For those of you who know us welland have read our stories since the beginning, you know where this story is coming from. For those of you who are new to this, or haven't read any of our work before, we'll give you a little introduction. This story is actually a sequel to our first story, "Cereal Aisle". A lot of people who have read that one asked if there would be a continuation. We originally weren't going to do one, but then we saw the infinite possibilities of doing a sequel. We will say, that if you have not read "Cereal Aisle" as yet, then you should before you read this one. There are references to that story that will not be understood unless the first one is read.
On that note, we give you Chapter One, of "Cleanup on Aisle 2". We hope you will tell us what you think of it.
Yours, as always,
butterflyswest and Erin Allen
"I'm going to look like a whale," she said as she surveyed her form in the mirror. She turned to the side, trying to see the back. Not that she needed to worry about the back of the sari. The problem would come when she walked...or rather, waddled down the aisle. "I cannot believe he talked me into getting married before this baby is born."
Abby rolled her eyes.
"First, you are not going to look like a whale," she said, trying to sound reassuring. She would never say that it was the first thought that had popped into her head when Neela had disclosed her wedding date. Neela was only four months along and was already showing. Before much longer, she was going to be as big as a barn. "Second, wouldn't you rather be married before the baby's born? It's not like you don't already live together, help him raise his sister, clean up after him..."
"I did all that before he asked me to marry him," she said distractedly with all the sarcasm she could muster. "I just don't understand why we couldn't have waited until after the birth."
"Maybe he just wants to have it done before the real craziness starts," Abby said. "Do you really want to plan a wedding while taking care of a newborn?"
Neela went cold at the thought. No, she definitely did not. She had enough trouble trying to get things together with her work schedule, Emily's school schedule, Ray's unexpected gig schedules, and Brett's surprise inspections of their refrigerator. She would say one thing. The fridge was always clean after he left. And empty.
"No, I don't want to plan a wedding and take care of a newborn. I have enough trouble with the children in my house." She looked at her reflection in the mirror again and sighed. "I think this will do. I can't very well ask my mother if I can wear hers." She caught her breath and bit her lip, cursing silently for saying anything. She glanced at Abby who was frowning slightly.
"Why can't you ask your mother?"
"Abby, I..."
Abby's face went white, and her mouth dropped open in shocked realization.
"You haven't told them."
"Abby..."
"How can you not have told them?" her friend demanded. "This isn't exactly something that you can keep from them for long. One of these days they're going to wonder why you're showing up to the family reunion with a kid and husband in tow."
"I know," Neela said sadly. "It's just...well, you know how they are, Abby! First of all, they won't accept Ray. Ever. They just want me to marry a nice Indian man and raise nice Indian babies. Second, I'm pregnant. Out of wedlock. My father will die of shame. My mother will too, but only after she kills me."
"So, what are you going to do?" Abby asked sharply. "Wait until after the wedding and the baby's born to say anything? Just go home and say, 'By the way, Mom...Dad...this is my husband, Ray. Oh, yeah, and did I mention that this little screaming bundle over here is your grandkid? Come on, Neela."
Neela grimaced.
"When you put it that way, it sounds so..."
"Stupid?"
Neela turned a sardonic look on her friend before she started to remove the sari.
"It's complicated, Abby."
Abby frowned, and helped her pull the silk over her head.
"What's complicated about it? You have to tell them at some point." She paused and gave Neela a hard look. "Does Ray know that you haven't told them?"
She rolled her eyes when she saw the confirmation in Neela's face.
"Christ, Neela! You have to tell him."
"I know," she sighed. "It's just so hard."
Abby blew out a breath. "You would think that after what happened with his father you would have learned a lesson."
That was a low blow, and Abby knew it. She was one of the few that knew the real reasons behind Emily's move to Chicago. Their father had been nothing but cruel to both of them their entire lives. Neela had seen firsthand how lies and deception could destroy a family. Ray and Emily were living proof of it. She knew her deception would hurt. She wanted to tell Abby that she was holding back telling her family because she wanted to protect him from her family's rejection, but the fact of the matter was, she was afraid. She was afraid that if she told them before the wedding, that they would find a way to ruin it, to stop it somehow. She didn't want anything to destroy the happiness that she had found, least of all her family.
"I know that I have to tell him," she said as she began to dress. "I just don't want anything to ruin this."
"You think your parents will try..."
"I don't know, but I wouldn't put it past them."
Abby's frown deepened.
"Still, you have to talk to Ray about it. He needs to know."
Neela sighed heavily. "I'll talk to him tonight," she said grudgingly. "But I don't have to like it."
"No, you don't."
Neela rolled her eyes, and pulled her pants on over her hips. Abby laughed when she cursed, unable to fasten the button.
"Bollocks! I can't believe that I've gotten this big already!"
They walked from the dressing room and went up front to pay for the sari. Neela rubbed the material between her fingers and smiled. She'd been overjoyed when Ray had given her no objection to wearing red at her wedding. She'd laughed almost until she'd cried at what he had told her when she'd suggested it.
I don't care if you show up naked just as long as you show up.
It had told her volumes about how much he loved her and wanted to marry her. She paid for the sari, a huge grin on her face, and the girl at the counter offered a tentative smile in return. She took her wrapped purchase and tucked it under her arm as they left the boutique.
"So when do you see the doctor next?" Abby asked.
"Next week. He thinks I'm gaining too much weight."
"How much have you gained?"
Neela shot her a scowl, and Abby laughed, holding up her hands.
"Sorry. Don't kill me. Is he worried?"
"Only about gestational diabetes. He says that it's not really a concern at the moment, but I really need to watch myself."
"And what about morning sickness? Is that all gone too."
Neela started laughing, and had to stop walking. She doubled up, shaking her head at Abby when her friend looked at her as if she had gone insane.
"I'm sorry," she finally managed to choke out. "It's just that...I didn't really get sick. Not like I've heard from other people that I would."
"Really?"
Neela grinned and started walking.
"Now Ray on the other hand... he threw up every morning until last month."
Abby gave her an incredulous look and started laughing.
"You're kidding, right? He never said a word!"
"You really think he would?" Neela shot back. "He has a reputation to uphold, you know."
"Right, a reputation. The man who won't voluntarily get a flu shot has a reputation."
Neela couldn't help but laugh at that. Ray's aversion to needles was legendary by now much to his chagrin. She had tried to tell him that it added to his boyish charm, but he only scowled at her and ignored her as she laughed.
Neela could still hardly believe that she was about to marry him. They had come so far from what they once had been. She never would have thought that being with Ray would prove to be the best choice she had ever made. Nothing else could compare with the way he made her feel. After the nightmare that they had gone through with his father, she had worried for a time that after the stress of the situation had worn off, Ray would realize that he really didn't love her, that being with her was a mistake. But he'd proven over and over how much he really did love her, and she loved him more and more every day. With each burning look, with each almost wondering smile, she fell a little more in love with him.
She didn't even mind Brett much anymore.
"How's the new apartment?"
Neela shook off her thoughts and focused again on Abby.
"What?"
"The apartment? How do you like it?"
Neela grimaced. They had gone searching for a new apartment when everything was finalized with Emily. It was immediately apparent that there would not be room in their little two bedroom flat for all of them once the baby came. She knew firsthand how hard it was to find an apartment in Chicago, and hadn't enjoyed the experience again. Once they had found one they liked, there was the question of rent, utilities, and Brett's eating habits to consider. She missed the old apartment, even if it had been impractical.
"I'm still getting used to it. It's not the same."
"No, but it's got to be more room."
"Not with Brett coming by every other day. He's worse than Ray."
"He can't be that bad."
"Close. I don't understand how two grown men can make such a mess. Emily at least picks up after herself, and she's only fourteen."
Abby shot her a sideways look. "How is she adjusting?"
"As well as can be expected," she said slowly. "She's still getting used to the idea that she won't be snatched away and hauled back to Philadelphia."
"And school? She's back now, right?"
"She's doing well. She's made some friends, and they're helping more than anything. Carter offered to help with a private school, but we thought that this would be better for her. Let her make a fresh start." Neela glanced at her watch. "Speaking of Emily. I have to get home. She'll be home from school soon."
Abby nodded. "I do too. Luka and I are having dinner tonight."
Neela grinned.
"Stop looking at me like that," Abby snapped, her face going red. "It's just dinner."
"Dinner leads to other things," Neela said.
"So does moving in," Abby retorted. "Look where it got you."
Neela laughed, unable to deny it. "I'm rather happy with where it got me."
Abby scowled good naturedly, then grinned.
"I'll talk to you later. Are you on duty tomorrow?"
"Yes. We'll continue this then." Neela turned and started for the El station. "I want details on your date, too," she said over her shoulder and laughed when Abby only growled.
She made her way to the El and fought her way through the early afternoon rush. She nearly snapped the head off someone who was jostled into her, but bit her tongue at the last moment. Pregnancy had made her so emotional that it was a wonder to her some days that Ray just didn't chuck it all in and run. She cried at the drop of a hat at anything from credit card commercials to travel ads. She'd almost come unglued when she had ruined dinner one evening. Ray had just taken it in stride and ordered Chinese, tossing the blackened remains of the roast into the trash. She couldn't help but smile at the memory. She had always been the rational one, the girl that didn't let her emotions rule her. Now she was the one who was perpetually spouting off when there was no reason, and Ray was the one who tried to make her see reason. It was laughable really when she thought about it, but it made her see another side of him. His patience alone had gotten them through the first few months of her pregnancy.
Still smiling, she followed the wave of people that flowed from the El into the station. It was a four-block walk to their apartment, and she was grateful that it was spring. She was really going to hate to walk like this in the winter, but there was nothing for it. The apartment was perfect for their needs and in their price range. They weren't going to find any better anytime soon.
Ray was happy at any rate. It was closer to Emily's school so that she could walk without trouble, and the neighborhood was nicer. The elevator worked all the time instead of only when it felt like it, and the super was overjoyed to have doctors living in his building. At least he had been until the first time Ray had invited his band mates over. Neela smiled, then laughed. That had been a rude awakening for the entire floor. Literally. They had rocked well into the early morning hours, earning pounding on the door from the neighbors, the super, and finally the police. Only then had they toned it down…for all of five minutes.
Neela laughed as she pulled open the door to the building and stepped inside. The super stuck his head from his apartment and gave her a long-suffering look. She smiled and waved in an attempt to soften that look, but he pulled his head back into his apartment and shut the door. She couldn't help but chuckle. He'd quickly gone from happy to wishing that he'd never set eyes on them. It hadn't taken long.
She took the elevator to their floor, and breathed a sigh of relief when she stepped off. She was tired. She tired so easily since she'd gotten pregnant. As a doctor, she knew that it was normal, but it didn't make it any easier to deal with. Today, however, she knew that that wasn't the sum of it. Her mind returned to Abby, and she shook her head. She knew that Abby was right. She needed to tell her parents about her impending marriage. Most of all, she needed to tell Ray that she hadn't told them. She only hoped that he would understand why.
She unlocked the door to their apartment and was greeted to the sound of sharp curses and a crash. She hurriedly shut the door and rushed toward the sound, her heart in her throat. Emily turned to look at her with an amused look before she turned back around and bit into the apple she held in her hand. Neela frowned as the girl leaned against the wall, her eyes fixed on the open doorway in front of her. Neela's frown deepened as she realized what room she was watching.
"What the bloody hell is going on?" Neela asked breathlessly.
"I'm just enjoying the show," Emily said around a mouthful of apple. Another foul curse had her doubled over, her hand over her mouth as she laughed. "God! This is better than cable."
Neela shot her an annoyed look and pushed past her to see what she found so amusing in the baby's room. What she found froze her in place. She could only stand stock still as another crash resounded through the room…and likely the apartment below. That was just what they needed. More complaints from the neighbors.
Ray was on the floor, scowling at a large sheet of instructions as Brett tried to fit two obviously unwilling pieces together. Neela recognized the pieces as part of the crib that they had purchased the week before. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry as Brett cursed again and tossed the parts to the floor.
"This shit isn't working, Ray. Christ! Why did I let you read the directions?"
"I thought men didn't read instructions," Neela said with a smirk as she entered the room, stepping over crib parts gingerly. She laughed softly as they both snapped their heads around to look at her. She didn't miss the grimace on Brett's face or the sheepish look on Ray's. "What are you trying to do?"
Ray rose from the floor, dropping the plans on top of the pile of rubble that had once been a crib.
"We wanted…"
"You…you wanted," Brett broke in sarcastically as he leaned against the wall crossing his arms over his chest. He shot Emily a scowl as she howled laughter in the doorway.
Ray shot them both a quelling look and turned back to Neela.
"I wanted to have this up before you came back," he said, glancing around the room. "I didn't realize that the instructions would be harder than nuclear physics."
Neela smiled and swallowed back her laughter. He could put together an elaborate drum set, and restring a guitar…he could save a life in the ER without flinching, but give him a set of instructions for anything else, and he was hopeless. Not that she was any better, but it still amused her to no end. She stepped forward and into his arms.
"Don't worry about it, Ray. We'll get it later." She glanced down at the mess and laughed softly as she shook her head. "The effort was commendable."
He gave her a skeptical smirk, as if he knew exactly what she was thinking and kissed her lightly on her forehead.
"It's all right. You can say it. We should have gotten a professional to assemble it."
"I didn't say that," she said, steering him from the room. "Go on, homework," she told Emily who was still standing in the hallway, looking as if she was about to choke on the apple.
"It's done," Em shot back, but she got out of the way, heading into the baby's room behind them. Neela didn't want to contemplate what she thought she was going to do in there, but she wasn't about to call her to task for it. She had something else to worry about at the moment.
Like informing Ray of her family's ignorance.
She pulled him to a stop in the living room, meeting his questioning look evenly. She wasn't going to shrink from this, though she wanted to. If there was one thing that she feared, it was her family's wrath. Only her parents could reduce her to a quivering wreck. True, they had never been cruel to her. They weren't like Ray's father, but they could wield guilt like a sword. They used remorse to their advantage. It was the one thing that she could never bear.
"I have to talk to you," she said, and cursed inwardly as a sudden veil descended over his expression. He searched her eyes for a moment before he crossed his arms over his chest.
"I'm listening," he said carefully. He knew that look in her eyes. After all they had been through together, he knew her better than she knew herself. He'd seen this look before when she hadn't wanted to tell him something. That the house was on fire, she'd just accidentally spilled coffee on an entire sheaf of sheet music, that Brett had just finished off an entire box of cereal in one sitting. Oh, he'd seen that look before.
She sighed, confirming his suspicions. He held back his smile as he watched her struggle with her thoughts. It didn't really matter what she was about to tell him. He loved her with all his heart, and he wasn't about to blow up and ruin it. She had stood by him during one of the most trying times of his life. That she had done so showed how very much she loved him.
"Well, Neela," he prompted.
She blew out a breath and gave him a look of pure misery. The look caught him around the heart and anxiety crept into his chest. This wasn't just some trifling thing that she wanted to tell him. Something was seriously wrong.
"I…have to tell you something," she whispered.
His heart rate tripled.
"What is it?" he asked tightly as his hands began to shake. If she was about to tell him that she couldn't marry him, that there was something wrong with the baby, he wished that she would just spit it out, so that he could find a way to deal with it.
"I…I haven't told my parents yet," she said, rushing through the words as if she was just anxious to have them out. "About our marriage."
Ray blinked, absorbing what she had just said. Mingled relief and anger warred within him as he let them fully sink in.
"Excuse me?" he asked, just to make certain that he'd heard correctly.
She sighed and sank into the sofa.
"I haven't told them that we're getting married," she said again, knowing that she was in for the fight of her life.
"Because?" he asked, keeping his voice carefully neutral, though he wanted to shout it. He was angry. No, he was mad as hell, though he wasn't entirely surprised. He had started to wonder why her mother hadn't called at least five times a day to ask about the baby. Not that he had any sort of reference to go by, but he was certain that her mother would be just that kind of woman. His breath caught as he glared at her. "And what about the baby? Do they know that they're about to be grandparents?"
Her eyes darted from his as she shook her head. He paced away from her, trying to get a handle on his emotions. It hurt that she would keep this from her parents. It hurt far more than he ever thought it would. It was as if what they felt for each other was a dirty little secret, something to be kept from them at all costs. He counted to ten once, then again as he tried to figure out what to say.
"Can you tell me one thing?" he asked. "Is there a reason that you haven't told them?"
"I just…"
"What, Neela?" he asked tightly, swinging around to glare at her. "Am I so wrong for you? Is it so wrong that you love me…?"
Her head snapped up, and she returned his glare.
"That's not true and you bloody well know it!" she snapped.
"Then what is it, Neela? Because right now I'm wondering…"
"Wondering what, Ray?" she interrupted. "Wondering if I really want to marry you? Well stop wondering!" She sighed. "Is it so hard to believe that I want just one perfect day? That I want to marry you so badly, that I would keep my family in the dark so that they can't ruin it?"
All his anger bled away as the shock of her statement hit him full force. He took a step toward her.
"What are you talking about?" he asked in confusion.
"I didn't tell them because I don't want them to ruin this…us!" she cried. "You've heard me complain about them often enough to know how controlling they are."
He paused, digesting that for a moment.
"And you think that they would try?"
She shrugged and gave him a pleading look. "I didn't want to take that chance," she whispered softly.
He couldn't ignore the worry in her eyes or the flash of fear that crossed her face. Ray sighed heavily. She hadn't grown up with a father like his. She hadn't lived with the same fears that he had, but it seemed that she did have fears of her parents. He knelt beside her and took her hands in his.
"You should have told me before now," he said quietly.
"I know, and I'm sorry, Ray. I didn't mean…"
He laughed softly and leaned in to kiss her. As it always did when he kissed her, his blood quickened and heat flooded his frame. Her hands twined in his hair, pulling him closer, returning his kiss with an urgency that bordered on madness. He couldn't help himself as he pushed her back on the sofa, pressing his length against her. The bulge of his child pressed against his stomach as he held himself still. He broke the kiss to look down at her. Brushing a lock of her hair from her eyes, he smiled down into her face.
"After everything we've been through, did you think I'd give you up without a fight?" he asked quietly. "We'll call them. Together," he said forcefully when she opened her mouth to speak. "If they have any objections, then they don't have to come."
She bit her lip and nodded. It wasn't going to be that easy. If she knew her parents, there would be more than just words passed before all was said and done. But looking into his eyes, she couldn't help but feel stronger. This was a man who had lived through horrors that most people would have died from. His strength was enough to bring her hope that everything would be all right.
"I'm sorry," she said, and he grinned.
"I don't hear that very often from you," he said. "Say it again."
She laughed and pulled him down for another kiss.
"You do have your own room, you know. Don't you realize that there are innocent eyes here?"
Ray glanced up at his sister and raised an eyebrow.
"Don't you realize who pays the bills around here?" he asked.
She grinned and raised her hands, calling a temporary truce.
"I just wanted you to come and see what I did."
Ray and Neela exchanged an amused glance.
"What did you do?" he asked, looking back at his sister. Knowing her, it could be anything from spilling his black nail polish to cleaning her room.
"Just come here," she said in exasperation and whirled around to head back down the hall.
"Guess we'd better see this," Ray muttered as he rose to his feet, pulling Neela up beside him. He settled his arm around her shoulders and followed Emily to the baby's room. As he rounded the corner, his jaw dropped in shock. He barely heard Neela's giggle or Brett's laughter as he took in what he was seeing.
The crib that he had nearly gone insane trying to assemble was finished. Emily stood beside it with a smug smile on her face. He gave her an astonished look.
"You did this?" he asked.
"Yep." She glanced at Brett. "Ask Tweedle Dee there."
Brett shot her a sardonic glare and shook his head.
"Why can't your sister be nice?" he asked, heaving a sigh. "After all I've done for the brat…"
"Done? You eat all my cereal!"
Ray shut the door on their argument before Brett could say anything in response. He kissed Neela on the forehead before leaning down and placing his hand on her belly.
"Do me a favor, baby," he said softly to the baby inside her. "Stay in there as long as you can. Your Aunt Emily and Uncle Brett are both insane."
Neela laughed as he pulled her into his arms to kiss her senseless again.
