Happy Birthday Mabel.

Previously:

Maybe you'll be in the area 'Someday.'

All the best,

Stephanie

xoxooxoxooxoxoxoxoxo

Steph was sitting on her front porch swing, idly thinking of work and the fact it had been 240 hours since she sent that email to Ranger.

Drinking her tall glass of ice tea and reflecting on memories of what had been a wonderful friendship. All the while, hoping for some sort of semblance to one that had more to come written all over it-however long she had to wait.

Back and forth, the toes of her shoes guided her on a steady rhythm.

No response.

Ten days to be exact with no reply.

Remembering her words to him, that Rangeman will always come first in his life, Steph shrugged her shoulders and started making notes on her pad of paper about the job she was currently involved in.

A tingle of electricity ran up and down her spine.

'Wishful thinking,' she said to herself as she rolled her eyes, seeing no cars on the street that didn't belong to the neighbors.

The sun was starting to set when she finally went inside.

Not having much of an appetite, she stopped to give Rex his organic hamster nuggets in the new home she bought for him to celebrate the upgrade in their lives.

The doorbell rang just as her foot was on the bottom step leading to her bedroom upstairs.

Knowing Manny was back in Trenton for a week, Steph cautiously approached the door.

Another tingle ran up her spine, settling on the back of her neck, giving Steph hope for the first time.

The doorbell chimed again and she kept the chain on as she opened the door a crack.

She slid her gun out of the back of her pants to down by her side.

Seeing the man of her dreams in front of her, Stephanie unlocked and opened the door to Ranger. She noticed the box in his hand and with a smile lighting up her whole face, she looked up at him and said, "I've been taught to be wary of people bearing gifts, so what do you say to that?"

Looking down at her, Ranger said to her softly, "I've realized that One Babe Is All I'll Ever Need, I do think it's time to amend that line to One Carlos Is All You'll Ever Need."

Stepping back to let him in, Ranger held out the box to her. Looking down, Steph saw something totally unexpected from this infuriating man of hers.

A cake bearing the words:

Happy Birthday Mabel

The front door closed on our couple, locked in a passionate embrace, back together where they always belonged.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox THE END xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo

A/N. all folks belong to Janet.

Thanks to my silent beta, and everyone who read and enjoyed this story...