Part 7
[Ok, well, not much to say, so why even talk about nothing?]
Yeah, that's me, Monica told him.
But, but- you-but, he stuttered.
You know, you used to be able to say more than Monica' and she joked nervously.
You-- I-but-when-
Chandler had been baby sitting Houston for Phoebe, and he choose that minute to start to cry. He knew what Monica must be thinking. Uh, hold on. He said, and left the room. He came back with Houston.
So, you have a kid?
No, no, he's not mine. He's Phoebe's.....
She sighed a sigh of relief. Oh. Phoebe has a kid?
he said. Monica, weren't you dead??? he asked, finally able to speak in sentences again.
No. Seems logical to think I was, but no, I wasn't dead.
Then where the hell were you? You, you were dead.
Chandler, I was not dead. I was on a small island off the coast of....well, I never found that out, actually. But I was on an island.
Is this a dream? Chandler asked. Because I think things like this don't happen.....
It's not a dream, Monica told him. I'm NOT dead.
Pinch me, He said, holding out his arm.
Monica, pinch my arm!
She sighed and pinched him arm.
he said, and rubbed his arm. Wait, if that hurt, then.......Oh my God, then you're here. You just touched my arm. You're you're ali-alive. Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh my God! Oh-
Is this the situation, or do you repeat a lot of things now?
Monica, do you understand this? You're alive!
I know.
But you didn't spend four years thinking you were dead!
True. But I missed you those four years. A lot. Are you married?
To you, he replied. He went and put Houston back into his car seat carrier in the other room.
No new wife? No new kids?
Girlfriend? Fiancé?
Thank God. I mean, I worried about that. Then, since you're unattached, can I do this? She took a few steps up to him and kissed him, putting her arms around his neck. He kissed her back, putting his arms around her waist. It still seemed unreal that she was alive, but he wasn't gonna miss this chance to kiss her. Especially if it was a dream. He could wake up at any second.
Monica commented. Still the same.....
Did I just kiss you? Chandler asked.
Oh my God. You're supposed to be dead! I kissed a dead person! Aren't you dead?
Would you stop saying that?
I'm sorry, but, I thought that you were gone. Forever. And now you're here, telling me this isn't a dream. Telling me that you're alive. Oh my God, my head is spinning. Wow, this is like a miracle.
I guess, she said. More of a miracle that I finally made it home. I thought we'd be stuck on that damn island forever.
Chandler asked.
Oh yeah, me and some other people who survived the crash.
Oh. You, you still have your wedding ring...... Chandler noticed.
Yeah. I'm surprised I didn't loose it, myself. It's about the only belonging I have left. Assuming that you got rid of my stuff a long time ago.
Not true. You still have a wedding dress and that skirt from the night we got engaged and........other small things.
Great, I can go out in my wedding dress, she joked.
Chandler finally made a move to close the open door.
Wow. You kept the place clean, Monica said. If I had been dead, I would've been proud. But since I wasn't, I didn't know....until now, anyway.
Are you okay? No deadly viruses? No broken body parts? No missing limbs?
I'm fine. Well, according to the nurse at this shelter where we got dropped off, anyway.
You're really alive and okay?
Chandler, I'm fine. I mean, had I had the- she had started to say that had she had the baby she may not have been, but then remembered he didn't know. And now was not the time. Yet. the Ebola virus, I may not have made it. But I didn't, she covered. She wasn't even sure it made sense, but he seemed satisfied with it.
Thank God. You're really alive...... he started again. Sorry, I know I keep saying it, but it's a HUGE surprise.
I can understand that. You have no idea how much I missed you.
Well, at least you knew one day you'd see me again. Or knew I was alive. I missed you just as much, only thought I'd never get to see you again.
I'm so sorry.
For what? What did you do? he asked.
Going out of town, getting on that plane......
Those aren't things to apologize for. Just things that happened. It wasn't your fault. And hey, you're one of the few who survived.
I guess, she said.
He gave her a hug, and was finally realizing that she was here. She wasn't dead. She was very alive. God, Monica, I missed you so much...... he said.
She nodded. I know. I missed you, too.
I'm sorry I got rid of all your clothes..... he said said with a smile.
Well, I still have my wedding ring. And I notice you're still wearing yours, too.
Yeah, I couldn't take it off. No matter how hard I tried.
She smiled. Well, it's better I got away with the ring than nothing, huh?
Well, you still have a few assorted clothing items. And a bunch of Mother's Day gifts from the past four years that were made at school-
How are they? Sam and Audrey, I mean.
I dunno. I sent them to boarding school a long time ago. Before she could respond, he smiled. Kidding, kidding. They're fine. Sam's eight and Audrey's six, as I'm sure you know. Audrey's busy. She takes karate lessons, plays soccer, and is on this little kids swim team. Sam takes karate, too. He took it first. Audrey followed him later. It was Ross' idea for karate when Sam wanted to do something since Audrey was so busy. Audrey's a month away from finishing kindergarten and Sam's a month away from finishing second grade. They get along pretty well. Audrey wants a mom and a little brother or sister. I guess she's got the mom back now.....
He was still talking, but Monica stopped listening after she wanted a little brother or sister. She would've had that Monica thought. A little three-year-old brother or sister.....
Anyway, they're fine, he finished
Are they here? Monica asked
Yeah. Upstairs watching a movie.
Oh. They don't remember me, do they?
Audrey doesn't really. Bits and pieces. Sam remembers more, but not everything.
I can't believe I missed four years of their lives.....
You wanna see them?
Should I? You think it's okay? They're not going to go into shock or anything?
You're gonna see them sooner or later, anyway. It did take me forever to get them to understand what dead mean, though. It'll be okay.
I guess. I'm just, I'm really scared.
Mon, it's gonna be fine. Eventually.
Okay. Let's just do it before I get too scared.
he said. SAM! AUDREY! CAN YOU COME DOWN HERE PLEASE?
Monica took a deep breath as she heard footsteps on the ceiling. A few seconds later, they came down the stairs. Sam had his shoes untied, and Audrey was pulling her soccer sweatshirt with her name on it over her head. Both of them were stumbling, Sam because of his shoes, and Audrey because of he sweatshirt over her head. Monica couldn't believe how much bigger they'd gotten. Especially Audrey, who had been only two when she left. But Sam had done his fair share of growing, too.
What, Daddy? Sam asked. Audrey jumped over the last two steps and stood next to her brother.
Okay, you guys, we have a special visitor, Chandler told them, bending down to tie Sam's shoes.
Is it Auntie Rachel again? Audrey asked. Because she's not special, she comes all the time, Daddy.
Monica's breath caught in her throat. Here they are, she thought. God, they look so different! Audrey is now older than Sam was when I left. She laughed at Audrey's words about Rachel.
No, Honey, it's not Auntie Rachel. And before I tell you who she is, I wanna see if you know on your own. She's right over there, he pointed to Monica. Both Sam and Audrey looked over at her. Sam stared at her for a minute. Chandler was sure he knew who it was by the look on his face.
Ummm, hi, Monica said to them.
Sam gasped. It, it's you, isn't it? he asked, recognizing her voice. I thought you died?
I didn't, she said. I was on a plane, and it crashed, but I didn't die.
Is it really you?
Yeah, Sam, it is.
He smiled and ran to her, and gave her a hug. MOMMY! I missed you so much!
Oh, I missed you, too, Monica said, hugging him, relieved that he remembered her and that he was so open to her being back. So, so much.
Daddy, why is Sam calling her Mommy? Audrey asked Chandler, confused. Did you marry her?
Audrey, this IS your mother.
But my Mom's dead, Audrey said. You told me so.
Honey, I thought she died. But you heard what she told Sam. She was on a plane, and it crashed, but she didn't die, like everyone thought.
But, Daddy, she died! You told me she died! Uncle Ross, Aunt Rachel, Uncle Joey, Aunt Annabel, AND Aunt Phoebe told me she died. How can she be alive now??
Sweetie, it was a mistake. She was alive the whole time.
Are you sure she's my Mommy?
Honey, she is. She's the same person who said I gave you ice-cream for dinner. I know you remembered that, right?
That WAS me, Monica agreed. Audrey, I know you don't remember me, but I am your Mother.
Audrey asked. She looked at Chandler who nodded.
Yes. And it's okay you don't remember me, but I remember you, Monica said. And I love you and missed you so much.
Audrey smiled. Well, I missed you, too, I guess! Audrey told her. She went up to her and hugged her. Not the same way Sam had, but it was a start.
I missed you, so much, Audrey, Monica told her. I missed all three of you. Just then, Toffee came into the room, aware of all the commotion, and started barking. Monica looked at Chandler.
Michael down the street's dog's puppies......you couldn't resist, could you? she joked.
Don't make me feel guilty, Mon. I felt so guilty doing that just a week after you, well, died, Chandler told her.
Only a week? Wow, glad to know you all moved on so quickly, she said. But they all knew she was joking. Even Sam and Audrey picked up on it. she told Chandler. It's not like I think the dog replaced me.
His name is Toffee, Audrey told her.
Because he's the color of Toffee, Sam explained.
Well, then, it's a good name, huh? she told them. By now, she was sitting on the floor, and Sam and Audrey were sitting on her lap. A minute later, the door opened, and she heard a familiar voice yell out, Hey you guys, I'm here, sorry I'm late, Phoebe said. She came into the living room. How's Houst- She stopped in her tracks when she saw Monica there with Sam and Audrey. Monica???? I thought you were-
Dead? So I've heard. But I'm not.
What, what-what happened?
I was on an island the past four years. Plane wrecked, I guess you'd call it. Now I'm back.
Oh, oh my God, Monica, I-I can't believe it, Phoebe said, crying. She gave her a hug. Welcome back, I guess, she said. God, I missed you. We all missed you so much. Do the others know?
No, not yet, Monica said. I've only been back in the real world for about nineteen hours. I just got here...
Well, I won't tell them. I can't believe it! You're SO not dead! After all that! I should've gotten a psychic vibe!
Houston's asleep in the other room, Chandler said. I'll go get him, he left, and returned with Houston.
Phoebe said. Thanks a lot for baby-sitting him.
Sure, no problem, anytime, Chandler said.
You guys ready? Phoebe asked Sam and Audrey.
they said in one voice.
Where are you guys going? Monica asked.
Auntie Phoebe's baby-sitting us while Dad goes to out parent teacher conferences, Sam said, rolling his eyes.
Why is it so bad? Chandler asked. Did you do something bad?
Sam complained.
Well, have fun, Monica said. I'll see you guys later.
You'll be here? Audrey asked.
I'll be here, Monica told her with a smile.
Welcome back, Monica, Phoebe said, and hugged her once again, tears in her eyes.
Thanks, Pheebs, Monica said. Phoebe took the kids and left. Monica got up off the floor. Chandler smiled at her.
Well, you can come with me if you want. I think Audrey's teacher would enjoy seeing you and hearing the story. She's good at dealing with the missing mom problem in Audrey. She also did it with Sam. She had him for kindergarten, too.
Sure, I guess, Monica said.
Okay. I'm just gonna go change, Chandler said, going upstairs.
Monica told him. While he was upstairs, Monica looked at the pictures they had on the tables.
Audrey wants me to frame every picture we have, Chandler told her when he returned a little while later.
Monica smiled. Oh yeah?
Yeah. But we have to only find the best ones.
I can see that, Monica said. When was this? she asked, pointing to a picture of Sam and Audrey with Ross and Rachel.
About a year ago. It was the rehearsal.....
Rehearsal of what? she asked.
He pointed at another picture, of everyone at Ross and Rachel's wedding.
Oh my God, they got married?!?!
Yeah. And they have a little girl named Alyce.
Are you serious? How did that happen?
Apparently, he paged her with the code for I love you.
Really? That's so sweet. She kept looking at the pictures. Chandler decided to keep explaining them.
That one, he said of the picture of everyone's kids last month at the park. Is pretty much everyone's kids. There's Sam and Audrey, Houston, who you just saw, Ben, Jake, he's now five, and Ashley, Joey and Annabel's daughter, and Alyce, Ross and Rachel's daughter.
Wow. When I left here, Jake was just a little baby. And Ashley and Houston and Alyce, I never even knew them. Anything else I should know?
Yeah. Ummm, Annabel's about five, six months pregnant.
Really? Wow, Joey's gonna have three kids. Who woulda thought, huh?
Yeah. I think he's hoping for Joey Jr. or Josephine. He even tried to get Toffee to be named Joey.
I guess he is trying to keep the seven children thing up, huh?
I guess so. He and Annabel, they're so crazy about each other, though. Like we used to be.
Used to be?
That's a whole other thing entirely. You've been here, what, two hours at the most, we can't get into that yet.
You're right. Sorry, she said and she gave him a smile and continued looking at all the pictures throughout the room.
This is from Audrey's ballet days. She gave up ballet for swimming. She was into ballet last year. Not only is she growing up looking like you, she has the same need to try and be perfect at everything. Half the kids in her class take gymnastics after school on Thursdays. I'm waiting for her to want to do that, too.
Monica laughed and knew she'd missed all of Audrey's ballet days. She would never go to her ballet recital or to her class to pick her up. That had all already been done. Without her.
Then there's the picture of Sam and Audrey the first Halloween after... you were......gone. And then here is Phoebe and Sam at her baby shower. And then there's Sam and Jake. They've got a three year age difference, but they get along well anyway. And I think the last picture here is of Audrey and Ashley when she was a little baby. I think I told you how she wants a brother or sister. Well, she adores every baby. It's like her dream being the daughter of people who know people who have kids. She was so good with Ashley. And she's so great with Houston and Alyce. I think she's more partial to Alyce, though. Since she's a girl. She's been pretty out numbered here. There's me and Sam, and even the dog's a boy. She does see Rachel and Annabel and Phoebe all the time, but, I don't know. She doesn't want to be the only girl in our house, I think.
I'm glad you took all these pictures. Sure, you didn't know your dead wife would be back, but, well, it's still great.
There's videos, too, he pointed to a shelf. Knock yourself out. And there are more pictures around the house. These are the more recent ones. You even made the cut in a few. He joked with her. She felt more at ease when he did that. Like everything was going to be ok after all. She was worried about them. Her kids seemed to take to her being back, Phoebe seemed to like it, and she certainly liked it better than the dumb island. And she knew Chandler didn't mind, either. She knew that from the kiss they had shared not too long ago. But since his remark about Annabel and Joey being crazy about each other, like they USED to be, she was they might not be a again. It was kinda hard to just come back from the dead and pick up where they left off. She didn't know what to do, do they start all over? Dating and all that? Or do they just decide on whether or not they want to remain married, and that's it? Either back where they were, or give up.
She was really confused. But she knew that she was going to try and do whatever it took to make things right again.
