Anything for Love
Chapter 1: The One with Joey and Phoebe's Christmas Eve
It was Christmas Eve, and Phoebe waited at the airport, eager for Joey's flight to arrive. She hadn't seen him in six whole months, though it felt more like six years to her. On Thanksgiving, She had hoped that he would be down, but he had been filing a movie, and couldn't make it. Though he had had Thanksgiving Day off, he still had to get to the studio very early the next day, so it hadn't worked for him to come down for Thanksgiving. Phoebe now missed him like crazy. Sure, she had talked on the phone with him once a week, but it wasn't the same as seeing him in person.
She checked the flight boards for the third time since she had gotten there. It was snowing, so she was worried his flight would be canceled or delayed. Thankfully, it was due to arrive right on time. She had an hour left until his flight arrived. She had left super early just to make sure she got there on time between the traffic and the weather.
She headed to a deli that was in the airport. She hadn't eaten since dinner, which was three hours ago, and now was starved.
On the way to the in airport deli she had in mind, Phoebe passed by a newsstand and smiled when she saw a magazine with Joey on the cover. It was a close up of him.
Joey Tribbiani: Sexiest Man on Earth! the cover read. She had to admit, looking at the picture of his smoldering pout and the tight black t-shirt he was wearing in the picture, she had to agree with the cover. Though, she had to admit, it was so weird seeing her friend on the cover of a magazine.
She walked in and bought a copy. She could remember the days when he was a struggling actor, and frankly, when he wasn't all that great at acting. However, ever since Days of our Lives and his move to LA, his career had really taken off. He had perfected his craft with experience, and now his acting had vastly improved. She had seen every movie he was in. She had also secretly taped and watched all the Days of our Lives episodes he was in.
She went for a sandwich, but they were out of egg salad, and everything else they had had meat in it. She figured she'd get something later. She plopped herself on a bench and began reading the article on him. It went on to talk about him going from a struggling actor in New York City, to moving to Los Angeles and blowing up. It said he was moving back to New York, and they hoped it wasn't a bad career move. The writer of the article said he is willing to bet that Joey would be back in Los Angeles in no time once he saw what little opportunities New York held for actors.
Phoebe closed the magazine. She had to admit, she wondered why he was leaving LA when his career was just taking off. However, she was happy that he was moving back to New York. She had missed him far too much. She hoped the article was wrong about Joey going back to Los Angeles. She wanted him to stay. She didn't care how selfish that was. There were acting opportunities in New York. What did that journalist know anyway?
Phoebe smiled at Joey's picture again, and then looked at her watch. It would be just thirty minutes more, and then she would see Joey again. She could hardly wait!
Joey buckled his seatbelt as the plane began its descent. He could hardly wait to see his friends again. It had been far too long. He had really missed them. He had enjoyed Los Angeles for a time, but after a while it started to get lonely—really lonely. Sure he had his family, but even they got old after a bit. He loved them all dearly, but he almost felt suffocated there. He needed his own space. He needed his friends. He missed his old life in New York. He knew this wasn't going to be the best move for his acting career to move back to New York, but other actors made it work. He could too.
He smiled to himself thinking of how in just a manner of minutes, he'd see his friends again. He wondered if Ross and Rachel were still happily together. He only talked to them occasionally, and he hadn't talked to them in a good month or so. He talked to Chandler on a regular basis, but only Monica once in a while. If she was home when he called Chandler, she'd pick up the other phone and talk for a few minutes with him. He knew she was busy with both the twins and her new restaurant, Chez Monica, and Chandler was busy between commuting the forty-five minutes to work and then with the twins when he wasn't working. Phoebe, he talked to once a week or so. Still, he couldn't wait to see her in person. He missed her the most. Leaving her was the worst part of moving to Los Angeles. At least now, he didn't have to worry about that part. It was going to be so good to see her!
The plane touched down ten minutes later, and once they were free to exit the plane, Joey grabbed his carryon and got in line to exit.
It was another five minutes until he was able to finally get off the plane and enter the airport. He looked around, his heart pounding in anticipation of seeing the friends he hadn't seen in six months.
Then it happened. His eyes met Phoebe's, and his smile instantly formed on his face.
Phoebe saw him at the exact moment, and squealing happily, ran to him.
He took her in his arms and held her close. "Phoebes! My gosh, it's good to see you!"
"It's good to see you too," Phoebe murmured against his chest. She looked up at him sternly then. "Don't ever leave us this long ever again!"
Joey smiled. "I'll try not to." Then he gave her a flirty smile. "How you doin'?" he asked in the way he always used to ask.
Phoebe blushed and giggled, which was exactly the reaction he was hoping to get from her.
He grinned. "Where are the others?" He looked around.
"They couldn't come. Emma is sick with a cold, or a cough—something like that—so Ross and Rachel wanted to take her to the ER just to make sure it wasn't anything serious." Phoebe rolled her eyes. "If you ask me, they're being overly dramatic. Monica had an unexpected rush at work, something about Richard Gere showing up to eat there. So, she couldn't come. She didn't want the twins catching what Emma has by them going out in the cold, so Chandler is staying home with them. He couldn't get a babysitter last minute on Christmas Eve. So, I'm afraid it's just me!"
Joey wrapped an arm around her as they headed to gather his luggage. "That's okay." He kissed her temple. "You're the best one anyway."
Phoebe giggled again.
They grabbed his luggage once it showed up.
"You only have one suitcase besides your carry on?" Phoebe asked in surprised.
"Since I have to stay at a hotel until I can find a new place, I decided to keep most of my stuff in Los Angeles. Once I find a place, I'll have my sister ship the rest to me," Joey explained. He grinned again. "I can afford that now."
"Where are you staying?" Phoebe asked.
"The Plaza," Joey informed her. "Now that I can afford it, I'll admit, I like to splurge."
Phoebe's eyes lit up. "The Plaza? Oh my gosh! I always wanted to stay at The Plaza, but I could never afford to."
"If it weren't for Mike, I'd invite you to stay with me for the night," Joey said, an arm draped around her. "But something tells me, platonic or not, he wouldn't appreciate that." He laughed.
"Mike is out of town. He wouldn't mind anyway," Phoebe said, her eyes still lit up.
Joey raised an eyebrow. "My room only has a king bed in it. Though, I could stay on the couch."
"We're both adults here. I don't mind sharing a bed if you don't!" Phoebe said with excitement in her voice. Then she calmed down a bit. "I'm sorry. You probably don't even want me intruding on you when you just arrived back home. It's just that my place gets a little lonely now. I'm not really enjoying the thought of spending Christmas Eve alone."
"Is he coming home tomorrow?" Joey asked. He couldn't believe that Mike would go out of town and leave her over Christmas Eve, and possibly Christmas too.
Phoebe shook her head. "I didn't want to tell you over the phone, but Mike and I are no longer together. We're currently in the process of a divorce."
"What happened?" Joey didn't mean to intrude, but he was surprised to say the least!
Phoebe took his arm again and rested her head on his shoulder. "I really don't want to talk about it right now if you don't mind."
Joey shook his head. "Of course not."
They made their way out of the airport and to Phoebe's cab.
"You still have this ol' thing aye?" Joey asked with a smile once they finally got to her cab.
Phoebe opened up the trunk and Joey put his bags into it. "Yeah, it's been good to me, so I don't want to get rid of it any time soon."
They got into the cab. "So you really don't mind if I spend the night at the plaza with you?" Phoebe asked.
Joey shook his head. "Not at all! In fact, now that I know you'll be alone otherwise, I insist on it!"
Phoebe smiled at him. "Thanks. I'm just going to stop by my place for a moment to pack a bag."
"Cool," Joey said.
They didn't say much on the way to Phoebe's. They just listened to the Christmas music she had playing on the radio. They sang along to some of the most familiar ones like "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Jingle Bells", but that was it as far as talking. Joey had a feeling she just needed time with her thoughts. He didn't mind, for now that he was back, they had all the time in the world to catch up.
When they got to her apartment, Joey went in with her, and waited on the couch while she packed a bag. She didn't take too long, and came out with a medium-sized rolling suitcase.
Joey whistled. "All that for one night? Man, women really do pack more than men!"
Phoebe blushed, then sat down next to him on the couch. "I was actually kind of hoping if I could spend maybe two nights at your place. I have a feeling that, if Christmas Eve is going to be lonely, then Christmas will be lonely as well." She looked away. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to take advantage."
"Hey," Joey said gently. He gently moved her chin so that she was forced to look at him. "You're not taking advantage. I'd do anything for you, you know what. You're my friend. Heck, along with Chandler, you're my best friend. Maybe even my best friend period. I never consider anything you need from me taking advantage, so don't even worry about it, okay? You can stay for as long as you'd like."
Phoebe smiled, then kissed his cheek. "I love you, Joey."
Joey smiled, and kissed her cheek in return. "I love you too." They both meant it platonically, and they both knew it.
"So, are you all set?" Joey asked.
Phoebe nodded.
They both stood up and Joey took her suitcase for her.
Together they left the apartment after Phoebe locked up, then they headed back to her cab where Joey loaded her suitcase in the trunk with his bags for her.
They were then off. It was a ten minute drive to The Plaza, and thankfully traffic wasn't too bad that night, surprisingly.
When they got to The Plaza, Joey checked in, and soon they were handed their keys and they headed to their room.
Joey let Phoebe in first, and she whistled when she saw the room. "This is the nicest room I've ever been in in my entire life!" She said happily. She threw herself down onto the bed on her back and sighed happily.
Joey grinned. He loved seeing her so happy.
The bell hop came up with their bags then and deposited them in the room where Joey instructed. Joey then gave him a handsome tip.
After a nod and a thank you, the bell hop left them alone, shutting the door behind him.
Phoebe looked out the window. "You can see the carriage rides from here. I haven't been on one in so long. Mike never liked to go on them. He thought they were too much money for just a short ride around the park. 'Why pay to ride when walking is free?' he'd always say. "I'll admit, I'm a little worried about the horses and all that weight they have to pull, but for just one night, I'd like to be selfish and ride in a carriage."
"Then let's go ride one! It will be a nice thing to do on Christmas Eve, and maybe it will help you take your mind off things," Joey offered. "And don't worry about the horse. The wheels help make the load light." He grinned. "We could even stop by the grocery store along the way and pick up a carrot or an apple to feed him after as a thank you."
Phoebe turned to look at him, her eyes lighting up. "Really?"
Joey laughed. "Really! Let's go!"
Phoebe clapped her hands happily, and then they headed out.
Joey couldn't stop smiling upon seeing Phoebe so happy, and Phoebe couldn't stop smiling because she was with Joey. He always knew how to get her out of a funk! She was lucky to have him, she knew. Little did she know, Joey was thinking the same thing, only that he was luck to have her.
Luckily, they found a grocery store on their way as they walked to the park where the carriage rides were. They bought a bag of apple slices, and then made their way to a carriage.
Joey paid the coachman, and then the coachman helped them into the carriage. He gave them a blanket to cover with.
Phoebe snuggled up close to Joey. He helped to keep her warm, and she noticed how good he smelled. "Are you wearing Tribbiani?" she asked Joey. That was his signature cologne he had come out with, partnered with Calvin Klein.
Joey grinned at her. "You know it! It's sandalwood, cedar wood, and a hint of vanilla musk. Do you like it?"
"I love it," Phoebe murmured, still clinging to him.
He put an arm around her, and rested his head against hers.
Phoebe them pulled a camera out from her bag and took a picture of them. They both smiled in a cheesy way, but the picture came out cute.
They enjoyed the view in silence as they rode along. They were each lost in their own thoughts as the Christmas lights and city lights made their journey beautiful.
The twenty-minute carriage ride seemed to end too soon for both their tastes. When they finished, Joey helped Phoebe off the carriage.
"May we please feed the horse?" Phoebe asked the coachman. "We brought apples!" She shook the bag for emphasis.
The coachman smiled. "How kind of you." He motioned to the horse. "Please, be my guest!"
"Here." Phoebe handed Joey her camera. "Take a picture of me feeling him!"
Joey took the camera from her.
"What's his name?" Phoebe asked the coachman.
"Charles. I named him after Charles Dickens," the coachman explained.
"Aw, how cute!" Phoebe cooed.
She then fed the horse, and laughed as he ate the apple, his big buck horse teeth making loud crunching noises as he ate the apple.
Joey got some great shots of her. His favorite was one of her laughing as she handed the horse an apple.
Joey took a turn feeding the horse as well, and Phoebe got a picture of him.
Then, after finishing their feeding the horse the bag of six apple slices, Joey and Phoebe thanked the coachman and headed back to their room.
"Oh my gosh, that was so much, fun! Thank you, Joey," Phoebe said as she plopped herself down onto the bed.
"Thank you, Phoebes! I had just as much fun as you did. Hey, are you hungry?" Joey asked her.
Phoebe nodded. "Starved!"
"Let's order room service my treat," Joey said.
"Music to my ears." Phoebe turned on the TV and flipped to the guide. "Ooh! It's a Wonderful Life is on in a half hour! We have to watch it!"
"I've never seen it before. Is it good?" Joey asked.
Phoebe looked at him as if he had just said he was a werewolf. "You've never seen it?"
Joey shook his head. "Nope! Never."
"You have to see it then," Phoebe said. "Order what you want. You know what I like. I'm going to go get ready for bed."
"Okay." Joey looked over the menu. He ordered them both sandwiches. He got Phoebe an egg salad sandwich because he knew it was her favorite. It came with chips. He ordered them both Pepsi, and he ordered himself a salami and cheese sandwich with chips. He also ordered them each two big ice cream sundaes for dessert.
Phoebe was still in the bathroom changing, so he quickly changed into a pair of candy cane pajama bottoms and a red t-shirt with a candy cane on it.
When he finished, Phoebe came out of the bathroom and plopped herself down onto the bed next to him.
"Nice pajamas," she said.
He smirked. "Thanks! So are yours." She was wearing a onesie with cats in Santa hats all over it.
She grinned. "Thanks! So, are you seeing anybody?" She playfully elbowed him. "I know you mentioned an Alex before."
He shook his head. "Things didn't work out between us. It's the whole commitment thing, you know. At one point I almost married her. I thought she was the love of my life." He sighed. I guess we weren't meant to be though. We waited too long to marry, and our relationship just kind of fizzled out for both of us. He wanted to ask her about Mike, but he didn't want to push it.
Phoebe sighed. "Mike and I divorced because I couldn't get pregnant."
"Aren't you able to? Or does the problem lie with him?" Joey asked.
Phoebe shrugged. "Tests don't seem to think it lies with either of us. The doctor said it's rare, but some couples genetically just aren't meant to produce a baby. He said it's not impossible for us to have one, but after three years, it hadn't happened no matter how hard we tried. We argued over it, Mike and me. He is totally against adoption. He said he wants a child of his own doing. He says he doesn't trust that an adopted child won't grow up to be a psychopath. I argued how that is so unfair, and that I was adopted. He said it was a toss of the dice, and that it was rare an adopted kid turned out okay like me. I took fertility treatments, and even tried in vitro once. It just didn't work. It got too expensive to keep trying, and Mike, never wanting to use his parents' money, wanted to stop trying. He started drinking more, and eventually I found out he had a one night stand with a groupie from one of his gigs. She was barely eighteen. He swore it was just a one-time thing, but once a cheater, always a cheater."
"I'll kill him!" Joey said, suddenly angry.
Phoebe smiled, and placed her hand over his. "It's fine. Honestly, I think he and I fell out of love even before he cheated. Neither of us were happy in the marriage. I don't know if a child would have even made a difference. He was away a lot on gigs. Marriage was great for the first six months, then the honeymoon period was over, and we fought a lot. I guess I should have listened to him the first time when he said marriage wasn't his thing. I just thought I could change him. I guess that was pretty stupid for me to think."
Joey shook his head. "He's the stupid one, Phoebes. Letting go of you was the dumbest thing he ever did along with cheating on you."
Phoebe hugged him. "Thanks, Joey."
She rested her head on his chest. "I guess we both could use this time together, huh?"
"You know it!" Joey said.
Room service arrived then, and after Joey tipped the bell hop and signed for the food to be charged to the room, the bell hop left.
Joey and Phoebe turned the television on, then ate their meal in bed while watching the movie. They spent time reminiscing and laughing during commercial breaks.
The food was delicious, and they devoured it all.
On a commercial break, Joey put the empty dishes in the hallway to be picked up.
He and Phoebe took turns in the bathroom one final time for the night, and then turned the lights off and climbed back into bed under the covers to watch the rest of the movie.
When the movie was over, Joey looked over at Phoebe to tell her how much he had loved it. However, he found her asleep, her head resting against his shoulder.
He smiled, and turned the television off. The only light in the room was coming from the city lights and Christmas lights that shone through their window.
He turned to lie facing her and gently pulled the covers up to her neck. He then kissed the top of her head. "Goodnight, Phoebe," he murmured. "Merry Christmas."
He draped an arm over her and closed his eyes, and soon drifted off to dreamland himself, thinking of how Phoebe had been right. This was much less lonely than spending Christmas Eve alone.