Thanks so much for the wonderful reviews. It really makes a girl feel loved. Some of you have demanded more, others have simply implied it and others still have shown interest in exactly how I would pull it off... So here it is. It's amazing how much comes to me on long car drives, as soon as I got home I jumped on the computer... not literally. Anyway, enough about that. Enjoy!

Chapter 2

I had read "The little Green Pig" at least three times, and thankfully it was keeping Laura quiet. I didn't want the whole thing to be ruined by her screaming or something. It was six thirty, time to get a little closer to the stage to hear what was going on. As we hid behind the curtain I crouched down so I was at her level, I had a change in the proceedings I needed her to know about.

"When Uncle Lester says, 'Here's your surprise,' or something along that line, we're supposed to go out at the same time," I told her. She nodded, thumb in mouth. "I want you to wait here until I call you okay? I'll go out when Lester calls, and you come out when I call, got it?" Again she nodded.

At that moment Lester's voice came over the microphone, and I motioned for Laura to stay quiet.

"Well, bro. It's that time of year again. You're old." He paused for a moment as the room erupted in applause. "I know some of my presents in the past have been a little... below standard. For example, the balloon filled with ink i gave you when you turned thirteen. But man, I promise, what I've got for you today will make everything right in the world. You're gonna love it, in fact, i believe you already do. So without further ado, I give you your birthday present from me to you."

I took a deep breath, reminded Laura to stay put until I called, fixed my neckline and took those fatal steps out onto the stage, in view of every Rangeman employee and their partners and any other miscellaneous guests that I didn't know about. I stood there, a few feet from the edge, just waiting for him to make a move, it seemed he was glued to the chair however. That wasn't the only part of him that was glued, his eyes were unable to leave me face. I smiled, uncertainly at him. Then entire room had gone silent when I entered and i was feeling rather uncomfortable.

"Dude, if you don't want it, I can take it back," Lester said, breaking the silence.

Ranger cut his eyes to his brother. "Don't even think about it," he seethed.

"Well, do something, man. You're girl is waiting."

"How did you manage this?" Ranger managed through clenched teeth. There was no blank face, he was a picture of anger.

Lester touched his nose. "A magician never reveals his secrets. We'll talk later. Go get your girl."

As Ranger stood and began walking toward me I helped to close the gap. I had expected him to embrace me in a hug instantaneously, but instead he held my face between his palms and stared into my eyes. His own eyes were deep pools of chocolate and it was all I could do not to fall into them. He was searching my face, tracing out familiar paths. "Is it really you, Babe?" he whispered, his eyes never leaving my own.

I smiled up at him and nodded. "In the flesh." My voice was equally quiet, and i was afraid that I was going to burst into tears. Being here in his presence made me realise how much I had missed him over the years.

"Why did you leave?" he asked softly. His lips were mere millimetres from my own.

"We'll get to that in a moment. For now, will you please just kiss me? I'm pretty sure that's what the guys are waiting for."

He gazed around the room, at all the faces staring up at us and grinned. "We better give them what they want then, huh?" And with that he swept his hand behind my head and claimed my lips in the most passion filled kiss I have ever experienced to my knowledge. I was weak kneed and leaning into him when he pulled back several seconds later. The crowd erupted in cheers and whoops, and I felt my cheeks get hot. "Babe," Ranger said, swiping a thumb across my cheeks collecting the tears that had seeped from my eyes unchecked.

"I missed you so much," I whispered.

"Then why did you leave?" he asked, more insistently now.

I motioned for Lester to give me the microphone and wiped my eyes. "I, too, have a surprise for you," I said. I turned toward side stage. "Laura." I called. My little girl came bounding out, pigtails flying, a huge grin on her face that was so similar to Rangers. I hoisted her up onto my hip and kissed her nose.

"Mummy, you've been crying!" she said, placing her little hands on my cheeks. "Are you sad?"

I shook my head and smiled at her. "They're happy tears, sweetie." I raised the microphone again. "Ranger, this is Laura, my... our... daughter." I held my breath for a long moment, trying to gauge his reaction, but he had lowered his blank mask, effectively shutting me out.

"Mummy, I want Uncle Lester," Laura said, squirming in my arms, trying to get down. Silently, I lowered her to the ground and she ran across the stage to where Lester stood.

"Is this why you left, Steph?" Ranger whispered. I nodded, still silent, looking at the floor. "Please look at me Steph. Why didn't you tell me?"

I refused to lift my head, instead wringing the microphone between my hands. "I was afraid," I finally admitted, shrugging. "You'd told me so many times that your life didn't lend itself to relationships, and you were always so adamant. I didn't know what to do at first. Eventually I decided that the best thing to do would be to move away. Away from all the trauma of my life, all the psychos and stalkers, all the things that complicated my life. I didn't want my child to be brought into a world where she was always in danger, especially knowing that her father did want her."

"Babe, how could you even think that I wouldn't want her?" There was hurt in his voice, and I was not only refusing to look at him, I was afraid to. "Stephanie, please look at me." I shook my head, but this time he placed two fingers under my chin and lifted it with ease. "What made you think I wouldn't want her?"

"Julie," I said simply, tears stinging at my eyes. There was no need for further explanation, we both knew what had happened,

"That was years ago, Babe. I was young, reckless; I didn't want to be tied down. None of us were happy with the living situation we had. I was still in the army for chrissake! Believe me, seeing what a wonderful young lady Julie is turning out to be I don't regret my decision to leave. If I hadn't, Rachel never would have met Ron, and Julie never would have felt as loved as she does. Admittedly I do feel bad that I haven't been involved in her life as much as I could have, but Rachel understands, and it's not like Julie doesn't have a father figure. Laura has been living without a father for... Fuck, I'm not even sure how old my own kid is!"

"She's three," I whispered, it was all I could manage past the lump that had formed in my throat.

"Three," he repeated. "And Lester knew?"

I nodded. "And my dad. I wasn't just going to leave and not tell anyone. Lester supported my decision and was simply there for me when I need and shoulder. I knew that on the inside he wanted to tell you, or wanted t urge me to tell you, but I wasn't ready. Then when I finally told him I was ready to tell you, he suggested this." I took a deep breath. "I thought you should know about her at least. Ranger, I don't want anything part time with Laura. You're either in her life permanently or not at all, its up to you. You at least deserved the chance to meet her, and I'm sorry it took me so long to come to that realisation."

I finally met his gaze, hoping I didn't see anger in his expression, or worse, no expression at all. He was looking intently into my eyes again. A small smile played at the corners of his mouth. "You're not getting away from me again. Now, I want to get to know my daughter."

Tears were streaming down my face, I couldn't help it. It had been a very emotional day, from the nerves to the disappointment, to joy, I was emotionally exhausted. Gazing past him, Laura was in the middle of a game of Rock, Paper Scissors with her uncle. Lester looked up and I smiled. He said something to his niece and sent her over. She leapt into my arms and I spun her around in much the same manner as Lester had at the park earlier in the day. She wrapped her little arms around my neck and kissed my nose. "Laura, I'd like you to meet your Daddy."

She nodded at me and extended her hand to Ranger, who took it with a bemused expression on his face. "Nice to meet you Daddy." We all laughed and Ranger pulled us both into a huge bear hug.

Lester slipped the mike from my hand and addressed the hall on a whole. "Isn't that the sweetest thing you've ever seen folks? Lets have a round of applause for the family reunited." On cue the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. When it had died down a little Lester said, "Dinner will be served momentarily in the dining hall if you'd all like to follow through." As everyone moved off Lester came over to us, a grin fit for a clown plastered on his face. "Well, big brother, how does this birthday rate? Better or worse than the year I got you lawn darts?"

Ranger was unable to keep a straight face as he replied, "I don't know, man, those lawn darts were pretty cool." I dead panned him and he laughed. "Of course this is the best birthday I've ever had." With that he pulled me to him for a kiss and I heard gagging sounds coming from Lester and Laura.

"Eww, Mummy, that's yucky!" Laura exclaimed.

"I'm with the kid on this one, save it will you?" Lester griped.

"I'm hungry," Laura told me, changing the subject. And we all headed in to the dining hall.

You all did such a good job at review last chapter, so keep it up. If you're lucky I'll continue soon.