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:  Last chapter, but… Please review anyway!  I don't want to feel like all this work was for nothing! 

Chapter 6

            Monica watched Chandler's body rise and fall as he breathed in and out.  He looked so peaceful, just lying there.  She didn't want to wake him so she therefore tiptoed silently to the chair beside his bed.  She picked up a small box from her purse and placed the bag on the bedside table.  She held the box in her hand for some time, as if debating how to give it to him.  It was a big gift, and although now wasn't the time, she was excited.  Nothing would ruin that.  She ran the box through her hands for several minutes before finally placing the box on his bed.  She closed her eyes and allowed herself to sleep.  Now that she had Chandler with her, the release came easily. 

            Chandler woke up in no pain at all.  The pounding in his head had stopped, but his body felt as though it was being weighed down.  He couldn't move a muscle.  As soon as he opened his eyes, which proved to be more difficult than he had expected, he saw Monica sleeping in the chair next to him.  She was curled up in a ball and she had the most peaceful look on her face.  She seemed to be in such a deep and rewarding sleep that he didn't want to wake her up.  Chandler decided to make himself comfortable and think about what he would say to her when she woke up.  He had so much to say and he knew that she would expect a lot from him. 

            Just several minutes later, Monica stirred and Chandler ran over his speech once more in his head.  When her eyes opened up, he made the first move.

"Hey," He quietly said.  She wasn't prepared for this, and she jumped from the shock.

"Oh, Chandler, you're awake!  And thank God you're okay."  She wanted to get up and kiss him, but she refrained for two reasons.  First, she was afraid she would break him, and second, they were separated and that wasn't appropriate no matter how much she loved him and missed him. 

"Monica, we need to talk." 

"I know Chandler, I have so much I need to tell you and…"She was cut off by Chandler; he obviously had something important to say right away. 

"Mon, I left, let me do the talking first, okay?"  Monica nodded and Chandler continued.  "After the accident, I expected everything to go back to normal because everyone was okay.  But I was so wrong, Mon.  I blamed myself, but I showed my anger and frustration with myself by blaming you and yelling at you.  I never blamed you Mon.  I want you to know that.  I just blamed myself so much that I couldn't take it.  I could have destroyed my family, and I did.  It may not have been in the crash, but I did in the aftermath.  I'm so sorry for leaving.  I love you Mon, and I wish I could take back all of those stupid things I've done.  I miss you and the kids."  Monica looked up from her lap and Chandler noticed a tear rolling down her face. 

"Oh, Chandler!  I've missed you too!  And it wasn't your fault, it was that other driver.  You have to remember what the police said.  Nothing could have prevented it.  He hit you from behind and pushed you into the pole."

"I know, but sometimes that explanation doesn't seem good enough."

"Chandler, do you think we'll ever get back to normal?"  There was fear evident in her question. 

"Mon, honestly, I think the first step is for me to move back home, and lots of therapy, and working together.  We weren't working together before."  He let out a knowing smile, and he hoped that Monica caught on to the 'moving back home' thing.  Would she accept him?

When Monica heard his response, she caught onto the moving back thing.  Was he serious?  He wanted to move back home?  She knew it shouldn't be this easy and he should have to beg and plead, but she didn't care.  She wanted him home as soon as possible. 

"I agree, and after you unpack, we should see someone to help us."  Monica smiled a smile of relief. 

            Chandler took a double take.  Did Monica just say what he thought she did?  Shouldn't he have to beg to come home?

"You mean that…"Chandler left the rest of the question off due to the obviousness of the question and answer.  Monica nodded and cautiously kissed him lightly on the lips.  She didn't want to hurt him and that reminded her about why she was here in the first place.

"Chandler, how do you feel?"  Chandler had also forgotten about his condition due to the recent events, and his smile deflated.  Monica noticed his reaction and began to weep.  They were back together, but now he was sick.  Nothing ever went right for them.

"Mon, I'm scared.  I have this disease, and that's why I had all of those headaches.  I don't want to die." Monica nodded and smiled.  "Mon, why are you smiling, this isn't funny."  Monica kept smiling, and off of Chandler's confused look, she explained to him about his condition 

"Joey told me about that, and that the doctor's think you'll be fine.  They can give you medicine to make you better.  Better than new, sweetie."  Chandler let out a sigh of relief and desperately tried to move his head further towards Monica.  Seeing his pain, Monica scooted her chair closer to him. 

"Thanks," he smiled sheepishly.  The two of them just stared at each other for several minutes before Chandler went on.  "How long will I be in here?" 

"I don't think too long."

"Mon, another question."

"Okay, what is it?  Are you comfortable enough?  Do you need something?  Just ask."

"What's that on my bed over there?"  Chandler nodded his head slightly in the direction of his feet.  He was talking about the box.

            Monica smiled, "Chandler, do you know what today is?"

"Of course, it's our anniversary… oh, it's our anniversary.   Monica, you shouldn't have…"

            Monica picked up the box and was about to hand it to Chandler when she remembered he had trouble moving.  "Mind if I open it for you?"  Chandler gave the go ahead nod and she carefully unwrapped the box, revealing a small silver cup.  Chandler immediately knew what it was; he already had three of them.  Monica turned the cup around to reveal the words, 'World's Greatest Dad'.  They were going to have another baby, and Chandler couldn't have been more thrilled. 

"Mon, this is great!  How far along are you?"

"I know!  Two months, and everything is good so far.  And I am so glad you're happy about this, you are happy, right?"

"Of course I am happy!  The woman I love is having my baby."  Chandler's smile was huge, and for the first time in six months, he had the feeling that everything would truly be okay.  Everyone was healthy, including the new addition to his family.  He and Monica were on the road to recovery, relationship wise, and he just knew in his heart that things would turn out just fine. 

Of course he regretted leaving, but he had a feeling that his absence was what brought them closer together.  After tragedy, lives are shattered.  Sometimes tragedy brings people closer together, sometimes it pushes them apart.  For Chandler and Monica, tragedy pushed them apart and tested their relationship.  But then they grew closer together, and in the months and years to come, their lives were mended as they returned to their happy lifestyle.  It just proved that their love was true.  They were back; Chandler and Monica, the invincible couple.    

Ahhhhhh…The End at last!  Please review, thanks.