Chapter 1

Say That You Love Me

Chandler's eyes grew bigger. He never expected that he would hear those words again. He thought he could never be with Monica for more than 2 weeks.

"What? Ho…how is that possible? Why would she quit? It was her dream job? She would never do such a thing!"

"It's true. She called Ross and told him that she's coming home and that she needs a place to stay."

"So... when is she coming back?" Chandler asked, semi-happy that he could possibly spend more time with Monica despite their ugly past.

"Two, three weeks? I dunno. But she'll be here soon. Man, aren't you excited? With Monica back, it's like the old times. The whole gang, drinking coffee at Central Perk. How great could that be? Plus, with Monica staying here temporarily, I think that we're gonna have a blast!"

Chandler's eyes even grew wider. Monica can't stay in their apartment. It was just too awkward and they shared too many memories here. It would be like torture to see Monica everyday and knowing that she's just in the other room. He might do something that he'd end up regretting. "Why? Why? Why? W... why would she stay here? Did she really say she wanted to live here? Apartment 20? Did she really specify this apartment?" Chandler was babbling these words out of confusion.

"Dude… what's your problem? Aren't you happy that Monica's gonna live here for a while? You know what happened to her grandmother's apartment, right?. If only the fire was caught fast… well... Thanks to you, most of their stuff got burned. Just think of it this way, if Monica's here, we can see her naked once in a while... Wouldn't that be great?!"

"Did you hear what you just said, Jo? She is my ex-girlfriend! Joey, you were here when my world was falling apart because of her!"

Joey was confused. He thought everything was okay. "But, you said you've moved on?"

"No! How can I move on?" Chandler sighed. "She's the love of my life..."

"Wow. I'm sorry man, I didn't know that's how you felt." Joey paused for a while, thinking of a reason for Chandler to consider. "Hey, maybe this is a chance for you to bring back the good times! You know, the two of you alone in this apartment… Sharing a glass of wine while watching Notting Hill. Man believe me, something will happen." Joey couldn't hide the grin while imaging the scenario to his friend.

Chandler just stayed silent. He sure wanted that to happen, but was he willing to forget their painful past just to have another with her? He was still not sure about that. His mind wasn't even done debating whether he'd feel happy or not to with Monica's sudden decision. All he knows is that he'll be happy 'cause he could see Monica again and hang out with her more often. But on the other hand, he's scared that he might really lose it because he knows he's still madly in love with Monica. But he thought she was still a friend, and she really had no place to stay.

"Okay Joe, maybe it wouldn't be too bad if Monica stayed here. Does she know about this?"

"Yeah. And she was really thankful for letting her stay even just for a few months."

Well, maybe it'll be good. Maybe I could live with her without harboring any romantic feelings for her? So that's my decision then… no more heartaches… No more wishing for another chance with Monica. Chandler said in his mind.

For the past two weeks, Chandler had been trying to instill in his mind that he should forget Monica. Their relationship had ended 3 years ago. She couldn't have feelings for him anymore. Monica's such an attractive girl. Any man she likes could be hers in just a snap. On the other Chandler did not have any luck with his love life not only because of his eccentric attitude but also because he still could not accept that he the love of his life had slipped away.

After one month.

Chandler, Joey, Ross, Rachel and Phoebe decided that they would all go to the airport to welcome Monica. The whole gang was so excited. They missed Monica so much. Every time Monica visited New York, they spent with her most of the time. They sometimes even call in sick just to spend more time with her. They all missed the special bond they had. And now, when Monica's plane arrives, everything will be back to normal. They would spend their days hanging out at Central Perk, having breakfast at her apartment (well, after they fix it), and spend Thanksgiving the Monica way.

Monica's plane will arrived within an hour. She told them that her plane will arrive at around 6:30 pm. Chandler was getting a bit restless and kept on looking at his watch. He constantly glanced at his watch hoping that the hour has passed and that the plane had arrived. Why am I excited to see her? I thought no more romance for me and Monica? Chandler thought to himself. But no matter how hard he tries to fight the feeling of excitement, he just couldn't relax. And so once more, he looked at his watch and saw the time; it was 5:27…

Flashback:

"Hello kids. Anyone missed me?" Chandler walked in to Monica and Rachel's apartment greeting everyone with his usual line.

"Hey Chandler, you look happy today? Did we score last night?" Rachel asked him knowing that the glow on Chandler's face only meant one thing.

"What? Me? Hey, that is just hurtful. Do you think that my only source of pleasure is sex? Ouch! I am officially hurt!"

"Oh my god. I'm so sorry honey. I just thought…" Rachel was trying to explain her side when Chandler suddenly interrupted her.

"No I'm kidding… Sex is the only pleasure I have. And for your information, last night was the best I ever had! Could you believe that?!" Chandler was about to do his victory dance after announcing to everyone the-best-he-ever-had.

"Woah man, I'm so happy for you! So who's this the-best-I-ever-had?" Ross asked out of curiosity.

"Well… um…. She's… someone… someone you don't know."

"Oh really?" Monica asked and it could be sensed in her voice that she was curious as to what excuse would Chandler use now.

"Yh… yes.. She's a girl from work! Yes! She is 1999 Ms. Statistical-Analysis-and-Data-Reconfiguration."

"Wow! She must be really hot then. Even if her job is sooo lame, just imputing numbers and all. Maybe I could meet her one day and you know… experience Joey love." Joey told his best friend.

"No you can not." It could be sensed from his tone that he knows Joey would end up sleeping with her.

"Any ways, I'm happy for you Chandler, but I got to go to my doctor's appointment. You know, 3 months from now I'd be giving birth to my brother's triplets. Does anyone want to come with me?" Phoebe asked her friends hoping that someone would actually volunteer to come with her. "Whoever comes with me would get a free massage?"

"O… ok! I'll come with you Pheebs! You know I won't let you go by yourself. It's such a dangerous place outside!" Joey said and escorting Phoebe to the door.

"Well then I should get going too. I have to go to the museum 'cause there is some situation there right now." Ross told Monica and kissed her goodbye.

"Yeah Ross, could I go with you. I am going to the post office and it has the same route to the museum. I don't want to be walking alone you know." Rachel told Ross and waved goodbye to Monica and Chandler.

"Well I guess we have the apartment for ourselves. How about I book you with the best you ever had?" Monica told Chandler while brushing her lips to his.

Chandler glanced through the clock, it read 5:27 pm.

"Wait Monica, there is something I want to give you." Chandler handed her a silver watch. It was his watch actually, and it was kind of old and you could see that the color was a bit faded.

"Um… ok… Thank you? I guess? But, why are you giving this to me? Is this because I am the best you ever had and this is what I get for being the best? Hey mister, I'm not that cheap!" Monica was kind of confused as to why Chandler gave her the watch.

"No! Its not that… Its just that, 5 months 27 days ago was the first time we hook up in London. And if you see the time it reads 5:27." Chandler explained to Monica.

"So it's like our anniversary or something?" Monica teased. Chandler just gave her this cold look since she was not taking him seriously.

"Okay sweetie, so what's so special about 5:27?"

"Look at the hands of the watch, it as if they're holding hands. They seem inseparable. Like us. Mon, we've been together for more than 5 months now, and I just want to tell you that these past months were the happiest days of my life. Monica, I love you. And there will be no one else I would love more than you."

Monica could not believe what she heard. Her best friend, Chandler told her he loves her. The Chandler who was afraid of commitments, her best friend Chandler who was afraid to harbor feelings because he might get hurt. This Chandler was actually telling her he loves her!

"Wow. That's huge. Oh my god Chandler. I could not believe it. I mean at first I thought to myself that this could never happen. I know you so well and I never thought that you'd actually fall in love…especially with me. I mean, before, I already felt that I was falling in love with you, but then I began to realize that you might not learn to love me. And now that you are telling me this, I am just the happiest woman alive." Monica moved to Chandler, locking him in a hug. After this, they sealed the deal with a passionate kiss, and then everything was utopian. It was so magical. It was the start of something more, something that both of them always wanted.

"We'll be like the hands of the clock when it strikes 5:27. We'll never be apart... until the end of time…"

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