We've always thought we were only fooling,
But look at us now at least a little in love.
We've always said that our heads were ruling,
And I don't know how but here we are.
This I'll admit is a fine how-do-you-do,
But this might be I-discover-I'm-for-you.
And just as sure as it's more than fooling.
It's quite a lot more than just a little in love.
Ray was content just holding Neela. He could feel her breathing slow down and he knew she had fallen asleep, but as he moved to get dressed, he felt her arm tighten around his waist. "Let's just enjoy this, Ray." She softly murmured.
I'll be lovin' you, always
With a love that's true, always
When the things you've planned need a helpin' hand
I will understand always, always
Days may not be fair, always
That's when I'll be there, always
Not for just an hour, not for just a day
Not for just a year, but always
Days may not be fair, always
That's when I'll be there, always
Not for just an hour, not just a day
Not for just one year but always
Always
Always
All the time
Ray had no argument. Holding Neela close to him, he felt more complete and relaxed than he could ever remember. He heard Sinatra singing in his head and he knew the words were right about him and Neela.
The best is yet to come,
And babe won't it be fine
The best is yet to come,
Come the day that you're mine
We've only tasted the wine
We're gonna drain that cup dry
"Why'd you sigh, Ray?" Neela whispered.
"I was thinking of a Sinatra song."
"Sing it?"
Ray moved and sat up. "Sure." He put his jeans on and grabbed his guitar. "I'll sing it for you." He looked at her as he played the song slower than Sinatra recorded it.
It had to be you, it had to be you
I wandered around, and finally found - the somebody who
Could make me be true, and could make me be blue
And even be glad, just to be sad - thinking of you
Some others I've seen, might never be mean
Might never be cross, or try to be boss
But they wouldn't do
For nobody else, gave me a thrill - with all your faults, I love you still
It had to be you, wonderful you
It had to be you
"Bobby Darin did that song." Neela sat straight up. "I love that song."
"Harry Conick Jr. did the song too, Neela." Ray put his guitar down. "But The Voice did it first."
"Sing another one to me, Ray." Neela wrapped the blanket around her and put her head on his free knee.
"Any requests?" Ray asked.
"You decide."
"It's not a romantic song, but my dad used to play it all the time. It was his favorite song. In fact, he taught me to play it." Ray strummed his guitar. Neela sighed as his soft voice echoed in the still of the room.
Here we all work 'long the Mississippi
Here we all work while the white folk play
Pullin' them boats from the dawn till sunset
Gettin' no rest till the judgment day
Don't look up and don't look down
You don't das make the boss man frown
Bend your knees and bow your head
And pull that rope until your dead
Let me go 'way from the Mississippi
Let me go 'way from the white man boss
Show me that stream called the River Jordan
That's the old stream that I long to cross.
Ol' Man River, that Ol' Man River
He don't say nothin', but he must know somethin
He just keeps rollin', he keeps on rollin' along
He don't plant tatters, and he don't plant cotton
And them what plants em, are soon forgotten
But Ol' Man River, just keeps rollin' along
You and me, we sweat and strain
Body all achin' and racked with pain
Tote that barge and lift that bail
You get a little drunk and you lands in jail
I gets weary, and sick of trying
I'm tired of livin', but I'm feared of dyin'
But Ol' Man River, he just keeps rollin' along
"That was an interesting song." Neela's head never left his knee. "Could you sing me another?"
Ray sighed. This is life. This is how it's supposed to be. He thought as he recalled his childhood of his day playing the guitar or piano while his mom rested her head on Samuel's knee. This is how it should be. All we need are the kids.
Whispering while you cuddle near me,
Whispering so no one can hear me,
Each little whisper seems to cheer me
I know it's true, there's no one, dear, but you.
Whispering why you'll never leave me,
Whispering why you'll never grieve me,
Whisper and say that you'll believe me
Whispering that I love you.
"Never leave me, Ray." Neela looked up at him.
"Not even wild horses could take me from you." He stroked her hair.
"Promise?"
"Til death."