Funny, The Things We Remember
Part 2
[Okay, peoples, let's get part two going! I'm so bored. Winter break is a killer after a while. Actually, I've been having a good time. Last night I watched parts of lots of Friends episodes. All the C/M parts. I haven't watched my tapes and those moments for such a while now. I missed it, kinda. LOL. Anyways, here is part two. Takes place pretty much where part one left off.]
Chandler drove home. Jack sat in the back in his carseat, and Monica sat in the front seat next to Chandler, watching him drive down the streets to their
She was beyond confused. How do things like this happen? How did she forget everything that was important to her? How would she remember? How long would it take? To her, it was like filling in the blanks of a creative story. All she knew was 1999. The last thing she remebmbered between her and Chandler was giving each other massages and her finding out that hers were bad. Now eveyone was telling her that they were married, and had three kids.
She was mad at herself for forgetting. She knew it wasn't really HER fault, but she had no one else to blame. How could she just FORGET? HOW? She looked at Jack in the backseat. Chandler had said he was named after her father who had died. How could she forget marrying the love of her life, the birth of her three kids, and the death of her father? The most important and biggest events in her life she forgot, but the fact that Chandler didn't like her massages- that she remembered.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Chandler pulled into the driveway of a two story house.
This is our- our house? she asked.
Sure is.
It's such a nice house, she said monotonously, wishing she could remember when they bought it, how they found it, the day they moved in, the last night in their apartment.
You sure thought so. I mean, you wouldn't NOT have this house. The- Chandler stopped. Maybe I shouldn't tell you that much. He was never sure how much he was allowed to tell her about things.
Yeah, I guess not, she said. Chandler got out of the car, and went around to the back door to get Jack out. He lifted him into his arms, and headed to the front door, pulling the keys out of his pocket. Monica followed him a few seconds later.
This is definetly my house, she said with a smile when they walked in.
Yeah. Clean as can be. Spotless. Who could tell three kids and Chandler live here?
She smiled, for what seemed to be the first time. Yeah, really, she said. Chandler put Jack down on the couch and he picked up the toy that was left on the couch from that morning.
Does he walk yet? Monica asked. This was all unbelieveably strange to her.
No. Well, kinda, Chandler said. He stands, and he holds on to the table and walks around, but he's yet to do it without holding on to everything.
Monica said. Maybe he'll do it soon. At least I'll have THAT memory, she said.
You're gonna remember it all, Chandler said. You just have to give it more time.
I guess, she said.
Look, you're alive, right? And not hurt, except for your memory. That's all that matters.
You're right, she said. I guess I'm lucky. I am just so....mad. It seems so unfair.
Well, it is, I guess, Chandler said. Okay, Ross is picking up the girls today, so they should be home in about an hour. You might wanna, you know, get situated before then.
she said. So, where is everything, anyway?
And that's the girls' bathroom. And here is our bedroom. Chandler said, finishing the tour of the house. He gestured to the door of their room.
she said. We have a bedroom.
What's the last thing you remember? He asked her.
Ummm, well I remember dinner with you and Doug and his wife. And then you said I was bad at massages and I got all upset. So you told me I gave the best bad massage. Then, ummm, we were watching Ugly Naked Guy pack, and Ross said something about wanting to get his apartment. Then that's where it all....stops.
So we were still secretly dating?
So, you know, that's why it's kinda surprising to be where I am.
I believe you. I mean, it's ME, you're married to. And that was before Vegas and the sorry proposal, so it's even more of a shock.
What happened in Vegas? He looked hesitant. C'mon, you have to tell me a few things! I'm dying of curiosity.
Okay, okay. We went to Vegas for our one year of being together anniversary. Joey was filming a movie there. And, well, we fought a lot. So then when we made up we were at the Craps table. And you were on this amazing roll. A whole crowd had gathered to watch you roll hard eight after hard eight.
What's a hard eight?
He smiled. Two fours.
Anyway, we kept betting on things. And finally I said if you got another hard eight, we'd get married there, then.
That's how we got married?
It wasn't a hard eight?
Well, it was. We thought. One die bounced off the table, and it could have been a four or a five. But I called it a four.
So.....why didn't we get married?
Oh, we were about to. Believe me. We had the blue thing, the old thing, the new thing, the borrowed thing. Although the new, borrowed, and blue thing was the same object. Anyway, we were sitting in the chapel, and a drunk Ross and Rachel came out. Kinda, put a hold on things.
They got married in Vegas?!
Yeah. But then they got divorced later. I mean, after he secretly hid it, then ruined the chance of an annulment.
What do you mean he secretly hid it?
He told Rachel they got the annulment, but they didn't really because he didn't want three divorces.
Typical Ross.
Anyway, there's your memory of the day.
It was a good one, too, she said.
Anyone home? Ross' voice called out from downstairs.
Yeah, I'm up here, Chandler called back. Well, ready?
She took a deep breath. Yeah. Yeah, I'm ready.
Natalie said when she saw him come down the stairs. Daddy, guess what?
I won a prize today!
You won a prize? How?
I got my name pulled from the good student jar!
Awww, that's my good student. What did you get?
This pencil! She said, holding out a multi colored pencil for him to see. Monica watched the scene unfold around her. Neither of the kids seemed to look at her. She knew they were probably as nervous as she was.
No fair, Lauren said. I want to go to real school, too. We don't get fun things like that in preschool! she whined.
Well, next year, Sweetie, Chandler said. You're just about there.
Monica smiled at how Chandler interacted with his daughters. She had always wondered, and knew, that he would be a good father. She knew she probably had known that even more the longer they were together. But he really was a good father. She could tell. And the kids, they were definetly theirs. Natalie looked just like her, and she knew it. The hair, the eyes. And Lauren was a mixture of both of them. She could see herself, yet Chandler as well. And Jack, well he was without a doubt Chandler's son.
Hi Mommy, Natalie said, looking at Chandler then at Ross to make sure that was okay.
Hi Natalie, Sweetie, Monica said. Natalie smiled at her when she called her by name, put her pencil on the table, and went into the kitchen. Lauren, too, smiled at her before following her sister out of the room.
Oh my God. Monica said. Natalie, she looks- She stopped and covered her hand with her mouth.
Just like you. Ross finished for her.
Yeah. And Lauren.....
Both of you. Monica nodded in agreement.
I hate this! She said. I hate this so much! How in the world could I forget this! How could I forget my three beautiful children? How could I forget my wedding? My father dying? How could I forget all that, yet remember the stupid Ugly Naked Guy packing his boxes in his apartment?!
Ross started.
And how could I have gone so far back that in my mind if I were to kiss Chandler, you would freak out and threaten to kick his ass!
Ross smiled. Should have seen me on your wedding day.
she said. That's just the thing! I DID see you on my wedding day!!!!!! I did! And now I don't remember it.
No, actually, you didn't see the part where Ross tackled me.
Monica stopped freaking out and smiled. He TACKLED you?
Yeah. Thought I was trying to run out on you or something. He rolled his eyes.
Well, what was I supposed to think? he asked.
Look, Monica, I'm telling you. The doctors seem to think something from the time you went back to is important to you. And they think that once something triggers that thought then you'll....remember it all.
She shook her head sadly. Yeah, but how long until something triggers that memory?
Where am I, ummmm, gonna sleep? Monica asked Chandler shyly that night.
It's totally up to you, he told her. The guest room is all made up. And of course you're welcome here, he said, gesturing to their bed. He was in their room getting ready for bed.
I- I don't know what to do. I mean, sharing a bed with you seems totally normal to me. In 1999. I could easily share the bed with you, but then again, I'm still kinda freaked out that we're married and it's eleven years later and everything.
You know what? I think you want me to tell you where to go so you don't have to make a decision. And I think that since you've had so many shocks today already maybe you should just take the guest room.
Is that okay? she asked. It's not gonna seem cold and distant? It's not gonna like, freak Natalie and Lauren out?
Look, we know it's hard for you. We're not gonna freak out if you would rather sleep in the guest room and have time to think.
That does sound kind of appealing, she said. I mean, the thinking part. But I also....I mean, I kinda want to be with you. 1999 me DOES enjoy sleeping in the same bed as you. But it's just....that's a different kind of bed. That's not the bed I usually sleep with you in. Either of them. That's kinda a symbolic bed, of our marriage, and I can't remember that-
Look, Mon, just take the guest room tonight. Then tomorrow, we'll see what you feel like, he said, knowing she was rambling.
Okay. Thanks. Goodnight, she said, walking out of the doorway. A few minutes later she came back. I kinda need something to sleep in. She told him what she had realized when she got to the guest room.
Right. Okay, ummmm..... He pointed at a drawer. The things you sleep in are over there.
Okay. Thanks, she said. She walked over to the dresser and pulled it open. She smiled to herself when she saw her things and Chandler's things mixed together in the same drawer. Of course, neatly.
What's my name? she asked him suddenly. He looked at her.
I mean, my last name. After we got married, did I change it?
he told her. Which you're probably wondering why you did now.
she said with a smile. Okay, you gotta help me out here.
What's the matter?
All that's in here are your clothes and some, well, lingerie that isn't too comfortable looking to sleep in. Maybe to do other things in.... She said with a smile.
Yeah, I think you had been washing your clothes. And I haven't really done any laundry. Besides, most of the time you sleep in my things, anyway. Some weird thing of yours, he said. So, ummm, just take whatever you want of mine.
she gave him a grateful smile.
Sure, no problem, she smiled at him and gave him what was meant to be a quick kiss on the lips. After all, in 1999 she had been seriously involved with him for about seven, eight months. But as soon as she kissed his lips, she couldn't pull herself away. All the feelings she has for him didn't diminish. Only her memories did. He kissed her back, but then broke the kiss. Monica, we can't, he said. It's just....we can't.
I know we can't. But I just want you to know....my memories may have disappeared, but my feelings for you didn't. He smiled at her.
I know, he said. You just told me that in that kiss.
she told him.
Goodnight, Monica, he said. She pulled the door to their room closed as she left, and leaned against it and sighed. I'm married to him, yet I feel like I can't tell him I love him, she whispered to herself. I can't remember...ever.....telling him that before.
Lauren screamed from up the stairs.
What on Earth is the matter? he asked her.
Daddy, I lost my shoe!
What do you mean you lost it?
I can't find it! she said. I LOST it.
Well, she's got your sarcasm, Monica said. She was sitting at the table with him. He was feeding Jack his breakfast.
Tell me about it, he muttered. Lauren, you're gonna have to look yourself. I'm trying to feed Jack right now.
I can help her, Monica said.
Thanks, that'd be great. Chandler said, putting more cereal on Jack's spoon. Monica put down her glass and went upstairs to where Lauren was looking for her shoe in her room.
Hey Lauren.
Oh! Hi...Mommy, she said, unsure if she should use the term
So you lost your shoe?
Yeah! I can't find it anywhere. Not even under the bed.
Not even under the bed! Monica said. It must really be lost then.
Yeah, see! she said.
Well, where did you see it last?
Over there. She pointed to the floor by the window. But now it's losted.
Okay, you check this side of the room, and I'll check that side.
She said, smiling. She was relieved to see that her mother was still the same nice mom that she knew days ago, before she forgot her memory.
Mommy, I can't find it, she complained, looking behind her bedroom door.
Well, Silly Girl, that's because I found it, Monica said, pulling the matching shoe out from under a large teddy bear.
My shoe! she said. Thanks Mommy!
No problem, Sweetie, she said. She gave her daughter a kiss on her head and went back downstairs.
Look, Mommy! Natalie was giggling. She was standing next to Jack, who was in his high chair. Chandler had taken his bowl and spoon over to the dishwasher. Natalie had put a fancy girlie straw hat on Jack's tiny head.
Very nice. Monica joked. Maybe he's really a girl in-- she stopped all of a sudden.
What's the matter? Natalie asked. She pulled that hat quickly from Jack's head, not wanting to upset her mother.
You okay, Monica? Chandler asked, turning from the sink to look at her. She was staring into space. he asked again.
I--I remember something, she said. When Lauren was born. Chandler smiled, knowing what she was thinking of. They took her to the nursery and cleaned her up and everything, but when they brought her back, she had on a blue hat, not a pink one.
And you were all paranoid that she was the wrong baby, Chandler added.
Yeah, and I made you check to see that she was really a girl, Monica said.
Natalie said, making a face. The first thing you remember and it's about LAUREN.
Yeah, but it was thanks to you I remembered. Monica pointed out. Natalie smiled.
You're right! she said. She took the hat and ran upstairs to tell Lauren what their mom had just remembered.
Wow. I..... she said, sitting down at the table. I mean, it's so clear and perfect now.
Chandler said. It's slowly coming back. I mean, this is a step. A really big step.
she said. And the more I think about the hat thing, the more I remember about the day Lauren was born.
What else do you remember?
Us arguing over her middle name. You wanted it to be Amelia, and I wanted it to be Marlena, she paused. What is it, anyway?
Chandler smiled. he told her with a laugh.
Monica gave him a look. Compromise, huh? Chandler nodded.
And then Joey came to visit while she had on her blue hat...and we told him it was a boy and we were gonna name him Joseph.
Do you remember WHY we told him that lie?
she stopped, then her face broke out into a smile. It was April Fool's Day! She practically yelled. Lauren....she was born April 1st!!
And she just barely made it....
Yeah, she was born at.......at...... Monica tried to think. At 11:5......11:57. And technically we were telling our jokes the day AFTER, but we counted it as the same day because we hadn't gotten to sleep yet.
You got it, Chandler said.
And when they brought her with the blue hat we thought they did it on purpose, but it was after April Fool's Day by then. It was really just an accident.
You're on fire! he told her.
I remember that, she said. But anything else. Natalie's birth? Jack's birth? She shook her head. And all I remember is AFTER Lauren's birth, not the actual birth. Just from the hat thing on.
That's something, though, he gave her a soft kiss on the lips. Then he looked at the clock. Oh, Jeez. GIRLS! We gotta go! He yelled, before pulling Jack out of his highchair and putting his jacket on him.
How ya feeling, Mon? Rachel asked that day. She stopped by to pick up some of Emma's things that she had left behind. Monica then found out about Emma.
I'm good, actually, Monica said. This morning I remembered something. Little pieces of the day Lauren was born.
The hat thing? Rachel asked.
How'd you know?
That is like, your favorite, most told story.
Should have known that would be the first memory to come back.
I'm just so glad I remembered SOMETHING! I feel a little better, and I know that at least things ARE coming back to me.
I'm so sorry, Mon. This has to be so hard. I can't even imagine...
It's just so....weird. I mean, it seems like a dream.
It does to me, too, Rachel nodded.
Anyway, you never know. Maybe something will remind me of something big and that's when the doctors think it will all come back.
It's so weird. I mean, who would have thought you can actually lose your memories?
Yeah. It's like something off of Joey's old soap.
Rachel said. He's back on that show. Has been for YEARS. He's pretty famous now.
Oh my God! Really?!
Monica made a face. I hate this, she said, her earlier cheer wearing off.
Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.
It's not your fault. Monica said sadly. I would blame it on someone involved in the accident, but I don't even know what happened there.
Monica, you know, if you wanna talk...
she gave Rachel a smile. So, tell me about Emma.
Oh. Well, you know. She's great. Looks just like Ross, and acts just like me. She smiled. God, I was so scared and confused and everything when I had her, yet it all worked out. And I love her so much. She's only seven, but she's like, my best friend in the world.
Monica smiled. She's only a year older than Natalie.
Yeah. You guys started trying for a baby when Emma was born.
You tried to play a trick on Chandler, to freak him out, and told him that since you were in a hospital and I was having Ems, you wanted a baby. To your surprise, he said
He agreed just like that?! Monica asked.
That's what Phoebe and Joey and....you....told me.
God, you know, I just forgot all the memories and everything, but I still love him so much. She paused. Just based on everything up to 1999. I can't remember all these other things that probably made me love him even more. The thing is, I know he loves me, but I can't remember ever hearing him tell me that.
I can't even imagine. Rachel said. She looked at her watch. Oh, wow. I better go. Emma's gonna be waiting.
Monica said. I'll see you later. And, thanks.
No problem, Rachel said, giving Monica a hug. Remember, if you need to talk......
I know. Thanks.
I'll see ya, she said, grabbing her coat and heading out the door.
Monica went over to the bookshelf where she noticed a photo album. She pulled it off the shelf, and smiled when she opened it. There was a picture of Natalie, she assumed judging by the date, as a small baby. She was so adorable. Monica flipped back to the book and smiled. Her hand fell across her stomach. Pregnant. I really was pregnant. She said, looking at the picture of herself where she was heavily pregnant.
She closed her eyes and tried to remember something, anything, about being pregnant. The baby kicking? No. Going into labor? No. Doctor's visits? No. Sonograms? No. Telling Chandler? No. God, wouldn't he freak out? She muttered to herself. No, that's 1999 Chandler. She reminded herself. She closed her eyes even tighter. Hearing Natalie, Lauren, or Jack's first cry? No. Holding them in her arms? No. She slammed the book closed in frustration.
WHY can't I remember anything else!??! she said. She shoved the book back onto the shelf and left the room. What would it take? What would she have to do to get her memory back?
[Okay, to be continued! I wanted to make it longer, but I was getting writer's block. And if I left it and didn't write more, then I would never come back to it. So to make a long story short, making this part shorter means that the next part will be done faster! Thanks for reading!]