Ross arrived at Rachel's mother's house in Long Island later that day to pick up his daughter to take her back home, 'Hello Ross sweetheart..' Rachel's mother greeted him, 'My Rachel not with you I see?' she asked him.

Ross shook his head, 'She's gone out with Monica today, so I've just came to take Emma off your hands!' he told her, 'has she behaved? I know she's at that age where she is a bit rebellious..' he laughed.

'Oh nonsense! She's perfectly well behaved; I would have her longer if you let me, now why don't you come inside Ross? I'll make you a nice warm cup of tea..' she offered. Before he could say no politely, he was sat at the kitchen table having a deep conversation with his future mother and law, 'Really Mrs Greene, I hope I'm not intruding by being here, I didn't intend to stay long…' Ross said.

'You drink up dear, I was waiting for a good time to have a nice chat to you, you are the man my dear Rachel loves after all so I wanted to make a nice effort to make you feel welcome into the house and to our family…' she smiled, 'Biscuits to go with that dear?' she asked.

Ross nodded, she was such a kind heart woman but also somebody you wouldn't want to get on the wrong side of. 'Thank you…'.

'So tell me Ross, what are your plans with my Rachel?' she asked him, taking a sip from her coffee. Ross swallowed his tea, 'my plans are to love and care for her, and to make her happy…' he told her. He wasn't expecting this whatsoever, he expected to come in and take Emma, not to explain his feelings and future plans to Rachel's mother.

'I know you love and care for her Ross, but I asked you what you plan for her…marriage?' she asked him.

He nodded, 'we've talked about it, of course we will someday, we just one to take things slowly for now…' he explained to her.

'Don't take this the wrong way Ross, but as her mother…I feel the need to protect her, I only want the best for her and I know you will provide that for her, but how do I know you will stick by her? We all know you've been unfaithful in the past…' she said.

Ross couldn't quite believe she had bought this up; it wasn't an issue for him and Rachel anymore so why was she concerned?

'Mrs Greene, what happened back then isn't something that I would ever do again, I know that, so does Rachel….'

'Yes dear, I know…but I can't help but worry.'

'Worry that I would cheat on Rachel again?'

'You cant blame me for wondering though can you Ross? You loved her back then but still you broke her heart…'

Ross hated the reminder; he had to live with it everyday to know that he had broken Rachel's heart once. 'I loved her then, but I love her even more now, it's a serious relationship now, plus we're parents…'

'Yes, sweet little Emma, you wouldn't hurt her too would you Ross?'

'Of course not Mrs Greene, they are the two most important people in my life and now we're expecting our second child…'

'Second child?' She asked him.

'Yes…'

'Rachel's pregnant?' She asked again.

Ross wasn't aware that Rachel still hadn't got round to telling her mother, she had told him she would tell her this week, obviously not.

'Yes, she is pregnant..'

'Well that's wonderful…' She smiled, 'Another child for you, a sister of brother for Emma…'

Ross was pleased with her reaction; he just hoped Rachel's father would react the same. 'I'm a little surprised Rachel didn't tell me sooner…but I'm happy for both of you, and I apologise for my behaviour Ross, I know you mean well…and I trust you will look after my Rachel'.

Ross smiled, he knew how much Rachel's parents cared and he understood how his actions before would always remain there, but over time he wished for it to be blocked from their past, 'We're stronger than we've ever been..' Ross told her.

'I believe you Ross, and really…I do trust you, I'm just a typical mother…' she laughed, 'Rachel will soon understand when Emma grows up…'.

'I understand, I really do…. now where is my daughter?' he asked, 'I'm planning on taking her along to see her brother Ben and Carol and Susan…' he told her.

'Ahhh, Carol…still a…'

'Lesbian?'

She nodded.

'Yes…'

'Oh…'

Ross laughed.

'Well, I'll go and get your beautiful sweet daughter shall I? She's still asleep upstairs, but I think she will be awake soon.' she said before making her way upstairs, leaving Ross and his thoughts, he was thinking about marrying Rachel more than ever now, it was something that needed to be done soon, otherwise they would never get round to it, it was the only thing missing from their relationship.

Ross went round to Joey's apartment, hoping to find Joey and Chandler, Emma was still asleep and he wouldn't refuse a nice nap himself after the long drive up to Rachel's mothers house. 'Ross…' Joey said as he saw his friend come through the door, 'Just in time for…'. He paused, looking over at Chandler, the two of them said in unison, 'DIE HARD 2!' They both yelled, showing him the video case that Ross had seen many times before. 'Gee guys, things sure don't change around here do they?' Ross laughed.

Joey got him from his chair, 'you know you want to watch it Ross, now what do you want? Beer?' he asked him, 'Oh Hello Emma..' he said, only just realising she was in their presence, 'Emma can go in Rachel's old room if you like, we still have the crib in there….' Joey suggested.

Ross nodded, 'I'll take her in then, I can only stay to watch it once guys, I know you normally want to watch both of the videos, but some of us have lives ya know..' he joked, 'Rachel is out with Monica and Phoebe for the afternoon, so its not like I need to be anywhere fast…'.

Ross went into Rachel's old bedroom, settling Emma down again to go to sleep, 'Ok angel, you go to sleep and Daddy will be in the next room if you need me sweetheart…' he told Emma as he put her inside the crib, putting the blanket over her and giving her a cuddly toy to be in the company of. 'Sweet dreams Emma…' he said, before walking back out of the room, leaving the door open slightly letting a bit of light in but not enough to keep his daughter awake.

Joey and Chandler were sat on the sofa; a bowl of popcorn between them and bottles of beer, Joey had the remote in his hand ready to play. Ross noticed that they had extra company now, 'Mike, have you been here the whole time?' He asked, 'Good to see you buddy…' he said, before joining the guys to watch the film. 'Well Phoebe told me you guys wouldn't mind becoming a four for the day, so I really appreciate you letting me join you today, I only would have been indoors alone working on my music…which can sometimes become lonely' Mike told them.

'Ok Mike, enough talk…'Joey interrupted.

'DIE HARD!' Chandler shouted.

'This never gets old…' Joey said, pressing the play button.

Ross and Mike looked at one another, 'We've done this for 7 years, if you want to be in our gang…you'll just have to get used to it Mike' Ross whispered.

The film began and the guys settled down to their favourite film, Ross every now and then would check on Emma, he couldn't wait to get home to see her, even though he loved spending time with the guys, he missed his Rachel even after a few hours.