A/N: Again, I'm sorry for the long delays in continuing this fic. I've decided to make this the last chapter, it's becoming too hard for me to continue it and this seems like a really good place to stop it. Thank you to all of you who waited so patiently for the end and read and reviewed this story over the years. This was my very first fan fiction ever and it was so much fun to write. I want to dedicate this chapter to my late friend Beth, who always encouraged me when I would get stuck on this fic. I know she would be so proud of me for finally finishing it.
In the last chapter:
Ross led Rachel to the car. "Where are we going?" Rachel asked she was obviously upset, confused, and emotionally exhausted.
"To the hospital. Jessie is in labor."
"Right now? Oh God, Ross I don't think I can take anything else today."
"Our granddaughter, for whatever reason, has picked today to grace us with her presence. Perhaps having a baby around will help all of us heal."
Rachel leaned her head against the window. She watched the rain pelt down the windshield. "Maybe." Right now it was hard to imagine anything could ease this pain for any of them.
Part Twelve: The One With The Sunshine After The Rain
When they got to the hospital, Ross and Rachel went into the waiting room. Jessie's Mom, Phoebe, and Nick were in the room with Jessie. Nick came out into the waiting room at regular intervals to give them updates. Ross and Mr. Moore spent the next several hours pacing up and down the halls. Rachel sat in a large, overstuffed chair leafing through the same magazine over and over, not really paying attention to any of the words printed on the page. Her mind kept wandering to the events of the day; Madison's funeral, and Monica's breakdown at the funeral dinner. Her heart was so heavy for her friend. She knew she should be happy about the impending birth of her first grandchild, but the sorrow her heart was experiencing would not allow her to rejoice.
At long last, Nick came through the doors with a big smile on his face. "She's here! The baby is here! She is the most beautiful thing I've ever laid my eyes on. She has a head full of dark hair. She looks a little bit like Jessie and a little bit like me. Phoebe went with her to get cleaned up. I'm going to get back to Jessie." Nick took off back down the hallway.
Ross walked over to Rachel, "Congratulations, Grandma." He gave her a hug. "That was one very excited young man." Rachel managed a weak smile, Ross put his arm around her and they sat back down to wait.
After a little while, Rachel went in to sit with Jessie and Nick. Phoebe came in holding the baby. Phoebe smiled at Rachel and placed the little girl in her arms, "Angelica Madison Buffay meet your Grandma." As soon as Rachel looked down at the little sleeping baby she began to cry. This little girl looked so much like Nick. And Phoebe was so sweet to name her after their beloved Madison. The tears poured down her face and Phoebe just sat next to her rubbing her shoulder. "Rach, isn't she beautiful?"
"Yes, she is." Rachel said through her tears, "I feel so guilty sitting here crying like this, but this has just been such an emotional day."
"A mix of happy and sad." Jessie said. "Kind of like life I guess."
Rachel smiled at Jessie, "Yes, Jessie, kind of like life." At that moment they heard a knock on the door.
Monica peeked her head in, "May I come in?" She asked softly. Her eyes were red and her cheeks were stained with tears, but she tried to look happy as she stood in the doorway.
"Sure, Mon. Come in and meet your little great niece. Her name is Angelica Madison." At the mention of the name Madison Monica's eyes filled with tears. "I hope it's okay that I used that name. I thought it was fitting with how much Maddi was looking forward to the baby and everything." Phoebe explained.
"Oh, Phoebes. I think it's a wonderful tribute to her. Thank you so much." Monica hugged her friend. Rachel joined in the hug and they all stood and cried together.
Over the next several months, Angelica proved to be the healing balm that everyone needed. Phoebe was a wonderful Mother; she doted on the baby, devoting herself to giving the baby everything. Nick and Jessie went back to school. And though of course they were no longer dating, they remained very close friends. Chandler and Monica were still trying to sort out their grief. Monica would sometimes still withdraw to grieve, but she spent as much time as possible with little Angelica. Sierra and Taylor were beginning to live like normal teenagers again, and though they missed their sister terribly they were starting to get some of their old spunk back. Sierra was actively dating again, and Taylor was once again cracking sarcastic comments at just the right times. They both always jumped at the chance to baby-sit for Angelica.
Ross and Rachel's life was also starting to get back to normal. Travis and Lauren were filling their days with comfortable, familiar routine. Lauren celebrated her first birthday, and shortly thereafter, learned to walk. She started getting into everything, which made for some very long days at the Geller household. Ben and Cortland got married, and weren't long in making an announcement that they were expecting a baby of their own. Ross and Rachel were overjoyed at the news that they would again be grandparents. This time, the baby would enter the world under a little happier circumstances. But it would be no less loved. Ross and Rachel also celebrated their wedding anniversary with a trip to Hawaii.
On their last night in Hawaii, they sat on the beach at sunset holding hands. "Oh, Ross look at how beautiful it is out here."
"It really is. I can't believe how fast this week went by."
"I can't believe how fast life has gone by. I mean a year ago, our lives were totally different. We've overcome so much in the last year. I'm so glad that we had each other to lean on. I don't know how I ever would have made it without you."
"I love you Rachel. I don't know how any of us could have made it through without the love of close friends and family. When the going gets tough you have to know the people you can count on. And I think we all realized just how much we mean to each other. And I realized that I love you even more than I ever have. I would marry you all over again. I would take every part of our life over again, and do it the exact same way in a heartbeat. That's how much I love you and the life that we've made together."
"Oh, Ross." Rachel put her hand lovingly on his cheek, "What did I ever do to deserve you?"
He leaned in and kissed her, "You fell in love with me."
They sat together enjoying the breeze from the ocean and the sand beneath them. Right now, it was just the two of them alone in the world. As the sun faded into the horizon, they watched nestled in each other's arms. They knew that tomorrow would bring another day, and they could greet the new day and meet it's challenges with confidence because they would always have each other.
THE END
