Should I Be Expecting a Card?

Disclaimer: You know it, I know it. I own none of the characters.
Spoilers: Nothing significant. Minor details from late season 12. If any of this happens, I'm psychic and I didn't even know it. I doubt it ever will, though it'd be cute if it did.
Rating: T+ (language, sensuality/sexuality)
Content Warning: Starts out very nonsexual. Rather sexually explicit at the end. Minor mention of some other touchy subjects.
Summary: Ray tags along when Neela goes shopping. He gets her to help him get a Mother's Day present. She buys a dress for night out with the girls. He also buys her something and eventually is handsomely rewarded.
A/N: As requested, here's a happy story from me...
I made up Neela's birthday and everything about Ray's mom (obviously, since we don't know anything about her from the show…except that she lives in Philly). I have never been to Chicago, except for layovers in O'Hare airport. Sorry about any inaccuracy about the transportation/stores in the Windy City. I am kind of ignorant about the fashion business too, so I don't know if it would be possible for his mom to live in Philly and have the job she does.

It's kind of an AU, I guess. Abby is pregnant; Neela is in surgical residency; but Ray is also still in the band, and Susan Lewis is still there. And Gallant is non-existent.

Ok, on to the story…

Jewelry

"I don't want to get her something really generic, you know?" They were walking down the sidewalk to the El station. "But I haven't lived at home for 10 years…"

"Why don't you just ask your dad? He probably knows something about his wife," she taunted.

"Hey now, be nice…no, he always comes home late from work with a dozen roses, and hopes that'll cut it. They've been happily married for almost 30 years and he still doesn't get it. I get it, and the longest I've been with a girl is—" Neela cut him off.

"What's your point Ray? As much as I am dying to know the history of your sex life…"

"I'm just saying any female is probably more help than my dad. I've made sure that there is always at least one girl not mad at me before mother's day, so she can tell me what to get my mom." She rolled her eyes at him.

"Alright. Well, what does your mum like?" He looked at her blankly. She rolled her eyes again. "Cooking? Sports? Gardening? Theater? You haven't lived at home for 10 years, but you grew up there for 18!"

"Yeah," he answered sheepishly. "She's really into clothes and stuff. She's 45—" Neela looked at him with quite a surprised expression. "Yeah, she had me young," he added parenthetically before continuing with his previous thought. "She's 45 and she still is obsessed with clothes like a teenager." They walked into the El station.

"Where does she work?"

"She designs stuff for…umm…Saks no, wait not anymore, uh, Armani, I'm pretty sure. She was apparently one of the major designers for last year's spring line." She laughed at his mistake, and also his knowledge of fashion. "Or something."

"Then she probably doesn't spend her afternoons at The Limited and Abercrombie, Ray. She's into fashion, not just clothes."

"Now you see why I need help?" She laughed at him again. They swiped their El passes and got on the waiting platform.

"Yes. Yes I do." It was his turn to smile. "What else is she into though, because you don't want to get the wrong size or anything."

"Actually, she is probably the same size you wear. And, I could lie and tell her I picked it out all by myself and she can feel good that she had some impact on me growing up." He grinned.

"Lie to her?" She scolded lightly, "on Mother's Day?"

"Yeah, ok, maybe not such a great idea…but seriously, would she like that?"

"Maybe. We can check out what we can find. I was going to go to H&M and there are a bunch of high end clothing stores near that area, I think."

"Great. I knew you'd help."

"Your confidence is heartwarming," sarcasm dripped from the last word. They boarded the car of the train that stopped in front of them.

"Forty five, huh?"

"Yeah, mom was on the cheerleading team, dad was the star of the soccer team…it's all very the why-you-should-always-use-protection chapter out of high school health class textbooks."

"Hmm. It's very lucky they are still happily married well over 25 years later."

"Yeah, they're definitely the minority in that respect."

"She must be an amazing woman to have become so successful while raising a kid." She was sincere, but then added playfully, "'cause you didn't turn out so bad." She grinned at him.

"She really is." He nodded, solemnly. "And it's weird, she—," he cut himself off, "never mind."

"What?"

"Never mind."

"Oh come on, what?"

"Nah, maybe I'll tell you later." He had kept his serious tone. She eyed him suspiciously. His smile returned. "Ok, I will tell you later. Is that better?"

"Much."

There were two more stops before theirs and they rode in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. At the third stop, Neela nudged his shoulder.

"Hey, Ray, this is us."

"Oh, right." They got off and headed in the direction of the high end stores. "I don't want to get her something she already has…"

"True."

"Oh!" he exclaimed spotting a store up ahead, "I used to hear her complain to her sister that she never got anything from Tiffany's. I always thought that was another given in marriage. Your wife has to own something from Tiffany's. I could try to cover dad's back and get her something there." She laughed.

"And I guess size won't be an issue either! Unless you are getting a ring, but I won't let you get your mother a ring."

"I wouldn't, but why not?"

"Tiffany's rings are for fiancés and wives."

"Makes sense."

"You don't send a thank you card for Tiffany's rings, you have sex." He was shocked. Out of character didn't even begin to describe her comment.

"So I should get you a ring?" He grinned, looking adorably mischievous.

"I'd wear it on a necklace, and give you a card." She looked up at him and smiled. Clever, he thought. By now they had reached the strip of stores, Chicago's Fifth Avenue.

"By the way, you might recall that I was planning on coming here before you tagged along. There's stuff I need to get too. How about you go in there," she pointed to the light blue awning of Tiffany's, "I'll get started on my own stuff, and we can meet up elsewhere."

"Come with me, I'll be quick." She sighed.

"Alright."

They stepped into the store. The light blue velvet in the display cases created a soft sea for the silver jewelry and sparkling diamonds.

"Wow. Lots of options." He was a little taken aback, apparently never having been in a fine jewelry store. He started looking over the displays, and Neela wandered over to another one.

"When's your mum's birthday?"

"Having fun on our little expedition? So eager to do it again?" There was that mischievous grin again.

"No, you wanker, what's her birthstone?" She was mock-angry.

"Oh, May, emerald."

"Really? Good month." He looked at her not understanding what she meant. "That's mine too," she added.

"Oh, right." I knew that, he scolded himself. "That's why I'm willing to go so pricy, you know? Have it double as a birthday present."

"Not a bad idea. Come look at these, Ray." She pulled him over from where he was standing at the next display case down.

"Wow, those are pretty."

"Does she have her ears pierced? Those earrings are gorgeous."

"Yeah they are, but no, she doesn't. How about that bracelet? What do you think of it?"

"Personally, I think it's a little bulky, but it is very nice."

"How about this—you pick a couple things you like, and I'll get one of them. Your taste is probably more like my mother's than mine is."

"Ok, I guess so." She answered, mulling over the case. He wandered to the other end of the case. The woman behind the counter finished with her customer, and came over to Ray. She was an older woman, with graying hair, but friendly and lively.

"Is there anything I can help you with, sir?"

"Oh, no, I'm just looking, she's picking things out." He pointed over to Neela, and the woman nodded and walked over to where Neela was looking.

"Is there anything I can help youwith?"

"Yes, please, could I see those two bracelets and that necklace?" she asked, indicating the pieces she wanted.

"Sure." The clerk unlocked the back of the case and brought out the items Neela requested. "Would you like to try them on?" Neela glanced over at Ray. He was engrossed in a case of silver trays and flatware, looking quite occupied.

"I'll try this bracelet."

"Ok," she wrapped it around Neela's wrist and fastened the clasp. Neela picked up her hand and rotated it around, allowing the light to catch it at different angles.

"It is beautiful." She extended her arm back out for the woman to remove the jewels. "Can I try the necklace, too?"

"Of course."

"Thanks." She handed it to Neela, and picked up the mirror for her to look at her reflection. Neela reached up and touched the diamond tear drops and emeralds that hung off the silver chain. She turned to let it catch the light coming in the window.

"It hangs very nicely on you, dear." He heard the woman say to his roommate. She reached behind her neck and unclasped the necklace. The light reflected just right to catch Ray's eye. He glanced over as she handed the necklace back to the woman.

"Thank you," Neela sounded slightly embarrassed.

"Anything else I can help you with?"

"No, thank you," then she turned away from the woman and added, "Ray, one of these three."

"You're the best Neela." He smiled at her and she gave him one in return. He walked over to the pieces lying on top of the display case. Something in another case grabbed Neela's attention, and she left Ray to decide. He talked with the woman for several minutes as she told him the cut and purity of each of the stones. He kind of knew what she was talking about. He finally decided on one of the bracelets.

"This is a very nice bracelet, sir, it was one of the ones she tried on." She smiled.

"Could you actually keep this on hold, and I'll come back this afternoon?"

"Yes, but you will need to make a deposit." He nodded and reached into his back pocket for his wallet. "Fifteen percent." The woman returned the other jewelry to the case and they walked to the register.

--o--

"All done?" Neela had ambled over to the register as he finished making his deposit.

"Yup, let's go." As they stepped out of the store, Neela looked over at him, and saw he wasn't carrying anything.

"Where'd you put it?" He laughed.

"No, I just put down a deposit on it, and we'll stop here on our way back. The 15 deposit was pricy, I don't want to carry it around all day." She nodded and chuckled.

"Good idea."

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