Double updates ahead!

Chapter 12

'Sky Full of Stars'

For the last four months Rachel has been having frequent sonograms and doctor appointments to monitor the babies growth and development, and so far, they were as healthy as they could be.

This morning, Rachel and Ross were heading to their five-month sonogram appointment.

Rachel was a little further along than five months, but she had to reschedule a few appointments due to her morning sickness that had gotten so bad, she often couldn't leave the apartment, but today, she would know exactly how far along she was.

"Have you thought about if you want to find out the gender?" Ross questioned as they walked into the doctor's office.

"I think I really want to know, I don't know why, but I really do. What about you? Please say you want to find out too?"

"Don't panic, sweetie. I want to find out too. I'm desperate to know if we're having two princesses, two princes or a prince and a princess."

"Hearing you call them that makes my heart so happy. I still can't believe we're having twins, Ross. That's double the love, double the hugs and double the kisses... We're so lucky."

"We really are lucky, and I wouldn't want to be doing this with anyone other than you, Rach."

"Rachel Green please"

Dr. Long had just called Rachel's name, so she and Ross followed her into the examination room.

"How are you feeling now?"The doctor asked, getting ready to write some notes in Rachel's patient folder.

"I'm feeling much better thank you. The sickness is definitely subsiding, but I still get sick sometimes, depending on what I eat," Rachel explained, rubbing her hand over her baby bump.

"That's good to hear. A lot of pregnant women find that when they eat certain foods, their stomach just doesn't agree with it, so that's pretty common. Eventually, in a few weeks, that should stop completely, and then when you enter the final stages of pregnancy, you might find that some symptoms reappear, which again is completely normal. How are you finding your breasts? Are they sore at all?"

"They're unbelievably sore, even to the point where I can't even wear a bra. That'll go away soon won't it?"

"Sore breasts are again, completely normal honey. Some women, their breasts start to ease up around 30 weeks, but some, their tender breasts continue until they deliver. Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing that right now, but I can give you some muscle cream to apply to them to take the edge off. Would that be something you're interested in?"

"If you could, that would be great."

The doctor left Rachel to get changed into her hospital gown, and then returned a few minutes later with the equipment she's going to need to perform the sonogram.

"You know the drill by now. Lay nice and flat on the bed for me honey, and lift your top so you're whole stomach is showing"

Rachel did as the doctor said and soon enough, the cold gel and the sonogram probe were moving around on her stomach.

"You've got quite a bump now haven't you" Dr. Long said, trying to get good photos of the babies.

"I definitely have, and it's still growing," Rachel giggled while Ross smiled proudly as he took ahold of her hand.

"So, both babies are one hundred percent healthy. They're the perfect size for twins at this stage. You're currently measuring around 26 weeks. Would you like to find out the gender of your babies today?"

"Can you see right now what we're having?" Ross asked, staring at the screen to see if he could make anything out, which of course he couldn't since he was unable to read a sonogram.

"I certainly can. Would you like me to tell you?"

"Yes please," They both said in unison, holding each other's hands tightly as they waited for the doctor's answer.

"Congratulations you two, you are having two very healthy baby girls."

"Oh my god!" Rachel gasped, tears falling down her cheeks as she looked at Ross with the biggest smile on her face.

"Oh wow, Rach. We're having girls, sweetie. Two perfect little girls," Ross' eyes started to fill with tears as he choked on his words.

Ross and Rachel would be the proud parents of two baby girls.

Their little princesses.

"I still can't believe it, Ross. We're having girls. We're having baby girls," Rachel cried, her heart so full of love for her two little babies.

"I know, sweetie. They're going to be the most loved little girls on this entire planet," Ross commented, earning a huge smile from his girlfriend

"Hey, now that we know what we're having, why don't you say we do a little shopping for their nursery?" Ross proposed, knowing Rachel definitely won't say no to shopping

"That shouldn't even be a question, Ross. Of course, I want to go shopping for them. There are so many things right now that I want to get. Oh my goodness, this is going to be fantastic!"

Ross and Rachel decided to head straight to all the baby stores after their appointment, so eager to begin their baby shopping.

Rachel was about to get ready to meet Phoebe when she suddenly heard the doorbell ring. She waddled to answer the door. Geez, she was only 26 weeks pregnant but since she was carrying twins, her stomach already looked like it was ready to pop any second now.

"Judy!" Rachel smiled and gave the older woman a hug as the door opened. "Ross didn't tell me you're coming today."

"Oh, sweetheart. Look at you," Judy's hands automatically went to Rachel's protruding belly after they broke their hug. "You look really beautiful. How are my granddaughters doing?"

"They're doing really fine," Rachel smiled proudly, one hand rubbing her stomach as she recalled their appointment just last week. "The girls are both growing nicely. Right on schedule. The doctor said we have nothing to worry about."

"That's really great," Judy beamed as Rachel ushered her inside. "Ross must be really thrilled to finally have his girls."

"Yeah, he's pretty happy about it," Rachel giggled. "Speaking of Ross… Let me get him, he just finished with the last touch for the nursery."

Not five minutes later, Rachel came back into the living room with Ross trailing behind.

"Mom? It's a nice surprise. What are you doing in the city?"

Ross hugged his mother.

"I was just having lunch with a friend and I figured I should stop by while I'm in the city."

The three of them talked for a while until Rachel announced that she had a promise to meet Phoebe today. After bidding both Judy and her boyfriend goodbye, Rachel left the apartment.

"Now…" Ross prompted, knowing exactly that his mother had an ulterior motive about her sudden visit to the city. "Are you going to tell me the real reason why you're here?"

"Do I need a reason to visit my own son?" Judy raised her eyebrow.

"Well, no, but you never came without a notice before. You didn't even call to check if we were home."

"Alright, I came here to see you. I have something I want you to have."

Ross' brows furrowed with confusion.

"What is it?"

"This," Judy murmured as she took off her rings.

First, her wedding band and then her engagement ring. She slipped back her wedding band, but held her engagement ring in her hand.

"I want you to have this," Judy's voice was thick with emotion as she handed her son the family heirloom. "This is your grandmother's engagement ring, I want you to give it to Rachel."

"Mom…" Ross murmured, his eyes already wet with unshed tears as he held the ring in his hand.

Judy patted Ross' hands, tears in her eyes as she smiled. "She's the one, Ross. Honestly, what are you waiting for?"

Ross looked up at his mother and then to the ring, pondering at his mother's question.

What was exactly he waiting for?

Tonight was Jack and Judy Geller's 35th wedding anniversary and the whole gang, including Phoebe's boyfriend, Mike Hannigan, drove up to Massapequa to attend the party. The party had just barely started when Ross' parents informed Ross and Rachel that they apparently told their family and friends that Ross and Rachel were already married.

Ross was furious to say the least, but Rachel told him that it was alright and since it's his parent's wedding anniversary that maybe they should play along with it.

They had nothing to lose, in fact, they gained a few hundred bucks in return when Ross' relatives started to give the 'happily married couple' a few checks as the wedding gift. Ross and Rachel were really good at their acts and it went along perfectly up until his aunt asked about how he'd proposed.

Well, um, actually, I-I took her to the planetarium. That's-that's where we had our first date. Um, she walked in and I had the room filled with lilies, her favorite flower… Then, Fred Astaire singing 'The Way You Look Tonight' came on the sound system, and the lights came down. And I got down on one knee and written across the dome in the stars were the words 'Will you marry me?'

Rachel couldn't stop the tears in her eyes as she stood beside him, hearing him telling his extended family the fake story of how he'd proposed. She knew it was all made up. In reality they weren't married, they weren't even engaged. But as she stood there, hearing all the words he said about the engagement, suddenly she couldn't stop the tears that started to stream down to her cheeks.

What was wrong with her?

She had agreed that it was best if they didn't get married right away, but now she was upset?

Did she regret it?

"Uhm, we're sorry. She's just a little emotional, you know… with the hormones and the story," Ross quickly interrupted as he noticed that his girlfriend was now crying like a river. "I'm going to take her to get some fresh air, so if you excuse us…"

Ross sent a last smile for his aunts and uncles before she led Rachel outside to sit at a bench.

"I-I'm sorry," Rachel hiccupped, feeling mortified for her sudden breakdown. "I don't know what's gotten into me. I'm okay, I'm so sorry I scared you."

"It's okay," Ross brushed a fallen strand of her hair aside, smiling softly.

"S-sorry," She repeated again as she took a really deep breath to calm herself down.

"Are you okay now?" Ross murmured. "Do you need more time?"

"I'm okay," She squeezed his thigh.

"Good," Ross smiled and then placed a sweet kiss on her temples. "Come on, I have something to show you."

Ross extended his hand which she took almost immediately even though her face was filled with confusion.

"Where are you taking me? I hate to break it to you, but I can't walk far with these shoes."

"Trust me, we're almost there," Ross just smiled as he led her to the garden where a beautiful fountain stood in the middle. "Now, wait here a second. I need to do something."

"Where are you going?" Rachel started to ask, sounding a little panicked. "It's dark and I don't like it here."

"Just trust me," He quickly kissed her. "Stay here and don't go anywhere. I'll be back in a sec."

Rachel waited and as a few minutes passed by, she was about to yell Ross' name when suddenly the lights were on and she let out a loud gasp as she saw the view right in front of her.

Yellow strings of lights were illuminating the whole place, perfectly setting up the whole garden with a romantic ambience. Soft music was playing in the background and it took Rachel less than a few seconds to realize that it was indeed the song.

Fred Astaire 'The Way You Look Tonight.'

Just like the way he had described it before.

Rachel could feel her heart racing; tears were pricking her eyes as her breath caught in her throat. The familiarity of the situation was mind-blowing and as her eyes caught the direction of the fountain, her heart stopped. Her hands flew into her mouth and she let out another loud gasp.

Now that the lights were on, she could see how there's this trail of white rose petals that led her straight toward the fountain. The fountain was now dancing in the perfect rhythm as it filled with hundreds of red rose petals. Right in front of the fountain are a bunch of what appeared to be LED candles placed strategically and forming the words 'Will you marry me?'.

Chills ran through her entire skin and she couldn't stop her tears anymore.

"Rachel…" She suddenly heard him whisper, his voice small but filled with so many emotions.

Looking down, she found him on his knee, right in front of her, a diamond ring on his hand, a huge smile on his lips and tears in his eyes.

"Oh," Rachel breathed as she looked straight into his hazel eyes.

Her legs suddenly felt like they were made of Jell-O as she saw his soft smile.

When did he prepare all this?

"You completed my life like a missing piece of a puzzle. All my life I always feel like there's something missing in me and now I realized that it was you. You are the missing piece, the last piece of the puzzle and when I thought I couldn't be happier, you gave me the greatest gift of all. You gave me two perfect gifts, our little princesses."

Ross' voice was heavy with emotions as he brought one hand to stroke her belly, feeling how their daughters were moving across his palm. He couldn't help but smile when he thought about their unborn babies. Sometimes he couldn't believe how lucky he was.

"Oh, Ross…" Rachel murmured, happy tears flowing freely through her cheeks and she didn't even bother to wipe them off as she listened to every word he had said and kept them dearly in her heart.

"You gave us a family…" he continued, looking straight into her eyes now with tears of his own. "… you made my dreams come true. I never thought that I could be so happy that my heart feels like they're going to burst any second now and it is all thanks to you. I know this pregnancy isn't easy for you, I know that sometimes you can't sleep because you aren't comfortable. I know you give up a lot so that our girls can grow healthily and for that I'm always thankful for you. You never failed to cease me and I don't know how I'm going to repay you for all the things that you've done for us. All I know is that I want to spend the rest of my life with you and our girls. I'm going to do everything to make you three happy because you all are my whole world, my everything... So, Rachel… Will you make me the happiest man on earth and marry me?"

"Y-yes." Rachel whispered ever so softly; her lips curved into a smile. "I'll marry you."

Immediately, Ross rose from the ground, scooped her into his arms, and finally kissed her.

For the first time, Ross and Rachel shared their very first kiss as an engaged couple and as they finally broke apart, Ross held her left hand and delicately, he placed the ring into her finger. Rachel smiled as she watched him put a ring on her finger, and then laughed slightly when he struggled to put the ring on because of her swollen fingers.

"Perfect," he kissed her ring finger after he finally succeeded.

She sighed contentedly, looking deep into his fiancé's eyes and then she echoed, "Perfect."

"Ugh, Ross. I'm so uncomfortable," Rachel whined as she slumped down on the bed, her feet disappearing before her very eyes as her stomach blocked the view.

"I know you are, sweetie. You're right near the end now, so you've got a few days maximum of feeling like this and then we'll have the best gifts in the world," Ross said as he began to rub her swollen tummy.

Rachel was currently 36 weeks pregnant... the marker where she could go into labor at any moment.

This past week, she's really been struggling to function. Every time she moved, her back screamed in agony. Her feet were swollen and unfortunately, her sickness had returned. Which sadly, something that's also quite common at the end of pregnancy according to Dr. Long.

The twins were quickly running out of room to move around, and every movement they made was causing Rachel so much pain.

"I love them but god they're hurting me," Rachel moaned in pain, shifting positions to try and get somewhat comfortable.

"Let me run you a nice warm bubble bath. We know that helps with your back pain," Ross suggested, knowing that this will make her feel better, well… at least for now.

"And how do you expect me to get in and out of the tub?" Rachel hissed, her irritability getting the better of her.

"That's what I'm here for. I'll help you in, I'll even wash you if you like, and then I'll help you out, dry you and lay out fresh pajamas for you."

"Okay," she murmured as her eyes were getting teary, feeling touched by his patience. "Thank you."

Ross was honestly the best guy around. He was so selfless and that's really shown during these past nine months.

"There you go, I told you it would help," Ross whispered as Rachel submerged herself in the warm bubbly water.

"Yeah, I can already feel the pain easing from my back," she commented, leaning back and closing her eyes for a brief moment, before opening them again and seeing Ross staring lovingly at her.

"What?"

"Nothing... you're just so beautiful," Ross got choked up as he said this.

His pregnant fiancée was seriously a beautiful sight.

He was indeed the luckiest man on earth.

"I still don't understand how you can say that. I mean, look at me," Rachel pointed to her body, flapping her hands in the air trying to make a point. "I'm huge. I'm bloated and moody. I have stretch marks all over my stomach, my boobs are ridiculously massive-" She continued, before Ross finally interrupted her.

"You are the most gorgeous woman on this planet. I don't care about all the things you've just listed, and just so you know, none of them are true," Ross explained as he started to give her a head massage.

"Ross... what are these all over my stomach then? They're freaking stretch marks!"

"Rachel... I don't care about them, in fact, I love them. They just go to show the amazing journey your body has been through to bring our little girls into this world. You should be proud of them, sweetie…"

"I love you so much," she sighed, nuzzling her head into his hands and leaning into his touch.

As Rachel relaxed in the bath, Ross took the role of washing her. He washed all over her body, whilst she laid there trying to relax. Once the waters got a little chilly, Ross helped her out of the tub, wrapping a towel around her and escorting her to their bedroom, where he previously had already laid out her favorite pair of plaid pajama shorts and her favorite t-shirt of his.

"Thank you," Rachel mumbled tiredly as she climbed into bed along with Ross, curling up on her side, her head resting in the crook of his armpit.

"I love you, gorgeous," Ross said, sweetly as he felt Rachel's breathing start to steady out.

"I love you too," she replied, before her tiredness finally took over and she fell deeply into a comfortable sleep, cuddled up in the arms of her man.

It was currently 3:32am and Rachel got barely any sleep. The twins were continuously pushing on her bladder, therefore causing Rachel to get up to pee literally every ten minutes. Not only that, her back was causing her so much pain again.

Rachel was currently positioned on all fours on the bed, with Ross rubbing her lower back. Finally, due to the pressure he was applying, her pain was slowly beginning to subside.

"Please, for the love of god, don't ever stop," Rachel pleaded with him rather desperately.

"Don't worry, sweetie. I'll keep going until you tell me you've had enough."

For the next twenty minutes, Ross continued to rub circles on her back, pressing harder on her tailbone.

"Hold on, pee break," Rachel declared.

"You walk and I'll keep massaging," Ross said, as he continued to follow her and apply pressure on her back as she waddled for the toilet.

Ross crouched down by the side of her as she began to pee, still massaging her back. He didn't want to stop because he wanted to do anything he could do to ease her pain. He would stay awake all night if that's what she needed.

After she washed her hands, they made their way back to the bed, and just as Rachel began to climb back onto it, she suddenly stopped and gasped.

"What's wrong, Rach?" Ross asked, worried when he saw her face was stricken with panic.

"M-my waters... they-they've just broke," Rachel announced, looking between her feet at the floor and seeing a huge puddle of clear liquid that was still leaking from her.

"Okay, no need to panic, sweetie. We've got the bag ready, so let's get you dressed and we'll go straight to the hospital."

Ross rushed around, his mind internally panicking as he raced to gather their things and helped Rachel to get dressed as fast as possible. Miraculously, Ross managed to get everything in under five minutes and now they're well on their way to the hospital.

"Fuck, Ross! This hurts so much," Rachel cried in pain as she went through what feels like the millionth contraction.

"I know, sweetie, but you're doing so well. Just focus on your breathing, and you'll be fine," Ross encouraged, letting her squeeze his hand as support.

Ross and Rachel had been at the hospital for 9 hours, and as soon as they arrived, Ross informed the gang that Rachel was in labor. Within the first hour, they all got here and they've been in to wish Rachel good luck for the birth.

When Rachel arrived, she was examined and it was determined she was 3cm dilated, much to her dismay as she wanted this to be over and done with as soon as possible.

She described the pain to Ross as having all of your bones being broken at once.

It was unbearable.

But she was strong.

She was so strong and she would get through this.

"Just remember, as soon as our daughters are born, you'll immediately forget all of this pain. It'll all soon be a distant memory-" Ross tried to explain, before getting cut off by Rachel.

"I swear to god, Ross. I swear that if you ever ask me for sex again, I'm going to kill you!" Rachel hissed, earning a concerned look from Ross, but a little giggle from the doctor as she understood that Rachel definitely didn't mean that.

"How are we doing?" Dr. Long asked as she stood by Rachel's bedside.

"Oh y'know, that feeling when you're trying to blow a St. Bernard out your ass," Rachel said deadpanned, sick and tired of being in so much excruciating pain.

"Let's see how far along you are," said the doctor as she gloved up and began the internal examination. "Well, I think we're going to meet these girls very soon."

"What?" Rachel gasped.

"It's time to go to the delivery room. You're 10cm, you're about to become a mom."

"Oh my," Rachel cried, reaching out to grab Ross' hands as they exchanged emotional looks.

"Oh sweetie, I'm so proud of you," Ross kissed the top of her hair. "You've done so well. Just one more hurdle and we'll finally have our girls in our arms."

"Push, Rachel! Push!" Dr. Long coached as she positioned herself in between Rachel's legs.

"I can't. I'm sorry I can't," she cried out in pain and utter exhaustion.

"You can, Rach! You can do this. Come on, Sweetie. One more push," Ross encouraged her, his voice thick with emotion as he knew they were only seconds away from meeting his first daughter.

"AHHHHHHH!" Rachel screamed as she gave one huge push.

Soon enough, loud cries filled the delivery room as Dr. Long held up their first baby for them to see.

"Oh, my goodness. Hi beautiful," Rachel murmured, tears streaming down her face at the first sight of her daughter.

"She's perfect," Ross said, also crying as he's looking at his beautiful baby girl.

Dr. Long handed the first baby over to a nurse, who took her away to get her cleaned up.

"Where are they taking her? Where'd she goes?" Rachel asked, worry filling her voice.

"Hey, it's okay. They're just getting her cleaned up," Ross reassured, squeezing onto Rachel's hands.

"Well, be careful with her. She's really tiny."

"Congratulations you two. Rachel, in a few more seconds, I'm going to need you to push again, okay? I can see your second baby's head."

Rachel began to push all over again and within five minutes, their second daughter arrived into the world.

Her cried were beautiful.

"Oh my god," Rachel couldn't contain her emotions as she laid eyes on her second baby.

"She's perfect. They're perfect. Just like you," Ross sweetly said, leaning down and attaching his lips to his fiancées for a few moments before a nurse brings over their babies.

"Here they are. Congratulations both, they're gorgeous and very healthy."

The nurse handed Rachel one baby and Ross the other. The girls were everything Rachel and Ross could have wished for.

They were indeed perfect.

"We have a family," Rachel choked up, looking from her daughter in her arms, to her other daughter cradled in Ross' arms and then to the man himself.

"We're going to be a forever family," Ross said, tears still rolling down his cheeks.

"Look at them," Monica gasped, her eyes full of tears as the gang walked into Rachel's recovery room.

"They're beautiful," Phoebe added, looking at one baby, and then the other.

"Aw, they look like you, Rach," Chandler spoke, gaining a smile from Rachel as she and Ross literally had this conversation a few minutes ago.

The girls were carbon copies of Rachel.

"Do they have names yet?" Joey asked, his eyes beaming with pride at his two perfect nieces.

"They do," Ross commented, motioning to Rachel, silently letting her know that she could tell them.

"Well, here in my arms we have baby Emma," Rachel answered before looking at Ross, signaling him to tell the gang the name of their other baby.

"And this one," Ross looked down at the sleeping baby in his arms. "This one is baby Ella."

A/N

This is the last chapter for this story, but there will be an epilogue after this.

Sadly, this story has to come to an end and we couldn't think of a better way to end this story other than the birth of the twins. It's been a fun few months writing this story together with Ali and we hope you guys enjoyed it just like the way we enjoyed writing it. We'd love to hear your thoughts for this chapter, so let me know what you think about it.

And of course, stay tuned for the epilogue! It should be uploaded soon!