Standard disclaimers applied. See Prologue for further details.

Author's Note: I'm glad you guys like the conversation in the last chapter. There are more of those in this one - not an argument really, but you'll understand when you read it next.


Chapter 23: The Nature of Things

As it were Neela and Ray continued their lives together in the same apartment that they first met, in the same hospital that they both worked at. During the year after their marriage, Ray had taken Neela to the West Coast as it had been one of her wishes on her unwritten list of things to do. She in turn, had belly danced for him many times, in fact, in the privacy that was warranted between married couples.

Ray had continued with his band, though, a breakup was inevitable. Marriage and work had offered little time left for the demands of performing, song-writing and dealing with groupies. Music was a passion and a love but his perspective on life and its general workings had evolved. A farewell party that was fitting for an aspiring band had been organized.

The bandmates and their respective girlfriends and fans were all invited to hang out at the bar. Ray and Neela were of course, in attendance along with various stafff from County who had the night off. Abby and Sam were mingling. Susan stopped by once, but she had to work the midnight shift. Morris tried to flirt.

It was a night of fond remembrances. The band played some of their best hits to the cheering of the crowd. Bret was the biggest tease as he retold some of the band's worst escapades. For Neela's benefit, he even told her some of Ray's less-than-stellar moments. He was nonchalant at the glare that the said member gave him, as he recounted an incident involving Ray and a lot of plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

And then, what is a party without drinking contests? Sam by far, proved that she could drink as much as the boys, shot after shot disappeared to the counting of the crowd. By that time, most was pretty much on their way to a massive hangover the next day. It was then, Bret proposed a race between Neela and Ray. Neela, had been quite content to sit at the bar which provided her with an uninterrupted view of everyone. Abby had joined her with a cocktail in her hand, at some point in the night. The nurse-turned-doctor had noticed that her colleague had not touched a single drink since her arrival. Neela's only explanation was, "I'm designated driver for these hooligans. Can you imagine Ray and Bret passed out drunk in the backseat? I'm tempted to stuff one of them in the trunk."

Her protest renewed at Bret's outrageous suggestion. "No, I'm not going to drink myself to oblivion. Designated driver, remember?"

"Ah, c'mon, doc. Lighten uuuuppppp."

Ray was slightly amused at his wife's discomfort. "Afraid to lose, Neela?"

"I'm tempted to throw you in the trunk, Ray," she glared back at him.

"C'mon doc... it's only a couple of drink. It's not like you're pregnant or anything."

The visible stiffening in her stature, the squaring of her shoulders and the fact that she had lowered her eyes, gave everybody who had been watching the scene a reason to pause. She avoided looking up, because she knew what she was going to see.

"Neela, look at me," urged Ray.

It was with reluctance that she raised her head. "I wasn't sure. I wanted to tell you in private, because you know ... then I got scared because I said I wasn't ready ... now, I don't want you to be disappointed."

She was rambling now, to an audience of half-dazed and half-crazed people. However, the only who truly mattered had firmly enveloped her in his arms and covered her lips with his. "So, you're pregnant," he whispered in between fervent kisses across her lips, her jawline and her cheeks.

"I'm booking an appointment to see an OB/GYN for next week."

Needless to say, Neela won't be drinking at all, but that didn't stop everybody else to drink in honour Mr and Mrs. Barnett's future offspring.

-o-o-

With the news, both Ray and Neela set off to find a new condo. Their apartment was too small to raise a growing family. They wanted somewhere close to work, but also, afforded them reasonable proximity to Parama and Gates - who at this point were still living together.

Cynthia Carter had been ecstatic at the news of her first grandchild, while Worth Carter though he was a cardiologist, was recommending the top OB/GYN from left and right. News spread quickly, the well wishes came in droves.

Yet, in the serenity of each other's embrace, Ray and Neela devoted some hours each day to daydreaming about baby names and nurseries. Maybe, they were breeding a hopeful musician or an aspiring doctor. Would she have her mother's dark alluring eyes or her father's teasing smile? Maybe, he would have his mother's compassionate nature or his father's charisma.

Ray was struggling with the ideas of being protective father-to-be and a supportive husband. Neela was always and still an independent women. The first trimester was taking its toll and she was feeling the effects of morning sickness that occurred in sporadic times in the day. She was scheduled to do a presentation for a group of surgeons and doctors. The attendance of the Chief of Surgery from all the hospitals, along with various administrators were playing a havoc on her nerves. Dr. Carter and Dr. Weaver were also putting on presentations as well that day, but hormones were having a decided effect on Neela. Ray was on the receiving end of much of Neela's roller-coaster emotions.

"Neela, you don't have to do this."

"Yes Ray, I do. There is no way to get out of this."

"I'm sure Carter or even Weaver would do your part as well."

"So, are you saying that I'm incompetent?"

"I'm not questioning your competence."

"So, then what are you saying?"

"Neela. I'm worried."

"So you do think that I'm incompetent."

His dad had warned him about his mother's pregnancy with him. They were times when Cynthia was downright scary when she was in the mood. Even, on occasion, the late Reverend Sullivan had told stories where Jamie's mother had threw a couple of bibles at him when she was pregnant. However, Ray didn't need any prior advice to know to tread carefully.

"I can see that you are upset, Neela."

"I'm not upset, Ray," of course her statement was completely contradictory to the scowl on her face.

"I love you, Neela and I'm proud of you as a doctor, as a wife," as he tentatively, encircled his arms around her, he added, "and as a mother."

"I love you too, Ray."

Despite the reassurances from her husband, Neela was just too nervous. The presentation had been a bust, but both Carter and Weaver were on hand, to salvage the outcome. Neela felt that she was a total disappointment, but as she recalled Ray's loving declaration, she knew that to him, she had nothing to prove. She should just let nature take its course.

End of Chapter 23


AN: I hope that the pace of the chapter isn't too slow. I'm just trying to depict some of the conversations that any couple would have. It's a lot of poetic license involved, since the show doesn't show us this aspect of the Reela relationship. Hope you guys enjoyed it.