"I SAID I WAS COMING!" Ross' voice echoed through his apartment. He stalked toward the door, yanking it open. "WHAT?"
Chandler stood in the hallway, fist in mid air as if about to knock again. A huge grin spread across Chandler's face. "What's got your knickers in a knot?"
Ross didn't look amused. "What is it Bing?"
Chandler pretended to look hurt. But after a moment he remembered why he was really there, and the look vanished from his face. "Ross, we need to talk." Chandler stepped past Ross into the apartment and went to sit on the sofa.
Ross turned toward him, his mouth hanging wide open. "Do you mean to tell me that you are here to give me advice? You – Chandler Bing?" Ross looked stunned, but on the same hand, amused.
"Yes. And don't laugh. You need help. I am sick of this whole 'I love Rachel, but can't tell her thing'. You really need to do something about it. This whole thing has been going on too long…" Ross cut Chandler off mid sentence.
"Actually, that's what I'm doing now. Why do you think I was so weird when I answered the door?" Chandler opened his mouth about to make a sarcastic comment. "Don't answer that. I thought you were Rachel. You scared me."
"For a grown man, you sure do scare easily." Ross rolled his eyes. What he didn't need right now were more of Chandler's sarcastic comments. "Are you here to help me, or make fun of me?"
"Help or tease, help or tease?" Chandler pretended to weigh the two options with his hands. "Hard choice." Ross looked impatient. "Fine. Help. Definitely help."
"Good. I need your help with a few of the arrangements." Ross smiled.
Chandler looked confused. "What arrange-"
Ross cut Chandler of mid word. "ments? You'll see."
***
Rachel was stunned. Monica was brilliant. Trust her to have the solution to every problem that Ross and Rachel had ever had.
"Rach, are you okay? You look kind of pale." Monica, sitting beside Rachel on the couch, looked worried.
"Sure Mon, I'm fine. I was just thinking about what a lifesaver you are." Rachel saw Monica smile, and began talking again before she started to brag. "And also about when I should tell Ross. I was thinking tonight, if he's free, or tomorrow," but seeing the look on Monica's face she tried to backtrack, "or not…it's, um, your choice…I guess."
Monica looked offended, and yet pleased that she had so much control over the situation. "Are you really that scared of me, Rach?"
Rach paused before she answered. "Of course not. Your look just…um…reminded me that I should…consult you first." After seeing the disbelieving look that crossed Monica's face, Rachel added, "Because you are such…a…talented organiser."
Monica received the complement without complaint, despite not believing Rachel in the slightest. "I am. But that is not the point. Rachel have I taught you nothing?"
Rachel looked taken aback. "Sure. I've learnt-"
Monica, noting the time, stopped her before she began listing everything she had learnt from Monica. She knew it would be a long list. "We've got no time Rach. We have so much to do, and so little time. Where were we?" She paused for just a moment before continuing. "Oh, that's right. You cannot tell Ross tonight."
Rachel looked angry now. Ever since she had found out how to fix things between her and Ross, she had been dying to try. "And why not?"
"Because Rachel. You are about to tell Ross that you are not leaving for Paris." When Monica saw the look on Rachel's face she added, "I can assume." When she saw Rachel nod, she continued. "You are about to tell him that you love him and can not live without him. Does that seem like something you should rush into to?"
"I guess not." Rachel answered hesitantly.
"You guessed right. On top of all the arrangements that need to be made – a new outfit, dinner reservations and a babysitter for Emma – would you actually be ready to tell him tonight? Or would you rather have some time to prepare what you want to say, just so it is perfect? I mean, when you think about it, when you tell him, it'll be the beginning of a new forever for the two of you. I'd want everything to be magical if it was me."
Rachel rolled her eyes but nodded. "Fine. You're right. I'll wait."
Monica looked pleased. "I told you I was always right. Now come on. Let's go find Phoebe so that we can go shopping."
Rachel's eyes lit up at the word 'shopping'. "Sure!" she answered, a little too enthusiastically. "Since it was your idea, will you be paying?"
Monica rolled her eyes and answered sarcastically, "Yeah, and this morning I just left my cereal bowl on the sink without even washing it." She cringed; even just thinking about it was hard.
Rachel giggled. "You know, on second thought, Chandler and you make a perfect couple," she said over her shoulder as she headed out the door. Once she was in the hallway between apartments 19 and 20, she called out to Monica, laughing to herself as she remembered a time long gone. "Got the keys?"
***
Chandler answered the door. Joey stood in the hallway, soaked from head to foot. He was standing in a puddle of water which continued to grow as water dripped from his pants. Chandler starred at him in disbelief.
"Chandler, I've been looking for you everywhere. What are you doing at Ross' without me?" Joey pushed past Chandler into Ross' clean apartment.
Chandler shut the door behind him and turned to face Joey. He gestured towards Joey's wet hair and clothes. "Hi, Joe. Care to explain?"
"Oh, yeah, it's raining outside." Joey stated. "Where's Ross? This is his apartment."
"OH MY GOD! Joey! What are you doing? I just had the floors polished!" Ross screamed as he walked out of his bedroom.
"Spoke too soon." Joey mumbled to himself as he tried to come up with a good explanation for why he had left a river in Ross' apartment. Coming up short of one, he smiled and made his adorable puppy-dog eyes, hoping his good looks would get him out of trouble.
"Not this time Joe. Just go and have a shower, I'll leave clothes by the door. Otherwise you'll-"
"-catch a cold. I know Ross. Believe me, I know. You tell me every day." Joey shuffled into the bathroom, leaving a long puddle of water behind him.
"Not every day." Ross mumbled to himself, as he went to find some clothes that would fit Joey.
"Giving advice, making arrangements and listening to Ross and Joey argue - could I be having any more fun?" Chandler mumbled to no one in particular.
***
"I know!" shouted Monica. Every person in the department store turned to stare at her. "I know," she whispered this time. "It's perfect."
"Mmhmm," Rachel mumbled.
Monica looked at her more closely. "Rachel, are you crying?"
"No, I'm just-" Rachel could tell Monica didn't believe her. "Yes, I am. Happy? I'm just so excited to tell Ross, and well, finding this outfit means I'm that much closer. Wouldn't you be happy?"
"Of course I would." Monica paused remembering her wedding dress and how happy she had been in it. "Come on, let's go find Phoebe and show her. I think she's over by the shoes."
***
Chandler started laughing. "What'cha wearing Joe?"
Joey looked mad. He turned to Ross, his outstretched finger almost touching his chest. "Ross Gellar, I ought to-" but he was cut off mid sentence.
"Joey, it's the only thing I had that would fit you."
Chandler looked Joey over. He was dressed in black tracksuit pants, a white business shirt and a navy blazer. "Quick Joe, hide! I think I can hear the fashion police in the hallway right now!"
Ross laughed at the joke, but Joey didn't. "I understand why I look so stupid, but you chose to wear those clothes." Joey and Chandler began laughing, but Ross wasn't amused.
"What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" Ross' comment was aimed at Joey, but Chandler answered.
"Nothing. Ross, focus on the real issue at hand. The proposal."
***
"It's so beautiful Rach. I love it." Phoebe had the coat hanger over her head, so that the dress fell in front of her as if she was wearing it. She spun around in a circle so that it flared out. "I love the colour. What would you call it? Is it turquoise, or green, maybe its jade…" Phoebe trailed off as she ran out of colours.
"Anyway…Rach, you need shoes now." Monica needed her schedule to run on time.
"Oooh, I love this part!" commented Rach, as she sat down on one of the stools near the shoes and began to take off her own. "Well, come on, what are you waiting for? Bring me some shoes to try on."
"Do you want black, silver or the matching colour?" Phoebe asked, already scanning the shelves for suitable shoes.
"Not the matching colour," Monica commented, "though I doubt you'd find the exact green anyway."
Rachel nodded. "Yeah, silver or black. It doesn't bother me."
"Here's a black pair," Phoebe said as she handed Rachel a shoebox.
Monica rolled her eyes and shook her head. "They're no good. The heel isn't high enough."
"Ok," Phoebe said as she put the box back and looked for another pair. "These are better." As she went to hand the box to Rachel, Monica pulled them out of her hand, before putting them back on the shelf.
"Heels are too high. Rachel won't be able to walk," was all Monica said in reply to Phoebe's confused look.
Phoebe rolled her eyes. It was going to be a long day. "Fine. I'll find something else."
"Good." Rachel mumbled. She was starting to remember why the three of them didn't go shopping more often. Between Monica's need for perfection and Phoebe's quick temper, shopping was far more relaxing when enjoyed alone.
Rachel watched as Phoebe chose a shoebox from the shelf and turned to bring it to Rachel. Monica watched warily. "How high are they Phoebe?"
That's when it happened. Rachel knew it had been coming, but it was worse than she'd expected. Phoebe's voice echoed through the store. "Monica, RELAX! The shoes are for Rachel, NOT you. She can have them any height she likes!"
Rachel jumped up and went to calm Phoebe. Once again everyone in the store was starring at the group of three. "Phoebe, its ok. That's just Monica. She's a perfectionist. You know that."
Monica looked hurt. "I am not a perfectionist," she said defensively. But as the words escaped through her mouth, even she knew them not to be true. "Sorry, Phoebe," she said quietly, "Can I please see the shoes?"
Phoebe, who had calmed down completely now, went and got the shoebox. "Of course. I'm so sorry too. I didn't mean to yell at you."
Monica rolled her eyes. "Of course you did. But I deserved it. Now show me the shoes."
Rachel sighed as she sat back down. She hoped these were the right shoes. She didn't know how much more she could take.
***
"PROPOSAL?" Joey's voice echoed through the apartment. "What proposal?"
Ross paused before he answered. "My proposal to Rachel."
Joey looked stunned. "You're going to ask Rachel to marry you? But you don't even know if she loves you."
Chandler began speaking before Ross could answer. "He knows all that. He just-"
"She has to know." Ross finished.
Joey still looked confused. "Why can't you just tell her?" But before Ross had time to answer, Joey answered the question himself. "Oh, I get it. It's because you're Ross."
Authors Note: So what did you think? Please review. I'd love to know what you thought of it - all critism welcomed. I'm sorry it took so long, I've been super busy with school. I will update soon, I promise.