Response to a challenge by Lulubelle09

"Babe, I need a favor….I need you to marry me…"

RPOV

I am walking the stairs up to Babe's apartment. It's been close to a month since I've seen her, I've been out of town and I've heard she's made a lot of progress in her personal life. One big one is getting rid of Morelli for good. The second is she moved into a new apartment, a more secure apartment. I found a fob and code on my desk when I returned from Miami. I don't know why I'm so nervous going to see her. Yes I do, I'm a chickenshit and I don't want to admit my true feelings.

"Babe" I said as I entered the apartment

"Ranger! I'm in the kitchen." She yelled.

We sat down after she finished making us salads. At least she was trying to eat healthier, wait I take that back as I see her drown her salad in dressing and add about a pound of cheese to the top. As long as I can keep mine out of her reach I think I'm okay.

"Babe, I need a favor." I said as we started to eat.

"Anything just name it, as much as you do for me there isn't anything that I wouldn't do for you." After she realized what she said she turned 10 shades of red.

"I need you to marry me." I said, which prompted Babe to start choking on her salad.

"Did you just say marry you? Why? Something doesn't feel right." She said as she started calming down.

"You're right, something isn't right. We've been a couple for the past 3 years without actually being a couple. You love me, I love you. Please just marry me Babe." I slid a ring onto her finger.

"You're right, I do love you. I also know how much you love me, but I know that's not the reason you're asking me. My answer is no until you tell me the real reason." Damn she's not going to give up, I might as well come clean.

"While I was down in Miami I had my routine visits to the doctor. They found a mass in my colon. They believe the mass is cancerous and do not know how much further it has gotten into my system. Listening to the doctor made me realize two things, first of all life is too short to be scared of my feelings for you. Secondly if something is wrong with me there is no one I'd rather share the rest of my life with, whether it be 6 months of 40 years. I want all of those days to be spent with you Babe. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Two days later Stephanie and Ranger married in a small ceremony with their close family and friends in Point Pleasant at the beach. Shortly after they relocated to Miami so Ranger could be closer to his doctors and spend time with his daughter. Three years later Ranger died when he lost his battle with cancer. Stephanie opened the Ranger Manoso Cancer research foundation with the money that was left by her husband to further cancer research. She devoted her life to make sure that others would not suffer and would go and visit the families of cancer patients in the hospitals and help out in any way she could. 20 years later Stephanie died in her sleep in the house that she shared with Ranger with a smile on her face. Julie said she was smiling because she was finally going to be with Ranger again.

Just remember you never know what life is going to throw at you, while something may seem like a simple favor it may mean the world to someone else.