Chapter 15: Be There

After entering the hotel room, Chandler and Monica sat on the couch, while Ross and Rachel pulled up two chairs from the small table. At first, no one spoke.

"Are you sure she told you to leave?" Ross finally asked.

Monica said nothing, but nodded solemnly.

Ross sighed and shook his head. "I really don't know what to say about that. I knew something was weird when she told us you had been gone a week and she didn't tell us or report you missing. I should have known what had happened. I should never have believed that you ran away and stole anything."

Monica offered a small smile. "Don't worry about it. She had you convinced of that and she had me convinced that all of you knew what was happening and had left so you wouldn't have to be around."

"I guess I'll have to talk to her. I don't know what I'm going to say."

No one had any suggestions.

Rachel cleared her throat and attempted to get off of the subject that was obviously making everyone uncomfortable. "So, where did you go? When you left, I mean."

Monica shrugged. "I got on the first bus to pass by. It took me into the city and I stayed there. I still haven't left."

"But, where did you stay in the city? It's really expensive."

Monica sighed and she felt Chandler take her hand for support. It didn't go unnoticed by Ross and Rachel. She averted her eyes. "Well, I didn't have any money, well barely any money. I met Phoebe when I got off the bus and I stayed with her," she paused for a few seconds, "in an alley."

"A what!" Ross asked. "My sister lived on the streets?"

Monica nodded gravely. "I had no where else to go."

"Well that explains why we couldn't find you," Rachel said. "You weren't listed anywhere."

"For how long?"

"A year. We eventually found someone who would hire us and saved enough to rent this little, dingy apartment for about six months. We slept on a mattress we found on the street and a few old blankets, but it was better than before. We then got a slightly better apartment and six months later moved in across from Chandler and his best friend Joey."

"Is that how you two met?" Rachel asked, turning to Chandler. She could see that Monica was having a hard time and wanted to take some pressure off of her.

Chandler shook his head. "Well, originally, we ran into each other on the sidewalk, and I mean literally ran into each other. I think we both felt something, but Mon took off before I had a chance to say anything. We saw each other again about six months later at this little coffeehouse and had a coffee, but Monica turned me down. I finally got her to go out with me a while after that when I saw her at the grocery store. They moved in across the hall because we were there and knew the apartment was available. Eventually I moved in with Mon and Phoebe moved in with Joey." Chandler realized something and continued. "Phoebe and Joey were the Best Man and Maid of Honor."

"Wow," was all either Ross or Rachel could say at first.

"I am so sorry, Monica," Ross said. "I wish I could have done something to help you at the time. I wish I had known. If I had, I would have helped. I wouldn't have let mom do that to you. It wasn't right." Ross got up and stepped forward, pulling Monica into a hug. At that moment any lasting negative thoughts towards the other sibling evaporated for both of them. They had their trust back.

Chandler cleared his throat. "I hate to break this up, but we're being picked up in about ten minutes. We gotta get going."

Monica pulled back. "Right, for the pictures. I almost forgot. I guess I have to redo my make-up," she said, laughing. She knew she must have long, dark streaks going down her face from all of the crying.

"Here, I'll help," Rachel volunteered and followed Monica into the bathroom, thus leaving Ross and Chandler alone.

Ross cleared his throat. "Chandler, I, uh, I want to apologize for before. I knew she was uncomfortable and I kept pushing. I'm sorry."

Chandler smiled. "Don't worry about it. You both had very different stories in your heads and your reaction suited yours."

"And your reaction suited yours," Ross said, looking Chandler in the eye.

"What?"

Ross smiled. "You thought we had hurt her and you knew she was upset so you were there for her. I'm glad she has someone like that. She deserves it after all she's been through."

"Thanks, man."

"No problem. And do you know what this means?"

Chandler shook his head. "No, what?"

"We're brothers in law."

Chandler smiled. "You're right."

"Of course I'm right," Ross said and they both laughed.

They talked for a few more minutes about what each had done since college. It wasn't long before the girls exited the bathroom, Monica looking just as flawless as before.

"You look beautiful," Chandler told Monica.

She blushed slightly, the color still rising, even through the make-up. "Well, Rachel's an expert." Rachel nodded and flicked the brush in her hand for effect.

"Are you ready to go?" Chandler asked, glancing at his watch.

Monica nodded.

"Okay, then lets go."

He turned to Rachel and Ross. "Are you guys coming to the reception afterwards?"

"Only if you want us there," Ross said, turning to Monica, who nodded.

"I do, I really do."

"Then we'll be there."