Hello guys, first of all, I am so happy to have been continuously receiving your requests to update this story. Like I said, I had some commitments so I could not give time to writing fanfics, but now I am back. I will update as soon as I am ready with a new chapter. Also, please know, and I think I have repeated this so many times, I am NEVER going to abandon my stories. So even if I take time, its just that I want to give you guys a quality chapter to read, which is worth your time and most of all, it is worth to be an alternative story for our favourite couple. Some times, I cannot believe how much in love I am with them together. Let me be honest with you all, my favourite character on the show is Chandler, but nobody can surpass 'Ross and Rachel' together. In my opinion, they bring out the best in each other, contrary to what every one might say. On to the story now...
Rachel was sprawled upon Ross' bed, sleeping like an angel as Ross would like to put. He sat on the bed and looked at Rachel. He still had a few minutes to wake her up, he thought. Ross was all settled in at his new apartment. He had also started his job and he loved it already. He liked living by his own. Why won't he? He made decent money, his best friends lived across the road, he had already found the love of his life. But the only thing that made him sad for the past month or so, was to say goodbye to Rachel every Sunday. 'Pull yourself together', he always said to himself. 'It is a matter of only a year, then you could ask her to move in with you'
Rachel felt her hand being caressed oh so softly. She smiled with her eyes still closed and made sweet noises that Ross adored. She finally opened her eyes to see Ross sitting besides her with a kids' cap on. He looked too cute to her "Happy Birthday, Sweetheart" Ross wished leaning to kiss her on the lips. She just kept looking at him. "Come here.. you" He helped her up and offered her a plate with a red velvet flavoured cupcake and a knife at its side. She cut the cupcake while he sang 'happy birthday' They fed it to each other. "So what do you want from me?" He asked keeping the plate aside.
"Uhh.. how about.." She seemed like she was putting a lot of thought to it, making Ross chuckle "..A kiss..." She kissed him on the lips "..here?" Ross smiled and leaned in to kiss her. After a few seconds, he pulled away knowing...
"Okay so.. you can continue with this game of yours after I give you your real gift" He said getting up from the bed. He walked over to his cupboard and brought back a small bag keeping it infront of her. Rachel saw it was 'Chanel' She opened it to see a bottle of the Chanel Chance, the perfume she had been saving for. She gasped "how did you-" Her face lit up like a child was just given the best toy in the world. She looked up at him and saw him smiling a smile he would just smile for her. "How did you get to know I wanted this one?"
"Well.. I did have to talk to Jill. And you might as well give me extra points for that. Man, your sisters are difficult to talk to. I mean she kept going on and on about how she loved perfumes" Rachel chuckled. "She actually expects a Burberry from me on her birthday which is in 3 months" He squeaked imitating Jill as she sounded on the phone. She laughed. "Come on.. Open it" He handed the package to her. She did what she was told. As she opened the box, she saw a note along with the perfume bottle that read
'Not that you need this perfume as you smell so naturally beautiful, so you, so Rachel. But I would like you to have it anyway so that I can know about your presence from far away. Happy Birthday, Rachel. Forever yours, Ross'
Of course, she thought, her eyes still fixated on that note. Everything had to have a meaning. She would never get a gift so shallow from Ross. Her Ross. This thought made her look up at him. "Aren't you the best?"
"Well.. I try" He said with his goofy smile.
"You're coming to New Jersey for the party, right?" Rachel asked keeping the perfume on the side table.
"Oh yeah, I have taken a day off to be with you tomorrow" Ross informed her as he leaned back to rest his head on the pillow, bringing Rachel's to rest on his chest. They snuggled. "You're stuck with me" He joked.
Rachel chuckled "I think I'll manage" and they both closed their eyes, reveling in each other's presence. "I could stay like this forever" Rachel broke the comfortable silence that had fallen upon them.
"I know.. me too" Ross said stroking her hair continuously.
"Sometimes I can't believe I have found my soulmate at just 21" She said and pulled herself to up look into his eyes "Thanks for being here, I love you"
"I know" They kissed.
"How am I going to stay in Paris without you?" Rachel said tightening her grip around his torso, thinking that next month, they both would have to say goodbye yet again. He kissed her hair. "You know I'm going just for you"
"You know I'm okay with you being in Paris because it is what you want. And I know that even if you say you don't"
"That's because you know me more than I know myself" She kissed his chest, her words making him smile.
Spending the day together, doing what Rachel loved the most, that is shopping. She could not have thought of a more perfect way to spend her first birthday with Ross. It all felt so normal to her. In fact, they had lunch at a McDonald's on their way to New Jersey. Rachel reasoned it used to be her favourite place while growing up. And just when Ross thought he could not love her any more, he found one more reason to love her. Her efforts to do the most routine thing, when he least expected it.
"Ross.. Sweetie, could you please call up the bakers and ask them about the cake? They were supposed to deliver it, like, an hour ago." Sandra emerged from the crowd as she spotted Ross. "I would have done that myself, but I have too many people to attend to." She gestured to the group of middle-aged women behind her.
"Sure thing, Mrs. Greene. You do not have to worry." He politely answered, and took his cell phone out of his pocket. Sandra patted on his shoulder to appreciate his kindness. The party had still just started, and Rachel was taking more than usual to get ready. It was almost as if Ross was one of them. The Greene family could actually depend on him, even her father. Ross was stunned when Dr. Greene called him up at work to ask for ideas for the party. He no more felt like an outsider now.
Ross was just hanging up the phone when he turned and saw Rachel walking towards him. She was wearing an off-shoulder baby pink dress that Ross got her after he got his first salary. Of course, he gifted some other dress, but Rachel exchanged that with this one. At this very moment, Ross could not be more thankful that she exchanged it. She looked so gorgeous. But before he could go near her, she was already surrounded by her friends from school and college.
He smiled. Ever the charmer, his Rachel.
He looked down at his phone, and he realised that the bakers were still on line. He sternly told them to get the cake quickly. He had just put his phone back in his pocket when he was dragged towards a corner. After the adrenaline rush, what registered was her angelic beauty. When she looked into his eyes with that kind of intensity, he knew he was at his happy place. Not knowing what to do or say, he kept staring at her. Rachel kept smiling like an idiot as she realised she still had that effect on Ross. Not like they were dating for years, but guys those days could not be so hung up on one girl. Rachel felt happy to have found such a dedicated man for herself. Getting bored of the silence, she decided to speak up.
"Hey, you" She snaked her arms around his neck. "How do I look?"
Seconds passed, and she did not get a reply from her boyfriend. She frowned for a moment, and then raised her eyebrows amused by the expression on Ross' face. She then stood on her toes and kissed him full. She felt relaxed when she felt him react to her advances. She moaned, and it was that moment when Ross' eyes went all big, and he realised they were in room full of people. He pulled away reluctantly hoping nobody was watching them. Getting complaining sounds from his girlfriend, he kept his forehead against hers. "Do you really wanna get me into trouble with your father?" He whispered.
"No, but you weren't saying anything, and it was the only way to bring you back into the real world. What was I to do?" She pouted, making him chuckle.
"I don't have words to describe how beautiful you look tonight. I figured my eyes would do justice to let you know." He kissed her forehead for good measure to let her absorb his words. "Happy Birthday, Darling!" He gave her a peck and she hugged him.
They were embracing each other when... "I knew we would find them here, this is their getaway" Phoebe exclaimed, Mike and the rest of the group following her. Ross and Rachel pulled away embarrassed.
"What do you mean, their getaway?" Monica questioned.
"Oh you know, Rachel has a framed picture where she and Ross are lost in each other. IN THIS VERY CORNER!" Everybody laughed.
"Thanks for embarrassing me, Pheebs" Rachel spoke finally. "What are you all waiting for anyway? Aren't you all gonna wish me or something?" In true Rachel fashion. Ross found it so cute that he kissed her hair, and everybody let out an 'Awww'
Ross excused himself for his phone call, while everybody wished Rachel 'Happy Birthday'. Chandler made a couple of jokes on how she looked like a 'Princess Bubble Gum' in the dress. Rachel hit him on the shoulder as Joey and Monica laughed. Just then, Sandra joined in. "Rachel, sweetie, there you are! It is time to cut the cake." Rachel smiled and turned around to look at Ross, but he was nowhere to be found. "Everybody, please make yourself feel at home, all right?" The group of friends smiled politely.
"Where did Ross go?" Rachel asked concerned.
"He must be around, sweetie." Monica assured. "You must go with your Mom, though, everyone's waiting out there." She suggested.
(...)
Everyone gathered around the cake as Rachel stood in front of it. Her eyes were looking for the one person she was most excited to celebrate this birthday with. Amy murmured something about return gifts, and Jill was busy getting clicked in her new dress.
"Rachel, now that everyone is here, lets cut the cake." Sandra exclaimed.
Rachel frowned. "Ross isn't here." She pointed out. "And Dad, too." Sandra realised her mistake.
Just then Joey came back running. "He wasn't even in the backyard."
"Yeah, I called him, but all I got was his voicemail." Mike followed.
"Ooh, I am gonna kick his ass!" Monica warned. "How dare he disappeared like that?"
"I would not do that if I were Ross. I am damn scared of that vein." Chandler added.
Rachel faintly smiled at her support system, but could not understand where he went without telling her.
"But he never does that. He is always so responsible like that, you know." Rachel said softly.
"Any chance Dr Greene killed Ross?" Phoebe whispered into Monica's ear in all seriousness. She was going to shush Phoebe off when..
"Sweet pea, that would be my fault. I am sorry" Leonard appeared.
"What do you mean, Leo?" Sandra asked. "How come you are so late for your daughter's party?"
"Well..." He looked back, and Ross emerged from the door. "I was on my way back home when my car broke. I called you, Sandra, but you did not answer." "Thats when I called Ross.." He patted Ross on the back. "...to inform that I might get late. But he was kind enough to come get me himself." Ross smiled sheepishly, knowing he would still get an earful for not informing anybody.
Rachel and Sandra kept their hands on their chests. Sandra, gratitude to Ross that he brought her husband back safe, and Rachel, in awe of HER MAN. He must have known she would be sad if her dad could not have been there.
"But I tried your cell, man?" Mike inquired.
"Oh, I was talking to the delivery boy, about the cake. I must have not noticed when you called. Then I was driving, so..." He trailed off.
"Anyways, everyone's here now. Can we please resume the party?" Jill asked amidst the dramatic events.
"Yes, definitely." Leonard answered. "Come on, Ross."
(...)
Most of the guests had taken their tired feet off the dance floor. This did not mean Ross and Rachel, though. They were still enjoying every bit of it. He had his hands on her waist, while hers rested on his shoulders. During some point, he brought his right hand to take hers, kissed the fingertips and kept the bundle over his chest.
"It was a good thing that you did today." Rachel broke the silence, as the music softened.
"Huh?" Ross had not even realised his eyes were closed.
"Going to help Dad like that." Rachel clarified. "Thank you, it meant so much to me."
"Don't say that, Rach. I know how much your Dad means to you." Ross said. "Plus, he is an old man, you know. He might have gotten lost in the dark." He joked, making her chuckle, and earning himself a slap on the shoulder.
On the couch, Leonard sat with Sandra, having dinner and eyeing the happy couple. Not skeptically, but just how a father is supposed to.
"Sometimes I wonder what would happen if Rachel had never met Ross" Sandra wondered aloud.
This got Leonard's attention. "What do you mean?"
"Well, look at them." And he did. "First time you told me about him, I never thought they would get here." It may seem inappropriate, but Leonard smiled. "And look at you now, I definitely thought you would always flip out at the slightest mention of his name."
"What can I say? That boy has, time and again, proved himself worthy to be in Rachel's life."
"Even today, he has taken care of every thing for this party. More than Amy and Jill. He's almost like family." Leonard nodded, agreeing with his wife.
Just then, they heard...
"Hey, Rach. Its almost midnight." Amy pointed towards the clock. "You still have ten minutes. You can still make a wish, though" Everyone else also looked expectantly, as they both pulled away, still standing with their arms around.
Rachel thought hard, leaning her head on Ross' shoulder. Feeling his lips on her forehead, she smiled.
"I think this is the first birthday that I have everything I ever wanted my whole life."
So, I hope its been worth the wait :) And please do not mind that I dedicated a whole chapter to Rachel's birthday, I just could not resist myself. Now you can go ahead and review!