AN: I just finished this. Hope you all like this. Sorry this chapter is shorter than all the other chapters to this story has been. Please R&R!

Disclaimer: I own no one. They all belong to Bright/Kauffman/Crane.

Chapter 13: Happy Birthday Sophie!

Chandler quietly went into Sophie's room one morning and saw Sophie starting to stir. He lifted her up and got her diaper changed and took her into his bedroom. He got them both situated on the bed and he smiled at her as she lay against his chest.

"Happy Birthday, Princess." Chandler said softly as they both drifted off to sleep again.

A couple hours later, Chandler turned over in bed as he heard some noise out in his living room. He looked over and saw that Sophie was awake and playing with the pillows and blankets on the bed. He picked her up and took her out to the living room where he saw his mom with bags of decorations as she went through it all.

"Mom?" Chandler put Sophie in the high chair by the table.

"Morning, sleepyheads." Nora smiled at them. "It's a big day today."

"Yes, it is." Chandler made some toast for Sophie and took it to her.

"Are your friends coming over today?"

"Yeah," he sat beside Sophie at the table as he went through all the decorations. "Ross isn't sure if his parents will let Monica come. But he's going to take me to get the cake."

"Sounds good."

Chandler got Sophie out of the high chair after she finished her breakfast and put her down. She had only been walking for a few weeks and was still wobbly as she went to the area in the living room where her toys were. Chandler helped his mom hang the decorations around the apartment and a few on the small porch outside.

A little while later, there was a knock on the door and Chandler went to let in all his friends. He smiled when he saw Monica coming up the walk behind Carol.

"I thought your parents weren't going to let her come." He looked at Ross.

"That's the good thing about being eighteen now." Monica told him. "I don't have to listen to them anymore."

"Well, I'm glad you all could come." He let them all in.

"When'd you get the ok to take the cast off?" Carol asked him.

"Yesterday." Chandler told her as he hugged Phoebe. "Ross, ready to take me to get the cake now?"

"Sure. Let's go." They walked out the door and got into Ross' car and drove to the bakery.

While they were gone Monica, Phoebe, and Carol helped Nora finish put up all the decorations. By the time Chandler and Ross returned with the cake, everything was done and Chandler's boss, Tony had shown up with his wife and half a dozen pizzas for everyone at the party. Chandler put the cake in the refrigerator then went to change Sophie into her party clothes. They all gathered onto the porch and front yard as they ate and watched as Sophie slowly toddled around the yard as she still got used to walking.

"Here. I brought these for you guys." Monica handed some sealed envelopes to Chandler, Phoebe, and Joey. "They're invitations to my graduation ceremony and my party."

"Are you sure I should come?" Chandler asked. "I wouldn't want to ruin your party."

"My parents said I could invite anyone I wanted." Monica told them. "And I want all of you there."

"Well I will definitely come." Phoebe told her.

"Ok." Nora cleared away all of the empty pizza boxes. "What should we do first? Cake or presents?"

"Probably the cake. I'll go get it." Chandler went inside followed by Joey so he could help him.

They came back out with Chandler carrying the cake and Joey holding a candle in the shape of the number one and some matches. Chandler set the princess cake on the small table that was set up and lit the candle as Phoebe picked up Sophie and handed her to Chandler who stood her in front of the cake. Everyone started to sing happy birthday to her as she clapped along and Chandler held her over the cake and helped her blow out the candle.

Chandler cut up the cake and handed out plates with ice cream on them as well. Everyone sat around as they all talked about their summer plans.

"When are you leaving for school, Mon?" Phoebe asked.

"As soon as I possibly can." She mumbled. "The sooner I get away from my parents, the better."

A little while later, Chandler cleaned off Sophie after she got her cake all over her. Nora helped get all the gifts out and Chandler helped Sophie open all of them. She got spoiled like crazy like she deserves, receiving stuffed animals, blocks, books, and her first real doll and jewelry collection from Nora. Then Chandler brought his present for her out; it was a red and yellow coupe car that she could sit in and ride.

A few hours later, everyone started to leave as Chandler took all the presents and leftover cake back into the house. Chandler gave Sophie bath and got her into some pajamas and fed her her nightly bottle. He lay her down in the crib and she fell right to sleep.

Chandler came out of Sophie's room closing the door behind him and spotted Phoebe trying to organize all of Sophie's new toys.

"Is she asleep?" she asked him.

"Yeah. Where's my mom?"

"She went back to her hotel for the night."

"Good." He sighed. "She was starting to get on my nerves."

"Chandler, I think we need to talk." Phoebe looked at him. "I don't want to do this on Sophie's birthday, but if I don't do this now I'll lose my nerve."

"Ok." They sat by each other on the couch. "What's this about?"

"Chandler, do you honestly see this relationship going anywhere?"

"Honestly, no." he sighed. "I thought it was just me. That I was too focused on Sophie to give you the attention that you deserve."

"I've felt it for awhile. I just didn't want to say anything for fear of hurting Sophie. But I think the longer we stay together, the more it'll hurt Sophie."

"I agree." He sighed. "I don't want her to get hurt, either. As much as I want this to work, I think it'll only hurt her more."

"I'm not ready for a high-maintenance relationship at this point."

"High-maintenance?"

"Not exactly high maintenance, but Sophie can be a handful. I'm not ready for that kind of responsibility that you have to deal with."

"I understand. You don't need to explain." He smiled at her. "But we can remain friends, right?"

"Of course. I depend on your friendship." She smiled at him as he walked her to the door.

Chandler locked the door behind her and leaned back against it. It was a strange feeling, but he felt a huge weight lift off of him. Maybe he wasn't ready for a relationship at this point and time. He just needed to focus all his attention on Sophie right now; and finishing school on time. He finished cleaning everything up and went off to bed.

AN: So what'd you all think? Again, sorry for the short chapter. Now it's time for me to work on my Harry Potter stories. Please R&R