Wow, thanks for all of the great reviews, guys. They really helped me with this chapter, which is by far the longest and most eventful so far.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! (And I hope you didn't eat too much turkey like some people...I really need to know how to limit myself, lol)

I know that the cliffhanger is big at the end of this chapter, lol, but it makes up for some not so big ones in the past. I'm not doing it for reviews (hehe) but it was part of the story. :) The more reviews I get, the quicker I work. Trust me.

This chapter is loooong, so be prepared. It was originally like two chapters, so that explains it a little bit.

Please read, review, and enjoy!

"Oh my God, look at the ocean! It's so…blue!"

Rachel laughed at Ross's blatant observations. "Good job, honey, I'm glad you noticed."

Playfully, he swatted at her nose. "I'm just saying…I haven't seen it in a long time."

"So, did it get bluer since the last time you saw it?"

He smiled and slipped his hand inside hers. "You know what? It just might have."

Sighing, he watched the waves roll into shore, crashing against the occasional rock as it did. There was nothing as magical as watching the saltwater grace the silken shores of sand, the waves rise and fall against the billowing westward winds, the seagulls soar above the rising tide…

"Honey? As much as you love watching the ocean- and I love it, too- don't you think we should go check in our room?" She leaned heavily against the wall, dropping her bags on the ground. "I mean, the ocean will still be here when we get back- I promise."

He turned around and picked up her bags. "Okay, but if it's not here, then we're going to have some serious problems."

Laughing, she followed him to the hotel, secretly stealing glances at the ocean on the way.

----

"I can't believe it's raining," mumbled Ross as he stared through the translucent window.

Rachel lay on the bed, tracing the patterns of the ceiling with her eyes and listening to the electronic hum the TV emitted. "Well, we are in California." God, being able to say that felt so good to her. "The weather is different here. I mean, one second it's raining and the next, the sun is shining."

"Well, here's to hoping the sun comes out," Ross muttered and headed over towards the bed.

"Come here, sit down," she beckoned, sliding with some difficulty over to the other side of the bed.

"It's okay, I'll move. You just stay put." He smiled and gave her stomach a reassuring pat. "You two ladies can just relax."

She grinned, wondering if she should breach the subject that she had been anxious about for quite some time. "Um, Ross?"

"Yeah?"

"Have you, -I mean, it's about time that we did- started thinking about…names for our daughter?" There, it was out. She had heard in the past that the most common thing expectant parents fought over were names. So far, they had done well with disagreements, but she didn't want to ruin the one perfect thing she had.

"Hmm…well, sort of. Have you?" Obviously, he was just as nervous.

"A little. What have you thought of?"

Great, she was making him go first. "Well, I've always liked the name Karen." Upon seeing her scrunch her nose in distaste, he immediately regretted sharing. "Why, you don't like that name?"

"Um…not really. I mean, it's my middle name, you know."

"Really? I didn't know that." Come to think of it, there were lots of things he didn't know about her.

She laughed and patted his knee. "Really, Ross, it's okay. You better tell me your middle name, though, because I don't want to risk suggesting it!"

"Well, unless you have some urge to name our daughter Eugene, then I think we'll be okay."

Rachel hiccupped and put her hand over her mouth to stifle an impending giggle.

"I know, I know. When my parents were naming me they envisioned a ninety year old civil war veteran."

"No, it's not that." She pointed to her stomach and laughed. "She's kicking me, and it tickles!"

Slowly, Ross put his hand where he imagined his daughter's feet to be. "Wow, you're right. She is kicking hard."

Almost immediately, Rachel's eyes took on a starry look. "Maybe this means she'll be head of the cheerleading squad."

" Or maybe she'll win a karate tournament," Ross dreamed aloud.

Each caught the other's eye, and began to smile. "I'm sure when we think of a name, it'll be perfect," Rachel concluded.

"Yeah. I'm sure it will be."

----

In silence, they both sat for a while, even enjoying the tap-dance the rain performed upon the rooftop.

"So…what now?" Ross asked. They didn't really have any plans except that they were going to stay in California for a week, and possibly pop in on Rachel's parents.

"I don't know…what should we do?" She lightly blew a strand of hair from her face.

"Well, you're the native, what's fun here?"

"Um…well, there's the ocean. And shopping…and I do want to stop in on my parents."

"I can't believe they don't know you're pregnant…" His voice trailed off, not wanting her to slip back into a state of semi-depression.

"Yeah, I know. We should probably do that first. The last thing I want to do is worry about what they're going to say for the whole trip." She got up and started gathering her purse and shoes.

"Wait a second. We're going now?" Ross's voice became shrill.

She looked a bit surprised. "Well, yeah. Why not?"

"They're my possible future-in-laws and the last thing I want to do is look like some guy that knocked their daughter up and is living with her."

She laid her head on his shoulder and rubbed his back with the palm of her hand. "Don't ever think of yourself like that. You're much more to me than just a guy I slept with. And I'm sure they'll be able to see that once they realize how happy I am."

Despite her words, his worries were not cured. "I hope so."

"Don't worry. If anyone should worry, it should be me. I mean, I move out to live with a man that did nothing but cause me grief, move back in without so much as telling them why, leave on the drop of a dime to go to New York, don't call them for six months, and return pregnant with a new boyfriend. Trust me, you're not the one to worry here."

Her words were old news to him, minus the part about her not telling her parents why she moved back in after Dave. "Um…so you never told your parents…about Dave?"

She flinched slightly, but not nearly as much as she had been. "No. I mean, they knew I had a boyfriend, but that was it. They never knew about the baby or anything. As far as they know, I moved back in because we broke up. I just never thought they needed to know."

"You probably should have told them, you know." He didn't want to preach, but yet he didn't want her to think it was okay to bottle up severe secrets and hope they didn't resurface.

"Yeah, but what's done is done."

He didn't know what had come over her, but the sudden nonchalant attitude she had towards Dave and the baby had to be something bad. Did she feel like she was a burden towards him? Was she afraid she couldn't trust him? What would happen if she started keeping things from him? All of these thoughts plagued Ross's mind.

"I guess…I just want you to know that I'm here for you, okay?"

"Thanks, honey." She grabbed his hand and pulled him out the door. "Come on, now. We have to hail a cab…they live kind of far away."

He trailed slightly behind her, watching the rain crash and slide down the full-length windowpanes of the hotel. He supposed it was good that she was feeling better. After all, when she was so sad and depressed, he felt so helpless.

Outside, the ocean roared against the unsuspecting shore.

But then why did he feel like her new attitude was merely a charade?

----

"Wow. This is where you grew up?!" Ross exclaimed, tilting his head back to look at the towering white palace-like house standing before him.

"Yeah," she shrugged. "It's not that big of a deal, you know. I mean, I'm not some snob like…well, you'll see."

Somehow, her words didn't comfort him much.

The cab driver tipped his hat at Ross as he opened the door for Rachel and winked. "Good luck, buddy," he whispered.

Oh, boy.

Ross grabbed her hand as they began the climb of the steep stone walkway. He noticed he was shaking…or was it her? Sometimes, it was hard to tell where he ended and where she began.

"Well, this is it," she breathed and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. Steadily, she reached for the doorbell and rang it, echoing the chimes down to the private gate and well-kept flowerbeds.

A woman in a drab gray dress answered the door. Ross hoped this was her mother; she didn't look too intimidating.

"Hi, we're here to see Sandra and Leonard Green," Rachel brightly announced.

"Come inside," the woman droned, eyeing the pair up and down.

"That's not your mom?" Ross whispered to her.

"Are you kidding? That's one of the maids."

"Oh my God."

"Yeah, be glad I'm nothing like them." She furtively glanced as she was talking.

Just then, voices began to echo through the marble halls. "I know, Leonard, we've been over this far too many times. Jill will marry whom she wishes, so long as the wedding is at the country club."

"You and your country club." An older, whiskey-worn voice complained.

"You and your boat!" Mocked the woman.

"It's more work than you know, Sandra. The oiling, care-taking, sailing…"

Descending down the staircase, the bickering pair noticed Rachel and Ross cowering at the bottom of the stairs.

Sandra noticed them first. "Oh my God…Rachel, is that you?"

Rachel stepped forward, dropping Ross's hand. "Hi, Mom."

"Is that my little pumpkin, stopping in for a visit?" remarked Dr. Green.

"It's me, Daddy." She smiled and held her hands in front of her to hide her bulging belly.

"Well come here, then, and give me a hug!" He scooped his daughter up in his arms.

"Ah, Daddy, not too tight! Let go, please!"

He held her at arms length, still not noticing Ross. "Why, you always used to love my big bear hugs, what's gotten into you?"

"Oh my God," exclaimed Sandra. "You're pregnant!"

Sheepishly, she looked at the ground, scoffing the marble tiles with the toe of her boot. "Hey, you noticed," Rachel mumbled.

Leonard looked at her very seriously. "Sweetheart, who did this to you?"

"Rachel? Who is this?" Her mother looked Ross up and down with distaste.

Ross felt his face flush as he headed towards the door. He offered out the bunch of flowers he had been holding for them. "Me? I'm just the flower boy. Here you are, Mrs. Green. I'll be going now."

Rachel giggled, and grabbed Ross's arm. "Mom, Dad, I'd like you to meet Ross Geller. My boyfriend."

Dr. Green shook his hand warningly. "Is he the one that did this to you?"

"Daddy! He didn't 'do' this to me. I love him."

"Leonard," Sandra grabbed his arm. "Don't hurt the boy. I'm sure Rachel has a perfectly reasonable answer as to why she is involved with…him. Now, sweetie, what is it?"

"I already told you," she stated slowly, putting her arm around Ross. "I'm in love with him."

"As if that's good enough," huffed Leonard.

"So you're Ross?" Sandra walked over to him and placed her hand out.

"Uh, yeah."

"And so intelligent!"

Ross felt anger bubble inside himself at his words. Surely, he could have thought of a better phrase than 'Uh, yeah.'

"So, Ross," Dr. Green stepped forward. "What are your intentions with my daughter?"

"Daddy," Rachel breathed warningly.

"What? I would like to know."

"Well, okay." He stammered. "We're living together now…and…uh, we haven't really talked about it, but I'm sure after the baby comes we'll get married."

Rachel nodded enthusiastically. "Our apartment is really nice, and Daddy, Ross is a doctor."

"Is that right? I'm a doctor also. So tell me, what are you a doctor of?"

Ross gulped. "Paleontology."

"Ha! Isn't that dinosaur bones?"

"Dinosaurs and all living creatures during the Mesozoic, Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods," he muttered.

"Speak up, boy, when you talk to me!" Leonard bellowed.

Rachel pleadingly beseeched her mother via eye contact. "So, Rachel. When did this"- Sandra gestured towards her stomach-"happen to you?"

Rachel smiled, glad for the change of subject. "Well, I'm almost six months along."

"Dear, it's dangerous to fly during your third trimester, you know." Sandra clucked her tongue.

"Dangerous?" interrupted Leonard. "Ross, you've been putting my daughter into danger?"

"No, sir. She's not quite into her third trimester yet, so we're okay." Ross breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, he had answered something right.

"Oh, he's got a smart mouth, doesn't he?"

"No, sir. I was just trying to explain to you…"

"You think I need explaining to? I'm a doctor, Ross. I know these things."

"Okay."

The Greens stared the pair down, Sandra with interest at the new man in her daughter's life, and Leonard with great disdain.

After an intruding, uncomfortable silence, Rachel took the initiative. "Well, we'd better be going. There's a lot for us to do, and not a lot of time. It was good to see you guys. We're living in New York now, here's our number." She handed them a slip of paper. "Give us a call, and I'll let you know when the baby is born."

Rachel hugged her parents and Ross retreated towards the door.

Once they were outside, Ross breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh my God. How did you come out of that family?"

"It wasn't easy, let me tell you," she laughed. "But now that it's over, let's go have some fun. It stopped raining, so we can go shopping or whatever."

"Okay."

"Wait, Rachel, wait!" Sandra called, precariously teetering down the stairs in her stilettos.

"Mom, what are you doing?"

"Sweetie, I just wanted to tell you that I'm happy for you." She smiled at Ross. "You both look so adorable together. And Ross, I apologize for my husband's behavior. He's always been like that with Rachel's boyfriends."

Ross chuckled. "That's good to know."

"How much longer are you kids going to be in town?"

"We're here for a week, Mom."

"Well, how about you two come back…let me see…In three days, and we'll all have a nice dinner. Celia will cook something wonderful, and I'll make sure Amy and Jill are home. And by that time, your father will have cooled down."

Rachel glanced at Ross, and then nodded. "Sure, Mom. That sounds like fun."

"Wonderful. Now, I can't keep your father waiting much longer. In case you couldn't tell, we were in the middle of a very important discussion. We can't decide where Jill should get married."

"Jill's getting married?"

"Why yes, dear, you didn't know?" Sandra glanced up towards the sky, as if she were remembering something. "That's right, you wouldn't, would you. Yes, he's a perfectly nice man, went through the same torture Ross did with your father…We just can't decide where the wedding should happen."

Ross decided to join in, "Well, where does Jill want to get married?"

Sandra dismissed him with the flick of her wrist. "Once you get to know Leonard, you'll understand why he needs to pick everything for everyone. But I really must be going. You two take care, and I'll see you in a few days."

Rachel smiled. "There's going to be three of us soon, Mom." She pointed to her stomach.

"Oh, my! I completely forgot! Now is it a boy or a girl?"

"It's a girl," Rachel practically beamed.

"I can't wait to be a grandmother! Your father and I will be sure to fly out for the birth." She saw Ross's look of horror. "Or maybe I'll come alone." She kissed Rachel on the cheek and shook Ross's hand. "See you soon!"

Driving down the long stretches of boulevards, roads, and highways, Ross contemplated the visit. It was safe to say Sandra liked him, but Leonard…well, there were bound to be issues.

"Thanks for putting up with my parents so well today," whispered Rachel as she played with his fingers.

"You're welcome. I'm not sure they were thrilled with me, but I'll live."

She giggled. "You did great, much better than any of the others."

"Thanks, that's reassuring."

An hour passed, and soon they were nearing the hotel.

"Isn't Los Angeles great?" remarked Ross. "I mean, it's like New York…with the ocean."

"Yeah, I've always liked San Diego better, but that's probably because I'm from there."

"You know what? Let's get out here and walk back to the hotel, okay? It's not too far, and there's lots of cool little shops. Maybe you could shop like you wanted to."

She didn't want to tell him that she was worn-out and just wanted to go back to the hotel and order room service, so she agreed. "Yeah, that sounds great," she tried to stifle a yawn.

Once they were out of the cab, they began their trek down the strip. "Look at all these stores!" exclaimed Ross.

"Wow, honey, I didn't know you were that enthusiastic about shopping."

He didn't want to say it was all for her benefit, so he nodded along. "Yeah, shopping, buying, spending. You gotta love it! So where to?"

In order to stand upright, Rachel had to lean against him, her hand tucked securely within his. "Um…how about here?" She gestured towards a small shop parallel to a dingy old diner that she remembered but couldn't quite place in her memory.

"After you," he escorted her in, marveling at how she hardly looked pregnant from behind.

"Wow," Rachel breathed as she looked up and down at the endless rows of baby attire. "It's like a baby mall."

Yet her amazement was short-lived as she became more tired by the second. "Hey Ross?" she called out to him as he examined a crib they both fell in love with.

"Yeah," he hurried over to her.

"I think I'm going to go sit outside on that bench for a minute. I'm really tired, but I'll wait for you." Her face was almost ashen, and her body looked weak.

"Here, I'll come with you. Maybe we should go." He started to put down the stuffed dinosaurs, but she protested.

"No, you shop. I know now how much you enjoy it," she faintly smiled.

Since he had plans to surprise her with the crib, he gave in. "Okay, but I'll be out in like five minutes, so don't go anywhere."

Leaning on her tiptoes, she smiled and kissed him tenderly. "I wouldn't dream of it."

The cool air felt awakening, and within a minute, Rachel felt better. 'Maybe I should go back in,' she thought. She turned her back and looked in the window where Ross was obviously trying to purchase something quickly. 'He'll be out in a second, so I think I'll just sit here.'

She shut her eyes and let the sweet breeze drench her in its perfumes smelling of saltwater and sand. She sighed and placed her hand on her stomach, suddenly aware that she had the odd sensation of being watched.

Carefully, she opened one eye and caught sight of the restaurant in front of her. Why did it look so familiar?

----

No. It couldn't be.

It simply couldn't be her. After all these years, had she come back?

He always knew she'd come back. She needed him. He needed her.

So they'd had their problems, everyone did. She was back.

To hell with work, he'd always said, so he dropped the oven mitt he had in his hand and ventured outside.

To stare at her. He always had when she was asleep.

So he'd been drunk. Everyone's been there.

And the baby? It was better off this way.

She was back. And he would claim her.

----

Someone was watching her.

It was a silly notion, really. It had to be in her head, a mere figment of her imagination.

There were hundreds of people around her, no one was interested.

Then- someone was next to her. Breathing hot breath in her ear, whispering phrases that terrified her.

It all clicked now. The restaurant, the street, she was, after all, in her old neighborhood.

Get up! Her voice screamed to her in her head. Run!

But she remained seated, shaking amidst the warm breeze.

"Rachel, baby," the voice breathed. "You're back. And you've been busy."

She tried to move, but couldn't. She tried to speak, but wouldn't.

Where was Ross?!

"Why don't you come with me…"

He grabbed her arm, resurfacing the old scars that she had.

"We need to talk."

----

Ross paid the cashier, feeling quite pleased with himself. He had bought the crib for their daughter, and for Rachel. She had fallen in love with it the moment she set eyes on it.

He tucked his hand into his pocket, thinking that he'd like to take them out to a nice dinner after she'd rested. There, he'd explain to her that shopping was not his passion, but he didn't mind going with her. And there…he'd do something he'd been meaning to do for a while.

He smiled to himself as he opened the door. "Rach?"

Ross glanced around. Where was she? "Rach?"

He tried to reason with himself: She went to the bathroom, to get a glass of water, anything.

The streets of Los Angeles had never seemed so silent.

She said she wouldn't leave, she wouldn't dream of it…

Yet as he looked around at the vacant bench, busy streets, and dingy diner, he knew one thing for sure.

She was gone.

----

Uh-oh...things aren't looking too good, are they? ;) Maybe if you guys reviewed, they'd get better. lol.

Thanks for all the reviews on Beautiful (which I FINALY updated!!) and To be with you (even though not many ppl reviewed.)

Updates will be up ASAUR...(As soon as you review) lol...at least I'm creative with my requests. :)

Have a great night, and sorry about the cliffhanger...lol...well, not really, but this chappy took AGES to write. :)

Please review!

Mel