Chapter III
"The One Where Ross Propose"
A few weeks later, Emma is at Ross' parents. Ross and Rachel would take Emma to their parents once in a while so they'll have a quality time together. Since Rachel got her job back at Ralph Lauren, thanks to a guy named 'Ron', she's been busy catching up with works. But today Rachel came home early because Ross supposed to take her to dinner later and she was enjoying the afternoon sitting in their living room reading fashion magazines while waiting for Ross to come home. Suddenly the phone rang. It was Ross.
"Hey honey", she answered.
"Rach, can you come to this address right now? I need to show you something."
"Right now?" She replied.
"Yes, right now.." he answered.
"Okay, su-ure." She hanged up the phone, puzzled.
The address Ross gave is an address of an apartment building a few blocks from their current apartment.
30 minutes later Rachel arrived at the address Ross gave her. But he only gave her the address to the building, with no apartment number or anything.
Suddenly a man approached Rachel and said, "Are you Rachel Green?"
"Yes, I am." Rachel replied.
"Well, he's surely right, you are gorgeous.", he added.
"I'm sorry?", Rachel asked, puzzled by the man sudden praise.
"Uh hmmm.." he cleared his throats and continued, "I've been asked to give you this."
He handed something that appeared to be a key to Rachel.
"Apartment 32A", he added.
"Okay, thanks." Rachel smiled to him and left.
Rachel went upstairs and finally made it to apartment 32A. As she about to open the door, she noticed an envelope slipping off from under the door. She opened it and read it.
Dear Rachel,
I know what happened between us is not a perfect love story. I know I am not a perfect man. But, even if I can change a thing that happened between us for the past 10 years I probably won't change a thing. Because after all those 10 years, Emma happened, she is perfect, and I'd never wanted to change that. So, today I want us to start a new page of our life. A more mature us, more kind, and loving at the same time. I prepared all of this for you. It may not as perfect as I described it before, but I hope you like it. Come inside.
Ross
Suddenly she burst into tears. At this point she already knew what Ross is up to. It felt surreal. Her breathing started to become heavy and her heart started to beating really fast. She took a deep breath, wiped her eyes, and finally turned the key in and opened the door.
Even though the room was dark, she was amazed by the apartment. As soon as you walk in inside the apartment there is a spacious modern looks kitchen connected to the living room and dining room. It was unfurnished, but she knew it is the apartment she always wanted. As she walked inside, she saw a lot of candles in a shape of heart and white lilies and red roses petals all over the floor. In the middle of the heart shaped candles there is a note written. She read it.
Follow the lily petals.
As she followed the petals towards the bedroom she started to hear music playing in the background.
The song is "The Way You Look Tonight" by Fred Astaire
Some day, when I'm awfully low
When the world is cold
I will feel a glow just thinking of you
And the way you look tonight
Yes, you're lovely, with your smile so warm
And your cheeks so soft
There is nothing for me but to love you
And the way you look tonight
She finally reached the door in front of the bedroom. She stopped, took a deep breath, tried to calm her self down, and then open the bedroom door.
There it is, in the middle of the room, the man she had loved for the past 10 year and still is, the love of her life, standing there with a bouquet of white lilies in his hand.
"Hi.. You.. " Ross gave Rachel the biggest smile on his face with a hint of nervousness which didn't go unnoticed by her.
"Hi..You " Rachel managed to reply as tears started to fall down uncontrollably.
Ross walked towards Rachel, gave her a hug and then looked at her in the eyes while he wiped the tears on her cheeks and he said, "Hey.. Hey.. Don't cry yet.. I haven't even say anything yet."
"I'm sorry.. I'm just... ", she replied
"It's okay, but I need to finish what I'm about to say now.. Okay?" He said.
She took a deep breath and wiped her tears.
"Okay... I'm ready.. " She gave him a weak smile.
Ross then grabbed Rachel's hand and said, "Okay"
"Do you remember the thing I said when you got off the plane?" He asked
"Yes, I remember", Rachel answered.
Ross continued, "I meant every single words I said that day. I will never let YOU go again. And ever since that day, I've been having thoughts on how to ask you this and when to ask you. But then I realized this. I don't want to waste another day not being your husband. I can't promise you a flowery road ahead of us, because I don't know what the future may hold. It might be rough and it might be messy, but I can promise you this, I will never leave you, no matter what. I always been and I'm not going to stop loving you, Rach. It's always been you."
He then get down on one knee, took a diamond ring out from his pocket, and finally said, "So.. Rachel Karen Green, Will you be my forever wife? "
She nodded as she put one of her hands on his mouth before she replied with a small and cracked voice, "Y-Yes. I will marry you, Ross."
His face beamed up and he could felt tears started to fall off from his eyes. His dream was coming through. Rachel Green, the girl of his dream is going to be his wife.
She then put her left hand in his hands and allowing him to put the ring into her finger and then they kissed.
"I love you so much" She whispered
"I love you too" He said
They hugged for a few minutes and then Ross pull her away and take a good look of his fiancée.
"So, what do you think of the apartment? Do you like it?" He asked
"Yess! I looovee it!", she answered
" Good, because this gonna be the first blank page of our life together." He smiled and kissed her forehead.
"I love it, thank you, Ross"
"I'm going to call Monica!", Rachel suddenly yelled
" Well, actually we're going to celebrate tonight at the plaza. Monica actually helped me out putting this together for you. " He replied.
"That is perfect" She smiled.
Later than evening at The Plaza the gang gathered up, this time without Mike, because he has a gig that night.
"Hi you guys, meet soon-to-be Mrs. Geller. " Ross said as he and Rachel walked to the their table.
"Hey, who says I'm going to take your last name?", Rachel teased as she playfully nudge his stomach.
They laughed and then Monica screamed as she grabbed Rachel's left hand, "Let me see the ring!"
"Oh my god, it is gorgeous! " She added.
"I knowww" Rached replied excitedly.
"Congratulation you two. So when is the big day? " Joey asked
Ross held Rachel's hand and said, "Well, we haven't decide on the date yet. But, we're thinking about sunset in Hawaii. "
"Yayy! Hawaii! I've never been to Hawaii. This is so going to beat London and Las Vegas! ", Phoebe yelled.
" And why is it in every places we go somehow Ross always getting married? " Chandler joked
"Ha-ha" Ross gave a fake laughs to Chandler.
"Well this is going to be my last wedding ever, so all of you better make it. " Ross added then kissed Rachel.
"Well guys I don't want to ruin the mood, but I have a news to share." Joey interrupted.
"What is it Joey? " Phoebe asked
"You guys know that my agent, Estelle died a few months ago right?"
They all nodded and then Joey continued.
"After she died I barely get any new auditions. So one of my fellow actor from 'days of our lives' suggested me to this agent. And I got accepted! " he explained excitedly.
They all cheered and congratulate him. But then he interrupted again.
"Wait! The thing is they're based in California. So I have to move to California tomorrow. "
Ross put his glass down and said, "What? Tomorrow? I can not believe you didn't tell us earlier. "
"With what is going on between you and Rachel, I just don't want to bump you guys out before you propose." Joey replied
"Yeah but still California is really far Joey, we will miss you so much. " Monica added
"To be honest this is probably for the good you know. I mean I will get a lot more auditions in California and since you all already and about to start a family I feel like I need to do something with my life too. I really need your support on this from you all. " Joey said.
"It is true guys. We can not do this to Joey. He may upset about all the things that changed between us, but in the end he always want the best for us. And I think we should support him too. " Phoebe said as she held Joey hand.
Rachel stood up and give Joey a hug.
"We're sorry about our reaction honey. I hope you will become a huge star. I am going to miss you."
"I am going to miss you Joe" Chandler added.
They all hugged and then Ross suddenly said, "Wait, you're still coming to our wedding right?"
"Of course I am. I am not going to miss my two best friends wedding! " Joey replied
Chandler then stood up, pick up his glass and proposed a toast.
"Alright let's make a toast to our bride and groom Rachel and Ross, and to our best friend Joey!"
They all cheered and enjoyed the rest of the evening together.