FRIENDS Til The End

Chapter 9 - The One Where Ross Finds Out

                Rachel and Joey talked for what felt like hours for Joey. It was one of the best moments of his life just being there with her, relieving happy memories, talking about everything they went through as friends and as more than that. He never wanted that feeling to end but he felt like it was the right time to tell her what was on his mind ever since he saw Ross today.

                “R-Rachel? I know that you’ve made a decision about this but... but I really think Ross needs to know what’s really going on.”

                “Joe, we’ve talked about this. You know why I can’t. I can’t let him go through any of this.”

                “But Rach, don’t you think it’s gonna hurt him even more if he finds out that he hasn’t done anything to make any of these easier for you? Sure, I am here for you and I swear to god that I’m going to do whatever it takes for you. But Ross... we both know that he’s gonna go beyond what he can do just to give you what you need. Rachel, he’s your husband. He loves you more than anything in this world. You cannot just get him out of things as big as this.”

                “If I tell him, what will all of these be worth? Everyone’s been through a lot, especially you. I’m not gonna waste what you did for me for nothing.”

                “You’re not, okay? Didn’t you see? The six of us have gone through so many things together. We’ve also been apart for quite some time but we still went back to each other’s lives. What just happened just proved that nothing, not even the worst thing that can ever happen to someone, will ever break this friendship. That’s what this is worth. And it’s more than what we first hoped it would be.”

                Rachel was just listening to Joey all the time and he was right. She and her friends were truly stuck with each other now. Whatever she decided to do, she knew she wouldn’t be alone. There were four people who would help her go through this and telling Ross about it would make it a lot better because he was the most important of them all.

                “So? Are you ready to do the next challenge, Rach?” Rachel just looked at him and he knew that he’d convinced her to tell Ross. “Don’t worry, whatever happens, I’ll be here for you.”

                Rachel felt Joey squeeze her hand and it was all she needed to know that she wouldn’t be alone in this.

Ross’s

                Joey offered to accompany Rachel to go to Ross but she told him it’d be better if she did it alone. But she’s regretting that now because she’s been inside her car in front of the house the she used to call hers for about half an hour now and yet she couldn’t get herself to go out and face Ross. But she knew that if she got back to Joey’s place, he’d just make her do it all over again so it was better if she just did what she had to do now.

                It felt like hours walking into the front door but before she knew it, Ross was already in front of her. “H-hi... Can I come in?”

                “Sure. I’m glad you came. Have a seat.”

                Rachel sat. “You are?” She wasn’t expecting Ross to say this but he did and she didn’t know if it made what she was about to do easier or not.

                “Yeah.” It took Ross quite a while before speaking again. When he did, he couldn’t look into Rachel’s eyes. “I’ve already filed for a divorce. It’s only a matter of time before someone had to do it, right?”