The Caretaker

I hope you like the story, and that you tell me his opinions, through them I know if I'm on the right path.

Remember English is not my native language, I hope the translation is correct, check it, but sometimes I miss some incorrect personal pronouns for the phrase, sorry.

I reiterate, I do not own the characters of Friends I only rely on them for the pure pleasure of writing stories without any economic interest, and Monica and Chandler they inspire me

Chapter 3

That same morning Chandler had just left his office building, although it was no longer his office, he had his personal things in a box.

He had asked for a license and they had denied it, they said they had no one to replace him immediately, he did a very specific job, they would have to bring someone from a branch, but that would take time, therefore, there was no possibility of give him license.

Chandler had been doing a job that he hated for 8 years, but he did it perfectly, he knew it, they knew it too, that's why they paid him so much, he couldn't believe it, he had never asked them for anything and now the company refused to give him a break that for him it was essential. -

"Ok," he said to his boss, he went to his desk, wrote out the resignation, gave it in an envelope to his assistant to deliver to the vice presidency, put his personal things in a box and went out to the street, far from feeling bad or worried, he was happy, he was free to do what he wanted, and he had a clear idea of what he wanted, he had been doing it in silence for years and these months with Monica he could begin to make it concrete.

But he decided not to say anything to his friends, especially Monica, he was going to worry her, she was going to feel guilty and that was the last thing he wanted, he would wait until she was recovered and then he would tell them the story true.

He went to the apartment to leave the box, spoke with Treeger to explain what he needed him to do in Monica's house, then went to the store to buy the fittings for the bathroom and the intercom, finally he left him the elements that Treeger had to install and he also looked in Monica's refrigerator to see what food there was, he made a list, so she could add something that he would go buy later.

When he arrived at the hospital Monica was asleep, he sat silently on the couch, he liked to look at her when no one noticed, not even she, she was so beautiful, he knew that two or three months of happiness would await him sharing the day with her, the problem could come later, when she was recovered and no longer needed him, he had to pay attention to the feelings that he always kept carefully submerged, he couldn't let them float, that would be a disaster, it would ruin everything.

Monica woke up and gave him a beautiful smile. "Hello, how was it at the office?" she asked.

"Well, they didn't have any problems, I'm free now, I bought the things we needed for the bathroom, I already spoke with Treeger, he will install them tomorrow, I also made a list of the foods you have in the refrigerator, so you can tell me what to buy"

"And how are you, does it hurt?" Chandler asked.

"No, not at all, in the morning mom came to continue insisting, but I think she already understood, and the nurse told me that the physiotherapist will come in a little while to help me start with some exercise"

"Perfect, I arrived on time, I want to see how to help you with that."

After the physical therapist left and Chandler saw clearly how he had to help her exercise at home, the rest of the gang arrived.

Ross greeted Monica, but ignored Chandler.

Chandler asked Rachel if she had gotten the lawyer's name.

"Yes, I brought it here, she is a woman and Liza told me that she is a devastating tractor when it comes to defending a client."

"What are you talking about?" Ross ask

"Yesterday when the police came to take statements from Monica and me, Lieutenant Kurctag advised her to turn to a lawyer, that in addition to the attempt to injure or kill her, there was also the issue of workplace harassment, and Rachel brought us the phone number of a "Lawyer" Chandler explained.

"But a lawyer is expensive," exclaimed Ross, "I don't know if Mom is going to want to hire a lawyer."

"Ross, surely Monica will get compensation and she will be able to pay your parents back…. If that's the problem..." Chandler replied.

"And why do they have to help her with that? She is infatuated with mom not taking care of her, I'm sure you don't know how to do it, you shouldn't have proposed such nonsense, and in a couple of days' mom will end up having to pay a caregiver, and now also a lawyer?" "Besides, Chandler, you don't have to get involved in this, it's a family matter."

"Ross, Mon didn't fall down the stairs on purpose, she was the victim of an assault, and deciding where she wants to be and who she is with isn't a whim," Phoebe confronted him.

"Monica, since you decide everything to your liking, make do with everything you can," Ross said and left, banging on the door.

A few minutes later the nurse informed them that she had finished visiting hours.

They all started to leave and Chandler told them, "I'll catch up with you in a moment."

"Mon, look, it is very important that you require the services of the lawyer."

"Ross is right, it's very expensive, and at this point I don't want my parents to pay anything, Mom will blame me for it for the rest of my life, even if I pay her back," Monica said sadly.

"Mon, early tomorrow morning I'm going to go see the lawyer, I'm going to present the case to her and I'm going to ask her to come see you."

"What are you talking about, I don't have the money to deal with an issue like that," Monica said firmly.

"But I do," Chandler told her.

"No way, you are doing enough taking care of me and losing your salary, now you are not going to pay for the lawyer" Monica told him again firmly.

"Please listen to me…. I have money, not only what I saved during my years of work, but also my grandfather Bing made a trust in my name, according to him to protect me from my parents' evil mind, that money has been managed by my uncle making safe investments, the money It increased over the years, and I have never really used it, I always saved it for the future" Chandler explained with a smile.

"What future are you saving that money for?" Monica asked.

"Someday I will overcome my phobias, I will get married, I will have children and I will be able to ensure a good education for them," Chandler replied with a smile.

"I like that you think about that future," Monica said with a smile.

"Well, that's a long way off," Chandler replied, also smiling.

"Mon, I have to go, but there is no possible refusal on your part. Tomorrow I am going to see the lawyer, so I will arrive at noon."

"Thank you Chandler, you are incredible, and don't worry about me, the nurses here take care of me, your work will start on Wednesday" Monica said laughing.

When he closed the door Monica immediately remembered her mother's phrase "why don't you marry him" and she felt a shiver in her body, her heart accelerated, what was happening to her, perhaps what scared her about her incipient feelings was what he always said about having a committed relationship, however, now he just told her that he was thinking about a future with family and children.

However, she knew that what Chandler was doing for her was normal for him, since he has an enormously generous heart, she always knew it, just look at how he has protected and helped Joey, therefore, it is not an attitude for her. Nothing strange about him, it's just that now it bothers her to think that what he is doing now, taking care of her, is only because she is in the "friends" zone, while she is feeling something else.

She is confused, restless, scared... and maybe she is also in a crush?

On Tuesday mid-morning Monica felt a knock on the door, it opened and Richard's head appeared with a big smile and when he finished entering he came with a bouquet of flowers.

"Hello, how are you? On Sunday your parents told me what happened, I wanted to see you, to know how you feel" he said as he approached and sat in the chair next to the bed.

"I'm fine, thank you for the flowers, leave them on the table the nurse will put them in water"

"Are you sure? Richard asked, making a sweet face.

"Yes, only does it hurt when the physiotherapist helps me with the exercises, but I have to endure they are necessary to recover soon"

"Monica your mother told me that you don't want to go to her house or have her take care of you at yours"

Monica shook her head "that's why you're here, were you sent to convince me?"

"No Monica, since I found out I wanted to see you, you know I care about you, and I want you to be well taken care of and recover soon" Richard smiled.

Monica raised her eyebrows "Richard, I thank you for your concern, but I am very calm with my decision."

"Chandler, do you think it's appropriate to take care of you?" asked

Monica didn't want to seem rude, he had always been good to her, but the time to worry about her had long passed.

"Yes, my best friend is going to take care of me, in whom I completely trust and that gives me peace of mind, it bothers me a lot that they question my decision and I would prefer not to talk about it anymore" Monica answered firmly and asked

"How are your grandchildren and children?"

Richard felt cut off, he came with the intention of talking about them, but Monica was evidently not in the right mood, when she was at home he would try again, although what bothered him most was that his intentions were in danger due to the proximity of Chandler, that unbreakable friendship had always worried him.

"They are all fine, Michel is pregnant again, she is a girl"

"Oh, what good news I'm happy for you."

Just then the nurse arrived, "Hello Monica, I'm here to check the wound."

"Well Monica, I'm leaving, I'll see how you're doing when you're home," Richard said seriously.

Nurse Lucy was a nice lady of about 50 years old, and while she was healing the leg wound she commented, "The man brought you flowers, they are very pretty, now I will put them in water, I hope your boyfriend doesn't mind that a gentleman gives you flowers although he shouldn't be jealous, that man could be your father, and your boyfriend is so handsome, nice, kind, my young coworker are all in love with him" said the nurse, smiling.

Monica was going to clear up the confusion, but something stopped her, except that he was her "boyfriend" everything else was true, too true, what was happening to her, she had never looked at him like that, well her rational part knew all those characteristics, That's why he was her best friend, also because of his honesty and loyalty, but now her gaze didn't leave her head, it came from her stomach, the butterflies in his stomach were getting more and more agitated, she didn't know what to do with them.

After noon Chandler arrived, he greeted her with a huge smile that she returned, but when he saw the flowers his smile clouded a little.

"Who brought you those pretty flowers?" he asks her

"Richard was here," Monica answered.

"Oh, how nice of him," Chandler said with some sarcasm.

Monica felt uncomfortable, it was absurd, but she felt like an ex had shown up when they were in something, a relationship, and that was ridiculous.

"Yes, he only came to see me, I think he was sent by dad or mom, to try to convince me to change my decision" "ha, he's just going to convince me of something"

Chandler furrowed his eyebrows somewhat and looked at Monica as if surprised by her response and quickly changed the topic of conversation, although he felt enormous relief at Monica's response.

"Mon, around 2 p.m., before your physical therapy, Dr. Amelie Barone will come to see you, we will explain everything to her, tomorrow she will go talk to the Prosecutor, in front of me she finds out that it is the prosecutor Marshall, she wants to see the accusation and the evidence."

"Thank you Chandler, I don't know what I would do without you" Monica said with a beautiful smile.

"Ah Mon, this is the list of the foods you have in the refrigerator, see if anything is missing and tell me so I'll buy it this afternoon" Chandler handed her the list.

"Yes, there are some things missing, especially for the Christmas Eve dinner and the Christmas meal," said Monica.

"Don't think about doing very difficult things, you know this sous chef is not a machine, I defend myself, but…" Chandler said laughing

"Don't worry, but you'll know how to make lasagna and chicken, right? Monica asked.

"Yes, with your instructions, that's what I'm encouraged to do, make the list," Chandler replied, laughing and continued.

"We have to see how many there will be both days, do you think your parents will come…?

"I'm sure mom won't miss the opportunity to watch you and criticize your food," Monica replied with a laugh.

"Luckily I had already bought my gifts." Monica smiled with satisfaction.

"Oh, I didn't buy any, well this year I'll give each of you a soda, like we did that time with Joey, remember?" they both laughed

"Chandler you don't have to give me anything, not even the soda, what you are doing for me is the best gift in the world" Monica said with a soft smile.

"We'll see," Chandler replied.

Mrs. Barone was punctual, Monica recounted everything that had happened since she took charge of the kitchen, she asked if she would have witnesses, Monica explained that at least the kitchen staff was all in cahoots, maybe a waiter. He also asked for the restaurant owner's information. Chandler told her that Monica once came home from work with her jacket burned, and another time with her jacket soaked with sauce that they had placed in a place so that it would fall on her, that's why all her friends were witnesses, also what they had written on her chef's hat, and Monica remembered that she still had it, she would give it to her.

"Well Monica, let me work, this takes time, but I want to see how Sanders the owner acts, since he can't say that he was unaware of these things, I'll see what I get from him. When I have news I'll call her, it won't be very fast, especially the judicial process for the complaint of the assault, but the aspect of harassment permitted by Sanders may have a faster resolution, I have some ideas"

Mrs. Barone left leaving Monica and Chandler with hope that everyone would pay for what they did.

After the Physiotherapist's visit, Monica took a short nap, meanwhile on the small sofa Chandler continued with some of the stories and scripts that he had been writing for a long time on his laptop.

The rest of the gang arrived, the first to do so was Phoebe and when she entered she found Monica sleeping and Chandler sitting writing on his laptop and the image she saw was that of a couple, she felt a flutter in her heart, they had always been close, but now she realized that there had to be much more there, she came out of the trance and greeted what made Monica wake up and Chandler received her with a smile.

Then Joey and Rachel arrived, and Monica started telling them about the lawyer's visit.

At that moment Ross came in, "who is this Barone you're talking about?" he asks Monica

"She is the lawyer that Rachel's colleague recommended to us."

"And why did she come, how did she know?"

"This morning I went to her law firm, I explained the case to her and today at 2 pm she came to learn about the facts, she found possibilities therefore she will represent Monica" Chandler explained.

"And who authorized you to do that, I already told you that it's none of your business, you're not family," Ross said with a red face.

"Look Ross, here we are all family, that's how we all feel and if you, who carry her blood, don't do anything because you're so afraid of your mom that you can't think for yourself, then accept that the rest of us do everything possible to help Monica" Rachel jumped, speaking out loud.

Ross gave Rachel a Geller look.

"Look, just because you're my brother doesn't give you the right to decide about my life, I was the one who "authorized" Chandler to take care of the lawyer, so don't worry, and tell mom not to worry, none of this will be in your charge" and Monica continued

"Ross, you realize that the way you and mom act could never take care of me, I would be their slave, you don't respect me at all, you don't respect my decisions, you don't even care about what I need, you just want to do your thing will, well you won't be able to do it with me, therefore, it is better that you calm down, and if you really love me, instead of bothering you with Chandler it would be good if you helped him, he is your best friend since forever, you should be grateful to him for everything he does for me"

Ross remained silent leaning against a wall in the room, evidently trapped between his friends who unconditionally supported Monica and his mother who constantly mortifies him to try to convince Monica to accept her care. And in truth he knew that Monica was not going to back down and end up losing his sister and his friend because of the pressure from his mother, so he decided to give up continuing with the matter and help Chandler in what he could.

After a while of calmer chat Chandler told them that he was going to the market to buy the food they would need, if anyone could accompany him.

Ross walked forward and said, "Yes, I'll go with you."

"OK, thank you" and then he ask them "Guys, tell me who will stay with us for Christmas Eve dinner and who will come on Christmas Day for lunch?"

"I go both days," Phoebe said.

"With you Christmas Eve, on Christmas I go with my parents," said Joey.

"I'll do like Joey," Rachel replied.

Everyone looked at Ross "I'll go both days, but I'll have to ask mom and dad if they're coming and what day, tonight I'll ask them."

On the way to the market Ross apologized to Chandler, "Man, you know my mom is very pushy and it fills my head, but everything is fine between us, I actually appreciate that you take care of Monica, she's right, mom would drive her crazy."

"I understand Ross, everything is fine."