Disclaimer: I own none of these characters. They belong to the wonderful creators of Friends.
A/N: Thanks for your comments on the first chapter. I'm sorry it's taken so long, but I hope you like the second one. Please let me know what you think! Again, I'm attempting humor, but I can't promise it's gonna be funny to anyone but me. lol I hope you enjoy...
Chapter Two - TOW the Doughnuts
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A month later, all three relationships were blossoming. Monica and Chandler were discussing the idea of starting a family. Joey and Phoebe were enjoying a casual relationship, but things were slowly evolving into something more. As for Ross and Rachel... They were living together, in Ross' apartment, and anxiously awaiting the arrival of their babies.
"Monica, you wouldn't happen to have anymore of those doughnuts, would you?" Rachel asked. She had been spending a lot of time at Chandler and Monica's lately. Ross insisted that she stay with someone while he was out.
"Yeah, sure," Monica replied. She'd kept homemade doughnuts on hand for a month because of Rachel's cravings. "You sure have been eating a lot of these lately," she added as she handed Rachel a doughnut.
"Hey, I'm eating for three. I'm allowed to do this, you know." Rachel tried to defend her eating habits.
"I know, I know... I'd love to be eating for two myself," Monica sighed.
"Hasn't Chandler given in yet?"
"He's a little worried about being a dad... He thinks he'll screw our kids up," she laughed.
"He'll be a great dad. You've just gotta convince him."
"Yeah..." Monica trailed off, and sighed. "Rachel, can I tell you something?"
"Of course you can, honey," Rachel said, then took another bite of the doughnut.
"I think I'm pregnant."
With that, bits of doughnut flew across the living room. "What?!" Rachel asked, shocked.
"I said I think I'm pregnant," Monica repeated.
"Yeah, I heard that. I thought you guys decided not to start trying yet."
"We did. It just sort of...happened. Besides, I'm not even sure if I'm pregnant. I bought a pregnancy test yesterday, but I haven't had a chance to take it yet."
"Monica! Take it!" Rachel urged.
"Okay, okay," Monica smiled. "Be right back."
Monica rushed into the bathroom. Rachel placed her hands on her stomach and smiled. "You guys might have a little cousin sooner than we thought."
"Hey, Rach. What's going on?" Joey asked as he entered the apartment. He grabbed a doughnut from the kitchen counter and joined Rachel in the living room.
"Nothing. Nothing at all. Just eating a doughnut," she replied nervously and held up the remainder of her doughnut as proof.
"You're sure eating a lot of those lately."
"Joey! How many times do I have to go through this? I'm eating for three. I can do this now."
"Rachel, I -" Monica stopped when she saw Joey. "I cleaned the bathroom. All done," she tried to cover. She couldn't keep the smile off her face.
"Was everything successful?" Rachel asked curiously, trying to control her excitement.
"Yeah. Very successful," Monica grinned and sat down beside Rachel on the couch. "Everything's great," she smiled brightly.
"Oh! Monica, I'm so happy for you!" Rachel exclaimed.
"I know!" Monica replied in her very own "Monica way."
"Geez, guys. All this over cleaning the bathroom?" Joey questioned.
"Yeah, yeah. It's a pretty big accomplishment," Rachel tried to cover. "Chandler lives here now, you know."
"Oh, yeah," Joey replied as if this explained everything.
"Hey, guys. How are you, sweetie?" Ross asked after entering the apartment. He walked over to Rachel and kissed her tenderly.
"I'm great - wonderful," Rachel smiled at him.
"Monica, you look awfully happy," Ross commented.
"I know!" she replied excitedly.
"She cleaned the bathroom," Joey informed him. "You know, Chandler lives here now..."
"O-kay," Ross said. "Speaking of Chandler, I saw him downstairs. He's on his way up."
At the mention of his name, Chandler opened the door. "Somebody mention my name?"
"Chandler! You're home!" Monica exclaimed and ran into his arms.
"Wow. Hey, beautiful," he whispered and kissed her. "You seem especially happy today."
"I know!" she exclaimed again.
"Ross, let's go home," Rachel suggested.
"Home? I thought we were all having dinner together tonight," he replied.
"Yeah. Weren't you gonna cook, Monica?" Chandler asked.
"You're right," she sighed.
"Hey, we can do this another time," Rachel continued. Chandler and Monica really needed some time alone. "Anyway, I'm kind of tired. The babies have been kicking a lot today."
"Really?" Ross put his hand on her large stomach. "Is everything okay?" he asked worriedly.
"I'm fine, honey. I just want to go to bed."
Ross looked at his sister. "Would you mind?" he asked.
"Of course not. We can do it another time," she smiled.
"Hey, I wanted some free food!" Joey protested.
"Joey, I'll buy you and Phoebe a pizza," Monica offered. "And next week, we'll all have dinner together."
"I'll take it. Send it over when it gets here," he said and left the room.
"Come on, Rach," Ross said and helped her up from the couch.
"Congratulations, and good luck," Rachel whispered when she hugged Monica on the way out.
"Bye, guys," Ross called as they left.
"Bye," Chandler and Monica responded.
"What was that 'good luck' about?" Chandler asked.
Monica led him to the couch. "Sit down, honey. We've got to talk about something."
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"No, nothing's wrong. I just have something to tell you," she answered, still grinning from ear to ear.
"Okay... What is it?"
She sighed before continuing. "Honey, you know we've been talking about a family lately. And I know that you've had your doubts about being a father."
"Mon, I've been thinking about that, and I think that whenever we do start a family, I'll be ready. I'll have you to help me through fatherhood," he smiled.
She returned his smile with one of her own. "I'm glad you feel that way, honey... Because we're gonna have a baby!"
Chandler just stared at her with wide eyes. "A...a...a baby?" he questioned, not quite sure if he had heard her correctly.
"Yes, a baby. Chandler, I'm pregnant." She looked at him, trying to judge his reaction. "Are you all right? Honey, I'm sorry I sprung this on you, but I just had to -"
"No, no. I'm fine... I'm fine... Just a little shocked, I guess." He was still staring blankly into space.
"But are you okay with this? I know we weren't exactly planning this right now, but it happened. And I'm thrilled about it," she smiled.
Chandler finally snapped out of it and looked over at his wife. "So am I," he smiled.
"Really?"
"Yes, really... We're having a baby..."
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Ross put his hand over Rachel's on her stomach and smiled at her. "They're really active tonight, aren't they?"
"Yeah, they are," she agreed.
They sat there in silence for a few minutes, just feeling the babies kicking. They were both enjoying being together again, and Ross was planning on suggesting taking their relationship to the next level. Rachel, however, had no idea what he was planning or just how soon that plan would come into action...
"Rachel, have you ever thought about where we'd be in ten years?"
She looked at him quizzically before answering. "I don't know, Ross. I guess we'll be raising our children." She patted her stomach.
"Together?" he asked hopefully.
"Well, I hope so... for the kids' sakes."
"Oh, just for the kids, huh?" Ross seemed disappointed.
"No, honey. You know I want to be with you... Forever, I hope," she smiled.
"Me too," he agreed. Things were looking up again...
"Hey, did you bring any of Monica's doughnuts home? I'm kind of hungry."
"Um...yeah. They're in the kitchen. Be right back." He disappeared into the kitchen and put a doughnut on a plate for Rachel. He smiled to himself as a brilliant idea came to him. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a beautiful, diamond engagement ring. He looked at it for a minute before placing it in the center of the doughnut.
"That looks great," Rachel smiled when Ross re-entered the living room with the plate. He handed it to her and joined her on the couch. He watched as she picked up the doughnut and the ring fell onto the empty plate.
"Ross, what is this?" Rachel asked nervously.
"It's a, um, engagement ring," he chuckled.
"Oh my goodness. I can't believe this." She had tears in her eyes.
Ross wiped a tear from her cheek and kissed her tenderly. "Rachel, I love you. I've loved you since the ninth grade, and I'm going to love you forever." He picked the ring up from the plate and got down on one knee. "Rachel Karen Greene, will you marry me?"
"Oh, Ross, I love you so much," she cried. "Yes, I'll - ouch!" She clutched her stomach.
"Oh no! The babies!" Ross exclaimed. "I've got to get you to the hospital!"
"Wait, wait, wait. Gimme that ring!" she demanded.
"Does this mean 'yes?' You'll marry me?"
"Yes, yes! I'll marry you, Ross. But right now I just want the ring - and to get these babies out of me!" she exclaimed as another wave of pain hit her.
He laughed, despite the situation, and placed the ring on her finger. "I'll call Chandler and Monica." He kissed her as he stood up. "They can get Joey and Phoebe." He went into the bedroom and emerged with Rachel's bag. "Wow. We're gonna have our babies tonight."
