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."
Monica said, "Phoebe, Ross and Rachel are busy too, so it'd just be us."
"Oh, okay. You hungry?"
"Yes!"
They went for pizza before the movie. James Bond offered something for both of them, with their widely divergent tastes in film. Monica had decided to inform Chandler that they were a couple with a romantic first kiss. She was eager to make this, the last first kiss for both of them, something they could remember fondly forever. Friday night proved to be foggy. There were no expansive views upon which to gaze.
There followed eight days of scheduling conflicts and work crises, so Monica and Chandler's second date was his family wedding. Monica had met scarcely anyone in Chandler's family. They, of course, were agog at the stunner that Chandler had shown up with. When Monica went to the lady's room, Chandler was beset by relatives who wanted to know how long they had been dating, were they serious, and what sort of bet she had lost to get stuck with Chandler as a date.
Monica was an excellent dancer. Chandler was mediocre at best, but always game, which was the most important thing to Monica. They did a lot of dancing. On every slow song, they held each other a tiny bit closer than they had previously.
The reception venue had a spectacular view, and the weather was, at long last, cooperating. They stepped out to admire the view. Monica held Chandler's hand as they walked out. Looking out, Monica put her arm around Chandler's waist. He turned to her, she turned to him, and they shared a lingering, closed-mouth kiss. Monica thought, "Perfect. This will make a great story for our grandkids."
Monica and Chandler had a great time at the wedding. Arriving back at their building, they held hands in the elevator, and on the walk to their respective doors. They kissed lightly, and Chandler, with characteristic candor, asked, "Was this our first date?"
"This was our second date."
From then on, Monica and Chandler had dinner together almost every night. Monica told Rachel that she was seeing Chandler the first week, and told Ross and Phoebe the second week. Monica and Chandler spent many hours talking about their values and expectations. They were confirming that they were a good match. They were still at the kissing and necking stage when they told Joey in week three.
Now that their circle of friends was up to speed, it seemed to Monica a good time to make love for the first time. On a Saturday night, when Rachel was staying at Ross's, Monica made a romantic dinner. They ate by candlelight, not saying much. After dinner, Monica stood, took Chandler's hand and gently drew him toward her bedroom.
Even though Rachel was not expected that night, Monica closed her bedroom door for thoroughness. She lit candles, some of which were scented. Chandler chose to defer to another time the revelation that he hated scented candles. Chandler began to disrobe while Monica was lighting the candles, mainly because it felt awkward to stand there doing nothing. They stripped on opposite sides of the bed, and got in together.
Monica took for granted that their lovemaking session would begin with mutual oral sex. There was a bit of awkwardness when he didn't take the hint and go down. Instead, he manually stimulated her pussy. Going with the flow, Monica helped by pouring oil into his palm and hers. They gave each other manual foreplay for a while. Monica coached him, "Yes. Yes. Focus on the clit. Just the clit. Oh, yeah! How does this feel?"