Authors Note: To my Jewish friends, I want to make this note. Since one of my characters is Jewish, I wanted to make this a special part of the story. It has always been my belief on Friends , that this was a rich area that could have been explored. I never understood why it wasn't because of one of the creators and two of the major characters were Jewish as well as two of the actors. To give my story the right feel of two people in love, it was never established whether Rachel was Jewish or not. For my purposes Rachel is a Christian in this story.

Glad you are enjoying my Christmas gift to Ross and Rachel fans..there is one more little surprise…A Joey Christmas is next and to all a Happy Hanukkah.

Rachel had the book in her hand as she walked around the apartment. This was all new to her. December was all about Christmas and Santa, but life was changing. She had a child with a Jewish man so this year , she would honor his wishes and celebrate Hanukkah. She carefully laid out the present for the first night and went to the kitchen to open the bundle sent from Monica. She took out each entrée and smiled as she took the wrap off of the latkes. Monica had made these from an old family recipe, her Nana Geller's. She went to the refrigerator and started to take out the sour cream and applesauce and unwrap the other dishes. Everything had to be perfect.

But then she thought of the conversation from last night. He had refused to give her an answer. Here she was fussing like they were married for ten years, yet there was still no ring. She was the one who gave up everything, the dream job in Paris over six months ago. He still had his career, digging up old bones. She was no better off at Ralph Lauren then she was in May. Then again she was thirty three and life was moving on for her best friend. Monica had been for two years and lived in the suburbs with her husband and two children. Maybe that is what prompted her to get off that night, that and the fact that he told her he loved her. After almost ten years of denial, the words came out."Don't go..I love you." If only he could have said that before then this wouldn't have happened.

Rachel unfolded the tablecloth over by the window. Lovingly she opened the box with the menorah in it. She placed it on the cloth and stared at it. She was ready to move on, would he ever be able to?

At that moment, the door opened and Ross came in carrying Emma.He enjoyed the fact that he didn't have classes and could spend more time with his daughter. Since it was a nice day, he decided to take Emma to the park. He would never tell Rachel , but he just loved to push Emma on the swings. Rachel would have a fit knowing that.

"We're back , just in time for Miss Emma's nap." Ross said as he carried his daughter to her room. "I see you have been busy." he said.

"Yeah well I have been reading this book and trying to learn the blessings and put out the food." Rachel rambled.

"Food? You didn't cook did you?" Ross said nervously, clearly remembering the trifle incident.

"Of course not silly, your sister the chef, remember?" she reminded him. She left him to put his young daughter down for her nap. He kissed the top of her head and whispered, "Daddy loves his Emma."

Ross walked out and quietly closed the door."Now what was this about food?" he asked curiously.

"Well Monica did a little research and whipped up some food for us. She brought it over and told me all I had to do was heat it up. She even made…" she said as she proudly held up the latkes.

"Nana's latkes, oh wow, Rach. I used to love these so much and Mom hasn't made them in years." Ross was deeply touched. "No woman has ever went out of their way like this, not even Carol." he said choked up.

"Well first of all, I didn't want to have to have you dress up as the Holiday Armadillo again. Though I must admit Joey as Superman was pretty funny. Secondly, we are a family and this is what families do ,they celebrate holidays. Thirdly , I just plain wanted to show how much I love you." she said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and planted a sweet kiss on his lips.

"You uh know Rach, Emma's uhm napping so we could…" he smiled.

"Later Professor, I am not done. Don't worry you will get two presents tonight instead of one. " she said as she strolled away.

Finally dusk fell on the Manhattan sky. The skyline glowed as each light was illuminated to make one giant picture. Rachel went to the closet and pulled out her simplest Donna Karan. It was black and rather modest. This was not the night for sexy. Somehow though the way she wore it. Made it even more sexier. She went to the dresser and pinned the kippah to her hair Next she put a string of pearls around her neck and a pair of simple black pumps.

Emma had on a blue dress for tonight. Ross had chosen to just a wear a dark blue cashmere sweater with a pair of black slacks. Rachel stuck her head out and walked out of the bedroom.

"Are we ready?" he asked as Rachel sat down. The apartment was dark and the only lights were the two candlesticks on the set dining table. "Okay now Rachel, you probably think that Chanukah is the Christmas of Jewish people, but it so much more than that. When I was growing up, we celebrated both Christmas and Hanukah and that is what I want to do with Emma. "

He continued," A long time ago, about 2000 years Israel was under Syrian rule. Now Syrians worshipped idols and not God like we do.

And they became threatened by the Jews, so they eventually banned everything that had to do with Judaism Soon there was a revolt led by a priest named Mattiyahu against them for taking away our right to worship. These people who fought were known as the Macabees, and they revolted against the Syrians. When they were victorious they took over the temple and reopened it. But there was only enough oil to light the menorah for one night. The miracle was that there was enough oil for eight nights in stead of one.That why the festival lasts for eight nights."

Next he adjusted his yamakah to his head and they walked over to the window where the menorah sat. Ross lit the servant candle and handed it to Rachel. She cautiously lit the first night candle. He had never felt such peace as he did that moment. Here he was as the head of his own household with his daughter and his future wife.

"Baruch A tah Adonai Elo he nu Melech…" he had said as the blessing of the first night. It was so beautiful thought Rachel as the candles glowed and he continued . There was such love in her heart how could she ever doubt anything ever again.

"Let's eat." she said as they actually ate a real meal instead of take out. After dinner, there were presents and then they actually played with the dreidel. Soon it was time for Emma to go to bed and after that was done.

"Do you want your other present now?" she slyly asked. He nodded and scooped her up into his arms. She couldn't stop giggling until they reached the bedroom and then all you could hear were the sighs of two people very much in love.

Don't worry this isn't where it up…everything he wanted