Chapter 13

Christmas Bliss

Christmas Morning

It was a white Christmas in Boston. The snow covered the entire city in white. Emma opened her eyes and immediately smiled at the memory she had from last night. Emma and Aaron were walking at the park outside the hotel, strolling around in a cold winter night, snuggling with each other. They sat on a bench where they kissed and talked about their relationship and their life. Emma hugged her pillow closely and smiled. For once she felt content about her love life. She had finally found the one.

"Hey.. Good morning, lover girl." Rachel greeted her eldest daughter who just emerged from her room with a smile.

Emma smiled back, "Good morning mom and Merry Christmas."

Rachel walked toward her daughter and gave her a hug and a kiss on her cheek, "Merry Christmas, honey."

"Merry Christmas, princess." Ross who was standing in the kitchen said.

"Merry, Christmas, dad." Emma said as she gave her dad a hug and then sat on the stool in front of him.

Rachel joined her shortly.

"Thank you, mom." Emma suddenly said.

"For what?" Rachel looked at her, confused.

"For last night..Uhm.. For bringing Aaron in and lent him a tux." Emma said shyly.

Rachel smiled and replied, "It's okay. Uhm, and Ems?"

"Yeah?"

"Is Aaron going to join us for dinner tonight?" Rachel asked.

Emma pondered for a moment before nodded and replied, "I think so. I haven't asked him yet, but I think he'll be glad to join us. If that's okay with you guys?"

Rachel looked at Ross who gave her a nod, "Of course we're okay with it. I'll call the restaurant to change the reservation."

Rachel then left to grab her phone at her bedroom and called the restaurant. Ross and Emma were chatting in the kitchen when Emmery, Ella, and Ashley emerged from their bedroom.

"Merry christmas everyone." Ross said with a smile which was quickly returned by them.

"Merry christmas, dad."Emmery said.

"Merry christmas Uncle Ross." Ashley said nicely.

"Merry christmas, daddy!" Ella gave Ross a big hug before she continued, "Can we open the present now?" she asked, hopefully.

Ross smiled, "After the breakfast, sweetie."

Ella nodded and sat at one of the chairs.

Rachel came back and they all ate their breakfast. After breakfast, the family gathered around the Christmas Tree and they opened their present.

Ella was the first one who opened up her present, she quickly ripped out the wrapping and found a receipt of a science camp for the next year's summer and a mirrorless camera she had been asking for months.

"Science camp, mom? Is this for real?" Ella, who was more excited by the receipt than the camera asked excitedly.

Rachel smiled and nodded, Ross beamed proudly, while Emma, Emmery, and Ashley giggled at Ella's reaction.

"Awesome!" Ella screamed in joy. "And thanks for the camera." She added.

"What a geek." Emma joked which earned her a stare from both Ella and Ross.

Emmery then opened his present and found a new pair of Air Jordan Mid 1 SE lightbulb, "Thanks mom, thanks dad." He gave each of them a hug.

Emma opened her present and found a red wool and silk-blend satin peplum dress from Prada, a perfect dress for the New Year's office party, she thought. "Thanks mom, dad." She gave them a smile which returned quickly.

"This is for you." Rachel handed a present for Ashley.

Ashley smiled and thanked her, "You don't have to.". She then opened the present and found a black halter dress, again from Prada. "Thank you." She said.

Rachel and Ross also exchanged their gift. Ross gave Rachel a couple of luxurious spa tickets and a gift card. Rachel gave Ross a brand new iphone, since his old phone's screen was cracked.

Not long after, the doorbell rang. Emma, who knew exactly who that was voluntarily answered the door.

"Hey. Merry Christmas." Aaron said and gave her a soft kiss.

"Merry Christmas to you too." Emma sweetly smiled before she continued, "Come on in."

"This is for you. Again, Merry Christmas." Aaron said as he handed her a red box with a white ribbon on it.

Emma thanked him and opened her present. She found a pair of cherry earrings.

"Thank you so much. I love it." She said and gave him a hug, "I didn't get you anything though." She said sadly.

Aaron shook his head before he replied, "You don't have to."

"But still." She bit her lip and paused, "Oh, wait for ten minutes. I'll go get ready and we'll find you something."

Aaron nodded and Emma quickly went into her room and got dressed. Aaron stood up awkwardly in the living room, with Rachel and Ross who were sitting down watching TV and read a magazine.

"Uhm, what are you watching, Mrs. Geller?" Aaron tried to make a small talk with Rachel.

Rachel turned her attention to him and smiled, "E! News, just to catch up with the latest gossip." She paused, "Uhm, and please just call me Rachel." She ended with a smile.

Aaron smiled and nodded, "Sure."

"How's your mom doing?" Rachel asked as Ross kept silent, secretly watching every part of her daughter's new boyfriend.

"She's about to go on a cruise trip for a whole month with my dad. You know, he just got retired this year." Aaron explained.

"Oh, really? A cruise ship, huh? It sounds like a great idea. Isn't it, honey?" Rachel asked Ross, silently hoping one day Ross would also take her for a cruise trip.

"Yeah, sure." Ross replied casually, clearly didn't get her true intention.

Rachel sighed, "So, where are you guys planning to go?"

"I don't know, but maybe just stroll around the neighborhood and then go to the City Hall Plaza afterward for ice skating." Aaron replied.

Just then Emma emerged from her bedroom dressed.

"Ready?" Emma asked.

Aaron nodded, "Ready." He paused, "Uh, nice to meet you, Rachel and .Uhm. Mr. Geller." He said groggily.

Rachel gave her a smile while Ross nodded and faintly smiled at him.

"Have fun you two. And don't forget the dinner at 8. I'll text you the address." Rachel said to Emma.

Emma nodded, "Sure, mom. Bye." She paused and looked at her dad, "Bye dad."

"Bye, sweetheart." He smiled then turned his attention to Aaron, "You take care of my daughter, okay?" He asked in his serious tone.

Aaron quickly nodded, "Of course, Mr. Geller."

With that the new couple went to explore the city together.

...

Aaron and Emma walked around the neighborhood. Luckily, The Green-Geller family had chosen a perfect location to stay, it was in downtown Boston, surrounded by shops and restaurants nearby. This Christmas morning snows were falling, the streets were beautifully decorated with Christmas ornaments and lights. It was Christmas noon, not many people went out that day. They enjoyed their time together, linking their hands the whole time, and stole glance at each other for hundreds of times that day. They were smiling happily, it doesn't matter if the snow damped their clothes or if it was cold, they were way too ecstatic to notice.

The couple ended up having their lunch at one of the brunch cafes nearby. Throughout the lunch, they were talking, occasionally flirting, and kissing, or just stare at each other's eyes while smiling the whole time. Anyone would know that they're a couple in love. After lunch, Aaron stopped at a small bookshop. As Aaron went to look for a particular book, Emma decided to buy something for Aaron as his Christmas present. It was a book that he had mentioned back when they were friends, a few months before. She asked the clerk to wrap it nicely and she put on her purse.

Next, they stopped at a Starbucks nearby. Emma ordered a cup of hot chocolate, while Aaron ordered a cup of hot Americano. They sat by the window and sat next to each other with Emma's head rested on his shoulder.

"Hmmm... This is nice." Emma said as she smiled and closed her eyes, enjoying their moment.

Aaron took a glance at her and smiled, "Yeah, it does. It's sad that we have to go back to New York tomorrow."

Emma nodded, "I know. It would be nice to stay a little bit longer. I mean we haven't done any proper sightseeing yet."

Aaron nodded in agreement, "I know and I'm sorry. I wish I can push my flight for the next few days. But, I have to go to work the next day." He said apologetically.

"Nah, it's okay. I need to spend some time with my family anyway." She replied.

"Uhm, maybe we can do like a first official date when we get back to New York." He suggested.

She lifted her head to look at him in the eyes and she beamed, "Official first date, huh? And I thought this was a date." She joked.

Aaron chuckled, "Come on. I don't even get to buy you a flower and everything. This can't be our first date. I have to make sure everything is perfect."

"Alright then. It's a date." She paused and took out a wrapped gift from inside her purse. "Merry Christmas." She said as she handed it to him.

He smiled, "Thank you." He quickly opened it and found a book he had been looking for a while now, "How did you find this? I've been looking for it for like, a few months now." He asked.

"Well, I bought it at the bookstore we went to earlier. I asked the owner about it and luckily he had one copy left stashed in a shelf right behind him."

"Wow. Thank you so much." He planted a soft lingering kiss on her lips, "This got to be one of the best Christmas ever." He said wholeheartedly.

She smiled sweetly, "It does."

They enjoyed each other's presence for a few minutes until Emma decided to ask her a question that had bothered her for a month.

"Uhm, can I ask you something?" Emma asked carefully.

Aaron nodded, "Sure."

"Uhm, here's the thing. I was wondering if, Uhm." She paused and Aaron gave her a squeeze on her hand, urging her to continue, "Have you talked to Molly again after you guys broke up?" She finally asked.

Aaron sighed. This was the question she would ask eventually and he understands that. But he wished she didn't ask.

"No, actually. She's been avoiding all my calls and ignoring all my texts." Aaron explained.

"Uh, really?" Emma said, a little bit surprised. Aaron noticed the look on her face.

"Uh-huh. I mean, what do I expect? I broke her heart. I don't expect her to forgive me and be normal around me after all that."

Emma sighed, "I feel really bad for her. I mean, what would she even react when she sees us?"

Aaron shook his head, this conversation started to give him a little headache, "I don't know. Look." He paused. "Let's just not think about that right now, okay? We will deal with that later, when it's time."

"You're right."

"So, do you still want to go ice skating?"

Emma smiled and nodded, "You bet."

They left the coffee house and took a cab to the city hall plaza.

The ice skating rink was crowded with people. The couple rented their gear and went skating. Emma and Aaron were great at ice skating. In fact, their mom used to take them to ice skating when they were a little kid.

Emma held Aaron's hand as they skated through the rink.

"Do you remember that day our moms took us to ice skate?" Aaron asked.

Emma smiled at him, "Uh-huh. You didn't know how to ice skate back then. You were suck at it." Emma finished with a giggle.

"Ha-ha." Aaron left a fake laugh, "Very funny."

"Well, I have to say, I'm glad you're better now. I mean, I don't want my boyfriend to be laughed at while he makes himself like a dork by falling right on his butt all the time."

Boyfriend. Aaron smiled at that one particular word. These past couple days felt like a dream for him. Being Emma's boyfriend it was something he had always wanted and now it finally came true.

He smiled, "Yeah, I hope this boyfriend of yours won't embarrass you any longer after he shows you this."

Aaron took his hand away from her and he skated and showed her some advanced move he thankfully learned from a friend a couple years ago. He skated away from her, made a perfect circle with his hands stretched out in the air, and then he made an intricate spin, just like a professional figure skater.

She gasped and then clapped like a little kid. He skated toward her and planted a soft kiss on her lips.

"Not so bad, huh?" He asked as they gazed into each other's eyes lovingly.

She shook her head and sweetly smiled, "Not at all. You might want to consider quitting your job and do a professional ice skater instead." She said half-jokingly.

He giggled, "Yeah, right. And maybe I'll join The Winter Olympics." He joked.

She left a small laugh, leaned in and their lips locked in a passionate kiss.

"Merry Christmas." She whispered into his ear which instantly sent chills down his spine.

He smiled and planted a soft kiss on her cheeks, "Merry Christmas."

Both of them enjoyed themselves at their Christmas date before heading back to the apartment and joining Emma's family for dinner.

...

The Family Dinner

The extended family of The Geller clan were having dinner in one of the famous restaurants in the city. Judy, Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Emma, Aaron, Emmery, Ashley, Ella, Jack, and Erica were all there. Meanwhile, Ben and Hailee had left for their honeymoon in Hawaii this morning.

"So, Ashley. How's Joey doing? Is he seeing anyone?" Ross asked curiously.

"Just about every girl in California." Chandler joked which earned him a nudge and a stare from Monica.

"I'm so sorry. He was joking." Monica said to Ashley.

Ashley smiled and replied, "It's okay." She paused. "Uhm, daddy is probably seeing one of his fellow actresses now." She replied nonchalantly.

Rachel frowned. She was hoping Joey would finally find the one and settle in, but after his divorce it seems like he just went back to his old habit. He was hurt badly, because it turned out that his ex-wife was cheating on him behind his back for two years. That was the reason they got divorce and Joey won custody over Ashley. His ex-wife moved to Europe with her new lover right after and never came back to the States nor visited their daughter.

"Oh, honey. I'm so sorry." Rachel said. She was sorry at the fact that Ashley never saw her mom again and that Joey was busy filming, leaving Ashley alone.

Joey loves his daughter so much. It took him a while to adapt as a father, but once he got a hold of it, he's doing it pretty well, much to anyone's surprise. He has been taking care of Ashley since she was five with the help of a nanny. He used to take Ashley whenever he had to shoot in another city or overseas.

Ashley smiled faintly, "Nah, it's okay. I'm getting used to it. And Emmery has been really nice to me and now it's enough." She smiled at her boyfriend who was sitting next to her.

Rachel and Ross shared a look and smiled.

"Take care of her, son." Ross said.

Emmery nodded, "Don't worry dad. I am."Emmer and Ashley stared at each other lovingly, which didn't go unnoticed by Monica.

"Look at you two lovebird." Monica gushed. It reminded her of Chandler and her when they were young.

"Oh, I think those two are not the only lovebirds in here." Chandler chipped in, he was implying to Aaron and Emma who had their hands linked into each other the whole time.

Emma quickly blushed and blurted, "Erica also has a boyfriend!"

Erica stared at Emma in a shock while Emma quickly cursed herself for throwing Erica under the bus, but she was panicking.

Chandler and Monica shared a look and gasped.

"You did?" Monica asked in disbelief.

Erica sighed and nodded shyly. Damn you, Ems. She cursed under her breath.

Jack giggled which earned him a stare from Erica. He then cleared his throat nervously.

"Who was this son of a -" Chandler was cut by Rachel.

"Language please." Rachel warned him.

Judy giggled, amused by the whole scene.

"Who is exactly this 'boyfriend' of yours, Er?" Chandler asked with an air quote.

"Yeah! And why didn't you tell us about him?!" Monica asked.

"First of all, I'm an adult now. I don't think I should always tell you about my love story. Secondly, I only dated him for a month now. And thirdly, his name is Lucas, Lucas Miller. He is a friend of Emma actually." Erica explained.

"Don't worry. He is a very nice and smart man." Emma tried to help.

"Oh. I need to hear more about him, young lady." Monica said to her daughter and she nodded, still mad about the whole thing.

"I'm glad we're all making it here." Ross said as they ate their dinner.

"I know, it's been a while since we're all gathered together on Christmas." Monica chipped in.

For the last two Christmas, Monica and Chandler and their kids spent their Christmas in Las Vegas, visiting Chandler's dad. While Ross and Rachel stayed in New York, going back and forth from Ross to Rachel's families just like they always did every year.

"We should take a picture together!" Ella suggested.

"I can take a picture for you guys." Aaron stood up and offered.

"Well, thanks. Here's my phone." Rachel smiled and handed her phone to him.

"Thank you." Emma said with a smile and he nodded.

"Maybe I should step aside." Ashley said.

"Nonsense. You're a part of our family too." Rachel reassured her.

Ashley then thanked her and stood beside Emmery as they linked their arms together.

The whole family got ready in their position with Judy in the middle, Rachel and Ross in her right, Chandler and Monica in her left, and their kids with Ashley standing behind them.

"Are you guys ready?" Aaron asked.

"Just gives us a head up." Ross said.

"Sure." Aaron paused. "Alright, ready? 3... 2... 1... Smile!" He then took a few shoots from the phone and handed it back to Rachel.

Rachel thanked him, "Thanks." She paused "Go stand next to Emma. I'll take a photo of you two."

"Mom!" Emma whined, embarrassed.

"You don't have to." Aaron declined politely.

Rachel smiled, "Come on. I insist."

"Okay, thank you." Aaron handed his phone to Rachel and then he walked and stood beside Emma awkwardly as the whole family were staring at the new couple with a smile on their face, except for Ross who remained skeptical.

Rachel giggled as she noticed how stiff Aaron and Emma was, "Are you sure you two are a lover? Because judging by the way you two stand next to each other awkwardly no one would even guess that." She joked.

"Mom!" Emma whined again, more embarrassed than ever as her cheeks turned into pinkish.

Aaron then placed his hand carefully on her waist and pulled her closer to him. This simple gesture made Emma blushed like a tomato while it made Ross uncomfortable.

"Oh great." Ross rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath.

Rachel smiled happily, "That's what I'm talking about." Emma rolled her eyes.

"Ready?" Aaron and Emma both nodded then smiled. "3..2..1.. Smile!"

Rachel took a few photos that came out a little tilted here and there, just like any normal photos people at her age usually take.

"Thanks, Rachel." Aaron said as she handed him his phone back.

Rachel nodded and left the couple alone.

Aaron sent the picture over to Emma's phone and she immediately smiled and placed it as her phone's wallpaper.

"This is not bad. You look so cute." Emma said as she showed him one of the photos Rachel took for them.

Aaron nodded in agreement and smiled, "And you look gorgeous too, like always."

His simple words flattered her. He has that effect on her.

She smiled sweetly, "Thank you."

He then leaned in and gave her a soft peck on her cheek, "Likewise."

Today has been a great day for the couple.

After all they've been through, they were finally together, enjoying themselves in a Christmas Bliss.