Just a small note, I've used some parts of another scene from my other story for one part of this chapter. It was just so perfect and fit so well that I thought hey why not! I hope you're not too disappointed if you have read my other story. Also I would like to thank Jan for all her editing help!
Chapter 10
"Babe, are you sure you don't want me to go too? It would be the right thing to do" Ranger asked.
"Trust me. If you think my family is scary now, you don't want to see them when I tell them the news" I said while trying toclasp the back of my bra.
I was still getting dressed and beginning to panic. I was pacing around in my panties and unhooked bra looking for the right outfit to wear. I was currently getting ready for a dinner that my mother had arranged for Valerie and Albert. We were celebrating Val's new pregnancy alongwith Albert's family so I figured if we were to have guests then my mother might restrain herself when I break the news. I figured she would be too busy trying to schmooze over Val's in-laws and less likely to throttle me. I figured I could leave before Albert's parents had a chance to exit, and I wouldn't be left to hear the wrath of my mother.
I was still fidgeting trying to clasp my bra all the while looking to find an outfit to wear. I was just about to ask Ranger for help when he came over to me and steadied me. He was able to clasp my bra with no struggle at all.
"Gee thanks…those things can be so hard to put on" I said.
"Yeah, but harder to take off…" Ranger said trailing off. He pulled me to him, my back to his front, and wrapped his arms around my waist. He brought his lips down to my neck and I felt myself go weak. I let a small moan escape my lips, and arched my neck for more access. His lips lingered down my throat and I fisted my hands in his hair. He started to direct me towards the bed, but I stopped him before I fell under his seductive spell.
"Oh no you don't mister! My mother would flip if she knew I had sex before I came over. She would know the instant I walked through the door. And besides that, it wouldn't mix well when I tell her I'm pregnant" I said. Ranger released me and backed away. Can't say I blame him though, thinking about my mother certainly made my hormones flee as well.
I finished getting dressed and slapped on some make-up. I started to go through my mental checklist to make sure I didn't forget anything. I made sure that I wore a nice conservative outfit and remembered to bring one of Ella's dishes; hoping I could lighten the mood a bit before I dropped the bomb. But knowing my family, a bomb would have already been dropped; let's just hope that my bomb won't be as big. My family is always acting chaotic and hectic, and there is definitely never a dull day. But let's face it though; something tragic would have to happen to top my news. Like Val and Albert divorcing, or Grandma Mazur hijacking a building…yes my family is that bad.
I sat in front of my parent's house, idling for a few minutes in Tank's car. I still had a few minutes before I was expected and wanted to enjoy my moment in peace before I entered the dragon's lair. Tank and I sat in companionable silence before I spoke up.
"So, I'm thinking that 7:45 would be a good time to pick me up…that is if I'm still alive" I told him. Tank looked over at me and shuddered.
"Good luck in there Bomber, you'll need it" Tank replied glimpsing up at the house. I nodded back at him and got out of the car. I made it to the front porch exactly when Albert's parents arrived. They were an odd couple which made them perfect for being Albert's parents.
"Hi, I'm Stephanie, Valerie's sister" I greeted them.
"Well hello there! I'm Victor Kl…" he started but was interrupted.
"Oh my, what is that delicious smell!" said a round woman who I assumed to be Mrs. Kloughn. She came up to my side and pulled back the aluminum foil on the bean casserole Ella had cooked up. She bent her head down towards the dish and took a big whiff. "Oh my, this smells heavenly! Victor come and smell this" she commanded.
"Now Betty, how about we make some introductions first" Mr. Kloughn suggested. I stood there a little startled by Mrs. Kloughn's approach. "You'll have to excuse my wife, she is just so excited to see her Albert and the girls" Mr. Kloughn explained.
"Yes, I'm sure. Well then let's head to dinner, I'm starved" I said, guiding them towards the door. We entered the front door and the place looked like Martha Stewart had paid a visit. Food overtook the place, leaving nothing but the walls uncovered. The place was decorated right to the core. My mouth flew open, and I could swear a pool of drool slipped out. I looked around for my mother and it wasn't long before she came walking into the room carrying another tray of appetizers and placed them on the coffee table.
"Oh! Mr. and Mrs. Kloughn how nice to see you please take a seat" my mother suggested, showing them to the couch. I decided to sit down in the chair next to them. My father muttered a greeting, but otherwise remained occupied in his recliner watching TV, not even bothering to look up.
"Where's Val and everyone?" I asked while helping myself to an appetizer. "I asked her to pick up some last minute things, they should be here soon. Oh, and your grandmother went to Mrs. Kidwell's viewing tonight. If we're lucky she wont be back until after the guests have left" my mother added quietly to me while making her way back to the kitchen. I sat back and sighed. This was going to be one long night. I looked over to see Mrs. Kloughn shoveling down the appetizers.
"Oh my, Victor you absolutely must try these hors d'oeuvres, they're to die for!" Mrs. Kloughn practically moaned while she shoved another one into her mouth.
"It's okay dear, I'll just wait until dinner" he replied. Mr. Kloughn had a butt chin and round rosy cheeks. You could say he resembled Albert, except papa Kloughn was about a foot taller.
"Well suit yourself that just leaves more for me!" Mrs. Kloughn happily stated while inhaling another appetizer. This was going to be one long night.
By the time Val and the gang arrived, Mrs. Kloughn had consumed about 2/3 of the appetizers. We had just sat down for the meal and ready to say grace when we were interrupted by this loud obnoxious chewing. We all looked up to see that Mrs. Kloughn had already helped herself and was on her way to seconds.
"Oh my, I'm sorry but I just couldn't help myself" Mrs. Kloughn mumbled with her mouth full. My father just quietly cleared his throat and the rest of us began to eat in silence. It continued to stay that way when my mother decided to break the silence.
"So Mr. Kloughn, what do you do for a living?" she asked. He swallowed and dabbed his face with the napkin.
"Well Mrs. Plum, my last name says it all!" he answered with a little chuckle. We all just stared at him waiting for him to elaborate on that statement. When we realized that he wasn't kidding, we just nodded our heads not sure what to say to that. Val must have sensed the awkwardness and decided to change the subject.
"Well the girls and I went to the zoo today" she stated.
"How exciting" my mother replied. We fell into a silence again, but it didn't last long before Grandma Mazur barged through the door.
"Sweet mother of Jesus, you won't believe what I saw today!" Grandma Mazur practically shrieked.
"Not at the table mother!" my mother warned through gritted teeth. Grandma Mazur plopped down across from me and smiled.
"She just doesn't know how to have fun. It wasn't me who raised her that way though, nope" grandma said while reaching to fill her plate. I simply nodded wondering how exactly my mother did turn out this way.
Introductions were made again and grandma did surprisingly well, keeping all remarks to herself. Once again silence became among us and I was itching to tell my news already. Val decided she would break the silence again and started to ramble on.
"Well, Albert and I have finally made reservations for our honeymoon. Cuddle Umkins here has all the planning done. We're set to leave next month!" Val said on an excited note.
"Oh that's just wonderful dear" my mother said on autopilot.
"Oh! And Albert has a new client that he's meeting with tomorrow; he even bought a new tie and everything!" Valerie continued.
"Oh that's great dear, really" my mother said not showing much enthusiasm or interest, just letting her mind go elsewhere.
"I'm just soooo glad that things have finally turned around for the girls and me. I truly am happy, and for the first time in a long time…" Valerie went on. I figured now is a good as time as ever; I may as well just spill the beans now. I took a deep breath, and just when Valerie finished, I spoke up.
"Ah, well I'm pregnant" I stated as I took a sip of my iced tea. Top that Val!
"That's just wonderful dear" my mother said. Then, almost simultaneously everyone's fork fell to their plates making a 'chime' sound as they crashed. I looked up to see all eyes on me.
"Wait, what?!" My mother asked jaw dropped, eyes wide.
"Well, I am, ah…" I chickened out. I looked over at my mother and watched in amazement as she chugged her glass of wine and then poured herself another to repeat the process.
"Ohmygod! Ohmygod! Steph! I'm soooooooo happy for you! So when are you and Joe planning the big day? Oh, let me see your ring!" Val exclaimed while jumping in her chair.
"Why can't my daughters ever keep their knees together until after they make it to the alter?" my mother mumbled as she banged her head on the table. Oh and just wait until I tell them who the father is, that will really throw them over edge! My mother is going to have welts on her forehead after this!
After Val finished ranting, my mother lifted her head from the table. "I'm sure that you and Joseph have planed a date?" my mother asked sounding a bit slurred. Oh boy, here comes the storm after the calm
"Well, no we haven't. And actually, Joe isn't the father" I tried to explain. With that, she rose to her feet and headed off towards the kitchen. I knew where she was headed, that being the liquor cabinet.
"Well that went over smoothly" I mumbled to myself and rolled my eyes.
"It's that dark bounty hunter fella isn't it? The one with the nice package!" Grandma Mazur asked. I closed my eyes and nodded a yes.
"Oh, this is just great!" Grandma Mazur practically shouted, waving her arm in the air with her fork still in hand. The fork of course still had food on it that was flung across the table accidentally hitting Mary Alice square in the face.
"Hey!" Mary Alice exclaimed, looking up and flinging her potatoes right at Angie. Of course Angie didn't realize who hit her and flung her potatoes landing them right at Mrs. Kloughn. This of course caused her to react, setting off another mishap. And on went the food fight! I managed to escape the mayhem unscathed, and made it to the kitchen to find my mother bent over into the cabinet.
"Mom, come on now be reasonable" I said. She took a swig of the booze and swallowed deep.
"Oh I will be, just give me a few more sips of this and I'll be more then reasonable" she answered without looking at me. I figured my time here was done and proceeded to say my goodbyes.
The food fight was still in progress as I started to walk out. Everyone was covered in food except for my father; he just continued to eat his meal not even bothering to look up. I had just about made it to the door when a huge splat hit me right in my face. I licked my lips and instantly recognized what it was - pineapple upside-down cake! I licked around my lips and tasted the sweet creamy filling. Before I knew it, I had engaged myself in the food fight.
By the time 7:45 rolled around I was covered from head to toe in grub. I made my way to Tank's car but when I tried to pull it open I found it locked. He cracked the window enough to speak through.
"Guess the news didn't go over so well, huh?" Tank asked with a smirk while looking me up and down.
"You can wipe that smug grin off your face smartass. I'm riding in you're car so don't get too full of yourself here buddy" I remarked with my hands on my hips. Tank's smile instantly disappeared, and a smug grin appeared on my face instead. He unlocked the door and I practically jumped in thankful that 'the dinner' was now over. I'm so glad Ranger didn't convince me to let him come, although it might have been worth it to see the always immaculate man covered in food just once.
I entered the 7th floor apartment and immediately started to peel off my dirty clothes. I was in the process of taking off my shirt when I bumped into Ranger. "Babe, I take it that it didn't go so well" Ranger commented with humor in his voice, taking in my appearance. He was leaning against the bathroom doorframe with his arms crossed, and was blocking me from the oh-so-wonderful shower. I stopped in place and couldn't help but admire how handsome and sexy he looked.
"Well, I'm still alive" I replied, finally getting the shirt over my head. "That bad, huh?" Ranger asked, still not moving from his blockade. I gave him a slightly annoyed look.
"As the saying goes, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Now will you please move so I can clean myself" I said, trying to shove him aside.
"I could clean you Babe. I wouldn't even need a shower to help me either" Ranger suggested while moving in closer to me. I put my hand up to stop him but he licked a piece of frosting off of it instead and I instantly felt my knees go weak. Guess that was his way of cleaning me! For an instant, I actually thought about letting him - damn hormones.
"Look Ranger, I have food in my hair, a furious alcoholic mother, and on top of that I wasn't able to enjoy my dessert because I was too busy ducking for cover! Now move, or I'll make you tag along to the next family dinner!" I warned.
I don't think I've ever seen Ranger move away so fast in my life. I guess my family was a bigger threat than I thought! Good. I had a weapon of mass destruction and didn't even know it!
Well I hope you all liked this chapter, I owe a huge thanks to Jan, she helped out a lot on this chapter! Okay well I hope you all like LMT…don't know about you, but I' can't wait! I'm sure we'll all be a little occupied reading it, so I don't think I'll be posting more until after LMT!