The Greatest Gift, Part 5
*~*Revised 1/23/04*~*
Monica still wasn't eating anything and she was still sleeping in Andrew's hospital room, in a chair next to his bed. Dr. Levin told her she needed to take better care of herself, but Monica didn't oblige.
Chandler hadn't talked to her since their fight in the hospital. She figured it was just as well she could sleep at the hospital because he probably didn't feel like sharing a bed with her at night.
Hi, Mama, Andrew greeted her when he woke up.
Hi, Andrew, how you feeling? she asked, knowing the response would be the same as it always was.
I'm sorry, she told him. You'll feel better, soon. You're on that special medicine now.
Good. Wanna go home.
I wish that you could come home, too. But not yet. Soon.
Andrew sighed. He had heard that for the past month, and didn't seem to be so true.
Megan and Michael are coming to visit today.
Monica looked up when she saw the door open. Chandler came into the hospital room.
Hi, Andrew, he said
Hi, Daddy, he replied
Icky still?
That's too bad, you'll be better soon, I know it. You mind if I talk to Mommy outside?
Andrew shook his head. Monica looked up when she heard Chandler say that. He looked at her and nodded towards the door. Monica hesitantly got up and followed Chandler out of the room.
That's it, Chandler told Monica. No more of this.
Monica asked.
No more not eating. No more not sleeping, or not sleeping in a bed. From right now, you're going to take care of yourself- and our baby!
Well, we can't just leave Andrew for nine months!
I'LL be here! Chandler told her And YOU'LL be sleeping in a BED, at HOME, after a nice big dinner!
Why should I? Monica asked.
Because of the baby! You're two months pregnant! You HAVE to take care of yourself now! You wouldn't not take care of Michael or Megan for Andrew, so why is this baby any different?
Because Justin and Megan are real! They talk to me, I can see them!
This baby's real, TOO!
I know! But I have to take care of Andrew! He's two and this baby's not even born! He has to come first!
Monica, when Megan was born, we promised we would NEVER play favorites, but that is exactly what you're doing! In the WORST way.
I can't play favorites against a child who isn't even born!
Monica, this is your child from the MINUTE it was conceived!
No buts, Monica! You are as much a parent to this baby as you are to Michael, Megan, and Andrew, if not more! The baby NEEDS you to LIVE!
Well, it's not MY fault this baby had to come now!
But it's not the baby's fault either! In fact, it's probably MINE! So punish me, not our unborn child!
I'm not punishing anyone, Chandler, Monica told him.
Well, you may not mean to, but you are. You're punishing our son or daughter!
Andrew needs me!
Not more than this baby needs you! That baby won't get a chance to live unless you take care of yourself! Andrew is here, living!
Not for long! He has cancer! He's dying! And he's only two! That's hardly a life he's lived! Monica said, tears forming in her eyes.
Monica, you can't cure his cancer! Whether or not you sleep in the hospital with him isn't gonna make him live or die. But it is gonna make this baby live or die!
Monica was silent, she knew he was right, but she didn't want to admit it here or now.
You're going home, eating, then resting. If I have to, I'll FORCE feed you, but you'll eat.
How nice of you, she said sarcastically,
One day you'll thank me.
What about Andrew?
I'll take care of him. I can even take care of Michael and Megan, too. But you're the only one who can take care of this baby. And you will. Do you understand?
Monica had never seen Chandler this mad, ever. He was so determined to get his way, and she new he wasn't going to give up.
she told him with a sigh.
Ross entered the hospital and saw Monica and Chandler arguing. He hadn't seen them fight for a while, now. When Chandler went into Andrew's room, Ross went up to Monica.
he greeted carefully.
So... fight? he asked.
Oh yeah. Big time. I deserved it, though, But don't you ever tell him I said that!
Was it about Andrew?
Monica said.
Michael or Megan?
No, another one, Monica said. Ross looked confused and started to comment, but then Chandler came out of Andrews room, and grabbed Monica's wrist.
I'm taking her home, he told Ross. I'll explain later.
And with that, they were gone. Ross wasn't quite sure what was going on, but he knew it was serious. He had never seen Chandler that mad at Monica before. Ross decided to go visit Andrew while they were gone.
***
Monica was at home, alone, now. Phoebe was there, but she hadn't been out of her room since the Joey thing. Monica decided she might as well eat. She went into the kitchen, where she ran into Phoebe.
Oh. Hey, Monica said carefully.
Why are you home? He find out?
Monica stared at her. How do you KNOW?! she asked her.
Monica, like I told you when we were friends. I'm psychic. Monica gave Phoebe a look. Yeah, okay, your doctor called here once.
Oh! So how long have you KNOWN?
A week.
He got so mad, Phoebe.
The only reason Chandler would get mad is if you weren't taking care of yourself or the baby. And even I can see you haven't been.
Yeah, I know, I do, he's right.
Monica, don't be mad. He loves you. He loves the baby. That's why he's doing this.
I know, Monica said quietly. Then she looked at Phoebe. Phoebe, I thought you were mad at us?
I got over it, she said with a smile.
Monica said, hugging Phoebe. We've missed you, ya know.
Did I really hurt Joey? Phoebe asked.
Monica asked, partially afraid to tell her the truth. Phoebe nodded. Yeah, you did.
Phoebe, drunken mistakes are sometimes not mistakes. I've been there! Look at me and Chandler! We had agreed it was a drunken mistake, and now we're married, have three kids, and a fourth on the way! Joey's wanted a relationship like ours since he knew about us. And he ALMOST had it. I mean, our drunken mistake wasn't a mistake. I love him more than anything, even though he's not gonna hear it for a while.
He's right, you know, Monica.
Yeah, I know. I hate that.
I've gotta talk to Joey. I never knew... Phoebe said, heading out of the kitchen.
***
Monica went to bed that night knowing Chandler was with Andrew, but wishing he was with her. She missed him. She now understood how he had felt. It felt wrong.
She heard him downstairs around ten the next morning, but she didn't go down to see him. She knew he was right, but she wasn't ready to admit it, yet. And she was still mad at him for yelling so much. Before she knew it, he was gone again.
Phoebe went over to Joey's apartment. She had decided they needed to talk. She knocked on the door. After three knocks, she was about to leave, when he opened the door.
Wow, I really gotta start asking who's there before opening the door up, he remarked.
Hi, Joey. I think I hurt you about, ummm, three years ago. I'm sorry.
You THINK?
Okay, so I did. Apparently.
And your apologizing NOW?
Joey, I didn't KNOW!
So how do you know now?
I've been talking to the others. How long did you think until they let it out?
Okay, Phoebe, look, I'm over you, so save it!
I'm sorry, Joey.
For what? Being happy? Getting married? Having a kid? You didn't do anything wrong!
Okay, well maybe that's true, but I want us to be friends again! Monica and Chandler need no more grief from us.
Okay, yeah. I've missed you. I mean, as a friend. And you're right about Mon and Chandler. Let's be friends. Joey gave Phoebe a hug and smiled at her.
Yay! Friends! Phoebe said.
It's a wonder Chandler and Monica haven't started fighting yet.
Well, they are, now. Over the baby.
Oh no! Okay, forget I said ANYTHING!
No, Pheebs, what's going on?
Okay, well, Monica's pregnant again, and you know, not taking care of herself, so Chandler got mad and mad her. And she'd been hiding it, so he was even more angry.
Wow, that's a lot of stuff happening in one day, Joey pondered.
I know. They smiled at each other. I'm glad we're friends again, Phoebe said.
Me, too, Joey agreed.
***
Monica and Chandler were still fighting a few days later. Monica wasn't sleeping at the hospital anymore, and Chandler was. She didn't feel right even going to the hospital to see Andrew in the day time, but she did because she couldn't desert him,. But when he wasn't working, Chandler was there with him. He had taken over as the person Andrew asked for and needed. Sure, maybe he was doing it for their unborn child, but Monica could only imagine how Andrew thought she'd abandoned him. She hated not being the person Andrew longed for. Now it was his father.
