Just to be clear, I did not write about Ben because I was told to write about Ben (but thank you for the suggestion all the same). The buying of the ring episode was on May 11th, which is also Ben's birthday, so my plan was to always have Ben involved in this chapter because of the way I switch up events in the storyline. Happy reading!

Ross and Rachel waited with bated breath as the doctor proceeded with the second blood pressure test. He looked at the machine while Rachel almost broke Ross's hand from squeezing so tightly out of fear. Ross now knew how Monica felt the time he'd hurt her hand when he got his shot after he had his allergic reaction. Rachel's ring was digging into his skin, making him wince.

"Okay," the doctor finally said. "Your pressure is good today."

"That's good right?" Rachel asked.

"Yes. It means you don't have gestational hypertension right now, but I will warn you to keep your stress levels low and to keep doing bed rest for the rest of the week and as needed in the future if things get too stressful again."

"Okay."

Both Ross and Rachel exhaled in relief and smiled at each other. The doctor smiled at them too. He was just as relieved for them.

"Jill's gotta go," Ross said immediately.

"We'll talk about that later," Rachel said, trying to make a not so obvious point of looking at the doctor. She didn't want him to overhear.

"I'll see you at our next scheduled appointment," the doctor said to them, and then he was gone. Rachel and Ross walked out together and hailed a cab.

"Seriously, Jill has to go," Ross said once they were inside the cab.

"I know, I know. I am trying to find a good time to tell her," Rachel sighed.

"I'll do it," Ross offered.

"No," Rachel shook her head. "It has to come from me."

"Well, do it soon."

"I will."

A Week Later

Ross was excited as he picked up Ben just before eight thirty that morning. He didn't often get to spend the day with his son on his birthday. He usually got to come to the party if Carol invited him. He would spend the day before or after with Ben instead most of the time. Ross still felt a little guilty for when he got married the day before Ben's birthday and then went on his honeymoon, but Carol and Susan had taken Ben to Carol's for that weekend anyway. He had celebrated it with Ben the day before he got married, though. Ben had been turning two, so he didn't remember anyway. Ross liked having his anniversary the day before his son's birthday, though. Two special days close to each other. Soon, there'd be a third special day when his new baby was born. Because of Rachel's stress free orders, though, Ross had kept their anniversary the day before simple and quiet. She had loved it all the same.

"Okay, be back here by three," Carol instructed, breaking into his thoughts. "We're doing his party at 3:30."

"Will do," Ross promised.

"He doesn't know about the party, so don't tell him," Susan said.

"I won't," Ross said indignantly.

"Daddy!" Ben shouted, rushing out and throwing himself into Ross's arms.

"Hey you! Happy birthday!" Ross cried, hugging him tightly.

"I'm five!"

"Yes, you are!"

"Are we gonna go to the park today?"

"We sure can."

"Yay!"

"Have fun you two," Carol smiled. When Ross was leaving with Ben in front of him, Carol gave him a look. "Three, Ross. No later."

"Okay!" he called over his shoulder.

Rachel

She took the bed rest thing seriously. She was not risking the health of her baby at all. She had finished and early lunch and was reading a magazine when Jill came in.

"I broke Paul," Jill said.

"What?"

"I broke him!"

"How?"

"I asked him to be a bit emotional, and now I can't get him to stop bawling," Jill complained.

"Seriously?" Who was this guy? Rachel was glad Paul wasn't her problem.

"What do I do?"

"Well, sometimes sex helps."

"Really?"

"Yea. All guys get distracted with sex. Try that," Rachel suggested.

"You're the best," Jill beamed at her, rushing off. Rachel felt bad. She wasn't the best. She had put it off all week, but today was the day she was going to tell Jill she had to leave.

Monica & Chandler

They were finishing lunch together when Monica brought up her going out with Joey.

"I have to help Joey with something," she said. "I also forgot to get Ben a gift for his birthday today."

"You forgot?" Chandler asked, surprised. Monica was always usually so on top of things. He should know.

"I know, I know! I'm a terrible aunt," Monica groaned. "I just have been so distracted with stuff lately that I forgot." It was true. Her helping Joey with the wedding planning had consumed a lot of her time.

"I don't mind getting something," Chandler nodded.

"He's five," Monica said. "Just remember that."

"I will," Chandler said defensively.

"Hey, you guys!" Phoebe said, coming in then. Joey was behind her, and he looked distressed. He shot Monica a look, and she went to stand next to him while Phoebe sat down beside Chandler.

"I can't get away from her," Joey told Monica. "She really wants to hang with me today. I wanna get the ring today, Mon. What do I do?!"

"Okay, relax," Monica said. "I got this."

Joey wrung his hands while Monica went over to the table.

"Hey, Phoebs," Monica said casually. "Do you mind babysitting Chandler this afternoon while he gets a gift for Ben's birthday?"

"What?" Chandler asked. She gave him a look that said "go with it." He obliged.

"Sure!" Phoebe exclaimed.

"Great," Monica smiled. "You better go now, though, before all the good toys are taken."

"All right!" Phoebe jumped up and hurried to get her purse. Chandler looked at Joey and Monica.

"What are you two doing?" he asked.

"I'll tell you later," Monica promised. "Just keep her busy."

Chandler looked at Joey, who looked away and stared at the ceiling. Chandler was very curious as to what was going on, but he knew he wasn't going to get any answers.

"Fine," he said. "But just know I disliked the insinuation that I need a babysitter."

"Sorry," Monica apologized. He gave her a kiss before leaving, and Joey grinned at her.

"You're awesome," he said. Before they could go, though, Ross arrived with Ben.

"Ross?" Monica asked. "What are you doing here?"

"Hi Aunt Monica!" Ben cried.

"Hiiii sweetie!" Monica cried back, hugging him. "Happy birthday!" She looked up at Ross, still wanting an answer.

"I forgot I have a lecture today. It's only two hours. I don't want to bother Rachel since she's on bed rest, and I don't trust Jill with anything. I also don't want Carol to know I messed up. Can you watch him for me?"

"It's Saturday," Monica said, confused. "Why do you have a lecture?" Ben went over to see Joey at this point.

"It's a bonus lecture for the idiots who need the extra help."

"Oh."

"I forgot it was today! I'm so stupid," Ross said. Ben was playing with Joey now, out of earshot.

"I have a thing with Joey I'm doing today."

"Can you take Ben with you?"

"I...I guess, but..."

"Great! Mon, I owe you big time," Ross said, hugging her tightly. "We just came from the park and had lunch together. His secret party is at 3:30, so he has to be back at Carol's by three."

"You'll be done by then?"

"I'll be done by 2:30. Meet us at Carol's just before three."

"Okay," Monica said wearily. Having Ben in a ring store was going to be interesting.

Chandler & Phoebe

"I wish Monica hadn't left me in charge of buying a gift," Chandler lamented. He was with Phoebe in the toy store. Maybe Monica was right. Maybe he did need a babysitter.

"Ben is what? Three?"

"Five," Chandler answered.

"Really?! Wow," Phoebe said, shocked. "That went fast."

"Yea, yea, now can you help me?" Chandler asked. Phoebe was playing with a remote control helicopter. She was laughing.

"Get him this!" she exclaimed.

"I dunno..." Chandler said, watching her crash it into a shelf and knocking a bunch of toys off. An employee came charging around the corner and glared at them.

"The pilot may have been drinking a little," Phoebe told him. The employee began to tidy up without a word, and Chandler led Phoebe to another aisle.

"Board game?" he asked. "Puzzle? I don't know what Ben likes. I don't see him very much."

"Pie in the face game!" Phoebe cried, grabbing it off the shelf.
"No," Chandler shook his head. "I will not get a gift that will make Carol want to murder me."

"Well, I don't know what to tell you," Phoebe said.

"Wait," Chandler said, stopping her. "That's it."

"What is?"

"That!" he pointed.

"Oohhh," Phoebe said, nodding appreciatively. "Yes! That's perfect." Chandler grinned at his capability of pulling this off. Monica would be so pleased. He still wondered what she was doing with Joey today anyway.

Monica & Joey

"Who is the ring for again?" Ben asked. Monica was bending to look through the glass while he stood at eye level below her. Joey was on the other end of the store looking.

"It's a surprise," Monica answered.

"I can keep a secret."

"Are you sure?"

"It's for Aunt Phoebe isn't it? Right? Uncle Joey is dating her," Ben said.

Monica didn't want to lie to her nephew, so she decided she could trust him.

"Yes, but you can't tell her."

"I won't," Ben promised. "Cross my heart!" At five years old, Ben was still so adorable.

"Okay," Monica smiled. "I'll hold you to it."

"Okay," he beamed back. Then he looked back at the rings. "I like this one." He pointed for Monica to see. She peered at it.

"Huh," she said. It was actually a pretty nice looking ring. "Joey!"

"Yea?" Joey said, hurrying over.

"What about this one?" Monica asked, pointing. The salesman was there at this point.

"I can take it out for you," he offered.

"Let's do that," Joey agreed. Once it was out and right in front of them, Monica just knew it was the ring for Phoebe. She looked at Joey, who was examining it still.

"Well?" she prompted, impatient.

"It's the one," Joey nodded. "I want that one."

"Yay!" Ben exclaimed, thrilled that his input was accepted. Monica high fived him.

"Good job, Ben," she grinned.

"Wait," Joey said, realizing. "I left my wallet at home. I grabbed the wrong pants."

"I can put it on mine, and you can pay me back," Monica suggested.

"I don't do charity, Mon," Joey replied. She gave him a befuddled look.

"It's not...you'd be paying me back," she started.

"I won't accept it!" he said louder over her. "I'll be right back. Watch the ring."

"Joey..." Monica tried, but he was already running out the store. She sighed.

"Is Uncle Joey's brain challenged?" Ben asked.

"What?" Monica countered, surprised. "Do you know what challenged even means?"

"No, but I've heard Mom say Uncle Joey's brain was challenged."

"I see," Monica said, annoyed at Carol for talking about others like that in front of Ben. "No, Ben, he's not challenged." It certainly did appear that way sometimes, but Monica knew Joey just took a little longer to get things than others. It didn't mean he was challenged. Now she was thinking about it.

"Are you interested in looking at rings?" the salesman asked, returning. Monica blushed. Was she? Definitely a little. She and Chandler were still new in their relationship, though. Then again, what he didn't know wouldn't hurt him.

"All right," she agreed. She had him pull out a bunch, and she put them on her fingers to see how they'd look. Ben was giving his opinion too. There was a guy that came in and was wandering around. He smiled at Monica and laughed at her many rings. He started telling her about his girlfriend and how he was going to propose to her when he left from there and where he was gonna do it. He babbled that it was a bit impulsive but he really thought it would work out. Monica was growing a little annoyed. The guy wouldn't shut up.

"She'll be thrilled," Monica said. "There are some great rings over there." She gestured, hoping the man would leave her alone, and thankfully he did. She went back to trying on other rings for a bit longer. Then, Ben noticed the man looking at Aunt Phoebe's ring and then buying it. He went to tug on Monica's leg to get her attention, but the man was already walking away.

"Stop him!" Ben shouted. Monica spun.

"What?" she asked.

"He's got Aunt Phoebe's ring!"

"Nooooo!" Monica shouted, running for the door. Alarms went off, and a gate shut down to block her exit.

"Why is she in jail?" Ben asked the salesman. "Let her out!"

"She's got very expensive rings on her fingers," the salesman answered. Monica was tugging them off her hands.

"I'm sorry! I forgot! Take them!" she shouted.

"It will take a moment for the gate to come back up," the salesman said.

"He's getting away!" Ben cried, seeing the man get into his car and driving away.

"Oh my God," Monica moaned. "Joey is gonna kill me."

On cue, Joey returned, and he stared at Monica through the bars from the outside of the store.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Some guy bought your ring, and I got locked up in here cos I was trying on rings and forgot to take them off," Monica answered. "I'm so sorry, Joey."

"What were you trying on rings for? You're not engaged!" Joey yelped.

"I know that," Monica said. "Don't rub it in. At least I'm dating someone."

"I can't believe this," Joey groaned. He rubbed his head in frustration. Monica looked at her hands and saw the last ring she hadn't taken off yet, and it didn't look too bad.

"What about this one?" she asked, taking it off and holding it up.

"No. I want the ring Ben picked. It was better."

"Well, it's gone."

"Wasn't he talking about where he was proposing?" Ben asked.

"You're right!" Monica exclaimed. "I know where he's going to propose. We can catch him there and swap rings. Buy this one."

"I'm not following," Joey said, scrunching his face.

"Aunt Monica is saying you can trade this ring for the ring you want with the guy," Ben explained. Monica winced inside a little. If a five year old could figure out something a grown man couldn't, that was a little concerning.

"Oh," Joey said, getting it. "All right."

The bars finally went back up, and they went to pay for the replacement ring.

"We have to hurry," Monica said to Joey out of earshot of Ben. "His party is soon." It was almost 2:30.

"Yup. I'm hurrying," Joey replied. He hoped this idea was going to work.

Rachel & Jill

"Oh. My. God," Jill said, entering Rachel's bedroom. Rachel looked at her from her pillows.

"What?"

"He cried right after sex."

"I'm sorry. I thought that would work."

"It didn't, so I broke up with him," Jill sighed. "I can't be with a baby."

"Right."

"So when is this party starting?" Jill asked, sitting on the bed beside Rachel now. She remembered Rachel had mentioned Ben's birthday earlier. She wanted to know so she could get primped and ready.

"It's not here. It's at Carol's."

"You're going right?"

"Of course! But, um, you're not invited since you're not family."

"Oh. Well, whatever," Jill said. "I'm gonna be packing anyway."

"Packing?"

"Is this a bad time to tell you that I'm going back home?" Jill questioned. "Since you're stressed out and all?" Rachel finally put all of her attention onto Jill.

"You're leaving?"

"Yea. I mean, Daddy's not mad at me anymore, and I'm sick of the job here, and I miss my friends," Jill said. "It's been really great spending time with you, but I think it's time for me to go home."

"Oh. Okay," Rachel nodded. So she didn't have to hurt her sister's feelings by asking her to leave after all. What a relief.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay! I understand," Rachel smiled.

"I'll be gone tomorrow morning."

"Okay."

Jill gave her a smile and patted Rachel's hand before getting up and going to pack. The relief Rachel felt was immense. She looked at the clock and started. It was almost time for Ben's party. She got up and started to get ready as Ross came home.

"Where's Ben?" she asked. "Weren't you two spending the day together?"

"We had all morning and lunch. Then I had a stupid lecture I forgot I had, so I got Monica to watch him. She's supposed to bring him to Carol's by three."

"Oh. I didn't realize you did lectures on a Saturday."

"It's not happening anymore," Ross replied. "Half the people who asked for it didn't show, and the rest that did come didn't even participate."

"I'm sorry."

"Where's Monica? Why isn't Ben here yet?" Ross demanded, feeling frantic. Carol would light into him if Ben was late to his own birthday party.

"I don't know," Rachel answered. Ross tried calling her, but there was no answer. He knew he was so dead.

Monica & Joey

They found the guy in the restaurant where he said he was going to be. Monica still didn't understand who would propose to someone midday, but she didn't comment.

"There he is," she pointed. They approached him.

"Hi," Joey said. "Can we talk to you?"

"About?"

"Your car is getting towed."

"What?!"

"This way," Joey said. They walked away from the table. Ben watched with interest.

"My car," the guy started.

"Is fine," Monica finished.

"What?"

"Look, today you bought a ring that was supposed to be mine," Joey said quickly. "I don't know why the salesman didn't hold it for me, but he didn't. I really need that ring."

"So do I," the guy argued. "I'm proposing now." He looked at Monica. "Remember?"

"I know," Joey said. "I have another ring. I would like to trade." He held it open for the guy to see inside the box.

"Um, I don't know."

"Please?" Ben piped up now. "My aunt really wants that ring. She saw it and talked about it so much that if she doesn't get it, she will be really sad."

"Oh," the guy said, looking at the boy and feeling bad now.

"It really was a mistake on the jeweler's part," Joey said. "Please make this trade?"

"Let me see it again," the guy said. Joey showed him. "All right. I'll trade."

"Thank you!" Joey exclaimed. They exchanged rings, and Joey looked over at the woman at the table. "You're marrying an amazing guy!"

"Dude!" the guy shouted.

"Sorry," Joey winced. They hurried away, and Ben was laughing.

"We did it!" he cried.

"Yes we did," Monica agreed, ruffling Ben's hair. "Now, we gotta get you home."

Carol's Apartment

Ross was pacing outside the door. It was ten to three, and Monica was nowhere to be found.

"We're here," Chandler said, out of breath. He and Phoebe had barely made it from the toy store to there. They both had gotten distracted by playing with toys together.

"Where's Mon?" Ross demanded.

"She's with Joey."

"Where's Joey?" Phoebe asked, feeling left out.

"I don't know. Some cooking thing," Chandler lied. "Joey was the taste tester."

"Monica took Ben to a cooking thing?" Phoebe asked.

"Sorry!" Monica shouted, appearing. Ben was smiling.

"Is that for my party?" he asked, pointing at the gift bag Chandler was holding. Chandler hid it behind his legs.

"Nooo."

"I know about the party," Ben said. "It's not a birthday without a party, and I have one every year. The ones I remember anyway."

"Okay, but act surprised," Ross instructed him.

"I will."

Monica almost laughed out loud. This kid was pretty good.

"How was the cooking thing?" Phoebe asked. Joey's eyes bulged, but Monica covered quickly.

"Great! So much fun."

"That's good," Phoebe smiled. They went inside then, and true to his word, Ben acted surprised to see he was having a party. Rachel went to sit pretty much immediately. Ben went to cuddle with her and ask about his new baby. Rachel loved that he was so excited.

"So, what did you get?" Monica asked Chandler, eyeing the bag.

"A remote control race car set," he answered.

"Wow. You actually got something decent."

"Excuse me? Did you think I'd come home with a cardboard box?" Chandler asked, outraged.

"You didn't, so it's all good," Monica smiled, patting his arm.

"Bickering already huh?" Ross asked.

"What do you mean?" Monica challenged.

"Rachel told me you guys were dating."

"What?!"

Rachel avoided eye contact with Monica when she glared at her.

"I was really annoyed at first," Ross said. "But then I realized that my best friend is dating my sister, and I feel okay about it now."

"You're serious?" Monica asked.

"Yea."

Monica and Chandler looked at each other. So keeping it a secret out of fear of Ross's reaction had been completely unnecessary.

"I guess everyone knows now," Chandler commented.

"We do," Joey nodded.

"Knows what?" Carol asked.

"Monica and Chandler are dating," Phoebe answered.

"Oh, that's nice. Can someone help me with the c-a-k-e?" Carol asked.

"I love cake!" Ben shouted. Carol sighed.

"He's a smart kid," Joey pointed out.

"Everyone gets cake on their birthday," Ben called from beside Rachel.

"Yup, he'll only get smarter," Monica laughed. Ross gave her a hug then, knowing she needed the reassurance that he wasn't going to explode with anger over her dating Chandler. He'd talk to Chandler later about how to treat his sister, though. Rachel had forbidden him from saying anything until it was brought up. He went to sit beside Rachel and Ben, and he couldn't have felt any happier. Things really were good.