Disclaimer: I don't own Friends.

A/N: Huh, I thought for sure it'd been more than five days since I updated. It's felt longer.

I was crazed by this solo piano recital I gave tonight (well, it's two A.M. here now, but it was a few hours ago), and I thought I'd start writing this chapter, and then I check my documents, and what do I find: I'd already done it. So I patted myself on the back and uploaded this baby.

After this chapter, it's the videotape episode reflection, and then I might either just do one from the season eight finale, or do like, the last three/four episodes of the season. So, first four, last four. Nifty, eh?

You reviewers are just incredible. You're giving me so much positive feedback that I seriously blush when I read them.

Takes place right after "The One Where Rachel Tells...".

XXX

I don't know if today was a disaster, or the beginning of something incredible. I guess it's been a bit of both.

So that red sweater really did end up giving everything away. I mean, I'd spent hours thinking, not only of how I was going to tell Ross about the baby, but of what we were going to tell our friends. And then they all found out, but still, how was I going to tell them that Ross was the father?

I'm not sure if it was a blessing in disguise that they found out it's Ross's from the sweater. Now I don't have to worry about telling them. And Phoebe, Monica and Joey seemed thrilled all the same, maybe even more so.

Wait a second. Does Chandler even know?

But, he and Monica are on their honeymoon now. I hope they're having a good time. They left before I told Ross; they don't even know the crazy things we've been through today.

I still can't get over Ross. He actually thought I wanted to do it again. Man, I almost felt bad. Of course, there are bigger things going on right now, so I can't exactly focus on his willingness to have sex again.

I think I spent so long considering what his reaction would be, that I never really pictured an actual Ross reaction; the type of thing I could expect him to do or say. Sure, I never expected him to call the condom company, but it's better than him getting angry. He's entitled to freak out about this.

But really, calling the condom company to complain? How could he have never noticed the warning that said they're only like, 97 affective? I didn't even really know what to do when he got on the phone with them.

So I made a quick exit from his apartment, which probably isn't the smartest thing I've ever done. I was just so nervous already, and he was making me even more jittery, and I wanted to let him cool down…

I can't help but look at my sonogram picture, which I have lying on my nightstand beside my bed. It's still early, so I don't have to count this as another night of no sleep, but today has really taken a lot out of me.

I can't believe we're having a baby.

The doctor's appointment definitely didn't turn out how I expected, with Ross just barging in and starting to say these things that made me re-evaluate our relationship again. He even mentioned marriage. And I know the easiest thing to do would've been to agree, but I just couldn't. Then he's spewing out all this stuff about me not being able to do it alone, and then I felt like I had to prove it to him.

It's not like we're in love. Anymore. Or, you know, again. Ugh, I don't know what's going on between us now.

He said he's going to be there, and, knowing Ross, I can take comfort in his promise. Nothing bad is going to happen; he's not shunning me, or running away to start a new life. He's going to raise our child with me.

And we won't be together. Because… we were a disaster. And we're not in love. There's no love-love coming from either side; just friendship-love.

Definitely, that's it.

So now everyone knows. Except maybe Chandler, but Monica's probably filled him in already. All of the people who are most important to me know that Ross and I are having a baby together.

Except not together-together, because we're not in love. We're not even in crush mode or anything.

I can really start focusing on the baby now. The next eight months are gonna be tough, but I can do it. My friends will be there for me. And Ross will be, too, because he wants to take care of his child. And he loves me.

Not in that way, of course. Neither of us are feeling like that.

Man, these pregnancy hormones must be affecting me already.

I've gotta buy books about pregnancy, and the birthing process, and maybe get some tapes about it, and start shopping (it's never too early to shop for baby stuff, or, well, shop in general), and I have to talk to my mom, and my dad, and Ross's parents, because we have to actually tell them about the baby.

And deep down, I know I can do this. But not on my own, like I said before.

Ross is gonna be there the whole time, like he promised, and I'm going to hold him to that. Because we may not be in love, but he still cares about me, and the baby, and I care about him too.

I can't even begin to think what's going to happen over the next eight months.

I guess I'll find out soon enough.

XXX