How are you guys doing? It was a busy week for me; I'm a little tired. I had to study a lot and also had a lot of work to do. But I finally found some time to write this third chapter, and I hope it's good. So, thanks for the reviews, and enjoy.
Chapter 3: The Cookout – Part 1
"Daddy!" Jack yelled at the time he saw Chandler and Joey entering the backyard. He forgot the other kids and ran to his dad, happily.
"Hey, how are you?" Chandler hugged him tightly, kissing his forehead.
"I'm fine. You are late."
"Am I? Oh, that's not important, I'm right here now."
"And what about me?"
It was Joey, who looked to Jack with a smile. The boy smiled back and said:
"It's nice to see you here, uncle Joey. You'll love this, we had a lot of food."
"Oh, that's why I'm here! So, let's eat!"
Chandler winked to Jack while Joey went away to find something to eat and asked his son:
"Where's Erica?"
"She's inside with mommy and aunt Rachel. Let's go there, she is missing you."
He let the boy lead him into the house, and looked around, searching for Ross. But he wasn't there. Jack continued pulling his dad into the kitchen, and Rachel, with Emma in her arms, was the first one who saw the two coming in.
"Hey, Chandler! Glad to see you here."
"Hello, Rach…" He looked from her to Monica, who was sat in front of Rachel and managed some words too "Hello, Monica."
"Hi." She said with a small smile.
Erica was under the table, probably playing, and at the time she realized her daddy was there, she got out quickly and hugged him with Jack still holding his hand.
"Hi, daddy!"
"Hi, princess… I missed you, you know?"
"I missed you too, daddy. Jack and I were thinking you wouldn't come anymore."
"Aw, did you guys really think that? I'm here now, ok? And uncle Joey is outside eating something."
"Cool!" She said.
"Let's play football!" Jack suggested, jumping.
"All right. You two go and ask some kids if they want to play ok?"
"Ok!" the twins answered at the same time, happily. Erica grabbed Emma's hand and pulled her "C'mon, Emma, let's go!"
Chandler smiled to her and watched the kids heading to the backyard. So, he turned his attention to the two women in front of him.
"So, is Ross here?"
"Yes…" Rachel said, "He's in the living room watching some TV."
"Is he ok knowing I'm here?"
"I think he is. Do you want to talk to him?"
"I don't know…" He sighed and looked at Monica, who was looking on the floor, thinking about something else or just avoiding him. "Are you ok with me being here, Mon?"
She met his gaze and nodded before answering his question with a small smile, who appeared on her lips:
"Yes, of course I am. I invited you, you forgot?"
"I know, it's just… Are you really ok with this?"
"Look, if I invited you, that's because I wanted you to be here. So don't be afraid."
"Right." He nodded. "I think I'll go play with the kids a little bit and then I'll talk to Ross."
"Ok." Rachel smiled and they watched as he left the kitchen with his hands on his pockets. "Are you really ok with this, Mon?"
"Rach…" She sighed. "I am… really."
"Did you see the way he looked at you? Oh, Mon, he's so sorry, everyone could tell that."
"Rach, please…"
"No, Mon, it's true! He's still in love with you. He's just trying to fix things; you should give it a try. Look, until today, sometimes I feel angry about Ross cause of that girl… you remember. He cheated on me, you know…"
"So you should know how I feel."
"And I do! That's why I'm asking you to give Chandler another chance. He's a sweet guy, he loves you and the twins, and you know that."
"Rachel, he was having an affair for three weeks! He knew what he was doing and he kept doing it!"
"I know it's hard. But he has been trying so hard…"
"So he needs to try harder, 'cause it's not working."
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"Joey, stop eating and come here to help me with this children, for god's sake."
"Aw, man, you can handle then!" Joey said with his mouth filled with hot dog. "You're doing a great job, keep going."
"Thanks, man." Chandler replied with a sarcastic smile.
"C'mon, daddy, let's play another game!" Jack screamed.
"Yeah!" The other children joined then with enthusiasm.
"Oh, good god. Uncle Joey will play with you guys now, ok, cause I need to do something."
Joey sent him an angry look but Chandler ignored it, and just saying:
"I need to talk to Ross."
"Oh…Ok, man, go ahead."
"Thanks Joe. I hope you still alive when I come back here."
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Chandler entered the living room slowly, and Ross not even looked at him. He was sat on the couch, arms crossed, and seemed very upset or angry when realized that his ex-brother in law was heading to the couch where he was.
"Hey, Ross. How are you?"
Ross didn't answer. He wasn't in the mood for Chandler and his excuses right now.
"Rachel told me you were here. Can we talk?"
"No, we can't talk. I don't want to talk."
"Ross, please, let's stop being so childish about this situation."
"I'm not being childish! I just don't want to talk to you, and you know that, Chandler. You hurt my little sister, man… and I can't forgive you for doing that."
"I want you to know that I'm sorry, Ross, I really am and… I want us to be friends again."
"There's no way, Chandler. You cheated on her and you destroyed our friendship. I don't think I would ever be able to forgive you."
"I'm sorry, mate."
Ross got up and headed upstairs, saying:
"It's too late to feel sorry, Chandler."
Chandler was glad that Ross didn't punch him, but was upset 'cause he didn't want to talk. He was feeling so horrible…Chandler just wanted to turn back time and do things in a better way. But this was something impossible.
Ok, very short, I know. Anyway, I would like to thank you guys for the reviews and I hope you like this chapter after all. Next chapter, Monica and Chandler will face each other in a long talk… and you'll have to wait to see what will happen. So, review, and I see you all soon.
