(An: I was watching the news last night when I got the idea for this fic)
This fic takes place after the series finale. Monica and Chandler live in Westchester with now 7 month old Jack and Erica. Monica is 4 months pregnant. (Yeah., yeah she's always preggers but that's the way I like it lol) Ross and Rachel are engaged Emma is 2. Mike and Phoebe are still married. Joey is living in LA staring on Deep Powder.
Disclaimer: All Friends and Joey characters belong to Bright, Kauffman, and Crane. I wish I owned Chandler! I do have Matthew he was an early Christmas present I just couldn't wait to unwrap him LOL)
Title: When Tragedy Strikes
Rated: PG-13
Summery: A fire could change the friends lives especially Monica's.
Chapter 3: Through The Years
Chandler sighed as he got up and looked out the window. The smoke was getting thicker and stronger they all kept taking turns on the window taking in the air from outside. He watched the firefighters below working frantically to rescue people and battle the fire. He looked down at the gold wedding band in his left hand. He stuck in his office with a fire burning a few floors below him. He just wanted to go home play with his kids and hold his wife. He turned to look at his coworkers. His assistant Courteney was sitting in the corner playing with the chain on her neck, Steve sat with his son Charlie. Zack and a few others he didn't know very well sat on the couch. He looked at Steve he met him through Monica.
Flashback
"So, do you have any other question about advertising?" Steve asked " No, no. But let me show you what I can do. "Bagels and donuts. Round food for every mood." Chandler said. " Monica warned me you might do that. I actually think we might have something for you at the agency" He smiled " Really? That's great!" Steve nodded "It's an unpaid internship." he said "It's funny. When you said "unpaid" it sounded like you said "unpaid." Steve nodded "Come on now. Monica has a good job. And it's not like you have a family to support."
The memory played before him like a movie. Chandler sighed as he walked back over to his desk. He looked at the photos that sat on it. He looked at the one
of Ben and Emma. He smiled as he thought about dressing up as Santa a few years ago for Ben.
Flashback
" Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!" Chandler said. "Santa!" Ben exclaimed hugging him " Hey!" he replied "What are you doing here, Santa?" Ross asked "Well, I'm here to see my old buddy Ben"
Chandler looked at Emma smiling little face. It was during her birth that he and Monica started trying for a baby. He taught her how old she was on her first birthday.
Flashback
"Emma, you even know it's your birthday today? You're one! One-year-old, that's little." Chandler said showing her old she is by holding up one finger.
Emma also points her finger and babbles. "Ooh! That's my girl!" he grinned
The next picture he picked up was of the gang sitting together in the orange couch at Central Perk. He looked at Joey grinning back at him from the photo. He thought about his movie 'Over There' he'd been the one Joey decided to take to the premiere.
Flashback
" Well uh…I think I want to take Chandler." Joey said "You really want to take me?" Chandler asked "Yeah! Yeah! I mean I'm sorry, I wish I can take everybody, but y'know Chandler always supported my career. He's paid for acting classes and head shots and stuff and well this will be my way of paying you back." he said " So you're never actually going to pay me back?" he joked.
" Wait a minute, just because he paid for your head shots you're gonna take him? Joey, I don't think you're comprehending just how slutty this dress is!" Monica said
" It's not just the stuff he paid for, I mean it's-it's everything. Y'know? He read lines with me. He-he went with me on auditions when I was really nervous, and then he consoled me after I didn't get parts that I really wanted. You always believed in me man. Even, even when I didn't believe in myself." Chandler smiled "I always knew you were gonna make it. I'm so proud of you."
Joey grinned "Thanks. That means a lot to me."
He looked at Ross. He was his college roommate They'd been bestfriends for nearly 17 years and now they were brother in laws. He laughed softly thinking about Ross's big brother speech he'd given him the day before his wedding.
Flashback
"Okay! You guys are getting married tomorrow and-and I couldn't be more thrilled for both of you, but as Monica's older brother I-I have to tell you this. If you ever hurt my little sister, if you ever cause her any unhappiness of any kind, I will hunt you down, and kick your ass! (Chandler laughs.) What? I'm-I'm-I'm serious! (Chandler laughs harder.) Come—Hey! Dude! Stop it! Okay? I'm-I'm not kidding here!"
Chandler smiles "Hey, I hear what your saying, okay? And, thanks for the warning." He said trying not to laugh. "No problem." Ross said "So are we…friends again?" Chandler asked. "Yeah" he said "Yeah." he said "Okay. (Pause) You won't believe what Monica's older brother just said to me!" he laughed.
Chandler looked at the girls. Each one of them was special to him in their own way. Rachel and Phoebe were like sisters to him and Monica she was the love of his life. He remembered when Mr. Heckles died.
Flashback
"Hey Chandler. Monica just broke my seashell lamp." She whined "Neat. I'm gonna die alone." Chandler said plopping down on the chair. "Okay, you win." she said "Chandler, you're not gonna die alone." Monica said. "Janice was my safety net, ok? And now I have to get a snake." Phoebe looked at him "Uh huh. Why is that?" she asked "If I'm gonna be an old, lonely man, I'm gonna need a thing, you know, a hook, like that guy on the subway who eats his own face. So I figure I'll be Crazy Man with a Snake, ya know. Crazy Snake Man. And I'll get more snakes, call them my babies, kids will walk past my place, they will run. "Run away from Crazy Snake Man," they'll shout!" he said.
"You have got to get over this. You're not gonna end up alone." Monica insisted "Of course I am. I reject anyone who's crazy enough to actually go out with me, and then I bitch about the fact that there aren't any great women out there." Rachel sighed " Chandler, you have just described virtually every man that we have ever gone out with." Monica nodded "You are not a freak. You're a guy" she said "She's right. She's right. You are no different than the rest of them." She said "Wait a minute, wait a minute. Yes he is. You are totally different." Chandler looked ta Monica " In a bad way?" he asked "No, honey, in a wonderful way. You know what you want now. Most guys don't even have a clue. You are ready to take risks, you are ready to be vulnerable, and intimate with someone." she said "Yeah. You're not gonna end up alone." Rachel added.
Rachel had been right he didn't end up alone. He ended up with the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen in real life. He ended up with his bestfriend, his soulmate, his lobster, his Monica. He picked up the picture of his family. He had a crush on Monica for some time but he never imagined he'd have a chance with her until London.
Flashback
"Cute PJ's! You're really livin' it up here in London huh?" Monica said holding a drink in her hand " Well I was… I was exactly expecting company after…(He looks at his watch.) 9:15." She nodded "Is Joey here?" she asked. "Well, last time I saw him he was heading out the door with the bride's maid and a bucket of strawberries. So uh, you're not still upset about what that guy told ya are ya?" he asked "Wouldn't you be?" she said frowning slightly. "Well, look it's been a really emotional time y'know, and you've had a lot to drink. And you've just got to let that go okay? I mean you were the most beautiful in the room tonight!" he said
She looked at him "Really?" He nodded " You kidding? You're the most beautiful woman in most rooms… (She jumps up and kisses him.) (Breaking the kiss.) Whoa! Whoa! Whoa! What's going on? You and I just made out! You and I are making out?" he asked with surprise. "Well, not anymore." she said "But we don't do that." he said. She shrugged " I know, I just thought it would be fun." He looked at her "How drunk are you?" he asked. "Drunk enough to know that I want to do this. Not so drunk that you should feel guilty about taking advantage." she said "That's the perfect amount!" he grinned. " Okay!" she said
(They run to the bed, sit down, and start making out again.) "Y'know what's weird?" Monica said "What?" he asked " This doesn't feel weird!" He smiled "I know." Monica smiled "You're a really good kisser." Chandler grinned "Well, I have kissed over four women.
Chandler smiled that trip had changed his life. He found his future and he hadn't even been looking. He started to cough the smoke was getting to him making his throat hurt. He got up and took another breath out the window. He looked at his wedding band again. He thought of his wedding day that almost wasn't. Ross and Phoebe found him and convinced him to come home. He was glad they did. Monica was a gorgeous bride. He closed his eyes picturing it like it was yesterday.
Flashback
" Chandler, for so long I…I wondered if I would ever find my prince, my soul mate. Then three years ago, at another wedding I turned to a friend for comfort. And in stead, I found everything that I'd ever been looking for my whole life. And now…here we are…with our future before us…and I only want to spend it with you, my prince, my soul mate, my friend. Unless you don't want to. You go!"
"Monica I thought this was going to be the most difficult thing I ever had to do." But when I saw you walking down that aisle I realized how simple it was. I love you. Any surprises that come our way it's okay, because I will always love you. You are the person I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. You wanna know if I'm sure? (He leans in and kisses her.)
Chandler opened his eyes and moved away from the window to give the others a chance to get some air. He sat back down. He smiled as he looked at Jack and Erica's little faces smiling back at him. They were the family they thought they'd never have. The twins were 7 months old already. Erica was a daddy's girl. She'd light up when ever he walked in the room and scream dada. Jack was the quieter of the two but he was a big smiler. He smiled at everything. He loved his kids even thought little Erica had been a total surprise and he did what he did best...freak out.
Flashback
"It's a... It's a boy!" Monica exclaimed "Wow!" Chandler said "(emotional) It's a baby! A beautiful little baby! And some other stuff I'm gonna pretend I don't see." The doctor smiled "Would you like to cut the umbilical cord?" he asked. (A nurse gives Monica a pair of scissors. Monica gives it to Chandler, and they cut it together.) "Well, that's spongy." Chandler commented. "(to her son) Oh, hey handsome! Oh, I'm gonna love you so much that no woman is ever gonna be good enough for you!" Monica cried. She looked at Chandler "Oh, we are so lucky!" He smiles "I know. He has your eyes."(Monica looks at him.) "I mean, I know that's not possible, but he does."
Monica looks at Erica "Oh my God, he's beautiful. Thank you so much." She smiles " I'm really happy for you guys." She said "How do you feel?" Chandler asked "I'm tired!" she said "Well, you don't have that much time to relax. The other one will be along in a minute." The doctor said.
(Chandler stares at the doctor, completely shocked. Monica just freezes and turns around slowly.) "I... I'm sorry, who should be along in a what now?" she asks.
"The next baby should be along in a minute." the doctor said " We only ordered one!" Monica exclaimed " You know it's twins, right?" he said " Oh, yeah! These are the faces of two people in the know!" Chandler exclaimed.
"What do we do?" Chandler asked Monica. " What do you mean "what do we do"?" she asked "Twins! Twins!!" Chandler panicked "Chandler, you're panicking!" she said "Uh-huh! Join me, won't you?! Okay, what do you say we keep one, and then just like have an option on the other one?" he said "We can't split them up!" Monica exclaimed "Monica, we are not ready to have two babies!" he said "That doesn't matter! We have waited so long for this. I don't care if it's two babies. I don't care if it's three babies! I don't care if the entire cast of "Eight is Enough" comes out of there! We are taking them home, because they are our children!" she said "Okay. Shhh.." he whispered hugging her.
Even though he had freaked out Chandler was glad there were two. He loved his little girl. Monica often teased him saying Erica already had him wrapped around her little finger. He'd soon have three kids. Just three months after they moved Monica got sick. She was nauseous and tired all the time he got worried about her and encouraged her to see a doctor. They never expected to find out Monica was pregnant.
Flashback
Chandler walked in the front door to be greeted by Monica's beautiful smile. "Hey honey how was your day" she asked "It just got a lot better" he grinned pulling her towards him kissing her softly. "I have a surprise for you" she grinned leading him to the couch. "Mmm is it more of this" he asked kissing her again "Chandler, no" she giggled "I found out why I've been sick" she said. He nodded. She took his hands in hers and looked into his beautiful blue eyes "I'm pregnant" she whispered with a smile.
He looked at her "Yo…you're pregnant" he repeated softly. She smiled and nodded. "Oh my God th...this is so amazing" he grinned setting his hand on her flat stomach kissing her. "I love you, so much" he whispered "We're having a baby!" he shouted "Chandler" Monica giggled "Not so loud you'll wake the twins" she giggled "Yes we are and I love you too" she whispered kissing him back.
Now there was a chance her may never get to see his baby. Chandler quickly went to the window not wanting his coworkers to see the tears in his eyes. He watched the firefighters trying to fight the flames below. The fire seemed to be burning even more than it had earlier. He knew things were bad. He could taste the smoke burning the back of his throat and feel it stinging his eyes. "Please God" he silently prayed "Let me get out of here, let me hold my wife and kids again, see my friends again" he whispered.
Chapter 4: It Doesn't Look Good… Ross and Monica arrive, it doesn't look good for Chandler…Coming Soon!!!
Author's Note: Hello Children here's the next chapter! The flashbacks are from episodes over the years and the last one is one I made up. I hope you all like this! More to come soon! Oh and don't worry! I love Chandler too much to kill him! I'm just torturing him for awhile LOL. Please read, review, and enjoy! Thanx!