Ross got up slowly holding his jaw. He looked right at Joey' s angry face. "What do you mean Rachel's pregnant?" he said slowly and deliberately. "She just found out and you are the father." Joey said breathing heavily. Ross sat down on the ground in front of Gina's family, completely stunned and in shock. "And now I find out that my nephew is your son."
"How did you find out?" Ross asked anxiously.
"It was very easy, your son is out on the back porch." Ross ran out side and saw Michael staring into the night. He looked right ahead and never saw the tall figure standing there. "I never knew until yesterday." Ross said as he put his arm on his son 's shoulder. Michael got up angrily and walked away. He turned around and sneered. "I don't want anything from you. Why don't you just go back to Manhattan and leave us the hell alone?" Ross looked at him sincerely."Michael, can I explain why I am marrying your mother?" Ross slowly took Michael back to the stoop. "I have a little boy who is only eight, but I never get to see him except once a week. His mother and I divorced before he was even born. I missed so much by not being around him. I wanted to make it up to you for not being a round."
"So marrying my mother is supposed to make up for you being an absentee father? I am the one to help your guilty conscience feel better. Don't do me any favors professor." He said tearing away and running down the street.
Joey came up to Ross and tapped him on the shoulder. "So what do you intend to do about this?" Ross was unsure of what he meant. "I don't know, but could you do me a favor. I want to talk to Rachel before anyone tells her. It is the very least I can do." Joey smiled at him. "You still care don't you?" Ross started to have tears well up. "Of course I do , Joe. I mean she is my best friend." Joey walked over and turned his face around. "No I think it is more than that. I think you still have feelings for her. Maybe even love." He smiled. "Rachel and I haven't felt that way in years." Ross said.
Ross was lost in thought. "Then why is it yours then?" Joey's words echoed through his mind. Then why did he the night of his sister's wedding sleep with her again? She must be feeling something as well.
Ross took out his wallet and then opened it to the picture section. It was her smiling as happy as she was when they were dating.
"I'm sorry Rach." He whispered. "So very sorry."
Gina was the glowing bride to be. Her family had surrounded her with wishes and hugs. Finally after years of being ostracized , her family had accepted her. It took announcing her engagement to do that. Joey Sr. opened the wine and began pouring it into glasses. All the family lifted their glasses. He noticed two people not in the circle. Opening the screen door, he yelled . "Hey boys!" Get in here ! We are toasting your marriage." He said as he guided Ross in the door. Joey followed after him.
Joey Sr. lifted his glass and the rest did the same. "This is such a great day for our family. Years ago , Gina left for California and took my grandson with her. She left shamed by us all , and today she made me a happy man. She is ready to settle down and she has found a great guy who is going to make Mikey a great stepfather. So let's raise our glasses to Gina and Ross. Much happiness." Everyone echoed.
"So Ross , are you Catholic? Cause my Gina is gonna want a church wedding . " Joey Sr. asked.
"No sir , actually I am Jewish." He admitted. He walked over to Joey and whispered. "I am going to talk to her. Cover for me here." Joey patted his shoulder. " I know you'll do the right thing." Ross headed for the subway .
Rachel was laying on her bed with her eyes closed . Hugsy was in her arms as if he was the security she needed right now. Hearing a knock at the door, she groggily came out from under the covers."Who is it?" she groaned. "It's me." Said the voice. Getting up from the bed she opened the door. "What are you doing here?" Ross entered the door with a bouquet of flowers and a teddy bear.
"I know," he simply said. "Rachel it's mine?" he said hopefully. "Yes I guess Joey or Phoebe told you." Rachel wrapped her robe around her.
"These lilies are for you." He said as he kissed her cheek. "And this is for little baby." He then handed her the bear. "Baby's first gift." He smiled. "I wanted it to come from Daddy."Rachel held it up and then put it on a shelf. "Rachel we need to talk , okay?" Ross put his arm around her and then led her to the bed.
"Now I wanted you to hear this first. I decided this even before I knew about the baby. But Rachel, oh god this is so hard." Ross couldn't get the words out.
"What are you trying to say?" Rachel asked.
"I am trying to say that I found out something the other day that totally changed my life. I found out that I have another child." Rachel fell back in surprise. Ross caught her. "That's not all." Rachel turned around to look at him. What else could he possibly have besides this."It's Joey Tribbiani's nephew, Michael."
"The science geek?" she shrieked. Ross gave her one of those looks. "I am sorry , but now it makes sense. But how?" Rachel said with her eyes wide open.
"I was at a dorm party and slept with a girl who turned out to be Joey's sister Gina. I found out that the baby she gave birth to was my son." Ross tried to explain. "And since I do know that he is my son , I have decided to take responsibility for my own actions." Rachel moved in closer and stared him down. "And what in the hell does that mean?" she said accusingly. Ross took a deep breath and then slowly continued."Michael and his mother have been alone their whole lives and he deserves to have a family. I couldn't do that with Ben, but I can with Michael . I have asked Gina to marry me." At the word "marry." Rachel 's face froze. She only felt that way one other time in her life. She heard the words.
"Emily and I are engaged."
Turning to him , she went to the door and opened it. "Get out." Ross was confused. "Rachel, we can work this out. I mean that is my child." He begged. "I will decide how to deal with this problem later, right now I don't even want to see your miserable face." Rachel snarled at him. "I didn't say I wouldn't help you with the baby. I refuse not to be a part of this baby's life." Ross said as he tried to push the door open as Rachel pushed it shut again.
"Get out you miserable knocker upper." She screamed. Monica was coming in the door as Ross was leaving. Ross just shrugged his shoulders. "Later Rach?" he said through the door. "I said out!" she screamed at Monica.
"Rachel I heard." She said as she hugged her . "I mean it is great and I would give anything for a baby. I know that this baby will be very special and I can't wait for it to be it's aunt." Monica rambled on.
Rachel turned to her, pronouncing every syllable. "I hate your brother!" she said angrily. Monica wondered what new and exciting thing that Ross had done now.'What did he do now?" she said resigned.
"He seems to feel the need to get married." Rachel said disgusted. Monica was ecstatic . "Congratulations sweetie. We're going to be sisters for real." Monica jumped into Rachel 's arms and swung her around. "Easy Mon, he 's the one getting married , not me." Rachel said. "Apparently he had a son and the son is Gina Tribbiani's . And he felt the need to make up for the fact he was never really a father to Ben, so he asked her to marry him." She fell onto the bed in tears. Monica rubbed her back. "It's gonna be alright." Rachel bounced back up . "No it's just like London, the next thing I know this Gina is going to forbid him to see me and our child. " she sobbed. At that moment , there was a knock at the door.
"Ross Geller, I told you to get the hell away from me." Rachel screamed at the door. The bedroom door opened. "It's not Ross, it's me." Quietly Joey popped his head in. "Rachel , can I talk to you?" Rachel was glad to see her friend. "Sure Joe, come in. Big day for your family huh?" Rachel said as she tried to put on a brave front.
"I had no idea, Rachel. It was a big surprise to me as well." Joey said. He had something on his mind. He knew that his friend was in trouble and in an impossible situation. The bulge in his pocket reminded him what he had to do. "Monica could you leave us alone?" he asked nicely. "I f you need anything Rachel, please let me know." She said with a hug as she closed the door.
Joey went over and cleared his throat. "Rachel, I know right now you are scared to death about the future of this baby. I also know that a baby deserves a father, a full time one." Rachel turned to him. "Don't come to his defense for this one, Joey Tribbiani. He got himself into this mess let him get himself out of this one." Rachel said with her arms crossed. Joey stopped for a minute. He knew what he had to do. The most surprising thing of all is that Joey realized over time that he might be having feelings for his roommate. But he couldn't do anything because Ross was always the man for Rachel.
Joey went over to the bed and took Rachel's hand. "Let me finish. You have always been very special to me. I want you to know that you can count on me and you never have to worry about being alone." Rachel was starting to get uncomfortable and seeing where this would all lead.
Joey got down on one knee and then took the box from his pocket. "Rachel Green, will you marry me?" Rachel was speechless.