When You Say You Love Me – Chapter Three
Disclaimer: Sadly, yes, they aren't mine. Nor is the song that inspired this fan fic. The song is by Josh Groban. ;)
Once the cab had arrived at the Tavern on the Green restaurant, Ross slipped the cab driver the money for the fare and the couple climbed out. As the cab slipped off into the busy Manhattan traffic, Rachel was so excited she was at Tavern on the Green.
"Ross, gosh, I can't believe this! I can't believe we're here! Why this restaurant, of all places," she questioned her boyfriend.
"Because I just felt like you deserved something special. Only you deserve the best. Come on, let's go," he said as they shuffled to the entrance of the restaurant.
After checking their coats, Ross spoke to the hostess. "Hi, We have reservations. Geller, party of two."
The hostess checked the log book of all reservations. "Oh right, Mr.Geller. We reserved that special table you asked for. If the two of you will please follow me." She led them to a picturesque looking table where the table was adorned in flowers, lilies, Rachel's favorite flower.
"Here you go," the hostess replied politely. "Your waiter will be with you shortly." The two nodded as Ross pulled out the chair for Rachel to sit in.
"Why thank you, honey," she breathed. "How very chivalrous of you!"
"You know me," he giggled, taking his own seat. Picking up his menu, "Order any thing you want," he told her.
"Really? Great, cause I'm starving and could just about go for anything on the menu."
They both began to review their selection of choices on the menu when the waiter came over.
"Hello, my name is Patrick, I shall be your serve for the evening," he informed them. "For starters, can I get the two of you something to drink?"
"Oh sure, that'd be lovely," Rachel said. "Honey, is a bottle of white wine okay by you?"
"Whatever you want."
"Great. One bottle of white whine, please."
"No problem. I shall return shortly," the waiter replied as he made his way back to the kitchen.
Glancing around the romantic atmosphere she was in, Rachel sighed. "Oh, Ross, this is just magnificent. Thank you for bringing me here tonight," she said while placing her hand on top of his on the table.
They locked eyes and were in a trance. They were in such a trance that they didn't even notice the waiter bring back the wine."
"Here you are, sir," the waiter said as he handed the bottle over to Ross, who had indicated he wanted to pour it for the two of them. "Shall I give you a few more moments or are you ready to order right now?"
Clearing her throat, "Well, I'm ready. Ross, how about you?"
"Yes, ready to order. I'll go first," he stated as the waiter whipped out his order pad.
"Would you like to hear the specials," the waiter inquired, "or do you already know them?"
"No, no, we don't know them," Rachel said. "What are tonight's specials?"
"We have cracked lobster in a light, buttery sauce; grilled salmon topped off with a dab of parsley; and a porterhouse steak served with a side of dry vegetables and a garden salad. Oh, and our soup of the day is French Onion."
"Oh, the cracked lobster in a light, buttery sauce sounds great! I'll have that," Rachel squealed.
"And I'll have the porterhouse steak special," Ross told the waiter.
"Great. Would either of you like the soup of the day?" The two of them shook their heads in a 'no' fashion. "Okay, great. Your food should be ready in a bit. Enjoy the evening. If you so chose so, you take your lovely lady up for a dance," indicating to Ross of their dance floor that was scattered about with couples dancing the night away. He left for the kitchen.
"So, what was it that you wanted to tell me earlier but insisted it wait till tonight at dinner," Ross pressed Rachel as he playfully stroked her hand.
"Well, it's about work."
"What about work? Something happen? Someone harass you because if they did, I swear on the Holy Bible…!"suddenly getting all defensive about his woman.
"Ross, no one harassed me and you swearing on the Holy Bible wouldn't work since you're Jewish. Anyway, it was just a normal day. There was a marketing meeting, which dragged on as long as a drive to Ohio. But after the meeting, my boss asked me to see her in her office. I can't tell you how petrified I was when she said that, just because of the look on her face."
"Well, what happened? What did your boss want to talk to you about?"
Taking a deep breath, she continued. "Well, once I was in her office, she commented on how much I was of an asset to the company and how well I had been working over the past few months. She said the head of the juniors department was leaving because she decided to be a stay at home mom instead of a full-time working mom so they needed to hire someone for the position. She said that instead of looking outside of the company to hire someone, they decided to look in another department for someone with much experience. I was informed that she had recommended me for the position."
"And?" Ross questioned her, holding his excitement on the inside incase she was about to reveal that she didn't get the job.
"I got the job! I'm now the head of the junior's department at Ralph Lauren!" she squealed.
"Oh Rach, that's so exciting! Congratulations, baby. Now, that is a reason to celebrate!"
"I know," she giggled. "Wow. This is going to be great. I get to make all the decisions of what the juniors line will look like, the clothes that will be ordered, pick out the models for the catalog to model the junior's line. It's all so much!" Taking a deep breath, "Everything, lately, has been going so perfectly. God, I couldn't ask for anything more."
"How so?" Ross playfully questioned her.
"Well, for starters, the two of us finally got back together. That passionate kiss we shared the first night. The hugs. The dinners and dancing. The raw, passionate, animal sex," she slightly said with a giggle. "And now with this job promotion, it's just so perfect. I don't think anything could make my life go wrong."
"I highly doubt anything will be thrown at you that makes your life incredibly hard," he replied, squeezing her hand. "Care to share a dance," motioning to the dance floor?
"Absolutely."
Guiding her over to the dance floor, Ross couldn't help but break out in a smile. It was one of the things he loved most about being with her again. He had missed the times they had danced together in the past, the way her body leaned on top of his. The way she locked her arms around him in a death grip, terrified to let him go. His memories of the past were abruptly interrupted by Rachel slightly pulling him closer to him. They locked arms around each other and slowly swayed to the light music that other couples on the dance floor were enjoying as well.
As they swayed to the music, Ross decided he had a few things to whisper into Rachel's ear.
"You know, Rach," he began, "how they say that there are people you can live with but there is truly somewhere in the world someone that you can't live without?" She nodded her head that was nestled on his shoulder. "Well, ever since we started dating again, I've had that feeling about you. For some reason, you make me feel on top of the world. You make my heart beat so fast when I see you. Tonight, I nearly passed out from your beauty. I simply closed my eyes and tried to regain my composure. I feel safe in your arms and it is as if you shelter me with your love. I feel like my heart is not going to get ripped out and torn apart by someone now that I'm with you."
"Ross, I feel the same exact way," she replied, plunging in for a kiss. As they kissed, Ross was feeling out of this world.
You're the one I always thought of
I don't know how, but I feel sheltered in your love.
You're where I belong.
And when you're with me if I close my eyes,
There are times I swear I feel like I can fly
For a moment in time.
Somewhere between the Heavens and Earth
And frozen in time, oh when you say those words…………
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AN: I hope y'all enjoyed the chapter. I realize it may not be very eventful for some readers and while for others, it's good. Please see where I'm going with this! I've read many of stories and novels where there is crap filler for something leading up to something exciting or scary. So just hang on. I've still got a few more chapters left in this baby. Read & review!