Work Text:
One Christmas Wish
A Friends Fan Fiction
Notes: Set after The One With The Holiday Armadillo. Through a roleplay game a core childhood memory is unlocked for Monica which leads to Chandler acting in a fatherly way.
Once Ross, Ben, Joey and Phoebe had gone, only Rachel remained to help Chandler and Monica finish cleaning up.
“Why are you still wearing that Santa suit, Chan?” Rachel asked.
“Mon wanted me to stay in it a little longer.” He said.
“Yeah, it was because my dad never dressed up as Santa. I wanted to know what it’s like.” Monica added, rinsing off the final dish. Her eyes lit up with a childlike excitement.
“Cute! So, it’s like a…roleplay thing?” Rachel asked, surprisingly nonjudgmental.
Suddenly Monica’s hand was immediately curled into Rachel’s as she looked at her with a twinkling smile.
“Take me to see Santa, Mama?” She cooed.
“Oh, please!” Rachel pulled her hand away, rolling her eyes. “This seems like something that should stay between the two of you.”
“Come on, Rachel. We’re just goofing off. Take me to see Santa!”
“Okay, but if this unlocks some untapped psychological trauma, I’m not gonna be responsible for those therapy bills. But you’ll be responsible for mine, if this gets weird!” Rachel sighed, taking her friend’s hand.
Rachel kissed Monica’s head. “Okay, Mama will take you to see Santa. Santa, it’s not very whimsical for you to be standing by the sink like that.”
Chandler sat in the easy chair by the window and Rachel walked over to him.
“This is Monica,” she said gently, “It’s her first time seeing Santa.”
“Ho Ho Ho, have you been a good little girl?”
Monica nodded. “Yes. I have.”
“What do you want for Christmas?”
“A new Barbie doll, some books, and a cookbook.”
“Anything else?”
Tears were in Monica’s eyes. She did not want to answer.
“Mon Mon, tell Santa what else you want for Christmas sweetie.” Rachel prodded
“I want to know why people pick on me and why Ross doesn’t stand up for me when Mommy and Daddy are mean.”
Chandler glanced at Rachel over the top of Monica’s head. “Now I understand why she wanted to play this game. Our girl needs us, Rachel.”
“Can I have cookies and milk Mama?” Monica looked at Rachel.
“Of course you can.”
Chandler patted Monica’s shoulder. “Tell me what’s really going on, little one.”
Tears were in Monica’s eyes. “I hate being so lonely. It really stinks.”
Chandler pulled her into his lap and kissed her forehead. “I love you Monica.”
Rachel walked over and placed the milk and cookies on the windowsill. “Here you go, honey.”
Monica reached out, took the cup from Rachel and took a bite of her cookie and put it down on her plate.
“This is yummy.”She then kissed Chandler’s cheek. “I love you, too.” She then curled in tightly against his chest,
Rachel squeezed Monica’s hand gently.
“Mon Mon, we know your childhood was tough but,..” her eyes connected with Chandler's, “You’re a grown up now and we love you so much. Your parents love you, too.”
Monica snorted. “No they don’t. They still like Ross better. You know that.” “Your dad loves you deep down. “ Chandler whispered
“He does?”
“He told me that that day we bonded a few weeks ago He said you’ll always be his little Harmonica.”
Tears were in Monica’s eyes “Thank you.”
Chandler smiled softly. “You’re welcome.”
“Okay!” Rachel stood up. “Is this impromptu therapy session over with?”
“Yes, ‘Mommy’, you can go. But…thank you,” Monica told her with a smile.
Monica disentangled herself from Chandler’s lap & they both stood up.
After Rachel went out, Chandler wrapped his arms around his fiance's waist. “ Are you feeling better?”
“Yes I am.”
His lips grazed her forehead. “ Monica, is it okay if we stop playing this role playing game?”
Monica nodded. “ I hope that did not freak you & Rachel out too much.”
“We’re happy to help you process your trauma sweetheart.” Chandler pulled her close to him.
“I know I like to run this house like a tight ship but I want to be able to get vulnerable with you sometimes Chandler.” She whispered. Tears were in her eyes.
“Don’t cry honey. It’s really okay. Both of us have messy pasts. We’ll grow together as our relationship goes along, okay?
Chandler’s embrace tightened around Monica. She wept into his neck. “Okay. I love you.”
“I love you too honey.. always.”