Central Perk usually had such a happy appearance to it, but not today. A wreath with a black ribbon was wrapped around the door. Next to it was a hand lettered sign. The sign bore the simple words CLOSED. It wouldn't have bothered Gunther so much, but this was a promise he made to Rachel. They needed a place to mourn and for all those who loved him , there was not a more perfect place.
Gunther saw the usually perky Rachel. Her hair was covered with a small pillbox hat with a black veil. She sat on her chair with her baby daughter on her lap. Her blue eyes seemed dark and foreboding. She seemed to want to stare ahead. He wanted to go and comfort her, for she was his Rachel. He would do anything for her. Right now , he wished he could just take the pain away.
Monica pushed the stroller through the doors and then whispered something to Chandler. He was carrying a box of photos. Monica put the carriage next to her mother and father and then rejoined Chandler.Together they trudged to the counter, and Monica took out a photo. Each one of them had it's own memory.
It was just an ordinary day and a photographer had come into the coffee shop. He was working on a book about typical New Yorkers that would become a coffee table book. Noticing the six of them, he asked the group if they wouldn't mind him taking their picture. Smiling the group, got into poses that would almost foreshadow their destinies. Joey had his arm around Phoebe. Monica sat on the couch next to Chandler. Over in the corner sat Ross, with Rachel perched on his lap. This was when the two of them had just started to date. There was a glow in Rachel's eyes and Ross' brown ones sparkled as he looked at the girl of his dreams. About a year later, after Rachel and Ross broke up an envelope was sent to the apartment. The photographer wanted the twentysomethings to have the original. Monica wanted to put it out because it was such a nice picture, but didn't want to hurt Rachel. She was still upset that Ross was engaged to Emily. Following the whole London mess, Monica found a nice frame for it at a shop on Bleeker and displayed it in the living room. This would be the memory of what Ross meant to his friends.
Walking down the counter, she took out another photo. It was on the day that Ben was born. Ross had handed her nephew to her and she remembered it fondly. "I am your Aunt Monica and I will always have gum." She said. It held another memory that was close to her heart. That was the day that Chandler had made a promise to her. That promise was that if neither of them was married by the time they were forty, they would have a child together. Looking over at the sleeping carriage, that was a promise he kept.
Monica sighed as she set out the next picture. It was the day that Emma was born. Standing around the bed, everyone gathered to welcome the new little baby. Rachel cradled her in her arms and Ross stood by the bed looking down at the baby filled with nothing but love for this little person. It wasn't fair, she thought. Finally she took out a large picture and set it on an easel . Under the picture were written the words. Doctor Ross Geller 1967- 2004… Looking into the sad eyes of the portrait, Monica eyes started to well up again. Chandler put his arm around her and led her over to Rachel.
Rachel seemed to be in her own little world. Emma played with her doll , unaware of why all these people had gathered. Rachel looked around the familiar coffee shop as if she was visiting for the first time. By Monica's request, today the familiar orange couch would be not used for the memorial service. Surveying the shop, Rachel's eyes met at the door. There it was , that damn door. Suddenly a memory flashed into her mind again..
"You had no right to tell me you ever had any feelings for me?" Ross argued.
"You never had any right to tell me you had feelings for me. I was doing fine until I knew about you." Rachel screamed back. The two of them argued for about five minutes.
"I 'm happy this ship has sailed." Ross said as he made the point that Rachel didn't bother him anymore. Somehow he knew he was lying.
"Well fine because I can do without your stinking ship." Rachel said as she went to the door. "And you know what? Now I 've got closure." With all her might Rachel slammed the door. If this was the way that Ross Geller wanted to be then fine. She slowly walked over to the couch and then began to cry. She did still have feelings for him. Unbeknownst to her, instead of walking away. He just stood and watched her cry . Getting up and wiping her eyes, she saw his brown eyes of longing staring through the glass door. The rain came pounding down and with incredible speed , she unlocked the locks on the door. In her hurry to open them, she forgot one and he told her to open the bottom one.Now there was nothing between them, and the dreams of a young boy and the wishes of a young man sent him into her arms where he smashed his lips against hers. Finally they were through playing games. On that rainy night was where the greatest love of her life started. It was ironic that this would be the place where she would see it end as well. Another memory flashed through her mind as she saw the chairs by the window.
"I'm sorry , wasn't I not supposed to tell her." Gunther said as he singlehandedly put the nail in the coffin. Rachel never thought it would come down to this. Tears fell as she thought about what he did. She turned her head and then she saw him. She wanted to kill him , she wanted to hurt him more than any human. Other guys had cheated on her, but this was supposed to be the one. He was supposed to treasure her and worship her. Now he was no better than the other lying son of a bitches she had been with.
"Rachel?" "Rachel?" the voice echoed. Rachel turned her head and saw Monica standing by her. "We are going to be starting soon." Rachel slowly nodded her head. People were coming in now. All of these people had either worked with him at the museum or they were his colleagues at NYU. They walked over to Monica and gave their condolences and then they hugged Rachel. They all knew what a big part this woman played in Ross' life.
Jack put his hand over Judy's. Together they looked into each other's eyes. There is nothing that is more tragic than when a parent has to bury a child. Children are supposed to be the ones who have to mourn when a parent dies. This was their miracle, when the doctors told Judy they couldn't conceive. This was the child that Jack said to the doctors , look you were wrong. A child who never gave them cause to be ashamed, only fill them with pride as he won a science award or got his doctorate, or gave them two wonderful grandchildren. Carol wiped her eyes with a tissue, Susan looked into them and grabbed her hand tightly. Ben fidgeted , waiting for the service to begin. Carol and Susan explained to him, but at ten, he still couldn't grasp the concept of death. All he knew was that he wouldn't be seeing his father anymore.
Leonard walked in slowly. He had been advised to take it easy because of his recent heart attack. Having a change of heart, Sandra came on his arm. She had been a little more worried about him since his recent hospitalization. She was wearing a black dress with a jacket .Very stylish, but that is what Sandra Green was all about. They had to be here, for their daughter. Touching her on the shoulder, Rachel looked up and smiled.
Leonard seated Sandra and then walked over to the Gellers. Judy got up and he hugged her. "He was a good boy. I am deeply sorry." He said and then walked away. Leonard Green was a man of few words, but he knew that if he meant this much to his pumpkin, then maybe he had been too rough on him all these years.
Chandler stood at the front and gave Joey a few last minute instructions. Since Joey was used to being in front of people, he would conduct the memorial service. A piano sat in the corner as Mike had his head lowered and solemnly played fitting music.Phoebe sat by him and strummed her guitar as her last tribute to her dear friend..
Gunther got up from his seat and closed the door. He nodded to Joey to start .
Joey cleared his throat. His voice started to crack. "Today we are here to remember, we are here to praise, and we are here to mourn. We are here to celebrate the life of our friend, brother, father, colleague. Ross Geller touched many lives. He touched them with his knowledge, he touched them with his kindness and generosity, but most importantly he touched them with his love. Let us not make this a sad occasion, but one where we can only remember the happy times. Let us be able to share memories of Ross as he sat and joked with us or played a game, just today let us only share the good times." Joey sat down and then Chandler got up.
"Ross Geller was not only my best friend, he was my roommate in college. We have been friends for many years and have shared many memorable moments together. One thing though, I will be eternally grateful for to Ross, for introducing me to his sister , Monica. For there is no one I love more than my wife and I met her because of Ross. " Monica smiled up at Chandler when he said that. She whispered . "I love you too."He smiled and wiped a tear away.
"Funny moments. Oh this is the right guy." Chandler laughed. "To only pick out one funny moment, that's going to be a challenge. Well when Ross moved into his new apartment. He bought a couch. Frugal as he was, he did not want to have to pay a delivery charge, so he and Rachel and me tried to move this huge couch up the stairs. He screamed this word Pivot! Pivot and so help me, I wanted to kill him and told him to shut up, he was getting on my nerves. He never get that couch upstairs." Chandler sat down. Phoebe got up next. "Ross was such a giving man. One of my most special memories came when he found out that when I was a little girl, I didn't have a bike. He felt so bad that he went out and bought me a pink girls bike with a basket and a bell. I never learned to ride, but with his persistence he taught me how to ride a bike." Phoebe then sat down. Joey got up next. "Ross was the smartest guy I ever knew. He wasn't just smart. He knew how to encourage his friends. When I had just gotten fired of Days of our Lives , he pushed me to write a script and told me to that he envied me because I was pursuing a dream. And as for a fun guy, hey this guy had a pet monkey. The best memory I have though was when Ross had to leave the museum and one afternoon, we sat in our recliners and made crank phone calls . We called Chandler's office and made him think we were stalkers." Joey started to laugh.
"That was you?" said Chandler angrily.
"Not the time or place."Monica whispered angrily. Shaking , she steadied herself on Chandler. Teetering on her heels, she went to the makeshift podium. "I couldn't asked for a better brother. Or a better friend. " Monica started. "Ross was in love with two things in his life. Knowledge and my best friend. When we were kids, we fought and hated each other. As adults, we became each other's best friends. We were aunt and uncle to each other's children. Ross encouraged my career and he helped me when I needed a little financial help. The most surprising turn was when I fell in love with his best friend and he fell in love with mine. Ross has had a lot of things happen to him , but he always could make the best of a bad situation." Monica started to think about the words she said. She couldn't go on. "I am going to miss him very much." She ran back to her seat and Chandler let her cry into his shoulder.
One by one , people would say a few words about Ross or tell an amusing story. It was nice to hear that he not only did funny things around the gang, but did them at work as well. This made the five friends smile as they did their own reminiscing. Finally it all came down to this. Rachel got up and smoothed her dress . Determined to do this, she walked to the podium. She was going to be strong. Taking a sip of water, she turned to the people in the audience.
"Ross Geller was my friend. But more than that , so much more than that. He was my cheerleader, he was my partner in crime. He was , yes he was my lover. He taught me that it is possible for someone to love someone so much. He taught me to believe in myself. A few days ago , he was willing to let me go to Paris for a dream job. I got on the plane , destined to change my life, when I sat there , I realized how much this man meant to me. I couldn't leave. I gave up everything to be with him and to give our child a family. In the time I have known him, he gave me many gifts. Right over there is the most precious thing he gave me." Everyone looked at Emma. "That little girl will be the one thing that will keep me going. And when I look at her, I will always remember Ross. For she has his smile and she has his intelligence. Chandler thanked Ross for introducing him to Monica, well I would like to thank Monica for introducing me to her brother. Monica knows that we went a rocky road to where we are now. There were other people, marriages, breaks, but through all of it, he remained confident and said something a long time ago. I always knew we would end up together." Rachel started to cry.Sandra got up and walked her back to her seat.
"Well folks, we would like to thank everyone for coming. You are welcome to stay for coffee." Chandler said as everyone got up.
"I think we did a beautiful thing today." Monica said tearfully. "Chandler laughed. "Yeah I am sure he had his ear pressed against the bedroom door of heaven hearing what we all had to say about him." Monica couldn't help but giggle as she remembered the memorial service they had for him. Joey put his arms around Chandler and then Chandler put his around Monica. Phoebe ran over and joined the group hug. Rachel walked over and then she smiled as she hugged her friends.
To everyone it was clear, this group of friends were a family. They could stand anything. They were there for each other. Even though one of their friends was now gone, their bond became stronger. Rachel remembered embracing these people ten years ago. A soaked bride who was starting a new independent life. But even though she was now alone, she knew she wouldn't be for long. Because she had her friends.