Emma started to stir. At that moment , a million alarms began to go off. She was petrified of the noise and was too young to understand how sick she really was. She tried to pull away from the tubes connected to her.

"Daddy." she cried. Hearing this , Ross immediately woke up and ran to her tiny bed. He ran his fingers through her hair. "Sssh baby girl, it's alright. " Comforted by this, she closed her eyes and went back to sleep.

It was now morning, Rachel stretched her arms and yawned. It had been a long night. She looked over to see the chair was now empty.

"Good morning. Emma was awake and then she went back to sleep. I thought you could use this." he smiled as he handed her the coffee. Rachel took the cup and sipped it.

"How is she?" Rachel asked concerned. "Better?"

"Well when she woke up , she tried to pull her iv out because she didn't understand what was going on. I told her she was fine. Haven't spoken to a doctor yet." Ross explained.

"You must be exhausted." she said. "Why don't you go get some breakfast? I bet you haven't even ate since you got to Paris."

"You need to eat too. Why don't we both go and get something to eat. I'll give them the number on my cell , for when she wakes up." Ross went back to the nurses station and gave them the information. Rachel couldn't believe how fast things could change. And it was all changing for the better.

Over breakfast, the conversation began to turn away from Emma.

"So when do you have to get back?" Rachel asked casually.

"I had some time off, so I took it. It's near the end of the semester anyway, so they were just working on their papers and studying for finals. Once I tell them about Emma, I don't think I will have to worry about getting back." Ross said simply.

"That's good, Emma can spend some time with her father. " Rachel said as she took a bite of her croissant. "She misses him." she said softly.

"Is she the only one? " Ross asked sincerely. "Rach, we left a lot of things up in the air when you left. I mean that night before, was amazing. I thought that maybe it had even changed things."

"I really can not discuss this while my baby is in that hospital hooked up to a bunch of tubes." Rachel cried as she broke away from his hand.

Ross was tired and fed up. "I did not fly three thousand miles to be given the cold shoulder again, Rachel. And that baby is mine too." He pulled her back down as she started to run away. "You always do this, you run away. That's why you left that night. Now, what are you so afraid of?"

Rachel straightened up. "I guess I am afraid of being hurt again. I guess I am afraid that after being in love with you , you are going to cheat on me again." she sighed. "I want to be able to trust you and know you would never leave me."

"Why can't you believe me when I say I won't. Rachel, I will tell you something. I have debated in my mind for over a week getting transferred to a museum here in Paris or a school, just so we can be together. " Ross said sincerely.

"What about your family, what about Ben?" she asked.

"You just don't get it. You and that girl are my family." he exclaimed.

"You would do that. Move over here to be with me and Emma?" she said shocked. "Give up your tenure and everything."

"Rachel like you said, the first thing is Emma. We will talk about this when we know she is alright." Ross said.

"Well he got there safe, but get ready for this. Emma might have spinal meningitis. They did a spinal tap and then put her on antibiotics." Monica said solemnly.

"That's horrible." said Phoebe. "I'll send Rachel some cleansing crystals."

"Have they talked yet?' asked Chandler curiously.

"Haven't had a chance. Rachel was resting and they finally calmed Emma down. " said Monica. "Maybe this will be the best thing in the world for them. They will realize how much that little girl needs both a mommy and daddy."

"Rachel might even come back." Joey said excitedly.

"Or Ross may just decide to stay .' said Chandler. " They all looked at him .

"He can't do that. What about Monica and what about us? We already lost Rachel and now him?" moaned Joey.

"Joe, you just got to realize that people change and life changes. Now we moved and now Ross may be doing that too." Chandler said as he put his arm around Joey.

Her eyes wandered over to the chair and the sleeping figure. The time difference had taken its toll. She was wide awake, but he was still on New York time. She sighed. Somehow he looked sexier, with the rumpled hair and the growth on his face. He moaned quietly in his sleep her name , Rachel.

What was going through that mind? That mind that daily pondered the mysteries of the universe. Was she ready to stop running? Had that meeting in the coffee shop come down to this moment? Did he mean her instead that day in London?

Suddenly a picture came into his mind. It was a large building with flowers all around. Lillies filled the room. Monica and Phoebe stood in the front of it, holding bouquets of roses. Chandler stood by his side , both attired in tuxes. Holding a book was Joey , smiling his biggest smile and ready to be the minister once again.

The room had an ephemeral glow to it as the doors were opened. Leonard Green had her on his arm as her angelic gown swept the floor. Behind her veil , her eyes were filled with tears of joy. It had come to pass and he was worth the wait.

Faces could be seen in the front row…Judy, Jack, Carol, Susan, his own son, Ben, Jill and Amy, Sandra holding his little princess as she stood to watch her own parents finally be united forever. A smile came to his face as he witnessed his dream unfold.

A hand took his. The hand was soft and small. It wrapped itself around his. Something was happening. This was not part of the dream anymore. His eyes opened to see Rachel smiling.

"Ross it's over. She 's going to be fine." Rachel said. Stirring ever so slowly and unaware of his circumstances, he blinked his eyes. "Rach?" he asked , thinking he might still be dreaming.

"Thank you." she whispered as she wrapped her arms around him. "I could have never made it without you." she kissed him on the cheek.

"I'm just glad she is alright." Ross smiled. "We did it." he said reciprocating the hug. Together they walked toward the bed, his arm around her.

"Emma baby." Rachel said as they saw the little girl laying in the crib. Her blue eyes lit up as if she knew what had happened between her parents. "Mommy and Daddy." she said still attached to the wires.

"That's right Emma , mommy and daddy.' Ross said. " The doctor entered the room. "We will be moving her to a regular room and taking out the iv. You should rest." he said.

"Daddy 's not going Emma. Mommy and I just have to talk about some things okay? When Emma is better, Daddy will have a surprise for her okay?" Ross said as he bent down to kiss Emma on the forehead. Rachel did the same as the two walked out of the hospital room.

"Damn it. I have no where to stay. I need to find a hotel." said Ross.

"Oh I have a place where you can stay. It has a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower and a great coffee shop nearby. And the best part is , it's free, although I hope you don't mind having to share the bed.' Rachel seductively said.