***CHARACTERS ARE THE PROPERTY OF JANET EVANOVICH, I MAKE NO MONEY FROM THIS, ALL MISTAKES ARE MINE***
A/N: Just a heads up that I have upped the Rating to M, for some future smut-like possibilites and foul language, because let's face it. Could you live with a Cuban Sex God, and keep it PG? I think not ;) ;) ;)
"Well... look who it is! Ms. Too good for the Burg, and her Thug. Are you still not done playing house with that Bastard kid? Come home, Cupcake. The boys miss you!"
I can't figure out if Joe is plain old crazy, or just really REALLY stupid. Now that I am able to remove myself from the situation, and analyze his bizarre pick-up strategy, I am a little embarrassed that my former self was such a friggin' moron. The boys miss me? Who the hell says that? Who the hell insults someone, then uses a pick-up line. This really worked on me? Jesus. I need more therapy than I thought. I can't help the giggle that bubbles out at him standing there, nostrils flared, hands on hips, purple face, bulging veins... He looks like a damn cartoon character.
"Detective Morelli... I'm sorry to laugh, but this has to be a joke. Did you really just insult me, and then try to lure me back to your bed while I am sitting here with my boyfriend discussing our new home, and our child? All the while I have a restraining order against you for my child, and I for you physically assaulting me in front of this exact establishment in front of 75 of our closest friends? Are you out of your ever loving mind approaching me, risking your badge just because your ego? You cheated on me, thanks by the way... I'm happier than ever. You need to leave this second unless you want to be arrested for violating a restraining order. If you will excuse us, you are ruining yet another meal, and I'm quite hungry."
I kept it together, and turned my attention to the food that had miraculously made its way to the table mid-rant, and started eating without giving him a second glance. I heard unintelligable grunts from him, but never gave him the satisfaction of looking at him until he finally got the clue, and left. I'm not setting out to get him in trouble. His ego is bruised, and I told him I was leaving many times, and never did. That is on me. I won't, however be abused in any way, or let someone bully me again. Eventually he is going to learn I have grown up, and left him behind. I am done with screaming matches, I am done with immature name-calling, I am done being Stephanie from the Burg. What is so wrong with just being plain old Stephanie, no Burg.
After my second slice of pizza, I felt eyes on me... I glanced over to Ranger, and he was staring me with awe in his eyes. I furrowed my brow, and asked if he was okay... I'm not quite familiar with the look that was on his face.
"Babe... that was probably the hottest thing I have ever seen in my life. I was prepared to have to physically kick his ass, but you just absolutely slayed him without lifting a finger. You are a badass. Is this a new Mom thing for you? You are seriously not taking shit from anyone anymore. I didn't think I could be more in love with you, but that just... affected me in ways I can't explain in a public restaurant. I'm going to have my hands full with you, aren't I?"
I sat there shocked for a second, before I gave him a sly smile, and a wink;
"Damn skippy you are going to have your hands full. Mama Steph doesn't put up with shit from anyone. She is determined to keep the Burg as far from her little family as possible, and you're right she is kind of a badass. Also, she apparently speaks in third person sometimes when she gets excited."
He stared at me for about five seconds, then threw his head back, and laughed a full-on belly laugh that I have never heard from him.
"Good to see you are enjoying the show, Manoso."
His laughs finally started tapering off, and he wiped his eyes with his napkin.
"Babe... you definitely never disappoint. On my way home from Newark airport yesterday, I tried to dig for details on why the hell the Core Team was offline with you, were you in trouble, were you okay... Hal simply said you were doing well, working for RangeMan, and happy. I kept digging, and got shut down. I decided to threaten mat time, and he actually told me he was so absolutely terrified of you kicking his ass, or seeking revenge for talking about your personal life, he would rather risk mat time with the whole Core Team. I am finally seeing that he was probably making a pretty wise decision. At the time, I had no idea anything had changed, and I was a little confused. Now it makes sense, you are a new woman. A woman I love."
I couldn't wipe the goofy smile from my face. I have grown up, and I am still the person that Ranger wants to be with. Such a huge relief that I can be myself around him, and it makes him love me more. All my previous relationships wanted me to change. Ranger wants me to continue to be me, it's something I am happy to get used to.
Ranger cupped my face, gave me a sweet kiss, and locked eyes with me;
"One more thing Babe... would it be too much of an adjustment for you to call me Carlos? I feel like now that we are together in a serious relationship, and co-parenting a child, Ranger is a little too impersonal, and I don't want you calling me my street name. I'm trying to make a separate me for home-life, and trying to make more time for home, so I would love if you could call me Carlos, it would mean a lot to me. I know you will slip up sometimes, but I want to show you the real me, not the government issued soldier."
I leaned over, and gave him a slow, deep kiss, and smiled a huge smile.
"I can definitely do that, Carlos. Now, let's go to the school to pick up OUR daughter."
The rest of the week was more of the same. Everyday, we took the girls to and from school together, spent the day either shopping for the new house, or snuggling in the bed or the couch, just reconnecting, and on some levels gettting to know each other. Carlos was the same man I knew, and loved, but more open, affectionate, and pretty damn hilarious. I had never in my life had such a comfortable relationship with anyone.
He didn't want to change a single thing about me, especially now that I took the safety of myself, and Julie seriously. He loved spending an hour in the gym every evening after school with myself, and Julie. I used to dread the gym, but when we do it for fun as a family, it makes it something I look forward to. It also helps that he isn't waking me up at 4 a.m to run the neighborhood. I guess we are all compromising these days.
Apparently, today was going to be a little bit different. As we were dropping the girls off at school, Julie gave us a hug, and said;
"See you on Sunday for family day. Love you guys."
I just gave her a hug, told her I loved her too, and as soon as she got out of the car, I turned to Carlos.
"Care to explain what is going on here? I know you are up to something, Carlos..."
He just looked at me for a second, before giving me an innocent look.
"Who, me?"
I just rolled my eyes at him.
"You realize that is what I said everytime I blew up a car, and it was my fault, right?"
He gave me a wink, and a sly smile, turned toward the front, and pulled out of the school parking lot. Okay I'm starting to freak out a little... has he thought this through? Has he covered all the bases? This is serious here, and he is winking at me.
"Are you going to tell me what's going on here? Where is Julie going? I didn't pack her a bag. Does she need money? Do I need to go back to school, and give her some cash? Is she going to a friends house? Do you have their parents names? I need those. You need to take me back to RangeMan, I haven't performed background checks on all the parents in her class. What if there is some kind of pedofile parent? Have you thought of that Carlos? I need to know these things, I'm going to have an anxiety attack over here worrying about her. I don't know if I want her gone a whole night. Does this house have security? Oh God."
He waited until my rant was completely over, gave me an unidentifyable look, and pulled the car into a grocery store parking lot.
"Babe, you need to take a deep breath. This isn't exactly how I thought this would go. You need to trust me, and continue to breathe. It was going to be a surprise, but I can see right now, you are going to end up having a full blown anxiety attack if I don't change the plan up here a little. Listen, I called Val yesterday, and asked if she could get the girls this afternoon from school, and us get Jules on Sunday for family day. I have been home like 4 days, and we have only had the days where Julie is at school for alone time. You have sacrificed so much, and changed your life in such a small amount of time I want to take you on a real date, and us have a night of just us, and relaxation. I didn't think it all the way through when I was being secretive that you would think the worst. I'm not going to lie, you are pretty damn sexy when you get worked up like that. If I thought you were hot before, you as a Mom seriously suits you. You are seriously becoming the best Mom I've ever seen. I don't know how you thought you'd be a bad Mom before. You seriously just looked at me, and questioned my decisions on security. I own a security company. You are running background checks on parents. I'm actually pretty impressed. Scared, turned on, and impressed."
I blushed, bit my lip, and looked into his beautiful brown eyes;
"So... basically you were trying to surprise me, try to get me to relax, and I freaked out, insulted your ability to do your job, and had an anxiety attack."
"Pretty much, but the job thing wasn't an insult. I have always wanted you to take your safety seriously, the fact that you are double checking my work makes me pretty damn proud."
"Okay. Can we start over? So, you are taking me on a date? Do I get a hint? I may need to call Lula, or Mary Lou, and go shopping."
"Already taken care of. I want to take care of you, Babe. I am about to drop you off at "La Bella Vida" right now. Lula, Connie, Mary-Lou, and Val will all be there. You all get whatever you want. Albert is taking Lisa, so Val can enjoy the morning too. I will be heading out to get everything ready for today, and tonight. You will be heading to the mall with MY credit card, please don't argue. I know you are going to argue, please let me do this. We are going to dinner, and dancing so you can find something to wear. After the mall, Val will head out for the girls to take them to her house, Mary-Lou will be picking her kids up, and Lula, and Connie will drop you off at RangeMan to get ready. Ella will head down at 4:30 to do whatever you need her to do. I am ordering pizzas for the guys. I will be at the door to your apartment at 6:15 sharp to wisk you away. Is that okay with you?"
I just stared at him open-mouthed. I have never had anyone put so much thought into a date. Hell, the only dates I have ever had are pizza, and beer. This is the sweetest thing I have ever seen.
"This is so much, Carlos... I don't know what to say. You don't have to do this to show you love me. I see it everyday. I can't believe the guys get pizza. I bet they are going to think it's a set-up. Thank you so much. I love you."
He just reached over, and grabbed my hand, playing with my fingers. It was the most comforting feeling I have ever felt.
About 10 minutes later, we pulled into the most beautiful spa I have ever seen. Wow, someone is seriously spoiling me. He leaned over, gave me a panty-scorching kiss, and nipped at my bottom lip. Geez, he is too sexy for his own good. I kissed him one more time, and opened up the door. I looked up at him one more time, and he smiled his biggest smile, and said;
"6:15 Babe. Love you, Have fun. See you soon. "
...He really is too sexy, sweet, and perfect for his own good. I'm determined to knock his socks off tonight. Girl time, here I come!
A/N 2: Next up; A little girl time, and the Date ;)