In A Lifetime

Chapter Twelve: You And I Get Blown Away

A/N: Hey, told you I'd be fast, didn't I? Well, don't get used to it. I really should be revising for my exams, but, since I can never do that unless the exam is the next day, I'm updating this. It's my own fault. Heh.

Anyway, for the moment, a little sap as they head off on the honeymoon. Since it all went a bit different, a pregnancy test was never discovered, so they didn't spend the whole reception obsessing over that. As for mentioning the dying… well, I hardly mention it this chapter, so you better be happy. ;-) Okay, I really need to stop threatening readers… Anyway, as usual, read, enjoy, and review! Thanks. Oh, and more thanks to Chris for her wonderful skills of proofing. Love ya.

"I love you," he whispered.

"I love you too," she responded, kissing his lips softly again. "And I'm sorry," she said sadly.

"For what?"

"For dying," she replied, and he let a tear fall. He swept her body into his arms and held her tightly as everyone stood, heading through the trees toward the reception.

As Chandler and Monica held each other, people made their way past quietly, seeing the tear stains under Chandler's closed eyes, and they all, with the exception of the bridesmaids, best man, minister and the couple's parents, made their way through the canopy of trees where the reception was to be held. Soon, chatter began to be heard again, as the crowd enjoyed the wide spread of food out of the photographer's sights.

Chandler slowly drew away from Monica, looking carefully at her face. She dabbed at it with a tissue, and he led her behind a tree where he wiped her tears away and cleaned her make-up as best he could.

"Okay, we're ready!" called the photographer, and Chandler took Monica's hand and they walked out together, to beaming smiles from the others surrounding them. They went over to the photographer, who told them where to stand, and they smiled as the camera flashed, once, twice, three times.

"Okay… great!" exclaimed the photographer, grinning. "Now let's have the bridesmaids in," he said, gesturing for Phoebe and Rachel to stand with Chandler and Monica.

Phoebe leant toward Monica as the photographer set the camera again. "It was a beautiful ceremony, Mon," she whispered, and Monica smiled, stopping herself from speaking and smiling as the camera flashed again.

When he'd finished, the three girls hopped off the stage together, and Monica hugged both her friends as Chandler talked to Ross. "Thanks, guys, for being here," she said, as Rachel kissed her cheek.

"Are you kidding?" Phoebe interjected. "We wouldn't have missed it for the world," she said, and Monica kissed her cheek too.

Rachel grinned. "Okay, can we go to the reception now?" she asked excitedly, bouncing slightly.

Monica laughed. "You go on ahead," she said, looking back at Chandler. "I just want to talk to Chandler for a minute," she added, and they nodded, joining up with Joey as they made their way through the trees.

She walked up to him and greeted him with a kiss on the back of his neck, and he turned, softly planting his lips on her forehead, and slipping his hand into hers. They slowly walked toward all the noise, talking quietly to each other.

"So, Mr. Bing, where are we going on our honeymoon?" she smiled.

He grinned. "Well, Mrs. Bing," he replied, and she giggled, "I have two tickets to any city of your choice!" he said cheesily, and she laughed, swinging his hand as the sun beat down upon them.

"I would like to go to Paris," she said, and he whipped the tickets from his pocket, handing them to her. Her eyes widened. "Oh my god, we're really going to Paris?" she gasped, looking up at him.

His eyes twinkled. "You always said you wanted to go," he whispered, and she kissed his lips softly, letting out a squeal after she broke away.

"Oh my god, I can't believe it!" she exclaimed, as they came clear of the trees and saw the tent-like structure the food was housed under. "You are the best husband ever," she said, gripping his hand tightly.

"It's all because I love you," he said softly, and she stopped, leaning upward for another deep kiss, which earned them a cheer as the crowd spotted them. Monica blushed slightly, but grinned as they walked into the crowd. Music pulsed from the various speakers dotted around, and chatter came from every direction. The sun shone brightly above, and the sky was a crystal clear blue.

It was perfect.

"Okay, is everyone ready?"

Monica's question was answered with a resounding "yes!", and she hurled the bouquet behind her, grinning at Chandler as the women all held out their arms expectantly. Rachel squealed as the bunch of flowers came flying down into her arms, and she held them up victoriously. Meanwhile, Phoebe groaned as she held up a single petal.

Monica laughed at them and gave Rachel a thumbs-up, and Rachel smiled at her as she clutched the bouquet to her chest, while the other women dispersed. Turning back to Chandler, she was surprised when he brought her into a kiss again, running his hands over the soft material of her dress.

"This day has been so perfect, Chandler," she whispered as they moved into a tight embrace, people milling around them and several wishes of good luck reaching their ears. They smiled over each other's shoulders at their guests, as they heard cars and cabs draw up at the park entrance, and noticed the chatter starting to wane. Monica spotted Rachel smiling charmingly as she talked to a handsome looking man, then rolling her eyes as the man apparently said something stupid. He moved away at her look.

Chandler smiled. "Only the best for my princess," he smiled, and she grinned. "You wouldn't believe how wonderful this day has been for me," he said softly. The people around them had all left, and anyone remaining was still under the tent, so they were alone.

"If it's even half as special as it was to me, then yeah, I would," she replied, his arms still holding her waist, his forehead leaning against hers. "I love you, Chandler," she murmured, and his lips curled upward in a blissful smile.

"I love you too, Monica… Bing," he breathed, and she giggled again.

"I can't get enough of hearing that," she said softly, and he kissed her ear gently, whispering her new name over and over.

"Monica Bing… Mrs. Bing… Mrs. Monica Bing…"

"Bye! Have a great honeymoon!"

Monica stuck her head out of the window and grinned at her friends and parents, assembled on the pavement outside the park. It was almost dark; the tent and remnants of the wedding had been packed up- under Monica's supervision, of course- and now she and Chandler had bundled their luggage into the back of the cab and were about to set off for the airport.

"We will!" she yelled, over the hum of the engine revving up. "Bye!" she called, as the cab sped off. Soon they were a speck in the distance, like a star in the sky. She sat back in the seat, letting Chandler put his arm around her and softly leaning against his shoulder.

"How long does it take to get to the airport?" she asked sleepily, looking up at him, as darkness fell even lower outside and dull city lights became the only source of light in the cab.

"About fifteen minutes, I think," he replied, kissing her hair softly. "We can sleep on the plane, babe," he whispered, feeling her breathing get heavier.

"I'm just… tired," she said, yawning quietly. "But at least I have you to lean on," she said, smiling.

Chandler laughed silently. "You'll always have me to lean on," he answered, and she wordlessly said, "I know". He felt it, in his heart, and they both smiled at that thought.

The cab arrived quickly at the airport, and Chandler took the luggage out as Monica paid the driver, who sped off with a businessman who had just exited the airport barely a second after Chandler had slammed the boot shut. Monica took her bags, hanging one off her shoulder and taking another in one hand. She slipped her other hand into Chandler's free one, his other also carrying two bags.

Within two hours, they were sitting on the plane together, Chandler looking out of the window with a gentle smile on his face. Monica, still looking sleepy, was slowly reading a magazine as she waited for take-off, and time when she could finally get to sleep.

"What time is it?" she asked, flipping the magazine shut and stuffing it back into her carry-on bag.

Chandler looked around, and glanced at his watch. "Ten," he replied, smile fading at her sigh. "What's wrong?"

She shrugged. "I'm just tired," she said, shuffling uncomfortably in her seat.

Chandler softly put his hand under her chin and turned her face toward him, with a soft, simple look, but eyes that held meaning. "And…" he prompted.

She had to smile. "And… I miss home," she admitted, looking down.

Chandler smiled, and kissed the top of her head. "It's okay, Mon," he whispered. "I miss it too."

She looked at him with simpering eyes. "You do?"

He nodded. "I miss sitting at the table with you, talking about what you did at work… I miss lying next to you in bed, with my arm around you… I miss pretending to enjoy Ross' shark attack shows from across the alley," he said, laughing with her at that image.

"We are now ready for take-off," said a voice, and they both looked up, instinctively feeling around to ensure their seatbelts were fastened.

The take-off was smooth and quiet. The plane was quite sparsely populated, a few suited businessmen and a few other couples dotted the plane, and one small family sat at the back, the children snoring.

Chandler gazed plaintively out the window, watching as the city disappeared from sight, and he squeezed Monica's hand gently as her fingers curled over his. He watched as the plane flew steadily upward, passing through the clouds silently, and soon they were coasting in the cold, dark world above a layer of white, even though the clouds looked dull in the night.

Stars above sparkled, now that they were free from the translucent polluted clouds that protected the city, and they dotted the sky like Christmas tree lights. He smiled and looked back at Monica. She had fallen asleep, her head resting softly against his shoulder, quiet snores emanating from her mouth as her eyelids fluttered. She was dreaming.

He softly kissed her hair, and whispered three words to her- ones that he never tired of saying, and she never tired of hearing.

"I love you."

"We're here. Mon? Mon, we're here."

Monica awoke from her slumber as Chandler repeated his words softly. She jerked upward, feeling his lips brush up against her ear. She looked at him, and he smiled. She heard the other passengers busily walking off the plane behind her.

"Good sleep?" he asked.

She blinked. "I… yeah," she said, eyes adjusting to the brightness outside.

Chandler stood up. "Come on, we've got to get off," he said, and she stood, stepping out onto the aisle. He passed her the carry-on bag she had put in the compartment above and kissed her cheek as they walked down the steps into the sunlight, taking in the airport, situated at the heart of Paris.

"It's Paris," he whispered in her ear, and she smiled at him, stepping off at the bottom of the escalator and readjusting the bag on her shoulder. "Over there," he said, pointing after the other passengers, and they walked over in silence, both looking up at the bright blue sky, which made the blue of New York's sky seem like midnight blue.

They barely talked at all as they made their way through the airport, both breathing a heavy sigh of relief when they finally walked through the front doors out into fresh air again. Monica could barely contain her excitement.

"So, where are we gonna go?" she asked, holding her hands behind her and bouncing happily. "The Eiffel Tower? Arc d'Triomphe? The Louvre?"

Chandler smiled, gesturing for a cab. "How about… the hotel?" he suggested.

"Please tell me you won't trade this room in for another."

Monica glared at him momentarily from the window as he bounced up and down on the bed, but she couldn't help her face from breaking into a wide smile.

"No, this is perfect," she said softly, and he grinned, rising to kiss her deeply, and slowly moving her toward the bed. She broke away. "Whoa, don't you think you're getting a little ahead of yourself here?" she warned him. "We've been in the room for barely five minutes."

He gave her his best puppy-dog eyes. "Pwease, Mon?" he said, and she giggled at his childish voice.

"No way, I am not doing it with a kid," she teased, pushing him onto the mattress, then lying next to him. "Let's just lie here," she whispered, and he looked at her, head turning against the sheets.

"I thought you wanted to see the sights," he frowned.

She sighed. "I just want to lie here with you," she said.

"Okay," he replied, kissing her lips again and turning his head to face the ceiling. "But you know, it'd be much more fun if we were both naked," he said, and she hit him, giggling again.

They both fell into a slumber, Chandler hearing her gentle snores before he slipped off into sleep himself, and he smiled, rolling over slightly to kiss her on the cheek. He slipped his arm under her and closed his arms around her, pressing his body close to hers. His hands lay together over her stomach, guarding the baby that lay inside.

Hours later, the sun was setting, light fading throughout the room, the gentle breeze whistling in the trees outside. Chandler's nose twitched as he awoke, finding himself pressed up against Monica. He smiled and kissed the back of her head softly.

They had three days to enjoy themselves in Paris, and Chandler was going to do whatever Monica wanted. He had finally accepted that in months she might be gone, and that he might be alone- and he fully intended to make her time as wonderful as he possibly could. So he'd taken her to Paris, as he'd suggested on their engagement night, knowing the excited reaction it would get out of her. Staying in the expensive suite was… well, expensive, but Chandler had the money, and he wanted to give his wife the best he possibly could.

He breathed in the soft scent of her hair, smelling the light fragrance of her apple shampoo, and he smiled again. He sat up slightly and looked down at her face. She looked so innocent when she slept, he thought. Like an angel.

Suddenly, he heard her stirring. She shuffled uncomfortably, and his eyes widened as something beneath his hands moved. Monica froze.

"Did you feel that?" he whispered, and she turned to look at him, nodding silently.

"Uh-huh," she said slowly, sitting up and rubbing her eyes, one hand resting on her stomach. He entwined a finger with hers as they waited with bated breath.

They both smiled at each other when they felt it again, happiness filling their hearts as they sat together on the bed, feeling their baby kick for the first- second- time.

Just for a moment, they felt total, unhindered happiness. Just for a moment.