Emily stood at the back of the room and walked toward the front. Ross couldn't believe it and neither could Rachel as Monica brought her to. As she stepped to the first row, Phoebe and Joey glared at her with hate in her eyes.
"What the hell is she doing here?" cried Jack. "I hope she did not bring that British bastard of a father."
"Jack , be quiet." said Judy as she held her head. "Can't he have one wedding go right.?"
"I meant it Judy, I am not paying for another one, I sent him all the way through grad school and I am still paying for his mistakes."Jack ranted.
"Jack, shut up." Judy sighed.
"Emily I hope you have a damn good explanation for this ." said Ross with anger in his voice.
"I do , she hates me so much that she is going to ruin our day." Rachel cried.
"Yes I guess that would make sense, considering that is what you did at my wedding." Emily said. "But that is not it, I need to see both of you privately. Please Ross, you do owe me that."
Ross took Rachel's hand and they walked into the small groom's room where all their clothes were hung. Emily stumbled in and shut the door.
"I came from England when my uncle sent me your announcement. As of late, there have been some developments in my life that could not be controlled. It's nothing really except I have cancer." Emily spit the words out.
"Cancer?" Ross echoed.
"Yes, rather unfortunate. Puts things into perspective though. Makes you take stock and gives you time to think as that nasty medicine drips in your veins. I am actually in New York to see a new oncologist
At Sloan Kettering. While I was here, I thought I would right some wrongs and one of the biggest involves you Ross. I was rather unfair about not letting you see Rachel. And here is this reason, I knew she was still in love with you and that's why she flew to London.When I saw you hugging her as you were going to fly off to Greece, it made me even more resentful of her." Emily explained.
"You were still in love with me? He turned to Rachel and asked. "Now it makes sense why out of the blue you said you loved me when you got back from Greece." Ross said. "Oh honey , if only it would have dawned on me, but I was so confused. We could have avoided being apart for six years. He took Rachel's face and kissed her passionately. Emily cleared her throat.
"I should have realized when you said her name that you were just using me to get over her. Instead I turned into a vicious little school girl not allowing my husband to see his best friend. New York wasn't where I belonged and London isn't where you belonged. I was stupid to try and control you and for that I am sorry." Emma said softly.
Rachel walked over to her and hugged her, "Emily, I will never be able to fully understand what you are going through right now and I hope I never have to. But now I feel like we can close the chapter on this book, and if you need anything sweetie, just call us." Emily smiled through her tears. She didn't have much time left but at least she could go on knowing that this resentment had been dissolved.
Ross said,"Emily it would mean a great deal if you would stay and attend our wedding."
"Can't do that love, my appointment is at five and there is a bag of chemo with my name on it. Just promise me this, be happy and never leave this woman again. She loves you so." Emily said. She reached up and hugged Ross. "You are a very special man, Ross Geller, and I thank you for loving me. Now marry the true love of your life."
Emily walked away and headed for the street. Ross took Rachel's hand and kissed it.
"I believe they are waiting for us." he smiled. They walked out of the room and retook their places at the altar.
"Ha ha Chandler, I win, they are still getting married, fifty bucks Bing pay up!" screamed Monica.
"Why haven't I learned not to bet against you." moaned Chandler.
Joey cleared his throat and began, "As I was saying, these are two very special people. They have been in love forever and been too damn stupid to admit it. I mean you guys should know some of the crap they have been through. He dated someone else after he she found out he loved her, he cheated on her with some slut and they broke up, he married another girl and said her name, they got drunk and married each other. I mean is this a great couple or what." he smiled.
Monica began to glare at Chandler . Then Chandler glared at Joey . Ross couldn't believe this was happening, all of his mistakes being made public . Gina came up to the front and smacked her brother in the head.
"Hey stupid., don't you have any brains?" Gina said as she returned to her place,
"Will you let me finish."he said frustrated.
"I'd say he is finished," said Ross as he began to roll up his sleeves.
Rachel touched him, "Haven't we had enough drama for one wedding?I mean I know it's you and you kind of do have a history for it."
Carol added, "She's right Ross, at our wedding you cussed out the rabbi when you couldn't break the glass."
Judy sat there totally embarrassed,"I told you we should have got a rabbi."
"People, people , let's get these two married. " Phoebe piped up. "Continue Joseph."
"Any way, Ross and Rachel are what I think of when I think of love. Not perfect love but real love. How they can sit together on the couch and she watches his boring dinosaur shows and then he stands there while she shops and buys clothes she obviously doesn't need.
You want to know what the true example of their love is..she is right over there. That little angel, I believe that everything good and pure about them is in Emma, their daughter. She may have been the result of some merlot and a tacky sex story that I told Ross, but their love is there." Joey smiled sweetly as everyone glared at him.
"Now to the vows…which were written by the happy couple.
Rachel looked down at the carpet and then looked at Ross
"A long time ago, a girl was scared and unsure . She was leaving a life that was comfortable and secure . She was willing to start her life over, and she found the greatest treasure of all, she found a family, a group of friends who helped her to grow and love. One of these friends did something more, he gave her his heart and his soul. Sometimes they were together, more often they were apart, but deep down they always knew that they would make it to this day. Ross, you are my best friend, you have held me when I was down and lifted me up when I needed it. You are the kindest, most thoughtful man that I have ever known To me you have been it all, friend, lover, father, support. Now I add husband. Wherever life takes us, I promise to love you and always be there for you. " Rachel wiped a tear from her eye
Ross cleared his throat and looked Rachel in the eyes
"Everything I have wanted since I was 15 is standing right in front of me.Rachel , you have always been this ideal, this dream to me. I never thought that someone as beautiful as you would love me. Your beauty shines not only through your appearance, but your inner beauty as well. I know I am not the most perfect person and make mistakes, but I hope that with your good heart I can grow with you.
I used to have a vision of me and a nameless woman, now that woman has a name and I have a purpose ..to be the best husband and father to you and our daughter. In all of my years of education, no one has taught me more about myself than you. I said it years ago and it isn't any less truer now than it was then…it's always been you Rach.
Joey sniffed, "That's beautiful, oh !" now it's me again.Okay repeat after me
I Rachel Karen Green take thee Ross Geller to be my lawfully wedded husband . To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer , in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part, And hereto I pledge my faithfulness." her voice quivered as she repeated those time honored words.
"Okay now Ross,repeat after me,"Joey started .
Chandler was ready to say it because it was such the perfect time to do it. It might even break the tension from Emily's appearance earlier. Monica whispered to him "Don't even think about it Bing!"
"I Ross take thee …Rayyyy chel…Rachel…." Joey said as Ross glared at him and Monica started to move toward the altar. Chandler held her back.
Ross just smiled, "I Ross Geller take thee Rachel Karen Green to be my lawfully wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish till death do us part, And hereto I pledge my faithfulness." he looked at Rachel.
Ben handed one ring to Chandler and one to Monica. The platinum and diamond bands glistened as Rachel slid it onto Ross' finger and he tenderly placed it on her now vacant ring finger.
"Let's see, speech, vows, rings. Nope forgot nothing."Joey smiled. "Oh yeah, by the authority vested in me by the state of New York and those internet guys, I now pronounce husband and wife. You've been through this enough, you know what to do, Ross." Joey smiled. "Kiss her."
Monica lifted the veil and Rachel turned to her new husband. He moved his head close to hers as he gave her the most beautiful kiss she had ever received. Everyone started to clap and cheer. There was one notable exception as Gunther started to wail.
Slowly they began to break from the kiss. Monica kissed her on the cheek and Chandler hugged his brother in law.
"And now for the very first time , ladies and gentleman, I would like to present to you, Dr and Mrs. Ross Geller." the couple smiled and Rachel said. "And that my friend is what you call closure."