AN: I've chosen to perfect this as much as possible, rather than hurry and finish the story. It'll just turn out better that way, even if there are more chapters.
Anyway, I just want to thank everyone who has read this.
After all, this is for you guys.
Enjoy.
The lovemaking was incredible.
It was not a bed they consummated upon; it was a cloud, held up by golden swans, perched on the peak of Olympia. It was not sex; it was love. It was a drunken night of forgetting the past and having fun, like they used to, without the bad blood of past mistakes weighing them down. It felt like the very first time since they'd said 'I love you' to each other.
For the first time in what seemed like forever, the two of them had become one again. Of course, they've had sex since the accident, but that was but a rediscovery of their affection; last night was the true testament of passion that wildly sped through their hearts, as Cupid dictated. There were no words, no painful aches, and no distasteful awkwardness. Just heavy breathing, and beauty.
For so long, they had been lost, but as new love blew through the mills of friendship, they found their way home. Chandler and Monica were now their living legacy, which they had sought for almost a year, to view their love as others did, and to love, cherish, and accept it. While they needed more to live on, they could die happy now, knowing that their friends are happy.
In a flash of light, Ross was awakened. The dream he had just experience was pleasant, in that it didn't make sense (as most dreams don't) but it gave him a feeling akin to falling in love. There were no images or scenes, but simple colors, floating around like butterflies in a meadow lined with blossoming chrysanthemums. Red, green, blue, purple, all cascading towards a field of gold. He'd try to remember as much as possible, so that he could describe it to Rachel.
A couple minutes went by, but Ross didn't even move. Instead, he kept his arm around his beloved, and stared at the ceiling, observing the patterns of the drywall textures. Since he was a boy, Ross always pretended they were continents on a world unknown; a world he wanted to see, and live on, where he could be happy. They were all unique in design, and he always wondered whether they were a side-effect of the paint or put there intentionally. While the latter seemed impossible, when you dream of living with dinosaurs, your innocence knows no boundaries.
Innocence, that could never be lost.
His deep thought was interrupted by Rachel, who stirred a bit in her sleep. This surprised Ross. Usually, Rachel wouldn't move until her eyes opened; this was found out after many a time of watching her sleep while he put his clothes back on to leave her apartment. It was strange, but it was also cute, in a way. Ross always loved the little things about her, and wouldn't change a single thing about her or them.
Tenderly, as to calm her if she had been restless, he kissed the nape of her neck, and sat up, careful not to disturb her. After gently patting her exposed calf, Ross stood up, unaware that he still couldn't walk so well. As if it weren't bad enough last night, this time, the sun was beating into him. As fast as he got up, like a meteor, he crashed into the bed, wincing from the pain.
No alcohol to drive him this time.
He was now worried, with good reason. Ross was almost certain that he had woken up Rachel. Shutting his eyes, he hoped her morning wrath wasn't as bad as it usually was, where she'd groan like a dying bear who couldn't find her cubs. That had to be the one thing that he remotely disliked about her; and even that he could fix by something as trivial as bringing her coffee
The only thing that he heard were the bedsprings, as Rachel shifted from one side to the other, as if nothing had ever happened. She was peaceful, and Ross's fear had subsided, for now. Now the only thing he had to worry about was making it to the living room, both to make breakfast and meet for his early therapy. Despite his legs failing on him, he had to at least try.
With much more precaution taken this time, including baby steps and support from his nightstand, wall, and door, Ross managed to get to his crutches. He picked them up and slopped himself onto them, making sure that he was using them properly. It took a little getting used to, but Ross knew he wouldn't need them much longer anyway. Soon, he'd be able to walk, and take Rachel everywhere: The beach, the Garden, the Smithsonian, and the Planetarium, where he would give himself to her, in body and mind, just as they did on their first date. But unlike their first date, he would give her the biggest diamond possible and ask her to be his wife.
At least, he hoped it go that smoothly. Luck was never on his side, and for the past two weeks or so, it went totally against him, and the rest of the group, for that matter. Everyone had been so shocked and traumatized that no one could possibly have gotten over this without help from each other.
At the counter, Ross set his crutches against the side of the water cooler, and, while on one leg, proceeded to pour coffee for himself, Rachel, and Chandler, who should be arriving any moment. He hoped that his doctor would be running late, as Ross didn't like keeping his friends over during exercise. There was really nothing for them to actually do here besides talk to each other and watch TV, but since they do that most of the time anyway, it wouldn't be much of a change. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't worth the drive up here.
If only they had a Playstation, or a ping-pong table. Joey and Chandler would certainly make good use out of both.
But, Ross still couldn't complain. He could pretty much do whatever he wanted once he was done with his daily exams. The nurses didn't even bat an eye at seeing Rachel in his bed, or Chandler being drugged and pushed in a wheelchair. The staff did what they were paid to do, and did it with a smile and a snap in their step. They must have been paid quite a lot for the service, but still, Ross wanted to do as much as he could, on his own, as he felt that he didn't deserve such special treatment. His pride may have also been a factor, but regardless, the staff liked the break.
Just like now; he could have requested coffee, but he chose not to. It was a simple task, and he was up to it. That, and, he wanted to put a special ingredient into's Rachel's cup, one that could not be replicated even in a thousand years of extensive research: Love.
As Ross poured the last of the sugar in, the voice that could only exist in a dreamland came upon him, and it chirped into his ears like a million happy larks.
"Do you need help?" Rachel came out of the bedroom, tying the knot on her sky-blue robe belt. She carefully walked over to Ross, smiling , and wrapped her arms around him lovingly. Her soft skin made Ross jump a little bit, despite that now being a hazard.
"I'm, uh, good." He chortled back without looking at her, as he didn't want to trip and fall on her.
"You sure?" She squeezed him, and cooed in a little voice that made him melt. Rachel was always ready to help him in his time of need, and especially now, as things were seemingly getting better. While it was true that they were, one could never be too careful.
"Yeah."
"I love you."
"I love you too, Rach." While he was busy preparing a sandwich, Ross quickly turned around and pecked Rachel on the forehead. She smiled again, knowing that he was just as happy and satisfied as she was, despite not showing it as much. After a year, however, it was easy enough to tell what Ross was feeling.
"Last night was incredible."
"Only 'cause of you." Ross chuckled, as he turned around and gazed into her eyes. He kissed her once more, this time on the lips, which again felt unique and indescribable.
Rachel grinned, feeling the warmest sensation running through her body. Her heart sped up at hearing Ross's words, and, in a second, her day was made. It was truly incredible, how he knew just what to do to make her feel better than she already did.
As they got settled and finished breakfast, Ross's doctor, along with several nurses, came in to examine him for what they hoped would be the very last time. They took blood pressure, they made him walk from point A to point B (which he finally executed this time, but not without falling to the ground directly after), and they made him take a photosensitivity test, to test for epilepsy. His random seizure turned out to be nothing more than just that, random. Rachel was sure to capitalize on that.
Ross would end up staying for another week. Completely precautionary, of course. He didn't want to leave anyway. The citrus-y colors of the walls were beginning to grow on him, and it was fun being away from everything, especially his job, since that was really the only thing to get away from.
Once four more minutes went by of discussing what they already knew, Ross and Rachel were alone again. They sat on the couch together, as a rerun of Married, with Children ran on the TV. As they held hands, Ross became increasingly more restless. He wanted to tell her so badly, and he did just that.
"Rach."
"Hmm?"
"You remember our, uh, anniversary?" His question piqued her curiosity, and she turned to him, wondering why he wanted to even ask about that night. That night caused all of this; why would he want to remember it? It must have been important. Rachel didn't answer, but instead looked at Ross like he had two heads.
"Something was supposed to, uh, happen that night." Putting emphasis on the words, Ross tried to think of a way to word his intentions properly. While he didn't want to talk about this at all, for some reason, he had to.
"What? What do you mean?" The night they took a break; so many things happened that night. What could have possibly gone undone?
"I uh, don't think I should say any more." At the last minute, Ross controlled himself, and tried to change the subject. He knew, however, that Rachel would now wonder what was going to happen because of this conversation. It was nothing less than a regret.
"No, come on, tell me."
"No, no, I can't. Not right now, anyway. I'm sorry. Forget I ever mentioned it, okay?" A ditch effort to change his mindset proved to be ineffective. Ross was always awkward, in a way, and he had trouble with the things he said. But this took it too far. He was more hasty than he needed to be.
"Um, sure, Ross. If you say so."
"Thanks. I love you."
"I love you too."
Rachel was now genuinely curious. For absolutely no reason whatsoever, Ross brought that up, only to push it aside as if it never happened. Why? What was he planning? Ross couldn't hide things very well, that was for sure, so she'd find out, one way or another. In fact, Rachel was certain she wouldn't even have to do anything; that's how bad Ross was at keeping secrets like this. It was like free entertainment, watching him hide whatever it was he was hiding. At first, she thought it was wrong to wait for him to mess up, but she realized she wasn't doing anything wrong.
Just waiting for Ross to do something wrong.
Several minutes after Ross's mistake, their was a knock on the door. While Rachel was surprised to see anyone so early, Ross thought otherwise. As the two of them peered through the now-bright hallway, they saw none other than Chandler. As he waved at them, he walked in, looking happier than Ralphie holding a Red Ryder BB gun, complete with a compass and sundial.
"Hello, children!"
"Hey." The two of them looked at Chandler and smiled, and returned back to the TV. While Rachel was nonchalant, Ross tried his best to copy her, and it worked. What really surprised them, however, was when Chandler leaned down and hugged both of them, almost choking them. He then skipped around and sat on the armchair next to the couch, crossing his legs with complete glee.
"Oh God. Please tell me you didn't sleep with Monica." The thought made Ross nauseous.
"Oh, God no. You think I'm going to ruin this with sex? Never again." Chandler laughed at his own joke, causing Ross and Rachel to do the same. They were all so happy, and it was nice to be in a cheery mood for a change. They sat for a minute and talked, mostly about Monica, Joey, and Phoebe, and how they were feeling.
"Uh, Rach. Could you get my crutches?"
"Huh? Oh. Sure."
As Rachel stood up, she made sure to pull her robe down. While Chandler was now in a committed relationship, that didn't change the fact that he was still a guy. She was happy for him and Monica though, and that was what mattered.
After grabbing the crutches off of the side of the counter, Rachel turned around to see Ross stuffing his hand into his pocket. It was a pity, really, that this had to end so soon. Rachel, however, decided to not notice, and that made the guys' eyes light up a bit. Whatever Ross was planning, it was obviously huge, and it involved Chandler as well. Rachel only hoped that this was an actual surprise; not like the time Ross gave her a coccyx from a lar gibbon. She didn't even understand what he was giving her, but she appreciated the strange gesture anyway. It was how Ross showed his love, outside of the regular norms.
She decided to stall, so that she could eavesdrop to the best of her abilities as to what they were up to. After handing Ross his crutches, Rachel retreated into the bedroom, closing the door just enough to leave a crack open. She couldn't hear much, but it was more about toying with them than finding out their plans.
One word stood out, and it made her squeal in joy.