Chapter 5
"Ross," Monica said, still absorbing how big her brother's announcement really was and the impact it was sure to have on all of them, "this is wonderful news. I'm sooo happy for you."
"Thanks, Mon."
Still smiling, Ross pulled his sister into a tight hug.
"Yeah," Chandler added. "This is quite a surprise. I mean, we all knew it was inevitable, right, but still. Congratulations, my friend."
"Thanks."
Ross could not stop beaming.
"I've been thinking about it for awhile, and lately, Rachel and I, well, we are connecting on every level. I've never been more content. There's no one else I want to be with. Now, we just have to make it official."
"How are you going to propose?" Monica asked, her eyes shining with happiness for her brother.
"I've made dinner reservations at 'Tavern on the Green' in Central Park. Then, I've arranged for a moonlight Hansom carriage ride around the city. Somewhere during that ride, probably as we travel through Central Park, I'm going to ask Rachel to be my wife."
Tears of joy gathered in Monica's blue eyes. "It sounds beautiful and soooo romantic."
"Very nice," Chandler agreed.
"Thanks. I'm sorry I can't stay longer, but I want to catch up with Rachel at the coffeehouse."
"Ross, why don't you and Rachel come back here tomorrow night after the proposal? We'll have a champagne toast, and I'll bake a cake for you two. I know we all want to celebrate with the happy couple and see Rachel's ring. Right, Chandler?"
His eyes locked on Monica who motioned for him to go along with her plan.
"Of course. I know we all couldn't be happier for you and Rachel."
"Wow, you guys. Thanks. That sounds nice. Do you realize this will be the first time all six of us will be together in what...a month? This is so great!"
Ross hugged Monica and Chandler and then left the apartment.
"I don't think his feet are touching the ground," Chandler observed.
"He is definitely on Cloud Nine," Monica agreed. "It must be nice to know, with absolute certainty, who you want to spend the rest of your life with."
"Yeah," Chandler said, his voice pensive. "It must be."
Their eyes met and held.
"Monica, about what I said before Ross came in. I'm sorry. I was way out of line when I said Phoebe cared more about me than you do. That was my anger getting the better of me. I didn't mean it."
Monica nodded. "Apology accepted. Let's just agree it's been a tough couple of months, but it's going to get better."
"Yeah, it has. And I hope it will get better. Well, it's getting late. I should go."
"Wait a minute. Don't forget your cookies."
Chandler smiled as he watched Monica put some cookies into a ziplock bag for him.
"Thanks," he said, when she handed it to him.
"You're welcome. Enjoy."
She walked with him to the door. He opened it and gave her one more smile before saying goodnight.
"Chandler," she said, as he headed across the hall.
"Yeah?"
"I'm very glad you're going to celebrate with us tomorrow night."
"I wouldn't miss it. 'Night, Mon. See you tomorrow."
She waved and gave him a smile before closing her door.
*~*
With Ross' news heavy on his mind, Chandler entered his apartment and sank into his Barcolounger. He was happy for his friend. Of course he was. But there was also a part of him that was envious, too. He'd never seen his friend as exuberant as he was tonight. He'd found his soul mate, and he was going to make a life with her.
Although he didn't want to, Chandler couldn't help but think back to Phoebe's words. Alone. All alone. With no one to blame but himself. While it was true he had issues when it came to being in a committed relationship, he never let himself dwell for very long on the thought that he would end up without anyone. Surely there was someone out there meant for him, wasn't there?
*~*
As Monica dried the plate the cookies had been on, Ross' news and the excitement in his voice played in her head. She knew this day was going to come, and she was thrilled for her brother and her best friend. But she couldn't help giving in to a small dose of self-pity. She knew her parents would be ecstatic, and of course, everything would revolve around this marriage. Could she do it? Could she live every day with Rachel talking about and making wedding plans? Could she hold it together while she helped with the planning? Yes, you can, she scolded herself. And you will. She knew, if the roles were reversed, she would want Ross and Rachel to be happy for her and want them to participate in making her wedding perfect. And they will, she told herself, as she headed for her bedroom. Because there was someone out there for her. She just had to find him.
*~*
Joey entered the apartment and was surprised to see Chandler sitting in the dimly lit living room, appearing deep in thought.
"Hi."
"Hey, Joe."
"So, did you hear the news?" Joey asked, taking a seat on one of the stools.
"About Ross planning to propose to Rachel?"
"Yeah. Ross told Phoebe and me at the coffeehouse when Rachel wasn't around. He said Monica is having a get-together tomorrow night to celebrate. You're going to be there, right?"
"I'll be there."
"This is so cool. Did you see how excited Ross is? I can't believe he's wanted her since the 9th grade, and now they're getting married."
"If Rachel says yes."
"Whaddya mean? Of course Rachel is going to say yes. Why wouldn't she agree to marry Ross? They're perfect for each other. Remember Phoebe's story about the lobsters? You don't mess with something like that."
"Oh, okay," Chandler said with a smirk.
"What? You don't believe they belong together?"
"No, I do. But I'm more amused than anything about Phoebe's lobster comparison."
"I liked her story, and I told her so." Joey smiled sheepishly. "She looked pleased when I mentioned it, too."
"I bet she did."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"By the way, Phoebe said you guys had an interesting dinner. Any details you'd like to share?"
Joey grinned; Chandler shook his head.
"No, not really, except to say I don't think we'll be having dinner again. At least, not alone."
Joey perked up. "Is that right?"
"What? You like the fact that our dinner didn't work out?"
"No," Joey said defensively. "It's just that I can't see you and Phoebe together. There's just something wrong with that in my mind."
"Now you're an expert on who I should be with? For your information, I was doing fine until you came along."
"That's not what I heard."
Joey started to chuckle but stopped when he saw the reddening of Chandler's face.
"Sorry."
"It must be nice to have every woman fall under your spell without even trying. Do you even know what it's like to have to work at maintaining a friendship with a woman? Monica and I were doing great until you came along. Now, thanks to you, I hardly ever get to see her, and when I did finally get to spend some time with her, we fought. Over you."
Joey jumped off the stool. "I don't want you and Monica fighting over me!"
"Well, it's too late because we already did. Yeah, we made up, but the fact remains that tension exists between us now and it never did before."
"I think it's time you heard something from me. At least half of my conversations with Monica are about you. Yeah, that's right. You. We talk about you. I tell Monica how we're not getting along, or how I think I must've done something else to upset you because you're not talking to me...again, and she tells me what a great guy you are and how I have to give this roommate thing a chance. Well, I think I have. I feel I've been pretty damned patient with whatever it is that's going on with you, but you won't meet me halfway! I'm sorry I got in the middle of your precious circle of friends, but they're great people, and I'm glad I know them. Despite the crappy way you've treated me, I know you must have something going for you or your friends wouldn't care about you as much as they do. But apparently, I'm not good enough or smart enough or whatever it is you demand of someone before you'll let him be your friend, so fine. I've had it. After the celebration tomorrow night, I'm packing a bag and going to live with one of my sisters until I find another place. Once I do, I'll send for the rest of my things. I don't need this. I thought this was going to be a great living arrangement. Shows you how wrong a guy can be. Goodnight!"
Chandler jumped up from his chair as Joey brushed past him. He grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop.
"Joey, I'm sorry," Chandler said, his voice somber. "I know I've been acting like a jerk."
"Yeah, you have," agreed Joey wholeheartedly.
Chandler released Joey's arm and motioned for him to sit in the recliner. Joey did so reluctantly. He was tired of going around in circles. All he wanted was some peace.
"I never thought of the consequences of you fitting in as well as you have. I know that sounds crazy. I should be thrilled that my friends took to my roommate the way they have. And on some level, of course I am happy about that. But what I have with Monica is special. At least to me. And to watch you so easily slip into the role of her friend and confidante angered me. I'm supposed to be there for her. Not you and not anyone else. Only me."
"But Chandler, Monica's had other relationships. And she has other friendships, too."
"I know. And when an ex-lover or a friend hurts her, I'm the one she turns to. I'm the one who comforts her and listens to her."
"And you're the one she can't stop talking about. Don't you think I know how much you've helped her and how much she's helped you and how much you guys treasure your friendship? I would never do anything to get in the way of that. Your relationship is too special. But does that mean I don't get to talk to Monica at all? That's so not fair!"
"You're right, it isn't. Like I said before, I've been a jerk about this whole thing."
Joey rose from the chair to face his roommate.
"Chandler, I swear I'm not going to come between you and Monica, and I'm never going to replace you in her life. I don't want to replace you. You are waayy too important to her. But I like Monica. A lot. She's great to talk to. We laugh and have a good time. So, I want to hang out with her. Can I do that without you freezing me out?"
"Yeah. I promise I'll be better about the whole hanging out with Monica thing."
"Great! I'm so glad we talked this out."
"Me, too. I know I would've never heard the end of it if you had left."
"Now, we can enjoy ourselves tomorrow night, right? Things are good between us?"
"Yeah, they are. Well, goodnight."
"'Night. Oh, Chandler, I do have one question for you."
"Sure. What is it?"
"Please tell me you won't get all crazy if I start spending more time with Phoebe?"
Chandler smiled and chuckled. "That, my friend, won't bother me at all."
Joey punched his fist into the air. "All right!"
"So, Joe," Chandler said, grinning as he stood near his bedroom door, "should we start thinking of you as Phoebe's lobster?"
"Ross," Monica said, still absorbing how big her brother's announcement really was and the impact it was sure to have on all of them, "this is wonderful news. I'm sooo happy for you."
"Thanks, Mon."
Still smiling, Ross pulled his sister into a tight hug.
"Yeah," Chandler added. "This is quite a surprise. I mean, we all knew it was inevitable, right, but still. Congratulations, my friend."
"Thanks."
Ross could not stop beaming.
"I've been thinking about it for awhile, and lately, Rachel and I, well, we are connecting on every level. I've never been more content. There's no one else I want to be with. Now, we just have to make it official."
"How are you going to propose?" Monica asked, her eyes shining with happiness for her brother.
"I've made dinner reservations at 'Tavern on the Green' in Central Park. Then, I've arranged for a moonlight Hansom carriage ride around the city. Somewhere during that ride, probably as we travel through Central Park, I'm going to ask Rachel to be my wife."
Tears of joy gathered in Monica's blue eyes. "It sounds beautiful and soooo romantic."
"Very nice," Chandler agreed.
"Thanks. I'm sorry I can't stay longer, but I want to catch up with Rachel at the coffeehouse."
"Ross, why don't you and Rachel come back here tomorrow night after the proposal? We'll have a champagne toast, and I'll bake a cake for you two. I know we all want to celebrate with the happy couple and see Rachel's ring. Right, Chandler?"
His eyes locked on Monica who motioned for him to go along with her plan.
"Of course. I know we all couldn't be happier for you and Rachel."
"Wow, you guys. Thanks. That sounds nice. Do you realize this will be the first time all six of us will be together in what...a month? This is so great!"
Ross hugged Monica and Chandler and then left the apartment.
"I don't think his feet are touching the ground," Chandler observed.
"He is definitely on Cloud Nine," Monica agreed. "It must be nice to know, with absolute certainty, who you want to spend the rest of your life with."
"Yeah," Chandler said, his voice pensive. "It must be."
Their eyes met and held.
"Monica, about what I said before Ross came in. I'm sorry. I was way out of line when I said Phoebe cared more about me than you do. That was my anger getting the better of me. I didn't mean it."
Monica nodded. "Apology accepted. Let's just agree it's been a tough couple of months, but it's going to get better."
"Yeah, it has. And I hope it will get better. Well, it's getting late. I should go."
"Wait a minute. Don't forget your cookies."
Chandler smiled as he watched Monica put some cookies into a ziplock bag for him.
"Thanks," he said, when she handed it to him.
"You're welcome. Enjoy."
She walked with him to the door. He opened it and gave her one more smile before saying goodnight.
"Chandler," she said, as he headed across the hall.
"Yeah?"
"I'm very glad you're going to celebrate with us tomorrow night."
"I wouldn't miss it. 'Night, Mon. See you tomorrow."
She waved and gave him a smile before closing her door.
*~*
With Ross' news heavy on his mind, Chandler entered his apartment and sank into his Barcolounger. He was happy for his friend. Of course he was. But there was also a part of him that was envious, too. He'd never seen his friend as exuberant as he was tonight. He'd found his soul mate, and he was going to make a life with her.
Although he didn't want to, Chandler couldn't help but think back to Phoebe's words. Alone. All alone. With no one to blame but himself. While it was true he had issues when it came to being in a committed relationship, he never let himself dwell for very long on the thought that he would end up without anyone. Surely there was someone out there meant for him, wasn't there?
*~*
As Monica dried the plate the cookies had been on, Ross' news and the excitement in his voice played in her head. She knew this day was going to come, and she was thrilled for her brother and her best friend. But she couldn't help giving in to a small dose of self-pity. She knew her parents would be ecstatic, and of course, everything would revolve around this marriage. Could she do it? Could she live every day with Rachel talking about and making wedding plans? Could she hold it together while she helped with the planning? Yes, you can, she scolded herself. And you will. She knew, if the roles were reversed, she would want Ross and Rachel to be happy for her and want them to participate in making her wedding perfect. And they will, she told herself, as she headed for her bedroom. Because there was someone out there for her. She just had to find him.
*~*
Joey entered the apartment and was surprised to see Chandler sitting in the dimly lit living room, appearing deep in thought.
"Hi."
"Hey, Joe."
"So, did you hear the news?" Joey asked, taking a seat on one of the stools.
"About Ross planning to propose to Rachel?"
"Yeah. Ross told Phoebe and me at the coffeehouse when Rachel wasn't around. He said Monica is having a get-together tomorrow night to celebrate. You're going to be there, right?"
"I'll be there."
"This is so cool. Did you see how excited Ross is? I can't believe he's wanted her since the 9th grade, and now they're getting married."
"If Rachel says yes."
"Whaddya mean? Of course Rachel is going to say yes. Why wouldn't she agree to marry Ross? They're perfect for each other. Remember Phoebe's story about the lobsters? You don't mess with something like that."
"Oh, okay," Chandler said with a smirk.
"What? You don't believe they belong together?"
"No, I do. But I'm more amused than anything about Phoebe's lobster comparison."
"I liked her story, and I told her so." Joey smiled sheepishly. "She looked pleased when I mentioned it, too."
"I bet she did."
"What?"
"Nothing."
"By the way, Phoebe said you guys had an interesting dinner. Any details you'd like to share?"
Joey grinned; Chandler shook his head.
"No, not really, except to say I don't think we'll be having dinner again. At least, not alone."
Joey perked up. "Is that right?"
"What? You like the fact that our dinner didn't work out?"
"No," Joey said defensively. "It's just that I can't see you and Phoebe together. There's just something wrong with that in my mind."
"Now you're an expert on who I should be with? For your information, I was doing fine until you came along."
"That's not what I heard."
Joey started to chuckle but stopped when he saw the reddening of Chandler's face.
"Sorry."
"It must be nice to have every woman fall under your spell without even trying. Do you even know what it's like to have to work at maintaining a friendship with a woman? Monica and I were doing great until you came along. Now, thanks to you, I hardly ever get to see her, and when I did finally get to spend some time with her, we fought. Over you."
Joey jumped off the stool. "I don't want you and Monica fighting over me!"
"Well, it's too late because we already did. Yeah, we made up, but the fact remains that tension exists between us now and it never did before."
"I think it's time you heard something from me. At least half of my conversations with Monica are about you. Yeah, that's right. You. We talk about you. I tell Monica how we're not getting along, or how I think I must've done something else to upset you because you're not talking to me...again, and she tells me what a great guy you are and how I have to give this roommate thing a chance. Well, I think I have. I feel I've been pretty damned patient with whatever it is that's going on with you, but you won't meet me halfway! I'm sorry I got in the middle of your precious circle of friends, but they're great people, and I'm glad I know them. Despite the crappy way you've treated me, I know you must have something going for you or your friends wouldn't care about you as much as they do. But apparently, I'm not good enough or smart enough or whatever it is you demand of someone before you'll let him be your friend, so fine. I've had it. After the celebration tomorrow night, I'm packing a bag and going to live with one of my sisters until I find another place. Once I do, I'll send for the rest of my things. I don't need this. I thought this was going to be a great living arrangement. Shows you how wrong a guy can be. Goodnight!"
Chandler jumped up from his chair as Joey brushed past him. He grabbed his arm, forcing him to stop.
"Joey, I'm sorry," Chandler said, his voice somber. "I know I've been acting like a jerk."
"Yeah, you have," agreed Joey wholeheartedly.
Chandler released Joey's arm and motioned for him to sit in the recliner. Joey did so reluctantly. He was tired of going around in circles. All he wanted was some peace.
"I never thought of the consequences of you fitting in as well as you have. I know that sounds crazy. I should be thrilled that my friends took to my roommate the way they have. And on some level, of course I am happy about that. But what I have with Monica is special. At least to me. And to watch you so easily slip into the role of her friend and confidante angered me. I'm supposed to be there for her. Not you and not anyone else. Only me."
"But Chandler, Monica's had other relationships. And she has other friendships, too."
"I know. And when an ex-lover or a friend hurts her, I'm the one she turns to. I'm the one who comforts her and listens to her."
"And you're the one she can't stop talking about. Don't you think I know how much you've helped her and how much she's helped you and how much you guys treasure your friendship? I would never do anything to get in the way of that. Your relationship is too special. But does that mean I don't get to talk to Monica at all? That's so not fair!"
"You're right, it isn't. Like I said before, I've been a jerk about this whole thing."
Joey rose from the chair to face his roommate.
"Chandler, I swear I'm not going to come between you and Monica, and I'm never going to replace you in her life. I don't want to replace you. You are waayy too important to her. But I like Monica. A lot. She's great to talk to. We laugh and have a good time. So, I want to hang out with her. Can I do that without you freezing me out?"
"Yeah. I promise I'll be better about the whole hanging out with Monica thing."
"Great! I'm so glad we talked this out."
"Me, too. I know I would've never heard the end of it if you had left."
"Now, we can enjoy ourselves tomorrow night, right? Things are good between us?"
"Yeah, they are. Well, goodnight."
"'Night. Oh, Chandler, I do have one question for you."
"Sure. What is it?"
"Please tell me you won't get all crazy if I start spending more time with Phoebe?"
Chandler smiled and chuckled. "That, my friend, won't bother me at all."
Joey punched his fist into the air. "All right!"
"So, Joe," Chandler said, grinning as he stood near his bedroom door, "should we start thinking of you as Phoebe's lobster?"