This is Mine, You Can't Take It
Part 2
[Have y'all (I never say that IRL, but I always use it online! LOL) seen the promos for the last few episodes of Friends? They make me teary-eyed! And it's only December! lol. I'm gonna have to stock up on tissues, apparently, and not just for the finale, but all the episodes from now until then as well! ;) Anyway, here is part two! The characters are STILL not mine!]
Of course there's one condition, Chandler muttered. I knew it wouldn't be so easy.
It's not as hard as you'd think. You wished that YOU could do something to bring Monica back. So now you have to.
What is this, like I have to die instead or something? That's-- no, you know what never mind, just do it, take me!
You don't have to die, Chandler, Lou said. That would actually probably be an easier way out, he said with a laugh.
Great. Now I'm REALLY reassured.
There are a few conditions, actually. The first is that when you get Monica back to you, you can not tell her anything about this. At all. And likewise, you can't tell anyone else, either. This is our little secret.
Fair enough, Chandler said. Why do I sense the next part is the big whammy?
Because it is, Lou told him. You'll get Monica back for two days. One weekend, Saturday and Sunday.
What? Two days? That's all?
No. You get her for two days, no matter what. But if you want to keep her forever, you have to satisfy the second condition.
Which is? Chandler asked, afraid of what it was going to be.
You have to make her fall in love with you all over again.
Chandler asked.
You know, like in movies, or TV, people say Oh, I think I just fell in love with you all over again!'? Like that.
What if I CAN'T?
You CAN, Lou told him.
Okay, so what, I have to get her to actually SAY that to me?
No. She just has to think it.
Well, what if she doesn't? That's out of my control! Maybe she doesn't believe in falling in love with someone all over again?
She doesn't have to think it like that, word for word. She just has to... FEEL it.
Hey, you have a penny dated 1998? Chandler asked Lou. He gave him a look.
No, why? Lou asked.
Because I NEED TO MAKE ANOTHER WISH, and this time wish that Monica will fall in love with me all over again!
Chandler, you can do this. We wouldn't ask you to do something impossible. Now I'm going to send you to bed, and when you wake up, everything is normal. If you don't satisfy the condition by Sunday at midnight, you'll find yourself right back here by 12:01 A.M. Got it?
Yeah, I guess, Chandler said, suddenly discouraged. Hey, but what if I...
But the man was gone. Then so was he.
*~*~*~*
Chandler's eyes opened involuntarily when he felt sun coming through the window and landing on his face. He opened his eyes to see Monica lying beside him, and looking back at him.
All of a sudden, everything came back to him. The accident, Lou, what he had to do. Maybe that had all been a dream? Maybe it was just some weird dream? No, he knew it wasn't. He knew when he looked at his night stand and saw a penny, from 1998, right there.
Monica said with a smile.
Oh, God, hi, Chandler said, a grin on his face. Monica gave him a quizzical look, but he didn't give her a chance to say anything. I love you so much, he said, leaning down to kiss her. It started with one quick peck on her lips, then another, then another, each one getting a little longer until he was giving her long, passionate kisses.
What is this about? Monica asked with a giggle when he finally took a moment to breathe. Not that I mind.
I love you, that's all. I love you so much. More than anything or anyone, or any...thing. Ever.
She gave him a look, but smiled. I love you, too. Just as much, she said. She was still confused as to where all this was coming from. But she had no chance to ask him anything, because he was kissing her again. Are you okay? she asked him between kisses.
Yeah, I'm fine, he told her. Just as long as I have you, I'll always be fine.
You have some weird dream or something? she asked. You haven't woken up and attacked me with kisses since... since... we were engaged.
Yeah, well, maybe I shouldn't have stopped. Maybe I took you for granted. And I'm not gonna do that anymore! So get used to this, he said with a smile, leaning down to kiss her again.
That shouldn't be too hard, Monica said with a giggle.
*~*~*~*
Monica looked up when she heard Chandler come back into their bedroom. She was still lying in bed under the blankets, she couldn't bring herself to get up, it was freezing. He, on the other hand, was wearing only a t-shirt and boxer shorts.
Aren't you cold? she asked him.
Nah, not really, it's- he stopped and looked at her. I mean, actually, yeah. I'm freezing. Have any ideas on how I could warm up? he asked her with a wink, climbing back on the bed.
she giggled as he started kissing her neck and down her chest. I'm never gonna get out of bed today if you start doing that.
he said as he leaned her back down on the bed. That's kinda the idea.
Oh, it is, is it? she asked, raising her eyebrows. All the while she kissed him back.
Mon, let me save you some time. You're NOT getting out of bed for a while, we're just gonna stay here, he said with a smile.
Hmmmm, okay, she said, not really sure what she was even talking about. He always made her lose her chain of thought. Whenever he was kissing her somewhere or playing with her hair, or even playing with her hand, she'd forget whatever else she had been thinking.
he said, momentarily stopping his kisses and brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She looked up at him and smiled, her face asking him what. I love you, he said in a whisper. You know that, right?
Duh, Chandler, she joked. Then she turned serious. I do know. And I love you, too. He smiled at her and kissed around her right ear again. What's UP with you today? she asked him.
One part in particular... he joked, not stopping any of his kisses.
she laughed and lightly hit him on the chest. I just- you're acting like you're gonna lose me or something.
Well, I kinda had a weird... dream. And it made me realize that I should treat every time I tell you I love you as if it were the last. You know, make sure you know.
You know I'll always know, she said, putting her hands to his face.
I know, but I want to make sure I TELL you.
You're too sweet, she said, kissing the tip of his nose.
I learned from the best, he said. Now where were we? he started kissing her neck again. About here?
Mmmm, yeah, somewhere around there, she said with a giggle.
*~*~*~*
How's it going?
Chandler jumped when he heard another man's voice behind him. He knew it wasn't Ross or Joey. But he DID recognize it, even though he hadn't known it long.
You can get in my HOUSE, too? he asked Lou, who was standing with his arms crossed.
I can get anywhere, Lou said.
That's really...creepy, Chandler said.
So, it's Saturday, 11:49 AM, Lou said. Feel good about your first eleven hours and 49 minutes that you've used up?
Chandler said. I, I guess.
You GUESS? Lou asked. You gotta find some confidence.
I really don't know what I'm doing here, he said. You've got to help me!
I can't help you, Lou told him. You know what to do.
No, I DON'T, he said. That's why I'm asking you. No, begging you. Look, Lou, is it? I'd do ANYTHING for Monica. Anything. I think you should know that. You can't let me fail her and let her...you know...
Chandler, you know what to do even if you don't KNOW you know what to do.
Chandler stared at him for a second. Uh, what?
You KNOW how to do this. You just don't realize you do.
Are you supposed to be HELPING me or CONFUSING me? he asked. Look, she's in the shower, just tell me what to do when she gets out! Spend the day here? Take her out? DINNER? Should I take her out to dinner? PLEASE, tell me!
Chandler, I can't tell you. I don't know the answer. YOU'RE the one who made her fall in love with you. YOU'RE the one who knows her better than anyone in the world. YOU'RE the only one who knows the answers.
What, why? he asked. Someone else knows her! ROSS! Rachel! They know her. I'll ask them!
They don't know her like you do, Lou pointed out. There's a fine line between brother/sister relationships and best friend relationships, and husband/wife relationships. They don't know the Monica you're in love with.
Chandler said, frustrated. You have ANYTHING to help me at ALL, or are you just here to stress me out? They both looked toward the bathroom as they heard the water shut off.
You know what to do, Lou said. You KNOW. YOU know.
And with that, he was gone.
There goes the DREAM theory, Chandler mumbled. Okay, he's right, he thought to himself. You know Monica. So what would she want to do? Take her out somewhere? Breakfast? He glanced at his watch. Lunch? No, brunch! No, no, you should take her to DINNER. Tonight! That's good, dinner. He smiled triumphantly. But then what do I do NOW?! he wondered. Go for the whole spend the whole day in bed' idea, which obviously wouldn't be hard to talk her into, he thought with a laugh, or something more...romantic? Sex or romance? Which one will make her fall in love with me all over again? he wondered. The romance! Right? Definitely the romance! he sighed, realizing something. But the FIRST TIME she fell in love with me, we were just having sex! Well, we kinda had a relationship, but... I wasn't so much romantic... he was clueless as to what to do, and his thoughts stopped when he saw her enter the room.
She had a white towel wrapped around herself and one on top of her head. She looked to him and smiled, like she would normally do, having no idea that t his was not a normal day.
Sex or romance? he thought once again. Then he smiled back at Monica. She's so beautiful, he told himself for what seemed to be the one millionth time.
Wow, it's already noon? she asked when she caught a glimpse of the clock on her way to their room. She turned to Chandler and gave him a smile. Wonder where the day could have gone, she said with a wink. Then she went into their room to get dressed.
Chandler fell onto the couch, still trying to figure out what he was supposed to do. Maybe it wasn't sex OR romance? Maybe it was something else completely? Maybe it was something... something Monica. Maybe it was...
he yelled when she walked back into the room, wearing a pair of jeans and a sweater.
Monica asked, looking around.
You know, I never help you clean around here! And I know you love it. So I think we should clean something today, Chandler explained.
She gave him a look. Are you feeling all right? she asked.
I'm fine, he said. But then he briefly wondered if maybe he was sick, so sick he had a high fever and was delirious. And he kept seeing that Lou guy, but he wasn't really there! He frowned when he realized that he wasn't feeling bad at all.
she asked, pulling him from his thoughts.
Huh? Oh, yeah. So we're gonna clean something! Anything you want! OH, how about our closet? he asked. I mean, that's needed it for a while. You know, yesterday I think I saw one of your shirts in the skirt section.
I KNOW!!! Monica said in her typical Monica way, starting to get all hyped up about the cleaning. And we can make new categories!
Chandler couldn't help but smile. Then he felt sick. He couldn't lose her. He just COULDN'T. This had to work. If it didn't... he was out of ideas.
*~*~*~*
An hour later, Chandler was surrounded by every piece of clothing, every shoe, and every jacket that either of them owned. He wondered if she was actually CLEANING here, because it seemed like she'd just made a huge mess. But, the closet was empty.
Okay, well we've succeeded in cleaning out the closet, Chandler said. Now what about the rest of the room?
Monica smiled. We're getting there, she said with a laugh. Okay, now that we have all the clothes out, we have to decide if there are any we don't even want, you know, so we can save room when we put everything back in.
More like are there any clothes I don't want so that YOU can have more space when we put everything back in, Chandler said as they sat down in the middle of the mess to start looking through everything.
That'd work, too, Monica said.
They went through the piles for a few minutes without saying much. Chandler let his thoughts drift back to what he had to do that night. And what he should do the next day. And what he should do that night. He had to get it all figured out now. So that he could MAYBE get some sleep tonight. His thoughts were interrupted by Monica.
Think I should get rid of this? she asked mischievously. He looked up and did a double take when he saw her holding up a lacy red thong.
Nah, how about we keep that, Chandler joked back with her.
But I was thinking that if we got rid of this, I'd have room for something new... maybe even better... she hinted.
You know what, this isn't fair. I can't tease you like that. I mean, women have totally got the power of the underwear. What am I gonna do? he asked, and picked up a pair of his boxers. Think I should get rid of these? he asked sarcastically.
she said, her voice more of a whisper. But I do know some I think you should get rid of.
he asked, now totally confused.
She smiled at his confusion. I think you should get rid of the ones you're wearing... she tried again. He looked at her in disbelief. Hadn't they already had sex TWICE that morning? And wasn't she in the middle of CLEANING? What had happened to HER? Maybe he wasn't the only one talking to imaginary people.
So yes or no to this pair? he asked about the pair he was holding in his hand, not really sure what to do about her previous comment. He wasn't sure if she was serious or joking around.
She shook her head at his shock. Yes to those. I think I've worn those more than you, she said with a laugh.
Yeah, obviously, he said. These are like, ancient. I had these when we were secretly dating. All my underwear was OURS back then.
That's the price you pay for secretly dating someone, she said with a giggle. Hey, so how come all my underwear wasn't ours back then, too?
Because yours happens to look better on you, he told her in all seriousness.
She giggled. Well maybe I'll show you my underwear if you do like I asked and get rid of that pair you're wearing. She started kissing him, and climbed into his lap.
Mon? In the MESS?
she said, kissing him again. It's kinda, you know, guilty pleasure type thing.
He looked at her and kissed her back. But you're not gonna stop halfway through and want to clean it up, right?
she said, kissing him again. It's not like I'm gonna push you off me to go clean. I DO have my priorities straight, she joked. He just looked at her. Okay, that ONE time! But that was different, she explained. I mean, it was a mess on the floor in the living room! I couldn't concentrate with that out there.
How is this any different? Chandler asked.
Because this time the mess is, you know, part of the whole thing.
You have to PROMISE me you're not gonna change your mind in ten minutes, he said.
I promise, she said, still kissing him. she said, looking him in the eyes. I want you to make love to me in the mess.
Now THERE'S something I never thought I'd hear YOU say, he joked with a smile.
She smiled back at him and pushed him back so that they both fell back and were lying on the floor.
*~*~*~*
So, what'd you think? Monica asked Chandler, standing in front of their closet, the mess gone from the room. It looks good, doesn't it?!?
Sure does, Chandler agreed, even though he really didn't see a difference in the closet now and the closet they had before. And I have to say, that was the most fun I've personally ever had cleaning.
She gave him a knowing look. Well, that was your little reward for helping me clean today, she joked, and gave him a kiss on the lips.
So, what do you want to clean tomorrow? he asked jokingly. She playfully hit his chest.
she said. It's already after five!
he said. That gives us just enough time.
Enough time for what? Monica asked him, confused.
Okay, we just cleaned out the closet, so now you get to use the nicely organized thing.
We're going out to dinner, he told her. So now that you know where all your dresses are, pick one.
Where're we going? she asked him, surprised.
Can't tell you, he said. So just get ready! Our reservations are for seven. He'd managed to sneak off while they were cleaning the closet and make reservations for them for dinner that night.
I have to take a shower! she said.
You already did that, Honey, he reminded her.
Sure, before I was cleaning and had sex on the floor!
Fine, you take a shower, I'll get ready, we'll meet here at 6:30.
*~*~*~*
Monica greeted Chandler when he came back to their apartment a little before 6:30.
Wow yourself, he said. God, you look... he paused
She smiled. Thank you, she said. It's only fitting I look beautiful so that I wont be overshadowed by my handsome escort.
she said with a giggle. She kissed him on the cheek. I love you, she said.
I love you, too, he told her, and took her hand in his own.
*~*~*~*
Okay, I think a toast is in order, Chandler said, taking his glass of champagne and holding it up. To my amazing, wonderful, beautiful, every other positive adjective in the dictionary, yet a bit obsessive, wife, he said with a smile. She smiled and clinked her glass with his.
Your wife must be one lucky woman, she told him.
Personally, I don't know how she does it.
Does what? Monica asked.
Puts up with me and my crazy weird self.
Monica smiled. I'm sure it isn't that hard for her.
That's just what you think, he said. I'm one crazy person.
But I also hear you're sweet, charming, handsome, sweet, amazing, incredible, caring, sweet, cute, polite, funny, romantic, sweet, and, rumor has it, she leaned in and brought her voice to a whisper really good in bed.
he said. Maybe tonight I'll have to show you and you can decide for yourself.
What would your wife think? Monica asked, playing along with their little game.
You know, actually, I think my wife might really like the idea.
Monica shrugged and smiled. She might.
*~*~*~*
Remember when Ross found out about us? Monica asked with a giggle.
Ummm, YEAH. I thought that was the day I DIE.
Monica giggled. The past ten minutes they'd somehow gotten on the topic of their relationship and how far they'd come, and the things that had happened.
He wouldn't have really killed you.
Yeah, well, he might have had he found out about us right at the beginning! The only thing that saved us was the fact that we weren't just messing around, we were in love.
Good thing we DIDN'T do it in that closet in London, she remembered. He might have heard, and maybe he WOULD have killed you.
Comforting, Mon.
I try, she joked. We never really did catch on that we shouldn't do stuff like that in front of the window, she laughed. Hey, thank you for tonight. I have no idea what I did to deserve this, but thanks.
he said. You ALWAYS deserve this. Part of my newfound I shouldn't take you for granted' lifestyle.
She smiled. You never took me for granted. Well, I mean, I know what you mean, but you never really did.
Well, just in case, Chandler said. She smiled.
*~*~*~*
Ummm, Chandler? Monica asked when the stepped out of the restaurant.
It's raining.
Really, Monica? I didn't notice, he joked, then squeezed her hand which was already entwined with his. This is going so well! he thought. If she didn't fall in love with me all over again at dinner, then there's nothing more I can do. He paused and thought of what he just though. Well that sounds kinda conceited.
There's no cabs, Monica said. Why didn't we drive again?
Because you insisted that it was more of a hassle than it was worth, and there'd be plenty of cabs around.
Monica said with a hint of a laugh.
I guess we just walk to the subway, it's only like three blocks.
Chandler, it's pouring!
Well, okay, then. I'll just BEAM us home.
Maybe we should just wait until the rain stops. Or until a cab comes.
Okay, YOU wait here until the rain stops, I'll see you at home.
You really want to walk three blocks in our nice clothes in the pouring rain? she asked.
Like you've never gotten a little wet before? Chandler teased. Come on, we'll walk fast. He pulled on her hand, that was still entwined with his, to get her to come out from the under the oning.
If I get sick, she said. I'm totally blaming you.
Come on, walking in the rain is supposed to be romantic.
Maybe when you aren't in HEELS! she said with a giggle. Okay, fine. If we're gonna get soaked in the rain, we've gotta at least do this. She stopped him and pulled him close, and leaned in and gave him a passionate kiss. She smiled against his lips when she felt him responding. They stood there in the pouring rain for a minute, just kissing.
Chandler said when they broke the kiss.
I've always wanted to do that, she said with a smile, putting her hand back in his.
What? Try EXTRA hard to catch a cold by staying in the rain longer?
she said with a giggle. Have a long passionate kiss in the middle of pouring rain.
Well, maybe we better do it again. You know in case you never get another chance, he said, stopping her and pulling her to him.
Sounds good to me, she said before she was cut off by his lips on hers.
*~*~*~*
Chandler said as he and Monica arrived in the hallway outside their apartment. That was fun. Who would've guessed that halfway home it would start raining even harder.
We're soaked, she said with a laugh. LOOK at us.
I know. And I'm sure you're gonna love your hair when you look in a mirror, he said.
I'm sure you will, too, she told him with a giggle, and running her hands through it. She smiled and leaned in and kissed him as he pulled the keys out of his pocket and attempted to unlock the door. What'd you say we go inside and get out of these wet clothes? she asked, and added a wink so that he'd know exactly what she meant.
Wow, we're on a roll today. This morning, then in the mess, now tonight...
Maybe it's too much for you, she said, running her hand across his face. Maybe we should just go in and change and go to bed.
No, now, I never said THAT. She giggled as he leaned in to kiss her again. He started to move her towards the door that he had already unlocked, kissing her the whole way. He put his hand on the doorknob turned it, the plan to back her through the door just as he opened it. Instead, he backed her right into the unlocked door that didn't open. He paused and looked at her, and she looked back at him.
That was supposed to be smooth, wasn't it? she asked with a giggle, placing her hands on his chest.
Didn't work that way, did it? he asked, pulling his keys out and unlocking the door again.
He knew this day had gone well. It couldn't have gone better had he PLANNED it moment to moment. And he hadn't even tried and this day had gone well. He just... loved her. He remembered how he had felt when she was gone and made sure to cherish her today. How would he know if he had succeeded? He wouldn't until it was too late. He had to make the next day just as perfect. Not only to save her, but in the chance that it might be the last day he ever had with her.
[TBC! HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE! I guess my next fic (the next part of this) will be posted in 2004! Whoa! ;)]