Chapter Eight

Neela stood with Susan, watching her as she put the finishing touches of decoration around the room. The party was going to be held at Susan's. It was the best choice, Abby would have no clue what was going on.

Neela and Ray had arrived a couple of hours earlier to help out….it turned out she was the only one helping.

"You know, if they're gonna be here, they could at least do something!" Susan said quietly, gesturing to Ray's cousins, who sat as usual, lounged in front of the TV.

Neela rolled her eyes. "I know. I've tried talking to them…"

Chuck appeared then, holding their child. Susan looked at him in dismay. "Hey….I thought your mum said she'd take him tonight sweetie?" she exclaimed.

Chuck nodded. "We're going already, we're going. Can't the kid say goodbye to his mummy?"

Neela looked away awkwardly. This she really didn't need.

It had been while she was getting dressed for the party that she realised how in denial she had been lately. This was going to happen for her. If she didn't want it to be happening, she knew she would have done something about it earlier. But she hadn't been able to go through with it. She would have this baby. But things were going to start to change for her…sooner then she wanted. She would start to show soon…and then she'd be in trouble. She would very soon have to go and have all the right tests done to see if the baby was healthy, and she wanted…or hoped…that Ray would be there with her through all of that.

And if he wasn't…then she would have to deal with that. But first he had to know about it…she would have to tell him tonight. As soon as she got the chance. She couldn't leave it any longer and she couldn't back out this time.

"He's adorable," Neela found herself saying after Chuck left.

Susan nodded. "Sure…until he starts screaming and crying all the time!"

"You don't regret anything though?" Neela asked, needing to know there was something good about the decision she had made.

Susan shook her head with a smile. "No way. I wouldn't change anything for the world. I mean…I know I complain a lot at work…but I love my family. It helps that Chucks here though. I remember when I looked after my sisters kid…it was ages ago now but that was hard enough."

Neela nodded. "Right."

"Someone's at the door!" Jessica called out to them.

"Yeah, I'll get right on that!" Susan shot back.

Neela marched over to the TV and turned it off.

"Excuse me?" said Jessica narrowing her eyes. "I was watching that."

"Ok listen, you can hang out later when everyone gets here, but if you're going to be staying here with me and Ray, then you're going to start earning the right to be here." Neela decided if she was going to get the courage to tell Ray, she had to start somewhere. Getting these two into shape was as good a place as any.

"You can't make me do anything," Jessica snapped. "You've got nothing to do with me!"

"Hey, calm down already," said Danny, looking around anxiously. Ray and Althea were standing a distance away talking, and Susan had just come back in with Greg. "They're letting us stay here Jess."

Neela looked at him closely. This didn't sound remotely like a kid who was messing around with a bad crowed and drugs. She didn't know what was going on, but she was going to find out.

"Correction," said Jess spitefully. "Ray's letting us stay. So that means I don't have to listen to anybody else."

Of course, it might take longer then she'd thought. "You've got the wrong impression about Ray Jess," said Neela quietly, looking over at him. "You might think you're going to get an easy life here, but both of us know something else is going on with you two."

Danny looked up suddenly.

"You're just bluffing," Jessica interrupted her angrily. "I'm going to talk to Ray," with that she got up and stormed away.

Neela sighed and met Danny's gaze. "That just proved my point didn't it. So you want to talk about it yet?"

Danny shook his head. "I told you already you wouldn't understand." he shrugged then. "Besides this is a party right?" he gestured around them as more people started to arrive. "She's right about one thing though. You really do need to lighten up."

Easy for you to say, Neela thought darkly.

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The party was a success. Abby had arrived with Luka and had been shocked…but definitely pleased about it all. Neela noticed that those two were spending a lot of time together recently, and then thought how hard it was on Sam, who was standing over by the food looking upset at the sight of the two friends talking so passionately about something. Looking over at Ray and Althea, she suddenly knew how the nurse felt.

She walked over to Sam. "Hi."

"Hi," Sam said back, less then enthusiastic.

"Look, I know we don't really know each other," Neela began. "But is everything ok? I mean…" she gestured over at Luka.

Sam rolled her eyes and shrugged. "Not really. I don't think it ever will be."

"Sounds bad," said Neela.

Sam nodded. "I know it's pretty much been world war three at work lately. Thanks…for coming over to talk. Nobody else wants to get involved."

This time Neela shrugged. "So, does he still see Alex?" she asked, fumbling for something to talk about.

Sam shook her head. "He still picks him up from school sometimes. But it's hard. We spent a year together you know? But I guess we just drifted apart. He wants family…and I already have that."

There was an awkward silence, and then Sam nodded over at Jessica and Danny, who were talking to Greg and Morris. You could hear Jess's laughter from across the room, incredibly loud and fake. It reminded Neela of Althea.

"Oh my god, is she flirting with Pratt?" Sam actually laughed out loud. "Isn't she like, sixteen or something? What's their story anyway?"

"They're Ray's cousins," said Neela, noticing that Ray was coming over.

"No way. Ray actually has family?" asked Sam curiously.

"Hey ladies," said Ray, joining them. "Bought you some drinks."

Sam took the beer gratefully. "So, trouble in paradise Barnett? Pleases tell me I'm not the only one?"

Ray shook his head. "She just doesn't know anyone that's all. But since you're asking….if I have to hear about the latestboy bandanymore…I'll go crazy. Here Neela, got you you're favourite wine."

Neela smiled and nodded her thanks. She started to drink, but then realised in horror what a bad idea that was. Casually, watching Sam and Ray talking, she spat the drink back into the glass. Sam and Ray both turned to stare at her.

"What?" she asked defensively.

"I thought you loved that drink?" asked Ray, a little hurt.

"I do but…I …" she was at a loss for words. "It's just so bad for you you know? I'm just…going through a healthy phase right now. You know how many calories wine's got in it?"

She hurriedly put the wine glass down on a table. "Looks like Danny's in trouble," she pointed over to him, he was standing in the kitchen area now, talking heatedly to Jessica, having just dragged her over there. "Back in a sec."

Ray turned to Sam, alarm whispering through him. "Ok, that was weird. I'm not imagining things am I? It was weird. Since when is Neela worried about her health…I mean, that much?"

"I know," Sam agreed with him.

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Neela hesitated when she reached them. They were Ray's family, he should be the one clearing up their mess. But what she had assumed was a debate about Jess and Pratt was actually turning into a full fledged argument.

"Didn't you learn anything from back home?" Danny was asking her furiously.

"No," she said stubbornly. "What I learned is how to have fun. And that's what I'm doing now. Having fun!" she took another long sip of her drink, but Danny snatched it from her, spilling some over her top.

"You've had enough," he said. "You're embarrassing yourself Jess."

"I don't need to embarrass myself when I have you."

"Look, you know what's embarrassing? Everyone thinks this is my fault. The fact that you messed up doesn't cross anyone's mind, because of course you're so sweet and innocent."

She laughed at him then. "Well, mum and dad seemed to buy it!"

"What's going on?" asked Ray, who had come over to join Neela.

Danny looked at his cousin. "Nothing," he started.

"Don't even try that one!" said Neela.

"Ok fine. I'm….." but once again, he was interrupted.

"No, don't be an idiot Danny. You can't do this to me!"

Ray looked steadily at Jessica, his patience wearing thin. "Look, this is getting stupid. . I told you, you can stay the weekend…but if you carry on like this…Guys, I thought we were ok. We always got on well growing up...we looked out for each other didn't we? So you can tell me anything, you know that."

Jess looked around at each of them, her eyes filled with panic. "You don't understand," she started. "I can't tell you ok? I just can't. And you can't send me home Ray, I can't go back there."

"The drugs were hers," Danny explained. "I'm more likely to screw up back home, so we figured blaming me was the obvious choice. She's in trouble Ray. She owes people money she doesn't have and if they find her…"

Neela, who had backed away slightly, suddenly realised to her horror that the music had stopped. They had been trying to be discreet, but where the music had been so loud, they'd had to raise their voices a little. Now, everything was silent, and after Jess's little outburst, she realised everyone was staring at her.

"Ray….if there's going to be trouble…take it outside…" warned Susan, coming up to stand with them.

"Who said anything about trouble?" Neela said instantly, trying to cover up for them. She could see Abby and Luka staring at them curiously, and for some reason she felt horribly guilty. This was going all wrong. "We're just talking! You know, family stuff."

"I heard something about drugs?" Susan continued to ask, looking in concern at Ray.

Ray shook his head. "Don't even ask Lewis, you don't want to know. Jess…look. Let's just all calm down ok? We can go outside and talk about this…I'll hear you out. If you're in trouble I'll try my best to help you but…just talk to me."

For a moment the scared girl looked like she was going to back down, but then she snatched her drink back from her brother.

"No," she said bitterly. "It's not my fault you know. It's just…I have so much to live up to don't I? Everyone else in this family according to mum and dad is already such a screw up, I can't make one tiny mistake? I mean look at you Ray…"

"Don't do this," he told her, looking around the room. "Don't bring me into this. What you're saying is no excuse, but I can help you try and make things better."

"You were worse then me. Worse then Danny. My parents don't even like us talking about you. They can't even see how you're dad would give you a second chance and help pay your way through medical school. Not after how you were. But if you can get away with stuff like that, why shouldn't I be able to?"

"What makes you think I got away with it?" he exclaimed.

"Well, look at you!" she said back. "You're dong great. But my parents…they'll throw me out. And like Danny said….well…I can't go home ever."

Ray was feeling helpless. The last thing he wanted was for this to be the latest gossip at work tomorrow, but it looked like he wouldn't have much of a choice.

"Jess, if we just talk to you're parents…..we can sort it all out. Look, when I called them to say you were here, they were so relieved guys. I had to call them. They just want you to be ok…."

"God, you're such a jerk. I don't even know why I thought you could help me!" she slammed the glass down so hard on the counter it smashed into pieces, and she rushed passed them out the door.

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"So, she's going to be ok?" Susan asked Neela as they waited in the ER outside her room.

Neela nodded. "Yeah. She was pretty out of it when they found her. She hadn't got far…she'd collapsed in one of the alleyways outside your place? She had to have her stomach pumped, but she's finally awake. Ray's in there talking to her now."

"Good," said Susan.

When Ray finally came out of the room, Susan was still waiting. "Neela, she wants to talk to you. Apologise and everything. "

Neela smiled. "And I'm sure you had nothing to do with that sudden turn of events right?"

He shook his head. "Nope. Nothing."

"Ray," said Susan as he sat down in one of the chairs. "Listen…I was pretty impressed by tonight you know."

"You were?" he asked in shock. "I think I royally screwed up myself."

Susan laughed and shook her head. "No…you handled yourself well. And you actually found her, helped save her life. And you've offered to help her clear her debts and sort her life out. Nothing wrong from where I'm standing. There's hope for you yet Ray. That's all I'm saying."

Ray nodded. "Thanks. Say sorry to Abby for me."

"Will do."

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When Ray and Neela finally got back home, it was early in the morning.

"Well…that was anight we won't be forgetting anytime soon," Neela said to him as she made herself a drink. Danny was staying at the hospital with his sister, and Althea had made her own way home. Strangely, Ray didn't feel as guilty as he knew he should be

"Definitely. You just know I'm gonna get the third degree tomorrow."

Neela noticed the answer machine was flashing as she passed, and so pressed the button.

"Hello Neela. I don't know why, I just had a feeling that you called me recently. You didn't say anything, but after all, I'm your father. Sometimes, I can just sense these things. I may be wrong, but just in case, I thought I would see how you are. If you need my help, or anything the family can do for you, all you have to do is ask us. Next time, speak when you call, it would be nice to hear from you."

Ray looked at her steadily. "Ok, is there something you're keeping from me now?" he asked her. "Neela, that's the first time you're father's ever called you here, and he sounded worried. Did you call him? Should he be worried?"

Neela flinched at all the questions. "Ray," she said, now it was her turn to be panicking. "Hasn't enough been going on tonight? Why do I have to tell you everything that's going on in my life? I've got enough to feel guilty about…" she looked away from him.

"Ok, you've officially got my attention. What's going on? "

This was it. The now or never moment she'd been dreading. But she had sworn she'd tell him tonight, and now she would have to. But this moment would definitely win the worst timing ever award.

"I'm…"she hesitated.

"You're what?" he asked her softly. "Neela, please. If something's wrong you can tell me."

She looked up at him and took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."

He just stared at her for a moment. Then he reached forward and took her hand in his. "I'm glad you told me," he told her. "Finally. Because I already knew."

TBC

Sorry about the extra long chapter, it's near the end of this story though. Only a couple more chapters to go. I would have updated sooner, I've just had the worst cold all of this week. All you're lovely reviews make me feel better though. Hope you're still enjoying this.