Monica and Chandler worked so so well. They made each other better. Loved that.
Rachel and Joey would have been so good though. They were both pretty shallow, Rachel would have loved attending all Joey’s premieres and soap rehearsals etc., he would have been happy to be dressed by her, they would have been a much better than Rachel and Ross. Plus Rachel and Ben don’t get along particularly well; would Ross really have chosen her over his son? Not sure where Ben went though.
Phoebe would’ve been good with David or Mike. But maybe Mike would be willing to share just for the days David is back?
Ross should have ended up with Charlie really. Or alone with multiple restraining orders against him. Brilliant actor but horrible horrible character. Rachel didn’t deserve him. She would have had much more fun with Joey.
And why on Earth did none of them move into Monica’s apartment? Rent controlled so cheaper than any of the others, far nicer than the other two…
In my head, having got off the plane, Rachel and Ross had three good months together then Ross became unreasonably jealous and controlling, Rachel wised up and moved out (ideally back into Monica’s apartment which she’d agreed to keep on in case Paris didn’t work out). Living next door to Joey the two of them further developed their friendship and ultimately did power on through and realise they were soulmates.
Ross had a breakdown and was admitted to psychiatric hospital for several months, funded by his parents. This finally enabled him to make fundamental changes, deal with his insecurities, and actually grow up. He then settles down with 50 50 custody of both children and does proper parenting with them both when he has them, not just dragging them round to his sister’s house. Although they do enjoy going out to the suburbs to visit their younger cousins too. Eventually Ross does find a wife and they have a third child.
Meanwhile Monica becomes the ultimate driven full time parent for a few years. They have more children - Erica just doesn’t know how it happens but it seems to all the same. They may have a birth child too at some point, I haven’t worked that out yet. But if they do then all children will be loved equally.
When Monica is ready to go back to work she sets up a business delivering gourmet ready meals in discreet packaging for busy moms on the go. This business takes off and she and Chandler run it together, balancing work and home life and giving their children all the opportunities they wanted to be able to provide for them.
Joey a d Rachel do not have any more children, but Emma is accepted by Joey’s family as his adorable step daughter and has a wild time with all his sisters’ many children as well as Rachel and Ross’ wider family.
Phoebe and Mike lose touch with the rest of them, to Mike’s enormous relief. They do have a child. Mike’s parents step in to provide a nanny who can teach Phoebe how to actually parent toning down her floopiness into more acceptable levels of freestyling.
Well. That’s my theory anyway.