by Tina
Right. I know I said I was gonna finish "Can't fight the night", but... Thing is, I've changed my mind. I just... can't! I couldn't even go through re-reading it. I'm sorry, that fic just gets me really down, I really don't like it and probably will never finish it. I've promised myself I'm gonna treat my writing as what it is, a hobby. So I'm just gonna write what I want, when I want. I'm sorry, but I'm gonna keep on being selfish in order to keep them coming. When I'm into these fics, I write more and better :) Hope you understand!
This fic... it was an old-old fic of mine that I'm rewriting. I never got around to finish it though, it was in the "unfinished fics" session of my site (took it off though so it wouldn't spoil those who haven't read it!). I just got really in the mood to write it this weekend, when I went to Rio de Janeiro for the first time (which is a royal shame, given that I've lived in Brazil my whole life and am currently living right next to it!). This information probably won't make much sense right now, but I'm not giving away clues about anything. Specially because I have no idea how it's gonna end. It's a complicated matter, and, well, pay atention to the title.
Hope you enjoy it and, well... the more feedback the better! :) So please post me a review when you're done, they mean so much to me! I can't say I'll post as often as I did with my last fanfic, but I'll try! :) Now on with the story! And remember, English is not my main language! Also, this prologue is just fluffy-fluffy stuff!
Important detail I was forgeting to mention... :) Duh me! I started this right after "The one with Monica and Chandler's wedding". So you need to forget everything that was said after it! I am, however, leaving a few things from the show. You'll know what I mean as the story moves along...! :)
Disclaimer: These characters (sigh) do not belong to me, they belong to Bright Kauffman and Crane, in association with Warner Bros. No profit is being taken from this, just... entertainment (mine and, hopefully, yours!)!
Fading out of a dream into a new one. That's how Rachel could describle her mornings. The soft and quick motion of her eyelids represented their transition. The real touch of the smooth sheet fabric against her cheek and the soothing sound of the even breathing next to her confirmed it. It was time to wake up to her dreamy life. The one that she new that couldn't possibly be labeled as perfect. But it was hers.
And his.
It was a sunday, no rush to get up. She let herself stay in the same position, facing the pale purple wall and smiled. For some reason, the memory of the day they'd finally come to an agreement of the decoration of their bedroom crept into her mind. Ross was resistant to the thought, but she always had her ways of convincing him.
"It remindes me of the old apartment. You know, it's like somehow we'll be keeping something from before"
And even though they missed the past, the present was just as bright. Ross and Rachel had been married for two years and seemed to still be living in the honneymoon phase. She'd begun to wonder if she could still call it a phase, it seemed like a permanent thing now. They lived in the same neighbourhood as Monica and Chandler, in Westchester. Joey lived in L.A., but visited oftenly. And Phoebe had recently began house hunting around with her husband Mike.
Things had changed, but the love that linked them together had done nothing but grown. They too had grown. From twenty something singles, they'd become responsable thirty year olds, balancing households and careers.
Rachel heard Ross inhale deeply and turned around to face him. He was still deep asleep. She ran a hand up his arm, softly. Poor thing, he had been working so hard lately. It didn't bother her though, she was past the time she'd let those things get in the middle of her relationship with him. She knew he loved her, and for now that was all that mattered. He was still caring sweet old Ross, the same geeky older brother of Monica's she had fallen in love with so many years ago.
Tough her hand was so gentle, Ross opened his eyes seconds after it touched his skin. The sight of her made him smile, as it did every morning.
"Goodmorning", he whispered.
"Morning", she whispered back, moving closer and snuggling up to him.
They cuddled for a few minutes, allowing themselves to be lazy.
"What time is it?"
She turned around and spotted the alarm clock resting on the bed stand.
"Eight twenty"
"How long do you think it will be untill Mike gets up?"
She looked up at him and smiled.
"Well, I don't know, why? Have things in mind, Dr. Geller?"
He smiled back and kissed her temple twice, stroking her back. She closed her eyes softly. A comfortable silence filled the room untill Ross spoke again.
"I love this, you know? Just us, together, cuddling, talking... or not" he held her closer as he went on "I don't think I say this enough, I just want you to know that this is just... everything I've always wanted." she smiled wider "I love you, Rach"
She touched his cheek and kisses his lips lightly.
"I love you too"
She looked deeply into his eyes and kissed him again. "And, I know what you mean"
"Yeah?" he asked, kissing her shoulder.
"Yeah"
They made love, all the while filled with love and recognition of how lucky they were. Lucky they had found their way to each other. Lucky they had someone who fit perfectly. In all the meanings that statement could get.
Ross was in the shower when Michael Geller Green got up. Much too mature for his age, Mike was as independant as a three years old could be. He climbed out of his new bed by himself and walked up to his parent's room, knocking on the door. With his mother's consent, he walked in and found her still laid in bed, smiling at him.
"Hey, sweetie, how did you sleep?" his mother greeted, inviting him to the bed.
"Good!" Mike climbed up with little help needed from Rachel. "There was a monkey in my dream! Can we go to the zoo, mommy?"
"We'll see about that" she kissed his blonde hair. "What did the monkey do?"
"He was eating my banana"
Rachel chuckled and wrapped her arms around her son, embracing him gently.
"And what did you do?"
"Nothing, I just watched. I don't like bananas that much"
Rachel couldn't believe just how much she loved her son. The way he spoke oftenly reminded her of Ross, even though physically he was nothing like him. He was all Rachel, in that aspect. Blonde straight hair, deep blue eyes. He was slim and little, which just made it funnier to watch him talk. He spoke so well.
Ross stepped out of the bathroom and watched Rachel and Mike for a few seconds, unnoticed. Both had their eyes closed again and Rachel was stroking his hair. It was a truly beautiful scene that could've easily brought tears to his eyes.
Somehow sensing his presence, she opened her eyes and saw him standing by the door.
"Mike wants to go to the zoo. What do you think?"
The little boy opened his eyes and smiled at his father.
"Yes, daddy, please!"
Ross smiled even more, he loved how much Mike got interested by nature. Maybe someday he could follow his own steps into the science field, maybe? One could hope. Whatever the case was, this was still very close to the picture he had for so long in his mind. Waking up next to Rachel (smoking body!) and fighting with his son over the science session of the newspaper.
"Sure, that sounds like a good idea. Monica and Chandler would also like taking the twins there, it's a nice day outside"
The prospect of an evening with the gang filled Rachel with love.
"Then I'll call Phoebe too, let's make a day out of it. We can go to Central Perk after that!"
Ross was oftenly touched by how much Rachel wanted to stay in touch with that phase of their lives. When she ran away from her wedding with Barry, she never looked back, something that caught his atention. Yet now, every chance she had, she wanted to revisit places that were scenery of some important moments of her life. She tresured that so much.
"That'd be nice"
Rachel got up from the bed and took Mike by the hand, leading him outside and telling him to start the shower. Ross simply watched as she began gathering a few things and, before she could leave after their son, planted a soft kiss on his lips.
"Go get ready, we better leave soon if we wanna make it to the city in time to do everything we've planned"
Mike let go of his parents' hands and ran towards the monkeys. He leaned against the fence among other parents and children, barely able to see beyond due his little height.
"Daddy, come here, help me!"
Ross chuckled and approached, picking Mike up on his arms. Rachel carried on with Monica and Chandler, who were both pushing a double stroller, where one year old twins Erica and Jack rested. Chandler had a protective arm around his wife, sign of the affection that never seemed to wear off after four years of marriege.
"So, what did Phoebe say?" Monica asked.
Rachel finally took her eyes off of Ross and Mike.
"She said she's feeling a bit of a morning sickness today but will try her best to be at Central Perk later"
"Man, this is weird... Mike, Jack and Erica and now Phoebe's baby. Have they picked a name yet?"
Those days it seemed like Rachel was the one in better touch with everyone.
"Well, they've decided not to know the sex yet, so they've narrowed it down to uh, Rain or Summer for a girl and Mike Jr or Joseph for a boy." Rachel chuckled. "I say go with Rain, my suggestion, by the way, or Joseph, 'cause it'll get confusing around here with another Mike!"
"Wow, Joseph... Has she been talking to Joey lately?" Chandler asked.
This could so not be considered as gossiping...
"Yes, aparently now they have that little dinner of theirs to discuss us over the phone. And I really mean dinner, both are actually eating on each side of the line." Rachel chuckled even more thinking of her friends' ideas.
"That should be fun to watch" Monica chuckled back.
"That explains a lot" Chandler said, a disgusted expression taking over his face. The girls looked at him, a bit frightened to ask.
"What?" Monica finally said.
"Last time I went to visit him, his phone was..." Chandler searched his brain for an appropriate word. "Well, let's just say there was a bucket of skinless chicken on the counter next to the phone"
"Right, 'cause that's the thing to eat when you're the phone" Rachel rolled her eyes, mentally reminding herself never to use the phone at Joey's.
Monica and Chandler stopped and started nursing one of the babies who had just started crying. Rachel watched, standing there. She was so happy for her friends, they deserved those children and all that love so much. Monica picked little Erica up and rocked her gently. Rachel remembered what it was like to hold Mike when he was this young. She missed it.
Shifting her sight back to the monkeys fence, Rachel spotted Ross and Mike right away. Ross was knelt down and she knew he was rambling on and on about things she couldn't help but be bored with. But Mike had such an interested look on his face. His smile was so true, his eyes sparkled so brightly. It wasn't science, Rachel knew it. It was his daddy right next to him, teaching him. The bonding, the love.
Rachel's heart melted at the recognition of how much Mike loved Ross. And it was a mutual feeling, she knew Ross would give his life for their son.
They were so lucky.
Yes, maybe she was allowed to think about expanding their happiness. She looked back at Monica and Chandler, each now holding a baby, and opened a wide smile, planning things she never knew she wanted to much.
Weeks later, Rachel's hands were trembling like mad holding the pregnancy test. She'd left Mike watching one of his favorite dinosaur cartoon movies while both waited for Ross to come home from work. She had not told him about her late period, she wanted to have a real reason to be worked up. She knew he'd probably be even more frustrated if the results came out negative.
Even though they had not openly talked about the matter, she knew just how much he wanted another child. So she figured it wouldn't upset him if she stopped taking birth control pills, on the side. It would be her little surprise to him, her little gift.
She looked at the timer, one more minute to go. My God, was time standing still?? Funny, if she wasn't in such a rush, she was certain the damn thing would had already rung! She sat down on the toilet and sighed, trying hard to prevent some thoughts to take over her mind. But she failed. She kept thinking of how their baby would look like. Were they going to get a girl this time? It didn't matter, another boy would be just as welcome!
No, she couldn't. She didn't want to get disapointed.
This was so much different than when she got pregnant with Mike...
Oh my God, what if Ross got upset? What if he got mad at her for not telling him about it? Maybe he wanted to wait a little longer...
Bing!
The ringing startled her. It took her breath away.
She reached for the results and let out a sigh.
It was positive.
Brushing away happy tears, Rachel sat down on the couch. Mike was on the floor, eating popcorn, something Rachel wouldn't usually allow at 6pm. That night, however, it didn't matter. Mike could do whatever he wanted. Mike would be a big brother! She played scenes on her head of him teaching the baby things, caring for the new member of the family.
Key noises announced Ross' arrival.
"Honey, I'm home" Rachel smiled at the cliché.
"In the t.v. room" she shouted back.
She saw as Mike's head eagerly turned to the door.
"What's up, what are you guys doing?"
He stepped in and walked to the couch. He sat down and kissed Rachel's hair.
"Mike wanted to watch a movie"
"'Land before time', nice!" Ross said to Mike, refering to the dinosaur movie his son had chosen.
"Can I watch another one after dinner??"
Ross frowned, it was a school night. He hated to say no, but-
"Of course you can!" Rachel's answer interrupted his thoughts. Ross looked at her, confused. There was something different in the way she smiled.
"What?" he asked privately, smiling at the thought that something good had happened.
"Later", she said, simply.
Eager to know what was going know, Ross had to force himself to contain more questions and wait untill after dinner.
After all the plates had been picked up from the table, Ross moved to the sink and started washing them. Rachel helped Mike to the shower, but the little boy insisted on doing it by himself. She picked him an outfit, left it by his towel and left the bathroom.
She touched her stomach lightly on her way to the kitchen, amazed by the thought of life growing there.
Ross was quieter then usual through dinner, but a goofy grin remained present the whole time. She knew this was killing him, but she enjoyed watching how respectful he was to her decision of postponing the news.
However, now, she was the one who couldn't hold it any longer. She wanted to share it with him, make him happy. He'd be so happy...! Yes, he had to be.
"Sweetie?", she sweetly wrapped her arms around his waist. He turned around after washing the soap off his hands on the sink.
"Yes?"
"There's something I wanna tell you"
He just looked at her and nodded.
"Sure"
She took his wet hand and lead him to the table, where they sat down.
"I know we haven't exactly... planned this or talked about it, but..." she trailed off, but by the look on his face, he somehow knew where this was going. She could tell he didn't want to get ahead of himself, though, so she went on "I'm pregnant"
Sure enough, his smile grew. Wider than she'd ever seen it.
"You're.. you're pregnant?" he chuckled and she nodded. "Are you sure?"
"Well, it says on the box that these pregnancy tests are very accurate and I took three, so, hm, yeah, probably" she shrugged and chuckled with him.
He said nothing for the time being, he just hugged her and kissed her everywhere his lips could reach. Her cheeks, her lips, her neck, her shoulders, her ears... She kept on giggling, thinking there hasn't been a time she'd ever been so happy like that.
"So you're not mad?"
He quickly ceased his acts, looking deeply into her eyes. They said so much.
"God, no, Rach...! I'm so happy." she sighed, relieved. He kept watching her, seriously now "Thank you"
His words, too, said so much. Only fully understood after a complete study of their history.
So much.
She stroke his hair and said nothing in return. Instead, she leaned in and kissed him briefly, embracing him into a long hug afterwards.
"Mommy, I'm done!"
They broke their hug and saw Mike standing on the doorway, wearing the pijamas Rachel had picked out.
"What, already?"
He nodded.
"No, no, Mr! C'mon, back to the shower, you're making me do this, now"
Ross chuckled.
"But mo-om, we still need to rewind the tape and I have to be in bed soon, I can't waste time!"
"Your father will work on the tape, now let's go!"
Mike sighed and walked back into the bathroom. Rachel sighed and smiled, looking at Ross.
"Get ready for that in double!" he said.
"Oh, boy..!"
Ross entered Mike's bedroom in search for his tapes and DVDs. The walls were pale blue, with numerous shelves full of toys. Ross let his eyes simply travel around the room for a while, it seemed like he hadn't been in there in a while. He mentally kicked himself for working so much these days. But things were going to change. Yes, they were.
A framed picture on the nightstand caught his atention. He sat down on the bed and picked it up, staring at it for a long time. Rachel was holding newborn Mike on a hospital bed and Ross had one arm around her. They looked so happy. Not only it was the day their child was born, it was also the day they became engaged.
With great comfort, he let his mind recollect that magical day accurately.
Ross and Rachel couldn't get enough of looking at little Mike. He was so little, looked so fragile. Rachel was so afraid of making sudden moves that could somehow hurt her son. So she just stared at him, merged on the love she never imagined one could be able to feel.
Ross inspected every inch of the baby with his eyes. He was perfect. He had Rachel's nose. Rachel's eyes. Rachel's hair and even her feet. It was all hers. Thankfully, it was all hers. He thought of the engagement ring in his pocket and smiled. They had got back together shortly after Rachel announced her pregnancy and things had been so great... They were always so great. He couldn't risk losing her again, this time.
His nose touched her ear and he kissed her neck. She closed her eyes softly. It was perfection.
"Marry me" he whispered.
Her eyes opened imediately.
"What?" her voice was soft. In the blur she was surrounded, she must'd misheard him.
"Marry me", this time his voice was clear, steady. He was looking straight into her eyes.
She opened her mouth, but words failed to come out.
"I know this may sound crazy and rushed, but..." he trailed off and looked at the baby. Rachel followed his gaze, but quickly looked back at him. "I love you. Both of you. And I'm just here looking at you and the baby, this beautiful, perfect baby, and I just..." he paused briefly "Wanna take you both home and never let go. Ever"
She smiled.
"I... whoa" she sighed and smiled "Yes" she chuckled.
Ross looked rather surprised by her answer. He couldn't believe how lucky he was.
"Yeah, you-you'll marry me?"
"I'll marry you" she repeated, smiling wider.
"You'll marry me" he said, emotionally, feeling rather stupid to be acting so foolish. He couldn't help it. But she loved it.
He kissed her before saying anything else, but couldn't help talking some more after they broke. This time, directed to the baby.
"I promise you, Mike, I'm gonna love you and your mommy forever"
Filled with anxiety and hope, he finally found the tape and walked out of the bedroom.
Indeed, things were going to change.
Well, this is it! Quite longer than I expected! :) The time line is weird, but whatever...! I'm not gonna be watching myself all the time with this. It's for f-u-n!! Hope you liked it! Please leave me a review?? :) It'd mean a lot to me! See ya next chapter!! :D