As Monica left the restaurant that evening, she was surprised to see Chandler waiting for her outside.
"Hey," she greeted, causing him to look up as she approached, his eyes crinkling as he smiled. She placed a quick kiss on his lips, her hands on his arm squeezing gently. "What are you doing here?"
"What? It's a crime for a guy to come meet his girlfriend after she finishes work?"
She couldn't help but be thrilled at how easily he called her his girlfriend and how right it felt him calling her that; how right this all felt.
"Of course not," she grinned, offering him another kiss as an apology, "I just didn't expect to see you here. You're full of surprises aren't you?"
"That's me," he quipped, smiling at her like an idiot. "I just figured that we could walk back together and get a bit of 'private time' before we're back amongst the gang and back to being center of attention."
"Sounds like an excellent plan," she murmured, stepping even closer in order to wrap her arms around his neck. "I like the sound of 'private time'."
He chuckled slightly before claiming her lips, reveling that they had no nosey friends or brothers around to interrupt. He could kiss her as freely and as passionately as he wanted to, needed to. Their lips caressed one another's softly before becoming harder and more insistent. Memories of their good morning kiss fuelling them on as their bodies pressed together and electricity bolted through them.
When they broke apart he looked into her eyes and loved that she looked as happy as he felt. With a mutual agreement they untangled from their embrace and took each other's hand as they started the short walk home.
"So, I never asked, did you get a Spanish inquisition when you got in last night?" he enquired.
"They weren't too bad," Monica mused, "they could have been a lot lot worse. You know, it's kinda nice that they care so much and that I've got them to share this with."
"Just don't share everything with them," Chandler requested, "I don't want this to turn into the whole Princess Leia thing," he grimaced and shuddered remembering what Ross had told him about Phoebe and those cinnamon swirls. Just no.
"It won't," she promised easily, "I'll be selective with the information I give them." She looked forward to having stories to tell though, even if she didn't share them all. "How was Joey? And Ross, what did he say?"
"Joey was easy," Chandler shrugged, "he's happy for us and well, you saw him at breakfast, he has our backs."
"Aww, that's really sweet," Monica squeezed his hand as they strolled home.
"Don't let Joey hear you say that," he warned, "sweet isn't manly enough for him."
"I'll bear that in mind," she smiled. "I take it it's manly enough for you?" she teased, causing him to chuckle.
"More than manly enough," he promised. "You can call me sweet, cute, adorable…I'll accept pretty much any positive adjective from you."
"Good to know because you are easily all those things, plus gorgeous, sexy, charming…"
"Go on," he encouraged cheekily laughing as her free hand whacked him. In all honesty, he was beaming at her praise and thrilled that she thought of him in any of those ways.
"What about Ross?" she asked and he blinked.
"You shouldn't think about him in any of those ways, ow," he complained as she whacked him again, laughing.
"I meant what did he say to you when you left this morning?" she clarified, "He didn't try and go all big brotherly on you did he?"
"Nah, well not much," Chandler thought about it. "He's ok with us and I'm ok with him being protective over you. You're worth protecting."
She smiled back happily at him really pleased that this thing between them hadn't come between Chandler and her brother. They'd been friends for a long time and she would have hated being part of any bad blood.
They soon reached their building and slowly took the stairs finding themselves in the hallway.
"We should have taken the scenic route," Chandler sighed. Hindsight was a wonderful thing.
"Well, until we go through that door we're still on 'private time'," she smirked, turning to embrace him like last night.
"You are simply a genius Miss Geller," he complimented leaning in for a kiss.
He really couldn't get enough of kissing this woman and the feeling seemed to be mutual as she sank into it, molding her body to his. He felt her hands raking through his hair as her lips consumed his. He was in heaven. He made a small noise as she continued to assult his lips. He could do this forever...
"Do you guys wait for me to do that?" Ross complained as they sprang apart. Shaking his head, he moved pass them and into Monica's apartment, leaving the door wide open.
"Opps," she giggled into Chandler's ear. "So much for 'private time' huh?"
He chuckled back, somewhat embarrassed about getting caught yet again, but a part of him was so happy that he just didn't care.
"Come on," she grabbed his hand and pulled him into the apartment where the others all were, "hey guys," she greeted.
They received various waves and greetings as Monica headed into her room to change out of her work clothes. Chandler couldn't help but wish for x-ray vision right now; that would be a cool super power. As that wasn't an option he headed to the fridge, grabbing a cold soda before settling on the over-sized armchair. He listened to Joey and Rachel argue over the television and wasn't too surprised when Rachel won…technically it was her apartment.
Moments later Monica emerged and Chandler didn't even try to hide the smile that spread across his face. It widened when she joined him, squishing herself against him on the chair and he was able to put his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. His grin continued to grow even when she stole some of his soda.
The rest of the gang were used to them sitting close anyhow, so it wasn't much to adjust to. Chandler was relieved that they seemed to ignore them and started to relax; simply content. He paid little attention to the tv, only occasionally making the odd comic remark here or there as necessary.
He paid more attention to the woman pressed against him. Every time she shuffled slightly or laughed or sighed he felt it. Every now and again she'd tighten her arms around him or play with his tie and he'd return the favor by hugging her closer or kissing the top of her head.
Their first official day as a couple and being 'coupley' in front of their friends had gone better than he'd thought. The gang had gone fairly easy on them, Monica was still smiling a lot and he was happier than he'd felt in a long time.
A definite success all round.
Chandler took one last look at his handy work and grinned, feeling mightily pleased with himself. He walked out of his apartment, closing the door firmly behind him before he headed across the hall in search of the others.
The last few days had been amazing, simply amazing. Dating Monica was simply amazing. Him and Monica had become more confident at being a couple with each other and in front of the gang. And in fairness to the others, they'd adjusted fairly well to the latest shift in the group dynamics and for that he was very grateful.
"Hey!" he greeted bursting through the door.
The gang looked up sensing his excitement. Out of habit his eyes sought out Monica and found her instantly; he aimed a special smile that was saved just for her and received a matching one in response. Life was good.
"What's going on?" Rachel asked, snapping him out of his moment with his girlfriend.
"I've got a surprise!" he announced clapping his hands together.
"Want us to leave the room?" Phoebe smirked.
"Not that kind of surprise," he protested, rolling his eyes. "Come on," he gestured to the still open door.
"What is it?" Joey asked curious as he stood up. He loved surprises.
"It's in the apartment," Chandler insisted, pleased when everyone else eventually copied Joey and started getting to their feet. Once they were all out in the hallway Chandler grinned and pushed open the door to apartment 19 with flair, "taa daa!"
They all blinked in surprised. The canoe had gone and was replaced with some rather nice furniture. Two large comfy recliners were in front of a large entertainment unit and a yellow sofa along the back wall. In addition to this were all sorts of gadgets proudly displayed around the room.
"Wow!" Joey ran excitedly into the room and hopped straight onto the barcalounger. "Ahhh," he smiled in approval, "I don't think I'm ever leaving this chair."
"There's more," Chandler stated excitedly as he picked up a remote from the counter and aimed it at the entertainment center.
They 'ooohed' and 'aaaahed' as the door slid open to reveal a large new television, stereo and speakers.
"A tv that appears from nowhere!" Ross exclaimed happily as he took the other barcalounger. "That's amazing!"
"I know!" Joey agreed, "I've always wanted one of these. This is amazing Chandler. Thank you!"
As the others explored the newly refurbished apartment and admired/ played with the all the new toys, Monica went over to Chandler where he stood by the counter. Smiling at him, she slipped her arms around his waist.
"This is really sweet of you," she praised, offering him a gentle kiss.
"Yeah well," he shrugged, his fingers coming to caress her cheek lightly, "it needed replacing and it's not like Joey was going to do it. Plus, I thought it would be a nice thing for him as he's been so good about everything recently and…" he looked at her wiggling his eye-brows, his voice dropping, "I figure these bad-boys are gonna be a lot comfier to make-out in than the canoe."
She laughed, smiling widely as she whacked his chest lightly and pulled him down for another kiss. She should have guessed they'd be an ulterior motive, although she'd be lying if she said she wasn't looking forward to trying out the make-out potential of the chair.
By mutual consent the gang decided to hang-out in the guys' apartment for the evening. Christening it with bad movies, video games and pizza. Monica and Chandler shared his new barcalounger, both loving how comfortable it was and being able to snuggle in it. It seemed the perfect size for the pair of them.
"You guys are really cute," Phoebe said out of nowhere, causing everyone's eyes to focus on the couple.
"T-thanks," Chandler stuttered somewhat embarrassed.
He was relieved when he felt Monica tighten her hold on him and snuggle deeper, "we know," she sighed contentedly.
He couldn't help but smile proudly and place a kiss on the top of her head in thanks. He wished he could do more to thank her but he'd have to wait until the others left. Instead, he contented himself with little touches and quick stolen kisses. She returned each and he could tell she was looking forward to the rest of the gang leaving as much as he was.
Eventually, one by one the others bid their farewells and left. Even Joey turned in early with claims of an early audition but Chandler suspected he was just giving them privacy. Right now he felt like buying him an even bigger tv to thank him.
"So…" Chandler grinned, a hand running through her short hair. "Wanna make-out?"
"Hmm," she pretended to think about it before quickly adding, "ok."
Chuckling they came together, lips meeting and the laughter dissolved into a few soft sighs.
"You were right," she announced still in his arms, "this is way more comfy than the canoe."
"It will be more comfy for other things as well," he swallowed as his hand slowly stroked her leg, "I mean, when you're ready. I'm not trying to rush you or anything and I totally get that you wanna go slow, I just meant when we get there, this could be an option. Not our first option or anything but if we ever wanted to do it outside of the bedroom, not that inside the bedroom would ever get boring or anything but-"
To his relief she just laughed and shut him up with a kiss.
"You're cute with your foot in your mouth," she grinned tracing the front of his tee shirt. "Besides I had an idea about that whole 'slow' thing."
"Yeah?" he tried to sound encouraging, dreading that she might want to wait months, years or until god forbid marriage. Would he survive that long? They could always elope.
"Well, I was thinking on Saturday night both Joey and Rachel have dates…maybe we could use that to our advantage?"
"Saturday?" he swallowed heavily, "you wanna…on Saturday?"
Images of what he wanted to do to her on Saturday started playing out in technicolor in his imagination. Before he started falling for Monica he'd never realized what a vivid imagination he had.
"Yeah," she shrugged a little self-consciously, "I know it's not, uh, slow slow but…it feels like it," she admitted and Chandler grinned broadly, tightening his hold on her.
"Saturday sounds amazing," he reassured her quickly. Very relieved she only wanted to wait a couple more days. If less than a week from their first date counted as 'slow' for her then he was all for it.
"Saturday it is then," she smiled at him and he just smiled back caught in her gaze.
"It's a date," he promised as he pulled her back down for another make-out session.
A/N- Again, thank you all so much for reading and reviewing. I love hearing your thoughts on this story. There's just one chapter left (for this sure this time). It's gonna finish on (un)lucky 13…:o/