Chapter Seven- Neela

"Cuddle up, baby, move in tight,

We'll go dancing tomorrow night,

It's cold out there but it's warm in bed,

They can dance, we'll stay at home instead."

- "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" Wham!

"Wh-what?" he asked, a smile playing around his lips. "What are you talking about?"

"You know that false alarm? It doesn't seem to be as... false."

"You're... pregnant?"

I smiled, "Yes, it sure seems that way."

He looked down at me and took my hand in his, "You said nine months, are we keeping it?"

"I know we're not perfect parent material, but... who is? And we near enough I'm sure."

He grinned and picked me up, swinging me round in a circle.

"Ray!"

"Sorry, I'm just so excited! Oh wow. Are we going to know the sex, or should it be a surprise? But if we know then we'll know what we can call it, and what kind of clothes to buy, although I guess in this kind of time it doesn't really matter but, it would be quite handy to know..."

He walked off, still talking and I shook my head. Like a kid at Christmas. Looks like next Christmas I'd have two kids to cope with.

Jasmyn was well again in a week, well enough to ask for presents at least. Luckily it had been viral meningitis which isn't as serious. And we caught it quick enough that it won't lead to any future complications. We all got tested, and luckily no-one else had caught it. We were all meant to be going out tonight to celebrate her well being, and Ray and I's news, but as always we were running late.

"Ray, get your arse in gear!"

"Oh, language, language," he said, chuckling. He came up behind me and hugged me, resting his head on mine. I had been trying to put my earrings in, but leaning against him was a lot nicer. Especially when he hadn't got round to putting his shirt on yet.

"I was never late before I met you."

"I know, you were always so organised too. I'm such a bad influence. You don't mind too much do you?"

I grinned, "Funnily enough, not so much."

"Hey Neela."

"Mmm?"

"Do you want to get married? I don't mean now, or tomorrow or even next month. I just mean... at some point... in the future."

"Yeah, I want to get married. Still waiting for the right guy though," I teased.

"Aw, not your baby's daddy?"

"Nope, he's a cheapskate, he hasn't even bought me a ring."

He laughed, "That is true, however he does have..." He searched in his pocket before finally pulling out a length of ribbon. "This!" he said triumphantly, "It's a sign of promised marriage in um... Cambodia."

"Really..."

"Oh yes," he began tying it round my ring finger. "This is a sign that one day, whether it be in ten months or ten years, one day -of your choosing of course- we will get married."

"Sounds like a good deal. And Ray?"

"Mmm?" he replied, finishing off the bow on my new "ring".

"Why did you have a piece of ribbon in your pocket?"

He grinned, "Wouldn't you like to know!"

"Yeah, I would."

"What will I get in return for telling you?" he said, with a sly look.

"A kiss."

"Just a kiss?"

"Not any old kiss, a kiss with a thousand endings, and a thousand beginnings," I said, mystically.

"That sounds like a good kiss. Alright, we have a deal."

"Two in one night, not bad. So tell me."

He smiled, "You want the truth, or the I'm-a-really-cute-boyfriend-who-plans-many-romantic-gestures?"

"Both sound good, but the truth please. I don't think I'd believe the other one."

"No, didn't think you would. Ok, the truth? I have no idea. All I can say, all I can beg is, please don't tell Brett I had a piece of ribbon in my pocket, he would never let me live it down."

I grinned, "Oh I don't know, that's some pretty good blackmailing material."

"Stop teasing. Where's my kiss?"

I went up on tiptoes, and pressed my lips to his, while pushing him backwards. As he stumbled backwards he hit the wall, which meant I could press myself closer to him. He gripped his hands around my back and lifted me up so he didn't have to bend down as far. Finally though, he had to put me down, and we both needed to breath.

"I need to go the gym, do some more weight lifting."

"Oi!"

"I meant for stamina, obviously. And for, pregnant women."

"Hey Barnett?" I said as I was heading for the door, "Since when did you do any weight lifting?"

He pulled me back, taking me to the bed. "You're so cheeky."

"I know it."

He began tickling me, "Take it back."

"Never!" I cried, laughing hysterically.

"I'll make you pay!"

"You'll never get the best of me!"

"Oh yeah?"

Just before I came up with my witty reply, the phone rang. "We should probably get that."

"But it'll be them," he moaned, "I don't want to go out."

"You never do. But what on earth could we find to amuse ourselves here?"

"I can think of a few things."

"It's our party."

He sighed, "Fine!" He got up, "I'll get it!" he called, running for the phone. "Hello?" I heard him answer, breathlessly.

"You do need to go to they gym!" I called through.

"Shush you!" he replied. Then I heard him say, "Yeah, we're on our way out the door, right this second."

Have you ever seen that advert; getting ready is the best part of going out?

A/N Guys... I think that's the end. Wow, I didn't even see that coming! I thought there was more, but that seems like an end, don't you think? Yeah... I think it might be! Wow.

So, what did you think? Please tell me all! Sorry it was a short story, I hope it worked anyway.

Oh and look out for the "spin off" one shot, all about Jazz!