Author's Note: As I began writing this chapter, I realized the story was coming to its natural conclusion, at least for me. So, here is a very short Chapter 18, followed by an Epilogue. I hope these last two chapters don't disappoint. I feel I ended the story at an appropriate place. I've enjoyed writing it, and I've enjoyed reading all your many wonderful reviews. I appreciate every single one. You guys are the best. You've truly made this a worthwhile endeavor for me. Thank you soooo much! :)
Chapter 18
Rachel, Ross, Phoebe and Joey all started talking at once when they entered Apartment 20 late Sunday afternoon and saw Monica and Chandler sitting at the kitchen table.
"Are you back to stay?" Joey asked, excitement in his voice.
"Yes, I am," Chandler said. "I was dismissed from the project in Bridgeport."
"Did you get fired?" Ross asked.
"No, but my boss isn't offering me anything to want to make me stay. I'm giving him my letter of resignation tomorrow."
"What will you do?" Rachel asked.
"I don't know. I guess I can temp if nothing else."
"Mon," Joey complained, as he looked through her refrigerator, "there's nothing good in here to eat."
"Ah, despite my need to make changes, I realize some things will never change," Chandler said and laughed. "And I have to admit I wouldn't want them to."
"Calm down, Joey," Monica said. "We ordered pizzas. They should be here any minute."
"Yeah, baby," Joey said and grinned impishly. "Nothing beats the Joey Special."
Once the pizzas had arrived, everyone gathered in the living room. Ross wanted to know every last detail of what happened at the engagement party.
"I'm sorry I wasn't in the best of moods," Monica said, when she and Chandler had finished relaying their saga. "I didn't mean to cause problems on your special night. I promise the wedding will go much smoother."
"It couldn't go much worse," Rachel said and laughed. And then she turned serious. "But it got you guys to finally, finally admit how you feel about one another. I think it's all been worth it."
Chandler and Monica shared a look.
"Do you think it's been worth it?" Chandler asked.
"Yes," Monica said, knowing in her heart it was true. "Individually, we struggled with how we felt about one another, but together, we are going to show everyone just how strong a united front can be. There's nothing we can't accomplish if we promise to do it together."
"I love you," Chandler said, kissing her passionately in front of all their friends.
"Here's to beginnings," Ross said, holding up his glass as the others followed suit. "Where would the journey and the destination be without them?"
Chapter 18
Rachel, Ross, Phoebe and Joey all started talking at once when they entered Apartment 20 late Sunday afternoon and saw Monica and Chandler sitting at the kitchen table.
"Are you back to stay?" Joey asked, excitement in his voice.
"Yes, I am," Chandler said. "I was dismissed from the project in Bridgeport."
"Did you get fired?" Ross asked.
"No, but my boss isn't offering me anything to want to make me stay. I'm giving him my letter of resignation tomorrow."
"What will you do?" Rachel asked.
"I don't know. I guess I can temp if nothing else."
"Mon," Joey complained, as he looked through her refrigerator, "there's nothing good in here to eat."
"Ah, despite my need to make changes, I realize some things will never change," Chandler said and laughed. "And I have to admit I wouldn't want them to."
"Calm down, Joey," Monica said. "We ordered pizzas. They should be here any minute."
"Yeah, baby," Joey said and grinned impishly. "Nothing beats the Joey Special."
Once the pizzas had arrived, everyone gathered in the living room. Ross wanted to know every last detail of what happened at the engagement party.
"I'm sorry I wasn't in the best of moods," Monica said, when she and Chandler had finished relaying their saga. "I didn't mean to cause problems on your special night. I promise the wedding will go much smoother."
"It couldn't go much worse," Rachel said and laughed. And then she turned serious. "But it got you guys to finally, finally admit how you feel about one another. I think it's all been worth it."
Chandler and Monica shared a look.
"Do you think it's been worth it?" Chandler asked.
"Yes," Monica said, knowing in her heart it was true. "Individually, we struggled with how we felt about one another, but together, we are going to show everyone just how strong a united front can be. There's nothing we can't accomplish if we promise to do it together."
"I love you," Chandler said, kissing her passionately in front of all their friends.
"Here's to beginnings," Ross said, holding up his glass as the others followed suit. "Where would the journey and the destination be without them?"