never mind. She's fine. She wishes all of you a Merry Christmas and can't wait to be here. In fact, she's coming two days earlier than originally planned."

"That's great, Joey," Monica said. "You know we're all very happy for you. And Christy."

"Thanks, guys. I'm pretty happy right now, too."

Half an hour later, Emma and Adrianna were sound asleep.

"We need to get them home so we can prepare for Christmas morning," Chandler said.

The friends thanked Phoebe and Mike; and after everyone exchanged their final Christmas wishes and good-bye hugs, Joey helped Rachel get Emma settled in her car and then he declined her offer to drive him home.

"It's cold, but I want to walk."

"Are you sure? It might start to snow."

"No problem if it does. It won't be that bad. See you soon. Merry Christmas."

"Same to you, honey," Rachel said, giving him a hug. "You take care. Enjoy Christmas with your family."

"I will. Thanks, Rach."

He waved to Monica and Chandler who had gotten Adrianna settled in her car seat. Chandler had previously told Monica to plan to spend Christmas Eve night at his place. He wanted her to be there bright and early on Christmas morning when he knew surprises awaited her. He felt like the kid who couldn't wait to see what Santa had brought him, but he realized it was even more special to be the one giving the unexpected but he hoped most wanted gifts. As he looked at Monica who was making sure his daughter was sitting correctly and comfortably in her car seat, he knew no one deserved to have the perfect Christmas Day more than Monica. And that was exactly what he planned to give her.