Rachel took Ross by the hand as they walked into the Bridal Dept. He was like every other man who was there, obviously he didn't want to be there. Twice before, he had been dragged through this place and even though it was Rachel, it didn't change anything. It was not the place for a man.
"I think we will take twelve of these, twelve of these, and ten of these." Rachel said as the flustered registry clerk struggled to keep up with yet another bride. She tried to can her snobby attitude when she saw that the bride was yet another unmarried mother to be. Probably on a mad dash to get to the altar , so the baby could be legitimate. This one obviously came from money, she was wearing designer maternity, Prada.
"Do we have to do this?" moaned Ross. "I mean , you can't even cook." Rachel turned to him and said. "I am getting married at the Plaza and by rights this is expected of me." "Rachel , sweetie, why am I here then? I mean I do know a little bit about weddings." Ross said. Rachel had to laugh. "Yes , you do, this is your fourth one." She giggled. "Okay Chandler." He said crossly.
"You have picked out a lot of beautiful things. Evidently the big event will be soon." The clerk said. "No , we are getting married following the baby." Rachel said proudly. "So I can have the Vera Wang dress of my dreams." The clerk was a woman at heart and she could understand the need for a postponement. "And where is the wedding?" said the woman , now interested in the wedding plans. "The Plaza, my daddy got it for me." Rachel boasted. At that point, Rachel 's cell rang. "Hello, yeah Mon, they're here, okay we will be right there." She put the phone in her purse. "I am sorry we will have to postpone this, my wedding planner has some cakes for us to try." Turning to the clerk, "And you can't keep cakes waiting."Ross said as he shrugged his shoulders. "Ross!" Rachel screamed. "Coming dear, " he whined.
It was the perfect occasion for everyone. Monica sat the cake samples out on little plates with lace doilies. Chandler started to pick one up and Monica slapped his hand. Then Joey ran in and started to eat one of the samples. Monica ripped it from his hands. "Hey, I am hungry." Joey moaned. "You took food away from Joey? Don't you remember what it was like when you were a fat girl?" Chandler said to Monica as he hugged Joey.
"These are samples for the wedding cake. No one is eating or touching anything until Ross and Rachel get here." Monica said as she guarded the cake pieces. At that point, Phoebe entered. "Oh how fancy." She said as she lifted a cake plate. Monica slapped it down onto the table. Phoebe doubled up and stood in front of Monica. "Hey , was that necessary. Miss Fancy Pants?" Joey put his arm around her, "I know , I wanted to eat cake too." He whined. Ross and Rachel came through the door. Rachel was running ."So where is the cake?" Ross followed behind."Shades of Monica as a child." He smugly said. Rachel turned to give him a dirty look and then Monica gave him the Geller finger.
"Here we are." Monica said as she sat the plates in front of Rachel. Rachel grabbed a fork and started to gobble the samples. Ross sat by with his hands folded. He opened his mouth and then Rachel put it in hers instead. Finally he whined. "Hey I am the groom." Rachel started to move the cake toward him. "I'm sorry , sweetie. But I am eating for two." Rachel said sweetly. "Besides didn't you say some of this wedding stuff wasn't for a big strong man like you." Joey immediately grabbed the plate from the table. "This is work for a man like me." He whined.
"Are we going to get some, or are you reverting back to your childhood?" Chandler said to Monica. She relented and handed him the fork and plate. "Ew , ew." He squealed. "What is wrong?" Monica asked. "Carrot cake." Chandler said as he dropped the plate.
"Hey this is great." Joey said as he took a mouthful. "And so is this one." He grabbed another fork and ate from another plate. "Hey Rachel, can you have more than one?" he said with another mouthful.
"You mean more than one flavor ? Sure." Rachel said as she gobbled the culinary masterpieces. "Milk Ross! Milk!" she cried. "Get me some milk." Ross jumped up and ran to the kitchen and handed her the milk carton from the fridge. Everyone watched as she drank from the carton. "I am going to finish it." She said adamantly.
"No I mean do I get my own Joey cake?" Joey smiled. At that point , Ross stood up and screamed. "Hold it! You know this is my wedding too. And all I have done is shut up and sit back and be ignored. I think I have a right to be heard too. That is also my cake. And I think I should have a say in the decision as well." Everyone stopped as they saw Ross showing the first bit of back bone since this whole wedding nonsense started. He then said weakly. "Whatever you want sweetie." He then sat back down.
Phoebe then sat down with her guitar. "And a little song for the happy couple." Before she started to strum, Monica grabbed it away from her. "No Phoebe.." She said , remembering the songs wrote for her own wedding. "That's right. Maybe on this happy day, I will be so inspired to write my own song for my bride." Ross said . "Let me get my keyboard." He jumped up and ran , until Monica stopped. Rachel pushed herself up and then put her arms around him. "Honey, you love me right?" she asked earnestly. "More than anything." Ross answered, not knowing where this was leading. "Then you will not play that keyboard." Rachel said softly. "Or else I will never let you touch me with those hands again." She gave him a look. Ross again went and sat down and sulked.
Rachel felt the slight movement and immediately moved her hand across her stomach. The look that was that mixed with surprise and amazement. Ross ran immediately to her side. "Anything wrong ? " he asked with concern. "No , she kicked me." Rachel whispered with awe.Everyone immediately ran to her and then leaned down.
"Aww I can't hear anything." Moaned Joey.
"I still beat you. Try having three of them beating on you at once. It is like having a little rock band in your tummy." Phoebe exclaimed.
Monica felt it and smiled. "That's my little niece." Her heart went out to this little baby. Chandler put his hand into hers and whispered. "Soon we'll have our own." Monica looked into his eyes and then Chandler leaned over to kiss her on the forehead.
Ross ran his hand across her stomach and then he looked at Rachel. This time it was so different. Last time, he had to share this time and this time , this wonderful woman was all his.