A/N - Thank you, again, for your reviews on the last chapters. I've had bits and pieces of the next two chapters written for awhile now, and I think I've finally finished. I really don't think this is my best work, but I can't get it to sound any better right now, and I'm trying to finish this up before my new semester of college starts. Oh, and a little side note - I'm in a very good mood because I passed my portfolio review and interview for admission to the education department last week. Thank goodness... lol Anyway... I hope this chapter is okay, and I'll try to have the next one up in a couple of days. The epilogue will probably be up by the end of the week.

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The Gift

Chapter Sixteen - Oh No

"So... Where are we on the wedding planning?" Chandler asked. He had just come from the nursery where the two month old twins were sleeping peacefully.

"Well... Let's talk about that," Monica said as Chandler joined her on the couch. "I'd like to do it as soon as possible."

"Really?" She nodded. "Mon, I want you to take all the time you need. I'll wait forever, you know," he smiled at her.

"Oh, I know. But I just want to call myself Mrs. Bing as soon as I can manage," she teased and leaned over to give him a quick kiss. "I've been trying to figure this out, and I think I've finally got it. How about we have ourselves a wedding in four months?"

"Four months? Are you sure that's enough time?" he asked.

"That's plenty of time. I don't want a huge wedding, Chandler. I just want a small ceremony with our closest friends and family... Unless you want more than that."

"No. Whatever you want is fine with me," he assured her. "So... Four months, huh? How'd you come up with that solution?"

"I had help," she answered. "Rachel and Phoebe were over here yesterday afternoon. Since I wanted to do it as soon as possible, we decided that we should do it before Phoebe has the baby, so that gave us five months. And I didn't want her having the baby at our wedding, so we pushed it up to four months from now. That'll still give us time to plan the whole thing."

"Sounds like you've got it all figured out," he smiled at her. "Whatever you need me to do to help you out with anything, just let me know. I'll be more than happy to oblige," he assured her.

"Good. Because I've got plenty for you to do..."

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"I cannot believe that you're actually going to marry Chandler Bing tomorrow," Rachel said as she sat in Monica and Chandler's living room with Phoebe and the bride-to-be. The twins were sleeping in the nursery, Rebecca was napping in Monica and Chandler's bedroom, and Chandler was somewhere with Joey and Ross.

"I know," Monica smiled brightly. "I can't believe it either... Just think. Two short years ago he was still commitment-phobic Chandler Bing. And now he's got two kids - and me."

"Yeah. The poor guy," Phoebe chimed in, rubbing her very pregnant stomach. "Now he's stuck with you for the rest of his life," she teased.

"You better believe it," Monica smiled. "Who would've thought fifteen years ago that the three of us would end up married to 'our guys?' It's kind of weird, actually."

"No it's not," Phoebe replied. "I mean, Ross and Rachel are lobsters, you know, so that was kind of a given. And I always knew that I'd hook up with Joey. Well... I didn't know I'd end up married to him and knocked up, but what's a girl to do?" she grinned. "And you," she continued, pointing at Monica. "You and Chandler were always lovey-dovey, even before you got together, so even if I wasn't psychic, I could have figured that one out. Although it did take you guys an awfully long time to figure it out for yourselves."

"Okay... So maybe it was meant to be," Rachel said, going along with Phoebe's theories even if she didn't quite understand all of them. Besides, she didn't want to argue with her, especially since she was pregnant.

"Yeah," Monica sighed. "It's just a little too perfect," she smiled. "But who am I to complain? I get to marry the man of my dreams tomorrow afternoon."

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"I cannot believe that you're actually going to marry my little sister tomorrow," Ross sighed. The guys had decided to stay in at Ross and Rachel's for the evening. Chandler would be spending the night with Joey and Phoebe. Although their relationship was anything but traditional, Monica insisted that they had to observe at least one tradition. He wasn't allowed to see her at all before the wedding.

"Me neither," Joey replied. "Actually I thought you'd be dead about the time you guys hooked up. I thought this guy," he said, gesturing toward Ross, "would have done you in by now."

"Thank goodness he didn't," Chandler answered. "And he can't now, since those little angels across the street would miss their daddy too much."

"Yeah. I wouldn't want to leave them without a father," Ross agreed. "Oh well..."

"Guys, I think we've gone soft," Chandler commented after a moment of silence.

"Soft? Are you kidding me? Real men don't go soft," Joey argued.

"Think what you want, Joe, but just look at us. I was just thinking that this is my last night as a single man, and we're sitting here, surrounded by baby stuff," he answered, looking around the room. On the couch between Joey and himself were about half a dozen toys and stuffed animals, one of which Joey was cuddling. On the coffee table were several children's videos, as well as the rented copy of Diehard Joey had picked up. He insisted that it was a classic - and Chandler and Ross had no arguments against his claim. "We're all fathers. I guess that happens, huh?"

"Yeah, I think so," Ross replied. "Sorry we're not going all out for you, man," he said, looking briefly at Chandler.

"No problem. I'm too exhausted to do anything anyway," he yawned. "I'd really rather just take a nap."

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Ring! Ring!

Monica picked up the phone on her nightstand and sleepily answered. "Hello?"

"Good morning, beautiful," the voice on the phone replied.

"Listen, mister," Monica smiled. "I'm getting married today, and I don't think my future husband would appreciate it if he knew I was getting phone calls from men with sexy voices calling me beautiful," she teased.


"A sexy voice, huh? Thanks," he laughed.

"No problem," Monica answered, then continued. "Good morning, Chandler."

"Good morning," he said again. "Are you ready to get married this afternoon?" he asked.

"Definitely. How about you? Are you ready to put up with me for the rest of your life?"

"Oh, I think I can manage," he teased.

"I hope so," Monica laughed. "So, not that I'm complaining, but why did you call?"

"I just wanted to check on you. This isn't against the rules, is it? I mean, I know I wasn't allowed to see you before the wedding, but we can talk, can't we?"

"Sure. And even if we couldn't, we kind of did it already anyway, didn't we?"

"Yeah, I guess so," he smiled. "How did my girls sleep last night?"


"Well, they only got up once, thank goodness. Except for this one. I was up three or four times."

"Really? You're not nervous, are you?" he asked worriedly.

"No, of course not. I just have a strange feeling about today. Not necessarily a bad one, but just a strange one. Maybe I'm just a little nervous."

"I'm sure everything will be fine," Chandler tried to assure her. "I guess I should let you go and get ready," he said reluctantly.

"Yeah... I've got a lot to do this morning," she replied. "I'll see you this afternoon. I think you'll recognize me. I'll be the one in the white dress walking down the aisle," she smiled.

He laughed lightly. "I'll make sure I remember that... I love you, Mon."

"I love you, too, Chandler," she said before hanging up the phone. "I guess it's time to get ready for a wedding..."

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"Phoebe, I really don't want you to do this if you don't feel up to it," Monica said just before Rachel and Phoebe were about to walk down the aisle with Ross and Joey. "Let Joey take you to sit down. You don't have to do this just for me."

"Monica, I'm fine. I've still got a month to put up with this," she said, placing her hands on her very large stomach. "I want to do this. And you shouldn't argue with a pregnant woman."

"All right," Monica agreed reluctantly. "But if you want to sit down during the ceremony, do it. Okay?"

"Okay," Phoebe replied. "Now, come on. Let's get you married."

Moments later, the bridal party had walked down the aisle, and Monica was escorted down the aisle by her father. When she entered the room, she was greeted by Chandler's loving smile.

Monica was wearing a simple white wedding gown and veil. Although she didn't want a big ceremony, she did want her dress to be special. And it was. Chandler commented on it when he took her hand at the altar. "You look incredible," he whispered.

"Thank you," she replied, smiling brightly at him. She could hear the twins cooing behind her. They were with her parents, all dressed up for the occasion.

The minister began the ceremony momentarily. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in holy -"

"Oh no."