Far Away
Chapter 5 – The Beginning of the Beginning
A/N: Ok, this is the last chapter, although depending on reviews I might put an epilogue too. This is a long one, and hopefully fluffy enough to satisfy all you fluff-lovers out there. It's sorta cheesy, but I like it. (I have never looked for apartments before, so I am not sure how it works out. In this case, I am just making the landlord the one to show them around). I am very happy about this story, and I am so glad everyone has liked it so far. I appreciate the reviews more than you realize, because I have always had doubts about my writing, and seeing everyone actually like it just brightens my day. So, enough of the rambling, lets get on with the final installment of Far Away. By the way, please don't take any offense to the "Indian" comments, and although Neela may be out of character towards the end, this is all what I "want" to happen, so sorry! And all the Reela or Ray fans out there… You are warned. They are not my views, just something to spice the story. Thanks!
Summary: Neela finally meets the Gallants, and the couple find their own place. Favors are owed, and Ray isn't too happy about it. Soon, things begin to work themselves out, and it looks as though Mr. and Mrs. Gallant can finally have their happily ever after.
"This one is good… It's very roomy. It has two bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen, dining room, living room, and a full walk-in closet." Michael smiled to himself. Neela had finally chosen an apartment. The landlord handed him some papers to sign, and Neela continued rambling on about how much she liked the place. He quickly scribbled his signature, and Neela followed suit.
"I am glad you like it, Miss Rasgotra. It will be ready to move in soon; about a week. We just need to do final touches on the cleaning and such. Is that alright?" Dan Morgan, the landlord, collected the papers Neela and Michael had to sign, and neatly stowed them away in his briefcase.
"Uh, yeah… You're sure it's only a week though? A friend of mine owes me a favor, and I need to know how long exactly we will be staying with him." Michael said. Neela looked at him quizzically, but didn't utter a word. Dan nodded.
"The only reason it will take a week is because our maids don't work full time. They clean the rooms when the renters leave."
"Ok, well, if we are done here we really need to get going." Michael glanced at Neela, who began to nervously squeeze her hands together.
"Oh, yes. I will call you when it's ready, so make sure the number you filled out on the form is correct."
"It's my cell number," Neela informed him.
"Great, so I guess until next week." He smiled again and shook Michael's hand, and then Neela's. The pair then left the apartment complex, hand in hand.
Once in the rental car, (they had taken Ray's back, Michael in one, and Neela in another, then left together in the rental,) Neela started getting extremely nervous.
"Michael, what did you mean when you said that someone owes you a favor, and he needs to know how long we need to stay?" She started playing with her hands again, as Michael pulled out of the parking lot.
"Well, I stitched up an old war buddy of mine that lives really close to the hospital. His girlfriend took care of the house while he was gone, and when he came home, he found her with another man. He says he owes me for fixing him up in time to catch her. So, I asked him if I could stay with him for a while instead of my parent's house until I got my own place. I am sure he won't mind you being there too. He has been really lonely lately. But don't worry, he is definitely not the kind of guy to go hitting on someone else's girl." Neela chuckled.
"I am really glad you found us a temporary place. I don't think I can live with Ray much longer, now that I know how much he… well, you know…So I guess after dinner with your parents we can both go back and pack up my things. Oh god… dinner with your parents…." Neela suddenly looked horror stricken, but Michael merely grinned.
"Don't worry. They aren't as bad as they might seem to be. And besides, I thought you wanted to meet them."
"I do… I guess I am just nervous… Bloody nerves…" Neela ran her hand through her silky black hair and sighed.
"Don't worry, they'll love you." He continued driving, and Neela just stared at the window.
"I hope so…" she whispered to herself. This is going to be one hell of a night.
"Michael! We were wondering where you went," his mother, Anne, greeted him. She smiled warmly at him, and let him in. "And who might this be?" she asked curiously. Neela felt her cheeks flush as Anne checked her over.
"Mom… this is… this is my girlfriend, Neela Rasgotra. Neela, this is my mother, Anne." Michael glanced at both the women, and the expressions were totally different. Neela looked happy, while Anne looked like she had just watched someone eat worms. Neela's smile soon faded, and a very uncomfortable silence filled their ears.
Anne cleared her throat. "Well, Neela, it's very nice to meet you. Dinner is almost ready, if the two of you want to set the table." She attempted a very feeble smile, before kissing Michael on the cheek and heading for the kitchen. Neela looked horror-stricken.
"Michael, she hates me! Did you see her face? What have I done wrong?" her voice was hysterical, but quiet, and Michael simply stared at the archway leading to the kitchen.
"She doesn't hate you, Neela. Just let her get to know you a little better. It will work out, trust me." Neela sighed, and headed towards the kitchen with Michael.
Several minutes later, the table was set, and the chicken was ready. Anne had corrected Neela several times on the "proper" way to set the table, and that only added to her nerves. "You do eat chicken where you come from, right Neela?" Anne shouted from the kitchen. Neela and Gallant were in the dining room, already sitting in their seats. Neela had an appalled look on her face as she shouted "yes ma'am," back at Anne. Joseph Gallant, Michael's father, would be arriving shortly, and was already informed about the extra guest. The many brothers and sisters of Michael couldn't make it to dinner, so it was just the four of them alone together.
A few more minutes later, Joseph arrived, and welcomed Neela with open arms. He also made a comment to Michael about how pretty she was. Neela pretended not to hear, as did Anne. The foursome were soon all seated around the table, eating in an uncomfortable silence.
"So Mike, you been thinking about marrying the girl?" Joseph suddenly asked out of the blue. Michael almost choked on his food, as did Neela.
"Uh, yeah I have thought about it… but we haven't really talked about it yet… We did just get our own place, though…"
"Really? Where?" Anne asked suddenly, sounding just as appalled as before.
"Uh, Crystal Lakes apartments. I'm a doctor, and mine and Michael's salaries would be able to cover the payments." Neela said quietly. Michael nodded in agreement, and continued eating his chicken.
"Ah huh… So you have a job?" Anne seethed. Neela nodded.
"Neela is a fabulous doctor," Michael chipped in.
"Really? That's nice…" The comments from Anne kept coming and coming and Neela had no choice but to endure it all. After dinner, Neela said a quick good-bye to Joseph, and went out to the car. Michael finished saying good-bye to his parents and thanking them for letting him stay, when Anne pulled him aside.
"Michael, we need to talk…" she whispered.
"Why? There is nothing to talk about. I saw the way you treated her during dinner. That is so unlike you!"
"There is just something about her, Michael! It's unlike you to date an Indian, but I didn't say anything."
"You just did! And besides, what's wrong with dating an Indian? She is an American like anyone else."
"How do you know that? Would if she's some illegal alien or something…"
"Mom, please! She wouldn't be a doctor if she was. And besides, I know her, and I know she's not!"
"You don't know that!"
"Yes, I do! And why do you think that just because she is of Indian descent that she is for sure one! I thought you always taught me to never be prejudice!"
"I know I did, and I am only saying she could be, not that she is."
"Well, I don't really care what you think. Dad likes her, and we are going to be together whether we have your blessing or not. I love her, and she loves me, and nothing will ever change that. So, you might want to straighten up and change your opinion pretty fast, because she will be the mother of your grandchildren in the future, and nothing will change that. I want your support, mom. Just give her a chance. Get to know her. You will love her eventually." Anne said nothing, and Michael simply sighed and walked out the door. What he didn't know is that Neela was sitting on the front porch, listening to everything. She was silently crying. Michael sighed again and put his arm around her. Anne watched them head to the car through the window, and slowly rubbed her forehead.
"Neela… I am so sorry you heard that. My mother… she has trust issues."
"Yeah, I can tell…" Neela said bitterly. They were driving away from his parents' house, and Neela still hadn't stopped crying. "I guess we have to head back to Ray's?" Michael nodded. Neela simply sighed, and turned her head to stare out the window.
About 40 minutes later, they arrived at Ray's. As soon as they stepped into the car, Neela quietly thanked God Ray wasn't home. Michael immediately began collecting his things around Neela's room, while she did the same.
After a few minutes, Neela's pager went off. "Damn… I have to go. I am not sure when I will be back but you can finish up here I guess, and just hang out. I don't think I ever asked, when do you start at County?" She picked up her purse, and grabbed her cell phone and pager and stuffed them inside. As she put her coat on, he replied.
"Should be in a couple days, I guess. Weaver hasn't given me a schedule."
"Oh, well, when you are done here you can also come to the hospital to get it, just so we know…"
"Ok, well, I will see you later…" he kissed her long and slow, before Neela broke away giggling. "I love you…"
"I love you too…" And she was out the door.
"Frank, I'm going on break. If the guy in curtain 2 starts screaming, call security. He has already tried to get me to breastfeed him…" Frank chuckled.
"Will do, Neela."
Neela shook her head and grabbed her coat. She was going to step outside and grab a coffee, when someone caught her eye. Off to the side of the ambulance bay, near the basketball hoop, was Michael face-to-face with Ray. As soon as she started walking towards them, Michael threw a punch right into Ray's nose. Ray swung one back just as quick, and soon the two were wrestling over the cold, hard ground. "You kissed her! You tried to steal her away from me! What does it take to get you to see she doesn't love you!" Michael muttered as he grabbed Ray's throat. Neela screamed, and tried to break the two apart, but they wouldn't budge. Soon, Michael realized what he was doing and stepped away, giving Neela the perfect opportunity to hold Ray back.
"What in the bloody hell are you two doing?" she screamed frantically. "What is going on here?" The two men just grunted, and wiped away at the blood streaming down their faces. Once Ray was secure, she went over to Michael and checked his face, with a worried look on her own. His left eye was swelling shut. "Well? I'm waiting!"
"Ray said I wasn't good enough for you, and that you deserved better, and that he could give you the things I couldn't. He said that he didn't know what was going through your head when you decided to fall in love with… with a soldier who is gone all the time. He said he could be there for you…" Michael spat. Neela's eyes widened.
"It wasn't like that, Neela… I was just pointing out the obvious! How do you know he won't leave you again? I am better for you! You lived with me for a very long time, and you only wrote him letters! So you had sex one time, then he left again! You have a relationship built on nothing!"
"Ray… stop! You don't know what you are talking about. And when did I ask for your opinion?" Ray looked at his feet, clenching his jaw. Michael just stood there, in awe. Neela was calm, stern, and holding him close. "I love Michael. I love him more than anyone. Nothing will ever change that. I know you have… feelings, for me… But I don't have them for you. You are my friend, Ray, nothing else. And besides, Michael is retiring form the Army so they can't call him over anymore. Obviously you didn't know that. And just so you know, we are going back to your apartment and packing up our things. We found our own apartment and are going to live there, so we will be out of your hair. Thank you for letting me stay so long. I really appreciate it." And with that Ray sulked back to the ER, muttering angrily to himself. Michael took a deep, shaky breath, and hugged Neela as if it was the last time he would ever see her. She stroked his back, and led him to the ER to check him in. They both would be there for a very long while.
Several hours later, Michael's eye was stitched up, and though it was still swollen shut, he felt considerably better. Neela had finished off her shift, and began driving them both to Ray's to finish packing. Earlier, Michael had walked, and Neela had used his rental, making a mental note to give it back to the dealership and getting hers from the shop. Once at Ray's, they finished packing everything up into boxes from the Gallants' house. Hours later, they decided to leave the rest of it for the next day, and fell asleep on Neela's bed.
The next day, after everything was completely done, they piled what they could into the car, and drove off to meet Michael's war buddy.
"Hello? Hey Chris, you home?" Michael shouted after knocking at least three times. They were standing outside his door, their things still inside his car. After a couple seconds they heard footsteps, and finally Chris opened the door.
Chris Collins looked like he hadn't slept in days. He had a disheveled look to him, and he had a mangily beard. His brown eyes looked tired, and his body was pale and worn. Neela stifled a gasp. He smiled a tiny smile as he hugged Michael. Michael held his breath.
"Chris, this is my girlfriend, Neela. I hope you don't mind her staying with me. Our apartment will be ready in about a week."
"Aw not at all. A pretty lil ladies always welcome round here, Mike." He led them inside, and gave them a tour of the house. You wouldn't even believe Chris lived in it, it was so clean. Their bedroom smelled like lilacs, and the lavender bedspread was wrinkle-free. After carrying in their things from the car, they decided to have a little chat with Chris before they went back to get the rest. Neela didn't have very many things at Ray's, and she didn't plan on bringing the furniture until they moved into their apartment. She had only packed up the needy things.
After a couple hours of hanging out at Chris's place, Michael and Neela retrieved the remainder of their things from Ray's, and finally settled down in their temporary home. The thought of living with Neela, just the two of them, in only a week gave Michael the happiest chills he ever had. And lying with her that night, with her wrapped in his arms, he thought, "Life couldn't get any better than this."
One full week later, Neela awoke wrapped tightly in Michael's arms. She grinned as she thought about the life-changing events that had just happened the night before. Michael had told her that he wanted to marry her. At first she said yes, but after a while, she had plenty more time to think about it. Cold feet, is what most people would call it, but to Neela, it was reality tapping at her door.
"Neela? You awake?" Michael yawned. He stroked her cheek before kissing it softly.
"Yeah, I have been thinking…"
"About…?"
"About us! I know you want to get married, but I don't think now is the time. My family doesn't know about you, and today! Your mom hates me enough already! I know I said yes last night, and I do want to marry you… someday. Why today?"
"Neela…"
"No, really. That has got to be the wankiest idea I have ever heard! You must be shell-shocked…"
"Wankiest?"
"Uh, yeah, foolish, ridiculous, possibly even stupid."
"I think that is the best idea I have ever had! I don't know what the problem is!"
"It's sweet, but the best… I don't think so. And it's ten after seven, I have to go to work."
"Neela, wait! Can't we talk about this!"
"We will when I get back! When do you start? We need to find a time to get the apartment and get all the stuff from Ray's."
"I don't. I took the day off to plan the wedding. We can get you things and settle into the apartment later tonight. We can spend the night either there or here, because Chris left for Colorado yesterday, remember?"
"I know, and this seems like it will turn out great, but…"
"But what?"
"Okay… and I am sorry for my little outburst, it's just all this is hitting me like a ton of bricks right now."
"I know, I know…And I am sorry too. But I swear things will turn out fine, you'll see. Right now, would you like to join me in the shower…?" The seductive look in Michael's eyes showed Neela exactly what he was thinking, and no sooner had he started the water were her clothes off, and their lips together.
A/N: ok, so I wrote a much longer chapter this time, yay! It was actually just a filler so if it is boring, sorry! It is just leading them up to the point where they are next chapter. The scene where she says, "That's the wankiest idea I have ever heard" came from "I Do." Although I added in more lines to make it all fit. Next chapter you can expect their song again, no lyrics but they are in the first chapter if ya need them, and possibly a short epilogue if the chapter is too short… Notice, I didn't say expect a wedding…Hmm…