:It is fun writing like someone like Jenny.…lol anyway, here is chapter 2. Enjoy and please review!:

Love Is All Around

Chapter 2 – Growing up

I think my mom thinks I never listen to what is going on around me. She assumes that 12 years olds are not interested in an adult's life. Well, I would dearly love to tell her just how much of her life I do know.

Today, I spent the day with Uncle Ross, Rachel and Emma. As a special holiday treat, they were going to take me to the movies. Typically, Emma goes and catches a cold so we have to stay inside.

"Why don't we play a game?" Ross asked us. I was sitting in the corner of the room, helping Emma play with her dolls house. It looks like my day of fun is turning into a day of babysitting.

"No!" Rachel shook her head immediately, "Not a good idea. You and Jenny are so competitive. I'm not having any arguments today."

"Speaking of arguments…" Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Ross glance at me and he lowered his voice, "Have Monica and Chandler had a fight or something?"

"No, not that I know of," Rachel replied, frowning, "Why? What's up?"

"Well I sensed a kind of atmosphere between them last night, and when I went to pick up Jenny from Mon's this morning, Monica seemed really upset about something."

"So?" I heard Rachel whisper back, "It doesn't mean it has anything to do with Chandler! It could be that she's nervous about her date tonight."

"Maybe." I could tell Uncle Ross didn't seem convinced by that idea.

"Look, if you're worried about Monica, I'll go talk to her later ok?" Rachel turned to me with a bright smile on her face. I think she knows more than she really wants to say. "So, are you and Emma having fun down there?"

"Oh yes," I replied, "We're having a ball." I didn't mean it to sound so deadpan, but I think there is a limit to how much fun I can get out of a four year old kid who thinks her doll can talk.

*****

I've seen mom get nervous about dates before. When I think back now, I can see why. I've heard conversations of a man known as 'Paul the Wine Guy.' She really seemed to hate his watch because I remember her breaking it. Then when I was four years old, she had gone on a date with some guy called 'fun bobby.' I don't remember all the details but I have a vague memory of Chandler calling him 'ridiculously dull bobby.'

I watched my mom parade around the apartment later that evening. She was showing the group what she was wearing. In a simple, elegant long black dress she looked really pretty.

Uncle Ross was at home caring for a sick Emma so he wasn't around to comment, but Rachel was there and she squealed in delight when she first saw mom. "Mon! You look sensational!" she turned to Chandler, Joey and Phoebe. "Don't you agree?"

"There is definitely a positive aura around you," Phoebe agreed. I should say at this point that Phoebe believes in all that paranormal stuff. She thinks that everything that happens to us was fated to happen and that there is nothing we can do to stop it. She's even predicted the day she's going to die. Yes I know, it's weird, but that's Phoebe.

"How u doin'?" Joey winked at my mom. That was a good sign. I've only ever heard Joey say that to really pretty women.

"You look really beautiful Mon," Chandler said softly. He hasn't taken his eyes off mom since she came out of her bedroom.

"Thank you," mom said shyly.

"This guy must be really special," Rachel commented, "I haven't seen you dressed up like this in years."

A knock came from the door, but not soon enough before I caught mom glaring at Rachel. I went to answer it.

"Um…hi," the man greeted, "Is Monica in?"

I folded my arms. This is what I do to mom's dates. I give them a sort of screening test…make them squirm a little before I let them in. "Maybe," I replied, "Why do you want to know?"

"Jenny!" I heard my mom cry out, "Let Daniel in!"

"Fine, fine." I answered, showing Daniel the way in. He seemed to pass the test, but I could tell right away that he was one of those boring lawyer types who think work is their life. He also had that air of being arrogant and a know-all.

"Nice place you've got here." Daniel commented.

"Thank you," my mom answered. She showed him to the group. "Everybody this is Daniel. Daniel this is Phoebe, Rachel, Joey and Chandler." Then she pointed at me. I was sitting back on the couch with Chandler, who by the way was giving Daniel secret looks of dislike. "This is my daughter Jenny," my mom said, glaring at me. She wanted me to say something.

"Hi," I said quickly, turning back to the TV.

"I think we should get going," Daniel said quickly, completely ignoring my greeting. How rude.

"Ok, let's go." Mom opened the door and Daniel strode out, not even bothering to help mom put on her jacket.

"Have fun!" Phoebe yelled.

After they left, Chandler immediately got up to leave. He and Joey would be keeping an eye on me tonight. "So, Jenny, are you coming?" he asked me more sharply than usual.

"Hey man, are you ok?" Joey asked him.

"I'm fine." Chandler replied quickly, "Why shouldn't I be?"

"You're acting all weird," I said to him.

Chandler smiled and gave me a hug. "I'm not acting weird…I'm just tired that's all."

*****

Hours later, I was snuggled in Chandler's lap in his chair, pretending to be asleep. This is so I can listen to Chandler and Joey talking without them knowing. 

"Hey do you think we should put her to bed now?" I heard Joey ask Chandler, "She can sleep in my bed and I'll sleep on the couch."

"What's wrong with her own bed?" Chandler asked. He sounded annoyed.

"Well, I was thinking that maybe Jenny doesn't want to be awaken by Monica and her date…if you know what I mean." Joey chuckled. I didn't want to think about what he might be talking about. It just grosses me out.

"Monica will be back any minute to pick up Jenny," Chandler insisted, "She said so."

I heard Joey give a long sigh. I opened my eyes ever so slightly, just enough so that my eyelashes were not blocking my vision. Joey was looking at Chandler with pity. I closed them shut again, not wanting to be caught peeking.

"Chandler, you have got to get over her!" Joey exclaimed.

"What are you talking about?!" Chandler snapped, "Get over whom?"

"You know who," Joey replied.

I heard Chandler sigh and I felt him fidget about. "It's just…" he started to say and then stopped.

"Just what?" Joey prompted.

"I feel…wait…is Jenny really asleep?"

I sensed Chandler and Joey looking at me, checking that I couldn't hear the conversation going on. They seemed reassured because they carried on talking.

"I feel there is something about Daniel," Chandler continued, "There's something about him I just don't like. Did you see the way he totally ignored Jenny earlier?"

"Yes Chandler, I did see," Joey replied, sighing again. "But there is nothing wrong with wanting to take your date out straight away."

"Well, I still don't like him."

"Oh, like when you didn't like Paul?"

"I was right about him wasn't I?!" Chandler raised his voice a little. I could tell it was all beginning to get a bit heated. I peeked through my eyelashes again.

"Shh!" Joey hissed, "You'll wake Jenny. I know you were right about Paul, but what about the others? There was Fun Bobby, Pete…how could you not like Pete?"

"He chose a stupid wrestling career over his girlfriend!"

"Ok, but what about Mark? Jamey, John, Dave, Matthew, Karl…all those guys Monica has dated and you didn't like one of them!"

"Well, can you blame me?!" Chandler shot back, "Monica and I…we're meant to be together, why can't she see that?"

"She did see that and when she told you, you shot her down! You told her you didn't want to ruin the friendship you had together. You didn't think it was a good idea to cross the line."

"That wasn't the reason!" Chandler snapped, "That wasn't the reason at all!"

"Then…then what was?"

Chandler sighed. "When Monica told me she loved me, Jenny was only 9 years old. Can you imagine if Monica and I had not worked out and we had broken up? Jenny sees me as a dad Joey. She loves me, and god I love her too! It'd break Jenny's heart if I had to leave, because that's what would happen Joe…I would have to leave and she would never see me again. I would never see Monica again."

"So…so what has changed your mind now?"

"I…I don't know. There are just some days when I can't stop thinking about Monica. Don't think that I've never regretted lying to Monica about my feelings…because I have."

"Wow…and what about Jenny and the whole breaking her heart thing?"

"I was stupid! All relationships have their ups and downs but come on Joe, we'd be a family! I don't see us ever breaking Jenny's heart…we'd be happy."

"I can't believe this is Chandler I am talking to!" Joey exclaimed, "You've really grown up."

"I think we all have Joey…I think we all have."

Before I started to fall asleep for real, I thought for a long time about what I had found out. It all seemed so easy. Chandler loved my mom and my mom loved Chandler. I had seen a new side to Chandler today, and that side suddenly made me realise that many of the jokes and sarcasm hid it. It was a sensitive side, a side that was easily hurt when revealed. It was a side that revealed itself when he dated Janice, the most annoying woman in the world. He loved Janice and she had hurt him.

I now remember seeing this side to Chandler before. When he complimented mom on her dress, the countless times I would see him watch my mom when we all played at Central Park. She would be running around kicking a ball and he would just never keep his eyes off her. Sometimes she would catch him staring and he would look away, embarrassed. 

While thinking of all of this, I've realised that I too have finally started to grow up.

END OF CHAPTER TWO

:In answer to one reviewer – expect the unexpected! Look out for Chapter 3 – Love Is A Tricky Thing. Coming soon!: