Chapter 11
Monica and Eric left Central Perk before the others. Once they were gone, the four remaining friends assessed Eric and his chances for a lasting relationship with Monica.
"He seems like a nice enough guy," Ross said. "He made Monica laugh."
"But not like Chandler would have," Phoebe said.
She shrugged when the others stared at her. "I can't help it. I miss him."
"We all do, Pheebs," Rachel said. "I know that's why I didn't hang out here this week."
"So, you don't think this Eric dude has a chance?" Joey asked the group.
"If Chandler doesn't contact Monica," Rachel said, "then I think Eric will have a great chance. Monica really thought she would hear from Chandler this week, but she didn't."
"Yeah, she was really upset."
Three pairs of eyes turned their attention to Joey.
"What? We talked the other day at my place. Monica has been a good friend to me. I hate that all this happened. I still feel responsible."
"No, Joe," Ross said. "You have no reason to feel guilty. I'll check in with Chandler tomorrow. I'll find out what's going on."
"I'm going to call him, too," Phoebe said. She snuggled closer and smiled at Joey who had draped his arm around her shoulders. "I never did thank him for unwittingly helping to bring us together."
*~*
Monica sat on her bed, her lips still tingling from Eric's kisses. He had asked to spend the night; Monica told him she wasn't ready to take that step.
And she doubted she ever would be.
Knowing she had the apartment to herself, she threw on a flimsy nightshirt and padded barefoot into the kitchen to make herself tea.
She sat down at the table with her mug when she realized she wanted something sweet to eat. Withdrawing a plastic container from the cupboard, she opened it and smiled. Staring at her was the remaining batch of peanut butter cookies she had baked for Chandler.
Chandler.
While munching on a not so fresh cookie, she carried her cup to the coffee table and set it down on a coaster. Curling up on the sofa, she clutched, with her left hand, the same pillow as she had earlier and, with the right hand, she picked up the cordless phone. She smiled when she saw her address book was still open to the page where she had written Chandler's new phone number and address.
"It is sooo meant for me to call him tonight," she told the keypad as she used it to punch in the phone number.
His sleepy "hello" couldn't have sounded sexier to her receptive ear.
"Hello, Chandler," she said, her voice almost a soft whisper.
"Mo-Monica?!" Chandler stammered, as he tried to wake up. He needed to know he wasn't dreaming.
"Yes," she said and laughed. "It's me. And by the way, I'm not sorry I woke you."
"I'm not sorry either," he said, still trying to get his bearings. "How are you?"
"You want the truth or do you want to hear what I've been telling everyone?"
"You know I always want the truth."
"I'm doing all right."
"Now, I have to know. What is it you're telling other people?"
"Other people? Oh, I'm telling them that I couldn't BE doing better now that Chandler is finally leaving me alone."
"Nice, Mon," he said, deciding to play along. "Very nice."
"Hey, you wanted to know."
Chandler laughed. "Yeah, I guess I did. You do sound good, though."
"You know why?"
"Because I'm not there to bother you?"
"No. Because I'm talking with you. I hear your voice and suddenly, everything's better in my world. I can't help it, Chandler. It's true. I miss you so much. Things just aren't the same, for me, without you."
She didn't mean for it to happen, but she couldn't stop her shaky voice.
"Mon, don't. Please don't. Think about this. We're going to see each other in three weeks. Three short little weeks. That's something positive, right?"
"Yeah," she said, after swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat. She could do this. She'd focus on the positive. "I got my dress today for the wedding."
"Excellent. Tell me all about it. I want to hear every last detail."
As Monica filled Chandler in on the latest news, she calmed down. Chandler smiled as he listened intently to her every word. When she had finished giving him her update, she was the one who was smiling.
"You did it again!" she accused, but her voice was filled with mirth.
Chandler feigned innocence. "Did what?"
"You let me ramble on and on because you knew that's what I needed to do. No wonder I've been so irritable lately. No one else listens the way you do, Chandler. I mean it. Thank you."
"Hey, it was the least I could do. Besides," he said, trying to keep the banter light, "you're the one paying for this call."
Monica laughed outright and then shook her head.
"You're impossible, Chandler Bing, but I lo..."
She stopped. She had been about to say those three magical words, only she wouldn't have meant them as a friend. Swept up by her emotions, she'd actually been ready to tell him she loved him. Because she did. What she felt for him went way beyond friendship. But to tell him now would only drive them further apart. She was sure of it. Besides, she reminded herself, as she tried to get her feelings under control, she had no guarantees, none whatsoever, that Chandler would ever say those same three words to her in a way that meant he wanted more than friendship.
"You what, Mon?" Chandler asked, needing to break the sudden silent tension, even though he was fairly certain he knew what she'd been about to say. He didn't know if he was more thrilled or terrified that she had been about to declare her love for him.
Monica cleared her throat before she spoke. "I said you're incorrigible, but that I..."
"No, wait," Chandler interrupted, seizing the opportunity. "You said I was impossible, not incorrigible. I mean, if you're going to insult me, you could at least have the decency to remember what you said."
"Impossible, incorrigible, they both start with an 'I', okay, and both words describe you perfectly."
"I'm wounded," Chandler said, but the tone of his voice belied his words. "But it's okay, Mon. I'll get over it. Besides, I know you could've called me a lot worse. And probably have when I wasn't around."
The tension eased; they managed to share a laugh.
"I gotta go," Monica said finally, hating that their conversation had to end.
"Yeah, me, too."
"I do miss you, Chandler, and I am looking, catch that? I said 'looking' forward to seeing you at the engagement party. That's what I was going to tell you earlier."
"I got it," Chandler said, understanding her need to protect her feelings. "I can't wait to see you. Bye, Mon. I had the best time talking with you."
"Me, too."
They both held their receivers to their ears for a few moments longer.
"'Night, Mon," Chandler finally said.
"Goodnight...Chandler."
Only after she'd safely shut off the phone did she tell him she loved him.
*~*
"Rach," Ross called to his fiancée from the living room the next morning, "are you getting ready for our breakfast with Ben?"
"Yes," she answered from his bedroom. "I just got out of the shower. I'm deciding what to wear."
"Okay. I'm going to call Chandler while you get dressed."
"Tell him I said 'hi'."
"Will do."
Ross sat down on his sofa and after propping up his sock-covered feet on the apothecary table, he punched in the numbers from the piece of paper Rachel had given him with Chandler's phone number and address.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Chandler. It's Ross. How are you?"
"I'm doing okay. How about you? And Rachel? How are the wedding plans coming along?"
"Everything's going according to plan. Rachel and I are taking Ben to breakfast this morning, and then we're spending the day with him."
"Good for you guys!"
"By the time we're married, I want Ben to be comfortable with the idea that Rachel is going to be his step-mom."
"You shouldn't have any problems. Ben and Rachel have always gotten along, right?"
"That's true. I don't know why I'm more nervous about their relationship than I am about getting married. You'd think I'd be used to the arrangement by now."
"You mean with Carol and Susan?"
"Yes."
"Maybe that's the problem. Maybe now that you're getting married, you want to spend more time with your son. Have you talked to Carol?"
"Only to let her and Susan know that Rachel and I are engaged. She knows I want Rachel and Ben to get to know one another better."
"Does Rachel seem uncomfortable?"
"No, she's been fantastic. She can't wait to be with Ben. You should see her, Chandler. She's organized, she knows what she wants, she has everything planned down to the last minute detail, she...she's making quick and smart decisions about everything. Sometimes, I just need to get out of her way or I feel like I'll be mowed down. She is a bundle of excited energy."
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were describing Monica."
Chandler laughed; Ross remained silent.
"Ross? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, I just...I...um...well...I heard that you haven't been in touch with Monica all week, even though she sent you a package. Do you plan to contact her at some point?"
Chandler understood Ross' concern for his sister. "Monica and I talked. Late last night we had the best conversation. I got it into my head that maybe I should try corresponding with her by letter rather than telephone. I thought it would make things easier for both of us. But that didn't work. I left her a message yesterday, and she called me back."
"So you guys are...good?"
"We are."
"You don't know how relieved I am to hear that because I want our engagement party to be stress free. I want everyone getting along and enjoying themselves."
"Monica and I are fine, but I do need to tell you something about the party."
"Wh-what? You...you're going to be there, right? Chandler, don't tell me you've decided not to come. I'll never forgive you. I mean it."
"Ross," Chandler said and laughed, "calm down. I'm going to be there. But I'm coming up against a very important project deadline the Monday after the party. I'll need to be available by cell phone. I may even have to disappear if I need privacy to talk to my project manager. I just wanted to give you a heads up that, unfortunately, I may be somewhat distracted, but I will be there, okay?"
"Okay. Did you tell Monica?"
"No, I didn't mention it. I thought I'd tell you first. If you want to mention it to her and the others, that's fine with me."
"I'm sure it won't be a problem. We'll just be happy that you're there. I'm sure Joey and Phoebe will keep each other entertained, and Monica will probably bring Eric, so..."
"Eric?" Chandler asked. "Who's Eric?"
Ross realized he'd just made a terrible mistake. He tried to cover as best he could. "No-no one special. He's just someone Mon is friends with at work. You know, I...I'm not even sure she's going to ask him. In fact, she hasn't told me that she has, so...so just forget I mentioned him. Forget I ever said his name."
"Sure," Chandler said, but he knew he wouldn't, and Ross knew he wouldn't either.
Ross stood from the sofa and ran into his bedroom.
"Rachel wants to say 'hi'. I'll talk to you soon."
Ross tossed the phone to Rachel as if it were a hot potato. Not knowing what had happened, Rachel said a confused "hello".
"Hi, Rach. How are you?"
"Fine. Hey, it's good to hear your voice."
"Yours, too. So, you're spending the day with Ben. Have fun."
"Thanks. I think we will. We miss you. We're looking forward to seeing you."
"Same here."
With his mood darkening, it took all of Chandler's self-restraint not to ask Rachel about Eric. It didn't matter anyway, he realized, after ending their conversation, because apparently, he would be meeting this Eric somebody or other in less than three weeks. And he already knew he wasn't going to like him.
Monica and Eric left Central Perk before the others. Once they were gone, the four remaining friends assessed Eric and his chances for a lasting relationship with Monica.
"He seems like a nice enough guy," Ross said. "He made Monica laugh."
"But not like Chandler would have," Phoebe said.
She shrugged when the others stared at her. "I can't help it. I miss him."
"We all do, Pheebs," Rachel said. "I know that's why I didn't hang out here this week."
"So, you don't think this Eric dude has a chance?" Joey asked the group.
"If Chandler doesn't contact Monica," Rachel said, "then I think Eric will have a great chance. Monica really thought she would hear from Chandler this week, but she didn't."
"Yeah, she was really upset."
Three pairs of eyes turned their attention to Joey.
"What? We talked the other day at my place. Monica has been a good friend to me. I hate that all this happened. I still feel responsible."
"No, Joe," Ross said. "You have no reason to feel guilty. I'll check in with Chandler tomorrow. I'll find out what's going on."
"I'm going to call him, too," Phoebe said. She snuggled closer and smiled at Joey who had draped his arm around her shoulders. "I never did thank him for unwittingly helping to bring us together."
*~*
Monica sat on her bed, her lips still tingling from Eric's kisses. He had asked to spend the night; Monica told him she wasn't ready to take that step.
And she doubted she ever would be.
Knowing she had the apartment to herself, she threw on a flimsy nightshirt and padded barefoot into the kitchen to make herself tea.
She sat down at the table with her mug when she realized she wanted something sweet to eat. Withdrawing a plastic container from the cupboard, she opened it and smiled. Staring at her was the remaining batch of peanut butter cookies she had baked for Chandler.
Chandler.
While munching on a not so fresh cookie, she carried her cup to the coffee table and set it down on a coaster. Curling up on the sofa, she clutched, with her left hand, the same pillow as she had earlier and, with the right hand, she picked up the cordless phone. She smiled when she saw her address book was still open to the page where she had written Chandler's new phone number and address.
"It is sooo meant for me to call him tonight," she told the keypad as she used it to punch in the phone number.
His sleepy "hello" couldn't have sounded sexier to her receptive ear.
"Hello, Chandler," she said, her voice almost a soft whisper.
"Mo-Monica?!" Chandler stammered, as he tried to wake up. He needed to know he wasn't dreaming.
"Yes," she said and laughed. "It's me. And by the way, I'm not sorry I woke you."
"I'm not sorry either," he said, still trying to get his bearings. "How are you?"
"You want the truth or do you want to hear what I've been telling everyone?"
"You know I always want the truth."
"I'm doing all right."
"Now, I have to know. What is it you're telling other people?"
"Other people? Oh, I'm telling them that I couldn't BE doing better now that Chandler is finally leaving me alone."
"Nice, Mon," he said, deciding to play along. "Very nice."
"Hey, you wanted to know."
Chandler laughed. "Yeah, I guess I did. You do sound good, though."
"You know why?"
"Because I'm not there to bother you?"
"No. Because I'm talking with you. I hear your voice and suddenly, everything's better in my world. I can't help it, Chandler. It's true. I miss you so much. Things just aren't the same, for me, without you."
She didn't mean for it to happen, but she couldn't stop her shaky voice.
"Mon, don't. Please don't. Think about this. We're going to see each other in three weeks. Three short little weeks. That's something positive, right?"
"Yeah," she said, after swallowing the lump that had formed in her throat. She could do this. She'd focus on the positive. "I got my dress today for the wedding."
"Excellent. Tell me all about it. I want to hear every last detail."
As Monica filled Chandler in on the latest news, she calmed down. Chandler smiled as he listened intently to her every word. When she had finished giving him her update, she was the one who was smiling.
"You did it again!" she accused, but her voice was filled with mirth.
Chandler feigned innocence. "Did what?"
"You let me ramble on and on because you knew that's what I needed to do. No wonder I've been so irritable lately. No one else listens the way you do, Chandler. I mean it. Thank you."
"Hey, it was the least I could do. Besides," he said, trying to keep the banter light, "you're the one paying for this call."
Monica laughed outright and then shook her head.
"You're impossible, Chandler Bing, but I lo..."
She stopped. She had been about to say those three magical words, only she wouldn't have meant them as a friend. Swept up by her emotions, she'd actually been ready to tell him she loved him. Because she did. What she felt for him went way beyond friendship. But to tell him now would only drive them further apart. She was sure of it. Besides, she reminded herself, as she tried to get her feelings under control, she had no guarantees, none whatsoever, that Chandler would ever say those same three words to her in a way that meant he wanted more than friendship.
"You what, Mon?" Chandler asked, needing to break the sudden silent tension, even though he was fairly certain he knew what she'd been about to say. He didn't know if he was more thrilled or terrified that she had been about to declare her love for him.
Monica cleared her throat before she spoke. "I said you're incorrigible, but that I..."
"No, wait," Chandler interrupted, seizing the opportunity. "You said I was impossible, not incorrigible. I mean, if you're going to insult me, you could at least have the decency to remember what you said."
"Impossible, incorrigible, they both start with an 'I', okay, and both words describe you perfectly."
"I'm wounded," Chandler said, but the tone of his voice belied his words. "But it's okay, Mon. I'll get over it. Besides, I know you could've called me a lot worse. And probably have when I wasn't around."
The tension eased; they managed to share a laugh.
"I gotta go," Monica said finally, hating that their conversation had to end.
"Yeah, me, too."
"I do miss you, Chandler, and I am looking, catch that? I said 'looking' forward to seeing you at the engagement party. That's what I was going to tell you earlier."
"I got it," Chandler said, understanding her need to protect her feelings. "I can't wait to see you. Bye, Mon. I had the best time talking with you."
"Me, too."
They both held their receivers to their ears for a few moments longer.
"'Night, Mon," Chandler finally said.
"Goodnight...Chandler."
Only after she'd safely shut off the phone did she tell him she loved him.
*~*
"Rach," Ross called to his fiancée from the living room the next morning, "are you getting ready for our breakfast with Ben?"
"Yes," she answered from his bedroom. "I just got out of the shower. I'm deciding what to wear."
"Okay. I'm going to call Chandler while you get dressed."
"Tell him I said 'hi'."
"Will do."
Ross sat down on his sofa and after propping up his sock-covered feet on the apothecary table, he punched in the numbers from the piece of paper Rachel had given him with Chandler's phone number and address.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Chandler. It's Ross. How are you?"
"I'm doing okay. How about you? And Rachel? How are the wedding plans coming along?"
"Everything's going according to plan. Rachel and I are taking Ben to breakfast this morning, and then we're spending the day with him."
"Good for you guys!"
"By the time we're married, I want Ben to be comfortable with the idea that Rachel is going to be his step-mom."
"You shouldn't have any problems. Ben and Rachel have always gotten along, right?"
"That's true. I don't know why I'm more nervous about their relationship than I am about getting married. You'd think I'd be used to the arrangement by now."
"You mean with Carol and Susan?"
"Yes."
"Maybe that's the problem. Maybe now that you're getting married, you want to spend more time with your son. Have you talked to Carol?"
"Only to let her and Susan know that Rachel and I are engaged. She knows I want Rachel and Ben to get to know one another better."
"Does Rachel seem uncomfortable?"
"No, she's been fantastic. She can't wait to be with Ben. You should see her, Chandler. She's organized, she knows what she wants, she has everything planned down to the last minute detail, she...she's making quick and smart decisions about everything. Sometimes, I just need to get out of her way or I feel like I'll be mowed down. She is a bundle of excited energy."
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were describing Monica."
Chandler laughed; Ross remained silent.
"Ross? Did I say something wrong?"
"No, I just...I...um...well...I heard that you haven't been in touch with Monica all week, even though she sent you a package. Do you plan to contact her at some point?"
Chandler understood Ross' concern for his sister. "Monica and I talked. Late last night we had the best conversation. I got it into my head that maybe I should try corresponding with her by letter rather than telephone. I thought it would make things easier for both of us. But that didn't work. I left her a message yesterday, and she called me back."
"So you guys are...good?"
"We are."
"You don't know how relieved I am to hear that because I want our engagement party to be stress free. I want everyone getting along and enjoying themselves."
"Monica and I are fine, but I do need to tell you something about the party."
"Wh-what? You...you're going to be there, right? Chandler, don't tell me you've decided not to come. I'll never forgive you. I mean it."
"Ross," Chandler said and laughed, "calm down. I'm going to be there. But I'm coming up against a very important project deadline the Monday after the party. I'll need to be available by cell phone. I may even have to disappear if I need privacy to talk to my project manager. I just wanted to give you a heads up that, unfortunately, I may be somewhat distracted, but I will be there, okay?"
"Okay. Did you tell Monica?"
"No, I didn't mention it. I thought I'd tell you first. If you want to mention it to her and the others, that's fine with me."
"I'm sure it won't be a problem. We'll just be happy that you're there. I'm sure Joey and Phoebe will keep each other entertained, and Monica will probably bring Eric, so..."
"Eric?" Chandler asked. "Who's Eric?"
Ross realized he'd just made a terrible mistake. He tried to cover as best he could. "No-no one special. He's just someone Mon is friends with at work. You know, I...I'm not even sure she's going to ask him. In fact, she hasn't told me that she has, so...so just forget I mentioned him. Forget I ever said his name."
"Sure," Chandler said, but he knew he wouldn't, and Ross knew he wouldn't either.
Ross stood from the sofa and ran into his bedroom.
"Rachel wants to say 'hi'. I'll talk to you soon."
Ross tossed the phone to Rachel as if it were a hot potato. Not knowing what had happened, Rachel said a confused "hello".
"Hi, Rach. How are you?"
"Fine. Hey, it's good to hear your voice."
"Yours, too. So, you're spending the day with Ben. Have fun."
"Thanks. I think we will. We miss you. We're looking forward to seeing you."
"Same here."
With his mood darkening, it took all of Chandler's self-restraint not to ask Rachel about Eric. It didn't matter anyway, he realized, after ending their conversation, because apparently, he would be meeting this Eric somebody or other in less than three weeks. And he already knew he wasn't going to like him.