Part 5
[Okay, well, I thought about this, and I decided that it's a starting to get drug out really far, so I rethought how much of the time on the island I am gonna show, and it's not as much as before. Also, because, before, I was gonna make Monica have the baby and everything, but once I changed my mind on that, I had less things to write about on the island. Anyway, look for the good stuff soon, like in the next part or two!]
Ten months. They'd been on the island for nine loooong months. Luckily, the worst of the cold weather had been cold temperatures and wind. If there had been snow, they would've been in real trouble. Now, late February, the weather was still cold, but it was warmer than last month. They had celebrated Christmas and New Year's 2006 on the island, which wasn't too much fun. Monica still kept on noticing. This time she noticed Ross and Audrey's birthdays [Okay, umm, Ross' December b-day, not the other two, LOL.] She noticed that she probably would have had her baby by now. She noticed that she had been away from home two months shy of a year. No one spoke of the upcoming one year anniversary. No one wanted to admit that they had been here a year. Monica thought about how long the year had seemed. She remembered back to the first year she and Chandler were together. That year seemed one tenth as long as this one. And she still had two months to go.
* * * * * *
Chandler went through the first day where he didn't think about Monica. He never thought that would happen, he never thought he'd be able to feel better, move on, and raise their children alone. But, for this one day, he had. It hadn't even been a year, so he felt guilty about being able to move on. After only ten months, he could forget her? It wasn't forgetting, exactly, but it wasn't being sad. He tried not to think that it was somewhat wrong to not be upset for one day. He had, after all, been upset for the last ten months.
The next morning, he was getting Sam ready for school and Audrey ready for pre-school. Toffee was wandering around the house, barking like crazy, and no one knew why. Chandler decided to take him for a walk as soon as he dropped off the kids.
When he got back home, he was getting Toffee ready for a walk, when Joey came over. Joey greeted him.
Hey, Man, he said.
So, did you hear? Joey asked, his eyes showing excitement.
About what? Chandler asked.
Annabel's having another baby!
Oh, Joey, that's great! he said, and gave him a hug.
Yeah. Joseph Junior!
What if it's a girl?
Well, then, Josephine. I'll get my namesake. You'll all see. God knows I've been trying. All the way from Phoebe's brother's triplets, to your kids, to my kids, to your dog. I swear, one day I'll get it!
Maybe you could convince Audrey to name a goldfish after you.
She's still trying to name those things?
Yeah. Three goldfish, and no names, Chandler chuckled.
Well, when she gets home today, I'll just have to talk to her about that.... Joey laughed.
Anyway, congratulations! Chandler said again.
Thanks! Who would've thought? Joey Tribianni married with a son, and another kid on the way.
Well, not me. But then again, I never thought I'd get married, have kids, and be walking a dog, he nodded towards Toffee. I guess you can never be too sure.
Yeah. By the way, Annabel and I noticed you're doing a lot better, and, umm, she has this friend who's looking for a date Friday night.......
Oh, Joey, no way, Chandler said, shaking his head.
C'mon, Chandler! You're doing so well, it's just a date, and....
Joey, no. And that's it. No possible way.
Okay, well, I figured, but it can't hurt to ask.
It's just, too soon. Talk to me in five years.
In five years I dunno if she'll still be free..... Joey said. Chandler rolled his eyes and took Toffee out of the house, leaving Joey to think.
Ross and Rachel had been dating for six months now, and so far, things were going well. No breaks, no Xerox girls. They had made it this far last time, though. But they were trying a lot harder to make it work this time.
Audrey asked Chandler that night.
Can you tell me that story about you and Mommy again? Audrey was three and a half now, and Chandler was pretty sure she was starting to forget. She asked about her mom a lot more, things she used to know. Like what color her eyes were, and how long her hair was. But then she remembered other things, like her reading her stories, what the stories were about, and driving her to pre-school. It was the small things she was forgetting first.
The story of me and Mommy? When did I tell you that one?
Well, actually, I think Mommy did.
Well, then, she might have told it a different way than I saw it.
Just tell it. I'll decide if it's same, she said.
Chandler thought about the story of him and Monica in his head. He tried to decide how to tell a three and a half year old the story without talking about sex. And, without doing that, what could he say about London? And without London, there was no beginning. He wondered how Monica had told it. He wanted to ask Audrey, but if he did that, she would think he didn't know it. And he did. The version that was not for a three-year-old, anyway. Well, Uncle Ross was going to marry this lady named Emily.....in London, Chandler began. Audrey nodded as if she remembered that part of the story. So we all went there, for the wedding. And one night this man, who had a lot of beers and wasn't thinking right, thought Mommy was Uncle Ross' Mommy.
Audrey laughed. Chandler decided he wouldn't have been surprised if Monica had left that part out, being she was so embarrassed of it. And Auntie Pheebs didn't go. She was doing her brother a favor, Audrey added to the story.
Chandler smiled at how Monica had obviously put Phoebe's surrogating her brother's triplets. Right. So, anyway, Mommy was really upset about what the man said. So I tried to make her feel better. Which was hard. And then she came to my hotel room that night--
And she kissed you, Sam said from the doorway where he had been listening. And from the first time she kissed you, she knew that you were more than her friend.
And she got a feeling like lots of butterflies in her tummy. She thought she could see those fourth of July thingys, Audrey finished.
Sam told Chandler.
Chandler said. I see she liked telling this story.
We liked hearing it, Sam told him. She smiled so much when she'd tell it. I liked hearing it because she'd be so happy.
Audrey nodded. Chandler smiled. She really said all that about the butterflies and the fireworks?
Sam nodded. Can you finish the story now? he asked.
Chandler nodded. I'll try, but it's obvious Mommy had told you a lot of her feelings that I can't explain, because they weren't mine.
We'll fill those in, Sam told him.
Audrey agreed.
Okay, so after we kissed in London, we started dating, but didn't tell anyone. Not Rachel or Ross or Joey or Phoebe.
Why no? Audrey wanted to know.
Sweetie, to this day I'm not sure. At first, it was because we didn't think we'd get married and all that. After a while it was because it was too much trouble to tell. And then it became because it was because it was a really good relationship and maybe it was because no one knew.
Mommy said that part was a lot of fun, Sam offered.
It was, Chandler agreed. He went through the whole story of him and Monica. The first I Love You's, almost marrying in Las Vegas, moving in together, when they got engaged, their wedding, the appropriate parts of their honeymoon, when Sam was born, when they bought this house, when Audrey was born. And the kids kept filling in all the feelings Monica had told them. Some of them she had told him, but other's, like the butterflies and fireworks, he had had no idea about. And what surprised him the most, though, was what Sam told him about when he proposed and his elaborate plan to make her think he thought marriage was awful.
Mommy said that when she thought you didn't want to marry her, it was the worst feeling ever. That she wanted to cry. That she thought you were serious. That she was so afraid of losing you then.
Chandler never thought about how she had felt then. He of course, hadn't planned on doing that to her. He had never asked her about how she felt then, and she never told him. He felt awful about making her feel that way. Even if that same night they were engaged.
Audrey fell asleep shortly after the story of her being born. Sam, however, wanted to hear more, and Chandler didn't know what more there was. So he told him about their first wedding anniversary, once again, having to find only the appropriate parts. Pretty soon, Sam had fallen asleep on the end of Audrey's bed, and Chandler took him to his room. He wished Monica was here now. If she were, he'd go apologize for the way he had made her feel their engagement night. And he'd go tell her he knew about the fireworks and butterflies.
He thought back to how Monica would've reacted to all that, and figured she'd probably say the whole fireworks thing was still true and deny that he needed to apologize for anything. He sighed, wishing that he could find out if that's what she would say.
The next morning he thought about how much he wanted to tell her all that. And Sam kept saying he wished he had been able to say goodbye. And Phoebe wanted to tell her she was sorry for taking her jacket without asking to borrow it. It seemed that everyone had something they wanted to say to her. And then Audrey said she wanted to write her a letter, even if she couldn't get it. So Chandler decided that it was a good idea and they'd ALL write a letter to her.
That evening, everyone joined in writing the letter. Sam insisted on writing his part himself, which took a long time being that he was only five. Audrey dictated to Rachel what she wanted to say, and everyone else added to it themselves. When it was done, it was thirteen pages long. Joey put it into an envelope, and gave it to Chandler. He had no idea what to do with it. He ended up putting it in a shoe box in his closet.
*
Six months later, a lot was going on. Ross and Rachel were going to celebrate their one year anniversary. Again. Although both were excited about it, they had their worries, too. They hadn't made it past last time, and were afraid that something bad would happen this time, too. But no breaks were taken, no Xerox girls were an issue, and no coworkers brought over Chinese food. It wasn't until the next morning that Rachel was excited about the one year mark. The day before she was too paranoid something bad would happen. Then the next morning she was all excited they had made it longer than before, and celebrating. Ross asked her to move in with him, and she agreed, remembering Chandler and Monica moved in together after a year.
Annabel was now eight months pregnant, being that she had been two months when Joey told Chandler. They didn't know the sex of the baby, but had decided on Ashley for a girl, and Joey was still pushing for Joey Jr. for a boy, and Annabel wouldn't agree to it. They had picked Ashley because Annabel liked it, and it had been the name of one of Joey's two made up children when he with Chandler years ago. The other had been named Brittany, and Annabel didn't like it.
Audrey kept asking questions about Monica, and they became bigger and bigger. Like from simple appearance questions to things like would she kiss her goodnight and drop her off at pre-school. Things she used to remember. Chandler tried not to let it bother him, but it did. He knew she would forget sometime, and it was finally happening. She had been two when Monica died, and she was four now. Sam still remembered, but forgot small things, like her favorite color and which side of the bed had been hers.
Mother's Day was a bad holiday. In Sam's class, and at Audrey's pre-school, the had made Mother's Day cards and gifts. Sam had done it even though the teacher told him he didn't have to, knowing about his Mom. Audrey hadn't thought to say she didn't want to do it because she had no Mom anymore. So they brought home paper cards and bookmarks and clay models. Chandler added them to the shoe box where he had put the letter everyone wrote to her. He decided that the box would be a place to put all the things that showed she wasn't forgotten. That she was still a mother, and still loved.
The next month, Annabel had the baby.
Little Ashley's here! Joey said when he called up Chandler .
It's a girl? Chandler asked.
Yeah, baby!!!
For once, that fits, he laughed. Since she is a baby.
Joey laughed. Little Ashley's here!!! he repeated.
Congratulations, man, Chandler said.
Thanks! I gotta go. Bring Sam and Audrey by later, he said.
Okay, I will. Congratulations! Bye.
and with that, Joey hung up.
Chandler wondered if he'd sounded like that after Sam and Audrey were born. He sighed, once again missing Monica, knowing she would've told him that she remembered him sounding just like that.
He took the kids over to the hospital to see Ashley that evening. Sam seemed interested, but not nearly as much as Audrey. Audrey was in awe, she seemed to be in love with Ashley. He knew Audrey wanted a little brother or sister, she had told him a few times. But there was nothing he could do about it.
A few minutes before Chandler was going to leave, along with Phoebe who was in the room, a woman entered and gave Annabel a hug, saying congratulations. She introduced herself as Fran. Joey told Chandler she was the one Annabel wanted to set him up with. Chandler shrugged and didn't show much interest either way. When he introduced himself as Chandler, she smiled and gave him a look.
The one who wouldn't date me, eh?
Oh. You know. Well, yeah, see, my wife just died, and....
No worries. I can take rejection.
No, not rejection, you see, I'm just not ready to-
It's okay. I know I'm no Barbie doll. I am very unattractive.
No! I mean, I never saw you before now, so that wasn't a reason I turned you down.
The conversation continued on like that, and Chandler found himself with a date for Saturday night.
* *
Ross, get me out of this, Chandler panicked over the phone on Saturday morning. I- I can't do this. I CAN'T do this.
Well, what do you want ME to do about this? I never even met her!
Ross, help me! I-I don't know what to do. Do it for you sister. She'd KILL me if she knew....
She's dead, Chandler. She'd WANT you to do this. And it's been a year and almost five months. It's not right away, and-
Ross, it's MONICA who died. This is right away. For me, anyway. I can't do this yet. How the hell did I end up with a date? Huh?
Don't ask me. Phoebe was there, she may know.....
Sorry. Look, just try it. If you hate it, you never have to date again.
* * * *
Chandler went on the date. It was terrible. They ended it early, and Chandler felt bad for Fran, who obviously had no fun that night. Chandler went home and promised he'd never date again. Unless it was Monica and that wasn't gonna happen.
Rachel had been baby-sitting, taking over for Phoebe who couldn't stay the whole time. He went home and found Rachel bouncing around the living room.
Whoa, whoa, did YOU eat the box of sugar this time?
No, no, I- I OH MY GOD! she said excitedly with a smile on her face.
What is it? Chandler asked. Rachel held up her left hand to reveal an engagement ring. Ross, Ross proposed?
she nodded. Just before I came over here
Well, then, get out of here. Go and celebrate! Chandler said, giving her a hug.
Okay! Thanks! she said. Rachel was gone as fast as she had been talking.
Chandler smiled and shook his head. He went upstairs and kissed Audrey and Sam, who were asleep, on the forehead. Or at least he thought Audrey was asleep. As he turned to leave, she opened her eyes.
So, are you gonna marry her? she asked.
Chandler said.
I was wishing you would. See, I want a Mom, and a little sister, and I thought maybe you'd marry Fran.
Sweetie, marriage takes time. Especially with me. And I wouldn't count on it, anytime soon, if at all.
Audrey said, sadly.
I'm sorry, Honey, but I don't think those things would come to me easily.
It's okay. I know you loved Mommy a lot.
Chandler smiled. You should really get to sleep now, Honey, okay?
Audrey agreed, closing her eyes. Chandler left her room and wished he could giver her what she wanted, but knew he never could.
* * * * *
Audrey was really excited about being asked to be the flower girl at Ross and Rachel's wedding. They had been engaged for seven months, and were now getting married, in August. It was the wedding rehearsal, and Audrey seemed to be having the time of her life practicing for tomorrow. Audrey was going to be five, and she was also going start school next month. Chandler couldn't believe it, it seemed like only yesterday Sam had started, and now he was about to begin second grade.
Ross and Rachel's wedding went smoothly, with a lot of cracks about this being Ross' fourth marriage, and they didn't have to divorce before after all. Phoebe must have said lobsters' at least thirteen times, and Annabel must've started crying about twenty. Rachel introduced Chandler to all her single friends, and he wished she wouldn't. He knew what her plan was, and he didn't like it.
Sam was dancing with Phoebe, and Audrey was dancing with Ben. And Chandler was dancing with no one. Until one of Rachel's friends came up to him. They had been introduced, her name was Laura.
she said. You look all alone.
Yeah, well, Chandler replied.
Where's your wife? Laura asked.
You're wearing a wedding ring, she said. So I asked where your wife was.
Chandler said. He still hadn't wanted to take it off. Well, umm, she kind of died.
Oh! I'm so sorry! Laura offered. I didn't know, I-
It's okay. Of course you didn't know.
When, when did she die?
Two years ago. A little more than two years, actually.
I'm so sorry.
he paused. You know, she was Ross' little sister. And Rachel's best friend.
he sighed.
You, ummm, wanna dance? Laura asked shyly.
Chandler decided why not, what could it hurt? So he agreed and they went to the dance floor. And then he realized it. He was attracted to Laura. Barely at all, not nearly near any feeling he'd felt with Monica, but it was there.
[Bad, I know, I'd hate it if I were left there, lol. I'll have the next part, soon, I promise. I'm having fun writing it right now. And this is not a California Series is coming soon kinda promise. This is a real one. I am gonna do something with that CA Series, I'm determined. LOL. And it'll be better than it was before. Anyway, a lot of R&R, but I decided to just do it, since I had a dream about the cell phone thing. I was gonna give it to an R&R fan to write about, but I thought Why not use it myself? So I did. Please review in the little box below! Thanks!]
