Ross made a surprise, unannounced visit to Monica and Rachel's apartment, mid-week. Rachel was a little miffed because she was wearing sweats and she said she looked like a wreck. Chandler was already there. Ross gathered the four of them around the dining table, and pronounced, pompously, "I may have the solution to our housing crisis." The other three looked surprised to learn that they had been embroiled in a housing crisis. Ross elaborated, "Monica and Chandler, what are your housing plans for the next twelve months?"
Monica and Chandler looked at one another. As always, Monica spoke for the couple, "We want to move in together within the next twelve months. Actually, within the next couple of months."
Ross asked, "Where?"
Monica and Chandler exchanged a look again. Monica was noncommittal. She suspected that she was in a negotiation, and she didn't like showing her cards first. She said, "Here, if this place is available."
Ross said, "Rachel wants to live here, too. I want us to live in my place. I think I may have found a solution. There's a beautiful two bedroom coming available in my building!"
Monica and Chandler were all smiles. Rachel asked, "Your place is already more expensive than this one, Ross. How much is a two-bedroom?"
"It's proportionately more. Thirty-four percent more square footage, thirty-four percent more rent. But the best part is, Rachel, it has a master suite. It's got two bathrooms. That is going to be so great! What do you think, Rachel?"
Rachel said, "I love this place so much, but one bathroom has always been awkward. Your building is nicer, you have a view, better neighborhood."
Ross said, "Rachel, with our combined incomes, the rent is completely reasonable. Come see the apartment."
Rachel said, "I'll take a look. Maybe tomorrow after work."
The next evening, Rachel called from Ross's, "Monica, our apartment is now your apartment. Adios!"
When Monica told Chandler the news, he said, "The problem is that this apartment is too girly."
Monica said, "Chandler, people say that YOU are too girly. However, I would be open to redecorating so it suits you better. Anyway, you have another problem; Joey."
Chandler said, "Let's rip this band-aid off, and tell him right now." They went across to the guys' apartment. Joey was watching television. Chandler sat in his recliner, and Monica sat on the arm. Chandler said, "Joey, Monica and I are going to live together in her apartment. I'll be moving out of here."
Joey was dismayed, "I was afraid of this. When?"
Chandler said, "We're not sure, yet, but within two months. I will make sure that you don't miss your rent payments while you look for a roommate. I wanted to tell you as soon as possible. You can look for a roommate starting now, Joey. If you find one soon, I can live at Monica and Rachel's until everyone else is ready to move."
"I'm happy you guys are moving in together. That's a big step. Say, does this mean Rachel is moving in with Ross?"
"Yes, into a two-bedroom in his building."
Monica and Chandler returned to her apartment to talk. She asked, "What would you want to do with the spare bedroom? I guess it's between guest room and office."
"I would love an office. It's big enough for each of us to have a desk."
Monica said, "Ooooh, yeah. I've been thinking..."
"Words I dread to hear."
"I've been thinking we could put a queen-size Murphy bed in there, if we share a large desk or table. Best of both worlds."
"That would be acceptable."
There was no moving day. It was more of a moving festival. First, they moved Ross upstairs to the two-bedroom. That was a lot of stuff, but at least he was moving into a larger unit. Then, they moved Rachel into the new apartment. The good thing was that almost all of the kitchen stuff belonged to Monica, so there was little duplication with Ross's kitchen stuff. They had Goodwill pick up most of Rachel's furniture because Ross's was so much better, and her stuff would not suit the guest room.
Finally, the easiest move, by far, was moving Chandler across the hall. He had minimal furniture, it was right across the hall, and the apartment he was moving into had an empty bedroom that could accommodate his meager belongings.
Even though the two couples had each spent a lot of time, mostly weekends, living as couples in the same place, there were some adjustments to be made. Ross was a neatnik. He was not the compulsive cleaner that Monica was; he prevented messes in preference to cleaning them up. Rachel was a slob compared to Ross. She threw clothing on the floor and left it there until she wanted to wear it again. She left a terrible clutter on the bathroom counter. Rachel did not, in Ross's opinion, know the correct way to do laundry.
Chandler and Monica had an easier transition. Monica was a control freak. Every relationship she had, romantic, personal, professional or otherwise, she ruled with an iron fist. Chandler had long since ceded his control and decision-making powers to Monica as a condition for being with her.
Monica removed some of the frills and lace from the soft furnishings. Instead of maintaining the dining table with flatware and china always on display, she left it bare, except for a conservative centerpiece, for a more mature, gender-neutral look. Monica happily got more gender-neutral bed linens. She saw the new linens as a symbol of her new life as part of a couple. Redecorating came fairly easily to Monica because it entailed shopping.
Monica was a notorious clean freak. Chandler knew her well enough to know that he would have to be diligent.
After a week of co-habitation, Monica and Rachel compared notes. Rachel stopped by the old apartment. For the first time, Rachel rang the doorbell instead of letting herself in. Monica was surprised to see Rachel when she opened the door. They hugged warmly. Monica said, "Oh, I've missed you, Rachel. It's not the same without you around."
Rachel cried, "I've missed you, too, sweetie." She held her arms out, spun around, drank in the apartment, and said, "Oh, I've missed this place, too!"
