Chapter 12: Same Last Name
Monica awoke to the familiar feeling of warmth and happiness. She opened her eyes and glanced around. She realized she was in the living room. She also realized that Chandler's arms were wrapped tightly around her waist. She smiled as she realized they must have fallen asleep the night before.
Monica sighed happily and pulled her head away from Chandler's shoulder to glance at the clock. It was still early morning. She yawned slightly and gently placed her head back onto Chandler's shoulder. She lay awake, basking in the feeling of being in his arms, for quite some time. She was wanted to stay like that forever, and she smiled when she realized that she could. She remembered Chandler's proposal the night before and snuggled closer to him and fell back to sleep with the knowledge that they would be together for the rest of their lives.
It was hours later, close to noon, that Monica awoke again. She felt Chandler moving below her. He seemed to be attempting to get out from under her. Monica immediately moved out of the way so he could get up.
"I'm sorry, Sweetie," Chandler told her, planting a kiss on her forehead. "I didn't want to wake you up, but I really have to pee."
Monica laughed as he hurried to the bathroom. She got up and wandered over to the kitchen, debating over what to make for breakfast. She decided to go for pancakes. Chandler came out of the bathroom, and silently began helping her. They were just finishing when the heard the door creak open and Joey and Phoebe strolled in, collapsing onto two of the kitchen chairs.
"Morning," Monica offered brightly. The answers were incomprehensible. "Tired?" She asked, already knowing the answer.
Phoebe looked up at her and nodded. "We didn't get home until six."
"Six!" Monica exclaimed. "I thought you were just going out for dinner?"
"Well, we were," Joey answered. "And then we went to a party, and then another party, and then…well you know."
"Have you guys gotten any sleep yet?"
"Yeah, we crashed for a few hours, but…" Joey cut off, yawning, "we're still tired."
Chandler smiled at him. "Well, then I guess you're too tired for breakfast."
Joey noticeably perked up at the word. He tried to cover for it. "Well, I guess I could eat a little bit, you know. I wouldn't want you and Mon to eat too much, because I didn't have any."
Chandler rolled his eyes and laughed. Monica laughed as well as she placed the plate of pancakes down on the table, along with butter and syrup. Chandler grabbed four plates from the cupboard and set them down as well. He then sat down beside Monica, pulling his chair over so her was right beside her. For a few minutes they ate in silence.
"So, did you guys have a good time last night?" Monica finally asked.
Phoebe nodded. "Yeah, it was great. You guys should have come. We had so much fun."
Monica shrugged. "We had a good night."
"What did you do?"
"Ate dinner, watched movies…you know, stuff," Monica said, no longer able to contain her smile.
Phoebe noticed Monica's grin. "What?"
"What?" Monica asked.
"Why are you smiling?"
Monica shrugged. "No reason," she said, not convincing anyone.
"No, really, what's going on?" Joey asked, now interested.
Monica smiled and glanced at Chandler who put his arm around her and nodded.
"We're engaged," Monica said, holding up her left hand.
"Oh My God!" Phoebe exclaimed. "I'm so happy for you guys! Congratulations!" She proceeded to jump up and hug both Monica and Chandler.
Joey put in his own words of congratulations and also hugged the happy couple.
"So," Phoebe started as she sat down again. "When's the wedding?"
Monica laughed. "Pheebs, we've been engaged for, like, half a day."
"So?"
Monica rolled her eyes. "So, we don't know yet."
"Oh," Phoebe said. She seemed to get an idea. "Can I sing at your wedding?" She asked excitedly.
A couple months later…
Chandler hurried up the stairs and into his and Monica's apartment. He saw her sitting at the table and walked over to her. He kissed her on the forehead and sat down beside her.
"Hey," Monica said.
"Hey, you okay?"
Monica looked up at him. "Yeah, just a bit tired."
"Stressed?" Chandler asked, somewhat concerned.
Monica shrugged. "A little," she admitted. "We still have a lot to do, I mean we have to talk to the catering company about the menu and find a photographer and we still haven't heard back from everyone we invited and…"
Chandler cut her off by pulling her into a hug. "Shhh," he said softly. "Relax. We'll get everything done. Don't worry so much." He felt Monica relax in his arms and rest her head on his shoulder.
"Thank-you," she whispered.
"No problem," Chandler pulled back and placed a kiss on her forehead before completely letting go. "Now, let's see what we can get done right now. I got a phone call from a couple people at work today. They all said they're coming. Oh, and I bumped into an old friend today, haven't seen him for years. I invited him to the wedding. I hope you don't mind."
Monica shook her head. "Not a problem, the more the merrier, I mean there won't be many people anyway."
Chandler sighed sadly. He knew Monica was upset by the fact that she had no family coming. The only people she invited were work friends; she didn't know anyone else and she didn't think any of her family would come. Chandler felt bad because although he had few family members coming, he had a fair amount of friends from work and college.
"Don't think that way, Mon," he told her.
Monica shrugged. "Well, it's true."
Chandler pulled her into another hug. "You could try to invite your family. I bet they would come."
Monica shook her head. "No they wouldn't."
"Mon," Chandler started, but she cut him off.
"No, Chandler, I won't invite them, any of them. I wouldn't be able to handle them not showing up."
"You don't know they wouldn't come."
"Yes, I do. My mom made it very clear that none of them wanted me around, hell, my dad and my brother left the country so they wouldn't have to be there when she told me to leave. My family doesn't want me. I wasn't good enough for them."
Chandler sighed sadly. He hated what her family had done to her. She was such an amazing person; how could anyone not want her?
Monica stepped out from behind the screen in the small dressing room, and took a deep breath before turning around to look at herself in the mirror. She gasped slightly at her appearance, with the elegant, white wedding dress and veil. It was then that it hit her. She was getting married today. Married. Today. Monica jumped slightly as the door behind her opened and Phoebe, her Maid of Honor, walked into the room.
"Oh, Monica," Phoebe said. "You look so beautiful!"
"Really?" Monica asked, quietly.
"Really," Phoebe said, walking up to stand beside Monica in front of the mirror.
Monica smiled at the two of them standing there, all dressed up. "We've come so far, Pheebs, so far."
"I know," Phoebe said nodding. "I mean you planned this wedding in just over four months, that's gotta be a record or something."
Monica rolled her eyes. "No, I mean in life, Pheebs. Just think, a couple years ago, we were living on the streets, and now look at us. Look how far we've come."
"Oh that's what you meant," Phoebe said. "You're right. We have come a long way."
They were both silent for a few moments.
"Oh," Phoebe said, "I was told to tell you we had five minutes."
Monica felt a chill got through her spine. "It's funny, because in one sense I can't wait and it seems like five minutes is a long time, and in another sense I'm not ready and five minutes is too short."
Phoebe laughed. "Don't worry about it, Mon, everything will be fine."
"I know, but it seems like so much, such a big step."
"It is a big step," Phoebe said. "But, it's a step that you are ready for. You and Chandler. You guys are so perfect for each other. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about."
"You think so?"
Phoebe smiled and gave Monica a hug. "I know so."
Monica smiled. "Thanks."
There was a knock at the door and Joey peeked his head in. "You ready?" He asked Monica.
Monica took a deep breath and nodded.
"You okay?" Joey asked concerned.
Again Monica nodded. "Just a little nervous."
"Don't worry about it, it's perfectly normal to have cold feet. Just remember how much you and Chandler love each other and you'll be fine."
Monica stared at him in shock for a moment.
"What?" Joey asked.
"I've just never heard you say anything so profound before, Joe, but thanks. Is Chandler nervous too?"
Joey shook his head. "Actually Chandler is really calm. It's really freaking me out. I don't know what you did to him Mon. I mean he used to be so terrified of commitment and now he's so totally committed and happy. He must really love you Mon. I've never seen you like this."
"Thanks, Joe," Monica said, blinking back tears.
"Not a problem. Okay, give me a minute to get out there and come on down."
"It's not the price is right, Joe," Phoebe called to him as he left the room.
Monica nervously shifted her weight back and forth as she watched Phoebe walk down the aisle in front of her. This was it. Phoebe reached the altar, and the music changed. Everyone stood and turned to face her. Monica gulped. All eyes were on her as she began her way down the aisle alone, wishing she had a father to walk her down. Then she wouldn't be alone.
Her first few steps were tentative. She knew that every person here was watching her, was judging her. It was a lot to think about. She was half way down the aisle, wondering how she was every going to make it the rest of the way when she looked up, locking eyes with Chandler. Suddenly all her fears, all her doubts, disappeared. She was no longer apprehensive. She smiled slightly and completed her walk without even thinking. It was just natural.
Chandler smiled when he saw Monica begin her walk towards him. He could tell she was nervous. As she got closer she finally looked up and their eyes met. He smiled at her and she smiled back. Her eyes didn't leave his as she approached him. When she met him he took her hand and they stepped up to the priest together.
Chandler listened as the priest went through the early stages of the ceremony and reached the point of the vows.
Chandler was first. He smiled and took a deep breath. "The first time I met you, I had this feeling that I couldn't explain, and it grew stronger every time I saw you after that, and here we are three years later, ready to be together forever. Forever used to be a scary word for me. I didn't think it was possible to love someone so much that you wanted to be with them for the rest of your life, but I was wrong. I love you, Monica, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I won't settle for one day less than forever with you. I'll never let you go because, well, it's you." He smiled lovingly.
Monica was teary eyed as she began her vows. "Before I met you, I had been hurt a lot and had very little trust in people, but you changed that. You taught me to trust again, taught me how to have fun, how to laugh. You gave me unconditional love that I never thought I would ever have, even less deserve. You gave me the strength to overcome so many obstacles and I have so much to thank you for. I love you so much and I know that we will be okay. I know we'll last forever. We're meant to be together and I'm ready now, to make our commitment, our happiness, known. I love you."
The pries nodded. "Do you, Chandler Bing, take Monica Gellar to be your wife?"
Chandler smiled, his eyes never leaving Monica's. "I do."
"And do you Monica Gellar, take Chandler Bing to be your husband?"
"I do."
They exchanged rings.
The priest cleared his throat. "I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Chandler stepped forward and gently lifted Monica's veil. He leaned in and slowly captured her lips with his own. The kiss lasted several seconds before Chandler ended the kiss and pulled Monica into a close hug. "I love you," he whispered into her ear.
"I love you, too, so much," Monica whispered back.
Chandler smiled and led her back down the aisle, Joey and Phoebe following them. They made their way into the hall where there were a few tables of small sandwiches and drinks set out. There were immediately bombarded by well-wishers. Nora pushed her way to the front. She pulled both Monica and Chandler into a hug.
"I'm so proud of you, Chandler," She said. "And I'm so happy for you both." She then promptly pushed her way back through the crowd to stand with her new boyfriend, as the marriage to Edmond hadn't survived the honeymoon.
Chandler was slightly in shock. "Wow," he said.
"What?" Monica asked.
"That's the first time she's ever said she was proud of me."
Monica laughed slightly and leaned in to kiss Chandler's cheek. "She's not so bad for a mother. I mean she's a bit out there, but she's a good person."
Chandler nodded. "I'm beginning to think so." Chandler looked up and seemed to spot someone in the crown. "Oh, come over here. There's someone I want you to meet."
"Okay," Monica said. "Who is it?"
"It's that guy I ran into a month ago, remember the guy I told you about?"
Monica nodded. "An old friend."
He led her up to a man, whose back was to them. "He was more than a friend actually," he said as he tapped the man on the shoulder. "He was my roommate in college," he said as the dark-haired man turned around. "Ross Geller," Chandler stammered over the last name slightly as he realized it was the same as Monica's.
Monica was in shock as she stared right into the eyes of her brother. She glanced beside him to see her old best friend, Rachel, holding his hand.
Chandler stood there silently, watching the scene unfold. He silently cursed himself for not realizing the similar last name earlier, for not realizing they looked alike. He watched them now and the relation was unmistakable. There was no doubt they were siblings. He saw Monica begin to shake her and felt her drop his hand. She stood there for a moment before turning and fleeing the room.