Monica awoke, confused for a moment to be in her old bedroom and with company, although it only took seconds to remember who that company was. As he stirred beside her she automatically smiled, a rush of warmth going through her.

"Morning handsome," she whispered, watching as he opened his wonderfully blue eyes.

"Morning yourself," he murmured, a smile already touching his lips as his eyes met hers, taking her in. "I almost can't believe this is real," he admitted. "Tell me it wasn't all a dream."

"It's real," she chuckled, delicately running a fingertip to trace over his cheek and slightly stubbled jaw.

"Good, I'm very glad to hear that," with a smile threatening to break his face in two he captured her finger, placing a gentle kiss against it before using it to pull her closer, kissing her sweetly and she sighed contentedly.

"I could stay like this all day," she admitted against his soft lips.

"Me too," he agreed, kissing her again, "Want me to pull a sickie?"

"Maybe," she giggled as his hand crept up her side, tickling slightly before skimming a breast and then caressing her back; at the same time his lips moved to her neck and managed to quickly find that spot which made her gasp. "Make that definitely."

He pulled away with a proud grin, "That can be arranged Miss Geller," he promised before meeting her lips once more.

Closing her eyes she let herself get lost in the feelings he was creating, enjoying the sensations that were cursing through her body.

Suddenly there was loud banging on the door, startling them both as they pulled away from each other breathless.

"You switched our apartments?" came the incredulous shout through the door.

"I was wondering how long it would take him to notice," Chandler muttered, rolling his eyes although despite his frustration at being interrupted he had a hint of a smile.

"I'll be out in a minute," Monica called back, "and I'll make you a special breakfast to compensate you over the apartment switch?"

There was a long pause and Monica and Chandler shared a look awaiting the verdict.

"Fine," came the eventual agreement. "But don't wait too long, there's hungry people out here."

That comment sent dread through Moncia as she looked directly at her beside clock, the digital numbers confirming her fear, "Crap!"

"What?" he frowned, his hand lazily reaching for hers. "What's the matter?"

"How are we going to get you out of here?"

His frown deepened, "I don't wanna get out of here," he protested, weaving his fingers with hers, still not joining her in her panicked frenzied state. "And if I did I'd use the door like a normal human being."

"Chandler, we need to get you out of here before Ross arrives and sees you," she explained.

"Ah," he finally understood her worry but surprisingly still didn't join her like she expected. Instead he screwed up his face almost apologetically as he shrugged, "that's, uh not really so much of an issue."

It was her turn to frown, "What do you mean? He'll kill you, actually kill you dead!"

He shook his head.

"Chandler?"

"I kinda may have mentioned...stuff to him while we were away."

She looked at him perplexed, "Stuff?" she challenged confused.

"Ok, more like everything," he clarified.

"Really?" she asked surprised, her hands leaving his to pretend to search his bare chest for injuries. "And you came back unharmed?"

He chuckled, recapturing her hand, "He took it rather well actually."

"How?" she was very curious to hear how he'd managed that.

"Well," he threaded his fingers through hers, playing with them gently. "When we were fishing he kept asking what happened between me and Emily and eventually I just came out and told him, ya know man to man...or well, me to paleontologist, anyhow," he shrugged. "I needed him to know Monica. Us getting together, this is big and I don't want it to end anytime soon especially not through early death if he were to walk in on us or something.

"Besides, he's not just your brother, he's my oldest friend and it's important to me that he knows from the outset and understands that I'm not just messing around with you. I needed him to know my side of things and whilst he was surprised at first he listened, understood. Sure, I think it helped knowing that Emily is single now but still..."

"Wow," she smiled, "I can't believe you spoke to him and he was ok...So wait everyone knows? T-this is actually happening?"

"I sure hope so," he chuckled, rolling them over and she gasped as his body suddenly pressed hers into the mattress.

She closed her eyes, enjoying his weight as his lips captured hers kissing her deeply and she moaned slightly, her hands moving to his hair before they were rudely interrupted by another loud knock.

"Breakfast isn't gonna cook itself," came Joey's impatient voice causing Chandler to curse quietly before eventually he started to chuckle.

Monica began to chuckle too as he rested his forehead against hers, "So much for that," he grumbled, causing her to chuckle harder.

"Hey!" came the loud voice through the door, clearly unimpressed at being ignored.

"We'll be out in second!" Chandler shouted back at his roommate before he looked back at Monica, his face softening as his hand reached up, his knuckles gently brushing across her cheek. "I guess we better get up, deal with them and then we can maybe come back in here and make it worth while pulling that sickie?"

"I'm not gonna say no to that," she promised, pressing her lips to his for a final chaste kiss before they reluctantly untangled and got up.

Monica grabbed a robe, tying the ribbon around her waist as she watched him throw on his creased t-shirt and boxers before nodding.

"Ready to face the wolves...I mean friends?" he grinned cheekily.

"Yeah," she sighed, remembering the numerous boyfriends she'd been scared to introduce to them over the years; it had always been Chandler's opinion she had counted on the most and it was weird to think his review wouldn't happen this time. Unless he weirdly reviewed himself, which was quite possible. "I guess I'm ready."

Still grinning he reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze, "It'll be fine. They all know about us anyhow, right? This is just us affirming it. No big deal."

She scoffed, sharing a look with him, knowing it really wasn't ever that simple when it came to their particular friend group.

"Sure, no big deal," she smiled, letting him pull her to the bedroom door. "It'll be fine."

Sharing a nod and a smile, they tightened their grip on the others' hand, took a final deep breath and pushed open the door. Monica cringed as it instantly fell silent and four pairs of eyes snapped onto them.

It was Chandler that pulled them forward, trying to act casual.

"Morning all!" he chirped.

"Morning," Phoebe grinned back amused, watching as they approached the kitchen, "Aww look at you two."

Monica tried not to blush, a quick glance at Chandler revealed he was very much in the same boat, which made him look even more adorable than his sticking up hair and rumpled clothes already did.

"Yeah, I've gotta admit it," Rachel smiled, "You two look damn cute together."

"Cute?" Ross pulled a noticable face, clearly getting used to the fact his best friend had just come out of his little sister's bedroom. "Cute?"

"Ummm..." they shared a worried look.

Luckily, it was Joey that saved them.

"Can we do this later? I'm starving here! Feed me!"

Grinning, Monica squeezed Chandler's hand before heading for the kitchen. As she prepared breakfast he sat with the others at the table, shooting her little glances which caused her insides to do little somersaults and a not so little smile to appear on her face which she couldn't shake off, not that she really wanted to.

"It's soo good to finally see you guys together," Phoebe commented during breakfast as Monica perched on his lap and again she couldn't help but grin.

"I think so too," she agreed with a smile, trying to forget the months of heartache and struggles she'd gone through as she placed a peck of a kiss on Chandler's willing lips.

"Yeah, I just wished she'd clued me in sooner," Chandler admitted, tightening his hold around her in silent comfort.

"I knew you liked her too, ya know," Rachel insisted still watching them. "It was pretty obvious."

"Guilty as charged," he shrugged, his thumb brushing over her hip. "I've liked her for a helluva long time."

She smiled at him, still unable to believe that this thing between them was mutual and no longer a one-sided crush.

"Hey, I didn't have a clue either of you liked each other at all," Joey frowned slightly. "How come no one told me?"

"I didn't know anything either," Ross pointed out around a mouthful of waffle.

"It was a girl thing," Phoebe clarified winking at Monica. "Although, I'm surprised you're taking it this well," she frowned at Ross. "I mean considering who it is and all."

"Hey!" Chandler pouted slightly, which Monica found even more adorable, giving into her urge to kiss his bottom lip, which caused it to turn up into a smile.

"I meant that it's his best friend and his sister. I thought he'd be way more freaked out than this."

"It's a little strange," Ross admitted, shooting them a quick glance, "but Chandler talked to me while we were away and I'm happy for them, I just gotta get used to it. Besides, now that Chandler's dating Monica it means Emily is single."

Rachel snorted, causing Ross to shoot daggers at her, "What?"

"Nothing," Rachel shrugged innocently, "I just can't imagine her dating you. I mean you aren't exactly known for your adventures. You'd have to get your ear pierced and go on spontaneous trips to places and I just can't see you being that...romantic."

"Hey, I was romantic with you!" he protested.

Chandler rolled his eyes as Monica rested her head against his. She'd hoped with both Joshua and Emily potentially on the scene that the white flag might be waved if even just momentarily. It didn't seem like that was about to happen.

"I've gotta go for my first appointment," Phoebe interrupted their argument as she stood up, "but congratulations again guys," she came over and enveloped them into a mini group hug before whispering, "And if you ever end up like them I'll kick your butts."

"We won't, I promise mom," Chandler grinned, placing a kiss to Monica's head for good measure as he silently vowed to do everything in his power to ensure this thing between them worked.

A full and content Joey was next to go, leaving the couple and the former couple together. As Ross and Rachel continued to bicker, she felt Chandler's lips close to her ear, his warm breath tickling her skin, causing instant goosebumps.

"Think they'd notice if we escaped back to bed?" he whispered.

She grinned, about to answer when Joey burst back into the apartment, giddy with obvious excitement.

"You ok, Joe?" Chandler queried curious.

"Free porn!" he exclaimed, causing the other four to exchange glances before looking back to him. "Free porn!" he repeated still bouncing from the discovery.

"Where?" Ross pried confused.

"In the apartment," Joey gestured eagerly behind him. "Free porn!"

"Yeah we understand that, but how?" Chandler joined the questions.

"I don't know, the tv wasn't working after the move, so I was hitting random buttons on the remote and...free porn!"

Without waiting for any further conversation he ran back out gleefully, leaving the apartment door wide open.

"Awesome," Ross hurriedly got up to investigate the claim.

"You know who doesn't watch porn? My new boyfriend Joshua."

"He's lying," Ross mocked, quickly leaving.

"He is not!" she called standing up and following him across the hall in protest.

Silence.

They were alone.

"You can go watch it too if you like?" Monica offered.

"Are you kidding?" Chandler shook his head, pulling her up. "I don't need porn, I've got the world's hottest girlfriend and what appears to be an empty apartment."

As he wiggled his eyebrows playfully, giving her a little shimmy she giggled before he captured her lips, pulling her against his chest. Arms around each other they hurriedly made it into her bedroom, the door closing firmly behind them to keep out any nosey friends.

Right now she didn't want to think of her friends. No, all she could think at this precise moment in time was the gorgeous man currently embracing her, the man whose lips were making her feel so cherished she could cry right now.

All the heart ache she'd gone through these last few months had been worth it. She was so grateful she hadn't given up or tried to move on from her crush otherwise she'd be missing out on this.

Missing out on being in a relationship with Chandler.

~o0o~

Epilogue

"I can't believe we're here," Monica exclaimed, staring up at the foreign landscape surrounding her, her arms resting on the metal railing of the bridge.

"I know," Chandler agreed, his chin on her shoulder, his arms around her in a lazy embrace. "It's been a crazy few months, huh?"

"That's an understatement," she chuckled.

"Only your brother and Rachel would have a shot gun wedding all the way in London."

Whilst Monica and Chandler's relationship had been slowly blossoming over the last two years, the Ross and Rachel saga had been continuing in the background. With Joshua out of the way and nothing happening with Emily, the pair eventually decided to give it another try. Things were going well with the couple when Rachel suddenly discovered she was pregnant. Wanting to get hitched before the baby came and wanting to fulfil her dream of marrying abroad before the pregnancy prevented her from flying, everyone had chipped in to help them hurriedly plan and organise things in the tight window.

"I know," Monica snorted, pleased to be allowed these few hours after the rehearsal dinner to relax before the chaos of tomorrow. "I can't believe we are actually here in London though with Ross and Rachel's wedding tomorrow - there were times over the years when I thought this day would never come."

"Yeah," Chandler agreed softly, pleased for his friends.

"And, unlike at his last wedding my parents can't make me feel bad about myself," she smiled. "I'm in an amazing relationship with an amazing man."

"You cheating on me?" he teased.

As she chuckled he brushed his lips against her ear, "I think you're pretty amazing too," he promised. "Really amazing in fact." He looked across the river, taking in the historic monuments before taking a deep breath. "Mon?"

His voice was hesitant causing her to frown and look up at him, taking her eyes off the night time view in front of her, "Hmm?"

"Are you?" he coughed, wetting his lips and shuffling his feet instantly warning her he was suddenly uncomfortable. She just couldn't work out why, "I mean..."

"Chandler?" she twisted fully in his embrace, her hands on his chest as he became her sole focus. "Hey, what is it?"

"I just...are you...annoyed that it's them and not us?"

She blinked, her mouth forming an 'o', she hadn't expected him to ask that.

"Annoyed's not the right word," she said gently, trying to find the right word. It was difficult. "I...I'm happy for them," she admitted, "Really happy for them and sure I want all this someday, to be married to you and have children together...but I get you wanna takes things at a slower pace and that's ok. I love our relationship, I love you and that's all that's important just now. I know it will happen."

He offered her a sweet smile, "So you aren't...sad...like when Ben was born?"

"Not really," she confessed. "Back then it all felt so hopeless, I had no plan. Now I have something way better than a plan...you. None of this feels out of reach anymore...it feels like I'm on a the right path...we're on the right path."

"We are," he agreed, smiling. "We really are," his smile was infectious, his eyes shining, "I can't imagine being with anyone else, Mon. You'e my whole world, the one person that gets me, but its more than that. You don't just understand me but you...you make me, you complete me."

She swallowed, blinking back tears, he always managed to make her feel so loved.

"And you complete me," she promised. "I couldn't imagine not being with you."

He was staring into her eyes and she let him, let him search and hopefully find whatever he needed.

"I have a confession," he whispered.

"What?" she asked in the same hushed tone.

"I've uh," he swallowed a lump that was suddenly in his dry throat, "I've got a dilemma."

"What is it?" she asked worried.

"See, uh, I've been carrying something around with me for the last few weeks, something rather precious and I've been waiting for that perfect moment, that perfect place to offer it to you," his voice cracked as he looked nervous, "I w-wanted it to be special, like you deserve, something you'll always remember," Monica's heart beat started to pick up as she desperately studied his face. Did he mean...could he mean?

"And see, " he continued, his voice still full of emotion, "I now feel like I've found this beautiful setting. I know it's the perfect place but damn it I know it's not the perfect time. It's our best friends wedding tomorrow and I don't wanna steal anyone's thunder, I don't...but I don't wanna wait any longer either. So...what do I do?"

Her eyes were welling up as she shakily smiled up at him, "It, uh wouldn't be stealing anyone's thunder if we didn't tell anyone..."

He couldn't help but chuckle through the nerves, a large smile coming to his face, "You honestly think you'd be able to keep it secret?"

"Yes," Monica answered, desperate to say 'yes' to another question. "We could keep it between ourselves, just while we're in London of course. It can be our secret."

"I'd like that," he swallowed, "It can be our thing."

She nodded smiling anxiously.

"And if they find out we can blame London, being in a foreign romantic country."

"Ok," he smiled back softly, wetting his lips before clearing his throat and preparing himself. "Ok," he said more to himself this time as he stepped back, his hand fishing into his jacket pocket as he got down on one knee in front of her.

The world around them slowed down, it was just the two of them caught in this moment. Even though she knew it was coming, her breath still caught in her throat and her heart beat wildly. Adrenaline and so many emotions, joy, happiness, excitement, shock ran through her simultaneously as her eyes fixed on the man of her dreams.

Slowly his hand stretched out towards her, the small diamond on the ring catching the streetlight and sparkling.

It was the perfect moment.

The perfect place.

The perfect time.

"Monica," he swallowed again, barely controlling his own emotions, "You're my world, you're so much more than I can put into words. I love you so much and promise to spend the rest of my life trying to make you as happy as you make me every single day," he swallowed, whispering, "I love you so much."

"I love you too," she swallowed, tears running freely down her face but she was too captivated by the moment to notice them.

His eyes met hers and held them, all sorts of messages passing between them of love and friendship.

"Marry me?" he choked out.

"Yes!" she practically sobbed as with shaking fingers and hands he managed to get the ring on her finger before she pulled him up and into a fierce embrace. "Yes," she whispered again into his ear as his arms tightly squeezed her waist, "yes!"

Moments later their familiar lips crashed together, sparks flying as they found and caressed each other as they shared their first kiss as an engaged couple. They clung to one another as they reassured themselves that this magical moment was real, that they were going to be together for life. Forever.

As they continued their embrace Big Ben chimed behind them, proudly celebrating the new chapter in their lives.

London time was just beginning...

The End

A/N: I'm sorry for how long it took to update and finish this one off- thank you for being patient with me :o). I rewrote the epilogue a few times and I'm still not sure if it worked but I wanted to give them their moment in London...even if it was a very different moment to the show!

Anyhow, thanks so much for sticking with this one and I would love to hear any final thoughts.