*~Thanks for reviewing the first part. And my birthday was Sunday and dun dun dah...they threw me a surprise party Saturday night. She was never grounded, they had thought someone had told me and so they rescheduled it. Anyway, now I'm happy. Here is the second part, and the song is by Jim Brickman and Rebecca Lynn Howard. Please review again!~*
Disclaimer: Yeah, so, right, the song and the characters don't so much belong to me. They belong to someone, sure, but that person is not me.....whilst I deal with that, please read and review.
A week, that's all Chandler had. That was better than not having her at all, but, oh God, only a week. A week to tell her how much he loved her and adored her. Seven days. 168 hours. That seemed like such a short time all of a sudden. He walked back into the apartment and found her at the stove cooking breakfast.
"I'm making pancakes," she said turning around and smiling at him. "Is that okay?" He nodded numbly.
"That's fine," he assured her and went and kissed her neck.
"Do you want a repeat of last night right here on the counter?" She asked giggling.
"Sure," he said and had an overwhelming desire for her.
"After breakfast," she told him spinning around to be in his arms. "You and I will take a nice, long, hot shower. How does that sound?"
"It sounds perfect," he said and kissed the top of her nose.
"Now, shoo, I have to finish these," she said smacking his butt and sending him out of her kitchen. He picked up the phone and dialed his work.
"I'm so sorry Doug," he said. "I have the flu....no, I'll try to make it back as soon as possible. Why thanks Doug, I will come back whenever I'm ready."
"What was that?" She asked turning around.
"I took the week off," he answered. "And so are you." He dialed her work. "Liz? This is Monica's husband, Chandler, she has a really bad case of the flu and the doctor said that she has to stay in bed all this week. Yes, I will send her your regards. Thanks, bye."
"Chandler! We can't just take off work!"
"We just did," he replied and gave her a kiss and sat down at the table to have breakfast with her. He couldn't imagine leaving her side at this point. He couldn't imagine not seeing her, touching her, making sure that she never felt pain again. She couldn't leave. A week wasn't nearly long enough. She shrugged.
"A week off," she repeated. "Not that bad of an idea."
"Excellent idea," Chandler reminded her. "And you and I will spend the whole thing together."
"Okay," she laughed. "What the hell?" She moved and sat down on his lap. "I love you."
"Really Mrs. Bing? Because I do believe that it is I that is undeniably in love with you. So how about that shower?" She threw her head back and laughed. How he loved the sound of her laugh. The sound that he was sure he would never hear again.
"You sure do want to take a shower," she commented. More than you know, he thought, but didn't say anything just smiled. He couldn't think about what would happen in a week, he could only focus on her right there and then. Anything else and he would lose it, and more importantly lose her. That couldn't happen. He would find a way to stop it. Keep her inside all day, never leave her alone. If he could do that then destiny would be changed, she would be okay. He kept repeating it to himself as he took her in his arms and into the shower.
Hey, time won't wait
life goes by
every day's a brand new sky
every tear comes to dry
all that really matters in this crazy world
is you and I together
"Look how cute that bear is," Monica squealed at the amusement park the next day. She pointed to a stuffed animal that Chandler knew wasn't going to be easy to win.
"Do you want it?" He asked. She smiled slyly.
"Why are you going to win it for me?" She asked.
"Sure," he said and after about five tries he turned around. "Sorry Mon."
"Move," she demanded and took the balls out of the man's hands and threw it to knock over the clowns. She knocked three down with ease. The man running the booth laughed.
"What will it be little lady?"
"The bear," she said laughing at Chandler's surprise that she could knock them all down.
"How did you do that?"
"It's all a matter of angles where you throw the ball," she explained. "Or maybe I'm just stronger than you."
"Really?" He kissed her cheek. "How would you like a ride on the Ferris wheel?"
"A ride on a big mechanical wheel? Who can resist?" She took his hand and pulled him over and he bought the tickets. He loved just watching her. He had memorized her looks and her smiles. He knew her laugh now, and he could replay her voice in his head when she was sleeping and he watched her. He had taken so many pictures of her the past two days.
"What are you doing?" She had asked. He couldn't really tell her the truth, oh by the way, you're going to die in five days so I just wanted to take as many pictures as I could before you left me forever.
"I'm on a camera kick," he had told a half truth. He was on a Monica-kick. They boarded the Ferris Wheel and looked over the park as they held hands liked teenagers. She pointed out her favorite ride when she was little and relayed stories of how her dad would take her and Ross there. He listened intently wanting to soak up every bit of information he could about her. She glanced over at him staring at her.
"What are you doing?" She asked laughing.
"Cataloguing your face," he said. She posed her head for him.
"Take a mental picture right now," she told him. "On my left, the left side is my best." He threw his head back and laughed.
"I'll have to remember that," he said and she nodded.
"Please do. No pictures from the right. Store it for future reference." Future. The word future snapped Chandler back to reality. Would they have a future? Or was this it? Would they only have the past? She would always be a part of him, this he knew. He knew that everyday when he woke up he would see her face, and he would think of her. The Ferris Wheel stopped at the top and Chandler leaned in and gave Monica a kiss. She smiled and leaned her head against his.
"Thanks for today," she said. "Thanks for everything." He managed a small smile back at her.
"Anything for you."
baby just remember
the first leaves off the tree
the way you look at me
a thousand tiny church bells ring
the simple things are free
the sun, the moon, the stars
the beating of two hearts
how I love the simple things, the simple things just are
Chandler woke up the following morning with her in his arms.
"So, what's the plan for today?" She asked.
"I was thinking that we could get away for today and tomorrow," he suggested.
"Where?"
"An old school friend of mine has a cottage up on a lake in Vermont," he said intertwining his fingers through hers.
"That sounds utterly fabulous," she replied and they dragged themselves out of bed and got dressed and packed and got into Monica's Porsche and sped off out of the city. It felt good to leave the city behind. Chandler wanted their friends to be able to spend some time with her too, but he just couldn't let her out of his sight. Ever again. He would be with her every second of the next week. If she died, he would die with her. They drove up the winding country road and he turned his attention to her. She was staring out the window and a book that she had been reading sat in her lap open the last page she had just read.
"I love you," he whispered and she didn't hear him over the roar of the car and the sound of the wind sweeping past. But as if she knew she turned her head and gave him a smile.
"Watch the road," she said. "You're going to get us killed." The gravity of the words hit him and his smile disappeared. Monica scrunched her face curiously. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing," he offered a weak smile. "Absolutely nothing." He pulled over to a small diner. "I'm hungry, you?" She nodded.
"Starved," she replied and hopped out and started for the door. Chandler looked to his right and saw the man standing by a car.
"You," Chandler said. "I'm going to make sure that she doesn't die."
"You can't do that," he answered.
"What's your name?" Chandler asked.
"Will."
"Well, Will, I'm not letting her go. Not now. Not ever."
"Chandler, you can't do that," Will told him again. "That's not how this works. You're just supposed to clear the air between you two. Tell her that you love her and say goodbye."
"I don't want to." Chandler was set to argue, his fists curled by his side a sure-fire sign that he was going to yell.
"Chandler? Are you coming or not?" Monica's voice broke through and he turned to answer and when he turned back around Will was gone.
"Yes," he said and he followed her into the restaurant. They found a small booth and they sat down. The waitress came over to take their order.
"I'll have a cheeseburger and fries," Monica told her leaning over and reading her nametag. "Willa, what a pretty name." Willa. Willa. The name bounced around in Chandler's head for a little bit and he dismissed the coincidence and ordered and took Monica's hand.
"Don't ever, ever think for one moment that I don't love you," he told her and she looked at him with a bemused expression and shook her head.
"What's with you today?"
"Nothing, I just want you to remember that."
"I will." Will. Will. Will. All he could think about suddenly was losing her. He couldn't. They got their food and ate in silence and then Monica began telling him this story that had happened to her at work. She was laughing and he was laughing and he soon forgot about Will and his prophecy.
so here we go
let's just dance
teach my soul to take this chance
put my heart in your hands
out of all the moments that we leave behind
turn around and tell me baby, we'll remember
The two days in Vermont were amazing. Chandler didn't want to return to New York. Monica didn't want to return to New York. Both just wanted to stay there forever. That seemed the most logical thing to do. When they got back to their apartment, the bills and letters were piled high on the table. Joey and Rachel had gotten the mail for them while they were gone. Chandler sorted through them and finally his eyes landed on a small white envelope with his name written on it. Monica left the room and went into the bedroom and he tore it open.
Chandler- You can't stop it. She will die. It's her destiny. It's yours to love her and tell her that you love her. But you can't stop it. Just be thankful that you have her now. Will.
That was it. That was all the note said. Chandler sat down in a chair and looked at the now-closed bedroom door. He hadn't believed that it would happen again. He had believed that he would be able to save her and stop fate. Fate had brought them together. Fate would surely fight for them to be together. But he was wrong. Fate was going to tear them apart. Fate had screwed him over. Chandler began to cry softly for the idea of losing her again terrified him. He almost wished that he hadn't made the first wish. He wiped the tears and found Monica in their bedroom unpacking their bags.
"Monica?"
"Hmm?" There were things he needed to know before she died.
"Are you happy?"
"Of course I am."
"Do you have any regrets?"
"I regret not noticing you sooner."
"Why do you love me?"
"Why?" It was an impossible question. She didn't even know where to begin telling him what she felt.
"Yes, why?"
"Because...well, because...because you're you."
"That's not really an answer," he told her.
"I know, but Chandler. It's a hard question. I love you. I love you because you're sweet and funny and you love me."
"I do."
"I know." She knew. She knew that he loved her. That was the entire point of bringing her back, for Chandler to learn that she did indeed love him and knew that he loved her back. He clung to her. Held her tightly.
"Chandler?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." He held on, though, not wanting to let her go. Not wanting her to leave him. Two days left. In two days. 48 hours. Not nearly enough time with her.
the thunder and the rain
the way you say my name
after all the clocks go by
the simple things remain
the sun, the moon, the stars
the beating of two hearts
how I love the simple things, the simple things just are
The next day they spent with their friends. They had all gone to the beach and then dinner and spent the night at the Bings' apartment watching movies and playing truth or dare like a bunch of kids.
"This is the stupidest game ever," Ross had complained.
"Scared Ross?" Rachel asked waving her finger at him.
"Come on, let's go," he said and he pointed at Joey. "Truth or dare?"
"Truth."
"How many women have you slept with?" The rest of them laughed as Joey began to count on his fingers.
"Oh my God!" Monica exclaimed. "And you all made fun of me."
"This could take awhile," Chandler said. "Why doesn't someone else go?" They all laughed and looked back at Joey who was deep in thought.
"Okay, Rachel," Phoebe said. "Truth or dare?"
"Dare."
"I dare you to go one week without shopping."
"Truth! Truth! I want truth!" They all laughed.
"Fine," Phoebe said. "How many men have you slept with?" By the end of the night, Chandler's cheeks hurt from laughing and then a sober thought crept into his mind. The next day would be the day. The day that she would die. He kissed her and she smiled at him.
"Let's go to sleep," she suggested and curled up in his arms as their friends slept all over the living room floor. No sleep, sleep makes it closer to the time they had to say goodbye. He couldn't say goodbye. He needed her. He wanted her.
the ocean and the sky
the way we feel tonight
I know that it's the love that brings the simple things to life
the sun, the moon, the stars
the beating of two hearts
I love the way the simple things, the simple things just are
the simple things, the simple things just are
the simple things just are
Monica held his hand as they made their way to their favorite bagel place for breakfast. Actually Chandler had insisted to hold his hand. He was being so careful crossing the streets. He kept looking both ways before crossing and putting her in front of him, but not too much in front of him. She kept thinking it was odd, but didn't comment. They got to the bagel shop and walked in and ordered their favorites and waited until the man handed them back the bag and started for home again. Monica now let go of his hands and was gripping the bag. They started to cross the last street before home. Chandler would insist that they spend the rest of the day inside. Then the day would have passed and no one would have gotten hurt. No one would have gotten killed. They started across the street and Chandler found himself a little bit in front of her. He turned around and she smiled at him.
"Hurry up," he told her anxious to get across the street and away from traffic.
"I'm coming. Calm down," she said.
"I love you." She looked oddly at him.
"Ditto." She dropped her watch and sighed. She bent over to get it. The word seemed to slow down and move in slow motion. Chandler saw it all. Her stopping to get her watch, the car driving too fast, and her straightening up as it head towards her.
"Monica!" He screamed out hoping it would make a difference. Her head turned and she gasped.
*~That's where I'm going to leave you unless I get tons and tons of reviews! Well at least ten. Please review for me. Consider it a birthday present.~*