Chapter 3

Instead of enjoying the rare opportunity, Rachel now hated having time for herself because it made her think… Louis Vuitton sure wasn't in a hurry to make her work- they gave her a week extension off just so she could settle down.

But today, Ross took Emma with him to visit Ben so she's alone at home. Monica and Phoebe were at work so she couldn't call or visit them and her sisters were the last people she'd want to talk to.

Rachel exasperatedly sat on the couch. She was doing everything just so she won't get bored. She cleaned the kitchen, the bathroom, her room and Emma's too. She found a few videos to watch but ended up sitting on the couch, succumbing to what she hated the most… to think about Ross.

Why did she leave?

She didn't know. It wasn't clear.

Maybe because the job paid high, it was time to redeem herself once again… and it was Paris, who wouldn't want to go there? But why did she leave Ross while he was there in the airport, offering her a lifetime of happiness? He told her he loved her… she did too. She knew she loved him but the fact of risking everything again scared her. But was she wrong?

She couldn't do this alone… she needed a drink!

After getting a bottle of wine and a glass, she resumed questioning everything she had gone through for the last few years. Going to Paris wasn't wrong. She learned a lot and became a more independent person. What seemed like a fault on her side was to let Ross go… and she knew that from the time she boarded the plane.

For years she refused admitting to herself that she made a mistake. When he visited her and Emma a couple of times in Paris, it was like nothing happened. The busy schedule Rachel had made hardly enough time for them to talk about deep things. He was there to visit Emma in the first place.

Yet now that Rachel's back in New York, she felt it… Her heart would scream whenever Ross was near.

A knock on the door disrupted Rachel's train of thought. Emma and Ross were back from Carol's house.

"Mommy!" Emma shouted as soon as she saw Rachel.

"Honey I thought you were asleep," Ross said, giving his little angel to her mom.

"I was!" she smirked.

Rachel chuckled, "She always does that when she wants to be carried."

Ross gave Emma an evil smile.

In return, Emma pretended to fall asleep on Rachel's shoulder.

"So how's Ben?" Rachel asked.

"He's okay. I swear, that boy's becoming a man already. He's almost as tall as me!"

"Wow, the last time I saw him was I think Emma's birthday… or was it the Christmas before I left?"

"I think it was Christmas," Ross replied.

They shared a moment, recalling that day they attempted to build Monica's Christmas tree but failed to do so. it was so much fun. Joey was showing them how to make fake frost on the windows with his spray but ended up spraying it on his eye… Phoebe sang while Monica cooked and Chandler did nothing as usual… though Ross and Rachel were watching Emma open her gifts.

Memories… and there were more to come.

Ross noticed the wine on the coffee table. "Have you been drinking?"

Rachel laughed, "I didn't know what to do today. I'm just so used to doing something every minute that I got bored."

"So you ended up drinking alone?" Ross shot back.

"Hey! I had no one to invite. And besides, I didn't drink that much."

"Would you mind if I join you then?"

"No, not at all!" Rachel smiled. They both checked up on Emma on Rachel's arms… and she was asleep.

Ross approached Rachel and took Emma from her. Feeling him near her sent chills down her spine… she could smell his perfume. She couldn't stop staring at him, thank God he didn't notice.

Upon exiting from Emma's room, Ross saw two glasses and a bottle of wine on the coffee table. He was in for a long night…

I hope to upload the next chapter soon! Sorry this took long, school's eating me alive! As for Brad and Jen, well I wish them all the happiness in the world. Them getting back together would be great, but if they're better people apart, then let it be. At least we know Ross and Rachel are still together… and they can go on as long as we want them to)

Reviews? I did some minor editing with this chapter! Peace!)