~15 Years In The Future~

"Happy Anniversary Mom!" the twins chimed in together, handing their mom a gift.

Monica Geller-Bing couldn't believe they had remembered that special day. She held back tears, realizing it was a sign they were growing up. How could her babies be ten years old already?

"That is so sweet of you guys!" she beamed, taking the gift. "Would you like me to open it now?"

"Yeah, open it!" Jack said excitedly.

"Okay!" Monica unwrapped it carefully; she would be saving the paper and folding it nicely later. The gift was a 9x12 canvas picture of Chandler and her on their wedding day. Chandler was holding Monica close, planting a kiss on her cheek, the two of them with their eyes filled with happiness.

"Oh, this is beautiful," Monica whispered. "Thank you so much." She sniffled and couldn't stop the tears that were rolling down her cheeks. She then noticed a card that had fallen from the package onto the floor. She picked it up and opened it. Inside was a handwritten note on a piece of simple notebook paper.

"Mon, happy anniversary. You know I'm no good at the whole writing thing, but I wanted to write this since I knew I wouldn't be there today to celebrate with you. I hope the kids kept it a secret, I bribed them with some cake. I don't know how much longer I have, but I want you to know that I already miss you. I've been missing you ever since I found out about the cancer. I know you're missing me on this special day. I can't believe I got to marry you Mon. When we were friends, I wanted you so badly. I couldn't risk our friendship though. But then we got together in London and my whole life changed. I knew, from then on, we would be together. It might have taken us several weeks to figure out that we both wanted each other, but everything happens for a reason. I'd like to think it took awhile so that we were both sure, and it would work out. I don't even want to think about if it had not worked out. You are so beautiful, and so kind, and you're the most amazing woman I have ever known. I love you so much Mon. I never thought I could love you more, but when Erika and Jack were born, I fell in love with you all over again. Seeing you holding them, cuddling them...we were finally complete. You finally had the babies you wanted since I had pretty much known you. And I would get to be their dad. I know it's hard for you now that I'm gone. The doctor says I only have a few weeks left, so I know when you read this, I won't be with you anymore. I told Jack and Erika to make this anniversary as special as they could. I had Rachel get this picture done for me. I hope you like it. I'm running out of things to say, but I just want you to know I love you very much. I know you'll eventually find someone else, but please, if I could ask you one favor, please don't forget about me. Hang up this picture somewhere where you'll see it often and can look at it and remember all the wonderful memories we had. I love you Monica, I love you so much. Kiss Erika and Jack for me, even though Jack is getting too old for your kisses, you tell him I made you do it.

-Chandler

Monica was sobbing now. She saw the fearful looks in her kids eyes, even at the funeral, they had never seen their mom so distraught. She pulled them close, hugging them both. "I'm sorry," she sniffled. "I just miss Daddy so much. I can't believe he did this for me."

"It'll be okay Mom," Jack said, patting her on the back.

"Daddy is watching over us," Erika said earnestly. "I talk to him sometimes."

"You do?" Monica asked, surprised.

"Yeah!" she replied. "I think he can hear me too."

"I'm sure he can sweetie," Monica smiled, kissing Erika on the cheek.

Monica was quiet for a little while, the kids both had gone upstairs to their rooms. She sat on the couch thinking about the day she and Chandler had finally "become official". Shortly after London, they had been avoiding each other. They were polite, of course, or else their friends would have suspected something. But they had crossed a line and they were very well aware of it. Chandler had tried to talk to Monica about it by bringing her a pair of earrings he thought she had left in their hotel room, but as it had turned out, they belonged to the girl Joey had hooked up with. A few weeks went by and both Monica and Chandler felt that empty void from them being apart. One evening, Chandler had come over to Monica's needing to borrow some milk to make the chocolate milk he was craving. Rachel was out on a date and Monica hadn't thought anyone would be stopping by so late in the evening, so she was only in a little nightie with a silk robe wrapped around her. She was sitting at the table, pouring herself a second glass of wine when Chandler walked in.

"Oh sorry," he immediately scanned her up and down, feeling embarrassed he had walked in with her so scantily dressed. "I, uh, just needed to borrow some milk. If that's okay."

"Yeah, of course," Monica smiled. She thought it was cute Chandler seemed so awkward about her outfit.

Chandler walked over to the fridge and got the milk out. "Alrighty. I've got my milk. I guess I'll be going now."

"You can stay if you want," Monica looked up at him. He was just wearing an old t-shirt and jeans, but he looked ridiculously handsome and she could smell a trace of the cologne he sometimes wore. She felt her heart skip a beat.

"Okay," he smiled, "I will." Chandler felt relieved. Not only was Monica not irritated he had come over suddenly, but she actually didn't mind him sticking around. Maybe they were finally going back to who they used to be. He sat down across from her, stirring some Ovaltine into his milk.

Monica took a deep breath. "Chandler," she began. "That night in London...it meant a lot to me." She looked down, afraid to say more. Chandler was likely to get up and run if she kept talking.

"It meant a lot to me too Mon," he said nervously. "You're, well, you're the hottest woman I know," he chuckled a little.

"I've missed you Chandler," Monica felt a little braver now, partially due to the alcohol. "I hate that we never talk anymore. You're my best friend."

Chandler stood up, suddenly feeling trapped at the table. "You're mine too. I don't want what happened in London to keep messing this up."

"It doesn't have to," Monica said quietly.

"I know we've had this conversation before, but what if," Chandler paused, trying to find courage. "What if I were your boyfriend?"

"I'd like that," Monica smiled. "I think I spoke too quickly the last time you asked. It makes sense."

"Yeah, it does," Chandler said. "You and me, together, oh my god! I've never, ever felt that way about anyone before. I think we need to be together. It would be wrong if we weren't together!"

Monica laughed. "Then let's do it. You'll be my boyfriend. We'll be in a relationship."

"A relationship?" Chandler felt a some of the panic and nervousness coming back.

"Yes sweetie, a relationship. I know it's a big deal, but that's what we want this to be, right?"

"Yeah it is. Okay, great! You're my girlfriend now."

"I love the sound of that!"

"I do too," Chandler said softly, pulling Monica close. She planted a kiss on his lips, never wanting this moment to end.