Coming Home (part 8)

Chandler was in his apartment, frantically trying to get dressed. He was late for work for the second time that week. He was struggling with his tie when the phone rang. He knew he was already late, and it was either gonna be one of his friends calling to catch up, or his boss asking why he was late again. But he went against his own instincts and picked it up.

"Hello," he said, sounding slightly as though he was being strangled, thanks to the fact that his tie was around his neck in a knot.

"Hi Chandler," a little voice said. It was Becky.

"Hey Becks, how'd you get my number?" he asked, relaxing a little, like he always did when he was talking to Monica or her kids.

"Mommy dialed for me."

"She did?" Now he was curious.

"Uh huh. She wants you to come shopping with us."

"Today?" Chandler wanted to go shopping with them, he just had to get out of going to work first.

"Yeah. Can you come? Mommy, Amy and me all really want you to."

"Well, sure. Can you put Mommy on please?"

"Okay. See you later Chandler," Becky said then put the phone on the coffee table.

"Hey Chandler," Monica said a moment later. She must have been hanging around while Becky was on the phone, perhaps hoping to get to chat to Chandler herself.

"Hi Mon. Shopping today?"

"Yeah. You don't have to come if you don't want to."

"No, no, I want to. I just have to call in sick first."

"Okay. You want us to pick you up?"

"Yeah, please. Is half an hour to soon?"

"Not at all. The kids are raring to go."

"It can be sooner if you want."

"No, they're ready. I am still wearing my nightie and no make up and I haven't eaten breakfast yet."

"Are you sure half an hour is okay?"

"Yeah. Totally. See ya soon Chandler."

"Bye," he said.

Chandler hung up and threw down his tie. He wouldn't need to bother if he was going shopping with Monica and the girls, they wouldn't care how smartly he was dressed. Although he did want to look nice for Monica. He decided to go change into a different shirt, one that was more colourful, since he wouldn't be wearing a jacket.

Monica and the girls arrived almost exactly half an hour later. Becky was cute in a bright pink dress with bows on the shoulders, and Amy was even cuter in yellow shorts and a t-shirt with a picture of a duck on it. Both kids were wearing sneakers. Chandler was on the phone, and that was the only thing that stopped them running to him for a hug.

"Yeah, I'm really sick," Chandler said, coughing for effect. "Today or tomorrow. Sorry Mike," he said, winking at Monica, who knew exactly how sorry he was to be missing work. He added a huge fake sneeze that made Monica wonder how stupid Chandler's boss was not to notice that Chandler was really 100% healthy.

"If he's sick, how come we're going shopping?" Becky asked as Chandler hung up. He smiled and held his arms out.

"Come on you two, I haven't been hugged yet this morning," he said. The two children ran into his arms. "That's better," he said.

"Are you really sick?" Amy asked.

"Well..." Chandler said stalling for time. Monica was grinning at him. He noticed how gorgeous she looked, even though she was just wearing jeans and a white v-neck top. "What?" he asked.

"Nothing. I'm just looking forward to seeing you explain skiving off work to my children," she said. Chandler grinned back.

"Well, I thought I was sick, but I'm not anymore, so we can go shopping," he said. Becky frowned for a second, but then smiled. Chandler thought how much like her mother she looked when she smiled.

An hour later, they were walking through the centre of New York. Monica had parked the car and they were walking around the shops. Becky was in between them, holding Chandler's hand, because Monica was carrying Amy, who had got bored of walking less than ten minutes after they left the car.

"Mommy, I'm hungry," Becky whined.

"Honey, you had breakfast an hour and a half ago," Monica reminded her.

"I know, but I'm hungry again."

"You know what, I forgot to have breakfast, why dont' we go have something to eat now, before it gets busy," Chandler suggested.

"Its New York City. Its always busy," Monica said wryly. "And by the way, I love when you side with my daughter against me."

"Sorry Mon. But seriously, I am hungry. Where are we going?"

"If you were hoping for anything other than MacDonalds, you're with the wrong people," Monica said.

"Yay!" Becky exclaimed happily, swinging on Chandler's arm.

Twenty minutes later they were sat at a table in MacDonalds. Chandler was eating a Big Mac, the kids were picking at their Happy Meals. Monica wasn't eating anything, just sipping a Diet Coke.

"Whats the matter Mon?" Chandler asked, narrowing his eyes at her.

"Nothing. Unlike you three, I can't eat burgers at nine thirty in the morning," she said.

"Hey, I can eat them way earlier than that," Chandler joked. Monica smiled.

"Chandler?" Becky said, sipping her chocolate milkshake.

"Yeah?" he said, taking a huge bite of his burger.

"When are you gonne move in with us?" Becky asked calmly. Chandler nearly choked. Monica laughed.

"Um, well, I have another three months before I can leave my apartment, I signed a six month contract," he said, then realised that wouldn't make any sense to a four year old. "In three months time sweetie," he said.

"You sound very sure," Monica teased him.

"Well, I mean, I want to. I dont' have to, if you dont' want me to," he said seriously. They had talked about him moving in, but he was suddenly unsure. Monica smiled.

"Of course I want you to. I can't wait. But you know what guys, you're gonna have to not come in my bedroom once Chandler moves in," she said. She wondered if it was a little to early to start telling them this, but she wanted them to getused to it. Okay, she admitted to herself. She was hoping that Chandler could come over one night and they could make love without being interrupted. They hadn't had sex since that time Becky had walked in on them. It just hadn't come up. She had a feeling they had both been trying to avoid having to discuss it.

"Why?" Amy asked. She threw a chip at her sister and giggled. Becky threw one back, and pretty soon they were engaged in a full blown food fight. Monica managed to avoid having to answer Amy's question, because by the time she had stopped them throwing food, they had forgotten that she had asked why they wouldn't be allowed into their mothers bedroom, which was strange to them, because Monica had never stopped them coming in before, if they had a bad dream or something.

Two hours later, after being dragged around numerous clothes shops, toy shops and most importantly, sweet shops, Chandler was exhausted. He was now carrying Becky, and Monica was holding Amy's hand tightly. Amy had decided she wanted to walk again a short while ago, which slowed them all down, because she couldn't walk very fast yet, but she kicked and screamed when either Monica or Chandler tried to pick her up, so they had to let her toddle around New York City, holding her mother's hand of course.

"Chandler," Becky said sleepily.

"Yeah?" he asked, half hoping she would ask to walk, like her little sister.

"My shoe is about to fall off."

"Oh. Okay." He put her down on the sidewalk and bent to tie the laces of her sneakers more tightly. Monica and Amy were just ahead when they stopped, but when he was done with Becky's laces, they were about 50 yards ahead.

"Mon! Wait up!" he called. She started to cross at the zebra crossing, holding Amy's hand. "Mon! Wait for us!" Chandler shouted, taking Becky's hand and hurrying her forward. Monica turned to look at Chandler.

The next ten seconds seemed to happen in slow motion for Chandler.

One second, Monica turned to look at him.

Two seconds, she waved.

Three seconds, he saw the speeding car that was overtaking the other cars that had stopped to let the people cross.

Four seconds, the other half dozen people on the zebra crossing saw the car and started to run towards the sidewalk, towards safety.

Five seconds, Monica had picked up Amy and was running after them.

Six seconds, the car hit them.

Seven seconds, Amy's tiny body was thrown to the ground. Monica was flung high into the air.

Eight seconds, she fell to the ground.

Nine seconds, she hit the hard concrete.

Ten seconds, the car that had hit them was speeding away again.

"Mommy!" Becky screamed. Chandler felt her let go of his hand and start to run towards her mother. He grabbed her round the waist and pulled her to him.

"Oh my God!" he said softly. Becky was hysterical. He picked her up and hugged her tightly. She struggled to get away from him.

"Mommy! I want my Mommy!" she cried. Chandler didn't know what he could say to comfort her. He was silent. He rubbed the little girl's back in what he hoped was a soothing way, but his eyes were glassy and he was staring at the place where Monica had been hit. She now lay a few yards away, with a crowd of concerned onlookers gathered around her limp body. Chandler walked slowly towards her, making sure Becky's face stayed tight against his shoulder. Even in his state of shock, he didnt' want a four year old to see her mother and sister like that.

"Oh God," he said again. Becky's hot tears were making his shirt damp, but he didnt' notice. He arms and legs waved as she tried to get free so she could get to her Mommy, but he didnt' notice that either, he just held her still as best he could. "Monica," he said weakly.

"Mommy!" Becky screamed again, this time her voice was muffled by Chandler's shoulder.

"Shit," he said, not caring that Becky was there. Monica, what had happened to her? Was she okay? No, she couldn't be okay. Would she be okay? She had to be. She had two children. She had to be okay. They needed her. He needed her.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Okay, I know the whole car crash thing has been done before, but I figured I might as well have a go myself. No one reviewed part 7, so please please please review this part. Thanks.
Sorry Kendra, btw.