Preparing for the Big Night……

This was it, this was when his life would change forever. After six months, he was ready and was sure that she was too. Rachel had left early this morning for shopping with Monica. Actually it was contrived, so Ross could prepare for tonight..Christmas Eve. Emma would spend the night at Chandler and Monica's , so there could be no distractions at all.

Ross started the day by vacuuming and cleaning , he was almost laughing at himself and definitely when he had some company. His buddy Chandler, as he did household chores.

"Hello, ma''am, is the man of the house at home?" Chandler sarcastically said.

"You are a million jokes, not of them any good but." said Ross "Hey make yourself useful and dust this." he tossed him a rag.

"Tonight's the big night huh?" Chandler asked as he sprayed the apothecary table.

"Yep, Monica has Rachel gone all day so I can prepare everything for this evening, so I have to go to the florist, the bakery, and then take a shower and shave before she gets home." Ross said as he picked up a pile of magazines, some In Styles and Dinosaur Monthly.

"Nervous, I mean you shouldn't be since you have had a lot of practice." Chandler snickered.

Ross just gave him a dirty look. He was getting tired of the marriage jokes. "I am nervous because I really love this woman."

Chandler looked puzzled, "Didn't you also say that to everyone you proposed to?" he laughed.

"No I mean it's Rachel. Rachel I have loved forever." Ross said.

"You have already married her too." Chandler said. "I am in rare form today." he laughed.

"I mean you one joke man, that I want this to be the last proposal. The one that sticks. Rachel and me forever, like I dreamed it would be. "

Ross said seriously.

A few hours later , Ross looked at his watch. It was nearing five and Rachel would be getting home soon. He went to the bathroom and took a very quick shower. Then he went to the stereo and put on an old cd…

Lasr Christmas I gave you my heart….but the next day you gave it away.

He started to sing with the eighties Christmas song. It took him back in his mind when he would see Rachel in the halls at school. Her in that cheerleader sweater. The Ross of then thought he would never thought that one day he would be asking her to marry him. He looked in the mirror as he shaved , being extra careful. Next thing, he knew he looked down and blood poured out of a nick. "Damnit!" he cursed.

He was he had to admit a nervous wreck.

With a towel still wrapped around his waist , he went to his closet and tried to find something to wear for this special evening. He finally pulled out a pair of black slacks and a navy blue sweater. Under the sweater, he put it with a powder blue shirt. Next he ran a comb through his hair and just smiled. He did look good he had to admit to himself for someone with two kids and been through as much as him.

Having been satisfied with his appearance, he went to the bag from Bed , Bath and Beyond. He pulled the sheets off the bed and replaced them with satin sheets. As a special touch, he sprinkled red rose petals on the bed. He had hoped that this would be where they celebrating the news of their engagement.

Next he went to the refrigerator and checked on the wine. He pulled a wine bucket out of the cabinet and proceded to chill the wine.

The glasses were long stemmed and very elegant looking. He had to admit it was unusual for a bachelor to have this kind of stuff, but he had always tried to woo women with his sophstication rather than his conversationFrom Pottery Barn he pulled out some candles and placed them around the apartment. He went over to the outlet and plugged in the Christmas tree. To ease his nerves , he picked up one of the glasses and took a sip. Then he looked at his watch another time. He looked over to see the door opening, it was Rachel.