Lazy Summer Days

A/N: Ok, this is the last chapter. I just wanna say thanks to everyone who has reviewed, and hopefully you will read some of my other stories. I didn't get as many as I wanted, but oh well. I couldn't decide on which song to use for this chapter, but I finally decided on this one: Crawling Back to You but the Backstreet Boys. I love, love, love this song, and I recommend it to all of you! So, I guess no more with the rambling. Enjoy!

CHANDLER'S POV

As I sat in the car with my two beautiful daughters, I thought, very hard I must admit, about all of my wrongdoings in the past 2 weeks. Actually, more like the past 2 years. I would always take Monica for granted, by not being able to do things with the kids because of stupid, selfish reasons, and expect her to fill in for me. I would go out a lot with the guys and not even tell her. The worst, though, is not telling her about when that girl hit on me at work and I kissed her. I kept it to myself, and it stayed locked up in a box in my heart for a few months. I told her a week before Tabby and Allie's birthday, and since then she accused me of having an affair. I don't really blame her though. I would do the same.

As we drove along in silence, my mind conjured up tiny flashes of memories, fond ones and heartbreaking ones. The girls were silent, and it helped me reminisce without feeling completely guilty and bursting into tears. It wasn't until I almost ran off the road did the girls say something.

"Dad! Please don't crash! We're this close to getting you and Mom back together again." Allie held her almost pinched fingers in the air. "That's kinda hard to do in a hospital bed." Tabby laughed. That's how it was for them two. Allie would make a joke, and Tabby would laugh. Exactly like me and Monica.

"What's bothering you, Dad? Aren't you excited about being home again?" Tabby asked anxiously. The tiny flurries of memories vanished instantly, and I was left looking back and forth from the lonely road to my twin girls.

"Of course I am sweetie," I reassured her. I wouldn't want her thinking they came all this way for nothing. Like I told Joey, 'I will come back when they are ready for me to come back.' And obviously, they were.

Everybody knows that I was such a fool to ever let go of you
Baby I was wrong

DANNY'S POV

As I admired the work we had done, I shook my head in amazement. The four of us, me, Landon, Vanessa, and Matt, had done it. We cleaned the house, decorated, made two CD's filled with the cheesiest love songs, and made a delicious dinner. It was almost time for Tabby and Allie to get here with Dad, and almost time for Mom to come home to him. The younger ones watched TV to pass the time, while Vanessa began drawing at the desk by the window. I, on the other hand, decided to shoot some hoops, something Dad and I always used to do together. As I shot a few baskets, I began to wonder: If he stays for good, will things go back to the way they were before? Would Dad still do the things he used to do with all of us? He didn't do many things, but it's the little things that count, right?

As I missed my first basket after playing for five minutes, my cell phone rang. It was Allie.

"Hey, what's up?" I answered.

"Nothing much. We found Dad and are heading back now. We're about an hour out. Is Mom home yet?" It was already 5:30, if they didn't hurry, they wouldn't make it.

"Not yet. I can try to call Aunt Phoebe to see if she can stall any longer. You need to hurry!"

"I know, Danny. We're trying. We ran into a bit of traffic about a half hour ago and it put us behind. Keep Mom away from the house until we get there, okay?" I groaned. I was always stuck with the messy job.

"Ok, but I can't guarantee anything," I said. She said ok, and we said our goodbyes before hanging up. Then, I called Aunt Phoebe.

"Hello?" Mom answered.

"Hey, Mom. It's Danny. Can you, uh, put Aunt Phoebe on the phone…?"

"Yeah sure honey. Is everything ok? Is everyone alright?" she sounded worried. It kind of made me want to laugh a little.

"Yes, Ma. We're fine."

"Ok, well, here's Phoebe. Love you!" Why is Mom so paranoid? I thought.

"Hey Danny. What's up?" Aunt Phoebe answered the phone.

"Hey, look, Tabby and Allie are about an hour away, so can you stall until I call you again? I will let you know when they get here, but for the meantime we have to keep Mom away from the house."

"Ok… Ok, uh… I'll try. We've been at Central Perk all day, and she keeps mentioning how worried she is about you. I don't know why, but I think she suspects something is going on. You are going to have to be more subtle," she whispered.

"Please tell me you're not near her!" I whispered hysterically.

"No! No, I'm not that stupid! I'm in the bathroom. Look, just call me when they're there. If I can't keep her out any longer I'll call you. Ooh Ooh! Can we have a secret code?" I smirked. Typical Aunt Phoebe.

"Sure. Just tell me that Matt can't have a snack or something. Something about Matt, and I will know you are telling me you're on your way, without Mom being suspicious. I mean, cause he is your kid and all."

"Ok, this is so much fun! I'll talk to you later. Bye!" We hung up. I hoped to God Mom wasn't listening to that conversation because then our entire operation would be ruined.

Yeah I know I said we'd be better off alone
It was time that we moved on
I know I broke your heart, I didn't mean to break your heart

MONICA'S POV

Ever since I told Joey I was pregnant, he's been giving me these looks. They weren't sad, or upset, or even happy for that matter. I have always been able to read his every facial feature, but this one I couldn't decipher. We were sitting in Central Perk, just like we always used to do. Gunther was still here, and it was like old times again. Except for the fact that Chandler wasn't with us.

I mentioned the fact that we were missing someone, I just didn't remember who. I was joking, of course. The tension in the air only grew, and Joey started giving me the look again. I guess you could say it was hopeful, or possibly even regretful. Guilty? No, I don't think so. More like a mix between sorry and sympathetic. Rachel and Ross were as cuddly as they always used to be when they were going out the first time, and Joey had his arm around Phoebe. I was like a 5th wheel trying to forget the 6th.

When Phoebe snuck off to the bathroom to talk to Danny, I followed her. I wasn't planning on listening to their conversation, but it seemed pretty odd he wanted to talk to her in private. Danny always told me everything. I couldn't hear much through the door, but I caught bits and pieces. I knew something was going on, and I was planning on doing everything in my power to find out what it is.

I sat back down in my seat, followed by Phoebe. She was calm and composed, but her demeanor changed instantly when I mentioned wanting to go home.

"What? You, you can't yet. We hardly ever just sit around and talk anymore!" she whined.

"Phoebe, that's all we ever do…" I replied. That phrase sounded really familiar. Rachel said the exact same thing when Ross was dating Julie.

"Well, I don't want to go just yet. Let's wait an hour… or two. Let's go to dinner!" Ross and Rachel and Joey agreed, but I was persistent on going home. I knew I had to tell them about me sooner. They were my best friends, besides Chandler of course. Normally, I would have told him first, but since it's a different story now, they had to know.

"Guys, I want to go home because… because… Joey, you do it." I looked down.

"Monica's pregnant!" He shouted. People at other tables looked over at us, and the gang gasped. "What?" "Oh my god!" "You're kidding!" and "Really?" all came at me at once. I explained myself, and we were back to that solemn mood again.

Just then, Phoebe called Danny and said something about Matt not being able to eat meat. I don't know why she called him, but after she did, we all stood up to leave. It was a half an hour drive, and I needed to get home so I could figure out what the hell was going on behind my back.

But baby here I am
Banging on your front door
My pride spilled on the floor

TABBY'S POV

After we got the call from Danny, Dad sped up at least 20 miles an hour over the speed limit. If we got a ticket and he didn't get the chance to reconcile with Mom, I was going to be pissed. After about 40 minutes of driving, we arrived in our luxurious neighborhood. The only problem was, is that we saw Mom's car parked in the driveway. We were too late.

Dad parked his car a block away, and we ran in the rain, leaving our stuff in the car of course, to the house. Like secret agents we made our way through the back door, leaving Dad outside. I didn't see anyone anywhere. The house was empty. I called Danny's cell, and after four rings he answered.

"Hey! Are you home?" he asked.

"Yes! Where the hell is everyone?" I knew Dad could hear me but I didn't care. Allie was checking for notes in the kitchen.

"We went out! It was the only way to buy time. I told Mom Jake and Bella ran away so everyone is out looking for them. They're upstairs in my room though. We're about 2 minutes from home, please tell me you're there!" Dan was hysterical.

"Yeah, we're here. Did Mom see the house?"

"No, I ran out to stop her just in time. Didn't we do a good job?"

I laughed. "Yes, you did. Inform all of the adults about our plan in case they don't know already. Have them leave right when they get home. I know they want to see Dad, but him and Mom need to get back together first. Send Matt and Vanessa home too. Allie, Landon, you and I are all going to head upstairs and leave Mom and Dad alone, okay?"

"Ok, see you soon. By the way, I'm riding with Aunt Phoebe and Mom is with Uncle Ross and Aunt Rachel. I have to call them. See you soon!" We hung up. Allie and I scrambled up the stairs, while Dad came in and stood in the kitchen, waiting for Mom. We huddled in a ball by the door, hoping and praying that our plan worked. Soon, we heard foot steps coming up the stairs, and we knew the last step in Operation: Homecoming had begun.

My hands and knees are bruised and I'm crawling back to you
Begging for a second chance
Are you gonna let me in?
I was running from the truth and now I'm crawling back to you

CHANDLER'S POV

I saw the back of Landon and Danny's heads as they ran up the stairs. They didn't want to draw attention to me, and I'm glad. I stood in the corner of the kitchen, just waiting for Monica to walk in. I was nervous, and scared, and I soon realized I felt completely out of place here, like I was in someone else's house. I heard keys jingle as she put them on the hook by the door, and she sighed. I melted.

Her footsteps were coming closer and closer by the second, and my knees got weaker and weaker. What was I going to say? What was I going to do? I heard her gasp, and I saw the mail drop slowly from her hand. She held the counter for support, and stared at me with her beautiful blue eyes. We stayed in the exact positions for a minute or so, before I finally pulled my voice from deep within me, just enough to say her name.

"Monica…" It seemed like a strange new word to me. I haven't said it in ages, but yet it sounded so familiar coming off my lips.

"Chandler… how? Why? What… what is… I thought… You're here," she finally managed to say. I nodded, and walked towards her cautiously. I didn't want to overcrowd her.

"Monica, we have to talk…" she nodded, and we walked over to the couch and sat what seemed to me like miles apart. All I wanted was to feel her hand in mine, but we had a long way to go before then.

I know you're in there and you can make me wait
But I'm not gonna wait
It's the least that I can do, just to tell you face to face
I was lying to myself, now I'm dying in this hell
Girl I know you're mad, I can't blame you for being mad
But baby here I am

MONICA'S POV

Everything that had happened in the last five minutes was one big blur to me. I remember seeing Chandler standing by the sink in the kitchen, and now we were sitting on opposite ends of the couch, just staring at one another. I remember seeing dinner set on the table, and I heard some kind of music in the background. I was so confused. My head was spinning on an endless carousel going God knows how many miles per hour. After a couple of minutes of a very uncomfortable silence, we both spoke.

"I'm so sorry." How ironic. We spoke at the same time, saying the same thing. Hopefully, both meaning it as much as the other.

"Monica, you have nothing to be sorry for. I was the jerk. I should never, EVER have left my family, and I will always pay the price of knowing I disappointed you," he said, looking me dead in the eyes. I always loved his eyes. They were green sometimes, blue other times, and always had a certain sparkle to them whenever he smiled.

"Chandler, I drove you away! If I hadn't have accused you for something I shouldn't have believed you would do, none of this would have happened. I am a horrible wife, and a horrible mother…" she started to cry. Normally, I wouldn't be so emotional after a fight, and I could tell he noticed. He and the kids were the only ones who didn't know about my pregnancy.

"No you're not. I am a terrible father. A true father would never abandon his children, even for a day. I was gone two weeks, although it seems like longer. I need to spend more time with them, and be there for them to make up for all the times I wasn't. I need to treat you like I did when we first got married: as my obsession. I love you more than I have ever loved anyone, and it breaks my heart a thousand times when I hurt you. I promise, if you just give me one more chance I will be so much better than I ever was. I'll do anything just to get you back, Monica. Without you, I am just a broken man, and I can't live with myself without you." I cried; long, and hard. He just held me, and rocked me back and forth.

"Chandler, I can't just pretend like this never happened, because it did. You coming in here and making the most touching speech I have ever heard can't make me take you back, and just forget about these past two weeks. As much as I would like to, I can't. Look, I'm kind of hungry, and the kids made us dinner, so…" Then it dawned on me. "Wait a second… Danny told me they made me dinner... I didn't know it was for you too. The music… did you do that?"

"No, that was them, too. Don't you know how I got here? I figured Danny would have told you by now…" Now, I was really confused. He looks like he just spilled the beans somehow by the look on his face, and it all fell into place.

"Did a couple of our kids go get you? Tabby and Allie? Did Danny, Vanessa, Landon and Matt put all this together? Are they putting you up to this?" I was humiliated and appalled.

"No! Well, yes they came to get me, and yes the others put this together, but I came willingly! I was afraid to come back because I thought you wouldn't take me back. Tabby and Allie made me realize that I needed to push my fears aside if it meant getting everything I've always wanted. Come on, I'll explain everything over dinner." I kept quiet, and followed Chandler to the already set dinner table. We had A LOT of things to talk about.

Banging on your front door
My pride spilled on the floor
My hands and knees are bruised and now I'm crawling back to you
Begging for a second chance
Are you gonna let me in?
I was running from the truth and now I'm crawling back to you

CHANDLER'S POV

After dinner was done, and Monica and I were sitting side by side on the couch, she started to cry again. I had told her about the girls' plan, and how everything worked. I told her how sorry I was, and if she wanted me to leave I would understand. I didn't get a reply from that one. We were sitting in silence, I was waiting for my answer, and she was thinking of one. Or so I thought.

What she said next hit me harder than an 18-wheeler on a highway.

"I'm pregnant…"

I couldn't believe it. I had lost my chance. I nodded, and sighed. I took one last look in her eyes, and made my way towards the door.

"Chandler? Where are you going?" Her voice was small and weak. That feminine, sexy, sultry voice she used to have was now replaced by a quiet, high pitched, almost childish one. I turned around. Had I heard her correctly?

"I thought… I thought you didn't want me to stay… do you? I mean, if you want to raise the baby with it's father, I understand… I just…"

"Chandler…?" she stood up and walked towards me. "The baby is yours, dummy." And for the first time in about 2 ½ weeks, I saw her smile.

If you could see these tears I'm crying
Touch these hands that can't stop shaking
Hear my heart that's barely beating
You will see a different man

But baby here I am
Banging on your front door
My pride spilled on the floor
My hands and knees are bruised and I'm crawling back to you (come on)
Begging for a second chance
Are you gonna let me in? (let me in)
I was running from the truth, now I'm crawling back to you

ALLIE'S POV

I heard everything. All four of us did. We had been on the stairs listening to every word they had said since they moved to the couch. We smiled, and Tabby started to cry with joy. Landon could hardly contain his excitement. We could just barely see them at the door, but I could see they were hugging. I saw Dad's face, and he saw me. He mouthed, "Thank you," and closed his eyes. Mom's face was buried in his neck, and he was stroking her back slowly. I grinned to myself, and signaled for everyone to give them some privacy. I don't know what happened next, but I do know they both went to their bedroom next. Our plan, my plan, worked. We had been successful in bringing our parents back together, and nothing made me happier than knowing about my little brother or sister.

Knowing our jobs were successfully completed, the four of us separated into our respectful bedrooms, and fell fast asleep.

7 ½ MONTHS LATER – CHANDLER'S POV

I couldn't help but jump for joy as I ran towards the waiting room. Joey, Phoebe, Rachel, Ross, Matt, Vanessa, Emma, Ben, Danny, Landon, Allie, Tabby, and Monica's parents were all waiting anxiously when I burst into the room. Half of them stood up at once needing to know the details. I paused, to add effect, and proudly announced: "It's a girl!" Everyone stood up to congratulate me, and ask about Monica all at once.

"Well, mother and daughter are doing great, and she will see all of you a few at a time. My kids, she wants you first."

"Do you have a name yet?" Judy asked.

"No, Monica and I both felt that because our lovely children made all of this possible… Me being here, and us finally being a family again, that… they get to name her. Any name they like that's approved by us." I smiled at my kids, and they all stared back at me with a look of surprise and happiness. I led them to Monica's room, and we all gathered around our newest member, gazing upon her beautiful face. Monica looked tired, but I don't think she could be any happier than at this exact moment.

"So guys… what do you think?" she asked.

Our kids whispered in each other's ears a couple times, and finally came to a decision.

"Well, the tribe has spoken, and we have decided on a name," Danny said proudly.

"We like Olivia Claire. Olivia, because that's the name of Dad's best friend who died when he was young, and Claire because that's the name you picked out for the baby you lost a few years ago. Dad told us, Mom." Tabby said. I gazed at them with a proud look in my eyes, and gazed down at Monica. She seemed to approve. I held my finger out to my new daughter, and as she grabbed it with her tiny fist, I whispered, "Welcome to the family, Olivia Claire."

A/N: Well, I'm finally done. I really hope you liked it!