The Story of Faith
By Serenely
Okay, this fic was basically a result of insomnia. It is completely fictional, and has nothing to do with any particular storylines from the actual show. It is centered around RnR, but I've incorporated a lot of CnM, and even JnP. All the characters are basically the same except for Ross...he's a little more edgy (actually a lot more edgy), just to add some "umph" to his usually "door-mat-sugar-coated" character. Oh, and Joey never fell in love with Rachel. The story may be difficult to understand at first, but I promise if you continue reading, it'll all make sense. Enjoy guys (and dolls)!
Disclaimer: If I had a genie from a magic lamp, I'd wish to own these characters because I don't and I really, really want to. sigh
It was 8:45pm on a warm, breezy Friday night in San Jose. After stepping out from the sliding doors of San Jose International Airport and onto the pavement of the temperate city, she soon regretted her choice of wardrobe: a cashmere turtleneck, a long pea coat and her favorite jeans. She heard the weather in Cali was nice, but it was still February. 'Oh well,' she thought. 'I'll be able to change soon.' Looking down at her side to the little girl grasping her hand, Rachel made sure they hadn't forgotten anything.
"Honey, be careful not to drag boo-boo," said Rachel referring to her daughter's stuffed bear. Being held upside down, boo-boo's ears were inches away from the dirty cement. "We just gave him a bath before we left, remember?" Ariel nodded minding her mother's request.
"Yes, mommy," she whispered groggily. Ariel wasn't used to being up this late. Three year old girls used up a lot of energy during the day, and Ariel wasn't an exception. Rachel had changed her clothes a few hours earlier on the plane, putting her into her favorite purple-fuzzy pajamas with the feet already sewn on. She had slept a little during the flight, but the unexpected turbulence had frightened her and she found it hard to fall back asleep. Now that they were on solid ground, Ariel couldn't wait to cuddle up with her blanky that was safely tucked in her Power-Puff Girls knapsack. She yawned.
"Aww, sweetie, don't worry. Auntie Monica and Uncle Chandler will be here soon, okay?" Rachel reassured her daughter. Almost on cue, a yellow taxi stopped yards away from them and a much too frantic Monica almost fell over leaping out from inside it.
"Rachel!" she exclaimed elatedly while hurrying over to greet her best friend. Although they had just seen each other the previous week, the familiarity and presence of someone she loved greatly always eased Monica. Rachel felt the same.
"Hi, angel," said Monica as she kissed Ariel on the forehead.
"Where's my little Rie-Rie!" asked Chandler in a kiddish voice as he approached them. Ariel squealed excitedly as she hid behind her mother in an attempt to play along with her Uncle's game. Every time they saw each other, Chandler would chase her around playfully and Ariel would run away knowing that if her Uncle caught her, massive tickling would occur.
With huge smiles on their faces, Rachel and Monica embraced briefly. The bulge in Monica's tummy being more defined than before prevented Rachel from fully squeezing Monica like she usually did. Even though she was only 4 months pregnant, she was showing profoundly. Smiling, they watched Chandler lift Ariel into who arms, who by now was giggling uncontrollably, and planted sloppy kisses all over her face. Rachel smiled appreciatively at the sight.
"Uncle Channler your so siwwy!" cooed Ariel. Ariel loved Chandler and Monica immensely. Her Aunt spoiled her like crazy, always making her favorite white-chocolate, macadamia nut cookies. And her Uncle never objected to playing with her, even after thirteen games of Candy land. She loved it best when Monica sang her lullabies, and when Chandler read her bedtime stories. Nobody did "voices" better than her Uncle, not even the real characters.
Being a single mother wasn't easy for Rachel, and having Chandler and Monica's emotional and physical support helped her more than she could fathom. Monica never hesitated to take care of Ariel when Rachel had an unexpected affair with work, and Chandler pretty much had been the father figure in Ariel's life. Because of previous experiences a few years back, Rachel had learned that sometimes life had unexpected twists of fate, but not once did she ever regret having Ariel. She was Rachel's sole purpose for living.
"Come on Chandler!" called Monica. "I promised Phoebe we'd be back as soon as possible!" Hearing Phoebe's name brought a brand new smile to Rachel's face. She couldn't wait to see her and Joey. They hurriedly piled into the cab.
"Chapell Gardens," Chandler told the driver.
"I cannot believe they're getting married...Gosh, I haven't seen them in years, Mon! Does Phoebe look different? How is the church decorated? Did they find a band yet?" Rachel couldn't control her enthusiasm.
"Everything and everyone is perfectly fine, Rach. Oh! And yesterday Joey signed the contract to do the sequel to 'You Are Mine'! He starts filming after they get back from their honeymoon!"
"Oh I can't wait to see them!" Rachel glanced outside the and over the city. Brilliant lights trickled over the valley and reflected against the window. "Wow...hey, San Jose's kinda nice. It's not the 'City', but it's nice."
"Yeah I know. The weather here is awesome. You should see Phoebe and Joey's tans!"
"But it's February!"
"I know!" The girls laugh.
Moments later, the cab approached a beautiful, Crème colored, Mediterranean style mansion. The walkway was tiled with specks of granite and marble, fabulously lit by old fashioned lampposts. Arches of Maplewood intertwined with honey suckle vines hugged the Veranda above the front door. Joey and Phoebe's home was incredibly huge.
"Wow..." breathed Rachel. "Celebrity life did those two good..."
"Tell me about it," said Monica. "Their closet is the size of my apartment."
Chandler laughed. "Sad, but true. I guess all those years of 'smelling the fart' acting and 'smelly cat' singing finally paid off," he mused.
Upon hearing a car entering their driveway, Phoebe opened the front door and immediately called Joey. "They're here! They're here!" cried Phoebe. "Ooh yay!"
"'Bout time!" exclaimed Joey. "I wanna see my niece!" He and Phoebe proceeded outside.
"Joey! Pheebs!" cried Rachel happily as she got out of the cab. She could feel her eyes brimming with tears. She missed these two more than she realized. She quickly gripped Phoebe and held onto her for dear life as wet streams fell along her cheeks. After finally letting go, she saw Joey grinning widely. Rachel threw her arms around him and Joey enveloped her in a loving bear hug. "You don't know how much I've missed you guys..." sobbed Rachel.
"Hey, hey..."soothed Joey. "You're here now. Everything's perfect..." They pulled apart and Rachel wiped her face. She glanced around at her four wonderful friends, and felt her heart melt.
'Almost perfect...' she thought.
"And who's this princess?" asked Phoebe motioning to Ariel. "You must be our Rie-Rie." Ariel smiled politely at the friendly, blonde woman and shy, dark-haired man. Suddenly in recognition, Ariel knew who Joey and Phoebe were.
"Your on TV!" she said excitedly. "Mommy, dey on TV!" Rachel nodded.
"Yes sweetie they are. This is your Auntie Phoebe." Phoebe smiled sweetly. "And your Uncle Joey." Joey did the same. He noticed she was protectively carrying the bear they sent her for Christmas last year. He smiled.
"She's so much more beautiful than the pictures you sent us, Rach," said Joey.
"Yeah, she looks just like you..." Phoebe added, trying hard not to notice she looked a little like somebody else as well.
"Aww, thanks you guys. Let's get inside so I can put the munchkin to bed. She's had a long day. And then you guys can tell me all about the wedding plans!" Joey and Phoebe shared a love-struck glance before he went to retrieve the luggage on the driveway.
Just as they all entered the house, Rachel's cell phone started to ring. She ignored it and continued to follow Phoebe. It finally stopped. A few seconds later, her phone rang again. "Oh darn it...Pheebs, can you take Rie?"
"Sure, Rach."
"Sweetie, Auntie Monica and Auntie Phoebe will take you upstairs. I'll be right up to tuck you in, okay?" Ariel nodded sleepily.
Rachel rushed outside and onto the Veranda to take the call. She flipped her phone open and the caller ID revealed an unexpected and very unfavorable name. Her night had been wonderful so far, and she knew this person would ruin it. She sighed heavily. 'I'm so tired of arguing...' She hesitated to debate whether or not to answer it, but she knew the conversation would be inevitable. She caught her breath, reluctantly pressed the "accept" button and braced herself for the worst.
"Hello..." she mumbled trying not to sound too dejected.
"Why didn't you tell me you were taking Ariel to California!" screamed a male voice from the phone.
"I'm fine thanks. Ariel's fine too by the way. We had a smooth flight..." said Rachel sarcastically.
"Don't play smart games with me Rachel," he yelled. "Answer the question!"
"I tried," said an exasperated Rachel. "I left message after message with your secretary, telling you to call me. I kept calling your cell phone last week and you never picked up. What was I supposed to do, write you a letter?"
"BS!" yelled the man. "I didn't get any messages!"
"Don't call me a liar!" Rachel was rapidly getting annoyed.
"Hey, if the shoe fits..." he angrily spat out.
"You are unbelievable! Practice what you preach! You're calling ME a liar! Walk your pathetic self to a mirror and take a good, hard look!"
"You know I could have you in a legal dispute about this?" he threatened icily. "You took my daughter out of the state without my permission!"
"Oh pull your head out of your ass already! Just 'cuz you think you're some hot-shot lawyer you act like the whole damn world revolves around you! You don't OWN us! I'm only here for two weeks and Ariel hasn't even started preschool yet!"
"Next time, you let me KNOW before you take my daughter ANYWHERE out of the City or I WILL take legal action," he growled.
"If you were actually INVOLVED in your daughter's life, I wouldn't have such a hard time tracking you down!"
"Hey that little girl ADORES me!"
"I'm sorry, are we referring to the SAME little girl!"
"She knows I'm her father! I can't always be there for her, but that doesn't mean I'm not a good father!"
"Maybe by law an Alimony check once a month and a brief visit twice a year classifies you as a parent, but it doesn't to me! You can try to defend your actions all you want, but everyday you're not in her life, you drift further and further away from Ariel's memory. Hell, I shouldn't be complaining because she's better off without you!"
"Are you seriously TRYING to piss me off more than you have Rachel! Cuz' you're doing one hell of a job!" The man on the phone was absolutely fuming. "If your aren't home in two weeks I will gladly see to it that the rest of your life will be completely miserable."
"Go to hell, Ross!" Rachel snapped her phone shut and let it drop to the ground. Fists clenched tight, hot sheathes of liquid blazed her eyes as she stared out into the night sky.
To be continued...
P.S. DON'T HATE ME! I'll explain why Ross is NOT a nice guy in the following chapters...
