Fake Plastic Trees: Chapter 5- Drive All Night
Summary: Title inspired by Bruce Springsteen's "Drive All Night". "I'd drive all night again, just to buy you some shoes and to taste your tender charm." It's about 6 months into the pregnancy and Ross has officially become Rachel's "right hand man".
Rating: R
A lot had happened in the last 6 months- almost more than either of them could even comprehend. Things had moved very quickly. Only about a week after they had made the decision to conceive, Rachel had discovered that she was pregnant. It had really not been much of a surprise, though. They had hardly left the apartment that entire week. She joked afterwards with Monica that he was trying to make up for all of the sex he didn't have in high school. Secretly, she loved it though. She knew that there was a very distinct purpose behind it all, but she thrived off of the feeling of power it gave her. The longing, passionate gazes he had sent her just beforehand had made her feel so alive and effervescent. Their sex life had NEVER been a problem, but that one week dwarfed any prior (and perhaps even future) encounters they had ever had...and now she was pregnant.
It was everything she had hoped it would be and nothing that she had feared. So far, it really hadn't had much of an effect on her physically (though she knew that was most likely subject to change), and even Ross admitted that he could only detect a few minor mood swings from time-to-time (though she knew there was always the possibility that he was just pacifying her). Nevertheless, she was enjoying every moment of it, especially Ross' reaction.
That morning after the night she had changed her mind was NOTHING compared to his recent enthusiasm. In 6 months, she couldn't remember seeing him frown or even break his smile once. She liked to think that she knew him better than anyone else, and if she knew anything, it was that he had always worn his heart on his sleeve. This experience had proved to be no different. He went about everything regarding her with such an intense mixture of passion, love and protectiveness that she fell in love with him all over again at the beginning of each day. Surprisingly, she hadn't grown tired of it at all. She knew he would react that way once she became pregnant and she had feared that it would become smothering; that she would have to ask him to step away. That situation had not arisen yet, however. She loved the attention and unconditional dedication he showed to her. He was doing things like leaving work early so that he would be there when she got him. He'd either had flowers delivered to her office, made her breakfast, or taken her out to dinner almost every night. Part of her knew he was outdoing himself, but she didn't want him to stop. It was so him. It was so Ross. That's what she loved about it.
Over the part few days, they had begun discussing remodeling the second bedroom into a nursery. They only had roughly 3 months to finish the process, so they would have to hurry. Ross had initially insited on doing the job himself, but after a very carefully worded veto from Rachel (followed by a much needed ego massage), they agreed to hire a professional. It would be comprised of white, green and yellow since they wanted the sex to stay a surprise.
[Scene: Ross and Rachel are sitting on the couch in the living room, going through catalogs of baby furniture.]
Ross: What about this one?
Rachel: I don't know, Oak's too heavy. I liked the Cedar better.
Ross: Since when do babies care about the type of tree that was sacrificed for their bed?
Rachel: Well, the baby's not going to be the one paying for it and the Cedar crib and changing table are $200 less.
Ross: Good call on the Cedar.
Rachel: Ohhh, look at this! Ross, how cute is this? It's a moon and stars mobile with matching pillows and sheets! I want it!
Ross: For the baby or for you?
She playfully smacked him in the arm and he retaliated by snatching the catalog away and moving around the couch to where she couldn't reach him.
Rachel: Come on, I wasn't done! We have to figure this stuff out! I mean, we still have so many things to do. We haven't even found someone do assemble all of this for us, not to mention painters and the carpet people. Who are we going to call?
Ross: Ghostbusters?
Rachel (smiling): Cute.
Ross: You think so? I could be a whole lot cutter if you wanted.
By the crooked smile he was giving her, she had no problem understanding exactly what he meant. What had gotten into him lately? Wasn't it the WOMAN who's sex drive was supposed to increase during the third trimester? She had to admit, though, it was fun teasing him. The control she held over him still amazed her. Besides, she knew he was partly doing it so that she would have no doubts as to whether he was still attracted to her. He might have been madly in love, but he wasn't stupid. All pregnant women felt that way at one point or another and he wanted her to understand that nothing could be further from the truth.
Almost tauntingly, she strolled over to where he stood behind the couch. Sliding her hands around his waste and into his back pockets, she pressed herself firmly against his chest and gazed into his eyes.
Rachel: Oh yeah?
He smiled and placed one hand on her back, using the other to brush a strand of hair out of her eyes.
Ross: Yup.
She leaned in to kiss him, but paused just before reaching his lips. When he shifted forward to capture her mouth with his, she even retreated slightly as to prolong the moment. She did this a lot. Though outwardly frustrated, he actually enjoyed it and she knew it. He knew she knew it. It was a game that they played. Finally, after a few more moments of anticipation, she pressed her lips into his and they melted together. He groaned into her mouth, pressing his hips aggressively into hers. When she tried to walk them backwards to the couch, he shook his head.
Ross: Bedroom.
By the time they reached the bed, they were both already completely undressed. He certainly didn't waste any time, she thought. Not that she was complaining. They made love slowly but intensely and he collapsed into her arms when it was over. Sometimes, it baffled her how strong and in charge he could be one moment and how vulnerable and unraveled the next. He had never actually told her so, but she could tell that he sometimes needed her even more than she needed him. That concept was nearly impossible for her to grasp, considering how lost and broken she knew she'd be without him, but he had been so horribly burned by so many women in the past. She was baffled at times that he had ever learned to trust women again. She was what he had laid it all on the line for, though, and that made her feel more special than he would probably ever know. Knowing that he had loved her enough to risk losing everything- even during those times when she hadn't been sure that she could do the same- made her certain that he was the only person she could ever be with. They had found each other through everything and they had saved one another. It was as simple as that.
End of Chapter 4. To Be Continued...
(Note: A few things: 1) If you'll notice, I make a lot of references to songs in my chapter and series titles. They seem to be of little consequence to the events of the story, I know, but upon listening to them, I think you'll feel differently. That's why I put them there- as shameless recommendations. I know, I have no shame. Seriously, though, download all of the songs that I've alluded to thus far. They're all wonderful and most of my inspiration for writing comes from music. 2) I realize that this chapter and Chapter 3 were rather frivolous and added little direction to the plot. I apologize for that, but I'm currently still deciding exactly where I want this thing to do. Until then, just try to enjoy the streams of consciousness that I throw at you. I think they're still of pretty good quality and it goes get to be rather emotionally draining to write about solely tragedy and conflict. This story, though I assure you that there will be a major conflict, will be at least a little more "touchy-feely" than my last (TOW The Walls). Excuse the rant, it's rather late.
Summary: Title inspired by Bruce Springsteen's "Drive All Night". "I'd drive all night again, just to buy you some shoes and to taste your tender charm." It's about 6 months into the pregnancy and Ross has officially become Rachel's "right hand man".
Rating: R
A lot had happened in the last 6 months- almost more than either of them could even comprehend. Things had moved very quickly. Only about a week after they had made the decision to conceive, Rachel had discovered that she was pregnant. It had really not been much of a surprise, though. They had hardly left the apartment that entire week. She joked afterwards with Monica that he was trying to make up for all of the sex he didn't have in high school. Secretly, she loved it though. She knew that there was a very distinct purpose behind it all, but she thrived off of the feeling of power it gave her. The longing, passionate gazes he had sent her just beforehand had made her feel so alive and effervescent. Their sex life had NEVER been a problem, but that one week dwarfed any prior (and perhaps even future) encounters they had ever had...and now she was pregnant.
It was everything she had hoped it would be and nothing that she had feared. So far, it really hadn't had much of an effect on her physically (though she knew that was most likely subject to change), and even Ross admitted that he could only detect a few minor mood swings from time-to-time (though she knew there was always the possibility that he was just pacifying her). Nevertheless, she was enjoying every moment of it, especially Ross' reaction.
That morning after the night she had changed her mind was NOTHING compared to his recent enthusiasm. In 6 months, she couldn't remember seeing him frown or even break his smile once. She liked to think that she knew him better than anyone else, and if she knew anything, it was that he had always worn his heart on his sleeve. This experience had proved to be no different. He went about everything regarding her with such an intense mixture of passion, love and protectiveness that she fell in love with him all over again at the beginning of each day. Surprisingly, she hadn't grown tired of it at all. She knew he would react that way once she became pregnant and she had feared that it would become smothering; that she would have to ask him to step away. That situation had not arisen yet, however. She loved the attention and unconditional dedication he showed to her. He was doing things like leaving work early so that he would be there when she got him. He'd either had flowers delivered to her office, made her breakfast, or taken her out to dinner almost every night. Part of her knew he was outdoing himself, but she didn't want him to stop. It was so him. It was so Ross. That's what she loved about it.
Over the part few days, they had begun discussing remodeling the second bedroom into a nursery. They only had roughly 3 months to finish the process, so they would have to hurry. Ross had initially insited on doing the job himself, but after a very carefully worded veto from Rachel (followed by a much needed ego massage), they agreed to hire a professional. It would be comprised of white, green and yellow since they wanted the sex to stay a surprise.
[Scene: Ross and Rachel are sitting on the couch in the living room, going through catalogs of baby furniture.]
Ross: What about this one?
Rachel: I don't know, Oak's too heavy. I liked the Cedar better.
Ross: Since when do babies care about the type of tree that was sacrificed for their bed?
Rachel: Well, the baby's not going to be the one paying for it and the Cedar crib and changing table are $200 less.
Ross: Good call on the Cedar.
Rachel: Ohhh, look at this! Ross, how cute is this? It's a moon and stars mobile with matching pillows and sheets! I want it!
Ross: For the baby or for you?
She playfully smacked him in the arm and he retaliated by snatching the catalog away and moving around the couch to where she couldn't reach him.
Rachel: Come on, I wasn't done! We have to figure this stuff out! I mean, we still have so many things to do. We haven't even found someone do assemble all of this for us, not to mention painters and the carpet people. Who are we going to call?
Ross: Ghostbusters?
Rachel (smiling): Cute.
Ross: You think so? I could be a whole lot cutter if you wanted.
By the crooked smile he was giving her, she had no problem understanding exactly what he meant. What had gotten into him lately? Wasn't it the WOMAN who's sex drive was supposed to increase during the third trimester? She had to admit, though, it was fun teasing him. The control she held over him still amazed her. Besides, she knew he was partly doing it so that she would have no doubts as to whether he was still attracted to her. He might have been madly in love, but he wasn't stupid. All pregnant women felt that way at one point or another and he wanted her to understand that nothing could be further from the truth.
Almost tauntingly, she strolled over to where he stood behind the couch. Sliding her hands around his waste and into his back pockets, she pressed herself firmly against his chest and gazed into his eyes.
Rachel: Oh yeah?
He smiled and placed one hand on her back, using the other to brush a strand of hair out of her eyes.
Ross: Yup.
She leaned in to kiss him, but paused just before reaching his lips. When he shifted forward to capture her mouth with his, she even retreated slightly as to prolong the moment. She did this a lot. Though outwardly frustrated, he actually enjoyed it and she knew it. He knew she knew it. It was a game that they played. Finally, after a few more moments of anticipation, she pressed her lips into his and they melted together. He groaned into her mouth, pressing his hips aggressively into hers. When she tried to walk them backwards to the couch, he shook his head.
Ross: Bedroom.
By the time they reached the bed, they were both already completely undressed. He certainly didn't waste any time, she thought. Not that she was complaining. They made love slowly but intensely and he collapsed into her arms when it was over. Sometimes, it baffled her how strong and in charge he could be one moment and how vulnerable and unraveled the next. He had never actually told her so, but she could tell that he sometimes needed her even more than she needed him. That concept was nearly impossible for her to grasp, considering how lost and broken she knew she'd be without him, but he had been so horribly burned by so many women in the past. She was baffled at times that he had ever learned to trust women again. She was what he had laid it all on the line for, though, and that made her feel more special than he would probably ever know. Knowing that he had loved her enough to risk losing everything- even during those times when she hadn't been sure that she could do the same- made her certain that he was the only person she could ever be with. They had found each other through everything and they had saved one another. It was as simple as that.
End of Chapter 4. To Be Continued...
(Note: A few things: 1) If you'll notice, I make a lot of references to songs in my chapter and series titles. They seem to be of little consequence to the events of the story, I know, but upon listening to them, I think you'll feel differently. That's why I put them there- as shameless recommendations. I know, I have no shame. Seriously, though, download all of the songs that I've alluded to thus far. They're all wonderful and most of my inspiration for writing comes from music. 2) I realize that this chapter and Chapter 3 were rather frivolous and added little direction to the plot. I apologize for that, but I'm currently still deciding exactly where I want this thing to do. Until then, just try to enjoy the streams of consciousness that I throw at you. I think they're still of pretty good quality and it goes get to be rather emotionally draining to write about solely tragedy and conflict. This story, though I assure you that there will be a major conflict, will be at least a little more "touchy-feely" than my last (TOW The Walls). Excuse the rant, it's rather late.