Memories of Christmas Past
Rachel poured over the financial and marketing reports. At least, she could escape her loneliness with work. Monica had been more than glad to watch Emma. She was becoming such a good little helper and learning to bake and cook. Rachel made a mental note to get Emma a cooking set this year for Christmas. Looking out the window, she got up from her desk. A sweet smile crossed her face as she saw the lighted Christmas tree. Even as a child , she loved the holiday decorations when her parents brought her into town from Long Island. The bright lights, the decorations, and the people below, they helped her forget for at least a little while. Then she spied a young couple in love . Before she knew it, a memory from the past came to her mind.
It was the first Christmas at Monica's and the girls were having a holiday party. All the guests were having too good of a time. A sprig of mistletoe hung from the ceiling and everyone had been taking their turns. Chandler had just kissed Rachel, but she had kissed him at a college party when she was in high school. There was no surprise. Joey and Phoebe kissed her as well. It wasn't the first time she had been kissed by a girl either, so that was no surprise. Soon everyone had kissed her , but one person.
He shyly stood in the corner, watching her, like he did in high school. His hands were in his pockets, and a sweet smile on his face. There was no woman like her to him, she was the perfect one.
"Well what are you waiting for?" Chandler urged his friend. "You know you want to." Ross put his head down embarrassed. "I cant' she is just so beautiful." Joey took a drink and then put his arm around his pal. "This is your chance to seize the moment. She is under the mistletoe." Then the two guys pushed their friend toward Rachel. "Go go." Ross looked back at them and then continued toward the mistletoe. Rachel smiled sweetly and then he pressed his lips to hers. It wasn't a mushy kiss, but a sweet one. Not too wet and not too pushy. Rachel was shocked of how good a kisser he was. It was the perfect kiss and slowly his hands began to wander down her back. She was enjoying this kiss, but she had to remind herself that this was just her friend. "Merry Christmas Rachel." He said shyly and backed away. His face was actually red. Rachel looked up at the tiny sprig and stood pondering the kiss. Was it actually the mistletoe?
She almost wanted to yell at him. Why did it have to be Christmas that he was gone? After all, it was last Christmas eve when he proposed. For months after she had gotten off the plane, she wondered when it was going to happen. His history of quick proposals caused her to think that way. She knew it was coming. Emma had been mysteriously passed to his sister , so they could be alone. Under the lighted Christmas tree, he took out the tiny velvet box and got down on his knee and asked her to be his wife. Rachel hugged him and then put out her finger for the ring. "And I will be a hell of a lot better than your third one." She smiled. This past June was when they gotten married at the Plaza. Their honeymoon was in Barbados , and when they got back , was the letter requesting him to accompany of group of scientists to China. Brought back to the present, she looked down at the ring. Then she was brought back to the papers on her desk as well. She shook her head and walked to the radio. Maybe some music would help.
Greeting cards have all been sent
The Christmas rush is through
But I still have one wish to make
A special one for you
Merry Christmas , Darling
We're apart that 's true
But I can dream and in my dreams
I am Christmassing with you
A tear poured from her eye as she listened to the words of the popular Christmas song. Of course, she only wanted one person there.
The dark sky was littered with stars. The skies in New York were never this clear. Even though it was night, the mountains could still be seen from the distance. China had been as beautiful as it was the first time. Ross stared into the sky and then took a sip from his coffee mug. His hair was longer now and he had an unshaven and unkempt look from being here for months. He got some more coffee from the community pot and then sat back down to return to his thoughts. Jessica strolled over and lightly tapped him on the shoulder. "Penny for your thoughts." She said as she sat down on the stool next to him. He had been so deep in thought, he didn't hear her. She tapped him again.
"Oh I guess I was somewhere else." He apologized to his colleague. "I bet I can guess where." She smiled. Ross had to nod and agree. "Yep, there isn't anyplace in the world that is better than Christmas in New York." Jessica decided that she would play along. "And if you were back there, what would you be doing right about now."
Ross sighed and then he leaned back. "We would go Christmas shopping at FAO Schwartz for Emma, and my niece and nephew. My son is too old for toys. Then we would dress up Emma and take her to Macy's to see Santa. Have her picture taken and go to a nice lunch just the three of us. We would put up our Christmas tree and light the candles for Hanukkah. Then I would go to boring holiday faculty parties and Rachel's office party. I would have to get all dressed up and watch a bunch of anorexic models not eat all night long."
"Sounds like fun." Jessica giggled. Jessica then got deadly serious and began to look into his eyes. "I hope that wife of yours realizes what a treasure she has , you are the perfect man." Ross didn't know where this would lead. "You are smart, and funny, and sweet , and so damn sexy." She purred. Ross now felt the need to leave. "Don't worry Jessie, someday you will find your perfect man. Good night." Ross finished his coffee and then went into his trailer. Jessica watched him take every step. "I have already met my perfect man." She said to the retreating figure. "The trouble is, he belongs to someone else." She said sadly.
Finished with work, Rachel walked into the empty apartment. Emma was going to spend the night with Monica and Chandler and the twins. She walked over and plugged in the tree. As a little girl, she would just stand and stare at the brightly lit tree in total silence. She bent down and saw the package under the tree, then she banged her head with her hand. That package should have been on its way to China, not under that tree. She admired the wrapping job, and the tag that said to Ross from Rachel. At first, she thought it was inappropriate to send a toy to a grown man. She was sending him a robo raptor that she had seen at Gimbels. Chandler pointed out that Ross could sometimes be considered childish, so he said it was alright. Rachel then saw the ornaments on the tree. They were all silver. There was a silver star of David to honor the family's Jewish roots. Another ornament brought back a memory. It said Baby's First Christmas.
Rachel had been wearing a red silk maternity blouse and hanging ornaments on the tree. Ross was in the corner setting up the menorah. She had felt a pain, and he ran to her side. He took the ornament from her hand and made her sit down. "Mommies to be should nt exert themselves." He said sweetly. When she was relaxed, he ran excitedly to a blue Tiffany's bag. "When I was shopping the other day. I got this for the baby." Ross proudly announced. "it says Baby's First Christmas 2002." Rachel held it up and got all emotional. "That is so beautiful." Ross stated . "Nothing is too good for my girls." Then Rachel leaned over and gave him a sweet peck on the cheek. With the way that things were between them, it was kind of a shock to Ross. Rachel had given him one other thing this Christmas , that was hope. It was during this period that she realized that she still had very deep feelings for him. She wanted him to be more than the father of her baby, she wanted him to be part of her life.
Monica stood by the stove as she watched Emma stirring the batter . She was filled with pride. After all , this was her niece by blood.
"It just figures. I mean our daughter loves clothes and our son loves dinosaurs." Chandler nodded.
"She is such a good little cook. Maybe she will be a great chef one day." Monica smiled.
"Don't' say that too loud. Your brother has plans for her to be the first woman on Mars to discover dinosaurs. " Giggled Chandler. "And his wife wants her to design for the Oscars."
"Don't be silly, she can be whatever she wants." Monica bridged the conversation by changing the subject. "Did you notice how low that Rachel was on Thanksgiving?" she said with concern. "Well considering that her new husband is in China , thousands of miles away, I think she wouldn't want to be dancing all the time." Chandler said smugly.
"it is up to us to help her not feel so lonely. " Monica stated. "I still remember what it was like when you were in Tulsa. Plus, I want Emma to have a great Christmas as well. This must be so hard on her as well."
"Well , I think we should have Rachel stay with us for the holidays. That way she wont' be so lonely , she will be surrounded by family, and I have a great idea, we can make a video and send it to Ross and he wont miss home so much." Monica suggested. Chandler just smiled and then put his arm around her. "That is why I love you so much. You always take care of everyone else." Monica looked at him. "If your niece wasn't' here right now. " He smiled back. "There is always later, Mrs. Bing." Monica kissed him on the cheek.