Love is Chapter 5: Promises, a friends fanfic

Love is...

-Author's Note: Once again, thank you all SO much for the reviews. I hope this one is as good as you all seem to think the others are. And to Tina Chaves 1: I love every one of your fics and I'm honored that you enjoy mine. To everyone – thank you all! I hope you enjoy, leave me a review when you're done!

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Rachel was watching Ross sleep. It was very early in the morning so it was still dark, but the moon lit her room enough so that she could see Ross's face twitch as he dreamt. He looked so cute; his hair was disheveled and his mouth hung open, disturbing the peaceful silence in the room every now and then when he inhaled and exhaled deeply.

Every time our eyes meet
This feeling inside me
Is almost more than I can take
Baby when you touch me
I can feel how much you love me
And it just blows me away
I've never been this close to anyone or anything
I can hear your thoughts
I can see your dreams

She had her chin on his chest and she was looking at him with pure admiration in her eyes. How could God have made someone so perfect? And why had she been the one that this perfect person had chosen to love? Just lucky I guess; very, very lucky.

Ross took a deep breath and Rachel held hers. She lifted her head off of his chest, allowing him to reposition himself with his back facing her. She smiled; partly because she hadn't woken him up, and partly because he was just so damn adorable. She planted a gentle kiss on his shoulder and soon fell asleep, hugging him from behind.

I don't know how you do what you do
I'm so in love with you
It just keeps getting better
I want to spend the rest of my life
With you by my side
Forever and ever
Every little thing that you do
Baby, I'm amazed by you

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Ross woke up to strips of bright light in his face from the way the sun was coming in through the blinds on Rachel's window. Rachel. He looked down and saw her head on his chest, her hair spread all across his upper body. He smiled and brushed some of the hair out of her face. She took a deep breath and squirmed a little, but didn't wake up. He could feel her hugging him tightly around the middle and he stroked her back gently. He stared up at the ceiling and let all of his thoughts go free in his mind.

The smell of your skin
The taste of your kiss
The way you whisper in the dark
Your hair all around me
Baby you surround me
You touch every place in my heart
Oh, it feels like the first time, every time
I want to spend the whole night in your eyes

He started thinking about the amazing events of the previous night. Their first "I love you's". Wow. He had thought, at the time, that saying it was the best feeling in the world; letting all of that emotion finally reveal itself. But he was wrong. Hearing her say it back was the real best feeling the world. Just knowing that someone as special as her actually loved him back was almost too much to take. He'd been given a gift – a gift so amazing that he swore to himself he would never give up. That gift was love. But not just any ole love. This love was the most powerful thing he'd ever felt. This love was everlasting, too. He could feel it. The most important thing about this love and the thing about it that mattered most to him, however, was that it was being returned to him. This wasn't like back in high school when she was the reason why he got up every morning, but she barely knew he even existed. No; this was different, because he knew now that she loved him too. And the feeling you get when you hear words like that is just...mind-blowing.

Ross lifted his head to get a better look at Rachel's alarm clock. 9:00 Am. He lightly kissed the top of Rachel's head and very carefully wiggled himself free from her tight grasp and out of bed. He put on his boxers and a tee shirt and looked at her again, stifling a chuckle. She looked so funny; when he had gotten out of bed, she moved around a little bit, searching for her muscular pillow. When she gave up the hunt, she had become positioned sideways across her bed. She looked like a little angel.

He left her room and closed the door softly behind him and walked into the kitchen. He poured himself a glass of orange juice and stared thoughtfully into space. After a moment, he put his empty glass in the sink and surveyed the kitchen cabinets looking for everything that he would need to make her breakfast in bed. For the next twenty minutes, Ross fiddled around the kitchen, making a hefty stack of pancakes, toast with strawberry jelly, eggs; and mixing a glass of chocolate milk. He put it all on a tray and took a white lily from the bouquet he'd given her a few nights before. He put the flower in a pretty cup and slowly walked back over to Rachel's room, being careful not to drop anything. He opened the door and set the tray down on a nightstand. Gently stroking her hair and kissing her forehead, he whispered softly, "Rach, sweetie? Come on...get up."

Rachel lifted her head and opened her eyes, squinting against the bright rays of the morning sun. At the sight of his gorgeous face, she smiled. "Hey you."

Ross smiled warmly, "I made you breakfast in bed."

Rachel's heart melted. He was so sweet. Their love was like a fairytale, and Rachel was hoping against hope that it wouldn't end. She took his face in her hands and kissed him. When they broke, she rested her forehead against his and looked into his eyes. She whispered, "Thank you."

Ross smiled and kissed her nose before getting up to get the tray. Rachel repositioned herself normally on the bed and prepared for her breakfast feast. It all looked so good!

Ross sprawled out on the bed, perched himself up on his elbow and watched her eat. She took perfect bites. What he wouldn't give to be that chuck of pancakes right now. She took a bite of her jelly toast and with a mouthful of food, tried to say, "Want some?" In her attempt, little bits of food went flying out of her mouth sending them both into fits of laughter. Ross took the toast and took a huge bite, getting jelly all over his face, but he couldn't feel it. He handed the toast back over to her and was puzzled by the laughter she was trying, but failing, to hold back.

"What?" he asked, laughing, although he didn't know what he was laughing at.

He looked so cute to her. Sitting there with strawberry jelly all over his face and being totally oblivious. She could definitely do this everyday for the rest of her life. She cleared her throat and said, still smiling, "You got some jelly on your face."

"Oh, where? Can you get it for me?"

Rachel smiled, "Sure." Ross leaned closer to her so she could reach him and clean his face. She took a napkin and gently wiped off his face. Ross stared at her the whole time, intrigued by how meticulous she was in getting the jelly off of his face. Rachel moved slower and slower as her eyes moved up from his cheeks to meet his. For a moment, they just sat there, looking into each others eyes, Rachel's hand still up by his face. Finally she dropped the napkin and brought her hand up behind his head and into his hair. She pulled him in for a very passionate kiss, letting all of the feelings inside of her run free. They broke the kiss and Ross smiled, "I love you."

Rachel smiled back, caressing his face, kissing his lips one more time before saying, "I love you too. Probably more than you'll ever know."

Ross took her hand and kissed it. "I doubt that."

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After Ross and Rachel finished the breakfast he made for her, Rachel took everything into the kitchen to clean up with Ross took a shower.

Rachel was at the sink washing dishes and staring out the window, while thoughts of her future with Ross took over her mind. She wouldn't get over how she could so easily picture herself with him at every stage of her life – their lives. She could see herself in the delivery room, giving birth to his children with him right by her side...She could see herself in the backyard of a beautiful two-story house in Westchester, taking care of her garden while Ross and their children wrestled nearby in the grass...but the vision of the future that she loved to think about most was their wedding. I know, I know; the prospect of most women thinking about getting married to a guy after six weeks of dating is terrifying – but not in this case. Rachel couldn't explain it, but there was something in their relationship that told her it was going to last forever. But like I mentioned before, forever wasn't enough. An eternity wasn't enough. Nothing would ever be enough when it came to how long she wanted to be with him. This was more than love. This was longing. This was desire. This was the type of heat and passion that never dies. It never fades away. It never falters – not even for a second. It only grows stronger and stronger with time...

Rachel's thoughts were interrupted when Monica came through the door holding bags of groceries. "Hey Mon!" Rachel smiled.

To Monica, there was something different about that smile. Not bad different by any means - there was just a new element to it she'd never seen before, a new level of happiness. "Hey! Why are you so happy?"

At this question, Rachel beamed, going to the table to sit down and motioning for Monica to do the same. Once Monica was seated, Rachel started the story. "Okay, well...Ross and I sort of had a big night last night...Actually, it was a huge night." Rachel squealed.

Monica laughed at the giddiness that had consumed Rachel. "Why? What happened?"

Rachel, although still smiling from ear to ear, suddenly turned serious. "Well, we said our first 'I love you's' –" Monica gasped and covered her mouth while Rachel nodded emphatically. "And we slept together for the first time." Rachel paused as she stopped to think. "And the second... And the third..."

Monica waved her hands as if to say that continuing wasn't necessary. She screamed, "Oh my God!!" Her eyes tearing, she pulled Rachel into a hug. Into Rachel's shoulder she said, "I'm so happy for you guys."

When Rachel heard this, a couple of happy tears fell down her cheeks and she squeezed Monica tighter. When she spoke, she sounded so small; as if she was a little girl apologizing to her mother after spilling her milk on the floor or something. "Really?"

Monica was shocked that Rachel ever would have thought that she wasn't ridiculously happy for her and Ross. I mean, it was her best friend and her brother for Christ's sake! She could understand how that could creep some people out, but to her, since she already knew them both so well, she knew that they were meant to be, and she would never let herself get in the way of that. She'd never seen either one of them happier and she was so thrilled that hey had found such a strong love in each other. She pulled back enough to look Rachel in the eye and with seriousness in her voice that Rachel had never heard before, she said "Rach, I couldn't be happier for you guys. You're my best friend and I want nothing but the best for you. I know I may be a little biased here because Ross is my brother, but I know that he is the best guy out there for you. I can't imagine two people more perfect for each other and I hope that one day I'll find someone that can make me as happy as you guys make each other."

Rachel smiled, really touched by what Monica said. She really was happy wasn't she? Rachel had to admit, she was a little scared at first that Monica wouldn't be okay with the whole 'her and Ross' thing, but after hearing that, she knew she had noting to worry about. "Thanks, hon. That means so much to me. And don't worry, I know there's someone out there just waiting to sweep you off your feet and shower you with all the love you deserve."

Monica smiled and hugged Rachel once more. "Okay, now help me put these groceries away." Rachel laughed. Two minutes of sentiment and not thinking about cleaning or straightening up, and Monica was already back to normal.

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Ross and Rachel were walking through Central Park after a very romantic dinner on a pier that Ross had set up. He was the sweetest thing on Earth. He had all of her favorites – chicken marsala, white wine, and bread pudding for dessert. He even had a boom box playing a CD of romantic love songs while they ate. So far the night had been perfect.

Never knew I could feel like this
Like I've never seen the sky before
Want to vanish inside your kiss
Everyday I love you more and more
Listen to my heart, can you hear it sing
Telling me to give you everything
Seasons may change winter to spring
But I love you until the end of time

They were walking hand in hand, enjoying the spectacular view of New York City and Central Park at night; enjoying the feeling that never seemed to go away, that feeling like they were the only two people left on the planet.

Rachel kicked a rock on the sidewalk and watched it roll off and into the grass. "Ross?"

Ross turned to look at her, baffled by the worried sound in her voice. "Yeah?"

Rachel avoided his gaze. She could feel him looking at her, but she didn't look back because she knew that the moment their eyes met, she would lose every coherent thought she had. Only he could do that to her. She could tell that he was getting worried so she gave his hand a comforting squeeze. "Promise me something?"

Suddenly the world seems such a perfect place
Suddenly it moves with such a perfect grace
Suddenly my life doesn't seem such a waste
It all revolves around you

'Uh-oh', Ross thought. Where was this going? "Anything."

It was then that Rachel decided to look at him. She turned her head and met his eyes. "Promise me you'll love me forever."

Ross smiled a little bit and stopped walking, taking both of her hands in his and kissing them both. "That, I'm afraid, is out of my control." Rachel looked confused. What the hell was that supposed to mean? "I couldn't stop loving you even if I wanted to."

And there's no mountain too high no river too wide
Sing out this song and I'll be there by your side
Storm clouds may gather and stars may collide
But I love you until the end of time

Rachel broke into a grin and kissed him tenderly. "That...was an excellent answer."

Ross smiled as he started to walk again, pulling her with him. He looked up at the stars as he said casually, "And do you promise to love me forever?"

Rachel squeezed his hand again and rested her head on his shoulder. "Till the stars stop shining and the sky's no longer blue."

"Ah..you're not so bad with the words yourself..."

Rachel laughed as she playfully hit his arm. He smiled and wrapped his arm around her, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. Softly she whispered, "I love you."

"Ditto."

Come what may, come what may
I will love you until my dying day

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Author's Note: So that's number five! Let me know what you guys thought of it! I'm a little worried about this one too...hmm...anyway, the first song I used in this chapter was "Amazed" by Lonestar and the second one was "Come What May" by Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman for the Moulin Rouge soundtrack. Hope you enjoyed...please leave me a review!