Hey everyone. Before you shoot me can I just say that I am incredibly sorry for taking so horrifically long to update this story. But there has been a lot going on in my life lately and unfortunately writing just wasn't a priority anymore. However, with ER coming to an end *sniffles* I thought it was time to end my fic too so here is chapter nine. Hope you all enjoy.

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Chapter 9

Abby looked around and smiled at all the guests milling around her and Luka's apartment. She had been slightly apprehensive when Katey suggested to her that they should throw a birthday party for Ray but now that everyone was here she was glad. After all, after everything that Ray had been through he deserved to be doted on. Although she was sure that Neela was taking care of that.

The two of them had been practically inseparable for a while now and she was sure that that was the reason that they were both late. Laughing at the thought, her smile faded and was quickly replaced by nerves when she heard a knock on the door, barely audible over the music. It had to be Ray's mum. She was the only guest who hadn't arrived yet but that wasn't surprising considering that she flying down from Baton Rouge especially for this party. When Katey had suggested that they invite Jacy, Abby had been apprehensive seeing as his dad would be there too but agreed that if they couldn't get along for their son, they would just have to leave.

Reaching the door, she took a deep breath before opening it. Any nervousness that Abby had felt evaporated at the sight of an excited woman in her mid forties who was positively beaming at the prospect of seeing her son again who was now able to live an almost normal life again.

Unable to stop a smile spreading across her face also, Abby quickly invited her in. But before she could say anything, Katey appeared and they were hugging affectionately. The look of shock was evident on Abby's face. She didn't know how far Ray and Katey's relationship had gone because he didn't like to talk about it but she had no idea that Jacy and Katey were on such good terms when most of Ray's closer friends had never heard him talk about his parents. However, before she could contemplate this thought any further, Pratt came in and announced that Ray and Neela had arrived and were parking the car.

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Ray couldn't help but smile as he watched Neela fuss with her clothing and hair which had looked perfect when they had left but thanks to their little detour on the way to Abby's it wasn't too hard to guess what they had been doing. Ray smirked which earnt him a hard slap on the arm from his girlfriend.

'Would you stop. You look perfect' Ray said as he wrapped his arms around Neela to halt her frantic hands.

Neela glared at Ray through smoky eyes.

'Anybody could guess what we've been up to. We have to look at least halfway presentable.'

'But it's so much fun not to be' Ray murmured as his lips descended on her neck and started to kiss gently.

He was sure that she would push him away and tell him to behave himself but to his delighted surprise she moaned and leaned into him further. Neela placed her hands on Ray's chest and fisted them in his shirt when she felt his tongue trace her earlobe delicately. The rational part of her mind told her that this was a very bad idea considering the elevator doors were sure to open any minute but that thought quickly evaporated at the feel of Ray's hand running over her body, squeezing and caressing as he went along.

Ray could feel his head spinning. This was how it was meant to be. The love of his life warm and willing in his arms and good friends he knew waiting to celebrate his birthday with him. It didn't get much better than this. A distant dinging noise floated through his foggy mind and realised that the lift had reached Abby's floor as Neela unceremoniously pushed him away.

As she started to walk towards Abby's door Neela turned around and called over her shoulder to him.

'Behave youself.'

In reply, Ray just gave her his best puppy dog look and smiled. It didn't matter that he was turning thirty. There was no doubt in his mind that this was going to be the best birthday ever.

--x--

'They're coming' Abby called from beside the door.

'Everyone hide and yell surprise when they come in' Morris suggested admist many mumbles and groans.

'Archie, they know about this party it's not a surprise' Abby replied sarcastically.

She threw open the door to let Ray and Neela in as Happy Birthdays rang out from all the friends and family behind her.

Ray laughed like a little boy again at the sight of what seemed like most of the hospital cheering and already pouring the drinks. It wasn't long before he was engulfed in a sea of people wishing him a happy birthday and talking loudly over the blaring music.

Looking around Ray chuckled when he saw Neela shriek as a party popper went off next to her ear and covered her head in brightly coloured strips of paper. And she thought he was childish. Letting his eye wonder further Ray was shocked to see both his mum and dad milling about and talking to random people. He felt a tug at the sight. His parents divorce had been ugly and had caused a major rift in the family so he felt overwhelmed to realise that they had both put their differences aside to be there for him.

Ray excused himself from the conversation he was having and approached his mum who he could now see was talking to Katey. He was glad that they were both there. His relationship with both women had been rocky but both had helped him through the most difficult and traumatic experience of his life and he would be forever grateful.

'Hey mum' Ray called out as he neared the couple.

Katey and Jacy both turned around at the sound of Ray's voice. Katey smiled softly while Jacy's whole face lit up at the sound of her son's voice.

'Hi sweetie.'

Jacy threw her arms around Ray in a bone crushing hug that Ray heartfeltly returned.

'I didn't know you were coming' the surprise was evident in his voice.

'Yes well Katey here gave me a call to let me know that your friends were throwing a big birthday bash for you so I knew I had to come. Besides, the house is too quiet without you.'

Ray smiled softly 'I've missed you too mum.'

'I doubt it' Jacy groused good naturedly. 'Too busy with all these friends of yours. Now tell me about this girlfriend of yours. I want to know everything.'

'Please don't turn this into the Spanish inquisition.'

Jacy simply laughed as Ray turned and pointed to Neela who was standing next to his father who leaned down and whispered something in her ear. It must have been quite funny because it set both of them off in a fit of giggles.

--x--

Katey felt her heart skip a beat as she saw Ray heading towards her and his mother. Even after all this time he still had that effect on her. She marvelled at how strong and proud he looked walking across the room among friends and family as if nothing had ever happened.

Katey had known for a long time that nothing was going to happen between her and Ray. After all the drama he and Neela had gotten together and it was painfully obvious that they were both extremely happy together. But despite knowing all this she still felt hurt when he bypassed her with little more than a smile and started talking to Jacy.

However, it was because of this that Katey was the only one to notice Jacy's expression change from happiness to horror and then anger as she looked at her ex-husband talking to her son's girlfriend, before she unceremoniously started screaming.

--x--

Nate looked down at Neela as they both tried to stifle their giggles. He was glad that everything had worked out for the better. He was just about to share these thoughts when he heard shrieking from across the room. His head snapped up and saw his ex-wife as she screamed and waved her hands in his direction as Ray stood beside her trying vainly to calm her down.

At once Nate knew what had caused Jacy's outburst. She recognised Neela. She recognised Neela and him together. And she had remembered the first time that they had been caught together under much less innocent circumstances.

Reacting purely on instinct, Nate moved quickly across the room and away from Neela and the horrified look on her face that he was sure was there. It was the same expression she had worn when she had found out the her professor who for all intents and purposes was her boyfriend was actually married.

Nate had never been one to use his height and strength against someone but this was a drastic situation and he used both to his advantage as he grabbed Jacy by the arms and dragged her through the crowd of people who had stopped talking and were simply staring at all the commotion. Practically ripping the door off it's hinges in his haste, Nate flung Jacy out into the hallway along with himself praying that Ray wouldn't follow but knowing that he would.

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So what did everyone think. I was worried that because I haven't been writing for so long that this chapter didn't turn out very well. Please review. I know I'm evil for having the nerve to ask after being away for so long but I actually have an incentive this time. I've finished the last chapter and it's ready to post so the more reviews I get the quicker I'll update. LOL! So please review. You all know I'm a junkie for them. Thank you and goodnight.