AN: It's me! How fast did I get this written? Wow, sometimes I amaze
myself. And just to annoy this Penny person. Maybe you all should insult me
personally so I get the next chapter out as soon as this. Just kidding.
That I got this done so fast was just because of your great support. Thanks
for all the great reviews. Well, all but one. lol. You guys are the best.
You motivated me to continue, so keep them coming.
DISCLAIMER: The characters are not mine.
*************
The next day Monica emerged with red eyes and tearstained cheeks from her bedroom. She was glad to find the apartment empty. She didn't want to be bothered with the pitying looks of the others. She went into the bathroom and took a long, hot shower. The vitalizing water pulled her out of the trancelike state that she had been in since the life changing discovery the day before. One thing was absolutely clear to her now. She had to try and find Chandler. At least to apologize. And maybe they could even work out the problems they had.
After the shower Monica decided her best shot at finding Chandler were his parents. So she pulled her address book out of her purse and searched for Nora Bing's number. When she found it she looked at the paper in front of her for some time. Trying to find the much needed courage necessary to call. Finally she grabbed the phone and dialed the number of Nora's cell phone. After the tenth ring someone picked up.
"Hello?"
"Nora, it's me. Monica. Do you by any chance know where Chandler is?" Monica asked her mother-in-law hopefully.
"My god, Monica. You have some nerves to call here asking for Chandler." Nora said. Monica was shocked by the cold demeanor of her mother-in-law. But she was relieved to hear that Chandler had evidently talked to his mother. She just wanted to try again as Nora continued. "All I can tell you is that he doesn't want to talk to you. And I'm not going to tell you where he is."
"Please, Nora. It's really important that I talk to him." Monica pleaded.
"Oh, I didn't know that it was 'really' important." Nora replied sarcastically. "That changes every thing."
'Wow, now I know where Chandler gets his sarcasm from.' Monica thought.
"Can you at least tell me if he's all right?" Monica asked.
"No, he's not all right. But he is alive and I think with time he'll get better." Nora sighed. "Y'know, I really liked you Monica. But you hurt Chandler pretty bad. And I think it would be best if you don't contact me again." Before Monica could say something Nora cut her of by turning her phone off.
Monica put her head down on the kitchen table. Tears dropping unchecked down on the wood. She knew she deserved it. But it hurt nonetheless that Chandler didn't want to talk to her. After the call all her determination was gone. He didn't want to see her and maybe she should respect that. But if that was the right thing to do, why did it hurt so bad?
*************
Las Vegas 8 weeks later
Chandler was sitting in the Las Vegas evening sun on his fathers patio. He was tipping a mile a minute on the laptop in front of him. Suddenly he sat up and yelled "Finished". Startling his father who was dozing in the chair across from him out of his slumber.
"What? What? What happened?" Charles asked looking around hectically.
"Nothing happened." Chandler had to laugh at the confused and sleepy look on Charles' face. "I just said that I'm finished. I'm done."
"Wow, that is amazing. I'd have never thought that you could get it done this fast." Charles said with admiration visible on his face. "I'm really proud of you."
"Aww, thanks dad. You're becoming a big softy now that you're approaching the big 6-0." Chandler said grinning. He knew exactly how his father would react to the mentioning of his 60th birthday.
"Hush, don't talk about that." Charles hissed looking around to see if anybody had heard it.
Chandler shook his head. Sometimes his father was just too much. It was incredible how well the two of them got along now. And it made Chandler sad thinking about the time they had wasted before they got this close. That was one of the good things resulting from his break with his wife and friends and his leaving from New York.
The other good thing was something that he loved more and more these days. He had finally followed his urge and started to write a book.
It was about a week after Chandler had told his father was happened back in New York that the two of them had a long conversation about Chandlers dreams and what he wanted to do with his life. After that Charles bought his son the laptop and encouraged him to just start writing. He said it would be good for Chandler. It would be a good way to keep his thoughts off of the past and help him to move on.
Chandler had really nothing to say against that. So he started to write his very first book. And after some days he realized that it not only kept him from thinking about Monica it also made him happy. And the progression of the book went surprisingly well. Maybe the writing talent came with the genes.
So now, more or less six weeks of constant writing and a minimal amount of sleep later the book was ready.
"Well, what do I do now that the book is ready?" Chandler asked, talking more to himself than with his father.
"Ok, now please don't get angry with me. But I told Nora that you were writing a book and she said she would ask her agent if he could pull some strings." Charles explained, fearing that Chandler would get mad. Chandler didn't want anyone but his dad to know that he was writing. And Charles knew it was hard for Chandler to accept help. He wanted to do everything alone. 'Maybe that's because he's an only child.' Charles mused.
"Hmm, I don't kn..." Chandler began only to be cut of by Charles.
"I have his number. All I want you to do is call him. That is not a guarantee for anything. But you have to get your foot in somehow." Charles argued.
"Ok, if you think I should do it I'll call him." Chandler gave in.
"That's all I'm asking for."
*************
Chandler called the agent and after a long talk about the small chances of becoming a published writer he agreed to pass Chandlers book on to one of his friends in a publishing house. They all loved his book, so now he had a agent, the same as his mother, and a contract with a publisher to print his book. All he had to do now was sign it.
"Chandler, this is Mr. Beaumont." Charles introduced the man to his son. "He's a lawyer specialized to represent authors, actors and other artists. He has a great reputation."
"Mr. Beaumont." Chandler said and reached out to shake his hand.
"Please, call me Victor. After all I'm not that much older than you." Victor replied.
"Ok, Victor. Why don't we take this to the living room?" Chandler said while leading the man to the couch. "Can I get you something to drink?" He asked once Victor took a seat.
"A glass of water would be nice." Victor sighed. "This heat is killing me. Why did I have to move to Las Vegas." He laughed. Chandler liked the man already. He was the exact opposite of what Chandler had imagined. He seemed nice and the laugh wrinkles around his eyes made him look like a sympathetic guy.
"I get it." Charles said and went to the kitchen. After a few minutes he returned with a tray containing two glasses and a carafe filled with iced water. He placed the tray on the coffee table and turned around to leave. "I'm out on the terrace if anybody needs me."
"So, I read the contract your father faxed over to me." Victor began while Chandler poured the water into the two glasses and offered one to Victor. "It's pretty much a standard contract. Which is normal considering that this is your first book. There shouldn't be any problems." He continued. "But there is something else I wanted to talk to you about."
"Ok. What is it?" Chandler asked.
"Well, as I see it, you are married. But you and your wife don't live together anymore. Is that correct?" Victor couldn't help but notice that Chandler tensed up and lost the color in his face.
"Yeah, that is right." Chandler replied in a small voice. He hadn't really thought about Monica during the last weeks. He had more or less ignored the issue and drawn himself in writing. But now that Victor reminded him the pain came back with full force. He grabbed his glass from the coffee table and took a long gulp.
"I see that this is a painful subject for you. But I need to know what your future plans are in that matter." Victor said in a caring tone. "The thing is if you sign the contract now and the book is successful she would have the right for a half of the money."
"So, you are saying I should get a divorce?"
"Unless you can see the two of you getting back together again or you want to give her half of the money, I don't see any other option." Victor pointed out.
Chandler stared at the condensing water running down his glass and landing on his hand. How should he make such a decision?
*************
New York A few days later
Phoebe and Monica came through the door of their apartment building. After the debacle that ended with Chandler leaving and Rachel moving back to her mother, Phoebe moved in with Monica. It was only temporary till Monica felt better about losing Chandler. But it didn't look like that would happen anytime soon.
"Thanks again for going shopping with me." Phoebe said to Monica. "I know I wouldn't have found this dress if you hadn't been there."
"Aww, Phoebe. You are just saying that because you are glad that you got me out of the apartment." Monica countered.
"Yeah, well. It's not healthy to just leave it for work. Your aura is all gray. But at least it is a lighter shade after this day out." Phoebe said. "This should really teach you to go out more often."
Monica gave her a small, bitter smile. "I really don't feel like going out nowadays."
"I understand that. And I'm not pressuring you. It's just that you have to get over it one day and move on." Phoebe eyed Monica while she got the mail out of the mail box. She knew this was a touchy topic. But they had to talk about it sometimes.
"You may be right, Phoebe. But that day is not today." Monica said on the way up the stairs. "Or any day for the next few years." She added for herself.
"Did you say something?" Phoebe asked.
"No, nothing." Monica replied fast pushing the door open. She put her purse and keys down on the counter next to the door and sat down at the kitchen table to leaf through the mail. Phoebe went to her room to put her dress away.
"Pheebs, do we know a Mr. Beaumont?" Monica shouted in the direction of Phoebes bedroom.
"Not that I knew of, why?" Phoebe asked coming out of her room.
"Well, he send me a letter. It's from Vegas." Monica said slowly.
"You won't know till you open it." Phoebe advised.
"That's a great idea." Monica responded rolling her eyes.
"Hey! I saw that eye rolling. Now open it."
Monica took the thick brown envelope in her hand and ripped the side open. She pulled some official looking documents out. "What is this?" She mumbled and started to read the first sheet.
Phoebe watched in horror as Monica stumbled out of her chair, knocking it over in the progress. Tears already forming in her eyes. She shot a miserable look at Phoebe, threw the papers on the ground and ran into her room. Slamming the door shut pretty hard.
"What the hell." Phoebe exclaimed and bend down to get the letter from the ground. Just as she wanted to look it over the door opened and Joey and Ross stormed in.
"What happened? What was that noise?" They asked both at the same time.
"Monica knocked her chair over and slammed her door." Phoebe informed them.
"What? Why did she slam her door?" Ross asked concerned for his sister. Since Rachel destroyed his sisters marriage he was a lot more protective about her.
"I don't know..." Phoebe said, still trying to figure out what the document was about. "She opened her mail and then she just snapped...I don't understand this." She gestured to the papers. "Ross, do you know what this is?" She passed the text over to him.
Ross sat down at the kitchen table and started to read the first page. After a few seconds he knew what it was. He looked with a shocked face at Phoebe and Joey.
"What? What is it?" Phoebe was getting nervous from the not knowing.
"These are divorce papers." Ross explained.
"Who are you getting divorced from? I didn't know you married again." Joey said.
"Joey, they aren't for me. They are for Monica. Chandler. He is filing for a divorce." Ross said sadly.
"Ohh." A look of understanding crossed Joeys face. Then he turned to Monica's bedroom. "Poor Monica. No wonder she slammed the door then."
"Right, Joey." Phoebe said rolling her eyes. "I'll go looking how she is doing."
Phoebe just reached the bedroom door as it flew open. She jumped back in surprise. Monica came out into the living room area looking rather defiant.
"I'm not going to sign that." She exclaimed. "If he wants a divorce he has to come here to get it." She added fiercely. With that she went over to Ross, took the papers from him and tore them in four even pieces.
*************
Las Vegas A week later
"Hey, Chandler." Victor voice came through phone. "We have a problem."
"What problem?"
"Your wife hasn't sent back the divorce papers yet. And the people from the publishing house are getting impatient. They want to start printing and they said you have to sign the contract at the latest by the end of the week." Victor clarified.
"What do we do now?" Chandler wanted to know.
"Well, you have two options. A, you can wait and hope that your wife sends the papers till then. Or B, you can go to New York and get the signature." Victor said. "I would suggest the second way."
"What!" Chandler screeched. "I can't go to New York. Then I'd have to see her. I don't think I'm ready for that. No, there has to be another way. You are my lawyer. Think of something. That is you job. I'm paying you to spare me from things like this." Chandler rambled on.
"Ok, ok." Victor interrupted. "I could give you a third option. But you are not going to like it."
"Just tell me." Chandler demanded.
"You could stay married and give her half of the money."
Chandler didn't know how to reply to that. He didn't really care about the money. But he couldn't stand the thought that Monica got the half of it. He could practically see her and his former friends laugh about him when they opened the envelope with the check. Deep down he knew that they wouldn't act that way. But in his mind he saw them dancing around with money flying everywhere laughing at his stupidity. He shook his head to get rid of the image.
"Ok. I'll go to New York. You get the signed divorce papers and the contract the day after tomorrow."
TBC...
*************
AN: As you can probably tell I know nothing about publishing a book or the US laws concerning divorce. But this is fiction and if anything went to fast that's just cause I wanted it to. And it had to fit the time line. lol. Thanks for reading. Please leave a review.
DISCLAIMER: The characters are not mine.
*************
The next day Monica emerged with red eyes and tearstained cheeks from her bedroom. She was glad to find the apartment empty. She didn't want to be bothered with the pitying looks of the others. She went into the bathroom and took a long, hot shower. The vitalizing water pulled her out of the trancelike state that she had been in since the life changing discovery the day before. One thing was absolutely clear to her now. She had to try and find Chandler. At least to apologize. And maybe they could even work out the problems they had.
After the shower Monica decided her best shot at finding Chandler were his parents. So she pulled her address book out of her purse and searched for Nora Bing's number. When she found it she looked at the paper in front of her for some time. Trying to find the much needed courage necessary to call. Finally she grabbed the phone and dialed the number of Nora's cell phone. After the tenth ring someone picked up.
"Hello?"
"Nora, it's me. Monica. Do you by any chance know where Chandler is?" Monica asked her mother-in-law hopefully.
"My god, Monica. You have some nerves to call here asking for Chandler." Nora said. Monica was shocked by the cold demeanor of her mother-in-law. But she was relieved to hear that Chandler had evidently talked to his mother. She just wanted to try again as Nora continued. "All I can tell you is that he doesn't want to talk to you. And I'm not going to tell you where he is."
"Please, Nora. It's really important that I talk to him." Monica pleaded.
"Oh, I didn't know that it was 'really' important." Nora replied sarcastically. "That changes every thing."
'Wow, now I know where Chandler gets his sarcasm from.' Monica thought.
"Can you at least tell me if he's all right?" Monica asked.
"No, he's not all right. But he is alive and I think with time he'll get better." Nora sighed. "Y'know, I really liked you Monica. But you hurt Chandler pretty bad. And I think it would be best if you don't contact me again." Before Monica could say something Nora cut her of by turning her phone off.
Monica put her head down on the kitchen table. Tears dropping unchecked down on the wood. She knew she deserved it. But it hurt nonetheless that Chandler didn't want to talk to her. After the call all her determination was gone. He didn't want to see her and maybe she should respect that. But if that was the right thing to do, why did it hurt so bad?
*************
Las Vegas 8 weeks later
Chandler was sitting in the Las Vegas evening sun on his fathers patio. He was tipping a mile a minute on the laptop in front of him. Suddenly he sat up and yelled "Finished". Startling his father who was dozing in the chair across from him out of his slumber.
"What? What? What happened?" Charles asked looking around hectically.
"Nothing happened." Chandler had to laugh at the confused and sleepy look on Charles' face. "I just said that I'm finished. I'm done."
"Wow, that is amazing. I'd have never thought that you could get it done this fast." Charles said with admiration visible on his face. "I'm really proud of you."
"Aww, thanks dad. You're becoming a big softy now that you're approaching the big 6-0." Chandler said grinning. He knew exactly how his father would react to the mentioning of his 60th birthday.
"Hush, don't talk about that." Charles hissed looking around to see if anybody had heard it.
Chandler shook his head. Sometimes his father was just too much. It was incredible how well the two of them got along now. And it made Chandler sad thinking about the time they had wasted before they got this close. That was one of the good things resulting from his break with his wife and friends and his leaving from New York.
The other good thing was something that he loved more and more these days. He had finally followed his urge and started to write a book.
It was about a week after Chandler had told his father was happened back in New York that the two of them had a long conversation about Chandlers dreams and what he wanted to do with his life. After that Charles bought his son the laptop and encouraged him to just start writing. He said it would be good for Chandler. It would be a good way to keep his thoughts off of the past and help him to move on.
Chandler had really nothing to say against that. So he started to write his very first book. And after some days he realized that it not only kept him from thinking about Monica it also made him happy. And the progression of the book went surprisingly well. Maybe the writing talent came with the genes.
So now, more or less six weeks of constant writing and a minimal amount of sleep later the book was ready.
"Well, what do I do now that the book is ready?" Chandler asked, talking more to himself than with his father.
"Ok, now please don't get angry with me. But I told Nora that you were writing a book and she said she would ask her agent if he could pull some strings." Charles explained, fearing that Chandler would get mad. Chandler didn't want anyone but his dad to know that he was writing. And Charles knew it was hard for Chandler to accept help. He wanted to do everything alone. 'Maybe that's because he's an only child.' Charles mused.
"Hmm, I don't kn..." Chandler began only to be cut of by Charles.
"I have his number. All I want you to do is call him. That is not a guarantee for anything. But you have to get your foot in somehow." Charles argued.
"Ok, if you think I should do it I'll call him." Chandler gave in.
"That's all I'm asking for."
*************
Chandler called the agent and after a long talk about the small chances of becoming a published writer he agreed to pass Chandlers book on to one of his friends in a publishing house. They all loved his book, so now he had a agent, the same as his mother, and a contract with a publisher to print his book. All he had to do now was sign it.
"Chandler, this is Mr. Beaumont." Charles introduced the man to his son. "He's a lawyer specialized to represent authors, actors and other artists. He has a great reputation."
"Mr. Beaumont." Chandler said and reached out to shake his hand.
"Please, call me Victor. After all I'm not that much older than you." Victor replied.
"Ok, Victor. Why don't we take this to the living room?" Chandler said while leading the man to the couch. "Can I get you something to drink?" He asked once Victor took a seat.
"A glass of water would be nice." Victor sighed. "This heat is killing me. Why did I have to move to Las Vegas." He laughed. Chandler liked the man already. He was the exact opposite of what Chandler had imagined. He seemed nice and the laugh wrinkles around his eyes made him look like a sympathetic guy.
"I get it." Charles said and went to the kitchen. After a few minutes he returned with a tray containing two glasses and a carafe filled with iced water. He placed the tray on the coffee table and turned around to leave. "I'm out on the terrace if anybody needs me."
"So, I read the contract your father faxed over to me." Victor began while Chandler poured the water into the two glasses and offered one to Victor. "It's pretty much a standard contract. Which is normal considering that this is your first book. There shouldn't be any problems." He continued. "But there is something else I wanted to talk to you about."
"Ok. What is it?" Chandler asked.
"Well, as I see it, you are married. But you and your wife don't live together anymore. Is that correct?" Victor couldn't help but notice that Chandler tensed up and lost the color in his face.
"Yeah, that is right." Chandler replied in a small voice. He hadn't really thought about Monica during the last weeks. He had more or less ignored the issue and drawn himself in writing. But now that Victor reminded him the pain came back with full force. He grabbed his glass from the coffee table and took a long gulp.
"I see that this is a painful subject for you. But I need to know what your future plans are in that matter." Victor said in a caring tone. "The thing is if you sign the contract now and the book is successful she would have the right for a half of the money."
"So, you are saying I should get a divorce?"
"Unless you can see the two of you getting back together again or you want to give her half of the money, I don't see any other option." Victor pointed out.
Chandler stared at the condensing water running down his glass and landing on his hand. How should he make such a decision?
*************
New York A few days later
Phoebe and Monica came through the door of their apartment building. After the debacle that ended with Chandler leaving and Rachel moving back to her mother, Phoebe moved in with Monica. It was only temporary till Monica felt better about losing Chandler. But it didn't look like that would happen anytime soon.
"Thanks again for going shopping with me." Phoebe said to Monica. "I know I wouldn't have found this dress if you hadn't been there."
"Aww, Phoebe. You are just saying that because you are glad that you got me out of the apartment." Monica countered.
"Yeah, well. It's not healthy to just leave it for work. Your aura is all gray. But at least it is a lighter shade after this day out." Phoebe said. "This should really teach you to go out more often."
Monica gave her a small, bitter smile. "I really don't feel like going out nowadays."
"I understand that. And I'm not pressuring you. It's just that you have to get over it one day and move on." Phoebe eyed Monica while she got the mail out of the mail box. She knew this was a touchy topic. But they had to talk about it sometimes.
"You may be right, Phoebe. But that day is not today." Monica said on the way up the stairs. "Or any day for the next few years." She added for herself.
"Did you say something?" Phoebe asked.
"No, nothing." Monica replied fast pushing the door open. She put her purse and keys down on the counter next to the door and sat down at the kitchen table to leaf through the mail. Phoebe went to her room to put her dress away.
"Pheebs, do we know a Mr. Beaumont?" Monica shouted in the direction of Phoebes bedroom.
"Not that I knew of, why?" Phoebe asked coming out of her room.
"Well, he send me a letter. It's from Vegas." Monica said slowly.
"You won't know till you open it." Phoebe advised.
"That's a great idea." Monica responded rolling her eyes.
"Hey! I saw that eye rolling. Now open it."
Monica took the thick brown envelope in her hand and ripped the side open. She pulled some official looking documents out. "What is this?" She mumbled and started to read the first sheet.
Phoebe watched in horror as Monica stumbled out of her chair, knocking it over in the progress. Tears already forming in her eyes. She shot a miserable look at Phoebe, threw the papers on the ground and ran into her room. Slamming the door shut pretty hard.
"What the hell." Phoebe exclaimed and bend down to get the letter from the ground. Just as she wanted to look it over the door opened and Joey and Ross stormed in.
"What happened? What was that noise?" They asked both at the same time.
"Monica knocked her chair over and slammed her door." Phoebe informed them.
"What? Why did she slam her door?" Ross asked concerned for his sister. Since Rachel destroyed his sisters marriage he was a lot more protective about her.
"I don't know..." Phoebe said, still trying to figure out what the document was about. "She opened her mail and then she just snapped...I don't understand this." She gestured to the papers. "Ross, do you know what this is?" She passed the text over to him.
Ross sat down at the kitchen table and started to read the first page. After a few seconds he knew what it was. He looked with a shocked face at Phoebe and Joey.
"What? What is it?" Phoebe was getting nervous from the not knowing.
"These are divorce papers." Ross explained.
"Who are you getting divorced from? I didn't know you married again." Joey said.
"Joey, they aren't for me. They are for Monica. Chandler. He is filing for a divorce." Ross said sadly.
"Ohh." A look of understanding crossed Joeys face. Then he turned to Monica's bedroom. "Poor Monica. No wonder she slammed the door then."
"Right, Joey." Phoebe said rolling her eyes. "I'll go looking how she is doing."
Phoebe just reached the bedroom door as it flew open. She jumped back in surprise. Monica came out into the living room area looking rather defiant.
"I'm not going to sign that." She exclaimed. "If he wants a divorce he has to come here to get it." She added fiercely. With that she went over to Ross, took the papers from him and tore them in four even pieces.
*************
Las Vegas A week later
"Hey, Chandler." Victor voice came through phone. "We have a problem."
"What problem?"
"Your wife hasn't sent back the divorce papers yet. And the people from the publishing house are getting impatient. They want to start printing and they said you have to sign the contract at the latest by the end of the week." Victor clarified.
"What do we do now?" Chandler wanted to know.
"Well, you have two options. A, you can wait and hope that your wife sends the papers till then. Or B, you can go to New York and get the signature." Victor said. "I would suggest the second way."
"What!" Chandler screeched. "I can't go to New York. Then I'd have to see her. I don't think I'm ready for that. No, there has to be another way. You are my lawyer. Think of something. That is you job. I'm paying you to spare me from things like this." Chandler rambled on.
"Ok, ok." Victor interrupted. "I could give you a third option. But you are not going to like it."
"Just tell me." Chandler demanded.
"You could stay married and give her half of the money."
Chandler didn't know how to reply to that. He didn't really care about the money. But he couldn't stand the thought that Monica got the half of it. He could practically see her and his former friends laugh about him when they opened the envelope with the check. Deep down he knew that they wouldn't act that way. But in his mind he saw them dancing around with money flying everywhere laughing at his stupidity. He shook his head to get rid of the image.
"Ok. I'll go to New York. You get the signed divorce papers and the contract the day after tomorrow."
TBC...
*************
AN: As you can probably tell I know nothing about publishing a book or the US laws concerning divorce. But this is fiction and if anything went to fast that's just cause I wanted it to. And it had to fit the time line. lol. Thanks for reading. Please leave a review.