Medical Center.
Late at night.
The proposal ceremony wrapped up in a weird vibe. Everyone scattered their own way. Ross got chased off by Adam—yep, kicked out! Compared to the others moping around, stuck in their school-museum-university ivory towers, Ross snapped out of it quick with a little mental trick.
Fake!
Fake!
All fake!
Once he shook it off, Ross, the groom-to-be, started getting some bold ideas. Engagement night. Bachelor night. Come on, no action? That's just lame! He and Rachel didn't care if Emma was "illegitimate" or what the old folks thought. But as the teary-eyed bride-and-groom-to-be stared into each other's eyes, Adam swooped in like a buzzkill, shooing Ross out.
"No lip-syncing excuses. I'll have someone watching tonight," Adam cut through their dreamy nonsense.
"Damn it!" Ross and Rachel cursed in unison.
"Get some rest, you two. You're getting married first thing tomorrow. Don't you want to be at your best for the big moment?" Adam warned. "Ross being the ugliest groom is one thing, but Rachel, you aiming for the ugliest bride crown too?"
"No way!" Rachel shut down her wild ideas fast. Why risk eternal beauty for a fleeting thrill? Tomorrow's a huge deal—photos, videos, the works! 😍
"Adam, I haven't prepped anything though!" Rachel patted herself down, worried. "I'm getting married in this?"
"Small stuff, don't sweat it," Adam waved it off. "Just rest up, recharge, and I'll handle the rest."
Everyone's got a mental ledger. Owing favors? Total burden for most. Hmm… Leonard's debt just shrank a bit. Adam flashed a mental "yes" gesture. ✌️
"Thanks!" Rachel beamed, practically glowing with excitement.
After kicking Ross out, Adam called his assistant, Ada, laying out his demands—get moving, pronto!
"You've got photos, right? From Chandler and Monica's wedding—we all took group shots. Grab Rachel's pic and pick a wedding dress tonight. High-end, got it?"
"The groom? Nah, he's fine. He's been married a bunch—plenty of suits lying around!"
"Help the bride. She's pregnant, so her measurements are…"
"What're you thinking? No, it's not mine!"
"Why so precise? First day on the job or what? Do I need to grope someone to nail exact sizes? Your measurements are…"
"Off? That's on you then. When you grab the dress, have them measure you. See who's right. If I'm wrong, you get an extra month's bonus."
"I'm doomed? It's all fake? You're rocking a push-up miracle? Haha, wanna bet? Three months' salary on the line?"
"You're in? Raising the stakes? Nope, I'm good!"
"Not 'cause I'm scared to lose, but I don't want you broke and distracted at work."
"Why so sure? Haven't you noticed you've gained a little?"
Beep beep.
Beep beep.
Ada muttered a quick "Got it, I'm on it" and hung up. Clearly, she's another Penny—weight tied tight to self-worth. Adam saying she's fat? Oh, she's offended.
Next morning. Early.
Adam rolled up to the VIP maternity ward. Ada was already there, bossing people around to get Rachel into a custom maternity wedding dress. You get what you pay for, and this? Top-tier.
"Wow!"
"Gorgeous!"
Monica and the gang showed up. Once Rachel was ready, they chimed in with the praise she craved.
"Thanks, Adam!" Rachel twirled in front of the full-length mirror, over the moon. A pregnant bride looking this good? She's thrilled! 😊
"No problem," Adam grinned. "Ada, wedding setup done?"
"Yep," Ada grumbled, face dark. "Hotel next to the hospital—rushed it, but it's ready."
"Groom's side?" Adam glanced at Monica.
"Chandler and Joey are on it. Should be set," she replied.
"Adam, what about our bridesmaid dresses?" Phoebe whined.
"No bridesmaids today," Adam chuckled. "Rachel's the star. Regular clothes are fine for you guys."
Monica tugged Phoebe's arm, eyes flicking to Rachel's baby bump. One lead at this wedding: the bride. Groom's just a sidekick. Bridesmaids outshining her? What, trying to steal the show?
Think of those celeb weddings—rows of stunning bridesmaids stealing the spotlight. Who even remembers the bride? All because the bridesmaids outclassed her, ganging up like a beauty squad. Bet the bride's secretly dreaming of going full Gatling Buddha on them—and the groom too, with his wandering eyes.
Rachel almost spoke up but caught herself. A glance at her belly and that stunning dress, and she swallowed her words. Sudden wedding, simple vibes—bridesmaids? Meh, who cares.
"Monica, Phoebe, look after Rachel," Adam said, heading out.
Ada trailed him. "It's a wedding, cheer up! It's just three months' pay," Adam teased.
"How'd you know?" Ada was baffled. She and Adam? Strictly business.
"Good eyes, solid math," Adam smirked. "Oh, and experience helps."
"That's it?" Ada still couldn't believe it.
"Not enough?" Adam paused. "Forgot where we are?"
"Hospital?" Ada blinked.
"And who am I?" Adam hinted. "Doctor. Surgeon, actually. Fat tissue? Seen it all. Tons of folks roll in with push-up tricks, but pre-surgery, it's all off—real self revealed. After a while, with a little talent, you see through the façade. Normal, right?"
"…" Ada's face darkened further. This hit harder than the fat comment—total offense!
"Adam!" Leonard waved him over.
Adam paused the chat, flashed Ada a grin, and headed over.
"I got us time off from the director," Leonard said, all concern. "City hall registration—how's that going?"
"Smooth," Adam smiled. "Judge approved, staff's ready on-site. Soon as they open, it's official. Congrats—your first granddaughter's legit!"
"Awesome!" Leonard sighed, relieved. "Adam, this is all you—thanks!"
"No biggie," Adam grinned. "Let's head over."
"Cool." Leonard nodded.
They strolled toward the wedding spot outside the hospital. Today's gig? Super last-minute, kept simple—close friends and fam only. Lucky the Gellers and Greens live in NYC and made it in time. Venue? Flowers, band, all set in hours, thanks to cash magic.
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