Well, it takes me about a week to translate a chapter, as I'm not an English speaker, so I try to translate as best I can. So as the first chapter doesn't seem to be appreciated, I'm stopping here.

The first days following Monica's death had been deafening. The doctors had explained to Chandler that Monica had died of an amniotic embolism. He hadn't understood all the details, but he did understand that it was a rare and unpredictable complication during childbirth. Amniotic fluid had passed into Monica's bloodstream, a terrible misfortune for the 36-year-old mother, but nothing medicine could have prevented. Rachel was the only one left with her friend.

She had made it her mission to be present in Westchester as much as possible, with Ross's blessing, who assumed his friend needed that presence. If Chandler endured Rachel's presence, he did so in silence. Chandler Bing was no longer the same. Smiling by nature, he was now morose full-time except when his children were present. If he spoke only a few chewed-up words to Rachel from time to time, he remained present for his children. This impressed Rachel, who saw in him a force of nature and a superhuman paternal instinct. Nevertheless, as the days went by, Chandler's cheeks grew blacker and his eyes deeper. His hair looked like nothing. But the three children didn't miss their father's attention. That was precisely the only thing he did all day: take care of what Monica had given him and entrusted him with when she'd left them too soon. It was his duty to honor her memory and continue to be worthy of her. Rachel took care of the house, despite her aversion to domestic chores. Her goal was to maintain the house as Monica had done, but it was quite an art. Chandler's first full sentence to her after 54 hours was, "What the hell did you do?" when the washing machine overflowed and filled the laundry room with lather and soap.

After fourteen long, painful days, Rachel had taken care of Monica's life insurance papers. Normally it was always Chandler who took care of the financial aspects. It was a habit he hadn't lost five years ago when he'd left industrial financial statistics for advertising. He wasn't in a state to deal with it now. He was still taking care of his children, but he was neglecting himself, as if he were no longer human and didn't need to take care of this body that kept him alive. Rachel had Chandler sign the papers requiring the newly widowed man's signature. She widened her eyes when she discovered the amount of insurance. Chandler and the children would be safe for the rest of their lives. She recognized her friend's initiative in protecting her family. It was also Rachel who had sent Monica's death certificate and changed Chandler's legal status from married to widowed. She had helped organize the funeral. As the days went by, Chandler Bing closed in on himself, in his world filled with silence and absence.

Like that moment when he was sitting by a window, as far away as possible from the new home of the love of his life. His eyes were blank and his face closed. His two-year-old twins were playing tag, oblivious to the fact that their mother would never again hold them in her arms. Rachel let them run. It was almost time for the salon to open. She stood in front of the urn containing Monica's ashes, holding two-week-old Daniel in her arms. The baby was easy-going and calm for his young age, proving his father right when he said he had a temper. His eyes were blue, like both his parents', but Rachel couldn't decide whether they were bright like his mother's or pale like his father's. The baby closed his eyes and, at first, looked up at her. The baby closed his eyes and at the same moment the door to the living room opened. The noise made Rachel turn around quickly, while Chandler seemed to be at one with his chair, trying in every way possible to get out of the way.

Judy, Jack and Ross Geller arrived first. Monica's family. The twins immediately ran into their grandparents' arms as Rachel approached them. Mr. Geller took Daniel in his arms. Judy hugged her two grandchildren tightly, breathing her daughter's scent through their DNA, while Grandpa had his eye on the marvel Monica had left as her legacy before she left this world. Ross slowly placed his lips on Rachel's before hugging her tightly. Chandler still didn't move from his chair, lost in his world filled with darkness.

- How is he?" asked Ross, his chin against his girlfriend's shoulder, his gaze fixed on his brother-in-law.

- Bad... Although it's hard to tell... He's not talking, not reacting..., Rachel explained.

- Thank you for... being there for him... It was too much for me to see him like that... and Mo... Monica was my sister...

Rachel wanted to scream that he should have been there to support the man who had married his little sister and happened to be his oldest friend. He'd made that promise in front of Monica's body. She would have liked to shout that she, Monica's best friend, would have needed help to handle the situation with Chandler. Instead of letting her emotions get the better of her, Rachel took a deep breath, telling herself there was no point in blaming her now that everything was behind them and she'd done well with Chandler. His silences hadn't bothered her the way she'd thought they would. She simply hugged her lover, wishing with all her heart that their friends would be more present in the widower's life from now on.

Judy approached the small table where the urn sat, surrounded by photos of Monica, beautiful, smiling and alive. The mother brought a hand to her mouth and let her tears run down her cheeks. She mourned the time she'd missed with her daughter. Mother and daughter had finally grown closer with the arrival of the twins. Judy had always put Monica aside because that was how her own mother had raised her, preferring her son Ross.

Easily disparaging her daughter, telling herself that she would force her to become an accomplished woman, she had slowly realized her mistakes. Her Monica had proved more responsible than her brother, marrying only once, having found the man of her life. She'd never really been able to tell him how proud she was of the woman she'd become, or how much she loved watching her interact with her children. Her beautiful daughter was a caring wife, a devoted mother, not one to deprive her children of love. Judy wiped her cheeks before stroking a photo of her daughter that lay near the urn. Her eyes and cheeks still wet with tears, she turned to look for her son-in-law. When she spotted Chandler, her son, Ross, was sitting beside her. Chandler's gaze remained inscrutable.

Judy Geller had known this man since he was 19. She had been prejudiced against him and had always seen him as immature and unconscious. But over the last eight years, she had noticed that he was a loyal friend to her Ross and a perfect lover to her Monica. She approached him and laid a hand on her son-in-law's shoulders. Slowly, Chandler raised his eyes to look into those of his mother-in-law. Judy realized that the light, smiling, happy man had left at the same time as his wife, leaving only the carcass of a devastated man.

- Thank you for making her so happy... She loved you so much..., Judy whispered with tremors in her voice.

Chandler's eyes clouded over. He opened his mouth but no sound came out. He forced himself to nod to Monica's mother before returning to his wife in limbo. Ross let out a sad hiccup. His sister was so happy with her best friend. That's when two-year-old Erica burst into tears, as if connected to her father's mood. She lay with her head on one of Chandler's thighs, crying, which had the effect of bringing her father out of his darkness. He took his daughter against his chest and she wrapped her little arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder. Chandler smiled slightly and cradled his head against Erica's, stroking her back.

Then it was Joey's turn to enter the living room. He was alone. His gaze refused to wander to the urn containing Monica's ashes. He was looking for Chandler. He spotted him, but Chandler had his eyes closed and was cradling Erica, who was sucking her thumb. He then looked for Rachel, but realized she was busy with the other guests. It was a good thing Phoebe came to touch his arm, because Joey was beginning to feel too much. Her friend guided him to the urn, where he didn't want to go. When he saw Monica's photos next to the pink rectangular box, his tears began to flow profusely. Phoebe's husband, Mike, had offered to babysit and entertain the children in the basement of the living room, leaving family and friends to mourn Monica's death. It wasn't that he wasn't sad about the death - he'd become much better friends with the Bing/Geller couple than his wife's other three friends - but more that he didn't like to deal with strong emotions and preferred to look after the children.

He took Daniel from Father Geller's arms and extended his free hand to young Jack Bing, while Emma followed without saying a word.

Only Erica hadn't wanted to follow him, clinging to her father's neck with trembling lips. Chandler had held her close, and Mike realized that the father would keep his daughter close.

Sitting by the front door, Rachel thought she could finally take a moment to collect herself. It was then that she noticed Richard Burke standing in the doorway. He seemed unsure whether to come in. Rachel stood up, looked toward Chandler to see if he'd noticed Monica's ex, but he was busy stroking his daughter's back, whispering words only they had access to. When Richard saw Rachel approaching him, he smiled slightly.

- Aren't you going in?" Rachel questioned him.

- Do you think it's a good idea?" Richard replied.

- You loved her. So did everyone else here... So yes, it's a good idea.

Richard's gaze locked on Chandler, who had just gotten up to cradle his daughter as she walked. There had been a time when Richard had considered Chandler Bing a friend, before realizing that the young man and his best friend Joey saw him more as a substitute father. This drove a wedge between the two men. A few years after his separation from Monica, he had realized that he still loved the young woman, even though she had been in a relationship with Chandler for several years. He hadn't taken it well. His ego had been hurt to know that a woman like Monica had replaced him with a man like Chandler. But seeing the widower devote himself to his daughter, he understood that Monica had made the best choice. Learning of her death had devastated him. He was still Jack Geller's best friend, and Jack Geller had made a point of never talking about his daughter and son-in-law, much to Richard's chagrin.

- I don't want to argue, if... If Chandler saw me...

- Really?. He married Monica, you know! So if there's still a competition between you, he's won it. And Chandler's not really in a state to react to your presence, Rachel cut him off.

- Was she happy? Before... before she died. Did she have the life she always wanted?" asked Richard.

- Monica was the happiest, most fulfilled woman I know. She had more than she ever dreamed of.

- Can I ask you one more thing?

- What are her children's names?

- Jack and Erica are twins, and the baby... is Daniel.

Richard gave her a sad smile before looking towards Monica's urn. He didn't feel up to going in and looking at the pictures. He'd wanted to come and say a drama-free goodbye to the woman he still loved.

Monica had gotten everything she'd wished for and he hadn't wanted to give her. She had forgotten him in the arms of the love of her life. He was about to leave when he felt Chandler's attention on him.

The two men looked at each other for a long moment, before the widower nodded, accepting his presence in a friendly way. It had been years since Chandler's complex with Richard had disappeared, so he was at least glad to know that Monica had been loved enough by him to move, to come and say one last good-bye.

Rachel sensed Richard's relief, but left him on the threshold while she went outside for some fresh air. When she was outside, she noticed that Chandler's mother, Nora, was standing by the door, wringing her hands.

- Mrs. Bing!

- Ah, my darling... How are you?" she asked nervously.

Rachel didn't answer, but kissed her warmly.

- How's my kiddo? Nora asked.

- Not really. You should go and see him. Chandler will need you...

- I don't know if I'll be strong enough to see him like this... My son has always been... I just... I never knew how to deal with the man he is, so how do I know with the fragments of the man he is today...

- You love him, that's what counts today. Resentment has no place here. And I can guarantee you that the son you're going to see today is far from the sarcastic Chandler.

Nora thanked her with her eyes and headed for the living room entrance. Rachel knew that Nora and Chandler's relationship had been improving over the last few years, and indeed, when the mother arrived at her son's side and breathed ''my chick'', Rachel saw Chandler's shoulders slump. Nora hugged her son and granddaughter at the same time, and Rachel realized that her friend was crying in her mother's arms. She put her hand to her heart, relieved to finally see her friend crying for the first time in two weeks. Erica's crying began again and Nora stroked her son and granddaughter's hair.

- After all, he's always been his mommy's boy," said a warm voice beside her.

Chandler's father was a drag queen. Still legally carrying the first name Charles, she preferred to be called Helena. Only Chandler could still call her Dad. Today she was dressed more somberly than usual and quietly entered the living room to make her way toward her son and his ex-wife. At the sight of his father, Chandler took him in his arms, still crying.

Many people had come to say their farewells to Monica Geller. Colleagues from the restaurant where she worked, old boyfriends, friends from school, Chandler's colleagues who had come to support him, aunts and uncles, cousins. The atmosphere was sad, but warm, peppered with laughter and tears.

As Monica was Jewish, the rabbi nevertheless performed a more secular ceremony, as she was not as observant as Ross might have been. Testimonials from Monica's close friends drew laughter and tears from those present, but now it was Chandler's turn at the microphone, his daughter still on his hip. Despite the trembling of his hands and lips, he was nothing like the prankster they'd known.

- I'd known Monica for almost 20 years. Our first meeting didn't go wonderfully well, not only because I was a young twat, but also because I've never been at ease with people, let alone women. Our second and third encounters went just as badly... But the connection was made and she naturally became my best friend over the years. We understood each other so well. Life worked out well. She went from being Ross's little sister to being my best friend, and ended up being the love of my life. I couldn't ask for a better life partner... Really...

Pulling Erica up onto her hips, the little girl let out a joyful squeal when she saw her uncle Joey in the front row, not understanding the drama unfolding in the room. When Rachel rose to take her from her father's arms, the little girl stiffened and nuzzled into Chandler's neck. Taken aback by the sight of a grieving father with his young daughter in his arms, people realized how much courage Chandler Bing would have to muster in the months and years ahead. Placing a light kiss on his daughter's forehead, Chandler resumed his speech.

- You left so quickly that I didn't get a chance to thank you for saving me from the miserable life I would have had without you. I know you would have rolled your eyes at me, slapped my arm and kissed me, telling me you loved me too. You often thanked me for giving you everything we had and I was proud to be your man, your husband, the father of your children. I miss you so much it's impossible to describe, but I promise to hold on for the three wonders you wanted to share with me. I love you so much.