A/N - hey guys, thanks again for the amazing reviews! This is a short post as Chapter 13 is proving to be unlucky (total cliché, right) and we're reworking it. So, we decided to split it into two so you have the first part to read and we'll post the second bit as soon as it behaves itself ;)

"Monica," she cringed at the voice behind her and slowly turned to face her mother.

Phoebe and Rachel had agreed to tell the other guests so she could stay hiding in the backroom. She wasn't looking forward to facing her mom, but she had little choice. She just had to get through this conversation and then she could go home and recover with her friends.

"Hi," she said softly, glad that most of her tears had gone now, "I, uh, I guess you've heard?" she swallowed. Part of her still couldn't believe this was actually happening; that she was cancelling her dream wedding. Was she going to wake up and find this all just a nightmare?

"I did," she said, walking further into the room, looking around it critically, "Rachel told me, she also said you wanted to see me?"

Monica nodded, squeezing her eyes shut against fresh tears, wishing she had drunk more wine at dinner, "I'm sorry," she finally told her quietly, "I'm sorry that I've let you and dad down but-"

"Let us down?" her mom frowned, stepping closer and taking the seat next to her. She took one of her hands in hers, hating seeing her daughter in so much distress, "Why on earth would you think you're letting us down?"

"Because," she sniffed, confused, "I was meant to be getting married tomorrow, you were both so proud and now I've cancelled it and-"

"Monica," she soothed, bringing a hand to stroke comforting through her daughter's hair, before tucking it behind her ear, "your father and I will always be proud of you, sweetheart," she promised, as Monica looked surprised jerking up to meet her eyes.

"Really?"

"Yes really," Judy swallowed, hurt that she didn't already know that. "We love you and I'm proud that you were brave enough to cancel this tonight."

"Really?" she repeated, more tears rolling down her cheek, "you aren't mad? I haven't embarrassed you? You don't think I've thrown away my only chance at happiness?"

"Of course not, darling," she squeezed her hand. "If it didn't feel right then you've done the right thing. You can only get married if you truly love the person 100% and we'd never want to see you in an unhappy marriage. It was hard enough watching your brother go through it, we'd never wish it on you. I love your father with all my heart; we've had many marvelous years together and I want you to have a marriage like ours. One you will cherish and be grateful for…you won't get that with the wrong man."

Monica let out a breath that sounded like a strange laugh, "thank you," she smiled, "I didn't think you'd make it this easy for me."

"You're my only daughter," Judy pointed out, "I know I'm a little critical at times but it's only because I want the best for you, we both do. Your dad wouldn't want to give you away to the wrong man," Monica nodded gratefully, "besides," she continued with a smile, "it's cost us nothing."

Monica chuckled and allowed her mom to pull her into a hug. She felt the older woman press a kiss onto the top of her head and she closed her eyes. They may not have the best mother-daughter relationship, but when it worked, it was everything they needed it to be.

"Hey," a soggy Joey greeted as he walked into the rapidly emptying hall, spotting his three friends sat at the cleared table.

They didn't look the happiest bunch.

"Where the hell have you been?" Rachel asked him, screwing up her nose as she took in his appearance.

"Yeah, you like missed everything," Phoebe retorted, "they've called off the wedding."

"What?" Joey asked, obviously pleased as he pulled up a chair. "That's great news!"

"How is that great news?" Ross asked clearly annoyed.

"She, uh, was having doubts right?" he clarified realizing that Ross probably didn't know about the whole Chandler crush thing. "So it's good that she broke it off."

"How did you know she was having doubts?" Ross frowned. "I'm her own brother, why was I the only one not to know?"

"How's Chandler?" Phoebe asked ignoring Ross.

"He's, uh, not feeling so good," he said, widening his eyes to try and communicate what he meant. "He's gone home."

"What's going on?" Ross asked, irritated at the secret looks crossing the table. "Come on, tell me."

Everyone stayed silent.

"Tell me!" he whined.

"Fine," Rachel sighed, it's not like anything ever stayed secret in this group anyway. "Chandler's in love with Monica."

"W-what?" Ross frowned, "since when?"

Rachel didn't know the answer so turned to Joey, who picked up the story telling, "for a while," he shrugged a little, "he didn't want to tell any of us, didn't want to complicate things." Even he could see the irony in this situation.

"So did she call off the wedding because she likes Chandler?" Ross asked as the others shook their heads.

"No," Phoebe said. "She decided she didn't love Pete enough to marry him. She doesn't even know about Chandler...does she?" she turned to Joey. "Chandler left in hurry, did he tell her?"

"God, I hope he didn't," Rachel sighed, "she's got enough on her plate…" she took in Joey's grimace. "What?"

"He kissed her," he confessed, wincing at the other's reactions, "he didn't mean to, it just happened and now he's doing a massive guilt trip over it. So Monica didn't say anything about it?"

"No," Rachel shook her head, "she's was too busy focussing on...well, this," she gestured around the room. "This is crazy."

"Not as crazy as Chandler being in love with my sister," Ross said, standing from the table.

"So, if didn't Monica tell us about the kiss, does that mean she doesn't feel the same way about Chandler?" Phoebe wondered.

Rachel shrugged a shoulder, "Chandler and Monica. Wow, that's weird."

"I'm not sure they're 'Chandler and Monica' yet, are they?" Ross asked.

"They have always been that." Phoebe pointed out, "just because one of them finally admitted it doesn't change anything." Her three friends around the table looked at her, "oh please, like you haven't noticed it. Maybe you pretended to be blind to it for the last year because she had Pete, but they have always been like this," she held up her hand with her index and middle finger wrapped together.

"So, where is Monica now?" Ross asked, breaking the silence that fell around them.

"I'm not sure. She was in that room, but she wasn't in there a little while ago," Rachel started, "did Pete leave?"

Ross nodded, loosening his tie, "yeah, I saw him go."

Joey sighed, "okay, I'm gonna go home and check on Chandler. Somebody should put eyes on Monica."

Rachel stood up and nodded, "I am going to the liquor store."

"You think Monica is at the liquor store?" Joey asked confused.

"No, she's probably at home, but when I get to her, I am going to need lots of liquor to get us through tonight."

Phoebe stood as well, "oh! Yes! Alcohol! Rachel Karen Green, you are my hero! I'll come with you."

Monica stood at her apartment door, biting what was left of her thumb nail, wondering what she was going to say to her friends on the other side. She knew they knew about the wedding being called off, but she really didn't want to go in and have to explain her reasoning, explain what happened. She turned, heading back down the stairs.

Fresh air, that was what she craved. She tightened the coat that was around her as the cooler dusk air hit her arms. Thunder rumbled over her and she looked up at the sky, figuring she had enough time to get at least a quick walk in before the storm started.

Monica crossed the street, heading to the park. She groaned when it began sprinkling rain, but otherwise ignored it. She was pretty sure she couldn't look worse than she already did - at least the rain would help explain the smudged mascara. She took a left, walking deeper into the park. She crossed her arms as she walked when the rain began to fall quicker, soaking her clothes.

The park was deserted, quiet, just what she needed. She squinted her eyes, surprised to see it wasn't completely empty; there was a lone figure sitting on the bench ahead on her path. She briefly wondered who would be out here in the rain, in the dark, by himself, but then remembered that she was out here in the rain and the dark and by herself. Maybe they had cancelled their wedding too.

With a sigh she put her head down as she got closer to him, not wanting to bother him or make eye contact. She glanced up one more time when she got close enough to see the man, and stopped dead in her tracks when she looked at his face. He was sitting with his head down, staring at the ground, his hands tangled up in his hair.

"Chandler?"

TBC..

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