Author's Note - I've fianlyl finished it. That last "chapter" is here. I have an epilogue coming but tear this is the last actual chapter. It's sad to see this story end but i'm porud of it. Ray and Neela all the way. Thank you to everyone who has followed this story and took the time to read and review. I love you guys. Thank you and enjoy. :):):):)(I should have the epilogue up in a couple of days so you won't have a long wait)

Chapter 15

Welcome Home

Neela burst into the apartment and almost collapsed trying to catch her breath. She didn't have enough money for the entire cab ride home and had gotten out 2 blocks away. With no other transportation she sprinted the rest of the way.

"Ray?" she called out once she regained her breath. Everything remained still. The apartment seemed abandoned. "Ray," she tired again.

She looked over at the side table. Her note was gone. Ray must have read it so where was he? She did a walk through of the apartment and found no Ray. Sadly, she made her way to the living room and flopped down onto the couch.

Ray stood impatiently outside the flower shop around the corner from the apartment. It had gotten dark and cold and Ray shivered slightly in his sweater.

"Here you are sir, 12 red roses," an elderly man hobbled over and handed Ray the bouquet.

"Thanks," Ray smiled paying the man. Turning he quickly headed back home. He had it all planned out. He'd decorate the apartment with the roses and candles. When Neela got home she would be so surprised. Ray couldn't even describe how he had felt when he had found that note. It was the best note he had ever gotten. He reached the apartment and flew up the stairs. He fumbled to find his keys without squashing the flowers. Finally he found them and opened the door.

Instantly he noticed Neela's shoes sitting neatly in the corner. She was home. "Neela," he called out excitedly, kicking off his shoes.

No one answered. Throwing down his keys Ray proceeded to the living room. He stopped at the doorway, a huge smile on his face. Neela lay sprawled on the couch, her eyes closed. Her hair hung in her face and he could hear her breathing faintly. He had never seen anyone so beautiful. He had to use all his power to keep himself from running across the room, picking her up and kissing the living daylights out of her.

Now more slowly and quietly he placed the roses on the coffee table and sat down on a piece of couch near her stomach. Reaching down he brushed the hair out of her face. Neela stirred a bit and then her eyes fluttered open. It took her a minute to realize what was going on but when she did her eyes opened widely. She sat up quickly causing her and Ray to hit heads.

"Ow," she groaned rubbing her forehead. Without a word Ray pulled her hand away and kissed her there lightly. Neela looked up at him, her heart melting. "I love you," she whispered.

Ray nodded. "I love you too," he pulled her into a hug.

"I'm sorry I've been so horrible," Neela spoke into his chest. Ray rested his head on top of hers. She loved the feeling.

"You haven't been horrible. You are amazing," Ray pulled away from her and looked into her eyes. "I admit I wasn't sure what you were going to decide. I knew there was a big chance you weren't coming back."

Neela could see the pain in Ray's eyes as he mentioned her not coming back. "I'm here now," she smiled.

Ray reached up and stroked her cheek. "You are."

"I know we haven't been together long but I don't know what I would do without you. In such a short time I've fallen so deeply in love with you Dr. Barnett," Neela blushed slightly.

Ray grinned. "As have I Dr. Rasgotra, as have I."

With that Ray leaned forward and found Neela's lips. Unlike any of their other kisses this one was different. This one was true, pure, whole hearted love. It was sweet and it was gentle. Gently Ray pushed Neela back down onto the couch and situated himself on top of her. He had never loved kissing a girl so much.

Neela reached her hand up and wound it in his hair, the other one slowly moving up his back, his shirt traveling with it. Suddenly Ray pulled away. "What?" Neela asked breathlessly.

Ray slipped off the couch and slowly disappeared down the hall. "I'll be right back. Don't move," he warned her. Neela sat in silence for a few moments. She could hear Ray in the kitchen shuffling around. He reappeared with an armful of candles.

"Ray, what are you doing?" she questioned curiously.

Ray smirked. "Setting the mood." He placed the candles around the room and pulled out a match box from his pocket. Soon all the candles were lit, giving off a warm glow. Neela smiled, her heart beating wildly.

Ray made his way back to her and reached over to the table picking up the flowers and presenting them to her. "Oh, they're beautiful," Neela exclaimed admiring them.

Ray placed himself back onto the couch. He gave her a devilish grin and she reached over and put the roses back onto the table. "Mood is set. Now where were we?" he went to kiss her but she put her hands out to stop him. "Wha…" he started but quickly stopped. Neela reached down and tugged on the hem of his shirt. Grinning madly he helped her and pulled his shirt up over his head discarding it onto the floor.

Bending down instead of her lips he found her neck and kissed it feverishly. Neela slid onto her back pulling Ray down on top of her. He moved up and found her lips.

The next morning Neela woke up, a sheet the only thing covering her and Ray's bodies. They both lay on the couch; Ray's head nestled just on her shoulder, his arm hanging loosely on her waist. Careful not to wake him up Neela reached over and grabbed another sheet carefully wrapping it around herself as she got up off the couch. She kissed his forehead and started to leave.

"Morning sunshine," Ray spoke, his eyes still closed. He reached up and grabbed her hand pulling her back onto the couch. She landed with an 'oof' on top of him.

"I didn't want to wake you," she reached up and ran her fingers through his hair.

"You didn't wake me don't worry," he opened his eyes and looked up at her. "I was awake."

Neela rolled her eyes. "I'm sure you were."

"I was. Otherwise how would I know you were snoring," he laughed.

"I was not snoring," Neela tried to defend herself.

Ray shook his head. "It was the cutest snoring I've ever heard." Neela pushed herself off the couch. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, don't go," Ray called after her.

"Ray, it's late afternoon, we need to eat, we need to get up," Neela tried walking away but Ray sat up and caught her hand again.

"I'm not hungry," Ray pulled her back onto him. He pushed her hair aside and kissed her neck.

"Ray, I'm serious," Neela tried to sound serious but she was too distracted by his kisses.

"I am too," Ray whispered.

Neela pulled herself together. "What you're forgetting is that I know your weakness."

"What would that be?" curious to see what she had to say Ray stopped. In one swift motion Neela spun around and reached for his stomach. Ray burst into a fit of laughter. "No fair," Ray gasped.

"Never let a girl know you're ticklish. I could come back to haunt you," Neela giggled.

"When did I ever say I was ticklish?" Ray tried to control himself but he couldn't stop laughing.

"Last night," Neela stopped and pulled away from him.

After a couple of deep breaths Ray spoke. "Last night when?"

"I could name a couple of times," Neela teased.

"Ya, well," and then Ray did the unexpected. He threw himself at her and both fell to the floor. Ray pinned her down and grinned. He made a move for her sides.

"No," she begged, already laughing.

"No?" Ray questioned.

Neela nodded. "I have a better idea."

"What would that be?" Ray raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

Ray lessened his grip and Neela was able to pull herself up. "This," she whispered before placing a kiss to his lips.

"I like this idea," Ray mumbled.

"Me too," Neela agreed.

Ray pushed Neela to the floor and suspended himself over her. "Welcome home," he said before finding her lips again.

"It's good to be back," Neela smiled.