AN:

(The myth of being stung by a bee only once is false. And it hurt like hell)

Honestly, I don't want to post this. This chapter has a lot of things I'm going to regret putting but at this moment I just feel like I need to update and write the next part. I apologize for the wait, I've been working everyday for the past week and a half and being 8 hour shifts it's hard to get a chance to write.

I honestly have no idea what I'm going to write next and I don't think I should post this without knowing but it's been 2 weeks so here goes nothing...

"It's pink."

My eyes remain wide as I stand in front of the mirror, my appearance more girly than it's ever been. I've never worn pink before in my life, and the fact that I'm starting now only for a girl I love, is frightening. Are these the sacrifices you have to make for love?

"Honey, it's not pink." There she is, the women that brought me to the store to pick out an outfit that will match hers. We wouldn't even be here if it wasn't for her cousins wedding invitation in the mail.

My eyes shift as Monica pears over my shoulder, her fingers running through my oily hair. "It's coral." She corrects before straightening out my collar. She leans in closer, her lips centimeters from my ear "It makes you look sexy."

A shiver makes its way through my body before I turn around in my coral shirt. My arms snake around her waist and I press my forehead against hers before closing my eyes. "We are in a dressing room right now."

She grins "Good thing it's unisex..." She jokes and I can't help but laugh. We've been together way too long.

"Hormones?" I question.

She nods before rubbing her fingers over my shoulders and down to my hands.

Stepping back, I smile as we lock eyes "How are you feeling? Nauseous, yet?"

Monica shakes her head and I can't help but feel relieved. "It's been pretty good today." She assures me.

"Good." I could stay like this for hours just holding her. She is the reason I'm still here. Although, she tells me any chance she gets that I'm her rock. But honestly, I think she is mine. She holds down my paper fort when the 'Chandler' part of my personality comes out. She makes committing something I look forward to, if only she gave me the remote it'll be an easier job.

"What do you say we get out of here?" She mutters before placing a peck on my check.

"You got it, let me just get out of these clothes." I answer, finally letting go of her hands to unbutton my polo shirt. Before I know what's going on, her thumbs begin to untie my belt on my navy blue shorts. "Mon-"

"Shhh..." She quiets me with a kiss and both of our motions stop.

I can feel her tongue pushing against my lips gently before I part them and allow entry. The second we make contact a moan escapes Monica's throat and my whole body presses against hers. The feeling of Monica's fingernails gently scrapping against my back makes it that much harder to pull away. But I have to pull away before I find myself whipping it out right here right now. "Okay..." I shiver before moving back and keeping Monica at a distance. I've read how women react to hormones but I never thought a man in a pink shirt could turn them on so easily. Then a thought occurs to me "Maybe I'll just wear this out." I quickly grab my old clothes as Monica opens the door.

We are young, in love and want to be a family. But not even two weeks later, something halted that dream.

Standing at the end of the drive in my coral shirt that I haven't worn in a little over a year, I grab the pot luck from my front seat. There are things my mother never taught me, but she always reminded me to show up at a gathering with a dish to share with the host. I told my mother that Judy probably ordered enough to feed an army. That's when she reminded me that "the Bing's never assume."

"I wish the Bing's could predict whether or not this party is a bust." I mumble, slamming the door shut with my elbow.

Taking a deep breath, I make my way up the drive and closer to the house that I spent most of my afternoons. At the beginning of our relationship I'd quickly drive home after work for a speed shower and a shave. But about three weeks and a very serious feeling in the pit of my stomach later, I stopped wasting the gas and went straight to the Geller's. Someday's I'd shower there, others I felt comfortable enough to bring a spare shirt and that was good enough. Our relationship was strong that I didn't feel the need to impress. They treated me like family and I appreciated the love we shared. Being able to accept someone with oil splattered across their jeans and dirty hands from changing motors all day is a true bond.

Before I even have a chance to knock, the door swings open and Ross appears with a sack of garbage. "Hey man!" He shouts, excitedly. "Good to see ya again, come on in." He steps aside and pats me on the back trying to make me feel welcomed but I feel like I'm overstepping just by showing up "The party's right through there." He points straight ahead to the kitchen.

"Thanks." I smile warmly and step inside where I'm left alone to gather my thoughts.

I should have never came. This is a mistake, I don't even know why I listened to my mothers advice and brought a dish. I didn't even make it, I picked it up at the store on my way over. Cooking was never my specialty.

Before I could turn around and make a quick dash towards my vehicle, Judy Geller yells out my name for all to hear. God, could this family have better timing?

I plaster a smile on my face "Hello, Mrs. Geller. Thanks for inviting me."

She closes the gap in between us before breaking away. "I brought a small dessert as a thank you." I announce, handing over the cheese cake that I took out of it's package in the car to make it appear more presentable.

"You are so sweet, I don't understand why Monica dumped you." She takes the dish before giving me a motherly peck on the cheek. "Why don't you come on back, everyone is outside."

I nod before shoving my hands deep in my pockets. Judy Geller always says it like it is, there is no sugar coating feelings; it'll just come out completely wrong if she tries to be nice about things. She never hides her inner thoughts, which can be a blessing or a nightmare, it all depends on how she takes your appearance.

In a way, there should be more people like her.

Sliding the back door opened the noise among the party becomes clear. My eyes scan the crowd before I find my mother sitting with her back facing me. With little hesitation, I start my way to the open seat beside her. I should have hesitated a little longer because I never got a chance to glance at the other person sitting across her.

Slowly, I approached the table, my eyes only on one person.

"There he is, my plus one." My mother looks up at me, her arm wrapping around my back to rub small circles soothingly.

She has a smile that can cure a frown and a touch so gentle you will find yourself pouring your heart out in one sitting. She's the girl that will change your future just by saying the words 'I love you'.

I don't know how, but I gathered enough strength to look away and catch my mothers awaiting eyes "I think I'm gonna say hi to Jack." I lean down and peck her on the cheek before walking away; not giving her any chance to stop me.

She moved to California. She got a job, a boyfriend, she wasn't suppose to be here today. My heart's racing a million times a minute and all I did was see her. God, she looked amazing. The last time I laid eyes on her she was climbing in the car on her way back home. The last time I kissed her was about three days before that. It was tough before we called it quits. Dragging it on and working things out wasn't a solution to what we went through the last week of our relationship. Some things you can fix by just muttering the words 'I love you', however, this was something more devastating than that.

I barely got past the kitchen before my ears register any noise.

"Chandler."

It actually hurts hearing her whisper my name so softly. The way it rolls off her tongue so naturally gets me weak.

Stopping right in front of the door, I wait without turning around.

Her flip-flops quit flapping and I know she stopped too. She doesn't speak, but her breath hitches as she sighs. "Can we talk?"

"Honestly, I don't think there is anything to say." Turning around I find Monica Geller just a few yards away.

She takes one step forward and I force myself from not stepping back. I'm being ridiculous. I never thought it'll get to the point where I literally treat her like she has Ebola and I'm her immune victim she is certain will get the virus next. I'm surprised I don't have rubber gloves and a face mask on right now. But of course, I'm immune, so none of that matters.

I've heard stories of ex's becoming best friends after a harsh breakup. I've also heard stories where one kills the other; this could go either way as far as I'm concerned.

"Please." Is all she says to get me to give.

I know Monica wouldn't become one of those psycho ex-girlfriends that murders their ex-boyfriend when they least expect it; watering the garden. Before the poor guy knows it, she is washing away his blood stain with the hose after she already slaughtered the bastard to pieces. I could just picture it now, one arm by the roses and a leg next to the lilac's. The only time someone would look in the general direction of the man's head is when they read the tag that has the flower type written on it.

And this is exactly why you don't cheat on your partner.

Not that I cheated.

The door shuts behind us and now we are both standing on the front porch. The minute I cross my arms over my chest Monica starts pacing, both of us waiting for the other to start.

It's only a minute later that I can't take the pacing anymore. She always paces when she's nervous.

"What do you want to talk about?" I sigh, shrugging "What is there to talk about, really? Because last time I checked you didn't want to speak to me."

When she matches my defeated sigh I know she regrets it as much as I do. "It's not like that." She stops suddenly when people walk out the front door and between us. We wait until we are alone again and before she can continue, I speak.

"You just left." My expression isn't easy. My feelings are a mixture of hurt and anger, it's been so long since we actually talked that all the feelings I have bottled up are coming out all at once. "How do you think that made me feel? It's like you didn't even give me a second thought-"

"I told you to come with me-" She raises her voice and I'm sure we've gathered an audience somewhere.

"I couldn't just drop my life like you did. I had a future here!" I'm yelling now, the tension too much to handle. "I had a life!"

"And you think I didn't?" Tears are streaking down her face and my heart breaks just a little. "You think it was easy when I left? Dropping everything and starting over?" She hiccups "When I lost-" She stops, unable to say the word "-it-it felt like I lost you too." She takes a deep breath trying to calm down. "It hurt more than any rejection I've ever had." She sighs, uneasy. "You became distant...you weren't there for me the way I needed you to be. If you couldn't be 100% present the day I need you most, how am I to know that you were going to be there in the future when things got tough?"

My vision became blurry and I find myself crying as she spoke. Her voice softened when she looked away. Making eye contact was almost impossible at this point.

"The day I miscarried..." She shakes her head and at that moment I find myself stepping closer. My arms wrap around her petite form as I gather her in a hug.

In this second I forget everything I was ever mad about. The way she walked out of my life just days after I spent hours in the hospital worried for the sake of my girlfriend and her well-being, was no longer a concern. The fact that I was planning on proposing when I found out she was pregnant was a thought only I knew. Sometimes I wonder where I would be if I had popped the question just hours before everything happened.

It sat innocently in my pocket as I waited, so many thoughts were running wild and free as the velvet box continue to burn a hole in my jacket.

I still can't believe it; I'm going to be a dad! The idea brings yet another smile to my face as I pace the floor before giving my heart a break and taking a seat on the couch.

I try to hide my grin but it's almost impossible at this point. Finding out this early on probably isn't the best solution, it just makes the next 9 months that much longer.

Being only 22 I still have that young energy to be an involved dad. I can do things with my kid like flag football, camping outdoors, running around until they get their diaper back on, and none of it will hurt my back. The Bing's call that "Good Timing".

"AHHH..."

Jumping up was my first reaction when I heard Monica yell from the other room. Darting from one end of the room to the other I knock on the door. "Monica, everything alright?" I ask trying to believe she only yelled cause she can't find the right shoes.

I hear her fight for breath from the other side and that idea immediately leaves the noggin.

"Chandler." Her voice is soft and short.

Quickly, I open the door only to be greeted by Monica sitting on the floor holding her abdomen. Blood pooled around where she sat, some on her hands. Without wasting another second, I reacted by hurrying towards her and scooping her up in my arms.

She was full on crying as she snaked her arms around my neck; getting blood on my jacket as I rushed out of apartment 20 and to my car.

Technically, I'm not a father yet, but in my mindset the minute I conceived there was somebody recognizing my voice as daddy.

"Chandler-"

"We're almost there, baby." I quickly glance over at Monica in the passenger seat. Her face contorted as she carries out the pain her body is experiencing.

Maneuvering in and out of cars, I drive straight to the hospital. Luckily, it's within 10 minutes of the house, but it feels like hours until we reach the front door. I'm worried, scared and unbelievably terrified for my girl as well as our baby. At this point we both know what's happening and what the news will be when we go to bed tonight, but until it leaves the doctors lips, I will do everything in my willpower to save my family.

I put the car in park and not even a second later there are paramedics opening up Monica's door as I watch them take her away. Sitting there I contemplate what to do next. Is a proposal really the right thing at this moment?

Reaching into my suit jacket, I grab the box that I suddenly no longer felt. Hesitantly, I wait just a few seconds before I open it up and take in the diamond ring I spent all my savings on.

I can't imagine making a family with anyone else, and if I'm honest, there will never be anyone else. Monica is my one and only. She is the pearl to my clam, the bow to my arrow, she is the person that makes me worth it.

And with a tap, I close the velvet box before reaching over and placing it in the glove compartment.

Monica damps my shirt as she sniffles, her arms wrap under mine before settling her hands around my shoulder blades. When I feel her relax into me I begin to wonder if there is a thing as second chances.

This feeling is mutual as I find myself resting my chin on top of her head, the fit perfect in my arms. When her eyes drift shut she speaks the last words of this conversation. "I needed you, more than I needed the doctors."

And we just stay there. Our worries behind us as we think about the next step. Whether that be together or apart, the past is the past as we think about what's to come.