Disclaimer: This is the sequel to My Best Friend, which got its fair share of reviews, so hopefully ya'll will like this, too. And the ones who didn't like it, then maybe you'll like this. It of course, has R/C and J/P. It also has a little of M/P, and R/E. (Ross and Emily, and Monica and Pete.) This takes place a few weeks after the previous story, so it's around October in the third season. Please enjoy! Nothing is mine if it is known by enough people to be someone else's. I would also like to say that I have never liked Courteney Cox. It has nothing to do with the fact that I hate Monica. It also has nothing to do with the fact that she's married to David Arquette. She just gets on my nerves in anything she's in. Including Family Ties. So there, that's why I don't like Courteney Cox, and I won't take any more crap for it.
The One With Joey and Phoebe's Baby
By Julia
It was a bad-weather October morning for Rachel Greene. It was a happy morning, however, her best friends Joey Tribbiani and Phoebe Buffay were getting married. She was a bridesmaid, along with her best friend Monica Geller. Monica was actually the maid of honor. Phoebe was going to be Rachel's, and Rachel was going to be Monica's. Her boyfriend Chandler Bing was best man, as was Monica's big brother Ross. They all had a place in the wedding, and they were all happy for their friends. Monica had just started dating the millionaire Pete Becker, and was happy to be doing so. Ross had met this English girl in Central Perk, named Emily Waltham. She was visiting her uncle at the time, and she and Ross had ended up dating. She still lived in London, so their romance was a long-distance one. Rachel was glad to see he'd moved on from being in love with her and was now happy.
She had just finished getting dressed in her bridesmaid's gown of deep blue. It was sleeveless and made of deep velvet. Monica had also finished dressing, as she exited her own bedroom at the same time as Rachel. They squealed and ran towards each other, hugging. Rachel exclaimed, ''You look so beautiful, Mon!''
Monica's shoulder-length hair was arranged in curls on top of her head and she looked just as gorgeous as Rachel in the blue dress. It was ankle-length, and the petite woman had to pick it up to walk. She grinned back at Rachel as her blue eyes sparkled. ''So do you, Rach! I'm so happy for Joey and Phoebe. I never would have thought that they'd be the first to get married.'' She said, and was serious.
Before Rachel could agree with her, the door opened, bringing Phoebe. The guys were across the hall in Joey and Chandler's apartment. She was with Janice, Chandler's old girlfriend, who was also a bridesmaid. She and Phoebe had managed to stay friends after she had split with Chandler. She was laughing as she carried Pheobe's dress. Rachel and Monica gave them both hugs and exclaimed how beautiful Janice looked in the bridesmaid's dress and told Pheebs how happy they were. Then they all entered Monica's bedroom to get Phoebe dressed.
Rachel left her friends to check on the guys, make sure that they were getting ready on schedule. Pete should be with them, and Emily was also supposed to be joining the girls. Speaking of Emily, Rach ran into her in the hall. ''Hey, Emily, the girls are in Mon's room. Go on in, I'll be right back.''
Emily nodded after giving Rachel a hug, and hurried in. She was wearing a beautiful purple dress. It was floor-length, and also made of velvet. However, Emily's had long sleeves, and she wore ballet slippers on her feet. She wasn't a bridesmaid, but she looked just as beautiful. Her own hair, like Monica's, was done up in curls.
Rachel entered the guys' apartment, finding Chandler and Pete in the living room, talking about sports or something equally boring. She grinned and went to give Chandler a kiss. They had managed to patch up their differences up and everything was much better. She ran a hand through her layered blonde hair. She had left hers down, and it was just brushed. She hadn't messed with doing it up in curls. She didn't have anyone to impress; Chandler loved her no matter what she did to her hair.
Chandler smiled back at her and gave her a kiss. ''Hey, beautiful.'' He said, and Rachel looked him over. He was wearing a black tux with a white shirt and black bowtie. Joey had insisted on the bowties with the black tuxes. Pete hadn't wanted to wear his, and had only given in when Monica told him how much it would mean to her.
Rachel kissed him back and smiled at Pete. ''Hey, Pete. Monica looks very beautiful. You won't be able to breathe when you see her.'' She promised him as Chandler put his arm around her.
Pete said, ''She looks like that every day.'' Rachel awwed, and he went to get a beer from the fridge.
Chandler said, ''So, how did Pheebs look? Is she excited?'' He kissed Rachel's forehead.
Rachel nodded. ''She is so excited. She looks so beautiful. She's all glowy. Her hair is already fixed, and she's getting into her dress right now.''
Joey came out of his bedroom, followed by Ross. Joey was shirtless, and he was carrying his shirt, and Ross held his shoes. They were arguing. ''Ross, this is what I want to do. Why are you bringing this up now? Pheebs and I are getting married in like, two hours.'' He pulled the shirt over his head and started buttoning it.
Rachel looked at Ross. ''Ross, what are you doing? You said that you were going to keep your feelings about this to yourself!'' She folded her arms and shivered. Chandler put his arms all the way around her.
Ross nodded. ''I know, but I couldn't keep them to myself any longer. I had to tell Joey that this was a bad idea.'' He reluctantly handed Joey his shoes.
Joey finished slipping his feet into them and quickly tied them. He pulled on his jacket and was a changed man. ''Ross, Pheebs and I want to do this. We're having a baby. I'm actually ready for this. Pheebs and I have spent the last few months working on our relationship, trying to make it better. We succeeded, and that's why we're getting married. We think we can make it work. So back off.''
Phoebe was standing in front of the mirror in Monica's bedroom, surrounded by her friends. She had had to get a maternity wedding dress, so if her baby was a girl, she'd have to have it taken in if she would want to use it someday. She said, ''You guys, I am with my soulmate. I really think I've found the man I'm supposed to be with the rest of my life.''
Monica looked at her. ''That's good, because you're marrying him.'' She settled the veil on Phoebe's head.
Phoebe said, ''He's like, my best friend. He's the one I tell everything to. And we're getting married. I am so happy!'' She twirled around in a circle, making her dress hit Janice, Emily, and Monica.
All three women just laughed. Janice said, ''Hold still, Phoebe. There's a rip back here I have to sew up real quick.''
Phoebe gasped. ''Rip! When'd a rip get there?'' She tried to twirl around and get a look at the back of her dress.
Janice said, ''Don't move, Pheebs, I've got to fix it.'' She laughed her piercing laugh and started to work on the dress.
Rachel let herself back in the room and said, ''Joey's really excited, Pheebs. Ross was trying to talk him out of it, though. He was being a real jerk.''
Phoebe said, ''I know. Ross told me how he felt about it this morning. He called me before I came over. He's allowed to have his opinion. Besides, Joey and I are doing this anyway. He's not going to be able to do a thing about it.''
Rachel nodded. ''I know. You guys are so sweet together. I hope that Chandler and I will be half as happy as you guys are. I'm just glad that he forgave me.''
Janice said, ''If you truly love someone, you can forgive them for anything. As long as you trust that they won't do what they did ever again. I don't know what you did, Rach, but I do know this. Chandler really does love you. There isn't anything you could do that would make him not love you.''
About an hour later, everyone was dressed and ready, and Monica was threatening Ross. He was still going on about how bad an idea this was. She made Pete promise that he would keep working on it when they got into their seperate cabs. Chandler and Rachel stopped outside the cabs. Chandler touched his girlfriend's arm. ''You look so beautiful in that dress.''
Rachel took his hand in her own. ''You look gorgeous in that tux.'' She said, and leaned in to give him a kiss. She was so glad that he had forgiven her. She asked, ''So, do you think this could be us one day?''
Chandler looked at his hand in Rachel's. Hearing her ask didn't freak him out as much as he thought it would. He stopped to give her another kiss. ''Maybe some day.'' He gave her one more long kiss before they split up.
Both cabs reached the church at the same time. The girls quickly rushed Phoebe into a room off to the side of the main hall. Then the boys rushed Joey off to another room that was directly across.
The church filled with people within an hour. Joey's parents came in last, leading all seven of his sisters. Phoebe's grand-mother tottered up to Monica and Rachel, who had left Emily and Janice with Phoebe. Her grand-mother said, ''Hello, girls. Phoebe's step-father isn't going to be able to give her away, so someone else is going to have to do it.''
Rachel looked at Monica as Phoebe's grand-mother went to sit back down; her message was delivered. Rachel said, ''Who can give Pheebs away? Chandler and Ross are the best men.''
Monica said, ''My first thought was Mr. Trib, but she's marrying into the family, she's not already apart of it.''
Rachel gasped. ''Pete could take the place of best man for Chandler and Chandler can do it! She is going to love the idea of someone she loves give her away. It can't be us, so Chandler can.''
The two girls walked across the hall to the boys' room. Rachel knocked on the door so she could ask Chandler what he thought. Ross answered the door. Rachel asked, ''Can we speak to Chandler? It's pretty important.''
Ross nodded and hollered, ''Chandler! Stop playing that stupid game and come here! Rachel and Monica need to talk to you.''
Chandler came to the door, grinning from the game he and Joey had been playing. ''What's up, guys?'' He turned back to give Joey a thumbs up.
Rachel and Monica looked at each other, and almost didn't ask him. Rachel made the decision. ''Phoebe's step-dad can't make it to give her away, so we thought you might want to do it.''
Chandler stopped grinning and immediately wore a face of awe. ''Are you serious? Of course I can give her away. Pete can take my place as best man.''
Rachel and Monica nodded. ''That was the plan, sweetie.'' Rachel said, and gave him a quick kiss before they hurried back into their room.
A few minutes later, the ceremony had begun. Joey's family took up three rows on his side, and there was a lot of curly brown hair and sparkles. Joey was standing at the altar, smiling at Phoebe. He could hardly believe that he was here. He was getting married, and having a baby. It wasn't a Joey thing to do at all. He was glad that he was in this place, though. He was very happy.
The minister turned to Joey. ''Joesph, would you like to say your vows?'' He was the minister that had christened Joey when he was born.
Joey took Phoebe's hands, and said, ''I never thought that I would meet the girl that I would get married to before I turned thirty. I thought that I would have to wait almost my entire life before I met the woman I would marry. And then you and I took a chance, Pheebs. That was the best risk of my life. I have never been happier since you and I fell in love. I am also excited about bringing this baby into the world, too. I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy.''
Phoebe worked at holding back the tears. Especially since she was pregnant, and her hormones were raging. ''Joey, all my life, I never thought I'd meet the one. All this time, you were sitting right under my nose. I love you, and I want to bring you lots of babies and make you lots of jam.'' She grinned at him. Monica had taught her how to make jam for Joey.
The minister reminded them about the rings, and then pronounced them man and wife. Joey eagerly kissed Phoebe, and he really got into it. Ross poked him in the back. He whispered, ''Joey, Pheebs is pregnant.''
Joey stopped and turned to Ross. ''Yeah, man, I should wait until she's had the baby before I get her pregnant again.'' He said, and Ross shook his head at his friend's dimwittedness.
Everyone left the church, and they went to the rec hall, where Joey and Phoebe were having their reception. Rachel slipped off her heels so she could dance easier. She took her place next to Chandler, who was looking freaked out about something. Rachel looked at him. ''What's goin' on, honey?'' She asked, digging into her chicken and pasta.
Chandler said, ''I saw Emily making out with some guy who wasn't Ross.'' He looked around, as if Emily was right behind him, listening.
Rachel gasped, and forgot all about her chicken. ''Are you kidding? Who was it? Do we know the guy?'' She asked, taking his hands in her own.
Chandler shook his head. ''No, we don't. How are we ever going to tell Ross about this? I mean, Emily is the first girl that he's been able to date since he got over you.''
Monica and Pete joined them, each carrying a plate of chicken. ''Hey, guys.'' She noticed the looks on her friends' faces, and asked, ''What's going on?''
Rachel said, ''Guys, Emily was messing around with some other guy. Chandler was just telling me about it.'' She looked at Chandler, and noticed how thin he was getting. She had just noticed, and wondered if he was getting enough to eat.
Monica and Chandler were figuring out what they should do about the Emily thing. Then they had to shut up, because Emily and Ross joined them. Monica quickly changed the subject. ''So, wasn't the wedding beautiful?''
Emily said, ''Yes, it was. I hope that I have a wedding like that one day.'' She waggled her eyebrows at Ross, and they all laughed.
After dinner, they got right down to the dancing. Chandler whirled his girlfriend around on the dance floor, feeling sorry for Ross. He watched Ross and Emily, and wondered how Emily could just dance with Ross after she had been fooling around with Joe Blow. It made Chandler think of Rachel's infedelity. He had forgiven her when he had realized that even though she had slept with Monica, she still really loved him. They had been able to work past it, and now they were even more in love than ever.
Rachel had laid her head against Chandler's shoulder, and was enjoying herself. She could stay here all day, in Chandler's arms. It was the most beautiful ceremony, and she knew that she wanted to have one just like it with Chandler someday.
They had passed an hour by dancing. Rachel was finally getting tired, and said, ''Come on, Chandler, I'm tired. Let's sit down for a bit.''
As they moved back to their table, they saw Emily walking by, on the arm of a guy that was not Ross. Chandler whispered to Rachel, ''That's the guy that she was kissing when I saw her.'' He looked concerned for Ross.
Rachel was getting tired, and she had to work the coffee shop the next day. ''Come on, Chandler. Let's go home. We'll tell Joey and Pheebs that we love them and we'll blow this popsicle stand. Besides,'' she said, running her foot up his leg, ''I want to take this dress off.''
Chandler sat up straight, grinning. ''Well, I want to support you in your decision.'' He cracked, and they got up, made their excuses to Joey and Phoebe, and got a cab back to Chandler's apartment.