(Note: This takes place eight years after Ross left Rachel. They were
married, with twins, Josh and Gracie, who were two, but Ross left. Ross and
Rachel got married soon after they started dating, so there was never any
"We were on a break" or London)
My son and daughter, Josh and Gracie, I 'm leaving this note for you both to read when you are older. I know you never really knew me, but I hope this leaves you with some idea of who I am. My name is Ross Geller, and I am madly in love with three people- your mom-Rachel, and you guys. Unfortunately, I screwed up big time with your mom. I hope that after all this time, she's settled down again and found someone else to love. She deserves someone great. I just want you guys to know that I love you so very, very much and I'm so very sorry for leaving. I hope someday you'll be able to understand why I left. I hope you guys achieve all the dreams you have for yourselves. Reach for the stars. I love you both. All my love,
Ross Geller
Rachel sighed softly. How many times had she read that note? Ross had left it for Josh and Gracie, she knew, but on the front of the envelope, he'd written that it was okay for her to read it too. She wiped away her tears and set the letter back on the table, glancing at her only link to the husband she hadn't seen in years. Why had Ross left a letter for Gracie and Josh.but not her? It'd been eight years since Ross had left. The eight longest years of her life. Eight years of raising two children completely by herself. Eight years of answering questions about their father. Eight years of wondering if Ross would ever be in her life again. Eight years of pain.
She would never know why Ross had left. If she didn't know, she didn't get why he expected Gracie and Josh to "understand" why he'd left. She glanced around the apartment. It was the same apartment she'd lived in eight years ago, when Ross had left. She'd never been able to move. Because in her heart, she still believed that someday he'd come back. And she wanted to be there when he did.
Rachel gathered up her strength and put the letter away. She had two children to live for. She couldn't be crying all the time. She went into Josh's room, and saw her son sitting on his bed, still in his pajamas. "Josh!" she scolded, "Get dressed, now. Your cousins will be here any minute." She went into her daughter's room and repeated the process with Gracie. Her two ten year olds were never good at getting up in the morning. When Ross had been around, he'd helped her with the twins. He'd gotten Josh up and ready, while she'd gotten Gracie ready. Now she had to do it alone.
She went back and cleaned up the living room a little. Suddenly, the door flew open and two children came in. "Hi Aunt Rachel!" a little voice boomed. Rachel smiled as Monica and Chandler's six-year-old daughter Emma flew into the room. Trailing behind her were Monica and Chandler, their four-year-old son Zachary in Chandler's arms. Rachel couldn't help but notice that Chandler's arm slipped around his wife's waist, and that he was looking at her lovingly. She sighed. She was incredibly jealous of Monica and Chandler. The Bings were a family. That's all she wanted for Josh and Gracie.
After Ross had left, Chandler and Monica had realized how perfect they were for each other and they'd gotten together, and fallen in love. Now they were married, with two perfect little children. And it was easy to see how in love they were. Rachel hadn't seen a day go by where Chandler didn't kiss his wife and whisper, "I love you", and Monica always responded with an, "I love you, too". And Emma and Zachary were such happy children.not that Gracie and Josh weren't, but not having a father around was taking it's toll.
"Are you sure you don't mind taking the kids today?" Rachel asked worriedly.
Monica came over to hug her best friend. "Don't even worry about it. You know we love Josh and Gracie."
"Yeah, Rach," Chandler said, coming over to her, "You just relax today. Besides," he smiled, "I get to take Josh and Zachary to a Knicks game. Good thing, too, since Mon's taking Emma and Gracie shopping"
"Are Uncle Joey and the boys coming?" Zachary asked excitedly.
"Yeah, buddy, they are. Hey, why don't you go find Josh and get him moving, okay?" Chandler said, knowing Rachel wanted to talk to them without the kids around. Zachary ran off to Josh's room.
"You gonna be okay, Rachel? Do you want me to stay with you?" Monica asked.
"No, I'm fine. Chandler can't take Emma and Gracie to the game anyway."
"Okay," Monica smiled, "But call if you need anything. I'm sure I can find someone to watch Emma and Gracie. And Phoebe's home today, too, if you need her."
"I'm fine. I just.need to be alone. Thanks for taking the twins."
"No problem," Chandler said, "I know this day sucks, Rachel, but it'll all be okay tomorrow." Rachel smiled at Chandler's attempt to comfort her, and both Monica and Chandler pulled her into a hug. A few minutes later, Josh and Gracie were ready and Monica and Chandler left with the four kids. Rachel sat down on the couch, and began to let the tears fall. Today would have been her eleventh wedding anniversary.
PLEASE REVIEW!
My son and daughter, Josh and Gracie, I 'm leaving this note for you both to read when you are older. I know you never really knew me, but I hope this leaves you with some idea of who I am. My name is Ross Geller, and I am madly in love with three people- your mom-Rachel, and you guys. Unfortunately, I screwed up big time with your mom. I hope that after all this time, she's settled down again and found someone else to love. She deserves someone great. I just want you guys to know that I love you so very, very much and I'm so very sorry for leaving. I hope someday you'll be able to understand why I left. I hope you guys achieve all the dreams you have for yourselves. Reach for the stars. I love you both. All my love,
Ross Geller
Rachel sighed softly. How many times had she read that note? Ross had left it for Josh and Gracie, she knew, but on the front of the envelope, he'd written that it was okay for her to read it too. She wiped away her tears and set the letter back on the table, glancing at her only link to the husband she hadn't seen in years. Why had Ross left a letter for Gracie and Josh.but not her? It'd been eight years since Ross had left. The eight longest years of her life. Eight years of raising two children completely by herself. Eight years of answering questions about their father. Eight years of wondering if Ross would ever be in her life again. Eight years of pain.
She would never know why Ross had left. If she didn't know, she didn't get why he expected Gracie and Josh to "understand" why he'd left. She glanced around the apartment. It was the same apartment she'd lived in eight years ago, when Ross had left. She'd never been able to move. Because in her heart, she still believed that someday he'd come back. And she wanted to be there when he did.
Rachel gathered up her strength and put the letter away. She had two children to live for. She couldn't be crying all the time. She went into Josh's room, and saw her son sitting on his bed, still in his pajamas. "Josh!" she scolded, "Get dressed, now. Your cousins will be here any minute." She went into her daughter's room and repeated the process with Gracie. Her two ten year olds were never good at getting up in the morning. When Ross had been around, he'd helped her with the twins. He'd gotten Josh up and ready, while she'd gotten Gracie ready. Now she had to do it alone.
She went back and cleaned up the living room a little. Suddenly, the door flew open and two children came in. "Hi Aunt Rachel!" a little voice boomed. Rachel smiled as Monica and Chandler's six-year-old daughter Emma flew into the room. Trailing behind her were Monica and Chandler, their four-year-old son Zachary in Chandler's arms. Rachel couldn't help but notice that Chandler's arm slipped around his wife's waist, and that he was looking at her lovingly. She sighed. She was incredibly jealous of Monica and Chandler. The Bings were a family. That's all she wanted for Josh and Gracie.
After Ross had left, Chandler and Monica had realized how perfect they were for each other and they'd gotten together, and fallen in love. Now they were married, with two perfect little children. And it was easy to see how in love they were. Rachel hadn't seen a day go by where Chandler didn't kiss his wife and whisper, "I love you", and Monica always responded with an, "I love you, too". And Emma and Zachary were such happy children.not that Gracie and Josh weren't, but not having a father around was taking it's toll.
"Are you sure you don't mind taking the kids today?" Rachel asked worriedly.
Monica came over to hug her best friend. "Don't even worry about it. You know we love Josh and Gracie."
"Yeah, Rach," Chandler said, coming over to her, "You just relax today. Besides," he smiled, "I get to take Josh and Zachary to a Knicks game. Good thing, too, since Mon's taking Emma and Gracie shopping"
"Are Uncle Joey and the boys coming?" Zachary asked excitedly.
"Yeah, buddy, they are. Hey, why don't you go find Josh and get him moving, okay?" Chandler said, knowing Rachel wanted to talk to them without the kids around. Zachary ran off to Josh's room.
"You gonna be okay, Rachel? Do you want me to stay with you?" Monica asked.
"No, I'm fine. Chandler can't take Emma and Gracie to the game anyway."
"Okay," Monica smiled, "But call if you need anything. I'm sure I can find someone to watch Emma and Gracie. And Phoebe's home today, too, if you need her."
"I'm fine. I just.need to be alone. Thanks for taking the twins."
"No problem," Chandler said, "I know this day sucks, Rachel, but it'll all be okay tomorrow." Rachel smiled at Chandler's attempt to comfort her, and both Monica and Chandler pulled her into a hug. A few minutes later, Josh and Gracie were ready and Monica and Chandler left with the four kids. Rachel sat down on the couch, and began to let the tears fall. Today would have been her eleventh wedding anniversary.
PLEASE REVIEW!