A/N - Thank you again for your reviews. This chapter is probably my weakest one so far, but I hope you like it. Please let me know what you think.

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The Gift

Chapter Eight - One Step At a Time

Monica and Chandler's relationship was still going strong after several weeks of dating. Neither of them had ever enjoyed a relationship as much as they were enjoying being with each other. Since the tragedy in their lives just months earlier, they had put aside the thought of trying to have another baby for the time being. They were content with their lives at the moment. They just wanted to take things one step at a time.

"Hey," Monica smiled at Chandler when he walked into her apartment one evening. "I haven't seen you all day."

"I know. I had to go into work early this morning, and they kept me late tonight. I'm sorry," he apologized as he walked over to her, then placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

He sat down beside her and she cuddled up next to him. Suddenly, they both heard the sounds of a crying baby coming from the extra bedroom.

"What was that?" Chandler asked, confused.

"I'm baby-sitting for Ross and Rachel," Monica informed him. "So we couldn't have done much of anything tonight even if you had been here. I'm going to check on her. Be right back," she said and walked over to the bedroom, emerging moments later with eleven month old Rebecca. "It's Uncle Chandler," she smiled, raised the little girl's arm as if she were waving at him, and sat back down on the couch.

"Hey, Becca," he smiled at her and held out his arms. She immediately did the same, and Chandler took her from Monica.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say she likes you," Monica laughed and watched Chandler making faces at the little girl. "I'm gonna get her bottle," Monica said and walked over to the kitchen.

Chandler got up, still holding the baby, and followed her. He sat down at the kitchen table, watching Monica heat up the baby's bottle. He wasn't sure if he should bring it up, but he couldn't help thinking about how natural it looked. It was as if she were caring for her own child. She would be a perfect mother someday. He only hoped that she would still want him to be her child's father. "Mon?"

"Yeah?" she said, turning back to him and handing the bottle of milk to him and Rebecca.

He helped the baby put it in her mouth and held it there, then looked back up at Monica. "Nevermind," he said quietly.

"No, Chandler. What is it?" she asked curiously.

"Nothing," he smiled at her. "Really. It's nothing."

"Okay," she answered reluctantly. She joined him at the table and watched him with Rebecca. She wasn't sure if she should bring it up, but she couldn't help thinking about how natural it looked. It was as if he were caring for his own child. He would be a perfect father someday. She only hoped that he would still want her to be his child's mother. "Chandler?"

He looked up from the baby in his arms and smiled at her. "Yeah?"

"Do you ever think about the future?" she asked.

"The future? You mean like living in outerspace and taking vacations to the moon every summer?" he teased. "Oh, sure. All the time," he grinned.

She laughed lightly. "You know what I meant. Do you see us," she gestured between the two of them, "going anywhere with this? Do you think it's going to last?" She was almost afraid to hear his answer.

"Oh, Mon, of course I do," he answered sincerely. "Maybe now's not the time, but... I love you. I'm in love with you," he smiled. He noticed the grin creeping across her face. "I want us to be together for a long time, Monica."

"So do I," she said quietly and leaned over to place a tender kiss on his lips. "I love you, too," she whispered.

He smiled brightly and motioned for her to kiss him again. "So, what time are Ross and Rachel supposed to pick Becca up?" he grinned.

She grinned back at him and glanced at her watch. "I'm still on duty for another half hour or so," she answered.

"Okay. I can handle half an hour," he replied. "I'm so lucky to have you."

"I'm the lucky one," she corrected him. "You're an incredible boyfriend, you know."

"Yeah, I know," he teased. He glanced back down at the baby in his arms and saw that she was sleeping. "Do you want me to put her down?" he asked.

"I'll do it," Monica responded and carefully took her out of his arms. "I'll be back in a minute," she said and headed to the bedroom.

She returned moments later and joined Chandler who had moved into the living room again. "I have to say it again," she grinned. "I love you, Chandler."

He chuckled lightly. "I love you, too, Monica." He pulled her to him for a passionate kiss that was interrupted by the opening door.

"Guys!" Ross shouted as he walked into the apartment, followed by Rachel. "Not while my daughter's in the house," he scolded.

"Oh, come on, Ross. Look how cute they are." Rachel smiled at the sight of two of her best friends cuddling up to each other on the couch.

"I know, I know. And I'm happy for you guys. Really," he assured them. "I just get a little carried away sometimes," he smiled sheepishly.

"No problem," Monica said and stood up. "Rebecca just fell asleep. And you guys are early, by the way."

"Yeah, we know," Rachel sighed. "Ross got us kicked out of the restaurant."

"Ross! I'm shocked!" Chandler teased.


"It wasn't my fault that my foot accidentally slipped out into that obnoxious waiter's path," he defended himself. "Besides, he deserved it. He was hitting on my wife."

"He was not hitting on me. He was trying to recommend a meal to me, Ross," Rachel sighed. She turned back to Monica. "Thanks for watching her. You too, Chandler," she smiled and headed to the bedroom to retrieve her daughter. Monica followed her.

"So, how are you guys doing?" Ross asked when he and Chandler were alone.

"Oh, we're wonderful," Chandler answered. "Things are going great."

"That's good... Listen, Chandler, I don't want you to hurt her. If she gets hurt by you in this whole fiasco, I'll personally beat you to death. And that's a promise," he warned.

"I'd never hurt her," Chandler assured him. "I love her too much."

"You love her?" Ross asked, smiling brightly.

"Yes, I love her," he answered. "You don't have a thing to worry about. I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that she's happy. And that's a promise," he smiled.

Rachel and Monica returned to the living room with Rebecca a few seconds later. "Good night, guys," Rachel called as she led Ross out of the apartment.

"Night," Monica and Chandler called after them.

"So... Now that we're all alone..." Monica grinned mischievously.

"Really?" he questioned. She nodded. "Are you sure you're ready for that? I want our first time to be special."

"It will be," Monica assured him. He grinned and kissed her passionately. "Wait." Monica stopped abruptly and pushed him away. "Do you, uh... have protection?" she asked, slightly embarrassed. "I'm just not sure if I'm ready to be pregnant again."

"I completely understand," he responded. "I'll have to go across the hall for a second." He placed a quick kiss on her forehead before hurrying toward the door. "Be right back."

Once he was out the door, Monica went into her bedroom and quickly changed into a blue satin nightgown and robe. She waited for Chandler to return for what seemed like hours.

He reentered her apartment almost ten minutes later and was surprised to see that Monica was no longer in the living room. Once he'd gotten to his apartment, he'd had to make small talk with Joey and Phoebe before going to his bedroom to retrieve what he had come for. Luckily, the couple had retreated to Joey's bedroom by the time Chandler returned to the living room. At least he didn't have to explain what he had and where he was going with it. Monica had probably gotten tired of waiting. "Mon?" he called and waited for her response.

She slowly emerged from the bedroom and smiled when Chandler's eyes widened.

"You look...gorgeous," Chandler managed to utter as he stared at her in awe.

"Thank you," she smiled. "Come on over," she said and waited for Chandler to walk over to her bedroom door.

He took her into his arms and kissed her tenderly, holding her as close to him as he could manage. "I love you," he whispered in her ear.

"I love you, too," she responded. "Make love to me, Chandler," she added and took his hand, leading him into her bedroom.

"With pleasure," he replied, and shut the door behind them.