The Greatest Gift, Part 7


Andrew's parents were already determined to not be a match, so the focus now was on his uncle, aunt, brother, sister, and his four year-old cousin. His other cousin was too small to successfully give a kidney. It turned out that Andrew had type O blood, which was very uncommon. Dr. Levin hoped that someone could match it right here, right now, or Andrew was in serious trouble.

Megan was afraid of needles and put up a fight during her turn to give blood, but they still got it, causing Megan to scream and cry.

They had given Michael, Megan, and Kylie all the choice not to be tested, but they all insisted that they wanted to help Andrew. Everyone was amazed with them.

Shhhhh, Megan, it's fine! It's over, it's okay. No more needles. You might even be helping Andrew get better! You're fine, it's all okay, Chandler consoled her as the doctor gave her a lollypop. She smiled and stopped crying. That's my girl, Chandler said.

I thought that was me, Monica joked as she came into the room with Michael, who was next to be tested.

It is, Chandler whispered with a smile as he picked up Megan and left the room.

Michael took the needle calmly. It was his new thing to not cry during shots, and this having to do with a needle, fit into the same category.

Ross, Rachel, and Kylie were tested. Dr. Levin wanted to find out the results of their tests before she had to move on to Joey and Phoebe. She was saving them as last resorts. Katie was too young, so she wasn't tested.

Monica was beginning to worry more. Time was short. Things didn't look too well. It seemed like time was running out.

What if he turns out like Sydney did?! Monica asked Chandler And that's DEAD!

Mon, Monica, don't worry about this yet! We have seven chances to find a match! Just because you and I weren't a match doesn't mean everyone else isn't, either. One of them will be his life saver, so to speak.

How can you be so sure?

Because he's only two. He has to get another chance.

God, I hope your right, Monica said as Chandler gave her a hug.

The tests will be GOOD, Monica, I can FEEL it, Chandler squeezed he shoulders. I can FEEL Andrew will be okay.

Thanks for always being there, Monica told him. Without you who knows how I'd handle stuff.

You'd do okay. You're strong, he told her with a smile. He kissed the top of her head and smiled at her again. It's all gonna be okay, Monica. I promise.

***

The test results came back the next day. No one was a match. Now it was on to Joey and Phoebe. Everyone was hoping they were the ones who could save Andrew. They tested Joey and Phoebe that afternoon. They had to wait two to three days until the results came back.

Monica had a doctor appointment that afternoon. They were going to do he first sonogram. She was glad Chandler had found out so he could come with her. She would've felt terrible making him miss this baby's first sonogram when he had been there for all the others, and it wasn't fair to make him miss this one.

Chandler was just as nervous as he had been at Michael's first sonogram. Monica wasn't quite sure why he was always nervous, but he was.

Her doctor, Dr. Chase, put the jelly on her stomach and began the sonogram.

Well, there's your baby, Dr. Chase told them with a smile.

Oh my God! Monica smiled. Chandler took her hand. No matter if it was baby number one, or number four, it was still just as incredible.

And this is your baby's heartbeat, Dr. Chase told them just before they could hear the heartbeat of the child, who to Monica, a week ago wasn't was now as real as Michael.

I love you, she heard Chandler say. She turned to look at him and smiled.

I love you, too, she told him.

Well, Monica, Chandler, everything looks fine. This baby's looking very healthy.

Really? That's great! Monica smiled.

You two are gonna have four beautiful children.

Monica said. We really are.

I just hope we can keep number three, Chandler mumbled so that no one could hear.

said Dr. Chase, leaving the room.

***

Andrew slept a lot, and watched TV when he was awake. He played some games sometimes, but they usually made him more tired. At least, now that he was home, he couldn't complain about going home, and Monica didn't have to be away from him at night.

Phoebe and Joey's blood tests came back negative. The waiting list seemed to be Andrew's last chance. And that didn't sound like a good one.

I'm gonna call home, Phoebe told them, and get David and Nathan tested. Is a one year old old enough for this? Phoebe asked.

said Dr. Levin. A year of age is the minimum age requirement for this type of surgery.

Okay, okay, so David and Nathan can give him a chance. Don't worry, yet, Monica!

Yeah, and we can test Katie, then if she matches, it's only a few months until she's one, Rachel said.

Thanks you guys, Monica said, hugging Rachel and Phoebe. I don't know if I could make Nathan or Katie go through this, though.

Mon, they'd be fine, and Andrew would be, too, then. There's no way we could not do it, Phoebe said.

However, David, Nathan, and Katie were all incompatible. It seemed strange that so many people had been tested and none were a match. Even Monica and Chandler's parents didn't match. That was a total of sixteen people who didn't match.

***

The baby's kicking again, said Monica. It was six months later, and Monica was now eight months pregnant.

I wanna feel! Megan said happily, putting her hand on Monica's stomach. I feel it! she said happily,

Me, too! said Michael with a smile.

Me, too, said Chandler, coming up behind Monica and putting his hand on her stomach.

How much longer till the baby's born? Michael asked.

A bout a month, Monica told him.

I wish it would hurry up already, said Megan.

Eight months pregnant is the worst, Monica said. I swear my ankles are gonna fall off.

How about a foot massage?

That might help, Monica smiled and sat down on the couch. Chandler started rubbing her ankles.

So, how's Andrew? she asked.



I should've known, she said with a sigh.

I can't believe he's been on that waiting list for six months! I wonder how far up he is now?

Yeah, I know, Monica sighed.

He's getting so much worse. I mean, he gets up and plays and stuff, but he gets tired so much more easily.

Poor kid. I mean, he's only two, almost three, and he's ben sick for eight months.

I know, Chandler sighed.

Don't think about it. Think about the baby instead, Monica told him. He or she is a good way to take your mind off it.

What are we gonna name it? Chandler asked suddenly.

I dunno. Andrew was gonna be Amy if he was a girl, Monica remembered.

I don't really like that that much now, though, Chandler laughed.

Yeah, I know, me either. It kinda rhymes with Katie.

I know. We'll think of something, though. We always do.

Just then Phoebe came in, looking both angry and sad.

Hey, Pheebs, what's wrong? Monica asked her. Phoebe had become good friends with everyone again, especially Joey and Monica.

Oh, you know, it's David. Can't leave home for six months without him getting mad!!

Maybe he misses you, Chandler told her.

Well, I'm sure he does, but you guys are important, too!

Phoebe, maybe you should go home. I mean, it's been six months now. You have a son at home, and he needs you, too, Monica told her. You've only been home, like, twice, and for not very long. Go home, Phoebe.

That's the problem! I want this to be home again!

What about Nathan? And David?

I love them! But I hate Minsk!

Phoebe, what can you do?

I don't know! But I don't want to go back to Minsk

Your family is there, Chandler said, still rubbing Monica's feet. Your son is there. They miss you.

Yeah, I know, and I miss them, too. But then I'll go back to hating my life!

You hate your life in Minsk?

I hate Minsk! It's just icky!

Then, that's a problem, isn't it? Monica asked.

What are you gonna do? Chandler asked her

Well, I guess I'm gonna stay here until the baby's born

That's like a month.

I know, but I've been here six already, so what's another?

True, I guess. Monica agreed.

I'm gonna use the phone and call home.



Phoebe picked up the phone and dialed. Hey sweetie, she said into the phone What do you mean? Phoebe listened Of course I do! She began arguing with David over the phone and took it upstairs.

That can't be good, said Monica.



We're getting low on money, Monica sighed. I mean, were still paying off of Andrew's hospital bill, and now were gonna have hospital bills from the baby, then we have another kid to take care of... Monica realized.

I know, but don't worry about it. You've got enough right here to worry about, Chandler said.

Yeah, you're right. So, after the baby's born, we'll worry.

No, you don't worry at all. I'll handle it.

That's kinda scary.

I know.

I love you.

I love you, too.

Do you think it's a boy or a girl? Monica asked.

I have no idea. But we could use another girl that looks like you.

Yeah, maybe, but we can never have enough boys that look like you, Monica said with a smile.

So either way, one of us wins.

Guess so, she laughed. He looked into her eyes and smiled.

I love you, Mon. You're so beautiful, you know that?

I'm fat, she told him.

he argued.

she insisted.

Well, a beautiful whale, then, he said with a smile.

Monica laughed. I love you, too, she said, kissing him. If only Andrew would get better, everything would be perfect.