TOW Chandler Makes a Decision

TOW Chandler Makes a Decision

Chapter Two: Lies and Betrayal

By Shantayna Kyesi Nezazi with help from Hajari Alhaji

Author's Notes: OK here is my second fanfic. I should just warn you I am still not very good with English so if the grammar or spellings are wrong I am sorry. If some things did not make sense last time then I can only apologise my English sucks and so does my grammar. I can only usually speak Swahili so that's my excuse for everything being rubbish. This is the second chapter of my first fanfic so please be kind. Also Hajari Alhaji is my older sister and she teaches English so she has helped me a bit with the spellings and grammar. Please e-mail me Shantayna with anything you want to say but please nothing horrible. Thanks! Oh yeah and something totally unrelated if anybody wants to learn some Swahili just e-mail me SHANI_KYESI_NEZAZI@ananzi.co.za

Disclaimer: I do not own the following characters with the exception of Leslie, Zarabeth and Daniela (I promise I will try and explain who these people are later on) the Friends characters belong to Bright, Kauffman and Crane. I write this purely for entertainment and not profit. And 'We Are One' by Westlife is used without permission.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The sun rose over New York as the last cold sparks of winter disappeared. It was March now, the first month of spring (A/N: For the Northern Hemisphere anyway. Fall for me) and Monica was 3 and a half months into her pregnancy. The morning sickness had begun to subside and instead she was getting crabbier. She would snap at Chandler for any little thing and he had begun to spend more time with his friend Leslie-Claire and her daughter Zarabeth.

Leslie and Chandler had met at a party at his work 6 years ago when she used to work as a secretary for one of the other employees. Chandler had gone out on a couple of dates with her after she lied about being married but they decided to remain friends after he found out the truth. Greg was Leslie's husband and was in the US military. Leslie and Greg had a daughter called Zarabeth and she was 12. (I hope that cleared things up for people who didn't understand last time)

Monica and Chandler were sitting eating their breakfast. Chandler was getting rather jumpy with Monica's constant mood swings and was glad when the pregnancy was over. He was still excited about becoming a dad though and with Ross and Rachel coming over nearly every day with their 4 month old daughter Daniela he was getting used to being around such a young baby

"I don't think so. I still feel awful," said Monica.

Chandler sighed. He was really excited about being a dad but there was a part of him that still wanted the freedom of it just being him and Monica on their own without any kids. He knew he'd have to face up to reality sooner or later; in a few short months there would be another mouth to feed and their money would be slowly disappearing.

"OK I am gonna get going to work now," said Chandler as he got up from the table and put his plate in the sink.

"OK sweetie I love you," said Monica. "Oh can you get tomorrow off because I have a sonogram."

Chandler looked at Monica for a minute and smiled. The first chance to see his child was certainly not one to pass up.

"There is no way I am going to miss that," he said softly.

With that he gave Monica a soft kiss on the lips and walked out of the door. She decided to go and see Rachel and Daniela. Monica had been jealous of Rachel because she was having a baby before her but when Daniela was born her envy soon disappeared

Rachel was giving Daniela a bottle when Monica knocked on the door. Rachel went and answered the door and saw it was Monica.

"Hey Mon why aren't you at work?" asked Rachel.

"I didn't feel like going in," said Monica. "Can I come in?"

"Yeah sure," said Rachel.

Monica went and sat on the couch in the apartment.

"So what's up?" asked Rachel.

"Well I'm pregnant," said Monica excitedly.

"Oh my God! That is so great!" gasped Rachel. "Does Chandler know?"

"Yeah and he took the news much better than I thought he would," said Monica. "It's like since we've been married he is starting to become more grown up and he is actually excited about becoming a dad."

"Wow," said Rachel. "Well at least you guys are married. I wish Ross and I had been married when Daniela had been born but now that we're engaged I couldn't ask for anything better."

Monica glanced at Daniela who was asleep in Rachel's arms. She looked so peaceful and sweet. She was certainly a well behaved and quiet baby. She never cried unless she needed her diapers changing or feeding (A/N: Daniela is based on my cousin Adeleke who is now 6 years old but was the exact same as Daniela when she was a baby)

"Hey wanna get some lunch later?" asked Rachel.

"Sure. I wanna have a lie down anyway because I don't feel so good," said Monica.

"Yeah I know the feeling. How far along are you anyway?" asked Rachel.

"Three and a half months," said Monica.

"Morning sickness still bad?" asked Rachel.

"No I haven't really had any to be honest with you," said Monica.

Rachel smiled at her friend and went to lay Daniela down in her crib. Rachel looked down at her young daughter and sighed happily. She still couldn't believe she was a mom already. She had hoped she still had a few years to find herself a husband before she had kids but her soul mate would always be Ross because according to Phoebe they were lobsters. And the years before that when she was with Barry and Paolo and he was with Julie, Mahaba Ni Tongo, Swahili for Love is Blind (Sorry I had to put that in there it is my favourite Swahili phrase). She came out to see Monica had left.

Back at the apartment Monica went and lay down for a couple of hours. She didn't like feeling sick and tired all the time. It was making her really moody all the time and she kept taking it out on Chandler. She did feel bad for that though because he did his best to please her all the time and it was only another five and a half months til the baby was born.

Chandler sat in his office working on his computer. Another boring day he thought. He hated his job with all his heart but knew that he had to work really hard to put money in the bank for his child and the upcoming expenses that they would have. He saw the clock and that it was near lunchtime so he decided to go for lunch early. He walked out of his office and went back to his apartment. Monica had gone to lunch with Rachel so he decided to go upstairs to see Leslie-Claire.

Leslie was typing on her laptop when Chandler knocked on the door. She walked to the door and answered it.

"Hey Chandler. What's Monica done now?" asked Leslie.

"Nothing. She's not home so I was wondering if you wanted to go and get some lunch," said Chandler.

"Might as well. Got nothing else to do today," muttered Leslie. "I am so bored with being stuck at home. Greg's off to Germany and I have to stay here and look after Zara."

Chandler shook his head and headed off to a fancy restaurant. They had their lunch and as Chandler was paying for the check he saw Monica and Rachel across the room.

"Oh God," he sighed. "I shouldn't have come here. She doesn't like me hanging out with you."

"Why?" questioned Leslie. "Am I really that bad?"

"She thinks when I have a problem rather than talk it through with her I run off and see you," said Chandler.

"You only come to me when Monica yells at you. Listen maybe we should stop hanging out for a while," suggested. Leslie. "Just until things have cooled down. I mean you've only been married a year and I'd hate to be responsible for the break up of a marriage because of a simple misunderstanding."

"OK fair enough," said Chandler.

Leslie gave Chandler a kiss on the cheek and left. Monica noticed this from across the room. She walked over to her husband and stood there with her hands on her hips.

"Chandler what the hell are you doing?" asked Monica, furiously.

"Nothing I was having lunch with my friend," said Chandler.

"It didn't look like that to me," she fumed.

"Monica you are going to have to trust me. I love you too much to lose you," he said.

When he said that her face dissolved into a smile.

"OK I'm sorry. It's hormones," said Monica. "Hey how about tonight I cook you a nice romantic dinner?"

"Sounds perfect," he whispered.

He gave Monica hug and a kiss and headed back to work. Rachel approached with Daniela in the pushchair.

"Everything OK?" she asked.

"Yeah. I am just getting really moody because of these hormones," said Monica. "Let's go shopping for some things for the baby."

"OK," agreed Rachel.

They left the restaurant and went to a little shop which sold lots of baby things. Monica bought an adorable tiny pair of shoes for the baby and a little green sleeper. When she got home she looked around the spare room. Her and Chandler would have to clear it out soon in order to make a nursery for the baby. She leaned against the doorframe and rested her hand on her growing belly. She looked down and smiled.

"In a few months you'll be in this world and you know both me and your father are so glad you're on the way," whispered Monica.

Monica cooked Chandler's favourite dinner and waited for him to come home. She had lit some candles so the whole room was really romantic. He walked in the door, tired after a hard day's work. When he saw Monica he went straight over to her and gave her a hug.

"Hey sweetie. What did you cook for dinner?" he asked.

"Your favourite," said Monica. "Macaroni and cheese with cut up hotdogs."

"Oh thanks sweetie. I love you," he said.

He gave her a hug and they sat down and ate dinner. Afterwards they decided to have a dance while they were in a romantic mood. Chandler went and put on a song by Westlife called We Are One. (A/N: OK me and Hajari were arguing over whether to use We Are One by Westlife or Love Will Find A Way from the Lion King. In the end we chose We Are One cos my sister wants me to sing it at her wedding)

Two very different people,

Too scared to get along,

Till two hearts beat together,

Underneath one sun,

One very special moment,

Can turn a destiny,

And what some would say

Could never change,

Has changed for you and me

'Cause it's all in the way

You look through your eyes,

And when all is said and done,

All of the fear and all of the lies are

not hard to overcome

It's all in the way you look at it

That makes you strong

We were two (we were two)

Now we are one

We are two very different people

So much to overcome

So why care for one another

When there's so much to be done

'Cause sometimes it's necessary

Just look how far we've come

You could say that it's the end

or a new tale has begun.

'Cause it's all in the way

You look through your eyes,

And when all is said and done,

All of the fear and all of the lies are

not hard to overcome

It's all in the way you look at it

That makes you strong

We were two (we were two)

Now we are one

And one moment in the time

is all we need

Just to make a difference

To make it better for you and me

If you just believe

Oh yeah

Just open your eyes

'Cause it's all in the way

You look through your eyes,

And when all is said and done,

All of the fear and all of the lies are

not hard to overcome

It's all in the way you look at it

That makes you strong

We were two (we were two)

Now we are one

Oh yeah, Oh yeah

We were two,

Now we are one.

As the song drew to a close Chandler stared into Monica's crystal blue eyes and pictured his child having the same eyes as Monica. He smiled at the thought.

"What are you thinking about?" asked Monica.

"I was just picturing our child having your eyes that's all," he whispered.

"And your sense of humour," said Monica. "He or she will be perfect."

Chandler smiled and hugged Monica. He was truly head over heels in love with her and couldn't believe it had taken him 4 years to realise it. Now they were going to have a baby and they were madly in love. What could be more perfect?

Later on Chandler watched Monica sleep. She was getting bigger as each day passed. He loved the little life growing inside his wife and was looking forward to the day when he would hold his son or daughter in his arms.

The next morning both Monica and Chandler were really excited because it was the day of the sonogram. Chandler had gotten the day off work, as did Monica.

"Are you nervous?" asked Chandler.

"A little. I just don't want anything to be wrong with the baby," she said.

"And nothing will be I promise you that," said Chandler. "He or she is going to be fit and healthy."

"I believe you sweetie," said Monica.

They set off for the hospital and arrived 20 minutes early. As Monica and Chandler sat in the waiting room Monica leaned her head on Chandler's shoulder and sighed. He put his arm around her and kissed the top of her head.

"What's wrong?" asked Chandler.

"Chandler if I ask you a question will you promise to answer me straight?" asked Monica.

"Okay," said Chandler.

"You know that woman you keep hanging out with, Leslie," said Monica.

"Yes…" said Chandler.

"Are you having an affair with her?" asked Monica.

"What?" asked Chandler, stunned at being asked such a question. "Of course I'm not. I could never do that to you! I love you too much."

Monica looked at the floor, avoiding eye contact with her husband. He sighed.

"Sweetie, no matter what happens I will always love you. I promised you that the day we were married," said Chandler softly. "I love you too much to lose you."

"Monica Bing?" called a nurse.

"That's us," said Monica.

They got up and followed the nurse into the small room where the sonogram would take place. Monica lay down on the bed. The doctor soon came in. Her name was Dr. Amy Mawulode (My sister-in-law's name! It's pronounced mow-oo-load-ee)

"Hi you must be Monica and Chandler. I am Dr. Mawulode," said the doctor.

"Hi," replied Monica.

"Okay I'll start the sonogram and we'll see what's going on there," said Dr. Mawulode.

The doctor rubbed some of that jelly stuff on Monica's stomach and began to move the probe over as well.

"Well everything is looking great. You are 14 weeks and there's your baby," said Dr. Mawulode, pointing out the baby on the screen.

It was the most touching moment of their lives. There was the first picture of their baby in front of them and they had tears in their eyes. Chandler squeezed Monica's hand and kissed her forehead.

"Would you like to know the sex?" asked the doctor.

Monica looked at Chandler who nodded.

"Yes we would," said Monica.

"Well it's look like you're having a baby girl," said the doctor. "I am going to print this picture for you to keep."

The doctor pressed a few buttons and soon the happy couple was holding the first picture of their daughter. Monica was so happy she started to cry again. Chandler knew it was tears of happiness and hormones too.

"Don't cry," he said softly.

"I am just so happy about this little baby," said Monica, with tears still streaming down her eyes.

When Monica and Chandler got home Monica decided she wanted to have a lie down because she was tired so Chandler wandered upstairs to see Leslie and Zara. He knocked on the door and this time a 12-year-old Zara answered (um she looks like the actress who played Regan in the Exorcist)

"Hi," she said.

"Hi is your mom in?" he asked.

"Yeah. Mom! There's a man at the door for you!" she yelled.

"I'm coming Zazzy you don't have to yell. Oh hi Chandler," said Leslie when she got there.

"Hey Leslie. Just thought I'd come and hang out with you for a while. Mon's sleeping so she won't know about it," said Chandler.

"Chandler I really appreciate you coming over every now and then and you are a terrific friend but you have a wife downstairs who is carrying your child and she doesn't like you hanging out with me," said Leslie. "Maybe you shouldn't come over anymore for the sake of your wife and child."

"Leslie I love Monica with all my heart but I want to hang out with people who have kids so that I can get used to them," sighed Chandler. "I am so nervous around little kids it's unbelievable. And in five and a half months I am going to have a daughter to take care of."

Leslie sat down and looked at Chandler sympathetically.

"I understand where you're coming from Greg was the same when Zara was born," said Leslie, laughing at the memory. "He was a nervous wreck around little kids until he held his daughter for the first time and then he realised he was a natural father."

Chandler smiled at Leslie and agreed not to come round for a while. He knew that every time Mon yelled at him he shouldn't go running to another woman with his problems because it wasn't fair on Leslie or Monica. Before he left he gave Leslie a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He smiled at Zara and gave her a kiss too.

When he got home Monica was sitting on the couch with an angry look on her face. She knew he had been round to see Leslie again.

"Chandler where the hell have you been?" she demanded.

"Upstairs," he said trying to go to the bedroom.

"With that woman. I asked you earlier to answer me truthfully if you were having an affair with that woman and you just plain lied to me," said Monica, her face fuming.

"Monica you don't trust me to talk a couple of things over with a friend," he argued back.

"Yeah like Ross, Rachel, Joey or Phoebe not that woman upstairs. Every time I have a mood swing you run off to her," she said. "You have plain lied to me and I never want to see you again!"

She stormed into the bedroom and slammed the door in his face. He looked at the door forlornly.

To be Continued

Sorry to end it there but it's 6:20am Kenya time and I have writers block. Plus I want to keep people hanging in suspense until next time. Please review and be nice cos I know it's crap but I would really appreciate it. If you want e-mail SHANI_KYESI_NEZAZI@ananzi.co.za