Chapter XIX
"The One With The New Year's Eve Party"
It was midnight in New York. Rachel woke up in the middle of the night feeling hungry. She opened her eyes but strangely, Ross wasn't there. She stood up and walked to the kitchen and found him sat in the chair. She came over him and hugged him from behind.
"Hi honey, what are you doing?" She asked
"Uhm, nothing."
She realized he was thinking about something that made him upset, sensing from the tone he was speaking. She rested her cheeks on his head and gently stroked his hair to cheer him up without saying a word.
"What are you doing up at this hour?" He asked her
"Well, I'm hungry, I'm going to have some cereal. " She explained
"Do you want me to cook for you something?" He offered
"Nah, I'm fine with cereal."
She then grabbed a bowl and poured cereal and milk into it. Then she sat in front of him and ate. After minutes of silence, Ross finally said something that bothered him for the entire night.
"Rach, do you think I'm being mean to Joey?" He asked
She knew it was a very delicate topic to discuss, and she didn't want to give him an answer that will make him more upset than he already is. She stayed silent for minutes. Sensing her doubts, Ross reassured her.
"It's okay you can be honest with me. I won't be mad at you or anything." He said
She took a deep breath and said, "Uhm, Ross. You're not mean. You can never be mean, you're like the nicest guy I've ever met. I'm completely understood why you are mad and you have every right to be." She took a beat before she continued, "But Ross.. " She added hesitantly, "I think you owe him a chance to explain himself."
Ross said nothing but he kept his head down and scratched the table with his nails. Rachel then stood up next to him and placed his head to rest on her chest and then stroked his hair gently.
"I'm so sorry." She said as her eyes became teary
She felt really bad about the whole thing happened between them. She blamed herself for a part of it. To be specific, the part when she decided to date Joey briefly last year. She thought everything would be less complicated if she didn't tell Joey how she felt that day in Barbados. After all it was just a fling and it didn't even last that long. Ross could sense the guilt coming out from her these past few weeks. She'd never mentioned Joey once, unless their daughter, Emma mentioned him first. But then it always made her felt uncomfortable after. He knew that.
"It's okay. None of this was your fault. You know that, right?" He reassured her
"It kinda does." She said while she kept her head down, staring at the floor.
"I mean, your relationship between you and him wouldn't become this bad if I.. "
She paused as she tried to finish her words.
"If I.. "
He then gave her a hug instead.
"Ssshh.. None of this was your fault. I mean it. Don't blame this on you, it's not fair. It will just make me feel a lot worse if you blame yourself for what happened between me and him. Please don't beat yourself up." He explained
He then gently brushed her hair and looked her in the eyes, "Can you promise me that?"
She then took a deep breath and nodded.
"Thank you" He said as he hugged her.
"And if it is going to make you feel better, I'll try to talk to him." He added
"I don't want to put any kind pressure on you. I just don't want this to mess us up." She started to cry and this point.
He then wiped her tears, sat her down on his lap, and gently brushed her hair before he said, "Hey.. Don't cry now. I promise you, nothing will ever mess us up. Like I said before, you are stuck with me." He smiled before he continued, "And I will never let anything ruin us. Okay? I promise."
"Okay. Thank you." She muttered in her cries.
"And I'll try to talk to him. Don't worry."
He gave her a hug and rubbed her back lovingly.
"Okay.. Can you please get me a vanilla ice cream from the fridge? I could really use one right now." She said
He then chuckled, he stood up, and brought the ice cream to her.
"Here you go, one vanilla ice cream for the pretty lady." He smiled
She smiled and thanked him, "Thank you"
"My pleasure." He brushed her hair gently as he sat down next to her and watched her eat.
"And Ross? "
"Hmm?"
"If I become round and chubby, you're still going to love me, right?" She asked
"Of course. You're stuck with me. " He said and smiled
"But, try not to? " He teased her
"Ross!" She then sulked, dropped her spoon and stopped eating.
He giggled.
"Alright, I'm sorry. Here.. You can finish it." He then grabbed the spoon back and placed it on her hands.
...
A few days later
Today the gang would celebrate New Year's Eve together. Monica, Chandler, and the twins came to Ross and Rachel's place early to help them out.
Monica and Ross were preparing the snacks, while Chandler and Rachel were watching the kids play in the living room.
"I have to say I'm surprise you actually handle the whole fatherhood thing pretty good. I mean, I thought you're gonna freak out in a week." Rachel chuckled
"Well, you're right. Actually, I freaked out on day one." Chandler laughed
"But then when I watched the twins sleep, it just melts my heart." He explained while smiling at the twins
"Oh my gosh, congratulations! You're now officially an adult." Rachel teased him
"What? I am an adult long before the twins born." Chandler said, mock offended.
"Well, who am I kidding? Before the twins were born I didn't even know how to make a proper meal by myself. And now I'm the expert of making formulas, changing dirty diapers, and taking care of two babies at the same time." Chandler said proudly
"Well, I'm so proud of you." Rachel hugged him
Meanwhile in the kitchen, Monica and Ross were preparing snacks and talk.
"Look at them. I can't believe we're an actual adult now. I mean, we have a family of our own to be responsible of." Monica said
"I know right. I cannot believe I'm actually someone's husband and about to become a father of three" Ross said
"Did you realize we ended up marrying each other's best friend? I mean Rachel is my best friend, and Chandler is yours."
"I know right! That is so cool. I owe you a big time for bringing Rachel into my life. I might never able to see her again if it isn't because she's your best friend."
"I guess that make us even, since you also brought Chandler into mine."
They were hugging when Rachel walked in.
"Hey, why are guys hugging?" Rachel was confused.
"Nothing." Monica quickly released her brother from her arms
Rachel looked at them with a weird look.
"Uhm, Ross, can you bath Emma and put her into her pajamas?"
"Okay, sure."
"Thanks" Rachel walked over him kissed him.
Ross then went to the living room, picked up Emma and brought her to the bathroom.
That left Monica and Rachel alone in the kitchen.
"So, Mon.. Is Joey coming?" Rachel asked
"No. He said he has this event to attend in L.A. and couldn't make it here." Monica explained
"Are you sure he wasn't avoiding me and Ross?" Rachel asked
"I honestly don't know. Did you talk about it with Ross?" Monica asked
"Actually yes. A few days ago. He said he'll try talking to him." Rachel answered
"Well that's a good start." Monica said
"I just hope everything will be normal again." Rachel sighed
"Believe me, Rach. Me too." Monica wrapped her arms around her.
...
Later that night the whole gang minus Joey all gathered in the living room watching New Year's show on TV. The kids: Emma, Jack, and Erica were sleeping on Emma's room.
"Who is that guy in a red shirt? He's cute." Rachel pointed at some guy on TV.
"I don't know. But hell yeah, he's cute." Monica added
"I mean look at those eyes! It's so dreamy." Phoebe gushed.
The three husbands looked at them in disbelief.
"Uh.. Hello? Are we invisible to you three?" Ross scoffed
"Wow! It's look like my invisibility cloak finally works!" Chandler added sarcastically
"I mean that guy is not even cute!" Mike chipped in.
"Of course you don't think he's cute. He has no boobs." Phoebe said sarcastically.
"Yeah right, like you guys don't stare at other women all the time." Rachel rolled her eyes.
"That's so true, especially you honey, I caught you staring at that woman standing in front of us at the mall a few days ago." Monica said to Chandler
"Hey! In my defense, that woman looked like she came straight out from a magazine." Chandler said
"Man, you're just making it worse. Just shut up." Ross said to Chandler
"Ross.. You are no better than him. I also caught you staring at that cashier at the Toys 'R' Us the other day." Rachel said to Ross
"See, that's our point." Monica said as she glared at Chandler
Chandler then stood up and walked toward the kitchen.
"I feel uncomfortable right now.. I'm going to get more beer." Chandler said
"Let me help you man." Ross quickly stood up and went after Chandler
"Well I don't stare." Mike said
"Yeah, right." Phoebe scoffed.
Right that moment their phone rang. Rachel picked it up.
"Hello?"
"Rachel?"
"Joey is that you?"
"Yeah.. I just want to call to tell you I'm sorry I cannot make it to New York."
"It's okay Joe, you seem pretty busy. I'm so happy for you."
"Thank you.. Uhm.. Rach? "
"Yeah? "
"Can you pass the phone to Ross?"
"Uhm, sure.."
Rachel then walked over Ross and handed him the phone.
"Ross, it's Joey. He wants to talk to you. "
"Over the phone?" Ross raised his eyebrows
"I guess?" Rachel shrugged
"Alright.."
Ross took the phone from her and started talking with Joey through phone. He went outside to the balcony to get some privacy.
"Hello?"
"Ross? "
"Yeah, it's me Joe."
"I'm so glad you finally want to talk to me."
"Let me be clear. I finally decided to talk to you because apparently Rachel blamed herself for this."
"She did? But none of this was her fault."
"I know, that's why I told her that I will speak to you. So what do you want to say to me?"
"Well, first, I would like to apologize to you. I didn't mean to blurt it out in front of everyone. But to explain everything, I think it's only appropriate if I talk to you face-to-face. Can I come over to your place on January 9th?"
"Okay.. That's fair enough. I'll see you then."
"Okay, thank you so much Ross."
"Yeah.."
He then hung up the phone and just stood there watching the night sky.
Rachel saw Ross was standing alone at the balcony, and decided to stand next to him. She stood up next to him and he wrapped his arms around her waist. She then gently rubbed his stomach.
"So?" Rachel asked curiously
"He said sorry and he said he want to come over on January 9th to explain everything in person." He explained
"And?" She asked
"And I told him to come." He said
She gave him a hug
"I'm proud of you for having the bigger heart."
Ross rubbed her arms as he gently placed a kiss on top of her head.
"Thank you"
"I'm sorry to interrupt you guys, but the countdown about to start." Monica said to them
"Alright, let's go inside." Ross said as he wrapped his arms around Rachel's waist and walked inside the living room.
3..2..1... HAPPY NEW YEAR
They all cheered and kissed their respective partner.
Ross kissed Rachel and then their eyes locked.
"Happy new year honey. I love you so much." Ross said as he gently stroked her hair.
"Happy new year. I love you too." Rachel said.
"I'm so happy." She said, smiled, and then placed her head into his chest.
"Happy new year you guys!" Phoebe cheered excitedly.
"Happy new year!" They all cheered