This is my first attempt at an epilogue, I hope you enjoy it.It will hopefully tie up a few ends, I hope it answers a few questions of yours which you were wanting to find out before the story is out.
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Theres nothing else in the world
I'd rather wake up and see
With you.
Beautiful dawn.
He sat gazing over in her direction, unaware of his eyes on her, she continued to moisturise her face and comb her hair. He couldnt help but look, even when he tried to tear his eyes away from her, they always drifted back. Even in her morning mask, no makeup, She looked like she was shining, she just didnt know what anybody else could see. He would tell her everyday how beautiful she was, but she was in disbelief.
They had been living together again in New York for just 3 weeks and things finally felt brighter again, although Rachel hadnt been able to get her job back yet, he had never see her happier. 'Sweetie?'. She called over to him. 'Are you awake?' She asked again. He closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep, something he always did just so she would come back into bed to see if he was fooling her.
'Ross?' She called again, getting up from the chair. He sneaked a look as she was turned around, his plan had worked yet again. 'Are you joking with me again?' She asked, climbing on the bed, leaning over his head. 'Well then...I guess I'll just have to shower on my own then...' She said in his ear, slowly getting up before she was quickly pulled back down on the bed. 'I knew you were awake!' She laughed, slapping him playfully on the arm. 'It never fails with you..' He laughed.
She rested her head on his chest. 'Maybe...but the shower thing always fools you also!' She reminded him. 'Oh, so you dont want to shower with me this morning?'He asked teasingly.
She began to laugh. 'What do you think?'. She asked him, tilting her head to the side. 'My mornings wouldnt be the same without showering with you baby...but first, let me go and see to Emma...you can keep the water warm for me yeah?'. She asked him, squeezing his hand quickly before springing off the bed.
'I'll be waiting for you Greene...'. He laughed.
'Dont you mean...'
'Oh my mistake...I meant to say, Gellar Green...' He corrected himself.
She nodded. 'Thank you'. She said before walking out of the room.
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'Can you believe our baby is two years old?' Rachel asked Ross as they both got ready to go out. 'It only feels like yesterday since I was in 48 hours labour and screaming the hospital down...' She laughed as she put Emma into her pushchair.
Ross smiled. 'It feels like only yesterday since her first birthday too, atleast she was awake for her party this time round huh?'. He joked.
'Good job otherwise, I dont think Monica and Chandler would have came...' She said, shaking her head. 'But Ross, I was thinking earlier when I was bathing her and I just realised again how much I love her but I felt so sad that she is growing up...I wanted to ask if you wanted to have more children?' She asked him.
He smiled. 'I remember a time when it was me who was wanting all the children and a huge family and house in the suburbs..' He laughed, 'but Rach...theres nothing more that I would want but to give you more children and to give Emma a real sister or brother...' He told her.
'I guess things change huh? There was a time where I probably wouldnt have wanted a huge family because the thought scared me...but since having Emma, I see things a lot more different' She told him. 'So...maybe once we're married, we could maybe try for another baby?' She suggested, a smile appearing on her face.
He walked towards her, draping his arms over her shoulders, 'Maybe even before the wedding...' He hinted at her,with a suggestive glint in his eyes.
Today they were both going to have lunch with their parents, two whole hours spent in a restaurant having to answer questions and explain why this time they really were being serious about their relationship and reassure Ross' parents that this marriage wouldnt follow in the same steps as his previous ones.
'Are you nervous about today?'. Rachel asked Ross as she put on her beige suede jacket on.
He wandered over to her, wrapping his arms around her. 'I'm a little nervous about having to see your dad and make him believe that I do care about you and that I wont mess you around...'.
'You know my dad, hes difficult to impress but if you remember...you both got on well once you started to talk, remember?'.
'Yeah but the last time that I saw him was when he found out you were pregnant...he sure hated me that day, I'm just going to have to deal with him...'. He told her, kissing her on the neck. 'I'll do anything to make sure he trusts me to take care of you...because I will, and well...I dont have to really convince your mum because shes always been easy to get on with'. He smiled.
'My mum? You mean shes coming along today too?' Rachel asked him. 'What about my da--'.. She started to panick.
'Shoot...I...I wasnt going to tell you because I knew you wouldnt be pleased and you would get all freaked...but your mum and dad both promised me that they would behave and get along for your sake...ok?'. He said to her, rubbing her arm.
'Why didnt you tell me?'. She asked him.
'Because...I wanted it to be a pleasant surprise for you when you got there and saw them both there for you...I mean, you didnt expect us to have our wedding meeting lunch without both your mum and dad did you?'.
'No but I just never thought they would both agree to be in the same room as eachother...'..
'Well they have promised to both be there today...at 4...so lets get a move on. And anyway...atleast you dont have to impress my parents, they already see you as their daughter anyway...' He laughed.
She released herself from his arms to put Emma's bag on the pram, 'We better go then...Its so good that my sister has offered to look after Emma again...I mean this is the second time now..I'm starting to get worried'. She laughed.
'Aslong as she doesnt do anything behind our backs again like piercing her ears...I dont care.' He said.
'Well shes not completely on her own this time...Jill is going to be there, and I know shes a little crazy too but shes great with kids...we have nothing to worry about'. She reassured him.
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After awkwardly going for the same chair as they had done in the past, Ross and Leonard Greene settled down on the table as Rachel and her mother opened their menues to see what they fancied. 'So...Ross. You still work at that museum?'. Her father asked him.
Ross shook his head, 'I actually teach now at a university three times a week...I left the museum a few years back Dr Green'. He told him.
He could feel Rachel's eyes on him as they began to talk between themselves, he had made a deal with her that he would play nice with her father and ignore any sly comments that came his way. 'A university huh? Well thats impressive...' He replied, Ross noticed he didnt say it in a sarcastic way surprisingly, he actually sounded genuine for once.
Rachel smiled over at Ross. 'Why dont you tell my mom and dad about the tenure you got this year?' She suggested. 'Your parents should be here soon...shouldnt they?'. She asked. Ross nodded, 'I told them to be here before 4...but you know what my dad's like driving...' He joked.
'My gosh...we havent seen Ross's parents for a whole 4 years...' Sandra Greene said behind her menu, 'How are they doing Ross?'. She asked.
Before Ross could answer, they were soon joined by the Gellars, Judy and Jack. 'Oh we're so sorry to be so late...' Judy replied as she came over straight to Ross to greet her son, while Jack gave Rachel a friendly kiss. 'Oh Sandra...Its been so long!' Judy said as the two ladies embraced. Jack and Leonard shared a quick handshake before Jack sat down beside Ross. 'And how are you Rachel dear? It's so good to see you...' Judy told her, placing a small kiss on her cheek before sitting beside her.
'Oh I couldnt be better Judy, and its all because of your son...' Rachel smiled, gazing over at Ross who seemed to be pretty impressed by the comment.
'Me and Jack were so pleased to hear about your engagement, but I could somehow see it coming...' Judy smiled. 'So are we going to talk about the wedding today? How exciting--'.
'So was there a reason besides wanting to get married that you proposed to my Rachel, Gellar?' Leonard rudely interupted. 'Or are you expecting another child...'.
Rachel threw him a look. 'Daddy...'.
'What princess? I'm your father..I need to know that theres another reason for why you are getting married...'. He explained.
Rachels mother held her daughters hand, 'Ignore him dear...you dont need another reason besides wanting to get married out of love, isnt that right Judy...Jack?'. She asked, smiling over at them.
'Ofcourse. I dont think you need to worry Leonard as we taught our Ross well...he will look after Rachel...even if marriages havent really gone down well with our Ross in the past...-'.
'Ok dad. Lets not get into that..' Ross begged. 'Me and Rachel want to get married because...we want to. We dont need another reason, there isnt anything stopping us getting married as we are in love...we have a child together and will probably want a bigger family in the future, Mr Greene...you needn't worry, I love your daughter very much...' He smiled.
And soon, Dr Greene shut up.
'Fair enough Gellar'. He said, 'So...Shall we order?'. He asked them, calling over the waiter who was already circling their table anyway.
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She would have been lying if she said she didnt want a big fairytale wedding when she married Ross, as a teenager she remembered acting out her own wedding with Monica and not once was the wedding in their imagination just a small reception, so when Ross asked her what she wanted from their day, she wasnt too sure on what to say. 'Whatever you want it to be Rach...Its your call.'. He told her as they walked home hand in hand from their dinner with their parents.
She looked up at him and smiled, 'Every girl wants a huge wedding with a horse and carriage and the biggest cake to size...but...I've been thinking and my idea of a wedding has completely changed as its not about the size or how many people come...its about us Ross, making those vows..and thats all that matters'. She told him.
'Wow'. He said, visibly surprised at her comments. 'I gotta say Rach, and dont take this the wrong way...but, I always thought of you as the girl who wanted it all...you know, a massive wedding and everything...whats changed?'. He asked.
'No your right. I used to be that girl who wanted everything...but now...I have everything, the only thing missing is saying I do to you Ross...'..
'Thats all thats ever mattered to me Rach too...but I just wanted to make sure that was what you wanted too, because if you do want a huge reception then we can have that too...'.
'I know my dad said he would book the Plaza for us, and maybe that would be amazing...it doesnt mean we have to have it big either as we can just invite our close friends and family and have a short reception then we can have a party...'. She suggested.
'I would like to get married in the Plaza too, so we'll tell our parents that we want to have it there...and we can sort the rest out...'.
'Ross?'.
'Yeah baby?'.
'You know when you proposed and you...well you didnt give me a ring did you? so...I was thinking, could we go and choose a ring soon?'. She asked him.
He laughed. 'Ofcourse you can. Whatever size...whatever the price, thats why I didnt want to buy you a ring..I wanted you to choose it yourself Rach..'. he told her, 'When do you want to go?'. He asked her.
'Errm, sometime this week if we can...'.
'Well...how about we go...now?'. He said to her, 'Would you like that?'. He asked.
She smiled, 'What does this smile say to you? I would love to go and get it now...' She said, kissing him on the lips quickly as they stopped at the crossing of the road. 'Ok then, well its only 7oclock now and I'm sure that the ring shop doesnt close till 9oclock on fifth...'. He told her.
'Great. Now we might be there a long time Ross...you know what I'm like shopping and this is going to be even worse, choosing my engagement ring and all...' She laughed.
'Thats expected Angel. But listen...before we go, I wanted to ask you something else'. He told her.
She stopped, and stood facing him, her hands in his back pockets as their stomachs touched. 'What sweetie?'.
'When your dad was saying about when we were going to have the wedding...I was thinking that maybe we could have the wedding in the christmas holiday, a few days before christmas?'. He suggested. 'But I know you were thinking of having it next summer but...'.
'Yeah. I was thinking of next summer but...your way means that we get to wed in just 5 months time...' She pointed out.
'Well thats one more thing sorted out then huh?.A Christmas wedding...'. He confirmed. 'But I think we need to really talk things over anyway over the next few months...so anyway, lets get this ring of yours!'. He said, pulling her along the street, their hands intwined in one anothers.
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The night grew darker as they walked down the road of Fifth avenue, they were practically skipping as they went. Hand in hand, talking about the wedding and sharing ideas. 'Finally...' Rachel sighed as they came to the ring shop at the very end of the street. 'Cmon, lets go in...' She said, tugging at his sleeve.
He laughed. ' You can hardly wait can you sweetie?'.
'Nah uh...' She shook her head. 'Now, we better go in before someone takes whichever ring I am destined to have...' She joked.
He did as he was told and walked behind her into the tiny shop, as they went inside the shop, all around them were glass cabinets with all different types of jewellery,Rachel's eyes lit up as she looked around her, like a child wandering around a toy shop. He pulled her towards him again, kissing her head before whispering in her ear, 'Just tell me when you find what you want angel...' He smiled, just like a father would to his child at Christmas. 'Oh I will...' She sniggered.
A lady at the counter who had clearly been looking and listening to the couple soon wandered over, 'The engagement rings are this way dear...' She said to Rachel, delivering her a friendly smile, 'I assume you are both engaged...' She smiled. Ross and Rachel nodded, before the lady led her to the engagement rings.
Ross thought it would be appropiate to walk behind them,. He knew he would be probably waiting around quite a bit as he knew she would probably see more than one which she wanted on her finger. He looked on as Rachel gazed at the sparkling rings inside the cabinet, her eyes still alight as she looked.
'What sort of ring are you looking for dear?' The lady asked as they both stood on either side of the cabinet. 'We have many ranges..'. She pointed out.
Rachel nodded. 'I dont have a ring in my mind to be honest...I was hoping for one to just...'. She stopped for a moment and leant further down, 'To catch my eye...' She continued. Not only was her eyes lit up, but so was her whole face at this point. She began to point down to the ring...'Oh wow...'. She said, her eyes still fixated on this single ring. 'Oh this one is one of our favourites...I can understand why you like it dear, would you like me to get it out for you?'. She offered.
Rachel nodded. 'Ross...Come over and see it sweetie', she asked him, holding out her left hand. 'You have to see this...'.
The lady held out the ring to show them both, 'Wow...that is amazing' Ross agreed, putting one arm around Rachel as they both gazed at the ring.
'Isnt it?' Rachel smiled, touching the ring which was still in the lady's hand.
'Well, do you want it?'. Ross asked her.
'We dont even know how much it yet though do we...' Rachel told him.
He laughed. 'I dont care. If you like it, and you want it...then its yours Rach'. he told her.
The lady smiled at him. 'theres an offer you cant refuse...' She said to Rachel, still holding out the ring to her.
Rachel looked up at him again, 'Are you sure?'.
'I'm sure'. He told her. 'So you want it then?'.
'I do'. She confirmed. As soon as she did so, the lady took this as a signal to close the cabinet and put the ring in a box.
'You've made a good choice...' She said to Rachel as she continued to put it away, 'Your very lucky...' She smiled.
'I know I made a good choice...' She agreed, but she didnt mean what the lady was thinking, she looked up at Ross and kissed him quickly on the lips, letting him know that it wasnt just the ring that was a good choice. 'and I do count myself a very lucky girl...' She added.
Once outside the shop, they both stood outside for a few moments. The stars were shining in the sky and there was a gentle breeze in the air, it was a typical late summers night.
Ross had the bag in his hand with the ring in, 'Before we go home...'.
She stood next to him, 'What sweetie?'.
He opened the bag, picking out the box. 'We have to do it right...'. He told her, before opening the box, where the ring of her choice sat. 'Rachel Greene, Will you marry me?' He asked her.
She began to laugh. 'For the second time...Yes'. She smiled.
He took the ring out gently and took hold of her finger, sliding it slowly up her finger before kissing her softly on the lips. 'I just had to do it again with the ring...' He told her. She looked at her ring again, 'I just cant believe how beautiful it is...' She smiled, admiring it.
He wrapped his arms around her again. 'It just has to be the most beautiful thing...ever'. She said again, grinning up at him.
Loving you is some kind of wonderful
Because you show me how much you care
'I know something more beautiful...' He whispered in her ear.
'Oh and whats that sweetie?' She asked him, putting her arms around his waist.
'You'.
I'm so glad you found me in time.
This will be an everlasting love for me.
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Thats the end of the story everybody, I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!.
Look out for more stories written by myself, I am looking forward to giving you all more material to read in just a matter of weeks:D
Rachel xxxx
