Two Days Before the Wedding

Monica sat in the chair and felt nauseous. The doctor was flipping through papers in her chart, and she felt nervous.

"Well," he said. "I don't know what else to tell you. This is some pretty serious news for you."

"But it's really happening? I mean, it's not a mistake?" she asked.

"No, it's not a mistake," he said, folding her file and taking off his glasses.

"Okay," she said. "Okay. Wow."

"Are you going to be all right?" he asked.

"I...I don't know."

"Schedule a follow up appointment with the receptionist," he told her. "Come back in a couple of weeks, okay?"

"Okay."

Monica stood on wobbly legs and walked out. She felt like she couldn't breathe. She felt sick again, like she had been feeling for a few weeks now. This was really happening to her. She barely talked to the receptionist without crying. Then she went out into the hallway and worked hard to keep her composure for the public. She hugged herself tightly as she made her way to her car to go home.

She had no idea what to do next.

Chandler & Rachel

He was alone in the apartment. Monica had a doctor's appointment, and for whatever reason, she hadn't wanted him to go with her. He felt slightly concerned, but he was sure it was just about her not feeling well lately. He'd noticed she had been a bit peaky and pale looking and not herself. He tried not to think about how one of his aunts had looked that way before getting diagnosed with cancer. He refused to allow his brain to go there. She was fine. It was just some kind of flu bug. That was it.

He was sitting there looking at the engagement ring he was going to give her when Rachel burst through the door. He jumped, launching the ring in the air until he played the "got it, don't got it" game with his hands before firmly grasping it in his right hand before it hit the floor.

"I knew it!" Rachel shouted, pointing at it.

Chandler quickly hid the ring, but it was too late. She came over to stand next to him, arms crossed.

"All right, you got me," he agreed.

"I had my suspicions when Monica said you kept getting emotional and leaving the room when she was around," Rachel said.

"You guys noticed?"

"She thought you were going to break up with her."

"Oh no..."

"It's okay. She's figured it out by now that you're not."

"Because that was a few weeks ago..."

"I know, and I've been trying to catch you in the act since, and here we are," Rachel said triumphantly. She had asked Carol to watch Daniel that day for a bit so she could come over.

"That's why you keep popping over," Chandler said, realizing now. "And at my office."

"This is huge, Chandler!" Rachel cried, ignoring him. "Let me see it!"

He opened his hand and let her take it carefully.

"I was just walking past a jewelry store, and it called me in there," he explained.

"It's so beautiful," Rachel breathed. "Chandler, she is going to love this."

"If she says yes."

"Don't be an idiot. She told me she wants to marry you."

"She did?!"

"Yea when we were getting Phoebe's wedding dress. She said she didn't know how to talk about it with you without getting you freaked out."

"I married her in Vegas, didn't I? It doesn't freak me out. If anything, I regret not staying married to her."

"You're going to do it right this time," Rachel declared. "Right?"

"Yes."

"Good."

"Don't tell Ross," Chandler said. "I don't want to risk Monica finding out."

"I won't say a word," she promised. "When are you going to ask her?"

"After Phoebe and Joey's wedding," he replied.

Rachel gave a squeal and gripped his shoulder tightly with the hand that wasn't holding the ring. He took it from her, putting it away before Monica got back.

"I'm the first person you call after you propose," Rachel said.

"Sure," Chandler nodded, doubting very much that he would be calling her first.

Monica came inside then, and both of them could tell something was wrong with her.

"Hey," Chandler said. "You okay?"

"Huh? Yea," Monica answered.

"You sure? You look...sick," Rachel said.

"I'm fine!" Monica insisted. She walked past them, and Rachel and Chandler shared a look. He was trying not to be freaked out.

"Is she sick, Chandler?" Rachel asked in a hushed voice.

"I'm starting to think so," he answered. "She just went to see her doctor."

"Oh my God," Rachel said, feeling sick herself suddenly. Monica couldn't be sick. She just couldn't be.

"I'll get it out of her," Chandler promised. He felt panicked. He had no idea what he was going to do if Monica was seriously ill. He couldn't imagine life without her.

Phoebe

"This is nice," Phoebe smiled. Gloria Tribbiani was sitting across from her at a small restaurant. They had agreed to have lunch together, which Phoebe hoped would become a sort of weekly or monthly tradition. Before Phoebe knew what was happening, Gloria smacked down her menu and leaned forward on her elbows, looking intensely at Phoebe.

"Is there something on my face?" Phoebe asked hopefully. She didn't like the way Gloria was looking at her.

"Are you sure you're gonna be able to handle my Joey?" Gloria asked.

"I wouldn't be marrying him if I didn't think I could," Phoebe answered nervously.

"He's my special boy, you know. Are you gonna be able to take care of him?"

"Again, that's in the vows that I'm going to be saying tomorrow," Phoebe pointed out.

"I'm being serious here, doll," Gloria said firmly. "Are you sure you can do this? Marriage? Having kids? Dealing with fights? The late nights with sick kids? The mundane, day to day stuff?"

"We've made it this far," Phoebe said. "I think we'll be okay, Mrs. Tribbiani." She still hadn't gotten permission to call her Gloria yet.

"Hmm," Gloria said, picking her menu back up again. "Okay. Cos if you know you can't do it, then you better back out now before you hurt my boy."

Phoebe didn't know what else to say. Their lunch was now awkward and quiet, not at all what Phoebe had been hoping for.

One Day Before the Wedding

Phoebe was still thinking about Gloria and all the words she had thrown at Phoebe the day before. It was making her anxious and jittery.

"Guess what?!" Joey exclaimed, bursting into their apartment. She plastered on a smile for him.

"What?"

"Do you remember that movie I auditioned for and didn't get?"

"The one with the pilot and the dog who flies planes?"

"Don't even get me started on that," Joey said, pointing at her seriously. "That one still really hurts."

"So the World War I film then," Phoebe said. "Really?!"

"Yes! The guy backed out, and the part is mine! I start today!"

"Today?!" Phoebe exclaimed. "Joey, it's the day before our wedding! We have rehearsal tonight!"

"I'll be done before rehearsal," Joey promised.

"Okay. Well...yay!" Phoebe said, hugging him tightly.

"I gotta go tell everyone!" Joey cried, rushing out the door after. Phoebe stood there lost in her thoughts and wondering if she was making the right decision in marrying him after all.

Monica & Chandler

Chandler was growing more and more nervous. First of all, Monica was dodging his questions and not telling him what happened at the doctor's office the day before. She just kept saying she didn't want to say anything until after the wedding, and that made him even more scared that she really was sick and didn't want to ruin the happy event. The second reason was because he was officiating the wedding, and he was scared as hell to stand in front of everyone and do it. He had gotten his license, and he spent hours practising and rehearsing what he was supposed to say. He had it written down on a piece of paper just in case, but he was still anxious about it.

"I think Phoebe is getting cold feet," Monica said, coming in then.

"How so?"

"She just seems off. I can't explain it."

Like you are, Chandler thought. He kept it to himself, though.

"I hope not."

"I think Gloria put some pressure on her yesterday," Monica said, thinking. "That woman can be scary, and this is her only son we're talking about here."

"You're probably right," Chandler agreed. He watched Monica do her thing, and he almost went to get his ring in that moment to propose to her, but he held off. He didn't want Phoebe yelling at him for stealing her thunder or something like that. He'd wait, but he'd do it before she gave him the bad news about her health so she wouldn't think he was pitying her.

Oh, what a pickle he was in.

Ross & Rachel

"I can't believe Joey and Phoebe will be married tomorrow at this time," Rachel said as she helped Ross with his tie.

"I know! I honestly thought they wouldn't make it."

"Ross," she scolded.

"Not in a bad way. I just...I never thought Joey would settle down. I hope he doesn't hurt her. I wonder if I should have a big brother talk with him," Ross said.

"You're not Phoebe's brother..."

"I know, but sometimes I feel like I could be," Ross said.

"Let Frank Jr. do that," Rachel suggested.

"Where has he been anyway?" Ross asked. "He's in the wedding too."

"They have triplets, Ross," Rachel pointed out. "He's got a lot going on with work and Alice and all those kids."

"Right," Ross agreed. "Fair enough."

"You look so handsome," Rachel said, smoothing his tuxedo out now.

"And you look stunning," Ross replied, taking in her dress. "Have you thought at all about the whole buying my parents' house thing?"

"How the hell did your mind go from my dress to buying the house?" Rachel asked.

"You don't wanna know," Ross answered. "So? Have you?"

"This really isn't the time for that discussion," Rachel admonished. "But yes, I've been thinking about it."

"They're still working on it anyway," Ross told her. "But I told them I'd let them know soon."

"Okay. Let's leave it at that, shall we? Let's go," she urged. She smiled as he took her arm and they left the bedroom.

"Wow," Carol said, nodding her approval. "You guys look amazing."

"Thanks for babysitting," Ross said.

"I wanna go too," Ben said then. They had celebrated his sixth birthday a few days earlier, and you could tell he was six just by looking at him. It had been a small party but fun. Ross couldn't believe his son was now six. Time just went too fast.

"I know, but it's a grown up thing. You'll get to come to the wedding tomorrow, but tonight is just for adults."

"Okay."

Ross ruffled Ben's hair and kissed Daniel's head goodbye. Rachel did too.

"Have fun!" Carol called after them.

Phoebe & Joey

"Man, this guy won't stop spitting on me," Joey complained as they were on their way to the rehearsal dinner. Phoebe was playing with her hair absently.

"That's too bad," she replied.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

"Just nervous."

"Me too," Joey admitted. "I think this movie coming was just in time for a good distraction."

"You want to marry me, right?" Phoebe asked. "It's not just because you can't find someone else?"

"What would make you ask such a ridiculous thing?" Joey asked. "Of course I want to marry you! I love you."

"Okay," Phoebe nodded. "Just making sure."

He took her hand in his then, and he continued talking about his spitting co-star to take their minds off of things.

During the Rehearsal Dinner

"Are you okay?" Rachel asked Monica as they stood watching others mingle.

"I'm fine."

"You'd be honest with me if something was wrong, right?" Rachel asked.

"I have to tell the chef what phenomenal work he has done tonight," Monica said, changing the subject and walking away. Rachel suddenly felt nervous.

"What?" Chandler asked, coming over and seeing her face.

"Monica just avoided answering if she'd tell me if something was wrong," Rachel answered.

"She won't tell me either," Chandler admitted.

"Okay, well when this wedding is over, we are having an intervention," Rachel said firmly.

"Agreed."

"There's the second most important person in this wedding!" Joseph Sr. said, coming and clapping Chandler on the back.

"How's that now?" Chandler asked nervously.

"You're officiating! That's right up there with being the groom," Joseph Sr. explained. "You have the most important job."

"Ah...ahuh," Chandler said, pulling at his tie. He felt like he couldn't breathe suddenly. He went off to get some air.

"Sorry we're late," Frank Jr. said, coming with Alice. "The kids were throwing one hell of a fight before we left."

"I need to talk to you," Ross interrupted, taking Frank Jr.'s arm and pulling him away. Rachel started talking to Alice about kids and the funny things they do and say.

"What?" Frank Jr. asked when they stopped.

"Have you had the brother talk with Joey?" Ross asked.

"He's not my brother..." Frank Jr. said, pausing. Ross face palmed himself.

"I meant have you told him to not mess around with your sister or else you'd kick his ass?" Ross clarified. Frank Jr. leaned around Ross to see Joey standing with Phoebe and talking to his sisters.

"Um, yea...no. He could kill me," Frank Jr. said. "Like literally."

"With that attitude maybe," Ross said. "You gotta be tough and tell him to not hurt your sister."

"I'll pass," Frank Jr. said, edging away from Ross now.

"Wimp," Ross muttered after he was gone.

"Hello, love," Phoebe Sr. said to Phoebe as they stood on the sidelines.

"You came!"

"Of course! I wouldn't miss my daughter's wedding," Phoebe Sr. said.

"Well, I'm glad you're here."

"You doing okay? Nervous?"

"A little."

"It'll be all right," Phoebe Sr. said, hugging her then. "I see Ursula isn't here."

"I didn't invite her. She never cared about me anyway."

"Fair enough. You better go mingle, though. I'll be right here."

"Okay," Phoebe nodded, going to do so.

The rest of the rehearsal went smoothly. Joey's sister, Mary Angela, said a speech on behalf of all the sisters. The friends weren't sure if she was complimenting Phoebe or not. It had been kind of vague and mostly about Joey. When it was over, they all returned to their homes. Chandler went to stay with Joey, and Phoebe went to stay with Monica.

"Tomorrow you'll be married," Monica said to Phoebe, smiling.

"Yea."

"Are you okay?" Monica asked, sensing her friend was not as thrilled as she should be.

"What if I'm not ready for this? What if I can't take care of him?" Phoebe asked.

"Where is this coming from?"

"Gloria."

"I wouldn't let her get into your head. She's just being a mother, Phoebe. You'd probably do the same thing with your kids," Monica pointed out.

"You're probably right."

It still didn't make her feel better about it, though.

Later

Joey came home from his filming to find a note on the counter. He frowned, looking at it. Then he went over and knocked on Monica's door.

"Yea?" she said, answering.

"Look at this," he said, and she came out into the hall.

"Chandler wrote this?" she asked, reading it.

"Yea! He freaked out about officiating and bolted," Joey said. "Don't tell Phoebe. She'll freak out, and I don't want her to freak out. I already can't tell her that I have to work tomorrow."

"What?! Joey!"

"We'll be done by four," Joey said. "I promise. You gotta find Chandler anyway or else we can't get married."

"Okay. We'll find him," Monica promised. "Get some rest. I'm sure he'll be back by morning anyway. And don't be late for your own wedding!"

"Okay," Joey nodded. "Please don't tell Phoebe. I don't want to upset her." Then he went back to his apartment. Monica bit her lip and hoped she was right. She went to call Ross, who agreed to start looking.

"Oh, hey, Rach said you didn't look well. Are you okay?" Ross asked before they hung up.

"I'm not discussing this over the phone," Monica answered. "Or before the wedding."

"Mon, are you sick?!"

"Ross, go find Chandler," Monica ordered, hanging up on him. She hugged herself, though. She didn't feel well again. She hoped she wouldn't feel this way during the wedding.

The Wedding Day

"It's exciting that Joey is filming a movie," Rachel commented. She was with Phoebe and helping her get ready for the wedding. Monica was out with Ross trying to find Chandler. Rachel couldn't understand why he was so freaked out about doing the ceremony. Monica said she was on standby to get ordained if he wouldn't do it.

"Acting is important for him, and I support that," Phoebe said. "Like a good, devoted wife does."

"Phoebs, what's up?" Rachel asked, sensing the tone. "Are you getting cold feet?"

"I just don't think I'm wife material," Phoebe answered. "I mean, how can I be? I didn't have a mother to teach me how to. My own mother in law doesn't have faith in me."

"Gloria can stuff it," Rachel retorted. "She lets her husband continue to have an affair so as not to lose her marriage and he'll give her gifts out of guilt. What does that say about her?"

"Oh my God! You're right! I forgot all about that," Phoebe said, feeling a bit better.

"I think you're going to be an amazing wife, Phoebe," Rachel smiled. "Don't let anyone else tell you anything different."

"Thank you," Phoebe said, going to hug Rachel, who felt good inside. She had stopped a potential disaster.

"I wish I could go see Joey," Phoebe said after.

"No! It's bad luck!" Rachel cried. She also knew that Joey was filming that day and that Phoebe was not to know about it.

"I know, I know. Don't get your knickers in a knot," Phoebe snorted. Rachel calmed herself down then. Another disaster avoided.

Monica & Ross

"Where the hell would he go?" Ross asked, annoyed.

"I don't understand why he's even freaking out," Monica said, sighing. "It's not him that's getting married."

"Well, he is the second most important person there..."

"Stop it. That's what got him all freaked out to start with!"

Ross closed his mouth. He refrained from asking her again about her health. Rachel was right, Monica didn't look so good.

"I got it," Monica said suddenly, snapping her fingers.

"Where?" Ross asked.

Chandler

He looked at Ross and Monica as they walked into his office. Both had their arms crossed.

"I should have hid at the gym," he commented.

"What the hell are you doing?" Ross demanded. "You are marrying Phoebe and Joey today!"

"What if I screw it up? What if I forget what to say? Everyone will remember how bad the ceremony was!"

"Chandler! You've got it all written down. Just read it for God's sake," Monica huffed.

"What if I'm bad luck? What if it somehow rubs off on them and they divorce within the year?"

"Chandler, stop," Monica said. "That's enough. Come home and get ready."

"I'll kick your ass if you don't," Ross threatened. Chandler burst into laughter then.

"Sure, sure," he said after. "Okay. I'm coming."

He knew he was being an idiot, but it didn't stop him from still being anxious, though.

Phoebe & Rachel

Phoebe was growing impatient. Rachel was taking a lot longer than usual in the bathroom, and she had to start getting ready.

"Rach? Is it stuck? Do you need something to help you get it out?" Phoebe called through the door.

"Ew, Phoebe!" Rachel exclaimed, opening the door. "I'm fine, thank you."

"What were you doing in there?" Phoebe demanded.

"Nothing," Rachel answered, sliding past her. Phoebe shook her head as she went in and started on her makeup. She noticed there wasn't any tissue in there and wondered what was wrong with Monica that she wasn't stocked up as usual. She grimaced as she rooted around the waste basket, trying to find semi clean used tissues. She pulled up a bunch, and a pregnancy test fell out. She stared at it for a moment before picking it up. It was positive.

She looked at the door, realizing that Rachel was pregnant again. No wonder she took so long in the bathroom. She was waiting for the results and then dealing with it before facing Phoebe. Putting it back into the trash can, Phoebe decided to keep it to herself. Rachel would tell them when she was ready.

Joey

"Come on," Joey said. "I have to go. He's drunk, man, come on!" He was frustrated. They had been trying to film the same scene for a while now, and Richard was still screwing it up. He was beginning to panic because it was getting closer to the time he was getting married.

"I'm sorry, Joey, but we need to finish this," Aaron, the director, said.

"It's my wedding day," Joey argued. "I have to go."

"It's your wedding day?!" Aaron asked, surprised.

"Did I not tell you that?" Joey countered. "I was sure I did. Look, I have to be there or else my wife will divorce me."

Aaron raised a brow at this but didn't comment.

"We just need this scene, and then you're free to go. Richard is here, and as long as he's here, we film."

"I really have to go now..."

"Joey," Aaron warned.

"Okay, okay," Joey said, wringing his hands once Aaron had walked away. He went to find Richard then. The man was in his room drinking hard core still. Joey felt very annoyed.

"Hey, man, we're all good here for today. We're done," he said.

"Really?" Richard asked. "We got the scene?"

"Yup! Good to go. Your car is just outside."

"Oh, are we done for the day?" Richard asked, confused.

"That's what you told me," Joey answered, realizing he could get the heat off of him. Richard went to lay on the couch, but Joey went and picked him up.

"Here we go," Joey said. "Come on."

He carried Richard out of there. He was not missing his own wedding.

Just Before the Ceremony

"Where is Joey?" Ross hissed. He was with Frank Jr. and getting ready to head down the aisle to wait for the bride.

"I don't know," Chandler answered. "I thought you knew."

"He didn't take off too did he?"

"Hey, I came back," Chandler said indignantly. It had taken some convincing on Monica's part that he could do this, but he was there.

"Are we good?" Monica asked, appearing then.

"Joey isn't here."

"What?!"

"We have no idea where he is," Ross added.

"He got told to work today. He's filming."

"Why would he do that?" Chandler demanded.

"Because he said they would be done by four. Clearly something went wrong," Monica growled. They heard scuffling then, and Joey appeared wearing his bloody army costume.

"I'm here! Did I miss it?" he asked, skidding to a stop in front of them.

"You have to change," Monica insisted.

"I can't. My tux is at the apartment. I just barely got out of work."

"Joey..."

"We're about the same size," Frank Jr. piped up. "We can switch."

"You'd do that for me?" Joey asked.

"Yea. You're my new brother. Of course I'll help you out," Frank Jr. said.

"Hurry!" Monica hissed, and the two soon to be brothers in law rushed off to change. She held her head then, feeling dizzy.

"Mon?" Ross prompted.

"I'm fine. Just get him down that aisle," Monica ordered before going back to Phoebe and Rachel.

"I gotta pee again. I'm so sorry," Rachel apologized, rushing off.

"The baby's not even big enough to be pressing on her bladder and she's already having problems," Phoebe sighed.

"What?" Monica asked. Phoebe covered her mouth then, aghast.

"Oh no," she said. "I wasn't supposed to say anything."

"Rachel's pregnant again?" Monica demanded.

"I found her pregnancy test this afternoon. I didn't want to let on I knew. Oh, I'm so terrible at this," Phoebe sighed.

Monica was shocked. Rachel was not even a year having Daniel yet. She wondered how Rachel was handling it.

"Okay. I'm good," Rachel said, returning. She adjusted her dress. Monica couldn't pick up on any distress from her. Maybe she was handling it just fine.

"I'm ready," Phoebe said. They all looked at each other, suddenly trying not to cry. Phoebe felt sad that her father wasn't there to walk her down the aisle, but she had decided she was okay to do it alone.

They began to make their way down the aisle.

...

Chandler was doing all right. He remembered all the things to say, and he wasn't shaking as bad as he thought he would. Phoebe and Joey were beaming at each other, and it was time for their vows. Joey went first.

"You never know who you're going to end up with forever," he started. "I had this group of friends, and then suddenly one of my friends became so much more, and every day I am with her makes me even more lucky and blessed. I love you, Phoebe, and I can't wait to marry you."

Chandler choked back his tears before turning to Phoebe.

"And yours," he managed to say.

"Joey," she began. "I fell in love with you right after you mistook me for my sister. You were this feeling that just wouldn't go away, and I'm glad it didn't because I get to stand here today and marry my best friend, the man I love, and I couldn't be any happier."

They exchanged rings, and Chandler finished the ceremony with the famous last words:

"You may now kiss the bride."

He grinned as Joey and Phoebe kissed passionately and then turned away as it got a bit vigorous. He cleared his throat, and they stopped.

They walked down the aisle, smiling and laughing as the guests cheered them on. Ross and Rachel walked down together, and Monica and Frank Jr. followed. Frank Jr. had gotten some stares, especially from Phoebe when she first saw him, as he wore the bloody uniform. Joey looked good, though, which was important.

They met up in the room where photos were going to be done, and they all laughed and hugged each other.

"You went to work today," Phoebe accused, looking at Joey.

"I couldn't get out of it, but I made it just in time," he said. "Frank Jr. swapped suits with me."

"I saw that."

"I can't believe you're married!" Rachel cried, interrupting and stopping yet another potential disaster/fight. It made them smile again.

"I can't believe you're having another baby!" Phoebe cried back. "Oh, damn it! I did it again!"

"Wait, what?" Ross asked, looking at Rachel.

"You're having another baby?" Chandler asked, surprised. Joey was shocked too.

"Um, no?" Rachel said, confused. "Phoebs, why would you say that?"

"I found your pregnancy test," Phoebe answered.

"Where?"

"Monica's bathroom. You were in there so long earlier. I knew that's what you were doing."

"No," Rachel shook her head. "I wasn't. I was caught up in a magazine."

"So you're not pregnant," Ross clarified. He had been excited at the thought of having another child. He felt a little disappointed now.

"No," Rachel laughed. "I'm not pregnant."

"Then whose pregnancy test was it?" Phoebe asked, looking at them all and feeling confused.

"Mine," Monica answered.

They all turned to stare at her.

"Mon?" Ross asked. "You? But...the doctor said you couldn't..."

"I know. He doesn't know what happened. He's just as shocked as you all are."

"Oh my God! You're having a medical marvel like Mom!" Ross cried.

"Oh my God," Monica moaned. Chandler went to take her aside at this point, feeling a strange feeling in his stomach.

"You're really pregnant?" he asked while the others tittered about the news behind them.

"Yes," she nodded. "I wanted to wait until after the wedding to tell everyone. I didn't want to overshadow Phoebe and Joey's day."

"This is amazing," Chandler said.

"You're not freaking out? That's another reason I put off telling you," Monica confessed.

"I'm not. I'm happy. This is incredible, Mon."

"I love you," she said, tearing up now.

"I love you too," he replied, kissing her.

"That's why you've been sick!" Rachel cried, getting it now. Monica and Chandler rejoined the group now.

"Right," Chandler said. "You had us scared."

"I'm sorry. I was still processing it all myself," Monica said. "On top of the other reasons I just told you."

"This is the best wedding present ever," Phoebe announced, grinning. They all hugged Monica then, and she laughed and smiled and cried. It was all just so wonderful.

She was having a baby.