The one where they're falling apart

The One With The Family

"Hey you."
"Hey"
"I really missed waking up next to you."
"I know me too."
"Rach?"
"Yeah."
"Are you okay?"
"Of course why wouldn't I be."
"It's just.....You look kinda sad."
"I'm okay baby. Don't worry about me."
She leans up and gives Ross a kiss before getting out of his bed and walking towards the bathroom. After a couple of minutes Ross decided to go and see if she's okay.
"Rach?.......Rachel?"
He hears sobs coming from the other side of the door and immediately tries to open it however the closed locked on the other sides prevents him from seeing his girlfriend.
"Rachel....Baby come on. Open the door."
He hears the lock open but the door doesn't move. Ross grabs the handle and gently pulls it down while pushing it open.
"Rachel?"
The scene in-front of him makes his heart stop. Rachel was crouched on the floor holding her stomach crying.
"Oh my god Rach...Come here what's wrong?"
"I-I'm fine I just got my period that's all."
"A period isn't something someone would normally cry about. Come one on what's really wrong."
"Nothing just leave it okay."
She stood up still grasping her stomach and walked out of the room.
"I can't just ignore something that made you cry alone in the bathroom. Rachel's what's wrong?"
"Nothing."
She raised her voice as anger started to replace her sadness.
"You know I thought this relationship was meant to be different but right now you're acting like you did just before you disappeared."
The hurt look on her face made Ross realise he had gone a step to far.
"Fuck Rach I'm sorry."
He took a step towards her with his arms out but was received with a cushion to the chest as she turned around hiding her tears."
At that moment their daughter ran into the sitting room excited that she had woken up with her mother and father both in the same house. Her excitement quickly faded when she saw her mother's face.
"Mummy sad again."
Rachel wiped her tears and immediately bent down to her daughters level.
"No baby, mummy's just tired okay."
"You should ask daddy to read you a bedtime story to help you go to sleep."
Both parents chuckled at their young child.
"I think I'll be okay darling."
She ran her hand along her daughters cheek and gave her a kiss on the head before taking her hand and leading her into the kitchen.
"Let's get you some breakfast shall we."
"Mummy where's Julie."
Rachel thought for a moment. She had spent the night here with Ross and wasn't aware if Julie had returned or not.
"She's out with a friend hunny."
"Can I see her today."
"I don't think so......How about me and you spend the day together okay."
"Nooo I want to spend the day with Julie."
She had only been out of her daughters life for a few months but to her it must have felt like so much longer. She knew it was her own fault that her child had bonded with another women but that didn't take the pain away.
"Emma hunny I-"
"Noooo I want Julie."
Ross ran into the kitchen at the sound of Emma screaming and was surprised to find her sat on the counter throwing a fit while Rachel was sat the kitchen table with her head in her hands.
"What's going on in here?"
"Daddy I want Julie."
"I'm sorry darling but Julie isn't here."
"Nooo I want Julie."
"Emma Geller-Green you do not scream at either Mummy or Daddy."
Ross picked up his daughter and walked into the sitting room placing her in a corner.
"Now you will sit here facing that wall till you come and apologise to mummy."
He walked back into the kitchen and wrapped an arm around Rachel's shoulder. He felt her lean into him and took it as a sign to comfort her further. He made her stand up before sitting in the chair that was originally occupied.
"Come here babe."
Ross pulled her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her waste while she buried her head into his neck.
"We'll be okay darling. Emma just been away from you for that long she needs time to get used to all this okay."
"What if she can't get used to this."
"She will....You know she will."
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"Everything."
"Rach you don't need to apologise anymore.....I love you babe."
"I love you too."
The heard the sound of little feet running into the kitchen and both looked up as Emma entered the room.
"I'm sorry mummy."
"I know baby it's okay.... Come here."
Rachel lifted her onto her lap while Ross steadied her by tightening his grip around her waste so she didn't fall while lifting the child.
"I love you mummy"
"Awe mummy loves you too sweetheart."
"See Rach, no matter what happens we'll always be a family.

Happy pride month I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.