The One Where Rachel Says Yes

Chapter 4 - Ross's Current POV

Ross could barely interpret the range of emotions he was feeling. He had been waiting for what felt like an eternity in the small closet situated off the planetarium. He was so thankful for his old friends at the museum who had agreed to help him pull this off. "What was taking Rachel so long? Did she not see the box? Wait, she must have. She left that voicemail. She sounded pretty freaked out. I hope I didn't scare her too much. What if she didn't see the note?" As his mind began to spiral into the what-ifs of the possible failed plan, he heard the door to the planetarium open.

"She found it. This was it", he thought.

Ross pushed a combination of buttons on the remote he had been holding in his sweaty palm as their song "With or Without you" began to play.

"I wish I could see her face right now. God, I love her so much", he anxiously thought to himself.

As the stars began to shine on the screen, he peeked through the small glass window making sure he remained out of sight from Rachel. He could barely make out her face. She was holding the plush lobster and she was...crying. He knew Rachel better than anyone and had long since memorized all of her features and expressions. Ross was certain these were happy tears. He was exploding with excitement as he glanced at his long-time friends, Chandler and Phoebe, who were standing next to him in the small closet. They were working extra hard to contain their excitement. They had always believed in Ross and Rachel. "You were destined for each other from the beginning." whispered Phoebe.

"Yeah, I'm so glad you two fought for each other. I'm really happy for you, man." Chandler added with an endearing smile.

Ross hugged his friends as he peered again through the tiny window. He noticed Rachel had left the planetarium stage with the smaller box. The lobster remained on the floor. He smiled as he thought about how much Emma would love playing with the plush toy. Someday when she was older they would tell her the meaning behind the quirky phrase and all of the stories that entertained within it. "Well...most of them", he thought as he chucked to himself.

Chandler reached for his cell phone to text Monica.

Chandler: He's going in. Start heading this way.

Monica: Affirmative!! <3<3<3

"Alright, this is it. Wish me luck!" Ross said as he raised his eyebrows and turned to leave the small closet. Before he opened the door he lifted his hand to his front pocket once more as he had already done dozens of times that day. It was still there.

"I cant believe everything has gone exactly to plan". Ross smirked. "This may have been the first time I ever said that about me and Rachel!"

He composed himself as he reached for the door knob.