The Unbelievable Request

Monica didn't have much of a chance these days to just relax at Central Perk but today she had a free afternoon, and the twins were being cared for by the part time Nanny. She had done everything she'd need to do today. Soon Chandler and the others would be along, although Ross would be out of town for the next few days and Joey was not due to arrive in New York until the day before the wedding. It would be so good to see him again too. She sipped at her coffee enjoying the luxury of being able to sit and do nothing. Motherhood was a joy but it had made her value her free time more than she had ever imagined. Wonderful!

She slipped into her thoughts. She'd had more to do lately – not that she'd minded because it was all for Ross and Rachel. Finally, after all this time, they were getting married. Her brother and her best friend. They had had to wait years for this – the pair of them had just been so stubborn, determined to do the wrong thing at every possible stage but Rachel had gotten off that plane and there was nothing to stop them now.

The venue was set, the dress was bought, the catering organised, the guests invited, nothing else had to be done. Of course there was the problem of convincing some of the relatives that it was serious this time, but at least no-one was expected to go overseas. Fortunately quite a lot of them had no idea that Ross and Rachel had already been married and divorced – even Rachel had been kept in the dark about the length of her marriage for a while.

Poor Ross, Monica thought. The failure of his marriages had hit him hard and he'd always had the best intentions. He'd always been a good brother to her and she was so happy things were working out well for him at last. There had been so many false starts and near misses for him. And Rachel too, the very best of friendsMonica?' An English accented voiced jolted her rudely out of her reverie – although in fact the inquiry had been tentative. Emily was standing in front of her.

You?' Monica stared.

Yes,' Emily said. I was looking for Ross, I need to speak to him.' For a moment all Monica could do was keep staring, in complete and utter amazement. This was Emily in front of her coolly asking where Ross was, as thoughHe certainly doesn't need to speak to you,' Monica said snappily. She glanced at Emily's left hand. There was no ring. So her second marriage didn't last, not surprisingly. She looked back at her face. She hadn't changed much and that looked like being a big problem.

Oh he most certainly does,' Emily said, Before he gets married. Again.'

He never wants to see you again,' Monica said. No-one wants to see you again. How dare you come here asking for him!' but the other thing Emily had said worried her and Monica demanded, And how did you know he was getting married?' She was here to ruin the wedding, Monica thought, just like Rachel had ruined hers – sort of. Rachel had not been able to help that – what Emily was planning was deliberately cruelI have my ways.'

I bet you do,' Monica said, trying to be as insulting as possible, You can't see him and you can't see Rachel.'

I don't want to see Rachel,' Emily said dismissively. I only want to see Ross.' Of course she did, she'd never liked Rachel.

Well you're not going to, and you'd better keep away from him and the rest of us,' Monica said. If she knew about the wedding, did she know where it was on? So many people had been invited and so many people might have told her. How could they stop Emily finding out if she was determined to discover it? Monica's heart was racing. Coffee had been such a bad idea I'm not going to let you hurt my brother again, or my best friend.' Emily smiled briefly.

You had better tell me where to find him now or he really is going to get hurt,' she said. Monica, who was still sitting down all this time suddenly felt at a disadvantage with Emily looking down on her. She jumped up.

I'll never betray my brother,' Monica said, voice shaking. Had that been a threat?

It's in his interests to see me. If you really were a good sister you'd let me know,' Emily said. This was unbelievable. She moved to slap Emily but Emily anticipated this and stepped back and Monica got herself under control.

How dare you tell me what my job as a sister is! Get out of here!' Monica ordered. Emily took a piece of paper from her purse.

This is my address and phone number, if you would –' she said dropping the paper in front of Monica, since Monica would not take it from her hand. Monica seized the paper and tore into shreds, dumping the fragments into the dregs of her coffee cup. If there had been cigarette butts they would have joined the mix - but Monica thought she'd made her point.

That is your address and phone number. Get lost.' After a steady look that chilled Monica, Emily said,

'I hope you're not going to regret doing that.' Monica shivered. What was she going to do? All Emily did in that moment was turn and leave.