A Week Later

Monica and Rachel were in the coffee shop, and Monica was trying not to think about Chandler. He and Kathy had been running around getting things ready for the wedding, and she was doing her best to not think about how she would be doing things so much more different and better than Kathy was. Almost as if she was conjured, there was Kathy standing right in front of her. Monica blinked.

"Can I ask you something?" Kathy started.

"Um, me?" Monica asked, looking around.

"Yea."

"Oh. Okay. Shoot."

"I would love it if you could be my maid of honor," Kathy said to Monica, the words tumbling over each other. Rachel coughed.

"What?" Monica asked, not having heard her correctly. In fact, her ears had a roaring sound in them.

"I don't have many friends, and I don't have any sisters. You're the closest thing to a best friend I've ever had," Kathy said. "I would love for you to be my maid of honor. And Rachel, I'd love you to be a bridesmaid."

"Uh...uh...I don't know what to say," Monica said. NO! her mind screamed. NO, NO, NO, NO! "I...sure. I'll do it."

"I guess I'm in too," Rachel said, not sure what her friend was doing. Was she out of her mind?!

"Great! Oh, I'm so happy!" Kathy exclaimed, hugging them together tightly. "Now that you're on board, can you come with me to get my dress? I have an appointment this afternoon."

"I guess that's what we do," Monica said. Had she really said yes? What was she thinking? Kathy gave them the address.

"I'll see you there," she said. "Now, I've gotta go deal with the cake."

"Okay," Rachel said absently. Once she was gone, she rounded on Monica. "What is the matter with you?!"

"I don't know!" Monica shouted. "It just...flew out of my mouth."

"You're insane. You realize you are going to stand up there and watch Chandler get married to someone else?" Rachel demanded.

"I know! I know," Monica said, holding up her hands. "I'm so stupid..."

"No, you were caught off guard," Rachel corrected.

"Well, it's too late to go back now," Monica sighed. "I have to do it."

"You are the bravest person I know," Rachel said, admiringly.

"Not brave," Monica shook her head. "Just stupid."

"Oh, honey," Rachel said, rubbing her friend's shoulder. "You are definitely not stupid. You just made a stupid decision. That's all."

"What am I going to do?" Monica asked, feeling helpless.

"I have no idea, sweetie," Rachel sighed. This was going to be a long haul.

"I'm telling you, you have a problem," Chandler said, walking into the coffee house behind Joey.

"It's nothing," Joey dismissed.

"What's going on?" Rachel asked, noticing that Monica was visibly affected by the sight of Chandler.

"Joey snores all night. All night long!" Chandler exclaimed.

"It's just a little snoring," Joey shrugged, sitting down. Chandler fell down beside Monica, jostling her.

"Just a little snoring?!" he cried. "You're bringing down pieces of my roof onto my head! You are literally snoring so loud that you're bringing down the house." Joey laughed.

"Well, maybe you should go to a sleep clinic," Rachel suggested.

"Yes!" Chandler shouted, knocking Monica over as he jumped up. "A sleep clinic! That's a great idea!"

"I'm not going to a sleep clinic," Joey argued, crossing his arms. Neither guy noticed Monica touching her arm absently where Chandler had brushed against her. Rachel did.

"You know, when Ross snores, I just roll him over," she said.

"Next time, I'm rolling ya over!" Chandler said to Joey fiercely.

"Fine," Joey shrugged again.

"So, Chandler," Rachel said. "Kathy asked Monica to be her maid of honor, and I'm her bridesmaid."

"W-what?" Chandler asked, staring at them both.

"Yea," Rachel went on, looking at her nails. "We're helping her buy a dress this afternoon."

"Wow," Chandler commented. He looked at Monica then. "I never thought she'd ask you to do that."

"Me either," Monica agreed, finally speaking.

"Are you okay with that?" he asked.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Monica challenged. Chandler went red in the face.

"No reason," he shook his head. Monica stood then.

"Come on, Rach," she said. "We should probably see if Kathy needs anymore help."

"Okay," Rachel agreed, getting up as well. She followed Monica outside. "You sure you're okay?"

"Just swell," Monica answered. She marched forward. She'd be the best damn maid of honor anybody will have ever seen, and perhaps while she was at it, the groom would notice that she was the better person to be with than Kathy.

Later

Monica was doing dishes and thinking about earlier that afternoon. Phoebe had tagged along for support once she had heard what was happening, and the three of them watched Kathy simply radiate beauty in her wedding dress. Monica had to stop the urge to rip it off her. Then, on the way home:

"Monica, can you keep this at your place?" Kathy had asked. Monica had froze.

"Uh, why?"

"I just don't want Chandler to see it at my place," Kathy had answered. "I know he won't be looking in your bedroom." She had laughed then. Monica had swelled with hot anger.

"She'd love to," Rachel had answered for her, seeing that her friend was about to explode.

"Great!" Kathy had exclaimed. "Well, I have to meet my mom, so I'll see you guys later. I already have your dresses picked out. You just have to stop by tomorrow to have them fitted."

"Oh, great," Rachel had nodded. Kathy had waved and bounced off.

"Bitch," Phoebe had commented.

"Is she trying to torture me?" Monica had asked, feeling sick about having that gorgeous dress hanging in her bedroom.

"I don't think she has a clue, sweetie," Rachel had sighed as they approached their apartment building. "Come on. Let's go up."

Now, Monica was staring at the dress, hanging there mocking her. She got an idea. She took it off the hanger and hurried to her room.

"Are you sure this is going to make her feel better?" Phoebe asked Rachel. They were standing in the hallway wearing wedding dresses. Rachel had a third in her hand for Monica.

"I hope so," Rachel winced. She knocked hard.

"Just a second!" Monica shouted.

"No! Let us in now!" Rachel shouted back. The door whipped open, and there stood Monica in Kathy's dress. Phoebe started laughing. Rachel hauled her inside and Monica shut the door.

"What are you doing?" Rachel asked, horrified.

"What are you two doing?" Monica demanded. Then they all started laughing.

"I love this dress," Phoebe gushed, playing with the material of her dress. She was imagining Joey taking it off her.

"I just wanted an excuse to put mine back on," Rachel admitted.

"I wanted to know what it would feel like to be marrying Chandler," Monica confessed.

"And?" Rachel asked.

"It feels pretty amazing," Monica said, blushing. "I guess I should take it off."

"Or..." Rachel trailed off. She pulled out a bouquet. "Who wants to be the next one to get married?" Phoebe and Monica squealed with delight.

Chandler-Later Still

They had come back from the sleep clinic, and now Joey had to wear a mouth guard. Chandler felt somewhat relieved. He also commended silently to himself the fact that Joey did not hit on the hot girl sitting beside him all afternoon. Maybe he really was becoming a committed person. Joey opened a beer and sat down while Chandler heard tittering across the hall.

"What do you suppose they're up to over there?" he asked Joey.

"I dunno. Girl stuff," Joey shrugged. He was meeting Phoebe soon at her apartment, and he was feeling scared. Ever since Phoebe started to show, he was afraid of hurting the babies.

"Hey, Chandler," Joey started. "Do you think you can hurt a baby by having sex?" He was worrying about it a lot. He had been avoiding Phoebe the past few weeks for fear of hurting them, but she was insistent that he come over that night.

"I...I don't think so," Chandler shook his head. Everyone was still in shock that Phoebe was carrying triplets. He remembered her freaking out after she had found out:

"What am I going to do?!" she had cried. "I only mentally prepared for shooting one baby out of my crotch not three!"

"It'll be all right," Chandler had assured her.

"Easy for you to say. You're among the jerks that put these things inside of us with no regard to the outcome," Phoebe had snapped.

Now, Chandler was thinking about Joey's question. Was it possible? Nah.

"I think you're worrying over nothing," he told Joey. The laughter across the hall was louder now. He had to find out what was going on. He left Joey to his thoughts and wandered over.

"What's so funny over here?" he asked, stopping right in his tracks. Three women in wedding dresses stared back at him. "W-what are you doing?"

"It was so cool seeing Kathy try on dresses today that we wanted to do it too," Rachel said quickly. "We rented three dresses and are having a party. You cool with that?"

"Um...yea," Chandler answered. He was staring at Monica. She looked absolutely stunning. She blushed.

"You must think we're insane," she said.

"No. I think...I think it's fun," he answered. He squeezed the door handle hard, stopping all thoughts of seeing Monica in front of him on his wedding day instead of Kathy. What the hell was wrong with him?!

"Well, it's bad luck to see the bride," Phoebe said, noticing Monica and Chandler's facial expressions. "So get out."

"Yea, out!" Rachel chimed in, pushing Chandler out the door. Once it was shut, Chandler felt sad. He didn't know if he'd ever get the chance to see Monica like that again, and if he did, she'd be marrying someone else. It kind of hurt.

Joey & Phoebe-After

"You really like it?" Phoebe asked as Joey kissed her. He had loved the dress. She had kept it on just for him. Now, in her apartment, they were going at it. The only thing was, Joey was beginning to act strange once they were on the bed.

"I love it," he murmured into her ear. He propped himself up above her, his feet braced on the end of the bed so that he was hovering over her.

"What are you doing?" Phoebe asked, looking at him. He blushed.

"I don't want to hurt the babies," he answered, gesturing. Joey felt that if he was on top, he might squish them. He didn't want to do that to Frank and Alice's babies, so he had been avoiding sex altogether the past few weeks, which was annoying Phoebe.

"Joey," Phoebe laughed. "You can't possibly hurt them."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes! Is that why you've been avoiding me?"

"Um...yea," Joey admitted.

"It's okay, Joey. They are perfectly safe inside of me. Now, come on. Momma needs her sugar," Phoebe said, pulling him down.

Two Weeks Later

"Damn," Joey said. "Phoebe is really upset. Did you guys have to do that shower for her?" He was at the coffee house with Monica and Rachel and Emily.

"We thought it would help," Rachel started.

"Then we realized how stupid it was, halfway through it," Monica sighed. "We're sorry."

"Don't tell me, tell her," Joey said, gesturing to Phoebe as she came in. All three women flinched. Phoebe had been particularly crusty the last week, and they were a little afraid of her.

"We're sorry," Emily said as Phoebe sat down.

"It's all right," Phoebe sighed. "I just...it made me realize again that after all this, I don't get to do the mom thing, you know? I knew what I signed up for, but as it's getting closer to the end, I'm feeling sadder."

"Oh, Phoebs," Rachel said, hugging her. "You might not get to do the mom thing, but you get to do the Aunt thing."

"Yea," Monica agreed, chiming in. "You get to be the one who's there for them when they want to run away."

"Or learn about sex," Emily added.

"They are so going to love you," Rachel told Phoebe, who was wiping at her tears now.

"They are going to love me," she agreed. Joey took her hand then and squeezed it. The girls hugged her tightly together.

"You're cool Aunt Phoebe," Monica said to her.

"Thanks, you guys," Phoebe smiled. She truly did have good friends. She looked at Monica, seeing the pain etched there from this whole Chandler/Kathy wedding, and she wished she could make her friend feel better too. The wedding was in a week, and she knew Monica was feeling sadder and sadder. If only those two had talked years ago when Chandler first fell in love with her. Would they be attending their wedding instead? Phoebe thought so. She wondered if Chandler was having doubts like his usual self always did. Perhaps she could enhance them and end the wedding. Her mind whirled. Maybe there was a chance to save the day after all.

Later-Ross & Rachel

"Are you packing already?" Ross asked, watching as Rachel made trips back and forth to the suitcase and her wardrobe.

"I'm excited," Rachel replied, tossing him a look over her shoulder. "Aren't you? This is our second honeymoon!"

"I never thought of it that way," Ross said.

"Well, think about it. Once Chandler and Kathy are married, we can spend a few days alone exploring England," Rachel said, grinning at him.

"Hmmm. I do like that," Ross smiled. Rachel went back to packing, and he watched her. Sometimes he was amazed that she was his wife.

"Oh, Carol called. She's dropping Ben off to say goodbye the night before we leave," Rachel told him.

"Oh good. Hey, what are your thoughts on kids?" Ross asked, sliding that in there. It was something he'd been thinking about for a while now.

"They're cute," Rachel answered absently, not getting his meaning.

"What do you think about more kids with me," Ross said, more clear this time. She stopped, looking up at him.

"I'd consider it," she said slowly.

"Yea?"

"Yea," she nodded. "I mean, I love you. I love Ben. I'd love to have our own child that's ours and not just half yours."

"I'm glad," Ross said, moving towards her and taking her into his arms. She rested her head onto his chest.

"Are you okay with waiting, though?" Rachel asked. "I mean, I'd love to start right away, but I also want to have more time with you before a baby comes and takes up all our attention."

"I'm okay with waiting," Ross agreed. "I just like knowing that one day it will happen."

"It will definitely happen," Rachel nodded. They kissed. "Now, come on! We have a trip to pack for!"

Chandler

He was pacing his bedroom when Phoebe knocked. He went to answer the door, Joey being at work.

"Hey," he said, letting her in. "I got your message. What's up?"

"Are you sure you want to marry Kathy?" Phoebe asked, getting right to the point. Chandler froze.

"W-what do you mean? Of course I want to marry Kathy!" he spluttered.

"You're really sure? Like really, really sure?"

"Yes!"

"You're not still thinking about Monica at all?" Phoebe pressed. His eyes flickered, and her thoughts were confirmed.

"Not at all," he told her. He swallowed. "Monica is the thing of the past. She's still not quite over Richard dying anyway."

"But what if she was?" Phoebe asked.

"I'm marrying Kathy, Phoebe," Chandler said firmly. "That doesn't change."

"All right," Phoebe sighed. "As you wish."

"It is what I wish. I wish it very much," Chandler argued.

"Fine," Phoebe nodded. She turned to leave. "Just make sure you don't have any regrets."

"I have none!" he shouted as the door slammed behind her. He stood there, fiddling with his hands. He definitely didn't have any. Right?

A Week Later

"I wish you were coming," Monica said to Phoebe, who was on the couch. She was going to be looking after the apartment while they were gone. Joey was staying with her.

"I do too. I want to see firsthand how this all blows up," Phoebe laughed. Monica raised her brow.

"What do you mean?"

"It will definitely blow up. It's Chandler! I bet he bolts as soon as he gets off the plane," Phoebe scoffed.

"Give him some credit," Monica admonished her.

"Pfft. I know him. Commitment terrifies him. Kathy is lucky he has hung in this long."

"Well, we'll just see," Monica said, not knowing what else to say. The last week had been hard, and she was positive Chandler was avoiding her. She wondered why. It had been difficult for her to put up with Kathy and do everything for Kathy. And the dresses. Scarlet red and slightly revealing. Was Kathy trying to tease Chandler with Monica? Rachel had told her to just be glad it wasn't pink or puffy, which Monica had to agree with.

"Promise me you will hook up with an Englishman," Phoebe begged. "And then tell me all about it."

"I'll try," Monica laughed. She had promised her friends that she was doing fine, which she wasn't. Her heart felt like it was going to constantly break. Her thoughts were consumed of Chandler. She was starting to have dreams about Chandler that were making her blush like crazy. If only she had just told him that she had found his list on his computer. Maybe they could have had a shot then. Now, it was too late. Chandler had told her repeatedly how much he loved Kathy. It was over. Her chance to tell him she liked him was gone.

"I'm ready!" Rachel shouted, dragging her suitcase in. Ross followed behind. Chandler and Kathy had already gone ahead a few hours earlier. Emily was already there, waiting for them to arrive as they were going to stay with her.

"Well, I guess we'll see you later," Monica said to Phoebe. "Don't have those babies before we get back!"

"Wouldn't dream of it," Phoebe waved dismissively.

"London, baby!" Joey shouted, pumping his fist.

"Dude, you're not even going," Ross pointed out.

"I know. I'm still excited, though," Joey shrugged. He had been a little put out that Chandler had asked Ross to be his best man, but Joey admitted that he really wanted to stay with Phoebe anyway. They could do it wherever they wanted to with no fear of getting caught. It was the perfect situation.

"Goodbye," Monica said, hugging them both.

"Have fun," Joey called after them. Once they were gone, he looked at Phoebe.

"Monica's bed?" she asked.

"Oh yea," he grinned.

London-Hours Before the Wedding

Monica was wandering the huge building, wondering what her path in life was going to be. She was a chef, yes, but she felt there should be more by now. Emily had reassured her that she was still young, that the man of her dreams would still come one day, but Monica didn't feel so sure. It was the morning of the wedding, and Ross and Rachel were helping set up the chairs while Chandler and Emily were finishing with the lights. Monica had to to keep her distance. It was all too much. Kathy had disappeared to use the washroom, and that was what Monica was trying to find. You needed a map for this place to find anything. Finally, she found it, but before she went inside, she heard voices across the hall in a different room. She moved closer, recognizing Kathy's tone. She didn't recognize the man's voice.

"Nick, no," Kathy said.

"Kathy, please," Nick begged. "I love you. I know you love me. We are meant to be together. I should have never let you go back to him."

"Stop," Kathy said firmly. "I love Chandler. We are getting married today. Please leave."

Monica couldn't believe what she was hearing. She pressed her ear harder to the door.

"I can't. Not until you tell me the truth," he argued.

"It doesn't matter now," Kathy said sadly.

"But..."

"Just go. Please."

Monica dove behind the door as the man walked out. She was sure she heard him sniffling. She couldn't believe what had just happened. Kathy had cheated on Chandler? So it hadn't been a misunderstanding at all! Monica wrung her hands. She wasn't sure what to do now.

One Hour Before the Wedding

Monica paced. She was in her dress. Rachel was finishing her make up. Ross was across the hall with Chandler getting ready with Kathy's brother, Kirk. She didn't know what to do. She wanted to tell Chandler, but she also didn't want to ruin his wedding day. So far, they hadn't been alone together to talk, and Monica felt it would be dangerous to anyway. She went over Kathy's words. She had been adamant about her love for Chandler. She could have easily walked off with Nick, but she didn't. Oh, the torment. In the end, she went over and banged on the door.

"Yea?" Chandler asked, poking his head out.

"I need to talk to you," Monica replied.

"All right," he agreed, coming out. They stood in the hall. "What's up?"

"I overheard something," Monica started.

"Hey, Chandler," Kirk said, opening the door. "Photo shoot. Come on."

"In a second," Chandler replied. He turned back to Monica. "What did you overhear?"

"Chandler!" Nora shouted, coming towards them. "Darling!" She embraced her son fully. Chandler winced at the tightness of the hug. He couldn't breathe.

"Mom! Monica is trying to say something," Chandler pointed out. Oh God, Monica thought. Not in front of Nora. They both looked at her expectantly.

"I overheard them say that Kathy looks like an angel," Monica said instead. "I'm happy for you."

"Thanks, Mon," Chandler smiled. Nora beamed.

"See! We didn't screw you up that bad," she sighed. Monica slipped away. She berated herself for chickening out. She was running out of time. She went back into her room to find Kathy tearing up.

"Are you okay?" Monica asked. She wondered if Kathy was changing her mind.

"Oh, yes. I'm just so happy. Monica, Chandler is the best thing that's ever happened to me," Kathy sniffed. "And my ex, Nick, is trying to ruin my wedding day, and I'm so mad at him for showing up here."

"Your...ex?" Monica asked, incredulous. So Kathy hadn't cheated?

"Yea. It was a stupid fling before I met Chandler, and he thinks we're soulmates," Kathy scoffed. "Anyway, I can't believe this is it. I'm tingling all over!"

"You'll do great," Monica said absently. So she had misheard them. Kathy hadn't cheated. Thank God she hadn't told Chandler. Disaster averted. Except her own heart still ached. Kathy's mother stuck her head in the door then

"Showtime!" she called.

The Wedding

Monica was standing beside Kathy, watching Chandler. He looked so happy. He was actually glowing. Monica wanted to cry. She wanted to make him glow like that. The ceremony was going well so far, but Monica noticed that Kathy kept looking into the crowd. Monica followed her gaze and saw Nick sitting beside Emily. Monica felt anxious suddenly. She had also noticed Chandler's reaction to seeing the dress on Kathy, and Monica remembered he had seen it on herself all those weeks ago. Did he remember? She barely listened to the minister until it came to the part with the vows. Her heart clenched. This was it.

"Repeat after me," the minister was saying. "I, Kathy, take thee Chandler."

"I, Kathy, take thee Nick," Kathy said solemnly. The room froze. Then she gasped, realizing what she just did. Chandler stared. Nick stood up from his seat.

"I knew it!" he shouted. Everyone gasped. Kathy shook her head hard.

"No," she said. "No, no, no, no..."

"Kathy," Chandler said, hurt all over his face. "What...?"

"It's nothing," Kathy tried. "A slip of the tongue. I didn't mean it...It doesn't mean anything. It was one time."

"One time?" Chandler asked, confused.

"More like three times, baby," Nick threw in. He was obviously thrilled at how things were going down. Emily tried to yank him down, but he held fast.

"Wait, you slept with him?" Chandler asked, glaring at Nick. Kathy hung her head.

"Oh my God," Rachel muttered behind Monica, gripping Monica's hand tightly. Monica couldn't believe her ears. So Kathy had lied to her. Nick wasn't an ex. He was the actor she had slept with while dating Chandler. Joey had been right all along. And that's why she had been crying. She had been conflicted. Monica was furious for being duped.

"I did," Kathy admitted. "It wasn't a misunderstanding. It...it happened. You had been right about what you saw."

"I don't believe this," Chandler said, upset.

"There's more," Kathy went on.

"How? How could there be more? How?" Chandler asked.

"I love him," she whispered. She let go of Chandlers hands. "I'm so, so sorry. I've been so stupid. I thought it was nothing, that I loved you, but it's real. I love Nick. I can't marry you. I'm so sorry." She gathered her dress into her hands and ran down the aisle. Nick tore after her. Chandler stood there looking as though he had been shot. Kathy's family were quick to get up and leave. The rest were left sitting in shock. It had all happened so fast that it barely registered with everyone.

"Excuse me," Chandler said, moving past the minister and escaping out the back door. Monica ached to follow him, but she knew now was not the time.

"Well," the minister said, closing the Bible. "I guess that's that. If you'll excuse me." He left, and Rachel and Monica stood there looking at Ross. Kathy's brother had torn out of there right away as well.

"What do we do now?" Monica asked.

"I don't know," Ross replied honestly. "I don't know."