The One With The 18th Birthday DVD
The One With Emma's New Dad Chapter 8
Notes: I will not give spoilers to what Emma's birthday gift is going to be so you'll just have to wait and see.
It was a warm spring evening in April 2022. Emma Gellar Green was getting ready to head over to her Uncle Chandler and Aunt Monica's for her birthday party The in person party had been postponed two years due to Covid 19. She had recently turned 20 years old and had just finished her sophomore year at Marymount Manhattan. She had followed her mother's footsteps and was studying fashion design.
"Emma, Are you almost ready?" Rachel called up the stairs.
"Yeah. Mom I'll be down in a few minutes." Emma answered.
Emma finished applying her make up and then headed down the stairs.
Rachel's eyes filled with tears. "You look beautiful." she pulled her daughter into a hug.
Emma fell into the embrace and kissed her mother's cheek. "Thanks Mom. I really miss Gunther and wish he was here."
"So do I honey. Please know that he's so proud of you. He really loved you."
"Is Daddy coming to my birthday party?"
Rachel nodded. "Yes he is. I made an exception to the custody agreement tonight. He really wanted to celebrate your birthday and he has a special surprise to give you."
Emma had been estranged from her father Ross since they moved to Paris in 2004. She was interested to see what kind of gift she would be getting.
"Umm so it doesn't have anything to do with dinosaurs does it?"
" I think you'll just have to wait and see." Rachel replied winking at her daughter coyly.
Emma sighed. "Okay, whatever Mom. I hope it's not too embarrassing."
The party went off without a hitch. After dinner everyone gathered in the living room for Ross's surprise. He was standing at the DVD player with remote in his hand.
" So does everyone remember the video we made for Emma on her first birthday?"
Chandler, Joey, Monica, Phoebe and Rachel all nodded.
"Well I got it remastered to a DVD and mixed clips together with some current messages for Emma for her 18th birthday. Let's give it a watch. Kill the lights Chan."
Chandler shut off the lights and Ross started the DVD.
Messages flipped back and forth between past and current pictures and video clips. Emma's breath caught in her throat when Gunther's face suddenly filled the screen.
"Hi sweetheart, When your dad is done putting together this video I'll be gone. I know my diagnosis has been really hard on you but you have been so strong all throughout it. I'm proud of you. I love you and I'll always be here for you. Happy 18th Birthday."
With that the video ended and the lights came back on There was silence in the room. Everyone was crying. Especially Emma and Rachel.
Emma ran up to her father and hugged him tightly. "Thank you Daddy. This is amazing. I love you."
Rachel came over and kissed Ross's cheek. " Ross, you don't even realize how much this means to both of us. Our hearts broke into two pieces when Gunther died. Thank you for including his message in the video."
Ross pulled Rachel and Emma into a strong hug. "You're welcome. Happy Birthday Emma. I know we haven't had the best relationship but I hope it can be a little bit stronger now. I love you too."
Chandler was the next to hug Ross. "The video came out great man!"
He then took Emma's hand. "Now Auntie Monica and I have something special to give you." he said.
"Okay." she whispered.
Chandler still had tears in his eyes from watching the video. He cleared his throat.
"My girl, you have grown in to a beautiful young woman just as passionate as Mom is about fashion. Your aunt and I could not be prouder of you and all your accomplishments so far in college."
Emma opened the envelope and gasped when she saw what was inside.
"Plane tickets?! Where am I going?"
"We're taking you back to Paris for a few weeks in June for your birthday and graduation."
"What? I can't even believe that! Thank you so much Auntie Monica and Uncle Chandler!"
Monica pulled her niece into a hug and Chandler wrapped his arms around both of them.
"You're welcome sweetheart. You are so special to us." Monica said rubbing Emma's back..
"We love you very much Emma We are going to have such an amazing time." Chandler said kissing his niece's forehead.
"I love you too Uncle Chandler." Emma whispered and at that moment she could not be more grateful for her family.
