Chapter 3
When another wave of pain hit her, she began to pay to attention. When she could no longer focus on the on the image in front of her, she felt like she should make a call, but she was hesitant to cause a concern over nothing or was it the wanting to believe nothing was wrong. It was hard to say because she had been all over the place emotionally since her father's death, getting back together with Ross and finding out about the baby. Then she looked down as she uncrossed her legs and saw blood in that moment her heart began to race, and she could no longer imagine the pain away. Something bad was happening to her. She immediately called Ross and he said she should go to the ER, and he would meet her there. The pain was almost blinding, but she made her way to the elevator while texting her boss. She tried taking slow, shallow steps as if a wide stride would cause the baby to fall right out her. When she made it to the ground floor of the building, she realized that she was leaving a trail of blood, small drops on the marbled floor. But the pain was too great for her to even care, her Jimmy Choo heels clacked on the marble floor and pure adrenaline set in as she walked toward the glass doors to the outside world. The room began to spin a little and her breathing got heavy. "Why is this happening to me? She thought as tears sprung in her eyes. Then she felt someone grab her hand, and she turned to see big brown eyes and a familiar smile.
"I figured you could use help" Ross said as he took her purse and tucked his arm around her waist.
She nodded in response and let out the biggest sigh of relief because she didn't think she would have made it out the doors without help. When they made it to the ER, Ross called Monica to see if she could take care of Emma who was with the Molly, their nanny. He told Monica to let the rest of the gang know. She agreed and offered her help for anything else. He thanked her and turned his attention back to Rachel who was wincing in pain. He did the only thing he felt would help in this situation, he tried to make her laugh. He told the story of the sleeping student, her laugh was shallow, but it was taking her mind off everything even for just a moment.
After tests, an ultrasound, the doctor said the word that Rachel dreaded she the pain began that afternoon,
"Ms. Green, I'm so sorry but you're having a miscarriage. We don't know why this happens and it's not anything you did but it just happens."
The room went black, quiet and began to spin as reality faded away. When Rachel came to Ross was by her side, his eyes red with tears. As soon as their eyes met Rachel also started crying and for some reason apologizing.
Depression. Darkness. Emptiness. Spiraling was a word used sometimes when someone was feeling this way but that felt extremely accurate. Like Alice she felt like she was falling down a deep hole without any way to get out. She was a shell of herself, she couldn't laugh or smile without extreme guilt, the sadness overtook her. Ross was trying to figure out what to do. He didn't want to push too hard, but he was worried. Monica had become a staple part of their home life because of the care that Emma needed that Rachel wasn't able to do. Emma cried for her mother, but Emma had become a trigger for deep grief. Ross thought having Monica around would help Rachel heal, for lack of a better word, but Monica was all business. She was almost stoic in times of grief which was amazing but vastly different from her friend. Monica would bring Hannah over when Molly left for the day and play with girls, feed them, and bath them. Ross would get home and find a kitchen bustling with activity. Two little girls laughing and eating some fun creation Monica had made for them that was very well balanced while also cooking dinner for the four adults. Chandler had moved up the advertising ladder enough for Monica to quit the restaurant full time and explore creating her own cookbook. Ross was grateful for his sister. He smiled at her and gave her a big hug. Emma yelled, "Daddy, hi" when she saw him.
"Hi Emma" Ross replied, "How are you?"
"Really good." Emma said as attempted to balance her fork, "Hannah and me are eating noodles."
She had grown up so much in the last few months. Her blonde hair was long enough to put into braids which was how it was fixed today. She was also speaking in full sentences, for the most part. She would turn two and half in a couple weeks. The chill of winter was beginning to set in as November hit, Ross wasn't worried about the cold as much as he was worried about how Rachel would take November. She had withdrawn from most everything except work. She had taken a couple weeks off when everything went down in early May. Those dark weeks she spent most days in bed crying but Ross had hope when she decided to go back to work that it would help her begin to engage back into life, but it didn't change anything at home. Rachel usually got home when Monica was getting the girls ready for bed which was between 6:30 and 7:00. Today her cheeks were pink from the cold, she had a black beanie on, probably a designer brand, but her hair flowed out from the bottom curled at the ends and her black wool coat had flakes of snow on it. Ross watched as she hung her coat in the hall closet. She had always been thin, but she had lost so much weight over the last three months that she needed a belt. Ross continued to watch her remove her beanie and take her hair tie from her wrist and put her hair up. He went in toward her and when she turned to head toward the bedroom, she twirled into him losing her balance. He grabbed her biceps to sturdy her and pulled her in for a hug from which she clearly recoiled away.
"I'm sorry." She said softly, as she shook her head.
"Rach" Ross replied, "You don't have anything to be sorry about, I love you and I want the best for you."
He reached out and grabbed her hands in his and rotated her wrists, so her hands rested in his. His previous grip on her biceps had pulled the sleeves of her black sweater up so the rotation exposed her bare forearm and he saw something that shocked him a bit. Along her forearm were cuts, they were well spaced, line both and were in various stages of healing. Ross caught Rachel's eyes after looking down at her arms and then back up at her. She quickly pushed his hands aways and pulled her sleeves down. In her eyes, Ross saw fear and pain which was something different then her normal sad eyes. They both stood frozen in the hallway for a minute when Monica came in with a little on each hip. Both girls were wearing matching pink footie pajamas. Emma saw Rachel and smiled, "Mommy! You're home and I'm awake." The small voice broke the silence, and Rachel leaned over kissed her daughter, and said, "Good Night, Emma." As she made her way to the bedroom. Monica gave Ross a puzzled look before taking the girls to put them down. When Monica returned to the living area where Ross sat on the couch with his head in his hands.
"Hey Brother. Are you okay?" Monica asked as she sat next to him.
"Not even a little bit." Ross sighed, "But I can't imagine life with you. You've been amazing and I could never thank you enough. But I don't know what to do about her. She is not doing well. I think she might be hurting herself."
"Hurting herself? Monica questioned as she twisted her face in confusion, "What do you mean?"
"Last semester we did some training about mental health and one of the common coping mechanisms is called cutting. Where you cut yourself. I mean I don't get it but it's common." Ross as he stood up and wandered toward his desk where he shuffled through some papers. Monica watched him, her mind processes what he had just shared with her.
"Here it is" Ross said as he held up a xeroxed piece of paper that had words and graphs on it. He then began to read it out loud to his sister, "Provide a distraction from painful emotions through physical pain or to feel a sense of control over the body, feelings or life situations."
"She has been through a lot in the last year" Monica began her voice shaking a bit, "I don't know how to talk to her. I mean I feel like our reactions to things are just so different. I'm not saying there is a right or wrong way, but the times that I've tried to get her to talk or take steps toward whatever normal is. It just makes things worse." Monica was thinking of a couple months ago when she tried to get Rachel to join her and the girls at the park. It didn't end well. Thinking about it now, Monica felt terrible. She had been pushy, but she thought if Rachel just took steps to get into a routine, it would help. Monica even said that she should think about taking more time off work.
"We haven't had a real conversation since May" Ross said as he shook his head and tears welled in his eyes, "I feel like I can't reach her. She recoils when I touch her not to mention discuss how she is doing or what she is feeling."
"Emma misses her. I mean she loves Hannah, and me and you but her heart beats for Rachel. I want her to get better for many reasons but that is at the top of my list. You know I had a thought?" Monica said her eyes lighting up. The Gellers had learned to work through emotions, and by work does not work on them but literally work through them. They were both solutions based and had a hard time supporting a person who was struggling dealing with the complicated emotions of loss and grief.
"I'm all ears." Ross said composing himself as he watched his sister get animated.
"Phoebe." Monica said, "I can't believe we didn't think of calling Phoebe sooner. She lost her mom as a young girl, and she is very much not me."
"Meaning?" Ross said confused. Phoebe had been over a couple times to visit but the visits were short, and she mostly talked to Emma.
"She is very feely and maybe can help Rachel process some of these feelings." Monica said, "I feel like we all were giving her time and now it seems like she's not improving and with this cutting. I just think we need to do something."
"That's not a real word" Ross said always in Professor mode, "but it makes sense. And I agree. This can't continue. "
"Look, Rachel will need to talk to a professional therapist." Monica continued, "and maybe Phoebe could help her get on the bridge to do that. I think Phoebe could approach this situation with the right kind of words."
"I'm going for it."
Phoebe had married Mike right before Rachel's father passed away, she was there at Hannah's birthday but didn't get to hang out as much as the old days. She and Mike had a full schedule during the week of volunteering with the homeless and at an animal shelter. Mike was working on creating musical content for children and Phoebe was working on opening her own massage studio that also sold the art of the homeless and had photos of pets that needed to be adopted. Mike's parents had embraced Phoebe and were backing the venture. She and Mike had just gotten home from the animal shelter, when her cell phone buzzed, she pulled up her phone and saw it was Ross. She smiled as she said, "Hi Ross. I smell like a French bulldog."
"Hey Pheebs. That's great?"
"Oh sorry. You can't smell through phones yet. So how are you, Ross? I've been meaning to catch up with you. How is Rachel? Oh, and Emma?"
"Well, Emma's great thanks to Monica who has been helping out around here."
"That's great." Phoebe said, "She told me how much Hannah is enjoying it."
"I'm calling for your help. I want to see if you would come visit Rachel." Ross said. He lowered his voice when and continued, "She isn't doing well at all. I think you might be able to help her."
"I'm so sorry to hear." Phoebe said her voice dropping and filling with worry, "Monica has shared how she has been having a hard time. I tried to call her a while back and we talk for a second, but she said she would call me back and she never did. I'll be there tomorrow, or I can come now."
"Tomorrow would be great. I'll take Emma out and if could get her to talk about how she is feeling? I think she is hurting herself and I'm worried."
Phoebe was stung by Ross' words; she knew all too well what it was like to spiral out of control. She felt like she had let her friends down. She had been so focused on life with Mike and her new business that she hadn't checked in enough. The last time she visited her friends, they had all gathered at Ross and Rachel's to eat. She could tell Rachel wasn't herself which made sense being that she had dealt with two major losses over the last 6 months, but Phoebe had no idea it was hitting her this hard. She felt like she could have asked more.
"I'll be there tomorrow." Phoebe said.
As Ross hung up the phone, Rachel wandered into the living area behind the couch. It was clear she had taken a hot shower because her face was still red from the hot water and her long hair was wet. She was wearing grey sweats and a navy sweatshirt that was so oversized she looked like she was drowning in it. She looked over at Ross and Monica sheepishly, "Is there food?"
"Is the Pope catholic?" Monica jested. Rachel deadpanned her and so she changed her tone, "Yes. I made lasagna. I figured you guys could eat it today and tomorrow. You guys stay here, and I'll bring you both a plate."
Rachel slowly moved toward the couch and sat in her usual spot on the far left, it was the spot Monica vacated when she went to get food. Ross remained toward the right with the large middle seat between them. 'How fitting' Ross thought to himself. He watched her for the time being her legs curled up underneath her. Her wet hair which she had clearly combed out was beginning to curl. Her eyes had returned to their state of sadness as they glanced over at him.
"Rach" Ross broke the silence that lingered the room since Monica left the room, "Phoebe's going to stop by tomorrow." He reached out as if to give her a hug or pat for encouragement, but she was out of reach.
"Okay." Rachel said softly as if she really did have a choice, "What time?"
"Long after your run, so you'll be good." Ross was reading her mind a bit which he thought was a sign of endearment, but he didn't know how she was take it these days. He saw a microscopic smile when she replied, "Thanks."
"Rach, your arms. Are you…?" Before he could finish his sentence, the door swung open, and Monica entered with two plates.
"Dinner is served. "Monica exclaimed her voice softening at the end when she saw the looks on the faces of her brother and best friend, "I'm going to grab Hannah and head home. I'll talk to you soon. Love you guys."
Phoebe waltzed through the door of the apartment she had been to thousands of times, where she had discovered the secret relationship between Monica and Chandler and where she befriended all of Ross's building mates before him. The Rachel that had answered the door was reserved and withdrawn. Phoebe was a little taken back by how thin she looked and a little sullen, but she was warm and enveloped her in a big hug. Ross entered from the kitchen and hugged Phoebe hello as well.
"I'm so sorry" Phoebe began to speak, "I've been so caught up in opening my studio that I haven't been a good friend."
It's okay" Ross replied, and Rachel quietly echoed.
"Rach' Phoebe said, "I was hoping we could talk just us."
Rachel looked suspiciously at Ross knowing he had probably set this up, but she was resigned to it. He had done so much for her and deep down she knew she needed an outlet.
"Sure."
Ross made up an excuse to leave and once the front door closed, quiet settled in the apartment.
"My mom died" Phoebe said her voice breaking the silence, "I was 14 and she killed herself. I know it was kind of joke in the group but to be honest losing her broke me. Phoebe's voice cracked as she continued, "I'm not saying our situations are the same but they kind of are. Loss and pain, children, and parents those are things that hurt."
"I'm sorry, Pheebs. We probably weren't supportive."
"No, you guys were. When I moved in with Monica, it was the first time I had a home that was like my life pre suicide. I just wanted you to know that you're not alone in this time. What I wish someone had done for me outside of the structure of home and belonging, is to listen and let me feel those dark feelings. I love Monica and Ross, but I feel like one may struggle to be able to keep up. They are built on stoicism and getting on with things which is great and works for them. I know that you can't equate lives. I could ramble on about how my life has been sadder or harder or more tragic but really, we all have things that we're working on or through. We all get a shitty hand dealt."
"They just want me to move on. They say I will feel better if I just get on with my life. And I can't. I'm scared. I don't know what has come over me. One night I was just hurting so much, crying and I had to make it stop so and it was the middle of night, and a mania came over me. I went into the bathroom, and I found a razor, you know a Gillette razor and I just hacked into my forearms. "Rachel pulled up the sleeves of her sweatshirt to reveal the cuts, "It was the first time, I felt relief."
Phoebe didn't flinch or revolt in her body language, yet she showed concern.
"After my mom was gone, I found different ways of grieving. Drugs, sex, and booze. It's how I ended up homeless. But even being homeless, it was a way of grieving. It was a community.
"How did you find your way back? I feel like I will never be able to really laugh or be happy or live my life or enjoy time with my daughter."
"Remember Betty! The friend you found for my birthday, the first one that you were there for when you moved in with Monica. Betty was a volunteer at a shelter. Rê4Step one for me was facing my pain and digging into it, which I couldn't have done without a therapist and at times medication. Therapy isn't all couches and Freud. It was safe place to have a person who could help me process everything. I know all this sounds like a lot, but I waited a long time to find this out and I will tell anyone who will listen how much this helps. It will help you so much. But before all that, just know that you're loved and your feelings matter. Those cuts on your arms matter, I hate that you hurt yourself, but I see the pain." She hugged Rachel as they both cried.
Phoebe continued, "I think you should name your baby. I meant to tell you earlier. I never lost a baby, but I was able to mourn my mom, Lily. You should give a name that you can honor. I would be like if your dad never your dad was but just some person, I mean it makes it hurt more at first, but I think it's healing in the long run. It helps to imagine them with you or maybe that's just me. But I like to think that my mom has shown up for me in different ways. Like when she came as that cat, I also see her as a pigeon sometimes watching me or a flower or a smile from a stranger or as the 5 of you guys. For a long time, I thought she left me because she was selfish or that I wasn't good enough, but I know now that she was hurting, and it wasn't about me."
"Depression is like a tidal wave, and you're struggling to find your way to breath. You even see the light sometimes, glimpses of light. I see it in Emma's cute smile."
"The question I had to get over was whether or not my mom saw it."
"Phoebe. She did, but she just got swept away."
"And Rachel, it wasn't your fault. You don't have to been sorry. You're going swim out of this."
Ross returned to the apartment, a couple hours later with Emma who was chatting away.
"Hannah took all the pink ones."
As soon as they crossed through the threshold of the doorway, Emma smiled and looked toward Ross,
"Daddy, maybe Mommy will be awake and will play with me?'
"Let's check it out, Em. If she's too tired. I'll play with you."
The apartment was quiet, but he noticed a light in the backroom. He found Rachel asleep in their bed which was something that hadn't happened in a while. He smiled, then Emma came running in, yelling at the top of her little lungs.
"Mommy. You're here. We can have a tea party. I have so many ideas." Her blonde ponytail bounced up and down as she talked and used her hands. It awoke her mother, who slowly came to and nodded along to her daughter's chatter as her eyes adjusted to the light.
"Emma, can you go find the tea set while I talk to Daddy?" Ross and Emma looked at each other and then at Rachel because that response was never the one, they got. Emma skipped off with a big smile. Ross looked at Rachel a little puzzled but also with great excitement.
"Rach. You seem like you're doing better today. I hope you didn't think that I pushed Phoebe on you today, I just..."
"It's fine. I did think that but talking to her was so helpful. I needed it. Thank you. And thank you for all you've done for me these past few months. From that when my dad died to that day in the lobby." Her voice cracked and she looked down as tear ran down her cheeks, "I wouldn't have made it without you. "
"Of course." Ross said as he reached for a tissue, sat next to her on the bed and used it to gently wipes her tears. Ross was a bit shocked when she pulled him close for a hug, but he was delighted by it. He soaked in the physical touch, and it was only when she eased out of the hug that it ended. Her normal sad eyes had a bit of spark that he hadn't seen in some time, and she began to speak, "If it's okay with you, I'd like to name the baby."
Ross didn't want to get too scientific and correct her to say "zygote" at best, but he restrained his whole mantra of "not knowing when to shut up" and just nodded supportively as she continued.
"As soon as I found out, I knew it would be a little sister for Emma." Rachel said her pupils getting bigger as she spoke with affection, "Then one day before it happened, I was riding the subway and street dancer had one of those old school boom boxes and Copacabana started to play. I thought about Barry's wedding and that time before Mark and everything."
Rachel never liked to say the name Chole or anything bad, it was as if mentioning it would unlock Pandora's box or something. She also used the phrase, "time before everything" when she talked about those two years they were together as if he wasn't aware of the timeline. He just found it interesting she included that tag line on every detail of those two years.
"Me in that stupid pink dress, and you were just smiling at me. You loved me." She said on the verge of tears again. "I knew then that I wanted to name her Lola. We could have called her Lo for short. But I since I picked her first name, I wanted to let you pick the middle name like we did with Emma. Now I know I had said we'd swap this time but..."
"We don't ever have to swap. I'm lucky to have middle name naming rights. It's an honor. "
Emma's middle name was Victoria after Victoria Drummond. Ross wanted to inspire his daughter to pursue paths less traveled and he also wouldn't mind if that was in the STEM field. He hope to continue that trend with all his children. Ben's middle name was Henry after Henry Fairfield Osborn also Henry was Susan's grandfather's name, but it could have a dual meaning. Ross began to think about how he would have loved another daughter, a little friend for Emma and Hannah. A little sister like Monica, tears began to form in his eyes when he thought of the perfect name,
"Curie" Ross said, "Lola Curie Geller."
Rachel nodded in agreement and reached out for hug which allowed Ross to segue to a question he had tried to ask last night before they were interrupted by Monica. While he had her in the hug,
"Rachel," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "What happened to your arms?"
Rachel tried to pull away, covering her arms with her hands. "Nothing, Ross. It's nothing."
But Ross wasn't going to let it go. He gently took her hands in his and pulled them away from her arms. "Please, Rachel. Talk to me. I'm here for you."
Rachel's eyes filled with tears, and she broke down. She told him everything, about the pain and the grief, about the self-harm and the despair. Ross listened, his heart breaking for her.
"I'm sorry, Ross," Rachel said, her voice shaking. "I didn't mean to worry you. I just... I didn't know how else to cope."
Ross pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly. "It's okay, Rachel. You don't have to go through this alone. We'll get through it together."
They stayed like that for a long time, holding each other, until Rachel's tears eventually subsided. Ross knew that they needed to get help, and he gently suggested that Rachel talk to a therapist.
"It's not a weakness to ask for help, Rach," he said, his voice soft. "We all need help sometimes."
Rachel nodded, her head resting on his chest. "Okay, Ross. I'll try. Phoebe said therapy would help. "
Ross held her tightly, grateful that they were together and that they could support each other through the difficult times. He knew that it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to be there for Rachel every step of the way.
"Hello." Rachel said as she was waving her hand, "Earth to Ross." She had sat up and was folding the blanket that had once covered her.
"Oh sorry." Ross said as he was brought back to the present day, "I was just thinking about when we first got back together."
"First. Which time?"
"The last, first time."
"Oh, that time." She said as she lowered her eyes. She had worked through a lot to get to a place of acceptance and peace, but it still wasn't something that she liked to think about
"So, thanks to my daydream, you got the five minutes you need right." He smiled as he gazed over at her to let her know he was saying this with love. Her white tank top pair well with her tan skin, then he noticed her tattoo which was the second one after the heart on her hip that she had gotten with Phoebe. This second one also started with Phoebe and was part of her journey through therapy and healing. This one was just above her heart near her collar bone, tiny roman numerals "MMIV". He reached out to run his hand over the tattoo, he swirled around and made a heart shape. She looked up and smiled at him.
"So, I left you something in the bathroom." Rachel made a face and Ross quickly rebutted, "No, no. I got you a test. I just thought we should both know what is going on, so we can tackle it together."
"I mean, I'm pretty sure but I'll make it official." She said as she stood up and adjusted her leggings. "I'm so sure, I even stopped drinking."
Ross made a confused face and asked, "Wait. What? What about your birthday?"
She smiled slightly and responded, "Cranberry juice."
He nodded to acknowledge her ingenuity and then asked, "When did this happen?"
"Based on my data points, it was on our trip to Saranac Lake in April."
"The wine list." Ross said his eye's lighting up with realization. "That was an amazing trip. We got a late check out. I bet that is when it happened."
"Nothing gets you going like a late check out." Rachel said with a slight eye roll.
"Remember the mountain biking and the hiking?" Ross went on recounting the wonderful details of that fateful weekend. "That was such a great trip. But seriously, Rach. Are you okay with all this?"
"When it didn't happen for us in those first couple years after.." Rachel said her voice trailing off when it came to naming Lola. She had advocated for giving her a name, but she rarely said it out loud. She continued to talk, "I mean Milo, August and Ziggy were all born, and we tried but I was okay with just Emma. I was accepting of it, you know. Now Emma is almost 14. The timing is not ideal."
"Is the timing ever ideal?" Ross said as he followed Rachel into the bathroom. He pulled the small box out of the brown bag and opened it, handing it to her who was ready to go. She took and minute, then replied to him as they waited for the results of the test.
"I mean maybe not but I never imagined a 14-year gap between kids." She said as she leaned on the bathroom counter, "This place isn't set up for babies or even small children. My life isn't set up for a baby. And I can't help but feel guilty for even feeling that way."
"Guilty." He said with sympathy, "You know what happened before wasn't your fault. And it's perfectly fine to feel like this will be a huge inconvenience."
"I'm afraid of getting my hopes up" She responded as she put her head in her hands, "I'm just overwhelmed."
"We'll get through this together." Ross said as he looked at his watch, "Times up."
They both turned toward the test that laid on the white marble bathroom counter. It showed two bright pink lines.
The next morning was a lazy Sunday morning. Ross sat on the couch in the downstairs living room, flipping through a magazine, when Emma bounded into the room, a hopeful smile on her face.
"Dad, can I talk to you about something?" she asks, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Ross puts down the magazine and gives his full attention to his daughter. "Of course, Em. What's on your mind?"
Emma takes a deep breath, gathering her courage. "Well, my birthday is coming up in a couple weeks, and I was wondering if I could invite some boys to the party this year?"
Ross's protective instincts kick in, and he raises an eyebrow, his expression shifting to one of mild concern. "Boys? Are you sure, Emma? You're still so young."
Emma nods earnestly. "I know, Dad, but I'm growing up, and I have good friends who are boys. It would be really fun to have them at my party."
Ross sighs, torn between wanting to shield his daughter and recognizing her need for independence. Just as he's about to respond, his phone buzzes with a text notification. He glances at the screen and sees a message from Rachel who had been listening from the other room.
"Hey, I think it's okay for Emma to invite boys."
Ross smiles to himself, grateful for the timely intervention. He turns back to Emma, his tone softening. "You know, Em, I need to think about it. Let's discuss it with your mom, and we'll come to a decision together."
Emma's eyes light up, sensing a glimmer of hope. "Really, Dad? That would be amazing!"
Ross chuckles, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Yes, really. I want to see you happy on your birthday. Let's go talk to your mom and see what she thinks."
Emma practically skips out of the room, eagerly leading the way to find Rachel. Ross follows close behind, grateful for the opportunity to present a united front with his wife.
Ross and Emma find Rachel in the kitchen, busily preparing dinner. They exchange a knowing glance, and Ross clears his throat, capturing Rachel's attention.
"Hey, Rach, we need to talk to you about something," Ross says, a mix of seriousness and excitement in his voice.
Rachel turns towards them, her eyes curious. "What's going on?"
Emma jumps in, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "Dad and I were talking, and I really want to invite some boys to my birthday party. Can I, Mom?"
Rachel's face lights up with a warm smile, and she walks over to Emma, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Absolutely, sweetheart. Your dad and I talked it over, and we think it's a great idea. It's time to have a fun mix of friends at your party."
Emma's face beams with joy, and she throws her arms around her mom, squeezing her tightly. "Thank you, Mom! You're the best!"
Rachel chuckles, returning the hug. "You're welcome, sweetie. We want you to have an amazing birthday celebration with all your friends."
Ross joins in, wrapping his arms around both Rachel and Emma. "We're so proud of you, Emma, and we're excited to see you grow up. Just remember, no matter what, we're here to support you. "Emma looks up at her parents, her eyes shining with gratitude. "I love you both so much. This is going to be the best birthday ever!"
Rachel and Ross share a knowing glance, their hearts filled with a sense of unity and joy. They're reminded once again of the importance of letting their daughter explore and experience life while providing a strong, loving foundation. Together, as a family, they embrace the excitement and possibilities that lie ahead, ready to celebrate Emma's upcoming birthday and cherish the precious moments of their journey together.