Chandler smiled at the camera as he held Monica close to him, both of them facing the camera. The photographer had been snapping pictures for the better part of an hour and Chandler could only hope he would soon be done. They had done every combination of pictures possible, both with people and poses, and the last few were to be of just him and Monica. The flash went off and it was time to change again. Chandler gently turned Monica around so she was facing him and pulled her in close. The flash went off with both smiling happily at the camera, Monica's head resting against Chandler's shoulder and his head resting on hers. They pulled apart; both thinking it was over and smiled softly at each other. Not a word was said between them as they took a moment in each other's arms. A final flash went off and they both looked over at the photographer, surprised. He simply smiled and began putting his equipment away.
Monica laughed slightly in his arms. He smiled down at her and took her hand as he led her back to the limo along with Phoebe and Joey. It would be a short drive to the reception hall. The four piled in through the door and took seats.
Phoebe sighed happily as she leaned her head against Joey's shoulder. "I'm so happy for you guys," she said. She smiled as she watched Monica blush slightly and lean in against Chandler. Chandler responded by wrapping an arm tightly around her and planting a kiss on her forehead.
"I'm happy for me, too," Monica said, laughing. She closed her eyes and rested her head gently against Chandler's shoulder. She was exhausted, both mentally and physically. She must have dosed off, because before she knew it Chandler was gently shaking her.
"Wake up, sweetie. We're here."
"Uhhhggg," Monica groaned. "Do we have to go?"
Chandler laughed. "Well, seeing as the only reason all of these people are here is to see us, then yes, we have to go."
Monica rolled her eyes. "Smart ass," she muttered.
Chandler gave her a look as he helped her out of the car and pulled her in for a quick hug before leading her through the front door of the reception hall, Joey and Phoebe at their heels.
"I am pleased to announce the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Chandler and Monica Bing," was announced as Monica and Chandler stepped into the large room. There was a couple seconds of clapping before most went back to talking. A few came forward to give the happy couple their congratulations.
"Do you see Ross and Rachel anywhere?" Monica asked after a few minutes.
"Not yet," Chandler said, glancing around. His gaze came to rest on the door at the other side of the hall. He motioned his head towards Ross, motioning them over. They exchanged a glance and together, headed towards the door.
"What's going on, Ross?" Monica asked as she stepped up to the door, her confidence high from the presence beside her. She couldn't read her brother's expression, but he looked almost…excited.
"There's someone out here who wants to see you," he said softly, motioning outside.
Monica wasn't sure what to expect as she stepped away from her comfort zone and peered out the door. She immediately recognized the form on the other side. He looked a little older, but still the same man she had once known. "Dad," she stated, amazed to see her dad after all these years. Why was he here, she wondered?
"There's my little Harmonica," he said, tears evident in his voice. He stepped forward, and before Monica could react he had pulled her into a big bear hug. "Ross told me what happened. I'm so sorry, honey. I wouldn't have let it happen if I had known. I feel like an awful father."
"It's okay," Monica said, quietly.
"No, it's not," Jack said forcefully. "I believed her, even though I knew you would never do anything like that. I knew, but I still believed her. I'm a terrible father."
"No, you're not," Monica said. "She was good at what she did. She had me convinced that all of you wanted it to happen."
Jack sighed. "It's still not okay." He said as they pulled away.
Monica shrugged. "There's not much to do about it now."
"I'm very proud of you, though," Jack said, suddenly. "From what I hear, you accomplished quite a bit in only a few short years."
"Thanks," Monica said, then realized she had forgotten one thing. "Oh, Dad, this is Chandler," she said motioning towards Chandler, keeping his distance at the door. "And Chandler, this is my dad."
"It's nice to meet you, Sir," Chandler said, stepping forward, his hand outstretched.
"You too, son," Jack said, shaking Chandler's hand.
There was a slight awkward pause between the two men, the former most important man in Monica's life, and the current (and future) one. After a moment, Chandler offered a smile and a look of understanding passed between them. "So are you guys coming in?" He asked.
Jack hesitated. "Only if that's what you want," he said, looking straight at Monica.
Monica smiled and nodded. "I'd love for you to be here."
"We both would," Chandler added, smiling as he wrapped an arm around his wife.
Jack returned the smile and put a hand on Chandler's shoulder as he walked past.
"Uh, let me just go talk to the catering people and we'll add a seat to Ross and Rachel's table," Chandler said as he walked off to find the head caterer, leaving Monica behind with her family.
After a slight hesitation Jack pulled his daughter in for another hug. "I really did miss you, Harmonica. I really did. I should have know, I should have known."
"It's okay, dad, really."
"No, it's not. No daughter of mine should have gone through what you went through. It's just not right."
Monica offered a small smile. "Well, there isn't anything you can do about it now, so don't worry about it. You wouldn't have been able to find me anyway." Monica hesitated. "She, uh, she told me what you did."
"What did I do?"
"She said that she wanted to get an abortion when she was pregnant, but that you stopped her. Thank-you for that."
Jack seemed taken aback. "I had forgotten about that. I just thought it was hormones that were making her act that way. She never mentioned it after you were born. I guess I should have thought more about it. I'm so sorry. I should have known something like this would happen."
Monica shook her head. "You had no way of knowing. None of us did. I should have known you wouldn't have anything to do with it. It's my fault, really."
Now it was Jack's turn to shake his head. "No, you should never have been put in that situation in the first place. I should have been suspicious when she wouldn't let you come to Egypt with your brother and I."
Monica felt tears slowly springing to her eyes and shook her head, trying to stop them.
Jack noticed. "Let's not talk about this here and now, okay? This is supposed to be a happy day."
Monica laughed slightly and nodded. "Oh, don't worry it is."
"So, this guy you married, would I approve?"
Monica laughed and nodded.
"I'm sorry I wasn't there to walk you down the aisle."
"That's okay, cause you're here now."
"And now I would like to invite the bride and her father to the dance floor for the traditional father-daughter dance." The DJ announced.
Monica glanced at Chandler, knowing he must have told the DJ to do that. Chandler simply smiled back and winked, as Monica was lead to the floor by her father.
Once on the dance floor, Monica sighed happily. She felt so…normal. She was at her wedding dancing with her father. She had never expected this to happen. She had been pretty sure she would run into at least one member of her family again, but had never allowed herself to dream anything this good would happen. She had imagined dirty looks and feigned ignorance, never smiles and happiness.
It wasn't long before other father-daughter combinations joined them on the floor. Monica sighed happily again. This was one of the best days of her life. Before she knew it, the song had ended and other couples were joining them.
Someone cleared their throat. "May I cut in?"
Monica looked over and smiled at a slightly nervous looking Ross.
"Hey," she said as they began dancing.
"Hey, I just wanted to say, I really am glad to see you again, Monica. I really missed you. We all did. Promise me you won't disappear, okay. Promise me that we're going to stay in touch and be a- a family, like we're supposed to. Like when we both have kids, they'll be cousins and play together.
Monica nodded and smiled, tears forming in the back of her eyes. "That sounds really nice."
Ross smiled. "I know. So," Ross said, changing the subject. "You somehow managed to end yourself up with my roommate. That's gotta be more than just coincidence."
Monica laughed. "I guess. You were meant to come today."
Ross nodded. "I guess I was."
It wasn't long before Monica found herself dancing with Joey, who didn't seem as happy with the new developments as everyone else.
"Are you sure they're for real? Are you sure they didn't know what really happened?" He asked. "Cause it seems really fishy to me. I wouldn't trust them just yet…"
Monica laughed. "Don't worry, Jo. I trust them. I don't really know why, I just do, okay? If they are telling the truth, which I'm sure they are, then my life could be normal."
"Normal is overrated," Joey said.
"What?"
"Normal, it's not always the best thing. Like, how do you define normal? There's no such thing."
Monica sighed. "I know there isn't, Jo, but I really want to have my family back in my life. I missed them."
"Just because they're your blood doesn't make them your family."
Monica smiled at Joey; she had never heard him so insightful. "Look, you, Phoebe and Chandler are my family. You are the only ones who were ever really truly there for me. This is just something I have to try. If I don't try to get to know them again, I'll regret it forever."
Joey looked at her and sighed. "Fine, just know, if they do anything to hurt you again, I'll kick their asses."
Monica laughed at Joey's protectiveness. He was always like that with her and Phoebe. Maybe he wasn't the smartest guy in the world, but she wouldn't trade his friendship for a million others in the world. "Okay, Joey. You have my full permission to kick their asses if they try anything."
Joey nodded, and offered a smile. "Good, because I will."
"I know, and thanks for that. I don't think you have been introduced yet. Come on and meet them."
"O-kay," Joey said reluctantly and he allowed Monica to guide him over to Ross, Rachel and Jacks table.
Monica yawned as she rested her head against Chandler's shoulder during the last dance of the night. She was so tired, both emotionally and physically, but she had to admit, this had been one of the best days of her entire life. She was married to the best guy in the world, she had two amazing friends, who showed their support today, and she was getting her family back. Life was pretty good.
"I love you," she whispered into Chandler's shoulder.
"I love you, to," she heard him say back, as he pulled her in closer.
Monica was aware that everyone was watching, and normally she would have been embarrassed, but right at this moment she didn't care. She was just so happy. It wasn't long before the guests were clearing out, each stopping to extend their best wishes before they left. Ross, Rachel and her father left, leaving numbers to be reached and making sure to take her number with them. They were determined not to lose touch again. Before they knew it the last guest had left and the tired couple made their way up to their room.
Monica waited patiently while her husband struggled to get the key card to work on the door, laughing gently at his exclamation of triumph when he finally succeeded. She went to step inside, but he held an arm out to block her. She looked back at him, confused, but was met with a goofy grin.
Chandler couldn't hold back his smile as he pocketed the card and effortlessly scooped his new wife up in his arms, walking across the threshold. He laughed with her at her surprise and walked across the room, spinning around a couple times before falling onto the bed. It was late and he was exhausted and he knew they had to be up early to catch a plane the next morning, but he could remember a happier moment in his entire life. Monica was half on top of him and half beside him, her eyes bright with laughter.
"I can't believe you just did that," Monica finally managed to say.
Chandler smiled. "Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting to do that?"
Monica shook her head, her laughter finally starting to die down. "It's been such an amazing day," she said happily. "I can't believe everything that's happened."
Chandler shook his head. "Me neither. I still can't believe I got you to marry me."
Monica laughed. "Well, believe it mister. You're stuck with me now."
Chandler smiled and leaned in to capture her lips for a few moments. "I think I can deal with that." He kissed her again, starting to lean over her. "I can definitely deal with that."
Monica smiled into the third kiss, in awe at the man above her. She still couldn't believe she was married; it seemed so grown up. She almost laughed at the thought.
Chandler pulled away. "What are you laughing at?"
Monica shook her head. "Nothing. It's just that being married suddenly seems so grown up."
Chandler seemed to take in her words for a moment then shrugged. "Well, I guess that means we can do grown up things, huh?" He waggled an eyebrow playfully.
Monica laughed freely at his antics, staring right into his bright, shinning blue eyes before hooking a finger through the collar of his shirt and pulling his lips back down to hers. They weren't going to get much sleep tonight.
AN: I have received many reviews and e-mails asking about scenes where Monica finally tells off Judy, but to be honest I had never thought about that. So, my question is, where do all of you want this story to go? And what kind of scene with Judy are looking for? Please let me know and I'll try to make it happen. Thanx again.