Part Two

thanks for great reviews! some of my absolutely favorite authors reviewed my story and i was thrilled! so thank you, thank you and please review again!

(Note: As you can probably tell, Monica and Chandler never met. She has Ross and Rachel, he has Phoebe and Joey. Sorry for the confusion in the last chapter!!)

Disclaimer: Never owned 'em, never will (sadly)....

"This party's great, man," Joey said to Chandler, "Thanks for throwing it. You really didn't have to."

"Well, Phoebe helped," Chandler said and smiled at Phoebe.

"And the food!" Joey raved, "The caterer did all my favorites, man!" Chandler smiled as the caterer came out of the kitchen.

"Well, Mr. Bing, I'm all cleaned up in there," she said.

"Thanks so much," he said, handing her a check, "and by the way," he added, "you can call me Chandler."

"Thanks," Monica smiled, "Well, I'd loved to cater for you again, if you need me."

"I've got your office number," he smiled, "Bye." Monica smiled back and left.

Joey immediately clapped his best friend on the back, "Got a little crush there, do ya?"
Chandler glared at him, "No." he said, his face reddening. Sure, Monica was drop dead gorgeous and incredibly nice, but who was Chandler kidding? He was a single father of three. Monica could get any guy she wanted. Why would she choose him?

"Whatever you say, man!" Joey laughed and walked over to say good-bye to some of his friends.

Three days later, Chandler found himself with free time. It was a rare thing, him having free time. But he unexpectedly got a day off from work and all three of his kids were in school. He silently praised himself for having enrolled Emily and Lauren in that preschool program. Joey and Phoebe didn't have any time off, so Chandler decided to head into the city for the day and spend some time at the places he'd hung around before his kids had arrived.

"Wow," Chandler breathed as he entered Central Perk, "It's sure has been awhile," he said to himself. Chandler thought of the last time he'd ever hung out in the coffee house. Surely it had been at least five years ago. Almost immediately after his wife got pregnant they'd moved out to the suburbs and he hadn't spent too much time here in between his wedding day and moving day. He thought back to what he thought of as the "good old days", the days before he'd gotten married. He and Phoebe and Joey had been at Central Perk constantly, drinking coffee and just talking. Chandler laughed at that-when was the last time he'd actually had time to drink coffee and talk?

As Chandler thought about those days he realized that the Chandler who'd lived that life, the life of coffee drinking and complaining about his job and being afraid to call women.that Chandler probably never envisioned himself the way he was today. Chandler never could have guessed that at age thirty he'd be a single father of three children. He used to be the most commitment phobic man on the planet.now he had three huge commitments tying him down every day of his life. Chandler sighed as he ordered his coffee and sat down the ratty old orange couch.
"Chandler?" Chandler glanced up as he heard his name being called.

"Monica the caterer?" he asked, looking at the woman who'd called his name.

"Well," she laughed, "I basically prefer just Monica, but."

"Sorry," he laughed. "You come here often?"

"All the time," she said, sitting down next to him on the couch, "I've got this group of friends.we hang out here all the time. You?"

"I used to.same thing, group of friends, hang out and all. But you know, I live in Scarsdale now, so it's kinda a commute."

"Right," Monica said, embarrassed. "So.did your friend enjoy his party?"

"He loved it!" Chandler said happily, "Especially the food."

Monica smiled, "That's good to hear. I actually just started my business. Your party was one of my first."

"Well, it sure didn't seem like it," Chandler raved, "Everything was great."

Monica smiled again and Chandler felt himself becoming more and more attracted to her. Joey had been right-Chandler did have a crush on her, though he'd never let himself admit it. But who wouldn't be attracted to her? She was talented, beautiful and smart. And, Chandler reminded himself, she probably had a boyfriend. He'd be absolutely amazed if she didn't. "Thanks," Monica said, interrupting his thoughts, "It's good to know that I didn't screw up my first party."

Chandler smiled back, "So, um.you live around here?" he asked.

"Actually, really close. There's an apartment building right above this place. My grandmother sublets me her apartment up there."

"You serious?" she nodded, and he laughed, "Small world," he said, shaking his head, "I used to live in that building, too. Me and my friend Joey. My friend Phoebe lived a couple streets down. We all moved out to Scarsdale a couple years ago, though."

"That is a small world," Monica marveled, "Scarsdale's a great place," she said, "I've actually always thought of moving out there myself."

They chatted for a few more minutes and Chandler finally worked up the courage to ask the question he'd wanted to ask from the beginning. "So, um," he stuttered, "I was wondering if maybe.you'd like to go out for dinner sometime." he let the question hang.

Monica smiled and Chandler breathed a sigh of relief. "Chandler, I'd love to go out with you," Monica said happily.

I know it's no great cliffhanger, but this'll get better! PLEASE REVIEW!