It was a Friday morning at the coffee house and it was filled to capacity on account of the holiday season coming to a close.
"Joey, hurry up with those coffee orders," Gunther called out from behind the counter. "You don't have to have a five minute conversation with every pretty girl you see."
"I'm doing more than talking," Joey insisted, shoving his pad into his apron.
"Just hurry," Gunther said, passing him a large tray of scones to deliver.
"Right away," Joey grumbled, making his first stop the orange couch where Ross and Phoebe sat together. "Scones," Joey muttered, slamming the platter on the table.
"I'll just grab our order," Ross said helpfully, passing one to Phoebe.
"Dude, you don't know how lucky you are that schools are closed on New Year's Eve." Joey put his feet up on the table.
"Aren't you going to deliver the rest of those?" Ross asked, gesturing to the full platter.
"If anyone wants food, they can come to the couch!" Joey said defiantly. "I am on a break!"
As if on cue, Rachel appeared, hearing the final seconds of Joey's diatribe against working at Central Perk. "Well as long as Gunther knows that," Rachel winked at Ross for emphasis.
Joey leaned his head back, taking off his apron. "I don't know how you did this for three years."
"Aww, you're just here till something better comes along," Phoebe reassured him. "Speaking of which, what are you and Janine doing tonight for New Year's Eve?"
"Well we already had our pretend New Year's Eve kiss, so this time we are going out with her dancer buddies for real."
"Dancing all night, are you sure you have the energy for that, Joe?" Ross asked.
Joey rubbed his chin. "You're right, I should call in sick the rest of the day so that I can rest up for tonight."
Rachel and Ross shared a puzzled glance. "Why don't you let me talk to Gunther," Rachel suggested. "After working with him for so long, I know how to finagle him."
"That and the fact that Gunther has a huge crush on her," Phoebe said over her coffee mug as Rachel crossed over to the counter.
"You have any plans for tonight, Phoebe?" Ross asked.
"My former roommate Denise and I are going to conjure up some of our deceased friends from this year so that they can celebrate Y2K. You know, in case the world really does come to an end."
Ross shook his head. "You don't believe in science, but you believe in all of this phony Y2K business."
"The clocks have all the power," Phoebe explained. "They can't handle going past 1999. So Denise and I figure that one, the world will explode and we'll go back to the dawn of time; or two we'll jump ahead in a time space continuum; or nothing will happen at all."
"My guess is number three," Ross concluded.
"Either way, we've got some folks that really want to be there for it, so we're inviting them along for the ride," Phoebe earnestly explained.
"Well you have fun with that," Ross said, not wanting to engage any further with the woman who once made him question his beloved scientific notions.
"It's all settled," Rachel said, coming back to the table. "Joey you are off for the rest of the day."
Joey offered Rachel a thumbs up. "I owe you one, Rach."
"I'm just in a really good mood for my blind date tonight."
"A blind date on New Year's Eve?" Ross asked incredulously. "Sounds kind of risky."
"And what do you have in store for tonight Mr. Excitement?" Rachel asked, sticking her nose down at him slightly.
"Monica, Chandler, and I are all going to my parent's for New Year's Eve. We're having a massive viewing party of the Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve special since we were both featured this year."
"Are they gonna show 'the routine'," Rachel asked in air quotes.
"If they want big ratings they will," Ross laughed, ignoring Rachel's teasing.
"So who's this mystery guy, Rachel?" Phoebe asked.
"Well, he's a department buyer for Sach's 5th Avenue and we know mutual people in the fashion industry, so we both decided to meet up tonight if we didn't have any plans."
"So he's a guy that couldn't get a date for New Year's Eve? What a loser," Joey laughed.
"Hey," Ross said, slightly offended. "Just because you don't have a date for tonight doesn't make you a loser." Turning back to Rachel, Ross changed the subject. "Where are you meeting him?"
"Well we're starting here actually, and then we're going to this great Italian place in the city." Rachel glanced at her watch. "I have to get going actually, just stopping off here on the way to work." Rachel waved goodbye to the gang, heading out the door.
Ross walked into Monica and Chandler's so that they could head to the Geller's together to celebrate the ball dropping. The plan was for everyone to drive together after dinner and celebrate into the night with various extensions of the Geller family. Ross and Monica's parents, Jack and Judy, both came from large families, and many were opting to attend and watch Ross and Monica dance on Dick Clark's special.
"You guys all set?" Ross called out from the kitchen, picking at one of the open Chinese containers on the counter.
Monica exited the bedroom dressed in a gold and glitter tank top and tight black pants. "Just about." She reached for her leather jacket and looked up and down at Ross' plaid ensemble and jeans. "Keeping it casual?" she asked.
"Comfortable," Ross clarified. "Trying to keep away from Aunt Millie."
"She just loves you," Monica teased, referring to their father's sister who loved kissing Ross on the mouth when she got a chance.
Chandler stepped out in a button down polo shirt and dress pants.
"Maybe Millie will want to get to know someone else," Ross gestured at Chandler with a thumbs up. "Looking good."
Chandler pulled notes out of his front pocket. "Why couldn't your parents have been single children?" he muttered, flipping through his cheat sheet of family members.
Monica put her hand on Chandler's. "Relax," she instructed. "Remember how well things turned out for you last Thanksgiving?"
Chandler smirked. "Your parents seem to really like me and I don't want to ruin anything."
"You won't," Monica promised. "Just…"
"Try not to use corny jokes?" Chandler suggested.
"Don't be the loudest person in the room?" Ross suggested.
Monica placed her hands on her hips. "I was going to say just be yourself – a low key version of yourself," she added quickly.
"Yes ma'am," Chandler quipped.
Monica opened her mouth to respond when Rachel hurriedly came in through the door. "I've been stood up!" Rachel pouted.
"Whaat?" Monica asked, turning her attention from Chandler to Rachel. "You think you're being stood up just because the guy's a little late?"
"45 minutes late, no phone call," Rachel stomped her foot. "If he wanted to cancel so bad he could have just called and cancelled."
"How is that any better than this?" Chandler asked.
"Because I could have had time to find my own excuse too," Rachel whined. "I hate being rejected."
"It's his loss," Ross said gently.
"Now I can't even go back to the apartment because Phoebe has all of her friends talking to the dead."
"So come with us to our folks," Ross suggested, looking at Rachel. He continued before Monica or Chandler could interject. "We're gonna watch the ball drop, the routine, have some snacks."
"Your parents?" Rachel asked skeptically. She hadn't seen Jack and Judy Geller since Thanksgiving, when everyone found out that she and Ross had drunkenly eloped in Vegas.
Ross shook his head. "Forget about Thanksgiving. There was so much said that day, there's no way they're going to focus on that."
"Yeah, they'd rather think about Ross getting high," Chandler laughed. "Better him than me," he added quickly, trying to deflect the glares from Monica and Ross.
"Will you just come?" Ross urged. "You don't have any other plans, and there's only one New Year's Eve a year."
Rachel looked at Monica. "Mon, do you mind if I tag along?"
Monica hugged her best friend. "You are never a tag a long," she promised. "You look great. Here, help me carry some of the food to the party."
Rachel looked at a table full of food. "All of this?"
"Just some pot stickers, a couple pies, two dozen cookies, a casserole dish, and some dip."
"Is that all?" Rachel asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Well someone else is bringing the chips. I just really want to be a good hostess."
"Your folks are hosting," Chandler reminded.
"And I am considering myself an extension of them. Now everyone grab some food and let's get a cab."
The gang followed Monica's marching orders and filed out the apartment door. "What time is the fun going to start?" Chandler asked, trying to balance the cookies and pies."
"You being here will make it more fun for me," Ross whispered to Rachel as they slid into the car. "Those two," Ross pointed to Chandler and Monica, "are going to be hanging out all night, now I have someone too."
"Aren't you your mother's favorite?" Rachel asked.
"I'm also Aunt Millie's favorite," Ross grumbled.
"Who's Aunt Millie?"
Ross carefully snuck a pot sticker out of the box. "I think I'll prep you on my family."
"No snacking!" Monica called out, kicking Ross. "Those are for everyone."
"Everyone but us," Chandler quipped, looking out the window after his hand got caught in the actual jar of cookies.
"So family?" Rachel prompted. "Jack and Judy come from big families?"
"You have no idea," Ross explained, snagging the cheat sheet from Chandler. "I'm going to give you the cliff's notes version."
"Chandler, you can cover the cab ride, right?" Monica said quickly, ushering out Ross and Rachel with the food.
"How did I get stuck with the tab? They're your family," Chandler complained, handing the driver a wad of bills.
"You make the most money," Rachel called out, following Ross up the steps, meandering through parked cars in the driveway.
"You ready for this?" Ross whispered.
"I've met a few family members over the years," Rachel assured herself. "I met Aunt Iris who taught me poker. I think I remember your Aunt Marilyn and Cousin Cassie – it has been years since I have seen them."
"The only one I really want to keep away from is…"
"Aunt Millie, I remember."
"But if you meet Aunt Liddy, my mom's sister, you may get $5.00. She likes to buy people's approval."
Rachel scoffed at the low amount. "It'll take more than that to win me over – but you already knew that," she smirked at Ross.
Chandler rejoined the gang. "Which one of you is opening the door to go in?" he asked Monica and Ross.
"The golden child will," Monica said, pushing Ross slightly forward with her foot.
Ross brushed off Monica's comment and opened the door.
"Sweetie, you're here," Judy called out, giving a hug to Ross and Rachel. "And here's Chandler," she said, pulling him in for his own hug. "Monica, you can put the food in the kitchen – I sure hope you brought enough."
"I brought plenty Mom," Monica called out, her response ignored as Judy rushed Chandler in to meet everyone.
"Clearly Chandler is still riding high from the good vibes on Thanksgiving," Rachel noted.
Ross laughed at Rachel's 'high' remark. "I bet you it won't last the night."
"Oh I'm sure it won't," Rachel agreed. "The question is, how long will it take?"
"Ross, how can you keep this beautiful woman to yourself?" a gentleman in a Yankee's shirt asked.
"Rachel, this is my Uncle Dan, on dad's side of the family. Uncle Dan, this is Rachel Green."
"The Rachel Green that you married in Vegas?" another gentleman asked.
"My dad's other brother Murray," Ross introduced, trying to brush past the married comment.
"Nice to meet you both," Rachel said, reaching for one of the cans of soda on the table.
"Judy doesn't leave anything out in her annual Christmas letters," Murray said. "Too bad she didn't include a picture of you."
"Rachel, you want to go and explore the kitchen," Ross suggested.
"Sure," Rachel said quickly, grateful to get away. "How many Uncles do you have?"
"Well my mom came from a family of all women, and some of them are married, but Murray and Dan are the only ones to watch out for."
Rachel nodded, reaching for one of Monica's pot stickers. "Soooo good," she moaned. As Rachel reached for another, a single hand darted in the container and blocked her.
"You tell that guy that he still owes me a grand for last week!" the hand owner shouted into her phone. "No I don't care if he's in the hospital, he has to pay."
Rachel pointed at the woman now walking away. "Was that your…"
"Aunt Iris," Ross said.
"She taught me and the girls how to play poker. Remember that hand I beat you with," she joked, elbowing him.
"I remember," Ross said, reaching for a plate. He also remembered throwing the game that night so that Rachel could have a 'win' after a job rejection.
"There you two are!" Chandler said, hustling into the kitchen.
Rachel held her nose. "You smell like…"
"Aunt Millie," Ross grimaced. "I guess she found you."
"Her lips definitely found me," Chandler exclaimed. "I have half a mind to get a cab and just leave this place."
Ross started to commiserate but was cut off by Judy telling everyone that the show was about to begin. Ross and Rachel grabbed a few extra snacks for their plate and took a seat on the love seat in the corner of the living room.
"Room for one more?" a tall blonde asked.
Ross looked the woman up and down, eliciting a glare from Rachel. "Cassie, Cousin Cassie? I haven't seen you in years."
"One of those family reunions," she laughed.
Ross scooted to one side, giving Rachel no choice but to accommodate as Cassie took a seat on the end. "You've met Rachel right?"
"Monica's popular cheerleading friend," Cassie nodded offering her a hand.
Rachel quietly accepted the gesture. "You are nothing like I remembered," Rachel said, crinkling her nose.
"Well I had glasses and pigtails then," Cassie explained.
"You look so different now," Ross said.
"Well so does Monica, when did she lose all of that weight?"
"Late 1980s," Rachel said. "Have you met her boyfriend yet?"
Cassie shook her head. "If he's the guy with the dark hair that keeps clinging to the wall then not yet.
"I'll introduce you," Rachel offered, smirking at Ross.
"Rach…" Ross called after her but she and Cassie were already up. Ross wondered what Rachel was up to as one of the other aunts came over.
"I've got your $5.00 for you Ross."
"I've missed you Aunt Liddy," Ross said, hugging his aunt and pocketing the money.
"I hear you and Monica are featured on tonight's show?"
"We'll see if we make the cut; they spent most of the day filming dancers, a lot gets edited in the process."
"Did you meet Dick Clark?"
"He didn't make it to the pre recording," Ross admitted. "But it was still cool either way."
"Of course," Liddy agreed. "Judy says you have a new job."
"At New York University, in their science department."
"Congrats," Liddy said, waving goodbye to mingle in the room.
"Chandler!" Ross winced hearing Monica screech Chandler's name, glad that it wasn't him.
"I'm back," Rachel said, passing Ross a brownie.
Ross leaned in so that only Rachel could hear. "Are you part of the reason Monica is yelling at Chandler?"
Rachel shrugged. "I just wanted Chandler to meet Cassie." Ross shot Rachel a look. "Well if those two do something like getting married then Cassie would be his cousin too."
Ross shook his head. "I don't think they are anywhere near marriage."
Rachel pointed at Monica and Chandler over by the stairs. "I wouldn't be too sure about that."
"They just moved in a few months ago."
"They were nearly married in Vegas," Rachel countered. Rachel and Ross reached for the last brownie, laughing. "Do you think they would have gotten married if we hadn't of first?"
Ross paused, deferring the last brownie on the plate to Rachel. "If our getting married kept those two from getting married then everything may have been worth it."
"You finally found a silver lining to our Vegas mistake," Rachel said, patting Ross on the knee.
Ross paused at the 'mistake' phrasing. Neither one remembered the morning after it happened, and ultimately it was more convenient for both of them to terminate the marriage. "Rach, I'll be right back."
Ross went upstairs to his old bedroom or as Monica called it, 'the shrine for the golden boy'. The room remained untouched for the most part, all of his science trophies and ribbons still on the wall, an overflow collection of books and papers.
"Looking back at old times?" A brunette with a pixie haircut greeted Ross from the hall.
Ross turned to see Cousin Frannie standing in his doorway. "Frannie," Ross said, pulling her in for a hug. "How have you been?"
"Busy," she admitted. "I started a new job at a nonprofit in downtown Manhattan, and I have a new boyfriend."
"Congratulations, anyone that I know?"
"Well Monica knows him, which is why I didn't bring him tonight."
"An old boyfriend of Monica's?"
"Do you remember Stuart?"
Ross let out a quick laugh. "They dated in college for a while."
Frannie nodded. "The relationship is still new so…"
"You don't want to introduce him to everyone yet, I totally get it," Ross promised. "I won't say a word."
"You're the best. What brings you up here?"
"I needed a break from everyone downstairs."
"Well there are a lot of people," Frannie admitted. "Did I hear correctly that you got married in Vegas last spring?"
"No, you heard right. But it was a drunken mistake," he said finally.
"You married a stranger?"
"Not exactly a stranger. Do you remember Monica's friend Rachel?"
Frannie nodded her head. "I was crazy jealous of her growing up, so pretty and confident, sounds like everything came easy to her."
Ross hid a laugh, remembering Rachel's first year in the city alone. "Well not everything," he corrected.
"So wrong girl wrong time?"
Ross stepped into the hall, placing his hand on the railing, spying Rachel talking to Monica and Chandler. "Wrong time for sure," he laughed.
"Well, when it happens again, it will be your third, and since third time is the charm, it will be sure to stick."
Ross gave Frannie a quick side hug as a familiar song began to play on the TV. "Let's go downstairs and I'll reintroduce you to Rachel."
Frannie followed Ross down the stairs and greeted Monica, Chandler, and Rachel while Trouble with Boys by Loreta played on the TV.
"Ross we made it on TV!" Monica shouted, jumping up and down. "That's us doing the routine, top screen center. The gang found themselves bopping around as the hour inched closer to midnight.
The song headed, and Ross ushered Chandler into the kitchen. "I hear you met Cousin Cassie."
Chandler reached for a can of beer. "Did I ever? Rachel introduces her for reason's that I still don't understand, and then Monica gets all uptight."
Ross looked at Cassie from across the hall, talking to a group of Aunts. "I think she has that effect on people."
"You're telling me," Chandler seconded. "All I did was try to shake her hand, but my hand missed and I accidently touched her…"
"You went to second base with Cassie. No wonder Monica was upset!" Ross exclaimed.
"It wasn't on purpose, I was aiming for a hand and my aim went, way way off. I was distracted."
"It's the hair isn't it?"
"Her hair so long and so…"
"Silky." Chandler shot Ross a questioning look. "When we were younger I washed and cut hair as a side hobby."
"So you touched her hair?" Chandler asked.
"Yeah, but there wasn't anything more to it than that," Ross insisted. "What you did with Cassie…I'm surprised you didn't get kicked out."
"Well let's just say that any warm vibes I got from Thanksgiving have been completely destroyed. That Aunt Millie of yours is something else. And your Aunt Liddy is so cheap – a measly $5.00, why give anything?"
"We don't all have high power jobs like you do Chandler," Judy said glaring at him from the hall. "Any other family members you feel like insulting, or feeling up apparently?"
Ross froze in place, leaving Chandler to mumble a 'no ma'am'.
Judy turned on her heels as the girls came into the hall.
"What did you do now," Monica scolded, swatting Chandler on the arm.
"I didn't know your mother was nearby and I shared a few comments about your truly weird family," Chandler said defensively.
Rachel lowered her gaze, which did not go unnoticed by Ross.
Ross cleared his throat. "Here's a thought, I'll call us a cab and we'll get a head start on leaving, ring in the New Year just the four of us."
"You might as well because Chandler may not be welcome here much longer," Monica seethed, with Chandler following her.
Ross beckoned for Rachel to follow him as he dialed in the living room. "Cab will be here in 15 minutes."
"I guess I shouldn't have pushed Cassie onto Chandler – but I did not know that that was going to happen."
Ross nodded. "It sounded like you didn't want her hanging out with us."
Rachel sighed. "Maybe part of me didn't," she admitted. "And then there is a part of me that wanted to see how Chandler would mess everything up." Ross shot her a look. "I wanted to be entertained, not bummed out on New Year's Eve."
"Well what's done is done. Do you think you can get Chandler and Monica corralled without incident?"
"Just you watch," Rachel smiled.
Ross watched Rachel move across the room.
"Ross, I haven't seen you at all tonight!" The shrill voice belonged to only one person, and caused Ross to run outside to wait for the cab.
"See you next year Aunt Millie," Ross called out, soon joined by the others.
"My family is soooo much more normal next to your family," Chandler laughed.
"Really, even with your Vegas dad and romance novel writing mom?" Rachel crinkled her nose.
"Cab's here," Monica called out, ushering everyone in. "I know the perfect diner that's open late. We'll eat and then head home."
"She's the boss," Ross and Rachel whispered together with a laugh.
In under twenty minutes, the foursome were piled into a corner booth at the Moondance Diner, where Monica once worked.
"Who wants to split an order of 'Laverne and Curly Fries'?"
"Glad to see some things don't change," Monica admitted begrudgingly.
"It's 11:50," Rachel said, pointing to the Coca Cola clock on the wall. "Ten minutes everyone."
"This was definitely a better idea than New Year's Eve with my folks," Monica sighed, sipping on a large strawberry shake.
"And we aired on the holiday special," Ross said triumphantly, pumping his fist in the air. "I wonder if it will buy me any cred at the university."
"I don't know how many college students will be just watching the show," Rachel pointed out.
"Fair enough," Ross said, chewing on a mozzarella stick.
Ross and Rachel shared a look as the clock inched toward 11:57. Last year, they didn't get a New Year's kiss together. "Rach, you want to go outside for a minute?"
Rachel understood Ross' gesture and offered a quick wave to Chandler and Monica, getting cozy in the booth. "Glad to see those two made up."
"You don't regret spending New Year's Eve with me again, do you?"
"No," Rachel said emphatically, touching Ross' arm. "I was a little bitter over being stood up, but you really saved the day there, keeping me from being alone and all."
"I'm happy you're happy – I just didn't want you thinking you made another mistake with me again this year."
"Mistake?" Rachel asked.
"Like our getting married," Ross reminded her. "What you said back at the house…"
"Oh Ross," Rachel murmured. "Out all of the so called mistakes that I've made in my life, marrying you isn't high on that list," she promised. "If I were going to marry someone, I always thought it would have been you."
"And that it would have stuck," Ross said, echoing her sentiments from earlier in the year.
Rachel nodded. "I guess I'm still a little raw over everything."
"You and me both," Ross admitted. "And I blame myself for how it ended. If I had been honest with you from the start we could have gotten an easy annulment."
"I think we've moved forward pretty well; we both see each other nearly every day."
"No regrets."
Rachel agreed as the fireworks went off. "You know what that means," Rachel said, pointing into the air.
Ross placed a kiss on Rachel's forehead. "I sure do. Happy New Year."
Rachel leaned into Ross' chest. "Happy New Year."