Haunted, Chapter Five
"Love Fool"
Chandler and Erin Bing lived in a suburban two-story house, about forty minutes from the city. The house was a four-bedroom, which meant that the twins had to share a room. But it was in a good neighborhood, and had a sprawling, grassy backyard, shaded by three towering oak trees and lined by a small herb garden and a flower bed.
Two days following their reunion, Chandler's friends were to gather in that backyard, with all of the kids, for a barbeque. It was actually Erin's idea, and Chandler thought it would be the perfect way to allow all of their families to get acquainted. Monica, Christine, Ross, Rachel, Jonathan and Dana were the first to arrive at the Bing house.
"Wow, we've got quite a group here," Erin smiled, as she opened the door.
"Hi, I uh, hope we have the right house," Ross glanced back up at the house number.
"You do, you do. I'm Erin, Chandler's wife," Erin smiled, taking perhaps a little too much pride in that fact. But she couldn't help it. Until she was sure where she stood in Chandler's heart, she was not letting her guard down.
"Oh! I'm Rachel, this is my husband Ross, and Ross' sister, Monica. And this is our son, Jonathan, and our daughter, Dana. And that's Monica's daughter, Christine," Rachel rambled quickly.
"Well, come on in...I may have to make name tags," Erin laughed, "Chandler's out back with the kids."
Monica watched Erin as she led the group toward the backyard. She was pretty, and seemed just like the type of woman Chandler would go for. Her short, brown hair suited her angular face perfectly, and her small frame did not reveal the fact that she had given birth to four children. Once they reached the double French doors that led to the backyard, Monica tore her eyes away from Erin, and scanned the backyard. Chandler was in the middle of the lawn, tying one of his son's shoes, while the other one jumped all over his back. Another child, a little five year old girl, sat a few feet away, watching the chaotic scene with unwavering facination.
"Hey honey, your friends are here," Erin called.
Chandler looked up, and flashed his friends a grin, before being taken down by his two sons, who had decided to suddenly double-team him. He managed to wrestle out from under them, picked them both up, one under each arm, and dragged them toward the patio.
"Hey guys," Chandler huffed, dropping the boys onto their feet.
"Hey! Wow, you've got you're hands full," Ross laughed.
"Yeah," Chandler said.
"Daddy, pick me up!" Chandler's little girl called from behind him.
Chandler chuckled and turned to his daughter, picking her up as he turned to his friends, and the three kids that stood shyly behind their parents.
"Well, like I told Joey, we named all the kids after you guys. So this, "Chandler put his free hand on one of the boy's head, "Is Ross. The other one," Chandler pointed to the twin that was running in circles on the other end of the yard, "Is Joey. And this one here is Monica. Rachel is around here somewhere. Unless she's going by Phoebe this week," Chandler laughed, referring to his eldest daughter's somewhat fickle behaviour.
Joey, Carrie, and their kids appeared just as Ross was introducing his kids, and Phoebe arrived a few minutes later.
"I think Erin was right," Rachel laughed, "we're gonna need name tags."
An hour later, all of the kids, minus Rachel-Phoebe, were chasing each other around the yard, while the grown-up versions of Chandler, Ross, and Joey were huddled around the barbequer, catching up on old times, and Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Carrie and Erin were getting to know each other.
"So, Erin, how did you and Chandler meet?" Rachel asked.
"Oh, we, uh, met when he was still living in California. He stopped to help me fix a flat tire," Erin smiled.
"Sounds like something he'd do," Phoebe grinned.
"Yeah. I kinda knew after that day, he was a keeper," Erin replied.
Monica nodded stiffly, and forced herself to smile through the conversation. She liked Erin. She had no reason *not* to like Erin--except that...Monica shook her head. It wasn't fair to hate this woman, just because she happened to be living her dream-life. Had all of this nonsense never happened, she and Chandler would have surely married, and would have had their children together. But Monica decided it was best not to dwell on what could have been. After all, the important thing was that Chandler was alive, and healthy, and happy.
Wasn't it?
***
Over the next month, Chandler spent every free moment he had catching up with his friends. He started attending Knicks games with Joey and Ross, and often met up with Rachel and Phoebe for lunch during the week. The one person he did not see much of was Monica. He wasn't sure, but he had a feeling she was avoiding him. She would always participate if they were doing something as a group, but rarely, if ever, wanted to meet up with Chandler alone. Chandler wasn't sure whether he should be offended or understanding about her behaviour.
Finally, about five weeks after the barbeque, Chandler left work early, and headed over to Monica's restaurant.
"Monica," said one of the assistant chefs, "there's someone here to see you."
"Okay," Monica called back absently, not fully registering what her employee had said.
"Hey Mon," Chandler said, as he walked into the kitchen.
"Ch-Chandler. What are you doing here?"
"What, I can't just drop by and say hi anymore?" Chandler grinned.
"No, uh, I mean, yes, of course, but--"
"I won't stay long, if you are busy. I just had a question."
"Oh. Okay." Monica looked at Chandler curiously.
"Did I do something to make you mad at me?"
"What?"
"Cuz I feel like...maybe you're avoiding me." Chandler shoved his hands into his pockets, the way he always did when he was anxious or nervous. Monica smiled at the thought that she still knew him so well.
"I'm not, um--look, Chandler, I don't think your wife would approve of the fact that you are hanging around your ex-girlfriend, would she?"
"Mon, if this is weird for you, I understand. But don't worry about me and Erin. We're fine. And you and I," Chandler stepped closer, and lowered his voice slightly, causing Monica's stomach to jump, "we were friends before we started dating. Can't we still be friends?"
Monica's shoulders dropped in relief, and she smiled warmly. "Of course we can still be friends," she said.
"Great! We can start now! Let's go get something to eat!" Chandler grinned broadly, his eyes dancing excitedly.
Monica chuckled and silently agreed. She went to the back office to grab her purse, then followed Chandler out of the restaurant.
"Where do you want to go?" she asked.
"Wherever. You pick." he replied.
*
It had started sprinkling a bit when Chandler and Monica had left the restaurant, and four hours later, as they left the coffee shop, it began downpouring. The rain seemingly fell in sheets, making it difficult to see much of anything.
"It's gonna be impossible to get a cab," Chandler grumbled. He and Monica were standing just outside the door, under the overhang, watching the rain fall.
"Yeah. But I'm only a few blocks from here, so I'm just gonna run," Monica smiled.
"Really?"
"Yeah. It's just water, Chandler, it won't hurt you."
"I know," Chandler said non-chalantly, though his eyes were watching the rain worridly.
"Okay, well, I'll see you for Sunday brunch with the gang?" Monica asked.
"Yeah," Chandler nodded, and smiled at Monica. The two friends stood there, for several minutes, just staring at each other, both taking in everything that had happened, and both wondering what could have been. The rain that surrounded them pounded the sidewalk, drowning out everything around them. In that moment, the world seemed to be their's alone, and the tension of that moment built until both felt as though they were going to burst. Both were as afraid to move as they were to stay put. Then, in a heartbeat of blind passion, they collided, kissing as though they needed each other to survive. Monica pressed herself agains Chandler, and could feel his heart beating rapidly. Or maybe it was her own heart. In that moment, she couldn't tell. She pulled him closer, and deepened the kiss, sending shockwaves through both of their bodies. Chandler felt his heart jump, as Monica's tongue pushed it's way into his mouth. He lost his balance, and let go of her hair, using his free hand to balance himself against the shop window.
His unconscious mind picked up the sound first. But a split second later, his conscious mind heard it too. As his hand hit the glass, his wedding rink clinked, reminding him that he had a wife and children waiting for him at home. As soon as this thought registered, he pulled away, catching his breath as he stared blankly at his ring.
Monica picked up the hint, and pulled herself together. She looked at Chandler, trying to read what he was thinking. It saddened and frightened her to see that she had no idea what he was thinking. Maybe she didn't know him very well after all.
"I...I'm married," Chandler whispered, as if Monica was not aware of the fact.
Monica nodded, unable to articulate any thoughts at the moment.
"I have to go, Monica. Maybe, uh, maybe you were right. We should, uh, we shouldn't be alone together. I--"
Chandler scratched his head and stared at the sidewalk, "I have to go home."
Monica nodded again, all the while cursing herself for her temporary inability to speak.
"Okay. Um...see ya," Chandler glanced at Monica, who was still staring at him strangely. He looked away again, unsure how do deal with these feelings that had suddenly resurfaced. He took a deep breath, turned on his heel, and ran into the stormy night.
Monica watched his run, and wondered if she was ever going to see him again.
*
Chandler made his way into the house, silently ascending the staircase toward his bedroom. As he made his way down the hall, he poked his head into the three bedrooms where his children slept. He watched each of them for a short moment, feeling even more guilty than he had before. He silently closed the door to Rachel's room, and tip-toed into the master bedroom. Erin was sleeping, and Chandler sighed, relieved that he wouldn't have to face her tonight. He made his way into the bathroom, and peeled off his wet clothes, and tossed them onto the bathtub. He changed into dry pyjamas, and slid into bed next to Erin. She was on her side, her back facing Chandler. Chandler placed his arm around her sleeping form, and silently hoped she could forgive him.
"I love you," he whispered into her hair, before closing his eyes for the night.
"Love Fool"
Chandler and Erin Bing lived in a suburban two-story house, about forty minutes from the city. The house was a four-bedroom, which meant that the twins had to share a room. But it was in a good neighborhood, and had a sprawling, grassy backyard, shaded by three towering oak trees and lined by a small herb garden and a flower bed.
Two days following their reunion, Chandler's friends were to gather in that backyard, with all of the kids, for a barbeque. It was actually Erin's idea, and Chandler thought it would be the perfect way to allow all of their families to get acquainted. Monica, Christine, Ross, Rachel, Jonathan and Dana were the first to arrive at the Bing house.
"Wow, we've got quite a group here," Erin smiled, as she opened the door.
"Hi, I uh, hope we have the right house," Ross glanced back up at the house number.
"You do, you do. I'm Erin, Chandler's wife," Erin smiled, taking perhaps a little too much pride in that fact. But she couldn't help it. Until she was sure where she stood in Chandler's heart, she was not letting her guard down.
"Oh! I'm Rachel, this is my husband Ross, and Ross' sister, Monica. And this is our son, Jonathan, and our daughter, Dana. And that's Monica's daughter, Christine," Rachel rambled quickly.
"Well, come on in...I may have to make name tags," Erin laughed, "Chandler's out back with the kids."
Monica watched Erin as she led the group toward the backyard. She was pretty, and seemed just like the type of woman Chandler would go for. Her short, brown hair suited her angular face perfectly, and her small frame did not reveal the fact that she had given birth to four children. Once they reached the double French doors that led to the backyard, Monica tore her eyes away from Erin, and scanned the backyard. Chandler was in the middle of the lawn, tying one of his son's shoes, while the other one jumped all over his back. Another child, a little five year old girl, sat a few feet away, watching the chaotic scene with unwavering facination.
"Hey honey, your friends are here," Erin called.
Chandler looked up, and flashed his friends a grin, before being taken down by his two sons, who had decided to suddenly double-team him. He managed to wrestle out from under them, picked them both up, one under each arm, and dragged them toward the patio.
"Hey guys," Chandler huffed, dropping the boys onto their feet.
"Hey! Wow, you've got you're hands full," Ross laughed.
"Yeah," Chandler said.
"Daddy, pick me up!" Chandler's little girl called from behind him.
Chandler chuckled and turned to his daughter, picking her up as he turned to his friends, and the three kids that stood shyly behind their parents.
"Well, like I told Joey, we named all the kids after you guys. So this, "Chandler put his free hand on one of the boy's head, "Is Ross. The other one," Chandler pointed to the twin that was running in circles on the other end of the yard, "Is Joey. And this one here is Monica. Rachel is around here somewhere. Unless she's going by Phoebe this week," Chandler laughed, referring to his eldest daughter's somewhat fickle behaviour.
Joey, Carrie, and their kids appeared just as Ross was introducing his kids, and Phoebe arrived a few minutes later.
"I think Erin was right," Rachel laughed, "we're gonna need name tags."
An hour later, all of the kids, minus Rachel-Phoebe, were chasing each other around the yard, while the grown-up versions of Chandler, Ross, and Joey were huddled around the barbequer, catching up on old times, and Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Carrie and Erin were getting to know each other.
"So, Erin, how did you and Chandler meet?" Rachel asked.
"Oh, we, uh, met when he was still living in California. He stopped to help me fix a flat tire," Erin smiled.
"Sounds like something he'd do," Phoebe grinned.
"Yeah. I kinda knew after that day, he was a keeper," Erin replied.
Monica nodded stiffly, and forced herself to smile through the conversation. She liked Erin. She had no reason *not* to like Erin--except that...Monica shook her head. It wasn't fair to hate this woman, just because she happened to be living her dream-life. Had all of this nonsense never happened, she and Chandler would have surely married, and would have had their children together. But Monica decided it was best not to dwell on what could have been. After all, the important thing was that Chandler was alive, and healthy, and happy.
Wasn't it?
***
Over the next month, Chandler spent every free moment he had catching up with his friends. He started attending Knicks games with Joey and Ross, and often met up with Rachel and Phoebe for lunch during the week. The one person he did not see much of was Monica. He wasn't sure, but he had a feeling she was avoiding him. She would always participate if they were doing something as a group, but rarely, if ever, wanted to meet up with Chandler alone. Chandler wasn't sure whether he should be offended or understanding about her behaviour.
Finally, about five weeks after the barbeque, Chandler left work early, and headed over to Monica's restaurant.
"Monica," said one of the assistant chefs, "there's someone here to see you."
"Okay," Monica called back absently, not fully registering what her employee had said.
"Hey Mon," Chandler said, as he walked into the kitchen.
"Ch-Chandler. What are you doing here?"
"What, I can't just drop by and say hi anymore?" Chandler grinned.
"No, uh, I mean, yes, of course, but--"
"I won't stay long, if you are busy. I just had a question."
"Oh. Okay." Monica looked at Chandler curiously.
"Did I do something to make you mad at me?"
"What?"
"Cuz I feel like...maybe you're avoiding me." Chandler shoved his hands into his pockets, the way he always did when he was anxious or nervous. Monica smiled at the thought that she still knew him so well.
"I'm not, um--look, Chandler, I don't think your wife would approve of the fact that you are hanging around your ex-girlfriend, would she?"
"Mon, if this is weird for you, I understand. But don't worry about me and Erin. We're fine. And you and I," Chandler stepped closer, and lowered his voice slightly, causing Monica's stomach to jump, "we were friends before we started dating. Can't we still be friends?"
Monica's shoulders dropped in relief, and she smiled warmly. "Of course we can still be friends," she said.
"Great! We can start now! Let's go get something to eat!" Chandler grinned broadly, his eyes dancing excitedly.
Monica chuckled and silently agreed. She went to the back office to grab her purse, then followed Chandler out of the restaurant.
"Where do you want to go?" she asked.
"Wherever. You pick." he replied.
*
It had started sprinkling a bit when Chandler and Monica had left the restaurant, and four hours later, as they left the coffee shop, it began downpouring. The rain seemingly fell in sheets, making it difficult to see much of anything.
"It's gonna be impossible to get a cab," Chandler grumbled. He and Monica were standing just outside the door, under the overhang, watching the rain fall.
"Yeah. But I'm only a few blocks from here, so I'm just gonna run," Monica smiled.
"Really?"
"Yeah. It's just water, Chandler, it won't hurt you."
"I know," Chandler said non-chalantly, though his eyes were watching the rain worridly.
"Okay, well, I'll see you for Sunday brunch with the gang?" Monica asked.
"Yeah," Chandler nodded, and smiled at Monica. The two friends stood there, for several minutes, just staring at each other, both taking in everything that had happened, and both wondering what could have been. The rain that surrounded them pounded the sidewalk, drowning out everything around them. In that moment, the world seemed to be their's alone, and the tension of that moment built until both felt as though they were going to burst. Both were as afraid to move as they were to stay put. Then, in a heartbeat of blind passion, they collided, kissing as though they needed each other to survive. Monica pressed herself agains Chandler, and could feel his heart beating rapidly. Or maybe it was her own heart. In that moment, she couldn't tell. She pulled him closer, and deepened the kiss, sending shockwaves through both of their bodies. Chandler felt his heart jump, as Monica's tongue pushed it's way into his mouth. He lost his balance, and let go of her hair, using his free hand to balance himself against the shop window.
His unconscious mind picked up the sound first. But a split second later, his conscious mind heard it too. As his hand hit the glass, his wedding rink clinked, reminding him that he had a wife and children waiting for him at home. As soon as this thought registered, he pulled away, catching his breath as he stared blankly at his ring.
Monica picked up the hint, and pulled herself together. She looked at Chandler, trying to read what he was thinking. It saddened and frightened her to see that she had no idea what he was thinking. Maybe she didn't know him very well after all.
"I...I'm married," Chandler whispered, as if Monica was not aware of the fact.
Monica nodded, unable to articulate any thoughts at the moment.
"I have to go, Monica. Maybe, uh, maybe you were right. We should, uh, we shouldn't be alone together. I--"
Chandler scratched his head and stared at the sidewalk, "I have to go home."
Monica nodded again, all the while cursing herself for her temporary inability to speak.
"Okay. Um...see ya," Chandler glanced at Monica, who was still staring at him strangely. He looked away again, unsure how do deal with these feelings that had suddenly resurfaced. He took a deep breath, turned on his heel, and ran into the stormy night.
Monica watched his run, and wondered if she was ever going to see him again.
*
Chandler made his way into the house, silently ascending the staircase toward his bedroom. As he made his way down the hall, he poked his head into the three bedrooms where his children slept. He watched each of them for a short moment, feeling even more guilty than he had before. He silently closed the door to Rachel's room, and tip-toed into the master bedroom. Erin was sleeping, and Chandler sighed, relieved that he wouldn't have to face her tonight. He made his way into the bathroom, and peeled off his wet clothes, and tossed them onto the bathtub. He changed into dry pyjamas, and slid into bed next to Erin. She was on her side, her back facing Chandler. Chandler placed his arm around her sleeping form, and silently hoped she could forgive him.
"I love you," he whispered into her hair, before closing his eyes for the night.