Home is Not a Place

Foundations

A/N: This isn't the Epilogue, it's a bonus chapter which focuses more on Ross. Enjoy!

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To call this evening surreal wouldn't even begin to cover it.

Everything about tonight felt simply too good to be true - yet, somehow, it was real.

Rachel's words were real, unveiling her plans to move back to New York, declaring her true feelings for him.

Her fingernails digging into his back were real, her tongue battling his was real.

It was all real.

She loved him and he loved her. Simple as that, like it never seemed to be between them before. They actually said those words out loud to each other tonight for the first time in many, many years.

No ifs or buts, no we were on a break's; no dismissing it as a bonus night thing - or a perfect way to say goodbye thing.

For a moment there he couldn't believe how irresponsibly stupid he had been, giving into his deepest desires and pulling her into that initial kiss. But to have her not just reciprocate his momentary lapse, but push them further, saying those things...

Ross was hit by a strong wave of lust and pulled away slightly, enough to separate their lips and regain some composure. He heard her sigh and could tell she was feeling it too. This was amazing and of course their bodies were responding - it's what they've always been best at, after all.

However, something inside him told him they should go slow this time. Caution, yes, but if he were being honest with himself, it was also fear. After all, since their breakup, every time they succumbed to their hormones so quickly, things didn't exactly end well for them.

This was undoubtedly different than all those times, of course, but still.

He kept his eyes closed, forehead glued to hers, and ran a hand carefully over her soft hair. He wondered how to voice his feelings without risking ruining this perfect moment. But when he opened his eyes, Rachel withdrew her face enough to look at him and something inside him told him she knew exactly what he was thinking.

"Maybe we should take this slow." She was the one to suggest, her voice soft.

He nodded.

"I think that's probably for the best." He agreed.

She kept her eyes on his and ran her hand up to the side of his face.

"I'm happy we finally talked this out."

Ross enveloped her into another hug.

"Me too." He said into her hair.

They swayed from side to side in perfect silence for a few seconds, until Ross couldn't help but let out a yawn. It had been an exhausting day, from flying into Paris just this morning and barely being able to catch any sleep on the red-eye, to spending the whole day with an energetic 4-year-old and then the whole conversation with Rachel...

Rachel chuckled when she heard it.

"It's been a long day for you, huh?"

They broke the hug to look at each other again.

"And the best." They smiled. "I wish I could prolong it, but I could use some rest now."

"Mhm."

And then Ross noticed a different look on Rachel's face. She bit her lip and looked thoughtful.

"What?"

"Would it be OK if I... If I slept out here with you tonight?"

He couldn't help but smile again, which triggered her to do the same.