Valentines
by Tina

Ross was taking pictures of the children with his digital camera when Phoebe and Mike arrived.

"C'mon, Ethan, smile" Julianne advised the 5 years old, who opened a shy toothless grin. Ross smiled, Ben had gone through the same embarrassment thing after losing his front teeth.

"Hey you guys"

Ross turned around.

"Hey, Phoebs! Mike"

He hugged Phoebe.

"Wow, look how big you are!"

Phoebe rested both her hands on her 6 months pregnant lump.

"Yeah, way to flatter a pregnant lady, Ross" she shot him a look.

"I'm just-" he looked at Mike for some moral support. Phoebe's husband, however, just shook his head and Ross gave up on trying to justify his words. "Sorry!"

"Hey, Julianne!"

They hugged.

"Hi, Phoebe"

"What's with that pony outside, is it part of the show? Fancy!"

"No, not really" Julianne answered.

"Hm, It's Rachel's dad's present to Emma"

"Wow. She's two, why does she need a pony?"

"Beats me" Ross retrieved his camera as a way to change the subject. "OK, smile"

Phoebe and Mike smiled and Ross took a picture of them. A few seconds later, the front door opened and Emma came rushing inside with Judy, Jack, Monica, Chandler and the twins.

"Daddy!" she hugged Ross' legs and tried to catch her breath. "Did you see my pony?"

"Yeah, sweetie"

"'Pwetty', huh?"

Ross smiled weakly.

"Yeah, it is. Now give daddy a smile"

Emma smiled and Ross snapped a picture of her.

"Hi, son"

"Oh, hey, glad you could make it."

Ross greeted his parents, his sister and brother-in-law.

"Wow, they're growing up fast, aren't they?" Ross commented as he leaned closer to the stroller and looked at his nine months old nephew and niece, Jack and Erica.

"The really are" Monica smiled proudly.

"After Monica's whole growing program I'm just glad they don't have grass growing out of their heads! It's food, food, food, sun, water...!" Chandler commented, receiving a hard look from his wife. He looked scared. "Although, that might've been cute!"

Ross took a picture of the twins. Rachel and Dr. Green re-entered the house. Rachel approached Ross and wrapped her arms around him.

"Are you taking some pictures?"

"Attempting. The kids won't stand still"

Rachel smiled at him.

"Take some of Emma"

"OK, sure"

He took the camera again and turned to Emma, who was already smiling at him. Ross smiled back, it was too much of an adorable smile for him to resist. After taking a couple of pictures, he noticed new lenses pointed at his child. He looked up and noticed Dr. Green had too taken out a camera and started photographing Emma.

"How many mega pixels there, Geller?"

"Five"

"Hah, nine here"

Ross sighed, defeated. He looked at Rachel.

"OK, fine, I give up. Excuse me"

Ross left and Rachel looked after him.

"Daddy?" Emma cried softly after Ross.

"Don't worry, sweetie. Here, give Pappi a smile"

Emma gave Dr. Green a weak smile.

Rachel looked after Ross again and noticed he was taking pictures of the other kids.

After the little presentation was over - just a thirty minutes long show with the kids dancing, singing and saying a few lines they had memorized from poem books - some stuck around for different reasons.

Phoebe and Mike had to leave due her morning sickness, which usually came in the evening. No big Valentine's Day plans going on for them. A few possible candidates for adopting some of the kids had shown up and were talking to them and Julianne, Rachel and other volunteers. The whole day had worn out Emma, who ended up seeking for comfort in her father's arms. Sensing the tense atmosphere, Monica and Chandler had decided to stay around for a few more minutes before taking off to their romantic little dinner together.

Monica was just giving her mother the last few instructions on how to take care of the twins for the night when Ross finally opened up with Chandler.

"Wow, the man really is tough, huh?"

"Tell me about it..!"

Ross played with Emma's silky hair, still looking uneasy and secluded. Chandler just watched, knowing he somehow had to figure out just what to say to get Ross to crack up. It was clear he needed to get it all out, but Chandler had never been great at that...! Oh, damn Monica's obsession with the twins!

"Hm, so what's going on? He's been ever worse after the whole Paris thing?"

"Yeah, I mean..." Ross sighed, taking his time to gather his thoughts. "He was never really attached to Emma and all, even though he's always cared a great deal about Rachel, I'm never gonna deny that. But... Since that whole thing... I don't know Chandler, maybe I'm overreacting, but sometimes, now, it's like he wants to prove me I can't give them everything they deserve or something. He wants to show me I'm not the guy for them." He briefly paused. "Thing is... I know they deserve a lot of things. I wish I could give Rachel all that luxury I just know she likes and all. And it's not like hey, I really can't give her that, I just... it's not me, you know?"

"I know..." Chandler replied, understanding perfectly what Ross said. Chandler himself had turned his back to all the luxury his family could have provided him.

"But I just... I keep thinking if that's what Rachel wants. Maybe she does wants to marry a wealthy guy who'll be able to give her anything she wants, but..."

"Hey, Ross, c'mon. It's Rachel we're talking about. Sure, she likes that stuff and all, but she gave up all of that when she ran to the city. Has she ever went back home because she missed it? No. Don't you think she's always thought she had made a wise decision staying here, realizing the real value of things?"

"I- I guess.."

"And now she's given up Paris for you. Do you have any idea what that means? Man, that was the biggest prove of her love she could ever give you, so please enjoy it."

"Yeah, I... I guess you're right"

"Really?" Chandler asked, deadpan. Ross shot him a look.

"I guess I'm just nervous..." Ross looked down at Emma again, admiring the beautiful mini person he and Rachel had made together. "I uh.. I'm going to propose tonight" he whispered.

"Wow, really?" Chandler asked, a bit too loud.

Emma stirred.

"What?"

"Nothing, baby, go back to sleep."

Ross kissed her forehead and stroked her hair. Emma watched her father for a few peaceful minutes, breathing in and out, her eyelids falling slowly.

"Wow, you're really gonna propose to her?" Chandler managed to ask quietly this time.

Ross smiled weakly, going through all the thoughts in his head.

"Yeah, I guess I am"

"That's so great"

"I know, I just... I feel like it's the perfect moment, you know?"

"Finally"

Ross shot him an annoyed look.

"So you have anything prepared?"

"Not really... I mean, when we were first dating I had this whole thing in my head, but... First, she knows about it all, so it wouldn't be a surprise anymore. And second... Well, I don't know. I just feel like we're in this phase when sincerity is better than games, you know? We don't need that anymore. Although... I was thinking maybe it would be nice to do it at Central Perk."

"Well, good luck with that. I know I was scared when I proposed...! But then again, hey, it's you!"

Ross chuckled at the joke. He would have to get used to it, soon they were bound to be back again.

"Propose? You're gonna propose?"

Monica's high squeaky voice made Emma stir again.

"Whhaaaat?" she whined.

"I'm sorry, baby, shhh" Ross rocked her gently.

"You're gonna ask Rachel to marry you?" Monica quizzed his brother.

"Yeah and I would rather if she heard that from me, you know?"

Monica looked back and noticed Rachel was still engrossed in a conversation with some unknown people, completely oblivious to them.

"Oh, this is so great! Finally!"

"Hey!"

"Sorry"

"Are you nervous?"

"As the best friend you tell me. Should I?"

"I really don't think so" Monica smiled at her brother.

Ross looked at Rachel's direction. This whole chat with Chandler and Monica had sure lightened up his spirits. He was confident now. They loved each other, he knew that for sure. Rachel was an amazing human being with a huge heart. She knew what the right priorities in life were and that gave her the right position for a good judgment on the answer she'd give him. Dr. Green... Ross was so satisfied right now he was even willing to talk to the man and try and work things out. Despite how scary he could be.

"OK, Chandler and I gotta take off now, Ross, we got reservations"

"Oh, alright, thanks for coming"

They all said their goodbyes and soon Monica and Chandler were heading out with Judy and Jack Geller. Ross remained on his seat, admiring his baby girl and savoring the sweet hope inside of him.

"Hey"

Ross looked up and saw Rachel approaching.

"Hey to you too"

She smiled and took a seat right next to him.

"It's all clear here, we can head back home and start our own private little show"

Ross smiled at her.

"I hope I have good seats"

"Hm, the best"

She kissed his cheek.

"You okay there?" she asked him, worried.

He nodded, smiling weakly, yet truthfully.

"Yeah"

Rachel smiled back, visibly relieved.

"I just hope he doesn't buy her a boat when the pony gets sick" she commented.

Ross chuckled.

"Right."

"You know what she named it?" Ross shook his head. "Lobster"

Ross smiled at Rachel.

"A pony named Lobster" he chuckled. "Interesting"

Rachel looked at him for a while. She couldn't be gladder he wasn't upset about the whole thing, anymore. Sure she knew his ego had been carelessly broken that evening, but just knowing he let it go and didn't make such a fuss about it showed her how much he had grown. That was one of the many reasons he daily gave her for being so extremely glad she stayed.

"I love you" she whispered softly.

He smiled and they kissed tenderly.

"I love you too"

They savored the moment for a couple more minutes, kissing, smiling, watching Emma as she slept. Just being in love.

"Wow, it's getting late. We better take off" Rachel said after glancing at her watch.

"Sure. Do you need me to carry anything into the car?"

"Emma would be a good start"

He smiled. They stood up and went outside, Rachel saying her goodbyes on her way there. Ross reached the vehicle he'd recently bought for his new family and set Emma on the backseat, in her baby chair. He stared in amazement how big she was getting for it.

"Ross?" Rachel cried for help by the stairs, holding four big plastic bags.

"Here"

He ran up to her and got everything she was holding.

"Hm, little problem, though"

"What?" he asked opening the trunk.

"I can't find the, hm, first present you gave me...?"

"What?" he asked softly. Finally realizing what it was, he raised his eyebrows. "What?"

"Sweet pea" Dr. Green approached. "this was a lovely evening. You're doing a wonderful job here, I'm so proud of you"

"Thank you, daddy. And, well, thanks for all the gifts..."

"It's the least I can give you both" he said as he briefly looked at Ross, to make a point.

"Wooo, look at that! Hot stuff!"

They all turned around to see what was going on. As it turns out, the youngest girl, Alex, just about three years old, was using the black nighty Ross had bought for Rachel. The other kids, obviously the ones who got the little girl in such position, were around her, whistling and shouting compliments. Alex giggled, enjoying being the center of attentions. Rachel couldn't help but chuckle.

"You guys! Where did you get that?" Julianne scolded.

"It was in a bag on the kitchen floor" one of the kids answered.

"Whose is it?"

"I don't know!"

"Well, it's not yours, is it?"

The kids looked at one another, embarrassed.

"No..."

"That's okay, you guys." Rachel approached. "It's mine, actually"

"Woo, hot stuff!" one of the guys shouted, receiving a funny look from Rachel and Julianne. "Sorry..!"

Ross chuckled, but just until he noticed the deadly look Dr. Green was giving him.

"OK, Alex, go take that off and give it to Aunt Rachel"

"Ok...!"

The kids all went inside and Rachel returned to where her father and her boyfriend were standing.

"Kids!" she noticed Dr. Green's sharp eyes turning to her. "What?"

"Nothing, I'm just remembering the good old times when I still could believe Emma had simply blossomed in your backyard."

Rachel sighed.

"C'mon, daddy, stop it. Listen, we're taking off now, thank you so much for coming, again. It meant a lot to Emma"

They hugged.

"That's fine"

They broke.

"Dr. Green" Ross offered his hand. "good night. Nice having you around." he said it without the faintest hint of sarcasm in his voice, fighting all his instinct to do so.

Dr. Green stared at his hand and then looked up at him.

"Goodnight"

Ross and Rachel exchanged looks and he dropped his gesture.

"Rachel" Julianne walked up to them. "Here" she handed her the Victoria's Secret bag. "I'm sorry"

"Don't worry about it. Anyway, this was great, we should do something like this again some other time. I promised Johnny we'd have another one with songs the boys would get to pick"

Julianne smiled.

"That's a good idea. Thanks for all the help"

"Always glad"

They hugged and the all said goodbyes. Julianne walked into the house.

"Well, the pony's been taken to that place, Rachel, you know where it is. In any case, drop by whenever you go around, I'll be happy to escort you"

"OK"

"Well, goodnight then."

Leonard Green turned around to leave, but before he could take a step away, Ross got his attention.

"Hm, Dr. Green" He stopped, visibly annoyed, but didn't look back just yet. "Could I please exchange a few words with you, Sir?"

Dr. Green turned around.

"Excuse me?"

"Just wanna have a little chat before you go, that's all"

Rachel looked at Ross, confused.

"Here" he gave her the key to the car. "You can go now, take Emma, she's tired. This probably won't take long, but just in case... Leave everything in the car, I'll pick it up when I get there. Well" he chuckled, attempting to lighten up the atmosphere "except for Emma, of course"

Rachel looked at Ross and then at her father.

"OK. Goodnight" she kissed Ross' cheek and entered the car. "That means I'm cutting the ride short in about 30 minutes 'cause I'm driving, anyway"

Ross shot her a look. Rachel smiled weakly and drove away.

"What is it that you want, Wethead, I don't have all night" Dr. Green bickered.

"Good, we're back to Wethead" Ross commented quietly. "Hm, OK... I'm sensing there's something going on here. Do you- do you not like me, Sir?"

"Oh, no wonder you've got a PhD!"

Ross sighed heavily.

"OK, look, I'm not asking you to like me, at all. In fact, I think I understand why you don't like me, right now I can't even imagine Emma all grown up dating boys and..." he trailed off. "I just want you to know that I love Rachel and I just want good things for her. I wanna take care of her and of our daughter and make sure that nothing bad ever happens to them."

"Well, in that case you might aswell want to step away from them"

"What?"

"I guess you really don't understand why I don't like you, Ross." Ross looked at him with a confused expression. "Do you think I'm just supposed to forget about everything you've done to my child? Knocking her up and not marrying her?" he paused. "Cheating on her?"

Ross' face fell completely.

"You know about the... Hm, you know?"

"Yes, I know! And do you really wanna know why that really hit both Rachel and consequently me? The fact that you were the only man she's ever loved, Geller. For reasons unknown by me, but still. And you know what else? I was actually beginning to accept you. Not because I liked you, I never did and there's no use in kidding ourselves here, you're not good enough for her! You can't give her or my grandchild everything they deserve. But she liked you, what was I to do?"

Ross hung his head.

"Dr. Green, look. I... I couldn't be more sorry for what happened. There hasn't been a day since that happened that I haven't regret everything." Dr. Green rolled his eyes, annoying Ross even more. "But I do love Rachel. I've always had and I always will. And she loves me too. Nothing like that will ever happen again, I-"

"Oh, spare me, will you? If you loved her enough, you would let her go. She threw away the best thing that ever happened to her because of you! Do you have any idea how Paris would be great for her?"

First thing that popped into Ross' head was the way Dr. Green referred to Paris. 'Best thing that ever happened to Rachel?'. Rachel's life was surely much bigger than that. There was Emma and the love she felt for her friends and... him. He liked to believe he was more important to her than her job. It's what she had proved him, wasn't it?

"I guess that was for her to decide, Sir, don't you think?"

"Rachel's always been a softy and you took advantage of that"

Ross stared at Dr. Green and looked down. Did he deserve to be more important than her career?

"How long will it be this time untill you break her heart again?" Guilt started builting up inside of Ross. "Yeah, thought so. Goodnight, Geller"

Dr. Green turned around and left towards his car. Ross stood alone on the street for the longest time, not being able to hold his insecurities any longer.

He was scum.

Rachel deserved better.

Rachel was finishing tucking Emma in. She brushed some locks of hair from her angelical face and smiled. The whole day had been a dream - well, with a few exceptions...- and she was ready to give it just the perfect ending. She leaned closer and kissed Emma's forehead protectively, bringing the blankets further up.

"Good night, my angel. Mommy loves you." she whispered.

She took a shower and changed into the black nighty. It pleased her that Ross had such good taste for this. It wasn't vulgar, neither too revealing nor extravagant. It was kind of plain, made of silk and delicate lace. The cut on front was sexy in a more subtle way and there were slits up the bottom sides.

Her hair was half up, her long bangs cascading down, framing her delicate face. She put some make up on, just enough to match the whole outfit.

As Chandler would say, perfection.

That night they wouldn't have to rush anything. They could lose themselves into the moment and enjoy every second of it, unlike that morning. It seemed like it had been a while since they had last been able to do so. Heat was beginning to built up inside of her. She took the glowing dices from the bag and smiled.

She glanced one last time at her reflection and finally looked at her watch. What was taking him so long?

She longed for the day her father and Ross would get along. Maybe it was a lost case... But maybe things could be picked up from where they were left off when they were first going out. So maybe Dr. Green hadn't loved Ross like she wished he had, like he had so willingly accepted Barry, for instance. But Rachel knew he respected him. And was just beginning to get used to the idea when... well, when it all happened.

Rachel shook her head. If she and Ross had been able to work past that, than so would Dr. Green. Probably wouldn't take long until he realized what a great guy Ross was. Ross just got really nervous in situations like that, interacting with the father of the woman he was sleeping with.

Ah, things would work out, one way or another. Hey, maybe they already were. She prayed their conversation that night had gone well. After all... sooner or later she expected Ross to officially become a member of the Green family, as she too would become a member of the Geller's.

She was busy throwing rose petals on the bed when she heard the main door open. She waited form him to enter their bedroom, pouring wine into two glasses.

It took him a couple of minutes to open the door. When he did, she smiled at him. His eyes wandered around the scenery. First, her. So beautiful, so perfect. She took his breath away. Her smile was sweet, yet a bit mischievous. The room. It was dimly lit, filled with candles and rose petals on the bed.

"Hey..." she approached him. "What took you so long?"

She kissed him, but when felt no action from his part, broke it.

"What's the matter?" He looked away. "The conversation with my dad didn't go too well?"

He simply shook his head, still not looking back at her.

Rachel sighed, but draped her arms around him again.

"Forget about that now, sweetie... Let's just celebrate Valentine's Day."

He made her let go of him, walking up to the bed and sitting at the edge of it, staring at the floor.

"Sorry, I just..." he trailed off.

She watched him for a while, feeling awful. She approached and knelt down in front of him. Funny, he thought, he should be the one doing the kneeling that evening, not her. But now... now he wasn't sure, anymore.

"Honey, the man's not worth this. I love you, ok? You know that. That's what matters. Let it go, please."

He finally looked up at her.

"It's not him I'm this upset about"

"Then what is it?" she confusedly asked.

"Me"

"What?"

Ross stood up abruptly.

"Why did you throw everything away because of me, Rachel?"

Rachel stood up slowly, trying to process his question.

"What?"

"I'm not worth it, you know I'm just gonna break your heart again!"

Rachel watched him, dumbfounded.

"Wha-What are you saying Ross?"

"I'm just saying you deserve so much more than me, and-"

She raised her eyebrows and cut him.

"Wait-wait, is this what this is about? My father told you this, didn't he?"

"It's true, isn't it?"

"How could you ever even say that, Ross? Do you realize you're the only man in my life who's ever..." she trailed off. "I can't even begin to list. I can't even begin to compare what we have with any other relationship I've ever had! Think about everything we're gone through together, Ross"

"That's exactly what makes me think this, Rachel! We've always screwed up and hurt each other and-"

"We haven't in the last nine months, have we?"

"-and I've cheated on you"

Rachel closed her eyes softly.

"It is not like that, Ross. And we've worked past it, there's no use in bringing any of that up now. I'm here because I want to, OK? You're not forcing me to stay, no one is. I do have a mind of my own, I make my own decisions. The decision to stay was mine, get that! I didn't stay because of you. I stayed because of me."

"I can't give you everything you deserve.."

"You can and you do, OK? You love me, you respect me, you make me laugh, you've given me an amazing daughter who looks up to you with such admiration..."

"Well, I can't give her everything she-"

"Is that what you think of us, Ross? That we're gonna love the one who gives us all the presents the most?"

He was silent for a while.

"No, but-"

"There are no buts, Ross. Emma is a happy child whether she has a pony or not. And I don't need a stupid fancy jewel, because this" she opened her heart pendant, displaying the pictures inside. "This is the only thing that makes me truly happy"

He looked at her for a while.

"I'm sorry, I just can't help but feel like I'm gonna let you down, sooner or later"

"You won't, Ross... And even if you do, for some reason, I'm going to forgive you." she approached him again. "We've been through so much, we've grown up... We're not the Ross and Rachel we used to be. Remember what you said when I stayed? We're done being stupid. We're not gonna screw up."

He smiled weakly at the memory.

"Don't you ever get scared that this might end someday?"

"I'm terrified. But if it happens, it won't be because of us, Ross." she looked at him for a while, trying to find a way to say he next words without compromising his future plans to propose... If he ever had one, that is. "Here, I... I'm willing to promise you right now that I will never ever give us up without a good fight. Hm, a fight for us, not between us"

He chuckled, amazed by all the faith she was showing towards their relationship.

"Right"

"I'll never let the small things bother me anymore or the past come between us"

Ross put his hand in his pocket, rubbing the velvet box.

"In that case, I promise I won't be so impulsive anymore. We'll talk things through and I'll never again storm off after we have a fight."

"Better say we're not gonna fight again" she said smiling, taking his hand.

"Who are you kidding?"

She laughed.

"Right"

"Care to make this a bit more interesting?"

She smiled, interested.

"How?"

He pulled out the ring from his pocket. She opened her mouth softly when she realized what was coming.

"Oh my God.." she whispered.

"I wish I had prepared something special, but... this just feels like the right moment." she covered her mouth with one hand as he got down on one knee and took her other. "Rachel... I've never... ever felt what I feel for you with any other woman. You used to be girl I could only dream of when I was a boy and I still catch myself awestruck at the realization that we're together. Again. I know we've made mistakes over the few years, but I... I've never loved you as much as I do now. You've given me Emma and a reason to breath again when you got off that plane. I know some people think it's weird when they see us together because we're so different, but this... us... we make so much sense, to me. Rachel, I love you so much. I could spend the next few hours just babbling here and you would never truly understand how much. Marry me..."

Rachel brushed her tears away and nodded. She was in a state of shock, words failing to occur at the time. The moment was surreal. Many times had she longed for this to happen, picturing it in the most romantic settings. None of them seemed to compare to that, somehow. It was just so them... It was honest, sincere. It was heart felt. It was their history and matched well with them. No prince charming sweeping off her feet. It was geeky Ross and their ups and downs... Her geeky Ross. Her future husband Mr. Ross Geeky Geller.

He slid the ring on her finger and she chuckled. She pulled him up and they kissed.

"You'll never ever understand just how much I love you either"

"So I guess we'll just be two married people completely oblivious to their love"

"Something like that" she said with a smile.

She looked at her ring.

"You like it?"

"It's perfect"

"You're not gonna exchange it, are you?"

She chuckled.

"No... You're getting good at this"

"Does that mean you like this?" he hugged her and played with her nighty to make a point.

"No. But the kids ripped off the tag, so I couldn't exchange it anymore"

He broke the hug to look at her. She smiled.

"I'm kidding, silly"

They kissed again.

"Did you find the dice?"

"Yes. I'm bit intrigued though. Tell me something"

"What?"

"They've got there interrogation points here, I was just wondering what that would be."

"Hm, I guess that's up to our imagination"

"Oh yeah?" she smiled at him and he nodded. "Are you feeling particularly creative today, Dr Geller?"

"Very much so"

"Hm, good, 'cause you get to go first"

She threw the dice at him.

"Gladly"

THE END

Yay :) Yeah, that's it. Finished in time. Deadline is February 10th ;) Hope you guys have liked it. I kinda did ;) Drop me a review now, will ya? Pleeease :)