The Pact, Chapter Sixteen
"May Your Days Be Merry, and Bright..."

~New York City~

"Okay, so I've still gotta get gifts for Monica, Chandler and Elaina," Rachel said, as she looked at a small, tattered piece of paper.

"Okay, but hon, I think we can try to get them later. I can't carry any more bags," Ross said, as he fumbled with the ten shopping bags that Rachel had piled on him.

"Oh, honey, I'm sorry. Here, let me help you," Rachel said, pulling two small bags from Ross.

"Gee, thanks," Ross mumbled sarcastically.

"I think we should get Elaina something from FAO Schwartz. She likes stuffed toys," Rachel suggested.

"Sure. Hey, Rach, have you talked to Monica lately?"

"Yeah, I talk to her every day, why?"

"I mean, has she said anything about what's going on with her and Chandler? Cause Chandler never talks,"

"Well, he still sleeps in the guest room with Elaina. Monica said that after Phoebe moved out he was kind of distant. She says he is starting to come around, especially now that she is showing. He seems genuinly thrilled about the baby."

"Well, that's something," Ross nodded.

"Yeah, but I know Monica wants more. I mean they live together, but they don't 'live together', ya know?"

"Yeah. Well, give him time. I'm sure he'll come around. Can we leave now?"

"Fine, fine," Rachel sighed, as they headed for the exit.

****

"Phoebe?" Joey walked into the house, carrying several bags full of gifts.

"Uncle Joey!!" Mark yelled, as he bounded down the stairs.

"Hey dude!" Joey replied, hugging Mark. "Where's your Mom?"

"In here," Phoebe yelled from the kitchen. Joey walked in, and saw that the kitchen looked like it had been attacked by flour. White powder seemed to cover every surface. In the corner, Matthew was seated in a play pen, slightly floured himself.

"Pheebs, what the hell are you doing?"

"Uncle Joey said a bad word," Mark tattled.

"Sorry, I meant, what the heck are you doing?"

"Making Christmas cookies, obviously," Phoebe stated matter-of-factly.

"Obviously," Joey repeated, as he put down his bags, and walked over to Matthew. "Hey buddy," Joey said.

"Jo-pee," Matthew replied, smiling.

"Hey! He's almost got it!" Joey said excitedly.

"Yep!" Phoebe laughed.

"Are you gonna go to Monica's for dinner this year?" Joey asked.

"Yeah, I think so. I mean, Monica invited us," she said.

"She's not mad at you anymore, is she?"

"No, I don't think so. I told her what happened, and she seemed to be okay with it. Plus, her and Chandler had a really, really long talk," Phoebe said, as she rolled dough out onto the counter.

"I still can't believe you kissed him," Joey said.


****

~Five Weeks Earlier~

"Hey guys," Phoebe said, as she and the boys came into Monica's apartment.

"Phoebe," Monica said coldly, as she walked into the kitchen.

"What's going on?" Phoebe asked.

"Not much. Anything interesting happen to you over the weekend, Pheebs?" Monica prodded.

"Well, the police thought that Chandler was an intruder, and brought him out in handcuffs. That was pretty funny," Phoebe laughed.

"Anything else?" Monica glared at Phoebe, and she finally picked up the hint.

"Um, Mon--"

"Chandler," Monica called, interrupting Phoebe.

"What?" Chandler said, as he came out of his room, carrying Elaina.

"Can you take the boys to the park with you? I'd like to talk to Phoebe for a minute,"

Chandler hesitated, and looked at Phoebe, who wasn't looking at him at all. They hadn't seen each other since that night, and Chandler had hoped it wouldn't be awkward. But it was.

"Fine, Chandler huffed, and grabbed Elaina's coat, before escorting the kids out the door.

"So?" Monica said, as soon as Chandler closed the door.

"Monica, I never really meant to kiss Chandler. I didn't even want to, really. There is nothing-NOTHING going on between us, I swear."

"Can you at least tell me *why* you did it Pheebs?" Monica's hormones seemed to be in overdrive, and she now found that she was crying.

"I don't know. Maybe it's because I was in pain. My husband was just murdered, ya know? I mean, how horrible am I that I kiss one of my best friends, the day after I bury my own husband?"

"But you know how I feel about him--"

"It had nothing to do with you, Monica! I swear, it was not pre-planned, or thought out, or even considered! I just," Phoebe turned away from Monica, as she tried to come up with the answer she had been seeking ever since it had happened. "I was scared. I'm sorry if I hurt you Monica, that was never my intention."

"I know Pheebs. I think I over-reacted. These hormones seem to be totally out of control. I just--I really want to work things out with Chandler, that's all."

"You will, Mon. He loves you, I know he does."

****

"It seems like everything went over smoothly," Joey noted, as Mark grabbed Joey's bags and dragged them into the living room.

"Mark, do not open those! They go under the tree with all the others," Phoebe yelled.

"Aw, man," Mark replied from the other room.

"Yeah, the talk with Monica went okay," Phoebe said, turning her attention back to Joey, "And eventually, Chandler and I got over that weirdness that formed between us. Then there was the incident with Matthew, and after that, Monica has been really distant toward both of us."

****

~Two Weeks earlier~

"Hey Pheebs," Monica said, opening her front door.

"Mon, something's wrong with Matthew. He feels really hot, and he won't stop crying, and I think he needs to go to the doctor--" Phoebe entered the apartment in a panic, and continued rambling incoherently.

"Phoebe, Phoebe! Calm down, okay? I'm sure he'll be fine," Monica took Matthew from Phoebe, all the while trying to calm her friend. It felt good, being the caretaker of their little clan once again, Monica thought.

"What's going on?" Chandler walked into the apartment with Elaina in his arms. He set her down, signing to her that she needed to go sit down. She nodded silently, and ran to the sofa.

"It's Matthew," Monica said over the baby's wails.

"What's wrong?"

"He has a really high temperature. I think we should take him to the hospital," Monica replied.

"Mon, can you watch Mark and Elaina? I don't want Mark back at that hospital. Not after everything--" Phoebe sobbed.

"Of course, sweetie. You call us if you need anything, okay?" Monica handed Matthew to Phoebe, and took Mark's hand, and led him to the sofa, as Phoebe and Chandler ran out the door.

"Chandler, can you--" Monica turned, to see that she was totally alone. "Chandler?" Monica sighed in frusteration, and
plopped down onto the couch next to Elaina, who was playing with a stuffed penguin that Joey had given her.

"You know, sometimes I wonder if your Dad knows where his priorities are," Monica said, knowing that the little girl couldn't hear a word she'd said.

*

Chandler, Phoebe and Matthew arrived back at the apartment four hours later. Everyone appeared to be asleep, so Chandler went into his room to fetch Mark, then escorted Phoebe and the kids back to her house. He got back to the apartment an hour later.

"Is Matthew okay?" Monica walked into the living room, just as Chandler came back in.

"Yeah, he's fine. Gave his mother quite a scare though," Chandler chuckled slightly.

"Is she okay?" Monica asked, trying to keep her voice even.

"Yeah. Are you okay, Mon?"

"Fine. Just tired," Monica replied unconvincingly.

"Are you mad at me, or something?" Chandler looked at Monica questioningly.

Monica sighed. She really wasn't very good at hiding her feelings from Chandler.

"Mon?"

"I just...I didn't know that you were going to go with Phoebe tonight, that's all," Monica heard the words coming from her mouth, and she couldn't believe how stupid they sounded.

"What are you talking about? Do you just not trust me? You think that Phoebe and I are gonna make out everytime we're alone together?" Chandler certainly hoped that he had read Monica wrong, but he had a sinking feeling that he hadn't.

"I dunno," Monica shrugged, and Chandler sighed.

"Jesus, Monica! I thought we were making some progress! How many times to I have to tell you that that night with Phoebe was a fluke! I don't have feelings for Phoebe, and I know that she doesn't think of me in that way! Why are you the only one that can't seem to let this thing go!"

"I'm sorry, Chandler, really. I just--I hope you realize that your family is here. Elaina, your unborn child--"

"Are you questioning my parenting skills, Monica?" Chandler said icily.

"No! No, I just--"

"Because Elaina and I were doing just fine in Philidelphia. Before we made this God-forsaken trip back to New York."

"Chandler, I didn't mean that--"

"I don't really want to talk to you right now," Chandler said quietly. "Tomorrow, Elaina and I are moving back in with Phoebe and the kids, until I can find a place. I can't take this anymore."

"Chandler, please, just listen, okay? I am so, so sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I'm just--I'm a little scared, and confused, and my hormones seem to be out of control, because I have no idea what I am even saying. Please don't leave Chandler. Please?"

"We'll talk about it in the morning," Chandler said wearily, and walked into his room, shutting the door quietly.

****

"Well, I think that things are slightly better, and I actually helped Monica convince Chandler that he should just stay. I just hope that they can work things out, for the kids, at the very least," Phoebe dusted off her floured hands.

"Yeah. I think it'll all work out," Joey said distantly.


****

~Christmas Day~

"Rach, before we head over to Monica's, I wanna give you your real gift," Ross said.

"Okay," Rachel said excitedly, "I wanna give you yours then."

"Okay! You go first," Ross said, pushing a large box toward her.

"Oh, it's big!" Rachel said excitedly.

"A guy can't hear that enough," Ross said seriously.

Rachel laughed, and pulled the large, red bow from the box. She pulled off the lid, and peered in, then looked up in confusion. Ross smiled slyly, as Rachel pulled out another, slightly smaller box. She opened it, and was slightly dismayed to see yet another box. Three boxes later, she was down to nothing but a small, white envelope. She looked at the envelope, her brow furrowing in confusion. She pulled the ivory card from the envelope, and read the outside of the card aloud.

"Merry Christmas, Rachel," she said, and opened the card, then continued, "I love you, and always have. Will you marry me?" Rachel re-read the last four words, then looked up at Ross, who was holding up red ribbon. A gorgeous diamond ring was tied to the end, and was swaying slightly in front of him. Rachel wiped the tears from her eyes, and walked over to Ross, grabbed the golden ring, and kissed Ross passionately.

"I take it that's a yes?" Ross smiled.

"Yes!" Rachel squealed, before kissing Ross once again.

"Mmm, so," Ross said between kisses, "What'd you get me?"

"Well, it was a dvd player, but I think I just changed my mind," Rachel said seductively.

"Oh, I've always wanted a dvd player!" Ross said, pulling away jokingly.

"It can wait," Rachel said, as she unzipped her red party dress, hoping that their friends wouldn't mind their tardiness.
"I, however, can not," Rachel pulled Ross into the bedroom, and kicked the door closed.

*

"Everything looks great, Mon," Chandler said, as he straightened Elaina's dress, before letting her run off into the living room to play with her dolls.

"Thanks," Monica said, turning down the stove.

"Merry Christmas," Chandler said, handing Monica a small, elaborately wrapped box.

Monica looked at Chandler silently, and took the gift from his extended hand. She opened it slowly, careful not to tear the beautiful gold paper. She pulled open the box, and felt her heart jump. She pulled out the small, gold locket, and let it hang in her hands for a moment.

"Chandler, it's so gorgeous," Monica said softly.

"Open it," Chandler said, happy that she liked her gift.

Monica opened the oval locket, then looked up at Chandler, confused. "Its empty," she said.

"There are two sides. Pull the other side up," Chandler pointed to the small tab on the side of the locket.

Monica opened the other side of the locket, and saw a small photo of Elaina inside.

"The other side is for the baby," Chandler said.

Tears flowed down Monica's face, as she stood, speechless in front of the man she loved. It was the best gift she'd ever received, and the gesture was more than Monica could have possibly hoped for.

"Chandler, it's so wonderful. I love it, thank you," she finally replied, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Chandler pulled Monica into a hug, then kissed the top of her head.

"Merry Christmas," he whispered into her hair.

"Merry Christmas, Chandler," she said into his chest, then sniffled as she pulled away slightly, so that she could look at him. "You have no idea how much this means to me," she whispered.

Chandler smiled, and looked deep into Monica's eyes. It was at that moment, that he let go of all of his doubts, and his inhibitions. He pushed his doubts about Monica's love for him, and his debates over what to do to the back of his head, and did the one thing that he had wanted to do for a very long time. He leaned in, and kissed her.

Monica melted into the kiss, and felt her dispair and worries disappear as Chandler pulled her closer. She deepened the kiss, reveling in the moment she had told herself would never come again. She felt Chandler's hands roaming her body, then sighed as she felt them rest on either side of her swelling belly. Chandler pulled away, and looked down at Monica's stomach. He felt his emotions colliding once again, as he tried desperately to feel more excited about the pregnancy, than anger about the circumstances that surrounded it. Monica seemed to sense his turmoil, and pulled Chandler's face up to hers again. Chandler relented, and kissed her again, this time with more passion and desperation. Monica had to control her over-excited hormones and emotions, by remembering that Chandler's daughter was sitting just a few feet away. She pulled away from Chandler, and glanced over at Elaina. He took the hint, and backed off, walking into the living room, as Monica finished preparing dinner. She turned her back to Chandler and Elaina, as a large grin spread across her face.

Chandler sat down next to Elaina, who was engrossed in her dolls. He glanced back at Monica, who had her back turned, as she stirred the gravy that was simmering on the stove. Chandler turned back to Elaina, and smiled. He had debated about whether or not he should give Monica the locket, but, after seeing how well she and Elaina got on, he knew that it was time. He needed to make a decision, and, though he was wary of his decision to stay, he knew that despite everything that had happened, he and Monica were meant for each other. The past was the past.

What the future held, was anyone's guess.

~*~

Have a safe, and magical holiday season!!