It had been great again, but Ross didn't understand it. Emily had done everything he asked, and lots of nice things he hadn't asked for. She had shown him everything she'd bought from Victoria's Secret and then shown him an outfit she'd got from a place called Vixen's.
I'm not sure whether you'd really like to see me in this though,' she said. It's a little bit raunchy.' Quite a lot raunchy actually and he passed a very positive nonverbal opinion on the outfit, but afterwards he had felt strange. It wasn't like her, and to tell the truth he had been quite happy to see her in her old pyjamas or indeed anything. It was Emily that mattered, not the things she put on. There were some things he liked to discover for himself.
If it wasn't bed – although they hadn't limited themselves to that location – it was food. Anything he wanted, she whipped up in no time. She was no Monica but she was a very good second and he wasn't about to draw comparison. He had only to mention he was feeling like a snack – he had no intention of suggesting that she should do something about it, he was perfectly capable of feeding himself – but she would jump up and make something. All his clothes and things were in perfect order. Anything he wanted to watch on TV was fine by her.
She asked him all the time whether he liked this or that, whether he was happy.
I like everything you're doing, Emily, are you happy?' he asked. Marriage was a two way street, they both had to be happy or it wouldn't work. At the moment everything was going his way. It didn't have to go his way all the time. He never thought he'd have that thought and it surprised him that he did. What person didn't want everything to go their way? But there was a niggling feeling that this was not quite right. She gave him a beautiful smile and said,
Of course I'm happy, I'm with you.'
That's, that's good,' he said. That would be her answer to every such inquiry, he realised.
He need to catch up with his friends for a touch of, well, Normality. Ross called Emily from work in the afternoon telling her that he'd be a little late. He would be having a cup of coffee with Monica and the others at Central Perk. Secretly he wondered whether this would provoke some kind of reaction, something to show that her feeling were more like as they had been over the phone and not as she professed them to be. He was an idiot of course, he realised at the same time. Why did he hope to provoke her? Did he want to have a fight? Did he want to negotiate?
He didn't have to.
Stay as long as you like,' Emily said when he told her his plan. Say hello to everyone to me. Invite them all to dinner tomorrow.'
Tomorrow?' he asked surprised. Are you sure?'
Yes, invite them all. I'll go shopping tomorrow and do us a nice meal.'
All of them?'
Yes, why do you ask?' Why did he ask? Only because a week ago this would have been unthinkable, the way things were between them.
Uh, well, do we have room?'
We'll have enough room at the dining table,' Emily said smoothly, We've got enough plates and cutlery, although we may have to mix and match chairs. I can manage.'
Right,' Ross said before ringing off.
So he arrived at Central Perk feeling stunned. As soon as he walked in, Rachel, who had been in conversation with Monica, Phoebe and Joey got up.
No Rachel don't go,' Ross said, Sit down, enjoy your coffee – I'll get you another one,'
Ross?' Monica asked puzzled. All he had seen fit to tell his sister was that he was fine, Emily was fine, everything was fine. He hadn't hinted that he was about to do something like this. The others froze and Rachel stared at him quizzically.
No I mean it,' Ross insisted, I'm buying, what would you like? Anything.'
Won't you get into trouble?' Rachel said, sarcastically.
No, Emily realised that she was wrong to tell me who to see,' Ross said. So she said to forget about it, and see whoever I wanted, whenever I wanted.'
Thank God for that,' Monica said. I'm glad she changed her mind. I know it was hard for her but it would have been so difficult for us all.'
She really said that?' Rachel asked incredulously. Suddenly half her reason for resenting Emily was gone. Rachel didn't want to let go.
I thought she'd never say that,' Joey added.
Yes, don't looked surprised,' Ross said, sitting down. She loves me.' Rachel, who had risen to leave, sat back down and stared. She wants me to be happy, is that so hard to understand? It's normal for a wife to care about her husband, and she cares about me,' Ross said.
Why isn't she here?' Monica asked. Is she feeling a bit shy?'
Ah no, she's at home,' Ross admitted.
She knows you're here?' Monica asked.
Yes she does, but she's cooking dinner,' Ross said.
Cooking dinner?' Rachel asked incredulously. Like a cute little housewife?' She was having a hard time seeing Emily in that role. Emily struck her as being thoroughly modern.
Yes,' Ross said. It's just until she gets a job. She doesn't have anything else to do all day.' He hadn't talked to her about work yet. He had hardly talked to her about anything. She needs to do something so she does thing,' he said. The others were staring at him. You know like cooking and cleaning and that sort of thing.'
Well you don't have to leave her at home to do the housework,' Monica said, If you're here, she should be here too, joining in. We're all going to be friends.' Rachel looked cold at that. Ross said,
Yeah, I'll tell her.' Monica frowned.
Are you really all right Ross? You look tired,' Monica asked, concerned.
Oh I'm fine, I just need more sleep,' he said.
Is your bed no good?' Phoebe asked, It's terrible in a new bed sometimes, it can take a while to get used to.'
Opposite problem actually,' Ross grinned. He couldn't help it. Rachel scowled, unnoticed.
Way hey!' Joey said. Happy reunions!'
I'm sure we don't need to hear details,' Monica laughed.
Definitely not, you're not getting details,' Ross said, still with a grin. Emily wants to have us all over to dinner tomorrow night. Can you make it?' Ross asked. She's not bad at cooking, she's really surprised me, it'll be worth the trip.'
All of us?' Joey asked, glancing at Rachel.
That is,' Joey said, Rachel too?'
Everyone,' Ross said.
Wow, so she's going to do dinner for seven,' Monica said. Easy enough for Monica, but Monica knew not everyone had her talents. Does she need help?' offered Monica. Ross hadn't thought to ask.
I don't think so. I'll ask but I think she intends to do it all herself,' he said.
Aren't you going to help her?' Monica asked, a little severely.
Well it's odd, you know, I've hardly set foot in the kitchen since she came.'
What!' Monica exclaimed, scandalised. 'How can you take advantage of her like that?'
I can't help it Mon, she chases me out, she says there's nothing for me to do. She won't even let me wash up or anything.' The only time he had spent a lengthy period in the kitchen was not a story for outsiders.
He stayed out longer than he intended and felt a little guilty. He needn't have taken her up on her offer so soon. She was being so good to him. He had to admit though that some parts of his body appreciated the rest, although he supposed they would be getting a workout when he got home.
To his surprise, although he was greeted as enthusiastically as usual, as though he had just come back from a six month absence at the North Pole, Emily immediately spotted that he was tired. She encouraged him to get to bed early and he was soon fast asleep.