Part 9

[Okay, here is part 9. The series is coming to an end, only like, two parts including this one. And yes, it's back to school, so that means the writing is done on Saturdays and Sundays, and the fic's take longer. Just to warn you till June. Anyway, here it is.]

~*This fic is dedicated to anyone and everyone affected in any way during the attacks of September 11, 2001. If only all of their stories could be like this fic. My thoughts are with you.*~

Okay.....what do you want to talk about? he asked her.

Well, this is really kinda hard. You have no idea how much it kills me to think about it myself. But I'll just say it. When I was on that island, I was pregnant.

Pregnant? As in having a baby? Who's was it?

It was yours genius, she joked.

It was mine? But I wasn't there......

Yeah, I know. Believe me, I know that. You remember when I called you that last time from Rome?



I knew then. I could've told you, but I wanted to wait until I was home.

You were really pregnant? We really would've had another kid?

She nodded sadly. But then the plane crashed. And I was still pregnant even after that. But a few weeks later I had a miscarriage. I'm so sorry.

You're sorry? For what? None of that was your fault.

I got on that stupid plane. If I hadn't we would have a three-year-old by now.

It's not your fault. You had no idea what would happen. You can't blame yourself for that.

~*~*

When Monica woke up, one week after her return, she was still surprised to not be on the island. She figured she'd gotten used to it after being there for four years. She looked at the empty side of the bed. Chandler still refused to let her take the couch. And he wouldn't share the bed with her, either. Maybe he liked the couch, she thought.

Things between them had been going okay. They weren't really a couple again yet, but that was okay with both of them because they knew they would be. Audrey was taking it all extremely well that all of a sudden she had a mom again. Chandler figured that to her, anyone could be her mom because she had wanted on so bad for so long. Sam was just as glad to have his mom back, but having a little more trouble with it than Audrey. Mostly because he had thought she was dead, and then she was back.

That day, Sam and Audrey were at school, and Chandler at work. Monica was home alone, when the phone rang.

she answered it.

came the voice of another woman on the other end of the line.

May I help you?? Monica asked.

Ummm, is Chandler there?

No, he's at work. Can I take a message?

Ummm, just tell him to call Laura. And that she'd like to go out again.

Monica tried to act like that hadn't surprised her. Okay. Well, bye bye, then, she said before she hung up.

Laura. Who the hell is Laura? she mumbled. Her thoughts were cut off by Phoebe bringing Audrey home.

Hey, Mon. You're lucky, I could've been Ross so easily. See, on Thursdays Sam goes over to his friend Dusty's house and Ross picks up Audrey and brings her home so she doesn't have to stay at daycare alone. But it's okay, I got the job this week.

Great. Hey, Audrey.

Hi, Mommy, she paused. I love saying that.

Monica smiled. Well, that's good because I love hearing it. Audrey went off into the kitchen. She turned to Phoebe. So, Pheebs. Who's Laura??

Phoebe looked nervous. Laura? I don't know anyone named Laura. Neither does Chandler. Well, I got to go, Houston's staying with my neighbor, and I don't want to keep her tied up all day. Phoebe left quickly, closing the door behind her. Monica sighed and went to go talk to Audrey.

Hey Auds. How was school?



What did you do?

I don't remember. [That's a typical kids response. You asked me at that age? I didn't remember. You ask my brother or his best friend at that age? They don't remember.]

I see. Important stuff, then.

Audrey agreed. So what's going on with you and Daddy?

What do you mean?

Well, are you still married? Do you have to get married again? When are you gonna go out to dinners like April's Mommy and Daddy do? When are you gonna do the stuff that they can't show you on TVs?? Or the kissy stuff that Maggie's Mommy and Step Daddy do?

It's complicated, Honey. I don't really know. I mean, whether r not we have to get married again, or when we'll start being kissy like Maggie's parents. It takes time.

Well, are you gonna do it for sure?

I hope so. And I am so sure that we will. Just not yet.

Did you ever used to be like that?

We did. Very much like that. And I'm sure one day we will be again.

You're so much nicer than Laura.

Who's Laura? she asked, seeing her opportunity.

Daddy's date. Well, she was a couple times, anyways. There was Fran once. Sam doesn't like Laura very much.

Why not?

Well, cause he could remember you then, and he didn't want Laura to replace you.

Were Daddy and Laura real serious?

Not really. But kinda.

I'm asking a six year old this, Monica thought, how would she know how serious they were?

But I like you much better. And you're my real Mommy, so that's funner.

Well I m glad you like me better, Monica said. Let's just hope that Daddy does, too.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When Chandler came home that night with Sam, after picking him up at his friend's house, he knew something was going on with Monica. What he didn't know was that she had found out about Laura, and with each hour she thought about it, she had made them seem like they were more than they were, and by now, at seven that night, she had decided that Laura was the love of his life, and they had been dating very seriously for a few years.

He noticed Monica's oddness when he said hi to her. And as the night went on, she was getting worse. And he had no idea what was the matter with her.

They ate dinner, and Sam did his homework. He had gotten home late, so this was pretty much the only chance he had to do it. Audrey went to bed, and Sam soon followed at about 9:30. And by 9:30, Monica had decided that not only had they dated for a few years, and she was the love of his life, but he was probably going to propose to her soon, and move to a new house that they bought together. And now she returned and ruined it all.

By the time she had said she was going to bed, and didn't go through the whole it wasn't fair for him to sleep on the couch fiasco, he decided he should talk to her. He went up to their room and knocked on the door.

Come in, she said.

he greeted her.

she said.

You want to tell me what's wrong? he decided to give the easy way a try, but didn't think t would work.

Nothing's wrong.

Yes it is, and I know it. So you might as well tell me.

Chandler, c'mon, nothing's wrong.

You think that in four years I'm gonna forget how to tell when something's wrong with you?

She shrugged, I dunno.

Well, guess what? I didn't. And something's wrong right now. So tell me.

I have no idea what you're talking about. I'm fine.

He shook his head. You're not.

Well, in four years, I guess you did forget how to tell what's wrong. Because I'm fine. And that's not all you almost forgot.

What? What else did I almost forget?

Monica sighed. There was a pause. Now I have to go to the bathroom- she started out of the room, but he stopped her.

What do you mean I almost forgot you?

Nothing, Chandler. And it's fine. I don't care. As soon as I get a job I'll be out of here. And in the meantime maybe I can stay with Phoebe.

Okay, you're gonna have to talk to me here, because I have no idea what's going on.

Nothing. I just want to make sure you're happy. I'm leaving tomorrow. I'll be at Phoebe's, and with that, she pushed passed him into the hall.

He wasn't sure what had happened. What had made her all of a sudden unhappy and think she had to leave. But he decided to leave her alone for now. Maybe she'd feel better in the morning. And hopefully, she wouldn't leave. He had no idea what's bothering her.

The next morning, while Sam was getting ready for school, and Audrey still asleep, the phone rang. Sam answered it and came and told Chandler that Laura had called.

She said she called yesterday, and a woman answered the phone, Sam said, but you never called her back.

That woman is a pest, Chandler said. Calling all the time, and early in the morning, one of my kids is still asleep- wait, did she say a woman answered the phone?

Sam said. Yesterday afternoon.

Sam, does Mommy know about Laura?

I dunno. I never said anything to her.

Has Audrey?

I don't know. Maybe. Chandler went upstairs and woke Audrey up. It was time for her to get up anyway. Once she was awake and sitting up, Chandler decided to talk to her. Hey, Auds. I have a question.

she asked, rubbing her eyes.

Does Mommy know anything about Laura?

Audrey nodded. She's was talking about her yesterday.

Okay. I have to go talk to Mommy, okay?

Okay. Then can I go back to sleep?

No. You got to get up. It's Friday. Tomorrow you can sleep late.

Audrey groaned, and got up, as Chandler went back downstairs. Monica was there, talking to Sam in the kitchen.



she asked.

Can I talk to you in the other room?

Monica considered it for a second then agreed.

Monica, you have to tell me what's wrong, Chandler said when they were in the living room. He decided to give her one more chance to tell him what was wrong.

Nothing, I told you....

Okay. Right. Sorry. By the way, Monica, did I get any phone messages yesterday?

She froze.

Really? Are you sure?



Okay. Just checking.

Umm, okay.

Nothing from a Laura?

Well, someone did call. I think she may have been named Laura.

Really? Do you know who Laura is?



So you didn't ask Sam?



Or Audrey?

Oh, come on, I hate your stupid mind games! Yes, Laura called, yes, Audrey told me you dated her! And yes, I know that you two are serious, and have dated for a few years! And yes, I know that if I hadn't shown up you'd be engaged to her. And yes, I know you're planning on buying a new house together. And yes, I know you are planning on having two more kids to have the even four, two from each marriage! And yes, I know she's the love of your life.

Chandler paused for a second, taking all of that in. Did Audrey tell you all of that?

No. I just figured it out on my own.

No wonder, then.

No wonder, what?

All of that's not true.

So some of it is?

Well, yeah. Her name is Laura, and she did call her yesterday. And we did a few times. Nowhere near a few years, though. And hardly serious. One of our two dates included Sam and Audrey. And we have no engagement plans, whether or not you are here or not. We aren't planning on buying a new house, or having two kids. And she's not the love of my life. And you know what? She doesn't have the Janice laugh, but she's just as bad. She'll never be the love of my life.

So who is, then? Fran? Audrey mentioned a Fran, too.

No. I had forgotten about Fran, actually. But you know who IS the love of my life?

Monica asked, not wanting to hear it.





Don't be stupid, Monica. It's not Fran or Laura, or even Janice or Kathy, It's you. I love you. And these past four years have been the worst of my life, without you. Don't make the rest of my life be the same when when they don't have to be. Fran is long forgotten, Laura is nothing, just a pest who calls here asking for dates, and Monica, well, Monica who was thought to be dead only a week ago, is the love of my life, and standing right here. And I'm not going to let her get away without a kiss, another wedding, another kid, or maybe two, and the rest of our lives.

Monica started crying and collapsed into his arms. Well, right now I can only give you one of those things. She leaned in and kissed him for a long time. But I'm sure one day you'll get the rest.


[Well, I don't want to drag this series out too long, I just want to wrap things up. There will be a Part 10 for sure, and a Part 11, but that may end up being the epilogue. Let me know here if you think it's getting too drawn out after she's back, or if it's okay.]