Hello Children.. I'm really finding it hard to write the chapters to this story. I bet I scared ya, didn't I? Well to be honest I'm afraid too, that maybe I won't be able to finish it and thats sad cos I get angry at those writers who have left their stories in the midway and just forgot about them. So I promise I won't forget this story. I will post as soon as I get an idea. Until I'm completely satisfied with the next chapter, I can't publish it. So thats it, on with the story now. Read and review, as always :)
Ross was sleeping in a sitting position on the study table in the RV. It was parked on the excavation site itself. Everybody was given a small cabin to maintain privacy. It had been 8 days since he landed in the city. He was still in the phase where he found it difficult to sleep soundly without saying good night to Rachel (time difference didn't allow that) or arguing with Chandler over the pettiest of things.
Suddenly, his cell phone rang startling him. He looked all over his table to find the device. He finally found it beneath one of the surveys. He picked it up without seeing the name. "Hello?" His voice still hoarse.
"Happy Birthday Honey" His eyes shot open.
"Is it time?" He asked using his other hand to turn the table clock so that he could see the time.
"Well.. it's still 4 hours early, New York time but.. uhh.. I thought it's time in Cairo so..." Rachel said sweetly.
"Wow. Thanks. I mean.. I'm still jet lagged so the sleep cycle is kinda screwed up" Ross explained, rubbing the sleep and sitting straight.
"I understand. That's why I thought maybe we could talk for another 4 hours until it's time here too" Rachel replied.
"You do know this is a long distance call, don't you?" Ross asked.
"What's your point, Geller? Evey penny is worth talking to you when you're digging bones across the Atlantic ocean" Rachel countered. Ross smiled. He considered himself the luckiest guy to have a girlfriend as loving as Rachel. Hearing nothing from him, Rachel continued "Besides... We didn't talk much since you left. I thought we could change that on your birthday"
"You know I love you, right?" Ross said sweetly. Rachel smiled to herself.
"It's come up a few times" After a few moments of silence, she said "How are you?"
"As good as I could be so far away from you" He said sweetly. "How about you?"
"I'm fine"
(...)
"I must tell you.. You've got a competition, you know" She teased.
"Really now?" He got up from the chair to get a glass of water from the small side table.
"Mm-hmmm.. He said he loved me more than the number of times you have ever said"
Ross frowned and put the glass back on the table with a 'thud'. At first he thought she was just messing with him but after four months he could tell when she was lying "And may I ask who this guy might be who's fallen for you within a week I left you by yourself? Is it Mark?" He said all worked up. She broke into laughter at his outburst. "What?"
"Ross.. it's Rossy.. the teddy bear you gifted" She said controlling herself. She even heard Ross sigh with relief.
"You can't do that to me on my birthday, Rachel" Ross said getting into the sheets of his bed.
"I'm sorry.. but I just could not resist myself" She apologised. "You know I take it with me everywhere. It's a good thing you gave it to me"
"Yeah?" Ross smiled. "So you're not missing me much because of Rossy"
"You could say that. Anyway... what are your plans for today?"
"Ohh... Big day. Me and my Geek buds inside a dome of sand" He said sarcastically b. "Ed says we'll go look for a club or something.. but I really don't think we'd succeed at a place like this"
(...)
"Ross?"
"Hmm" He was almost asleep.
"It's time. Happy birthday, sweetie" Ross smiled with his eyes closed.
"Thankyou" He said softly.
"Now I'll let you sleep" Rachel announced.
"I love you Rach"
"Love you too. Sleep well"
"Monica this looks amazing. You have to get this" Rachel said when she, Phoebe and Monica were trying out some dresses in the mall.
"Show me" Phoebe came out from the trial room. "Wow. If I were a guy, I would have shoven you right on that wall" Rachel and Monica stepped back afraid of her sudden excitement. "But I won't!" She said loudly making the girls laugh.
"I guess I'm buying this" Monica said looking herself in the mirror.
"Come on.. let's go eat something. I'm starving" Phoebe said.
(...)
"So did you ask your parents about Thanksgiving?" Monica unwrapped her sub.
"Oh yeah.. she said we were anyway gonna cancel the trip this year. Daddy's got an important symposium to attend in California"
She said taking a bite of her sub. "So... I guess I'll join the Gellers"
"Great! I'll let Mom know. She'll be really happy"
"Wow Rach. Looks like you have got a very good impression on Mrs Geller" Phoebe said taking a sip from her soda.
"Believe it or not.. it's better than me" Monica said before Rachel could say anything.
"Monicaaa... You're exaggerating now" She turned to Phoebe. "I'm just lucky that Mrs Geller is such a wonderful lady" Monica rolled her eyes.
"And thats... Check.. and Mate" Jack exclaimed proudly. He was playing chess with Chandler while Monica and Judy prepared the Thanksgiving meal. Chandler watched the man in amazement. He found happiness in littlest of things. That was the thing he admired the most in Monica's father. They heard a doorbell.
"Chandler.. will you get that? It must be Rachel" He heard Monica yell from the kitchen.
"Yeah I'll get it" He opened the door. "Hey Rach. What took you so long?" He gave her a friendly hug.
"Traffic" She simply said. "Anyway.. Happy Thanksgiving"
"Happy 'bad things happen on this day' Day" Chandler replied. Rachel looked at him with a weird expression.
"You must have heard about the spirit of Christmas" They heard Monica from the hallway. "Well this is the anti-spirit of Thanksgiving" Monica pointed at Chandler and stopped.
"Happy Thanksgiving" Rachel said hugging Monica.
"You too. Thanks for coming" Monica pulled away. "Come.. Meet Mom before she asks about you one more time" She grabbed her hand and dragged her into the kitchen.
"Mom.. Look who's here!" Monica announced opening the swinging door to the kitchen.
"Happy Thanksgiving, Mrs Geller" Rachel walked straight to Judy and hugged her.
"Oh Dear.. Happy thanksgiving to you too" She pulled away. "You look pretty in this dress"
"Thanks. Monica made me choose this one" Rachel smiled.
"Monica.. why don't you give her some snacks while I finish up with the dinner?" Judy asked her daughter.
"Sure Mom"
(...)
"Noooooo" Rachel said in her true style. "You really did that?" She asked Chandler curiously. She and Chandler were sitting on the dining table while Monica was setting the dishes and Jack was watching the parade.
"Hey.. in my defense.. it was dark and he was a very cute guy!" Chandler said all embarassed. Rachel laughed.
"I couldn't stop teasing him for days when Ross told me that" Monica added while setting the napkins.
"And that made it all the more difficult for me to ask her out" Chandler remembered.
"You guys are amazing. One of these days I'd love to hear more about your sto-" Rachel stopped and turned around when she heard "Okay kids.. Dinner's ready" Judy brought the turkey and placed it on the table. "Jack, honey.. switch the TV off and join us here" She yelled.
"Monica.. will you please bring the cranberry sauce you made? It's in the frigde" Judy asked taking a seat on the table next to Rachel. Jack joined the members with a bottle of wine for the dinner. Monica set the bowl of sauce and sat next to Chandler.
"Chandler.. I see you're not boycotting Thanksgiving food this year" Jack commented and turned to Rachel "You know Rachel, last year Ross brought him for Thanksgiving, and all he had was Mac n Cheese" Before Rachel could reat to the statement by which she was amused, Chandler spoke.
"Sir.. times have changed, lets just leave it at that" He said holding Monica's hand on the table. Monica smiled knowing what he meant.
"I wish Ross was here" Judy said eyeing the empty chair. And that was all it took Rachel to think about his absence. Monica gave a sympathetic look to Rachel.
"Come on, Mom. He'll be back in no time. Half the trip is already over" Monica said as a matter of fact, not only trying to calm Judy but Rachel as well. Judy nodded.
(...)
"I was thinking about what to get you from Cairo. Is there anything particular you want?" Ross asked Rachel the same night when she laid on Ross' bed. Jack and Judy decided to let her stay there as Chandler occupied the guest room.. or so they thought.
"Not really. But why do you want to get me something?" Rachel asked.
"Well.. I didn't know you were gonna join my family for Thanksgiving" He started. "And... I was surprised to hear from you when I called them and Mom told me how you accepted her offer to have dinner with them. This means a lot to me"
"Ross..." Rachel said softly.
"No Rach.. This makes me really happy that you drove all the way to Long Island..to-to be with my family.. as if they were your own" Ross explained.
"Don't embarass me, Ross. You know I love your parents. They've welcomed me with open arms. How could I not come? Besides Mom and Dad flew over to California last night. Jill and Amy are gonna have dinner with one of their friends" She told him about her family's plans "So technically.. I should be the one to thank you for having such a loving family"
"See.. this shows how big of a person you are to think like that" Ross commented sweetly. Rachel smiled. They remained silent for a few moments. "Anyway.." Ross started. "Holidays are coming, going somewhere?"
"Nah.. we'll have a party, for New Year's" Rachel answered. "And... I have no idea about Christmas. But I'll be at home"
"That doesn't sound bad"
"Yeah.." Rachel closed her eyes to hear his deep breaths on the other side. "I miss you" came out of her mouth without even thinking.
"I miss you too"
"You know.. everyday I wake up.. and hope against hope.. that you'd come back early to surprise me" Ross smiled faintly and his eyes welled up. "I just wish the time would fly and stop on January 4th so I could see you again" Rachel told him.
"I wish that too" Ross' voice came out more emotional than he wanted it to be. Rachel noticed his tone.
"Did I just make you cry?" She frowned.
"Huh no.. Cairo has some really spicy red chillis. You don't wanna try them" He said more sternly. Rachel smiled to herself.
"You can't even lie, Ross. And that makes me love you even more" Rachel confessed.
"Works well for me. But seriously, these chillis will trigger the tears in a cry baby like you" Ross joked making Rachel laugh, aloud this time.
"So you all can make it, right?" Rachel asked the group about the New Year's party that was gonna be held at her place -Monica, Chandler, Joey, Phoebe and Mike- they sat on the table. They were all in a lounge kicking the holiday season off with the last get together of this year.
"Yeah" "Sure" " I don't see a problem"
"That's great. It'll be nice to ring in the new year with all of you guys" Rachel said all excited. And just a moment after, her look turned into a serious one when she realised something. Monica and Phoebe noticed it. "Excuse me. Ummm... I'll be back in a sec" Before anyone could reply, Rachel took off.
"What's with her?" Joey asked pointing in the direction of where she went.
"Obviously she is missing Ross" Phoebe said.
"Really? You got that by a look!?" He asked and earned a smack from Monica.
"You know I talked to Ross last night, he said they didn't get to talk much in the last week or so" Chandler told them taking a sip of his beer.
"Why's that?" Monica inquired.
"No idea" Chandler shrugged.
"Maybe they had a fight" Mike offered.
"No I don't think so.. Rachel sounded so enthused about the party. If they had a fight, it would have been visible on her face" Monica explained.
"Yeah.. that's true" Phoebe agreed. "She's like an open book in that regard"
"Pheebs.. why don't we go and find out?" Monica suggested. They both stood up and went in the direction of the restroom. The three guys looked strangely at each other.
"Anyone up for a 'burger eating' contest?" Joey scrunched his nose up.
(...)
Monica and Phoebe spotted Rachel sitting on the bench outside the restroom with her face in her hands. They both took seats on either side. "Hey.. what happened?" Monica asked. This led her to let out a sob.
"Rach.. Don't cry.. tell us what's the matter?" Phoebe said rubbing her back. Rachel finally lifted her face. Seeing it, Monica went to get a glass of water. She wasn't crying but she looked very sad.
"Here sweetie.." She handed the glass to her. She took a sip of water.
"Feel better?" Monica asked after a few moments. Rachel sent out an apologetic smile to her.
"Will you tell us what has happened between you and Ross?" Phoebe was getting impatient by the second.
"How do you know it's Ross?" Rachel asked.
"Well.. matters with him are the only things anymore that make you happy or bother you to the very core" Phoebe explained.
"Should I be scared that you know me so well?" Rachel asked with a faint smile.
"No.. but tell us" Phoebe said.
"Well.. we haven't been talking much. It's not that we had a fight or something.. but.." She turned to Monica "He's been really busy. He said he needed to finish up the evaluation reports along with the usual digging up and stuff" She took a deep breath and continued "And then he called me yesterday, I got angry at him for not returning my calls right away" She leaned her head backwards and rested on the headboard. "God.. why couldn't I have been supportive?" She wondered shooking her head.
"It's alright, Rach" Monica kept her hand on her shoulder. "Ross knows you. He would have understood your state"
"Yeah.. that's the thing, Mon. He's so understanding. He never makes me feel bad about myself. NEVER. And that makes me feel even more guilty about losing my temper on him" She hung her head down.
"I'm sorry, Rach" Phoebe said. "But you gotta talk to him. He will be back in two weeks anyway" She said.
"Yeah.. but tell me one thing, Rach.. You've been so good.. and-and supportive of him for the last two months. What happened all of a sudden?" Monica asked cautiously.
"I don't know. I really don't" Rachel looked helpless to Monica "I guess it just crossed my threshold of not seeing him for so long. I mean.. I miss him!" Rachel sobbed and Monica hugged her.
Rachel changed position for the 100th time, trying to sleep, but could not succeed. Phoebe dropped Rachel off at her home around 10 in the night. She opened her eyes and switched the lamp now. It was almost midnight now. She groaned in frustration as she knew she won't be able to sleep. Not before she talked to a certain someone. She picked her phone from the side table and pressed the speed dial. She heard five rings before the phone was finally answered "Hello?" and Rachel was terrified to her very senses at the feminine voice that answered his phone. Who was she? What was she doing answering his phone? What was she doing in his cabin anyway?
"Hello?" She heard again. She could not bring herself to speak.
"Did somebody call me?" She heard Ross in the background. "Yeah.. some Rachel.. but I hear no one" The female answered.
"Hey, you" And that was all it took to remind her that he will always be her Ross. His voice so loving and sweet and soft.
"Hi" She smiled.
"I'm sorry.. I was in the bathroom" Ross said before she asked anything.
"It's okay. Who was the girl?" She asked nonchalantly.
"Oh.. that was Julie. She must have been around when you called so she picked it up"
"Why.. Where are you?" Rachel asked.
"We are all in Edward's cabin. Just hanging out, you know.. drinks and stuff" Ross answered.
"Oh. I guess I'll talk to you la-"
"No Rach.. I wanna talk. I'm walking towards my cabin as we speak" Rachel tilted her head feeling happy and sad at the same time. She mentally kicked herself for getting short with him last night. "How are you?" His voice brought her back to reality.
"I'm fine" She waited for a few seconds before continuing "Listen.. I'm sorry about how I talked to you last night. I really am. I don't know what came over me"
"You don't need to say that, Rach. I should be the one to apologise for not keeping up to my promise of talking to you everyday" Ross said. Rachel sobbed. She knew she was right when she said to Monica that he was the most understanding person in this god-damn universe. "Rachel?"
"Yes" She sobbed a little more.
"Did I do something wrong?" Ross asked concerned.
"No.. I did. I forgot to appreciate the best thing that ever happened to me" Rachel said calming her down. Ross' heart broke a little to hear these words from her mouth.
He just wished he was there with her to hold her at this very moment. But he knew better than to say anything regarding that to her. Instead he decided to make the moment lighter "Why.. what did you do to Rossy?" This earned him a chuckl-y sob.
"Rachel.. now stop crying. You know I can't stand it" Ross said, getting into his bed. "Please, sweetie.. for me. We'll talk whole night long"
"Yea.. okay" She wiped her tears "I'm all good now"
"Good. Cos if you would have shed some more of those tears, there would have been a need for a Tsunami Alert" This earned him a full-fledged laugh from her. "Now that's like my girlfriend"
"Why are you so good?" Rachel asked.
"Well.. that's because I'm with you. You bring out the best in me, Rach" Ross answered sweetly. Like that they talked for 2-3 hours straight and fell asleep with their lips curled upwards, after clearing out all the troubles in their paradise.
"Monicaaaa.." Rachel exclaimed as she saw her, Chandler and Joey at the entrance of her house. She hugged all of them.
"I see you have sorted things up with Ross. You're glowing" Rachel blushed despite herself. She wasn't missing him much. She was now anxious to see him. She was counting the days. 5 days from now.
"Phoebe is at the bar with Mike. Come on" Rachel grabbed her hand.
"Wow Rach. This party looks fancy" Monica commented eyeing the crowd. Rachel smiled. She remembered how Ross had a similar reaction the first time he saw her house. They reached the bar and greeted Phoebe and Mike. They all seemed to have warmed up well with each other. They talked, they joked, they laughed, it was like they knew each other for ages.
"We should totally see who can drink the most" Joey suggested as a matter of fact.
"We're at Rachel's parents' Jo" Chandler said. "Control it Man"
"I don't see why I can't compete for drinking the most. Lemme just go and pee" Phoebe said getting up to use the restroom. Joey followed suit saying he needed to relieve his bladder too but stopped mid way to charm a girl. Everybody laughed when they saw him try his cheesy pick up lines.
"I just hope it's not one of your sisters" Monica said to Rachel. "By what Ross told me, your father gives real hard time" Rachel laughed.
"No no.. it's Melissa, my friend from high school. She's he-" Rachel stopped mid-sentence at Phoebe's voice "Hey.. where's Joey?" And everybody laughed pointing towards Joey.
"Rachel dear.. Aunt Claudia is asking for you. Did you know she now owns a boutique in Paris?" Sandra came from behind.
"No.. but I'll just go find her"
"I don't believe I've met these friends of yours" Sandra eyed the three new faces. Rachel opened her mouth to say something but..
"Hey Mrs Greene. You do know me!" Phoebe announced.
"Oh hi.. Phoebe.. didn't see you before" Sandra replied.
"Mom this is Mike.. Phoebe's boyfriend" "Hey"
"This is Monica, Ross' little sister" "Hi Mrs Greene"
"Oh I have heard so much about you" Sandra stepped forward. Monica smiled.
"And that's Chandler, her boyfriend" "Hello"
"Kids.. make yourself comfortable okay? I'm gonna borrow Rachel for a few moments"
(...)
"So you think you'll take it?" Claudia asked Rachel. She had just offered her an internship in her boutique in Paris.
"Aunt Claudia, I appreciate your offer. And thank you. But I can't say anything before I think it through..I mean.. Paris is really far off" Rachel explained.
"Alright.. just let your Mom call me about your answer" Rachel nodded. Ofcourse Rachel was interested. But she could not bring herself to go to another continent. Not after meeting Ross. She was engrossed in her thoughts and didn't know where she was walking.
Suddenly she saw Monica and Chandler, Phoebe and Mike, Joey and Melissa - all on the dance floor. She felt her eyes welling up. She realised she didn't have Ross. She went to the bar, took a vodka shot and escaped the party. She took a seat on the stairs outside her house. She rubbed her arms to warm herself a bit. She looked up at the stars and remembered her first date with Ross at the Central Park. She smiled despite the tears flowing down her cheeks. She couldn't wait to see him. 'Gosh.. I miss him so much!'
Flashback
Rachel was sleeping like a baby when her phone started ringing. She saw the time and it was just past midnight. Phoebe also woke up by the sudden noise. "Who's it?" She asked.
"It's Ross. Go back to sleep" Rachel said rubbing the sleep off her eyes. She got up and went towards the window with a glass of water and pressed the answer button. "Hello?"
"Happy 6 month anniversary, sweetheart" Ross wished her lovingly.
"To you too" She smiled. "I thought you forgot"
"How could I have forgotten? It's an important milestone in our relationship. Today is the day when I have known you.. and I have loved you for six months" Ross said sweetly.
"Really?" Rachel asked.
"Yes.. why.. Don't you believe me?" Ross asked mocking hurt.
"Well.. I'd have to think about it" Rachel teased him.
"Oh you will believe me.. just come outside your room" Ross ordered.
"What?" Rachel asked perplexed.
"Just do it.. you'll know!" Ross said adamant. Rachel did what she was told. She opened her door to see a bouquet of lilies with six roses in the centre and a chocolate box. With that there was a card that read 'I love you. And I miss you' Rachel smiled. "Like what you get?" She chuckled.
"How did you..?" She trailed off, spell bound.
"I had Mike keep them infront of your door. This was the least I could do for our special day" Ross explained.
"I love you too" She said softly.
"See.. I made you believe" She chuckled at her words.
End of flashback
At present, Rachel smiled at what he did at their 6 months anniversary even being so far away from her. She closed her eyes when she saw a shooting star and whispered to herself "I wish you were here to kiss me at midnight"