This is an idea I had and I thought I should write it and let the readers decide if it should be continued. I don't think I know the name of Valerie's youngest daughter (trhodes9 told me it might be something like Jenny or Jennifer) so I didn't use a name for the little one.

Stephanie and Ranger are in an established relationship in this story, meaning Steph's not with Morelli.

Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE.

It was Friday night and I was slumped on the couch, staring at the television. I've been channel surfing for about half an hour without settling on something to watch. Giving up, I went with the Food Network.

The lock tumbled and a second later Ranger came in, dressed in his usual black outfit of cargo pants and T-shirt.

"Hey." Ranger greeted as he slipped off his utility belt.

"Hey yourself." I said, watching him place his belt on the side table next to the couch. He bent to kiss me hello on the lips.

"How's it going?" He sat next to me, a small smile curving up his mouth.

"Surprisingly good." I gave him a playful smack on the arm for the tease. He knew I was taking care of my nieces for the night. "I think it helps that they're all old enough to remind me their hungry."

"Babe." Ranger's smile widened, reaching his eyes. "The girls are asleep?"

"Yeah." It wasn't even ten yet, but I guess they might have had a long day helping their father. It was my sister's anniversary and Albert called me at around four this afternoon, asking if I could watch his daughters for the night. He was sure Valerie would make him sleep on the couch if he forgot their anniversary two years in a row. "Albert was sure Valerie would serve him with divorce papers if he didn't do something special." Ranger lifted an eyebrow in question and I shook my head to let him know she wouldn't.

"What are we watching?" Ranger draped an arm around my shoulders, pressing me to his side.

"Paula Deen cook."

About an hour later shuffled footsteps made me tear my eyes away from the TV. A small body approached us from the darkened hallway. It was my youngest niece, the family baby.

"Hello." I called as the three year old walked past me. I watched her climb onto Ranger's lap, snuggling close. Ranger looked surprised, tentatively wrapping an arm around the smaller figure. The little girl fidgeted for a while before moving towards me, settling on my lap.

"I guess I'm not soft enough." Ranger commented as my niece chose my breasts to pillow the side of her face. I passed a hand across her back in what I hoped was a soothing caress. She stayed put, getting comfortable to go back to sleep. I kissed the top of her head as a warm feeling spread through my chest.

"Thanks." I murmured when Ranger took the child from me half an hour later. I followed him to my bedroom. He placed her next to her older sisters and I tucked the sheet around the girls. I stared at them for a few seconds, smiling softly. They were growing up so fast, making me feel a little old.

Ranger had reclined the couch and set out the blankets when joined him in the living room. He was spending the night.

"It might be uncomfortable." I said, remoting the TV off.

Ranger rested on his back in his silky boxers and tee, extending an arm in my direction for me to join him. I crawled over him, half my body resting on the couch and the other pressed flush on top of him. Okay, so it might not be so uncomfortable, I thought as my head landed on his chest. He wrapped an arm around my waist as he pulled the fluffy blanket over our bodies.

"Night." I whispered, breathing him in as I allowed sleep to call my name. I was already slipping into slumber, but I could feel he was wide awake. I snaked a hand under the hem of his T-shirt, tapping my fingers along his side.

"Goodnight." Ranger gave me a kiss on the forehead and I went to sleep.

S&R

I awoke to sounds of a full house. Utensils clinked on plates and voices filtered to me from the kitchen. I sat up groggily and stumbled into the bathroom. It was warm and the mirror was still slightly foggy. Someone had taken a shower already. I went about my morning routine, struggling to tame my pillow hair.

"Good morning." I greeted when I reached the dining table. The older girls, Angie and Mary Alice, were just about done with their breakfast. Lisa was close behind. I poured myself a cup of coffee and watched Ranger cut a pancake in bite size bits for the baby.

"Thank you." The three year old's cheerful voice made me want to say 'awww'. I want to believe I've got some maternal instincts in me somewhere, but most of the time I doubt it. I mean, my only child is my hamster, Rex.

"You're welcome." Ranger smiled, patting the girl on the head. I grinned. That little girl could steal anyone's heart. She was just so adorable. I think my sister and Albert were feeling extra amorous when they conceived the little cutie.

"Wow. You made breakfast?" I asked Ranger, digging into my own plate.

"Actually, I had Ella bring something." He winked at me, forking some strawberries into his mouth.

We were loading the dishwasher after breakfast when Valerie and Albert showed up. They were looking extremely happy.

"Thank you so much." Valerie told me, grinning like a fool as she rounded up her daughters.

"Sure." I saw them to the door. My sister's family walked down the hall, but the youngest Kloughn dashed back to me.

"Bye." I bent down to scoop her up, accepting her kiss. Ranger was standing behind me and my niece extended her arms in his direction. In a flash the little girl was looping tiny arms around Ranger's neck, landing a loud kiss on his cheek. Smiling wide, Ranger returned the kiss before setting her down.

"Come on." Angie came back for her little sister and I waved, waiting until they caught up to the others before closing my front door.

Ranger's phone beeped. He sighed.

"What time will Julie be here?" I knew he was feeling a bit nervous. His daughter was coming to stay with him for the summer. She was no longer, in her words, a 'little girl' and the teenage years were taking their toll on her mother. From what Ranger's told me, Julie's in that rebellious stage. Her mother thought it might serve her good to spend some time with her birth father. There are high hopes that this vacation will bring some change to the teen's attitude.

I don't think his daughter's antics are what have Ranger worried.

"By eleven." He'd already asked me if I would go with him to pick up Julie from the airport and I'd said yes.

"You're going to see your daughter." I reminded him, patting his shoulder affectionately.

"Yeah." I could see he was glad to have some time with his daughter, but it seemed he wasn't too sure things would go smoothly.

I grabbed some clothes and headed for a shower so I could get ready and simultaneously give Ranger some alone time.

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