Disclaimer: They aren't mine but ya'll know that already.

AN: This is for Miss Cindy Lou who asked me to do another story for National Margarita Day.

Please note no insult is intended for those who enjoyed Fifty Shades of Grey, book or movie but I personally don't get the hype. I didn't read the book and I have no intention of seeing the movie but heard neither was great.

I was so sick of winter at this point I wasn't sure how much more I could take. It's been one of the coldest Februarys on record here in Trenton and we hardly had any snow until this month but we got a good 3-4 feet. Almost every day starts below zero. Who the heck wants to get out of bed to face that? I know it could be worse, like what they have in Boston, but it still sucks.

Last weekend was Valentine's Day and we were snowed in. I was snowed in alone. Joe and I had broken up before Christmas and it looked like it was going to stick this time. He hasn't been calling me, showing up at Pino's when I'm there or coming to my apartment for some fun. I heard at the station, when I was bringing in a skip, that he began dating a woman who worked part time at a nursery school. Apparently the woman, Bianca, was the granddaughter of one of Grandma Bella's childhood friends from back in Sicily and was living with Angie and Bella until she married. She went to church every Sunday and during the week if she was off. She went the other day on Ash Wednesday my mother was quick to tell me because I didn't. She of course spoke Italian but was also fluent in English, Spanish and French. Her only goal in life was to get married and have a family. She wanted to continue working at the nursery school because she could work part time and bring her children with her but still have time to care for her home and family while getting dinner on the table by six pm. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention she was only twenty years old with 'fresh' eggs unlike me who at thirty three had old eggs and may have trouble conceiving. She was the perfect woman for her Joseph, Angie was heard to say. Angie was the one to comment on my old eggs. My mother was bemoaning my single status once again.

I went into the Bonds Office today to see if there were any files. It's been slow with the cold, at least I still had some money from my cut for bringing down Vlatko and I didn't have any credit card bills. I had paid my rent ahead a few months and had some money saved for a rainy day. I wasn't usually in this position and I wanted to keep it that way. I walked in to the smell of freshly brewed Kona coffee. Vinnie brought in the good stuff because Lucille was pregnant and couldn't drink it, plus the smell made her nauseous so he could only have it at the office and had to brush his teeth before going home. Lucille had severe morning sickness. Vinnie had been attending sex addicts anonymous and given up all his fetishes and even Joyce. He was reformed. I'm not sure I believed it but for the baby's sake I hoped it was true. I saw a dozen assorted donuts on Connie's desk. I greeted her and grabbed a cup of coffee and a Boston Cream. I instantly felt better as the sugar hit my system.

Connie sympathized with me over my mother's reaction to Morelli's new girlfriend. I said, "It's not that he has a new girlfriend that upsets me, we weren't going to work but it's the fact she's so young. I mean I've never heard of him fathering any children but we all know it's possible he could have a kid the same age. It's kind of disgusting you know."

Connie nodded in agreement saying, "Ya know there were a couple of girls that got married at sixteen and moved away because they were preggers in our class. They married their boyfriend at the time but it was rumored Morelli was really the father. The men had joined the service and made a career out of it. They were a little older; eighteen, so they have their twenty in and could retire now. It'd be interesting if they moved back and any of the kids look like Morelli."

Lula came barreling in and immediately started, "Give me a donut quick. That cheapskate I was dating took me out to dinner last night because we couldn't go out on Valentine's Day and he gyped me. He gave me a half-eaten heart shaped box of chocolates, not even Russell Stover, some cheap off brand. I mean what kind of man gives his woman a half-eaten box of candy? Then for dinner, he didn't take me no place special, that fool took me to Cluck in a Bucket. I eat there all the time how is that romantic? Ya wanna know the worst part, I sat on one of those plastic chairs and it broke. I landed on the floor and my skirt rode up showing my new red lace thong. Some kid started screaming saying he was blind. I dumped that fool and now I got nothing to do tonight."

Connie and I couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing. We had tears streaming down our cheeks and Lula was huffing like a wild bull ready to charge the streets of Pamplona when I felt a tingling on the back of my neck. Ranger walked in and gave me one raised eyebrow as he handed Connie his body receipt. He had been given a really high bond federal skip wanted for embezzlement. Vinnie only bonded him out because he was from the Burg. "Babe," he said.

This 'Babe' meant what could possibly be so funny. "Ranger, Lula was telling us about her date last night. It didn't go very well."

He nodded and glided out the door like smoke. How the heck could he do that?

Lula and Connie were fanning themselves when Lula said, "That man is so fine, I'd like to lick every inch of him up and down like a popsicle. I'd never let that man leave my bed. White Girl, how come you let him out of your bed and don't tell me you never slept with him because after that Vordo and Hawaii I ain't gonna believe that one."

I sighed. I knew they were always good about not asking for details, I mean they asked but didn't push me on them. "He once told me I'd have to leave eventually, so I've visited a couple of times but I don't want to stay around too long and get kicked out."

Connie did a humph, "Steph, I doubt he'd kick you out of his bed. He looks at you like you're lunch. His eyes get dark whenever he looks at you."

"So, Lula did you still want to see that Fifty Shades of Grey movie?" I asked. I know it wasn't subtle but frankly I didn't want to hear what Lula wanted to do with Ranger's naked body. I've seen her naked when I had to rescue her once when I quit during that Stiva thing and it wasn't pretty. I didn't want to ruin the image I had of Ranger's naked body.

Lula got excited again and I was worried her boobs were going to bounce right out of her DDD cups, "Yeah, we should go tomorrow afternoon then grab dinner at Chevy's over by the movie theater. It's National Margarita Day so they are havin' half price margaritas."

"Sounds good, you coming Connie?" I asked.

She grimaced, "I can't I got a bridal shower for my cousin Carmela. It'll be my turn for a lecture from my family for remaining single so long after my divorce. Carmela is twenty-one. My mother's gonna complain her sister will have a great grandchild first."

"Sorry, I know what that's like," I replied.

Lula and I made plans. I had no files so I went home and cleaned. I cleaned my entire apartment and Rex's cage. I took my laundry downstairs, including towels and sheets. It felt good, like I accomplished something. I stared at that stupid crockpot I won at bingo a few months ago. I'd never used it. I pulled out my lap top and found a couple of recipes to try with it. I'd probably be eating it for weeks but I'd buy some containers so I could put some in the freezer and I wouldn't have to mooch dinner at my parents or order take out. It'd be kind of nice to have a hot stew.

I threw my clothes in the dryer and went to the meat market and got two pounds of chicken cubes and another two pounds of beef cubes then went to Walmart and did some shopping. I pulled out the list and got some carrots, onions, celery, peppers, a couple of cans of diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, cumin, cinnamon, allspice, minced garlic, butter, oil and rice. Then I grabbed a few packs of refrigerated cookie dough. I got white chocolate macadamia, chocolate chip, peanut butter, peanut butter chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, triple chip, dark chocolate peppermint, dark chocolate delight, walnut chocolate chip, and for good measure frozen double chocolate chip. That should get me through 'til the Girl Scout cookies arrive. I looked at the oatmeal ones and thought about putting them back but I thought Ranger would be proud of me they were healthy right. I then grabbed some milk, frosted flakes, and a bag of frozen green beans. I also bought some more laundry detergent, dish soap, dryer sheets, Lysol anti-bacterial kitchen cleaner, Rubbermaid storage containers, a couple of pans and slow cooker liners. I also made my way down the health and beauty section gathering tampons, toothpaste, a new toothbrush, and hair spray, shampoo, conditioner, gel, and hair ties.

I then ran into Quaker Bridge Mall and went to Bath & Body Works; they were having a huge sale so I stocked up on body wash, lotion, bubble bath, body scrubs, hand cream, foot cream, hand soap, hand sanitizer, and candles. I had entered through Macy's and hit the Philosophy counter for some mango flavored lip gloss. I also decided to stop by Victoria's Secret as I had some coupons and angel rewards to use before they expired. I got free panties with a coupon, $10 off a bra so I got two t-shirt bras and scored a free tee, I bought that perfume Fearless and got a free clutch, I bought a bikini and got a free tote, then grabbed a Pink zip up hoodie and scored a free fanny pack and sunglasses. I love to save and I got a secret reward.

I went home washed everything and followed the instructions to make Country Captain Chicken. After browning the meat and stir-frying the veggies it only took three hours on high to cook. I made some rice to serve it over and it was delish. I couldn't believe I had made it. I portioned the left overs into four containers, three in the freezer and one in the fridge. I had the beef to use tomorrow, I know I was going out but I could have the beef ready for a late lunch because we were going to an early evening showing.

The next day I prepared the Moroccan Beef with Tomatoes and Beans. It came out excellent, I liked this and I had a hot meal sans a nagging mother, some food in the freezer and clean-up was a breeze with the liners plus I didn't spend all day in the kitchen. I was going to have to try some more of these recipes but it does make a lot and for just one person it can be too much.

Lula was picking me up because she had traded in her Firebird, it didn't handle well in the winter and this winter was rough, she decided to get a VW Passat. It would handle better in the snow and was bigger for a 'big beautiful woman' and it had heated seats. We made our way to the movies and I thought it kind of sucked and said so. I mean big deal it wasn't that titillating and I don't get why Lula was so intrigued, I mean she was a ho and had to have seen and done way more.

We made our way to Chevy's after the movie and sat at the bar. We were eating the complimentary chips and salsa while drinking our half price frozen strawberry margaritas then switched to frozen peach margaritas and chatting about different things. We talked about how lacking our love life was. I was thinking about Ranger and thought about calling him when I felt a tingle on the back of my neck. I only get that when Ranger is near. I slowly turned on my bar stool and watched him stride across the bar area. I muttered, "Holy hell he's so frickin' hot."

Lula turned in her stool and moaned at the site before her. Not only was Ranger walking in but Tank was with him. They were both dressed in normal clothes. I mean they were wearing faded jeans, black hiking boots and their Rangeman LL Bean coats. Tank was wearing a red thermal style Henley while Ranger had on a cream quarter zip cashmere sweater. They looked good, the women and some of the men in the bar stopped to stare at the pair. They were perfect specimens of male perfection.

Ranger walked up to me and I blurted out, "You really do have ESP. I was just thinking of calling you."

He smiled and handed the bartender a couple of hundred dollar bills saying, "Thanks for information and this should cover their tab."

The bartender nodded as I watched Tank and Lula move to a secluded table. They were whispering and Lula was giggling. Ranger took me by the hand and we made our way to another table. "Babe how many did you have?"

"Just two and half of this one," I purred.

"You are a lightweight. Let's have some dinner and sober you up some. You can finish that but I think you should switch to water. You're going to have one hell of a hangover in the morning," he chuckled.

I ordered chicken enchiladas and he had chicken fajitas without the tortillas. We had guacamole with our chips and salsa, and an order of jalapeno bacon wrapped shrimp which was divine. I couldn't decide what I wanted for dessert so Ranger and I shared the flan, tres leches cake and deep fried ice cream. We had coffee with our dessert. Ranger had a plain skinny 'rita with his meal along with his ice water. I was surprised he indulged that much. It was a great relaxing meal with great conversation. Yes, Ranger talked about himself, he told me about his childhood.

We watched Lula and Tank leave, with Lula sashaying out in front of him and his eyes were on her booty. She knew how to work a pair of FMP's. I was wearing high heeled boots that came to the knee with a pair of skinny leg jeans and a blue cashmere sweater my grandmother bought me for Christmas. It brought out my eyes.

After finishing dessert Ranger paid the check and took my hand leading me out the door. We made our way to a Mercedes sedan; surprisingly it was brown metallic with a beige and espresso interior. It was masculine, like him. I liked it a lot. I moaned as I sunk into the leather seats and felt my eyes growing heavy.

I awoke the next morning wrapped in mocha latte arms that felt like steel bands around me. I felt naked skin and butter soft sheets. I slowly opened an eye, then another. I saw a muscular mocha latte chest. I looked up and saw those dreamy eyes staring down at me. I tried unsuccessfully to remember how I got there and damn I wasn't sore so I doubted I had forgotten something good. "Um… how did I get here?"

He smiled that unforgettable smile and with amusement showing through his words he said, "Babe, you passed out before we left the parking lot. I carried you up here and managed to get you to swallow some Tylenol before you stripped your clothes off and climbed between the sheets. How's your head?"

"I slowly lifted it up and said. "not too bad. I've definitely been in worse shape before. I could really use the cure and the bathroom."

Ranger released me and I scurried to the bathroom and answered natures call. I decided to jump in the shower after looking in the mirror and seeing how scary my hair was. I made my way to the closet after taking a fast shower. I wanted to get dressed and eat my fries while still hot. I saw the bed was empty and was disappointed. I quickly dressed in a Rangeman uniform I had left behind and made my way to the breakfast bar. Ranger was standing there bare chested and barefoot with a pair of basketball shorts on. He was drinking coffee and eating a half a grapefruit with a bagel and lox. He was hot but really didn't get the whole eating thing. I saw a large Coke and large fries from Mickey D's. I quickly ate the fries and drank the Coke before moving on to coffee and bagels with low fat cream cheese.

Ranger broke the silence, "We need to talk."

"Oh great," I muttered.

"It's not bad Babe. I would like to know how you're doing with Morelli seeing someone else."

"Well, like I told Connie yesterday, I'm good with it. My only issue is she's so young. Angie Morelli has made a big deal about how old me and my eggs are. It makes me think I may have difficulty getting pregnant," I said.

I saw his eyes darken and his voice was low and husky when he said, "I could help you with that. And Babe, you're not leaving my bed this time."

One year later…

Ranger and I arrived at the church with his family and a group of Merry Men. We were having our son, Ricardo Carlos II baptized today during the mass. The church was pretty full but my parents, grandma, Val and her family were in the front section cordoned off for us. The church was baptizing our son along with Mary Lou's little girl. They weren't planning to have any more children but oops, the condom broke and now she finally has her little girl.

All I can say is thank goodness for those margaritas because Ranger really stepped up and was diligent in his duties trying to get me pregnant. We succeeded in record time, I took a pregnancy test two weeks after the margaritas and it was positive. We planned a small surprise wedding but didn't announce the pregnancy until the second trimester. Ranger's sister Celia and her husband were going to be the godparents, while Val and Lenny's brother were going to be Sophia's godparents.

Things hadn't worked out too well for Joe. He married Bianca in June and they have been trying unsuccessfully to conceive. They went to be checked out and she's fine. The issue is Joe. Apparently he has a low sperm count, nobody is saying what the cause is but he was heard complaining that I was having a baby and it wasn't fair when I never wanted kids and Ranger is well, Ranger. Eddie defended us saying what did Joe expect when Ranger was a health nut and well, Joe wasn't but I didn't want kids with the wrong person and now that I was with the right one, well it worked out for the best. Joe wasn't very happy with those comments but that's too bad, he needs to learn to adjust. Another issue in the happy couple's marriage is that a nineteen year old girl knocked on Joe's door one day claiming to be his daughter. DNA showed she was, yeah, she was one of those rumored kids he fathered in high school. His wife wasn't very happy to have a pregnant stepdaughter one year younger than her and no baby on the way. I don't know if they are going to make it but a saying comes to mind. Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it. Joe has a kid and a Burg housewife, just not the way he pictured it.