Disclaimer: Wow, still not mine after eleven chapters...

A/N: Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed this story. I've appreciated hearing your feedback :)

Last chapter... maybe. I'll write an epilogue if I find the time, but it may not be for a while. This is pure fluffyness, because it's just what I do.

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The sound of silverware tapping against glass came across the speakers. "Can I have your attention please?"

The entire crowd turned their heads in one swift motion towards the stage at these words, including Rachel, who grasped one of Ross's hands in hers once they were facing the correct way. Wife and husband shared a small smile before turning their attention back to the lead singer of the jazz band that was currently residing on top of the stage.

"I'm happy to introduce to you all for the very first time… Mr. And Mrs. Devin Russo!"

Applause broke out amongst the large group as the young newlyweds stepped inside of the room holding hands and beaming. The groom was a tall, tanned, handsome man with dark hair and hazel eyes, who had the look of an easy-going, friendly person. The bride was radiant in her white dress, her light brown hair falling past her shoulders in soft curls while her blue eyes sparkled with ever-present curiosity. Her brilliant smile was infectious.

Of course, Rachel had expected no less of her oldest daughter on the twenty-six-year-old's wedding day.

She watched carefully with tears in her eyes as Emma sent a grin towards her new husband before letting her gaze sweep across the room once more. Two pairs of identical blue eyes locked, and Rachel stood with Ross to approach their daughter as Devin's parents did the same.

As they got closer, Rachel felt a few tears manage to slip down her cheeks. She hadn't spoken with Emma since right before Ross had walked her down the aisle, when she had still been a single young woman, her daughter. But now she was a married woman, someone's wife, linked forever to another human being that she loved unconditionally, and visa versa.

Rachel had had her doubts when Emma first brought home Devin Russo, a good-looking Italian guy who reminded her just a little of Joey, despite the fact that their personalities and mindsets were completely different. She'd been able to tell just from the phone call she'd received from her daughter four days before they were going to visit that this was serious, and so she'd been on her best behavior when the young couple arrived.

With all three kids either in college or out in the real world, Rachel and Ross both cherished the times their children came home to visit their parents. As luck would have it, both Sean and Jen were home for the summer when their older sister decided to bring her boyfriend home, and so the entire family had gotten to meet him at once.

Of course, the 'entire family' also seemed to include Monica, Chandler, twenty-three-year-old twins Jack and Erica (who both had also mysteriously agreed to go home the same week as their cousin), Phoebe and Mike (their twenty-two-year-old son Christopher couldn't get back to New York in time), not to mention a very well-timed call from Joey in California.

Seeing Devin's shocked and overwhelmed face when all these strangers had first showed up at the house right after they'd arrived had been priceless, but Rachel had felt for him, and so had decided to go into the Girlfriend's Gracious Mother role. Soon enough, though, Devin was easily joking and sharing stories with the rest of the group, and by the end of the evening when it was time to go home, everyone gave him their approval, much to Emma's delight.

Coming out of her reminisces, Rachel wrapped her arms around her daughter in a tight and nearly bone-crushing hug. "Oh, honey, you're so beautiful. I'm so happy for you," she mumbled in her tears.

Emma's eyes were watering also as she stepped back and Rachel held her at arm's length. "Thank you, Mom."

Ross got in between them so he could take his turn with their daughter. "Em, you are just…," he trailed off, tears steaming down his own cheeks, and he pulled Emma close to him. When they broke apart, Ross tapped her on her nose, something he'd done when she was a little girl, and then moved on to shake hands with Devin.

Sean and Jen appeared by their sister's side next, and they simultaneously threw their arms around their big sister so all three siblings were locked in a tight embrace as they laughed. In all their exuberance Sean's glasses (he'd developed nearsightedness in his late teen years) were nearly knocked off, and one of Jen's earrings got caught in Emma's hair, and the three chuckled as Sean fixed his glasses and then slowly removed his younger sister's earring from his older sister's hair.

Rachel watched this, and it brought upon another wave of tears at seeing all three of her children so grown up and getting along. Emma, twenty-six, married with her PhD; Sean, twenty-two and on his way to becoming a lawyer; and Jen, twenty and fresh from her second year of college, with hundreds of possibilities ahead of her. It made Rachel feel so old, and yet, so proud to see that her kids had all matured into wonderful adults.

Ross had finished congratulating Devin and was now happily chatting with Monica and Chandler as the rest of the guests milled about the room until the bride and groom's immediate families had finished with them. Rachel stepped forward, and Devin turned at that moment and smiled at the sight of his mother-in-law.

"You better take great care of my daughter," she said in a mock-stern voice, though it came out weak because of the lump in her throat and her stuffy nose from crying.

Devin's happy smile turned into a bright grin, revealing his white teeth, all perfectly straight thanks to braces as a teen. "Oh I will, I promise. Mom," he added in exaggeration.

Calling Rachel 'Mom' had been a joke they'd shared between them ever since he and Emma had become engaged in the previous late fall. He would never seriously call the elder woman that, but he always did in jest.

They hugged and she squeezed his tall form quickly before stepping back. "Welcome to the family."

Devin nodded and looked around at all of the Gellers' relatives- and friends who were like relatives- and then looked back to Rachel, his hazel eyes twinkling. "Thank you. I couldn't have asked for a better one to marry into."

Phoebe approached at this moment to congratulate Devin as Emma was nearly lifted off the ground by a hug from Joey as Monica berated and Chandler laughed close by. Jack and Erica (along with their dates) were talking animatedly with Jen and Sean, probably recounting tales of college, as Christopher whispered with his girlfriend. Jack and Judy were sitting at a table, discussing something-or-other with Sandra and her date, a man named Steven she'd been seeing for a few months now.

Everyone looked happy, which made Rachel feel all the more warm and fuzzy inside. She let her gaze wander back to her daughter and new son-in-law, who were sharing a quick kiss before being swarmed upon by another wave of guests. They made a handsome couple, and balanced each other well, and suddenly Rachel was hit by some of the similarities they shared with she and Ross.

Half an hour and the bride and groom's first dance together later, Rachel and Ross were sitting at one of the empty tables as a few couples swayed on the dance floor. Rachel's face brightened as Ben and his heavily pregnant wife, Samantha, stopped by to chat.

Ben had married only two years prior, though he and Sam had dated on-and-off for at least six years before that. He had matured into a very responsible and caring man, and the talents he'd begun to show during college at design had lent a hand towards becoming a successful architect. Ross, Rachel, Carol, and Susan (who were immersed in conversation with a few other guests three tables over), were all so proud of him for his accomplishments, especially the time he took off to fly to third-world countries and offer his services in designing and building houses.

"Only two more months!" Rachel said excitedly as they began discussing the baby. "God, it'll be the first grandchild…"

"Yeah, this kid sure is gonna have a lot of adults to choose from," Ben agreed with a nod. "Looks like Sean's found a companion for the evening," he added with a chuckle as his eyes strayed to his much younger step-brother, who was hamming it up for a pretty brunette as Jen and the friend she'd brought rolled their eyes nearby.

"Well, you know how he hates bringing dates to places…," Rachel pointed out.

"Yeah, so he can pick someone up when he gets there," Ross sniggered immaturely, and Rachel gave him a shocked look and hit him lightly on the arm.

"They make such a great couple," Sam said, indicating Emma and Devin, who were talking with her Maid of Honor- and best friend- Kristin. "I love her dress."

"So we're gonna get some food, you want anything, Rach? Dad?" Ben asked as he took his wife's hand in his.

"I'm all set," Rachel said.

"Thanks, but I'm good too," Ross added, and with a grin Ben and Sam headed towards the buffet.

"It's hard to believe he's going to be a father soon," Rachel said wistfully as she watched Ben out of the corner of her eye, recalling a little blonde boy calling her "Aunt Rachel" and longing for a sibling. Now she was just "Rachel", sometimes "Mom Number Three" if he was in a playful mood, with plenty of half-siblings and his own kid on the way.

Ross's eyes grew watery. "I know, I feel like just yesterday I was holding him in my arms for the first time… and now we're going to be grandparents in two months."

"Yes, well, you won't have to worry about more grandchildren for a little while," a voice said jokingly, and Emma appeared behind her parents. She kissed both of them on the cheek before seating herself. "Oh, it feels good to sit… I haven't been in a resting position for what feels like hours…"

"Well, that's what happens when you get married," Ross said with a shrug. "Where's Devin? I thought you two were attached at the hip."

Emma chuckled. "He's off with his two groomsmen. They're probably trying to coerce him into smoking a cigar right at this moment."

Rachel scrunched up her nose. "Those things are disgusting."

"Oh, he knows he isn't allowed to have them that often anymore," Emma assured. Her new husband had a tendency to once and a while smoke a cigar, usually when he was with his male friends. He'd picked up the habit at work; being a businessman on Wall Street, he was often offered cigars by his clients and fellow co-workers.

"So you're taking a breather?" Rachel asked.

Emma's eyes were bright and dancing, and she did a once-over of the room before turning her gaze back to her parents. "Actually, I came over here to thank you guys."

"For what, sweetie?" Ross asked.

"For… well, everything, really," Emma said with a laugh. "I mean, obviously the whole giving me life thing, and then that raising me part, instilling good morals, all that jazz. And of course, for this amazing wedding. I promise this isn't all the champagne and wine talking."

Rachel shook her head. "Em, we love you. We'd do anything to make you happy."

"I know," Emma nodded with a soft smile. "And that's why I'm thanking you."

Ross stood and then leaned over to hug his oldest daughter. "You're very welcome." He got to full height once more and fixed his suit jacket. "Now if you ladies will excuse me, I'm going to go to the men's room and then make the rounds."

After he had left, Rachel and Emma sat in easy silence for a time. All Rachel could see when she looked at her daughter was a little girl sitting on the floor playing with toys, or an excited kid telling stories a mile a minute about school, or a wide-eyed child setting her gaze upon her siblings for the first time, or a pre-teen dancing around the house to loud music, or a teenager laughing heartily with her friends, or a graduate receiving her diploma, or a college student studying hard at her desk the times she came home, or a woman calling during grad school to complain to her mother about how hard getting her PhD was, or an overjoyed fiancée announcing she was engaged.

Her daughter's entire life flashed before her eyes, and in a instant, Rachel found herself back in this moment, in this reality, but now seeing the future: Emma and Devin buying their very own house in the suburbs; light-haired, dark-eyed grandchildren (or maybe dark-haired, light-eyed?); spoiling said grandchildren rotten when they visited; Sean and Jen settling down themselves; growing old with Ross…

"Mom?"

Rachel started, her sight flickering over to her daughter's own blue eyes. "Yes?"

Emma was smiling, the picture of happiness with a hint of confusion. Rachel found herself staring at a woman who looked so much like herself, that it was nearly a mirror image, minus the dyed hair (those pesky grays were taking over!) and wrinkles ("laugh lines", she liked to call them). And, of course, the different personalities, but you'd have to dig deeper to notice that.

"What are you thinking about?" Emma questioned.

Rachel grinned. "How proud I am of you."

"That's all?" Emma seemed skeptically. "Not that I don't appreciate you being proud of me, of course. I'm proud of you too."

"Really?"

"Well, yeah," Emma said shyly. "I mean… you're my role model."

A tear slipped down Rachel's cheek and she stretched out her arms. Emma fell into them, and the entire moment was so familiar Rachel couldn't help but stroke her daughter's hair, just as she had done when Emma was a child.

But she wasn't a child anymore, that was for sure. And it wouldn't do well to dwell in the past, longing to go back. Just getting to watch Emma Geller (now Emma Geller-Russo) grow into this amazing woman was enough for Rachel.

Besides, they all still had the rest of their lives to look forward to.

XXX