Ross sat on the couch as Carol packed her things. He was a little bit unsure of what was going on. How could she one minute be so depressed and the next morning humming and singing? She slung her bag over her shoulder.
"All right , ready to go." she announced brightly. They left and found that Rachel had already returned home.
"Daddy," cried Emma , running into Ross's arms as he scooped her up and lifted her to his shoulders.
"Carol,hi." said Rachel unenthusiastically.
"Honey, can I see you in the kitchen?" said Ross as he brought Emma along. Rachel followed him in.
"Ross, what is she doing here?" said Rachel. "You do realize that is your ex wife don't you?"
"Honey, Susan just left her. She feels down and miserable and I know how that feels when someone you love leaves you." Ross said as he tried to make Rachel understand.
"You do realize that she was the one who made you feel that way. Ross, I don't you , you used to be married to the woman. You have a child by her." Rachel was trying to see things his way.
"Yeah, so ," Ross said defensively. "Monica took you in when you left Barry and had no where to go. Have a little compassion Rachel and it is just temporary, okay?"
"I don't know, I just have a feeling about this." Rachel said unsurely.
"Being around people will be the best thing in the world for her. She'll get her confidence back. I remember how much good being around the gang did for me when Carol left me, I know it will the do the same for her." Ross said as he put his arm around her.
"Alright she can stay, but the first sign I see it's a problem , she's gone." Rachel said as she threw her arms in the air.
"Thank you , sweetie." he said with a kiss as he left to tell Carol the good news.
"By the way, do you think Emily would like to stay here too?' Rachel said.
Ross turned to her and knocked his knuckles together , then he left.
"The man I love." Rachel said sarcastically.
Monica had decided to make a special dinner so Carol would feel better. Setting the table, Chandler felt he needed to address the sequence of events.
"Ross said it's just temporary, till she is feeling better." he said.
"I don't know call it a woman's intuition , but I think there is going to be a lot of problems. Ross has a tendency to try to solve everyone's problems and be the understanding one. This is going to cause problems between him and Rachel, I can tell." Monica said as she put the china on the table.
"The Queen of England is Ross' ex wife?" said Chandler as he noticed that Monica put the good china on the table.
"No I just thought that Carol would feel more special. But it's funny though how the plates I had are different than these plates." Monica said suspiciously.
"
"Monica , I am saying this for the interest and the benefit of all those concerned , butt out. It is none of your business." Chandler warned her.
"Someone is going to get hurt, and I don't want it to be my best friend or my brother." Monica yelled.
Chandler sighed and looked out the window. "Well look who it is. Now Monica, don't be a meddler. Let them solve this problem on their own."
Rachel had pushed Emma in her stroller as Ross led Carol up the path to the front porch.
"Monica , it's beautiful." sighed Carol.
Monica sniffed," Come here." She gave Carol a great big hug. "I am so sorry Carol. It is so rotten what Susan did to you. I want you to call me any time day or night if you need someone to talk to or a shoulder to cry on."
"Monica!" Chandler ordered.
"I could always talk to you Monica. You were the best sister in law I could have. Ross has been so sweet and understanding for me. Rachel has been terrific as well, letting me stay with them . " Carol said as she continued her hug. "I want to get out of that apartment and I have no idea what Ben is going to do when he finds out she's gone."
"You can count on us Carol, you're family after all." smiled Monica. "Now why don't we eat something." she said as she walked into the house.
As they walked in the house, Carol had her arm around Ross. Rachel could feel it , something was definitely going on.