Author: Toni McIntyre

Title: The One with Regrets 9/9 (woo hoo, last chapter!)

Rating: PG-13

Summary: It’s the end of this story, but another will follow. This is simple, Ross comes up with rules and Rachel and Joey listen to them for the sake of friendship.

Disclaimer: Friends and the characters aren’t mine. Neither is the song which is called Should I Fall Behind by Bruce Springsteen. I think it just captures the whole essence of what a relationship/marriage should be. See if you agree with me. ;)

Note: Sequel! Definite sequel in the making! Do NOT disappear! Look for it soon. ;)

The One with Regrets 9: I Will Wait for You

*************************

We said we'd walk together,
Baby, come what may.
But come the twilight,
Should we loose our way.
If as we're walking,
A hand should slip free,
I will wait for you.
And should I fall behind,
Wait for me.

*************************

"Ross…" Joey mutters. He immediately tenses up and Rachel sighs.

"Uh…I’m not going to say anything to make either of you regret this," Ross says slowly, shuffling his feet. "I mean…you guys must really love each other and that’s great. I mean, it’ll be weird for a while but…I’m really happy for you guys."

"Seriously?" Rachel asks.

"Yeah I mean…if you had to marry someone, and my baby had to have a step father…" Ross pauses and smiles slowly. "I’d rather he be Joey."

"Really man?" Joey smiles.

"Yes."

"So you’re really happy for us?"

"Yes."

"And you support us?"

"Yes."

"And—

"Joey?" Ross interrupts. "Don’t push it."

"Right of course," Joey says hurriedly.

"Oh god Ross thank you so much," Rachel sighs in relief and goes up to hug him.

"Hey no problem," Ross shrugs. "But we are gonna have to get some rules going."

"Rules?" Joey raises an eyebrow.

How come he did not like how that sounded?

***************************************

Baby we swore we'd travel
Darlin, side by side.
We help each other
Stay in stride.
But each lover’s steps fall so differently.
I will wait for you,
Should I fall behind.
Wait for me.

**********************************

It’s midnight and Joey’s still awake, staring at his ceiling as he lies in bed. He closes his eyes and tries to imagine she’s next to him but it doesn’t work. He groans and rolls over, trying to fight of insomnia.

The phone rings and reluctantly Joey reaches for his bedside table and grabs the cordless.

"Hello?" he mutters.

"Hey sweetie, did I wake you?"

Joey instantly smiles. "Nope, can’t sleep."

"Me neither," Rachel admits with a sigh. "I just want to be with you."

"And I want to actually be living with my wife," Joey says and sighs. "Remind me why we did this again?"

"The Ross Geller Rules?"

"Yeah."
"Because we want to stay his friend and if listening to his stupid rules until the baby is born will do that then it’s one little sacrifice," Rachel explains simply.

"Not sleeping with you is considered a big sacrifice to Joey," he mutters.

"Well I’m sure Joey understands and knows I still love him," Rachel laughs.

"He does," Joey smiles then moans. "God what did I ever do to Ross to deserve this?"

"You eloped with and married his ex-girlfriend pregnant with his child."

"I mean other then that."

"That’s not enough?"

"Fair point."

Rachel sighs into the phone. "I miss you."

"I miss you too," Joey admits softly. "But it’s not like we don’t see each other everyday."

"Yeah…but I miss you more at night. You’re my favorite pillow."

"Nice to know," he laughs. "You should go to bed. Pregnant woman need rest."

"All woman need rest but I need my husband," she says.

"I need you too," he sighs. "But go to sleep."

"I will, I promise," she says. She pauses before saying, sincerely, "I love you."

Joey forces down the need to be with her and nods, even though she can’t see it.

"I love you too."

******************

Now everyone dreams of
A love lasting and true.
But you and I know
what this world can do.
So let's make our steps clear,
So the other may see.
And I will wait for you,
Should I fall behind,
Wait for me.

*************************

"Ross!" Rachel bursts into Ross’s bedroom, scaring him to the point where he falls off the side of his bed.

"What the hell?" he shouts when he jumps up. "Rachel you scared the shit out of me!"

"I’m sorry," she says. "But listen to me. You HAVE to let me break the Ross Geller Rules for ONE night, just ONE night."

"Why?" Ross frowns.

"Ross, because," Rachel whines. "Joey and I got married one month ago today."

"It’s your anniversary?" Ross’s eyes widen.

"One month, yes."

"Yeah, you shouldn’t have even asked, of course," Ross shrugs.

"Oh THANK you!" Rachel smiles and happily hops from his room. "Oh and I still think your rules are stupid," she says when she reaches the door.

"Hey the rules exist for a reason!" he protests.

"Not any I see."

***************

"What’d you get her, What’d you get her?" Monica asks, excitedly hopping up and down as Joey walks into her apartment.

"Calm down Monica, you have to understand it’s not for you," Chandler says slowly.

"You know it wouldn’t hurt you to buy me a gift once and a while," Monica stops hopping to stare at her husband.

"It’d hurt my wallet."

"And your marriage."

"Okay, get a therapist," Joey says simply. "And look!" He fishes into the bag and pulls out a velvet box. Monica leaps forward and opens it, Chandler looking over her shoulder.

"Oh Joey! It’s beautiful!" Monica coos as she gazes at the ring inside. It’s gold with a single circle cut diamond in the center and two small rubies inside the gold just outside the diamond.

"Well yeah, I figured since she never got an engagement ring this would kinda work," Joey says. "I mean usually I would have waited till our year anniversary but I really couldn’t help it."

"See?" Monica hits Chandler on the shoulder.

"Okay Joey, I’m really happy for you man but you’re starting to make me look bad," Chandler mutters.

"Well I gotta go anyway and get ready," Joey grins. "Rachel and I eating in but we’re ordering from the restaurant where we went for our first date."

"Oh how romantic," Monica sighs.

"Seriously man, leave," Chandler says.

"Bye," Joey says and leaves. As soon as the door closes Chandler turns to his own wife.

"You seriously want me to go out and buy you a ring?" he asks. "Cause I will."

"Nah," she shakes her head and puts her arms around his waist. "I got all I need right here."

"Oh thank god cause I was serious about the hurting wallet thing," Chandler says.

"Shut up and kiss me," Monica sighs.

"Okay."

***********************

There's a beautiful river
In the valley ahead
Rest your feet darlin
Soon we will be there
Should we loose each other
In the shadow of the evening's trees
I will wait for you
Should I fall behind,
Wait for me
I will wait for you,
And if I fall behind,
Wait for me
Well I'll wait fo ryou
Shoudl I fall behind,
Wait for me...