Not That Simple

No Matter What

Chandler's POV

I watch from afar as the girls hug and congratulate Monica, her bump hidden by a sea of hands showering our baby with love. She was so nervous about today, about the way the others might react, and how this will be longest she has been away from her apartment in about a month. The poor woman is being put through it with this pregnancy, who knew morning sickness could actually last the entire day?

I've tried to help her as much as I can, whether that's making her as comfortable as possible when she can't leave the toilet, or telling her she's beautiful when she hasn't been able to make it into the shower for a couple of days. She is incredible. Through all the nausea and headaches, she smiles and reassures me she wouldn't have it any other way. 

I see Caitlin and Ashleigh glancing at me from their desks, whispering, and then turning back to Monica. The way they look at her sends rage surging through my body, but I stay quiet. I'm not going to let them spoil this for us. Until Monica tells people I'm the baby's father, I won't say a word, we do this when she feels like she can. 

I head back to my desk, leaving the office door open slightly, listening to the babble over when the baby is due and how far along Monica is. Email after email appear in my inbox and I sigh, if it wasn't for the pay, I seriously don't think I could do this job anymore. Clients are becoming more relentless and I am becoming more careless, not a good mix for such a business I know, but it gets the bills paid. I type out a few responses, losing myself in a Mrs Sanders loan request, the poor woman is so deep in debt that no bank would give her a second glance. 

I'm brought back to reality when Monica appears in my office doorway, worrying her bottom lip, her eyes distant. 

I stand from my desk, reaching out my hand, "Mon what's wrong? Are you okay?" She shuffles towards me and I notice her hands trembling. I reach out taking wrapping her hands in mine, and her eyes meet mine. 

"They think I'm lying." She whispers. My mouth opens and closes a few times, unable to find the words to say, I'm so confused. Monica notices, and clings onto my wrists, tears threatening to overcome her. "They asked about the father, and I thought it best to get it out of the way, so I told them."

I nod slowly, so she continues, "They were shocked, like I expected, but the girls were so happy for me. Rachel helped me tell them how amazing you've been." Her thumb strokes across the back of my hand, and I can't help but smile. "But I heard Caitlin and Ashleigh giggling, then they said that you wouldn't step near me, let alone sleep with me. They think I'm lying Chandler, I tried to tell them I'm not. They think I'm desperate." Tears slide down her cheeks and I grimace,I hate to see her so upset. 

I pull Monica towards me, wrapping her in my arms as her head rests against my chest. Part of me wants to go out there and sack those two gossiping nitwits right now. However, I know it is possibly not the most professional and rational step to take, and in fact it wouldn't stop the judgment from Caitlin and Ashleigh. No, I need to speak directly to my staff, not leave it all down to Monica. 

"I will call a meeting" I mumble into her hair, breathing in the scent of her strawberry shampoo, "I will tell them the bare minimum they need to know, you don't have to deal with this on your own. That you are pregnant, the baby is mine, we aren't a 'thing' but I am there for you, every step of the way... No matter what." 

Monica's arms tighten around me, and I stroke up and down her back, I feel so guilty that she has to deal with abuse like this, why are people such dicks? 

"Thank you" she whispers, looking up at me with red, bloodshot eyes. She has stopped crying, and a small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth as her hands run down my chest, gently straightening out my jacket. "Do you know, I actually don't feel sick anymore. I know I will probably regret saying that later tonight, which I'm sure you will remind me of, but now that everyone knows about the baby, I feel so much better."