Chapter XI
"The One With The Thanksgiving Dinner"
It's been almost two months since Rachel got discharged from the hospital. She's now has passed the tricky first trimester and is on her second trimester. Rachel is 16 weeks pregnant and her bump started to show. It was a lovely Thanksgiving morning in the Green-Geller apartment. Ben came to spend the Thanksgiving with them for the first time. Emma couldn't be any happier to finally see her half-brother again. Since Rachel and Ross got back together, Emma has this special bond with Ben. They would play together all the time and she would ask for him whenever he was not around. This morning Ross woke up with a pleasant voice in his ears.
"Daddy wake up!" Emma screamed at his ears as she started to shake his arms
He opened his eyes slowly and gave her the biggest smile, rolled her to his chest and tickled his little girl. Rachel watched them the entire time and she started to giggle. Emma has this mischief side of her that she clearly got from her dad. He looked around and saw Rachel was sitting beside him while reading a Vogue magazine, Ben sat down in the corner of the bed watching cartoon, while their youngest joined his brother soon after.
"Well this is a pleasant way to wake up in the morning. Good morning." He leaned over to kiss his wife
"And good morning to you too." He continued as he kissed her baby bumps which caused her to smile.
"They all somehow woke up early today and decided to bother us. I just let them in because I don't want to get up from the bed yet." She explained
He giggled at her explanation. Rachel wasn't a morning person and he knew that.
She suddenly came closer to him and proudly smiled before she said, "You know what? Ben started to call me 'mom' today."
"Really?" Ross asked and she nodded while still smiling the whole time.
"He knocked on the door while holding Emma's hand and then he called me mom." She smiled as she started reminiscing the event.
"That's great!" He smiled proudly at her and gave her a hug.
He was beyond happy that Ben had accepted Rachel as one of his mom. But then he suddenly remembered something. This is it. This is the dream he keep on having. Spending his morning with their little family doing nothing in their bed. Only this time, the reality is even better than he could've ever dream. He was here, married to the love of her life and soon their little family is expanding.
"This is the dream" he mumbled to himself and smile.
"What?" She asked as she couldn't really hear what he was saying.
"Nothing, it is silly." He tried to avoided the question
She came closer to him and whined, "Come on tell me Ross. What were you saying?"
"Alright" he finally gave in, "Promise me you won't laugh." He continued
"Okay, I promise." She smiled
"Okay." He smiled, took a breath and then continued, "I keep having this dream a while ago. The dream was me and my wife enjoying weekend in bed and our kids come running in and leaps up on the bed and we all read paper together then all of us would fight over the science section. Today reminded me of that dream." He explained with a shy smile on his face.
"Why would we fight over the science section?" She chuckled and raised her eyebrows.
"Hey! You said you wouldn't laugh." He started to sulk.
She gave her a kiss and smiled , "Alright. I'm sorry. Was I on that dream?"
"Maybe." He replied
"Maybe?" She raised her voice.
"I mean it was you when we were dating, but when we broke up, her face become blurry." He tried to explained.
"So, is the dream of yours have this?"
She leaned over him and gave him a passionate kiss.
"Wow.. This is definitely better than my dream!" They both chuckled
"Talked about dreams, I have mine too." She said
"What kind of dream?" He became curious
"Well it is not really a dream. More like something that I want to achieve." she smiled and continued , "Do you remember that day I turned 30?" She asked him
"You mean that day when you wouldn't stop crying?" He teased her
"Hey! I was really upset about turning 30." She lightly punch his shoulder and he giggled.
"Anyway, I think I have achieved almost all my wishes that day in these past five years. I got married, have babies, and keep my awesome job." She said
"Almost?" He raised his eyebrows
"Yeah, there is one more wish I haven't fulfilled yet."
"And what was that?" He became more curious
"Growing old with you and watch our kids grow." She replied and she smiled.
He landed her a kiss on her forehead and said, "Well I'll make sure your wish will come true." He smiled as they continue to spend their entire morning enjoying each other's present.
...
Today is no ordinary day for the Green Geller household. The whole gang, including the twins, Joey, and Mike are coming over for Thanksgiving dinner later tonight. Monica will prepared their dinner and bring it here. It's been a while since all of them gathered together. These days Joey was very busy filming his new movie, but this week he will be in New York to film some stuff and he had promised that he will make time to come to the Thanksgiving dinner.
It's 7 PM sharped when the doorbell rang. Ross opened the door and let them in. It was Monica, Chandler, and their twins, Erica and Jack. Emma and Ben immediately ran towards them and gave them a hug.
Chandler bent over to greet them, "Hi Emma, hi Ben. This is for you." He handed each of them a present.
They opened it almost immediately. Ben got a red and black toy car and Emma got a bunny doll dressed in a ballerina costume. They screamed in joy and ran back to the living room playing with their new toys.
"Thank you. You don't have to do that." Ross thanked them as they gave them a hug.
"It's fine. They're my only nephew and niece. It wouldn't hurt to spoil them once in a while." Monica replied
Chandler then brought the twins inside and Monica tapped her brother in the shoulder and asked him, "So how you guys holding up? Is Rachel okay now?"
He could see her sister was genuinely concerned about them.
"We're doing great actually. We went to the doctor earlier this week. They said both the baby and mom are healthy and she had passed the tricky first trimester." He smiled proudly
"Well I'm glad you guys are doing okay." She smiled
Soon after, there was a knock in the door. It was Phoebe, Mike, and Joey. Phoebe's baby bump started to grow really big as she entered her third trimester. Emma spotted her favorite uncle Joey at the door and immediately ran into him.
"Uncle Joey!" Emma screamed in joy.
"Emma!" Joey greeted her with the biggest smile on his face, held her up and sat with her in the living room. Just in time, Rachel walked out from their room and greeted them.
"All of you guys made it!" Rachel screamed as she hugged each one of them.
"Well Mon, I gotta tell you I'm surprised you managed to take care of three kids and pulling off the Thanksgiving dinner." Rachel joked
"Hey! I'm not deaf! I can still hear you from here!" Chandler who heard that immediately yelled.
"I could use some challenge." Monica smiled proudly.
"All right, let's settle up the dinner and start eating." Monica commanded
"That's right. I'm starving here." Joey whined
Monica, Mike, and Ross started to prepare the dinner while Chandler was looking after the twins. Rachel and Phoebe sat down at the couch while watching Joey, Ben, and Emma played together.
"By this time next year there will be seven kids in this room." Monica said
"Seven?" Mike puzzled
"Ben, Emma, Erica, Jack, Your baby, and Our baby. That's six." Ross confirmed as he counted with his fingers. "Is Phoebe having a twin?" Ross asked Miked.
Mike shook his head before he answered, "Nope. Just one baby."
"Well you guys forget about the eldest kids amongst them all." Monica chipped in.
"Ben?" Mike asked
"No. It's Joey." Monica replied.
They all burst into laughter.
"Oh yeah the room will be much louder with all the screaming, running, and crying." Ross added
"Alright the dinner is ready." Monica yelled
Ross placed Emma in her highchair and helped Ben sat on his chair as the rest of them all took a seat. Monica handed each Phoebe and Rachel a specific dish.
"This is for you, Rach. As requested, beef lasagna with extra spinach and less cheese."
During this pregnancy Rachel was craving for meat, especially beef, a lot. There's no day she would spend without having beef in at least one of her meals.
"Thank you so much Mon." Rachel smiled as she thanked her.
"And this is for Phoebe, vegan butternut squash spaghetti with toasted bread on the side."
"Thank you" Phoebe thanked her and immediately inhaled her food.
"Well Pheebs, did you guys find out about the baby's gender?", Rachel asked.
"Yes, we went to the doctor yesterday. It is a girl! I'm so happy!" Phoebe screamed happily.
They were all congratulating the couple.
"We're going to name her Lily, just like Phoebe's mom." Mike added as he gently rubbed her pregnant wife's belly.
"Aww.. That is so sweet." Rachel reacted
"What about you Rach?" Monica asked
"Well Ross and I decided not to find out the gender. Unlike last time." Rachel gave Ross a look and he nodded timidly. "We want it to be a surprise." She added as she held his husband's hand and smiled.
"Yes that's right. We'll be fine with a boy or a girl as long as the baby and the mom are healthy." Ross smiled while looking at Rachel.
"What about the name? Have you guys decided on it yet?", Mike asked
"No, we haven't come in agreement about the name." Ross explained
"Well apparently someone wants our kids to be bullied at school." Rachel rolled her eyes
"Hey! Darwin is a great name. In fact, Charles Darwin was a famous naturalist best known for his contributions to the science of evolution. And he-"
Before Ross could finish his words Chandler interrupted.
"Dude! That is exactly what she meant!"
Ross stared at her sister, Monica for a backup. She avoided his eyes, and said, "Well I have to agree with Rachel on this."
They all ate their dinner while keep chatting and laughing. After they finished eating, Ross put Ben and Emma at the living room and let them play again. He then came back to their dinner table and resume their conversation.
"So guys, I have a great news." Joey suddenly interrupted.
"What was it Joe? Did you finally manage to break your dating record?" Chandler asked sarcastically.
"I actually did." He smirked, completely oblivious with the sarcasm pointed at him, and then continued, "We'll talk about it later. But that's not what I meant."
"So what is it?" Monica asked
"Well, do you guys remember the movie I shot a few months ago?" He asked
"The one where you become a lawyer?" Rachel asked
"No. I didn't get that part." Joey replied sadly
"Is it the musical?" Phoebe asked.
"Nah, didn't get that part too. They said I cannot sing! Can't you believe that?" Joey explained exasperatedly.
"Well, can YOU sing?" Chandler asked and Joey shook his head sheepishly while the rest of the gang groaned.
"Anyway, it was the one where I become the mafia. I filmed it a couple months ago." Joey finally said.
"Ah.. That one!" Ross suddenly remembered
"Yeah.. The premiere is next week, and this time I managed to book us seven tickets for the premiere. So, can all of you guys come to Los Angeles?" Joey asked.
"Well I think Monica and I can come. Right, honey?" Chandler asked his wife as if he already knew she was going to say yes.
"Sure, no problem. I'll ask mom and dad to babysit the twins." Monica replied
"Well Phoebe and I don't have any plan or anything special. I think we can make it. Besides it will be a good vacation before the baby's born." Mike added
"Yay! Another trip!" Phoebe yelled in joy.
"What about you guys?" Joey asked as he looked at Ross and Rachel's direction.
"Well, you should ask Ross. These days I barely go outside the house aside from work." Rachel sulked.
"I was just being careful you know. I don't want you to get too tired." Ross replied as he tried to calm her annoyed wife.
"Alright.. Since the doctor confirmed you're in a great condition, I suppose we can go for a weekend gateway." Ross finally gave in.
Rachel started to smile brightly and looked him in the eyes before she asked, "Really?" Rachel wanted to make sure she heard it right.
"Yeah" Ross replied and nodded.
She kissed him, rubbed her hands around his thighs, and whispered, "That will make this trip our a babymoon . I'll make sure you won't regret it." Ross blushed at her wife sudden attack.
"Get a room you two!" Phoebe yelled
They all burst into laughter.
This is the night they haven't had in a while, it was full of laughter and happiness.