Sorry for the long wait, but I have been on vacation. Hope you like this next chapter. Please review.
Disclaimer: I do not own Friends or any of the characters.
Real Love? – Chapter VI
Rachel had been doing some thinking on her and Ross' very progressing relationship. She didn't really know what was going on. She had gotten totally carried away. She knocked on Ross' door that Saturday afternoon when Chandler and Monica had gone to Vermont. Ross opened.
"Hi Rach." he greeted and smiled.
"Hey. I think we need to talk some things over." she said walking into the living room. Rachel was kind of freaked out about, that one day they threw a birthday party for their daughter, and the next thing they knew they were sleeping together.
"Really?" Ross asked confused.
"Can't you see it, Ross? A couple of weeks ago we were probably the most far away we could get from getting back together. In the last ten years their have never been a time where we were as far apart as we were in Barbados. I mean, of course we were close in a friend kind of way. We've always been. Am I rambling?"
"Pretty much." Ross said.
"All I'm saying, Ross, is that three weeks ago we were totally in love with Joey and Charlie and now we are sleeping together. Are we just comforting each other? I mean, I know I'm not in love with Joey, but…" Rachel explained.
"So you were wondering if I was in love with Charlie."
"Not specifically. I just think everything has been going really fast. I mean, if we're not serious we shouldn't do this anymore. Emma can't have parents who sleep together occasionally."
"I wouldn't mind if we did it often." Ross teased.
"Ross, I'm serious."
"Okay, let me tell you two things. One: I'm not in love with Charlie. You know no one can beat you. No matter what woman I'm with you will always be able to get me back. I have a weakness for you."
"Really?" Rachel asked.
"Like you didn't know that all ready?" Ross grinned.
"Wait, does that mean I could've made you call off the wedding with Emily?" she asked.
"Probably. You should've. If we had still been together it would've spared me for two divorces." he joked.
"Yeah, well. I couldn't do it. So what was the other thing you wanted to tell me?" Rachel asked curiously.
"That I love you." he told her.
"Whoa. Now we're moving really fast. How can you suddenly love me when you were in love Charlie just three weeks ago?"
"For the same reason I just told you. It's like, I've always loved you – you know since 9th grade – but my love is like on standby whenever I can't have you and like when I was with Carol or Emily. I loved them, don't get me wrong. But if you had come by to tell me you loved me, I would've taken you in a heartbeat." Ross explained.
"Wow. I need just a minute to take that in." she said, sitting down in the sofa. After doing some thinking, she started talking. "Ross, I can only say I feel the same way – or almost. The difference is I have never loved anyone else but you."
"Are you serious? That is the best compliment anyone has ever given me." Ross said.
"It wasn't a compliment." she informed him.
"I think so. So you mean you still love me?" he asked.
"Of course. I'm just having doubts about this whole thing. I'm scared Ross." Rachel confessed.
"Of what?" he said, sitting down next to her and putting an arm around her.
"You." Rachel said and they both laughed. She rested her head on his shoulder. She really felt safe with Ross' arms around her. She always had. It was like no one could ever hurt her – any of them, when they were together. She wouldn't mind being with him. That was an understatement, really. There was nothing in the world she wanted more than to be with him. It would be great for Emma, too. The risk was that they could break up again, which would not only leave Ross and Rachel with a broken heart once again – but it would also affect Emma. They sat there for awhile.
"Rach?" Ross asked.
"Yeah?" she said, looking up at him.
"You know I wouldn't screw it up this time, don't you?" he asked, locking her gaze with his puppy eyes. That one really convinced her. She could never resist those.
"I know." she sighed. Then she kissed him passionately right on the lips. Surprisingly, he seemed surprised.
"What did I do to deserve that, now?" he asked.
"You made that little speech about loving me unconditionally and over all other women and stuff." Rachel said. "You said that you wouldn't screw it up again. I'll try not to either."
"Thank God I convinced you." Ross said, relieved. Rachel sent him a sceptical look. "That doesn't mean I didn't mean everything I was just saying!" he assured her, when he saw the look in her eyes.
"I really do love you, Ross." Rachel said, smiling. She kissed him again even more passionately that before, to try to convince him that she loved him. But she knew that he already knew that. How could he not know? With everything they'd been through. Now everything would hopefully be alright. At least she knew that Ross would always love her. But she had a feeling this wasn't final. She had a feeling they were facing more obstacles before their happily ever after. But that she chose to ignore – for now.