CHAPTER 12

"Monicaaa!" Rachel yelled from her bedroom.

"What, what what!" Monica exclaimed as she rushed to the room. Rachel was standing before the bed, looking at a mess of clothing laying on top of her bed.

"I don't know what to wear tonight, help me." She begged.

"My god, I thought something bad had happened to you."

"This is bad, I'm not ready and I must leave in….ten minutes!" she exclaimed looking at her watch.

"Okay, let's see what you've got here." She scanned the bed and grabbed a green dress. "How about this?" Rachel frowned.

"Too casual." Monica threw it back and picked up a violet one.

"The dinner is at The Plaza." Rachel stated.

"O-kay. Then wear any of your black dresses. Black is always elegant."

"You're right." She organized her black pieces of clothing on the bed and looked at them unconvinced. "You know what, I'll just put my pj's on and stay home. I'll find an excuse."

"Rach…"

"I don't wanna go." She whined. Monica peered at her with quizzical eyes.

"Why?"

"Because it's a boring business dinner…"

"And…?"

"And it's boring and I don't see the point of me being there, honestly."

"I doubt you'd be this…scared, if it was just 'boring'"

"Scared?" Rachel chuckled nervously. "I'm not scared." Yes she was, she was scared because he was supposed to come with her and she hadn't seen him since they got the annulment and had that unfortunate conversation.

"If you say so…anyway I'd better go back to the kitchen, my parents are coming over and I don't want them, well my mom, to complain about the dinner not being ready."

"Alright, thanks honey."

"No problem."

Rachel ended up choosing a short one-shoulder black dress. She grabbed a matching purse and glanced at her watch. It was ten minutes past six. She shook her head, feeling like a fool for thinking he would come. He clearly did not care.

She hurried on down the stairway, checking everything she needed was inside her purse. A cab was already waiting for her when she exited the building. Before getting in she caught a glimpse of Ross' window. The lights were on. He must be watching tv or reading a book. She thought.

The ride to the hotel took no more than ten minutes. She got off and calmly walked towards the entrance until she spotted a familiar figure standing by the door. Her legs froze. She immediately felt her knees go weak at the sight of him. He was there, right in front of her, wearing a black suit and a light green shirt that brought out his eyes. He smiled broadly at her. She walked the few feet that separated them.

"Hi…" She said unable to hide a smile of pure joy. "I thought you weren't coming."

"I promised you I would, didn't I?" he got closer and kissed her cheek. "I'm sorry I didn't pick you up, I left work late."

"It doesn't matter…and if you don't feel like being here that's okay, I won't stay long."

"Don't be silly, let's enjoy the night."

"Okay, let's go in." Ross grabbed her hand before she could enter.

"Wait, I got this for you." He said, handing her a red rose. She gave him a small smile, blushing slightly.

"Thank you." She murmured, feeling like a shy teenager all of a sudden.

(….)

"You've been quiet all night. What's wrong?" Ross asked Rachel, who was sunk in deep thought.

"Nothing, I'm fine." She answered, avoiding eye contact. Ross had been extremely attentive and caring throughout the night, which confused her even more than she already was. "We should go now."

"Already?"

"The dinner is over...Mr Zelner and that guy are in deep conversation, they don't even notice us. There is no need for us to be here anymore."

"I didn't put on this suit for just a couple of hours."

"Sleep in it then."

"You're kind of edgy tonight, don't you think?"

"Sorry…I just don't want to be here."

"Then, Come with me." He said, holding her hand and leading her outside the restaurant before she could mutter another word.

"Where are we going?"

"shh, you'll see." Ross opened a door and they entered a ballroom, which was filled with well-dressed people. Some of them were dancing while others were sitting at the many tables spread all around the place.

"Where are we, who are these people?" Rachel asked scanning the room.

"I have no idea."

"Ross, this is a wedding reception! We're at some stranger's wedding party, let's get out of here!"

"No, let's stay."

"But we could get caught!"

"There are hundreds of people here, how are they gonna know we haven't been invited? We're even dressed up for the occasion." Rachel had no arguments. "Let's get a drink." She gave up and followed him towards the open bar. As they were ordering their drinks a seventy something years old lady approached them and grabbed Ross by his arm.

"Jerry? Oh my god!" The lady exclaimed as she hugged him enthusiastically, not giving Ross time to react.

"Excuse me?" He looked down at the lady in astonishment. Rachel covered her mouth with her hands, trying to disguise a laugh with a coughing fit.

"What, you don't remember your auntie Claire? Come give your aunt a kiss, handsome." She said, clasping his face in her hands and pulling him down for a kiss. Ross gave Rachel a help-me look, but she didn't intervene, enjoying the scene very much.

"Auntie Claire! Of course I remember you." He finally said, pushing the woman slightly away.

"Your mom said you wouldn't be able to make it."

"Yeah…yeah…it was a last minute change of plans."

"Oh and what are you up to these days young man, What do you do?"

"I…I do what…I used to do."

"You still ride horses?"

"Yup, yup…that I do."

"I thought you had broken your leg and couldn't ride anymore."

"Yeah well, I recovered pretty quickly, I now teach children too. I own a horse school." He made up.

"That's wonderful! And who is this beautiful young lady?" He looked at Rachel, who was mesmerized by his acting skills, and circled her waist with his arm.

"She is my wife." Both women looked at him surprised. He gave a peck to her lips, leaving Rachel even more shocked.

"You got married? When did that happen? And why I wasn't invited? I'm disappointed in you Jerry."

"Oh no, auntie. It was a small thing, my parents, her parents and a few friends, we just couldn't wait to tie the knot."

"I understand…and what's your name sweetheart?." Rachel nervously looked at Ross.

"Um…"

"She is French." Ross added before letting her speak. "Her name is Amélie, she doesn't speak much English."

"Oh, nice to meet you Amélie." The old lady said loudly and stressing each word. "You are very beautiful." Rachel smiled and nodded her head.

"Well auntie…Claire…if you'll excuse us, we'd like to have a dance."

"Of course honey, give me a kiss." He winced as he kissed the unknown lady again. "See you."

"Amélie?" Rachel asked amused as they paced far away from the lady.

"It's the only French name I could think of."

"That was a hell of a good performance, by the way."
"Yeah, you could've said something, you know."

"but I'm French!" she joked. "And I thought we had an annulment, Jerry." She emphasized.

"We did, Jerry and Amélie live a happy marriage."

"Lucky people." They drunk their glasses of champagne almost in synch. He then grabbed her hand and led her to the center of the ballroom.

"Would you like to dance with me, Amélie?" She smiled.

"Mais oui, mon amour."

A slow song was playing. He wrapped his right arm around her waist and she placed her left one on his shoulder. He grasped her free hand and held it up as they began to sway to the soft sound of the melody.

"Have I told you how gorgeous you look tonight?" She shook her head. "Well, you look breathtaking." A shy smile appeared on her face again.

"Thanks…Your aunt was right too, you look very handsome."

"I do?" He asked with a small. Rachel nodded her head.

"Ross…"

"What?"

"Control your hand." She whispered. He slid his hand back up.

"Sorry, that was Jerry, he got a little carried away." Rachel chuckled softly.

With each new song they moved closer. He put both of his hands around her waist while she encircled his neck. They smiled, looking deep into each other's eyes. At some point he leaned in and brushed his lips with hers, very lightly but enough to send chills down her spine. She didn't move away. They closed their eyes, feeling each other's breath. Their lips finally met in a gentle kiss. It wasn't long, she lowered her head before the kiss could go farther.

"We must stop…" She whispered, resting her forehead on his lips and closing her eyes to try to convince herself that stopping right there was for the better. "It's a risky game…" he didn't say anything, he simply kissed her hair.

They continued dancing. She rested her chin on his right shoulder as he held her tight. She sometimes hated her own prudence. Why could she let loose and enjoy another night with Ross?

A song ended, and another one began. She bit her lip; that song.

"Of course, with or without you." She murmured.

"What?"

"Haven't you noticed? They've been playing all our songs tonight." Ross smiled.

"I know, I asked for them." She pulled away and looked at him confused.

"You asked for them. When?" she dropped her hands.

"Some time during the dinner." He smiled tenderly.

"Why are you doing this, Ross?" She asked helplessly.

"Why do you think?"

"I don't know, to fool around with me?"

"That's what you think?"

"I don't know…You've been acting cold since we returned and now you're all sweet and caring. I'm confused."

"I may need to consider a career change. I just realized I'm a pretty good actor." Rachel gave him a quizzical look. He smiled, held her close and whispered into her ear. "Did you truly think I would let you go again?" he grabbed her left hand and slid something up her finger. Rachel lifted her hand, there was a beautiful ring on her finger. She held her breath, feeling too many things at once. She knew it wasn't an engagement ring nor a simple gift.

"Wh…What is th-?"

"This is me…" He interrupted her. "This is me, basically trying to tell you that I want you in my life again." He confessed, looking into her eyes. Rachel couldn't believe her ears. Her whole body began to tremble.

"Are you serious?" she whispered. The music suddenly annoyed him. He grabbed her hand and walked to the nearest balcony, looking for some privacy.

"Ross, if you are teasing me…" she trailed off, he grabbed her face and made her look at him.

"I have never been more serious in my entire life, Rach. When that first night in that hotel you fell asleep on me, I couldn't figure out how I made it through all these years without you by my side. I've missed you so damn much. I don't want to waste more time. I love you." He said with a hand in his heart. Her eyes began to water.

"Then…why didn't you say something before we got the annulment?"

"Because I didn't want you to believe I was doing this to avoid a third divorce. I wanted to show you I couldn't care less about those papers and that I really want to get back together with you, for real…if you want to too…of course." He waited for her to say something, but no words came out of her mouth. She seemed overwhelmed. He brought her closer and held her hands. "I wanna start a new life with you, from zero. No more 'we were on a break' or fooling around. I want to be your boyfriend again…Why do you say?" he pushed her hair back and gently caressed her right cheek with the back of his hand. She smiled, finding it hard to believe that this was truly happening.

"I say…yes!" She said as tears of joy began to run free down her cheeks. He grinned, unable to hide his happiness. "A thousand times yes." She whispered as she hugged him tight and smashed her lips against his. Her tears stained his face. "I love you so much." She murmured.

"I love you too." They joined in a passionate kiss that went on for a few minutes. When they parted Ross turned her around and hugged her from behind as he leaned on the balustrade. He kissed her neck while Rachel raised her hand to look at the pretty piece of jewelry.

"So this is not an engagement, right?" she asked, Ross chuckled.

"No, just a promise…but it may turn into one…eventually."

"I hope so." She turned around and kissed him again."I love you. I'm so happy that we got drunk and married in Vegas…otherwise none of this would have happened."

"Me too."

"Best trip of my life." He nodded his head in agreement.

"You know…I thought that long road would take me home, but…it didn't, I was home already, because you were with me all the time." Rachel bit her lip, gazing at him with pure love.

"Why are you so amazing?" Ross laughed.

"Shall we go back inside and celebrate?"

"Better yet, why don't we go to your apartment and have a private party of our own?" she suggested with a naughty smile.

"I like that." He grabbed her hand and returned inside.

"Ross" she stopped in the middle of the corridor.

"What?" she looked up him.

"How about we start off by moving in together?" He looked at her perplexed.

"Are you sure we're ready for that?"

"Absolutely, you are the person I want to share my life with, why should we wait?" Ross kissed her eagerly.

"Then, you'd better start packing soon." She winked her eye and they melted in another passionate kiss.

They had no idea what life had in store for them, but they knew they would do the possible to make it work this time.

….

THE END. I hope you enjoyed it. Thanks everybody for reading and a HUGEEEE THANK YOU to those of you who took the time to review. It meant a lot to me and encouraged me to go on with the story.