Starting Over

Home Sweet Home

"Oh my God," Monica couldn't stand still, she was jumping up and down like a little girl.

"Monica, calm down!" Chandler whispered, looking around at the strangers who were giving them strange looks.

"I'm excited!" Monica said, defensively as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"I'm excited too." Phoebe scoffed, "But in a normal way."

"Me too." Joey snickered, "I gotta see if she's still hot." 

"Rachel is not someone you can sleep with," Chandler told Joey as if he was talking to a three-year-old. 

"Like I was going to do that," Joey grumbled, kicking some imaginary dirt on the ground.

They all laughed, knowing that was exactly what he had had in mind.

"Now, I can't believe that Ross isn't here," Phoebe groused, annoyed that he wouldn't be there for Rachel and his kids.

"He's just late. If he had a choice he would not miss the love of his life moving back, now would he?" Monica breathed, obviously doubtfully of this herself.

"God, that's her." Phoebe pointed, "And Mike isn't here with the cameras. Why did he have to pee!?"

"It's not only her." Monica beamed running up to them, "It's them... 3 kids! RACHEL!?"

The moment Rachel saw Monica the world seemed to stop still on its axis. There was no time, no wind, no rain. Rachel's mind was at peace. How could it have been that she hadn't seen Monica in so long? How could she have taken Monica's friendship for granted before? She inwardly thanked God and wrapped her arms around her, glad to see her best friend for the first time in six years. Finally, she was home.  

Rachel whispered, "I've missed you so much, Mon."

Monica looked her in the eye, "But you're back now."

Rachel forgot all about her children for the moment. She was so happy to be back. She didn't know how much she had missed her friends until they were right in front of her face again. 

"Hi Chandler, I've missed you." she told him, "I still have that RG briefcase you bought me."

"Wow, it's great to have you back Rach."

"And it's great to be back. Hi Phoebs!"

"Hi, Rachel!"

"I hear you have kids now, where's Mike?"

"He had to pee, and he has to camera so..."

Rachel laughed, "My sweet Joey. Aw, I love you."

Joey hugged her, "I love you too, Rach, and WOW" he breathed out as he looked her up and down. The dress she was wearing was a silky black dress, and it was tight to her body, its touch both light and soothing, drifting in the cool spring air. 

Rachel just smiled at him and put her arm around Livia, "Come here, kids."

"Hey..." Jacob said, shy as he poked his head around his mom.

"This is your aunts and uncles, and this is Jacob, Livia, and Emma." Rachel introduced them.

"Where's dad?" Emma looked up to Rachel, she was dying to meet him, "You promised me that he would love me even though he doesn't know I'm here," 

"Emma, right?" Monica asked bending down to be eye level with her. 

"Yeah?"

"He's gonna love you," Monica grinned as Emma's face busted out into a huge smile.