The one with Ross's wedding

As soon as Ross announced he was getting married to Emily Chandler booked their flight to London. Today, Monica was very happy he did. She would be flying with Ross, Joey and Chandler instead of three days earlier with their parents who wanted to adjust to the time difference before the wedding. The flight will be leaving later that evening giving her plenty of time preparing her bags and double and triple checking her lists. Emily's dress was newly steamed and cleaned on a hanger in Monica's bedroom ready to be packed in the morning, which her mother already had called her three times about from their London hotel. Like she would forget. Monica had laid out the outfits for their trip on her bed and had already packed and repacked twice to get maximum storage. Emily's beautiful wedding dress that was newly cleaned and steamed hung in her bedroom. She stroked the luxury material and rationalized how HER wedding dress would be totally different. But she is excited to attend her brother's second wedding, even though she was hoping she would bring a boyfriend at this point in her life. Emily had sent pictures of the bridesmaid dresses she had chosen and Monica was pleasantly pleased. She examined her underwear collection and decided on bringing her best underwear, with a dress like that she would hope she wasn't the only one to see them.

Judy Geller is excited as well and has expressed daily how much she loves Emily with the phrase "she is like a daughter to me", ever since the two of them met months ago. Monica knows Judy only wants to make Emily feel welcome into their family, but she couldn't help but feel jealous. She had a feeling that this weekend would be best advised to stay with her friends and not her mother.

When she and Rachel moved back to apartment 20 after the guys had been living there she has spent time cleaning the apartment which has been a great distraction. Her cleaning supplies, plates, coffee mugs and pillows haven't moved from their place in the apartment. She even smiled to herself when she found the bowl the boys had borrowed at the top shelf.

"I hope it's cleaned to Monica- standard" Chandler entered her apartment as he watched her examine the big bowl.

"Did you clean it?" She left the bowl on the shelf and stood up.

"Uhh. I might have cleaned it after Joey thought he had cleaned it. I also remember you telling me that this shelf is used for things you use on occasion, but is too big to fit in the self for occasions."

Jack, Judy and Emily met them at the airport and brought them to their London hotel. Monica knew she had a packed schedule infront of her the next couple of days, both as the sister of the groom and bridesmaid to her future sister in law. She was determined that her mother couldn't change her mood and bring her down by criticizing her. She and Chandler had spent the duration of the flight together as he couldn't stand Joey's constant "London Baby" and she couldn't stop overthinking how the following days were going to look like.

Jack and Judy had planned for a breakfast gathering at the hotel at 8 AM the next morning. Monica, who had barely been sleeping, allowed herself toast, fruit and a handful of chocolate biscuits they served at the dessert table by the coffee and tea.

"You know we have a fitting of the bridesmaid dresses later today" her mother remarked as she sat down. "

"London baby!" Joey broke the tension as he joined the group and held a London map in his hand. "Chandler, Chandler. "Guess what?"

"Yes, Joey?"

"You know the money you gave me to buy a map? I got the coolest map ever. You are gonna love it."

"It's just a map Joey. Sit! "Please!"

Joey folded the map open to show Chandler the cool features the map did and almost tipped all the glasses and mugs on the table.

"Can't you wait until we're outside?!" Chandler sighed as he turned to Monica who had a tight grasp on her orange juice "This is going to be a long day for both of us. Good luck with her."

Chandler muttered to himself as Joey asked him if they were going to leave soon.

Monica spent the afternoon helping Ross out at the demolished church, they were discussing how he was going to present how beautiful it was going to be to get married there to Emily. All while thinking through the emotions running through her mind. Her mother has told Emily she preferred her over her own daughter. Sure Emily is beautiful and has a great job, but so does she. Monica has done really well for herself; she knows that the only thing missing is a boyfriend. Is that the only thing that bothers her mother to prefer Emily over her?

"If we put on the lights when she's standing over there, right where the aisle will be? Is that magical enough? This has to work, right?" Ross stood where he would lead Emily and rubbed his hands together.

"What?" Monica turned around as she snapped out of her thoughts.

"Is this magical enough?" He made a gesture to the lights they had spent a lot of time setting up.

Monica had called Phoebe back in New York, Rachel was out shopping yet again and Monica had tried multiple ways to make a nice looking hairdo for the rehearsal dinner.

"Isn't Joey there? I'm sure he will happily help you out to make you feel better." Monica could hear Phoebe chuckle to herself at her brilliant idea.

"Am I really that desperate that I will resort to sleeping with Joey?" Monica pulled a face as she tried to feel the twisted bun she had perfected for the past half hour.

"What's wrong with Joey? You would be lucky to sleep with Joey! Do you know how lucky you are?" Phoebe shouted through the phone that Monica had to calm her down by saying she will think about it.

"What is there to think about? "Do it, Monica!"

"Alright, Phoebe, calm down. But if he says no, I will blame you!" She looked at the hotel room wardrobe as she pondered her options. She would have to wear the really nice and matching underwear she brought with her for this exact reason.

Joey had flirted with the other bridesmaid, Monica knew she had to get drunk to even dare to approach Joey. She had to flirt and be very direct with what she wanted. She was a little unsteady after all that wine so when Chandler had walked her to her room she was very glad to be his best friend. He had a stronger arm than she had previously known and kept his arms steadily across her shoulders. She straightened her dress, poured herself a glass of whiskey and walked to the guy's hotel room.

Monica has been doubting how beautiful she is this whole trip to London. She didn't intend to sleep with Chandler, it was always going to be Joey. He's the one she could sleep with to feel better for the day, she had never even considered Chandler. Sweet and wonderful Chandler. It was the best she had ever felt, he was attentive to her vulnerable state but also passionate and Monica felt seen and beautiful. If she would be doing this all the time she could and if he wanted to. It was all so new and exciting and the beginning of something beautiful she hoped would never end.