Chapter 6: Ross
Chandler & the Wedding Day
No man would ever hurt his little sister and just walk away without some bruises. People might laugh as much as they wanted, even his little sister could laugh out loud at that, but Ross was ready to kick Chandler's ass for disappearing like this, especially after all the time it took to find him and bring him back. Monica had no idea her fiancé had been missing the night before, but if she found out about that adding the extra information that he was missing again, now that she was already in a wedding dress and the guests had mostly arrived, it would be devastating for her. Ross walked around the place like a mad man, and then he finally saw Chandler and was ready to show some class A karate movements.
He hadn't gone missing after all, he just went down to get some cigarettes – scolding about smoking saved for later, Ross dully noted. Chandler looked quite calm at the moment, actually, showing up a cute little onesie and talking about a baby, of all things, as if it was something simple. Where was the man that had freaked out just because he was about to get married? Wasn't he afraid anymore?
"Well, let's get started before the groom takes off again, huh?" Joey giggled while the rest of gang flinched, Chandler looked guilty as charge and Monica had a confused-slash-shocked face.
During her vows, she was visibly touched. It was just beautiful, but Ross knew that knowing her fiancé took off wasn't going to slip out that easy. "Unless you don't want to." Oh, there it is. She added that little snappy extra line in her vows, and Ross was so nervous he could start shaking any minute. Her tone would definitely not help a scared groom be okay. He hoped Chandler would be able to cope and, hopefully later, make her recover from the shock.
It was his turn to read his vows, and as Ross leaned in to give him the piece of paper, Chandler just dismissed the action.
Uh-oh, Ross cried inwardly, what is he doing?
Well, speaking from his heart apparently. And that seemed to do it. Wow, even I am a little touched right now.
That was a rare moment in which Chandler didn't try to hide his feelings with humor. He was never the type of person to admit his problems in a serious tone, and it was even more unlikely that he would do that while having an audience. Yet, there he was, wearing his heart on his sleeve in public. He just admitted in front of the bride, his friends and all the 128 guests that he had been afraid but that, somehow, by knowing how much he loved Monica, he would be able to get through any surprises that would come their way. He would be able to face anything because of her. He was, after all, facing his biggest fear: he was committing for life.
Ross couldn't decide if that all came from eloquence or love. Either way, that was a good move. Ross knew it wasn't as simple as that; he figured the couple would have to talk about the pre-wedding events later, but he could almost imagine his sister instantly feeling much better about the little problem she just found out by hearing his impromptu speech.
They kissed twice – they would – and everybody applauded at the end of the beautiful albeit unusual ceremony. Well, it was Monica and Chandler. Of course it would be anything but ordinary.
"And you are both so lucky. I mean, you both said the right names. And nobody was drunk, nobody was gay" Ross could feel his sobs getting the best of him "And at your first try."
Ross could tell it was the first and only try.