Perk Memories and It's Time to Say Goodbye
The six of them entered the door at Central Perk . Chandler rolled the stroller in and across the floor to their place. Monica handed him the diaper bag and proceeded to sit down.
Gunther couldn't believe his eyes. There she was , maybe when he told her that he loved her, it made a difference. She calmly strolled over to the counter, knowing full well that Gunther would let her have the coffees on the house. After all she was Rachel.
"Rachel hi," Gunther said tongue tied.
"Hi Gunther, I 'm back I didn't leave after all." Rachel said. "I guess I want a latte and what do you want hon?"
"I guess just a coffee. Hey Gunther," Ross said "I'll be over there darling." he said he kissed her on the cheek.
Gunther's face started to turn red. He should have known better to think that Rachel was coming back for him. It was that stupid guy who she was always with. He did have the memory of telling her the one fatal blow to their troubled relationship. His roommate Jasmine just couldn't keep that piece of gossip to herself. Isaac told her that Chloe slept with some guy who was friends with Phoebe and was also dating Rachel. Gunther knew immediately who "that guy" was and thought if he told Rachel, he would finally have his dream girl. Now they were back together. A cup slipped from his hand as he saw them kissing each other.
"Will you two get a room. In all the time we were dating, we did not make out as much as these two." Chandler snidely commented.
"Well hon, no one knew we were dating, remember?" reminded Monica.
"Yeah , you kept it a secret, " Ross said.
"So you wouldn't kill me. Honestly after London and the sandwich incident." Chandler started.
"Don't remind me of London, I know it's where you started and you'll always have the fondest of memories. But I would prefer to forget London existed." said Ross adamantly.
"Well I think it's great. I feel like we have gone back in time to when Ross and Rachel were first dating, and that 's how they need to think of things. A new start." said Phoebe philosophically.
"And Monica was dating Richard, the big tree." moaned Chandler.
"Don't start Chandler." Monica said through her teeth.
"I was on Days of our Lives, hey wait a minute , I am now." Joey added.
"That's good Joe." Chandler added as he rolled his eyes , marveling at how stupid one person could be.
Gunther proved how nice of a guy he was. He prepared a tray of scones and muffins to go with their coffees. He put on his best smile and walked over to the orange couch.
"Here you go guys, two lattes, three coffees, a herbal tea for Phoebe." Gunther said.
"I'll get this, since this is our last time." Chandler said as he pulled out his wallet.
"No I will," said Ross.
"You guys this is on the house. You have made Central Perk what it is today and this is just the management's way of saying thank you. Good luck Monica and Chandler." Gunther said emotionally.
"Are these the babies?" Gunther asked curiously.
"Yes this is Erica and this is Jack." Monica proudly said.
"Hello little babies," Gunther said sweetly.
He laid the tray down and walked away slowly. Remembering……
"Oh God Monica hi, I just went to your building and you weren't there and this guy with a big hammer said you might be here and you are , you are."
She came into the coffee shop ,drenched from going out the window of her wedding. Little did she realize how this coffee shop would change her life. She would be reunited with her best friend from high school, meet four funny friends who laughed with her , celebrated with her, and supported her, and she would meet the man who she would fall in love with.
Rachel looked over at the door. She looked down at Ross as she sat on his lap. He smiled at her knowing what she was thinking about…..
"You know what , now I've got closure."
She slammed the door in anger. How could he say he loved her and then turn around and turn off his feelings? She walked over to the couch and started to cry. Little did she know he was standing in the rain watching her cry. It really hurt him to see her upset like this and it was all his fault. She went to the door and unlocked it, she fell into his arms. And that was where it all began…that rainy night.
"Hey there is where I used to play my music," said Phoebe. She pointed at the tiny stage where she would sit and play guitar and entertain the patrons of the Perk with her unusual songs. She was sorry that Mike didn't come, but he pointed out that this would be very emotional for her and he wanted her to be able to share that with her friends. She liked that about him, he was generous.
You could almost hear the words now…..smelly cat, smelly cat what are they feeding you…smelly cat , smelly cat it's not your fault…the words almost echoed in her mind.
The time was fleeting as Chandler noticed his watch. The babies would need to be fed soon and they had a long ride ahead of them. He was going to get the Porsche , so they could get going soon. He looked around , he hated to break up the old gang, but it was time to move on.
"Mon, I am going to get the car, we have got a long way to Westchester." Chandler said as he seemed to sneak out of the group.
Everyone got up slowly as they all had tears in their eyes. It was as Monica had said when Rachel moved out , the end off an era.
Chandler opened the door as they rolled the stroller to the side . Monica pulled out the car seats.
"By by baby Bing, your uncle joey loves you." Joey said as he sweetly kissed their baby heads.
"May your life be filled with wealth far beyond your treasures on earth." Phoebe sweetly kissed their heads.
"I love you two and I will see you soon," Rachel said and then turned away.
"You guys have got the greatest parents in the world, be good for them." Ross said sweetly. "Your Uncle Ross loves you very much."
Monica lovingly pulled the babies out of the stroller and put Jack in one and Chandler put his baby girl in the other. He closed the door and walked around to the front of the car. He stood with tears in his eyes as he looked at Monica. It was time to go.
"Why do I have a feeling we should all hug and then sing It's A Long Way to Tipperary?" said Chandler.
"You have been watching too much Nick at Nite," scolded Monica. "Rach come here, I feel so bad because I just did this two days ago. But you are like the sister I never had. We got through it all , the bad dates, the bad jobs, and here we are with the men of our dreams and children. I just want to say I will miss you my friend." Monica said with emotion in her voice.
"I will miss the fact that I can't see you everyday, but I know you will still be a big part of our lives. Thank you Monica, thank you for being there to talk to." Rachel said as she hugged her.
Monica walked over to her brother, "You take care of her or I will hunt you down and kick your ass. Seriously though, I couldn't have gotten a better brother . I know we didn't get along as kids, but as an adult I couldn't have loved you more. Now get the happiness you deserve, you big dumb geek." Monica cried as she reached up to kiss her brother.
Chandler hugged Ross, "Hey man, this isn't where it ends. You take care and we'll be seeing you."
"I know you will take care of my sister and my niece and nephew. You're a good man, Chandller Muriel Bing, and a hell of a friend." he kissed him on the cheek.
Chandler came to Joey, He broke down in his arms and the two men hugged each other as if they were lovers. The tears were pouring out of Chandler's eyes.
"My friend I will miss you the most. I have seen you go from a boy to a man. I have seen you go from audition to audition and I know that great things are going to happen for you. I was glad to help you make your dreams come true. Now go out there and find the woman of your heart and be as happy I am with Monica." Chandler said.
"Chandler, I don't know what to say , except I love you." Joey said as he looked into his eyes. The hug got more intense and then they broke away.
Before they got more emotional. The group said their goodbyes and hugged each other. Monica got into the drivers seat and Chandler the passengers side. The gray Porsche pulled away from the curb.
Phoebe caught a cab to go back to her house.
Joey climbed the stairs of the apartment at Bedford and Grove alone.
Ross and Rachel walked back to their apartment. . .
Next the Bings in their new house
