-Chapter 4

Stephanie lowered herself into the lavender scented bubbles. The jets in the Jacuzzi tub felt so wonderful on her tired body. Candles lit the bathroom. The smooth voice of Dean Martin singing loves songs was filtering from the bedroom. A bottle of wine and two glasses were on the tub ledge.

Caden and Cassidy were asleep in their beds, Julie was catching up with her friends on the computer, and Ranger was settled in his office downstairs talking with Tank. When she peeked in the door, he was leaning back in the leather chair with his bare feet resting on the desk top like he had been here all along.

Glad they made it through dinner with Pino's pizza and Ranger's usual salad. It wasn't the quiet meal he was used to when it was just them. Julie and Caden were fighting over who would get what animal face on their paper plate. Then, it was a contest who had the biggest piece of pizza. Two seconds later, both were happily talking about the crazy adventures and where to go next. What baby food Cassidy didn't eat, she was wearing. Stephanie remembered how she contentedly sighed at the normalcy around her. While she missed the chaos around the dinner table, Stephanie noticed the tension around Ranger's eyes. They were children acting like children and he was going to have to get used to it. She laughed at the images in her head as she sipped her wine.

Ranger's voice interrupted her thoughts, "What's so funny, Babe?" He had taken off his clothes and grabbed the other wine glass, slipping in behind her. "This is a nice way to end the day."

"I was thinking about dinner. Ranger, I thought you were going to blow a gasket or two."

"Is it always like that?" Ranger started to kiss her on the neck.

"They're children. Caden and Julie will bicker and tease each other one minute and best friends the next. Valerie and I did the same thing. I try and let them work it out. Pretend your driving and zone them out."

"It will take some getting used to."

"I noticed you looked pretty used to your office chair, Ranger."

"Babe, I love that chair. I think I closed my eyes a couple of times while I was talking to Tank and I almost flipped myself over." Ranger chuckled. "I need one of those chairs at Haywood. In fact, I think you should redo that office because it pales in comparison to the one downstairs."

"You really like it?"

"I'll be working from home a lot more I know that."

"I'm going shopping tomorrow because Cassidy and Caden can't wear most of that stuff I brought from the grandmother's. So I can order you another chair if you want one for Rangeman, or come with me and pick one out."

"Ok. My credit card hasn't had much of a work-out lately. Know what else I like?" Ranger's one hand was rubbing her back.

"Hmmmm."

"Sitting here with you relaxing. These jets feel good A little wine. Dean Martin. A guy could get some ideas with all this since he's been away a few months." He was sending shivers down her spine with his light kisses.

"I wonder what that could be, my Cuban sex god. I'm sorry I never called Tank to let him know Julie and I were ok, but if I did, he would had a Merry Man there in a blink of an eye. It would have been more than I could have dealt with at that time."

"My heart sank when I walked into the empty apartment. Getting back to you was all I thought about when I was gone."

"I'm glad you made it home. We're going to stay here for awhile aren't we? I can imagine the legions of women taking up jogging once they see you." Laughing at the image of Ranger being chased by all women in the complex.

"The women can run all they want, I only have eyes for my Babe. I would follow you to the ends of the Earth if that's where you wanted to live. After being here all day, I really do like it. Now, I want you to listen and no arguing as I consider this a closed subject. All the money you spent on this townhouse and caring for Julie these last months will be put back into your account. You are my woman, and I take care of you and my family. The bills for this and any daycare expenses go to my attorney. The salary you earn at Rangeman is yours."

"Yes, Mr. Manoso."

"What, no arguement?"

"I won't fight over money with you, Mr. Macho Cuban Guy. I can put my energy to more recreational activities." By now, Stephanie's body was tingling and it wasn't from the jacuzzi.

"I like the sound of that."

"But, since we were talking money stuff, can I have a bigger Rangeman vehicle? If all five of us are in the Explorer with two car seats it's going to be a tight fit.."

"Put it on the shopping list for tomorrow. I like it when you spend my money. You're fun to watch. Most women would head to the jewelry store. You go buy Boston Cremes."

"I know what's important."

"But then with you and Julie together maybe I should get a second job."

"Smart ass!"

Ranger was laughing as Stephanie splashed him.

There was a tap on the bathroom door.

"Steph" Julie said sadness in her voice.

Ranger stiffed behind her in the Jacuzzi.

"Stay under the bubbles, she won't see anything" Stephanie whispered to him.

"What's wrong, Sweetie?"

"I got an e-mail from Sam while we were away and I think he's having a difficult time. Would you take me to the next kid's support meeting?"

"Of course, Jules."

Ranger asked, "Who's Sam, Julie?"

"Dad, Sam is a boy in my class. His mother also died in a car accident before Mom. He and his dad are having a difficult time dealing with everything."

"Hi Mommy. Can I have a drink?" a sleepy eyed Caden asked as he wander into the bathroom.

"Is this the community bathroom" Ranger muttered against Stephanie's hair.

Stephanie reached behind her and lightly smacked Ranger on the chest.

"Julie, would you please get Caden a drink?"

"Mommy, you don't have any clothes on. Carlos doesn't have any either"

A snicker came from Ranger.

"Do you wear clothes when you get a bath, Caden?" Stephanie asked him tenderly, trying not to laugh.

"No, they'd get wet", the little boy told her.

"How about Julie tucking you back into bed?" Stephanie reached over to kiss him

"Ok, Mommy. Goodnight, Carlos."

"Goodnight" Ranger responded.

"Julie, before it get's too late, why don't you call Sam and see how he is? Your Dad and I will be getting out. When you're done talking to Sam, we'll finish our talk, Ok?"

"Dad's afraid I'll see something, huh?" as she turned in the doorway giggling.

"Smarty pants" Ranger called after his daughter.

"Ranger, I told Julie from the beginning, I would always listen no matter the time. I don't want her to feel she can't talk to us, if she needs to. Sam is her friend."

"I understand, but while we're in the tub!" He said with clenched teeth. "I'm sorry if I sound like a grump, but I just wanted some time with you. I never missed anyone like I've missed you."

Stephanie rinsed the bubbles off and handed Ranger a towel, kissing him. "I know, I've missed you. Let's help Julie now so this doesn't turn into something worse later on. Grief isn't just emotional, it's also physical. I'm trying to avoid problems for her."

"You continue to amaze me, Babe. I know I would not have known how to handle this without you. Thank you for everything you've done for Julie."

"I'm back", Julie called from the bedroom as Stephanie and Ranger were brushing their teeth.

"I like this double sink. His and hers" Ranger laughed as he went to join Julie.

Stephanie finished as she slipped into a short pink nightgown with black trim and matching panties. "Graceland" was embroidered on the bottom

"Steph, that's so cute. I'm glad I made you buy it!" Julie giggled.

Stephanie noticed Ranger's eyes darkened as she got into bed beside him, pulling her close.

"So spill. What's going on with Sam" Stephanie asked Julie.

"Well, he sounds so sad. His father has been working a lot and his older brother is out most of the time, so he's either alone or at his aunt's house. Sam said his father is very quiet when he is home. Why do I seem better than him when his mother died last year?"

"I don't know, Julie. I would think Sam, his father, and brother all depended on the mother so much, they're lost without her. Guys don't handle emotions well. They probably need to start relying on each other and say how they feel. The way things are, males don't cry. They have to be strong."

"You helped me deal with this grief stuff, huh."

"And, I want you to keep dealing with it. I know you didn't want to go to the children's support center at first, but I wanted you to accept your loss so we could help you grieve. Sam and his family haven't allowed themselves to grieve I think.."

"So, by me dealing with my emotions, I became me again. I don't think I'm exactly the same, but a newer Julie. I can miss my Mom and step-dad and still feel happy most of the time."

"Yeah, something like that."

"I can help Sam by being his friend, right? When I told him the crazy stuff we did, he couldn't believe it. He said I was lucky and he wished his father would do something like that. I told him how funny I thought Dad would look in the teepee. "

"Hey, I can do unusual, too" Ranger raised an eyebrow at them.

"Can I print off some of the pictures and show Sam when I see him. The book, too. Maybe, he can find something they could do together."

"It's a start. Julie, do you have the camera up here?"

"Yes, I was looking at the pictures. You want it?"

"I'll show your father some of the stuff we did."

"Here it is. Goodnight, Steph. Goodnight, Dad."

"Night, Julie" Ranger and Stephanie said.

Ranger started looking at the pictures on the digital camera and started laughing immediately.

"Wow, the teepee actually looks pretty comfortable, Babe" Ranger told her. "What's this?" showing Stephanie the camera.

"Oh, that's when the ostrich attacked us at the safari park trying to get the food. We also had a llama chase us, too."

"Only you, Babe. Wow, what a picture! I need a copy of this. That's sexy."

"What picture?"

He showed her the camera again. On the screen was Stephanie under the waterfall in her bikini. Her hands were running through her wet hair.

"I'm going to kill, Julie! We were on the Blue Ridge Parkway and walked down to this waterfall. We had our bathing suits with us, so we took a break."

Ranger set the camera on the night stand and pulled Stephanie down in the bed with him. "Finally, we're alone. I like this" as Ranger ran this finger under the spaghetti strap of her nightgown "and that picture really got my interest, but, Babe, you are overdressed." He was placing light kisses on her ear lobe, neck, and her lips.

"Ranger."

"Babe."