A/N: I begin another chapter with apologies of not posting regularly. I am sorry; I will not bore nor offend you with my excuse, just my humble apology. I here and now promise to update at least once a week, if I post more than that it will be a bonus :-).
Since it's been a while here's what's been happening:
Chapter 1: Steph, Connie & Lula discuss Steph's up coming birthday. Where we find out that Joe is really dirty cause he was doin' Joyce, on the dining room table no less. Ranger comes back after being gone for 6 months, after a brief welcome home kiss in the alley Ranger has a job for Steph and offers to discuss it at his place over dinner.
Chapter 2: Steph comes up with a game plan on keeping her heart protected. Step 1 physical distance, i.e. the not so pretty distraction outfit 'Granny Panties'. Step 2 emotional distance, distract with subjects of Julie, latest skip fiascos and Grandma Mazurs latest hijinks.
Chapter 3: Dinner time, typical Of Steph's life once she figures out on how to make it go one way nit goes another. Ranger is engaging in conversation, and is keeping his hands to himself. Through the conversation Ranger asks to plan her birthday keeping with the Latin theme that the girls picked. Oh yea Merry Men are now invited.
Chapter 4: Awkward relationship talk. Ranger gives Steph his military file in which he is now discharged. He tells Steph that he loves her, no qualifiers.
Chapter 5: She asks for time and a little space to regroup because he has been hot & cold through their friendship. He also asks to be her date for her birthday. They also discuss the upcoming job there seems to be missing money and a little corporate espionage going on in a country club.
Chapter 6: Ranger surprises Steph with a trip to NYC. But first he has bought her a jumpsuit for the drive over. He brings along the girls, Mary-Lou, Connie and Lula and the Merry Men, Tank, Bobby and Lester (in his chauffeur hat) all in a limo. They arrive outside of The Plaza with another surprise the girls have the Royal Plaza Suite that has a butler named Alfred.
Chapter 7: Master of surprises Ranger takes the girls down to the spa and even introduces them to his sister Adonia a.k.a Ada. After getting their serenity on the girls get ready to go to afternoon tea in dress provided by Ranger. They are clueless on their tea destination until they pull up to the Russian Tea Room. After their meal and Steph feeling like Princess Anastasia Romanov they go back to The Plaza for the next part of Ranger's surprises.
Chapter 8: Ada meets them back in the suite; the study has been transformed into a hair salon. Here we meet Rey Lafayette (bonus to those of you who recognize him as Lafayette from True Blood) and team to do the girls hair and make up before they get into their party dresses. After giving Steph earrings to complete her outfit they are whisked off to dinner and dancing. But now they have even more party goers, Lenny, Hal, Cal and Ram. Were else would Ranger take Steph to but The Copacabana. They meet Chef Alex who is also married to Ada. After a whirlwind of a day Ranger brings Steph back to the suit where a bubble bath and foot massage, provided by him, await her.
Disclaimer: I own not one iota of these characters or the Stephanie Plum Universe, lucky Janet! Not to give anything away but please see Disclaimer #5!
Previous Chapter 8
God this man has great ideas I think as I lower myself into the best bubble bath I've ever had. I lean my head back on the pillow and close my eyes. I hear Carlos come back into the bathroom as he starts messaging my feet. I don't remember anything after that, his tender caress has put me to sleep.
Chapter 9
As my brain begins its travels into conscious land I feel like I'm lying on a big puffy cloud. I open one eye to the comfiest bed in the world, it is hands down better then mine. While underneath me is fluffy behind me is rock hard. I feel an arm across my waist, I look down, and the arm is my favorite mocha color of Carlos. I try to lift I'm off me so that I can go to the bathroom. He grunts and pulls me closer. What time is it? What happened to him being aware of his surroundings? So I whisper "Carlos". I'm answered with another grunt, time to try again so I speak up "Carlos!"
"Babe" well at least he responded this time.
"Carlos you've got to let me up." I pleaded
"Babe you love to sleep, so sleep." he pleaded back.
"I might be able to if you let me up so that I can use the bathroom."
"Shit Babe, I'm sorry." he said as he's lifting up his arm.
As soon as he releases me, I make a break for the bathroom. After I finish using the toilet and I'm washing my hands I get a good look at myself in the mirror. So this is what 29 looks like, hell not a lot different then 28. Maybe 30 won't look much different then this. As I'm looking myself over I see that I'm wearing a black negligee trimmed with lace that hits high on my thigh and I don't remember putting on. I run back into the bedroom "RANGER, what am I wearing and how did it get on me?"
"Babe?" he looks at me blinks a few times then responds to my questions.
"You feel asleep in the tub last night. I tried to wake you but you were out of it. I put that on you so that you didn't have to sleep naked, unless you wanted to sleep naked? If you did then I totally missed an opportunity which I would hate since you know how opportunistic I like to be." and he gives me his wolf grin.
"Nnnnooo, this was fine, thank you." I gulped.
"You are more then welcome, now do you want to go back to sleep or do you want breakfast?" he inquired.
As soon as the words were out of his mouth my stomach decided to make itself known and let out a huge growl. I giggled as he said "I think the beast made the decision for you, come breakfast should be set up in the dining room." He hands me a matching silk robe that only covers the negligee.
We walk out of the master bedroom and into the dining room that has an incredible breakfast buffet set out it has fruit, pastries, bacon, sausage, pancakes, hash browns and an omelets station being manned by Alfred.
"Oh my" I start bouncing while looking at the wonderful food. I giggle "Alfred, this is incredible. Thank you so much."
"You are more than welcome Ms Stephanie. Would you like something to drink?" asked Alfred.
"Yes please, I don't seem to function without coffee in my system." I replied as Carlos pulls a chair out at the table for me to sit.
As he pours and hands me a cup of coffee he says "I hope you enjoyed your birthday so far."
"Oh it's been incredible; I can't begin to tell you the wonderful things we did yesterday. First the spa, then afternoon tea at The Russian Tea Room, after that we had our hair and make up done by a team from the salon here. Finally Carlos took us to The Copacabana where we met the head chef and dance all night." I giggled.
"Yes it does seem you've had a delightful time." chuckled Alfred.
"Babe would you like me to fix you a plate?" asked Carlos.
"Yes please." I replied then take my cup of coffee into my hands and get lost into thought. Of coarse my thoughts are of Carlos. This man that I love has been so attentive since he's been back. He planned my birthday with such extravagance and attention to detail not only for me but for my friends too. He introduced me to his sister and her husband. He tells me he loves me, but he has always loved me in his own way. He has shown it to me with his friendship, the way he supports and mentors me. But it is the day to day relationship that has been lacking. I need that just as much. I asked him for time but will he continue being attentive and talkative?
I sigh as Carlos sits down a plate in front of me. He has chosen some fruit, pancakes, bacon and a western omelet. I look up into his eyes "Thank you"
"You are worth this and much much more Babe." He replied as he kissed my top of my head then turned to fix his own plate.
"Oh Alfred that has to be the best omelet I've ever had, will you adopt me?" I moan as I eat my breakfast.
He chuckles again, "Thank you Ms Stephanie, I've never been asked that before, I'm here if you need anything, just let me know."
He leaves and in walks Tank and Lula hand in hand. I look her in the eye and she says "Yea it might not have been my birthday but I got me a Tank size present." I swear if Tank could blush he would have.
As they figure out what they want to eat and come back to the table with their plates full. I giggle as Tank pulls a chair out for Lula to sit on. Then Bobby and Lester walk in and start helping themselves to breakfast. The conversation starts to pick up as Lester and Bobby start one upping each other with tales of conquests from last night. Mary-Lou and Lenny come into the dining room and start to talk with Alfred as they get their food and come to the table to join in with the festivities. Next to join in were Cal and Hal, which left everyone wondering if Connie and Ram hooked up. We all waited until Carlos said "Time to get ourselves put together and head back to Trenton. We still have a meeting scheduled today at 1600 hours."
"But whose going to wake up the love birds?" asked Lula.
Everyone turned to look at me. "No way guys, how'd I get picked?"
Lula chose to answer "Causes youse was the Birthday Girl, youse still can get away with disturbing them." I shuddered and understood her reasoning because if it was anyone else I would have put up the same argument.
I look up to Carlos, "Come on Babe I'll make sure there is no back lash."
He grabs my hand to stand me up, while everyone disperse to go get themselves ready. We walk down to the bedroom and Carlos gives on solid loud knock. When we don't get an answer I start doing the "shave and haircut" knock. We hear someone starting to move around in the room. The door swings open suddenly, with Ram standing there in his boxers. When he sees Carlos he stands in the position of attention. I giggle when I hear Connie in the background "Shut the door and get back in here, we're not done yet."
Carlos smirks and tells Ram "Heading out in an hour. You going with us are staying here?"
Ram gets a grin on his face "Well since I'm off for the next couple of days and I have the keys for the Escalade I think we might stay and head back later. That ok with you boss?"
"No problem man, I'll set it up for you." Then they did some manly handshake.
Connie yells out "Thanks for everything Ranger, Steph that was the best birthday ever, I'll call you when I get back to the office."
"You better!" I replied back as Ram closes the door.
"Come on Babe; let's go get you packed to head back." Carlos says as we walk back to the master bedroom he gives me a kiss and directs me towards the bathroom to get ready.
When I walk into the bathroom I notice a dress hanging, it's a black boat necked sleeveless sheath dress. With a thin belt and black peep toe heals and underwear laid out next to it. I sigh as I take a quick shower but leave my hair dry; it still looks good Rey has some serious Jersey Girl hair skills. When I finish my shower there are toiletries and makeup next to the sink. It takes me no time to get myself dressed. I head out back into the foyer where I hear everyone gathering.
I walk out and grab Carlos, "Carlos, where is everything from yesterday?"
Carlos raises an eye brow "Don't worry about Babe"
"But those earrings you gave me for my birthday, where are they I don't want them to get lost. Plus the beautiful clothes, I'm sure they need to be cleaned… and"
He stops my ranting by kissing me. "Babe, it has all been taken care of, it's all packed and ready to go back to Trenton, clothes and all."
"Ok, I just didn't want anything to happen to anything, it was all special and from you." I whisper as I'm trying to gather my wits.
"Babe, you look amazing. Lets say our goodbyes and head out." He wraps me tighter in my arms.
We walk into the living room where everyone is convening; even Ada, Chef Alex, Rey and Albert are waiting for us.
I give them all a hug and thank them each for everything they have done for me. I sincerely hope to stay in touch with them all, even Alfred. Carlos gives a hug to his sister and shakes the guys' hands. Then he turns to the Merry Men and tells them not to be late for the meeting and kisses Lula and Mary-Lou on the check.
I stand there in shock as everyone gives me a hug and wishes me happy birthday again they each walk out of the room and out of the suite.
"Um Carlos, aren't we all going home together?" I asked.
"No Babe" he walks me out of the suite and towards the elevator. When we walk into the elevator car he positions us in his usual elevator pose my back to his front. "I have one last surprise for your birthday."
We walk out of the hotel and sitting there is Rolls Royce Phantom. He closes my mouth as I am stunned again. Then Carlos takes my hand and walks me to the back of the car and helps me get in. I look up to the front of the car where I see Alfred ready to drive us home.
tbc
Disclaimer #5: I don't own any claim in the Plaza, Spa, Salon, The Copacabana, and Russian Tea Room or the fabulous clothes, shoes, and vehicles mentioned in this chapter. I've gotta win the lotto! But links to these fabulous places & items are located on my profile. Please take a look, I had a blast researching!
