A/N: Time for a change in narrative as we get two days told from two pairings. Both connect with revelations to come in the following chapter. Enjoy.

13: Letter 12

November 17, 2017 7PM

"Joey hand me that popcorn." Gina yelled as I could hear them go on and on about the right way to string popcorn. The decorating was going in full force and while our family had this tradition that involved all of us doing our part. A house with nearly all women though can drive someone nuts at the wrong moment. Dad excused himself to hang the outside lights and now my mind was racing, all the while my sisters kept barking instructions and I followed them without realizing.

"Letter said Rachel and Ross come over to help us. They didn't say what time though."

All the while I saw them work in a flurry of activity, the phone in my pocket went off and could realize I needed a bit to go check.

"Ma, let me check where Mary Angela's ornament is, I'll be back…"

I could hear her yell to bring up Gina's angel that she made in her craft class when I just needed to get as far away from them as possible. Now safely on the other side of the house I saw the text and my mood sank.

RACHEL: JOE, HAD SOMETHING COME UP, LOOKS LIKE JUST ROSS AND ALTHEA, ARE JOINING YOU GUYS.

"Why wouldn't she be…"

Dad I could now hear talking with someone, no door opened so I quickly ran over to the other side of the house. Yep, Ross and an older woman had now arrived.

"Joe, is this the Ross you've been mentioning?" Dad bellowed as he slid down the ladder. He quickly shook Ross hand as I went and talked with the older woman.

"You must be Althea?"

"Yes, Mr. Tribbiani is it?"

"Just Joey, the guy on the ladder is the real Mr. Tribbiani."

We exchanged pleasantries as I led both inside to get them situated. Dina had gone off by herself to eat candy canes as I now growled to hand them over.

"Hey Ma, Rachel isn't coming but I got a couple others to help." She immediately greeted them both and helped Althea to a chair where she took to popcorn stringing instantly. Ross followed me downstairs to grab lights at that point I decided to bring it up.

"Hey, did Rachel Call you?"

Ross shook in fear…

"Look, nothing bad happened I just thought you guys would be coming together…"

"She's not showing up…"

"Have you guys really spoken since the championship."

Ross just focused on testing the lights that were on the shelf, now thinking back the letter of mine did have one detail.

ROSS MENTIONS THAT HE KISSED RACHEL

While helping him untangle the ball, I decide to press him on the issue.

"Seems you two have grown closer."

"I wouldn't call us that close."

"Well, I just could tell, I mean I've known her practically since we were kids, and our families since were within a block are always hanging out at each other's houses. We even cohosted the Super Bowl party for our whole block a few years ago when the Seahawks whupped Manning…"

"Joe we kissed Ok!"

Boy do him and Rach belong together they even yell at me in the same exact way.

"We've barley spoken since that moment, I think she's embarrassed that she did it. I really don't want her to hate me."

"Well, you've thought about making a list of things to tell her…"

He scoffed at that ideal. "Who makes lists, what am I trying to decide between her and that nutbag Julie."

Now I could laugh, we brought the lights back up and spent the next 45 minutes putting the finishing touches on the house. In that timeframe I noticed Ross talking and laughing with nearly everyone. Even Althea and Dad managed to get a hoot in when it came to talking about how bad the jets were. Who knew Ross never cared for football, but his Grandma was a backup cheerleader for the jets in the 70's.

Ross and Althea eventually walked out as we all got the obligatory family picture underneath the tree. Ma, thankfully decided to get one of Ross and Althea and then us together before they left. I looked back on the letter to that point thinking of how much difference I've made so far in the 2 months we've known him.

"We've come a long way so far haven't we."

But my mind zoomed to April and what could still come.

"But we've got a long way to go."

My door opened up and Ma ended up greeting me.

"Hey, you'll have the pictures out and ready for them by the next weekend."

"Thanks, just wished Rachel could have shown up."

"Well where the hell is, she?"

"I think she didn't want to be near Ross."

"Oh, I get it…"

I groaned loudly but Ma put a finger up to my lips as a sign to zip it.

"Joe, we've been neighbors nearly your whole life. Even you dad and I could tell that you were falling for her. You just don't have a good grasp of things."

"So, what do you think I should do?"

"Althea and I got to talking, trust me when I say, that guy, has a lot he needs to learn. Since she thinks her time may be limited, it'd be up to you 5 to teach him that stuff."

"So let the triangle happen."

"No are you that much of a putz, I swear you need to stay away from that Chandler. Speaking of which is he coming to Thanksgiving, Ginas been asking?"

I shook my head as she closed the door.

"Joe, you know you'll always be supported by us no matter what."

As she left, I got the letter out just to make sure.

"Well a week early but she got the gist down."

November 30, 2017

"Phoebe can you hand me the flour?"

Another substitution day in the kitchen while Gramps is out at a convention. "Got it here."

Grandma lovingly nodded as I went back and forth between the front and the kitchen checking over all the details. With the Holiday season coming up we go into overdrive with the baked goods, especially the gingerbread. One thing I can surprisingly assemble greatly is a gingerbread house. Breaking up the monotony of the early morning was the bell as I turned my head upward.

"Hello, welcome to Panda Baked Goods can…"

"Pheebs we need to talk."

In a mix of a pink oversized jacket and gloves walked in Monica looking out of breath as can be. She carried what looked like an envelope only this one was bright purple. I tuned my head back to the kitchen as Grandma popped her head out to see about the customer.

"Hey, Grandma It's just Monica…"

"Oh tell her I have her favorite Lindsor Truffles in a bag all ready for her."

"I'll be back in a minute…"

"Our rush is early dear so don't be too long."

A pat on her head and that lead me outside with full vigor.

"Mon, what up kind of a bad time. I already called into school with a family emergency anyway since Grandma was in dire straits with Gramps at a convention in Teterboro."

"Pheebs did you get an envelope like this?"

She handed me the envelope thick padded and what looked like her own handwriting in Silver Letters.

MONICA COX

"What if I did, can you tell me the contents?" The envelope I sat down on an open table making sure not to dirty it up.

"Well, that depends can you keep a secret."

"Of course," The run back upstairs to my room was quick and within 45 seconds I raced back down as Monica helped herself to a free cookie sample care of Grandma.

"Pheebs these are amazing how does your…"

I grab the cookie from her mouth and exchange it with an olive green envelope. In shock she nearly drops the gloves in the wet melted snow by the door mat.

"Phoebe is this?"

"A Letter from the future Phoebe detailing us meeting and eventually losing Ross and telling us how we can save him. Yes, it is"

Monica hugged me with tears in her eyes as the wave of realization now filled my face. I wasn't alone in my efforts, now we could save him together.

A/N: We get one more Pairing as we march toward a Christmas filled with revelations in Chapter 14: Letter 13 As Always Subscribe for more.