The One Where Emma Turns 18

5

Everyone had chosen what they were going to order and closed their menus.
"What are you getting, Em?" Erica asked me.
"I don't know." I pondered, still staring at the menu. "I haven't decided yet."
"That's okay, sweetie. Take your time." Mum smiled at me.
There was a loud grunt from Joey in the corner. "You're just like your mum with this stuff, you know?" He sighed.

"How's your birthday been, babe?" Aaron grinned at me and moved a strand of hair out of my eyes.
"Not bad. How's your birthday been?"
"Amazing." He smiled. "I'm with you."

"Ross, do you have to eat so fast?" Mum asked with an unimpressed look on her face.
"I've told you before, it was drilled into me from childhood to eat this fast. If you didn't eat fast..."
"You didn't eat. Right." My mum finished his sentence and rolled her eyes.
"I completely believe you. I've seen photos of my mum as a child. She's a whale." Erica laughed and Monica glared at her, and then at Chandler for joining in the laughter.

Katie clicked at the waiter and I laughed quietly.
"What have you made?" I questioned Joey and he laughed.
"Can I have a cocktail?" She asked with a faked sweet voice.
"I don't think so, sweetie. How old are you?" The waiter humoured her. Katie looked older than twelve, but definitely not twenty-one.
"Well, I clearly meant a non-alcoholic one. Just make it the same, you know? Flamboyant. Don't forget the umbrella." She winked before turning back to the table and leaving a speechless waiter in shock at her sass.
"Oh yeah, she's definitely going to be a little actress." Mike commented, and we all agreed.

We walked out of the restaurant when we were done, remaining in our large group.
"Rachel!" An unfamiliar voice shouted, and we all stopped still as my mum scanned behind us to see who had shouted.
"Mark?" She gasped, and walked a few feet away towards an attractive man.
"What are you doing here?" He asked her.
"It's my daughters birthday... eighteen!" She squealed, grabbing my shoulder and pulling me next to her. For some reason, my dad stepped forward as well.
"So, are you married now?" Mark asked in a flirty tone.
"Of course she is." My dad replied. His voice was flat and he stared at Mark. I was completely confused on what was going on.
"Oh my God, Ross? I didn't recognise you." Mark put on a fake smile this time. "I really didn't think you two would be together."
My dad went to make another sarky comment but was distracted by Chandler's hysterical laughter at the situation and then Mark saying, "Rachel, you look unbelievable."
"Yes, I'm a lucky man." Dad said before Mum could thank him.
"Anyway, it was good seeing you Mark." Mum smiled.
Mark stepped in and tried to hug her but my dad very intentionally waved 'goodbye' quickly and led her away.
"Bye." I muttered, still confused at the whole scenario, before walking away to rejoin the group.

"What was that about?" I questioned as we stood outside the restaurant.
"That was Mark. I worked with him about twenty-three years ago now." My mum told me.
"Okay. Well, why was dad so weird?" I rephrased my question.
"Your dad was insanely jealous." Monica told me.
"For no reason." My mum clarified.
"I wasn't that bad." Dad said.
"Ross, you sent a barbershop quartet to her office." Phoebe pointed out and we all had a laugh.
"I never thought you'd be a jealous person, Ross." Jack pointed out fondly of his uncle.
"Really? I can see it." Erica commented, and my dad rolled his eyes.
"Whatever. I know I was right. He was always trying to get into her pants."
"Oh, wow. I'm twenty-three years ago." Chandler grinned.

"Anyway, do we have any more video tapes to watch? I liked seeing the memories." I smiled.
"We have tons of photo albums at ours. Let's go." Monica instructed.
We all piled into taxis and left for Monica's.