Disclaimer; I don't own Friends. And I don't own the French song "Pour que tu m'aimes encore" by Celine Dion. That song is also one of my favourite songs, ever ;p
We've Had Our Story…
- But What Happened Then?
Chapter 26.
Sam's Speech
"So everyone," JJ said, "Welcome to our super-small wedding. We'll just say a few words. Thank you for coming, and then… There's a lot of food, and just… Dick in!"
Everyone smiled and begun on their food.
Emma and Jack were sitting with their kids between them, after Emma's special request. After Jack had said the stuff about Emma's parents while they were talking, Emma had hung up on him. Mostly because she didn't know what to say, but also because she knew that at some point, Jack was right. If she wanted to make an effort, and look between fingers about his mistake, they could make it work. She and the kids however, were still sleeping in Gracie's bedroom, while Jack was at home. They haven't told anyone about their little thing, not even Jack's parents. Only Ross, Rachel and Gracie knew.
"Mommy, can I have a soda?" Samantha pouted.
"Of course." Emma said, "You want red or green?"
Erica had brought Andrew – as friends. Gracie had also invited him, simply because he was one of her best friends, who was not in the group. They were sitting together, talking – as friends.
"Yeah, I do think this chicken is great." Andrew smiled, "But what do I know? I'm not the chef."
"It's good." Erica said, sending him a secret smile, "I think there's some sort of cheese in it…"
She winked at him.
Monica was chatting with a thrilled Alex. She was happy, because her child was getting married, so she didn't even notice Monica's distance look. The doctors still hadn't gotten the results from her test. She was nervous.
"I mean, it is so amazing." Alex smiled, "My son is married now. Do you believe it?"
Sophie and Matthew was talking to Shelly and Ben. They were hugging their secret, while Shelly was talking about the new born Michelle. Sophie listened interested, getting good advises.
"And when they're up all night, you get really tired, but it's totally worth it." Shelly said.
"I bet." Sophie smiled.
"So when are you having one…?"
When Rachel clinked her glass and stood up, everyone got silent.
Normally, in their family, it was the father who said something, but since Gracie didn't have one, everyone had expected Ross to maybe do it, but Rachel was determined to give her daughter as speech herself.
"Gracie…" Rachel said, "And JJ… First of all, thank you for a lovely wedding and a beautiful ceremony." she sighed and continued, "I can't believe that my little girl is getting married. I remember it as just yesterday I was a the hospital, holding this little… pink thing. And I also remember the day JJ was born very clearly. Joey called Claude up and was all like, ´Claude, get yourself, Rach and Emma together and fly down here. Alex is in labour. We're having twins´, and Claude just grabbed Emma and I packed our bags, and we were out the door. When we finally reached the hospital, Alex had already had her babies, but they were the cutest twins I've ever seen, no offence to Jack and Erica, but really… It was an amazing day. And now you two… You're getting married, I mean, I never thought that you would be my son-in-law, JJ. But I know you'll take great care of her Gracie." she sighed and looked into her notes, with a tear running down her cheek, "I know… Gracie, I know that there's a special person, who would have wanted so much to be here tonight. He would have given the world to you if you'd asked for it. He would have tired the moon to a robe a dragged it down here, if you've whished for it at your birthday. Even though you don't think this, Grace, you father loved you very much. Having Emma, was a wonderful thing to him. He loved her so much and I saw joy in his eyes every day, but the only time I've ever seen him happy for real, was that day when I told him I was carrying his baby. He just jumped into the air, and hugged me… And then he took Emma in his arms and swung her around in the apartment, I'm sure you remember it, Ems?"
Emma nodded, tears in her eyes too.
"Yeah, he was a wonderful man, Gracie. He loved you. And I know… I know, he's taking care of you still. I've never been a religious person, I've never prayed to God, or thanked him for the food he was giving me, I did not pray when my father died, or when my sister got sick, but when Claude told me, that he knew his time was up, I prayed, I prayed with all my heart. The last thing I wanted, was for my child to grow up without a dad. For my second child, to end up like my first child did. And I'm sorry it didn't help, Gracie, but I hope you know that I love you more than anything, and that I'll be there for you always. Whatever decision you might make, or whatever you might do, I'll be there. And I believe that Ross has something to add to this…"
Ross stood up too, and took Rachel's hand in his.
He cleared his throat and begun, "You might wonder whatever I have to say to you, Gracie. And I don't know, I don't have any notes here, and I have no idea what I'm doing. I just wanted to let you know that I'll be there too… You've never had a dad. Never. And now… Now you have me. I can never take the place of your father, but I can be your step dad, and the father of your sister. God knows that our family is complicated, but it wont hurt. I can be there too. You've had your doubts about me, I know, but you've accepted me as the husband of your mother and your sisters dad, but you and I have never really, really gotten to know each other, which I regret. You're moving out now, to live with your new husband, and it's gonna be just me and your mom, and now it'll be harder for me to know you. You're a complicated person Gracie Green, pardon, Gracie Tribbiani."
This earned laughs.
"Gracie Green is fine, Ross." Gracie laughed, tears streaming down her cheeks, "And I love you too."
"Wow," Ross said, "I didn't even get to say it yet… No, wait. I have to." he nodded, "Gracie, I love you… like my own."
--
J'ai compris tous les mots, j'ai bien compris, merci
Raisionnable et nouveau, c'est ainsi par ici
Que les choses ont changé, que les fleurs ont fané
Que le temps d'avant, c'était le temps davant
Que si tout zappe et lasse, les amours aussi passent
JJ grabbed Gracie's hand, and let her to the dance floor.
Gracie had chosen the song.
Il faut que tu sachesMy heart is on fire, Gracie thought, when JJ swirled her around to the not so ordinary wedding song. It wasn't as happy as it would be if they'd chosen "Because you loved me" like Shelly and Ben had done, but she loved this song. And she knew her mom did too. It was the song they played at her fathers funeral, she had been told.
J'irai chercher ton cœur si tu l'emportes ailleurs
Même si dans tes danses d'autres dansent tes heures
J'irai chercher ton âme dans les froids dans les flammes
Je te jetterai des sorts pour que tu m'aimes encore
Rachel looked at her daughter and her new husband. It was amazing how fast she'd grown up. She was a stubborn little girl, almost never giving in.
Rachel sighed, and leaned her head at Ross' shoulder.
She was glad that JJ had convinced her to marry him.
In fact, she couldn't be happier…. She thought.
Fallait pas commencer m'attirer me toucher
Fallait pas tant donner moi je sais pas jouer
On me dit qu'aujourd'hui, on me dit que les autres font ainsi
Je ne suis pas les autres
Avant que l'on s'attache, avant que l'on se gâche
Je veux que tu saches
Sandra was silently humming the melody. It was Celine Dion after all. She loved that song.
But when Mike asked her to dance and join the happy couple on the dance floor, she couldn't resist. She grabbed his hand, and he swung her around.
J'irai chercher ton cœur si tu l'emportes ailleurs
Même si dans tes danses d'autres dansent tes heures
J'irai chercher ton âme dans les froids dans les flammes
Je te jetterai des sorts pour que tu m'aimes encore
Peter was stepping nervously in front of Shelly, and she knew what she had to do. She whispered in his ear, and a smile covered his face. She gave him a gently push towards Samantha, and he asked her to dance.
She smiled at him and grabbed his hand. They went together on to the dance floor, followed by a chorus of ´Ohs´ and ´Ahs´.
Je trouverai des langages pour chanter tes louanges
Je ferai nos bagages pour d'infinies vendanges
Les formules magiques des marabouts d'afrique
J'les dirai sans remords pour que tu m'aimes encore
Gracie looked into JJ's eyes and he leaned down and kissed her.
Yeah, they would really make this work. They were meant to be. Lobsters, if you will.
Je m'inventerai reine pour que tu me retiennes
Je me ferai nouvelle pour que le feu reprenne
Je deviendrai une autre après qui tu soupires
Ces jeux seront les nôtres, si tel est ton desir
Plus brillante plus belle pour une autre étincelle
Je me changerai en or pour que tu m'aimes encore.
--
Shelly approached to microphone and poked on it, getting everyone's attention.
"Hi," she smiled, "Shelly here!" she chuckled, "Anyway, I just wanted to whish the two of you a happy and healthy marriage. I felt like I needed to say something, after all you hold a very nice speech at my wedding, Gracie, but I don't really know what to say. Anything else but… I love you two. You're the sweetest persons in the world. Never break up." she raised her glass, "To the happy couple!"
"To the happy couple!"
--
"You know, JJ." Joey said, "I owe you some sort of sorry. Now it's your wedding day, and I can see how you've grown. And I can see why you wanted to follow your own dreams. I told you I wanted you to be an actor like myself, but you wanted to be a plumber. Not a very glamorous job. When I told you off, your mom talked me to senses, she reminded me of how my own dad had done this to me like I did to you, and I want to say sorry for being like that now. You're nothing like me at all, well… You were once, but you've changed. And now… Now you're getting married. And to Gracie of all people." Joey stopped and thought for awhile, "You know, you may not know this, but… I've actually dated Rachel."
JJ stifled a chuckle, "Wow," he turned to Gracie, "Did you know that honey?"
"Yeah, my mom told me." Gracie said.
Rachel was smiling at Joey, "Nothing to be proud of Joe!" she laughed.
"Well, we called us the Cobras once when we were fighting Chandler." Joey said, "But really, it was one of those many things which happened in the past, and is so funny now to tell you. Anyway, it's a good thing that we decided not to go out afterwards, because then you two wouldn't have happened at all. And Ross and Rachel wouldn't have been married now, and I would have been Emma's stepfather. It's fun to reminisce the past."
"That's a good thing it didn't happen though, Joe." Rachel said, blowing him a kiss, "I think our kids would have been really ugly."
"Aw, shut up, Rach!" Joey laughed, "Anyway, JJ and Gracie, you two are just… Such a great couple. I wish you luck and greatness."
--
"Hello." Samantha smiled, a little shy, "I was, I was very little when I first met you, Gracie and JJ." she said, "I was only just born. And JJ, you are so funny. I love you". she giggled, "And Gracie, you once told me that my mom and dad were the best people on the earth, that they were sweet. But now they're not living together anymore, and you told me they would never make me sad, because they are my parents. You lied, aunt Gracie, I'm in your room now, and that is because of them. They maked me sad." Samantha pouted, "I want you to make yourself not a liar and make them back together, can you help me?"
Gracie shot her gaze to the side, and saw Emma with her hand on her mouth and tears in her eyes.
Behind her was Jack sitting with his head in his hands.
Everyone curiously and chocked turned their heads to look at Emma and Jack, while Gracie decided to take care of Samantha.
She went up to the stage and opened her arms to take Samantha. The little girl had tears streaming down her cheeks, and she ran into Gracie's open arms. Gracie hugged her niece and carried her with her.
Rachel was rushing to Emma's side, a wild look in her eyes.
Emma was still in chock, "Mom?" she cried, "I had no idea that this affected her so much!!"
Gracie was rushing out of the door, to take care of Samantha.
"I told you." Rachel said, brushing her daughters hair.
"What am I gonna do?" Emma said.
"What's going on!?" Monica asked, raising her voice.
Jack looked at Emma and then sighed. He knew they had to tell them.
"Well…" he begun, "Emma and I have… sorta… not been living together the past weeks."
"What!?" Monica exclaimed.
"Well…" Jack didn't know what to say, "I'm sorry."
"What the hell happened!?" Erica exclaimed, looking from her former-roommate to her brother.
"Stuff." Emma said, "I've just been living with the kids at mom and dad's place."
"Oh my God!" Sophie said, rushing to Emma, "Honey are you okay?"
"I'm fine!" Emma said, reminding a little too much of Ross when he found out about Joey and Rachel, "I'm fine!"
"Emma honey," Rachel said, "You're far from fine. You're talking about divorcing your husband. This is a serious decision, think about your kids."
"I've thought about them!" Emma whined, "And I think it's best for them not to be with their father, 'cause he can't take care of them!"
"Excuse me!?" Jack said, "You say I cant take care of them! If they live with you, they wont get any food!"
"What!?" Emma exclaimed, standing up to take the fight, "I can too cook! At least I wont burn off Samantha's fingers!"
"I didn't do that!" Jack said, looking her in the eye, "She did that herself."
"You know what?" Emma said, and you could hear the tears in her voice, "You can see this yourself, Jack. You said that we could make this work, you said that we weren't that different" a tear ran down her cheek, "But we keep doing this. We're fighting all the time, and I think it's been going on longer that one us would like to admit. It's not working. I can't raise Samantha and Sarah in a home like this. Fighting isn't good. I'm gonna keep living with my parents until I find a place. I'm moving out. For good."
Well people, people, leave me reviews, ´cause I kinda like them :D Thanks, Stessa.