Epilogue
O ne year later
“Congrats, sweetheart! Just in time for the big night.” Mark was staring into the mirror in their bedroom, a look of concentration on his face as he redid his tie for the tenth time that evening.
For a man in his position, he was unusually bad at tying ties.
Jenna still couldn’t believe the whirlwind of events that had led to her hosting her first annual “Central Perk Crew” convention for subscribers of her increasingly popular Friends-themed Discord server.
Ever since she had begun to invest serious amounts of time into growing and monetizing the group, it had blown up beyond her wildest expectations. She had even been able to hire Chloe on as a full-time moderator, which meant they got together weekly for “business meetings” at GriddleHouse .
“Did you remember to invite your parents?” Mark asked tentatively. They both knew this was a sore subject, but he’d been encouraging Jenna to reach out to them for the past few months.
Jenna sighed. “I texted my mom about it. No response yet.”
“When did you send the text?”
“…Yesterday,” Jenna answered.
Now it was Mark’s turn to sigh. “Jenna…” he said, a hint of warning coming through his tone.
“Please don’t make a big deal out of it,” she said, spinning her earring rack to locate just the right pair. “I’m already nervous enough about tonight.”
“Okay, you’re right,” Mark said, coming up behind her and kissing the top of her head. “Let’s get going. Didn’t you tell Chloe you’d meet her there early?”
“Yeah, let’s go.” Jenna took a deep breath to calm herself, then moved to the full-length mirror to assess her look.
She was wearing a chic yet casual outfit, a fitted black graphic tee featuring the iconic Friends logo, paired with high-waisted, distressed denim jeans.
Over her tee, she had a light, oversized olive-green cardigan that added a touch of comfort to her ensemble.
Her short blonde hair was styled in loose waves, and she’d finished her look with a bit of subtle makeup to highlight her green eyes.
“This is going to be a good night,” she told her reflection.
The evening sky was streaked with the colors of twilight as Mark and Jenna arrived at the convention center. Jenna couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and nerves buzzing in her chest. She had spent months planning this, and this was the night it all came together.
As they walked through the main entrance, Jenna’s eyes widened in delight at the sight that greeted them. The event planner she had hired had outdone herself, transforming the space into a perfect homage to her beloved sitcom.
The entrance was adorned with a giant, hand-painted Central Perk sign.
To the right, there was a life-sized replica of the Central Perk couch, complete with mismatched colorful cushions, inviting guests to sit and take themed selfies.
A few attendees were already there, excitedly posing and chatting.
Further inside, the walls of the convention hall were plastered with themed decorations and quotes from the show.
One wall had a large mural of the classic title sequence, featuring the cast dancing in front of a fountain.
Another wall was decorated with large photo prints of memorable moments from the show—Ross’s “pivot” scene, Chandler and Monica’s wedding, Joey wearing all of Chandler’s clothes, and more.
Tables were scattered throughout the space, each covered in a tablecloth mimicking the pattern of Monica’s checkered table. There was a porcelain dog statue reminiscent of Joey and Chandler’s decor mishaps and a foosball table, which was already attracting a small crowd.
Suspended from the ceiling were colorful string lights, and in the corner was a DJ booth with a playlist of ‘90s hits and the iconic Friends theme song. The event even featured a small stage area, where trivia games and costume contests were set to take place.
As they took in the scene, Mark leaned in and whispered, “This is incredible, Jenna. You and your planner did an amazing job.”
“What am I, chopped liver?” Chloe said as she came up behind them, playfully batting Mark’s arm.
“And of course, none of this could have happened without the amazing Chloe,” Mark said, smiling and giving Chloe a hug.
Jenna grinned as she hugged Chloe next. Her friend—and now coworker—seemed to be in a much better place the last few months. Back to her old self, in fact.
The event planner came bustling over to them. “Well, what do we think?” The girl was in her mid-twenties, with shoulder-length auburn hair and a scattering of freckles across her face. She was a bundle of energy and creativity, a force to be reckoned with despite her petite frame.
“It’s absolutely perfect, Marley,” Jenna gushed.
“I’ve got you set up at a table over here. Let’s get you settled, people are already starting to line up.”
The energy in the room was palpable, with about fifty early arrivers milling about, engaging in animated discussions about their favorite episodes and capturing memories with the themed decor.
It was surreal to witness her vision brought to life, and even more so to see a line forming just to meet her.
“Jenna! Jenna!” A group of fans waved excitedly, and she waved back, her heart swelling with joy as she approached the table set up for her to sign autographs and take pictures.
As they settled into their chairs, the first fan, a young woman with a Phoebe T-shirt, stepped forward, her eyes wide with excitement. “I can’t believe I’m meeting you in person!” she gushed.
Jenna felt a blush creep up her cheeks. “Thank you so much!” she replied sincerely, signing a picture and posing for a selfie.
Usually it was Mark who garnered the attention when they went out. Tonight it was her turn, and the shift was both exhilarating and a bit awkward for her.
Glancing to the side, Jenna caught sight of Mark mingling with a group of fans near the Central Perk couch.
He was talking animatedly, hands gesturing as he recounted an amusing anecdote.
When he noticed her looking, he gave her a smile that made her heart skip a beat.
It was a smile full of pride and encouragement.
She watched as he stepped away from the group and made his way over to her. “How’s it going, superstar?” he asked, his eyes twinkling. “You’ve got quite the fan club.”
She laughed softly, feeling a warmth spread through her. “It’s incredible, Mark. I never imagined this kind of turnout.”
“Well, you deserve every bit of it,” he said, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I’m so proud of you.”
Hearing those words from Mark filled her with a profound sense of happiness. It wasn’t just about the fans or the convention; it was about being celebrated for something she had built from the ground up, and having Mark here, showing her off, made it all the more meaningful.
“Thank you,” she whispered, squeezing his hand before turning to the next fan in line.
Her heart nearly stopped when she saw who it was.
Standing there, looking slightly uncertain yet overwhelmingly happy, was her mom. Jenna blinked, thinking it was a trick of the low light, but there was no mistaking her mom’s familiar features.
“Mom?” Jenna’s voice was barely more than a whisper, shock evident in her tone.
Her mom smiled, the tentative expression transforming into something radiant. “Hi, Jenna. I got your text and thought… Well, I thought I’d surprise you.”
Jenna’s mind raced. She hadn’t spoken to her mom in over two years, and their last conversation hadn’t ended well. The sudden appearance left her grappling with a whirlwind of emotions. But seeing the genuine happiness in her mom’s eyes settled something deep within her.
“Oh my gosh, Mom,” Jenna finally managed, stepping around the table and enveloping her mom in a hug. “I can’t believe you’re here.” The hug was slightly awkward at first, but it soon became tighter, more genuine.
Her mom pulled back slightly, her eyes moist. “I’m so proud of you, Jenna. This—you’ve created something amazing.” She gestured around the decorated hall, her admiration apparent.
Jenna felt a lump form in her throat. “Thank you. That means a lot.” She turned briefly, her eyes scanning the room for Mark, who had already wandered off again and was chatting with Scott.
Catching sight of Jenna’s beckoning wave, Mark excused himself and made his way over. Arriving next to Jenna, he looked between the two women, sensing the significance of the moment.
“Mom, this is Mark,” Jenna introduced. “Mark, this is my mom.”
Mark extended his hand warmly. “It’s so wonderful to meet you. Jenna’s told me a lot about you.”
Her mom shook his hand, her expression a mixture of curiosity and subtle awe. “It’s nice to meet you too, Mark.” She winked at Jenna, which Jenna took as her approval of her choice.
Mark did look even more alluring than usual tonight in his suit.
“I can see why everyone here loves you so much. You’ve built something really special,” her mom continued.
“Thanks, Mom. I’m really glad you came,” Jenna said, her voice thick with emotion.
Her mom smiled, a hand reaching out to squeeze Jenna’s. “Me too, Jenna.”
“Hey, Mrs. Harper, long time no see!” Chloe said, coming up to them and gathering Jenna’s mom in a hug. Chloe had never been shy about that sort of thing.
“Oh, hi Chloe, it’s wonderful seeing you again.” Her mom smiled warmly. “Well I’ll leave you girls to it.”
“You’re leaving already?” Jenna asked, trying to hide her disappointment but sure she was failing.
“Oh no, honey. Your lovely planner got me a last-minute seat at a table. I’ll be here for a while.”
“Okay, good,” Jenna said, smiling as she watched her mom walk toward her seat.
Chloe grabbed Jenna’s arm and pulled her aside. “Did you see Scott is here?” she hissed.
“I did see that. I wasn’t sure he’d be able to make it, but it was sweet of him to come,” Jenna answered neutrally.
Chloe blushed, looking in the direction of Scott who was swirling his glass of wine, chatting with a group of fans. Jenna grinned to herself. She had no idea what was going on there, but something about Scott seemed to fluster Chloe.
She heard a loud clinking sound and turned to see Mark standing in the middle of the group, raising his glass to get everyone’s attention.
What was he up to?
The chatter slowly died down, and the crowd’s focus shifted toward him. Mark had always had a way of commanding a room with his calm, confident presence.
“Good evening, everyone,” he began, his voice carrying warmth and sincerity.
“First of all, I want to thank every single one of you for being here tonight to celebrate something very special. This convention, this gathering, is a testament to the power of community, the joy of friendship, and the magic of shared passions.”
It was cheesy, Jenna thought, but it was the sort of thing one said at an event like this…
Then Mark’s gaze found hers, and she felt a familiar rush of warmth spread through her.
“As most of you know, this amazing event wouldn’t be possible without Jenna Harper.
Jenna has poured her heart and soul into making this a reality, and it’s a true reflection of her dedication, her creativity, and her love for all of you. ”
The room burst into applause, and Jenna felt her cheeks flush. She mouthed a “thank you” to everyone, overwhelmed by their appreciation.
Mark continued speaking, his eyes never leaving hers. “But tonight is about more than just celebrating a wonderful TV show we all love. It’s about celebrating the person who brought us all together, the person who turned a simple idea into something truly extraordinary.”
A flutter of excitement mixed with confusion stirred in Jenna’s chest. She could see something different, something deeper in Mark’s eyes. She found herself walking toward him, the attendees clearing a path for her. His voice softened and trembled slightly as he spoke directly to her.
“Jenna, you are my best friend, my partner, and my greatest adventure. Every day with you feels like a new episode, filled with laughter, surprises, and so much love.”
Jenna’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening as her mind began to piece together what was happening. Tears started to form, glistening at the corners of her eyes. Her heart pounded in her chest as she watched him reach into his pocket and come down on one knee.
“Jenna Harper, will you marry me?”
Jenna’s hands flew to her mouth, her eyes filling with tears of joy and disbelief. The room erupted in cheers and applause, but all she could see was Mark.
“Yes! Yes, I will!” she cried, her voice shaking with emotion.
He took her trembling hand and slid a glittering diamond ring onto her finger. As he stood, she threw her arms around him, holding him close as the crowd’s cheers filled the room.
“Too much?” Mark whispered in her ear.
Jenna looked out at the crowd, her eyes focusing on her mom and Chloe, who were embracing and jumping up and down.
“Definitely too much,” she whispered back with a smirk.
But then again, their whole relationship had been too much right from the start.
And she wouldn’t change it for the world.
Not bad, but it could have used an enema scene, right?