A/N - Thanks again for your reviews. I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. And, a little off topic, but one of the reviews just made me laugh. I've actually seen a wedding in Wal-Mart. Pretty funny. Anyway... Another reviewer suggested that Monica tell Chandler about Emily's father. Well, that's basically this chapter. And yet another reviewer mentioned that Chandler seemed a little out of character, and I meant to mention that in my last author's note. He is a little out of character in this story. I should have mentioned that before, but there's a reason he's a little different than you're used to. You'll have to be patient for that one. All in good time...

Here's the next chapter. I hope you like it. The next one will be a little more eventful, but you're gonna have to wait until next year to see it... ;)

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There You Are

Chapter Three

"So, I guess you're wondering about Emily," Monica said the the next evening as she and Chandler chatted over dinner.

"If you want to talk about it. I understand if you don't want to tell me," he answered.

"Oh, it's okay. I think I owe you an explanation at least, after I shot you down," she laughed.

"Couldn't hurt," he teased.

"Well, she's three years old, completely unplanned, but loved very, very much. The circumstances surrounding her conception weren't ideal, but I wouldn't give her up for anything. She means the world to me."

"I'm sure," he smiled. "I don't want to pry, but what about her father? Is he around?"

"Oh, I'm sure he's around," she laughed weakly. "But not around us. When I told him that I was pregnant, he told me that he wasn't ready to be somebody's dad, and he probably never would be. So I let him off the hook. I didn't want him around if he didn't want to be around."

"I understand," he replied. "But he was an idiot to let you and that little angel get away."

She smiled. "Yeah, I like to think so," she teased.

"Has he even seen her?"

"No. I haven't seen or heard from him since the day I told him I was pregnant. And I'll be perfectly fine if I never see or hear from him again. We've already survived three years without him. I think we can make it."

"I'm sure you will," he smiled. "So... Why didn't you tell me about her? I mean, I'm assuming that's why you told me you didn't want to see me anymore."

"Yeah, it is... It's just so complicated, being a single mom. Everytime a guy finds out about Emily, he walks away - or runs, I guess," she smiled weakly. "Most guys aren't looking for a commitment to one woman, so I guess I can see why they'd run away from a woman and a baby."

"You know, in all honesty, it freaked me out a little when I saw you with her. A few of years ago, I would have run for cover the second I saw you with her... But I have to tell you, I admire you for doing this. It's got to be hard to be a single parent."

"It is... But it's completely worth it. I always wanted to have children. I just hadn't planned to do it this way."

"But you're doing great. I can tell," he smiled. "She seems like such a happy little girl."

"Yeah, I think she is. She's got a lot of people to love her, even without her father around." She smiled at him, then continued hesitantly. "Chandler, I completely understand if you don't want to see me again. I don't want you to think that you have to keep seeing me just because you feel sorry for me."

"I don't feel sorry for you," Chandler replied. "I mean, I know that you've been through a lot, having to raise a child on your own, but you seem pretty happy. And you've got that adorable little girl, who I'm sure gives you a reason to get out of bed every morning... Sure, you've had some tough times, Monica, but I have to say that you seem pretty lucky to me," he smiled.

She smiled back at him. "You're absolutely right. I'm very lucky."

"So... Should I ask if we can see each other again, or should I assume that you're going to try to blow me off again?" he teased.

"I've had a really good time tonight, Chandler, and I'd love to see you again," she answered sincerely.

"Wonderful," he grinned as they stood up to leave. "Can I walk you home?"

"Oh, you really don't have to."

"I want to," he assured her.

"All right... Let's go."

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"Well, this is home," Monica informed Chandler once they had reached apartment number twenty. "Would you like to come in for a minute? My brother is baby-sitting, if you'd like to meet him."

"Sure," he replied, then followed Monica inside.

"Is she sleeping?" Monica asked her brother when she saw him sitting in the armchair reading some children's book that he'd given Emily. Something about dinosaurs...

"Yeah," he said, putting the book on the coffee table and walking over to greet his sister. "I just put her down," he continued, eyeing the stranger suspiciously.

"Ross, this is Chandler. Chandler, this is my brother, Ross."

"Nice to meet you," Chandler said, extending his hand toward Ross.

Ross took the extended hand, and shook it. "Nice to meet you, too."

"Was she good tonight?" Monica asked her brother, drawing him away from Chandler. He'd been much more protective of her since Emily's father had walked out on her, and she didn't need him to scare off the one guy she'd actually been interested in since Emily had been born.

"Oh yeah, she was great. We watched that Sesame Street video about three times," he sighed.

"Sorry," she laughed.

"No problem... Um, I guess I'm going to go home. Rachel's waiting," he smiled. "Nice to meet you, Chandler," he said, then turned back to kiss his sister's cheek. "Night, Mon."

"Good night. And thanks," she called as he exited the apartment. Once Ross was gone, she turned back to Chandler. "Would you like something to drink? I've got lots of milk and apple juice," she smiled. "Or I can put on some coffee," she offered.

"I'm fine," he replied.

"Okay... Um, I'm just gonna check on Emily for a second. You can have a seat, or you're welcome to take a peek. She's adorable when she's sleeping."

He laughed lightly. "I'd like to, if you don't mind," he answered.

"Not at all... Come on," she said, leading him into Emily's room.

She walked over and sat on the edge of Emily's bed while Chandler stood at the door, then she brushed the little girl's hair away from her face and leaned over to kiss her forehead gently. Emily stirred and her eyes fluttered open. "Mommy?" she said sleepily.

"Yeah, it's Mommy," Monica said quietly. "Go back to sleep, honey."

"I love you, Mommy," she yawned, then closed her eyes again.

"I love you, too, Em," Monica replied and kissed her daughter's forehead one more time before standing. "Sweet dreams, angel."

Monica turned around to see Chandler standing in the doorway. She smiled at him, then went back into the living room with him.

"It's an incredible thing to love someone like that," Chandler said quietly. "I can tell that you're a wonderful mother."

"Thank you," she smiled. "I do my best."

"I'm not sure I could do this," he said, gesturing toward the closed bedroom door as he and Monica sat down in the living room. "I mean, it must take a lot of courage to raise a child alone."

"Don't pity me, Chandler," she smiled slightly. "Like you said, I'm very lucky to have her. It would have been nice to have been married to someone who wanted to have children with me, but it didn't happen that way, and I can't change things now. And I don't think I'd want to."

"What if you could have been with her father? What if he had been willing to marry you and raise her with you? Would you have done that?" he asked curiously.

"Honestly... No, I wouldn't. I didn't love him. Not like that. He seemed like a nice guy, but it was just a one time thing. We'd been out a few times, and then there was the night Emily was conceived, but that was it. I can't call it a mistake, because that would be calling my daughter a mistake, and she wasn't. But he wasn't right for me."

"Do you ever think about calling him? Maybe trying to let him be a part of your daughter's life?"

"I think I'd be perfectly fine if I never spoke to him again," she said honestly. "At times, I think about all the things Emily's going to miss out on because she doesn't have a father around, but she's got a lot of people who love her already. And maybe someday I'll find someone to spend my life with who'll love her like she was his own child."

He simply smiled. "Yeah. Maybe someday... Speaking of someday, do you think you and I could go out again someday soon?"