okay everyone.....thanks for all the reviews and good wishes I got before I
went to Georgia for debate nats......I wound up coming in 10th in the
nation, if anyone cares! Lol....anyways, here is chapter six. It's up
sooner than I expected b/c I got my own laptop the other day and I had more
time to write. So since I know have this new laptop, it means one thing:
more updates! But only if you review.....so enjoy and then click the purple
button!
Disclaimer: They are not mine, they will never be mine.
Chapter Six "Audrey!" Chandler yelled into his daughter's bedroom. "Honey, it's time for school!"
Audrey ran out of her bedroom, tangled blonde curls bouncing on her back. "But, Daddy!" she cried, hands on her hips. "Somebody hasta do my hair!"
Chandler laughed at his daughter's pose. He checked his watch and commanded, "All right, you've got five minutes. Go ask Monica, okay? I can't do hair in five minutes!"
"Okay," Audrey said, smiling, and running out of the apartment she and Chandler shared in Monica's. "MONICA!" he heard her yell, and he just laughed, knowing how much Monica loved doing Audrey's hair.
"I'm gonna kill you, Bing!" he heard Monica call out her door, as Audrey jumped on her bed. "I had the day off!"
"Oops!" Chandler exclaimed, rushing over to grab his daughter off the bed. "Sorry!" he shouted as he ran into the bedroom, but Monica was already up and out of bed, brushing Audrey's hair carefully.
Monica grinned. "I was just kidding," she said, and she and Audrey laughed together.
"Now I'm gonna kill you!" Chandler said, poking her in the ribs and ruffling his daughter's hair.
"Hey!" Monica said, swatting his hand away. "I'm working here!"
Chandler laughed and stepped away to watch his best friend pull his daughter's hair into two little french braids. She finished, and whispered something into Audrey's ear. Before Chandler knew what was happening, the two of them had pushed him back onto the bed and were tickling him until he couldn't breath. He just grinned, and let them.
This was how life was supposed to be.
***
"Hey, Chandler?" Chandler looked up as he heard a knock on his office door. Since graduating from college, he'd used a savings account his father had left him to start Bing Advertising, his dream, his own ad company. So far it'd been wildly successful, and Chandler couldn't have been happier with his professional life.
"Yup?" he said, looking up to see his co-worker Steve's face, clearly wanting something. "Watcha want?" he asked.
"Okay," Steve said, sitting down in the chair in front of Chandler's desk. "There's this girl that I really, really, really want to go on a date with. I've been bugging her for about forever and day to go out with me, and the other day she finally said yes. On one condition, though."
"Steve," Chandler said patiently. "Does this condition involve your boss?"
Steve grinned. "Sorta," he said. "Look, she wants to bring along a friend from her work, and she wants me to bring a guy for her friend. Please, please, Chandler, will you come?"
"Steve, you can't get anyone else?"
"Everyone's already busy or attached! Hate to say it, Chandler, but you're the only single guy around here. You and me, that is."
Chandler frowned. "I'd have to get a sitter for Audrey," he said.
"Chandler, you never have a problem getting a sitter for the kid. She's an angel. You could get most any woman in this office."
Chandler sighed. "All right," he said. "But if this turns out to be a disaster, I'm blaming you."
"Yes!" Steve said, thrusting his fist into the hair. "You won't regret this, Chandler. I swear!"
***
"Okay, Auds, you be good for Phoebe, okay?" Chandler told his daughter.
"But why can't Monica watch me?" Audrey whined. She liked Phoebe enough, but it was Monica who baked her cookies, did her hair and let her try on her make-up.
"Monica's got a date tonight. Besides, you love Phoebe!"
"Yea, I do, but Monica's the bestest babysitter in the whole wide world!"
Chandler just laughed. "Well, tonight you're gonna have to settle for second best."
Audrey grinned, "All right, Daddy. But you owe me one!"
*** "How do I look?" Chandler asked Steve, brushing lint off his dress shirt.
"How am I supposed to know?" Steve said. "Not gay, my friend."
Chandler just shook his head. He and Steve were the same age, but Steve still had all the immature qualities that people often don't grow out of until their thirties'. Chandler hadn't had those since he was seventeen.
"So," he changed the topic. "Who's this girl bringing for me?"
"Well, she works at a restaurant, and she just told me she's bringing a coworker. Or a friend. I'm not sure. Maybe both."
"You don't know anything else?" Chandler inquired, already feeling a sweat break out.
"Nope," Steve shook his head.
Chandler slapped his hand against his forehead. "You know, Steve, for all you know you could be setting me up with a ax murderer. You're supposed to ask these questions....like perhaps her name!"
"Calm down!" Steve said. "There they are. And damn, she doesn't look like an ax murderer to me!"
Chandler glanced across the room to where Steve was pointing and burst out laughing. "What?" Steve said, turning to his boss. "She's hot!"
Chandler just shook his head as Steve's date and her co-worker approached. "Hey, stranger," Chandler said to his date.
Monica smiled. "And hey to you, too. Long time no see."
"You too know each other?" Steve's date, Melanie, asked.
Chandler laughed. "Monica's my best friend," he said, still chuckling. "She lives across the hall." "You know the guy who is constantly leaving his kid with me?" Monica said, winking at Chandler. "This is him."
"Yeah, and you know that woman who is constantly turning my kid against me?" Chandler told Steve, sticking his tongue out at Monica. "This is her."
Monica just shook her head, and Melanie asked worriedly. "Is this gonna be okay?"
Chandler just laughed. "Yeah, I think we can control ourselves." The two of them laughed as they sat down at the table.
Steve and Melanie seemed to have plenty to talk about, so Monica entertained Chandler with stories of every little cute thing Audrey had done while he was away. "Yeah, she took Rachel's bra one day and wore it....." Monica said, chuckling. "We weren't too sure how you'd feel about that one, but we did take a picture."
Chandler just shook his head and smiled. "My little girl wants to grow up already. What am I gonna do when she actually does?"
Monica smiled. "Well, if it helps any, she wasn't too thrilled after she'd worn the thing for about five minutes. She told us it was uncomfortable and she never wanted to wear one again."
Chandler grinned, and feigned relief. "Hallelujah," he said, and Monica just laughed. "I don't think I could take it if I got seven extra years of teen."
Over dinner, the two chatted about everything and anything. They never had trouble coming up with something to talk about-there was always some funny Audrey story to tell, or a stupid Joey tale to recall.
Halfway through their meal, Chandler caught himself staring at Monica as he was laughing at some work story she was telling. "God, she is gorgeous when she laughs," he thought, feelings he had kept repressed for years coming to surface again.
He'd never denied the fact that he found Monica incredibly attractive. When he'd first met her, however, he was looking for anything but a romantic relationship. He knew there was no way he could handle anything with Audrey that young. So he'd done what he felt was best, and become friends with Monica. There was no doubt he liked her–but there was also no doubt about what he could and could not do.
Over the years, his feelings had surfaced and resurfaced, but he'd never allowed them to be seen. Audrey was the love of his life, he knew, and she had to come first, always. "Always," he said silently to himself, trying not to stare. "Always."
***
The way he laughed softly and in a controlled way. His grin that told you just how much he appreciated your joke. His baby blue eyes that always told you that he was paying attention to you, and only you. All things Monica loved about her best friend. As he laughed at her story, she thought fleetingly that he was staring at her. Was he? She wasn't sure. All these years, she'd had a notion that perhaps Chandler had some kind of crush on her, but she'd never thought much of it.
It wasn't that she didn't find him attractive, because she did. When she'd first met him, she'd nearly fainted at just how cute and charming he was. But after she'd gotten to know Chandler better, she realized just how closed off he was to the possibility of a relationship. The only time he ever dated was when he was either forced to, or when he was helping a friend, like tonight. Otherwise, he spent Saturday nights taking Audrey to see the latest Disney movie. So over the years, whenever she felt suppressed feelings surfacing, she remembered Audrey. Audrey, the little girl she loved so dearly. She couldn't take Audrey away from Chandler.
A sudden thought passed through her head. "Would you be taking him away?" a tiny voice inside her asked. "Or would he be happier?" The inside voice told her he just might be, but reality fired back-she didn't even know if Chandler liked her that way. She was pretty sure he didn't, though there had been moments.....
***Four months ago***
Chandler walked aimlessly around his apartment, absentmindedly picking up a few of Audrey's Barbie's as he did so. That night had been fairly normal. Monica was out with her boyfriend of five months, Richard, so Chandler had cooked macaroni and cheese with cut up hot dogs for himself and Audrey. After dinner, he'd taken her to Central Perk for a hot chocolate and a visit with his mom, her grandmother. A good day, but all accounts. Except for one thing. Monica had been out since the night before, at Richard's for the night and for the day, and Audrey had missed her all day long.
Chandler had tried to tell her that Monica had other things to do, that adults who didn't have kids got to do things with other adults. Audrey had nodded like she understood, though he knew that she didn't. A sudden rap on the door pushed his thoughts away, and he went to answer it, wondering who would knock so loudly. His friends knew Audrey was asleep.
He opened the door quietly to reveal Monica, tears streaming down her face, her hair mussed and her clothes covered in mud. "Mon?" he said, ushering her inside. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"Oh, Chandler," she sobbed, collapsing into his arms. "I just, I didn't know where to go, I'm sorry if I wake Aud, it's just...." she didn't finish, but instead broke down sobbing once more.
"Oh, Mon," he said, cradling her gently. He didn't even know why the heck she was here, but at that moment, it didn't even matter. All that mattered was her tears. "You want to tell to tell me what happened?"
"Me and Richard," she choked out. "We broke up, Chandler. He said that I spent too much time with you and Audrey, and that if I really loved him, I'd move in with him-away from you guys."
"Oh, Monica," Chandler breathed, guilt-ridden. "You broke up with him for us? You shouldn't have done that."
Monica shook her head. "Yeah, I should've, Chandler."
"Monica...." Chandler sighed. "I rely on you way too much to help take care of me and Audrey. She's my daughter. I ought to be the one cooking and shopping for clothes and all that stuff. Not you. I've put way too much on you."
"Chandler," she stopped him. "I love that little girl, and you're my best friend. All that stuff I do for you guys I don't do because I feel like I have to, I do it because I want to."
"Are you sure?" he whispered.
"Positive," she smiled, looking into his eyes. For just a second, she thought she saw Chandler leaning in, and she felt herself go forward as well. But just as quickly as the moment had started, it ended as Chandler pulled away and straigtened up.
"So," he said, "What was Richard thinking, dumping a girl like you?"
Monica sighed. Moment gone.
***Return to Present***
"You want to dance?" Monica heard a soft voice interrupting her thoughts.
"Hm?" she jumped, confused.
"I asked if you wanted to dance," Chandler said, pointing to Steve and Melanie who were already out.
"Sure," Monica grinned, and Chandler took her hand and led her out.
As they swayed to the music, Chandler held Monica close to him and relished in the feeling. "You know," he said gently, as if testing the waters. "You really do look beautiful tonight."
She smiled shyly. "Thanks," she said. "Your daughter picked it out."
Chandler chuckled. "What can I say? She has good taste!"
Monica laughed, and their eyes caught again. This time, however, neither broke the contact. Monica could feel the air between them squeezing with something.....with some kind of emotion, and she knew she had to go with her gut. Slowly, she leaned in.....and felt Chandler leaning in, too.
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Disclaimer: They are not mine, they will never be mine.
Chapter Six "Audrey!" Chandler yelled into his daughter's bedroom. "Honey, it's time for school!"
Audrey ran out of her bedroom, tangled blonde curls bouncing on her back. "But, Daddy!" she cried, hands on her hips. "Somebody hasta do my hair!"
Chandler laughed at his daughter's pose. He checked his watch and commanded, "All right, you've got five minutes. Go ask Monica, okay? I can't do hair in five minutes!"
"Okay," Audrey said, smiling, and running out of the apartment she and Chandler shared in Monica's. "MONICA!" he heard her yell, and he just laughed, knowing how much Monica loved doing Audrey's hair.
"I'm gonna kill you, Bing!" he heard Monica call out her door, as Audrey jumped on her bed. "I had the day off!"
"Oops!" Chandler exclaimed, rushing over to grab his daughter off the bed. "Sorry!" he shouted as he ran into the bedroom, but Monica was already up and out of bed, brushing Audrey's hair carefully.
Monica grinned. "I was just kidding," she said, and she and Audrey laughed together.
"Now I'm gonna kill you!" Chandler said, poking her in the ribs and ruffling his daughter's hair.
"Hey!" Monica said, swatting his hand away. "I'm working here!"
Chandler laughed and stepped away to watch his best friend pull his daughter's hair into two little french braids. She finished, and whispered something into Audrey's ear. Before Chandler knew what was happening, the two of them had pushed him back onto the bed and were tickling him until he couldn't breath. He just grinned, and let them.
This was how life was supposed to be.
***
"Hey, Chandler?" Chandler looked up as he heard a knock on his office door. Since graduating from college, he'd used a savings account his father had left him to start Bing Advertising, his dream, his own ad company. So far it'd been wildly successful, and Chandler couldn't have been happier with his professional life.
"Yup?" he said, looking up to see his co-worker Steve's face, clearly wanting something. "Watcha want?" he asked.
"Okay," Steve said, sitting down in the chair in front of Chandler's desk. "There's this girl that I really, really, really want to go on a date with. I've been bugging her for about forever and day to go out with me, and the other day she finally said yes. On one condition, though."
"Steve," Chandler said patiently. "Does this condition involve your boss?"
Steve grinned. "Sorta," he said. "Look, she wants to bring along a friend from her work, and she wants me to bring a guy for her friend. Please, please, Chandler, will you come?"
"Steve, you can't get anyone else?"
"Everyone's already busy or attached! Hate to say it, Chandler, but you're the only single guy around here. You and me, that is."
Chandler frowned. "I'd have to get a sitter for Audrey," he said.
"Chandler, you never have a problem getting a sitter for the kid. She's an angel. You could get most any woman in this office."
Chandler sighed. "All right," he said. "But if this turns out to be a disaster, I'm blaming you."
"Yes!" Steve said, thrusting his fist into the hair. "You won't regret this, Chandler. I swear!"
***
"Okay, Auds, you be good for Phoebe, okay?" Chandler told his daughter.
"But why can't Monica watch me?" Audrey whined. She liked Phoebe enough, but it was Monica who baked her cookies, did her hair and let her try on her make-up.
"Monica's got a date tonight. Besides, you love Phoebe!"
"Yea, I do, but Monica's the bestest babysitter in the whole wide world!"
Chandler just laughed. "Well, tonight you're gonna have to settle for second best."
Audrey grinned, "All right, Daddy. But you owe me one!"
*** "How do I look?" Chandler asked Steve, brushing lint off his dress shirt.
"How am I supposed to know?" Steve said. "Not gay, my friend."
Chandler just shook his head. He and Steve were the same age, but Steve still had all the immature qualities that people often don't grow out of until their thirties'. Chandler hadn't had those since he was seventeen.
"So," he changed the topic. "Who's this girl bringing for me?"
"Well, she works at a restaurant, and she just told me she's bringing a coworker. Or a friend. I'm not sure. Maybe both."
"You don't know anything else?" Chandler inquired, already feeling a sweat break out.
"Nope," Steve shook his head.
Chandler slapped his hand against his forehead. "You know, Steve, for all you know you could be setting me up with a ax murderer. You're supposed to ask these questions....like perhaps her name!"
"Calm down!" Steve said. "There they are. And damn, she doesn't look like an ax murderer to me!"
Chandler glanced across the room to where Steve was pointing and burst out laughing. "What?" Steve said, turning to his boss. "She's hot!"
Chandler just shook his head as Steve's date and her co-worker approached. "Hey, stranger," Chandler said to his date.
Monica smiled. "And hey to you, too. Long time no see."
"You too know each other?" Steve's date, Melanie, asked.
Chandler laughed. "Monica's my best friend," he said, still chuckling. "She lives across the hall." "You know the guy who is constantly leaving his kid with me?" Monica said, winking at Chandler. "This is him."
"Yeah, and you know that woman who is constantly turning my kid against me?" Chandler told Steve, sticking his tongue out at Monica. "This is her."
Monica just shook her head, and Melanie asked worriedly. "Is this gonna be okay?"
Chandler just laughed. "Yeah, I think we can control ourselves." The two of them laughed as they sat down at the table.
Steve and Melanie seemed to have plenty to talk about, so Monica entertained Chandler with stories of every little cute thing Audrey had done while he was away. "Yeah, she took Rachel's bra one day and wore it....." Monica said, chuckling. "We weren't too sure how you'd feel about that one, but we did take a picture."
Chandler just shook his head and smiled. "My little girl wants to grow up already. What am I gonna do when she actually does?"
Monica smiled. "Well, if it helps any, she wasn't too thrilled after she'd worn the thing for about five minutes. She told us it was uncomfortable and she never wanted to wear one again."
Chandler grinned, and feigned relief. "Hallelujah," he said, and Monica just laughed. "I don't think I could take it if I got seven extra years of teen."
Over dinner, the two chatted about everything and anything. They never had trouble coming up with something to talk about-there was always some funny Audrey story to tell, or a stupid Joey tale to recall.
Halfway through their meal, Chandler caught himself staring at Monica as he was laughing at some work story she was telling. "God, she is gorgeous when she laughs," he thought, feelings he had kept repressed for years coming to surface again.
He'd never denied the fact that he found Monica incredibly attractive. When he'd first met her, however, he was looking for anything but a romantic relationship. He knew there was no way he could handle anything with Audrey that young. So he'd done what he felt was best, and become friends with Monica. There was no doubt he liked her–but there was also no doubt about what he could and could not do.
Over the years, his feelings had surfaced and resurfaced, but he'd never allowed them to be seen. Audrey was the love of his life, he knew, and she had to come first, always. "Always," he said silently to himself, trying not to stare. "Always."
***
The way he laughed softly and in a controlled way. His grin that told you just how much he appreciated your joke. His baby blue eyes that always told you that he was paying attention to you, and only you. All things Monica loved about her best friend. As he laughed at her story, she thought fleetingly that he was staring at her. Was he? She wasn't sure. All these years, she'd had a notion that perhaps Chandler had some kind of crush on her, but she'd never thought much of it.
It wasn't that she didn't find him attractive, because she did. When she'd first met him, she'd nearly fainted at just how cute and charming he was. But after she'd gotten to know Chandler better, she realized just how closed off he was to the possibility of a relationship. The only time he ever dated was when he was either forced to, or when he was helping a friend, like tonight. Otherwise, he spent Saturday nights taking Audrey to see the latest Disney movie. So over the years, whenever she felt suppressed feelings surfacing, she remembered Audrey. Audrey, the little girl she loved so dearly. She couldn't take Audrey away from Chandler.
A sudden thought passed through her head. "Would you be taking him away?" a tiny voice inside her asked. "Or would he be happier?" The inside voice told her he just might be, but reality fired back-she didn't even know if Chandler liked her that way. She was pretty sure he didn't, though there had been moments.....
***Four months ago***
Chandler walked aimlessly around his apartment, absentmindedly picking up a few of Audrey's Barbie's as he did so. That night had been fairly normal. Monica was out with her boyfriend of five months, Richard, so Chandler had cooked macaroni and cheese with cut up hot dogs for himself and Audrey. After dinner, he'd taken her to Central Perk for a hot chocolate and a visit with his mom, her grandmother. A good day, but all accounts. Except for one thing. Monica had been out since the night before, at Richard's for the night and for the day, and Audrey had missed her all day long.
Chandler had tried to tell her that Monica had other things to do, that adults who didn't have kids got to do things with other adults. Audrey had nodded like she understood, though he knew that she didn't. A sudden rap on the door pushed his thoughts away, and he went to answer it, wondering who would knock so loudly. His friends knew Audrey was asleep.
He opened the door quietly to reveal Monica, tears streaming down her face, her hair mussed and her clothes covered in mud. "Mon?" he said, ushering her inside. "Are you okay? What happened?"
"Oh, Chandler," she sobbed, collapsing into his arms. "I just, I didn't know where to go, I'm sorry if I wake Aud, it's just...." she didn't finish, but instead broke down sobbing once more.
"Oh, Mon," he said, cradling her gently. He didn't even know why the heck she was here, but at that moment, it didn't even matter. All that mattered was her tears. "You want to tell to tell me what happened?"
"Me and Richard," she choked out. "We broke up, Chandler. He said that I spent too much time with you and Audrey, and that if I really loved him, I'd move in with him-away from you guys."
"Oh, Monica," Chandler breathed, guilt-ridden. "You broke up with him for us? You shouldn't have done that."
Monica shook her head. "Yeah, I should've, Chandler."
"Monica...." Chandler sighed. "I rely on you way too much to help take care of me and Audrey. She's my daughter. I ought to be the one cooking and shopping for clothes and all that stuff. Not you. I've put way too much on you."
"Chandler," she stopped him. "I love that little girl, and you're my best friend. All that stuff I do for you guys I don't do because I feel like I have to, I do it because I want to."
"Are you sure?" he whispered.
"Positive," she smiled, looking into his eyes. For just a second, she thought she saw Chandler leaning in, and she felt herself go forward as well. But just as quickly as the moment had started, it ended as Chandler pulled away and straigtened up.
"So," he said, "What was Richard thinking, dumping a girl like you?"
Monica sighed. Moment gone.
***Return to Present***
"You want to dance?" Monica heard a soft voice interrupting her thoughts.
"Hm?" she jumped, confused.
"I asked if you wanted to dance," Chandler said, pointing to Steve and Melanie who were already out.
"Sure," Monica grinned, and Chandler took her hand and led her out.
As they swayed to the music, Chandler held Monica close to him and relished in the feeling. "You know," he said gently, as if testing the waters. "You really do look beautiful tonight."
She smiled shyly. "Thanks," she said. "Your daughter picked it out."
Chandler chuckled. "What can I say? She has good taste!"
Monica laughed, and their eyes caught again. This time, however, neither broke the contact. Monica could feel the air between them squeezing with something.....with some kind of emotion, and she knew she had to go with her gut. Slowly, she leaned in.....and felt Chandler leaning in, too.
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