"What do we do?" Monica asked. They were at her place. Just the parents.

"I knew she wasn't herself," Rachel said, sniffing. She felt so bad for Ben.

"She always was a flight risk," Ross commented.

"Hey, that's my birth niece you're talking about," Phoebe snapped.

"I'm sorry, Phoebs, but she's had a lot of trouble in her past it seems. Maybe you should be more upset," Ross snarked back.

"Stop it, both of you," Rachel ordered.

"Did he say why?" Chandler cut in, looking at Ross.

"No."

"Then maybe we should talk to him."

"Where would she go?" Joey asked. He didn't know Channie well enough. He felt sorry for Ben.

"I'm going to see Ben," Ross said, moving away from them. He wanted answers too.

Erica

She was going out the door once the art show was over when a voice stopped her short.

"This was really great, Erica," Robbie said. She turned to face him.

"You came," she said dumbly.

"I wouldn't miss it," he answered. He stood with his hands in his pockets. He looked a little sad. Erica knew she hadn't given him a real reason for breaking up. Honestly, she felt overwhelmed with her feelings for him and got scared. She didn't want to want someone that much. She wanted to be independent.

"It's nice to see you," she said.

"And you," he nodded.

"Take care," she told him. He looked as though he was going to say something else, but he shut his mouth and just bowed his head.

"You too," he replied. Erica hurried away then. She didn't want him to see her cry.

Six Months Earlier

Erica fiddled with her fork, knowing that what she was going to say next was going to rapidly kill the mood.

"Are you okay?" Robbie asked, laughing. "That fork might not want to be molested by your fingers in public."

Erica coughed a laugh. He had been hanging around her father too much. His attempts at jokes and humor were cute, but they needed some work.

"I...I have to talk to you," she said.

"Uh oh," he replied, folding his hands and looking at her. "This is serious." They were in her apartment. Jack was out for the evening. He was most likely looking for someone to replace Leslie.

"I think we should break up," she blurted out. She bit her lip, looking at him finally.

"What?" he asked, shocked.

"I just...I need to be independent for a while," she went on.

"When did you become dependent? You can be independent in a relationship, you know," Robbie pointed out.

"I just need this, okay? Please understand," she begged. He studied her for a moment.

"I scare you, don't I?" he asked.

"I'd like it if you left now," she said instead. Her heart was racing. She had ripped the bandaid off. Now she was dealing with the agony of the pain.

"Erica..."

"Please, Robbie. Don't make this any harder than it needs to be."

"Okay," he said quietly. He got up and briefly paused, wondering if he should hug her. When she didn't get up, he gave a small nod and went to the door, grabbing his coat. Then he was gone.

Present

Channie hated airports. There was too much rushing around and people everywhere. She felt nauseous and worried. She hoped Ben wasn't too upset. She tried not to think about him. She had to stay focused.

"Flight 1429 is now boarding," the woman said. She exhaled. This was it.

Jack

He couldn't find someone to replace Leslie because all he did was compare them to her, and they all fell short. He spent many nights wandering New York and trying to meet someone, anyone, to take his mind off of her. It never worked. Now, he was in his apartment and thinking about how he was going to handle Leslie coming home with Gus. Their year was up, and no one had said she wasn't coming back. His mother had even said something about hiring her back at the restaurant. He dreaded seeing her. They had ended on a bad note the last time he had seen her. He had gone to the airport for one last attempt, but in the end, he couldn't do it. He had let her go. He looked up to see a tearful Erica enter the apartment.

"What happened?" he asked.

"Hormones," she answered.

"You saw Robbie," he nodded.

"Why was he there?! Did he think I was just going to take him back?" she demanded.

"I'm still confused as to why you ended it," Jack said, echoing his earlier statement from that evening. Erica didn't answer. She just stormed to her room and shut the door hard. Jack sank back down into the couch, his mind sliding back to Leslie again.

Frank & Emma

"I can't believe her," Frank said, pacing. Emma watched from the couch. They were back home from Erica's gallery.

"Poor Ben," Emma agreed. They had heard about what had happened.

"I can't get a hold of Leslie," Frank sighed angrily. "If anyone knows where she is, it's her."

"She's probably at work," Emma reasoned. Frank kept pacing and huffing. He knew Channie was fragile. He didn't know why, but he always knew something had happened to her. He wished she had just let him in.

The Next Day

Leslie awoke with her eyes almost swollen shut. She broke her mouth free of it's morning glue-like substance and sat up. It was easily afternoon. She had slept poorly and took forever to fall asleep. She knew she had to catch her flight. Gus would not be joining her. She got up and showered. She brushed her teeth. She looked at herself in the mirror and pretended to know the person who was looking back at her.

"You did the right thing," she told her anguished looking face. She knew she had. She left the hotel and caught a cab. She arrived at the airport and made her way through all the steps it took to get on board.

"Flight 1429 is now boarding."

She stood, picking up her bags when she heard a voice calling her name.

"Leslie!"

She turned, frowning. Then she saw her.

"Channie?!" she exclaimed. Her very own sister was standing there. In France.

"What do you mean you aren't coming to the wedding?" Channie demanded, looking at her with crossed arms.

"I can't," she answered. "I can't face him."

"Jack? Come on. That's no reason to run away. Where are you going anyway?" Channie asked.

"Italy," Leslie answered sheepishly. Channie went to hug her then.

"You can't run away," she said, pulling back after. "Gus was a jerk. Some guys are jerks, but you can't let them ruin your life."

"I'm going somewhere new," Leslie argued. "It's not ruining my life. And besides, he wasn't just a jerk boyfriend. He was a jerk fiance. He cheated on me. I saw the text messages."

"Okay, so he's a rat bastard, but you are coming home," Channie said firmly. "Come on." She pulled Leslie towards the desks to buy a ticket.

"Channie..."

"No buts."

"What did Ben say about you coming all the way over here?"

"I didn't tell him."

"What?! He's gonna think you bailed on him!"

"I left him a note. I just didn't want him interfering, and I knew he would if I told him beforehand," Channie answered.

"You're getting married tomorrow," Leslie said. "You're gonna be exhausted."

"I don't care," Channie said. "As long as you're there with me. We can be exhausted together."

"You really love me, don't you?"

"And don't you forget it," Channie answered, looking at her fiercely. Leslie started to cry then.

"Thank you," she sniffed.

"You'd do it for me," Channie reasoned. She put her arm around Leslie then as her sister cried on.

Ben & Ross

Ross had stayed the night to comfort his son. It was morning now, and Ben was going crazy trying to understand what was happening.

"Why didn't she at least tell me the reason?" Ben asked.

"I don't know," Ross answered, rubbing his face. He had had his own bad experiences with marriage. He didn't want this for Ben. It was beginning to feel like a family curse.

"I thought I had proved to her she could trust me? What more can I do to show her that I will never hurt her?"

"What did the note say?" Ross asked.

"What note?" Ben asked. Ross stared at him.

"You mean, there's no note?!"

"No."

"Then why are you assuming she left you?" Ross asked, incredulous.

"She's not here, is she? That's a pretty big indicator to me!" Ben shouted.

Ross sat there bewildered. If she hadn't left a note, then why would he assume the worst? Ben's phone rang then, and he frowned at the number.

"I don't know who this is," he said.

"Just answer it. Maybe it's her."

"Oh really? From...France?" Ben asked, squinting at the number.

"What?" Ross asked, going to look too. "France?"

"Weird," Ben said.

"Isn't Leslie in France right now?" Ross asked, puzzled.

"Oh my God, you're right," Ben said, answering it immediately. "Hello?"

"Ben?" Channie's voice sounded in his ear. Ross sighed in relief, hearing it.

"Channie! What the hell? Why are you in France?!" Ben exclaimed.

"I went to get Leslie."

"What? Why?"

"She broke up with Gus and wasn't coming to the wedding. She needed me."

"And you couldn't have left me a note?!" Ben said angrily.

"I did," she said.

"Wait...what?" he asked.

"It was on the bed," she went on.

"No, it wasn't," Ben said, going to look.

"Right on your pillow," Channie said. "I swear." Ben looked but didn't see it.

"It's not here."

"Look under the bed."

"Why would it be there?"

"I don't know. A draft? The wind off you moving around? Just look," Channie said, exasperated. Ben got onto his hands and knees and looked under his bed. Sure enough, the note was sitting there. He pulled it out, reading it.

Ben,

Leslie needs me. I'm going to bring her home. Be back for our wedding. I love you xoxo. Channie

"Oops," he muttered.

"You thought I bailed on our wedding, didn't you?" Channie asked.

"I, uh, had a feeling," he said sheepishly.

"Oh, Ben. I'll see you in a few hours okay?"

"Okay."

"I love you."

"Love you too."

Ben hung up and looked at Ross, who had his eyebrow raised.

"The next time you call failed marriage, I just might not be there," Ross warned.

"I'm sorry."

"You can tell everyone you were wrong."

"I will."

"I'm going home now."

"Okay."

Ross left, shaking his head. Honestly.

The Next Day

Channie was exhausted, but she had her sister back, and that was all that mattered.

"It's your wedding!" Alice shrieked, coming into her room.

"Ugghhh," Channie moaned, having forgotten the girls had stayed at her place that night. Ben and the others were with Frank Jr. at his apartment.

"Oh, you're gonna be so beautiful," Alice went on, gushing. She pulled the dress out and put it on the door.

"What time is it?" Channie asked.

"Eleven."

"Oh, shit," Channie said, sitting up boltright.

"You've got three hours before your wedding," Alice assured her. Channie got up and rushed out to get coffee. She had a lot of work to do to get ready. Emma was already up with Erica. Phoebe was pouring herself coffee.

"Where's Leslie?" Channie asked, panicking.

"Can't a girl pee anymore without someone filing a missing person's report?" Leslie asked, coming out of the bathroom.

"I was only asking."

"Sure. You thought I took off."

"Promise me you won't."

"I won't!"

"Thank you," Channie said, relieved.

"Your Uncle Chandler took off on his wedding day," Phoebe chimed in.

"What? Seriously?" Leslie asked.

"We found him of course. He was hiding in his office. Ross hi yaahed him, and it was all good," Phoebe smirked.

"What?" Channie asked, confused.

"You had to be there," Phoebe commented.

"Hair time!" Alice cried, coming out with her curling iron. Channie's hair was to her waist. Her mother had her work cut out for her.

"Okay. Let's get ready," Channie smiled.

The Wedding-Jack

He stood beside Ben and Frank, waiting for the procession of girls to start. Leslie, Erica, and Emma came down first. Jack caught his breath when he saw Leslie. She was beautiful. Her royal blue dress looked amazing on her. Jack felt annoyed at Gus for bailing on Ben. Ross had stepped in, and it just felt weird to have a parent standing with them. It didn't help he was taller too.

"This is it," Ben murmured when the music changed. Jack didn't look at Channie, who was coming down the aisle hanging onto Frank Sr.'s arm. He was looking at Leslie, who was ignoring him. He had to talk to her after the ceremony. He just had to.

Channie made her way down the aisle, smiling. Frank Sr. was crying. Ben was beaming. Jack had laughed at his cousin's stupidity for thinking Channie had left him, but he understood Ben's fear. Channie was the perfect girl for him. Losing her would have killed him. He understood that. He tuned out most of the ceremony, his thoughts only for Leslie. He caught the vows, though. He couldn't miss them with Ben being emotional.

"Channie, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I promise you that I will spend forever by your side loving you and showing you how amazing you really are. I love you."

Jack felt bad that Channie didn't get to go first. She was crying and had to stop before saying her vows.

"Ben, you've shown me that I can trust again. I've never loved anyone more than I've loved you. I can't wait to start this journey with you and grow old with you. I love you."

Jack saw Leslie wiping at her eyes then. He wanted to hug her, tell her everything would be all right.

"You may kiss the bride," the minister said, and Ben kissed Channie as though his life depended on it. That's when Jack realized he wanted this one day. Marriage. He looked at Leslie again, who was clapping and smiling. He wanted it with her.

Erica

"Your brother is smitten," Monica commented at the reception. Everyone was dancing by this point. Chandler was doing some moves with Emma without moving his feet. Monica wondered if he had slippery shoes again.

"I know he is," Erica nodded, resting her chin on her hand. She watched Channie and Ben dance together. They were so in love. She regretted throwing her love away.

"It's not too late," Monica said, touching Erica's arm lightly. She turned to look at her.

"For what?"

"You know what."

"Mom, I'm not getting back with Robbie."

"Oh, honey. I know you're scared. I was scared when your father and I started to get serious, but here we are today. Don't miss out because you worry it won't work out. Let time figure that out for you."

"What if it doesn't work out? I don't want to hurt," Erica whispered.

"You're already hurting, aren't you?" Monica asked. Erica nodded. "Then I think maybe you owe it to yourself to try before you jump off the horse while it's still running. Let it completely stop next time." She watched her daughter think for a moment.

"Tell Channie I had to slip out," Erica said finally.

"I will."

"Thanks, Mom."

"Good luck."

Erica kissed Monica's forehead before leaving the building. Monica stood and went to join Chandler on the dance floor. He was sweating furiously.

"Do you need a fork?" she teased, remembering he tried that trick last time.

"No. I'm good," he grinned. He pulled her into the dance, and she laughed. She loved this man, and she hoped Erica would experience the same kind of love Monica had been blessed with.

Joey/Emma/Frank Jr.

"If it's a boy, can you call him Joey?" Joey asked Emma, who had stopped dancing at this point. They were sitting at one of the tables watching everyone else dance.

"Maybe," Emma answered carefully.

"You mean it?!" he exclaimed.

"Don't get your hopes up. Half the baby name is from Frank."

"I can turn him," Joey scoffed. "Besides, do you really want another Chandler in your family?"

"God, no," Emma laughed. "I do like the name Ross, though."

"Damn it," Joey said, jumping to his feet. He hurried over to Ross, making Emma laugh. Frank Jr. found her and joined her.

"Did you tell him it's a girl?" he asked.

"Oh, so you do think it's a girl," she teased.

"I saw the sonogram results," Frank said sheepishly.

"What?! And you didn't tell me?" Emma exclaimed.

"I thought you knew."

"I did not."

"Well, I'm sorry. I ruined the surprise."

"It's okay. I wanted to know."

They both watched Joey harassing Ross. Ross was making a face and trying to shoo him away while he danced with Rachel.

"Let them have their fun," Emma said. "It keeps them entertained."

"I wonder if your parents had a hard time naming you," Frank mused.

"I heard my name was what Aunt Monica wanted to name her daughter," Emma laughed. Of course, she had no idea all the other potential names her parents had thought of for her.

"So what do you want to name her?" Frank asked.

"I like Ruth," Emma said. Her father caught her eye and waved. She waved back, smiling.

"Ruth Geller-Buffay," Frank said. "I love it."

Emma leaned in to kiss him then, grateful she hadn't missed her chance for this wonderful life.

"I'm glad this worked out," she commented.

"Leslie dropped off the note," Frank blurted. He had held it in for so long. He didn't want to take the credit anymore. She looked at him.

"What?"

"It was Leslie. She saw my note, and she knew I wasn't brave enough, so she put it at your door."

"Wow."

"I know."

He smiled at her, and Emma felt lucky that Frank's family cared about their relationship so much. She caught sight of Leslie then, heading outside. She hoped Leslie would get her happy ending too.

Ben & Channie

"Are you happy?" Ben asked her, holding her close.

"I'm ecstatic," Channie answered.

"Thank you for not leaving me," he said.

"I'd never leave you."

"I'm glad," he said, kissing her.

"Hey, Ben?" she said, looking up at him.

"Yea?"

"I'm pregnant."

"You...you are?" he asked, shocked.

"I am," she smiled.

"Oh my God."

"I know."

"Our own family..."

"Yea."

"I love you so much," he said, holding her tightly.

"I love you too."

Channie had never felt more loved or safe. She rested her head on his shoulder as they kept dancing, her family surrounding her.

Leslie

She went out for some air, but she knew she wouldn't be alone for long. Gus hadn't bothered to contact her, which she was glad for. She knew he'd get the ring in the mail soon.

"So where's the Gus man?" Jack asked, coming out to join her as she predicted.

"Off with some girl in France," Leslie answered.

"I'm sorry," Jack said. He meant it.

"It's okay. Sometimes these things don't work out."

They stood in silence for a bit, the night air cooling around them.

"I'm sorry for being a jerk," Jack said after a while. "I shouldn't have done that to you before you left. It was insensitive of me."

"Thank you," Leslie replied.

"Did he really propose?"

"He did, but then he met Sasha," Leslie said bitterly.

"She sounds like a dog's name," Jack laughed.

"Ha. She is a bitch," Leslie added.

"Bad Sasha," Jack joked.

"Maybe she has rabies," Leslie said hopefully.

"You deserve a guy who loves you and never wants to leave you," Jack said, reaching to touch her arm gently. "I hope you find him." He went to leave then, knowing he probably did not have a chance after everything. Leslie watched him walk away, knowing in her heart that she had never stopped having feelings for Jack. It didn't make sense to lose this opportunity.

"Jack? Wait," she called, hurrying after him. He turned, and she threw her arms around him, kissing him soundly. Surprised, he instantly hugged her tightly to him and kissed her back.

"It's always been you," she said breathlessly after. "I just...got distracted for a while."

"I'm sorry I never noticed. How dumb does one have to be to miss someone as beautiful as you right in front of them," Jack laughed.

"I forgive you," she smiled. He kissed her again.

"Come on. Let's get you out of the cold," he said, pulling her back inside. His heart was bouncing all over the place. Leslie squeezed his hand as they returned to the reception. Things were finally looking up.

Erica

She found Robbie carrying his toolbox down the stairs. She was out of breath, and she was pretty sure her hair looked like it had gone through a wind tunnel. She didn't care, though.

"Erica?" he said, surprised.

"I'm sorry," she blurted out. He set down the box, looking at her.

"For?"

"Breaking your heart," she answered.

"You definitely did that," he commented.

"I broke mine too," she went on. "I got scared that what we had was indeed real. I was scared that I had such strong feelings for you. I didn't want to lose you."

"So as a solution, you dumped me," Robbie pointed out.

"It's the fact that I didn't want to lose you and experience heartbreak that I did it. I know it's dumb, but I thought if I ended it before it got even more serious, I could avoid getting hurt in case it didn't work out."

"You're crazy," Robbie laughed.

"I know. I know I don't deserve another chance, but can we maybe be friends again? At least?" Erica asked, holding her hand out. Robbie contemplated it for a moment.

"Sure," he finally said, taking her hand in his and shaking it. "Friends."

"So, friend, I'll see you around?" Erica said. She felt flushed. Robbie was giving her that look he gave her before. She knew he still loved her, just like she loved him, but they would work up to it again. Small steps.

"I'll see you around," he confirmed, smiling.

"Okay," she said, turning to go. "Good night."

"Good night."

Erica left him standing there and had to stop from giggling like a little girl with a crush. He didn't hate her. There was hope after all. She looked back before going down the last step, and he was watching, still smiling. She waved, and he waved back. Then she went out the door.

The Original Gang

"Ah, coffee," Chandler said, sipping it. They were all at Central Perk. Channie and Ben had left for their honeymoon. Jack and Leslie were on a date. Erica was with Emma and Frank at their place, talking about Robbie.

"You just had some like an hour ago," Monica said, looking at him.

"It wasn't this coffee," Chandler argued. "Nothing beats this coffee."

"All right then."

"Our children are adults," Rachel said, her fingers laced with Ross's.

"You're gonna be grandparents," Phoebe told them.

"I'm Nana," Rachel said.

"So that makes me Poppy?" Ross asked, teasing.

"Grandma is such an old sounding term," Rachel defended herself.

"I'm just glad they're content," Monica sighed.

"For now," Mike chimed in.

"Don't be a party pooper," Phoebe chastised, nudging him.

"Maybe they'll pick Josephine," Joey mused, still stuck on Emma's baby's name.

"Give it up, Joe," Ross said.

"Maybe they'll pick Veto!" Phoebe exclaimed. Both Ross and Rachel rolled their eyes.

"Why Veto?" Chandler asked. "Did the baby do something wrong?"

"It's an inside joke," Phoebe answered, winking at Ross and Rachel.

"Actually, Emma picked Ruth," Ross said, smirking at Rachel.

"What? Noooo," Rachel said.

"Ruth Geller-Buffay. That has a good ring to it," Mike said thoughtfully.

"You influenced her!" Rachel accused.

"She picked it all on her own," Ross said, holding his hands up. "I swear."

Monica leaned on Chandler's shoulders as they continued to bicker. Joey was stuffing a cookie into his mouth, and Phoebe and Mike were talking to each other quietly. It felt like old times. These were not just her friends, they were her family. Chandler kissed the side of her head, and she smiled. She couldn't ask for more.

The End

How was that for a twist? I left it so maybe one day I'd write a sequel. Thank you to those who followed, favorited, and reviewed! I hope you enjoyed it. Until next time!