Well, I had to go back to school today, but we did have a 2 hour delay! So I got to sleep late, AND that doesn't count as a snow day, so we can still miss more days w/o having to make them up. Only bad thing is that I had to walk home from the bus stop in snow above my ankles b/c people don't shovel. That's so dumb…I mean, it's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Plus, part of my walk is thru my backyard. Ok, enough of that, here's chapter 12! The last chapter! :) Read, review, and enjoy.
Disclaimer: If you don't know already, I don't own any of the characters in this story.
Chandler sat next to Monica, her head against his shoulder. He wanted to keep her from crying—take away the painful memories. But, unfortunately, that was not possible. Instead, he hugged her tightly and rubbed her back soothingly. Her cries were soft, yet heartfelt. It had been a long time since she had willed herself to think about her painful past, Chandler noticed, but it was necessary to do so. After all, that was the advice that she had given him not long ago.
Once Chandler heard no more crying, he tried, "Monica, can you talk now?"
She sniffed and lifted her head. Her face was pink from crying, and her mascara formed lines along her cheeks. "Uch, I must look like a mess," she commented, trying to lighten the mood.
"No, you could never look like a mess."
Monica smiled, grateful for Chandler's kind words.
"Ok, so, umm…"
Chandler looked her in the eyes, urging her to continue.
"I was dating Pete for a long time. And our relationship was…okay. Not perfect, but we got along all right. Then…things took a turn for the worst. " Unsure of her voice, Monica stopped again, and looked into Chandler's eyes. She could see that he really cared, by the concern on his face and his soft blue eyes looking at her lovingly, which urged her to continue. "We began fighting a lot. He tried to control me. I wouldn't listen to his demands. Then, he…hit me."
Chandler gasped when she told him. "How could anyone do that to you?!" he fumed, angry that anyone would hurt Monica.
Monica patted his arm, telling him to calm down, "Well, then I got really freaked and he left. The next day, he apologized, and I…forgave him. He sounded genuinely sorry. Obviously, I was wrong."
"Why?" Chandler asked softly, making sure to hide the anger that he had shown before, "What did he do?"
"He hit me again, and again…and I just kept forgiving him!" With that, she began to cry again, "How could I have been so stupid?!"
Chandler gathered her sobbing form in his arms, hurting because she was hurting, "You weren't being stupid; you were just looking for comfort. Your intentions were good; you were just looking in the wrong place. I did the same thing with Kathy."
"Yeah?" she questioned, her face next to his chest.
"Yeah."
While Monica's face was still buried in his chest, Chandler asked suddenly, "Is this what love is?"
Monica lifted her head once again and sniffed, "What?"
"Is love when I feel pain, only because you do?"
She grinned at him, "I think so."
"I'm really sorry about what that jerk did that to you. Ya know, I would never do anything to hurt you."
"I know you wouldn't."
It was Chandler's turn to smile at her confidence, "Good."
"I'm sorry about what Kathy put you through, too."
Chandler nodded, "I was sorry for me, too. Then, when I met you, I realized it was time to stop feeling sorry for myself and start facing life again."
Monica nodded and then stated, "I think we'll have to help each other face life."
"Yeah. That's what a relationship is. Two people helping each other."
"Through good or bad," Monica added.
"Through good or bad," Chandler repeated.
Monica commented, "I hope that there are more good times than bad."
"I think that there will be."
Chandler had his arm draped around Monica's shoulder. The two of them sat in a comfortable silence. They spent the time just enjoying being in each other's presence. Monica also used the time to reflect on her life. It was strange how everything felt better just because she had Chandler next to her. Although she knew that there was much more to face in their lives still, she was aware that it would be easier to face it together. Unconsciously, she shifted closer to Chandler, feeling completely at ease with him.
"So this is love?" she questioned herself happily, "It's about time!" She chuckled at the joke she made in her head.
Noticing her laughter, Chandler turned to her, "What's so funny?"
"Nothing."
"Okay…"
"I was thinking about the irony here…how we have to go through so much heartbreak to find love."
"That's love for ya babe," Chandler answered casually.
Monica smiled inwardly, "He called me babe."
Chandler didn't know how much that one little word meant to Monica. It was just something that came out so naturally.
"Have you ever wondered why men call women 'babe', but women call men 'sweetie' or something like that?"
"No," Chandler answered, and they both laughed.
"I have a lot of time to think of stupid little things," Monica confessed, "Since I cook all day."
"Yeah? I like that."
"You do?"
"Yeah, it's endearing."
"You know what I find endearing?"
"No, what?"
"These lips," she said softly, as she touched his lips with her forefinger.
Chandler smiled and kissed her softly.
Just as they were getting into the kiss, Chandler pulled away and said, "I have to show you something."
Confused, Monica agreed, and he grabbed her hand and led her out the door.
Once Chandler and Monica, got out of the cab Chandler had insisted they take, Chandler covered her eyes with his hands.
"Where are you taking me?" Monica demanded lightheartedly, while Chandler led her forward.
"You'll see." He led her farther, and when he noticed her trip slightly, he caught her in his arms and warned, "Watch your step."
"How am I supposed to watch my step when my eyes are covered."
"I dunno. Be creative," he joked.
"Right…"
"Ok, almost there."
Monica listened closely, trying to figure out where she was. She heard water running and figured that they were near some body of water. Other than that, she was clueless as to where they were.
"Ok," Chandler told her as he removed his hands from her face, "We're here."
Monica looked around, amazed by her surroundings. "Wow," she gasped, "It's beautiful here."
Chandler smiled; glad she loved his spot as much as he loved it. They stood in front of the lake, while the sun set behind it.
"You go here often?"
"Yeah. I call it 'my spot'. I come here a lot to think, and escape the daily hectic city life."
"I see why…it's beautiful."
"Well, I would love to change calling it 'my spot' to calling it 'our spot'. What do you think?"
Monica grinned, "I think that's very romantic. All couples should have 'a spot'."
"So we're a couple now?" Chandler asked hopefully.
"Looks that way."
"Great," he said whole-heartedly as she wrapped her arms around his waist.
"Ya know," he informed her, "I promised I would never bring another woman here after Kathy."
"But you brought me…"
"But you're not just another woman. You're Monica. The love of my life."
That statement touched Monica deeply. "Good. And you're not just some other guy, either."
"Good."
"It's lucky that we decided we're a couple now," Chandler stated suddenly.
"Yeah why?"
"Because we wouldn't get to eat otherwise."
"What?" Monica asked, completely baffled by his words.
Just then, Joey walked over, carrying a basket of food and a blanket.
"For the lovely couple," he said, while placing the things down next to them. He then winked at Chandler and walked off.
"When…?"
Chandler cut her off mid question, "I text-messaged him in the car."
Monica laughed and sat down on the blanket he had spread out.
"This is a great place for our first date," Monica mused.
"That's why I picked it."
"Wow, this is all surreal," Monica commented, "It's like the love you read about in like romantic novels."
"Yeah, well, I guess it's not just fiction."
"I guess not."
Chandler had never felt so happy in his entire life. Finally he had something worth living for.
"How did I get so lucky?" Chandler wondered as he watched Monica looking out at the lake pensively.
She then turned to Chandler and informed him, "I have one more request for you."
"Huh?"
"Tell me what your thinking and feeling. Don't keep things locked up tight inside of you."
"Ok, I'll do that. But you have to do the same for me."
Monica looked him straight in the eyes and agreed, "Deal."
Chandler pulled Monica in his lap, as they watched the sun retract behind the lake. Both of their lives were finally complete.
The End
Oh wow, I'm done! So sad…I'm like crying. Well, the ending's not sad though, of course. I don't make sad endings…ever. Please review the final chapter. I know that not much happened, a lot of sappy stuff, but it kinda gave closure on their relationship, imo. I don't like when u're not left w/ closure for a story. I really hoped u enjoyed my series. Thanks for all the encouraging reviews! :)