Down Under
Chapter 2
SapphireJ

I own nothing except the story line, no money is being made. All mistakes are mine :) Thank you for the reviews and alerts. I really appreciate it!


They woke up a few hours later with their bodies tangled around each other. Stephanie looked up into Lester's eyes and smiled. "Good morning, Sexy."

"Mmm, good morning, Beautiful."

She looked down at her left hand, and smiled even wider. "It really wasn't a dream. You really asked me to marry you."

Lester grinned and started kissing her. "And *kiss* you *kiss* really *kiss* said *kiss* yes *kiss*"

"I know. Can you believe it?" Stephanie laid there on Lester's chest looking at her ring; a ring she never thought would be there again. She couldn't believe that Lester Santos wanted to marry her.

Lester saw the look on her face and wondered if she regretted anything. "Are you okay with your answer? We really don't have to if you don't want to." As much as Lester really wanted to marry her, he would stop it if she wasn't sure.

"Les, I never really saw myself getting married again. Every man in my life has let me down one way or another. When Joe asked me to marry him, I always hyperventilated and had a sick feeling in my gut. Ranger never asked, but always talked of someday. When he did that, I didn't hyperventilate, but I did have a feeling. Kind of like it wasn't going to last."

Lester felt his smile and happiness start to slip; he knew she regretted her answer and wanted to take it back.

She sat up so she could look at him. "When you asked me last night, I never even thought of hyperventilating. The only feeling I had was joy and happiness. This feels right. We feel right. I cannot wait to become Mrs. Lester Santos. I love you."

Lester sat up, breathed a sigh of relief, and pulled her to him. He ran his thumb across her bottom lip moments before his mouth crashed down on hers. He felt her arms go around his neck bringing him closer. When they broke apart for air, both of them were breathing heavy.

"God, Steph. I thought you were trying to tell me that you regretted your answer, and that you were looking for a way to back out of the engagement."

"Never, Lester. I love you. I'm in love with you and I can't wait to be married to you forever."

"Baby, when do you want to get married? We can do this before we leave or when we get back. So, it's now or sometime in a year or so. I'm not pushing you. You pick the time and place, and I'll make it happen."

"Les, I'd love to get married before we leave. But, that doesn't give us much time; I doubt we could do it. We're supposed to leave tonight or tomorrow morning." She took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "I guess it is in a year or so then."

He couldn't stand to see the disappointment on her face. "Steph, if you want to get married before we leave, then we will. We'll just push the departure date back a few days. It is just you and I going, so who cares if we don't get there tomorrow?" He saw her start to smile. "How about you go get a shower, I'll get some breakfast going, and then make a few phone calls."

She threw herself at him and they both fell back down to the bed. "I would love that. Can we get married on the beach at Point Pleasant?"

"Anywhere you want, Baby."

Stephanie ran to the shower and stopped. "Les?"

"Hmm?"

"Don't tell anyone when you call. I want to surprise them."

"OK, Beautiful. I'll just call Tank and let him know we're going to be in later, and to cancel the flight plans for now."

As she got in the shower, Lester ran down to get breakfast going and make a few phone calls.

"Talk"

"Tank, I need you to cancel the flight plans for Steph and I for now."

"Explain"

"We just need them changed to Monday. Something came up, and she and I are unable to leave today."

"What changed?"

"Not now man. We'll be in the office in a few hours, and we will explain then. Just change the plans, okay?"

He heard the click and knew Tank had hung up; hopefully he will take care of the plans. Next Les called Point Pleasant courthouse and talked to the clerk. She was going to fax over the paper work for he and Steph to sign and fax back. They would have their marriage license tomorrow morning. He next called a minister he'd known since he was child and she agreed to perform the ceremony for him.

By the time Stephanie got out of the shower, Lester had everything taken care of. Breakfast was on the table; French toast, eggs, bacon, orange juice, and coffee. "Wow, it looks wonderful." Stephanie came up behind Lester and wrapped her arms around him.

"We're all set. If you want to do this, we can be married tomorrow sometime on the beach." He turned around in her arms and rested his chin on her head. "Are you sure?"

"Les, please stop asking me if I'm sure. You're starting to make me think you're looking for a way out already. I'm not, and I repeat not, going to leave you standing there by yourself. I'll be there, and we are getting married."

"I'm not worried about that, Steph. I just want to make sure this is something you really want. I don't want to pressure you." He kissed her forehead and hugged her tight.

"You're not and this is what I want." She walked to the table and pulled out her chair. "Now, let's eat so we can get going."

They ate breakfast and Steph cleaned up while Lester took a shower and got dressed. When all was done, they headed off to see Lester's parents first.

Lia and Ramon were sitting on the front porch enjoying their morning coffee when they saw Lester's car pull in. Lester got out, walked around to Stephanie's door, opened it, and helped her out. They walked up to the porch and said hello.

"Lester. Stephanie. What a wonderful surprise. What brings you two over so early?" Lia stood up and gave them both a hug.

"Well, actually two things, momma. I've asked Stephanie to marry me, and she accepted."

Lia and Ramon both stood up and gave Stephanie and Lester both hugs. "Congratulations, son. I knew the first time you brought her here that there would be a wedding. I told your mother when you left, that you had found your true love."

"This is wonderful news. We need to have a party, and invite the whole family. How is Saturday? Does that work for you?" Lia was already thinking of what food to have.

"Momma. Saturday will not work. Stephanie and I are getting married tomorrow on the beach in Point Pleasant." Lester knew his parents wouldn't be thrilled with that decision.

"Lia, Lester and I want to do this our way. The other thing we had to tell you is…"

Lia cut her off. "Are you telling us you're pregnant?"

"NO. No, nothing like that. Lester and I are leaving for Australia for a government mission. We'll be gone at least a year. We want to do this before we leave."

Ramon was the first to speak up. "Well, there is only one thing to say. Welcome to the family, Stephanie. I'm honored to have you as a daughter." He hugged her tight and kissed her cheek.

Lia came over and looked at the ring and then her son. "You did well, Lester. I'm proud of you."

They stayed and chatted a while longer, and then decided it was time to head to Trenton. First stop was RangeMan. They pulled into the garage and Lester took Steph's hand. "Oh, this should be fun."

Ranger and Tank were standing in the garage talking to Mr. Plum when they saw Lester and Stephanie pull in. Tank walked over to their car and opened the door for Steph. "Well, it is about time you two show up."

"Sorry, Big Guy, but we had some things we needed to take care of." Stephanie got out of the car and waited for Lester. Ranger was walking over to them when his phone rang. He reached down, grabbed his phone, and started talking.

"Hi Daddy. I'm glad you could meet us here. We have something to tell you, and I figured it would be easier and quicker to tell you and the guys at the same time."

"You look good, Pumpkin. Hello, Lester."

"Mr. Plum. It is good to see you again, sir."

"So, Nie, what did you two have to take care of?" Tank had his arm around Stephanie's shoulders.

"You will just have to wait until we get upstairs. I want to call a quick meeting and let you all know at once." Lester took Stephanie's hand a pulled her away from Tank. They started walking towards the elevators when Tank saw the glimmer.

"Oh shit. Nie, is that what I think it is?" Tank was reaching for her hand but she pulled it away.

"Shh, Tank, don't say anything yet, okay?" She smiled at him and he knew it was real; she and Lester were getting married.

Tank called a meeting of all available employees in Conference Room A. Just as the guys finished filing in, Ranger came in and took a seat. "Who is conducting the meeting?"

Lester stood up and looked around the room. "Gentlemen, as you know, Stephanie and I are going to Australia as a couple to help the government. What you don't know is we have decided to not pretend we are a married couple."

Stephanie heard a few groans and saw a few blank faces. Lester kept on going. "We've decided that we will be going in as a real married couple. I asked Steph to marry me last night and she said yes."

There were a lot of "congrats guys" and "it's about time". Stephanie was jerked out of her chair by Tank, hugged, and then passed around the room. The guys all gave Lester a manly hug as she made her way back towards him.

When she was passed to Ranger, she stiffened up. He leaned down and whispered in her ear so no one else could hear. "So, you and Les are getting married. Are you sure you want to marry him?"

"Yes, Ranger. I love Lester and I'm happy with him. Happier than I've ever been. I have no fears about marrying him."

He looked in her eyes looking for something; what she wasn't sure. Finally he released her, kissed her on the lips, and walked out of the room. Everyone looked at her and watched Lester walk over to her. "What was that?"

"I hope he just finally accepted us. He asked if I was sure about this and I told him yes."

"I'm happy for you, Pumpkin. Lester is good for you. I must say, I'm sad that you are going to Australia for a year, but at least this way you won't have interference for the first year of your marriage. I think this is probably the best thing for you two."

"Thank you Daddy. I just wish Mom could have been here, but it's her loss." Stephanie hugged her father tightly and pulled him to the hallway. "Daddy, would you mind if I asked Tank to give me away?"

Frank thought about it and smiled. "Not at all. But can I ask why?"

"He is my partner at work, and he has helped save my life many times. It just feels right."

Frank kissed her on the top of her head. "Go for it, Pumpkin. I would love to just sit and watch you get married this time. I know this is the one. I'm so happy for you."

"Thanks, Daddy. Oh, we're getting married on the beach in Point Pleasant tomorrow afternoon. Can you bring Grandma?" Frank nodded and headed off to find a cup of coffee. He knew his way around the building pretty well these days. He was welcome there at any time.

"Tank, can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure, Nie. What can I do ya for?" Tank led Stephanie back to his office; he wanted to talk to her alone.

"Tank, you are more than my partner here. You've become one of my best friends. I trust you with my life. You have saved me so many times, it isn't funny. You have become family to me." She looked at him and took a deep breath. "Tank, would you please walk me down the aisle to Lester tomorrow?"

Tank was stunned. He looked at her and wasn't sure he had heard her correctly. "Nie, what about your dad? Shouldn't he be the one to do that?"

Stephanie shook her head. "I've already talked to him about my decision. He understands. He has done that once, he'd like to just sit back and watch the entire thing this time. I want you to do this for me, that is, if you want to."

"I'd be honored, Nie. Truly honored." He got up and gave her a big bear hug. "Thank you."

"Now, I need to talk to you about a few things. While you and Les are gone, Bobby and I are going to partnering up. But, I need to know who you feel comfortable with taking on the searches and all your duties here while you are gone."

"Well, Manny and Zero know the search programs, and what to look for. I'm sure they can keep up with them. If you need a more advanced search then they know how to do, call Silvio. He's helped me a few times."

"Ok. When you guys get back, we'll partner up again. I like working with you, and I trust you to have my back. I'm going to miss you like crazy." Just then there was a knock on the door. "Enter."

Lester walked in, kissed Stephanie, and sat down next to her. "There you are, Baby. I wondered where you went to."

"Sorry, wanted to ask Tank to walk me down the aisle tomorrow." Stephanie reached for Lester's hand and interlaced her fingers with his.

"Cool. Now, you and I are off the rest of the day, we have wedding plans to make and paperwork to fill out for our trip. I trust we'll see everyone at the beach tomorrow around 1100 hours?"

Tank started to nod and then stopped. "Um, everyone? Are you sure you want Ranger there?"

Stephanie sighed and thought about it for a few minutes. "Ranger is Lester's cousin. He is our boss. He is, or was, a friend of mine. I guess as long as he doesn't start an argument or cause a scene then he is welcome to be there."

"Ok, we will all be there at 1100 hours tomorrow and I will make sure that Ranger knows he is to behave. If there is a problem, I personally will remove him from the wedding."

Lester and Stephanie left RangeMan and headed to the mall; she needed a dress to get married in.