Michael stood and watched , well hidden from the living room. His mouth was wide opened. The two people continued to kiss each other unaware they weren't alone. Rachel brushed her silky brown blonde hair from her face as she lifted her six month pregnant body off the leather couch. Ross stretched as the embrace broke up. Rachel backed away and looked back.
"I have got to go, Joey and I are looking at a hall this afternoon." Rachel said as she lowered her head. It was right, yet it was wrong."I will call you Ross." She said as she shut the door. He turned and watched her walk out. Holding his hands on his hips, he licked his lips then shook his head. This wasn't what was supposed to happen.
"All settled in." Michael said as he came from the bedroom. "Okay." Ross simply said. "Let's see if there is something on television." Turning on the television , the father and his son enjoyed a program on the discovery channel about Ancient Egypt.
Rachel couldn't believe where her life had gone. Here she was in Queens looking at a church hall for her wedding to Joey. When she thought of her failed marriage to Barry, she couldn't believe this is where she would end up. She didn't know how she would tell her parents that first of all she was pregnant , and that the man she was marrying was not the father. Her father would come gunning for the father of the baby. She knew he didn't exactly like him, ever since the whole "copy girl." Incident which was the end of the relationship.
"What do you think sweetie?" Joey smiled as he had his arm draped around her. This was a side of Joey Tribbiani she had not seen. He was settled down and not trying to hit on every woman in sight. She began to think maybe this is what he had wanted all along.
But then she remembered their kiss. The passion. That man was all about the passion. For someone who had spent their whole life involving the mysteries of the origins of the universe, he knew what a woman wanted and how to treat them. He could make her giggle and act silly , but in the bedroom he was deadly serious . He knew where to touch her and where it moved her.
"It's nice. But are you sure about this place.? I am sure Daddy can get us the Plaza. He has a friend who knows someone." Rachel said sweetly.
"Is that what you want , Rachel?" Joey wanted to make sure that she got the wedding of her dreams. She had been robbed of that before.
"I want whatever you want." She said thoughtfully. This wasn't her dream wedding. Her friends from Long Island would laugh hysterically at her if they saw what the Tribbiani family proposed for this wedding. Lots of balloons in the shape of a heart and an accordion player.
"It is gonna be so beautiful. All my sisters in red as bridesmaids." Joey said. "And Gina as your maid of honor." He smiled. "She is so exciting."
She couldn't take it anymore. "Joey, Gina isn't going to be my maid of honor. Monica will be and what about Phoebe? I don't even know your sisters." Rachel protested. "You know what , I am not feeling very well, could we do this another time?" Rachel held her head and her stomach. Joey put his around her and steered her out. "Little mother , " He explained to the owner of the hall. "I understand, we get a lot of that." The lady said. "Let us know soon. We book up fast." She drawled in a Brooklyn accent.
After he brought her home , Joey put her in her bed and then put an afghan over her. He made her a cup of tea and then he put Hugsy next to her. She cuddled up to the animal and closed her eyes.
"First there was the Father , then the Son , and then finally the Holy Ghost." The elderly priest said as Ross listened intently. There was so much to learn about the Catholic faith. He had always been a student by nature, so he was interested. Gina looked over and batted her eyelashes at him.
"Now Sin , There is Original Sin and Mortal Sin. And the Sacraments.. first comes baptism, then confirmation, and then marriage, which is the sacrament that several of you will be entering very soon. Marriage is a sacred commitment." The priest continued.
Ross heard the word , marriage. He remembered fondly the first time he made that commitment. Carol stood and held his hand under the canopy . He also remember her moving her stuff out to Susan's. Then he remembered the promises he was making to Emily , and his fatal slip. And his last marriage, it was to the right woman but it was the wrong time. He had pictured her in all her beauty in a white dress and he in a tux with all their friends gathered around, not drunk off his ass and not able to hardly stand up to kiss the bride.
"Ross?" Gina said as Ross continued to be in his own reverie. "Ross." She drawled in her New York accent, then she smacked him. "Pay attention this is important." She reprimanded him. Ross pretended to listen , but his mind was on the incredible kiss of this afternoon.
Rachel was deep asleep. Her eyes fluttered and she grasped on to the stuffed penguin. Deep in her mind , she was having a dream. She was at the front of the church, with the candles and the choir. She wore a beautiful white gown and veil. Joey watched her father walk her down the aisle. Monica, Phoebe and Gina stood as her bridesmaids. Joey 's best man was Chandler. His other groomsmen were Ross and Michael. Ben made an adorable ring bearer. Her father handed her over to Joey and then shook his head. "An actor." He said to the heavens. On the way back, he gave an evil look to Ross.
Everything was going fine until the priest asked her to say her vows.
"I Rachel Take thee Joseph , to be my lawfully wedded husband." The priest intoned.
Rachel smiled and then she said. "I Rachel Take thee Ross…" the congregation gasped. Everyone looked at Ross.
"Shall I go on?" the Priest asked. Rachel awoke with a shudder. "No!" she screamed. Joey ran into the room. "Honey, I'm here." He said putting her into his arms. Rachel started to hold her stomach. "Oww," She looked down and there was blood on her hand. "Oh no, my baby, my baby." She started to panic. "Joey, help me." She started to cry. Joey wrapped a coat around her. "Call Ross." She whispered.
Gina and Ross were standing and talking to Father Pierce, when Ross' cell went off. He turned it off and then he had the most frightened look on his face. "That was Joey, they think that Rachel's losing the baby." He said sullen. Gina pushed him out the door. "Come on, we gotta haul ass. My brother's fiancé is in trouble." It was more than that to Ross. His baby might be not be born at all.
When they got to the hospital, Joey was sitting on a chair , his head in his hands. Ross ran over. "How is she?" he asked concerned. "The doctor has her stabilized ." he said with tears in her eyes. Gina put her arm around Ross as he bent his head down. "It's all my fault.' He said slumping down in the chair. Gina rubbed his back. "Oh my God, Michael is at my mother's and he is probably wondering where we are.Sweetie, could you excuse me while I call our son.?" Gina kissed him and then ran off with her phone.
Joey looked at Ross. "She doesn't know , does she?" he said accusingly ."No Joe, she doesn't." he said softly. Joey looked him in the eyes. "If you hurt my sister in an way, I will hurt you." He said seriously. Ross knew it was time to tell her. Gina came back. "Michael's fine , and Nonnie and Ma , are going to say a rosary for Rachel and the baby." Ross took her hand. "Gina,darling, I have something to tell you. " he said earnestly.
"Code Blue, Room 317." The announcement said. A group of doctor's went running down the hall. "What's going on?" Ross screamed. "Miss Green is arresting. We have to get in there or we are going to lose both her and the baby." A nurse said. Following her , was another nurse pushing a crash cart.
Ross just stood like he was in the middle of a dream as the crash cart zoomed by. He was so close to losing it all.