only borrowing. a babe squad challenge response

Only You, Babe

Part 3

He wasn't happy, because Ranger wanted someone to come pick up his Porsche from Rangeman so the three of them could drive back to Trenton together, but Stephanie insisted that would leave too much of a carbon footprint on the planet. Since he was away, Stephanie decided to go green as much as possible and that included his company, too. She and Koda would follow Ranger. He wanted to express what to do with the 'green' shit, but held his tongue. At the end of the 'Save the Earth' rainbow, Stephanie and the Sheltie were coming home to the 7th floor apartment so that was the bonus. If they went shopping, they had to use the reusable 'Point Pleasant' bags she bought. Since when did Ranger become a bagger of groceries? When he questioned his Babe if this included more salad and vegetables in her new 'green' life, she rewarded him with a not so 'Earth friendly' gesture. So, he doubted it. One other exclusion to doing her part to save the planet was TastyKakes. They were perfect as they were. The idea did make him laugh a lot seeing it from a 'Burg' perspective.

In his rear view mirror all the way to Trenton, Ranger watched Koda's head out the window pointing to who knows where, but they did make it to Haywood.

"Ranger, you went way overboard," Stephanie said opening the new side door to match the wooden door on the front of the building. Off to the side low on the floor was a newly installed doggie door cut into the red brick. Her blue eyes widen taking in the area behind an eight foot high wooden stockade fence with camera on the building and fence. Newly mowed grass was enclosed inside of it. The was a plastic tunnel to run through, a hoop hanging from a pole to jump through, and plastics steps that Koda was running up and down the other side already. "This is like doggie paradise."

"Babe, it's only money and I had the contractors use recycled materials. Shelties are herding dogs so they have lots of energy."

"That's so sweet. You're going 'green' with me."

A loud cheer yet out, "RANGEMAN GOT A DOG!"

They turned around to see most of the office standing with Tank, Bobby, and Lester, who looked very red and was covered in a cream.

"What happened to you?" the Boss asked.

"Tanning bed too long," he gave a short Rangeman type explanation.

Ranger just shook his head, "I don't want to know."

"This is Koda," Stephanie told the sea of black around her and her puppy. "Ranger bought him."

Tank pointed at him, "Not you!"

"Yes, me. Tyler Johnson's wife is part of a Sheltie Rescue so WE gave him a home to replace the attack hamster," Ranger gave his mini-speech waving a finger between him and Stephanie.

"When the obstacles course went in, we thought maybe you were hiring some little people for security jobs and this was their training course," Lester said peering through the swinging hoop.

"Santos, go fry your brain some more."

Stephanie was checking out a metal pool with thin pipes curling down out of the top. She turned the knob and water began misting out. "You put in a sprinkler?"

"Babe, Koda has a lot of fur so I wanted to keep him cool or," Ranger paused staring at all the black clad bodies freshening up in the water, "if my men wanted a community shower. Let's go." He was muttering "Idiots," holding the door open for Stephanie and their dog.

In the 7th floor apartment, Stephanie found stainless steel bowls in a raised container. The same type of dog food Ranger had brought to Point Pleasant, but in a bigger bag was in the pantry cupboard she found.

During dinner, Stephanie kept staring at the empty spot on the counter where Rex's cage would be at times. "It seems empty."

"Babe," Ranger told her holding her hand, "just because we have a dog, doesn't mean you can't get another hamster if you want."

Her curls were shaking in all directions. "No," she sniffled, "there could never be another hamster like Rex. That's so sweet, Ranger."

"Don't let it get out, but I am a hopeless romantic and I love to spoil my girlfriend."

"And you do because to be your friend was all I ever wanted; to be your lover was all I ever dreamed. You make me feel so special."

He came slowly around the breakfast bar drawing her into the comfort of his arms, "You are, Babe."

XXXXXXXXXX

Pulling the Porsche into the front parking space outside of an engraving and gift shop, Ranger and Koda waited while Stephanie went inside. The owner called Stephanie letting her know her engraving was done. She was inside only a moment and ran into the flower shop next door. When she slipped back into the black sports car, she had tears on her cheeks. "Ranger, isn't it beautiful?" handing him a small sterling silver vase.

Ranger read the words, 'Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a teardrop'.

"Babe, that is a wonderful sentiment. I'm sure Rex will appreciate it where ever he is."

"I think so too!"

He had to really concentrate backing out of the parking space because he wanted to bust a gut. First, Andre Bocelli music at the hamster's funeral, now a silver flower urn on his grave in the back of the Plum's yard.

Next was a stop in the Plum's backyard so Stephanie could place the vase and flowers on Rex's grave.

Standing back, Ranger watched his woman carefully set the sterling silver vase filled with miniature pink carnations since they were the hamster's favorite in the cement holder Frank made beside the small grave marker. Koda sat patiently beside her moving his head as Stephanie spoke to him of her beloved Rex. She took something out of her purse placing in the top of the tomb stone. In the early dusk, Ranger could see it was a flameless candle.

Ranger noticed Frank Plum was wiping his eyes, "Frank, you must really miss Rex, too."

"No, but he was the closest thing I may ever have to a grandson," he said sadly looking at Ranger, "and he's buried in my backyard with a flameless candle on top of him."

The Cuban man saw his point the thought.

Having given Stephanie some private time with her hamster, he walked over to her. "Babe, it's very sweet your remembrance of Rex."

"You don't think it's too much do you? The flameless candle won't put any harmful chemicals in the air."

Ranger kissed her curls trying to hide his smirk, "No, Babe, it's not. How about we stop for some Ben & Jerry's on the way home to make you feel better?"

"Really? I love you!" Stephanie jumped in his arms nuzzling in his neck.

Ranger moved back to see her beautiful blue eyes, "Babe, promise me if the worst ever happens to me, please, keep it simple. This is perfect for Rex, but I'm not sure for me."

"Oh, Ranger," Stephanie began crying again. She picked up her head to gage his reaction with her next words. It was brilliant. "I'm sure Rex would like the company and there is room back here. Daddy wouldn't mind, really?"

He couldn't hold back the chuckle burying his face in her curls, "Only you, Babe. Only you."