May 15th, 2001 - Mid Morning
Monica stood in front of the floor-length mirror of her hotel suite, admiring her satin, mermaid-shaped gown with awe and admiration. After all the years they spent dancing around his fear of commitment, they were finally dancing towards forever together.
The joy was bubbling inside her, ready to burst. The moment she had been waiting for her entire life could not come fast enough. She was ready to become Mrs. Bing forever and always finally.
She looked down at her sparkling sapphire engagement ring, remembering the sweet words Chandler had whispered into her ear when they made love the night of their engagement: When I saw the ring, it reminded me of your eyes.
Soon a simple and elegant gold Tiffany's wedding band with the engravement Notre amour est éternelle French for Our love is forever would join her engagement ring.
Monica heard the door open quietly behind her, and she looked up into the mirror to see her daughter's petite figure enter the suite, and she turned to greet her properly.
Her daughter wore a floor-length lacy and tule dress with a golden hue and quarter-length sleeves. Her long sandy hair flowed freely with soft curls, and she wore a golden headband with white and gold roses on her delicate head.
She was so beautiful it nearly took her breath away, and she brought her hands to her mouth in awe of her little princess as fresh tears welled in her eyes.
"What's wrong, Mommy?" Hannah asked with a concerned expression as she gracefully glided towards her.
"Nothing, baby," Monica shook her head through tears as she bent down and held her arms to her approaching daughter.
"You just look so very, very pretty, and Mommy is just so excited and happy right now that she does not know what to do with herself," Monica said as she took Hannah's hands and gave them a gentle squeeze.
"Hey, save the crying for the ceremony, please," Rachel said as she strolled into the room in her golden Grecian-style bridesmaid dress.
"Your mascara is waterproof, but unfortunately, that will only get you so far. I highly doubt that you want to have raccoon eyes in your wedding pictures," Rachel added as she handed Monica a white, silky handkerchief.
"Thanks, Rach," Monica said, reaching up to take the handkerchief from her friend before gently dabbing it under her eyes.
"May I have a second alone with Hannah, Rach?" Monica looked up at her friend, and Rachel nodded understandingly.
"Hey, hey," Rachel playfully poked her niece, who turned towards her aunt and giggled.
"Don't make your mother cry, doll face," Rachel said before playfully scrunching her niece's cheeks and then turning and closing the door behind her as she exited.
"You look so pretty, Mommy," Hannah said, touching her mother's cheek.
"Thank you, baby," Monica smiled before hugging her daughter tightly.
"I want to give you something from Daddy and me," Monica said after pulling away.
She stood up and grabbed her daughter's hand, leading her towards the bed, and both mother and daughter sat down on the edge of it as Monica picked up a small box resting on it.
"What is it?" Hannah asked in wonder as Monica lifted the blue Tiffany's box and opened the lid revealing a silver charm bracelet.
"That's for me?" Hannah said, her eyes wide with excitement as she clasped her hands together in glee. She took after her mother, aunt, and paternal grandmother regarding her love for pretty things.
"Yes, it's for you," Monica smiled at her daughter.
"We wanted to give this to you to show you how much we love you and how much having you has meant to both of us. Your daddy and I may be getting married today, but you will always be our little girl," Monica smiled lovingly at her daughter as she lifted the bracelet from the box.
"It's so pretty. Thank you!" Hannah said in awe as her icy blue eyes zeroed in on the bracelet.
To say that Hannah Bing was spoiled and accustomed to getting beautiful and fancy things was an understatement. Her parents had made sure to give her the best of everything mainly because they wanted to, but she was still so grateful and gracious.
"You are most certainly welcome, princess. Which wrist would you like it on?" Monica asked.
"Um…. the left one, please," Hannah nodded, holding up her arm for her mother to clasp the bracelet around it.
"Your daddy and I picked out each of these charms for you," Monica said as she clasped it around her daughter's tiny wrist.
"Is this one for my birthday?" Hannah asked, pointing to the charm of a sleeping baby girl with the date "June 15th, 1994" engraved in it.
"Yes, because you are our little sleeping beauty," Monica smiled lovingly at her daughter, who kept staring at the bracelet in awe and wonderment.
"Is this Princess Clara?" Hannah asked, pointing to a charm depicting Clara from The Nutcracker wearing ballet slippers.
"Yes, because you are our ballerina princess," Monica smiled as Hannah giggled cutely.
She caressed her daughter's cheek. She could not wait to have a dozen more of these little angels with Chandler.
"What does this say?" Hannah asked, pointing to a heart charm with the words Notre Petite Fille engraved.
"Our little girl," Monica said.
"How do you say that?" Hannah asked.
"Notre petite fille," Monica said very slowly.
"Notre petite fille," Hannah repeated back.
"Yes, that's very good," Monica praised, making Hannah smile proudly.
"That's because you will always be our little girl," Monica said, retaking her daughter's hands.
"And every year that daddy and I have an anniversary, we will add another charm to this," Monica smiled lovingly at her daughter.
"But why?" Hannah giggled. "It's not my anniversary with you and Daddy," Hannah scrunched her petite nose in confusion.
"We just never want you to forget how much we love you and how much it means to us for you to celebrate this day with us," Monica smiled, giving her daughter's hands a gentle squeeze.
"Really?" Hannah asked in wonderment.
"Yes, really," Monica nodded her head.
"I love you, Mommy!" Hannah beamed, throwing her arms around her mother.
"I love you too, baby girl," Monica smiled through her tears as she closed her eyes and held her daughter close.
May 15th, 2001 - Late Afternoon
Chandler nervously smiled as he took his place at the alter beside a priest who was not Joey.
"Are you Joey?" Chandler asked, leaning towards the priest.
Ross, Rachel, and Phoebe had already briefed him that Joey was stuck on set, but maybe Joey was playing a Ted Densen from Three Men and a Little Lady and was wearing an elaborate deep fake to make a big entrance.
"I'm Father, karambetsos," the rabbi said, and Chandler nodded, not entirely convinced that it may not be Joey in disguise, but he turned his attention toward the aisle to which Ross, Phoebe, and Rachel were currently walking.
Ross took his place behind him, and Rachel and Phoebe took their place on Monica's side.
Chandler was about to ask Ross if this Father Karambetsos was Joey in disguise when he saw his daughter appear at the end of the aisle a vision – no, an angel in gold.
He could not stop the tears that welled in his eyes or his heart swelling with pride and bursting with unconditional love. All the guests turned toward her, just as stunned and awed by her as he was.
He could not help remembering her smiling for the first time at six weeks old, taking her first steps at ten months old, dancing in her first recital at age two, and spinning around her bedroom in a ballet tutu at age four.
He silently prayed that time would slow down for her and she would stop growing up so quickly. He did not know how Jack was feeling about his little girl getting married, but he was confident that he would never be ready for his to get married.
He stepped down from the altar and knelt as Hannah approached him, throwing out the last few of her white rose petals.
"You look so beautiful, princess," Chandler whispered before kissing her forehead and hugging her tightly.
"Thank you, Daddy," Hannah beamed.
She then joined Phoebe and Rachel at the left side of the altar. She stood in front of Rachel who wrapped her arms around Hannah's shoulders and smiled down at her. Phoebe looked down and took Hannah's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.
Chandler felt Ross's hand on his shoulder as he looked down at his mother, who was gushing at his daughter, and his father, who gave him a proud wink.
Chandler was about to make a second attempt to inquire about his absentee friend when he saw her appear at the end of the aisle, a vision in white. The sight of her nearly took his breath away.
Beautiful was not strong enough to describe how breathtaking and radiant she looked in her wedding dress. He always knew that she would make a magnificent bride but seeing her walking towards him flanked by Judy and Jack holding a bouquet of red roses and smiling brightly at him, he felt like he had never seen a more stunning bride.
It was a long time coming, but this was it. So many years were wasted on baseless insecurities, but they had finally reached the moment that was years in the making.
He could not help but remember the moments, the steppingstones towards this day, and with each step she made toward him, a different memory flashed through his brain.
He remembered the first time he kissed her on his dorm room bed with her covered in coats, the first time they slept together and conceived Hannah, the night they made love in the ocean in Montauk, their night of seven times in London, the first time they said "I love you," before kissing by the fountain in Central Park on their first date, and sharing joyful smalls as they looked down at baby Hannah for the first time.
He watched as Jack and Judy took their seats after kissing her cheek, and he approached her holding his hands towards her, and she gracefully stepped toward him as they beamed widely at one another.
"You look so beautiful, sweetheart," he whispered into her ear before touching her back as they approached the altar.
"Is this new?" He could not help but joke, and she gave him a playful glare.
"Not now," she replied.
"Okay," he quipped before taking her hand and leading her toward the altar. Monica paused, noticing the rabi standing in what was supposed to be Joey's place.
"Who is this?" Monica asked Chandler.
"I'm Father Kalebasous," the rabbi clarified yet again.
Chandler leaned in and whispered in Monica's ear, "He's Greek Orthodox," as if that would explain everything, but Monica still stared at him with a puzzled expression, and he knew a million questions were swimming through that strong-willed head of hers.
Rachel leaned in and added, "As are you," to which Monica just closed her eyes and attempted to take a calming breath. Chandler took her hands and gave them a gentle squeeze which seemed to help to calm her nerves and annoyance.
"Let us begin," Dearly beloved…" The rabbi began as Joey barged into that hall, still dressed in his WWII costume, and the crowd and group of friends standing at the alter stared at him with a mix of confusion and horror as he walked up the aisle.
"That's my line!" Joey exclaimed to the rabbi and added.
"I can take it from here, thanks," as the rabbi just shrugged and stepped down from the alter.
Monica and Chandler shared annoyed looks as everyone else stared on in bemusement. Hannah giggled behind them, and Monica and Chandler turned towards her and watched as Rachel cupped a hand over her mouth to stifle her laughter.
"Dearly beloved, I'm sorry I'm a little late," Joey said as he began, and Monica and Chandler resumed looking at Joey.
"You may be confused by this now, but you won't be Memorial Day weekend 2002," Joey added, referring to the costume, and Monica just closed her eyes in annoyance, and Chandler bit his lower lip as he bounced up and down on the balls of his feet.
He could see Phoebe and Rachel snickering behind Monica, and he knew that Ross was rolling his eyes and shaking his head behind him.
"Well, let's get started before the groom takes off again. Huh?" Joey smiled and laughed, but Monica opened her mouth in shock and panic, and Chandler's face turned to horror as he registered what Joey had blurted out.
However, silent glances of shock, horror, and confusion did not deter Joey as he marched on with the ceremony.
"We are gathered here today to join this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony. I've known Monica and Chandler for a long time, and I cannot imagine two people more perfect for each other." Joey said as Monica and Chandler smiled lovingly at one another as they gently squeezed each other's hands.
"And now, as I've left my notes in my dressing room," Joey added, and everyone chuckled.
"We shall proceed to the vows. Monica? Joey added.
Monica turned to take her vows from Rachel.
"He took off?" Monica whispered.
"Go on! Go on!" Rachel replied before Monica turned around, and Rachel returned to her position behind Hannah.
Monica turned her attention toward Chandler, who smiled tenderly at her.
"Chandler, I…" Monica began as she sniffed back a flood of emotion that threatened to spill out.
"I never thought I would find everything I'd ever been looking for my whole life with my best friend. We have been through so much together, and I would not change anything that happened between us...that we have made together," Monica added, referring to the conception of their beautiful child, which made Chandler smile broadly as he glanced at his beautiful child standing behind her mother.
"Because what we made together, without realizing it at the time, was conceived from true love. You are my prince, soul mate, and friend, and with our future before us, I only want to spend it with you," Monica said through tears.
"Unless you don't want to," Monica added as she looked apprehensively at him, which crushed his soul, and his smile faded into a concerned frown.
He hated that he made her wonder if he wanted to do this because he certainly did. He needed to make her understand that his momentary freak out was simply that and that he wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of his life with her.
"You go!" Monica pointed towards him.
"Chandler," Joey said, looking and pointing to Chandler as Ross leaned into hand Chandler his vows.
"No, that's okay," Chandler said, declining the vows without breaking eye contact or turning away from Monica.
What he needed to tell her was far more important than what he had written. However, he could see Ross grimace from a bruised ego and then return to his place behind him at the altar.
"Monica," Chandler began as he stared deeply into her eyes.
"I thought this would be the most difficult thing I ever had to do. But when I saw you walking down that aisle, I realized how simple it was. I love you. I have always loved you. We have shared so many wonderful surprises, and any more surprises that come our way, it's okay because I will always love you. You are the person I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. You want to know if I'm sure?" Chandler asked.
He then leaned in to kiss her deeply, and she leaned into him. They wrapped their arms around one another as they kissed.
"You may kiss the bride," they heard Joey say as they reluctantly pulled away and beamed lovingly at each other.
Joey cleared his throat before adding, "So, I guess by the powers vested in me by the state of New York and the Internet guys, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Oh, wait! Do you take each other?"
"I do," Chandler said as he smiled at Monica.
"I do," Monica smiled back at her now husband.
"Yeah, you do!" Joey beamed like an excited child.
"Rings," Ross interjected from behind Chandler.
"Aw, crap! Okay—uh…uh, let's-let's do the rings," Joey said as both Monica and Chandler laughed before turning to take the rings from Ross and Rachel.
They turned back toward each other and smiled lovingly as they placed the rings on each other's fingers.
"We good? Yeah? Good? Once again, I pronounce you husband and wife." Joey added to the betrothed couple, who happily nodded.
"Now, kiss her again," Joey said giddily to Chandler.
Chandler smirked before wrapping his arms around Monica to take her into his arms to kiss her deeply, and they melted into each other as everyone looked on and applauded.
To be continued.