Chapter 9

Ending a few hours before the break of dawn, they were as exhausted as anything… but neither of them wanted to sleep.

Rachel, who was on Ross chest with her head next to his, felt the warmth of his body and his arms around her. She looked up at him and smiled, missing that sense of security and tenderness only Ross could give.

"Stay," Ross softly said, "I don't want to wake up and not find you next to me."

They both knew that night was it. The next day, life will go on… Ross will be Ross, and Rachel will still be Rachel. They will continue to live as if nothing happened; pursuing their duties and responsibilities, settling with the fact that time was against them.

It was painful for them both, but that was what life had to offer. They couldn't be together… even though their love for each other was strong, it wasn't strong enough to face the boundaries of life.

She looked at him and gave him a peck on the lips, "I have to go in a while. Emma can't wake up and find me next to you."

The happiness Ross had moments ago disappeared. Reality just kicked in.

"Don't sleep at least."

"I won't," she looked at him intently and tried to lighten up the situation, "but I'm tired."

He chuckled, kissing her nose. "You never change, Rach."

"Ross, we started before midnight!" she defended, "don't tell me you're still up for that?"

"I'm worn out too, but if this would be my last night with you, I'd tire myself to death."

She gaped at him, realizing what he just said… it was their last night together. In a period of time, he'd be married to someone else… again…

Rachel sat up and faced him, then planted a soft kiss on his lips. "I'd go if you go," she sadly joked, forcing a smile but feeling the tears form in her eyes. Ross reciprocated her kiss as she straddled her legs above him.

As tired as they could have been… they went for one last time.

Was it really the best way to say goodbye? Years ago, it worked at first for Rachel and didn't for Ross. What about this time?

Rachel sadly left at the break of dawn.

Time, once again, played the culprit. Knowing the restrictions for the rest of their lives, neither of them wanted time to pass. They wanted it to freeze - even just once – and begged it to be on their side.

Ross curled into a ball on his bed. He suddenly felt so cold, so lonely without her beside him. Unable to close his eyes, he stared at the wall, silently asking God to take away the pain he felt.

Emma peeked in her father's room and presumed him asleep, seeing the stillness of his back. She slowly crept to the bed and snuggled next to him.

Ross felt her wrap her arms around him. He smiled, turning to face her. She reminded him so much of Rachel… her big blue eyes opened wide when she found out he was awake, and her red cherry lips, which she also got from her mom, beamed.

"Hi daddy!" she cheerfully greeted him.

"Hi baby," kissing her forehead as he tried to hide the sadness he felt.

"I thought mommy was gonna pick me up last night?"

"She came by, but she saw you sound asleep on your bed. She didn't want to wake you anymore!"

Emma stared at her father, nodding her head. "I wanna go to the zoo!"

"Okay, that sounds fine with me! When do you want me to take you?"

"Later!"

"Sweetie, you have class!"

She nodded, "Can we go after?"

He didn't want to disappoint his daughter, but he had to meet his fiancée that afternoon. "How about on Sunday?" Ross suggested.

Emma's excitement disappeared, "I'm staying over Gramma's house." She referred to Sandra Green as 'gramma,' a term that was supposed to be 'grandma.' She had trouble saying it as a child,but eventually got used to sayinggramma as she grew.

"How about tomorrow?"

She shook her head.

Ross tried to think of a way to appease her, but before he could say anything else, Emma told him, "It's okay daddy. I had fun yesterday anyway. I'll just see you next week!"

He embraced his little angel, whispering to her ear, "I'm sorry baby. I'll make it up to you, I promise!"

She simply smiled at him and turned the television on, then switched the channel to Nickelodeon. Her father stared at her while she watched, lost in thought.

"Daddy?" she called without removing her eyes from the television, "What time's mommy coming?"

"She's picking you up after school, honey."

Emma frowned.

Upon seeing this, Ross sat up, "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she answered without looking at her father.

"Honey, I know something's bothering you."

She sighed and faced Ross, "How come we don't spend time together like Erica and Jack?"

"We hang out on Saturdays and Sundays," Ross reasoned out, "don't you want that?"

"I do, but…" she trailed off. "But I want you and mommy with me all the time, daddy," she sadly sighed, hugging her dad.

Ross kissed her head closing his eyes, "I'm sorry baby. Mommy and I will really try, okay?" Ross closed his eyes and felt even more pain. He wanted to give what Emma asked for, he just wasn't sure how. Especially with their situation now, being with her pretending everything was okay would be hard.

The few weeks that passed weren't as awkward as Ross and Rachel expected. In fact, for some weird reason they became closer. She enjoyed his presence, even in a friendly way. Rachel didn't even mind having Catherine around.

Emma was delighted with the family atmosphere that surrounded her. And she was thankful that for whatever reason her parents had, they got along really well. Ross would sometimes stay over during their Saturday bonding night, ending up asleep on the couch. It went on for a few weeks until one fateful Sunday morning; Ross got home and found himself in trouble.

Apparently, Catherine noticed the closeness Ross and Rachel had. She didn't know what happened between them, but the thought of their togetherness scared her. She adored Emma, but she knew Ross and Rachel had a history and in her opinion, the Rachel was irreplaceable.

"Ross," Catherine sternly greeted as he entered his apartment one Sunday morning.

He obviously slept over Rachel's because he was wearing the same clothes as the night before.

"Hey," he closed the door, surprised seeing her on the couch.

"Why just now?"

He went to kiss her but she refused.

"I'm sorry babe, I was at Rachel's. I told you about it, remember?"

"You told me about it last night, Ross."

"Yeah – " "And the sun's up."

Ross plopped down the couch next to her and scratched his head, "Are we gonna fight about this again?"

"Then why did you do it again?"

"Do what? Spend time with my daughter?"

"Ross, you've been with them all day, and we'll be with them this whole day too. You have Emma sometimes during the weekdays, why else should you sleepover?"

"Catherine, Emma needs me and Rachel with her."

"Wasn't yesterday, last Friday and Wednesday enough? Or do you want me to count the days last week too?"

True it was his fault… he just was too attached to the feeling too much.

He sighed and faced his crying fiancée, "I'm sorry."

Catherine looked up, "I'm sorry too… it's just that I wanted to tell you last night that I finally found a wedding planner and-" she sobbed.

Ross hugged her tight, claming her down. "That's great babe." He closed his eyes, trying to erase the thoughts in his mind.

As they broke, Catherine wiped her tears. "I'm sorry Ross. It's just that Rachel makes me feel really jealous and-"

"Why?" he cut her.

"Because I know you had feelings for her and you have Emma together. I mean you had a history of-"

"Cath, I'm with you. I'm marrying you. I love you," he told her.

'I love you.' he convinced himself.

Catherine smiled and hugged him, giving him a passionate kiss which he responded to, but broke off after a few seconds.

Catherine loved Ross so much. It was a selfish thing to say that she wanted him for herself but it was her heart, and only she had to deal with it.

Ross and Catherine had many fights about spending too much time with Emma and Rachel… in public or in private, it didn't matter.

Ross, on the other hand, was afraid to lose Catherine. He loved her, although not in love with her. Why? Because she was selfless towards him on other things. She was the only woman who gave everything to Ross. He was even scared, because she sometimes made it seem that she loved him more than she loved herself.

This chapter took longer than usual although I'll upload the next one soon! I hope you enjoyed it :) I'm a sucker for reviews so if you have time, do leave me one :)