Monica had been sitting in her armchair listening to Kip scream for nearly ten minutes. She was no longer paying attention to a single word he said, the woman had entered a state of inertia. Monica stared at the coffee table in the room with a lost look, just like she was feeling. Lost. Not knowing what to do. With no idea how to react to the recent events.
After talking to Chandler the night before, she felt better, a little calmer and more certain of what she needed to do. Monica even allowed her mind to travel a little to a perfect setting where she was happy living with her kid and the love of her life. However, she couldn't imagine her lover's face. It was just a blur and Monica knew why. She knew the outcome of everything, she just didn't want to believe him.
The next morning, as has been the case for the last few days, Monica woke up feeling sick. Her stomach was in knots and she didn't know whether or not she was hungry, her head ached from the extra amount of crying shed last night and Monica had a damn urge to pee. However, what bothered her the most was the nausea, it made her feel a little out of herself. She was sure a small part of it wasn't just morning sickness, but the anxiety about the conversation she still needed to have with her boyfriend. Shit, she just couldn't stop thinking about it. As she left the room, Monica saw Rachel, Chandler and Joey chatting casually, Joey and Chandler were sitting at the table while Rachel put on her earrings, near the door.
– Good morning. – Monica murmured as she tied her hair loosely and ran her hand over her face, feeling the growing discomfort in her stomach and her head throbbing. Joey muttered a "good morning" without taking his eyes off his food. Chandler smiled sweetly returning the greeting and eyed her carefully, paying attention to her friend's details and behavior.
– Good morning, Mon! I saw the table set and the boys eating when I woke up so I thought you had already left for work. – Rachel frowned and looked her friend up and down. Monica was a morning person. She was usually the first to wake up, rarely stayed in her pajamas for long on weekdays, and was always, always looking willing. This was different than what Rachel was used to. – Hey, what happened? Why aren't you dressed yet?
– Ah, I'm not going to work today. – Commented Monica. – I think I ate something bad, or my period came harder for me this time. I can't even walk. – She partially lied and saw her friend's eyes widen in concern. Monica was managing to hide her discomfort in the last few days, it was never something very strong, completely different from what she was feeling that morning. Rachel walked over to her.
– Oh dear, I'm so sorry. – Rachel hugged her affectionately and Monica let out a weak giggle. It was like time had turned back and they were in high school again.
– It's okay, I'll be better until the end of the day. – The woman murmured still in her friend's embrace and the two heard Joey from the kitchen.
– Nice sight first thing in the morning... – Joey joked with his perverted smile as he saw Rachel and Monica hugging. If his friends didn't know him, he would be getting a lot of name-calling right now. However the two girls just rolled their eyes and ignored his behavior. Even so, Joey didn't fail to receive a light slap on the back of his head. – Hey... – He complained, running his hand around the place and Chandler just snorted, getting up from the table.
– Anyway, when my shift is over we're going to stuff ourselves with ice cream and chocolate and watch movies curled up with blankets on the couch, okay? – Rachel ran her hand over Monica's face and she smiled in agreement. – Now I have to go, or Gunther will make me retake my waitress training for the third time just for missing the time. – The blonde huffed and grabbed her purse, walking out the door like lightning.
Monica took a deep breath. First of all, she needed to pee. This was one of the parts of this new phase that bothered her the most. While she listened to the boys chatting casually again, Monica took care of all her needs, took the opportunity to brush her teeth, ignored the continuous nausea and tied her hair in a way that was at least presentable. She straightened her pajamas and left the bathroom.
Monica walked to the kitchen and remembered what her friend had said earlier. She frowned at the fact that the breakfast table was set, normally she was in charge of it and Rachel couldn't turn on the stove without help. Her eyes darted around the kitchen in confusion. – Well, I got here and you weren't awake, I deduced that laziness finally caught up with Monica Geller. I took the liberty of preparing breakfast. – As if he had read her thoughts, Chandler's calm voice filled the room as Monica sat down at the table.
Of course he would make breakfast. It's always him.
– Well, not breaking anything and feeding Joey, I think you did a good job. – Monica smiled at her friend as he walked over to her, resting his hands on her friend's shoulders.
– So, you know, will my cooking skills be enough or am I going to make you throw up? – Chandler joked trying to bring up the important subject without Joey noticing. She looked at the pancakes, the coffee, eggs, juice and toast. Monica didn't know how to identify what made her feel sick, she just felt it sporadically. To tell the truth, she didn't know anything. How could I know? She found out she was pregnant the day before.
– I don't know, really. I think I'll find out little by little. – The brunette shrugged her shoulders and ate little for breakfast, almost nothing. In fact, less than Chandler would have liked for her to have eaten. Even Joey was surprised, saying he couldn't spend five minutes with just the little she ate. However, not knowing the full story, he didn't pay much attention.
So while the rest of the morning flashed by for Monica, it took as long as a snail. She needed to talk to Kip, yet she wished that the moment never came. The brunette spent the early hours of the day alone, Chandler went to work and Joey had an audition. Ross left her a message on the answering machine, letting her know that he would be in for an appointment with Carol. Phoebe dropped by the apartment before her next client and again, Monica was alone. She called Kip and he told her he could stop by his place after lunch, said he missed her and couldn't wait to see her. Monica's heart ached because, despite everything, she fell in love with Kip again. It was like watching a movie on repeat. – Hi, honey. – Kip smiled as he entered the apartment giving the brunette who was sitting at the table a peck. – Why did you miss work today? Is everything OK?
– I'm feeling a little sick, actually, I needed to talk to you, Kip. – Monica smiled politely and walked with her boyfriend to the sofa, sitting with him holding hands. Her heart was racing and she could feel the sweat running down her forehead. – That's... why I asked you to come as soon as possible. – She felt her voice crack but she didn't think he noticed.
– What happened? – Her boyfriend's voice now took on a worried tone and Monica was increasingly anxious.
– I went to the doctor a few days ago because I wasn't feeling well. I did some tests and the results came out yesterday... – Now her anxiety was visible and Kip shifted on the sofa to look directly into her eyes, a frown and a worried look carrying her expression.
– Monica, dear, what's wrong? – Again the boy questioned and saw the brunette take a deep breath before looking into her eyes with tears.
Here it goes... Nothing.
– I'm pregnant, Kip. – Surprisingly, the sentence came out without her voice breaking, but Monica's heart was beating so fast that it could have worried her slightly. Her breath started to quicken as Kip looked away from the coffee table, dropping his hands from hers abruptly. Monica felt a wet trail run down her cheek and was quick to wipe it away. – It's been three weeks. – This time the sentence came out as a whisper, as she looked at her lap.
Of all the ways she expected her boyfriend to react, this wasn't one of them. Kip started to laugh. She looked at him confused as he moved closer to kiss the corner of her mouth. – I almost fell for your joke. You are so funny. – He kissed her right away and when Monica didn't move, frowning as she looked at him, Kip's face became more serious. – What? You're kidding, right?
– No, dear. I'm Pregnant. Seriously. – She replied calmly, trying to reach for his hands again, feeling her heart break as he turned away and stood up quickly, almost as if she was disgusted by Monica. Abrupt seconds passed and he started pacing the room. They didn't speak for some time, and Monica wished they had stayed that way.
– But how could this have happened?! – He suddenly raged, startling the brunette. Well you're a big boy to have this conversation. Monica thought but kept that thought to herself. – I mean, every time we protect ourselves, we make sure that problems like this didn't happen. – He pondered, running his hands nervously through his hair. Problem?!
– Hmm, sometimes even that doesn't work out. – Monica was struggling to speak, the little she had eaten in the morning was starting to rise to bile again.
– And you still took all the medicine, it's almost impossible for that to happen. – Kip stated and then stopped quickly, looking at Monica with an accusing look. – Unless... Did you take everything you needed the next day?
– I think so, I don't remember Kip, it's been three weeks. – Monica rubbed a hand over her forehead, wiping a little sweat and stood up when he started to get upset. She had always been very organized about her health, but she just couldn't formulate a concrete thought at that very moment.
– Okay, so let's just clear our minds and solve this. – The boy went back to walking from one side to the other, making Monica follow him with an almost dreamy look. However, his next sentence made any kind of hope go down the drain. – We have no plans to get married in any near future right? – Monica nodded. – And you know how disappointed my parents and yours would be to know that we will have a child without getting married.
– Where are you going with this? – Monica questioned, already knowing the answer that would come. She already knew his answer from the moment Kip referred to the child as a problem.
– Well, then that only leaves us with one solution… – Kip continued and a dark silence filled the apartment as Monica processed what her boyfriend had just said.
– No! – Monica walked to the back of the sofa, while vehemently denying Kip's idea. – No, no and no!
– Monica, come on... – Kip reached out and held both her hands trying to get her to look at him. Monica just couldn't face him after what he'd just hinted at. – We can't let this little mishap take away the best we have, we're great together.
Problem... Mishap...
– Look, I know Kip. But that's not reason enough to take the baby away… – She dared look him in his caramel eyes and her voice faltered at the mention of the act. No, that wasn't something she was willing to do. – I love you, but that's asking too much. I will keep the baby. It's not like I'm not scared, because I am. But the image of giving birth nine months from now really makes me happy.
– Alright don't tell me you set all this up! – He changed his voice and the brunette widened her eyes with such accusation, releasing her hands abruptly. – This is so typical. You always wanted to have a child! It's obvious that you would be able to manipulate our entire relationship to your advantage. – Kip pointed at his girlfriend, not caring if his voice could be heard across the street. He didn't really care about anything, not even the fact that the woman was hyperventilating in front of him.
– What? What do you think I am? Some kind of damn manipulator or something? I didn't do anything different than what I've always been used to, we were careful and it still happened! – Monica was no longer trying to hold back the tears, she was trembling and felt a slight dizziness. The brunette sat down again, this time in the armchair. The nausea got worse and she wouldn't know if she'd be able to speak again.
– Don't play the victim! You could have done more. – Kip barked again and Monica just couldn't argue anymore, she felt that any movement she made would make her vomit. – You know what? That's all I didn't need right now. We were fine, no responsibilities, just hanging out and then this... After talking over and over about how much we didn't want marriages or babies. – Speak for yourself. Monica thought. – This has just ruined all my life plans, I don't want to get married now, imagine how our parents would be if they found out they were going to have a bastard grandchild. – She hoped he would just leave so she could break down completely, or else she hoped that some of her friends would arrive so Kip would at least stop screaming. This lasted for ten minutes until a sudden silence hung in the air and Monica had the courage to look at Kip. He had one hand on his hip and the other massaging his jaw as he looked into the kitchen.
– Kip? – Monica's voice came out thick, choked. He looked at her and then walked over to her.
– I can't see that happening, let's go. – He lifted Monica by the arm and she was startled by Kip's aggressiveness. Her heart was racing, now for a different reason.
What the hell does he think he's doing?!
– What? Where? – She refused to move, feeling the dizziness increase. Kip stopped pacing and looked at her, still holding her arm tighter than he should have.
– For a clinic, you are going to have an abortion. – He said decisively and started walking again, trying to pull her by the arm. The last few weeks passed like a flash in Monica's mind, her childhood and all her desires. A great marriage and children to call her own. She remained in place. It wasn't the way she expected, but Monica had already passed the stage of doubt about pregnancy. She would do it! With or without Kip. – Come on Monica! – Now Kip yelled.
– What?! Of course not, I already told you! – Monica didn't know where she got the strength to scream back and break free from his grip. They were standing between the kitchen and the living room, Kip blocking their view of the front door. – I'm not going to have an abortion, Kip. At other times I would seriously consider the possibility, but I won't. – She felt a chill run through her body as Kip glared at her. She has never been afraid of any man, until now. Even so, she wasn't going to give up on the baby. Her baby. – This may be my only chance to be a mother, Kip. And I won't lose it, even if it's by accident. Sometimes things don't turn out the way we expect. – Her voice was now tearful as she remembered the phrase Chandler had told her last night. – I'm not asking you to do anything, or shoulder any responsibility because clearly you're not available for… God, I'm not even thinking about marrying you, not like that, not after that. But I'm not giving up on this baby, regardless of your opinion of it. I just thought you should know.
The next few seconds were pure silence and tension, Monica's chest rising and falling with her heavy breathing. Kip huffed and nodded a few times. – Uhm... Nice speech, Geller, but you're not going to end my life by tarnishing my name with a bastard. I'll say it again so you understand, either we get married or we pretend this pregnancy shit never happened. I'm not getting married right now, so let's go for the second option. – Again the boy grabbed the brunette's arm, against his objections. Monica tried to stay in place but this time he was much stronger.
– Hey man, what the hell do you think you're doing?! Let her go, have you gone crazy?! – A third voice was heard from the door and it was then that Kip and Monica noticed the presence of someone in the place. Chandler had walked into Monica's apartment without realizing that the couple was having an argument. When he saw that neither of them had noticed his presence, he was slinking away when he witnessed Kip grab his friend's arm as if she were some kind of stray animal. He placed himself in the middle of the couple, causing Kip to release her in the process.
– You have nothing to do with this, get out. Let's go Monica! – He spat at Chandler and again Monica didn't know where she got the courage to speak for herself.
– Chandler isn't going anywhere, and neither am I. – Monica was firm, fighting hard so that her voice didn't come out shaky or thin. She walked closer to Kip and Chandler stood to one side, giving her space to talk or do what she thought was best, but being close by if necessary. After all, it wasn't just about Monica anymore. There was a baby involved. – For a moment I thought you could act maturely about this. I thought you might even like the idea. But now I've lost all respect I had for you, all the little admiration I had left. So you can just runaway like you did in the first time because I don't want you to get close to me or my baby even if it's your greatest desire in the future.
– Dream about it. – Kip laughed cynically. – If you're not going to get rid of it then don't count on me for anything. Don't even think about running after me when they treat you and this child like stray dogs. – He stated without shouting, but in a much more accusatory and threatening way. Chandler could overcome all his fear of getting into a fight to beat up Kip. His blood was rising and he never thought he could be this mad in his entire life. Still, it wasn't his fight and he knew Monica was more than capable of fighting for herself.
– Go away Kip. Fuck off and don't show your face here ever again. – The brunette stated trying to remain calm, knowing that being in the state she was in couldn't do the baby any good.
Kip took a deep breath and looked between Monica and Chandler, who was behind her. He shook his head negatively and started walking out of apartment 20. – Whore. – He played calmly before slamming the door.
– Hey! – Chandler yelled in protest and was about to go after Kip when Monica grabbed him by the arm. It was more of a support than a grip, as if after all the adrenaline had passed suddenly her legs were too weak to support her on her feet. Chandler took her by the elbows. – Mon, what are you feeling? – She didn't answer, but closed her eyes, breathing and trying to calm down. Soon after, Monica ran to the bathroom, kneeling down and throwing up everything she had eaten that day, which wasn't much. Chandler approached and removed the strands of hair that were in the brunette's face, redoing the ponytail. He then sat down next to her. – Hey, it's going to be okay. – He stroked Monica's back, trying to support her.
Hii, thanks for the support!
Just to be clear, I'm not implying that I'm against anything okay? Just a plot story. Sorry for any grammatical mistakes or anything.
Thanks for reading :)