Authors Note - Danke Schon for reviewing people!! It made my day! The
chapters may get slightly shorter here because I have exams coming up and
I'll be revising so I'll just have to try and type the important bits up as
quickly as I can. Well this is chapter 8, it starts about 2/3 weeks after
Ella met Chandler for the first time. I'm not sure who will feature in this
one yet but I'm trying to figure out how to get Phoebe involved cos I
realised yesterday that she hasn't been in any of the chapters for like
weeks!! I mean I know how the others feature, Rachel - Mon's best mate,
Ross - Mon's bro, Joey - Mon's roomie, but I need to get Phoebe in!! Sorry.
Without any further ado....Chapter 8!!!!!
It had been 2 ½ weeks now since Ella had first met Chandler and, although Monica hated to admit it, it had made Ella so happy. She loved seeing her dad and she would always run in and tell Monica about everything that had happened as soon as she got in. Over the last week, Monica had even begun to resent the fact that she wasn't involved in this part of Ella's life. But she didn't think she was up to meeting Chandler, not yet.
Monica wheeled herself over to the refrigerator and opened it with the intention of preparing a snack for Ella's return. She was currently at swimming practice. She had just taken the peanut butter out when the phone rang. Before she had a chance to move Joey came bounding out of his room and picked it up,
"Hello, Tribianni-Geller residence how can I help you?"
Monica gave a silent laugh as the caller replied,
"Hey Ella, you wanna speak to your mom?. A friend? Have we met them before?... Called what?... What are we gonna call them if you won't tell us their name?!... Yeah I suppose that'll be fine... 10 minutes? OK, don't be late!" And with that he hung up and turned to face Monica.
"She met a friend at practice and has very kindly invited them back here. I told he it was OK, OK?"
"Sure" Monica replied, "I'll just make double. So." She began as she started to cut the bread, "You got any big plans for the weekend?"
"Nah" he replied, I might hang out with Phoebe and Mike though"
"Ooh. Joey Tribianni the gooseberry!" Monica teased
"What about you!" he shot back, swatting her with the dishcloth, "Monica Geller - super vamp!"
They continued like this, making the sandwiches while gently teasing each other in what had become their routine. After their one night together they had sat down and for the first time in months talked. After hours they had realised that they were friends, best friends, but they needed more space from each other. And that while Monica still thought about Chandler and on some levels was still in love with him she just couldn't yet forgive him for the past.
Suddenly the door opened and Ella rushed in giving both Monica and Joey a hug before adding, "I love you guys OK?"
Monica immediately suspicious, advanced towards her, "Why? What have you done?"
"I'd like you to meet someone, mom, Joey this is my dad"
Monica stood there in shock as her apartment door was opened further to reveal Chandler waiting outside. "Ella" Monica hissed, her eyes not leaving Chandler, "What the hell is he doing here?"
"I'm sorry mom, but I think it's time you all put the past behind you. Dad made some mistakes, but so does everyone. He shouldn't be made to feel any guiltier than he already does. I'm sorry I didn't tell you but you would have never agreed. Please just give him a chance. For me?"
Monica starred at her daughter. She had almost forgotten how conniving she could be. "Sweetie.." she started, but staring at Ella eyes she paused, "Fine, but I'm not saying I'll like it"
"I love you! I love you!! I love you!!!"
Ella walked over to her father and grabbed his hand, leading him over to Monica and Joey. First she placed his hand in front of Joey. "Dad this is my surrogate father Joey, Joey this is my dad" she paused waiting for them to shake hands; eventually Joey took his friends hand and shook it. Satisfied Ella moved onto Monica. "Dad this is my mother Monica, Mom this is my dad" they too shook hands and Ella smiled. Hugging every single one of them she walked to the door.
"Emma says I can stay with her and Rachel tonight. Have fun!" And she left.
The three stood in silence, all staring at the ground, not daring to look up. Eventually Monica said quietly "There's still the sandwiches, I made enough for four"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Two hours later they had all eaten, and while it was obvious it was going to take some time before they could ever be as close as they once had, the atmosphere was a lot less tense. More relaxed. Joey and Chandler had been making small talk. Nothing major, just a little bit about what they were up to now. The one subject none of them had brought up was what they had been up to in the last 7 years. They all seemed too afraid to ask. After Joey finished telling Chandler about his job on Day's an uncomfortable silence fell over the table. There was only one thing left to talk about, but none of them wanted to bring it up.
Eventually Monica spoke.
"So" she asked clearing her throat, "What have you been up to for the past 7 years?"
"Well I got married four years ago" Chandler began...
"Maybe I could meet your wife sometime" Monica butted in..
"And divorced three years ago"
"Oh. Sorry"
"It wasn't your fault" Chandler replied, "I was the one who screwed things up again. So, what about your love life?" He asked Monica, trying to lighten the mood
"I didn't really date for the first four years after we split up" she replied, "I was too busy. Y'know with all the crying, raising a child by myself and the trying to kill myself I didn't have much time for dates"
Chandler looked at her, "I had no idea.."
"No because you weren't here. The one time I needed you, you weren't here. The one time. You left me to plan our daughter's funeral. Do you have any idea how hard that was? Do you have any idea how hard it is to decide on your daughter's coffin when a week earlier you had been talking about her starting school? Do you know how hard it is not to be able to go home, to know that all your daughter's things had been burned to a crisp? To have to move in with friends until you can have a new house? To have to give up work? To sit at home, alone everyday thinking about what your life should be like? To wonder everyday if your husband left because of something you did? To get so depressed that you slit your wrists? Do you have any idea how hard it must have been for your so-called 'friends' to have to come home and find me? Lying on the floor, not breathing? You weren't the only one who felt guilty about Georgia you know. Do you not think for the first year after she died I cried myself to sleep, wondering why I stopped. Asking myself 'why didn't you just get outside? She'd still be here if you'd got outside' Of course you don't. Because you only ever think of your self. You never cared how anyone else felt. About the fact that we were all grieving. You know in the same day that I had to tell our daughter that her little sister was dead, I had to tell her that her daddy was gone. And now, after 7 years of nothing. No phone calls, no letters, not even a birthday card for Ella you think you can just walk back into our lives? We don't need you OK? And you have no right to be here. So just go. Please, just go"
Chandler just stared at Monica, unable to take in what she had just told him. He had always seen Monica as strong, unbreakable. The image of her being so depressed that she would want to kill herself scared him. And the fact that it was all his fault made him feel even worse.
"Monica I'm sorry. I really am. I just don't know what else to say"
"There's nothing you can say, so just go please" Monica lifted herself up and slowly started to walk over to him. "The door's this way Chandler"
"Monica" he said, a note of desperation in his voice, "Isn't it better that I came back now? Look, I'm sorry I left, I never should have. You're right. I was a complete git. You needed me and I just left. I was scared, didn't think I could cope. But I made things ten times harder for you. I'm sorry I left Monica, believe me if I could go back I'd stay. The only thing I regret more than leaving is not coming back. I love Ella, and I still love you. You can throw me out as many times as you want Monica, but I'll keep coming back. I already ran away once, I'm not gonna give up so easy this time" He stood in front of Monica. Not moving.
Monica looked him up and down. By the tone of his voice she could tell he had meant every word he had said. She slowly sat down and buried her head in her hands, crying softly. Joey looked up at Chandler, the disgust of earlier now replaced with a plea ' Go Chandler' his eyes seemed to say, 'go'. Joey walked over to Monica and placed his arms around her pulling her into a tight hug. He allowed her to cry. After a few minutes of silence she untangled herself from Joey's embrace and stood up, facing Chandler.
She took a deep breath and began, "Chandler I loved you for almost my whole life. I trusted you more than I have ever trusted anyone. And you broke my trust and my heart. But for Ella's sake I think we need to be at least civil to each other"
Chandler looked at Monica, unsure of where this was going.
"I don't think I can ever forget what you did Chandler, but I can try to forgive"
And with that he smiled for the first time that evening. He walked up to Monica and Joey and followed Ella's example from earlier.
"It's nice to meet you Monica. It's nice to meet you too Joey" He said shaking their hands as they replied.
A clean slate for a clean start.
Authors Note - Well I hoped you all liked it! I'd I hope you all got the introductions; I was going for the starting afresh angle. Ella was introducing them for the first time, ignoring the past. I'm not sure if it worked though. They'll probably be about another 2 or 3 chapters before the big finale so enjoy it while it lasts!!!
~Friends Babe~
It had been 2 ½ weeks now since Ella had first met Chandler and, although Monica hated to admit it, it had made Ella so happy. She loved seeing her dad and she would always run in and tell Monica about everything that had happened as soon as she got in. Over the last week, Monica had even begun to resent the fact that she wasn't involved in this part of Ella's life. But she didn't think she was up to meeting Chandler, not yet.
Monica wheeled herself over to the refrigerator and opened it with the intention of preparing a snack for Ella's return. She was currently at swimming practice. She had just taken the peanut butter out when the phone rang. Before she had a chance to move Joey came bounding out of his room and picked it up,
"Hello, Tribianni-Geller residence how can I help you?"
Monica gave a silent laugh as the caller replied,
"Hey Ella, you wanna speak to your mom?. A friend? Have we met them before?... Called what?... What are we gonna call them if you won't tell us their name?!... Yeah I suppose that'll be fine... 10 minutes? OK, don't be late!" And with that he hung up and turned to face Monica.
"She met a friend at practice and has very kindly invited them back here. I told he it was OK, OK?"
"Sure" Monica replied, "I'll just make double. So." She began as she started to cut the bread, "You got any big plans for the weekend?"
"Nah" he replied, I might hang out with Phoebe and Mike though"
"Ooh. Joey Tribianni the gooseberry!" Monica teased
"What about you!" he shot back, swatting her with the dishcloth, "Monica Geller - super vamp!"
They continued like this, making the sandwiches while gently teasing each other in what had become their routine. After their one night together they had sat down and for the first time in months talked. After hours they had realised that they were friends, best friends, but they needed more space from each other. And that while Monica still thought about Chandler and on some levels was still in love with him she just couldn't yet forgive him for the past.
Suddenly the door opened and Ella rushed in giving both Monica and Joey a hug before adding, "I love you guys OK?"
Monica immediately suspicious, advanced towards her, "Why? What have you done?"
"I'd like you to meet someone, mom, Joey this is my dad"
Monica stood there in shock as her apartment door was opened further to reveal Chandler waiting outside. "Ella" Monica hissed, her eyes not leaving Chandler, "What the hell is he doing here?"
"I'm sorry mom, but I think it's time you all put the past behind you. Dad made some mistakes, but so does everyone. He shouldn't be made to feel any guiltier than he already does. I'm sorry I didn't tell you but you would have never agreed. Please just give him a chance. For me?"
Monica starred at her daughter. She had almost forgotten how conniving she could be. "Sweetie.." she started, but staring at Ella eyes she paused, "Fine, but I'm not saying I'll like it"
"I love you! I love you!! I love you!!!"
Ella walked over to her father and grabbed his hand, leading him over to Monica and Joey. First she placed his hand in front of Joey. "Dad this is my surrogate father Joey, Joey this is my dad" she paused waiting for them to shake hands; eventually Joey took his friends hand and shook it. Satisfied Ella moved onto Monica. "Dad this is my mother Monica, Mom this is my dad" they too shook hands and Ella smiled. Hugging every single one of them she walked to the door.
"Emma says I can stay with her and Rachel tonight. Have fun!" And she left.
The three stood in silence, all staring at the ground, not daring to look up. Eventually Monica said quietly "There's still the sandwiches, I made enough for four"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Two hours later they had all eaten, and while it was obvious it was going to take some time before they could ever be as close as they once had, the atmosphere was a lot less tense. More relaxed. Joey and Chandler had been making small talk. Nothing major, just a little bit about what they were up to now. The one subject none of them had brought up was what they had been up to in the last 7 years. They all seemed too afraid to ask. After Joey finished telling Chandler about his job on Day's an uncomfortable silence fell over the table. There was only one thing left to talk about, but none of them wanted to bring it up.
Eventually Monica spoke.
"So" she asked clearing her throat, "What have you been up to for the past 7 years?"
"Well I got married four years ago" Chandler began...
"Maybe I could meet your wife sometime" Monica butted in..
"And divorced three years ago"
"Oh. Sorry"
"It wasn't your fault" Chandler replied, "I was the one who screwed things up again. So, what about your love life?" He asked Monica, trying to lighten the mood
"I didn't really date for the first four years after we split up" she replied, "I was too busy. Y'know with all the crying, raising a child by myself and the trying to kill myself I didn't have much time for dates"
Chandler looked at her, "I had no idea.."
"No because you weren't here. The one time I needed you, you weren't here. The one time. You left me to plan our daughter's funeral. Do you have any idea how hard that was? Do you have any idea how hard it is to decide on your daughter's coffin when a week earlier you had been talking about her starting school? Do you know how hard it is not to be able to go home, to know that all your daughter's things had been burned to a crisp? To have to move in with friends until you can have a new house? To have to give up work? To sit at home, alone everyday thinking about what your life should be like? To wonder everyday if your husband left because of something you did? To get so depressed that you slit your wrists? Do you have any idea how hard it must have been for your so-called 'friends' to have to come home and find me? Lying on the floor, not breathing? You weren't the only one who felt guilty about Georgia you know. Do you not think for the first year after she died I cried myself to sleep, wondering why I stopped. Asking myself 'why didn't you just get outside? She'd still be here if you'd got outside' Of course you don't. Because you only ever think of your self. You never cared how anyone else felt. About the fact that we were all grieving. You know in the same day that I had to tell our daughter that her little sister was dead, I had to tell her that her daddy was gone. And now, after 7 years of nothing. No phone calls, no letters, not even a birthday card for Ella you think you can just walk back into our lives? We don't need you OK? And you have no right to be here. So just go. Please, just go"
Chandler just stared at Monica, unable to take in what she had just told him. He had always seen Monica as strong, unbreakable. The image of her being so depressed that she would want to kill herself scared him. And the fact that it was all his fault made him feel even worse.
"Monica I'm sorry. I really am. I just don't know what else to say"
"There's nothing you can say, so just go please" Monica lifted herself up and slowly started to walk over to him. "The door's this way Chandler"
"Monica" he said, a note of desperation in his voice, "Isn't it better that I came back now? Look, I'm sorry I left, I never should have. You're right. I was a complete git. You needed me and I just left. I was scared, didn't think I could cope. But I made things ten times harder for you. I'm sorry I left Monica, believe me if I could go back I'd stay. The only thing I regret more than leaving is not coming back. I love Ella, and I still love you. You can throw me out as many times as you want Monica, but I'll keep coming back. I already ran away once, I'm not gonna give up so easy this time" He stood in front of Monica. Not moving.
Monica looked him up and down. By the tone of his voice she could tell he had meant every word he had said. She slowly sat down and buried her head in her hands, crying softly. Joey looked up at Chandler, the disgust of earlier now replaced with a plea ' Go Chandler' his eyes seemed to say, 'go'. Joey walked over to Monica and placed his arms around her pulling her into a tight hug. He allowed her to cry. After a few minutes of silence she untangled herself from Joey's embrace and stood up, facing Chandler.
She took a deep breath and began, "Chandler I loved you for almost my whole life. I trusted you more than I have ever trusted anyone. And you broke my trust and my heart. But for Ella's sake I think we need to be at least civil to each other"
Chandler looked at Monica, unsure of where this was going.
"I don't think I can ever forget what you did Chandler, but I can try to forgive"
And with that he smiled for the first time that evening. He walked up to Monica and Joey and followed Ella's example from earlier.
"It's nice to meet you Monica. It's nice to meet you too Joey" He said shaking their hands as they replied.
A clean slate for a clean start.
Authors Note - Well I hoped you all liked it! I'd I hope you all got the introductions; I was going for the starting afresh angle. Ella was introducing them for the first time, ignoring the past. I'm not sure if it worked though. They'll probably be about another 2 or 3 chapters before the big finale so enjoy it while it lasts!!!
~Friends Babe~