A/N: Our first continuation of the future story line occurs here. Enjoy.

7: Letter 6

April 18, 2028

The gang and I after recovering the letters began the walk over to see Althea. Somehow, she's managed to keep herself cheerful in the past 10 years despite the losses she had to endure. As Chandler and Phoebe argued ahead of me Monica held onto Linus while we were walking which allowed Joey and me to have a moment to ourselves.

"You ever regret Linus?" I sincerely asked Joey.

"Rach, I regret the Peanuts Linus more than our son Linus…" Joey laughed it off. "He actually made me no longer hate the Linus from Peanuts."

"Joe that's not what I mean, I keep thinking If Ross had never…" Tears began to form in my eyes and that led Joey to wipe them off.

"We couldn't have known Rach, I mean even I could tell that you two were meant to be. How do you think I felt, even Monica could tell that her and I were supposed to end up together not you and me. At his funeral I promised that I would look out for you, and I think good old Joey III and I have kept that promise."

Joseph Linus Tribbiani III, I only asked our son to be called Linus mainly due to my not being a fan of his middle name, and how much I really hated House of Cards.

As we came upon my old stomping grounds Joey held my shoulder and smiled while we pictured the multiple instances of our families meeting up and plenty of hangouts with the five of us. Phoebe even noticed one odd trait on the baby.

"Rach, Linus has a weird uptick on his right nostril have you ever noticed that."

"Uptick?"

Chandler suddenly noticing that Phoebe was no longer next to him and peered back to the rest of us.

"Yeah, his right nostril seems more curved upward than the left one."

As we continued onward Linus sleepily peered his head over Monica's shoulder and opened his eyes to look at me for a second before passing back out. He does that so often it also reminded me of Ross.

"Julie…"

That Homecoming night….

September 29, 2017

Homecoming, the big night of the year when it came to all things major in our school, pep rallies, a parade through our area of town and the major game followed of course by a 3 ½ hour dance where years are somehow made or broken.

Us of course were in the stands watching Joey work some magic out there on the field, all I kept looking at was Ross getting loose nearby worried for his safety.

"Ross…"

Julie, ever since I gave her the go-ahead to date him has been hardly out of his sight even volunteering to manage the equipment for the team at the cost of her spot on volleyball.

"Those guys really have hit it off…" Monica's words made me slightly chuckle and think back to my wavering emotions. Is there something that maybe thought I should act on these feelings. The letter did say I would fall for him.

"And that's another one down the tube." I saw ross boot another extra point with relative ease. Its apparent now that even with Ross working his kicking magic we were still neck and neck with Troy. This game ended up being very close, and It stayed that way throughout the bulk of the 1st and second half but with 5 minutes left I headed for the bathroom when Ross ended up finding me down the fence line.

"Rach, wait up…."

"Hi, uh don't you have to get back."

"In a minute I really need to ask you something."

My gulps were palpable, but he never seemed to tell that something was off. "What is it."

"Julie was talking with me, and she said something about wanting to make this official if I happen to be the hero and win the game. I'm curious to know, do you think I should…"

Now I wish that letter was not wrapped up in the safe in my closet, really could have used its guidance.

"Well, I think you should do what your heart says to."

"Do you always quote Star Wars when you don't know stuff." He barley managed to get out.

"Yeah…" We laughed off my fortune and he ran back. The bathroom was quick as I came back with 15 seconds left in the game. Good old Joey and his athleticism put us into a position to win. Yet all Ross had to do was drill a 48 yard field goal. No pressure, right?"

"Is this why Gramps always watches the Jets and screams at the tv?" Phoebe yells at Chandler who responds with a quavering yes. Out came the phones as everyone watched Ross move into position strangely enough out of respect and admiration all noise ceased. You could literally hear a pin drop through the silence.

"Ross…"

My voice was the only audible one as the ball hiked and noise found its way back into the field. But like clockwork ball was teed, and Ross sent it upward with a swift kick. We saw the thing sail for what look like an eternity. But as the ball cleared the goalpost crossbar even we couldn't believe what just happen.

"Did he just…" Chandler barley got out before Phoebe led the screeches of victory followed by everyone else. The clock ticked down the remaining 11 seconds no problem and once 0:00 hit the field was rushed by everyone. In the sea of chaos I looked in the crowd for Ross to find and congratulate him but right near the bench Julie found him first and was going to town on him. My eyes were all set to shed tears when Joey ended up finding me at that moment.

"Rach!"

I embraced Joeys jersey and pads with a large hug.

"He did it…" Joey looked at Ross in a proud tone and as he and Julie walked away hand in hand I shed a small tear staring at Joey.

"Yeah, he sure did."

Joey looked confused and as the others found us while leading us away to get ready for the dance. Joey held on to my hand and somehow, I did not want to let go.

A/N: The estrangement between Rachel and Ross continues to deepen in Chapter 8: Letter 7. As Always Subscribe for more.