Tragedy Leads To…
Alely7
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these characters and this is purely for enjoyment. No profits will be made.
Foreword: Okay, so I'm gonna move this along a bit cause I am sick of it lol… Please review!
Chapter 5
"I'm telling you, Monica, just call him. I know you miss him, and it's not gonna do any help if you just sit here moping." Rachel insisted and Phoebe nodded her head in agreement. Ever since Chandler had left, they had been staying with Monica to help with the kids and to comfort Monica.
"I can't. He left me and I don't want to go begging to him. As much as I miss him…"Monica stopped and gazed straight ahead, already feeling the tears come. It was non-stop. Whenever the kids did something that reminded her of Chandler, she started up again, and the kids all felt it was their own fault. Monica tried to reassure them, but couldn't even bring herself to do it. That's what Rachel and Phoebe were for.
"Monica! Monica! You keep doing that, drifting away. Now, I know that it's hard right now, that's why you need to call Chandler. I'm sure he's in his old room, lying there missing you." Phoebe stated concerned. Joey had told her that he was miserable too and he rarely left his room. She couldn't for the life of her understand why neither of them wanted to make the first move and call.
"I don't know you guys, what if he wants…what if he wants…"Monica had a hard time saying it but finally spit it out in a violent burst of tears. "A divorce."
The two friends were quick to dispel the horrific idea and comfort Monica. There was no way Monica and Chandler could get divorced. They were Chandler and Monica, the couple everyone envied with the cutest kids, the perfect house, and basically, the perfect life. No one thought that the accident would have so much of an aftershock.
After another hour of convincing, Monica finally worked up the nerve to call Chandler. She picked up the phone, but it took her several tries to get the number right. Her shaky hands kept pushing the wrong keys. Phoebe and Rachel weren't sure whether they should help her, but they both silently came to the conclusion that Monica needed to do all of this on her own.
Monica listened into the phone, waiting patiently for an answer, although she wasn't sure if that's what she wanted. An answer may not be the answer she wants to hear. As the first ring came to a stop, Monica finally exhaled. Then the second ring; still nothing. Third ring; should I hang up? Fourth ring; I'm going to hang up. Fifth ring; why haven't I already hung up? Sixth ring; where is he? Seventh ring; Chandler… Eighth ring; nothing. Monica's heart broke just a little more when she realized no one was going to pick up the phone. She reluctantly placed the phone on the table and fell onto the couch. Chandler should have answered. Monica was flooded with emotions ranging from hopeless to angry to worried. And tomorrow too…what will happen tomorrow?
"Hey Joey." Chandler mumbled as he entered the apartment he had now been sharing with his former roommate. After hearing no response, Chandler placed his briefcase down on the counter and grabbed a beer from the fridge.
Ever since he had left, his life had been lousy. He knew he ran away from his problems and now this pain and suffering was all his fault, but it was the only thing he could think of at the time, and it didn't seem like running away then. Now he was wasting away his life using alcohol as a cover. He didn't eat, and he only left the apartment to go to work, which he had been concentrating on recently. Hell, it was a Saturday and he just back from the office.
Chandler walked dejectedly to his room prepared to spend the rest of the day sleeping. He had been doing that a lot lately. He was just always tired or weak. He figured it was mostly due to his lack of nutrition and that he was over working himself. But it didn't matter. Right now there was a gaping whole in the center of his life. He missed is children, he missed his old life, he missed Monica… And tomorrow too…what will happen tomorrow?
Hours later, Monica awoke from her slumber to hear the phone ringing. Maybe it was Chandler…But she knew she shouldn't get her hopes up.
"Hello?" She spoke groggily to the phone.
"Mon, it's Joey. You gotta come to the hospital, quick." She sensed panic in his tone. Something was wrong with Chandler. She just knew it.
"Is it Chandler?" She didn't need to ask though.
"Yeah, but you'll still come, right?" He thought that maybe Monica still hated him, and wouldn't want to be there. But she had to be there.
"Of course, Joey. I'll be right over." Monica quickly hung up the phone without even a goodbye and went to find Phoebe and Rachel. They would have to watch the kids while she was gone. Maybe they could come over later, depending upon how everything was.
The entire drive over there, Monica's head was filled with horrible thoughts about Chandler's condition. What if he didn't make it, then they would never get their second chance to make things right. Monica wanted the second chance and she prayed to God for it. She didn't want him to leave with the way things were between them. They could get more therapy, in addition to the bit they had in the weeks immediately following the accident. They could fix it---They were Monica and Chandler; the invincible couple.
When Monica arrived, she hastily parked her car in a no parking zone, not even caring, and ran through the doors towards the office. She passed several people leaving the hospital, wishing she were one of those people. It made her think back to the day they all went home. She expected everything to be okay. But she was so completely wrong. And now she was back and she didn't know what to expect.
"Chandler Bing, please." Monica half stated, half asked to the miserable looking nurse behind the counter. The nurse fumbled around on the computer a bit, and looked up at Monica. She knew immediately that Monica was the typical wife with the typical kids with the typical life. But now, things weren't typical any more.
"And may I ask, what relation are you?" The nurse asked bitterly even though she already knew the answer. It was routine; like always.
"I'm his um…I'm his wife." Monica didn't know how to put it. Of course she was his wife, and he her husband, but right now the line was blurred and Monica no longer knew what she was.
The nurse raised her eye skeptically.
"Are you sure about that?" She asked in a condescending tone and let out a little laugh. She reminded Monica of a weasel; her beady eyes and suspicious ways.
"Of course I'm sure." Monica also let out a little laugh as a way to hide her uneasiness. She wasn't sure, but she needed to see Chandler.
"Alright then, he's on the fourth floor, room 177." The nurse curtly replied and went back to filing her nails.
Monica gave her a look and turned the corner to the elevator. She pushed the button and waited for the door to open, and each passing second made Monica uneasier. She didn't know what to expect of his condition nor of what would result from her visit. She wondered if he remembered about tomorrow. She had, she had even gotten him something that she had carried around in her purse since he had left.
Finally, the door opened, much to Monica's relief, and she stepped inside. Maybe it was because she was nervous, but she hastily pressed the button for the fourth floor repeatedly. Once would not do it. Monica's mind was racing as the elevator doors opened one last time. It was as if they were opening up a new opportunity for her. Maybe it was a new beginning for herself and Chandler. It was the moment of truth.
Joey was just exiting his friend's room as he heard the ding of the elevator. He turned around to find Monica, and almost immediately, a huge weight was lifted from his chest. She could help Chandler. This was what he needed.
"Mon, thank God you're here." Relief was evident in his tone.
"Oh, Joey, what's wrong? Is Chandler gonna be okay? Is he conscious?" She had more questions, but Joey cut her off before she could continue.
"Wow, Chandler's right. You are like the riddler." He laughed and Monica gave him a stern glare. This was no time for joking around. But maybe, she thought, this was a good sign if Joey was able to relax. Joey continued, "Monica, he's not okay, but he's not dying and he is conscious."
"But he's not okay?" Monica's voice was once again shaky. 'He's not okay' she repeated to herself over and over again. How could Chandler not be okay?
"Mon, there's something wrong with his brain. But it wasn't caused by the accident. It's the reason he had all of those headaches, and I found him a few hours ago. He was unconscious, lying on his bead. It's not a seizure, but something similar. The doctor said that with recent stress and since he hasn't been eating well, it just all came together and aggravated the disease, so he passed out."
It was a lot of information for Monica to take in. Chandler was sick, and he might be sick forever. She broke down crying, which was beginning to become part of her daily routine. But hit time she was crying not because she missed Chandler, but she was afraid for him. Of course she wanted him to come back, but his health was first and foremost now.
"Well, is there medicine he can take to get better?" Monica whimpered and Joey enveloped her in a hug. This couldn't be easy for her, not one bit at all.
"Yes, sweetie. The doctors predict a full and speedy recovery. I'm sorry I made you worry so much. It's just that Chandler's been asking for you. Mon, he misses you. Please talk to him."
Monica wanted to smile when she heard all of that. Chandler would be okay, and he missed her. It was one step, and now she was about to take the next. Monica quietly opened the door to Chandler's room and walked in to see him sleeping soundly…
Okay, so I'm no medical expert, and I totally made up all the brain stuff. But that's why this is FICTION! ;) Please review!