Chapter 10: Moving Plans and Birthdays, and More Moving Plans
AN: Well, I got my teeth out yesterday and I'm in less pain than I expected, so I decided to get some writing done. If this chapter doesn't make sense it's because of the Tylenol 3's. Anyway…
Monica unlocked the door to her and Phoebe's apartment and pushed it open. She spotted Phoebe sitting on the couch, watching the small TV they had bought at a used electronics store the previous month. Even though they were both making a fair amount of money now, they were still very conservative. When Phoebe spotted Monica walk in the door she jumped up and ran over to her.
"How was the anniversary?" Phoebe asked, excitedly.
Monica smiled and blushed slightly. "It was…amazing."
Phoebe gave her a questioning look. "You two didn't…you know?"
Monica blushed even harder. "Well…we…yeah, we did."
"Oh my God!" Phoebe exclaimed. "That's so great for you. How was it?"
Monica sighed, wishing for the millionth time that she could be as outgoing as her best friend. Any topic involving intimacy was difficult for her to take part in. "It was perfect," she finally replied.
Phoebe smiled at her. "Was he good about it? Did it hurt?"
"It hurt a little at first, but he was really sweet about it. He went really slow and was so…concerned. He kept telling me he loved me, and kept kissing me. It was amazing."
Phoebe smiled even harder and threw her arms around her best friend. "See, I told you it was. You shouldn't have waited this long."
"I know, but I don't think I could have coped if he had gotten sex and took off. I know a lot of guys do that."
Phoebe nodded. "It's true, many do, but you know Chandler would never do anything like that. He loves you far too much."
Monica was silent.
"You do know he loves you, right?" Phoebe asked. "I mean it's so obvious. You can see it in his eyes. He loves you so much."
Monica nodded. "Just recently I actually allowed myself to believe him when he tells me."
Phoebe smiled again and jumped up and down a few times, clapping her hands. "I'm just so happy for you!"
Monica hesitated for a minute before jumping up and down with Phoebe. "I'm so happy for me too!"
A few days later Monica, Joey and Phoebe were sitting in the coffee house, Central Perk, which was just down the street from Joey and Chandler's building. Joey was sitting in between the girls and had an arm around both of them. His right arm was wrapped tightly around Phoebe's waist and his left, resting lightly on Monica's shoulders. Joey could seem like a bad guy from the outside at times, but he was very loyal and protective to those he was friends with. When he found out that Phoebe and Monica had lived on the streets and why, he had immediately vowed to find Monica's parents and Phoebe's step dad and 'give them a piece of his mind.' It had taken them three days to talk him out of that one.
Monica heard the door open and looked behind her to see Chandler walk in. He had a huge grin on his face, like he knew something they did not. He approached the couch they were seated on, and they all moved down, allowing him room to sit beside Monica, but he didn't sit there. Instead he sat across from them, perched on the table in front of them. Monica gave him a questioning look.
"I have good news," he said.
"What is it?" Monica asked.
Chandler smiled, and then looked at both Monica and Phoebe. "I think I found you an apartment."
"What? Where?" Both Monica and Phoebe exclaimed at the same time. They looked at each other and laughed.
"Well, I was leaving the apartment this morning when the couple from across the hall came out. They asked me if I knew anyone looking for an apartment because they were expecting their second child and had just bought a house. So, I told them I did know two people looking for an apartment."
"Oh, wow," Monica said. "It would be so perfect to live across from you guys. Can we see it?"
"Yup," Chandler said.
"When?" Phoebe asked.
"Right now, if you want."
He didn't have to tell them twice as both Monica and Phoebe jumped up, ready to go, leaving Joey with his arms stretched out both ways beside him. Joey shrugged and got up as well.
The gang crowded into the apartment across from Joey and Chandler's. The walls were a light yellow color, with whit trim. It had a good-sized bathroom, two large bedrooms, a big kitchen, and a very large living room, as well as a small balcony. It was perfect. They met with the owner's later that day and found that it was quite affordable for them with their incomes. They gave their one-month notice at their old apartment the next morning.
The couple moved into their new house two weeks later, leaving Monica and Phoebe two weeks to move their stuff. They decided they would paint it first, as neither were fans of the yellow, except in the bathroom, where it looked quite nice. They decoded on purple for the living room, blue for the kitchen and Monica's room and pink for Phoebe's room. With s small amount of begging, they managed to get the guys to help them paint.
Monica glanced at her watch and sighed. They had been painting for hours and were just finishing up the living room. She glanced over at Chandler, who looked so cute in his old sweats and miss-matching t-shirt. She couldn't help but reach over and jab him on the cheek with her paintbrush. Chandler spun around, a look of shock on his face. Monica tried not to smile, but couldn't help it. "What?" She asked him, feigning innocent. "It wasn't me."
"Oh, whatever," Chandler told her. "You so asked for it." He took a step towards her.
Monica screamed and tried to turn and run, but it was too late. He grabbed her around the waist with one arm and used the other to smear purple paint all over her face and arms. "Okay, okay," she said, through her laughter. "You've made your point."
Chandler stopped and loosened his grip. She turned in his grip to face him and kissed him, hard, on the mouth. Chandler immediately fell into the kiss, dropping his brush. Monica smiled inwardly. That was exactly what she had hoped would happen. A second later she broke the kiss and wiped her paintbrush across his head, turning his hair purple.
"Oh, you little…" Chandler said. "I am so gonna get you now." He wasted no time in picking her up, and carrying her over to the kitchen. He then proceeded to pick up a brush out of the can of blue paint and smeared it across her head. She screamed again, this time louder, causing Phoebe and Joey to come out of Phoebe's room, that they were just finishing. They laughed at the sight and Joey made a dash for his camera. He got a good couple pictures of Monica and Chandler in an all-out paint fight before they realized what was going on. They stopped and made eye contact, silently working out a plan. They each picked up a brush and made their way over to Joey and Phoebe. It wasn't long before the four of them were lying, exhausted, on the floor. They took a few minutes to gain energy back and got back to work they quickly finished the rest of the painting and Joey suggested a group picture. He set up his camera to go off and left it lined up with them, on the table. They got into position, all smiling, their arms around each other looking happy, but nothing happened. It was Monica who started laughing first.
"Are you sure it's going to go off, Joe?" She asked, through clenched teeth, as she didn't want to stop smiling if it went off.
"It should," Joey replied, also through clenched teeth. He too, began laughing. They were joined by Chandler and Phoebe. Soon they were all laughing hysterically, all thoughts of the picture gone. They were bent over laughing, with tears in their eyes, when Joey heard a click.
"Look up!" He shouted. "It's gonna take it."
The gang quickly looked up, trying to get back into position, but it went off too soon, getting a shot of them all laughing, tears streaming down their cheeks. In the end it turned out to be a perfect picture of the four of them. They were all leaning on each other, three colors of paint all over them, looking young and free and happy.
On the day Monica and Phoebe moved into their new apartment, Joey and Chandler presented them with the picture, blown up and framed. Monica and Phoebe had cried at the act. It didn't take them much time to get unpacked, as they didn't have much stuff. Chandler and Joey had helped them carry their stuff over from their old apartment. It was the first time they had ever been to their old apartment. Again, Monica and Phoebe left all the furniture, as their new apartment came with two double beds, a couch, fridge, oven, microwave and even a dishwasher.
Chandler was lying, on his stomach, on Monica's bed, watching her unpack her clothes and hang them in her closet. He smiled to himself; he could watch her any day. She soon finished and collapsed on the bed beside him. Chandler rolled over and pulled Monica half on top of him, so her head was resting on his chest and her arm draped across his body. She smiled at him and closed her eyes for a few minutes.
"You tired?" Chandler whispered.
Monica nodded against his chest. "It's been a long day," she told him.
"But a good day, right?" Chandler asked.
Monica opened her eyes, looking into his. "A very good day," she said. "I mean, I never thought this would happen. I still remember when Phoebe and I were living on the streets, not being able to count on a next meal and stressing over the inability to get a job. I mean look how far we came in just two years."
"You two never cease to amaze me," Chandler told her honestly. "I love you."
Monica smiled. "I love you, too." She glanced over at her alarm clock. "How can it only be eight thirty," she wondered aloud. "I'm so tired."
Chandler shrugged. "It was an emotional day. You have every right to be tired. You should go to bed early and get a good night sleep. You deserve it."
"Sounds perfect," Monica said.
"Okay, all you need to do is put sheets on your bed, and you're all set. If you show me where they are, I'll make the bed for you while you do your teeth."
Monica smiled and reached forward, resting her hand on the side of his face. "You are so good to me," she told him. "How did I get so lucky?"
Chandler smiled back at her and blushed slightly. "I'm the lucky one," he told her. "Now, where are the sheets?"
Monica rolled her self off the bed and riffled through a box before pulling out a folded sheet and a thin blanket. "Are you sure you want to do this?" She asked him.
Chandler rolled his eyes. "Geez, Mon, it's not like I'm going bungee jumping or something," he told her sarcastically.
Monica rolled her eyes as well. "I'll take that as a yes," she said, throwing her pillow at him. She then left the room to go to the bathroom to do her teeth. When she retuned Chandler was still lying on her bed.
She gave his a quizzical look. "Was making the bed too hard for you, sweetie?" She asked him jokingly.
"Ha ha," he said. "It was a little difficult seeing as this is a double bed and the sheets you gave me are for a single bed.
Monica froze and started laughing. "I'm such an idiot. It didn't even occur to me that hey weren't gonna fit. Oh well, I can buy sheets tomorrow."
"What are you gonna do tonight?"
Monica shrugged. "I don't need sheets. I have my blanket and pillow. I'll be fine."
"Is that the only blanket you have?" Chandler asked.
Monica nodded. "Yeah, it's warmer than it looks," she told him. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Chandler smiled at her, and gave her a look. "What kind of boyfriend would I be if I let my girlfriend sleep on a mattress with one blanket and a pillow and no sheets?"
Monica rolled her eyes. "Chandler, it's not even cold out, it's August for crying out loud."
"That's not the point," he told her.
Monica sighed. "What do you want me to do, then?"
"Come sleep at my place tonight?" He asked her. "I mean I would lend you a set of sheets but my extra set aren't clean. They've been in my hamper for two weeks."
Monica smiled at him. "I don't want to get in the way," she told her.
Chandler tilted his head slightly and wrapped his arms around her. "Monica, I like you being in my way, okay?"
"Okay," Monica relented. She wasn't sure what was going to happen with her living across the hall from Chandler. Before she had slept over a lot to spend time with him, but now she wondered if they would only sleep in the same bed for the sake of sex. She hoped not, as she loved that they could fall asleep together, without having sex or anything. It told her that they were close, mentally. Monica smiled as he took her hand, leading her across the hall. There, Chandler stripped down to his boxers, and climbed in beside Monica, who was already in her pajamas. He wrapped his arms protectively around her and it wasn't long before they were both fast asleep.
Chandler awoke early the next morning, with a plan. He very carefully got out of bed, trying not to wake up Monica. She stirred slightly.
"Chandler?" He heard her mumbled, still half asleep. He brushed his hand down her hair a couple times.
"Shh, sweetie. It's okay, go back to sleep."
Monica mumbled something incoherent and promptly did as Chandler told her. Chandler waited until her breathing was deep and even before quickly getting dressed and exiting the room. He grabbed his wallet off the table in the living room and hurried out of the apartment. He made his way down the street to the bedding store, smiling to himself. This was going to be perfect, he thought. He entered the store and began sifting through the different designs on the sheets, before finally choosing one. It was blue and was covered in tiny hearts and smiley faces. She would love them. He bought the sheets, a comforter, four pillowcases and new pillows. On his way to the cashier, he spotted a basket of decorative pillows. He picked a happy face pillow and one in the shape of a heart. He hurried home, and entered her and Phoebe's apartment, which thank-god, they hadn't locked. He quickly made her bed with the new sheets, and comforter. He then put the pillowcases on the new pillows and set them on the bed, with the smiley face pillow and heart pillow resting against them. He set her old stuff in the closet and headed back to his apartment.
Chandler entered his apartment, and saw that it had taken him just less then an hour. He prayed Monica was still asleep. He cautiously slipped back into his room, to find her still fast asleep. She looked so peaceful when she slept, he could watch her for hours, but he forced himself not to. He couldn't risk having her wake up and notice him dressed. He stripped down to his boxers and climbed back in beside her.
Again, Monica stirred. "Where'd you go?" She mumbled.
"Nowhere," Chandler said smiling. "Just the bathroom."
"Kay," she said, before falling back to sleep.
Two hours later Monica awoke to find it was almost eleven o'clock. She sighed and snuggled closer to Chandler, who was still asleep. Instinctively, he tightened his grip around her. Monica smiled and rolled over, planting a kiss on his cheek. She watched him slowly open one eye and then the other. He saw her and smiled.
"Hey," he said. "It's you."
Monica laughed. "It's you."
Chandler yawned. "What time is it?" He asked, straining to look over her to see the alarm clock.
"It's eleven," Monica told him.
"Eleven! Wow, we slept for a long time," Chandler said.
"I know, but it was a good sleep."
Chandler laughed slightly. "You know, it's funny. You got a new apartment yesterday and yet you slept over here."
"Hey, that's because you made me," Monica retorted. "Anyway, I gotta go get sheets today, don't I?"
Chandler nodded. "If that's what you want to do."
Monica looked up at him. "Do you wanna come with me?" She asked. "I have some other stuff to pick up as well."
Chandler smiled. "Sure."
Monica leaned in to give him a kiss. "Well, we might as well get going."
Chandler nodded and jumped up. He quickly pulled on a pair of pants and a shirt before following Monica to her apartment. He had to do his absolute best not to show his smile. He couldn't wait to see her reaction.
They entered her apartment to find Joey and Phoebe hard at work trying to set up the TV and VCR that Monica and Phoebe had bought.
"How's it going?" Monica asked.
Joey looked up at her. "Good, we're almost done."
"Yeah," Phoebe added. "It wasn't as hard as I thought. All we had to do was follow the instructions. Who knew?"
Monica gave her a weird look before turning back to Chandler. "Let me just go get changed and grab my wallet and I'll be out in a minute."
"Okay," Chandler said, almost dying as he worked so hard not to smile.
"Are you guys going out?" Phoebe asked.
Monica nodded. "Yeah, I have to pick up some sheets. I didn't realize that my old ones wouldn't fit the bigger bed."
Phoebe laughed at her. "I thought of that a week ago," she said. "It never occurred to me that you wouldn't. Well, I guess we know who the smarter one is now, don't we?"
Monica laughed as she walked away from them, towards her door. Chandler held his breath she pushed the door open and entered. It only took her a second or two to return to the living room. She looked at Chandler. "Did you do this?" She asked.
"Do what?" Chandler said, pretending he didn't know what she was talking about. After a second, he couldn't hold in the smile anymore and she immediately hurried over to him, throwing her arms around his neck.
"Thank-you," she whispered, through tears.
"Your welcome," Chandler told her, hugging her back.
"What did he do?" Phoebe asked. Both she and Joey looked at Monica expectantly for an answer. Monica smiled and motioned for them to follow her to her room. They both gasped when they entered.
"Oh, Chandler!" Phoebe exclaimed. "This is so sweet. When did you do this?"
"This morning," Chandler replied. "I woke up early and got the idea."
"That is so sweet," Phoebe repeated. She turned towards Joey. "Why don't you ever do anything like this for me?" She asked.
Joey opened and closed his mouth a few times, not sure of what to say. He gave up and turned towards Chandler. "Way to get me in trouble, man."
Everyone laughed and Phoebe and Joey went back to the task of setting up the TV and VCR.
Chandler noticed that Monica had not moved since they had entered her room, nor had she said anything. He tentatively stepped up behind her, wrapping his arms around her middle. "Penny for you thoughts."
Monica tuned in his arms and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I love you so much," she whispered. "So much. No one has ever done anything like this for me before. Never."
"Well, you deserve it," Chandler told her.
"It must of cost you a fortune," Monica whispered.
Chandler shook his head. "It wasn't that much. Don't worry about it. Just think of it as a moving in present, okay?"
Monica nodded, then stopped. "I though the picture was the moving in present?"
Chandler froze for a minute. "It was," he began, not sure of what to say, then got an idea. "But, it was for you and Phoebe, plus, Joey and I got one for us as well.
"You did?" Monica asked.
Chandler nodded. "Yeah, we did. It was such a great shot."
"It really was."
They stood there in silence for a few moments, before Chandler finally spoke up. "So, we still going out?"
Monica nodded. "Sure, just let me get changed."
Chandler nodded, kissed her on the forehead and went to go help Joey and Phoebe. It wasn't long before Monica entered the living room, dressed and ready to go. She and Chandler made their way down the stairs to the sidewalk.
"So, what are we looking for?" Chandler asked.
"I'm not sure," Monica told him. "I have some money saved up to decorate. I didn't want to decorate my old apartment as I knew we would be moving eventually."
Chandler nodded. "Sounds good. So, where to?"
Hours later Monica and Chandler retuned to her apartment, each carrying many bags. Monica had found quite a few things she liked, as well as some clothes. She had even managed to find some curtains that matched hr new sheets. It had been a long day, and they were both tired.
They entered the apartment to find Phoebe and Joey sitting on the couch, eating pizza.
"How was shopping?" Phoebe asked.
Chandler dropped the bags he was carrying and collapsed on the couch beside her. "Exhausting," he said. "I think Monica bought out every store in the area."
"That's so not true," Monica said laughing.
Over the next few months Monica and Phoebe got settled into their apartment. They ended up buying a chair to go with their couch and a coffee table. They also got a new kitchen table and four, matching chairs.
Monica walked in one day after work and sighed happily. She loved her life so much. She had a great apartment, two wonderful friends, and an absolutely amazing boyfriend. She smiled at the thought of Chandler. He stayed at her apartment almost every night, often just to sleep. She loved falling asleep in his arms almost every night.
Monica sighed again and shook her head, forcing herself to focus on the present. She walked over and hit the button on the answering machine.
You have one new message…
"Hi, sweetie," Chandler's voice filtered through the machine. "I'm just calling to wish you a happy birthday." Monica smiled. She hadn't told Chandler when her birthday was until after it had already passed the first year they had gone out, so this was the first time she would celebrate her birthday with him, and she was looking forward to it. He had told her that he was planning something secret and wouldn't give her any hints. She loved that he did special little things for her, and rarely normal things, like fancy restaurants. "Anyway, I don't want to give a way what we're doing tonight, but I wanted to tell you that we might go outside so you might want dress warmly." Monica giggled at his attempt to emphasize that they were going outside, that it would be cold. She decided that she needed to teach him about subtlety. "Okay, well I'm gonna go now. I love you. I'll see you later. Bye."
Monica shook her head as she put away the bag of groceries she had picked up on the way home. Phoebe entered smiling.
"Hey, Mon," she said. "Happy birthday!"
"Thanks Pheebs."
"So, any word on what you and Chandler are doing tonight?"
"Well, he left a message, telling me in a very non-obvious way to dress warmly."
Phoebe rolled her eyes. "We need to teach him about subtlety."
Monica nodded. "I was just thinking that," Monica said nodding. "Anyway, what's up?"
"Not much, I just came over to see if you were home yet."
"Didn't you come here after work?"
Phoebe shook her head. "Nah, I haven't been here since yesterday morning. I've just been spending time with Joey."
"You know, it's like you live with him."
"I know!" Phoebe said. "And it's awesome. And you're one to talk. I'm at Joey and Chandler's all the time, but do you know who is never at Joey and Chandler's. Chandler!"
Monica smiled. "I know."
"So, are you excited about tonight?"
Monica nodded.
"Well, I talked to Chandler a couple days ago and he said that the four of us would hang for a bit before you guys go out. That way we can do presents a stuff."
Monica looked inquisitively at her. "Are you allowed to tell me what you just told me?"
Phoebe nodded. "Yup, he said I could, well, actually he told me to tell you. And I was supposed to tell you yesterday, but I forgot. If he asks, tell him I told you yesterday, okay?"
Monica laughed. "Of course."
Phoebe nodded. "Good."
It wasn't long before Joey came in the door, carrying a large parcel.
"Happy birthday, Mon." Joey said, holding out the package, that he had obviously wrapped himself. Monica glanced at it and smiled at Joey. She could swear there was more tape than wrapping paper, but it was the thought that counts.
"Oh, right," Phoebe said. "Let me go get my present." Phoebe left the apartment, heading over to Joey's room, where she kept her gift. She came running back in, with a wide, flat box that was beautifully wrapped. Obviously, she had had it wrapped at the store.
Monica thanked Phoebe and placed the present down beside the one Joey had given her on the coffee table.
"Aren't you gonna open them?" Joey asked.
Monica smiled. "I'll wait for Chandler."
Phoebe rolled her eyes. "Why, they aren't for Chandler?"
Monica was about to respond when the door opened and Chandler walked in.
"Happy birthday," he said smiling. He walked over to her and pulled her into a long kiss.
After a few seconds, Phoebe had had enough and made a few choking sounds. Chandler and Monica broke the kiss, laughing. Monica buried her face into his chest, still laughing.
"Phoebe," Chandler said. "I have one word for you."
"Yeah, and what word is that?" Phoebe asked.
"Tact."
"Ha ha," Phoebe said.
Monica got control of her laughing and stepped away from Chandler.
"Are we ready to do presents?" Joey asked excitedly. He was like a little kid at Christmas, always excited.
"Let me just grab mine," Chandler said. He made his way into Monica's room and exited with a medium sized gift bag.
"How did you have that in my room without me even knowing?" She asked.
Chandler shrugged. "I don't know."
Monica rolled her eyes. It was like he lived there.
Joey couldn't contain himself anymore. He jumped up and grabbed his present, thrusting it into Monica's hands. "Open mine first."
"What is that?" Chandler asked.
"It's my present," Joey answered.
"O-kay," Chandler replied. "And let me guess; you wrapped it yourself?"
Joey nodded, not grasping the meaning behind Chandler's words.
They sat down in the living room, Phoebe and Joey on the couch, Monica on the chair and Chandler on the floor, leaning against Monica's legs.
Monica carefully began to unwrap Joey's present, which proved to be rather difficult with all the tape. She finally got it open to find a light beige medium length, button up coat. Monica remembered seeing one similar in a magazine the month earlier.
"Oh, Joey, it's so beautiful," Monica told him. "I love it!" Monica got up and gave Joey a big hug. "Thank-you so much."
"Your welcome, Mon. I knew you'd like it. I remembered seeing you looking at it in a magazine."
Monica sat back down.
"Mine next," Phoebe said, tossing hers over to Monica.
It was much easier to open Phoebe's present than Joey's and she found a pair of black pants, and a long sleeved, beautiful baby blue shirt. "Oh, Pheebs," Monica said. "They're so beautiful. I love them. Thank-you."
Monica got up and hugged Phoebe now.
She sat back down and Chandler handed her his gift. The bag had smiley faces on it and she pulled out a stuffed, yellow smiley face, about a foot in diameter, with springy arms and legs.
Monica laughed. "It's so cute, Chandler. I love it." She leaned down to give Chandler a kiss. "Thank-you."
"You're welcome," Chandler said. "So, are you ready to go?"
"Just about," Monica said. "I just have to get changed. Maybe I'll wear my new clothes." She grabbed the shirt and pants and walked quickly into her bedroom, just to emerge a few minutes later. "Well, how do they look?" She asked, walking out and spinning around.
"Great!" Phoebe exclaimed.
"Beautiful," Chandler told her.
Joey smiled at her and whistled.
Monica laughed. "I'll take that as a good sign." Monica smiled as she pulled on her new coat. She turned to Chandler. "Do I need to bring anything?"
Chandler shook his head. "Only yourself."
"Okay," Monica replied. She turned to Phoebe and Joey. "Bye guys and thank-you again."
"Your welcome," both Joey and Phoebe replied.
Monica turned and followed Chandler out the door. She walked down the hall, and started down the stairs, when Chandler gently grabbed her hand and pointed her up the stairs.
"Where are we going?" Monica asked.
"Up," was all Chandler said as he led her up the stairs and onto the roof.
When they walked out onto the roof, Monica gasped at what she saw. There was a small table and two chairs sitting about ten feet away from her. There was a glass of wine and a box of pizza. She also spotted a small stereo next to the table.
Monica turned to face Chandler.
"Do you like it?" Chandler asked, looking somewhat nervous.
"I love it," Monica replied. "It's perfect."
Chandler smiled and led her over to the table, pulling out the chair for her. She sat down and waited as he served them both a slice of pizza and a glass of wine.
"I was hoping you would like this," Chandler told her. "I thought it was more personal to do something with just us, and I know how much you like pizza. Plus, technically today is the first day you are legally allowed to drink."
"You're right," Monica said. "I didn't even think of that."
Chandler raised his eyebrow at Monica. "Sure you didn't," he said.
Monica playfully swiped her hand at Chandler. He managed to avoid being hit by catching her hand mid-swing and holding on. "He stared into her eyes for a few seconds. "I love you," he whispered.
Monica smiled, feeling her eyes well up slightly. "I love you, too."
"Well, let's get eating before the food gets too cold."
"How long has it been up here?" Monica asked.
"Oh, I dropped it off up here after work."
"Oh, sneaky," Monica told him.
"I know." Chandler said. They stared at each other for a moment before both broke out laughing. They quickly ate the pizza and downed a glass of wine each.
"How was it?" Chandler asked when she finished.
Monica smiled at him. "It was delicious." She told him honestly.
"Good," he said. "Now I can give you your present."
"You already gave me my present," Monica told him.
Chandler smiled. "Do you really think that was all I was going to give you? A stupid little stuffed happy face?"
Monica shrugged. "I didn't think it was stupid," she countered. "I loved it."
"Well, hopefully you will love this even more," Chandler said, sliding a long, thin box across the table.
Monica picked up the box and slid it out of the case. It was a black, velvet material, with a hinge on one side. "She carefully opened it and gasped. Inside she found a beautiful charm bracelet. On the bracelet were six charms; a happy face, a heart, and X, an apple, a coffee mug and a liquor bottle. Monica smiled up at Chandler through her tears. "Thank-you sweetie, I love it." She felt herself begin to cry.
Chandler smiled and moved his chair around the table so he was sitting beside her. He wrapped his arms around her until her tears had slowed. He then pulled the bracelet out of the box and carefully placed it around her wrist. He then proceeded to explain all of the charms. "The heart and happy face are pretty well self-explanatory," he said. "And the heart has a C on one side and an M on the other, y'know, representing us. The X is to represent the first time we met, when we bumped into each other. I couldn't find anything that would really represent this, so I chose an X, meaning our paths crossed, you know?" He paused for a moment, as he felt Monica nod against his chest. He smiled. "The mug is to represent our first, unofficial date when we bumped into each other at the coffee place, remember?" Again Monica nodded. "The apple is to represent us meeting at the grocery store and the bottle is to represent today, your twenty-first birthday, cause you can drink. I thought it was cute." Monica was silent. "Did I do okay?" Chandler asked, nervously.
Monica looked up at him, right into his deep, blue eyes. "You did amazing," she answered. "Absolutely amazing. No one has ever done anything like this for me before. Ever. I love it. I don't think I'll ever take it off."
Chandler smiled, feeling tears come to his eyes as well. He was still amazed that he could feel something so deep for another person. He had never believed in love when he was growing up. In his mind his parents had done everything in their power to show him the there was no such thing as love and that commitment was useless, you couldn't trust anyone. But, here he was, completely in love with an amazing woman, who he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, someone who he knew he could trust. He knew she would never hurt him, and he would never hurt her.
"Dance with me?" He asked quietly as he leaned down to turn on the stereo beside him.
Monica simply nodded and allowed him to pull her away from the table. He wrapped his arms around her waist and she wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head against his chest.
Monica allowed herself to be completely lost in the feeling of being with Chandler, of dancing with him, of being in his arms. It made her feel safe and comfortable. It made her feel protected, like no one could hurt her if she was with him. Monica sighed happily as they swayed back and forth to the soft music pouring out of the stereo.
Chandler closed his eyes as he felt Monica sigh against his chest. It was an amazing feeling, being in love. It really was. He was more than willing to spend the rest of his life with her. He would not settle for one day less than forever with her. He didn't know how long they stayed there, swaying back and forth. Chandler suddenly realized the music was over and Monica was shivering slightly in his arms.
"Let's go inside," Chandler whispered. Monica nodded. Chandler walked over and grabbed the stereo from beside the table. He then returned to her, draped his arms over her shoulder and led her back down to her apartment.
Upon reaching her apartment, they crashed on the couch for a while, watching a movie. It was well after midnight when they finally decided to go to bed. They walked into Monica's room, and she changed while, Chandler pulled out a pair of his sweat pants from the closet to wear. They were both settled into bed before either said anything.
Monica began giggling slightly in her position, her head resting in the middle of Chandler's chest, her arm draped possessively over it.
"What's so funny?" Chandler asked, smiling, as he felt the love of his life shaking gently in her arms.
"N-nothing," Monica said. "It's just something Phoebe and I were talking about earlier."
Chandler propped his head up with his elbow so he could see her better. "What?"
Monica hesitated slightly. "Nothing really, we were just joking about the fact that she spends all of her time at your and Joey's apartment and you spend all of your time here. It's like you live here and she lives there, you know?"
Chandler laughed and nodded. "Well," he said. "I would go home more often, but I just can't seem to get away," he ended; only half-joking. He paused for a moment. "Do you like me being here so often?"
Monica smiled at him. "I love you being here all the time. I miss you when you aren't here. And I know that's stupid, you know, to miss you when you're only across the hall, but I can't help it…" She was about to go on, when Chandler cut her off by gently placing his finger against her lips.
He smiled sweetly at her. "I know exactly what you are talking about."
"Really?"
Chandler nodded. "Really," he said. "I mean, I love spending time with you, and simply being near you. Like days like tonight, I just love falling asleep beside you, whether we had sex first or not."
Monica smiled to herself as she snuggled a little closer to Chandler. "That's exactly what I was thinking."
"Good," Chandler said. He seemed to get an idea. "Hey Mon?"
Monica looked up, propping her chin on her elbows. She was practically lying completely on top of Chandler. "What?" She asked.
"Well, I was thinking."
"Thinking is good," Monica said, cutting him off.
Chandler rolled his eyes at her before continuing. "Anyway, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted," he began again, his voice dripping in sarcasm. "I was thinking…I…uh…" He trailed off, not seeming to know what to say.
Monica reached a hand forward, and gently stroked his cheek. "What were you thinking?" She asked.
He took a deep breath. "Do you want to live together?" He asked, quickly.
Monica was taken aback for a moment, not saying anything. But, after a moment she looked up again, into his eyes, a huge smile on his face. "Yes!" She exclaimed. "I would love to live with you!"
"Really?" Chandler asked, excitedly.
"Really," Monica replied, pushing herself up his body to throw her arms around his neck.
AN: Wow, this story is getting really long! Anyway, please keep reading. I only have one chapter left to set up to second half of the story, and then hopefully it will get better. ROSS AND RACHEL are coming very soon. They may even show up in the next chapter. So, did everything in this chapter make sense? I hope so. Oh, and another thing I wanted to ask you. Does the story line make sense, like is Monica's self-confidence increasing realistically? Please let me know what you think, as if I'm moving her too fast, I'll need to put another chapter in between this one and the next one. Thanks.