Ray and Neela had arrived at a very nice and expensive Italian restaurant in downtown baton rouge. Neela was could not believe how beautiful the place was.

"Ray, this place is beautiful. How can you afford this?"

"Neela, I'm not broke you know."

"Ray, don't get me wrong but you have been spending a lot of money lately."

"Thank you my financial advisor, but I am just fine."

"Alright, Rockefeller let's go eat."

They where seated at their table and enjoyed a beautiful quiet dinner. After dinner Ray called for a cab and they headed to the Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center. Usually, on this night the center would be closed to all visitors but, because Ray is a regular guest he was able to gain a friendship with the keeper of the center. Ray asked to be able to enter the center after hours so he could take Neela on a little private tour of his favorite place.

"Ray, where are we going?"

"I wanted to bring to the place that helped me change my outlook on life."

"Excuse me?"

"Just be quiet and enjoy the ride."

When they arrived Neela still could not understand why they where at this very dark park in the middle of Baton Rouge.

"Ray, it is very dark here are you sure we are at the right place?"

"Yep, come with me."

He lead her through the huge white gate and as soon as they worked in the beautiful lights that adorned the center where all turned on at the same time. Courtesy of the centers keeper. Neela could not believe how this dark scary place she first saw turned into this beautiful light show. As they walked through the center Ray showed her the exact spot where they need to be.

"Ray why did we stop?"

"Well, there are a few things I want to show and give you."

"Ray, please you have given me so much already."

"Neela, trust me I have not given you enough."

"Ray, I love you so much. I thought I lost you forever, I am so happy you gave us a chance and I want to thank you for that."

"I am just happy that you and I can finally be together."

"But, Ray haven't you forgotten a small problem I live in Chicago, and you already told me that you would never go back."

"No, I said I needed things to be worked out before I consider going back. But after this week I think I have everything it figured out."

"Like what?"

Ray took a step back and turned to the benches opposite of them he asked Neela to sit with him. He looked at his watch and it was two minutes to midnight. He knew the time was right to do what he set out to do.

"Neela, I used to come here to think all the time, and the day I found out what had happened to you I thought I was going to lose my mind. I felt hopeless I wanted to be there for you but I couldn't. But, it did make me stronger I fought to get up and walk again. I did that not only for me but for you I wanted to be there for you and love you and take care of you."

"Ray" Neela interrupted.

"Wait let me finish, I love you with all my heart you complete who I am even when you get on my nerves. But I need you to understand I will never leave you. And with that I ask one question."

"What is it?"

Just as the clock hit 12 midnight, New Years 2008 Ray took Neela's hand.

"Dr. Neela Rasgostra, will you take me Dr. Raymond Barnett to be your husband?"

At that moment Ray showed Neela the beautiful 2carat diamond ring that shined brightly as the moon cascaded over it.

"Yes, Yes, Yes."

With that Neela gave Ray a hug and a passionate kiss, but something put a damper in Neela's happiness. The idea of Ray not going to Chicago.

"Neela, I know what you are thinking, how if you live in Chicago and I am here. Well, I am not going to pressure you to live here that will ultimately be your choice. But I do have another surprise now close your eyes."

With that Ray handed Neela three sets of forms. 1. A one way airline ticket to Chicago 2. The letter reinstating him to the residency program at County, and 3.A new lease to a new apartment near the hospital.

"Ray what are these?"

"Well, it looks like I'll going back to Chicago with you when you leave."

"You are but I thought"

"Didn't I tell you to trust me; well I told you everything will fall into place."

"But, how did you do all of this?"

"Well, when I went back to Chicago to see you I was there for about two days…"

"Two days and you waited so long to come see me."

"Yeah, I know I actually did see you, when I went to look at the apartment I saw you walking to the train I wanted to call your name but I figured it would have ruined the whole surprise. I had accepted the apartment that day and the next day I spoke to the new ER chief and he granted me back to the residency program. I'll only be doing part-time but I think I can manage. I received the papers from Pratt yesterday."

"This is wonderful, we can be together always."

"I have the lease to the apartment but I need you if you want to sign it."

"You want to live together again?"

"Well, I think so I will be marrying you soon so I think it will be okay."
"Yeah, I think so."

They both gave each other loving hugs and kissed and wished each other Happy New Year.