Christmas morning had arrived and Joey led all the kids down the stairs. Ben had earlier claimed that he was too old for all of this nonsense, yet he was anxious to see what he had gotten for Christmas. As Alex saw her husband with his younger nieces and nephews, she put her hand to her stomach and silently smiled. Soon he would get the best present of all. It would be a happy Christmas for the Tribbianis…

She tried to be happy for Emma, but this was not going to be Rachel's best Christmas. All night long, she had tossed and turned and stared at the ceiling. She wrapped her robe around her , then she stumbled to the mirror in the guest room. Rachel almost screamed when she saw the dark circles under her eyes. She took a deep breath and made her way down the stairs with a painted on smile.

"It's gonna be alright." Monica said as she put her arm around her sister in law. She could almost burst when she looked at her, knowing that Rachel would be smiling when she saw her present. "I 'll try." Whined Rachel as the two descended the stairs.

Monica had instructed Chandler that she wanted him to tape Christmas morning for Ross , so he could feel like he was there. Rachel would be carrying the tape with her when she arrived. Monica also wanted to record it so in years to come, the Gellers would have a permanent record of their first Christmas and how they almost didn't spend it to gether.

Rachel helped Monica get together a tray of cookies and coffee as the kids couldn't wait to open their gifts. As each package was unwrapped, each recipient proudly held it and showed their gratitude to the giver.

"A Baywatch box set! Thanks hon." Chandler smiled. "Well maybe now you will get off my back when I want to watch Studio 60 with that cute Matthew Perry." Monica said back with a kiss. She also knew she would be the one to benefit when he was done watching.

"An ipod!" Thanks Mom. Ben said as he gave his stepmother a kiss. Mom was a term he used since he had become closer to her when his father went away. Rachel had known him since birth, but somehow she always knew that one day she would be one of the three women he called Mom.

Emma held up her baking set. Erica strutted around with her new little designer purse and Jack couldn't wait to play with his battery operated robo raptor. Chandler just laughed and then shook his head as his son showed his excitement for his new toy. Maybe it wasn't so bad that he emulated his uncle. After all, Ross was an okay guy. He must be or he would have never stayed friends with him this long . And Ross had introduced him to the best woman in the world… Monica.

Joey unwrapped his box set and then Alex took it down and sat it on a stool. "I have a present for you." She smiled and then grinned. Joey was always ready for another surprise. She took his hand and then she looked into his child like eyes. His hair was now starting to thin a little bit on top, so he no longer had the bangs that covered his eyes.

"Joey, we 're gonna have a baby. You are going to be a Daddy." Joey looked down at her now flat stomach and then he looked back up into her eyes. He smiled and then he leaped up and hugged her tightly. "Did ya hear that? I am gonna be a Daddy." He screamed and went to hug his friends. Rachel and Monica hugged Alex as well.

"It looks like you are growing up, Joe." Chandler said with misty eyes. He was so happy for his friend because for so many years, he shied away from commitment. Now he had found the woman of his dreams and was going to start his own family.

Monica looked over at Rachel as she retreated back to her own corner. Joey and Alex were so happy and it was just one more reminder that she was alone. Monica had promised Phoebe that she would not give her the tickets until they arrived.

"Happy Santa Day!" Cried Phoebe as her and Mike entered the door. Mike was pushing Sophie and Phoebe had a bag filled with presents. She unloaded them as the kids began to sort through the bag for tags with their names on them.

"Did you do it yet?" Phoebe inquired to Monica. "Nope just like you said." Monica answered. Phoebe pulled out a Victoria Secret bag and giggled. "Good , cause this is what I got for Rachel. Ross can thank me later." Monica took the bag from her and grimaced as she examined the lingerie. "When are people going to realize that I don't want to know what my brother does in the bedroom?" she said loudly.

"I'm gonna be a daddy!" Joey announced as he hugged Mike and Phoebe. Phoebe got excited and ran to hug Alex as well. "Yay this is going to be a Christmas to remember." She yelled. Rachel wiped her eyes and started for the stairs. "I cant do this." She whispered as she started to climb. Chandler took the package with the heart shapes on the paper and announced. "Well it looks like that there is a package here with your name on it and Emma's." Rachel took it and saw the tag on it.

TO RACHEL AND EMMA from the Holiday Armadillo…. That brought a smile to her face as she looked over at Chandler. Chandler returned it with one of his grins. She had gotten the joke.

"Mommy, who is the Holiday Armadillo?" Emma asked with wide eyed wonder . Rachel just ran her hands through her blondish hair and smiled . "You are going to have to ask Daddy about it when he gets home. It is for you too, why don't you open it?" Rachel suggested . She knew that Emma would get a bigger charge out of it then her opening it. Emma ripped off the paper and then she tore open the box. "Oh look Mommy, it s a dinosaur." Emma took her new friend from the box and immediately hugged him. "I will call him Melman." Rachel knew that Emma had fallen in love with the giraffe from the movie Madagascar. For some odd reason, she said he reminded her of her Daddy. Rachel wondered why she had been given a dinosaur.

"I know they say when someone gets married, they start to take on their spouses characteristics…but does this mean that you sent the Prada blouse I wanted to China by mistake?" Rachel wondered. "Look deeper." Commanded Chandler. Rachel 's hands came across the envelope and then she opened it. Her eyes became wide and she started yelling. "Oh my God , you guys! Emma ! we're going to see Daddy!" She drew everyone into a group hug as they all shared in her happiness. Phoebe handed her the bag and grinned evilly at her. "This should warm things up quite a bit." Rachel winked at Phoebe. Monica just shook her head and laughed.

The next day, Rachel had gotten their papers in order, taken her and Emma to the doctors for shots and packed in haste. She wanted to make sure that she had everything for the trip , including presents from everyone for Ross. Emma couldn't wait for the trip. She loved to fly when she got to see Aunt Alex and Uncle Joey. Rachel explained to her that this would be a long flight and that she would be very sleepy and how she would have to stay in her seat. Monica and Chandler drove the two of them to the airport so they could catch their flight. Jack and Erica were visiting with their Grandpa Bing who was in town for his yearly Christmas Cabaret. He would wear a red sequined gown and croon "Santa Baby."

"Give my brother a hug for me." Monica said as she hugged Rachel as they headed for the plane. Emma had to run back to give her aunt and uncle a kiss as well. Monica stood with Chandler with his arm around her as they watched the two of them walk away.

Jessica had sent Ross into the field today to dust off some of their findings . He had a sad and melancholy look as he threw himself into his work. Jessica knew she had to take off soon to get Rachel , since it would be a long drive to the airport. "I have to do some research in Beijing , so I will gone all day." She announced. Jessica watched as Ross dusted the bone. She couldn't wait to see his face when Rachel and Emma got there.

Emma had gotten her hamburger and fallen asleep. Rachel decided she would get some sleep as well. Emma's head was resting on her mother's shoulder. Rachel put her arm around her. The two of them looked like two angels, sleeping , contented and peaceful..

Happy New Year friends fans…busy with moving and a new job.. so I have made a resolution that I would finish a story and then move on.. this will be the first one…the next one will be one of my unfinished Valentine ones and also Chandler vs the Mob…also on Feb 1.. I get to usher at the one and only Lookinglass Theatre right in Chicago…congrats to Matty on his SAG nomination for Ron Clark and also hope every one enjoys Dirt ….

Next Chapter… Hello Dr Geller… lots and lots of Lobster lovin….