Chapter 11
Christmas Wedding Part 1
A few weeks later
After that morning, Emma didn't have time to think things thoroughly, or honestly she was scared to think about it. She was scared to hurt Molly if she'd ever found out the reason for her breakup with Aaron is partly Emma's. Yes, a week after that morning, Aaron had told Emma that he had broken up with Molly. She was stunned at first, but then he assured her that even though the thing between him and Emma didn't happen, he'd still break up with her anyway. He said the main reason was because the long distance relationship wasn't working out for them and it drove them apart. Despite all the speeches he had prepared to assure her, she still felt a sense of guilt, for deep down she knew it was her who somehow encouraged him to break up with Molly.
It was a hard decision to make and the fact that Molly and Aaron just broke up, making things harder for them. She didn't want to just jump right into him, because it wasn't fair for all three of them. They all needed their space to think and to be apart from each other. That's why until today, Emma hasn't made a decision whether to accept or decline Aaron's offer to give them a chance, a fresh new start.
There were more important things for her these days. It was Ben's wedding just in a few days and as a bridesmaid, she needed to focus all of her thoughts and energy and make sure everything was perfect. That's the least she could do for both Ben and Hailee.
Meanwhile in another apartment a couple blocks away, Aaron on the other side started to get agitated by the fact that Emma hasn't come up with a decision yet. Although he had promised her to take her time, he couldn't help but get more anxious day by day. He didn't want to lose her, yet he wanted to give her a space and not sounds too pushy and all.
He got nothing to do this weekend. Emma was going to Ben's wedding which he didn't get invited to, so he couldn't come. His family is the least people he wanted to see, not because he hates them, but because they could be too much to handle sometimes. His mom would ask a lot of questions regarding his break up with Molly, obviously. His dad would chip in and give him tons of speeches for no reason. His twin half-brothers weren't living with their parents anymore, as they all already started their own family, but they could be nosy and annoying sometimes. Another reason not to come home again this weekend, is that he needed his own space to think.
And there was Molly. The innocent girl he had hurt badly along the way. The worst part is he got to do this by phone due to their distance. What kind of jerk am I? He thought. That particular phone call was coming back to his mind. She sounded upset and hurt from the three words he said. He laid his back on his bed when he tried to recall the conversation he had with Molly a few weeks ago.
"Let's break up." Aaron said over the phone.
"What?" Molly asked, confused by his words.
They were doing fine. She was even hoping for a ring on their anniversary in January. But now, he asked for a break up? She was left clueless. Then it suddenly hit her. There's only one reason for him to ask for a break up. A reason she hoped she was wrong.
"I-Is there someone else?" She asked the million dollar question after a few minutes of silence which let her sink in his words.
"Y-yes, but that's not the only reason." Aaron explained. He felt guilty and all but she needed to know the truth. She deserved it.
"Y-you.. You.. You cheated on me?! You slept with that bitch?" She yelled angrily. She couldn't hold it any longer. How dare he sleep with another woman?
"No!" He yelled back then sighed, before he continued, "I didn't sleep with her. We just kissed. That's all."
She scoffed at him, "Huh! You kissed her? Do you think that will make me feel better?"
"That's not what I mean! I would never cheat on you, okay?" Aaron sighed.
She started to laugh sarcastically, which left him dumbfounded.
"You're laughing?" He asked in disbelief.
"Now I realized how stupid I was. Of course you wanted to break up with me so you can be with that bitch! Am I right?"
He was speechless. She was right. It was one of many reasons he asked for a break up, but he didn't want to let her know.
"What?" was all he could say before he heard a loud sob from the other side of the line.
That's it, he broke her heart, he hurt her.
"W-who..Wh-o is this girl?" She muttered in her cries.
"It doesn't matter. Don't you realize it? We're drifting apart! I barely saw you with seven hundred miles between us! Without her or not I would still be asking you for a break up. It's not working out." He explained and then sighed.
"We're drifting apart?"She scoffed before she continued, "You are the one who told me to take this job! You are the one who told me that everything will be okay! That the distance between us wouldn't be a problem! You make me do all that, you jerk! And now you want to break up with me!" She yelled exasperatedly.
He was stunned as he let her words sink. She was right. It was him who encouraged her to take the job and told her that they will work it out. He felt guiltier than before if that's even possible.
"I-I'm sorry. I just want the best for you." He said and he meant it.
"The best for me, huh? You know what, Aaron? You're nothing but a selfish jerk! That's who you are! You are the one who bailed on us! Pretending that somehow it was my faults that made us drifted apart when the truth is, it was you who just wanted to get rid of me so you can be with that bitch!" She yelled.
He just stayed quiet. He deserved that. He deserved to be yelled at.
"And you know what Aaron? I hope you have fun with that bitch and I hope you rot in hell! And don't ever call me again!" She hung up her phone.
He then sighed. He was hoping they could end things on good terms. But again, who is he trying to kidding? Molly has every right to cut ties with him. It's only fair. What he was more dreaded to find is how Molly would react if she found out the girl who she'd called a bitch is in fact her high school best friend, Emma.
If only this happened in high school, it would be much less complicated.
"Talk about bad timing." He said to no one.
...
It was a snowy December morning. The Green-Geller family was about to go to the airport to catch their plane to Boston. It was Ben's wedding in two days. The whole family including Emmery, who was on his school break were going to fly together. Meanwhile, The Bings and Judy will fly tomorrow morning, together with The Hannigans. Joey sadly couldn't come, but his daughter, Ashley, would come then fly back to New York together with Ross and Rachel's family to spend the rest of holiday with them since Joey would be busy filming his newest movie.
"Are you guys ready?" Ross asked his family as he stood in front of their front door with a bunch of luggage - which most of it belongs to none other than Emma and Rachel, the fashion duo of the family.
"IN A MINUTE." Rachel and Emma yelled in unison from their room upstairs.
"Something never changes" Ross said to no one in particular.
"What's that, dad?" Ella, who was carrying her backpack beside him asked.
"Nothing, sweetie." Ross said as he brushed his youngest daughter's hair gently. "Do you have everything you need?" Ross asked.
"Yeah. I guess." Ella answered with a grin.
"When are we leaving, dad?" Emmery asked, he got a little bit agitated because he was ready to leave since half an hour ago and yet they were all still here.
"Soon, after your mom and your sister are done." Ross said.
Emmery groaned in annoyance, "We're going to be late." He sighed then yelled, "Ems! Mom! Hurry up! We're going to be late!"
"Gosh. You sound like your father, Em." Rachel said as she walked downstairs.
"I'm done!" Emma trailed behind.
"Great! Finally!"Emmery threw his arms into the air as he rolled his eyes. "I'm going to take these to the car." He then took their luggage and brought it to their car, followed by Emma and Ella.
"Emmery is a spitting image of you, except for the dinosaur part." Rachel said as she playfully slapped Ross' butt.
"Hey!" He yelped, and then continued, "That's what I hope he'd inherited from me though. The love for dinosaurs."
"Well, you have Ella for that. You know how much she loves dinosaurs just like you." Rachel said.
Ross grinned proudly and an idea just popped up from his head. He leaned in and took her arms before he said, "So.. Does this mean we .Y'know? Send her to a science camp?" He asked hopefully.
Rachel stifled a chuckle, she knew how badly he wanted at least one of their kids to join the science camp, but since both Emma and Emmery showed zero interest, he was devastated. That last until Ella was born and she showed her love for science and dinosaurs since she was three years old. Ella had asked Rachel for permission to go to a science camp just a week ago. She was surprised at first, but then somehow she felt relieved that her youngest actually wanted to go to a science camp, because she knew it would make Ross happy.
She smiled and nodded, "If she wanted to then I guess, we can send her." Rachel said.
Ross' face beamed up at her answer, "Really?" He asked, a little bit afraid he heard it wrong or if it was just a dream.
She nodded once again before she answered, "Yep."
He then smiled and gave her a kiss, "Thanks! I love you so much."
She giggled as he started to plant kisses all over her neck.
"Okay. Now let's go before I change my mind." She said.
He nodded and grinned like a fool, which made her giggled.
He can be so childish sometimes. She thought.
"Let's go." He said as he grabbed the remaining luggage and then she locked the door.
With that, the Green-Geller family made their way to Boston.
The thing that has worried the couple was the weather. The December's weather could be tricky sometimes, there could be storms or heavy fog that could easily cancel or delay their flight, but luckily, today's weather is as sunny as the December sky could be.
Just in time, the family arrived at Boston Logan International Airport.
After they picked up their luggage from the baggage claim, Rachel went outside to find Carol and Susan, who were nice enough to pick the family up and drive them to their bnb.
"Carol! Susan!" Rachel exclaimed as she laid her eyes on both women.
"Rachel! Gosh! You look so great!" Carol said as she hugged Rachel.
"Thank you. You look great too." Rachel gave her a smile.
"And.. Susan. How are you two?" Rachel asked as she gave Susan a hug.
"Rachel. Same old, just enjoying our retirement. Where's the other?" Susan said.
"They'll be here soon. Emma and Ella needed to use the restroom." Rachel said.
"Oh. How's the kids? It's been a while since the last time we saw them." Carol said.
Rachel beamed proudly. She loved to gush over their kids.
"Uhm, Emma is now working as an environmental lawyer. Emmery is taking his degree in UCLA. And Ella just turned 13 this year, she's growing up so fast, she's almost as tall as me." Rachel explained with a huge smile on her face.
Both Carol and Susan gave her a warm smile. They were getting closer after Rachel got married with Ross and Ben started to spend more time at their house. But today would be the first time they've seen each other after Carol and Susan had moved to Chicago a year ago.
Not long after Ross, followed by the kids came.
"Hi.." Ross said as he finally caught up to her wife and then he gave each of the women a hug.
"Kids, say hi to your aunts." Rachel said to her three kids.
Hellos and heys chorus came out from the kids.
Ella, who was a shy kid, hid behind Rachel the whole time.
"Hi, Ella. Do you remember me?" Carol said and smiled.
Ella nodded shyly but said nothing.
"Sorry, she's a shy kid." Ross explained.
"Just like her dad." Rachel added with a smile and both Carol and Susan chuckled.
Ross was too tired to argue, but they were right. Ella is basically a girl version of him, the only thing she got from her mom is her adorable deep blue eyes.
"Alright, let's go get some lunch. I bet you guys are starving." Carol said as she led their way to her car.
They all went for a dinner then Carol and Susan dropped the family off at the bnb they'd stay for a couple days. They had chosen to stay at the apartment they rented so they could spend the Christmas together more comfortably. It was all Ross' idea, since it's been a while the family goes on a vacation together.
The apartment is located just a few blocks from the wedding venue. It has four bedrooms, two baths, a full size kitchen, a huge living room, and a game room filled with a huge 55 inch TV and the newest version of playstation, something Ross and the kids would gladly enjoy. The family also rented an SUV that could fit the whole family into it. Ashley Tribbiani would also join them later, she would share a room with Emma.
...
The next morning, Emmery had already gone to pick up his girlfriend, Ashley from the airport using the rented car. Ross was preparing breakfast while the kids and Rachel were still sleeping soundly. Something they had inherited from Rachel is that all of their children aren't a morning person.
"Hey...You.." Rachel greeted her husband, circled her arms around his waist, and rested her head on his shoulder whilst he was cooking pancakes.
"Hey.. Good morning.." Ross said then he gave a kiss on her forehead.
"How do you guys do that?" Emma said as she made her way into one of the stool.
Ross and Rachel shared a look.
"Do what?" Rachel asked.
"That." Emma made a circle pointed at her parents before she continued, "Being all sweet to each other after all these years. Don't you sometimes get enough of each other?"
Emma then noticed the face on her parents' and she realized she might've said something that can cause them to misunderstand.
"Not that I want you two to separate or anything. I was just wondering what's your secret to stay together throughout all these years?" Emma asked and finally Rachel and Ross both left a smile.
"You want to answer that?" Rachel asked Ross and then she sat next to Emma. Secretly she was also curious about what he would tell their daughter.
"Uhmm.. I'm not really sure. But, after your mom got off that plane, I made a promise to myself to never ever let her go and take her for granted. And that's not it. We both worked really hard to keep it this way. Even it means, sometimes you need to let go of your own egos and compromise. And it wasn't easy at all, knowing your mother.." Ross said which earned him a death stare from Rachel, before he continued, "But in the end it's all worth it." Ross explained wholeheartedly which clearly impressed both Emma and Rachel.
He is always so good with his speech. Rachel thought.
"That's so sweet. I'll give you a lot of points for that." Rachel said flirtatiously.
Ross blushed but managed to say, "Uh-huh, I need to say this kind of stuff more often."
"You guys realized I'm still here, right?" Emma waved her hands to prove her point.
"Sorry, sweetie." Rachel said.
"Mom, can I ask you something?" Emma asked Rachel while Ross was busy making the pancake.
"Sure. What is it?" Rachel said.
"Uh..Uhm.. How do you know that dad is the one for you? I mean you dated many guys before and after dad, what makes him so different?" Emma asked.
Ross of course heard her question and it was his time to wonder what Rachel would say to their daughter.
Rachel quickly looked at Ross who was pretending to cook nonchalantly when she knew he was listening to their conversation the whole time, judging by the face he made. He was grinning like a fool. Something Rachel found silly about him, he couldn't hide his excitement and he failed miserably every time. Just like when he tried to be fine when she and Joey dated briefly years ago.
Rachel cleared her throat before she answered, "Uhm. I guess it was before we dated-"
Her speech was cut short by Ross who asked, "Really? I didn't know that."
Rachel rolled her eyes, "I wasn't finished.", clearly unamused because of him.
"Sorry, continue." Ross said a bit embarrassed for eavesdropping into their conversation.
"So?" Emma urged her mom to continue.
"Where was I?" Rachel asked.
"You knew I'm the one before we even dated." Ross said proudly and she gave him a look.
"Okay. That's the time when your dad had bought me a brooch that I really wanted for my birthday present. It was the sweetest and caring gesture I had ever received from any man before. I couldn't even believe he would even remember such a detail about me. And then, your uncle Chandler accidentally told me that your dad was in love with me. It took me a while to comprehend with the whole situation, but then my guts told me that I finally had found the one. That's when I decided to go after him, and you know the rest of the story." Rachel explained with a smile.
Ross beamed at her explanation. It wasn't the first time he heard that, but she still has that effect on him.
Emma was also smiling before she asked her dad, "What about you dad?"
Ross was about to answer when Rachel said something first.
"It was probably when your dad saw me in my bikini sometimes during high school." Rachel joked.
Ross blushed in spite of himself, but refused to let Rachel know, so he turned his body around and pretended to look for something inside the kitchen cabinet.
"Really?" Emma asked, amused.
Ross shook his head while Rachel stifled a chuckle.
Ross had to do something before his daughter would think him as some kind of a pervert.
"See.. That's what your mom thinks it is. But it's not." Ross tried to explain
"Really? When was it then?" Rachel asked, intrigued by his answer.
"Hmm.. Let's see. It was when you were running into the coffee house, soaking wet in your wedding dress." Ross said.
"How's so? I mean, we haven't seen each other for years before that." Rachel said.
"That was the time I'm officially divorced from Carol and I remembered vividly I was wishing for a marriage, then suddenly you barged in from nowhere in your wedding dress. Just like that, my wish came true, even though it took us ten more years to finally get married." He ended with a giggle.
"Wow. How come you never said that before?" Rachel asked.
"You never ask." Ross shrugged and smiled.
"Well, I'm glad I made your wish come true, because you made mine." Rachel said sweetly as she walked toward him and gave him a hug from behind.
Emma groaned before she said, "Focus, guys. My problem?"
Rachel and Ross blushed, before Rachel managed to say, "Okay, so the bottom line is for me it was when I met someone who cares for me more than anyone I've ever met, I knew your father was the one for me. For your dad it was when I came back into his life and gave him a second chance." She waited a beat before she continued, "I guess what we're trying to say is, you'll never know you've met the one until you're faced with one. It's only you who could ever know."
"Well, in our case, it was also your aunt, Aunt Phoebe who always believe that we're a-"
"Lobster." Emma finished Ross' words and smiled.
"You know what? Maybe you should ask Phoebe about this." Rachel proposed an idea.
"Yeah, she was right about us, though she missed on Chandler and Monica's." Ross chipped in.
Emma smiled as she already found her answer in a while now, "Nah, I think I've found my answer to that."
Rachel smiled, "I'm glad we can help."
...
Today was the day The Green-Geller family has been waiting for. Their eldest son, Ben was going to marry his fiancée, Hailee. Ross was really proud at his son, Ben. Ben wasn't the little kid who used to be scared of the dark, or cried whenever he missed his moms. Ben was now an adult who's about to embark on a new journey of his life, a marriage. Something that Ross hoped Ben would do better than him. Ross was never really ashamed of his marriage failures, because it finally gave him a chance to marry someone he loved more than anyone in this world, Rachel. But it doesn't mean Ross wanted Ben to experience it, because he didn't. A divorce was something he found really hard to get by. And if it wasn't for his friends who were there for him every step of the way, it may drive him insane. It was something he hoped none of his children would ever experience.
Rachel was also looking forward to this day. Even though Ben wasn't her biological son, never once she didn't consider him as her own. She loved him just as equally as her biological children. In fact, Ben's fiancée, Hailee, is probably closer with her than Carol and Susan did. She treated her like her own daughter, which Hailee really appreciated.
As soon as the family entered the venue, everyone who was there was staring at them as if they're some kind of Hollywood's family. Ross was wearing an Armani black tuxedo, with a gold vest, a black tie, and a pair of black Dolce and Gabbana dress shoes. He had his hair dyed black a few days ago, so now he looked somewhat ten years younger. His hairstyle however, barely changed for the past twenty years. He still uses gel, just a little bit, just the way Rachel likes it. Complementing his look was a black and gold Rolex watch, Rachel's dad left him. It was one thing Leonard had left him, but according to Rachel, it was his favorite. The watch was something Ross knew he would pass it to Emmery one day, and hopefully it will always stay in the family.
Rachel was wearing a custom made lilac dress, which she personally designed together with Ella's. Rachel's dress was a strapless dress with flower embroidery on the right top of the dress. Complementing Rachel's look was a pair of diamond stud earrings, a simple necklace she got from her engagement (her favorite), and a pair of Prada white leather pumps. Her dark blonde hair was set loose, with a wavy look at the bottom end.
Emma was wearing a simple mint halter dress (a matching dress with the other bridesmaid), a pair of t-strap silver shoes, a pair of pearl drop earrings, and a simple matching necklace. Her hair was set loose and straightened. Emmery was wearing a matching tux as Ross' but with a black vest inside, a pair of regular black dress shoes, and an all-black Daniel Wellington watch. Meanwhile, the youngest, Ella was wearing a lilac apron dress with a white ribbon in the middle, and a pair of white maryjanes shoes. Her hair was also set loose just like her big sister. Ella wasn't a fan of jewelry, so she wore none.
Ashley Tribbiani was also there with her arm linked to her boyfriend, Emmery. She was wearing a Versace black strapless dress, Jimmy Choo's gold ankle strap shoes, a pair of diamond stud earrings, and a diamond necklace. Something a daughter of a famous actor would wear. Rachel secretly admires Ashley's style. It was glamorous, but not too much. Rachel made a mental note to praise Joey for that.
The girls, Rachel, Emma, Ashley, and Ella went to the bride's room. Meanwhile the boys, Ross and Emmery decided to visit Ben.
Ashley, Emma, Ella, and Rachel knocked on the door and as soon as the door was opened, they were in awe.
"Hailee! Look at you! You look so gorgeous, honey." Rachel gushed over Hailee's wedding dress. It was something she helped her to find.
Hailee then gave her soon-to-be mother-in-law a hug as she said, "Thank you, Rachel. It's all thanks to you."
Rachel gave her a sweet smile, "I'm glad I can help."
"You look so pretty, Hailee." Ella said with a smile.
"Awww..Thank you sweetie. You look pretty too." Hailee replied.
Hailee then fixed her eyes on a girl who was standing next to Ella. She was definitely a stylish and rich person judged by her attire. She was wearing designer brands here and there, and her face is somehow familiar.
Hailee decided to ask, "I don't believe we've met." She said with a warm smile which was quickly returned by the girl.
"Oh. I'm sorry. Where's my manner?" Ashley smiled before she continued, "I'm Ashley, Ashley Tribbiani. Nice to meet you, and congratulations for the wedding." The girl introduced herself.
Hailee was a little bit stunned at first. Why would a famous actor's daughter attend my wedding, she thought for a moment. Then she remembered how Ben used to tell her that Joey Tribbiani is one of his dad's and Rachel's best friends. Something she still found it hard to believe sometimes. Ashley on the other side was familiar with the reaction she received every time she introduced herself.
"Oh. My. God. You're Joey Tribbiani's daughter!" Hailee couldn't help but gush over the first celebrity's daughter she has ever met.
Rachel, Emma, Ella were giggling over Hailee's silliness, while Ashley politely smiled.
"Yup. I guess that's me." Ashley said.
"Wow. I mean. I don't want to sound rude. But. What are you doing here?" Hailee finally asked.
"Uh, honey. She's Emmery's girlfriend." Rachel helped to explain and Ashley nodded and smiled in agreement.
Once again Hailee was left speechless. Why would Emma never tell her about this? For a moment she even forgot about her wedding. This was a huge news for her. She had never met Joey Tribbiani before, and yet she was somehow related to him. Her soon-to-be brother-in-law is dating Joey Tribbiani's daughter. She made a mental note to ask Emma about everything later.
"Everything is ready?" Emma asked, changing the topic, and Hailee nodded whilst she smiled, "No cold feet?" Emma asked which earned her a soft slap on her shoulder from Rachel.
"What? I'm only asking." Emma said when her mom gave her a look.
Hailee chuckled as she remembered the story when Rachel ran away from her own wedding with Bary.
"No, cold feet. Don't worry." Hailee said and Rachel left a smile, a little bit relieved, before Hailee continued, "Unfortunately, we're on the 12th floor, there's no way I can jump through the window." Hailee joked.
Ashley, Emma, and Ella laughed, whilst Rachel gave Emma a look before she asked, "You told her that story? Really?" Rachel asked in disbelief.
Emma nodded, and grinned before she said, "Mom, she's going to be our family. So, she deserved to know our family's history. Didn't she?" Emma argued.
Hailee stifled a chuckle when Rachel sighed and replied, "Is that all you said to her or did you tell her everything?"
"Uhm..Everything?" Emma winced as she replied hesitantly.
Rachel looked at her daughter in disbelief. It was a story she preferred not to tell a lot of people. She was a little bit relieved to find that no one is in the room except for the five girls, including her.
"Emma!" Rachel yelped and the four girls giggled.
Rachel then cleared her throats before she said, "Well, I suppose this is your last chance to bail on our crazy family." She said to Hailee, half-jokingly.
Hailee giggled then left a sweet smile for Rachel, "There's no way I'm going to bail on this crazy family. I love you guys so much." She said wholeheartedly.
For Hailee, the Green-Geller family was a blessing. It wasn't the normal uptight family like she grew into and she loved it. She loved how the family members, including Ben are close with each other. It was something she hoped one day, when she has her own family, she could follow. It never ceases to amaze her how the four children of the Green-Geller could be around each other and their parents in a very comfortable way. They love to spend their time with each other, unlike other children at their age.
Rachel beamed and then gave her a hug, "Welcome to the family."
"Thank you." Hailee replied with a smile.
...
Meanwhile in Ben's room, Ross and Emmery were walking inside the room when they found Ben was trying to fix his tie.
"Ben.." Ross greeted his eldest smile proudly.
Ben took a glance at the mirror in front of him and found his dad and brother were standing behind him, smiling. He then turned his body around to face them.
"Dad!Emmery!" Ben greeted excitedly. It was his first time meeting both of them in months. They've only managed to see each other through FaceTime these days.
"Hi, Ben. You look great, bro." Emmery said with a grin.
"Yeah, thanks. I'm a little nervous though." Ben confessed.
Ross saw Ben's tie was a little messy and he fixed it whilst he said, "Don't worry, son. It's very normal to be nervous on your wedding day."
"Yeah, Ben. Listen to dad, he's got his PhD on marriages" Emmery joked which earned a giggle from Ben, but a dirty look from Ross.
The divorce jokes sadly, never die much to his annoyance. But, it doesn't bother him much these days, since he knew he was now finally in a marriage where it will lasts till' eternity.
"You gotta stop hanging out with your Uncle Chandler and Joey." Ross said half-jokingly.
Emmery shrugged his shoulders, "What can I say dad? It was funny. Especially when you said mom's name in London."Emmery said which made the two sons giggled.
"Alright enough with the divorce jokes. Just remember to say Hailee's name, okay?" Ross said to Ben and he stifled a giggle, but managed to nod before Ross continued, "Don't end up like me. I mean it. And this goes for you too, Emmery. I don't want any of my sons repeating my mistakes. It was something I'm not proud of." Ross said in seriousness.
Ben and Emmery nodded, before Ben answered, "Don't worry dad. I won't."
"Me too, dad. I won't do that too." Emmery added.
"It's good then." Ross waited a beat before he continued, "So, are you ready?" Ross asked.
Ben smiled, nodded, and answered, "More than ever."