We all knew that Ranger Mañoso was back in town when his Porsche pulled up to Pino's. We were somewhat surprised to see him help Stephanie Plum get out of the car. However, it wasn't until that they walked into Pino's hand in hand that the rest of the occupants all inhaled at the same time. Ranger was wearing a wedding ring too.
HOLY SHIT! Ranger married Bombshell the Bounty Hunter!
They headed towards the back of the restaurant to get a table. He sat down with his back to the wall so that he could keep an eye on all of us. He gave a glare to tell us to mind our own business but really, he's here in the 'burg with Stephanie. What does he expect? We will stare, we will gossip, we will discuss this and any other bit of information we find out to the nth degree, it's what we do it's who we are.
Surprisingly Stephanie never acknowledged us, she didn't look towards us as she sat next to her, husband? That is going to take some getting use to, Stephanie Mañoso, we were all wondering if she would take his name or not, I guess one of the guys will probably set up a book on that, odds are that she wont. She's too independent, she never married Joe Morelli when we all knew that she should, it's what a good 'burg girl does.
So here she is with the man of mystery and it seems as the mystery is still going strong. Where did they get married? Why did he marry her? Pity? When did they get married? Hasn't he been gone for six months? Too many questions and we don't know where to get the answers from.
After a few minutes the chatter resumes as customers of Pino's go back to their conversations, all while keeping an eye on the couple in the back.
Those closest to the table get to hear the interaction between the newlyweds:
Stephanie to the server: "I'll have a meatball sub and a coke."
Ranger to Stephanie: "Babe"
Stephanie sighs then talks to the server again: "Ok I'll have a meatball sub a VERY SMALL side salad with lots of dressing and water."
Stephanie to Ranger, with a humor shown on her face: "Better Batman?"
Ranger to Stephanie: "Better for you Babe and our little Babe."
She just rolls her eyes, as has been trained of her by the 'burg: "Whateva"
Ranger to server: "Large salad, with oil and vinegar on the side plus a bottle of water."
Stephanie to Ranger: "Seriously Ranger, I'm going to have to be the one to show our junior the joys of food. You are not allowed to dictate your twigs and berries culinary cuisine on our child, that is food torture and it's so not gonna happen!"
Ranger to Stephanie, with a smile: "Time to start talking compromise because I wont let you corrupt our junior to your sugar and carb infested that will end up killing you both and that is NOT gonna happen. I just got you and now our little one and I refuse to let anything happen to either of you."
Stephanie to Ranger, she just sighs into his side: "Deal, we will figure it all out I'm sure we still have a few more months till he/she is here."
The wavy of information over the booths seats was increasing in speed and volume until it got to the window when you could hear it all accumulate into one loud response. "WHAT THE FUCK?"
We all sat back to watch the Italian Stallion ramp up with rage and storming over to the new couple ready to unleash his fury. Again, those closest to the table knew to take out their cell phones to get ready to record the fight that was brewing.
Morelli stomped to the Mañoso's table: "WHAT THE FUCK? You're married to him and you're having his devil spawn?"
Stephanie looked up to Morelli and spoke calmly: "Noneya"
Morelli responded: "WHAT?"
Stephanie spoke again but this time a bit louder: "None of your or anyone else's business, so NONEYA"
Morelli jaw just hung loose.
Stephanie took the moment to wave down their server: "Hey can we get our order to go as soon as possible, please? We appreciate it."
This shook Morelli out of his stupor: "What do you mean it isn't anyone's business, what will your mother say, me you are suppose to marry ME, your friends, and the 'burg? You are all of our business; you know this is how it is and how it has always been."
Ranger stood up and offered his hand to his wife while she spoke to all of us: "What may have always been is NOT how it is going to be for now on. This is my last meal I will eat here at Pino's, the last time I step foot in the 'burg and if need be the last time I will be in Trenton. I will raise our child to be whomever he or she wants to be so you all; friends, family, Joe and the 'burg and GO FUCK YOURSELVES!"
Ranger threw money on the table grabbed their food and they both left for good! RangeMan pulled out of Trenton and moved their office to Philadelphia. Where we hear that Stephanie and Ranger had twins a girl and boy, but no one has seen any of them since that one afternoon in Pino's.
THE END!
A/N: Just a quick two-shot that went through my scheming 'what if' mind! Characters belong to Janet.
A/N 2: After reading all of your reviews I thought I would throw this chapter out there, the story is done, I swear! I have too many other stories in work (and love each of them) to continue on than this one 'what if' that ran through my thoughts earlier this week!
A/N 3: Thank you for each and every review, favorite and follow! Y'all make a grown woman extremely happy and almost cry over the support you show me! And I can't to send a shout out to my chief supporter Margaret aka whymelucylu, no matter what you are always there for me… even when I am frustrating you when I can't decided who the hubby is and teasing you with all of my what if ideas! 3
