Blessed

Chapter Two

When Chandler entered the bedroom, he found Monica lying on the bed, crying into a pillow. He walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, and placed his hand gently on her shoulder.

When she felt his touch, she raised her head and looked at him, with tears streaming down her cheeks. She could see that he was on the verge of tears himself. She fell into his arms and continued sobbing as he tried to comfort her.

"I'm sorry, Mon. I really am," Chandler said quietly while he simply held her in his arms.

She raised her head again and looked at him. "It's not your fault, Chandler. It's nobody's fault. I just... I'm so scared."

"I know. I'm scared, too... But we'll know what's going on soon. We should be getting that phone call any minute now."

"That's just it. Once he calls, that's it. We'll know the truth, and if the truth is bad news, there's nothing we can do about it," she cried.

"We just have to have a little faith, sweetheart," he smiled weakly at her. He hated seeing her like this, and lately she always seemed to be upset. He would do anything to make the whole thing go away.

Knock, knock.

"Mon? Chandler? Are you guys okay?" Ross asked through the closed door.

"We'll be right out," Chandler answered. "Honey, we really should fill them in. Do you think you'll be all right?"

"I'll be fine," she answered, knowing that she wouldn't be until it was over. Chandler took her hand, and they walked back into the living room.

"Ross, Rachel, I'm really sorry that I ran out like that," Monica began, wiping another tear from her cheek. "I really am happy for you. Very happy," she smiled.

"Oh, honey, it's okay," Rachel replied and stood up to hug her friend. "But I'm a little worried about you. We all are."

"Yeah, what's going on?" Phoebe asked curiously.

"Well..." Chandler began, unsure of how to tell them. He put his arm around Monica's shoulders. "We've - we've been trying to have a baby for awhile now and -"

He was cut off by Joey's eager statement. "A baby? Wow, man, I didn't think she'd talk you into it this soon."

Chandler smiled at Monica. "She can be quite convincing... But that's not all," he continued, turning back to the group.

"What is it?" Ross asked, looking at his little sister.

"We haven't had much luck," Monica answered. "We've seen some doctors, and..." She had to stop to wipe away another steady stream of tears.

"They don't know why nothing's happening," Chandler finished for her, tightening his grip on her shoulders. "We're actually waiting for a call from a specialist we saw last week."

"Oh no," Rachel gasped. "We shouldn't have told you guys about the baby tonight. I'm so sorry, Mon," she said as she stood once again to hug her.

"I'm sorry, too," Ross added, joining in on the hug.

"You didn't know. It's okay," Monica assured them.

"I'm sorry, too," Phoebe and Joey both added, standing to join in on the hug.

"I'm feeling a little left out here," Chandler teased and followed everyone else's lead.

Once they all broke the hug and sat down again, Phoebe made an offer. "Hey, if you need anything from me, let me know, okay? You know, for you guys," she said, pointing at Chandler and Monica, "I might just consider the surrogate mom thing again. I'be already had three babies. What's one more?"

"Thanks, Pheebs, but we wouldn't ask you to do that," Monica replied.

"Ooo!" Joey grinned, coming up with what he considered a brilliant idea. "Hey, if Chandler's swimmers are a little slow, I'd be willing to help you out, Mon," he smirked.

"Joey!" Ross yelled. "That's my little sister!"

"And my wife," Chandler added.

"Well, the offer still stands," he said quietly, winking at Monica, mostly just to lighten the mood.

Ring, ring!

"That's the doctor!" Monica exclaimed, jumping at the sound of the ringing telephone. She grabbed the phone and answered. "Hello? Yes, this is Monica Bing...Yes, we were...Tomorrow? No, please, Dr. Webber, I'd like to know now...I see...Are you absolutely sure?" Everyone in the room could hear her voice crack as she asked the last question. "There's nothing you can do? No, that won't be necessary...I understand...Thank you, doctor..."

She slowly returned the phone to it's cradle and turned to face Chandler who had already walked over to join her. He could see the tears starting to flow once again and he took her into his arms for what had to be the millionth time. It always seemed to be just a little easier when they were together like that.

"He said - he..." She couldn't continue. Chandler had begun to cry quietly as well. "There's nothing they can do, Chandler. Nothing," she stressed again, looking up into his eyes. Seeing his tears made hers flow even more quickly.

Ross, Rachel, Joey, and Phoebe watched their friends and couldn't help getting a little emotional themselves. Rachel was crying, and Ross was holding her. Joey tried to control his anger at the doctor who had just delivered the bad news. There had to be something they could do. Phoebe was having trouble understanding how a woman who wanted a baby so badly couldn't have one. It just didn't seem fair.

"Shh... We'll get through this," Chandler tried to assure his wife. "It could be worse."

"How could it be worse?" Monica asked. "And how are we going to get through this, Chandler? How?"

"I don't know, Mon. I wish I did..."