Fake Plastic Trees: Chapter 6- Cyclical
Summary: Eight months pregnant: enter crazy and hormonal Rachel. Ross has to be the voice of reason, but that's difficult since he's freaking out, too.
Rating: PG-13
She didn't like just throwing negative thoughts and feelings around, but he was driving her crazy. Honestly, how hard was it to leave the fucking toilet seat down? And did he HAVE to leave those wet towels on the bathroom floor when he was done showering? She was the one who had to pick them up, and that wasn't exactly a piece of cake in her condition. He was still doing the flowers at work and the breakfast in bed thing, but her reaction to it was, to say the least, not as enthused as it once was. Enough was enough. She loved him. God, she loved him, but couldn't a girl ever get a moment to herself? The cycle was the same every time. They'd get in a fight over something small and insignificant, and the fight would be directly followed by "make-up sex". It was a vicious cycle, but one that they'd gotten used to over the past few months.
The worst was that fateful morning about two weeks ago when he had attempted showering with her. Rule number one for all husbands who's wives are expecting: no sex in the morning. The desire, not to mention the energy, was just not there. He had slipped in a few moments after her, obviously expecting something quite the contrary to what he got- a foot in the ass and an ear-full. When she had exited the shower, he had been sitting on the bed, still only clad in the white towel wrapped around his waste, and pouting on the edge of the bed.
[Scene: Ross is sitting on the bed, hair still wet and still dressed in a towel. Rachel comes in wearing her bathrobe. She doesn't look pleased, but doesn't look angry, either. She comes to sit next to him on the bed.]
Ross: So apparently you didn't tell me about this new rule.
Rachel: What rule?
Ross: The one where I get beaten if I touch you before noon.
Rachel (sighs): That's not how I meant it.
Ross: Oh, I'm sorry, you're right. I probably just misinterpreted that slap on the arm and shove out of the shower. It won't happen again.
Rachel: Look, Ross, you're just going to have to understand that things are a little different right now.
Ross: I understand that! It's loud and clear over here! I just didn't know "a little different" meant I wasn't allowed to touch you.
Rachel: Oh, come on! Stop being such a baby about it! Sorry we can't have sex 24/7! If that's not meeting your requirements...
Ross: Don't turn this into being about me wanting sex when you KNOW that's not what it's about! I just wanted to be with you! What's so wrong with that? We take showers together all the time without having sex!
Rachel: Well this was one time I wanted to take a shower alone, is that okay!? Do I need to write you a note next time? "Dear Ross, please leave me alone for 5 minutes today. Thanks!"
He had been more than a little taken aback by that. He had no idea that was the way she felt. He thought he was just helping her out, he didn't know he was suffocating her. He suddenly got very quite and calm.
Ross: I'm sorry...I didn't know you felt that way. I'll leave you alone.
He had gotten up to leave, but she stopped him.
Rachel: Ross, don't go. Look, I'm sorry. I think it's sweet, all the things you're doing for me. I just don't want to feel like I can't do SOME things on my own.
Ross: I know, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have invaded your space like that. It's just that...
Rachel: What?
Ross: Sometimes I see you and I just...
Rachel: What?
She was getting closer and closer to him every time she said it, reminding him of the night about six years ago at the beach, when she had confessed that she still loved him.
Ross: Sometimes I look at you and I can't think of anything except touching you, you know? It's hard, because I know that you need your space occasionally, and I want to respect that. I just...
She waited patiently for him to finish. It was apparent now that she was no longer mad- quite the opposite.
Ross: I've never loved someone like this. I know that sounds strange since I've been MARRIED twice before...but I didn't need them the way I need you. It's hard to know when it's too much for you, because if it was up to me, I'd never be away from you. I'd never stop touching you. I'd never stop kissing you. Especially now.
Rachel: What do you mean?
Ross: I mean, you're carrying our baby. How could I NOT be attracted to you? You've never been more beautiful to me.
Rachel: Ross?
Ross: Yeah?
Rachel: I think you just totally made up for the shower incident.
Ross (smiling): Good. So I'm not sleeping on the couch tonight?
Rachel (teasing): It's only 9:00 am.
So there they were, a few weeks later, and the same thing was still happening. Ross messed up-Rachel yelled at him- Ross said something incredibly sweet- Rachel forgave him. It was one of their many dances, and like all the others, they had mastered it perfectly. The other 4 saw it on occasion, but would never be able to put their finger on exactly what it was that made it work between them. It was something different almost every day, but they were always in each other's arms again at the end of the day.
[Scene: Ross and Rachel's. Late at night, Rachel's in the bathroom getting ready for bed. Ross walks in behind her and wraps his arms around her stomach, resting his head on her shoulder.]
Ross: Hey.
Rachel (toothpaste in mouth): Hi.
Ross: Whatcha doing?
Rachel: Trying to get ready for bed.
Ross: Am I disturbing?
Rachel (spits): No.
She pats his arm across her stomach for reassurance.
Rachel: I'm just finishing up.
Ross: Coming to bed?
Rachel: Yeah.
He waited for her to walk out before turning the light off after them. In the bedroom, he climbed in on his side and encircled her in his arms. Reason number 293 that he loved their relationship: they always slept naked. It was unexplainable. Even when they didn't make love, they still slept naked. They had done it when they were dating, too. It was something neither of them had ever done in previous relationships, but it felt so natural when they were together. Neither had any idea why.
Ross: You smell good.
Rachel (sleepily): Mmm, I just took a shower.
Ross: No, it's not soap or shampoo. It's what you always smell like. It's Rachel.
Rachel (giggles): What do I smell like?
Ross: Hmmm, I'm not sure. I've never smelled it before. It's a lot of different things. It's sweet.
Rachel: I didn't know smells could be sweet.
Ross: Most can't...yours can. It's like honey and spice.
Rachel: Interesting. Do I have a distinct taste, too?
Ross: Hmm...let's investigate.
He bent down and kiss her shoulder softly, using his tongue to graze her skin.
Ross: Yup, just what I thought.
Rachel: What?
Ross: You taste like you smell.
She smiled and kissed his neck, burring her head into the crescent of his shoulder.
Ross: Do you think we fight too much?
Rachel: No. I'm pregnant. Couples that are pregnant always fight more than usual. It always ends up like this, anyway, so it can't be all bad.
Ross: That's true...I love you.
Rachel: I know.
End of Chapter 6. To Be Continued...
(Note: You know what? I changed my mind. I don't think I want much of a conflict in his one. My last one dealt with pretty heavy stuff, so when it comes down to it, I don't really feel like it this time. Haha, Sorry if that comes as a disappointment, but I kind of like writing this sappy stuff and I think it suits them better in the context of this story. The next story is probably going to deal with the birth, and I'll most likely have one more chapter after that. Hope you're enjoying it! Don't hesitate to review.)
Summary: Eight months pregnant: enter crazy and hormonal Rachel. Ross has to be the voice of reason, but that's difficult since he's freaking out, too.
Rating: PG-13
She didn't like just throwing negative thoughts and feelings around, but he was driving her crazy. Honestly, how hard was it to leave the fucking toilet seat down? And did he HAVE to leave those wet towels on the bathroom floor when he was done showering? She was the one who had to pick them up, and that wasn't exactly a piece of cake in her condition. He was still doing the flowers at work and the breakfast in bed thing, but her reaction to it was, to say the least, not as enthused as it once was. Enough was enough. She loved him. God, she loved him, but couldn't a girl ever get a moment to herself? The cycle was the same every time. They'd get in a fight over something small and insignificant, and the fight would be directly followed by "make-up sex". It was a vicious cycle, but one that they'd gotten used to over the past few months.
The worst was that fateful morning about two weeks ago when he had attempted showering with her. Rule number one for all husbands who's wives are expecting: no sex in the morning. The desire, not to mention the energy, was just not there. He had slipped in a few moments after her, obviously expecting something quite the contrary to what he got- a foot in the ass and an ear-full. When she had exited the shower, he had been sitting on the bed, still only clad in the white towel wrapped around his waste, and pouting on the edge of the bed.
[Scene: Ross is sitting on the bed, hair still wet and still dressed in a towel. Rachel comes in wearing her bathrobe. She doesn't look pleased, but doesn't look angry, either. She comes to sit next to him on the bed.]
Ross: So apparently you didn't tell me about this new rule.
Rachel: What rule?
Ross: The one where I get beaten if I touch you before noon.
Rachel (sighs): That's not how I meant it.
Ross: Oh, I'm sorry, you're right. I probably just misinterpreted that slap on the arm and shove out of the shower. It won't happen again.
Rachel: Look, Ross, you're just going to have to understand that things are a little different right now.
Ross: I understand that! It's loud and clear over here! I just didn't know "a little different" meant I wasn't allowed to touch you.
Rachel: Oh, come on! Stop being such a baby about it! Sorry we can't have sex 24/7! If that's not meeting your requirements...
Ross: Don't turn this into being about me wanting sex when you KNOW that's not what it's about! I just wanted to be with you! What's so wrong with that? We take showers together all the time without having sex!
Rachel: Well this was one time I wanted to take a shower alone, is that okay!? Do I need to write you a note next time? "Dear Ross, please leave me alone for 5 minutes today. Thanks!"
He had been more than a little taken aback by that. He had no idea that was the way she felt. He thought he was just helping her out, he didn't know he was suffocating her. He suddenly got very quite and calm.
Ross: I'm sorry...I didn't know you felt that way. I'll leave you alone.
He had gotten up to leave, but she stopped him.
Rachel: Ross, don't go. Look, I'm sorry. I think it's sweet, all the things you're doing for me. I just don't want to feel like I can't do SOME things on my own.
Ross: I know, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have invaded your space like that. It's just that...
Rachel: What?
Ross: Sometimes I see you and I just...
Rachel: What?
She was getting closer and closer to him every time she said it, reminding him of the night about six years ago at the beach, when she had confessed that she still loved him.
Ross: Sometimes I look at you and I can't think of anything except touching you, you know? It's hard, because I know that you need your space occasionally, and I want to respect that. I just...
She waited patiently for him to finish. It was apparent now that she was no longer mad- quite the opposite.
Ross: I've never loved someone like this. I know that sounds strange since I've been MARRIED twice before...but I didn't need them the way I need you. It's hard to know when it's too much for you, because if it was up to me, I'd never be away from you. I'd never stop touching you. I'd never stop kissing you. Especially now.
Rachel: What do you mean?
Ross: I mean, you're carrying our baby. How could I NOT be attracted to you? You've never been more beautiful to me.
Rachel: Ross?
Ross: Yeah?
Rachel: I think you just totally made up for the shower incident.
Ross (smiling): Good. So I'm not sleeping on the couch tonight?
Rachel (teasing): It's only 9:00 am.
So there they were, a few weeks later, and the same thing was still happening. Ross messed up-Rachel yelled at him- Ross said something incredibly sweet- Rachel forgave him. It was one of their many dances, and like all the others, they had mastered it perfectly. The other 4 saw it on occasion, but would never be able to put their finger on exactly what it was that made it work between them. It was something different almost every day, but they were always in each other's arms again at the end of the day.
[Scene: Ross and Rachel's. Late at night, Rachel's in the bathroom getting ready for bed. Ross walks in behind her and wraps his arms around her stomach, resting his head on her shoulder.]
Ross: Hey.
Rachel (toothpaste in mouth): Hi.
Ross: Whatcha doing?
Rachel: Trying to get ready for bed.
Ross: Am I disturbing?
Rachel (spits): No.
She pats his arm across her stomach for reassurance.
Rachel: I'm just finishing up.
Ross: Coming to bed?
Rachel: Yeah.
He waited for her to walk out before turning the light off after them. In the bedroom, he climbed in on his side and encircled her in his arms. Reason number 293 that he loved their relationship: they always slept naked. It was unexplainable. Even when they didn't make love, they still slept naked. They had done it when they were dating, too. It was something neither of them had ever done in previous relationships, but it felt so natural when they were together. Neither had any idea why.
Ross: You smell good.
Rachel (sleepily): Mmm, I just took a shower.
Ross: No, it's not soap or shampoo. It's what you always smell like. It's Rachel.
Rachel (giggles): What do I smell like?
Ross: Hmmm, I'm not sure. I've never smelled it before. It's a lot of different things. It's sweet.
Rachel: I didn't know smells could be sweet.
Ross: Most can't...yours can. It's like honey and spice.
Rachel: Interesting. Do I have a distinct taste, too?
Ross: Hmm...let's investigate.
He bent down and kiss her shoulder softly, using his tongue to graze her skin.
Ross: Yup, just what I thought.
Rachel: What?
Ross: You taste like you smell.
She smiled and kissed his neck, burring her head into the crescent of his shoulder.
Ross: Do you think we fight too much?
Rachel: No. I'm pregnant. Couples that are pregnant always fight more than usual. It always ends up like this, anyway, so it can't be all bad.
Ross: That's true...I love you.
Rachel: I know.
End of Chapter 6. To Be Continued...
(Note: You know what? I changed my mind. I don't think I want much of a conflict in his one. My last one dealt with pretty heavy stuff, so when it comes down to it, I don't really feel like it this time. Haha, Sorry if that comes as a disappointment, but I kind of like writing this sappy stuff and I think it suits them better in the context of this story. The next story is probably going to deal with the birth, and I'll most likely have one more chapter after that. Hope you're enjoying it! Don't hesitate to review.)