Ross now had a plan, but still lacked answers. Phoebe said she would ponder this, but meanwhile he had to woo Rachel. There he went with his old fashioned terms again. But it was so going to be worth it.
Entering a jewelry store, he immediately went to the engagement rings. He had hoped before this leap he was able to get in his credit card payment. Rachel deserved the Hope Diamond, but he knew he couldn't afford that. The clerk was amazed at his knowledge of diamond rings, but after all he had bought two before.
Wrapping up a two karat ring with a marquis cut in a bag, the salesman handed Ross back his credit card and he left the store.
He looked at his watch. It was now one and Rachel was still at home.
Rachel sat and watched Days of our Lives, it hadn't been the same since Joey was fired, but she still enjoyed it. Ross had said he had a few errands , but he would be back. She got up to get a bottle of water as he came through the door.
"Where have you been?" she smiled as she kissed him. "Or don't I want to know so I can be surprised?" she slyly said.
"Out and that is all I can say." he smiled.
"I'm hungry , let's go get lunch." Rachel said.
"Okay , but I am going to pick where we eat, okay?" he said.
They walked to a deli where Ross had a small picnic basket thrown together for them. It had sandwiches, and salads , and wine in it. They walked to Central Park where they laid out a blanket and spread it out on the ground. Rachel laid on her side and Ross propped himself by his elbows. One of them slipped causing him to fall.
"You have to be the sexiest man to ever make me laugh." giggled Rachel.
"Yeah that 's me Chevy Chase." said Ross sarcastically.
"Ah come here and let me kiss the boo boo." Rachel lifted her lips up to his face as the wind blew her hair into her face.
"I told you before, there is too much hair covering that beautiful face." sighed Ross. He couldn't believe this was where he was in Central Park kissing Rachel. He brushed her hair off her face with his fingers. He traced every inch of her intensely. He needed to know what she felt like again. Her soft lips and her silky eyelashes . The nose that was truly perfection never needed to be fixed. He kept staring into those amazing blue eyes. "I feel like I am falling in love with you all over again, Rachel Green."
Her intensity never went away. His eyes could mesmerize her. Two deep dark pools that were filled with a lifetime of hurt and of longing.
The shy smile, the voice that could be deep and seductive , yet sound like a girl when nervous or angry. Those arms to hold her, that strong chest to lay her head on at night. She knew her days of looking were over, she had found the one. Now it was up to him.
"To one year ago today, to us." he said as they clinked their glasses and sipped the wine from the cups .
She wanted to remember this moment forever as their fingers interlocked and they just lay gazing at each other and totally into the moment of them.
Not meaning to , Rachel broke the moment, "Let's go for a walk." she said as Ross got up and pulled her up from the blanket. They strolled past the fountain and looked at the kids on the playground. Each of them was having the same thoughts. They were imagining the day they would bring their babies to this very playground.
"Oh look swings," cried Ross excitedly. "Here let me push you."
"No! NO! NO! I hate swings. I can't go on the swings. I'm scared of them." Rachel pouted.
"Scared of the swings? I've never heard of that ." said Ross.
"Alright I 'll tell you but you must promise not to laugh. When I was a little girl , I got on the swings and a bully pushed me and I had very long hair and it got tangled in the swings and my hair had to be cut off of the swings. That's why I am scared of the swings." Rachel quickly admitted.
"I'll be gentle, come on Rach, tell you what you can hold a spider in front of me. I am scared to death of them." Ross shyly admitted.
"You are scared of spiders ?" Rachel laughed "What a wuss."
"And I hate to get a shot." he also admitted.
"Really, well since you are being all truthful , I guess the least I can do is get on that swing. I trust you Ross." she whispered.
She sat upon the swing and he put his hands on the chains. Ever so slowly , he pushed her off the ground. She looked down as the swing rocked back and forth. With another push, he pushed her higher and higher. Instead of screaming , she was squealing with delight. It was a feeling she couldn't describe.
When the swing came to a stop, Ross grabbed the chains and instinctively stopped the swing. Rachel leaned over and began to kiss him again. It was apparently a preview of the night to come.
They walked past the fountain again but this time they left caution to the wind. He picked her up and threw her in. Standing on the side laughing, she pulled him as well.
"I'm all wet, you are so dead." Rachel laughed.
"All I know is this is the best day I have had in a very long time. And it is all because of you." Ross smiled. Night began to fall on the city and it began to light up like a Christmas tree.
There was more thing to do toright the wrongs…to propose.