Lonely This Christmas
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters, and I also don't own the song 'Lonely This Christmas'.
This is just a silly idea that I had at around midnight - I was on a caffeine high and couldn't sleep. It is set sometime in series three, and is narrated by Monica as she faces her first Christmas without Richard.
It's the twenty-third of December, the radio is belting out all sorts of happy Christmas songs. "We wish you a Merry Christmas". I don't wish anything, and I'm certainly not merry.
And it's all my own fault. I had one good thing in my life, and stupid old me went and ruined it. Stupid Monica dumped Richard. I fetch a box of tissues and sit down on the sofa for a good cry. I hope no one interrupts me, I know they think I should just get over it already.
Why did I care so much about children? I could have approached the whole 'baby' issue later, maybe when we were married. But no, I gave away the love of my life because we thought differently about one little thing.
The tune on the radio changes to one that I have heard many times before. The last time I heard it, I was with Richard. He smiled at me and said that he hoped I would never have to feel like that again. But I do. I listen to some of the song, crying, feeling sorry for myself.
It'll be lonely this Christmas,
Lonely and cold.
It'll be lonely this Christmas,
Without you to hold
This Christmas…
I think back to some of the things about Richard. About how he could always make me laugh. About how I always thought that he was 'the one' as we used to call it. Rachel thought that about Barry and Ross thought that Carol was 'the one'. At least they have each other now.
I sigh, blow my nose, and settle down for another cry. I've known Richard all my life - he was a friend before anything else. Now I've lost that friendship as well. And it wasn't as though I'd stopped loving him. I just dumped him, for one tiny little reason. And he took it so well. And then he said that he would have kids if that's what I wanted. And stupid Monica was too self-sacrificing - "I wanna have a baby, but I don't wanna have one with someone who doesn't really wanna have one".
And then I told him I loved him, and we broke up. Why did I let him go? Why didn't I think that I'd be this upset?
The door opens, and Chandler comes in. He sees my tears, and hears the song. I think he knows why I've been crying. The same reason I've cried every day since I split up with Richard. He comes over and hugs me.
"You don't have to be lonely when we're here, Monica," he whispers. "We won't let you be lonely."
I suddenly remember all the good things about my friends. Chandler's kindness, Ross' protectiveness, Rachel and Joey's generosity and Phoebe's happiness.
I look up at Chandler. "Thanks," I reply. I smile. Maybe I won't be lonely this Christmas.
A/N: I know this is a silly little thing, but it was written when I was tired but couldn't sleep. It was my little bit of festiveness for Christmas. I hope you enjoyed reading it and please review!!!
