"Chandler?" Monica repeated. "I, uh, I didn't know you had a friend called Chandler."

"Yeah," Ross replied, laughing. "Uh, he was gonna come round for Thanksgiving when we were in college, but his dad got sick, and his mom got married, so, well, there ya have it."

"It's an unusual name," Phoebe ventured. "I bet you could go to the ends of the earth and only find one Chandler."

Monica grimaced at her. "Yeah, thanks Pheebs."

Phoebe smiled. "So, what are the kids' names?"

"The girl's called Alice, and they boy, uh, I think he's called Shawn, or Shane, or something like that," Rachel said, thinking hard.

"Shawn," Ross informed her. "Uh, Chandler's gonna be coming on Saturday," he added.

"Two days?" Phoebe gasped. "We'll never be ready to meet—I mean, uh, we'll never be ready by then!"

"Relax, Pheebs," Ross laughed. "You can, uh, just make up a couple beds, maybe put out a few books for the kids, that kinda thing."

Rachel giggled. "No way, honey, we're talking about Monica and Kendra here, aren't we?"

"Hey!" Monica protested. "No way am I that bad."

"Should you tell her or shall I?" Phoebe quipped.

"Oh, yeah," Rachel said, suddenly. "Uh, Chandler, he's bringing a friend with him, his wife's brother, I think."

"What, we've got to look after another person?" Monica demanded. "No, I'm not doing that. I'm already looking after a disabled child full-time, Ben's always here, I've said I'll look after this guy and his two kids, but I don't have room for another one, and I don't have the time—"

"Easy Mon," Ross broke in. "Joey's gonna be staying with us."

Monica blushed. "Oh right."

"Where?" Phoebe asked. "I mean, you said you didn't have space for anyone."

"He can sleep on the couch in the study," Rachel said, waving the matter away. "He said he'll stay anywhere as long as he can be with Chandler and the kids."

Monica gasped. "Is, is, are, are they, well, uh, y'know…?"

"Are they gay?" Phoebe translated.

Rachel and Ross exchanged a glance. "Mmm…" Rachel made a non-committal noise.

"He, uh, he looks it," Ross added. "But, well, who knows, eh?"

"I guess we should call Kendra in, and tell her, then," Monica said, after a moment of silence.

"Thank you so much, Monica," Ross said, gratefully. "You won't regret it!"

"I better not," was all Monica said, as she went to fetch Kendra and her cousins.

When they were all assembled, Ross began to speak. "My old friend from college, Chandler, is, uh, coming to stay with Auntie Monica, kids, just for a few weeks."

"What?" Kendra spluttered. "Why didn't you ask?"

"I said it was alright," Monica told her. "Why, sweetie?"

"A stranger? Coming to live with us?" Kendra said. "I think you see my problem. He won't be comfortable, and he'll avoid me, just 'cause I've got cerebral palsy!"

Monica paused. Why hadn't she thought of that before agreeing? She opened her mouth to tell Ross that the deal was off. Then she thought of something. What if this Chandler was really Kendra's father? Wouldn't it be wonderful? She smiled at Kendra.

"I'm sure it'll be okay, honey," she said, comfortingly.

"I told him about you," Ross told Kendra. "And he's absolutely fine with it! Don't worry, Kendra, you'll just love Chandler. And I'm sure you'll get along marvellously with Alice and Shawn," he added.

"Who?" Ben asked.

"Alice and Shawn," Rachel said. "Chandler's two children. See, his wife in England just died, and he wants to move back to the States with his kids."

"England?" Emily asked, awed. "That's far."

"Like the park?" Julia said. "That's far, you have to go in the car to get there."

"Even farrer," Emily told her. "It's across the ocean."

"Wow," Julia said. The two lapsed into silence again, as the grown-ups began to talk.

"I guess Chandler will hafta sleep in the guest room," Phoebe said, thinking.

"And Shawn can sleep in the study, there's a futon in there," Monica added.

"What about Alice?" Ross asked.

"The small sitting room?" Kendra suggested. "If you can stand the mess, that'll do, Mom."

"Mess?" Monica repeated, panicking.

"If you don't want to be hassled by the mess, Shawn could go in the guest room with Chandler," Rachel mused. "Then Alice could have the study for her room."

"That's better," Phoebe agreed.

"Well, uh, I reckon dinner's about ready," Monica announced. "If you guys go get settled, Kendra, will you help me with the food?"

Kendra nodded, and she and her mother departed to the kitchen.

"Kendra, are you okay with this?" Monica asked.

Kendra considered. "I guess." She paused. "No. I don't want a guy coming here and, and staring at my chair the whole time, and wondering what the matter is with me, and being uncomfortable around me for weeks."

Monica sighed. "Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry. I, I guess I should have talked it through with you first, only, well, it's just that…" She trailed off.

"What?" asked Kendra, noting that her mother had gone bright red. "Please, Mom, anything that might make me warm to this guy will be welcome."

Monica took a deep breath. "I don't know, sweetie, so don't hold me to this one. I'll tell you as soon as I can what the definite thing is, and I don't want what I say to be broadcast outside of this room. I especially don't want you to let it affect the way you act around Chandler and Alice and Shawn."

"What, Mom?" Kendra said, worried now. "Do you know him?"

"I might do." Off Kendra's look, she added, "Sweetie, please! I'm not trying to be evasive here. I honestly don't know whether I do or not, Kendra."

"Well how might you know him?" she asked. Suddenly, a light dawned. "Oh God, he's my father isn't he?"

Monica shushed her. "Kendra, quiet!" She sighed. "He might be. Your father, I only ever knew him for one night, baby. And, well, all I knew about him was his name."

"Chandler." It wasn't a question. "You had a one-night stand with a guy named Chandler." She paused. "Does anyone know?"

Monica nodded. "Phoebe."

"Guys!" Phoebe appeared at that moment. "C'mon, we're hung—" She trailed off, looking from Monica to Kendra. "You told her, didn't you?"

"About my dad? Yeah," Kendra replied, flatly. "Mom, y'know what? I'm, I'm not so hungry. I think it's the heat." With that, she left the kitchen.

* * *

Two days later, Kendra had gotten used to the idea of her father coming. She hadn't even told Ben the truth, something unusual for her – she generally shared all her secrets with her cousin.

When a car was heard outside, Monica called to Phoebe and Kendra. "Guys! They're here!" she yelled, somewhat nervously.

The three gathered by the door, worried. The car door opened, and a tall twelve-year-old got out. She had dark hair and eyes, and looked older than her years. She was followed by a little boy, blond-haired and blue-eyed. Rachel led them up the walk.

"Guys, these are Alice May and Shawn Bing," she introduced them. "And this," she added, gesturing to a handsome man with dark blond hair, "is Chandler Bing."

Instant recognition flashed into Chandler's eyes. "Monica."

The same recognition appeared in Monica's eyes. "Chandler, nice to see you."