I totally agree with "E", I am starting to lose interest in this story too. I looked at chapter six and it seemed a little too happy. I'm not going to do anything morbid, but... well, please read and review. Thanks ^^
"I told you," Monica reminded Phoebe, as they sat in Central Perk a few weeks after Phoebe had given birth to her brother's triplets. "I told you this would happen, but would you listen to me?"
Phoebe sighed and put down her coffee. "OK, you were right. All hail Monica, oh wise one. But, you know, I knew deep down I'd feel like this too. I realised that I was giving birth to three little children... and then that was it. I wouldn't get to take them home, dress them, feed them, take care of them and love them as my own children. I was giving them away. And that made me so... angry, I guess. I don't know anymore, Monica. But I do know that what I did for Frank and Alice changed their lives forever. They're complete now. They have children. And I feel so happy with myself for being able to give them that gift. It outweighs any negative thoughts I have on the subject." Running out of breath, she stopped, and leaned back in her chair.
Monica smiled. "Well, if that's how you really feel, then ok," she said.
"It...it is," Phoebe nodded, and then reached for a tissue. "But... I miss being pregnant Monica. I want children. Me, Phoebe, I want babies. And.." she was halted by a flood of tears. Monica stood up and went over to hug Phoebe.
"Hey, Phoebs, it's okay. One day, some guy is going to meet you, you're gonna fall in love, and everything will be ok. You'll have lots of kids of your own," Monica assured her.
"Thank you," Phoebe nodded, feeling a little better after this reassurance. "So, what's the deal with you and Chandler huh? You guys seem to be very much in love."
Monica smiled to herself. "I never would have thought that Chandler and I would make such a good couple," she admitted. "But he's the sweetest, kindest guy I've ever met, and yes, I love him."
Phoebe grinned. "How good is he?" she asked, raising her eyebrows at Monica.
Monica pretended to look shocked. "Phoebe!" she exclaimed rather loudly. "I think that sort of thing should be kept private, don't you?"
Phoebe shrugged, and went back to reading her magazine.
"But yeah, he's good," Monica carried on. "Possibly the best I've ever had."
Phoebe stared at Monica. "Seriously?" she asked incredulously. "Chandler? Really?"
"Don't look so surprised," Monica said, laughing. "But remember, I taught him that. Remember Kathy?"
Phoebe tried to think back. "Oh yeah, Joey's girlfriend, who became attracted to Chandler, and you told him about... Ahh," Phoebe said, laughing a little. "You had it planned all along, didn't you Monica Geller?"
Monica laughed. "Yeah, Phoebs, I've been planning this from the start," she said sarcastically. Phoebe shrugged. Stranger things had happened, and she should know.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Ross asked Rachel gently. "It doesn't make you feel that I'm rushing you, like I rushed Emily?"
"Of course not." Rachel stood up and kissed her fiancé on the nose. "I love you, and I want to marry you. We should do this."
"People are going to be shocked," Ross warned her. "They may talk."
"Let them talk," Rachel said. "I'm ready to marry you right now, if we could."
Ross grinned and kissed Rachel. No matter what anyone else said, he knew he loved her.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Everyone except Ross and Rachel were at Monica's. Joey and Chandler were watching some old cartoon on the TV, and Monica and Phoebe were discussing Ross and Rachel's impending "wedding" although nothing had been confirmed at that point.
"How long do you think they'll wait?" Phoebe asked, picking at some crisps.
"Knowing Ross, not long," Monica replied. "I'm surprised they haven't got married already, to tell the truth."
"I dunno," Joey said from the couch, having listened to their conversation. "I think they'll wait a while."
Phoebe shook her head. "I agree with Monica," she said. "I saw the word "wedding" at least five times this morning, on various newspapers and magazines. I think it's a sign."
Monica was just about to respond, when Rachel and Ross entered the apartment, their arms around each other, looking married already. "Hey guys," Ross said, and kissed Monica on the cheek, much to her amazement. He must be in a good mood, she thought, and hugged Rachel. She hadn't seen them for a few days, and suspected they had been planning something.
"Look, we wanted to tell you now... Chandler, will you turn round?" Rachel asked, exasperated.
Chandler switched off the TV, and he and Joey spun round, wondering what was going on.
"Right." Rachel looked at Ross, and smiled at him. He turned to the others. "We've booked a place. It's a special museum, they do weddings and cater too. We're getting married in two months today."
"That's great" Congratulations!" Everyone was exclaiming and Ross and Rachel received multiple hugs and kisses from their friends. Rachel breathed a sigh of relief, glad that they were happy for them.
"So, you're happy, right?" Ross checked, unsure.
"Of course we're happy!" Monica said. "You guys are so obviously in love. I think it's wonderful."
"Great," Rachel said, hugging her best friend. "Cos I want you to be maid of honour."
As Monica took this news in, Chandler piped up "Who would'a thought, Ross, getting married in a museum?!"
"It's crazy," Joey carried on, nodding sincerely.
Ross grinned. "OK, guys, fine, it was my idea, but the place where they do the ceremonies is beautiful."
"I'm sure it is," Chandler said. "Have you got a dinosaur to perform the service?" He grinned back, then jumped as Ross proceeded to try and hit him jokingly.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"You WHAT?"
Ross looked a little worried. "I had to, Monica. I felt sorry for her. It's not like I invited her. I just told her what I was doing. I didn't want her to find out in some other way."
"Ross, you're an idiot," Monica said despairingly. "Rachel will kill you."
"Look, Mon, she's not gonna come all the way here just to come to my wedding, is she? She doesn't want to marry me. She wants nothing to do with me," Ross tried to explain.
Monica put her head in her hands. "I can't believe you did that," she said. "Of course she'll come. She'll come to spite you, won't she? Rachel ruined her wedding. She'll ruin yours."
"Rachel did NOT ruin my wedding," Ross said angrily. "I messed up. I said the wrong name. And it was fate. I know now that if I had married Emily, I would be so unhappy. It was fate. It was fate," he repeated over and over again, as if trying to assure himself. "Emily isn't that mean anyway."
"Well, ok," Monica said, but still not completely sure. Both were getting ready for the wedding, which was taking place in four hours. "Good luck, Ross. You probably need it now, more than ever."
She left Ross' room, and went to find Chandler, who was busy preparing his speech. He looked up as she entered the room, and smiled at her, but noticed that she looked a little worried. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, concerned.
"Ross has done something... stupid," Monica finished, and sat down, trying not to worry too much. "He's written to Emily and told her about the wedding."
Chandler gasped. "Does he have a death wish?" he asked understandably. "Rachel will murder him. Emily's probably got revenge in her mind, and she will definitely turn up here."
Monica shrugged. "He doesn't think she'll bother," she said. "I don't know though. I agree with you, personally."
Chandler came over to Monica and hugged her. "There's no need for you to worry," he said. "It's Ross' fault. Just don't tell Rachel. Maybe she won't turn up. Maybe Ross is right."
"Maybe," Monica repeated. She kissed Chandler on the cheek briefly. "I've got to go and think about getting ready now. I'll see you soon."
She stroked his cheek and then left his room too. Chandler couldn't help but worry. He was sure that Emily wasn't completely out of the picture yet. Especially not now.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ross turned as the music started, and gasped as he saw Rachel. She looked perfect. He hadn't seen Emily, and he was sure that despite what Monica had said, she wouldn't turn up. Nothing could ruin his day. He'd never been more sure of anything in his life.
Monica wasn't sure though. Despite the fact that Emily wasn't there yet, she knew from past experiences that anything could happen. She was positive that Emily would show up.
Rachel, oblivious to any problems, had never felt so happy in her life. She was going to marry the only man she had ever really loved. She was positive that nothing could go wrong.
Joey, Phoebe and Chandler were all worried. Chandler was unsure whether Emily would show up or not, remembering what she was like when she had gone out with Ross and knowing that she didn't seem to be a bitter woman. And Joey and Phoebe knew nothing about Emily's possible arrival, but both had a feeling that something would go wrong. Neither of them were sure what though.
As Rachel stood next to Ross, both felt unbelievably happy. Finally, they were together.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Monica breathed a sigh of relief as they walked down the aisle. They were married, Emily hadn't shown up, and Ross and Rachel were together. Finally, she could breathe safely. She didn't have to worry anymore.
Chandler grabbed her as they left the room. "I told you not to worry," he said cheekily. "See? I was right."
"You said she would turn up!" Monica argued, but kissed Chandler. "I'm glad she didn't. They look so happy together, don't they?"
Chandler agreed. "Yes, they do," he said thoughtfully, not really listening to anything else Monica said. When she left him to go and congratulate Rachel, he barely noticed. His brain was working fast. He needed time to think.
Ross was being hugged by his mother, when she stopped in his arms. She seemed to freeze. He pulled back and looked at her.
"Mom, what's wrong?" he asked. She shook her head, without speaking, and pointed behind him. He turned, and his face went white.
I hope you liked this. I haven't read any other post-London stories, so I don't know if this is similar to any others, but I hope it's slightly different at least. I'm sorry everything seemed rushed in this chapter, but I wanted to get to the wedding. Please review. xXx
