Unexpected Twists In Life
Alely7
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters.
Hey! I didn't know that this had been done before, which is strange because I read lots of fanfics. But I have decided to continue because I had this all planned out, and hopefully, the rest of my story will not be like the others (although I have no way of comparing them because I don't know what they are). Anyway, thanks for the reviews, this week has been much better, and it looks like everything will be okay. I hope you like it!
Chapter 2
"Shit," Chandler shouted when he finally comprehended the magnitude of the whole situation. He then remembered that he was in a church and in the presence of God. He apologized to the minister and the guests as he ran down the aisle in search of Kathy. He still wasn't sure what had prompted him to say Monica's name. Maybe it was because she had reassured him or earlier when he ran away or because he had seen her give him the go ahead before he said those fateful words. He didn't know what this all meant, or if he would ever have a second chance with Kathy. He really did love Kathy; it was all just a big mistake.
Chandler kept on running, and he had an idea of where Kathy might be; the fountain where he had proposed was just a block away. When he arrived, he was out of breath, but relieved to see that Kathy was indeed there. She was sitting on a bench; the bench where she had been sitting three months ago. Chandler slowly approached her. He didn't know why he did it slowly; maybe he didn't want to scare her off. Chandler was afraid to say something, but he knew that if he didn't, he would never have another opportunity. 'Now or never' he repeated to himself over and over again. He finally found the courage to do it.
"Kathy, we need to talk." He said rather quietly, but still she was able to hear him. She turned around and he instantly noticed her tear stained cheeks and running mascara. He couldn't believe he had screwed up so big. All he had to do was say the right name, and he messed it up. 'Figures' he thought, ' I can never do anything right; especially the most important things in life.'
"I don't want to talk to you right now, Chandler. Do you even know how humiliating that was? You embarrassed me in front of hundreds of family and friends." Her tone was harsh, but Chandler felt that he deserved it.
"I know Kathy, but let me just explain something to you. Please?" Chandler pleaded, and even used his puppy dog eyes. He knew Kathy couldn't refuse those.
"Fine, but it had better be good. Really, really good." He was thankful to be given the opportunity and he sat down next to her, but winced when she moved a little bit away from him. He didn't even know what he was going to say, but he knew that he had better think fast.
-Meanwhile-
The gang had sort of centered themselves around Monica, not believing what just happened. Monica didn't know if this meant he had feelings for her, but she wanted to assume it did indicate that. Only an idiot would say the name of a woman he didn't love at a wedding in exchange for the bride's name. Chandler wasn't an idiot, was he? Was he risking everything to be with her?
"Could he be more stupid?" Ross asked. How the hell does someone say the wrong name?
"Well, looks like Chandler won't be getting any tonight." Joey laughed, but when he saw the looks from the three girls, he stopped and composed himself. He knew he was right though.
"Do you think he'll find her?" Rachel asked, not really directing it at anyone, just putting it out in the open.
"More importantly, do you think she'll forgive him?" Phoebe asked, but got no response. As much as these people liked to gossip, they had no answers, not even hypothetical ones.
Monica couldn't understand why no one had said anything about her name being mentioned. She was sure it meant something, and she had expected Rachel to start asking her all sorts of questions, like if they were together, or if they had done it. But no, not even one remark, so Monica decided to bring it up herself.
"What do you all think it meant?" Monica asked them.
"What do we think "what" meant?" Joey asked.
"You know, how Chandler said my name." Monica was a bit frustrated. How could they not have noticed?
"Oh, that, probably nothing." Phoebe replied. "You're just friends, he probably just saw you last before he said it." Obviously, this was not what Monica wanted to hear, so she stormed off telling her friends she was looking for Chandler and that they should entertain the guests. On her way out, her mother approached her and said,
"Not only can you not get married, but you ruin other people's weddings. What will we do with you, dear?" She smiled, not realizing that her remarks would hurt Monica as much as they did. Monica brushed past her, holding in her tears. This had been such an emotional day so far, and she figured it was only the beginning.
"How are we supposed to entertain them?" Joey asked.
"I could tell them about the documentary on the Discovery Channel last night." Ross said enthusiastically.
"Entertain them Ross, not put them to sleep." Rachel replied, ignoring the glare she got from Ross and laughing along with Phoebe and Joey. Ross made a "Humph" sound and acted like he was really hurt by their remarks.
"Oh, I could play them one of my new songs." Phoebe suggested.
"What's it about?" Rachel asked, wanting to screen it before it was played. Phoebe was known for creating some inappropriate songs, and now was not the time or the place.
"Well, it's mainly about my mom killing herself and then how I hated her for a while after that, y'know, because I was in a bad place and everything." She talked cooling about a serious subject, but it was Phoebe, and that's what she does.
"Pheebs, I don't think the guests want to be depressed." Ross said happily. If he wasn't aloud to talk about insects of the Amazon, he certainly wasn't going to let Phoebe play one of her weird songs and scare everyone away.
"Fine. But ooh, we could have a sing along." Phoebe clapped her hands as she said this and didn't wait for the others' approval. She approached the wedding guests and began.
"I want everyone to join in, ok? Here we go, please turn to page 512 in your blue hymn books." She heard the organ begin to boom, and that was her cue.
-Back at the fountain-
Monica had just spotted Chandler, and her heart fell when she realized he was with Kathy. They appeared to be talking, and she really wanted to know what they were talking about, so she snuck up closer to them and hid behind a large tree. She looked ridiculous, but she didn't care, she just wanted to know what was going on. So Monica remained silent and listened.
"Okay, Kathy, I just want you to know how truly sorry I am. I love you so much, and I know that I want to spend my life with you. I made a huge mistake back there, and if I could, I would take it back in an instant. Monica, well, she means nothing to me." Off Kathy's look, he continued. "Well, obviously not nothing, but we are just friends. Absolutely nothing more." Neither Kathy, nor Monica, or even Chandler believed this. Kathy knew Chandler wasn't cheating on him, because he was a great guy, really sweet, and he would never do anything like that, but she felt he wasn't being honest, even with himself. Monica could have sworn there was something. Maybe not a spark, but a little smoke, anything at all. And Chandler didn't know what to think, but he knew he didn't want to lose someone who loved him enough to marry him. He continued, "The only reason I said her name was because she was the last person I saw before I said it. Please, please you have to believe me. I love you, not Monica."
Kathy was about to respond, when she heard a sneeze. She and Chandler both turned around to find a portion of Monica standing there; the rest of her behind the tree.
"Monica, what are you doing?" Chandler asked, a little bit perturbed that Monica may have been listening. If she did hear it, he wouldn't know what to do. She was probably already mad at him for saying her name and embarrassing her. It was certain that their relationship would be very strange, to say the least, for the next few weeks.
"Oh, hey. I wasn't listening; I was just waiting for you. The minister has another ceremony in a little while and he wants to know if, well, if you're going to continue." Monica sputtered out. It wasn't exactly the truth, but it wasn't exactly a lie either. She was very pleased with herself for making up something so quickly, but still, she felt her heart break into a million pieces when she heard Chandler basically say that there was nothing and will be nothing between them. She wanted to hate him right now, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. Chandler was such a nice guy, and well, no one could hate him.
Chandler turned to Kathy, his eyes asking her whether or not there was going to be a future. Kathy still needed time to decide; it was by far the biggest choice she had ever been faced with.
"Monica, why don't you go back to the church, and well, we'll tell you what's going to happen in a few minutes, okay?" Kathy told her as she wiped her face with her hand, trying to get rid of the evidence that she had been crying. Monica smiled a fake smile and left as she was told. Chandler watched Monica as she left, and Kathy watched Chandler. She knew what she had to do.
"Chandler, I can't do this, and neither can you. It's not fair, we're not being fair to ourselves." It was hard for Kathy to say, but it was the truth.
"What? Are you saying you don't want to marry me?" Chandler couldn't believe this. If only he hadn't been so stupid.
"Chandler, I believe that there was once love in this relationship, and there still is some now, but it's different. We aren't really passionate anymore, it's more like we tolerate each other. We both deserve passion. I'll admit, I had my doubts before the ceremony, but then I remembered that you are such a great guy and that you would do anything to make me happy, so I was happy about marrying you. Now though, I've realized that this was a sign; we aren't meant to be."
Chandler didn't look up. He was afraid to look at her because she was so right, but he didn't want to admit it. This had been his best relationship, well ever.
"Trust me, Chandler. We'll be better off this way. And I'm not mad at you, I am actually kind of glad you said the wrong name. You saved us from making a big mistake. I hope everything works out for you and Monica." She smiled at him and kissed his cheek.
"Me and Monica? Me and Monica? No, you're obviously mistaken; I have no feelings for Monica, other than a platonic friendship. And it's mutual, trust me." Chandler suddenly became very defensive and Kathy noticed.
"I'm not stupid, Chandler. I saw the way you watched her walk away. Maybe I'll see you around. Bye Chandler." Kathy got up and walked off; only looking back once. And when she did, she saw that Chandler wasn't watching her, and she knew it was all for the best.
Chandler was still looking down not really thinking about Kathy, but rather thinking about the past few months, and he thought about the wedding ring in his pocket. Monica and helped him pick it out. She told him it was what she would have wanted. Lastly, he remembered what he had in his breast pocket, and he smiled as he brought his hand to his heart.
And then Kathy gets hit by an oncoming bus-just kidding. As much as I would like for her to not be around, she still is. I don't want to kill anyone off. Please review, thanks!