Chapter 7: "Let me stay here."
Jaron looked towards his mother. She was wearing a long black dress and holding a candle. "Mommy?" The words still felt uncertain to him.
She heard his voice and walked over to him, "Yes sweets?"
"I have to go to the bathroom, can I go?" He asked.
"Not alone," Monica said hurriedly, "Wait for a moment, and Uncle Ross will take you."
Jaron smiled and swung his legs freely in the chair he was seated in. He looked around the room. Monica was placing candles around a large picture of his father. He was wearing a black tuxedo and smiling, happily. Phoebe had told Jaron that it was on their wedding day. Rachel had told him that was over six years ago. Jaron looked over to Ross and Joey, who were standing with Monica and handing her tissues every few moments. Jaron turned to see Rachel and Phoebe standing away from everyone else. Rachel had her face buried in a tissue and Phoebe had her arm around Rachel. Jaron thought back to a few days ago when he had seen his father last. Chandler had said to him, "I'm sorry this happened," and Jaron had cried.
Monica looked towards her son; he sat peacefully in a black shirt and black pants. She was so happy to have him back. Monica had remembered falling and screaming when she heard what had happened to Chandler. She had lay on the floor crying, as Rachel and Joey took Jaron across the hall. Phoebe had sat on the floor with her, and she had told her she dreamt this would happen. Monica had cried even more, and Phoebe had cried too. And now Monica stood with Ross and Joey, lighting candles.
"Ross, will you take Jaron to the bathroom?" She asked, with a wisp of guilt.
"Of course," Ross said and walked over to his nephew, "I'll take you to the washroom."
Joey laid a hand on Monica's shoulder, "Sit down, Mon." He said, "The guests are arriving."
Jaron was now asleep, and the five remaining friends sat in the living room of the apartment. "So, are you staying here now Mon?" Phoebe asked.
"Yeah, Jaron and I can live here," said Monica softly.
"I'll go up to Chicago and get your remaining stuff, okay, Mon?" Ross put his hand on her arm.
"Thanks," she quietly said.
Joey put his hands on his face, "I can't believe Chandler's not here."
"Maybe he's okay," Monica said, "I know we had a memorial, and everyone thinks he's dead, but maybe, he's alright."
Phoebe ignored Monica's comment, "Mon, you should go to bed, it's almost midnight."
Monica nodded and stood up; she hugged her friends and went to her room. She closed the door. This was not her and Chandler's room anymore. It was just hers. She pulled a chair up to the window and sat down. Looking outside she imagined having Chandler with her. Then, she remembered happy moments they had had together. She thought back to the night when Jaron had gone missing.
"Can you believe we've been married for this long?" Chandler asked Monica. They had been sitting in their apartment, after arriving home from a romantic dinner.
"I can," she said smiling. She picked up her wine glass from the coffee table and beamed, "To us."
Chandler made the same gesture, and they clinked their glasses together. "I can't believe we made it out of the house."
Monica leaned close to Chandler, "I love you," she said grinning.
Chandler leaned in too, "I love you too, more than anything in the world," they kissed across the table. The phone rang. Monica and Chandler didn't break the kiss.
"Don't answer it," Monica said wrapping her arms around Chandler.
After two rings Chandler leaned away from the kiss, "It could be Joey." He said, frowning. Monica nodded and watched as he picked up the phone.
"Hello?" He answered and put his arm around Monica. As he listened to the voice on the other line his face turned pale. "Thank you," he said after a few minutes and hung up. He stood up and went to the coat rack, in a eerily serious tone he said, "Monica, get your coat."
She stayed seated and looked at him questionably, "Why?"
Chandler walked back to her, "Get your coat; come on. Please."
Monica frowned as she thought of the memory. Then she thought of a memory that happened just six days ago. She had been asleep and the phone began to ring, hoping it was someone with news about Chandler she sat up in bed. Only the day before had she gotten her son back, and lost her husband. She reached over to her bedside table and answered it, "Hello?"
"Monica Bing?" The voice said huskily.
"Yes?" She gulped.
"This is Daryl," the voice answered.
"Where's Chandler?" Monica screamed into the phone frantically.
"He's dead."
Monica started to cry, and her heart broke, "He's dead?" She finally said.
"I'm calling because kill myself too," the man stated hurriedly, "I can't live with everything I've done, I can't believe I hurt everyone in my family, and those kids families. I never killed anyone before, and now, I've killed your husband." The man was crying, "I'm sorry, I love my family, I love my sister, I love Angie, she's always been there."
Monica screamed into the phone, "You killed him! You stole my son, and now, now you've killed my husband!"
The man screamed back, "He knew everything I'd done, and now I'm driving us both into the lake tonight, I can't do anything anymore." Then Daryl hung up the phone; the phone was now silent. Monica's tears came gushing down and Phoebe came walking into the room.
"Mon?" Phoebe said, "Did I hear the phone?" Phoebe had been asleep on the couch.
Monica looked at her friend, "It was just my mom." Phoebe nodded and sat on the bed with Monica.
Jaron walked into the room, "Mommy?" He asked.
"Yes, sweets?" She smiled as he climbed onto the bed, "I had another bad dream." Monica kissed his head and Phoebe put her arm around him.
Phoebe spoke, "With us, you're fine."
And now, Monica sat sobbing at the window. Then she had another memory from the day her and Chandler had moved to Chicago.
Monica was packing some last things when Chandler entered the bedroom. "Phoebe' moving in as soon as we leave, and she said we can come back whenever."
"Okay," Monica said, half smiling.
"Mon, maybe we shouldn't give up so fast."
Monica stopped packing; "Give up? He's been gone a year!"
"Gone where?" Chandler asked.
"Chandler, I-" Monica started.
"Dead?" He said raising his voice.
"I didn't mean that, maybe he's okay, we don't know." Monica said quietly.
Chandler quietened his voice, "We won't if we don't stay."
Monica sighed, "I'm going, come with me, please."
Chandler leaned in and kissed her forehead, "I'm sorry." Then he put he arm around her, "Let's go."
She knew he was gone, and so did everyone one else. She pulled the blanket off her bed and curled up in the chair. She closed her eyes for a moment and hoped she'd fall into a deep sleep.
Just six days earlier, Chandler had been sitting next to Daryl in the car. They were driving down a deserted road far from New York City. "So, do I get to call my wife at least, before you kill me?" Chandler said, tied to the seat in duct tape.
"No, I'll call your wife." Daryl said.
"You?" Chandler was in disbelief. "Did Jaron make it home?"
Daryl shrugged, "I guess so, if he's with Angie."
"God, I hope so." Chandler said.
"You're pretty brave, to give yourself up for your kid," Daryl said calmly.
"Are you making small talk with me?" Chandler said in incredulity. Then he said, "You're pretty brave for stealing people's children."
Daryl's face froze in anger and he turned to Chandler, he was going to yell at him. But instead he started to cry. "I am such a bad person."
"Are you crying?" Chandler almost yelled.
"I've never met my daughter." Daryl said.
"You have a kid?" Chandler said in despair. "This is turning into one hell of an odd situation." Then Chandler said, "Don't cry, one day this story will make one amazing movie of the week on CBS."
Daryl looked at Chandler, "You're one sarcastic bastard, aren't you?"
"You're one sick bastard, aren't you?" Chandler said angrily.
Daryl changed the subject, "The sun is setting."
Chandler became overly sarcastic, "Oh good, my last sunset is amazingly beautiful."
"Shut up," Daryl said, "Don't make me feel guilty."
"Then you won't kill me?" Chandler said even more sarcastic.
Daryl stopped the car on the edge of a dirt road, "That's it, get out, I'm getting rid you now."
Chandler felt very nervous, "Now?" Daryl untied Chandler from the seat, and then duct taped his hands together. "Get out of the car."
Chandler obeyed and cautiously got out of the car, he stood next to the car. Daryl yelled, holding up his gun, "Stand in front of the car, about fifteen feet." Chandler obeyed and stood in front of the car.
"Please don't kill me, please don't kill me," Chandler muttered to himself, then when he heard Daryl starting the car, he spoke louder, "I love you Monica, and I love you Jaron."
Daryl sat in the car, revving the engine, he reversed slightly, he could tell Chandler was murmuring to himself, but he ignored it. Daryl pressed him foot hard on the gas and drove as fast as he could towards Chandler, he closed his eyes.
Chandler felt the car behind him, and felt it hit him at full speed.
Daryl opened his eyes, and when he did he looked behind him and saw Chandler land on the hard road. Daryl pulled the car away and drove off.
When Monica woke up, she felt like she'd had an amazing dream. She heard the door of her room open, the sun had filled the room, she looked at the clock, and it read '8:20'. Then she looked to the door, where Jaron stood smiling. Monica glanced over to the floor, where a pair of Chandler's shoes and jacket lay, she was sure those weren't there last night. She thought she must be confused again.
"Hey honey, are you okay?" Monica finally said.
Jaron smiled and he walked up to his mom, "Mom, does this mean we're all going to be alright now?"
She looked at him puzzled, "What do you mean?"
He climbed onto the bed, "Well, when I was living with this one family, I was watching a movie, and this family was reunited, and at the end, the dad said to the mom and the kids, 'We're going to be alright now.'"
"You mean, since you were reunited with me?" She asked trying to smile.
"No, I mean, since dad's asleep on the couch in the living room." Jaron said.
Monica stood up, and shed the blanket, "Dad's asleep in the living room?" She was astonished. Jaron nodded. Monica picked him up and went running into the living room. Chandler lay on the couch, wet, and dirty. His hair was a wet mess, and his pants were torn.
Monica set Jaron on the floor, and screamed, "Chandler!" He woke up and sat up. She ran to him and threw her arms around him, "Are you really here?"
Chandler threw his arms around Monica, "Are you okay?"
"Of course I'm okay!" She cried, "Now, I'm fine!"
Those six days earlier, lying on the ground, Chandler woke up. He felt pain soar through he body, and he felt the bruise on his back. Chandler tried to stand up, but had trouble, so he lay back down on the ground. He picked up the cell phone, still in his pocket. He looked at it. It was broken. He sighed, and once again tried to stand up. It took him three days to walk to a close by town. He kept falling, and cursing, then he'd get back up. When he reached a town he called for a cab back to New York, he actually had money left in his wallet. He was in serious pain. He didn't care. As soon as he got to New York, the cab driver begged for him to get to a hospital. But he rushed home as fast as he could. He entered the apartment at three in the morning. The lights were out and no one was home, so he walked into the bedroom, Monica sat fast asleep in a chair. He kissed her forehead. He left and entered Jaron's room, where the boy was fast asleep, also. So he went into the living room and fell asleep on the couch.
Monica kept her arms around Chandler, and Jaron ran and jumped onto the couch with them.
"Dad, we had a memorial service for you," Jaron said pleased.
"Why?" Chandler asked confused.
"We thought you were dead." Monica said, matter-of-factly.
Chandler laughed, "I'm fine, I was run over, but I'm fine."
"Run over?" Monica asked.
"Did Daryl get away?" Chandler asked, scared, ignoring Monica.
"No, he committed suicide," Monica said softly. She leaned against him and he yelped in pain.
Jaron put his arms around his dad's neck, "You don't smell to good."
"Daryl left for me dead, after he ran me over, on purpose, I might add," Chandler said.
Monica pulled up Chandler's shirt and he had a huge bruise up his left side, "Oh my god," she said, "We have to get you to the hospital."
"Please let me stay here," Chandler begged.
Monica stood up and picked up the phone, she called Ross. Within four minutes all their friends were gathered in the building. And within ten minutes, they'd all be taking Chandler to the hospital.
Don't worry that's not all - I've got some more coming. This whole series is dedicated to Sally, because she's always there for me. :-)
Jaron looked towards his mother. She was wearing a long black dress and holding a candle. "Mommy?" The words still felt uncertain to him.
She heard his voice and walked over to him, "Yes sweets?"
"I have to go to the bathroom, can I go?" He asked.
"Not alone," Monica said hurriedly, "Wait for a moment, and Uncle Ross will take you."
Jaron smiled and swung his legs freely in the chair he was seated in. He looked around the room. Monica was placing candles around a large picture of his father. He was wearing a black tuxedo and smiling, happily. Phoebe had told Jaron that it was on their wedding day. Rachel had told him that was over six years ago. Jaron looked over to Ross and Joey, who were standing with Monica and handing her tissues every few moments. Jaron turned to see Rachel and Phoebe standing away from everyone else. Rachel had her face buried in a tissue and Phoebe had her arm around Rachel. Jaron thought back to a few days ago when he had seen his father last. Chandler had said to him, "I'm sorry this happened," and Jaron had cried.
Monica looked towards her son; he sat peacefully in a black shirt and black pants. She was so happy to have him back. Monica had remembered falling and screaming when she heard what had happened to Chandler. She had lay on the floor crying, as Rachel and Joey took Jaron across the hall. Phoebe had sat on the floor with her, and she had told her she dreamt this would happen. Monica had cried even more, and Phoebe had cried too. And now Monica stood with Ross and Joey, lighting candles.
"Ross, will you take Jaron to the bathroom?" She asked, with a wisp of guilt.
"Of course," Ross said and walked over to his nephew, "I'll take you to the washroom."
Joey laid a hand on Monica's shoulder, "Sit down, Mon." He said, "The guests are arriving."
Jaron was now asleep, and the five remaining friends sat in the living room of the apartment. "So, are you staying here now Mon?" Phoebe asked.
"Yeah, Jaron and I can live here," said Monica softly.
"I'll go up to Chicago and get your remaining stuff, okay, Mon?" Ross put his hand on her arm.
"Thanks," she quietly said.
Joey put his hands on his face, "I can't believe Chandler's not here."
"Maybe he's okay," Monica said, "I know we had a memorial, and everyone thinks he's dead, but maybe, he's alright."
Phoebe ignored Monica's comment, "Mon, you should go to bed, it's almost midnight."
Monica nodded and stood up; she hugged her friends and went to her room. She closed the door. This was not her and Chandler's room anymore. It was just hers. She pulled a chair up to the window and sat down. Looking outside she imagined having Chandler with her. Then, she remembered happy moments they had had together. She thought back to the night when Jaron had gone missing.
"Can you believe we've been married for this long?" Chandler asked Monica. They had been sitting in their apartment, after arriving home from a romantic dinner.
"I can," she said smiling. She picked up her wine glass from the coffee table and beamed, "To us."
Chandler made the same gesture, and they clinked their glasses together. "I can't believe we made it out of the house."
Monica leaned close to Chandler, "I love you," she said grinning.
Chandler leaned in too, "I love you too, more than anything in the world," they kissed across the table. The phone rang. Monica and Chandler didn't break the kiss.
"Don't answer it," Monica said wrapping her arms around Chandler.
After two rings Chandler leaned away from the kiss, "It could be Joey." He said, frowning. Monica nodded and watched as he picked up the phone.
"Hello?" He answered and put his arm around Monica. As he listened to the voice on the other line his face turned pale. "Thank you," he said after a few minutes and hung up. He stood up and went to the coat rack, in a eerily serious tone he said, "Monica, get your coat."
She stayed seated and looked at him questionably, "Why?"
Chandler walked back to her, "Get your coat; come on. Please."
Monica frowned as she thought of the memory. Then she thought of a memory that happened just six days ago. She had been asleep and the phone began to ring, hoping it was someone with news about Chandler she sat up in bed. Only the day before had she gotten her son back, and lost her husband. She reached over to her bedside table and answered it, "Hello?"
"Monica Bing?" The voice said huskily.
"Yes?" She gulped.
"This is Daryl," the voice answered.
"Where's Chandler?" Monica screamed into the phone frantically.
"He's dead."
Monica started to cry, and her heart broke, "He's dead?" She finally said.
"I'm calling because kill myself too," the man stated hurriedly, "I can't live with everything I've done, I can't believe I hurt everyone in my family, and those kids families. I never killed anyone before, and now, I've killed your husband." The man was crying, "I'm sorry, I love my family, I love my sister, I love Angie, she's always been there."
Monica screamed into the phone, "You killed him! You stole my son, and now, now you've killed my husband!"
The man screamed back, "He knew everything I'd done, and now I'm driving us both into the lake tonight, I can't do anything anymore." Then Daryl hung up the phone; the phone was now silent. Monica's tears came gushing down and Phoebe came walking into the room.
"Mon?" Phoebe said, "Did I hear the phone?" Phoebe had been asleep on the couch.
Monica looked at her friend, "It was just my mom." Phoebe nodded and sat on the bed with Monica.
Jaron walked into the room, "Mommy?" He asked.
"Yes, sweets?" She smiled as he climbed onto the bed, "I had another bad dream." Monica kissed his head and Phoebe put her arm around him.
Phoebe spoke, "With us, you're fine."
And now, Monica sat sobbing at the window. Then she had another memory from the day her and Chandler had moved to Chicago.
Monica was packing some last things when Chandler entered the bedroom. "Phoebe' moving in as soon as we leave, and she said we can come back whenever."
"Okay," Monica said, half smiling.
"Mon, maybe we shouldn't give up so fast."
Monica stopped packing; "Give up? He's been gone a year!"
"Gone where?" Chandler asked.
"Chandler, I-" Monica started.
"Dead?" He said raising his voice.
"I didn't mean that, maybe he's okay, we don't know." Monica said quietly.
Chandler quietened his voice, "We won't if we don't stay."
Monica sighed, "I'm going, come with me, please."
Chandler leaned in and kissed her forehead, "I'm sorry." Then he put he arm around her, "Let's go."
She knew he was gone, and so did everyone one else. She pulled the blanket off her bed and curled up in the chair. She closed her eyes for a moment and hoped she'd fall into a deep sleep.
Just six days earlier, Chandler had been sitting next to Daryl in the car. They were driving down a deserted road far from New York City. "So, do I get to call my wife at least, before you kill me?" Chandler said, tied to the seat in duct tape.
"No, I'll call your wife." Daryl said.
"You?" Chandler was in disbelief. "Did Jaron make it home?"
Daryl shrugged, "I guess so, if he's with Angie."
"God, I hope so." Chandler said.
"You're pretty brave, to give yourself up for your kid," Daryl said calmly.
"Are you making small talk with me?" Chandler said in incredulity. Then he said, "You're pretty brave for stealing people's children."
Daryl's face froze in anger and he turned to Chandler, he was going to yell at him. But instead he started to cry. "I am such a bad person."
"Are you crying?" Chandler almost yelled.
"I've never met my daughter." Daryl said.
"You have a kid?" Chandler said in despair. "This is turning into one hell of an odd situation." Then Chandler said, "Don't cry, one day this story will make one amazing movie of the week on CBS."
Daryl looked at Chandler, "You're one sarcastic bastard, aren't you?"
"You're one sick bastard, aren't you?" Chandler said angrily.
Daryl changed the subject, "The sun is setting."
Chandler became overly sarcastic, "Oh good, my last sunset is amazingly beautiful."
"Shut up," Daryl said, "Don't make me feel guilty."
"Then you won't kill me?" Chandler said even more sarcastic.
Daryl stopped the car on the edge of a dirt road, "That's it, get out, I'm getting rid you now."
Chandler felt very nervous, "Now?" Daryl untied Chandler from the seat, and then duct taped his hands together. "Get out of the car."
Chandler obeyed and cautiously got out of the car, he stood next to the car. Daryl yelled, holding up his gun, "Stand in front of the car, about fifteen feet." Chandler obeyed and stood in front of the car.
"Please don't kill me, please don't kill me," Chandler muttered to himself, then when he heard Daryl starting the car, he spoke louder, "I love you Monica, and I love you Jaron."
Daryl sat in the car, revving the engine, he reversed slightly, he could tell Chandler was murmuring to himself, but he ignored it. Daryl pressed him foot hard on the gas and drove as fast as he could towards Chandler, he closed his eyes.
Chandler felt the car behind him, and felt it hit him at full speed.
Daryl opened his eyes, and when he did he looked behind him and saw Chandler land on the hard road. Daryl pulled the car away and drove off.
When Monica woke up, she felt like she'd had an amazing dream. She heard the door of her room open, the sun had filled the room, she looked at the clock, and it read '8:20'. Then she looked to the door, where Jaron stood smiling. Monica glanced over to the floor, where a pair of Chandler's shoes and jacket lay, she was sure those weren't there last night. She thought she must be confused again.
"Hey honey, are you okay?" Monica finally said.
Jaron smiled and he walked up to his mom, "Mom, does this mean we're all going to be alright now?"
She looked at him puzzled, "What do you mean?"
He climbed onto the bed, "Well, when I was living with this one family, I was watching a movie, and this family was reunited, and at the end, the dad said to the mom and the kids, 'We're going to be alright now.'"
"You mean, since you were reunited with me?" She asked trying to smile.
"No, I mean, since dad's asleep on the couch in the living room." Jaron said.
Monica stood up, and shed the blanket, "Dad's asleep in the living room?" She was astonished. Jaron nodded. Monica picked him up and went running into the living room. Chandler lay on the couch, wet, and dirty. His hair was a wet mess, and his pants were torn.
Monica set Jaron on the floor, and screamed, "Chandler!" He woke up and sat up. She ran to him and threw her arms around him, "Are you really here?"
Chandler threw his arms around Monica, "Are you okay?"
"Of course I'm okay!" She cried, "Now, I'm fine!"
Those six days earlier, lying on the ground, Chandler woke up. He felt pain soar through he body, and he felt the bruise on his back. Chandler tried to stand up, but had trouble, so he lay back down on the ground. He picked up the cell phone, still in his pocket. He looked at it. It was broken. He sighed, and once again tried to stand up. It took him three days to walk to a close by town. He kept falling, and cursing, then he'd get back up. When he reached a town he called for a cab back to New York, he actually had money left in his wallet. He was in serious pain. He didn't care. As soon as he got to New York, the cab driver begged for him to get to a hospital. But he rushed home as fast as he could. He entered the apartment at three in the morning. The lights were out and no one was home, so he walked into the bedroom, Monica sat fast asleep in a chair. He kissed her forehead. He left and entered Jaron's room, where the boy was fast asleep, also. So he went into the living room and fell asleep on the couch.
Monica kept her arms around Chandler, and Jaron ran and jumped onto the couch with them.
"Dad, we had a memorial service for you," Jaron said pleased.
"Why?" Chandler asked confused.
"We thought you were dead." Monica said, matter-of-factly.
Chandler laughed, "I'm fine, I was run over, but I'm fine."
"Run over?" Monica asked.
"Did Daryl get away?" Chandler asked, scared, ignoring Monica.
"No, he committed suicide," Monica said softly. She leaned against him and he yelped in pain.
Jaron put his arms around his dad's neck, "You don't smell to good."
"Daryl left for me dead, after he ran me over, on purpose, I might add," Chandler said.
Monica pulled up Chandler's shirt and he had a huge bruise up his left side, "Oh my god," she said, "We have to get you to the hospital."
"Please let me stay here," Chandler begged.
Monica stood up and picked up the phone, she called Ross. Within four minutes all their friends were gathered in the building. And within ten minutes, they'd all be taking Chandler to the hospital.
Don't worry that's not all - I've got some more coming. This whole series is dedicated to Sally, because she's always there for me. :-)
