Rachel sat at the table still in shock. A thousand thoughts went through her mind. England did not bring back fond memories. The last time she was on her way there was to tell Ross she loved him when he was marrying Emily.
Then again it would mean leaving everything behind, her job and her friends. It would just be her and Ross and Emma in a foreign country. In the field? Did that mean that she would have to go to China? What was this , the romantic travels of Ross Geller or something? Would Emma and her have to follow him as he dug for fossils? China brought back the memory of her standing and waiting and Ross kissing Julie as they came back from China.
"I realize this is a big decision and is going to require some thought. Actually England is a wonderful country. Have you ever been there Ross? " Professor Wakefield said as he cut his steak.
"Yes, but unfortunately not good memories. " he said.
"I know Rachel would love it. You say she is into fashion, well then I could see her living at Harrod's and on Carnaby Street.There's even a quaint little old fashioned store called Grace Brothers." commented Dr. Wakefield.
"I wouldn't mind Harrod's ." smiled Rachel.
"Yeah because you have conquered Barney's , Saks, Macy, and Bloomingdales." laughed Ross. "A new world for you to explore."
"And you would be surrounded by some of the most brilliant minds in the world, have your own laboratory for research , and that would put you on the road to a possible Nobel prize." Dr. Wakefield said.
"Well when do you need this decision, Alexander?" Ross asked.
"Oh take your time. Enjoy the rest of the conference, celebrate your upcoming nuptials, I would even like you two to come to England as my guest . Sort of see your potential new home." Alexander said.
"Dr.Wakefield we thank you for the lovely dinner and we promise you that we will both give the offer very serious consideration. " Rachel said as he rose from the table. He walked over to Rachel and kissed her hand. "You are a very lucky man Professor , to have such a lovely woman to support you.. She will make the perfect Professor's wife. It was lovely to meet you Rachel and I am sure we will see each other soon." At that point he left the restaurant.
"Can you believe that? Me a colleague and assisting Dr. Alexander Wakefield at Oxford? " Ross said. "It would be like you getting a job in Paris or something."
"Ross what about our families ? What about the gang? And what about my job?" Rachel asked panicking.
"Relax nothing is set in stone." Ross said to ease her mind.
"Oh come on Ross, I saw how your eyes went when he offered you this . You are so going to take it." Rachel ranted.
"Rachel it is not just me anymore, it is you, me and Emma. We are going to sit down as a couple and make this decision." Ross said as he held her hand. "Now as I said tomorrow , you could pick something for just the two of us. What do you want to do sweetie.?"
"I heard from a guy at work that Barbados is known for its diving so let's go skin diving ." Rachel said excitedly.
"Diving? As in under the water , no air, big fish diving?" Ross said weakly.
"Oh come on, it'll be something we can experience together. Joey said that he heard there was a turtle that if you blow bubbles at it will chase you underwater . You did say for me to pick something."she whined.
"We just get back together and you are trying to drown me?' Ross complained.
"It is perfectly safe and I think you'll look sexy in one of those wet suits.Besides what if you had to look for fossils under the ocean or something." Rachel said.
"I would let someone do it that knew what they were doing. Rachel we have never done this and don't you have to be certified or something? Ross tried to reason Rachel out of this crazy idea.
"They will have someone show you before we do it. Come on let's do something daring." she squealed.
Ross knew that he was outnumbered. "Alright you win, we'll do it tomorrow."
After breakfast, Rachel and Ross wallked out to the pool. Rachel had on a pink bikini . On the other hand, Ross was fully attired from head to toe in black rubber. He was taking no chances.
"Look it's the creature from the geek lagoon." laughed Chandler.
"Very funny." Ross said sarcastically. "For your information funny man, we are going skin diving. "
"Barbados is known for its clear water and great diving." Rachel said.
"So now you are going down to look for dinosaurs." Chandler giggled.
Rachel looked in her bag and realized she forgot something. "Oh dear , I forgot my camera. Honey , "I'll be right back."she said as she kissed him.
"Help, you gotta get me out of this." Ross said as he watched Rachel walk into the hotel.
"I can't believe you are doing this. You can't have water in your ears." said Monica.
"I am just petrified of going down there and making some fish mad." Ross said. At that point Rachel returned.
"Ready to go exploring?" Rachel said as she strapped the mask to her face."
"Yea," Ross cheered weakly.
"Those of us that are about to drown salute you." he said with a salute.
"Oh come on honey. This will get that other thing off your mind."
After a few hours of instruction, it was time to go down Carefully they waddled into the water with their gear and fins on. Ross was still nervous about the sea life they might encounter. Rachel excitedly pulled him into the waves and they began to swim out to deeper water. When they got to a certain point, they ducked under the surface.
With the weight on their belts, they began to drop down toward the bottom. Looking up through the sunlight, they could see the bubbles escaping from their regulators.
Hand and hand they swam together as they pointed out things along the way. Suddenly they saw the infamous sea turtle. Spotting it , Rachel motioned to Ross to join her. He stayed back hesitantly because of its size. She used her hands to propel herself to the large creature. Swimming by it, she blew bubbles at it and it began to chase her as it swam away.
Ross watched her gracefully move through the water. She swam over to the turtle and grabbed a fin. Hanging on , the turtle gave her a piggy back ride until she let go and swam back. She was such a beautiful sea creature. Ross swam over to her and wrapped his arms around her. Her hair wafted gently in the ocean breeze. He so wanted to kiss her, but was scared he would not be able to breath.
Seeing a coral formation, she used her legs to propel herself to it. She stretched seductively on the rocks and blew a bubble kiss. This was just so incredible she couldn't believe they were doing something like this. She swam from the rock and did a turn suspended in the water. Finning through the field of sea weed , the couple began to ascend to the surface.
Breaking the surface, Rachel shook her wet hair.
"Wow that was incredible. Now that wasn't so bad was it?" she asked Ross.
"Except for when that giant monster swam by." he said.
"That was the sea turtle and that was so fun when he gave me a ride." she squealed.. She swam over and hugged Ross.
"What's this for?' he asked surprised.
"For letting me have today. Maybe now we can better focus on this decision we have to make."she said as they walked toward the shore.
"Monica hurry up , the reservations for six." Chandler called. Monica was in the bathroom. This was about the fourth trip today as she knelt by the toilet. It was originally island food, but she had a feeling so she went to the gift shop and bought it.
"Here's hoping." Monica said as she opened the package..
Hello it's just me with another author note. I am a theatre student from the US so I have no knowledge of English academia, when I wrote about the job offer, I have a certain ending in mind and was trying to get there. Every chapter I will acknowledge someone who has either helped me or been sweet…this chapter is dedicated to Dr. Kerry Weaver…the ending is for you sweety ..cause you have been so nice in your stories..Kerry and I share a passion for all things Friends and all things ER , she puts in her stories the names of the doctors and nurses in the ER and Third Watch…so this chapter is for you..
Also the mention of Grace Brothers is in tribute to my favorite Britcom Are you Being Served ….
Keep reviewing cause the Barbados stuff will end as the story goes into the tenth season…and possibly another story…thanks everyone..
