Love Will Bring You Home

2021 - David

He made his way through the set, admiring the recreation of his second home all those years ago. Even after seventeen years, it looked exactly the same, down to the last detail. He was instantly transported back in time, where he started to relive countless old memories - table reads, camera blocking, and laughing so hard with the cast that they cried...but mostly of her. Jen encompassed all of his most happy and most painful moments of those ten years, all combined into one.

He hadn't seen her in person in so long, but they had spent countless hours on Zoom chats and Facetime calls over the past number of months while planning this reunion. These frequent talks with Jen turned up some feelings that he had been repressing for almost half of his life now. Perhaps it was because he was older now, or maybe he had just developed a different perspective, but there was something about their interactions. He couldn't help but feel a spark between them again. In a way, it was like no time had passed at all. Except this time, it was different - they were both single. He knew it would be a long shot, but he wondered in the back of his mind if maybe now, after all these years, it would finally be the right time for them.

While planning the reunion with Ben, he pitched the idea of openly discussing not just Ross and Rachel, but the off-screen chemistry between the two of them. In all the interviews the two of them had ever given, this had never been discussed so openly, despite the countless times he had forced himself to change the subject because he couldn't mask a smile, or Jen had stumbled on her words and come close to spilling the truth. He admitted to Ben about his old crush in hopes that he would pitch the idea to her and it could give them the opportunity to explore their feelings off-screen. Turns out, she not only agreed to it, but admitted her feelings to Ben as well. Now they were finally here and it was happening and he was nothing but a bundle of nerves and excitement all wrapped into one. He was dying to see her.

His thoughts were brought back to reality as he heard someone else walking into the set. He could recognize that laugh anywhere.

Lisa.

His nerves softened at the sight of her. She always had that effect on him. She was the person he had remained closest with through the years and he was so thankful for her friendship. They spent some time reminiscing and joking as they explored the set together. Suddenly he heard a laugh from the other side of the building. He didn't even need to look to know who it was.

"Floosh!"

He knew that voice anywhere. He was filled with anticipation as he peeked around the corner. They had seen each other only a handful of times in the past 17 years. They both had been married and life and pulled them in very different directions. But somehow, the thought of seeing her, hell, just hearing her voice, made his heart flutter.

Jen. She was gorgeous. Her blonde hair swept perfectly across her shoulders. Her eyes were already filled with tears because, well, it's Jen. He assumed being back here would make her pretty emotional, and it didn't take long to see that he was right.

He stood back while she hugged Lisa and he couldn't stop the huge grin from spreading across his face. As soon as her eyes met his own, his heart began to race. Hell, he could be running for his life and his heart would still race even faster whenever she looked at him. She had always had that effect on him, and even after all this time, some things never change.

Her eyes contained a soft warmth that felt like home when he looked at her. This was the most at home he had felt in years. She made her way towards him and hugged him tightly. He impulsively kissed her cheek as he held on to her. Feeling her in his arms again elicited so many feelings, a beautiful mix of old and new. Without any hesitation, there was only one thing he knew to do. As he hugged her tight, he kissed her hair and gently squeezed her upper arm two times.