Hey guys. I'm up with an other Monica & Chandler fic. This time about the proposal.
I'm not a native English speaker and this is only my second fan fiction, so please be nice.
This story is in Monica's POV
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Lines that might sound familiar are from TOW The Ring and TOW The Proposal.
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I am bored.
It's almost 4 o'clock and I have cleaned the whole apartment. It isn't just clean, it's 'Monica clean.' But I'm done now, and I have nothing to do.
I have been home alone ever since this morning, when Chandler and Phoebe went out together (Although, Ross and Joey came by, shortly after - I think - but only to eat), none of them would tell my where they were going or what they were doing. But whatever it is, it's taking all day.
I haven't seen Ross or Joey since I saw them briefly this morning. I know neither of them are home, but what they are doing have I no idea of.
The only human contact I've had since Chandler and Phoebe said goodbye, is Rachel. She's coming in once every hour, keeping me updated of how Paul is still crying, it has been a very long time now.
I finished cleaning almost an hour ago. Since, have I been reading, but I'm starting to get bored. And worse. A thought sneaks it's way into my mind.
The fancy guest towels.
I forgot to check that they were folded properly, when I cleaned the bathroom. I can no longer concentrate on the book before me. All I can think is that there could be a towel, no a fancy guest towel, who isn't folded. I get up as fast as I can and run to the bathroom.
I was right.
The bottom towel isn't folded perfectly like the others. It's a little uneven. So, I take them all up.
And that's where I see it.
The reason why the towels are uneven.
Chandler's porn magazine, that he thinks I don't know about.
It doesn't really bother me, that he has it. I know it's an important part of his masculinity to watch porn and look at dirty magazines, that's just who he is. Besides all of the hotness he feel, when he looks at these women, he acts out on me. So, who can complain?
I put the towel down, and take a closer look at the magazine that my boyfriend bought this month.
I start looking at the pages and I'm suprised to see that the edges aren't even a little crumpled, it actually looks like he hasn't even looked in it.
I'm about to put the magazine back in the drawer, when a brochure falls half-way out from in between page 26 and 27. I take a closer look.
My hand goes up to my mouth, and I'm releasing a little awe. Because the brochure is an engagemant-ring brochure. I can't believe Chandler has one of those, I can't believe he's going to propose to me. All I want to do right now is running across the hall to tell Rachel.
But I stop myself. I might be wrong. The brochure might not be Chandler's, maybe it was in the magazine when he bought it - Although it looks more read than the magazine.
"Stop!" I say out loud to myself. "He. Is. Not. Going to. Propose." I then say, mostly to convince myself. Even though all I want to do right now; is running over to Rachel's and interupt her time with Paul - Which she would probably appreciate. But I don't.
Because 1) I can't have another "Pete fiasko" where I'm getting myself all worked up and excited; for nothing. And this time would be even worse; because I'm not thinking - not even for a sekund - about saying "no." If Chandler is going to ask me to marry him; then I'll scream "Yes," and I hope he knows.
And 2) Rachel might already know, and then she'll tell Chandler that I know, and it'll ruin everything.
No I can't risk that, besides it's probably not true. I mean I saw how Chandler freaked out last week when I put our names down for a marriage in two years. He's clearly not ready.
And I'm fine with that, he will come around. And I'll wait untill he's ready, as long as he gets ready.
I put the brochure back in the magazine, the magazine back in the drawer under the towels. Regardless if he's going to propose or not, he wouldn't want to know that I've found it.
I go into the kitchen and make myself a snack, when I hear the door open. It's Rachel, again.
"Oh my God! Oh my God!" She screams as she enters.
"Still crying?" I ask, trying to care about it - and not think about my maybe proposal.
"Like a little girl." Rachel continues, I shake my head to get the proposal thoughts out of my mind. "I know, I know, I know. This is all my fault, I wanted him to open up. But I didn't know I was going to unleash this- this weepy, clingy, moist monster." She continues, crying.
I give her my advice, knowing that that's what she needs. "You know, I only know of two surefire ways to shut a man up, and one of them is sex." I say with no emotion.
She rolls her eyes. "What's the other one?"
"I don't know. I've never had to use the other one." I say with a giggle, her eyes are questioning my response. "I'm just saying, you know, if we're having sex, he's not going to be talking." I state clearly.
Rachel nods. "That's right, you're the talker." That makes me a little uncomfortable, knowing she probably has heard me talking in bed when we lived together. I can see, she's uncomfortable, too. "Anyway, uh, great idea." She changes the subject. "Um, I got to go to the store. I told him that I would buy him some more tissuses." She starts walking towards the door.
"Oh, we have some here." I tell so she doesn't need to go all the way down the the store.
"No, you don't!" She snaps, telling me she needs a break from the 'weepy, clingy, moist monster.'
I look after her as she leaves, half regretting that I didn't tell her, but also happy that I made it through a full conversation without bringing it up - maybe it'll actually be possible for me to do.
I sit down at the table and begin to eat my prepared snack.
Not five minutes later, I hear someone in the hall. 'It can't be Rachel already,' I think and look through the peephole.
I'm right. It's not Rachel, it's Chandler. He closes the door to apartment 19 after him, but I can't help wondering what he's doing there, instead of coming home. And why is he even here, if he and Phoebe went out to by an engagement rin- 'okay stop' A skeptic thought thinks. 'He isn't!'
A few minutes go by and I'm still looking through the peephole, I'm about to stop when Joey comes home. He too shuts the door close so I can't see anything.
But a few moments after, is Chandler running out of the apartment and down the stairs. Because of the weird angle a peephole has, I can see, that he has a credit card in his hand. 'That's why he's here.' A hopeful thought thinks. 'He needed his credit card to by a ring.' I shake my head. "No he didn't!" I say out loud.
I turn to doing nothing once again, untill about 30 minutes later, when Chandler and Phoebe come home.
"Hey," I ask as I walk over to hug Chandler as they enter. "What've you been up to?"
Chandler sighs as he hugs me a little bit closer. "Nothing much." He says and kisses me. I can't help wonder if he has a ring on him right now. But as I take a closer look at them I realize that they don't seem very happy - like you would be after picking out an engagement ring. Maybe he really isn't about to propose.
"Are you alright?" I ask, he replies with a smile and a nod. "O-Kay." I hesitate. "Anyway, I was gonna go down to the store to buy groceries for dinner. What do you want?" I ask them looking at the watch on the wall.
"Uh, Spaghetti!" Phoebe exclaims with a jump.
"You got it, Pheebs." I can't help smiling of her energy as a leave the apartment.
I go down to the store across the street and by the ingrediens I need for Spaghetti for 3-6 people - never knowing how many of us are going to be eating at my place. But that's okay, if there's too much; I'll just give it to Joey tomorrow.
5 minutes later, I'm leaving the store. I see Chandler and Phoebe runing out of the building.
"Hey." I call out for them. "Where are you going?"
"We weren't done yet." Chandler calls back as he and Phoebe gets into a cap, with bigger smiles than the fake ones they arrived with.
"Great." I say to myself as I climb the stairs and begin to make dinner.
20 minutes later and halfway finished with dinner; Rachel comes in again.
"Well, now it's over." She states as she sits down.
"Oh, no! What happened?" I turn around.
"I took you advice." She sighs. "And it worked. Of course it worked. The problem was just that he started crying again right after." She rolls her eyes and I laugh. "So, I put some clothes on and said - very gently - 'Sorry Paul, but this isn't working for me anymore.' And then he said 'I understand, but don't forget you made me this way. This is all your fault.' I said 'I know. Goodbye.' And that was it." She sighs.
I take her hand. "Are you alright?" I ask her seriously.
She nods. "I will be. It's not like I ever really thought of marrying him or something. Sure, I put our names down at the museum, but that was just for fun - and because you did it. I mean, we weren't going to be married, but you and Chandler could easily be married in two years." She says not knowing how true her words might be.
The only thing I want to say now, after she has already brought it up, is how I think Chandler might be about to propose. But then I remember all the reasons not to tell, so I don't.
Instead I say. "Hey, I'm making dinner for 3-6 people, you and Joey wanna eat with?"
"Oh Mon, that'd be great, I'll just go over and tell him."
As she's about to leave, Phoebe enters discreetly. "Oh you're here!" She says surprised.
I look at her. "Sure, Pheebs where else would I be?"
She waves her arm. "Urg, I don't know. I just came over to pick up something..." She says as she walks over to her room.
I look at Rachel. "That was weird, right?"
"Naeh, that was just Phoebe." She waves her hand. "Anyway, I'll tell Joey." She says with a smile as we say 'see you in a minute' to each other.
Just after she leaves, Phoebe comes back. "Hey." I say. "What was that all about?"
"Er... What?" She plays dumb. "Uh! You are making spaghetti. I'll go tell Joey." She's gone before I can tell her that Rachel's already over there.
A few minutes pass by, and the spaghetti is now done, before they all come over. They all look at me very moved, as if they know something I don't. I can't help wondering if Chandler might have told them. 'Told them what?' The skeptic thought asks. 'There's nothing to tell.'
"What's going on?" I play dumb.
A few moments go by where they keep looking at me like that. Then Ross realizes that I asked a question. "Oh. Nothing." He replies. "It's just... you made dinner." He smiles very moved. "Can I eat with?"
I roll my eyes of his obvious lie. "Sure. I made enough for everyone anyway." I assure him as all of the 'guests' - including Phoebe - sit down.
I start cooling the spaghetti down as Chandler approaches me. "I missed you today." He whispers in my ear.
"I missed you, too." I reply as I'm opening the faucet.
"And today kind of made me realize that we haven't spent that much time alone together in the last couple of weeks." He continues. "With Phoebe living here." He adds.
I turn around. "I guess you're right, we haven't."
"So, it made me think... are you free Saturday night?" He's nervous. Way to nervous to be asking his long-term girlfriend out on a date. 'He's gonna do it Saturday.' The hopeful thought thinks. 'Do what?' The skeptic one replies.
"You know I'm working Friday this week... So, yeah, I'm free Saturday. Why?" I play along.
He looks down. "I just thought... Maybe... We could have a date-night." He's still nervous.
"Sure. It's a date." I reply as I'm putting the spaghetti on the table - the others haven't heard a thing.
As I'm waiting for Saturday I begin to let myself think about the maybe proposal. There's just so many signs; The engagement brochure, Phoebe and Chandler's disappearance all Sunday, all of the moved faces, the date. Everything just points to a proposal.
But I won't let myself believe it one hundred procent; so I don't tell anyone. This is just in my own mind, and I try not to start preparing the wedding already - even though it's hard.
Before I know it, it's Saturday - I might be wearing a ring tonight.
Everybody comes over for breakfast - as usually. When we're done I realize that the trash can is full, not wanting to prospone mess, I of course take it outside.
When I come back, they're all sitting on the couch looking at something 'Maybe a ring.' The hopeful thought thinks. Phoebe tells me 'Hello' as I'm walking towards my bedroom, but she sounds like she has something in her mouth. 'Maybe a ring.' The thought repeats.
As I reappear to go to the bathroom; Chandler says 'Hello' and now he sounds like he has a ring in his mouth. 'If that's true, he practically kissed Phoebe.' The skeptic thought says.
After this weird experience, they all go to work. Well, except Joey... And me, I've got the day off.
At lunch, we all meet up at Central Perk for coffee. At the point where Rachel arrives, we're only missing Ross.
She asks us if we can go to a benefit tonight. Chandler gets very offensiv when she seems to have forgotten that we're going out tonight. Of course, I think I know why. I mean I wouldn't like it if my friends had forgotten that I was going to propose that evening.
She does take it back quickly, I'll give her that.
I feel like it'd be weird if I didn't comment on such an obvious cue. So, I ask. "What's the big deal?" With my best acting.
He clearly doesn't know what to say, so he comes up with a lame excuse. "I just... I just get mad, when Rachel don't remember where we're going."
Then, of course, Joey needs to ask. "Where are you going?" Totally uncalled for when Chandler has just explained it.
Rachel then goes on to ask the others. Both Phoebe and Joey agree to come, but when Ross arrives he tells us that he can't; because he has a date with Elizabeth.
We then go on to talking about their relationship, and where it's going. He seems rather taken by surprise when we all agree that she might be a little too young.
After Joey makes a stupid joke the subject dies down. We drink our coffees and go back to work - Me and Joey: home.
That night as I'm getting ready - Chandler in Phoebe's room, so he really can get the 'woaw-factor' when I come out - I can't help being a little bit scared that he might not propose. Over the last week, I've let myself think about it, because of all the signs, but what if it was just all fake signs? I'm really up for it now, and I would be so dissapointed if he didn't. 'So much for the 'Not Pete Fiasco' plan.' The skeptic thought comments.
However, all of me doubts go away when a enter the living room. They are all here. Moved looks in their eyes. They wouldn't be here if something wasn't up. And I think Chandler knows that this is a sign, because he seems rather irritated.
However, he still gets the 'Woaw-factor' when he sees me. "You look beautiful." He tells me. And I do. I'm wearing a salmon pink spaghetti-strapped dress that finishes just abouve my knees and high-lights my whole body.
"Mm. Thank you." I reply, touching his arm. They then all look at us, very moved. So, again I feel like I have to ask. "What's going on?" I ask in a sing-song voice as I can't stop smiling, because I know 'what's going on.'
Rachel explains that it's because of the charity event they're going to, and to keep up my act; I play along. We all leave together.
At the resturant - my favorite by the way ('Nice touch, Chandler.') - we're getting seated right away. Chandler orders champagne - my favorite by the way ('Nice touch, Chandler.') - and I'm checking up on my make-up.
He starts to hit his jacket, almost panically in search of something. I think 'you idiot, you didn't forget the ring, did you?' before before he cluchess his chestpocket with a sigh.
"What are you doing?" I ask knowing that is what would be expected.
His excuse is one of the stupidest I have ever heard. "One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all." Then chuckles. "I remembered it. The champagne is here." And it is.
I'm starting to feel like he's way to nervous, so I ask. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, yes, I'm good." He assures me. "Are you good? Are you good? Is everything, are you- are y- you perfect, perfect?"
"Yeah. I'm okay." Tell him, then I see my oppotunity to just get him to do it. "I'm actually, I'm a little cold, though. Can I borrow your jacket?" So innocent, I'm brilliant.
"Oh, yeah." He's about to give it to me, but then he seems to remember something, maybe a ring. "Uh, no, you can't have my jacket. Because then I would be cold. If you thought you were gonna be cold, you should have brought your own jacket." Then he realizes that he sounds like a jerk. "Other than that, are you okay, are you okay?" He rambles on again.
I try to provoke him again. "You're sure you're okay?"
This time it seems to work, because he suddenly starts smiling and becomes serious.
"Yes. I'm fine." He reassures me. "In fact, I've been fine for a long time now and I think... the reason is you."
I awe. "That's sweet." Here it comes...
"Okay, um." He clears his throat. "Before I met you I had really little life and I couldn't imagine growing old with-"
"Oh, my God." I interrupts him with no emotion. Richard's here, why is he here? Chandler's about to propose and then he shows up. Typically.
"I know, but just let me say it." Oh no! Oh no! Oh no! He thinks I'm saying 'Oh my God' because I've figured it out.
"Oh, my God, Richard." I quickly adds, before he ruins his own proposal.
He looks at me offended. "What? I'm Chandler." I just give him a pointed look, which he follows. "Oh, that's Richard." He hides his face.
"Oh, God. Maybe he won't see us." I tell both him and myself, then before I can control myself I call out. "Richard!" I regret it immediately, but then I think 'Maybe this'll be good chance to show him that I've won. I mean, here I am, with the same guy I had been seeing for a year a year ago about to get engaged... And he's with, what looks like a first date. How would talking to him for a few minutes hurt anyone?'
Unfortunally does Chandler not seem to be with me on that thought as he freaks out when Richard and his date approaches us.
"Monica, Chandler." Richard greets us surprised. But the bigger surprise is when Chandler gives him an awkward hug.
"I don't know why I did that." He says as he lets Richard go.
I try to get the awkwardness under control. "Hey, it's- it's good to see you." I tell Richard meaning it, but why did it had to be tonight?
He looks at me. "You, too. You let your hair grow long."
I run my fingers through my hair. "Oh that's right. You always wanted me to. I see you got your mustache back." I notice remembering that he didn't have it last year.
He nods. "Well, my nose got lonely."
Chandler feeling uncomfortable needs to make a joke. "And, uh, you don't have a mustache which is good." He points to Richards date. "I'm Chandler, I make jokes when I'm uncomfortable." He then greets her.
This makes Richard remember his manners. "Oh, I'm sorry. Lisa." He apologies. "Monica, Chandler. We used to date." He adds.
Chandler then feeling the need for another joke. "Richard. No one's supposed to know about us." He gets no response. "See, I did it again." He says to Lisa.
I smile awkwardly and take Chandler's arm. "Chandler, w- why don't we sit down." He sits down with a 'Yeah, I'll sit down.' I turn back to Richard. "It's good to see you." I tell him as the waiter approaches.
"Your table's ready, sir." The tells Richard.
"Oh. Good to see you guys." He tells us as he's about to turn around.
Chandler replies with a releaved. "Yes."
"Or if you prefer this table's available." The waiter tells him.
'Oh, God. Please don't.' I think. 'Chandler's uncomfortable already, and if Richard stays there's no chance what so ever, that he'll propose tonight.'
But of course, Richard doesn't hear my thoughts. He looks at us. "That might be fun." He says and they sit down.
Over all, it's a very uncomfortable evening. Chandler's extremly uncomfortable and therefore I am, too. Richard keeps telling stories about the time we were together. And I know, that can't be nice for Chandler. I mean if I had to re-hear about the time he ran after Kathy - when she was still Joey's girlfriend - or the time with Janice and the drawer, I wouldn't be pleased.
However, I'm telling the stories with him, to not be rude... and he is an old friend. It's not totally wrong, is it?
Turns out it is.
Chandler doesn't say much on the ride home... and he never proposed. Maybe he wasn't going to do it in the first place, but Richard showing up; clearly didn't help it.
"Fun night." He says at we reach the apartment.
We enter, and it turns out that Ross is here. "Oh, my God. You guys." He jumps up from his chair. Clearly another sign, that something didn't happen tonight, that should've had.
Chandler quikcly stops him. "Before you say anything. We've got a story for you. Guess who we bumped into at dinner." Chandler asks.
Ross being excited and having no clue asks. "Who?"
"Richard!" Chandler answers in a fake-giddy voice.
"Oh. Oh. Oh." Ross' voice is gradually losing excitment having understood.
I change the subject knowing that Chandler don't want to discuss this with me in the room. "I thought you were going out with Elizabeth."
We then procide to have a conversation about how maybe she is too young. He decides he's gonna talk to her, and they might break up. He then leaves.
Not too long after he leaves and Chandler and I are left alone (talking about normal stuff - nope no proposal), Phoebe and Joey comes home just as I'm about to bring out the trash - amazing how it's already full, considering I took it out this morning.
"Oh, my God you're back." Joey exclaims.
"Oh, let me see it. Let me see see your hand."
"Why do you wanna see my hand?" I play along, hoping they'll say something like 'Because you're engaged silly.' That could be so romantic. But Chandler must be giving some kind of signal.
Because Phoebe comes up with an excuse. "I wanna see what's in your hand. I wanna see the trash." I let her look through it. "Ew-w. O- oh, it's all dirty. You should throw this out."
"Yeah." Joey chimes in.
"Okay." I say and go out. I'm so stupid, this could have been such an amazing night, if I hadn't called out for Richard. But I did, and it's all ruined now.
However, I'm now 100 % certain about the fact that Chandler going to ask my to marry him. He might not do it tonight, but he'll do it soon. And that thought keeps me happy.
As I approach the trash chute I realize that some idiot has been stuffing the trash chute with pizza boxes again. So, I have to go down to the basement.
I tell the others about this when I re-enters apartment #20. Joey seems to be the idiot.
Just then Rachel comes in. "Hey. Oh, my God, you're here." She says as she spots us. "Let me see your hand." Her voice is high-pitched as she runs towards me.
This time Phoebe covers the secret up. "No, you're too late. She already took out the trash." Rachel of course have no idea and are very confused.
Chandler then makes a yarn and says that he's tired I follow his example and we go off to bed. As I'm closing the door I get a clear shot of Rachel turning to Joey and Phoebe for an explanation.
I turn to Chandler. "Any regrets for the day?" I ask giving him one last chance.
He looks down. "Well, one." For a moment I think he's gonna propose right now, but then he takes off his shoes and say. "But that's fine. I'll do it another time."
His words are very reassuring and even though I didn't get a ring today, I still feel very happy, and like this is it for the rest og my life.
XXXXXXXXXXX
I wake up the next morning. It's normal, no signs of a proposal what so ever.
After breakfast is Joey asking us if we would like to come down for coffee. Chandler says 'yes' immediately, I would love to join them but I have to take care of the dirty dishes first.
I'm done about 20 minutes after and I decide to go down and meet them.
"Hey, guys." I greet them, they return. "What are you up to?"
Chandler laughs. "Oh just haning it out. Talking about websites." Joey agrees. "Yeah, we saw this really interesting webiste about marriage and how totally unnecessary it is and how it's just a way for the government to keep tabs on you." He explains.
Then Joey, probably not having understood what Chandler is saying at all, comments. "Yeah. Big brother."
"Well, that's a little crazy." I say thinking that maybe this is a new idea of a surprise proposal. "Although I am, you know, glad to hear that you're branching out on what you look at on the internet." I joke adding an 'and in the magazines.' In my mind.
"You know, it just got me thinking, though. Why would anybody ever want to get married, huh?" He continues.
I let myself get worked up, reminding him that this is that I want. "Why? To celebrate your relationship. To solidify your commitment. To declare your love for one another to the world." I tell him.
He answers with an "Eh."
I make a face. "Okay, well, that's good to know." I say starting to think he might has changed his mind.
Before we can continue the conversation, Joey's new boat arrives and we move on to that subject. And before you know it, that's the only conversation piece for the rest of the day.
At noon, the next day, is one of the waitresses coming in to the kitchen to tell my, that one of the custumers wants to compliment the chef. I love this, so I let him come in.
Unfortunally, it's Richard.
"Actually, I'm not here to compliment the chef." He says honestly.
"Oh, that's okay." I say dissapointed and with concern for the real reason he has come. "I hate when peolpe come back to compliment the chef." I lie. "Like I have nothing better to do." I pause. "So what's up?" I ask the question I don't want to know the answer to.
"Well, it was great seeing you the other day."
"Yeah, it was good to see you, too." I lie. "Did you come all the way down here just to tell me that?" I ask knowing there must be more to the story.
"No. I came here to tell you something else." He tells me. "I came here to tell you I still love you."
Yep. There it is. The words I didn't want nor expect to hear. I don't know what to say.
"What? Um... What did you... What?" I ask confused.
"I still love you..." He repeats. "And I know I probably shouldn't even be here telling you this."
'You're right about that.' I think.
"I mean, you're with Chandler, a guy I really like... And if yu say he's straight I'll believe you." He continues.
'That was uncalled for.'
"But after seeing you the other night I knew if I didn't tell you I'd regret it for the rest of my life. Letting you go was the stupidest thing I ever did."
I'm so confused. Here I am with a guy I once thought was 'The one' and now he tells me he's ready for it all. And I'm with Chandler, a guy who was going to propose to me yesterday. 'Even though he now seems like he isn't.' The skeptic thought resurfaces.
I just know that I need Richard out of here so I can think this over. "You know, you're really not supposed to be back here." I say to get him to leave.
Of course, it doesn't help. "Uh, well, you know, I'm sorry." He apologies. "I know this is the wrong time and the wrong place. But I had to tell you. I want to spend my life with you. I want to marry you."
There it is. The words I was so desperate to hear three years ago.
"I want to have kids with you." He adds, knowing that's what really means something to me.
"Oh, my God." I say to myself because I'm actually considering this. Leaving Chandler and run into the sunset with Richard. What the hell is wrong with me?
I need to sit down. "Why don't they put chairs back here?" I'm about to sit down on the stove so I yelp.
He comes over to me. "Look, I know this is crazy, but... Am I too late?" His voice hoping for a 'No. You could never be too late.'
"Well, y-" I say thinking that at this time; it should be too late. However, a part of me is saying 'No.' And that's wrong. I know that. "Yes, you're too late. I mean, where was all this three years ago?" I ask because that was the time I wanted to hear this.
He looks around. "Well, I know, I was an idiot... And I tried to forget you. I- I really did. You know, after we had lunch last year I spent six months in Africa trying to get you out of my head."
Africa? Huh, wonder why Dad never told me about that. "What were you doing in Africa?"
"Working with blind kids." He explains.
Wow. That's so nice of him. "Oh... What are you doing to me?" I turn around. "Oh, look... I'm sorry, but, um... It's... This is not going to happen." I finally say.
He shruggs. "Okay, that's fine. I'll walk away, and I'll never bother you again but only... If you tell me that Chandler's willing to give you everything I am." He has to try one last time.
I need to assure him of this. To make him go away. "Well, he is." I say that at least it was true yesterday. "Yeah, I mean... Marriage is all he talks about." Okay, crossing the line to lying. "Oh, my goodness. In fact, I'm the one that's making him wait." I say to convince him.
He doesn't fall for it. "You are?"
"Yeah." I lie.
"Why?" He knows I'm lying.
"Why?" I need an excuse and the first thing that comes to mind is the conversation I had with Chandler yesterday. "Because of the government." He rolls his eyes and I continue. "Well, there you have it. He wants marriage. You can go now." I need him to leave.¨
"Okay." He walks over to the door. "But if you - or he - ever change your mind, you know where to find me."
I'm making my lips to a line and nod. He leaves.
The minute he's gone I fall down. I'm sitting in a fetal position for a few minutes untill I realize that something smells burned. I get up and continues my job. I have to talk to Chandler, I seriously need to talk to Chandler. Luckily, I'm meeting him for lunch in less than an hour.
The hour feels like an eternity but at one point it's over. I change my clothes.
I meet up with Chandler at a nearby pizzaplace.
"Hey." He greets me with a kiss.
"Hey." I say back. "You look nice."
"You, too." He responses. "Did you have a nice day?" He then asks.
Should I tell him about Richard? I probably should, but I don't want to ruin our second date in 2 days with Richard. "Yep. Great. And you?" I ask to get the conversation on him.
"It was great so far." He tells me. "Should we go in?"
I nod and we go in.
We order one pizza to share and as we're waiting we talk about his day. I'm getting all of my courage together, to ask him about the words he said yesterday. To be clear on the fact that he really does want to marry me. It takes me untill halfway through the pizza.
"So, that marriage stuff that you were saying yesterday you don't really believe that, do you?" I ask.
"Sure, I do." He nods. 'What are you doing Chandler? Did I really make you change your mind in one night?' "In fact, I think the whole concept of marriage is unnaturel. I mean, look at pigs. Let's take a second here and look at pigs. Okay, pigs don't mate for life. I mean, a pig can have, like a hundred sexual partners in a lifetime and that's just an ordinary pig not a pig that's good at sports." He rambles.
"Wait a minute." Why did his mind change so much in one night? Two days ago, he was ready to propose. A year ago, he was ready to get married in Vegas. A year and a half ago, he was ready to get engaged because he didn't want to lose me. But now, after one night with Richard, I've scared him off. What the hell is wrong with me? "Are you honestly telling me that- that you may never want to get married?" I'm getting worried now.
He just keeps eating. "Well, never say never, but, you know, probably, um... yeah never." He says.
I can't believe this. He seems so sincere and like it's no big deal. "Oh. My God. Th- th- then, what are we even doing? I mean, what is this?" I'm starting to get angry.
He's surprised. "Whoa, whoa, whoa, what is all this pressure? Is this some new kind of strategy? Why don't you put down your copy of the 'rules', huh, man-trap?"
I can't take it anymore. "You know what? I got to go." I get up and leave. Maybe I've read all of the signs wrong, maybe he really wasn't going to propose.
I run home. Angry and sad. I just want to talk to Rachel, get this whole mess out of my system. So, I go into her apartment.
Joey is sitting the the living room. "Hey, Monica." He greets me.
I'm annoyed, so I'm not very polite. "Have you seen Rachel... Or a mirror?" I adds because oh God he looks stupid in that sailor's uniform.
He looks down on this dressing. "This is for my boat." He explains. "Pretty cool, huh?"
I agree knowing I must sound like a jerk. "Yeah, it's great." I say in a sad voice.
"Whoa, whoa, what's the matter?" He asks me concerned. "Talk to the captain." He points to himself.
I debate it quickly with myself. Then decide to go for it. "I'm just having one of those days where you realize you're in a dead-end relationship."
He nods. "Chandler giving you a hard time, huh?" He asks.
I continue complaining. "It's not like I want to get married tomorrow. It's just I'd like to believe that I'm in a relationship that's going somewhere, that I'm not just wasting my time."
Joey shakes his head. "Well, you know Chandler." He states.
"No, I don't know Chandler... Not anymore." The Chandler I thought I knew wouldn't change his mind like that from one day to another. "It's like... It's like something's changed." I'm getting very sad.
"Maybe you changed." Joey chimes in.
"I didn't change." Now I'm angry.
"Then maybe that's the problem." He says in his 'smartvoice.'
I don't understand anything. "What?"
"Chandler is a complex fellow one who is unlikely to take a wife." He's defending Chandler.
"Well, what does he think? That I'm just gonna wait around for nothing?"
"Monica, face it, Chandler is against marriage an- and always will be." Joey's very calm.
If what he's saying is true, if I really changed Chandler's mind like that. Then I don't know if that's something to stay for. "Yeah, well, there's some people who do want to marry me." I tell him as I'm walking towards the door.
"There are?" Joey almost laugh.
"Yeah. Richard." I tell him.
Joey isn't smug anymore. "Ri- Ri. Richard said he wants to marry you?" He asks for confirmation. I nod. "And Chandler's telling you how much he hates marriage?"
I nod again. "That's right."
"Chandler loves marriage!" Joey yells. Probably so I won't go to Richard's, but I won't fall for that.
"You just told me that he hates marriage, th- that he's... a complex fellow who's unlikely to take a wife." I'm yelling too now. "Th- that he's against marriage and always will be.
"You got that from what I said." Joey asks dumb.
I run out of there before he can say anything else. Knowing that I can't trust anything he says now, as he's just trying to buy time.
I run down to the street and into a cap, not knowing where I want to go. But the cap-driver needs an adresse and without thinking I'm giving him Richard's.
10 minutes later I'm standing at Richard's front door, knocking.
He opens the door. "Hi." I greet him.
He looks at him, puts his hands in his pockets. "Hi." He returns.
"I don't know what I'm doing here." I say and it's true I have no idea. I do however hope to find out.
"I didn't ask." He understands. "Do you want to come in?"
"I don't know." I shouldn't.
"Oh, okay." He says. "Well, I'll just leave the door open and go sit on the couch." Which he does.
I need to complain to someone who's a hundred procent on my side so I follow him. "Chandler is such an idiot." I start.
He gets up from the couch. "Drink?" He asks wanting to hear all of it.
"Yeah. I'll have a scotch on the-" I start knowing I should have said 'No' as I'm closing the door.
"-Rocks with a twist." He finishes. I'm moved that he can remember it. "I remember."
I give him a little smile and walk over to the couch area. "You're still smoking cigars?" I ask as I see a cigar on the coffee table.
"No, no. That's art." He lies as he's making my drink. "If it bothers you, I can put my art out." He adds knowing I'd never fall for that.
I laugh. "No, that's okay." I sit down.
"So, Monica." Richard says with his back to me. "Let me ask you a question. You know, since we broke up do you ever... Think about me?"
I think and decide to give him an honest answer. "Yeah, actually, I thought about you a coulpe of months ago." It's true. I did.
"Oh, really?" He seems surprised and pleased.
I need to clearify. "Yeah, but it's 'cause I had an eye exam and I don't like my new eyedoctor."
To that he seems less pleased. "Who is it?"
"Edward Nevsky." I tell him.
"Yeah, he's no good." He says knowing the other eyedoctors in the city. "Do you ever think about me in a... Non-eye-doctor way?" He then asks.
Again, I give him an honest answer. "No."
"Ah." He says, thinking I'm not into him.
I feel like I need to give him something more. "Because getting over you was the hardest thing that I've ever had to do and I never let myself think about you." Well, it's true. I haven't wanted to think about him for a long time, but it's still true.
My drink is finished and I ask for a coaster, then walk around with the drink as he's making his own.
"I miss this apartment." I tell him truthfully. "Now, this is a grown-up's apartment." I mean, it should be. He's a grown-up. "I should be with a grown-up. Do you know what I mean?"
"Yeah. You're saying you need to be with someone more mature." He walks over to me. I nod. "Maybe someone with a license to practice medicine... Or a mustache." He says pointly.
"You right. Let's face it." I say as I'm putting down my drink on the coaster. "I'm not a kid anymore. I need to be with someone who wants the same things that I do. Coming to my place of work and telling me you love me. I want that. Talking about pig sex over lunch. I don't want that." I say disgusted with Chandler's behaviour at lunch.
"I think that's fair." Richard admits.
I'm already kind of yelling but that comment makes my what to yell more. "'Fair?' Please, don't even talk to me about fair. Fair would have been you wanting to marry me back then. Or fair would be Chandler wanting to marry me now. Believe me, nothing about this is fair." I starts repeating 'Nothing' a lot of times. Richard sees that I need to calm down and pulls me into a hug. "Nothing." I say one last time.
As he's hugging me, I suddenly realize, this is wrong.
A grown man in his 50's going after- no pining after - a girl in her 20's. And not just any girl. No, a girl he has known since she was two years old. A girl who's diapers he probably has changed. A girl who once peed in his pool. Isn't that on the line to being a pedophile?
And this girl, also have a boyfriend. And she still went to an old boyfriend's apartment knowing he still loved her.
This is all wrong.
I came here to see if there was still something here, I realize. I also realize that there isn't, and I've known that since our lunch last year.
I need to get out of here.
I pull back, disgusted with myself and the way he looks at me. "I don't know. I don't know. Um..." 'How to tell you it's not going to happen.' My mind finishes.
"I know." He says believe my thoughts are in af completely other place than they are.
"I- I... I have to figure some, you know, some stuff... Before I can..." 'tell you.'
"Yeah, I understand." He nods. "Take as much time as you want. Ten, even twenty minutes if you need it. I'll be here... not smoking." He smiles, thinking he has won.
I gather my stuff, take one last look at the apartment knowing it's the last time I'll ever be here. And leave.
I take a cap home, hoping Chandler isn't there. Even though, I don't want to be with Richard it doesn't mean that I've forgiven Chandler.
I'm lucky. He's not here. Nobody is.
I go to my bedroom, pack up some clothes quickly. I need to get out of here, I can't face Chandler. Two minutes later, I'm locking the door behind me.
Just when I'm about to go down the stairs Joey comes out.
"Oh, Monica. Thank God." He says. "Wait a minute... what are you doing with that suitcase?" He asks noticing the suitcase. "You're not going to Richard's, are you?" He's scared.
I look at him. "No!" I admit. "That was stupid and so was our whole relationship, I see now. No, I'm going to my parents'. I can't be near Chandler." I tell him. "Feel free to tell him that, just include that he shouldn't call." I'm angry.
"What happened?" Joey asks. "Is it just because he said he didn't want to marry you? Because he was gonna propose the day before yesterday, at the restaurant.
I'm starting to get mad at Joey. "Do you think I don't know that?!"
He's very surprised. "You knew?"
"Yes, of course I knew. I'm not that dumb, there was so many signs." I tell him. "No, the problem is that he clearly don't want to marry me now. I've scared him off, in one night. I can't be like a guy like that." I explain.
"Monica." He takes my hands. "He does want to marry you. It was his plan. To throw you off, because he realized it was very clear. And he wanted you to be surprised. That's why he said all of those things. He was gonna propose next week."
"Really?" I ask calmly Joey nods. "Well, that was a stupid plan." Again Joey nods. "Okay, here's what we're gonna do." I take action. "I can't take this any longer, so I'm just gonna have to do it. You're gonna call the others, tell them what's going on and tell them to come - And change your clothes, you look too stupid, you can't ruin the pictures."
He looks taken a back but then nods. "You got it."
"I'm gonna light a lot of candles in the apartment." I continue to myself as Joey has already left. "This going to be good."
It turns out that Phoebe and Rachel are just downstairs so they come up rather quickly, Joey couldn't get to Ross, so he's not here. They help me light the candles. Luckily, do Phoebe has a lot in her room. So we aren't short on candles.
We light them in silence, so it gives me a lot of time to plan out my proposal speech. How I never thought I'd be lucky enough to fall in love with my bestfriend, and how I feel like he's the only one for me.
With three peolpe lighting on candles, it's fast. By the time Joey comes over - out of the horrible uniform - we're already done.
"Okay." I say. "This is it." They all smile and give my hugs. I get an idea. "Hey, Chandler wanted this to be a surprise, right?" They nod. "Then let's give him a surprise. You all go over to your place, then when he comes home Joey'll go out with the trash... and tell him I've left. That way he'll be surprised. What do you think?"
Rachel hugs me. "I can't believe your going to ask Chandler to marry you." She's very emotional.
"Me neither." Phoebe joins the hug.
For once Joey is the only one to think. "Sounds great, Mon, but he'll be here soon, so we got to go." He pushes us away from each other.
"You're right." Rachel breaks free. "Good luck, Mon." The others repeat, I thank them as they leave.
I sit down to wait, barrely two minutes go by before I hear someone talking in the hall-way. I stand up and before you know it Chandler enters. His face very sad.
However, he lights up as he takes a look through the apartment and see nothing but candles. "You wanted it to be a surprise." I say.
He looks back at Joey, not understanding. Joey gives him a look that says 'It's really happening.' and close the door. "Oh, my God." Chandler says as he approaches me.
This is it, the moment I have been preparing for ever since Joey told me the truth.
I fall down on one knee, laughing over the fact that I have to do this.
"Chandler," I start. "In all my life I never thought I would be so lucky..." I am starting to lose it, it's too emotional. "As to fall in love with my best... My best... There's a reason why girls don't do this." I cry as I'm losing it completely and my voice is breaking.
He falls down next to me. "Okay, okay. I'll do it." He rescues me. "I thought..." He's losing it too. "I can do this." I chuckle, of this whole situation. "I thought that it mattered what I said or where I said it. But then I realized that the only thing that matters is that you... you make me happier than I ever thought I could be. And if you let me I'll spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel the same way." He takes out the ring from his pocket, he has had it with him, I chuckle again. "Monica, will you marry be?" He finally asks.
There it is. The words I've been waiting for, from the man I've been waiting for. And there's no doubt in my mind, when I say. "Yes."
He smiles and slides the ring on my finger. Our lips meet in a loving kiss followed by a hug.
"I knew you were likely to take a wife!" I cry out Chandler seems a little surprised by that comment but pulls me into another hug.
Joey must've heard my comment because he wants to come in. "Can we come in yet?! We're dying out here."
"Come in! Come in!" I call to him and he enters with Rachel and Phoebe. "We're engaged!" I tell them. Even though that's probably a given, they all cheer and we have a group hug.
"Oh, this is the least jealous I've ever been." Rachel comments.
"Oh, no, wait!" Phoebe stops us from laughing. "No!" This is wrong!" 'Seriously, Pheebs? What's up?' I think. Then thankfully she explains. "Ross isn't here!"
We all look at each other. She's right. "Oh, hell, he's done this three times! He knows what it's about!" Rachel reminds us and we hug again.
"He should still be here." Phoebe states.
Rachel agrees. "Why don't we go over to his apartment to see if he's there?" She asks Phoebe and Joey.
Phoebe agrees but Joey looks at her. "Why do we need to be three people to do that?" He asks, not having caught on to Rachel's sugqestion.
Phoebe takes his arm. "Because maybe the happy couple would like some time alone." Phoebe explains as they leave.
I laugh and turn to my fiancé. "Hey." I say simply.
"Hey." He replies. "She planed a proposal." He says.
I chuckle. "It's your stupid 'throwing-me-off-the-tracks' idea. Although, I had caught onto it, so if you wanted it to be a surprise, then it was a good idea. I was very surprised when Joey told me." I tell him.
"You figured it out?" He asks. "I knew they were too obvious."
"That and... I found the ring brochure." I admit, he's turing pale.
"Oh... So you saw the..."
"The magazine?" He looks down totally embarrassed. "Yeah, I saw that. But Chandler I don't really care, okay, that's a part of you to look at naked women. And to be frank, I'd rather have you looking at pictures than the real deal."
"I don't." He assures me of what I already know. "Wait a minute." He stops smiling. "Did you know I was going to propose when you called Richard?"
"Well, yeah." I admit and I can tell that he's hurt. "But I just thought we could talk with him for a couple of minutes, to tell him that I had won, I didn't know he was going to sit down." I assure him. "And then he showed up at my work and told me he loved me and wanted to marry me. All while you said it was the absolute last thing you would do. I was upset. So, I went over there, I guess Joey told you about that."
He nods. "Yeah." He's not very happy.
"I just needed to complain about you to someone who would be on my side, none of our friends would. But I realized how wrong it is that he still loves me, so I got out of there." I take a deep breath.
"I'm not mad." He tells me calmly. "I've clearly won, right?" I nod. "Besides, he's actually a good guy. I also went over there." He admits. "And he told me to go get you and if I did, I should ever let you go, because that hurts like hell. And I'm not planing on it." He adds and I awe. "Hey, do you want to dance?" He asks as he takes my hand.
"Sure." I reply knowing we've talked enough about this for now.
Chandler turns on the radio and we start to dance.
The others take a long time coming back, but they do eventually.
"He wasn't there." Rachel tells us.
"We left note, telling him to come and bring champagne." Phoebe continues.
"And a 3 Musketeers Bar." Joey finishes.
We all laugh. Then, right then. I just can't contain it anymore, I need the world to know that I'm engaged the Chandler Bing.
I tell the others this and run out on the patio. I yell that I'm engaged over and over again, which feels amazing. So, does knowing it's to Chandler.
I stay out there untill Ross comes over 20 minutes later, and some stupid guy is telling me to shut up.
Chandler comes out to get me, then very quickly tells New York that he's the one I'm engaged to, before he pulls me inside.
XXXXXXX
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