Hi. Next chapter is up.
Disclaimer; I do not own Friends.
We've Had Our Story…
- But What Happened Then?
Chapter 30.
Claude.
"You want us to do what?" Rachel exclaimed.
"Take care of him."
"And what do you mean by that?" Rachel asked.
"Raise him. Give him food." Audrey said.
"Wha-a-at?"
"How many time should I say it?" Audrey asked.
"I don't know." Gracie said, supporting her mom, "I think she's in shock now."
"No, I'm not!" Rachel said, thinking clearly, "Can I hold him though?"
"Sure." Memo smiled, handing her the little boy, "Here you go…"
"Wow." Rachel said, true joy in her eyes, "Grace, will you look at that."
"What?" Gracie asked.
"He looks like Claude." Rachel said, stroking the boy's head, "So much. It's scaring."
"Can I have a look?" Emma asked.
"Yeah, look."
"Oh my God!" Emma said, "He so does look like Claude!"
"Do I take this as a yes?" Memo asked.
"I…" Rachel trailed off.
"Was it me or my mom?" Gracie asked.
"We thought it would be most appropriate for his step grandma to do it, unless you think you can manage?" Audrey said.
"I don't." Gracie said, "I think it's best if mom does it."
"Do you want to do this, Mrs.?"
"I-I don't know."
"If you doesn't take him, he'll end up in a Orphans home."
"I guess I can take him…" Rachel trailed off.
"Rachel!" Ross interrupted, "Can I talk to you please?"
"O-okay." Rachel said.
Ross dragged her and the boy into the kitchen.
"What, Ross?"
"Have you lost your mind?" Ross asked.
"What?"
"We can't take care of him!" Ross said, "We don't even know the boy or his family!"
"I do." Rachel said, "I know his grandpa."
"But we cant raise him!"
"Weren't it you who asked me a few years ago if I wanted to adopt a baby with you so we could raise one together?"
"Yes, but…" Ross didn't know what to say.
"And you know what Ross?" Rachel said, playing with the boy's hand, "If I had been in Paris right now, I would have taken him with no doubt at all. I am his grandmother."
"But you're not!" Ross protested, "You were only married to his grandpa."
"Okay then." Rachel said, "Then I am not Michelle's and Peter's grandmother either. That makes sense."
"But that's different!"
"How, Ross? How is that different?"
"I don't know, but it is…"
"I don't think you understand me, Ross." Rachel said, "He is Claude's grandchild. He is Gracie's nephew. We can't let him go to some Orphans Home in France. They travelled all the way to the United States to find us. Gracie is apparently the only family he has left."
"But Rachel…" Ross said, "He is so young. We will die before he grows up. And what will we tell him? We are nothing to him."
"We will raise him as our own." Rachel said, "And when time is, I will tell him who I really am. His grandma."
"Are you sure you can handle a baby again, Rach?"
"I will do my best." Rachel said, "The only question is if you want to do this?"
"I've wanted to raise a child with you since I was 15." Ross said, "I guess I have the chance now… You know what, I think we should do it."
"Really?" Rachel asked.
"Really."
"I love you." Rachel smiled, giving him a kiss.
"I love you too."
--
When they opened the door into the living room and Rachel had a smile on her face, it didn't take the family much to realize that she'd convinced Ross.
"Yai!" Gracie cheered, "You're doing it right?"
"We're doing it." Ross said.
"Great then." Memo said, "We have a few papers you need to sign and stuff in this briefcase, and some of his things in the car outside."
"Does he have a name?" Monica asked.
"No." Memo said, "His mother didn't have time to name him before she died, but we thought his new parents should decide it."
"Wow." Ross said, "What do you say, Rach? What is his name?"
"I know that." Emma said.
"What?" Rachel asked smiling at her daughter.
"Claude."
Rachel's eyes lighted up and she looked at the little boy – her son, technically – in her arms.
Yup.
Claude was his name.
Sorry about the short chapter, but I had my trouble writing it. Leave a review. Thanks, Stessa.