'Well,' Ross said, when they got back to the apartment, 'That was great.' Emily nodded, and started getting ready for bed. Ross sat on the end of the bed. 'You got along fine, and everything was fine. We're going to have some great times at Central Perk – you'll see. I won't be able to keep you out of the place. You won't be home and I'll go, aha, I know, I'll find her at Central Perk. You'll even get a caffeine addiction.' He hadn't noticed her reaction to his arrival and decision to sit near Rachel, and he assumed that because he had had a good evening, she had had a good evening too. 'That story Chandler told about the dog was funny.'

'Wasn't it,' Emily said, as she started brushing out her hair.

'A bit cruel though,' he added. Feeling a burst of generosity towards Emily, he said, 'Hey, I know the apartment's a bit small, but would you like a dog? A small one, to keep you company?' Emily said,

'A dog needs a back yard. We'd need a proper house and everything.'

'Yeah,' Ross shrugged. 'You're right. I hadn't thought of that. And you'll be getting a job soon, so you won't really need a companion. Other than me.'

'No, I won't,' Emily said, using makeup remover. Ross took his shoes off and put them away. 'We won't need to get a house for quite a few years,' he said, 'Not until we start a family. I've got one of course, but I mean a family with you.' He got no response from Emily. 'You want one don't you?'

'Oh yes,' Emily said.

'I mean, of course we'll wait for a few years,' Ross said, 'Of course I love Ben, but next time I want to be prepared. We'll plan it all carefully, have a house and get everything ready. It'll be just perfect.'

'Oh,' Emily said. 'You've thought a lot about this.'

'Yes I have. Every time with Ben, when I wish something had been different, I think of how different it's going to be next time. Because I'm not with Carol, a lot of things happen because she decides it's going to happen. Not that I'm blaming her or anything, but I don't have as much of a role in Ben's life as I would like. And I want to be around to watch every step as our child grows.'

'Of course you do.' Emily closed the lid of her make up remover.

'It was really an accident that Ben happened. A happy accident, but the next one, I don't want to be an accident.'

'Isn't Ben proof that a child can be a joy no matter when he comes?' Emily asked, on the threshold to the bathroom.

'Of course,' Ross said, 'But next time,' he said, getting up and putting his arms around her, 'I'd like to know I was actually making a baby when I was doing it. And I want the experience of sharing the whole pregnancy with my wife.' He squeezed her as he said this.

'Of course,' Emily said, 'But even if things don't go according to plan, it would still be great.'

'Why wouldn't they go according to plan?' Ross asked with a frown.

'Well, I might turn out to be infertile,' Emily said.

'You won't be,' Ross said, 'I can tell.' Emily pushed herself out of his arms, went into the bathroom and took her toothbrush from the glass.

'You can't tell everything,' she said.

'You – you don't have health problems do you?' Ross asked uncertainly. It was one of the many things that they hadn't really asked each other about.

'No,' Emily said, 'As far as I know, I'm perfectly healthy. I was just using that as an example.'

'Good,' Ross said.

'I mean, I get nervous when people assume that everything's going to be okay.' There was a catch in her voice and she started brushing her teeth furiously.

'Everything's going to be okay Emily, nothing's going to go wrong,' Ross said. He listened as she brushed her teeth and then said, 'Of course, if for some reason we couldn't have a baby, I wouldn't mind. I've already got a son, so it wouldn't bother me at all. But I'd like children with you. Ben should have brothers and sisters, and I guess he can't ask Carol for any,' he said with a laugh. 'Hmm, this baby making conversations has got me thinking,' Ross said, 'I'd better get ready for bed too.' He took Emily's place in the bathroom, and then joined her in bed and made love to her. Afterwards, he said,

'You won't leave me, will you?' Ross asked.

'Of course I won't leave you,' Emily said. 'I've come all this way to be with you.'

'I-I mean, don't get up in the middle of the night and sleep on the couch, even if you think you might disturb me. I don't like waking up alone,' Ross said. 'It makes me feel like things aren't right between us.'

'I'll stay, then.'