Sorry for the delay! From next week on, I will return to regular updates :)
"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Chandler asked while placing the plates on the table. Immediately, Monica turned from the stove, still holding the wooden spoon.
"We've already been through this. I like it as much as you do, but we can't hide from our parents forever," Monica said, eyeing the table with her imperfections-scanning look.
When she turned again to the food without pointing out any faults, Chandler let out a sigh of relief. After all, he'd followed every instruction Monica had given him to the line.
"Besides," she continued without taking her eyes off the pot she was mixing. "I don't think my parents have ever met your mom, and we need to agree it doesn't seem like they would properly love each other. And knowing my mother, she will have something negative to say about all this. So, if we make a scene, at least we're not in public."
Chandler knew Monica was right. He was already suffering from second-hand embarrassment from something inappropriate his mother would tell the very religious and conservative Gellers.
"Why couldn't we do this separately? Tell your parents and then tell my mother?" Chandler whined, even though he knew the answer.
Monica turned off the stove.
"Because having to do this one time is already dreadful enough. I don't think either of us would survive having to do this twice," Monica answered while busying herself with her cooking.
"I'll give you the truth in that one," Chandler stated as he finished placing the silverware on the table. "When are they supposed to arrive?" He then asked.
Monica cast a glance at the clock. "In about an hour," was her answer.
And indeed, around one and a half an hour later, Chandler, Monica, Nora, Jack, and Judy all sat together at the dinner table.
With the morning sickness having passed, Monica now was experiencing a greater appetite than usual, so she started to fill her plate with a second serving of lasagne. She couldn't imagine that would trigger the discussion she knew would come.
"Monica, dear, you have to go easy on the food. Don't want to get fat again, do you? Have you been eating this much again?" her mother commented.
Of all the things she'd expected her mother to say, the last Monica had been expecting was a comment about how much she used to weigh.
"I'm not fat! I'm just eating a second serving like a normal, thin person would, "Monica tried to defend herself.
"Oh, dear, you don't need to lie. I can see you're wearing that loose shirt to try to hide the weight you've gained. You gained a few pounds since the last time I saw you," Judy explained in her usual judgemental tone.
"Oh! That explains it, then," Monica thought. She was using the loose red shirt to hide her belly, as the bump was already visible, and she didn't want her parents to notice it before she could tell them.
Monica had never expected her mother to notice it, much less think it was to hide her weight. Instinctively, her hands crossed in front of her belly.
"I'm not getting fat again…," Monica murmured. Guess she would have to break the news sooner than she'd expected. She'd hoped they could at least finish dinner.
Taking a deep breath, Monica got up and prepared herself for the impact of her upcoming sentence. Chandler, who sat between her and his mother, noticed what was about to happen and shot her a supportive look. If Monica wasn't already up, she knew he would have discreetly squeezed her hand under the table. And as much as Monica craved his physical touch to calm her down, Monica knew it would raise suspicions. So, as calmly as she could, Monica spoke.
"Yes, I've gained a few pounds, but that's not because of recklessly eating. And I'm wearing this loose shirt to hide my body, yes. But not because I'm ashamed of it." She took another deep breath, noticing that her parents, especially her mother, looked concernedly at her.
"So, what is it, sweetheart? Is everything alright with you?" Jack pushed her to continue.
"Well, I was hoping we could finish dessert before telling you this, but I guess I'll have to do it now." Monica took another breath. "The reason I invited you to dinner tonight was to tell you that I'm pregnant. And I didn't want you to see the bump before I could tell you."
There. It was done. Monica had told her parents the news. But she couldn't let out yet a sigh of relief. Because every second that passed while her parents didn't say anything increased the nervousness that ran through her body. Finally, the reaction she dreaded came.
"Oh my god. I don't know what's worse. That, or if you were getting fat again," Judy broke the silence.
Monica should have seen that coming, but it still felt like a rock thrown directly at her face.
"What?!" She exclaimed, not believing her mother's words.
"Well, dear. I always wished this day would come. But not like this. Who's the father of your baby? I don't remember you having a boyfriend, and you're not married. You can't have a baby without being married. It's such a shame to be a single mother. I can't believe this is happening…" Judy explained, clearly very upset by the news.
Monica was curious to know if she should continue. If her mother hadn't been happy with the news, she certainly would not have been thrilled by what would follow. Luckily or not, Monica didn't have to continue.
"Congratulations, dear! I'm so happy for you!" Nora interrupted with a broad smile on her face. Then, she also stood up and wrapped Monica in a hug. After they separated, Nora turned to Chandler and also wrapped him in a hug.
"And I'm so happy for you too, son!" Nora added, making Chandler turn a dark shade of red.
"How…" Chandler stuttered, unable to find his words at first. "Thank you, Mom, but how you did you…"
Nora let out a small laugh.
"Well… I've seen how nervous you two looked during the meal and how awkwardly Monica has been staring at me. I knew you two were together since I got here. I was assuming you two just wanted to announce you were dating. Never imagined this. But congratulations to you two again!" She finished with a wide smile.
"He's the father?!" Judy exclaimed, horrified. "Let's say I'm glad you're not married after all. That would be the worst."
Monica could only stare at Judy. She had been expecting her mother to react badly but didn't imagine it would be to that point. A mix of sadness and anger ran through her body, and she finally gained the courage to speak.
"Well, I don't care about any of that. Chandler's the father of my babies, and I couldn't be happier about that. And I was foolish to ever think you could be happy about something I'm happy about. You can't do it."
Monica had been controlling herself not to break down in front of her parents. But it was pointless because she could feel the warm tears running down her face. Instinctively, Monica ran to her room, away from everyone. She could sense Chandler following her, and she let him. As soon as the door was closed behind them, Monica broke down in sobs. Immediately, Chandler wrapped her in his arms.
They stayed like that for a few moments. After a while, Monica could feel herself calming down. Maybe it was Chandler's soothing smell or the firmness he held her with, assuring he wouldn't go everywhere. Whatever it was helped Monica calm down by feeling safe and secure.
"We can't hide here forever. Do you want me to go and send our parents away?" Chandler finally asked.
Monica looked into his eyes. She could see his hurt for her due to her mother's harsh words, which made her heart skip a beat. Monica didn't care about her mother's opinion about Chandler. She still couldn't figure out how she'd get so lucky to have him in her life. It was still too soon to say the three little words for him, but that didn't mean Monica couldn't already be feeling them. So, she rested her head against his steady-beating heart to completely calm herself.
"No. I need to face this," Monica stated as she got up. "Thank you so much for being with me," She added in the tenderest voice she could find.
Feeling her breakdown controlled, although some anger still bubbled inside her, Monica got up and opened the door. Then, she walked into the living room, where her parents and Nora still waited.
The first person to turn to Monica was her father.
"My little harmonica. I was so worried about you," Jack said, getting closer to Monica. She felt a bit guilty for making her father worried.
"I am happy for you, my little harmonica," Jack added. "And your mother is also happy. It was a shock. On all of us," He finished.
"Thank you," Monica murmured. She knew he was probably saying that to comfort her. Otherwise, her mother herself would have said it. But she was emotionally drained, so Monica pretended to believe it to avoid another conflict.
"I just want to confirm something…" Jack continued. "Before you stormed out, I heard you say 'babies'?
Monica nodded in agreement.
"Yes, we're having twins," She said.
Monica could feel a smile on her father's face, which brought her some comfort. He was happy for her. At least she could count on his support. On the other hand, she also heard her mother's shocked noise but pretended she didn't.
"I can see you're tired. Maybe we should go and let you two have some rest," Jack said before turning to Judy, who promptly agreed with the idea.
The Gellers the left, leaving Monica and Chandler alone with Nora.
"It was very unpleasant what your mother said, dear," Nora commented as soon as it was safe to do it.
"She's always like that. I should have known," Monica answered, not in the mood to bring the situation back.
"Well, I want you two to know that I am truly happy for you two. I've always liked you and couldn't wish for my son to be with a better woman. I don't know how long your relationship has been going on. But I can see Chandler is happy with you," Nora continued. Her words warmed Monica's heart. Despite Chandler never wanting to talk much with his mother, Monica knew Nora cared about him more than she let on.
"Thank you, Mom," Chandler responded, making Monica smile.
"So, how long have you two been dating?" Nora asked. Of course, being a romance writer, she would want to know all those kinds of details.
"We've only been dating for a month," Chandler answered his mother's question.
Nora eyed them pensively.
"Only one month? You're going to have to explain to me how that happened, then," Nora said, pointing to Monica's hidden stomach.
Monica wanted to tell Nora everything. After all, she'd acted more like a mother than her own. However, Chandler laughed nervously, and Monica realized that perhaps he wouldn't be comfortable sharing those details with his mother. But with one exchange of looks, he wordlessly told her it was alright, so Monica sad on the sofa and started the story from that fateful night.
A while later, Monica and Chandler were alone in the apartment, cleaning the dishes from the disastrous dinner. After everything was in its place, Chandler declared he was tired and ready to go back to his apartment to sleep.
However, Monica was still not ready to be apart from him. She was still pretty shaken about her mother's words, and his company provided the emotional comfort she needed.
"Chandler…," She started timidly. "Can you stay here tonight?" She didn't know why she'd been afraid to ask him that. Maybe because it wasn't something they were already used to doing, sure, they'd already slept together, but it had never been with such emotional intent.
"Of course," Chandler answered without even questioning Monica's intentions. He, too, could feel she needed him to be by her side.
Monica wanted to tell Nora everything. After all, she'd acted more like a mother than her own. However, Chandler laughed nervously, and Monica realized that perhaps he wouldn't be comfortable sharing those details with his mother. But with one exchange of looks, he wordlessly told her it was alright, so Monica sad on the sofa and started the story from that fateful night.
A while later, Monica and Chandler were alone in the apartment, cleaning the dishes from the disastrous dinner. After everything was in its place, Chandler declared he was tired and ready to go back to his apartment to sleep.
However, Monica was still not ready to be apart from him. She was still pretty shaken about her mother's words, and his company provided the emotional comfort she needed.
"Chandler…," She started timidly. "Can you stay here tonight?" She didn't know why she'd been afraid to ask him that. Maybe because it wasn't something they were already used to doing, sure, they'd already slept together, but it had never been with such emotional intent.
"Of course," Chandler answered without even questioning Monica's intentions. He, too, could feel she needed him to be by her side.
So, quickly, he went to his apartment to grab his pajamas and toiletries, and, in no time, the couple was peacefully resting in Monica's bed. Lying face to face, Monica snuggled herself closer to her boyfriend.
"Thank you. For today," Monica whispered, holding onto Chandler. "For just holding me and being there for me. And for staying here,"
"Of course," Chandler answered. "You should know by now that I would never leave you alone. And certainly wouldn't leave you tonight. I'm sorry about your mother."
"It was worse than I thought. At least your mother was pretty cool."
"Yeah. At least my mother was cool with this," Chandler agreed.
"Thank you again," Monica murmured before closing the small distance between them with a slow and tender kiss.
"Good night," Chandler murmured back when they broke apart.
Monica closed her eyes, letting the heat from the body next to her lullaby her into a peaceful sleep. Maybe they weren't used to sleeping together, but Monica couldn't help but think they should do it more often.