Don't Tell My Heart
Chapter 1: Happy Birthday to You
[Okay, I know I don't need another series now. I have two others going on, but one is not CnM, and one is not going so well, and not being so well received, so I'm not gonna worry about getting other parts done (or posting them). If I were my best friend, I wouldn't be able to leave things like that unfinished, but I'm not her! Well, this fic is something I just (and I literally mean just, while I was writing Lucky Stars 3) got the idea for. Hope you find it interesting. I haven't really read anything like this before, so I hope it's somewhat original. Read and Review if you please!]
Mommy, the pancakes are shaped like snowflakes! Three-year-old Autumn, just two days shy of four, squealed when she saw the pancakes on the breakfast table that morning.
Yeah, they are, Monica told her daughter. Thought you might like that.
Uncle Joey would like that! Autumn said, sitting down on a chair at the table and drinking from her glass of milk.
He sure would, Monica agreed. Where's Daddy?
I don't know, but the longer he takes to get here, the more snowflakes for us! Autumn said.
How many do you want? she asked her daughter who now had a milk mustache on her upper lip.
she replied matter of factly.
Six? How about you start with two and then we'll see, Monica said, putting two pancakes on her plastic plate.
Then why you even ask? she asked with a smile.
Daddy, why do you go to work? Autumn asked later that morning, as she watched her father straighten his tie in the mirror in the hallway.
Because I have to, he told her.
But why? she asked.
Mommy goes to work, too, ya know.
Yeah, but she likes it.
I like it, too, sometimes, I guess, maybe, he told her.
You do? she asked, surprised.
Well, not really, he gave in.
So why do you work if you don't like it?
You know how you want that new Barbie with the matching car? he asked her.
Yeah, that's real cool! She can even open the door to the car! You don't have to put her in through the top like in that other junky car Aunt Phoebe gave me.
Right, and before we get off topic, Chandler said with a laugh, If I didn't go to work we wouldn't have money to buy things like that.
You get money at work? she asked.
They give me money for going to work, he told her.
she asked. Can I go to work? Then I could buy it myself!
That's a nice idea, but wait about twelve years.
For what?
Never mind, Autumn, he said. I gotta go, I'm gonna be late. And if I'm late, I don't get paid as much, he kissed her on the head. I'll see you later. I love you.
I love you too, Daddy, she said as he kissed her on the forehead.
Daddy, I can't sleep, Autumn whined the next night when Chandler came into her room to give her a goodnight kiss.
I wonder why that could be? he teased her.
Daddy, when I wake up, will I be four?
he said. You were born at 1:22 in the afternoon. So tomorrow afternoon at 1:22, you'll officially be four.
So I have to go to sleep, wake up, and still wait longer? she whined.
Well, technically, yes, but when you wake up it will be your birthday, he told her.
But I can't sleep!
Just close your eyes and try, he said. The sooner you go to sleep, the sooner you wake up and the sooner it will be your birthday, he said, kissing her on the forehead. Now get to sleep, sleepy girl. You're tired, I can tell. He switched off the light next to her bed and closed the door behind him when he left her room.
Did she get to sleep yet? Monica asked when she saw Chandler come out of Autumn's room.
No, but she's getting there. She's tired, I can see it, she'll be out soon.
I can't believe she's gonna be four, Monica said. I mean, the jump from three to four seems to big.
I know, he agreed. It still seems like yesterday she was a little tiny baby we didn't know what to do with.
So when do we tell her about the next little tiny baby we won't know what to do with?
Soon. Just not tomorrow, Chandler said. I don't know how she's gonna react, and we don't want to ruin her birthday.
Especially since she's looking so forward to it, Monica added. She really thinks she's gonna get that Barbie and her matching car.
Well, she is, isn't she? Chandler teased.
Well, yeah, but she doesn't know that, Monica said. Unless she's found the hiding spot.
Mon, the way you hide presents there is no way she found them. Remember how long it took Rachel and Phoebe to find out where you hid Christmas gifts at the apartment?
Monica chuckled. Yeah. And you. Don't try to get out of it, mister.
I've told you a hundred times, I was making them put them back!
I know, Monica said with a smile. I know.
Mommy! Daddy! Wake up! Autumn squealed as she jumped onto their bed that morning. Wake up, it's my birthday!
Autumn, the sun is barely up, Chandler said.
It's five-thirty in the morning, Monica added.
So? You just said, it's morning, she pointed out. Monica looked at Chandler and he shrugged.
Sweetie, just sleep for a while longer, Chandler said. Otherwise you're gonna be way too tired all day.
But Daddy, she whined. I won't be able to get back to sleep now!
Here, c'mere, he said, pulling her under the covers between he and Monica. Just close your eyes and rest, he said. Mommy and Daddy are still tired, he added.
You and Mommy are always tired, she said, rubbing her eyes.
Monica said. Caught rubbing your eyes. You're tired to, and you know it.
Yeah, but Mommy, it's my birthday, she tried to justify with a yawn.
And a yawn, too! Monica joked.
Okay, okay, fine, Mommy, you win, Autumn said. I'll sleep, she added as she closed her eyes.
So what, now she's not gonna wake up? Chandler asked. He and Monica were awake and dressed, and watching Autumn still sleep in the middle of their bed. It's already eleven-thirty, he said.
She was tired. I bet she didn't sleep well all night, Monica said. I'll go make breakfast, she added.
Isn't she supposed to get to pick?
Yeah, but we all know what she'd pick, don't we?
Chocolate chip waffles? Chandler said with a smile.
Monica said with a wink. And if she ever wakes up, they'll be ready.
~~~
See Mommy, you made me go back to sleep and I wasted so much time! Autumn said, coming downstairs.
Well I didn't know you were gonna turn into Sleeping Beauty, Monica joked. Besides, breakfast is ready now, no waiting!
Chocolate chip waffles?
Chocolate chip waffles! Monica said. She put a plate down in front of Autumn. Happy Birthday, she added, kissing her on the head.
Thanks, Mommy.
I can't believe you're gonna be four today! she said. My little baby is not a baby anymore!
she said. I might even get a job soon so I can get money!
Really, huh? Monica laughed. Where at?
Where at what?
Where are you gonna get a job at?
Oh. Maybe Toys R Us.
Sounds like a plan, Monica said. The phone rang, and she went over to it and grabbed it on the second ring. she asked.
Hello, do I have the Bing residence? a woman asked.
Yes, yes you do, Monica said.
Are you, would you be Monica?
Ummm, yeah, I am. Who's this?
Oh, right, sorry! the woman said. I'm Allison Williams, she said. And, I need to talk, well, meet, with you and your husband.
I'm sorry, Monica said.
It's really not the kind of thing I would like to tell you over the phone. I mean, I will if you don't want to meet with a stranger who says she needs to talk to you, which I understand, but I would really rather tell you in person.
What is this in regards to?
Let's just say...Beth Israel Hospital.
The hospital? Monica asked.
Yeah. I mean, in some way. I just, I really must talk to you and your husband. I have your address here in the phone book, I can stop by anytime at your convenience.
Okay, well, you want to stop by sometime today? Monica asked, figuring that everyone would be over for Autumn's party, what was one more?
On your daughter's birthday? she asked. Monica made a face. How did she know that?
How did you....
Sorry, it will all be explained later. But really, today?
Yeah, if you can....
Well, I don't know if I can make it. My mother is taking my daughter to the zoo, so maybe then.....
Well, we'll be here if you want to stop by, Monica said.
Okay. And tell her happy birthday, Allison said before hanging up.
Monica looked at the phone strangely for a minute. What had that all been about? She couldn't help but hope this Allison woman would come by that day. Her curiosity was killing her.
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Dear Autumn, Happy Birthday to you! everyone sang as Monica carried out the cake with four candles shaped like crayons on top of it, along with a big number four.
Make a wish! Phoebe said. The party was mostly just family; Ross, Rachel, Emma, Ben, Joey, Phoebe, and Monica's parents. Autumn had a few friends from day care who were there, too, but only two other girls and a little boy.
I know to make a wish! Autumn giggled. She tried as hard as she could to blow out all the candles, but only got one.
everyone said. She tried again and didn't even get any this time.
C'mon, where's all that hot air? Ross asked.
Daddy, you couldn't blow out your candles on your birthday, either! Emma protested.
Yeah, but Emma, that's because he has like, forty candles, Rachel said with a smile. Ross glared at her. Emma laughed.
Come on, Autumn, get the candles this time! Joey encouraged her. She tried again, but didn't get anymore.
everyone exclaimed again.
I give up! Autumn said. She grabbed a paper plate from the table and used it to make a breeze to blow out the candles. The last three went out.
everyone cheered.
Okay, now who wants cake? Chandler asked.
Emma screeched. Everyone turned to her and laughed.
So, everyone but Emma for cake? he asked.
Uncle Chandler! she laughed.
he asked. He took the knife to the cake and cut a slice. He put it on a paper plate and handed it to Autumn, and took the bit of frosting that was on his hand and put it on her nose.
She's so adorable, Rachel said to Monica. But you know, I always thought that your little girl would look just like you, and she doesn't, really, she said.
I know, Monica said. But she doesn't really look like Chandler, either.
She'll probably look more like you when she gets older. I didn't look like either of my parents when I was little, but now I look so much like my mom, she thought about that. And Emma doesn't really look much like either of us, either.
I can see Ross in her, Monica said. Her conversation was cut short, however, by Emma and Autumn demanding ice-cream. Duty calls, Monica said, patting Rachel on the shoulder before going to get ice-cream.
~*~*~
Monica was putting the cake and ice-cream plates in the kitchen when she heard a knock at the door.
Who could that be? she wondered. She had already forgotten about Allison. She looked out the peephole and shrugged, but opened the door anyway.
Monica Bing? the woman asked, and she instantly recognized the voice from the phone call earlier.
Allison Williams? she asked.
Yes, that's, that's me, she said, extending her hand for Monica to shake. Nice to meet you. Is your husband here?
Yeah, hold on, she said to Allison. she called into the living room where she knew he was playing with Autumn and her new toys.
Can you come in here, please? she asked. He appeared a minute later.
What's up? he asked.
This is Allison Williams, Monica said. Allison and Chandler shook hands.
She wants to talk to us about something, Monica added. She looked to Allison. Please, come in.
Mr. and Mrs. Bing, I'd like to thank you for agreeing to let me talk to you, she said. I know I would be hesitant about letting a stranger into my home.
Well, what you had to say seemed serious, Monica said. She led her to the living room. Have a seat.
Thank you, Allison said, sitting on the couch. I guess I better begin, huh? Okay, well, today, I knew it was your daughter's birthday. Because it's my daughter's birthday as well.
Chandler asked. Happy birthday to her. How old is she?
Allison said.
Really? Our daughter is four, too.
I know, Allison said. And she's living with me.
To Be Continued!
Okay, so who got what's going on? Who didn't? The correct answer will be revealed in the next part, so keep a look out for part two!
Happy belated Valentine's Day, and Happy President's Day! (No school, woo hoo!)
