Chapter XVIII
"The One Where They Go To A Dinner With Ross' Ex"
It was Christmas morning in Green-Geller Apartment. Being half Jewish and Christian, the family celebrates both holidays. They celebrated Hanukkah together with Ben a couple weeks ago and now it's their turn to celebrate Christmas. They decorated the house with lots of Christmas lights and ornaments. There is this giant Christmas tree that almost hit the apartment's ceilings, decorated in red, green, and gold ornaments. They placed down the tree two weeks ago. Sure, it wasn't perfect as Monica's, but they are very proud of their first Christmas tree together, as Rachel, Ross, Ben, and Emma personally decorated it. Sadly, this year Ben wasn't around during the Christmas, but they made sure to send him presents through mails. Ross and Rachel were cuddling in bed when their daughter opened the door and jumped around their bed.
"Mommy, Daddy! Wake up! It's Christmas!" Emma yelled joyfully
They giggled at the sight of their daughter.
"Look at her, can't you believe we made that?" Rachel said
"Well, we also made this." Ross placed his hands on her bumps, and continued, "And I have to say, we did an excellent job on it."
They giggled
"Come on mommy!" Emma pulled Rachel's arms
"Alright, Alright. Let's open up your presents."
The three of them headed to the living room and sat under the Christmas tree as Ross started to hand Emma her presents one by one. She was very thrilled this morning, well actually she had tried to open her presents like a week before, right after they put it under the Christmas tree. The two and a half year old started to open her presents one by one. She got a lot of presents this year. Her parents, Ross and Rachel gave her a series of children's encyclopedias as Ross insisted to, and a pair of new shoes that Rachel chose. Ross' parents bought her a big fluffy unicorn plush. Rachel's parents gave her a pink and purple doll house. Aunt Monica and Uncle Chandler bought her a barbie doll. Aunt Phoebe and Uncle Mike made her a handmade doll and a tape containing a Christmas song that they wrote for her. And lastly, her uncle Joey sent her an Elmo doll. As soon as she finished opening her presents she started to play with them in the living room. She couldn't be any happier today. Ross watched her daughter play while he's making breakfast in the kitchen. Rachel sat on the countertop watching him cook.
"You cannot take your eyes away from her, aren't you?" She said to Ross
"Yeah." He started to smile. "I mean look! She's so cute." He explained
"I don't think you can ever let anyone marry her." She said
"Don't you start about that. The other day I was thinking about that at work and I started to cry. My coworker gave me this weird look after." He explained
She burst into laughter
"Really?"
"Yeah." His voice sounds sad
"Come on Ross. She's not going to marry anyone in at least in another eight teen years. Don't cry now." She slightly patted his head.
"Fineee..." he sighed
"Anyway, should we invite Mon, Chandler, Phoebe, Mike, and Joe-"
She stopped for a second, quickly glanced at Ross to see his reaction.
"It's okay to say his name." He smiled and lightly stroked her hair.
"Okay.. So, what I'm about to say is, should we invite them over on New Year 's Eve?"
"We don't have to cook, maybe just order some pizza and beer." She suggested
"A beer?" He raised his eyebrows
"Alright. A beer for you guys and boring juices for me and Pheebs." She sighed
He chuckled
"Okay, let's invite them over. I'll give them a call." He replied
...
Today is December 27th, 2004.
On a Christmas party a few days ago, Rachel and Ross promised to have a dinner with Rachel's cousin, Jimmy and his fiancée, Elizabeth. They were preparing themselves for the evening. Rachel was putting on her dress and Ross was tying up his tie.
"Remind me again why we need do this?" She said
"Well, actually you are the one who promised to go." He replied
"Is this dress good enough? or should I change?" She turned him around as she asked.
"Why are you making such an effort? It's like you're going on a date or something." He asked, confused
"Seriously Ross. Is it good enough?"
He placed one of his hand on her waist, another one on her cheeks and smile at her, "You look prefect."
Fifteen minutes later...
"Alright, Rach, are you ready now? I told Molly to come at seven. And she should be here anytime now." Ross asked as he enter their room
"Okay, just need to grab my earrings. I'll be ready in five."
A few seconds later there was a knock on their door. It was Molly, Emma's nanny.
"Good evening, ." She greeted him politely
"Good evening. So Emma just finished her dinner, you just need to bath her and put her to sleep at eight. Same routine." Ross explained
"Okay." Molly then went inside to check on Emma.
"Honey, are you ready? We're going to be late." Ross yelled
"IN A MINUTE." Rachel yelled back from their room and made him flinched.
...
They arrived at a restaurant on Manhattans area. They were a little late because Emma suddenly cried before they left and needed to be calmed by Rachel.
"I'm so sorry we're late. Emma is being clingy." Rachel explained
"It's alright, we just arrived ten minutes ago." Jimmy hugged her and greeted her.
They all ordered their meal and not long after, their order came, and they enjoyed the dinner.
"So when is the big day?" Rachel asked
"Well, that is one of the reasons why I'd like to have a dinner with you today. We're getting married at January 8th on The Plaza. I need a favor from you and Ross." Jimmy explained
"What is it?" Ross asked
"I was hoping Emma could be the flower girl. If that's okay with you two. See, Elizabeth has no niece, and frankly Emma is the cutest of all our nieces." Jimmy explained
"Aww.. That's so sweet. I'm sure she would be thrilled. Isn't she, Ross?" Rachel asked Ross for an opinion.
"Sure. She was a perfect flower girl on our wedding. No need to worry." Ross proudly smiled.
"That's great. Thank you very much you guys." Elizabeth thanked them
"Glad we can help you, honey. Congratulations, you two." Rachel said as she held their hands.
"So Ross, I heard you are a professor at NYU?" Jimmy asked a few minutes after.
"Oh yes. I am actually. I'm a professor of the paleontology department. Actually I just got a tenure last year." Ross answered proudly and Rachel smiled at him.
"That's awesome! Wait a minute! Elizabeth also went to NYU a few years ago. Did you know that?" Jimmy asked
"Really?" Ross' voice, once again turned high and squeaky.
Rachel pinched his thighs and he flinched.
"Are you okay Ross?" Jimmy asked, concerned.
"I'm sorry, I just need to drink some water." Ross then drank a water and cleared his throat.
Jimmy then burst into laughter.
"What is it? Why are you laughing?" Rachel asked, confused by the sudden laughter.
"I'm sorry. Ross is just so funny. Elizabeth told me everything last night. The thing about she used to date Ross and you. YOU dated her DAD?" Jimmy slightly raised his eyebrows
"Hey! In my defense, her dad is hot." Rachel tried to defend herself
Ross then tapped her shoulder, "Rach, you do realize I'm still here, right?" He's clearly offended by her statement.
"Alright.. I got your point. He WAS hot, not anymore.. Because apparently now I'm married and my jealous husband is the hottest man on the planet." Rachel said sarcastically.
Jimmy and Elizabeth giggled at the married couple's bicker.
"Anyway, Jimmy, so you are okay with this? I mean with Ross." Rachel asked.
"Nah. I'm good. Beside I know she wouldn't leave me for him." Jimmy tried to tease Ross.
Ross snapped, "Hey! If I wanted to I can be with another-"
Rachel quickly slapped his arms, as she warned him, "Ross, think carefully before you finish that sentence. If I'm not happy with it, you will be sleeping on the couch tonight."
Ross quickly calm himself down and lowered his tone as he said, "What I'm about to say is, If I wanted to, I can be with another woman, but I WOULD NEVER wanted to, because I have this beautiful wife by my side."
She scoffed at him.
He then held Rachel's hands, "I'm serious, I don't want to be with anyone else but you."
"Ross. Stop it. That's cheesy." She pretended to be angry at him but he knew she was smiling brightly inside.
"Aww..You guys are so cute." Elizabeth blurted