Lol, Guest, it's a little bit late, but here's your Christmas gift. I feel bad that you didn't get any, so I hope this is a good gift for you.

And WOW, over 200 reviews! This is my first story that's reached that high amount of reviews (it's also the longest story I've written so far), and I feel so blessed and lucky that you guys leave me feedback and are still enjoying this story even after over two years of me writing it. You guys rock.

Happy reading, everyone!

Joey was sitting and looking at the ring in the box, smiling to himself. Chandler came in and stopped in his tracks.

"What is that?" he asked.

"Oh!" Joey exclaimed, snapping the ring box shut and throwing it over his shoulder. He looked up at the ceiling then.

"Joey, I saw it was a ring box," Chandler said. It was a week after Ben's birthday. Monica was being secretive still about her trip with Joey and kept saying that it was up to Joey to tell him what was going on. Chandler was pretty sure she just enjoyed having a secret.

"No, it wasn't," Joey argued. Chandler sighed and went over to the box on the floor, picking it up. He opened it and held it out to Joey so he could see.

"If that isn't a ring, then someone has changed what a ring is without telling the world," Chandler commented.

"All right, all right," Joey said. "You got me."

"You're asking Phoebe to marry you?" Chandler asked, surprised. He thought about it. They had been together for quite a while now. It made sense. He wondered what ideas Monica got from helping with this. He looked at the ring carefully. What would it be like to propose to Monica?

"Yea, I am," Joey grinned widely.

"Dude! That's awesome!" Chandler exclaimed, hugging his friend.

"I just don't know how to do it," Joey said, frowning a little after taking the ring back.

"I don't think that has changed," Chandler told him. "You get down on one knee..."

"No, no, I know how to propose," Joey interrupted. "I'm not that big of an idiot. I just don't know how to do it."

Chandler was looking at him, not comprehending what Joey was trying to say. He did but didn't know how to propose?

"I mean the where and when and what way," Joey said, seeing Chandler's face.

"Oohhh," Chandler nodded, getting it. "Well, what have you thought of so far?"

"Knicks game," Joey said in that tone of his that implied it was a good idea. He nodded at Chandler with the face that went along with that tone.

"Um, I don't know," Chandler shook his head.

"What? People propose on the big screen all the time," Joey said defensively.

"I just don't know if that is Phoebe's thing," Chandler reasoned.

"Okay. What about hidden in a dessert?"

"Eh. I think she'd think that was tacky and lame."

"Dude, you've shot down all my ideas," Joey whined.

"Your big two ideas?" Chandler asked. "That's all you came up with?"

"I'm not good at this," Joey admitted.

"Okay. What does Phoebe like?"

"Lots of things," Joey answered.

"Okay, so find one of those things and do a proposal with it," Chandler suggested.

"Oh!" Joey exclaimed, snapping his fingers. "I could take her to a massage, have the masseuse wear the ring on her toe for Phoebe to see, and when Phoebe compliments the ring and says she'd love one like it, I take it off and propose to her with it!"

"Erm," Chandler said, scratching his head. "I dunno, Joe."

"I give up then," Joey sighed, sitting down.

"I have faith you'll figure something out," Chandler promised. Phoebe came into the apartment then without warning. Joey did not have time to hide the ring box, and he looked a bit freaked out.

"Hey," Phoebe said. Then she saw the ring box. "Um, what is that?"

"This?" Joey asked, holding it up. He looked at Chandler, who was almost having a panic attack. "Um...um, it's Chandler's!" He threw the box at Chandler, who barely caught it. He gaped at Joey.

"You're proposing to Monica?!" Phoebe gasped. "Oh my God! Can I see it?!"

"NO!" Chandler shouted, clutching the box for dear life. "No one gets to see it until...until it's on Monica's finger!" He shot Joey a "how could you do this to me" look, and Joey made an apologetic expression in return.

"I can't believe you're proposing to Monica so soon after getting together," Phoebe said. "I mean, I could see after, like, a few years of dating..." She shot Joey a look at this, and he did not miss it. "But so quickly...wow. Chandler, that's great."

"Don't tell Monica," Chandler ordered. "She has no idea."

"I won't say a word," Phoebe promised. She kept looking at Chandler and the box until he sucked his teeth.

"Well, gotta run," he said. He left in a hurry, wondering what the hell Joey was gonna do now.

Rachel & Ross

"I really don't want to do this," Rachel groaned. She looked fat in her dress, and even though she knew it wasn't actual fat, that it was a baby, her hormones were telling a different story.

"You look stunning, love," Ross said, looking at her.

"You think people know it's a baby and not just fat?" she asked.

"Rachel!" he scolded. "Of course people know it's a baby!"

"I'm sorry," she said, starting to cry. "My hormones are all over the place right now. I just want this baby to come out."

"July sixth is gonna get here before you know it," Ross assured her, going over to kiss her. "Then you'll say how much you miss being pregnant."

"I doubt it," Rachel shook her head. "It's really uncomfortable."

"Well, it'll be over soon," Ross said, not knowing what else to say. He rubbed her baby bump fondly. He hadn't asked the gender in the end. He decided to be surprised as well because Rachel wanted to be. He knew if he found out, he'd have a hard time not telling her or letting it slip by accident. He had a strong feeling it was a girl, though.

"I do love being our baby's home," Rachel said, realizing she was sounding bad for not enjoying being pregnant.

"I know what you mean," Ross nodded. "It's okay to like it and not like it at the same time."

"I'm so glad you understand me," Rachel sighed, smiling at him.

"So what is this event again we're going to?" Ross asked, changing the subject.

"A charity event for underprivileged children," Rachel answered. "There is a silent auction and an open bar."

"I love silent auctions!" Ross beamed.

"Okay just...no bidding on stuff without consulting me first," Rachel warned.

"All right," he promised, but he rubbed his hands together excitedly anyway. Rachel had a bad feeling about this.

Later-Phoebe & Monica

"You're so lucky," Phoebe sighed. She was at Monica's apartment watching Monica clean.

"Why's that?" Monica asked.

"You have Chandler."

"Aw, that's sweet," Monica smiled. "Where is that coming from?"

"He's just more on the ball with stuff, you know? I mean, he obviously knows what he wants," Phoebe said, feeling jealous. She wished Joey was going to propose to her. They had been dating for three years, and Joey was nowhere near ready to be engaged. She felt disappointed and a little frustrated.

"What's wrong, Phoebe?" Monica asked, sensing there was something.

"Chandler is gonna propose to you, and Joey won't even think about being engaged with me!" Phoebe exclaimed. Then she clapped a hand over her mouth. She wasn't supposed to say anything.

"What?!" Monica shrieked. What was this? What was happening?!

"I'm so sorry! He wanted it to be a surprise! But I mean, you guys haven't been dating all that long, and he's already going to propose? It's just not fair!" Phoebe wailed.

Monica gaped at Phoebe. There had to be something wrong with this. There had to be. Chandler was going to propose? Then Monica bristled inside a little bit. If it was true, Phoebe was making it all about her and not even pretending to be happy for Monica. Then Monica felt bad because Phoebe started to cry.

"Phoebs?" she said, sitting down beside her friend and putting a hand on her shoulder.

"I mean, where is this relationship even going?" Phoebe asked through her tears. "If he doesn't want to marry me, then what is the point?"

"Oh, Phoebs," Monica said, freaking out inside. But Joey was going to propose. This was getting into dangerous territory.

"I mean, what the hell?" Phoebe asked, still crying. "Maybe we should just break up."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Monica yelped. "Phoebe, that's a bit rash."

"Well? What would you do if the guy you were with for three years didn't want to marry you?" Phoebe challenged.

"Um...uh..." Monica stalled. She didn't know how to answer this.

"I gotta talk to him," Phoebe said, leaping to her feet.

"Are you sure? Are you sure you don't wanna just calm down a bit first?" Monica asked, panicking.

"No. I have to talk to him now before I change my mind," Phoebe answered, rushing off.

"Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God," Monica freaked. She hoped that Joey had this under control.

"Hey," Chandler said, coming in. "What's with Phoebe?"

"She said you're going to propose to me," Monica answered, crossing her arms and looking at him.

"S-She did?" Chandler asked, stuttering.

"Is that true?"

"No! She walked in while Joey was holding the ring box, and he threw it at me and said it was mine to cover the fact it was his!"

"Oh my God," Monica groaned. "She is going to break up with Joey because she thinks he doesn't want to marry her!"

"What do I do with this?" Chandler asked, holding up the ring box then.

"Give it to Joey!"

"He's not in his apartment."

"Well, where is he?!"

"I have no idea," Chandler answered, freaking out with her now.

"This is going to be so bad," Monica moaned, gripping at her face.

"He'll save it," Chandler assured her. "With or without the ring, he'll save it. I know he will."

"I hope you're right," Monica replied.

Ross & Rachel

"If one more person touches my baby bump, I might throat punch them," Rachel said, sitting down beside Ross. She got annoyed that people just assumed she wanted them to touch her.

"Hormones have switched tracks I see," Ross commented. He noticed she would flip from happy to crying to angry at the drop of a hat.

"I should just post a sign that says 'Open for Touching' on it," Rachel went on. "Since they don't even ask anyway."

"People get excited about a baby," Ross reasoned.

"I know, but still. Ask!" Rachel said, crumpling her napkin angrily. She rested her head on her hand as Ross waited for Mr. Thompson to start announcing winners. He was excited.

"Did you bid on anything?" Rachel asked, noticing his face when the announcements started.

"You'll see," Ross answered.

"Ross, what did you bid on?"

"And the romantic trip to Paris goes to Ross Geller for 2,300 dollars!" Mr. Thompson called, giving Ross a wink. He knew Ross was Rachel's husband.

"Yes!" Ross fist pumped.

"What?!" Rachel exclaimed. "Ross, what?!"

He turned to her.

"I know you've been really stressed out lately, and I've checked, you can fly up to 36 weeks pregnant. We can get a doctor's note in case the airlines ask for one to show you're healthy..."

"Ross, hypertension makes it that I can't fly," Rachel told him.

"The doctor said you didn't have it, though," Ross insisted. "Remember? He said if you keep your stress low, you won't get it."

"Ross, honey," Rachel said, grabbing his hand. "I love that you wanted to do something so romantic for me, and maybe it would be safe, but I really just don't want to risk it. I'm so sorry."

Ross looked at Rachel, and he knew if he pushed her to go, she'd be stressed out the whole time, and that was not good for the baby.

"You're right," he said, nodding. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gotten carried away."

"You were being your romantic self and trying to make me feel better," Rachel said, kissing his cheek. "It's okay. I appreciated the gesture."

"I just love you so much," he started.

"And I love you too. Let's go another time when we can actually enjoy it," Rachel said, squeezing his hand.

"Okay," he smiled. Then he furrowed his brow. "What do I do with the tickets?"

"We could find out who was the second highest bidder and see if they'll buy it, and you pay the difference," Rachel suggested.

"All right," Ross agreed, getting up. Rachel felt lucky to have Ross. She felt bad for saying no, but she was adamant she was not going to lose this baby. Safe or not, she wasn't up for taking the risk.

Joey & Phoebe

Joey looked up from his meatball sub to see Phoebe standing there. She looked like she had been crying.

"Hey," he said, frowning. "Are you okay?" He set down his sandwich.

"Are you really never going to marry me?" Phoebe asked, diving right in. Joey was taken aback. He didn't want to give away his surprise, so he decided to play a game and hope that he still won at the end.

"Phoebs, we talked about this," he said. "I'm just not ready."

"Are you ever going to be ready?"

"I don't know," Joey shrugged. "Marriage doesn't always work. I mean, divorce rates are like...really high." He didn't know the exact percentage or number. Chandler probably did. He should have asked him ahead of time to help with this conversation.

"So what are we even doing here then?" Phoebe demanded.

"Dating?"

"Dating," Phoebe repeated, laughing almost hysterically. "And that's good enough for you?"

"Isn't it good enough for you?" Joey countered. She looked at him strangely then, and he felt a bit nauseous.

"No," she shook her head. "It's not. Goodbye, Joey."

"Wait, where are you going?" Joey asked, panicking.

"To find someone who does want to marry me," Phoebe answered. "Whoever that is." She pushed the door open and left. Joey noticed everyone in the place staring at him.

"I've got a ring," he said defensively. "I'm throwing her off the trail."

"Well done," someone snorted. "You've thrown her off the bridge, not just the trail."

"All right," Joey said sarcastically. He got to his feet and left hurriedly. He had to get his ring back.

Monica's Apartment

Monica looked up when Joey came in.

"Have you seen Phoebe?" he asked.

"Last I saw her, she was on her way to break up with you," Monica told him. "You really have to stop messing with her."

"She just broke up with me," Joey explained. "Mon, what am I gonna do?!"

"Propose to her, damn it!" Monica shouted. She held out his ring box that Chandler had left.

"I haven't perfected it yet, though," Joey complained.

"Are you seriously worried about that right now? After she dumped you?" Monica challenged.

"Right. You're right. I gotta find her," Joey said, rushing out the door. Ross and Rachel moved aside as he burst through the door, and Rachel gave Monica a quizzical look.

"What's with him?" she asked. They came in and sat down.

"Okay, it's a secret, but Joey is proposing to Phoebe," Monica explained.

"Really?!" Rachel squealed, clapping her hands.

"Yes, but only he told Phoebe the ring was for me from Chandler, and she thinks he's never going to marry her, so she broke up with him," Monica finished, bringing them up to speed.

"Oh wow," Ross said, worried. "That's a mess."

"Yes. Let's hope he finds her real soon," Monica sighed.

Chandler & Phoebe

Chandler was sitting in Central Perk when Phoebe came in looking terrible. Her eyes were puffy and swollen from crying, and she kept biting at her lips to prevent from crying further.

"What happened?" Chandler asked, staring.

"I broke up with Joey," she answered, sitting on the couch beside him.

"What?!"

"He's not going to marry me. He doesn't want to. This isn't going to work because I want to get married," Phoebe explained. "And, I'm really sorry, but I gave away your proposal to Monica because I was really upset by the whole thing."

"Okay," Chandler said, holding out his hand. "Whoa. You need to hear the truth."

"What truth?" Phoebe asked, looking at him.

"I'm not proposing to Monica."

"Y-You're not?"

"No. That ring was for you," Chandler said. "Joey is going to propose to you. He just wanted it to be perfect. When you walked in, he panicked and said the ring was mine. He didn't want you to guess what he was doing. He wanted it to be a surprise."

Phoebe sat there shell shocked. Then she felt absolutely terrible.

"He thinks I broke up with him," she whispered.

"I imagine he's trying to find you as we speak to clear this up," Chandler assured her.

"What if I've messed it up forever?"

"I don't think you have," he answered.

"I'm going back to the apartment," she declared suddenly. "If he comes here looking for me, tell him that's where I am."

"Okay," Chandler promised. She hurried off.

Joey

He had looked everywhere. He eventually returned to the apartment feeling defeated. It really was over. He'd messed it all up. He smacked himself in the head, beating himself up. He ran into Chandler in the hallway.

"Did you find her?" Chandler asked.

"No," Joey answered, feeling defeated.

"I think she's in the apartment," Chandler told him.

"She is?"

"Yea. You might want to get in there and talk to her," he suggested.

"Thanks, man," Joey said, clapping his friend's back and rushing to the door. He stopped in his tracks when he saw a bunch of fake candles on with Phoebe standing in the middle of the room.

"I know you are a bit afraid of real candles right now," she commented. "And I also know you wanted it to be a surprise."

"Phoebs...I..."

"No, I'm sorry," she interrupted. "I got upset and didn't think. I should have realized you were trying to surprise me."

"I, uh, I wanted it to be perfect," he said.

"Just say it from your heart," she encouraged. "I'd do it, but I know I won't get through it without crying, and I really, really want to hear it from you."

"Okay," Joey said, going closer to her. "Okay." He had figured out what he wanted to do, and he hoped she wouldn't think it was lame or tacky. He had more planned, but he had run out of time. He probably couldn't learn to play the guitar in a week anyway. He decided to just go ahead without the music. She was surprised when he started to sing a little off key. She put a hand over her heart, touched.

Oh, what can I say?

You're such a beautiful lad-ay,

and nothing would make me more happ-ay

than you being in my life

forever as my wife.

Oh, Phoebe, this is me asking you,

and it is so very, very true,

will you marry meee?

Phoebe was crying now, and she knew Joey wasn't one to sing, that he got embarrassed by it, so it meant so much to her that he did it.

"Oh, yes," she nodded, still crying. "Hell, yes, I will marry you!"

She launched into his arms, and he hugged her tightly, crying a little himself. He'd almost lost her, and that showed him how much he really did want to marry her even more than he already did.

"Oh, it's so beautiful," she cried as he put the ring on her finger. She kissed him heartily then, feeling blessed and emotional.

"I love you," he said.

"I love you too."

They hugged some more until they heard a noise outside the door.

"Can we come in yet?" Monica called. "We're going crazy out here!"

"Come in!" Phoebe shouted. Ross, Rachel, Monica, and Chandler burst into the apartment and rushed over to their friends, hugging and laughing and exclaiming over the ring together.

"Well done," Ross said to Joey, clapping his back.

"It feels so right," Joey kept saying. He was so happy, and Phoebe was beaming and glowing.

Everything was perfect.

And now we're on to season 7! Stay tuned :)