This Chapter might be a little emotional...
so prepare yourselves...
Enjoy reading!!
Monica's POV
Days, Weeks and Months go by. I'm in my Five months of pregnancy and the baby couldn't be more healthy. I've been wondering when will the baby kick and all of the gang are expecting it too.
It's been a couple of months too for Chandler and Mina and until now they're still together.
There are times when I needed him he wasn't there in the apartment and that made me sad. Little by little, he started to forget about our situation. I mean, I understand that he's busy with his job and the fact that he's in a relationship with someone; with his assistant but I feel like he's dragging himself out of me.
Where did the "I'll be there for you" stuff go? Is that just words to him? But I shouldn't think like this... Chandler is working hard to financially help me for the baby coming along. With me being unemployed, it's really hard to maintain a wealthy living.
As for the in-love part, I'm handling it pretty well (Not really). These couple of weeks have been harder for me especially when I encounter them kissing, cuddling and doing "couple" stuff. I felt so betrayed. My heart shatters when I see them, two together.
My thoughts broke when somebody came in.
"Hey, good thing you're here. I need some suggestions," Joey said, closing the door behind him and making his way to the living room.
With Chandler being unavailable at least Joey was there and hang out with me. These past few weeks, I spent most of my time with him and talk about the most unnecessary stuff.
"What kind of suggestion?"
He sat down beside me and said, "Well, I have a date with this girl and I don't know where will I take her."
I crossed my arms and sigh. One lucky girl. I am never going to experience the feeling of the first date be like: chatting with some guy, getting to know each other and if you're lucky enough you got to sleep with him. God.
"Hey, Monica. Is there something wrong?"
I snapped back from Joey, "Oh! Yeah, I'm good. Anyway, you should take her to Gem Saloon. They got great food there and it's romantic." I suggested.
"Great, Thanks"
He was going to stand up but I stopped him by grabbing his arm, "And then afterwards you can go downtown and listen to some jazz. Or dancing—Oh! Take her dancing!" I told him, Imagining myself on one of those kinds of dates.
"Woah! Calm down there. You sure do add some ways to postpone sex, I'll tell ya..."
I pout, leaning my back against the couch, "I miss dating...getting excited to dressed up and going to a fancy restaurant... chatting, connecting and sharing some stories... I'm not gonna be able to do that for so long." closing my eyes and breathe out. Even if I want to date, who wants to date a pregnant woman?
I realized that I have a lot of things that I'm going to miss out and this might last 18 years after I can start to date again. I groan as I picture myself in my 40s, dating.
"Hey, Mon," Joey called out. I open my eyes and look at him, "Hm?"
"Why don't I take you out?" He asked.
I scoffed, "Joey, you don't want to date with a 5months pregnant lady," I said to him.
"Yes, I do! and I'm going to take you out, we're going to have some fun, and if you're lucky enough, you'll get to sleep with me," He smirked, bouncing his eyebrows at me.
I chuckle as I softly hit him on the arm. It's so sweet what Joey's suggesting. This is what I like about him, he's a great friend and he knows what to do to make me feel better. I wish all woman knows that a man like Joey is hard to find. I'm so lucky to be one of his friends.
"Really, you would do that for me?" I asked.
"Yes, of course. You're my friend and I want you to experience this stuff again," He joked, "And besides after the night that we had a few months ago... You're really great to hang out with," He said.
I softly smiled at him, "Awe, That's so sweet Joe. I really appreciate that. Thank you,"
He shrugged his shoulders as I continue to smile at him, "So... What about later? Do you have plans later?" He asked.
"Well, does lying around with my sweats and reading a book about pregnancy count as a plan?" I joked, making him laugh.
"So later it is," He said and I nodded. "I'll pick you up at 6:30. Does that sounds great?"
"Yes, that sounds great. I can't wait!" I exclaimed.
He stands up, walking towards the exit but before he left, he turns around in my direction, "Oh! Wear something nice but I don't think you have any problem with that. Okay, see you later," he reminded, then shutting the door behind him.
I smiled on the couch, getting all excited about the "date". It's like I'm going on my first date. I don't know what to wear, what to do and I'm getting nervous. I mean it's only Joey but I don't know why but It's putting a lot of pressure on me.
I have a lot of ideas of what to wear but I look down on my stomach and realize that I don't have that slim figure anymore and some of my clothes don't fit. Now, I'm feeling a little self-conscious.
Maybe I should borrow some of Rachel's clothes. I saw some of her dresses are a little loose that might be perfect for my body. I can't wait for later!
I put on the last accessory on my ears as I straightened out my bodycon red dress. It's a little fit for my body but it turned out to be kinda sexy. Apparently, Rachel has too many dresses and I can't find the dress that I wanted to wear good thing I found this fella.
As I look into the mirror I stare at my bump. I put my two hands on it and whisper, "Hey baby... when are you going to kick? Mommy's been waiting for you as well as your aunt and uncle's—and your daddy..." I caress my stomach, looking down sadly.
I hope Chandler is excited as much as I do and I hope he's there when the baby starts to kick. I just don't want him to miss out on everything. He seems pretty bump when he missed out on the second sonogram of the baby and I feel kinda bad.
I take one last look at my dress and went out of my room, going to the bathroom when I heard a knock on the door. I furrowed my eyebrows, looking at the entrance. No one usually knocks on my apartment especially the people in the group. It must be Mr. Heckles, God, I'm not making any noise up here.
I groan as I walk directly to the door, "Mr. Heckles, I'm not making any noise up—" When I open the door, I was surprised to see Joey, holding out some flowers.
"Joey? Why are you knocking?" I asked.
He hands out the flowers, giving them to me and my face immediately forms a smile, "I'm here to pick you up from our date." He replied.
"Awe, That is so sweet and lilies? This is my favourite flower. Thank you, Joe," Moving towards the sink and finding a vase to put the flowers in. Joey follows me from behind, looking around the room, "Wow, what a nice place that you got here,"
I turn around at him and chuckle, "Joe, What are you doing?"
"Shh! Let's pretend I'm your date and It's my first time visiting you from your apartment." He said.
I rolled my eyes and went along, "Thank you. This place is my Grandmother's. I got it from her when she moved to Florida."
"Well it's nice and it seems like you have a roommate," he said, pointing to Rachel's bedroom.
I chuckle as I take my coat on the hook, putting it around me "Yeah, I do. Her name is Rachel, but she's not here right now." I said.
"What about across the hall? I heard you have good-looking guy friends over there." smirking at me.
I laugh, "Yeah, but I'm pretty sure one of them is gay," I replied, grabbing the handbag from the counter beside me.
Joey stares at me, pensive. "You're talking about Chandler, right?" He asked.
I shake my head, chuckling and moving out inside my apartment. I didn't answer him and just gave him a shrugged shoulders, "You just ruined our game, Mon," He whines, "But it's Chandler you're talking about, right?"
"I'm not going to answer that Joe," I said, playfully.
"It'll be our secret." He whispered at me.
I rolled my eyes, ignoring him as I start to walk down the stairs. This is going to be a long fun night.
The waitress guide us to our table and gave us the menu. I look around the place and I got to say that Joey is not bad at picking a place after all.
"Wow, How did you find a place like this? It's kinda romantic." I said, hitting his elbow with mine as I stare at the menu. There's a lot of delicious foods that I can't pick. Especially with my hormones, I tend to overeat but right now I don't want to embarrass myself in front of Joey and my dress.
"Oh I asked Chandler for some advice" He suddenly said. I put down the menu and stare at him, "Uh... He knows that you're... you're taking me out?" I carefully asked.
Isn't that kinda weird?
"No. Don't worry, I told him that I'm taking out some girl. Different girl," He answered. I sigh in relief. That could've been awkward if he said that he's taking me out. "And that could've been... I don't know, awkward if I told him that," He added.
I furrowed my eyebrows at him, he knows what I'm thinking?
"Why?"
"Because... of your situation and I don't know... lately he's been acting kinda weird maybe because I don't hang out with him too often unlike before. He'll be jealous to know that I'm spending my time with you. Thinking I replace him." He snickered.
Right... maybe that's it...
"Anyway, enough of our friends. Let's pretend we're on a REAL date, Okay?"
I softly nodded at him. I took a deep breath and went back from the menu. A minute later we told our order to the waiter and I realized that I'm on a date with Joey. JOEY. So it'll be comfortable to eat as much as him.
We give back the menus from the waiter, saying thank you to him as I went back to Joey. I cleared my throat and straighten out my dress, "So I get to see what Joey Tribbianni is like on a date. So do you have any moves?" I asked, putting one of my hands under my chin.
He smugly smirks, "No. Umm, I don't have any moves, just myself and if they don't like me for—" He cuts himself off by laughing, "I'm sorry I couldn't even get through that." He added. I shake my head and laugh.
I listen intently while he shares what he does on dates and I have gotta say it's irresistible. If I don't know him at all maybe I'm one of those girls who immediately sleeps with him.
"So I told you my secret so…so tell me one of your moves."
I take a sip of my water and shook my head, "Alright," taking down my drink on the table and retouching my hair back as I sigh deeply, "So where'd you grow up?" I asked, adding a little bit of sultry in my voice.
He stares at me for a while, "That's it? Boy Mon. you're lucky you're hot," He tells me.
I rolled my eyes at him, "Just answer the question."
He sighs, frustrated, "Queens." He finally answered.
"And so were-were you close to your parents?"
"Yeah, with my mom. Yeah, not so much with my dad."
"Why not?"
"I don't know. I guess there's just always been this distance y'know—I mean we both try to pretend it's not there, but it is." As he tells me his little story, I gradually lean my hands into his arm without him noticing.
"Oh," with a sympathetic voice, "It's gotta be rough," I muttered, dancing my fingers at the back of his hand.
"Yeah, it is. It's really tough. Y'know sometimes I think" He finally notice it, "—Wow!! Nice move!"
I moved back on my seat, giving myself appreciation, "Huh. Quite good isn't it"
"Where'd you grow up, it's so simple"
"Thank you, and now if you'll excuse me I have to go and use the woman's restroom," my bladder is bothering me for quite a while now.
I get up and head towards the restroom. I feel him watching me walking away, "And now you're watching me walk away." I said before I came inside.
"Yes, I am! Again so simple!" I heard him exclaim.
Works every time.
I had such a great time with Joey. I never thought that this will end up one of my greatest nights. We talk, shared some secrets that we didn't know from one another and laughed all the time but for half of it, I was thinking about Chandler.
Yes, Chandler.
I remember that we used to be like this even after our situation but now he's with Mina and she's experiencing all of those things with him. I felt bad for thinking Chandler while I'm having a conversation with Joey. I can't help but put a contrast between the two conversations with him and Chandler.
But after the whole evening, I really had so much fun with Joey and I appreciate that he took me out.
"Did you see the wine come out of my nose?" I heard Joey ask while I pick my keys out of my purse.
"Joey, I think everyone saw the wine come out of your nose." I chuckle.
"I gotta say, I never knew I could enjoy the non-sex part of the date so much." He said.
I turn around and smiled at him, "Well that is because you have never been on a date with me before." poking his arm with my finger as I open my apartment door.
"Huh."
I walk inside, taking a look around the apartment and stopping at Rachel's bedroom door and it's wide shut. Maybe she's already sleeping. I need to be quiet.
I sigh and went back to Joey on the front door, "Joey, I gotta go to bed. Rachel is already sleeping," I whispered, "Thank you by the way. I had such a wonderful time."
"No problem and me too..."
I smiled at him and move slightly towards him giving him a quick but long peck on the cheek, "Goodnight, See you."
"Goodnight."
As I close the door in front of me, closing my eyes as sigh contently. It's been a long night. I'm tired but at the same time, I feel relaxed and satisfied. Thanks to Joey, at least I enjoy one night without worrying and getting anxious about the baby but tomorrow it'll come back.
I woke up in the middle of the night, feeling a slight punch on my stomach. I groan as I sat up on my bed, looking down at the clock on the side table and it's 4:38 in the morning. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I felt it again. My eyes widen as I realize what is happening.
It kicked.
Then another one.
"Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god!" I exclaimed as I stand up, putting my hands on my belly, waiting to kick again.
My belly moves once again. Oh my god, I need to tell Rachel! but she's not a morning person. She will just grumble. I should head across the hall and wake up Chandler, this is a big deal, especially being there, witnessing your baby's first kick.
I stand up, putting my sleepers on, quietly moving across the living room, through the kitchen until I'm in the hallway. I didn't bother knocking and continued heading into the boy's apartment. As I moves towards Chandler's bedroom before I can even touch the doorknob, I heard a muffled sound at the other side of it.
Instead of grabbing the doorknob, I lean my ear against the door and in silence I listen.
"I love you..." I heard his voice.
I gasp but immediately put my hands on my mouth. My heart shatters a million pieces. My eyes start to become foggy and blur. I can't breathe.
"But—"
"I Love you, Mina."
He loves her.
I can't believe this.
He loves her.
Tears came out of my eyes, strolling down on my cheeks. I want to cry loudly because a silent cry hurts the most. The tiny kick on my stomach adds a little pain to what I am hearing right now. I don't know what to do anymore...
I just...
I need to get out of here...
I have no other way. I need someone for tonight and I can't believe I'm going to disturb their sleep because of my emotional heartbreak. I open the door, moving quietly then closing it behind me.
I stand there, looking like a total idiot. Suddenly there's a movement on the bed and I sniff off my snot and wipe my cheeks but my tears continue to burst out. Those three words he had just said kept repeating inside my head.
"Monica...?" I heard a voice.
"He loves her..." I muttered under my breath, my voice breaking.
"What?"
"HE LOVES HER..." and there it hit me, I cried out once again. I buried my face with my hands and sobbed.
"Am I dreaming right now?" I heard a mumble, "Monica is that you?"
"Joey, can I... can I sleep here for tonight..."
Yes, I'm in Joey's bedroom. I don't know what I'm doing. I could've been at Rachel's but no. I'm here crying and sobbing in Joey's bedroom.
He stands up but suddenly stops and quickly puts his blanket around his waist. My teary eye went wide and realized that he's not wearing anything underneath. I turn around, "Oh my god! I'm so sorry. I didn't know you'd be naked." I apologized.
"No. no. no. I'm wearing something underneath... it's just not a pyjama," He said.
How is that different?
"Wait, let me just...—"
"Joey, it's fine. I'm just gonna go—"
I felt an arm on my shoulders and gradually turn me around and my eyes initially went to his bottom but he's now wearing pj's. "So... why are you here?" He asked.
I stare at him for a while and those three words come into my ears again and tears start to form again. "He loves her..." I whispered.
"Who?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.
I look down on my feet and think for a while whether I tell him that I'm crying because his best friend said I love you to his girlfriend. God, it'll be sound confusing to him.
"Look...— I'm sorry to bother you in the middle of the night... but I can't—"
"It's okay if you don't tell me who it is... I think it will make much worse if you mention his name..." He said.
I pout and agree.
"But it is a he, right?" He asked, and I notice the tone of his voice that he's trying to lighten up the mood. I sadly chuckle and shake my head, "It's a he..." I whispered.
He is Chandler Bing.
I hug myself, gripping hard on my shoulders and didn't let the words keep up inside my head. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath to calm me down.
I love you
but I heard his voice again...
I tear escape out of my closed eyes. It hurts. Why does it hurt? Why is it always bad timing for us? to be us...
Fate doesn't want us to be together...
Suddenly, I felt warmth around my body. I open my eyes and let my eyes travel around the room, not wanting any tear to drop again as I feel only Joey's hug. I buried my face against his chest but a second later I failed. I sob into his chest until I can't hear those words and hear only the high pitch frequency of silence around the room.
"Shh... it's gonna be okay, Mon. Everything's gonna be All—"
Somebody cut Joey off and it was the baby inside of me. I'm so caught up with Chandler that I forgot that this tiny thing inside of me starts to kick.
"Monica... Did I feel a kick against your stomach? or is it mine and wanting to let out?" He asked.
I grimaced at his thought but I backed away and cup my stomach, "It's mine. I forgot to tell you that she's already kicking" I said.
His face suddenly forms a smile and surprise, "OH MY GOD! THAT'S—"
"SHHHH!" I scolded.
"that's great!" He exclaimed, quietly.
"Yeah. here, feel her." I grab his hands and put them over my stomach. It took a while to find the spot where she mostly kicking.
"Aw, it's unbelievable! Wow! We should go and wake up Chandler. Let's—"
He was pulling me out in the bedroom but I stopped him. He looks at me confused, "Why? What's wrong?"
I didn't answer him, "Mon, It's okay. Chandler won't think—"
"Can you please stop saying his name... You said that it'll make it worse if you mention his name..." I muttered.
I finally let it out.
"What?" He asked, totally confused now.
"What's wrong with Chandler—"
I painfully winced when he mention his again, "Oh..." He finally realized it.
"Oh... It's Chandler..." He trailed out.
"Yeah... it's Chandler," I whispered, my voice cracking up. I let my head fall, not wanting Joey to see me crying because of his best friend. "What— how— When—?" He stuttered.
I brought my head up, "I don't really want to talk about this right now, Joe." I told him, my voice breaking on each word.
He looks a little flustered and sympathetic. He reluctantly nodded and he open his arms again. I move forward and accept it and cry into his chest again.
Sometimes, the most wonderful thing in the world ends up giving you the worst feeling you've ever had.
A/n:
What you guys think?
As always, drop your thoughts and I hope you enjoy the story!
Don't worry the next chapter will be Monica and Chandler!!
