The envelopes sat on the counter. The one envelope said Mr. Joey Tribbiani and the other said Rachel Green and Ross Geller. Monica was finally ready to show off her new home after working at it for nearly a month. Joey hated keeping the secret and Rachel made a promise to him that she would not tell anyone about his firing and possible move to California. Rachel started to think what that move would mean to her. She could afford to take over his apartment, because after Mr. Zelllner said no , Prada found out she turned down LV's Paris offer. When offered it, she jumped at the chance. It was summer time, and Emma's father could watch her during summer vacation between his summer classes.
"The house is clean, the babies are clean, the food is made and there is ice for the drinks." Monica said confidently. She was wearing a lovely blue dress for her housewarming party.
"Honey, you've done a great job." Smiled Chandler as he held Erica in his arms. "Everyone is going to love our house." At that moment the doorbell rang. "There's our first guest." Sang Monica. She wanted everything to be perfect, no one had been allowed to visit until the house was one percent showplace. It was typical Monica.
"Hello and happy housewarming." Squealed Phoebe as Mike and Joey entered the house. Phoebe opened her purse and brought out a few things. "I bring you salt, so your house will be filled with spice, bread so you will never go hungry, and a candle for the bathroom." Monica accepted the gifts then gave her friend a hug.
"Joey, I thought you were coming with Ross and Rachel." Said Monica when Joey hugged her. "I thought I would let the lovebirds have some time to themselves." He said. "Now where is the food? I 've missed your cooking and I haven't ate in an hour."
Monica shook her head and laughed and then took Joey by the hand. "I will show you where it is, but you are going to have to eat in a special section that I have where you will not make a mess. I spent the whole day cleaning and I will not have you messing everything up." After he got his food, Joey sat down on the couch where Monica had actually roped off a section for Joey so he wouldn't mess up her new house. Phoebe looked at her like she was out of her mind. "Probably the stress of the babies." She whispered to Mike as they sat next to Joey.
While the door was still open, Ross, Rachel and Emma came through the door. Monica led Emma to a little area that she could play in and would be away from the grown ups.
"See Emma gets her own party too. And when she gets tired, she has a bed in the nursery where she can lay down." Rachel was impressed.
"Monica I thought you would be a nervous wreck, but you are so orgainized and the house looks incredible." Rachel said with awe. "Well she is Monica after all. " laughed Ross as he gave his sister a big hug.
"How is life in the suburbs?" he asked.
"Well it has taken some adjusting to the peace and quiet, but it's great." Said Monica.
"Well Monica, you owe me twenty bucks , they're still together." Said Chandler as he entered the room. Ross looked at his sister strangely. "You guys were betting on how long we would be together?"
"It is you guys, and I thought by now someone would have said the wrong thing or something." Monica stuttered.
"Monica , I am ashamed of you. This is not just a fling. This is the real thing. Rachel and I are in love and the only reason she is still at Joey's is because we don't want to make any mistakes and rush this." Ross yelled.
"Plus you know how your sister loves to compete for anything." Added Chandler.
"I'm sorry. I am happy for you guys. I have always wanted you to find the same kind of happiness that me and Chandler have. And it looks like you have." Monica smiled.
"Remember it was all due to me." Said Phoebe as she eavesdropped on the conversation. "I took him to the airport to stop her."
Monica hated this . It was her house and once again she was forced to the background like when she was a kid. "Anyway, I want to give everyone a tour of the house." She said.
Everyone noticed the white couch and the recliner were the same that were in the apartment. On the mantel was a series of photos. The most notable one was a huge picture of the group sitting on the couch at Central Perk. Little pictures littered the mantel of Monica's niece and nephew, her friends, and family.
Everything was going along so well, Monica was finally a success and this made her happy. She had everything she wanted, and she was so happy her best friend's life was going well too. Suddenly Rachel's cell rang. After she hung up, her face was glazed over. At first , she couldn't even say it.
"That was the hospital. Daddy had another heart attack." Her weak voice said it. "He's dead." Ross immediately came over and let her cry on his shoulder. He knew that she was going to have to lean on him the next few days. He had to be the strong one.