Part 4:

As he followed the others through the swing doors and into the waiting room Chandler was touched, although not surprised to find his friends still camped out there. He should have known they wouldn't go anywhere, not when one of them was hurting.

"What's going on?" Joey asked, his eyes on him as he collapsed dejectedly back into a plastic chair across from them all.

"She's awake again, the doctor's in there doing tests," Ross answered for them.

"That's gotta be a good sign? Right?" Joey prompted, his expression hopeful.

"Of course it is Joseph," Phoebe scolded. "It's a great sign. See she's fine, I told you she would be."

"I sure hope so," Chandler sighed quietly, bracing his elbows on his knees as he leaned forward, his fingers pressing against his closed eyelids. He couldn't remember a time where he'd felt such a strange combination of emotions. He was so drained and exhausted both mentally and physically yet was on a knife's edge, alert for any nurses bringing bad news.

Despite what the others were saying he knew things could change so quickly and he didn't like that he wasn't in there. When he had been in there with her, with her beautiful smile and gorgeous eyes, he'd felt that hope and belief in his chest, felt that she must be fine. But now out here, without her presence reassuring him he was scared. Visions of her crashing or flat-lining suddenly, post op infections, seizures...so much could go wrong and it always did in the movies. The character would wake up and appear fine before bam! Something horrible happened and...

"Do we know why she collapsed?" Jack Geller's voice sounded confused, strained like he couldn't quite comprehend that he was sat in a hospital waiting room. "I mean do we know why this happened?"

Chandler kept his eyes closed, wondering what the others would say as a heavy silence came over them. Were they waiting for him? Waiting for him to confess his sins? As the silence stretched he concluded maybe they were. Or at least they were waiting for him to see how he wanted to explain it and what to reveal. Sighing he sat up, opening his eyes and looking across at her parents' worried faces. Confession time.

"She, uh, we were playing tennis together," he swallowed as their eyes instantly snapped to him. "It got a little...competitive and it overran, I don't think she, uh had time to eat before she left for work."

"Tennis?" Judy questioned in that tone of hers.

Chandler's whole body tensed, his jaw tight as he bit his lip waiting. She could criticise him as much as she liked but if she even dared to try and criticise Monica now, whilst she was in hospital fighting for herself and their unborn baby he wouldn't be able to hold back.

"That's nice she still plays, I didn't realise she did." Chandler blinked confused by her quiet words as she continued. "She always used to love the sport, even when she was at her biggest. I remember that her and Ross used to get so competitive over it."

She was smiling fondly and Chandler chastened himself. Of course they were worried, would want to remember the good times and not focus on anything negative.

"Do you remember when they broke those brand new rackets I'd bought them?" Jack chuckled and they shared a smile together.

"That was her fault, she cheated," Ross grinned light-heartedly and Chandler smiled slightly, pleased they were recounting happy family memories.

He knew Monica at times had a strained relationship with her mother but deep down they loved and cared for each other dearly. They were routing for her too.

"I can't believe one missed meal and we're in ER," Judy commented quietly, shaking her head in disbelief.

Chandler cringed but knew without doubt he wanted to tell Monica about their baby before her parents found out. Tell her and then she could tell them in whatever way she chose. It had to be her choice.

"Speaking of missed meals, when did you last eat, Chandler?" Phoebe asked, apparently taking on the mother hen role as her eyes drilled into him.

"Uh..." he didn't have a clue, he didn't even know what time of day or night it was anymore. It seemed like the longest, surrealist day ever.

"Exactly," she gave him a stern knowing look. "We can't have you collapsing on us too."

"I'm not very hungry," he dismissed, food the last thing on his mind as his stomach tightened at the mere thought of it.

No he didn't need food, he just needed to get back in there and be with her.

"You have to eat, man," Joey joined in and he resisted rolling his eyes; he knew they meant well but he really didn't need to be looked after right now. They needed to look after Monica, not him.

"I'll grab something in a minute," he compromised, knowing he was lying and suspecting they all knew it too.

"Why don't you go for a walk then instead? Stretch your legs a little?" Rachel suggested. "You've been sat in there for hours. I know you're worried about her, Chandler but it's not healthy. Go get some fresh air."

He shook his head instantly, knowing that wasn't an option, "I promised her I'd go in again as soon as they finish their tests. I can't not be there, she needs me."

She needed him as much as he needed her. He wasn't going to leave her alone in hospital.

No way in hell.

He could feel them all exchanging looks but ignored them. Part of him briefly wondered what the older Gellers were making of it all as they remained silent but the larger part of him didn't have the energy to care. Like with everything else he'd faced today, he'd deal with whatever happened somehow. Right now he was tired, drained and just desperate to see her again.

What was taking so long?

"There's a vending machine just outside if you want something smaller?" Ross tried hesitantly.

Biting his lip to stop himself voicing his annoyance at their persistence, he tried to remind himself that it wasn't their fault; they were also enduring the day from hell and were just worried.

"Fine," he eventualy grated out, slowly standing up, his back and shoulders protesting at the movement. "If you hear anything though you better get me straight away."

"We will, the second we hear but she's going to be fine, Chandler," Ross promised.

Chandler reluctantly nodded before stepping out of the room and taking a long suffering breath. At least out here they wouldn't all be nagging him and he could get some space. He walked the short distance to the vending machine station, hands in pants pockets, head down.

The problem was he still couldn't convince himself to be as certain as the others were that she was 'fine'. He just really needed to see her again, to be with her. Let her reassure him she was ok. Let him tell her about the baby and let the baby make it, so they could raise it together and be that perfect family unit he'd never imagined he'd be a part of, let alone want so badly.

"You need a quarter, son?"

He blinked, it wasn't until Jack's voice came from behind him that he realized he'd just been staring blankly at the machine.

"Uh, no, thanks, I'm uh good," he shook his head, trying to clear it and focus on getting some cash from his pockets, keeping up the pretence that he was going to eat.

Jack remained silent as Chandler made his selection, "Did you uh want me to get you anything?" Chandler offered a little uncomfortable.

"No," he declined, "I just wanted to talk to you, about Monica."

Oh. If he wasn't already in such a emotionally charged state he might have worried about this conversation. Talking to your potential in-laws was never fun, but right now little else seemed to matter other than the woman lying on that hospital bed.

"What about her?" he asked, pressing the button for change, listening as the coins made their way through the machine and into the little return hatch.

"I may be reading between the lines here but I take it you're together?"

He froze slightly before slowly nodding, turning to him, "Yes sir."

The older man nodded, his brow furrowed as he tried to take in this new information.

"I'm surprised she hadn't said anything to us," he mused somewhat vacantly, "I mean, I can understand her not telling us about Richard but any other boyfriend she's always-"

"We hadn't told many people," he cut in, not wanting to sound harsh but really not wanting to think about Richard or any other of her exes just now.

"Oh."

Chandler wet his lips, bending down to retrieve his candy bar, playing with it in his hands as he straightened up and waited to see if the older man was going to expand on his comment.

"Well, I'm glad she's got someone like you," Jack concluded and Chandler raised his eyebrows slightly surprised.

He eventually settled on, "Thank you,"

"Just promise me you'll look after her, not just now with all this going on but in general."

"Always," he swallowed, trying to forget how he hadn't looked after her this morning, trying not to think about her being in hospital because of a stupid tennis match and subsequent fight.

"Good, I know I'm biased but she's a special one."

"I agree," he tried to offer the other man a sincere smile, "very special."

Her father nodded in mutual understanding just as Chandler caught sight of the nurse heading towards the waiting room.

"Nurse?" Chandler asked, hurrying over to her. "Any news on Monica Geller?"

"The doctor has finished running the tests," she smiled kindly at him, "she's still awake if you wanted to resume your spot in your chair."

"Thanks," he nodded eagerly, beaming at her as she walked away.

He turned to Jack, studying him and trying to work out the best course of action. He desperately wanted to tell Monica about the baby before her parents got in there. What if they said only 2 visitors? What if-

"Go," Jack smiled at him in an almost fatherly way. "I'll take the long way back to collect Judy, so you can have a few minutes alone with her."

A genuine smile spread across Chandler's face as he met his eyes and clapped his arm, "Thank you."

With that he practically ran back to Monica's room, stopping as he reached the closed door. He took a deep breath, trying to rehearse what he'd say to her as trepidation started to fill him. How was he meant to tell her this amazing news...knowing that there was a strong chance of them losing it? She'd always wanted to be a mom and she might have it ripped away before they even left here.

Chandler brushed a hand through his hair, he had no idea what he'd tell her but he couldn't waste any more time. She needed him to be in there with her and she needed him to tell her this alone without her parents watching. And he needed to see her, needed to see her reassuring smile, knowing it would be enough to ease some of the doubts.

Entering the room he couldn't help but smile as she turned to look directly at him, meeting his eyes and offering him the smile he'd so desperately needed.

She was ok.

"Hey," she croaked as he came and reclaimed his chair, his fingers trailing across her cheek as he leaned forward and gave her a gentle peck of a kiss.

"Hey," he whispered, beaming back. "Did you miss me?"

"Always. I'm glad you're back," she admitted and he took her hand in his, squeezing it a little.

"Me too," he promised, studying her face, knowing he couldn't put into words how much he'd miss her and what she meant to him, although he couldn't dwell on that right now. "Mon," he said quietly turning a little more serious, "There's something I, uh need to talk to you about."

"Now?" she frowned, picking up on the change of mood. "If you're breaking up with me, I've gotta tell you it's pretty crappy timing."

He let out a little puff of a surprised laugh, pleased that she was strong enough to joke. "Never," he promised her.

She smiled back, "So what is it?"

"Ok," he took a deep breath, trying to keep the smile on his face. He needed to remember this was good news, great news no matter the outcome. No matter what happened they had made a little life together and it deserved to be celebrated.

"Chandler?"

"Sorry, ok, see I wanted to be the one to tell you," he met her eyes, drawing strength from the blue depths. "I...you..." he swallowed as he tried to form the words. In the end he decided to go with simple, honest. "Mon, you're pregnant."

He watched her face as it went through the different emotions. She frowned slightly, as if not understanding the words. Then her eyes widened in surprise and shocked delight as a disbelieving smile spread across her face.

"Seriously?" she choked out as he beamed back happily.

"Yep, we made a baby," his eyes creased as he smiled at her, watching her carefully still.

"Oh my...I can't believe..." suddenly a frown came over her face and he bit his lip waiting for the inevitable. "Is it ok? I mean has he or she been hurt by all this?"

He swallowed, his smile dimming as he grimaced, "Maybe," he eventually admitted, "they don't know anything for sure yet, they're still running tests and stuff."

She nodded but he could see the fear clouding her eyes.

"They're doing the best they can, Monica," he promised watching as her hand fell to her flat belly. His hand came and covered hers, his thumb caressing the smooth skin, "It's gonna be ok."

"I just…I had no idea…I mean if I'd known I'd never had…"

"Shh, I know, me too," he reassured her gently, understanding the guilt all too well, "but we didn't know, it's not our fault ok? But now that we do know the important thing is we're going to do everything we can from now on to help. We can't change the past, so like Phoebe keeps preaching to us we need to keep the hope alive. We have to believe it's strong and willing to fight. I mean it's half Geller right?"

He was relieved to see a start of a smile as she nodded.

"Yeah, I guess. I just can't believe...wait, you're ok with it?" she asked surprised as the situation dawned on her. "I mean a baby? I thought you'd freak out and-"

"Maybe under normal circumstances I may have freaked just a little," he agreed, though a smile touched his lips knowing she understood what an understatement it was. He loved how well she knew him and yet so much had changed since all this had started. He'd changed, grown up quicker than he thought possible. "But I've learned a lot from today and yeah sure, it's way earlier than anticipated but I really want this little...nugget to survive."

"Nugget?" she asked clearly amused as he patted her tummy gently.

"Eh, it's a work in progress, we can always change the name," he teased, loving the sparkle that was back in her eyes.

She chuckled, a sound that filled his heart with so much warmth he thought it might burst; he couldn't remember ever feeling this way before. Again he was floored by the amount of love he felt for this amazing woman and their little 'nugget'. It had been a rollercoaster of emotions and he knew it wasn't over yet, not by a long shot but they were together and together he was pretty damn confident they could face anything.

"I love you," he murmured, his eyes welling up as he leaned forward to press a desperate kiss to her lips. "I love you so much."

"I love you too, Chandler."

A/N- het guys, so sorry for a) the stupidly long delay and b) how stupidly short this chapter is. I originally wanted to post the epilogue at the end of this chapter to round it all off nicely but I'm struggling with it. Therefore I thought it I post this chunk up now at least you have something to read while you wait for me to finish the last bit (which I will)!

Thank you for your patience and all the lovely reviews and comments. They are great for motivation! :o)