Ranger stepped into the bedroom, glancing around for Stephanie. He spotted her kneeling by the bed praying. Raising an eyebrow, he quietly walked over to stand beside her. Standing silentely for a couple of moments, he finally asked.
"Babe what are you doing?" Stephanie jerked, surprised to find him standing beside her. She raised her head to look him in the eyes.
"Why can't we lie and say you can only get your license when you turn 25?" Stephanie asked Ranger let his eyes soften, he looked at his wife of 17 years. He let a smile break free, and he knelt by Stephanie.
"Babe you can't hold him back, this is a step of growing up. He has to be able to do this, Gabriel is growing into a young man. What will happen when he finds a young girl that he wants to impress? 'Hold on I will get one of my uncles to drive us to prom.' No he can't do that." Ranger told her softly. Stephanie let her forehead fall onto Rangers shoulder borrowing his great strength.
"Babe what were you praying about?" Ranger asked Stephanie smiled and laughed, she looked up at her husband.
"I was trying to make a bargain with God. I will be a better person, cut back on the junk food, and go to church more than twice a year if he can raise the age limit on driving to 30. But if that fails to give Gabriel you're driving skills and not mine." Stephanie replied Ranger chuckled standing, he reached down helping Stephanie stand. He drew her into his arms, just holding her close.
"Babe that is not how it works. Gabriel is going to be ok, he has practiced with Tank, Cal, and Bobby. I would have Lester test him, but I thought letting Lester and Gabriel alone in a car wouldn't end well. I took him out these last three times, and he did perfectly well."
"I know, but I can't help but think that his car will get fire bombed, pancaked by a garbage truck, a felon stealing it then setting it on fire, grandma Mazur stealing it, anything can happen. He is only 16, my luck has rubbed off on him. I can't lose him." Stephanie said tears filling her bright blue eyes. Ranger let out a deep sigh, clutching her to him, trying to make them one.
"Come on Babe, you're taking him out on one last drive before his test. You will see nothing will happen." Ranger let go long enough to grab her hand and lead her out of the bedroom.