Hey everyone! Thanks for all your reviews :) This is most likely the last chapter, I don't think there will be a need for an epilogue. Mg, EVERYONE DIES! * ahem * Just kidding! * hugs Steph * * waves to Lynn * * stops making stoopid **s *
Disclaimer: ß just decided to put one back in…I don't own them! If I did, I think they'd all be dead…Oh! And I don't own this song "Thank You" by Dido either :) * sings * And IIIIII want to thank yooouuuu…for giving me these greeeaaat revieeeews! * stops * Oops, I used more **s oh…added another song…Colour of my love…yes, I'm Canadian…by Celine Dion!
~*~
Monica woke up in bed the next morning feeling exceptionally groggy. Chandler had stripped her down to her bra and panties, but her hair was in tangles and her breath was horrendous. She turned over onto her back and stretched. She sighed and turned to get out of bed.
"Where are you going?" Chandler asked without opening his eyes.
"Bathroom, I feel a little gross."
"Okay."
Monica spent a good 45 minutes in the shower. As she cleansed her body, it felt as if she was cleansing her soul. Phoebe was right. Visiting the grave did calm her insides, even if her outsides seemed fine.
By the time she got out, she found that Chandler had left for work, but not without making her breakfast. She found her favorite herbal tea on the table along with 2 waffles and a note.
Dearest Monica,
Sorry I had to leave you like this. Huge meeting with Doug today. I think I might be getting a raise! Anyways, I think I'll be home around 4 p.m. …
Love you to pieces,
Chandler
Monica sipped at her tea and grinned. Gradually however, a frown spread over her face. She wanted him to be home. Not even to talk. Just to be there with her.
My tea's gone cold, I wondering why I got out of bed at all
The morning rain clouds up my window and I can't see at all
And even if I could it'd all be grey, but your picture on my wall
It reminds me that it's not so bad, it's not so bad
Chandler came home to find Monica lying on the couch, channel surfing. She didn't acknowledge him, not even when he came and sat down on the end of the couch. That was when her first got a good look at her. Her brow was furrowed in concentration as she flipped from channel to channel. Finally, she came to what she was looking for. The 4:15 news break.
"There has been another fire set in the city of New York. This one is different however. The police believe they may have found the suspect." The TV blared out.
Suddenly, Monica jumped up and yelled, "That's right you bastard! You're going to go to jail for what you did!!"
Chandler watched the scene in fascination. The man that had unintentionally killed Monica's father had been caught. He should be jumping for joy, but, he sat…in shock. He was jolted back to reality when he felt a sobbing Monica fall into his arms. He held her and stroked her hair.
"It's okay baby. This is the closure you need."
~*~ 3 weeks later ~*~
Things had almost gotten back to normal. Monica would still sometimes slip into the dark side, but her friends were no longer walking on eggshells around her. They laughed, talked and just plain hung out…like the old times. Hell, even her love life had gotten back on track.
"Mmmm," she murmured. She closed her eyes as she rubbed the sleep out, and opened her eyes to another pair of blue ones.
"Morning," Chandler whispered, kissing her nose.
"Morrnn," Monica mumbled.
"What was that?"
She covered her mouth with her hand and said, "I didn't get a chance to brush my teeth last night! You horny guy you!" Behind her hand came a stream of giggles, something Chandler hadn't heard in a long time. He decided to make the best of it and tickled her until she cried mercy.
"You're right," he teased, "Your breath does stink!"
She punched him playfully, pushed him off her and got out of bed. He followed close behind and latched onto her before she got into the bathroom.
"Excited about your party tonight babe?" He asked, kissing her neck.
"You bet I am! It's going to be the most fun since…well, you know."
"I'm proud of you. You've bounced back so well."
"I'm just happy to know that that damn bastard was caught and thrown into jail."
"I had nothing to do with it?"
"Oh, you're just trying all over the place aren't you!" She joked, "Well, you have fun at your bachelor party tonight."
"Oh I will." He answered, giving her a wink.
~*~ Later that night ~*~
"Wooo!" Monica yelled has the male stripper, courtesy of Rachel and Phoebe, danced across her kitchen counter. She was careful not to drink too much, but somehow, she was still drunk. She felt happier than she ever remembered feeling, though alcohol did contribute to it. She was finally allowing herself to have fun, smile…move on.
By then, the stripper had hopped off the counter and proceeded to grind up against Rachel. As swept up into the emotion she was, Monica couldn't really bring all of herself in. Partially because she was wondering what Chandler was doing in the next apartment…
We're going to be okay…
*
"Yeah baby!" Joey yelled as the stripper, female over here, ripped off her skirt and threw it into the crowd. Ross made a big show of picking them up and claiming them.
"That's right boys, this is miiiine!" Ross slurred.
Chandler stood off to the side and just laughed. He, like Monica, was having fun…but for some reason, didn't get completely into it.
We're going to be okay…
~*~
The next morning was not a fun one for Monica. Her head throbbed with a hangover, and she found herself still fully clothed. She dragged herself into the bathroom and took a good long shower. She was supposed to check in at work today…that would have to wait. She had been going back part-time for the last 2 months…she was supposed to start her first full time day back today…to get the feel before she went off on her honeymoon…
I drank too much last night, got bills to pay, my head just feels in pain
I missed the bus and there'll be hell today, I'm late for work again
And even if I'm there, they'll all imply that I might not last the day
And then you call me and it's not so bad, it's not so bad and
"Yeah, okay…No no no, it's not your fault…Oh really? Okay. Thank you. Bye."
"Who was that Mon?"
"The restaurant. They just fired me."
"What?! Why?!"
"Well, my co-work-, my ex co-workers have expressed a new liking to my replacement and since I'm not even going back today, and haven't been for so long, well, that's what they decided. Though, they did say they would say good things about me if needed."
"Oh my gosh! That is so unfair! I mean, don't they understand that your father just died?!"
"I think that's the problem…he hasn't just died." Monica sighed, "Maybe this is for the best you know? Starting over? I mean, it's not like I get a bad rep or anything, so not much harm is done…and I'd have to take time off anyways…and when I came back I'd have to –"
"Monica, hon, slow down! You're rambling again."
"I know…I get like that when I'm nervous…" She said, her voice trailing off, "Well, I guess there isn't much for me to do."
"You mean, you're not upset, or angry?" Chandler asked, surprised.
"No, not really. I mean, I kind of am, but…" She trailed off again. "I'm just looking forward to other things you know?" She looked at him and smiled, "But don't be surprised if I break down sometime soon." She joked, winking at him.
"Alright." He answered. All he could do was look at her with astonishment. This was the woman he loved. Living proof of the saying "What doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger." He smiled at her and enveloped her into a huge bear hug.
I want to thank you for giving me the best day of my life
Oh just to be with you is having the best day of my life
~*~
"Oh honey, I'm so proud of you!" Monica's mother mused.
Monica rolled her eyes, "Is that because I'm getting married or the fact that I'm wearing the dressed you picked out?"
"Oh…both!"
Monica grinned, but couldn't help rolling her eyes again. Her mother could be so dense sometimes.
"Well, you better get that veil on! The ceremony's about to start!" Judy exclaimed, seemingly more excited than her daughter.
"Alright mother! Now where's Richard? Isn't he supposed to be giving me away?"
"He's out there already!"
Monica giggled, turned to Rachel and said, "Isn't that ironic? Richard giving me away?"
Rachel laughed, "Yeah, and to Chandler of all people!"
The girls laughed.
This is going to be perfect. Monica thought.
~*~
"Please join me in welcoming…Mr. and Mrs. Chandler Bing!!!" Joey yelled into the microphone. He was the emcee for the night.
Everyone in the room stood up and cheered as Chandler and Monica made their way into the room. The Bings couldn't help but smile as their faces beamed with happiness. They made their way to the front of the room, where all four of the other friends were seated.
Dinner was great, and every type of food they had tasted about the same to Monica. She couldn't wait until she was alone with Chandler. She was almost giddy with excitement.
"Okay!" Joey yelled, "It's time for the bride and groom's first dance!"
Once again, everyone cheered and clapped for the couple. At first, only Joey was tapping on his glass, but soon, everyone caught on and people were all chanting "Kiss kiss kiss kiss kiss!"
Chandler and Monica looked at each other and smiled. "Hey, we do it all the time!" Chandler joked, and pulled her in for a kiss.
Every single guest cheered and whooped.
Chandler lead Monica onto the dance floor and pulled her close as the music started. "Colour of My Love" by Celine Dion started playing and the couple started swaying to the music.
…and with this ring our lives will start, swearing that we'll never part, I offer what u cannot buy, devoted love, until we die…The song ended and Chandler just held Monica in his arms.
"I love you so much." He whispered into her hair.
"I love you too." She replied, looking up at him.
They leaned towards each other for a kiss, but were interrupted by Joey yelling, "Alright! As much as we'd all like to see you guys kiss, SAVE IT FOR THE HONEYMOON! Now, it's time foooor…GAMES!!!!"
Monica groaned inwardly. She was never a fan of humiliating herself in front of her friends…but that was something Chandler did daily! She laughed at the thought.
Over the next 20 minutes, Chandler had to find Monica's garter, using only his mouth. Monica had to be able to identify Chandler's butt, blindfolded. And Chandler was instructed to eat cherries off of Monica's chest. Only to be unblind-folded and seeing that it was one of his co-workers!
All in all, it was what a wedding was supposed to be. But Chandler and Monica, stealing cute looks from each other all night, wanted to celebrate…alone.
~*~
"Bye guys!!!" Monica called out, "See you in 2 weeks!!!"
"Bye!" Chandler yelled, as they boarded the plane.
As they slid into their seats, Monica at the window, she turned to Chandler and just looked at him with a smile on her face.
"What? What is it? Do I have something on my face?!" Chandler questioned.
Monica giggled at his worried expression. "No, I just can't believe we're on our honeymoon!" She leaned in to kiss him. "Thank you for everything Chandler." She couldn't hold a straight face however, as she was hit with another wave of excitement, "I can't believe you're taking me to Paris! Oh, you little romantic you."
Chandler just looked at her and smiled.
~*~
Chandler inserted the card into the slot of their honeymoon suite. He was aware of Monica practically jumping up and down, and she almost ran in ahead of him. They were both soaked, as it was raining hard. Even running from the airport to the cab, the cab into the hotel, they were drenched. But they didn't even seem to notice.
Chandler managed to get the door open, and he threw their suitcases inside. "Come here you!" He said to Monica, and picked her up.
"Aren't we supposed to do that into our apartment?" Monica questioned, dripping water all over his shoes.
"What? You want me to let go of you?"
She giggled, "NO!"
"Too late!" He replied, dropping her onto the couch.
"Hey! Where are you going? Come back here!"
"Getting you this." He replied, throwing a towel at her.
Push the door, I'm home at last and I'm soaking through and through
Then you handed me a towel and all I see is you
They both stripped off their clothing and dried themselves off. Wrapping a towel around them both, Chandler pulled Monica in. He ran a finger down her nose, over her lips and down to her chest. He stopped right above the tops of her breasts.
"You're so gorgeous. I have no idea as to how I got so lucky."
Monica smiled at him. "You're not so bad yourself." She wrapped her arms around his neck. "Chandler," she started, "I really do want to thank you."
"It really was nothing," he said, kissing the tip of her nose.
"No really. I don't think any other man would have been able to put up with me and my moping…"
"And your cleanliness…" He joked.
"Hey! I'm trying to be serious here!" She whined, "Well, I guess that was okay, because I don't really have much left to say.
Thank you for the best day ever."
And even if my house falls down now, I wouldn't have a clue
Because you're near me and
I want to thank you for giving me the best day of my life
Oh just to be with you is having the best day of my life.
* phew * I hope you guys enjoyed that…and read the lyrics :P Thank you for reading and please review! Be on the look out for my next fic…which doesn't have a title yet! :D