Monica was between relationships, and growing envious of Ross and Rachel's deepening relationship. She had been in a very serious relationship lasting a year. The couple had decided it was going nowhere because she wanted children and he did not. They were wise enough to know that there was no compromise that could solve that dilemma. Either you had a kid, or you didn't.
Chandler wanted children. He had much to offer. He was good looking, two years older than Monica, smart, witty in the childish manner of straight men, and a good person. Monica had known him since she was sixteen. Ross probably knew Chandler better than anyone other than Chandler himself. Chandler had been Ross's best man at his ill-fated wedding with Carol. Ross openly declared that Chandler would be his best man again, should he re-marry. Monica's mind wandered to Chandler's male endowment, and what it might look like.
Monica realized with a shock that she had begun thinking of Chandler as a romantic prospect. Her jaw dropped when she admitted to herself that she had set her sights on Chandler as a boyfriend, lover, and husband. Monica stood up, and paced about her living room, coping with this sudden insight. It made so much sense. Chandler was husband material. Not flashy, not overtly sexy, not a bad boy, but a solid, upstanding man. A real man. Monica said to herself, "You've finally grown up, Monica."
For the first time in her life, Monica saw her future stretching out before her with perfect clarity. She and Chandler would share their lives, have children, grow old, and die together. Chandler was not the divorcing kind. Monica was determined that she would not be, either.
It was impossible to imagine either of them being unfaithful. Monica thought, wryly, "Unless, of course, Taylor Swift sets her sights on Chandler Bing. Oh, my God, by name will be Monica Bing! We'll be the Bings. My child will be little baby Bing!" Monica tried to tell herself that she was being shallow and childish, worrying about the sound of Chandler's name, "You cannot allow that to be a deal-breaker, Mrs. Bing."
Monica considered Chandler, and how to manage the next steps in their love-of-a-lifetime. Chandler was like Ross in many ways. They were both nerdy and intellectual. Neither was terribly successful with women. Either would make a perfect husband and father. Monica knew for certain that Chandler wasn't seeing anyone right now. In fact, he had been complaining about his desperate quest to find a woman for months, if not years.
Monica thought, "Chandler doesn't know it yet, but I am the only woman he is going to be with for the rest of his life." Put that way, it didn't sound appealing for Chandler, but Monica was a beautiful woman. She had no doubt in her mind that Chandler was already in love with her.
How to break the news to him? "Hi, Chandler, I'm the next, and only, woman you will ever have. Welcome aboard!" No, she needed to draw things out a little, almost like a normal romance between people who have just met. She had to manipulate him into courting her. Easy.
Monica picked up her phone and called Chandler's phone. "Hey, Chandler, are you home?" He was. "I've got some fettucine alfredo over here, if you want some." He did. "Great. See you in a few."
The next question is whether Joey was home, as well. Monica had to take that chance, since inviting only Chandler would make her intentions obvious. After a few moments, Chandler walked in...alone. Monica asked, "Where's Joey?"
Chandler answered, with disgust, "Out on a date." Joey did great with women.
She invited Chandler to sit at the kitchen table. She poured white wine for two, and set about re-heating the fettucine, which was from the day before. She inquired, "How about you, Chandler? What's upcoming on your social calendar?"
He moped, "Oh, nothing. I have a family wedding here in town Saturday after next."
She asked, "You don't have a date to the prom?"
He chuckled, "No. It's pretty tough to take someone you hardly know to a family wedding."
"Maybe you'll meet someone there. Weddings are great for matchmaking."
He said, "Well, half the people will be related to me, anyway."
She said, "I love going to weddings. Dancing, the food, the cake. It's great fun!"
Chandler was looking at Monica. She smiled sheepishly and fussed over the fettucine. He ventured, "If you like weddings, you could come with me."
She put her hands on her hips, as if astonished, "Oh, that's a great idea. I would love that. Thank you."
She served him the fettucine. He tasted it and raved, "Oh, my God, Monica, you are such a great cook! This is delicious. You should get into catering, because this is better than anything I have ever had at a wedding."
"Why thank you, Chandler Bing." They ate in silence for a bit, then she said, "Oh, that reminds me, I am dying to see the new James Bond movie. If you take me to the wedding, I'll take you to the movie...."
Chandler said, "That'd be great. Let's see if we can work out a time with the gang." Monica was deflated. He was just like Ross, so honest and direct. He naively thought that others were the same way, and he therefore could not take a hint. The following Friday, when Monica knew that everyone else had plans, she called Chandler, and said, "The Bond flick is showing at nine. Wanna go?"
"Sure, but Joey is on a date."