In A Lifetime
Chapter Three: And I Can't Say How Much
Discalimer: After all the legal battles I've gone through trying to prove that they ARE mine, I can't afford to waist any more money, and had to concede that the characters ARE NOT MINE.
A/N: And here we go with chapter 3. Thank you SO MUCH for all the wonderful reviews you have given me- they let me know you are enjoying it, and they really cheer me up. So keep 'em coming! See if you can break your record. Nothing wrong in having goals.....
I'm not going to reveal anything, nut the reviewer Llew was right.... the sad art hasn't started yet. And still hasn't.
Thnaks to Becca for being my outlet for my problems, and to Monnie for proofing this, and for everything else she's done. This chapter is dedicated to you two, penguin sistas!
*~*~*
"And it turns out.... it turns out that I've got breast cancer."
Chandler heard the words in his head, but they didn't register properly. He stared blankly at Monica's tear-stained face, his vision blurred.
"Wh-What?" he whispered.
Monica looked up, and tried to repeat what she's said, but her voice didn't come, her lips were dry, and she remained silent. She just looked sadly at Chandler, nervously anticipating his reaction, once he realised what she'd said.
"Wh- What?" he repeated, his eyes not moving from Monica's face. She cried as she saw that he wasn't looking at her, but through her. She wanted him to understand, she wanted it so badly, and no matter how much she had tried to prepare herself for this exact situation, she couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her face and dropping to the floor, leaving a dark stain on the rug underfoot.
Monica reached out slowly and gave Chandler's hand the lighest of touches. Her finger cautiously grazed his skin, moving in no particular pattern over the back of his hand. She felt the little hairs on his skin stood on end, and moved her finger tentatively over them, bending them slightly.
Chandler felt the movement on his hand, and he turned his head to look at what it was causing the odd tingling sensation on his body.
Monica's head jerked upwards as she saw movement at the top of her eyeline. She stared at Chandler, who's eyes finally met her's, still with a distant stare, but she knew his eyes were looking into her's, and she spoke.
"Chandler," she whispered softly, "I know this is very hard for you to- to accept," she said, her voice cracking slightly, still trying to accept it herself, "but I can't turn back time. I wish I could, I wish I didn't have it, Chandler, but I do, and I've accepted it. And I need you to accept it too. Because I can't do this without you." She wiped a tear from her cheek before it slipped onto her lips, and grasped Chandler's hand as he slowly turned it towards her. "I need you to help me get through this. I love you more than anyone else in the world, and if I don't have you.... I have no one."
Chandler looked at her, and she saw the distance of his expression recede, and he looked directly at her at last, his eyes moving into focus. He squeezed her hand gently, and pushed back a stray strand of her hair from over her eye.
"Monica," he breathed, "You know I'll be there for you, any time, any place, for anything. I love you, more than anything. More than anyone has ever loved anyone. I know you know that. And I know you know I'd help you through anything. You'll always have me."
His last words ringed through the silent air, echoing unnaturally through the room. Monica got the strange feeling that the echo was mocking her, as if the still air knew something she didn't. She smiled at Chandler through her tears, which still marred her vision, and she slowly got to her feet, Chandler rising with her.
"Come on," he said, putting a warm and comforting arm around her. "It's late, and I have to get up early for a meeting tomorrow... let's go to bed."
He began to lead her towards their bedroom, but Monica stopped him for a second.
"Chandler?" she said.
He looked around at her, smiling. "Yeah?"
"Thank you," she said simply, and she leaned in to him and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.
He smiled at her, and they continued into their bedroom together.
*~*~*
Monica jumped as the toaster loudly announced that it had finished burning the bread she had stuck in a few minutes earlier, and grabbed the nearest piece to subject it to the butter knife.
Chandler walked out of the bathroom and walked up behind Monica. "Hey," he said into her ear, kissing her on the cheek softly. "Let me do that," he said, gently easing the knife from her hand and taking it up himself.
Monica looked bewildered, but sat down at the table anyway. "How come?" she asked.
Chandler looked around, throwing the piece of toast carefully onto a plate and beginning to butter the next one. "Well, I never do things in the morning, and you- you need to rest..." he said, turning back to see what he was doing. "I just thought I'd do some work for a change."
Monica's brain fought her instinct to insist to say that she didn't need to rest, and she just smiled. "Thanks," she said. "So, what are we going to do today? I'm glad they gave you a day off after yesterday. That meeting sounded like it was pointless."
"It was," said Chandler, passing her the plate with the toast on, and starting to butter the third piece. "Doug just droned on and on for hours about how all the lines were going down, so he wasn't happy. I'm surprised I didn't fall asleep," he smiled, taking the final piece of toast from the toaster.
"So what do you want to do?" asked Monica, between bites of the warm buttered toast. "I make great toast, don't I?" she exclaimed, marvelling at it.
Chandler laughed. "It's TOAST, Mon. It's not like you made a lasagna for breakfast." He sat down next to her. "And besides, I buttered it."
Monica hit him lightly. "So what do you want to do?" she asked, finishing off her first piece and picking up the other. "We've got all day to fill."
Chandler considered. "Well, I was thinking we go shopping this morning, since that's your FAVOURITE thing to do ever, and I have nothing better to do than be dragged around shoe shops..."
Monica smiled. "Aww, you'd really do that for me?" she said warmly, squeezing his hand affectionately over the table.
Chandler grinned. "You know I'd do anything for you," he said. "And I thought maybe we could have a kind of picnic lunch in the park afterwards...."
Monica's smile widened. "This just get's better and better, doesn't it?" she grinned. Then she remembered something she'd wanted to say, and her expression fell slightly. "But..." she started, "there was kinda something else I wanted to do today," she said slowly.
Chandler looked unfazed. "Yeah?"
Monica swallowed. "Well, I was thinking... that I want to tell everyone else about... y'know..." she said, looking at Chandler for his reaction.
Chandler leaned back in surprise. "Really? Are you sure you want to?"
Monica nodded. "I want them to know. They'll only get suspicious, and they're our best friends.... yes, I want them to know. We've both come to terms with it, and they need to too."
"Okay," nodded Chandler. "But we can still do all that other stuff, right?"
Monica grinned and stood up. "Hell, yeah!" she exclaimed. "Hold on to your wallet mister, 'cause there won't be much in it by the end of the morning!"
*~*~*
Chandler opened the blanket wide and spread it out before him. It waved slightly in the light wind, and he lowered it the ground. Monica lifted the picnic basket and placed it on the blanket, as a weight against it flying away.
Chandler sat down next to the basket and opened it, passing Monica the sandwiches that lay on top.
"Sandwiches?" asked Monica. "Isn't that a bit dull? I knew I shouldn't have let you get the food," she moaned, putting the packet down next to her.
Chandler laughed. "No, that's just a starter. We have..." he said, and lifted a bottle out from the basket, "champagne..." he lifted out a box, "strawberries..."
Monica smiled. "Planning on some 'London style' later, are we?" she teased, opening the strawberries and putting one into her mouth. "Oh, so good..." she moaned, closing her eyes in pleasure. "You have got to have one," she said to Chandler when she opened her eyes.
"Okay," said Chandler, reaching for one, but Monica moved his hand away.
She picked one out of the basket and took it lightly in her fingers. She reached up to Chandler's mouth, and eased it through the small gap between his lips. He licked her fingers with his tongue as they entered her mouth, letting the strawberry slide to the side of his mouth while his tongue concentrated it's attention on Monica's gentle skin.
Monica ran her fingers around Chandler's lips, feeling the amazing softness of his lips. She reluctantly took her fingers away from his face. Chandler slowly opened his eyes, staring into Monica's intensely.
"That was good," he breathed.
*~*~*
They walked into the coffeehouse together, hands entwined, and saw the others all sat around lazily on the couch.
"Hey guys," said Chandler loudly, signalling to Gunther for two cups of coffee.
"Hey," they chorused. Joey sat up from his streched out position on the couch, and Monica and Chandler sat down next to him.
"What's up?" asked Rachel, leaning foward slightly from her seat at the round table by the counter. "Where've you two been all day?"
Monica smiled. "Well.... first, we went shopping, and bought LOADS of stuff..." she said, then looked at Chandler, who looked annoyed. "Alright, I bought loads of stuff... and then we went for a picnic in the park."
Joey sat foward. "A picnic? Without me? I LOVE picnics!" he moaned. "Awww, man...."
Chandler smiled. "Actually, Joe, I don't think you'd have liked it much. We did our own version of London style," he grinned. Ross squirmed uncomfortably, but Joey smiled.
"Oh, yeah? Went behind a bush, did ya?" he grinned. "Did a little..."
Monica frowned. "No, we just had strawberries and cream in the middle of a very beautiflu wooded area."
"Yeah, the rest comes later," said Chandler quietly, leaning towards Joey, who grinned wider still.
Monica frowned. "Chandler!"
Chandler turned and smiled sweetly. "Sorry, sweetie."
Monica widened her eyes obviously, and Chandler suddenly remembered why they'd come into the coffeehouse instead of going home.
"Er, guys," said Chandler, clearing his throat, and everyone looked around. "We- we have something we need to talk to you about," he said slowly. Rachel and Phoebe at the round table nodded and leaned closer, Ross lifted his head up from the magazine he was immersed in, and Joey shifted his position so he was facing the nervous couple.
"What is it?" asked Ross, closing his magazine and leaning in, since the rest already were.
Chandler looked at Monica, who nodded, indicating that she would tell them.
"Well..." started Monica, swallowing, "I've been having some tests done on me recently at the doctor's, and they came back a couple of days ago."
Ross' eyes widened and he sat further foward, although his back was bent almost as far as it could have been already. "What?" he said in alarm.
Monica looked at him, and she just blurted it out. "I've got breast cancer," she said quickly, making Ross almost fall of his chair, and the others all gasped.
Joey just sat there looking dumbfounded, while Rachel and Phoebe immediatly got off their seats and knelt down by Monica in concern, rubbing her arm.
"Honey, are you okay?" asked Rachel, and Phoebe took Monica's hand and rubbed it.
"Guys, I'm okay," smiled Monica. "I'm going in for treatment, and it should all be fine. Don't worry for me. I'll probably end up doing enough of that myself," she said, and looked round at Chandler. "And Chandler can get me through this. You guys have enough going on in your lifes to worry about little old me."
Ross walked round the back of the couch and sat on the edge of the coffee table to talk to Monica. "Monica, if we want to worry, we can. We wouldn't be good friends of we didn't. And I'd be a TERRIBLE brother if I didn't. We all want to help get you through this," he insisted, and the others murmured in agreement.
Monica smiled gratefully. "Okay," she conceded. "Thanks guys," she said, looking around at all of them, including Joey, who still looked dumbfounded. "Joey?" she said, waving a hand in front of his face.
"Huh?" said Joey, moving his gaze finally.
"Are you alright?" asked Chandler.
Joey nodded. "Yeah, I'm- I'm fine," he said unconvincingly.
"You don't sound fine," frowned Monica. "What is it?"
Joey wiped his glistening eyes. "I just never- never thought any of us would get really sick like this. I never thought I might have to face the worst."
Monica's face became alarmed, but Chandler put a reassuring arm on her shoulder. "Nothing's going to happen to any of us, Joe. Monica will be fine, you'll see. She just needs all of us to support her." He kissed Monica's cheek. "Come on, sweetie, we've gotta go."
Rachel looked up. "Where are you going?" she asked.
"We're going to a posh place for dinner, so we have to get ready. It's almost six, you know," said Chandler, pointing at his watch.
Joey's eyes widened. "It is?! Aww, damn!" he shouted, and ran out of the coffeehouse, stuffing his arms into his jacket sleeves as he raced off down the street.
Monica looked bewildered. "Forgot an audition or something, did he?"
Rachel nodded. "Oh, they're doing some outside DOOL shooting this evening."
Chandler shrugged. "Well, we're off. See you guys tomorrow."
Ross, Rachel and Phoebe smiled. "Okay," said Ross.
Monica turned back as they put on their jackets. "And guys?" she said, and they looked up again. "Thanks," she smiled, and vanished through the door after Chandler.
*~*~*
Chandler's grip on Monica's hand tightened nervously as a woman walked out of the examination room, looking rather dejected.
"Mon, she didn't look very happy... are you sure you're alright?" he asked, looking straight into her eyes. His own were panicked, and his body was tensioned.
Monica laughed. "I'm fine, Chandler. It's just a short doctor's appointment. I think you're the one who's not okay." She kissed him gently. "It'll be alright, Chandler," she said softly. "I can feel it. Everything will work out in the end." She saw the doctor's head poke out of the doorway, and she stood up. "Come on, we're going in."
She walked over to the doorway. The doctor had gone back in. Chandler started to walk in, but stopped when he saw that Monica had frozen before it.
"Monica?" he said.
She looked around. "I'm fine," she said again. "I just- just needed a second," she said nervously.
Chandler smiled and took her hand again. "I know," he said, hugging her tightly, and they walked through the doorway together.
Chapter Three: And I Can't Say How Much
Discalimer: After all the legal battles I've gone through trying to prove that they ARE mine, I can't afford to waist any more money, and had to concede that the characters ARE NOT MINE.
A/N: And here we go with chapter 3. Thank you SO MUCH for all the wonderful reviews you have given me- they let me know you are enjoying it, and they really cheer me up. So keep 'em coming! See if you can break your record. Nothing wrong in having goals.....
I'm not going to reveal anything, nut the reviewer Llew was right.... the sad art hasn't started yet. And still hasn't.
Thnaks to Becca for being my outlet for my problems, and to Monnie for proofing this, and for everything else she's done. This chapter is dedicated to you two, penguin sistas!
*~*~*
"And it turns out.... it turns out that I've got breast cancer."
Chandler heard the words in his head, but they didn't register properly. He stared blankly at Monica's tear-stained face, his vision blurred.
"Wh-What?" he whispered.
Monica looked up, and tried to repeat what she's said, but her voice didn't come, her lips were dry, and she remained silent. She just looked sadly at Chandler, nervously anticipating his reaction, once he realised what she'd said.
"Wh- What?" he repeated, his eyes not moving from Monica's face. She cried as she saw that he wasn't looking at her, but through her. She wanted him to understand, she wanted it so badly, and no matter how much she had tried to prepare herself for this exact situation, she couldn't stop the tears from rolling down her face and dropping to the floor, leaving a dark stain on the rug underfoot.
Monica reached out slowly and gave Chandler's hand the lighest of touches. Her finger cautiously grazed his skin, moving in no particular pattern over the back of his hand. She felt the little hairs on his skin stood on end, and moved her finger tentatively over them, bending them slightly.
Chandler felt the movement on his hand, and he turned his head to look at what it was causing the odd tingling sensation on his body.
Monica's head jerked upwards as she saw movement at the top of her eyeline. She stared at Chandler, who's eyes finally met her's, still with a distant stare, but she knew his eyes were looking into her's, and she spoke.
"Chandler," she whispered softly, "I know this is very hard for you to- to accept," she said, her voice cracking slightly, still trying to accept it herself, "but I can't turn back time. I wish I could, I wish I didn't have it, Chandler, but I do, and I've accepted it. And I need you to accept it too. Because I can't do this without you." She wiped a tear from her cheek before it slipped onto her lips, and grasped Chandler's hand as he slowly turned it towards her. "I need you to help me get through this. I love you more than anyone else in the world, and if I don't have you.... I have no one."
Chandler looked at her, and she saw the distance of his expression recede, and he looked directly at her at last, his eyes moving into focus. He squeezed her hand gently, and pushed back a stray strand of her hair from over her eye.
"Monica," he breathed, "You know I'll be there for you, any time, any place, for anything. I love you, more than anything. More than anyone has ever loved anyone. I know you know that. And I know you know I'd help you through anything. You'll always have me."
His last words ringed through the silent air, echoing unnaturally through the room. Monica got the strange feeling that the echo was mocking her, as if the still air knew something she didn't. She smiled at Chandler through her tears, which still marred her vision, and she slowly got to her feet, Chandler rising with her.
"Come on," he said, putting a warm and comforting arm around her. "It's late, and I have to get up early for a meeting tomorrow... let's go to bed."
He began to lead her towards their bedroom, but Monica stopped him for a second.
"Chandler?" she said.
He looked around at her, smiling. "Yeah?"
"Thank you," she said simply, and she leaned in to him and gave him a soft kiss on the lips.
He smiled at her, and they continued into their bedroom together.
*~*~*
Monica jumped as the toaster loudly announced that it had finished burning the bread she had stuck in a few minutes earlier, and grabbed the nearest piece to subject it to the butter knife.
Chandler walked out of the bathroom and walked up behind Monica. "Hey," he said into her ear, kissing her on the cheek softly. "Let me do that," he said, gently easing the knife from her hand and taking it up himself.
Monica looked bewildered, but sat down at the table anyway. "How come?" she asked.
Chandler looked around, throwing the piece of toast carefully onto a plate and beginning to butter the next one. "Well, I never do things in the morning, and you- you need to rest..." he said, turning back to see what he was doing. "I just thought I'd do some work for a change."
Monica's brain fought her instinct to insist to say that she didn't need to rest, and she just smiled. "Thanks," she said. "So, what are we going to do today? I'm glad they gave you a day off after yesterday. That meeting sounded like it was pointless."
"It was," said Chandler, passing her the plate with the toast on, and starting to butter the third piece. "Doug just droned on and on for hours about how all the lines were going down, so he wasn't happy. I'm surprised I didn't fall asleep," he smiled, taking the final piece of toast from the toaster.
"So what do you want to do?" asked Monica, between bites of the warm buttered toast. "I make great toast, don't I?" she exclaimed, marvelling at it.
Chandler laughed. "It's TOAST, Mon. It's not like you made a lasagna for breakfast." He sat down next to her. "And besides, I buttered it."
Monica hit him lightly. "So what do you want to do?" she asked, finishing off her first piece and picking up the other. "We've got all day to fill."
Chandler considered. "Well, I was thinking we go shopping this morning, since that's your FAVOURITE thing to do ever, and I have nothing better to do than be dragged around shoe shops..."
Monica smiled. "Aww, you'd really do that for me?" she said warmly, squeezing his hand affectionately over the table.
Chandler grinned. "You know I'd do anything for you," he said. "And I thought maybe we could have a kind of picnic lunch in the park afterwards...."
Monica's smile widened. "This just get's better and better, doesn't it?" she grinned. Then she remembered something she'd wanted to say, and her expression fell slightly. "But..." she started, "there was kinda something else I wanted to do today," she said slowly.
Chandler looked unfazed. "Yeah?"
Monica swallowed. "Well, I was thinking... that I want to tell everyone else about... y'know..." she said, looking at Chandler for his reaction.
Chandler leaned back in surprise. "Really? Are you sure you want to?"
Monica nodded. "I want them to know. They'll only get suspicious, and they're our best friends.... yes, I want them to know. We've both come to terms with it, and they need to too."
"Okay," nodded Chandler. "But we can still do all that other stuff, right?"
Monica grinned and stood up. "Hell, yeah!" she exclaimed. "Hold on to your wallet mister, 'cause there won't be much in it by the end of the morning!"
*~*~*
Chandler opened the blanket wide and spread it out before him. It waved slightly in the light wind, and he lowered it the ground. Monica lifted the picnic basket and placed it on the blanket, as a weight against it flying away.
Chandler sat down next to the basket and opened it, passing Monica the sandwiches that lay on top.
"Sandwiches?" asked Monica. "Isn't that a bit dull? I knew I shouldn't have let you get the food," she moaned, putting the packet down next to her.
Chandler laughed. "No, that's just a starter. We have..." he said, and lifted a bottle out from the basket, "champagne..." he lifted out a box, "strawberries..."
Monica smiled. "Planning on some 'London style' later, are we?" she teased, opening the strawberries and putting one into her mouth. "Oh, so good..." she moaned, closing her eyes in pleasure. "You have got to have one," she said to Chandler when she opened her eyes.
"Okay," said Chandler, reaching for one, but Monica moved his hand away.
She picked one out of the basket and took it lightly in her fingers. She reached up to Chandler's mouth, and eased it through the small gap between his lips. He licked her fingers with his tongue as they entered her mouth, letting the strawberry slide to the side of his mouth while his tongue concentrated it's attention on Monica's gentle skin.
Monica ran her fingers around Chandler's lips, feeling the amazing softness of his lips. She reluctantly took her fingers away from his face. Chandler slowly opened his eyes, staring into Monica's intensely.
"That was good," he breathed.
*~*~*
They walked into the coffeehouse together, hands entwined, and saw the others all sat around lazily on the couch.
"Hey guys," said Chandler loudly, signalling to Gunther for two cups of coffee.
"Hey," they chorused. Joey sat up from his streched out position on the couch, and Monica and Chandler sat down next to him.
"What's up?" asked Rachel, leaning foward slightly from her seat at the round table by the counter. "Where've you two been all day?"
Monica smiled. "Well.... first, we went shopping, and bought LOADS of stuff..." she said, then looked at Chandler, who looked annoyed. "Alright, I bought loads of stuff... and then we went for a picnic in the park."
Joey sat foward. "A picnic? Without me? I LOVE picnics!" he moaned. "Awww, man...."
Chandler smiled. "Actually, Joe, I don't think you'd have liked it much. We did our own version of London style," he grinned. Ross squirmed uncomfortably, but Joey smiled.
"Oh, yeah? Went behind a bush, did ya?" he grinned. "Did a little..."
Monica frowned. "No, we just had strawberries and cream in the middle of a very beautiflu wooded area."
"Yeah, the rest comes later," said Chandler quietly, leaning towards Joey, who grinned wider still.
Monica frowned. "Chandler!"
Chandler turned and smiled sweetly. "Sorry, sweetie."
Monica widened her eyes obviously, and Chandler suddenly remembered why they'd come into the coffeehouse instead of going home.
"Er, guys," said Chandler, clearing his throat, and everyone looked around. "We- we have something we need to talk to you about," he said slowly. Rachel and Phoebe at the round table nodded and leaned closer, Ross lifted his head up from the magazine he was immersed in, and Joey shifted his position so he was facing the nervous couple.
"What is it?" asked Ross, closing his magazine and leaning in, since the rest already were.
Chandler looked at Monica, who nodded, indicating that she would tell them.
"Well..." started Monica, swallowing, "I've been having some tests done on me recently at the doctor's, and they came back a couple of days ago."
Ross' eyes widened and he sat further foward, although his back was bent almost as far as it could have been already. "What?" he said in alarm.
Monica looked at him, and she just blurted it out. "I've got breast cancer," she said quickly, making Ross almost fall of his chair, and the others all gasped.
Joey just sat there looking dumbfounded, while Rachel and Phoebe immediatly got off their seats and knelt down by Monica in concern, rubbing her arm.
"Honey, are you okay?" asked Rachel, and Phoebe took Monica's hand and rubbed it.
"Guys, I'm okay," smiled Monica. "I'm going in for treatment, and it should all be fine. Don't worry for me. I'll probably end up doing enough of that myself," she said, and looked round at Chandler. "And Chandler can get me through this. You guys have enough going on in your lifes to worry about little old me."
Ross walked round the back of the couch and sat on the edge of the coffee table to talk to Monica. "Monica, if we want to worry, we can. We wouldn't be good friends of we didn't. And I'd be a TERRIBLE brother if I didn't. We all want to help get you through this," he insisted, and the others murmured in agreement.
Monica smiled gratefully. "Okay," she conceded. "Thanks guys," she said, looking around at all of them, including Joey, who still looked dumbfounded. "Joey?" she said, waving a hand in front of his face.
"Huh?" said Joey, moving his gaze finally.
"Are you alright?" asked Chandler.
Joey nodded. "Yeah, I'm- I'm fine," he said unconvincingly.
"You don't sound fine," frowned Monica. "What is it?"
Joey wiped his glistening eyes. "I just never- never thought any of us would get really sick like this. I never thought I might have to face the worst."
Monica's face became alarmed, but Chandler put a reassuring arm on her shoulder. "Nothing's going to happen to any of us, Joe. Monica will be fine, you'll see. She just needs all of us to support her." He kissed Monica's cheek. "Come on, sweetie, we've gotta go."
Rachel looked up. "Where are you going?" she asked.
"We're going to a posh place for dinner, so we have to get ready. It's almost six, you know," said Chandler, pointing at his watch.
Joey's eyes widened. "It is?! Aww, damn!" he shouted, and ran out of the coffeehouse, stuffing his arms into his jacket sleeves as he raced off down the street.
Monica looked bewildered. "Forgot an audition or something, did he?"
Rachel nodded. "Oh, they're doing some outside DOOL shooting this evening."
Chandler shrugged. "Well, we're off. See you guys tomorrow."
Ross, Rachel and Phoebe smiled. "Okay," said Ross.
Monica turned back as they put on their jackets. "And guys?" she said, and they looked up again. "Thanks," she smiled, and vanished through the door after Chandler.
*~*~*
Chandler's grip on Monica's hand tightened nervously as a woman walked out of the examination room, looking rather dejected.
"Mon, she didn't look very happy... are you sure you're alright?" he asked, looking straight into her eyes. His own were panicked, and his body was tensioned.
Monica laughed. "I'm fine, Chandler. It's just a short doctor's appointment. I think you're the one who's not okay." She kissed him gently. "It'll be alright, Chandler," she said softly. "I can feel it. Everything will work out in the end." She saw the doctor's head poke out of the doorway, and she stood up. "Come on, we're going in."
She walked over to the doorway. The doctor had gone back in. Chandler started to walk in, but stopped when he saw that Monica had frozen before it.
"Monica?" he said.
She looked around. "I'm fine," she said again. "I just- just needed a second," she said nervously.
Chandler smiled and took her hand again. "I know," he said, hugging her tightly, and they walked through the doorway together.