I was not happy with chapter 2 to this story. It was a transitional chapter, linking chapters 1 and 3. This chapter is rather long but I hope you enjoy it as much as I did writing it. Please review …
It was a decision that could not be made by one, it had to be discussed and agreed upon by all. It was June and the time was neigh to make the decision. Do you celebrate six times or not? Was the question on the table? Would it make sense to do it any differently this year? The consequences, although not openly apparent, would have far-reaching consequences for the group. As always, the ring-leader was the first to speak.
"Guys, please, let's do this! It will make it so much easier if we do. Four of us have birthdays this summer. Instead of having four separate parties lets have one big get-together to celebrate." Monica said, pleading with her friends.
"Wouldn't that marginalize all four birthdays?" asked Ross. ""I wouldn't want to short-change anyone, especially on their birthday."
"No, it wouldn't." Monica exclaimed. We could have an extra-special night with just the six of us. We could go out and have a blast! Since all four birthdays are so close together it just makes sense to consider it."
Under most circumstances Ross and Rachel's votes would matter just as much as the other's but this time things were different. The issue on the table affected them only indirectly. After all, it wasn't their birthdays that were being trivialized by grouping them together with three others.
"OK, lets put it to a vote!" Monica directed. "My birthday is June 15th, Joey's is July 25th, Phoebe's is on July 30th and Chandler's is August 19th. Who votes to celebrate all four birthdays with one huge celebration to be held at a date yet to be determined?"
All six agreed that it would be logistically easier and best for all if they got together for one huge celebration. Now, the hard part: "What date do we hold it on?" She asked.
July 15th had been determined to be the day and that day had come.
The apartments at 495 Grove Street were a study in contrasts. Apartment #19 was calm and collected while #20 was far from it. Joey was excited but he wasn't showing it. He anticipated the darkness as would a tiger stalking its' prey. His plan was ambitious; Once out on the town he planned to use the birthday party as a guise to find a date and then, when no one was looking to whisk her away. There was no reason to rush; it would only take him 5 minutes to prepare for the hunt.
On the other side of the hall things were polar opposites. While Chandler wanted to relax and get dressed at his leisure, Monica would have none of it. Always the perfectionist, she ordered him around as if she was a drill sergeant and he was a fresh recruit.
"Chandler, are you ready yet?" She demanded, insisting that he answer right away.
"Yes dear, I'm ready." He replied.
"Do you have your shoes on?"
"Not yet dear but I will soon."
"Chandler! If you don't have your shoes on then you are not ready!" Monica was in rare form. She was nervous. She had been the one to suggest the combined birthday get-together. She felt that the success or failure of the night would fall upon her. "It is tough being me." She thought. "I wish I was more appreciated."
Chandler laughed silently to himself as he realized that he wasn't truly ready. He loved her more than any woman he had ever known. "She makes me whole" he thought as he rushed to throw his shoes on his feet. He did not want to stress her out any more then she already was.
Across the street Ross was heading out the door. He had no desire to be late. He did not want to incur the wrath of Monica. Since beginning his transformation Ross had invested heavily in improving his appearance and mannerisms. His makeover was complete; the results were nothing short of amazing.
The situation at 5 Morton Street, apartment 14, was simply chaotic. Phoebe and Rachel whizzed by each other in anticipation of the night's events. It was ironic that women with so many clothes had nothing to wear. Not only did they have problems choosing clothes but they had the added problem of having to be ready early, with enough time to arrive at Monica's before they were late. Woe to those who arrived late to one of Monica's planned functions. Rachel had a LOT on her mind. What she wore tonight had to be something special. "It had to be just right." She thought. "Not too sexy but not too conservative either. It has to catch his eye." She thought. It had been three weeks since she signed the papers and she knew that it would be coming back to haunt her soon, perhaps that very evening. She had to be properly equipped in case it happened that night.
It was 5 PM sharp and Phoebe and Rachel flew through the door to apartment 20. "Alright then, is everyone ready to go?" Monica asked as she looked for dissenters.
"Monica, could we wait 5 minutes to catch our breath? Rachel and I just got here." Phoebe pleaded.
"Of course." Monica replied. "But remember, we have reservations for dinner at the Gotham at 5:30. We don't want to be late."
"Alright then, let's get moving." Monica commanded.
"Monica! Phoebe and Rachel are exhausted. Let's take a cab. It'll be my treat." Ross exclaimed.
Monica's reply was short and direct. "What? It's only 12 blocks to the restaurant. What are we a bunch of pansies?"
"No, we are not a bunch of pansies. We are out to have a good time. I can't see Phoebe and Rachel having a good time trying to make it to the restaurant running in those heels." He replied. Once down on the street Ross called to a passing cab and as if on command it stopped within a few feet of the group. The group piled into the cab as best they could but there simply was not enough room for all six into the cab. "We'll have to double up I guess." Ross volunteered. "Would you mind sitting on my lap?" he asked Rachel.
"No." She replied, somewhat blushing and getting a little nervous.
"The Gotham on east 12th." Ross barked as the last cab door had been closed.
Within minutes they found themselves in front of the Gotham Bar and Grill. The group entered the restaurant. "Bing, party of 6 …" Monica declared.
"Yes Ma'am, please follow me." Replied the maitre de.
Dinner was a most enjoyable experience for the group. Laughter flowed like wine as did fond memories of the past and anticipation of the future. At the end, it was Ross as always who found the words to describe the moment. "A toast, please." As the group raised their glasses he continued. "This time will never come again. Circumstances may prevent this meeting from ever happening again.. I just want to say that you five mean the world to me. You make my life worth living. To us, to friends."
"To friends." They repeated as their wine glasses contacted each other.
It was now almost 7:00 and the heat of the day was starting to wane. The "plan" as Monica referred to it called for the group to arrive at the Bitter End by the time the headliner got up on stage at 9PM. Instead of hailing a cab the group decided to rough it by walking the 10 blocks or so to the club. As they started on their way Monica and Chandler lead the way. Hand-in-hand they set a heady pace. Not far behind were Phoebe and Joey, involved in a deep discussion of one of her massage clients and of his latest conquests. The final couple appeared in stark contrast from the first. They were not holding hands but neither did they seem to be in any rush to get to their destination. It seemed that for them that the trip meant more then the actual destination.
"So how do you like living at Pheebs?" Ross enquired.
"It's great. I'm really enjoying myself. We get along great together." She replied.
"I'm sorry you had to move out. I never meant to leave you homeless for a second time in a week." He replied.
"Ross, It's alright. At least now we can be open and honest about things. Hey, I also wanted to thank you again for helping me move my things." Rachel hadn't felt this way in years. The conversation was so easy, so comfortable. She was happy. She did not want it to end.
As the six traveled south on 5th Avenue the distance between the couples began to increase. By the time they reached Washington Square Park over 200 feet separated the first from the last.
"Rachel, I know I've said this a hundred times but you look so beautiful tonight. It's not just the way you look, it's everything about you."
"Thank you, Ross. It means so much coming from you and hey, have you seen yourself in the mirror lately? You look very handsome."
"I'm glad your still my friend …"
"Ross! Rachel!" The familiar voice screamed. "Please pick it up a bit … we're going to be late!"
"Yes mother." They yelled.
Once through the park the group proceeded south on Thompson until they arrived at The Bitter End on Bleecker Street. Once inside they found a table for six. As Monica and Chandler left for the dance floor Joey proceeded to stalk his prey. The club was filled with many possibilities. He spotted his first victim and attacked. "How you doin?" He asked.
Ross wanted to dance with Rachel but he did not want to leave Phoebe alone. "May I get you ladies a drink?" He asked.
"Thanks Ross, I'll have a glass of Merlot please." Phoebe replied.
"And you Rachel?"
"How about a Margarita?" Rachel replied.
"Your wish is my command. Please excuse me while I get your drinks." He replied as he moved off toward the bar.
Once free of their male companion the ladies were free to indulge themselves in girl talk. Phoebe initiated the exchange. "So you and Ross seemed to be enjoying yourself on our little walk. How are things going between the two of you?"
"Phoebe, don't start with me!"
"I'm not starting anything Rachel. While we were walking here I would take a peek back at the two of you every once-in-a-while. You really seemed to be enjoying your talk. You seemed to be in your own little world together. The only thing missing was his hand holding yours"
"Phoebe, Ross has been so many things to me. He was my best friend, my boyfriend, my husband and now my ex. Over time we have both changed. Look at him. He has changed …"
"Yes Rachel, he has changed, but only for the better. It's a fact that people change over time. Hopefully they learn from their mistakes. You would think that the more intelligent a person is the more they would learn from their mistakes. Ross has been married and divorced three times. Don't you think he might have learned something by now?"
At that moment Rachel turned her eyes away from Phoebe towards Ross who was standing at the bar getting their drinks. "Phoebe, I suppose he has. But I've changed too. I'm having a hard time trusting again. How do you have a relationship with another when you can't trust?"
Rachel was not the only set of eyes set upon Ross. At that moment a set of beautiful green eyes were glancing at him, scrutinizing him head to toe. They were ready to make their move.
"Hello." Was the only word she had to say.
He was caught off guard by her advance. "Hello. Ross Gellar."
"I'm Sylvia … Sylvia Morgan. It's nice to meet you Ross. Are you here alone?"
"No. I'm here with some friends. You?"
"No. Me neither. I'm here with a girlfriend of mine." She looked around and pointed to her friend, signaling her to come over. "This is my friend Tammy. Tammy, this is Ross Geller."
"Nice to meet you Ross." Tammy replied.
"The pleasure is all mine." He replied.
A tear had formed in the corner of her eye. It was small, too small to fall down her cheek but it was there. She watched with great interest as not one but two women held his attention. She was conflicted, so much so that she could not answer her friends' question.
"Rachel! Rachel, are you alright? Snap out of it!" Phoebe implored.
Rachel knew that Phoebe was there, she could hear what she saying, but she could not take her eyes off the drama that was unfolding in front of her. "Why did it always seem to come to this?" She thought.
Unable to get Rachel's attention, Phoebe turned her head violently behind her in an attempt to focus on what had consumed her friend's attention. It didn't take long for her to find it.
"Oh." Is all Phoebe could think to say.
"So Ross, what do you do for a living?" Asked Sylvia. She was curious to know and eager to keep Ross at the bar for as long as possible.
"I'm a model for Playgirl Magazine." He replied.
"Oh my God are you kidding?" The girls asked giddily.
"Yes, sorry. I was just joking to get you to smile. My reality is far less interesting. I teach at NYU."
"You … you teach at NYU? I would have never guessed." Replied Tammy. "What do you teach?"
"I'm a paleontologist."
The girls were now totally enamored with the man standing before them. He was so very handsome. He was polite. He was so very polished. He had an education far beyond his years, an education which contrasted s well against his youthful exterior. "How could this guy NOT have a wedding ring on his finger?" Sylvia thought.
"So Ross, are you seeing anyone at the moment?" She asked, hoping that the answer would be "No".
"Not at the moment." He replied. He knew where this was going. He was conversing with two beautiful women who were obviously interested in him. In the past he would have stayed there, talking with them without thinking of anyone but himself. He would eventually leave with one of them. "That was then but this is now." He thought to himself.
Ross knew she was watching. He knew she was hurting. He had to end it now.
"Here are the drinks you ordered. That'll be $17.50." said the bartender, offering Ross the perfect opportunity to extricate himself from his predicament.
Before handing him a $20 he politely asked Sylvia and her friend if they would like a drink. "Yes, that would be nice." They replied enthusiastically.
""Order whatever you wish." handing the bartender a $50. "Please serve these ladies well and when finished, take it out of this. Keep whatever remains as a tip."
"Thank you sir." The bartender replied, knowing that he would be receiving a very hefty tip.
"Ladies, if you would please excuse me. I have to deliver these to my friends over there." Pointing to Phoebe and Rachel. Perhaps we can talk again after the show. Goodbye."
Disappointed, Sylvia reluctantly replied "Sure. Thanks for the drinks Ross. Bye."
As he returned to their table he had the urge to ask Rachel to dance. He could tell by looking at her that she was sad. She had seen everything. Presenting Phoebe and Rachel their drinks he received a "Thank you." in unison. At that moment Monica and Chandler chose to leave the dance floor and return to the table.
"Have a nice dance?" Asked Phoebe.
"It was great." Replied Chandler. "Those dance lessons came in handy. We could have danced longer but they are getting ready to announce tonight's headliner.
"Oh, who's playing tonight?" Asked Ross.
"I'm not sure." Replied Chandler. "They are being very secretive about it. I don't know why they would want to keep it a secret. If it were someone famous you would think they would want to pull in more people."
"More people?" Phoebe asked. "Could you GET anymore people into this club?" She joked.
The whole table laughed at Phoebe's attempt at making fun of Chandler.
"Where's Joey?" Asked Monica. "I haven't seen him since we got here."
""He probably on the prowl somewhere over by the bar." Ross replied, pointing to where he just had left..
At that moment the lights of the club began to flicker intermittently, gaining the attention of most of the clientele. "Ladies and Gentlemen, if you would please find a seat. We, at the Bitter End have a special surprise for you tonight. We hope that, in the future when you think back to tonight that you remember your time here spent with us." At that moment the lights faded to black with only a few dim lights illuminating the stage. "The Bitter End is proud to present Ms. Aimee Mann."
Within a split-second the volume in the club went from zero to over-the-top.
"How did the club ever pull in Aimee Man?" Chandler asked in amazement.
"I don't know." Replied Phoebe. "Maybe she's friends with the management.
During the next two or so hours the group was treated to the best of Aimee Mann's music. The friends could not believe their luck. They could enjoy the concert in the relative privacy of a small, intimate club.
Just before the end of the concert, a new song was played that none had heard before. As they listened to the melodic tones and melancholy lyrics one of the group was moved to tears.
"Say you were split, you were split in fragments
And none of the pieces would talk to you
Wouldn't you want to be who you had been
Well baby I want that too
So better take the keys and drive forever
Staying won't put these futures back together
All the perfect drugs and superheros
Wouldn't be enough to bring me up to zero
Baby, I bet you've been more than patient
Saying it's not a catastrophe
But I'm not the girl you once put your faith in
Just someone who looks like me
So better take the keys and drive forever
Staying won't put these futures back together
All the perfect drugs and superheros
Wouldn't be enough to bring me up to zero
So get out while you can
Get out while you can
Baby I'm pouring quick sand
And sinking is all I have planned
So better just go
Oh, better take the keys and drive forever
Staying won't put these futures back together
All the perfect drugs and superheros
Wouldn't be enough to bring me up to zero
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put baby together again
All the king's horses and all the king's men
Couldn't put baby together again"
This time the tear was larger, big enough to tumble down her perfectly formed cheeks. She looked down. It would take everything she had to keep her decent into sadness from her friends. At that moment she felt a gentle touch to her right hand. It lifted and gently squeezed it in a way letting her know that everything was going to be alright.
He leaned over and gently whispered into her ear. "The same could be said about me you know. I'm not the guy you once put your faith in … and destroyed in a single night of insecurity and stupidity."
At that point she wanted to bolt, to escape because the dam had burst. She was losing it fast. Ross, noticing her decaying emotional state quickly sprang to action.
"Hey, now that the concert is over let's dance Rachel. Please excuse us guys; we're going to cut a rug.
Before she knew it Rachel had been whisked away to the dance floor where, luckily for her, a slow dance was in progress.
"Rachel, you are safe now. No one can see you." He said. Slowly moving to the music.
At that she shook and cried until she could cry no more. It took 20 minutes and four more songs before the tears finally waned.
"Ross, I have to run to the ladies room before anyone notices. Please help me."
At that Ross placed himself between the group and her, blocking their view. He grabbed her purse from the table and quickly shuttled her towards the restrooms. Before he could escape he had to face the interrogation.
"So how was the dancing?" Phoebe asked.
"It was great." Replied Ross, trying to deflect the group's attention. He trailed off … "Rachel and I had too much to drink. We have to use the restroom. We'll be right back." It was all he could think to say at that moment. He hoped it was enough.
Having reached the ladies room he handed Rachel her purse and asked if she would be alright.
"Yes, I'll be OK. Could you please wait here for me until I return?"
"Of course I will." He replied.
He had watched her make herself up hundreds of times before but she was still capable of surprising him with her ability to look perfect, even under the most adverse conditions. She left the restroom looking so unlike when she entered. And she put on a brave face for her friends.
"Well, how do I look?"
"Do you have to ask?" He replied. "You never cease to amaze me."
"Why, what do you mean?" She jokingly shot back at him fluttering her eyes in the process.
Taking her hand he led her back to the table now currently occupied by the others, including Joey.
"Hey Joe, any luck tonight?" Ross asked.
"Bad luck yes, good luck no." He replied in response to his question.
"Sorry man, I really am."
"It's OK. This evening was all about friends anyway."
In his own special way Joey had summarized the evening as no one else could have. Short and simply.
As the ringleader of the group Monica took it upon herself to call an official end to the evening. Raising her glass to her friends she spoke.
"To good friends. To my friends. No matter what happens in the future I pray that time will allow us to do this again, and again, and again …"
It was midnight and the first stop on the return trip to their corner of the village was Morton Street. The guys needed to make sure that Phoebe and Rachel made it safely to their apartment. The pairings for this walk were the same as before but the order was reversed. Interestingly, it was Ross and Rachel who lead the march followed by Joey and Phoebe. Monica and Chandler had not paced themselves very well, having expended most of their energy on the dance floor.
For blocks they walked side-by-side only occasionally acknowledging each other's presence. It was she who decided to initiate the conversation. They were nearing the west village and the opportunity would soon be lost.
"She was beautiful." She said.
"Excuse me. What did you say." He replied.
"The girl. The girl at the club. She was beautiful. Why didn't you spend more time with her? She and her friend would have made great companions for you." She said without even a twitch of emotion.
"Yes, yes she was beautiful." He replied. "But remember what Joey said? This was an evening for friends."
"She might have made a good friend for you." She replied.
"Perhaps. But it just wouldn't have been right." He replied, knowing that "their" truth was about to be exposed.
"What do you mean, it wouldn't have been right?" She asked.
He had known for a week but had decided not to divulge the fact to anyone, especially her. He had spent the time trying to make some sense out of it. He remembered the phone call and how shocked he had been by the revelation. Refocusing on the present he noticed that they were walking next to an expensive woman's boutique, long closed because of the late hour.
"Rachel, could we stop for a minute? It will give the others a chance to catch up." He asked.
"Sure, of course."
"Rachel, look at the window." He beckoned.
"Oh, eh, I don't like this at all." She replied after looking at the large glass window filled with mannequins covered in expensive women's fashions.
"What, what don't you like?" He asked.
"Those clothes, they're ugly!" She replied.
"Rachel! Please look AT the window, not through it."
"Alright Ross I'm looking, now what?"
"So what do you see?" He asked
"I see my reflection in the window. Oh, I need to fix my hair!" She replied.
"Rachel, please! Look at the whole you and not just your hair. This is what I see when I look at you. Did you really have to ask me why I didn't spend time with those girls? Yes, they were beautiful, but they couldn't hold a candle to you … Mrs. Gellar."
She had wondered if he knew each time they saw each other. He had given her no clue as to an answer. "How long have you known?" She asked.
"About a week" He replied. "When you signed the papers I didn't have the heart to look at them. I assumed that you had signed them. So when you handed them to me I just stuffed them in an envelope and took them to my attorney's office. Weeks later the attorney called telling me that the paperwork is unusable until you sign your legal name instead of "Mrs. Geller".
"Are you mad at me?" She asked.
"How could I be mad at you? I dropped a lot on you that night. It must have been very overwhelming. I am not mad at you, but you do confuse me a lot. I have to ask you this: Why, after all the arguing, the fighting, the disastrous annulment hearing before the judge did you not sign the papers? You were so mad at me. It was what you so badly wanted. Why didn't you just sign when you had the chance?
"You're right, it was overwhelming. I did want the divorce but after you said what you did I was confused and conflicted. I didn't want to make another mistake so I bought myself some time by signing "Mrs. Gellar".
At that moment the others had closed the gap so that they could be heard. Ross and Rachel decided to resume their walk at their previous pace. Before long they had arrived at Phoebe and Rachel's Morton Street apartment building.
"Rachel, a friend of mine once said that "… you were worth the wait.""
Rachel's mind filled with fond memories of their first date. "I wonder who said that." She replied.
"A very wise person. Rachel, do you have faith, faith in yourself? I know that I do. Do you remember the Rachel who came to Central Perk in a soaking wet wedding dress? She was utterly dependent on her daddy. As hard as it was for her she opted for independence. She lost her safety net but gained so much more. She gained 5 friends and parents who respected her for successfully becoming independent. I want you to know that I have faith in you. You can make the right decision. You must make the right decision, for you. The decision has to be right for you, not for us. If you are happy with your decision then I am happy with it."
"Ross." She replied pausing for a few moments. "Try not to let my intense vulnerability become any kind of a factor here, but do you think it would be OK if I asked you out sometime, maybe?"
"Yeah, maybe." He said, a tear forming in the corner of his right eye.
"OK, OK maybe I will."
"Goodnight." He said as he headed in the direction of Grove Street.
At that moment the entire group (less Ross) were at the door to 5 Morton Street. Rachel was turning toward the door of the building when she heard her best friend's voice.
"See ya!"
"Uh huh." She replied.
"Wait, wait. Hey, what's with you?" She asked.
"I just grabbed a spoon." She replied.
Credit goes to Aimee Mann for the lyrics from the song "Humpty Dumpty" from her CD "Lost in Space".
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