Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters, they belong to Janet Evanovich. I just like to play with them for a bit.

I've recently become a Tart lover (Merry Men! Yum!) and this is my contribution to what I'm hoping will become a more popular pairing/s in the Plum universe. I hope you enjoy!

Thank you everyone who reviewed the last chapter – I'm really glad that you're enjoying the fic so far.

I hope you enjoy this chapter – I had a lot of fun writing it. I'm really sorry about the delay in posting this, especially when I was on such a roll before – but I couldn't get internet access where I was doing fieldwork for a month, so there wasn't much I could do despite trying to find reception (which a useless endeavour I soon discovered, and so gave up after the third try). Enjoy!

Warning: this fic is not Babe or Cupcake.

What Comes Next?

Chapter Ten

And this all without bringing up Tarot cards – because that would be the end of any civilised conversation from Grandma Mazur, which in turn would make my mother annoyed...

Oh hell.

But at least the gingerbread house will look good.

Stephanie

I can't help but smile as I survey the lounge room before me. It has somehow been converted by Lester, who just happened to have a large dining room table in the garage, into an area for a full-on Plum family dinner. I'm extremely impressed with how it all looks. Lester even made the table settings match the Christmas decorations.

As soon as we stepped in the door from work early this afternoon Aunt Skye set us to work. Me in the kitchen with her, and Lester out here getting the table setup and ready.

Surprisingly – under Aunt Skye's gentle supervision – I managed to help her create this feast of food, with minimal fuss. Only one saucepan got ruined while I was attempting to make a toffee sauce. This is a grand achievement for me... So I'm feeling pretty proud and ready to tackle the ordeal of having my family round for dinner.

The doorbell rings.

Let it begin...

Lester

I watch from the entrance to the lounge room as my Beautiful walks steadily towards to the door. I suspected that she would be more nervous about tonight, but once again she has managed to surprise me.

Just like she did with her cooking tonight. It seemed that all she needed was more guidance to gain confidence – and now thanks to Aunt Skye, Steph has managed to gain a bit. I suppose having Aunt Skye coming and staying has actually turned out pretty good so far...

Despite her constant questioning about when we were going to set a date for the wedding.

Gulp.

I've managed to hold her off so far, and stop her from nagging Beautiful about it, but that's only going to last so long.

Yum... Steph looks amazing in those jeans and that blue jumper...

I shake my head in an attempt to rid my mind of delicious thoughts that include stripping the jeans and jumper off Steph...

I wonder what she has on underneath...

"Lester?"

I shake my head again and see Steph and her family crowded in the foyer, "Sorry Beautiful – I was daydreaming." I step backwards into the lounge room, "Please come in."

As Steph's parents pass me I give her mother a kiss on the cheek and shake her father's hand. Hiding a grimace I also present Grandma Mazur with a kiss on the cheek – at least I was lucky and she didn't try to demand one on the lips. Valerie and Albert both got handshakes and the girls a quick tickle.

"Oh... Stephanie and Lester, your decorations are beautiful."

I turn round to find the whole Plum family admiring the Christmas decorations.

"Thanks Mr and Mrs Plum. My Aunt chose the colour scheme for us." I gesture for Aunt Skye to emerge from the kitchen.

"Please Lester, Helen and Frank will be fine. And your aunt has very good taste." Mrs Plum – Helen – stated. By this time Aunt Skye is standing right behind Helen.

"Thank you. The cards told me that blue and silver would bring good things into the home for Lester and Steph."

Wow – I've never seen Helen Plum jump or startle before... Steph is standing next to me blinking at the sight as well. I can tell she's trying not to laugh. I just hope Aunt Skye keeps the mentioning of the cards to a minimum.

Before Steph bursts with laughter at her mother's still shocked look, I conduct the introductions and usher everyone towards the table, where the seats are prearranged by place cards.

Grandma Mazur shouts, "This is the pip indeed. How fancy with the place cards and all," she rounds towards Helen, "We should use place cards at home."

I see Helen roll her eyes towards Valerie, who shoots a grin in return.

Once everyone is settled, minus Steph and Aunt Skye, who I can hear rattling around the kitchen, getting the soup for entree plated up, I start making the rounds with the wine bottle. Both Albert and Frank decline, saying they were the designated drivers for the evening. Helen and Valerie were delighted with the lovely full bodied red I had picked from my cellar (which doesn't matter if it's actually situated in the cupboard under the staircase).

As soon as I sit down at my place, Steph and Aunt Skye proceeded into the lounge room. I could smell the delightful richness of the pumpkin soup coming from the plates. Yum. I love pumpkin soup, and Aunt Skye's is absolutely the best.

"This tastes wonderful Skye," Helen admitted after tasting the soup, "You made it yourself?"

Aunt Skye smiled serenely at Helen, "Actually Steph made the soup and dessert tonight."

Steph and I continue to eat our soup, while everybody else stops and gawks at Steph. I suppose considering my Beautiful's success, or lack of success, in the culinary arts, means successfully making pumpkin soup is big.

After a full minute of silence, Grandma Mazur winks at Steph, "Well Stephanie, this is better even than your mother's pumpkin soup." And then she went on eating the soup, slurping it down in large gulps.

I watch as Steph blushes pink, "Thanks Grandma."

I squeeze my Beautiful's thigh beneath the table, showing that I'm proud of her. She relaxes under my hand, and pats my hand quickly with her own. That's my Beautiful!

Helen

I have to stop myself from groaning. Homemade chocolate gelato with toffee sauce. Delicious.

And the fact that Stephanie made it completely from scratch is a miracle, even with Skye helping... Every time I tried to teach Stephanie how to cook anything it always ended up a disaster.

Hmm... I suppose Skye isn't too bad or as wishy-washy as I originally thought.

I smile at Stephanie as she clears away my plate, "It was absolutely delicious," I mention quietly to her. Stephanie responds with a genuine smile, "Thanks Mum," and heads towards the kitchen with Lester following behind. They're going to clean up a bit and fix some coffee and tea for everyone.

Skye catches my eye, and nods towards the kitchen where Stephanie and Lester are, "They're such a perfect couple aren't they?"

I can't help but smile, "Yes they are. And so in love as well."

And despite Stephanie's original protestations about it, I know that I'm correct. Lester is fantastic for Stephanie.

Skye grins back towards me, with a light sparkle in her eyes, "I keep on asking Lester when the two of them are going to set a date for the wedding, but he just keeps on blowing me off or changing the topic..."

Oh – thank goodness. At least it's not just me who has been asking when they're planning on getting married. I was starting to worry that I was sounding like a nag... Especially with mother ranting and raving on how a woman doesn't need to get married these days, but can be 'life-partners'. I hide a slight shudder. There's nothing wrong with 'life-partners', but I would really prefer Stephanie and Lester get properly married.

"Hmm... I know. Stephanie does the same thing with me," I sigh looking towards the kitchen again, "I do hope that they don't become one of those couples who are forever engaged but never married."

Skye nods her head in agreement, the sparkle in her eyes getting brighter...

That sparkle is actually a little bit creepy...

Skye

I knew that Helen would feel the same way I did about Lester and Stephanie setting a date for the wedding. Hmm... I wonder whether she'll go along with my little idea of Christmas present for the two of them...

"Actually Helen, I had this radical idea earlier today..."

Helen frowns slightly, "A radical idea?"

I slowly nod and let a grin spread across my face, while discreetly checking Lester and Steph are still in the kitchen.

"Yes – quite the radical idea concerning the two love-birds."

The frown on Helen's face deepens slightly, "Alright..."

"I was thinking of planning a surprise wedding for Lester and Steph as their Christmas present from me."

Helen's eyes widen, and she blinks at me.

"For the 27th December."

As Helen sits there staring at me, Lester and Steph return with a coffee pot and teapot. Lester has obviously noticed Helen's staring dilemma and gives me a 'look'. I just raise my eyebrow in reply.

"Helen, would you prefer coffee or tea? I hope Aunt Skye isn't talking your ear off too much." At Helen's raspy reply for coffee, Lester fills her cup.

I watch as Helen takes a sip. Hopefully she won't let the cat out of the bag...

Oh good, the coffee is shaking her out of the shocked state she was in. Honestly – I've had much more radical ideas than a surprise wedding before...

Helen smiles at Lester, "Actually, Skye and I were just setting up a brunch date for next week," She looks back towards me and slyly winks, "How is Monday for you Skye?"

Hurrah! I have to physically stop myself from standing up and happy-dancing. Instead I smile softly, "That sounds fantastic Helen. We have a date."

Ohhh... I'm all tingly and fuzzy inside. A co-conspirator in organising the surprise wedding of the century. Lester and Steph are going to be so amazed on Christmas Day when we tell them...

Or actually – we can wrap up an invitation and give that to them instead!

What a lark!