A/N This is tied up with S1 E23 The One with the Birth, when Chandler proposed to get together with Monica when they reach the age of 40.

He has heard the girls rant about almost anything - food, clothes, men, other women - but when it is Monica doing that, there is always an urge to say or do something just to make her world a little bit fine. When he enters a room, it is always her that he looks for first and when he does spot her, he can finally settle somewhere knowing that she is just a look or a touch away. He cracks a joke and hers is the first reaction he searches for.

And so today, as Carol gives birth to Ross' and her baby, he consoles Monica with an offer. I tell you what, when we're forty, if neither of us are married, what do you say, you and I have one?

Well, she did not reject the offer altogether. It's just that it probably fueled her insecurities thinking that there is something unmarriable about her. In his mind, 40 seems so far. She is only 26 so that's still 14 years from now. She will be meeting people and she wouldn't need to settle with him after all.

But after that phone call she had with her mom -

Hey, Chandler, are you serious about what you said?

Chandler saying Yes! Without even knowing which of the many things he said, he was saying yes to.

Okay, then. When we're forty and neither of us are married, you and I will get together.

Oh that?! Yes! Yes, we will!

Deal?

Deal!

So that's still a long time, right? Chandler asked.

Right. They sat side by side on a bench at the waiting area but were facing each other.

So we could be anywhere 14 years from now. You know, you could be in Paris learning French cuisine and I could be, oh I don't know, somewhere in South America or Asia or Australia still doing statistical factoring…both of them laughing…but if we're still not married by then, no matter where we are in the world or what we're doing, we have to come back here in New York and work things out.

That sounds like a plan. Monica nodding her head smiling.

What if we lose touch? You know, if I am in Paris and you're everywhere, you know we could lose touch.

We have to make sure that we don't, okay?

How do we do that?

Okay, so we have to see each other each year at a particular place, at a specific date and time.

What if I have a boyfriend then or you have a girlfriend then, do we still see each other?

Yes! We have to. But we can not bring them along. It has to always be just the two of us.

Okay. So how long are we doing this seeing each other thing?

Every year starting next year until we're forty. You can pick the date and time and place.

Okay, lemme think. It has to be in May, too.

Okay, I have an idea. Chandler takes Monica to the reception counter. I'll cover your eyes and you point to a date on that calendar.

Oh, okay… There!…. she opened her eyes and saw her finger pointing to 17.

So that's the date - May 17th.

May 17th it is.

Phoebe arrived and joined them in the waiting area. There you are! What are you two up to?

Oh nothing. It was Chandler who replied.

Hey, will you excuse me for a while? Monica excused herself to go to the bathroom.

Hey, Chandler you think we'll ever get the chance to have babies too? Phoebe asked.

Yeah, m-m-maybe.

Well, I'm just worried that I won't ever get the chance you know.

Why do you think that? You're still young. I'm sure it will happen, Pheebs.

You know what, I gotta go to the bathroom, too. Be back in while, Pheebs.

Phoebe watched Chandler leave thinking to herself So Chandler offered to have babies with Monica when she was whining about it, but he can not do the same thing for me? Hmmmm. That sounds interesting.

May 17th

Monica walks briskly along the sidewalk that evening after coming out of work. It was a busy night at Iridium that she had to work two shifts. She was not even able to grab a decent meal and now realizing that she forgot her jacket and her wallet that she placed in its pocket.

Contemplating on walking home or walking all the way back to Iridium to fetch her things, she heard someone call -

Mon!

Chandler! What are doing here? Out of breath from running, he took a moment to answer.

So ah, I was just at your restaurant to see you but I was told you already left. But then I spotted you and I was running and now, I, I'm here.

I know. Why again?

Oh, ahmmm. See it's May 17th today.

So?

So, remember at the hospital when Ben was born? May 17th?

Yeah, I know we agreed to see each other May 17th but not until next year, right?

Yeah, but I kinda thought, it would be nice to start this year, you know, work out the fine details of that deal… So you up for some midnight snack?

Yeah, sure! … You're kind of at the right place at the right time you know, 'cause I'm starving.

Oh, good!

But it's your treat, okay? 'Cause I forgot my wallet that's in my jacket at the restaurant.

No problem!

Chandler places his arm around her shoulder and she hooks both her arms around his waist.

They sat opposite each other waiting for their order to be placed.

So what fine details do you wanna talk about?

Well, for starters, we have not specified a place yet. Chandler gazes at her as if he was seeing her for the first time.

Monica looks up and meets his eyes. Chandler did not look away this time. This time, he held her gaze.

The waitress clears her throat. Excuse me. May I please take your order you lovebirds?

Monica broke her gaze and looks to the waitress. I'll just have this sandwich and a soda. Pointing to the menu on their table. Monica noticed that Chandler was still looking at her. What are you having?

I'll have the same, please. His eyes still focused on her.

Why are you looking at me like that?

It's confirmed!

What?

You are really the most beautiful woman I've ever known in real life. It's confirmed.

Monica blushed but smiling and looking at him.

So what happens when we meet each year? Is it dinner? Is it lunch? Then go home after?

Well, I think we just have to go with the flow, Mon.

Yeah, go with the flow. That sounds like a plan.