The One After LA

by showtunediva

I also thought that after the Joey spin off series ended that Joey moved back to New York in to the apartment above Monica and Chandler's garage and helped them to raise Jack and Erica. In my headcon Rachel and Joey's relationship lasted for a few years. Joey also discovers he has feelings for Pheobe that have gone unresolved for several years.

2. The Discussion

The Discussion

The One After LA Chapter 2

Two weeks later Chandler Monica, Jack Erica and Joey were at the International Arrivals gate at the airport.

Erica jumped up and down excitedly " YAY! I can't wait to see Aunt Rachel and Emma. It's been so long."

Chandler patted his daughter's shoulder gently. "We're all looking forward to seeing them honey. I really wish we saw them more often than we do."

Monica kissed her husband's cheek. "So do I. I really wish they were not far away."

A small figure came running down the hallway. "I see them Mommy! I see them!"

Rachel's voice could be heard not far away. "Slow down honey! I can't keep up."

Emma's small body appeared in the doorway. Her eyes immediately connected with her cousin's "HI ERICA!" she screamed

Erica ran to her cousin and they embraced. "Hi Em! I really missed you.

"I missed you like crazy too."

Her uncle scooped her up. "How's my girl?"

Emma nuzzled into Chandler's neck. "Hi Uncle Chandler... I'm good. I'm so glad to finally be off that plane. That flight was so long."

"I love you princess." Chandler whispered.

Emma kissed her uncle's cheek gently. "I love you too, Uncle Chandler."

Rachel appeared in the doorway out of breath. Joey embraced her kissing her forehead

"Hi honey. I'm so glad you're here."

"I'm glad we finally made it."

Monica wrapped her best friend in a warm embrace. "You can't believe how much I've missed the two of you Rachel. Just curious have you talked to Carol and Susan?"

Rachel nodded. "Yes, I have. Emma and I are seeing them when we get home. "

Monica sighed heavily. "I miss Ben so much."

Rachel squeezed Monica's shoulder gently. "Ben texted me before we left Paris. He really misses you and Chandler Mon. He sends his love."

" I hate the fact that they had to move to another country to get away from Ross."

Rachel sighed. "I know honey. This situation really sucks. Ben said he hopes that the next time you guys come to Paris we can get all get together. Ben really wants to meet Erica and Jack."

Monica smiled. "That would be amazing!"

"Hey Aunt Rachel can you please explain what ' We were on a break' means?" Jack asked.

Rachel rolled her eyes. "Maybe sweetheart. I'm really not sure you and sister will understand it. I haven't even explained it to Emma yet."

Jack had a pleading look in his eyes. "Please Aunt Rachel. Every time we see the Backstreet Boys video for I Want It That Way Erica always changes the lyrics when she sings along and it's so annoying. If it's a bad thing I don't want her to change the song lyrics anymore."

Monica chuckled. "Don't worry honey. Your sister is just having fun."

"I don't think she'd be likely to change the words if she knew what the story between Uncle Ross and Aunt Rachel is."

Rachel patted her nephew's shoulder gently. " I really wish Uncle Ross would stop saying that around the two of you. I am getting so aggravated with him.

"Erica and I hate when Uncle Ross gets angry Aunt Rachel."

Rachel sighed. "I know sweetheart. I promise you and your sister everything will be okay. Uncle Ross told me he is sorry for making you two and your cousin scared."

Jack's eyes grew wide. " Emma is scared of Uncle Ross too?"

Rachel had tears in her eyes. "Yes she is honey. I hate the fact that Emma is scared of Uncle Ross and that she feels he doesn't love her. I want our family to be happy"

Monica wrapped her arms around Rachel consolingly and kissed her forehead. "I don't know what Ross's problem is Rach. I really wish he'd cooperate with the anger management and the family therapy."

"I love you Aunt Rachel and I don't want you to be sad." Jack whispered.

Rachel scooped her nephew up into her arms. "I love you too sweetheart. As I said before everything is going to be okay. That's a promise."

Later that night as the children got ready for bed Monica knocked on Erica's bedroom door to check on Emma and Erica.

"Girls, can we have a talk?"

Erica and Emma nodded.

Monica patted the bed next to her and when Emma and Erica sat down next to her on either side. "Come here darlings."

"Auntie Monica, when are we all going to family therapy?" Emma asked.

"Our appointment is on Wednesday morning at 11. Do you have anything to ask Dr Weinburg?"

Emma had tears in her eyes. "Yes, I do Auntie Monica?"

Monica squeezed her niece's shoulder. "Tell me what's wrong honey."

Emma sniffled. "I want to ask her why Daddy doesn't want to give Mommy child custody money. That really upsets me and makes me confused/"

Erica's eyes met her mother's/ " Emma's really sad Mommy. She told me she feels all the time that Uncle Ross doesn't love her not just because of the money issue but because of his anger."

Monica's eyes filled with rage. "Your father makes me so upset Emma.. I'm so sorry you're hurting."

"Why is Daddy so mean?" Emma asked.

Monica's arms opened. Come see Auntie Monica sweetheart."

Emma crawled into her godmother's lap and snuggled into her chest.

Monica's arms circled around Emma and her cousin's hand joined her mother's on Emma's back.

"Don't be sad Em." Erica whispered.

Monica exhaled deeply. "I don't really know what Daddy's problem is honey. None of us do."

"I'm pretty sure he hates me Auntie Monica."

Monica's heart broke and tears filled her eyes. "Oh Emma, of course he doesn't hate you."

Emma's tearstained face looked up at Monica's "He should give Mommy the child custody money then. It would show that he cares. He should not keep the money for himself."

"Can someone else replace Daddy in the child custody agreement Auntie Monica?"

Monica's jaw hit the bedspread. "Like who?"

Erica sighed. "I know Uncle Mike and Aunt Phoebe are getting a divorce Mommy but why couldn't they help Aunt Rachel? I am a little nervous about meeting the scientist named David."

"Or you and Uncle Chandler could help Auntie Monica." Emma suggested.

Monica sighed. "We will have a lot of things to talk about with Dr. Weinburg."

"I love you Auntie Monica." Emma whispered.

Monica kissed Emma on the top of her head. "I love you too, sweetheart. Do you want to sleep with Uncle Chandler and I tonight?"

Emma nodded. "Yes, I do."

"Okay, Get your pjs on."

Emma nodded. Ten ,minutes later she crawled under Chandler and Monica's covers.

Chandler was surprised to see his niece in his bed. " Are you doing okay honey?"

"No, Auntie Monica said I could sleep with you guys tonight."

Chandler nodded. "Do you want to tell me what's wrong?"

"I think Daddy hates me Uncle Chandler."

Once Chandler got his pajamas on and joined his niece under the covers he pulled him close to him kissing her forehead gently.

"Sweetheart, please don't say that."

"If he loved me then he wouldn't be so angry all the time and he'd help Mommy with the child custody."

Chandler let out an exasperated sigh. "Auntie Monica and I really hate your father for how he makes you feel this way. He will always love you."

"I have a hard time believing you Uncle Chandler."

"I know Princess. I really do promise you everything will be okay. I love you Emma."

Emma kissed her uncle gently on the cheek, "I love you too Uncle Chandler."

Chandler rubbed Emma's back gently until she fell asleep. Monica joined him a few seconds later.

"I'm so worried about her Chandler." she whispered.

Chandler nodded slowly. "I am too honey. Our sweet girl shouldn't be feeling this way."

"Do you think we should take Ross's place in the child custody agreement?"

Shock filled Chandler's eyes. "Did Emma suggest that?"

Monica nodded slowly. "She feels more at home with us honey and she feels safe. Personally I think Rachel would agree with the fact Emma does not feel that way at all with Ross. That absolutely breaks my heart into two pieces."

"I mean I don't want to over step any boundaries with Rachel, Ross and Joey. That would make Ross even more upset."

Monica let out an exasperated sigh. "Do you really think my brother will prove he's mature and that he is a good parent to Emma?"

"I just don't want to do the same thing that Carol and Susan did to him sweetheart. That would destroy him."

Monica squeezed her husband's hand gently. "I know what you mean. That's why I really think Ross should come with us to at least one family therapy appointment. He doesn't need to come on Wednesday but maybe we should set up a separate appointment to talk about the child custody."

"Do you think he will cooperate?"

Monica groaned. "No, I don't."

"Maybe we should invite him over for dinner."

"Our conversation with him will be pretty explosive."

"That's true and the kids hate seeing Ross get angry."

Monica let out another sigh. "Well Erica has been saying she wants to see Chandler and Leslie again.. maybe I'll talk to Phoebe to see if they can babysit the kids so we can go out to dinner to talk about the child custody arrangements."

"Sounds like a plan."

"I love you sweetheart." Monica whispered.

Chandler his wife's forehead softly. "I love you too Monica. We will figure this mess out. I promise.

Monica clicked off her bedside lamp and fell asleep right away.

Chandler was left alone, laying awake staring at the ceiling.

'Oh Ross, why can't you see how much you are hurting your entire family including your daughter by the way you are acting? I really wish you would." he whispered to the empty room."