Fake Plastic Trees- Chapter 2: It Wears Her Out
Summary: "And if I could be who you wanted, if I could be who you wanted, all the time, all the time."
Rating: PG
He had come to treasure these everyday events that most people tend to take for granted. These things like snuggling in bed and watching TV- they had become sacred to him just because they did them together. Simple things like being able to running his fingers through her hair or feel her hand casually resting on his leg still had the capacity to break him right then and there, to melt him, to shatter him. It was mostly likely, he pondered, because those privileges had been given to him and then revoked so many times in the past. The thought that, now, she was his forever still gave him butterflies.
The only thing that could possibly bring them closer was the one thing she didn't know if she could give him. It scared her and that scared him. He hated bringing it up because it usually resulted in a fight and he hated fighting with her. He especially hated this fight. It made him feel so selfish. He knew it was the ultimate gift but he wasn't sure if it was a gift he wanted to give or receive. How would she perceive it? Maybe if he brought it up just once more, making it clear that he wanted it for both of them and not just for himself, maybe then it would work.
[Scene: Ross and Rachel are watching a movie. She's laying with her head on his lap and his fingers are playing with the bottom of her shirt and her stomach.]
Ross: You're so pretty.
Rachel (giggling): And you're so weird.
Ross: You married me.
Rachel: Yeah, but don't tell my boyfriend. He'll get really jealous.
At that, Ross picked up a pillow from beside him and playfully hit her with it. He grabbed her and began tickling, causing her to squirm in his arms. He wrapped his arms tighter around her so she couldn't get loose. Finally, after both of them were tired out, they just laid there laughing and catching their breath.
Ross: Rach?
Rachel: Yah?
Ross: I could take him, right?
Rachel: Who?
Ross: Your boyfriend.
Rachel: Any day of the week, honey.
After moments of silence passed, Ross decided it would be a good time to initiate the conversation. They were both in cheerful, playful moods. What could go wrong? Besides, she was still in his arms and he was now gently rubbing her neck. How mad at him could she really get?
Ross: Rach, can we talk about something.
Rachel: That depends...What is it?
Ross: Just something I've been thinking about a lot lately. It's pretty important to me...I think you know what it is.
Rachel (suddenly serious): Ross...Why do we always have to have this same conversation? Why can't you just respect that I can't do this right now?
Ross: Because I know you can, Rach! You'd be such a great mother! That's why I want it so badly, because I know we'd be great at it and we'd love it!
Rachel: People don't just go making this decision because they think it'd be fun! At least, people SHOULDN'T make this decision based on things like that! Look...(calming her voice) I really don't want to fight about this. The bottom line is that it takes two people to make this particular commitment and exactly one half of that party does not agree. There's really nothing you can do that will change my mind.
He just starred at her, unsure of what to say. When she turned to leave the room, he knew he couldn't let it end like this.
Ross: Why are you so scared?
Rachel: Scared? Is that what you think this is about? It shouldn't surprise me, really. Isn't that your excuse for everything decision I make that you don't agree with? "Oh, that's just classic Rachel- immature and naive, unable to think of anyone but herself." Go ahead and think that all you want, Ross, but it's not going to change my mind!
Ross: If you're not scared, then what is it?!
Rachel: How many times are we going to have this conversation? How many times have you asked me that very same question? How many times have I answered it? I told you, things are already stressful enough right now! I'm finally starting to get into the swing of things at work in my new position and we always said we were going to travel before settling down. I mean, how do I even know I want to raise kids here? Maybe I don't want to live in New York at all! I hate having decision made for me, Ross, and you should know that better than anyone!
Ross: I'm not making the decision FOR you, I'm just wondering why you're so against it! It worries me, Rachel! We've been married for two years and not only do you not want it, you're actually AGAINST it! I mean, are you EVER going to be ready for children?
Rachel: What if I'm not? What then, huh? Another divorce to add to the pile?
That one stung. Now she was just trying to hurt him. He had only seen her this angry and defensive less than a handful of times during their relationship. This was about more than she was letting on. He decided to let the comment go, though he couldn't hide the obvious pain it had caused him.
Ross: You know I would never end what we have for anything.
Rachel: Do I? Because I'm starting to think this means more to you than I do.
Ross (sincerely and calmly): Nothing means more to me than you do.
Rachel: Oh yeah? Then what if I never DO want to have kids, Ross?
Ross (carefully): I would be devastated.
Rachel: Why?
Ross: Because sometimes I think I might love you too much and I think it's a damn shame that a child might miss the opportunity to grow up in a household like that when there are so many who never get to grow up at all.
This catches Rachel off guard. She wasn't expecting that. She had wanted him to spit some cocky, condescending remark back in her face that would justify the speech she was already concocting in her head. Instead, she was rendered speechless.
Rachel: I'm sorry I can't be who you want right now.
Ross: It doesn't matter, when you're always going to be the only one I need.
End of Chapter 2. To Be Continued...
Summary: "And if I could be who you wanted, if I could be who you wanted, all the time, all the time."
Rating: PG
He had come to treasure these everyday events that most people tend to take for granted. These things like snuggling in bed and watching TV- they had become sacred to him just because they did them together. Simple things like being able to running his fingers through her hair or feel her hand casually resting on his leg still had the capacity to break him right then and there, to melt him, to shatter him. It was mostly likely, he pondered, because those privileges had been given to him and then revoked so many times in the past. The thought that, now, she was his forever still gave him butterflies.
The only thing that could possibly bring them closer was the one thing she didn't know if she could give him. It scared her and that scared him. He hated bringing it up because it usually resulted in a fight and he hated fighting with her. He especially hated this fight. It made him feel so selfish. He knew it was the ultimate gift but he wasn't sure if it was a gift he wanted to give or receive. How would she perceive it? Maybe if he brought it up just once more, making it clear that he wanted it for both of them and not just for himself, maybe then it would work.
[Scene: Ross and Rachel are watching a movie. She's laying with her head on his lap and his fingers are playing with the bottom of her shirt and her stomach.]
Ross: You're so pretty.
Rachel (giggling): And you're so weird.
Ross: You married me.
Rachel: Yeah, but don't tell my boyfriend. He'll get really jealous.
At that, Ross picked up a pillow from beside him and playfully hit her with it. He grabbed her and began tickling, causing her to squirm in his arms. He wrapped his arms tighter around her so she couldn't get loose. Finally, after both of them were tired out, they just laid there laughing and catching their breath.
Ross: Rach?
Rachel: Yah?
Ross: I could take him, right?
Rachel: Who?
Ross: Your boyfriend.
Rachel: Any day of the week, honey.
After moments of silence passed, Ross decided it would be a good time to initiate the conversation. They were both in cheerful, playful moods. What could go wrong? Besides, she was still in his arms and he was now gently rubbing her neck. How mad at him could she really get?
Ross: Rach, can we talk about something.
Rachel: That depends...What is it?
Ross: Just something I've been thinking about a lot lately. It's pretty important to me...I think you know what it is.
Rachel (suddenly serious): Ross...Why do we always have to have this same conversation? Why can't you just respect that I can't do this right now?
Ross: Because I know you can, Rach! You'd be such a great mother! That's why I want it so badly, because I know we'd be great at it and we'd love it!
Rachel: People don't just go making this decision because they think it'd be fun! At least, people SHOULDN'T make this decision based on things like that! Look...(calming her voice) I really don't want to fight about this. The bottom line is that it takes two people to make this particular commitment and exactly one half of that party does not agree. There's really nothing you can do that will change my mind.
He just starred at her, unsure of what to say. When she turned to leave the room, he knew he couldn't let it end like this.
Ross: Why are you so scared?
Rachel: Scared? Is that what you think this is about? It shouldn't surprise me, really. Isn't that your excuse for everything decision I make that you don't agree with? "Oh, that's just classic Rachel- immature and naive, unable to think of anyone but herself." Go ahead and think that all you want, Ross, but it's not going to change my mind!
Ross: If you're not scared, then what is it?!
Rachel: How many times are we going to have this conversation? How many times have you asked me that very same question? How many times have I answered it? I told you, things are already stressful enough right now! I'm finally starting to get into the swing of things at work in my new position and we always said we were going to travel before settling down. I mean, how do I even know I want to raise kids here? Maybe I don't want to live in New York at all! I hate having decision made for me, Ross, and you should know that better than anyone!
Ross: I'm not making the decision FOR you, I'm just wondering why you're so against it! It worries me, Rachel! We've been married for two years and not only do you not want it, you're actually AGAINST it! I mean, are you EVER going to be ready for children?
Rachel: What if I'm not? What then, huh? Another divorce to add to the pile?
That one stung. Now she was just trying to hurt him. He had only seen her this angry and defensive less than a handful of times during their relationship. This was about more than she was letting on. He decided to let the comment go, though he couldn't hide the obvious pain it had caused him.
Ross: You know I would never end what we have for anything.
Rachel: Do I? Because I'm starting to think this means more to you than I do.
Ross (sincerely and calmly): Nothing means more to me than you do.
Rachel: Oh yeah? Then what if I never DO want to have kids, Ross?
Ross (carefully): I would be devastated.
Rachel: Why?
Ross: Because sometimes I think I might love you too much and I think it's a damn shame that a child might miss the opportunity to grow up in a household like that when there are so many who never get to grow up at all.
This catches Rachel off guard. She wasn't expecting that. She had wanted him to spit some cocky, condescending remark back in her face that would justify the speech she was already concocting in her head. Instead, she was rendered speechless.
Rachel: I'm sorry I can't be who you want right now.
Ross: It doesn't matter, when you're always going to be the only one I need.
End of Chapter 2. To Be Continued...