We'll Be OK

It was about half an hour later, as Ross and Rachel were still sitting on the sofa. Ross got up and began to pace around the apartment. Rachel got up, went over to Ross, and gently took his hand and said 'If you keep pacing around like that, you're going to wear a hole in the floor'. It was her way to try and lighten the mood, even if only for a few seconds or so.

Ross cracked a small smile at the lame joke and at her attempt to cheer him up. Seeing him smile filled Rachel's heart with a warm feeling. To her it was the most beautiful sight in the entire world. 'Thanks, Rach' Ross whispered as he leaned in, and they shared a kiss. She smiled as she walked towards the kitchen and began to rummage around the freezer. 'So how about dinner', she asked

Ross thought for a few seconds and instead reached for his jacket and tossed Rachel her jacket and asked 'Why don't we go out for a few'. She put on hr jacket and said 'Sure, but not for too long, ok'. Ross nodded as Rachel approached him, put her arm around him and whispered 'You don't have to, you know. If you just want to stay in, that's fine too. Whatever you want to do'

They both walked down the stairs, to the curb to hail a taxi. A car that was waiting at a red light was playing Ben's favorite song, as as much as Ross tried he could not stop the tears. They just sit down on the front stoops, as Rachel rests her head on hi shoulder, gently running her fingers through her hair. She released her grip and said 'Why don't we stay in, tonight? I'll make anything you want for dinner. OK'?

'Yeah, that's probably a good idea. To tell you the truth, I'm pretty beat', he replied.

Rachel gently helped Ross up, as they walked back into the apartment, closing the door behind them. Ross took off his jacket and casually tossed it on an empty chair and just walked into the other room, closing the door behind him. Rachel was unsure of what to do, and opted to give him some space and took some meat out of the refrigerator and tossed them into a pan, and turned a knob on the stove.

A few minutes later, she walked to the back room gently knocking on the door and said 'Ross, baby are you hungry'. A few moments Ross emerged, trying to hide the fact that he had been crying. which Rachel didn't fail to notice. He didn't say a word, and just sat down on the sofa, as Rachel joined him, and put her arm around him.

'It's ok, sweetie', she softly whispered, giving his shoulder a slight squeeze. They sat in silence for about 30 minutes, each one lost in their own thoughts. They are drawn back from their thoughts by the beeping of the timer, indicating the food was ready. Rachel leaned in, gave Ross a quick kiss as she went to the kitchen, grabbed some oven mitts and retrieved a pot-roast from the oven, and set it down on the counter and poured them each a drink.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door. Ross went to answer it to find Monica and Chandler as he invited them inside. Chandler hugged Ross and said 'If you guys need anything, and I mean anything, you let me or Phoebe know'. Ross blinked back the tears as he nodded as Monica and Rachel hugged in the kitchen.

A few moments later, and they all gather at the kitchen table, but nobody is eating. Ross picks at his place, as Monica just sits quietly, with Chandler sitting next to her. They sit there for a few hours, as Rachel asked 'Is there anything we can do for you guys'?

Monica just shook her head as Chandler reached over, took her hand and said 'We'll be ok'. After they eat, they gather in the living room as Monica reaches for a bag and pulls something out. She handed Ross Ben's coloring book, and said he left it at their apartment when he spent the night, a few weeks prior'. Ross wasn't able to take it, but Rachel stepped in, and accepted it and thank them both.

'Anybody feel like getting out for a while', Chandler suggested. Ross shrugged and said 'Sure'. Chandler turned to Monica and said 'You wanna stop for some coffee'. She thought for a moment, and nodded. Rachel reached for their coats and closed the door behind them, and walked the 3 blocks to the coffee house.

They all filed into Central Perk and took their usual places as Chandler walked over to the counter. 'Are you sure that you're OK', Ross asked his sister who nodded and replied 'I will be'.

Rachel smiled and said 'We all will be'.

They stay for another cup of coffee, before saying goodnight.