Emily's surprise
The next day he woke in a panic. She wasn't there! He sat up. Had this all been a wonderful impossible dream? Had he been imagining it? But he saw the space next to him on the bed and suddenly his heart raced eased. She was here with him – and suddenly she was at the doorway. He was slightly disappointed that she wasn't in the pyjamas she had used before they'd married, but was instead wearing something new. In fact he was slightly disappointed that she had woken before him – he liked to catch her waking moments – but she was here now.
Come here,' he told her.
Won't you be late?' she asked as she walked across the room.
I don't care.'
He didn't really know how he had got to work and it wasn't until he was there, late, that he realised that Emily had dressed him and that it didn't matter that he'd not made his lunch because Emily had done it for him. Sandwiches cut into quarters with a note saying I love you.' He put that note in his wallet, next to his heart. If this was a dream he prayed that he would never wake. All his colleagues congratulated him on his obviously successful reunion with Emily. He could not wipe the smile from his face.
Monica called in the middle of the day to ask how things went.
Great, just great,' he said.
I'm really happy for you Ross,' Monica said. Well I guess we – I'll catch up with her soon.' Oh yes, there was still That Problem. Well if they had enough fun at home he might be able to talk her into reconsidering her attitude. He'd give it a few weeks though, just to make sure that she was settled in and feeling more secure.
At the foyer of the apartment building he got into the elevator to find his neighbours giving him funny looks. He caught someone's eye. It was the man in the apartment next door and he'd chatted to a few times him before. Ross had no hesitation in asking,
What is it?'
Oh, ah, nothing. Did your wife come home yesterday?'
Yes,' Ross said. How did you know?'
Well,' said the man, There's, ah, not very good soundproofing.' Ross turned red. He did not know which of them had made the most noise but the combined effect must have been pretty loud.
We don't mind,' said the man, No, not at all butI'll, er, do something,' Ross stumbled and he went to the door of his apartment.
On opening the door, Emily came running towards him and threw her arms around him.
I'm so glad you're home!'
Has anything happened?' Ross asked, suddenly worried. She'd needed him and he'd wasted time in conversation with a neighbour.
No, I'm just glad you're here.' She removed his coat and pushed him into a chair, just like yesterday.
Emily,' he began, but she'd taken his shoes off already. How was he going to tell her about what the neighbour said?
Do you want to stay in your socks?' she asked as he pulled his feet away from her in surprise.
Er yeah. I don't want my feet to get cold.' She squeezed his big toe and went over to the side table. So she hadn't expected him to continue stripping – or had she? She was suddenly being very hard to read.
What would you like to drink?' she asked.
You've been hard at work all day, would you like something to unwind?' He hadn't worked that hard today. He'd be hard put to think of what work he had actually done at all. Memories of last night had been far too distracting. She poured him a glass of wine and put it into his hand. He had just noticed that she was fully made up and in the kind of clothes she'd normally wear for going out. What would you like to do? Would you like to have your friends over?'
Oh,' Ross said. He had imbibed the gloom of the others and had the feeling that she didn't want him to see any of his friends, even though that was not what she had said. How could he see them if he lived all the way over here? And if he could only see them when Rachel wasn't around?
Or would you like to go out with them?'
Ah.' Why was she suggesting this?
What would you like to do?' she asked.
Whatever you like, Emily,' he said. It seemed to be the safest answer.
I want to do what you want,' Emily insisted. If you want to see your friends, with or without me I don't mind.' He stared. With or without her?
You really don't mind?' Ross asked.
I want you to be happy. You must see whomever you want, whenever you want.'
Whoever I want?'
Including Rachel.' Emily said calmly, shocking him. Your happiness is the only thing that matters, so please, make whatever arrangement you like.'
It's not that I absolutely have to see her it's just – ' Ross said, trying to explain.
You don't have to explain anything to me,' Emily said earnestly So do what you like. Don't feel that you have to stay with me.'
Well,' he said, thinking of last night, I'd like to stay with you. Very much.' He'd worry about the soundproofing later.