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CHAPTER 12
"stop the car!" I cry out the second we turn the corner of my street. The stranger called Barry turns and looks at me bewildered by my sudden yell.
"why?"
"I-I can't go with you to the play, I'm so sorry, I just- I have something else to do, please stop the car"
"what?" I roll my eyes annoyed. Am I speaking Chinese or What? I want to get down of the car dumb-ass!
"I'm supposed to be meeting someone in half an hour and it's very important, I just can't go to the play"
"but your father said you were free…" he says in confusion.
"my father is an ass! He didn't even ask if I agreed to this in the first place"
"oh I had no idea…"
"Please, let me go, this is truly important" I say, pressing my hands together in a begging way.
"I understand your situation Rachel, but I'm afraid that won't be possible…your father made me responsible of you for tonight…what if something happens to you or he finds out I left you with someone else?…I can't do that, I'm sorry"
"please, I promise he'll never know, I'll tell him we went to the play and had a blast, deal?"
"….still, I don't want to take the risk, I know your father and how protective of you he is…"
"Well thank you for ruining my day!" I say crossing my arms in anger and turning my eyes towards the road ahead. I glare at it, wishing that the hard cement turned into sticky mud and left us no other choice but to stop the car that is only taking further and further away from Ross.
"Is that person you were meeting your boyfriend?" he asks little after. I hesitate for a moment whether to tell him the truth or not.
"no…it's just a friend of mine" I lie; he is a stranger after all, and an ally of my father, which is even worse. "Can we at least stop by her house, please?" I ask hopeful. Maybe Ross didn't leave his house yet and I still can explain this madness to him.
"We're near the highway, I can't make a u-turn now…plus we are kind of late for the play..."
"as if I care about that"
"Why don't you call your friend from the theatre?" and why don't you just leave me alone? Can't you see that I don't have the smallest interest in going to this play with you? I shrug my shoulders in resignation and shrink in the seat, wanting this twisted night to be over this instant.
(…)
"pick up, pick up, pick up Ross please" I pray, eyes closed.
"hello?" Jack's voice interrupts my prayer.
"hi! Can I speak to Ross please?" I ask right away.
"who is this?"
"em, a friend of him…"
"Ross left some minutes ago" the little hope I was holding drops heavily to the floor, dragging my happiness with it and leaving me completely weak and down-hearted. I rest my back on the nearest wall, dreading an embarrassing fall. I hear something on the other side of the receiver, but I'm still too lifeless to even pay attention. "sorry?" I manage to mutter.
"do you wish to leave a message?" Jack politely repeats.
"it's okay-" my voice cracks; tears flooding my eyes. "I…I'll call later" I say before hanging the phone in deep misery. Why does this have to be so complicated!
"did you talk to your friend?" I hear Barry's voice from afar. I quickly sweep my tears off my face and turn to find him standing next to me.
"she wasn't home…"
"don't be sad, I'm sure she will understand…Shall we go inside?" he asks, placing a hand on the small of my back. I don't pronounce a word; my voice is tied but my body obeys his order and begins to walk right as if controlled by a remote. What else could I do? My night and date with Ross is already ruined.
The theatre is packed. Our seats are among the first rows, as it couldn't be any other way being my father Leonard Green. The lights are still on and all I can see is happy faces surrounding me, happy faces that I only perceive as a mock to my misfortune. What will Ross think of me when he realizes I'm not coming? Will he worry about me? Will he think I stood him up? Or even worse, will he think I was playing with him all this time? Please don't let him believe that.
"isn't this a magnificent theatre?" I hear Barry's voice in the background of my thoughts.
"yes" I automatically say, not really having heard his words.
"Have you been here before?" Please let the play begin and shut this freak up!
"no"
"do you-"
"you don't need to make small talk" I snap. His shocked expression makes me regret my words. In the end it isn't his fault that I'm here.
"wow, am I that annoying?" he says pulling a funny face. I let out a sad chuckle.
"no, you're not…I'm just mad at my dad and this situation, I'm sorry I'm taking it out on you…" I tilt my head in an apologetic way.
"You were meeting your boyfriend, weren't you?" I look right at his eyes for the first time in the entire night. He gives me a sympathy smile, which makes me feel a little more comfortable with this total stranger. "That's the only reason I can think of for you to be this upset…"
"it's not your business" I say as politely as possible "and I don't mean to be rude…it's just that…I don't know you"
"well, that's why we're on this 'date', to get to know each other." he says placing his hand over mine. I look at our hands touching, and all I can think of is how different it feels when Ross does it. I subtly move it away and rest both of my hands securely on my lap. "so you DO have a boyfriend" he says kind of amused. "I won't tell your father, if that's what scares you"
"I may…yes" I finally admit not entirely comfortable, But something inside me tells me he is a truthful guy. "in fact, today was our first official date…but I guess that is not happening" I say, not making the slightest effort to hide my disappointment and bigger sadness.
"oh…I'm sorry, had I known that-"
"you don't have to apologize" I stop him. "It's my dad's fault, he should have asked me first, but why would he? When I'm his daughter and he has the right to decide and plan my life for me" do I sound bitter enough? because I can try again.
"I'm sorry Rachel" he says, seeming honest about those words.
"so Am I…" I say in a sigh.
"don't be sad, if he loves you he will understand"
"I hope so" I really hope so.
"why didn't you tell your dad about your boyfriend anyway?"
"tell my dad I have a boyfriend? That's like telling him 'dad I want you to analyze, criticise and give my boyfriend a hard time whenever I invite him home, alright?'" I hear him let out a loud guffaw, which makes the people in front of us turn for a moment.
"you're kidding right?" he says one his laughter has ceased.
"not at all, that's my dear, lovely father" I say with sarcasm.
"wow really?" He laughs again, lower this time. "Then I have such a big misconception about your father, he is always so nice with me"
"that's because he likes you"
"how come?"
"I don't know, you tell me"
"…perhaps he wants us together so that he can get free visits to the dentist?" he says shrugging, I chuckle weakly.
"Could be that yeah, whatever it takes to save some money he will do" I say with a half smile. it's sad but it's the truth. "so please, don't tell my dad, I beg you"
"I won't, your secret is safe with me"
"thank you"
"too bad you're taken…do you really love this boyfriend of yours? Because we could be good together"
"I do, more than I thought I was able to love anybody" I say from the bottom of my heart.
"okay, you're in love, don't need to say more, I can see it in your eyes" I smile, I am in love.
"but hey, I have two other sisters, you can go out with one of them, I give you my permission"
"do they look like you?"
"that's too much hoping" I joke.
"bummer" we share a laugh.
"okay, so you have a boyfriend…Can I at least give you this?" he says taking a small dark blue box out of one of his pockets. "I bought it before I knew you were in a relationship, of course"
"what is it?" I say lifting a brow.
"open it" I take the box in my hands with curiosity. "Quickly, the play is about to start" he urges me. I open the small box and find an elegant, silver bracelet covered with shiny blue, pink and white crystals that look awfully much like diamonds.
"oh my god" I say in a gasp "are these real diamonds?"
"real diamonds" he says nodding.
"wow…it's gorgeous, thank you…I can't take it though, it must have cost you a fortune" I say, closing the small box and reluctantly handing it back to him.
"I can afford it, keep it" he says as he places it in my hands again.
"but-"
"really, I want you to have it" he insists and I give up, I'd be lying if I said I don't want it.
"okay…but this doesn't change anything, if that's the intention you put on this gift…I love my boyfriend very much"
"it's just a 'let's be friends' gift, you don't have to worry"
"'a let's be friends' gift?...well, I think I can accept it if that's what it means"
"let me help you put it on" he says as he takes the bracelet and clasp it around my wrist.
"thank for understanding Barry, you're so sweet, and for this gorgeous jewellery masterpiece" I say with an honest smile.
"no problem, I'm glad it cheered you up a little bit and…we'd better shut up now, I'm sensing hostility coming from ahead" he says in a lower voice, I lift my look and find three people staring at us with not so friendly eyes. I contain a giggle.
The play is over after two long hours where, despite Barry's sweet gesture, misery and desperation has dwelt in my body. I don't even know what was the plot or who the actors played, My mind was only able to focus on Ross. I wondered where he was at that moment, how long had he waited for me, which kind of thoughts could have gone through his mind when he realised I wasn't coming, and the more I wondered the more my desperation grew.
Barry drives me home afterwards, trying to keep a conversation alive but as nice as he is and the efforts he makes to cheer me up I can't respond to him, my throat is contracted, leaving just a tiny space for vital air.
"we are here" his words wake me up, and I immediately open the door.
"thank you again Barry" I say as I send him a faint smile and turn to walk towards my house.
"wait, do you want to hang out some other day?"
"you're very nice Barry, but I don't think so…"
"I mean 'hang out' as friends Rachel, nothing else"
"alright…I'll think about it, I gotta go now, good night"
"good night, and good luck!"
"thank you" I yell back as I open the door, drop everything my hands are holding and run towards the phone.
….
"hello?"
"Ross! Thank god you picked up the phone!" I say liberating the puff of air trapped within my chest. However, dead silence is all I get as response and my feeling of guilt doubles its weight over my shoulders. "Ross, I'm so SO sorry I didn't show up, my dad screwed it all up for me." I try to explain, my voice at a breaking point. Another deep, disturbing silence follows and I feel like burst out crying. "please Ross, say something, are you mad at me?"
"look Rachel, I don't feel like talking right now" he says in an emotionless voice. I hold my breath as silent tears of guilt crawl down my cheeks.
"please don't say that…I-I don't want to explain this over the phone and I know it's kinda late but…Can we please meet? I owe you an explanation" he stays quiet again, and I begin to loose hope. "Please" I beg in an involuntary sob.
"alright…" he finally say, allowing me to breath again "do you want me to come over?"
"yes please, don't ring the bell though, everybody is sleeping, I'll leave the door crack open for you"
"okay…I'll be there in a few minutes"
"Ross, I'm really sorry" I say containing another river of tears that begins to form in my already reddened eyes.
"see you" he says after a brief silence that only enhances my anxiety. I drop the phone and run towards the main door and open it as I promised. I pick up my things from the floor and enter my bedroom. The wait is torturing, and it has me pacing in every direction of my room, wanting to kick and break everything to release this suffocating angst.
My heart skips a beat the moment I hear a faint knock on my bedroom door.
"Hi" he whispers, closing the door behind him and a big smile draws on my face. I immediately jump from my bed and wrap my arms around his neck in a needed hug. He seems reluctant at first, but then he encircles my waist with his strong arms and squeezes me into his body, making me feel at peace for the first time that day. I move my hands to his cheeks and force him to look straight into my eyes.
"I'm sorry" I whisper before kissing him, softly but with need.
"Rach-" he protests, pulling his face away. I sigh, aware of how he must feel.
"shh, don't say anything before I can explain what happened" I grab his hand and guide him to my bed. He sits in front of me still wearing that serious expression that makes my stomach turn; I grab his hand and caress it as I think of where to start from.
"I'm really sorry I didn't make it to our first day, I was going, I really was! But my dad had set me up with that stupid guy he wants me to date and I couldn't get away from it, he didn't even tell me about it until the very last minute that's why I didn't have time to call you." I stop, out of breath. "God, you cannot imagine what an awful night I've had knowing you were waiting for me and I couldn't even contact you…I-I'm really sorry our first date got ruined" I lift my head and meet gazes with him. I unconsciously bite my lip as I try to contain the imminent tears that want to break through my eyes when he doesn't say a word back. "I'll understand if you're mad at me, but Ross, say something please" I beg, hating the way his lips have kept frozen since he arrived.
"you look gorgeous" he suddenly says, leaving me dumbfounded.
"w-what?"
"you look gorgeous in that dress, it brings out your beautiful skin color" he says, showing a cute smile, bringing me back a happiness that had been absent.
"you aren't mad at me?" I ask, unable to hide the smile he has put on my face with those few words.
"how could I? now that I know you didn't intentionally stand me up I have no reasons to be mad at you, it wasn't your fault after all" he says stroking my hands reassuringly.
"so you believe me? I found what happened so twisted that I dreaded you wouldn't believe me"
"…if I didn't know your father I would have had my doubts but yeah, I do believe-" I don't let him finish the sentence; I simply grab his cheeks and bring him for a kiss I had been waiting for all day. His hands move to my back as he responds to my kiss with tenderness, melting away my previous anxiety.
"I love you" I murmur between pecks and he deepens the kiss in response. "Thank you for being so understanding" I murmur as our lips part.
"no problem, but you'll have to make it up for me someway"
"totally agree with that" I smile. "Can we do whatever you had planned for us tomorrow? I'm still looking forward to that first date"
"I wish…but it had to be today" he says, with evident disappointment.
"How come? What did you have planned?"
"I guess I can tell you now…I had gotten tickets for yesterday's U2's concert" my jaw drops.
"what! you're kidding right?"
"nope" he says, shaking his head.
"oh my god, h-how? Tickets were sold out for months!" I say unbelievingly.
"just made some research…and I got them"
"damn it! and I missed it for a stupid play I couldn't care less about? I hate my dad, I do!"
"so do I" he says, imitating my whiny tone. I slap his shoulder playfully.
"how did you know I liked U2, by the way?"
"how? I needed to be deaf not to know that, you and my sister put their songs on full blast like…every evening!"
"oh right" I say in a chuckle, remembering the many evening at Monica's when we would dance and sing like crazy to U2 songs. "Tell me more, what else did you have planned?" I ask as I lean forward to rest my head on his chest. He embraces me and begins to gently rub my back.
"well…I was going to cover your eyes, drive you into Manhattan and surprise you when we were at The Garden…and then…since we would have been in the city I thought it would have been cool to go up to the top of the Empire State and watch the stars together from closer" he murmurs as he kisses my hair. I look up at him and smile.
"you're amazing" I say in a whisper. "That…would have been a pretty awesome first date"
"yeah…I'm sorry it didn't work out…I know how much you adore U2"
"it's okay…plus it's actually a relief we didn't go, Can you picture me at a U2 concert with this dress? People would have kicked me out of there" we share a knowingly laugh. "jokes aside, I really appreciate how much dedication you put on the date…even if it didn't happen"
"I just want to make you happy"
"honey, you're making me happy right now, just by being here with me" I say, looking into his eyes. The biggest smile lightens his face and it makes my stomach and everything there is inside my body jump of pure joy. He pulls me closer as he locks lips with me with eagerness.
"so, we move the date to tomorrow?" he murmurs all giddy.
"Yeah…we could…go to the movies tomorrow? I'll let you choose the movie for today's fiasco"
"Think that twice, you may not like the movie I choose" he warns me.
"It doesn't matter, plus…if it gets boring you can entertain me some other way" I sensually say, brushing his lips as I introduce my hands under his T-shirt and begin to stroke his sides.
"mmmh, then I'll make sure I chose a foreign one" we share a snigger and then I see him glance at his watch and make a face.
"ugh, I gotta go, it's getting late"
"no please" I whine as I grab his hand firmly "sleep with me tonight" I plead as I tilt my head and send him a sad pout that has effect on him right away.
"okay…will you wake me up early? I don't want to run into your father and have a heart attack" a chuckle exits my mouth.
"I will, don't worry, now get those clothes off" I order as I myself stand up and unzip my dress and get rid of my strapless bra before getting in my bed. When I look at him he is standing still, looking at me with a mixture of puzzlement and yearn.
"what?"
"are you gonna sleep like that?"
"yes, why?"
"no reason, just don't bother waking me up, I won't be able to sleep anyhow" I let out a loud chuckly.
"get in here silly!"
We lie cuddled under the covers of my bed, my head resting on his shoulder as he embraces me close. I draw circles in his chest with my finger while I close my eyes to enjoy the small kisses he leaves in my forehead. He gently strokes my arm up and down, until something distracts him.
"what's this?" he asks, passing his fingers over the bracelet Barry gave me.
"oh…Barry gave it to me" I say casually, not giving it much importance but when he doesn't say anything I know he thinks otherwise. "Does it bother you?" I ask as I turn around to see his reactions. However he ignores my question and instead he observes the diamonds of my bracelet with wondering eyes.
"tell me about him" he asks with evident reluctance.
"why?" I frown in confusion.
"I don't know…I want to know what type of guy your father wants for you" I wrinkle my nose, not really feeling like getting into the issue again.
"well, his name is Barry…he's studying to be an orthodontist and…I don't know much else to be honest, I barely pay attention to what he said, but he was nice, I told him about you and what happened and he apologized for having spoiled our date, and tried to cheer me up"
"you told him about me?"
"well no directly, I didn't mention your name, but he knows I have a boyfriend"
"what if he tells your father?" he asks with concern.
"I don't think he will, he gave me a good vibe…" he moves his eyes to the ceiling and stays quiet for a while. I observe him carefully; he barely blinks and I soon know something is going through his mind, and not exactly a good thing.
"what are you thinking?" I ask concerned.
"I'm thinking that…I'm not the right guy for you Rach" a strong pinch hits my stomach as soon as those words leave his moth.
"what? Why would you think that?"
"because- I'm a normal person, with a much simpler life than that guy, and…I-I won't be able to offer you all the luxury you're used to, o-or buy you this" he says lifting my hand "which probably costs as much as my entire house…maybe your father is right and you should date that Barry" I take a deep breath, disbelieving those words have come right out of his mouth.
"first of all, don't tell me what's right for me or not, I have enough with my father deciding for me twenty four hours a day! And second of all, I love YOU. I don't care if it's right or wrong, what I know is nobody has made me feel they way you do, EVER. And this is much better than any piece of jewellery, and if that's what worries you, here" I quickly unclasp the bracelet and throw it away. "I don't want that or anything else if they'll make you have those bizarre thoughts…I love you Ross" I say calmer now. "in fact, when Barry and I were at the theatre...he touched my hand, and you know what I felt? NOTHING, all I could think of was how different it felt when you did it and how I wish it were you sitting next to me…and you're a normal person? since when? You're very special, to me at least, and-" I suddenly can't speak; his mouth has invaded mine with a passionate, breathtaking kiss that almost makes me fall off the bed. I embrace him as he lies upon me, kissing me with eagerness. I smile in my head, enjoying this feeling of happiness that only him can provide.
·····················
"are you sure you want to let me choose the movie?" Ross asks as he hugs me from behind. I lean my head backwards and rest it on his shoulder.
"I am sure, but decide fast, we're next" I warn him. When I part my eyes from the movie posters, something catches my attention; a guy, who looks especially familiar, walking to our line. My eyes widen when I suddenly realise who that person is.
"oh my god, what's Barry doing here!" I exclaim as I quickly hide behind Ross.
"who is Barry?" Ross asks confused.
"the guy my father set me up with, I told you about him last night!"
"Is that Mindy next to him?" Ross asks incredulous. I quickly peer at them over his shoulder.
"oh my god! What is she doing with him! Don't move! they're gonna see me" I scold him in a hiss.
"too late, they're coming towards us"
"!" I swear under a breath as I reluctantly return to standing next to him.
"hi Rachel" Barry cheerfully says as he reach us.
"oh hey Barry! I hadn't seen you there." I say faking surprise. "Hi Mindy" you bitch had to be there, didn't you?
"how are you?" he politely asks.
"fine, you?"
"good too...I assume this is your famous boyfriend, right?" he says turning to Ross.
"new boyfriend? You sure do not waste time, do you Rachel?" Mindy says with that bothersome bitchy tone of her.
"I am the boyfriend, Ross Geller, nice to meet you" Ross quickly steps in. he knows me too well.
"Ross Geller, as in Monica Geller's brother?" Mindy says stunned. ! Why didn't I guess this would happen? now everybody will know about us. Great!
"yes" he responds casually.
"wow! You sure have changed over the summer, I hardly recognized you" she says in a flirty way that makes me want to struggle her. She then looks at me with a grin. She is already planning something. I know it. I direct my eyes towards Barry.
"what about you two? Are you…a couple?" I say frowning.
"no…we're just hanging out" he soon clarifies, something that bothered Mindy judging by her silent reaction.
"Which movie are you guys seeing?" she soon asks. Ross and I exchange glances.
"eh- we haven't decided yet" Ross says.
"oh well, why don't we all go see the same one?" Mindy suggest; I clench my teeth to prevent a yell, since I know all she wants to do is spy on me.
"Actually we had decided already, we're going to watch that German documentary, right honey?…You'll probably get bored" I quickly say.
"it's okay, we want to see that too, right Barry?" you annoying bitch leave me the alone! He shrugs his shoulders. Ross looks at me, silently asking me how the hell we can escape from these two. I wish I know…
"it could be fun" Barry adds. Nooo! Make something up Rachel! But I can't, my mind has blocked completely. Awesome. My date with Ross got ruined once again. What else could go wrong uh?
As we wait for the movie to start I try to remain calm in my seat, get my exasperation controlled, but I fail. Knowing she is sitting by my side, peering at me from the corner of her eye and memorizing whatever I do to chitchat with others later only increases my anger. I feel Ross' hand rest on mine and give it a reassuring squeeze. I look at him and send him a grateful smile. His eyes tell me he hates this situation as much as I do.
We chose this far-off theatre looking for privacy, Why did these two have to show up at this exact cinema? This is nerve-wracking!
"I-I'm going to the restroom, be right back" I murmur to him.
"Rach, you going to the ladies room? I'll go with you" Mindy invites herself as soon as she notices I've stoop up from my seat. I choke back a groan of deep frustration and begin to walk away, closely followed by her. "how convenient that you started dating Ross Geller just when he became a hottie" she points out the moment we cross the restroom door. "That doesn't show how shallow you are at all" she adds with sarcasm. I turn over my heels and glare at her.
"Will you for once mind your own business?" I say through my clenched teeth.
"always so edgy, what's up with you Rach? we're friends" she says with a big, fake smile.
"We are so NOT friends Mindy, I think I made it pretty clear the last time I saw you, so please, leave me alone, go annoy someone else"
"you know, it's so funny how things are, some months ago you didn't give a shit about Ross and now you seem all head over heels for him…ha" she says, ignoring completely my previous reprimand. "but I gotta say, it's a huge downgrade for you after having dated Chip"
"you know Mindy, your opinion is like sneakers to me, useless!...and what are you doing with Barry anyway? Has your father refused to pay any more of your whims and now you need someone else with deep pockets?"
"yes, I won't deny that, I'm not a coward like you" she says, placing a hand on her hip and rising her chin in superiority.
"you're pathetic, thankfully Barry seems to be smart enough to know what kind of person you are, or I may warn him, just in case"
"do so and everybody will know you're dating the geekiest guy in High School by tomorrow" she says, threatening me with a pointy finger.
"go ahead, I don't care and good bye, I didn't come here to waste my time talking to you" I say before turning around and storming out of that place.
(…)
"so, our date got spoiled once again" Ross says with a sad smile of resignation as he stops the car at a safe distance from my house.
"ugh, next time let's just stay at your house or mine, at least there we'll be safe from running into undesirable people"
"what about your sisters?" he says in a chuckle.
"okay, let me remake that: next time let's just stay at YOUR house"
"actually…I think my parents are visiting my grandma in the city tomorrow, and I can get rid of Monica" he says, a grin forming on his lips.
"do it, please" I beg as I lean towards his seat, grab his face between my hands and press my lips against his. "I really need some alone time with you" I murmur before kissing him again.
"good, Eric will call you tomorrow morning to confirm the time" he says, placing his hands on my sides and pulling me closer as his tongue breaks through my lips.
·····························
I ring his door bell with anticipation shooting through my body. Finally, an afternoon to enjoy without interruptions!
"Hi" he says with an odd twisted smile.
"what's wrong, why that face?" I ask helplessly, knowing something was hidden under that apologetic expression he is wearing.
"we're not alone" no! not again please!
"what?" I ask in a weak sigh.
"my…cousin is here" well, a cousin is not that bad. At least it's not his parents or Monica.
"oh, Is he/she leaving soon?" I ask with a glimmer of hope.
"Actually…I'm babysitting him"
"what? how old is he?" I shake my head confused.
"one…and a half"
"a-a baby?" I stutter shocked. I feel my hands suddenly start to sweat. A baby? "You know what…maybe we should meet some other day" I mutter, taking a step backwards. He pulls an amused face and grips my hand before I can go further away.
"I don't think so" he says, leading me inside despite myself.
"but why do you have to baby-sit him today? Don't you have other relatives? It was supposed to be you and I alone" I whine as I follow him towards the living room.
"I know, I'm sorry…no one else was available, and Monica had already left when my aunt called. What's the big deal anyway, he is a baby, he won't remember you were here, let alone tell someone about it"
"I know…I just…I don't like children" I admit. In fact, they freak me out.
"I don't believe you" he murmurs as he stops and lets me enter first. I timidly walk in and find the baby sitting on a rug in the middle of the living room, playing gleefully with a bunch of colourful plastic blocks. The moment he notices our presence, his big brown eyes rise and gaze at me, giving me instant creeps.
"hi baby" I nervously say and the baby completely ignores me and returns to his game. "what's its name?"
"its? Rach, he's a person" he says in a mocking chuckle.
"I-I'm sorry, babies make me really nervous" he gives me a sympathy smile and hugs me from behind.
"his name is Dylan"
"oh, cute"
"do you want to hold him?"
"no, no no no no…h-he seems…quite happy there on the floor"
"alright…then, can I have a kiss? You haven't given me one since you arrived" he whines. I smile as I turn inside his embrace.
"that I can happily do" I whisper as we melt in a slow, delicious kiss.
"I need you to do me a small favour…" he says as he pushes my hair back and strokes my neck with his masculine finger. I lift an eyebrow in a query way. "Can you keep an eye on Dylan while I heat his milk?" he adds and my body paralyzes.
"you mean, me…alone with the baby?" my throat contracts and gets dry in a matter of seconds.
"yes, it will only be a few minutes, I promise"
"ugh…okay. But only watch him right?"
"yes, weirdo" he says in a mocking tone.
"hey, don't laugh at me, babies really freak me out, I can't help it" he chuckles softly and kisses my cheek before disappearing into the kitchen. I swallow the lump in my throat and take a seat in the nearby couch. I observe the baby put one block unsuccessfully over another, until all of a sudden his eyes return to me, making my nervous grow in my stomach. His little mouth extends in a cute smile that to my surprise soothes me a little. Then, all of a sudden, his blocks seem to bore him and he begins to crawl towards me. I nervously move my eyes in every direction, looking for something to keep him distracted. When I look back to the baby he is already sitting before me, his tiny hands gripping my leg as his mouth licks me. EW, what the hell?
"no no no no Dylan honey, that's my leg" I say as I quickly but carefully remove his face from my leg. A trail of saliva joins his mouth with my skin for a moment, which makes my stomach revolve in repulsion. I soon grab a toy that's over the couch and hand it to him. "there, that you can drool over all you want"
"NO!" he says in a loud clear tone that startles me.
"no?"
"NO!" he repeats frowning and throws the toy away. Oh god, Ross you better come soon!
(…)
"ROSS! Come, quickly!"
"what! what! what?" he exclaims entering the living room in a run.
"Some gross stuff has…exploded right out from his nose" I exclaim with disgust spread over my face "Is that normal?" he gives me a 'are you serious?' look before bursting out laughing.
"it's just mucus Rach, have you ever been around babies before?" he ask as he kneels down and wipes the baby's nose.
"no since my sisters were ones…and that's probably why I dislike babies"
"well, the milk is ready, your task is over"
"thank god" I say in a sigh of relief and plop back on the couch.
"hey Dylan, are you hungry?" Ross says shaking the feeding bottle and the baby immediately squeals in joyful giggles. I observe how Ross holds the baby, sit on the couch next to me and feeds the baby effortlessly, as if he had been doing so all his life. I soon find myself spellbound by the sight of him feeding the baby; the adorable smile he's wearing on his face; the funny noises he makes to keep the baby awake while he's eating, how natural it all seems with him.
"you love babies, don't you?" He parts his eyes from the baby and look at me with the most adorable smile I have ever seen.
"I adore them" he says, returning his eyes to the baby in his arms. I unconsciously giggle when the baby takes the bottle from Ross' hands and holds it himself. Then I see how Ross' free hand strokes the baby's small feet, still wearing that endearing smile in his lips.
"you're gonna make a wonderful dad one day Ross" I break the peaceful silence with words that come right out from the bottom of my heart. He locks gazes with me and smiles.
"and you're gonna be a terrific mom one day too" his words make a bunch of butterflies flutter freely in my stomach. Me a mom? The only thought of it makes me laugh. "I'm sure you will, even though you think they freak you out now; you'll make a beautiful, loving mommy one day" he says in the sweetest tone, and a newly sensation I cannot find words to describe raises within my body.
His eyes return to the baby and I feel the need to move near him. I observe the sweet baby's face, how his eyelids quiver a little as he keeps sucking on the feeding bottle; how his short legs kick the air spontaneously. I surprise myself when my hand naturally rests on the baby's leg and begin to stroke it smoothly. The softest skin I've ever felt. The baby opens his eyes and gazes right at me; I look at him as well, and to my surprise I don't freak out. Instead, a smile of adoration appears in my face.
When I lift my eyes I find Ross looking at me with a grin. I return the smile and suddenly an image occupies my mind for a fleeting moment; an image of Ross and I in a similar situation, in a future…with our own baby. It seemed so real I could actually feel our baby's weight in my arms while Ross' arms were wrapped protectively around us. It felt right; it felt amazing.
(…..)
"Dylan is finally asleep" Ross announces as he returns to the couch and passes an arm over my shoulders. "I'm all yours now" he grins.
"mm I love the sound of that" I reach for his lips and kiss him hungrily. I feel him push me backwards to lie me down at the same time he places himself over me. "Why don't we go upstairs?" I suggest against his mouth, knowing perfectly where this will lead to.
"we can't leave him alone, he may wake up"
"yeah…but he is in his playpen, he can't escape from there, can he?"
"I guess no, but…you can't leave a baby alone Rach; and don't insist 'cause you'll end up convincing me" he begs as he kisses me softly. I resign myself and catch his bottom lip and nibble at it playfully while his hands begin to make their way under my top. Suddenly, the sound of a door closing startles us and our body freezes as we look at each other in panic. NOT AGAIN FOR GOD'S SAKE! My inner voice yells in frustration.
"Anybody's home?" Monica's voice sounds from the hallway. As fast as we can, we sit up and straighten our clothes before she enters.
"hi Monica" we both quickly say at the same time. So nonchalant.
"oh hi Rach, what…what are you doing here?" she asks peering at us.
"oh, I…your stupid brother called me, he needed help with little Dylan" I say in a chuckle. Okay, this couldn't have sounded any less believable.
"you, helping take care of babies?" she says, an eyebrow lifted and eying my with suspicion. Of course she suspects, she is my best friend, she knows I don't quite like children.
"yeah, I called Rachel because Dylan was making a fuss and…I didn't know where you were so-" he intervenes, trying support my lie.
"quit it Ross" I say. "Mon, can we talk?" it's time to tell her the truth.
"yeah alright, let's go upstairs"
"you sure" Ross says to me in a low voice. I wink my eye at him and stand up to follow Monica upstairs.
(····)
"so what's up with you and my brother?" she says, surprisingly calm.
"why do you ask that?"
"well...two heads popping above the couch at the same time it's kind of suspicious you know" I blush heavily. so she did see us..."are you guys dating?"
"mmm…maybe….yeah" I timidly say.
"Is it serious?"
"I guess it is…why are you not surprised?" I frown.
"because I kinda knew this would eventually happen" she says shrugging her shoulders.
".so, what do you think?" I try to hide a smile.
"I…think it's awesome!" she finally shows some enthusiasm "It was about time you saw the wonderful person Ross really is, but, how did this happen?"
"remember you and I supposedly spent the weekend together?" she nods "well, it was your brother I spent it with" I reveal, with surprising tranquillity.
"what! You spent the entire weekend with my brother?"
"hu-huh"
"in this house?"
"hu-huh"
"what did you do?"
"do you really wanna know?"
"maybe not" she says hesitantly "but again, h-how did this happen? You were at each other's throat when I left"
"okay, long story short: I came to your house looking for you because I was a bit blue after breaking up with Barry" lie I know, but I don't feel like telling the truth and have to relive everything again. "and found out you were on a trip, so when I was about to leave your brother invited me inside, I told him what happened, he treated me shockingly well and then he told me that you had explain him what really happened…one thing led to another and…I ended up telling him about my feelings for him"
"those feelings you denied to me" she states.
"yeah…sorry about that, you know I'm too stubborn to admit the truth at times"
"it's okay, I'm happy for you two, now I understand why he's been all giddy lately"
"he has?"
"oh yeah, he's been in love with you forever, he must be in cloud nine right now"
"so am I" I say, beaming a smile.
"aww" Monica exclaims as she hugs me affectionately.
"okay, Now that you know I need you to help me with something"
"alright, what is it?"
·····························
That's it for now. Thanks for reading and reviews are welcomed!