Memories light the corners of my mind

Misty water colored memories of the way we were

Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind

Smiles we gave to one another of the way we were

Monica had been awake for hours . She sat in the rocker and held little Daniel. It was peaceful and she could reflect in the quiet of the morning on the events of the week. Chandler emerged from the bedroom , clad in a pair of boxers and a t shirt.

"Hi." he said quietly as he leaned over to kiss her.

"Hi just feeding my little man here." Monica said as Daniel looked up at her.

"Hey there little guy." Chandler smiled and grabbed his little finger as Daniel cooed and gurgled.

She looked across the street at the window . Boxes now covered the apartment and the drapes were down.

"Thinking ?" said Chandler.

"Just remembering." she said quietly. She was walking around in the bedroom that night and she could still hear the voices from the living room . She couldn't believe that Rachel was now living here.

Rachel asked if Ross wanted the last cookie and then he was going to split it. Monica felt so bad that Ross had been hurt and she wondered how he was going to get through this.. Ross confessed how he felt to her about his crush and then he asked if sometime it would be alright to ask her out and she said it would. Monica smiled then because she knew that everything would be alright for him.

Across the street, the couple were still in bed. A kind of euphoria filled their faces as they laid in each others arms. Finally they were one, after fight after fight , after a botched wedding, after time and a child , they were man and wife.

From the other room , came a noise. A little one year old was crying. Rachel got up from the bed and threw a robe on. "Mommy's coming Em, mommy's coming." Rachel picked up her little daughter and hugged her then she rocked her back and fourth from side to side.

Emma continued to cry. Softly she sang to her ,

"I like big butts and I cannot lie, you other brothers can't deny," Emma stopped and started to laugh again. Rachel smiled and then heard a male voice behind her.

"When a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist and a round thing in your face."

"I wanted to let you sleep." whined Rachel.

"Couldn't missed having you next to me. Good morning Mrs. Geller." he smiled and then leaned over and kissed her.

"I think I like the sound of that, Rachel Geller." Rachel smiled. "Well Miss Emma , shouldn't we go and get some breakfast?"

Emma smiled and then the three of them went to the kitchen.

"Do you think people have noticed anything yet?" said Phoebe as she rolled over next to Joey.

"I don't care , and if they do, then that is too bad." smiled Joey.

"You make me so happy. " Phoebe smiled as she kissed him. "I'm ready for more of that Joey love." she giggled. He dove back under the covers and started nuzzling at her neck.

Monica was busily preparing food as she tried to take her mind off of the impending departure of her friends. Chandler sat the crib in the living room as he tried to blow up balloons for Ross and Rachel's Going Away Party. Daniel mostly wanted to sleep.

"Can't you do anything right?" Monica scolded him . "Start acting like a 35 year old."

"Sorry dear." he said with a mouth full of helium as he giggled when she left.

Around seven, Chandler was hanging the final touches of the party. It was a banner that said "Good Luck in England Ross and Rachel." When Monica saw it , she fell into Chandler's arms.

"I still can't believe it." she cried.

"Mon it's going to be fine." Chandler reassured her.

"But she is my best friend and now she is going to be living in another continent." Monica sobbed. "And I am never going to see them again."

"We will , Mon, we will." he said as he patted her back.

Phoebe came in holding Joey's hand with the biggest smile on her face.

"Well hello you lovebirds." Chandler sang out.

"Oh you." Phoebe giggled. "Come on big Daddy." she said as Joey led her to food. He pulled his hand away to start dishing it out.

"Help yourself Joe." said Chandler after he watched Joey start eating a chicken leg and putting the drumstick back on the table covered with meat.

"Here Pheebs." Monica said as she handed her a plate of turkey.

"But Monica, you know I don't eat meat." said Phoebe.

"It's not meat , it 's tofu, it's called tofutti. It looks like turkey, but it's not meat." Monica explained.

"Oh yay, and it's good too." said Phoebe as she put some in her mouth.

Ross and Rachel arrived carrying little Emma. "The guests of honor have arrived and now everyone can….." Ross started as he looked to see Joey happily stuffing his face again… start eating." Everyone stopped to watch Joey eat.

"What?" he asked as everyone laughed.

"So how is married life?" asked Monica.

"It's great!" said Ross.

"Not you, this is Rachel's first marriage." said Monica.

"No technically it's not. " he reminded her.

"Oh yeah, one drunken marriage stands out in my mind." said Rachel sarcastically.

"Rachel you have to promise not to become uptight British bitch." said Phoebe.

"I won't ." promised Rachel. Rachel reached up and hugged. "God I 'm going to miss you so much." she said to Phoebe. She broke the hug and ran from the room . "I can't do this." she cried.

Rachel ran to her old room and sat on the bed and cried. She felt an arm around her. "I know this is hard . I am going to miss them too. But think of it this way, we are together now, for better for worse , in sickness and in health. Whatever comes along, we have each other." Ross said tenderly.

"I know what this means to you and that is why we are going. I love you and I will go with you anywhere. " Rachel tried to smile. "Now let's go enjoy our party." she said.

"Have I told you in the last half hour that I love you.?" Ross said as he wrapped his arms around her and they began to kiss.

"Hey I cook , and decorate , and the guests of honor decide to sneak away." said Monica barging in. "Save the sex stuff for later. We have to say goodbye tonight." said Monica.

"Later Mrs. Geller? " Ross said coyly.

"Count on it , Dr. Geller?" Rachel smiled.

Chandler lifted a glass as they came out of the room . "I would like to propose a toast. To a really great guy, my brother in law, my oldest and best friend, best of luck in England, Ross." he said with tears in his eyes.

"And Rachel, you are my sweet and fun friend. I can't begin to tell you how happy I am that you two are together now. We are going to miss both of you but you go with our good wishes and our love." Chandler said as he hugged Rachel and then Ross.

"Chandler that was beautiful." said Rachel as she kissed him on the cheek.

"How dare you make a more beautiful toast than me." screamed Monica. "Okay Gellers, prepare for the tears." she said holding up her glass.

"I am sure you are not going to miss how competitive Monica is." said Chandler as he sat down.

"Okay now, Rachel you are my best friend. You have always been like a sister to me, now it's official. I only want good things for you and this is the perfect start to your new life as husband and wife. Tomorrow you begin that journey. Carry with you the memories and thoughts of your friends who love you dearly, but also hold those you love close to your heart." Monica said. "Ross, when you and I were kids I hated your guts. But then when we grew up, I couldn't have asked for a better brother. You did the one thing that I will be eternally grateful for, you introduced me to the man I love. I am so happy that all your dreams are finally coming true. Only the best to the two of you."

Ross came over and gave his sister a hug . You could see the tears in his eyes as he embraced her.

"In your face Bing." she laughed as she hugged him.

Phoebe shook her hands ," My turn , my turn." she screamed. Lifting her glass., "To Rachel, my dear friend who finally took my advice and listened about this guy. I am going to miss you and wish only good things for you." she smiled and then Rachel hugged her.

"Ross what can I say, keep doing that dinosaur stuff and remember what I said about you guys being lobsters , well now you know what I have known before, Phoebe is right." she yelled. "Oh and I 'm sorry for mugging you again." she said softly.

Joey came over . "You guys have been absolutely great. I love both of you so much, I know you will treat her right buddy and Rachel , what can I say you are the nicest and hottest roommate I ever had. Good luck in England." he smiled. "Now is there cake?" he said going toward it.

Monica came over and presented them with a package. "It is just a little something I threw together. " Rachel opened it and the front cover said Friends forever on it. It was a scrapbook that started with a picture of her and Rachel when they were six , then when they went to the prom and then pictures of her life with her friends.

"It's beautiful." cried Rachel.

"I just want you to remember that you will always have your friends." cried Monica.

"Hon, I hate to say it , but we have an early flight." said Ross. "Guys what can I say I 'm touched. You have been the best group of friends and family that anyone could ask for. You may be gone, but you will never be out of our minds or our hearts."

At that point, everyone gathered for a group hug and everyone's eyes were filled with tears. After they said their final goodbyes, everyone left.

Monica and Chandler stood by the window as the van pulled away the next morning and the van pulled up to the apartment. Holding Daniel, she silently cried.

And love

It's not the easy thing

The only baggage

That you can bring

Not the easy thing

The only baggage you can bring

Is all that you can't leave behind

And if the darkness is to keep us apart

And if the daylight feels like it's long way off

And if your glass heart should crack

Before the second you turn back

Oh no, be strong

Joey and Phoebe came in to Monica and Chandler's . They silently watched as Ross and Rachel got in the van. Joey put his arm around Phoebe and kissed her head.

Walk on

Walk on

What you got , they can't steal it

No they can't even feel it.

Walk on

Walk on

Stay safe tonight

You're packing a suitcase for a place

None of us have been

A place that has to be believed

To be seen

You could have flown away

A singing bird

In an open cage

Who will only fly

Only fly for freedom

Getting out of the van , Rachel pulled her baggage and Ross pushed the carriage. She looked into the sky as a plane flew overhead. They had their whole life ahead of them.

That is my story.. Glad that everyone enjoyed it so much … over 120 reviews and thanks so much to everyone . The songs were The Way we Were and Walk On… an awesome song.