"The Paris Plan" as they had started calling it, was probably Chandler's most ambitious idea in his 52 years. Even Monica, who loved planning and organizing, was intimidated.
Their top priority was getting the kids settled in college. Unless they were sure their babies - their almost-adult babies - were safe, there was no way they'd leave their sides, never-mind the country.
So that meant college tours, applications, recommendation letters, ACTs and SATs, FAFSA — times two. Then, dealing with everything from picking classes to roommates to shower caddies.
Both Monica and Chandler were beyond emotional.
"It was just the two of us for so long," Monica lamented, folding laundry while they watched TV one evening. "Then just the four of us! For even longer. Now, we're going back to the two of us."
"We've raised good kids," Chandler assured her. "We've made it to the best-case-scenario: they're wonderful young adults and they're going to go forth into the world," he said, gesturing wildly. "Or they'll spend a semester drinking and making out with strangers - either way, they don't need us."
Monica gave him The Look, rolled her eyes, and went back to the laundry. Chandler balled a pair of socks together, then tossed them in the laundry basket.
"You know I'm right," he said. "The kids will be fine. It's not like we can move into the dorms with them."
Then there was the travel logistics. Passports, flights, a place to stay. What were they doing about their jobs? Their home?
Now both in their 50s, they were solid in their careers. Chandler could work remotely - he certainly had learned that this past year. But who would want to work remotely while in Paris? And wasn't this his chance to write? Maybe he work part time and write part time? But when would they explore the city? He had some serious thinking to do.
Monica would have to take a leave of absence, with the full support of her employer.
"We'll incorporate everything you learn when you get back," he gushed. "Oh! Make sure you bring lots of wine back! And cheese! Oh, and bread! I'll just make you a list."
Pitching their plans to their employers was somewhat emotional, sure, but the logistics were manageable.
But Chandler and Monica had made a lot of headway before they broached the topic with their extended family.
Jack and Judy were aging. They were 83 and 86, respectively, but they were still living independently and lived their lives as they had decades before. Monica knew this could change quickly, but also knew that Ross and Rachel, and even Ben, were nearby. They hadn't been the world's best parents, but she certainly couldn't imagine abandoning them when they needed her — and that was as far as she could go down that line of thinking.
The twins were pumped for their parents. As soon as Chandler and Monica had mentioned a Parisian Thanksgiving, Erica and Jack were debating what books and movies they should have on their phones for the international flight as well as what they would want to do while in Paris.
"The drinking age is 18 there, isn't it?" Jack whispered to Erica, as soon as their parents were out of earshot. She giggled and nodded enthusiastically in response.
Two things were weighing heavily on Monica and Chandler about their trip. They were both hesitant about telling Rachel their plans.
Rachel had given up her dream job in Paris, all those year ago. She got off the plane and made a life with Ross. They seemed happy, most of the time at least, but Chandler and Monica both struggled with how to broach the topic. Would she be jealous? Would she resent them?
Jack and Erica promised not to tell Emma, their parents explaining that they wanted Ross and Rachel to hear it from them. That was as far as they got in regards to telling Rachel.
Then there was the fact that the twins would turn 18. As the children of an open adoption, they'd be free to pursue relationships - or not - with either of their biological parents.
Monica had dutifully sent photos and letters twice a year - around the holidays and near the kids' birthday. Would she stop once they kids turned 18? Would they pick up where she left off? Would they connect with her, become best friends and cut Monica out? OK, she knew that last one was ridiculous but anxiety isn't always rational. Monica's therapist reiterated that one a lot.
Would Jack & Erica connect with their biological half siblings? Monica and Chandler knew Birth Mother Erica, as they called her, had gone on to have a family, with children of her own later.
They knew very little of the biological father — the college football scholarship story Birth Mother Erica had told them years ago, and his sloppy signature on some paperwork. Would Jack and Erica want to look for him?
There was so much uncharted territory when it came to this and not being in control was not Monica's favorite thing.
Chandler and Monica had dinner with Birth Mother Erica the few times she had been in NYC to visit family, but Jack and Erica expressed no interest in meeting her.
"We have a mom," Jack said, shrugging, anytime the topic was broached.
They were running out of time. Monica picked a free Saturday, told Chandler he'd be manning the grill, and invited Ross, Rachel, Grandpa Jack and Judy over. Let's rip off this bandaid, she told Chandler — and herself.
They were both full of nervous energy when the weekend finally rolled around. Monica was cleaning, re-cleaning, and snapping at the kids for not cleaning to her standards. Chandler was literally bouncing around the house and talking nonstop.
"You two need to chill,"" Erica instructed them. Jack nodded sagely.
"It's just Grandma and Grandpa! And Aunt Rachel and Uncle Ross," he said, gesturing wildly. "We've grilled out with them, like a zillion times."
"And they'll be happy for you! I mean, I'm jealous. And they will be, too," Erica said. "But in a good way!"
The four Gellers arrived with beer and boutique cupcakes, as well as hugs and chit chat. Rachel had recently taken on more responsibility at work; Grandpa Jack's doctor had changed his blood pressure medicine.
"We, uh, we actually have some big news," Chandler said, flashing a nervous smile at Monica. She cleared her throat. "Yeah, so, the kids are going into the senior year, and before you know you know it, they'll be at college." She paused, lining her silverware up. "Chandler and I have decided that once we get the twins settled, we're going to take a trip. A big trip."
Everyone looked at Monica expectantly. Chandler squeezed her hand under the table.
"We're going to spend a couple months in Europe," Chandler began. "Mostly Paris, but we want to visit Spain and Italy, probably hit London too," He smiled at Monica.
"I've always wanted to study French cooking and we talked about it when we first got married, a million years go," Monica said. "We're planning to get the kids settled at college - where ever they end up - then head to Paris. Be back by Christmas," she said, borrowing the language Chandler used to sell her on The Paris Plan.
Everyone was quiet for a beat. Judy was the first to break.
"Well, that sounds like so much fun!"
Jack clapped and nodded enthusiastically. "When your mother and I went to Italy a few years ago-"
"Oh, Jack, that was at least 12 years ago! Maybe closer 15?" Judy butted in.
"Well, that's really not the point, Judy. Anyways, Italy was amazing! The sites and the food - it was nothing like we'd ever experienced," Jack said, as Judy nodded emphatically. "You'll have a great time!"
Ross sputtered. "It sounds like fun — but I had no idea! How long have you been planning this?"
Chandler and Monica shared a look and Monica shrugged.
"I don't know," she began. "A couple months? 20 years? Depends on how you count, I guess."
"I - wow. I mean, I'm happy for you! This is exciting!" Ross got up and hugged Chandler and Monica, at the same time, awkwardly.
"Yeah, we're really excited," Chandler said. "We have a lot to do beforehand, but we're pumped."
"What about the kids?" It was the first thing Rachel said.
"We're going to get them settled at school, maybe stick around for parents' weekend, depending on when that is," she said, looking to Chandler, who nodded and smiled. "Then head to Europe. The kids are going to come to Paris for their Thanksgiving break - they're so excited - and then Chandler and I will come back early December, maybe mid-December. We'll definitely be home for Christmas - we haven't booked anything yet."
Rachel paused for a moment - just long enough for Chandler and Monica to steal a glance at each other - then smiled.
"Oh wow! Wow! I'm so excited for you - for all four of you!" She gushed. "What an experience!"
But they both noticed - Rachel was uncharacteristically quiet most of the evening.
