I wasn't sure if I was going to have time to update before the New Year, so you get an early update;)

This one is tagged to my short oneshot 'Feliz Navidad'. Here, S&R have a little boy and New Year's Eve is being celebrated at their place.

Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE.

"Hey, Jeff's leaving, so I'm…" Julie made a gesture, indicating she'd be right back.

"Be nice." I said to Ranger as he moved past me.

"Babe." He frowned, staying put.

"Let them have their space." I said to him. Julie brought her new boyfriend over to our New Year's Eve celebration and Ranger's being a little too overprotective.

"We've just met this guy." Ranger shrugged, saying he just wanted to ensure his daughter's safety.

"She's just walking to the driveway." I took advantage of the fact that we were currently alone in the kitchen and wrapped my arms around his neck. I gave him a soft peck on the lips. I felt him relax ever so slightly.

"I'm heading out." Lester's cheerful voice announced. I loosened my hold on Ranger to take a closer look at Lester. He'd had a couple drinks already. "Don't worry." He must have read my mind because he assured us he had a ride. "A friend is waiting for me." Lester winked, clarifying it was a lady friend.

Ranger walked Lester out, but I'm guessing it was just an excuse to see what Julie was doing. I shook my head and went to check on my little tornado.

I walked into the living room, discovering that my father had taken possession of the television and claimed the couch right in front of it. He was surrounded by three of his grandchildren: Valerie's youngest two and my five year old son.

"Need anything?" I asked. In response, I got four headshakes. "Alright." I chuckled and left for the dining hall table where I knew the rest of my family was gathered.

I was intercepted by Grandma Mazur. She wanted to call her beau. I smiled and told her to use the phone in the kitchen for more privacy. Grandma winked at me and shuffled past me. I smiled after her. Age is but a number to her. She's still as young as ever at heart.

S&R

Lula called it a night just before nine. She and Tank were giving things another shot and since his shift at Rangeman would be over in a couple hours she wanted to give him a surprise. I waved goodbye at the front door and waited until she drove away. It was a relatively calm night, weather wise, but I still wished her a safe drive.

I was just making my way back to the party when Julie waved me over. My little boy was clinging to her neck.

"Eddie's sleepy, but he wants you." Julie said. I nodded in understanding. I'd tried to put him to bed about a half hour ago, but he refused. I was expecting this to happen.

"Come on." I said to my bed-battling kiddo.

I slipped out of my heels at the foot of the stairs, kicking them to the side so no one would trip over them, before going up.

It didn't take long for my boy to knock out, but I still stayed a couple extra minutes with him. Various muffled sounds drifted to us from downstairs. He didn't stir. When I was satisfied that he was sound asleep, I placed a kiss on his cheek and very quietly slipped out of the room.

I took a detour to my bedroom.

I was in the master bath, retouching my makeup when I sensed a presence in the room. A moment later Ranger stood in the open doorway.

"Julie told me Eduardo was ready for bed." Ranger asked me if our son gave me a battle before going to sleep.

"No." I shook my head, turning around to face him. "What happened?" His black pants were smeared with a coating of cake.

"Your sister was trying to keep her husband from having another piece of cake and…" Ranger shrugged, saying he was collateral damage. I tried to stifle a laugh, swiping a finger across the cake smear to get a taste.

"Yummy." I told him to take off his pants.

"Babe."

"I can wash some of it out and…" I worked quickly, flicking his belt buckle open and dragging his pants down. I heard the door click shut as I was trying to get him to lift his feet so I could get his pants completely off. He didn't budge. "What?" I asked when I snapped my gaze up only to find him staring at me.

"Oh, Babe." Ranger let out a chuckle. "You're on your knees in front of me and you're wondering what's crossing my mind?"

I swallowed at the intensity of his gaze while I stood up. I leaned against the counter next to the sink, watching as Ranger kicked his shoes and pooled pants aside.

"We have a house full of people." I protested. Ranger shrugged, placing his hands on the edge of the counter on either side of my body, effectively caging me. "We don't have time." I tried.

"Yes, we do." He breathed the words against my lips, pressing his front flush to mine. "That's why it's a quickie." His hands slipped beneath the edge of my dress, reaching for my panties.

Skilled fingers reached my doodah and I was a goner.

"What if they notice our absence?" I was protesting, but my body was more than willing to cooperate. I cupped him over his silky boxers, a little moan of delight escaping his lips.

"Stephanie." The use of my given name made me return my attention to his face. Behind the heated desire in his gaze I saw flicker of another emotion. I melted against him, recognizing the feeling.

"What are we waiting for?" I teased, shoving his boxers out of the way to wrap my fingers around his cock. Ranger groaned, leaning forward to capture my mouth. I parted my lips, tongues tangling in a playful kiss.

Amidst the heat of the moment I registered the sound of fabric tearing.

"They were your favorite pair." I said, unbuttoning his dress shirt to have easy access to his sculpted chest.

"Don't care." Ranger discarded my ruined panties, speeding up the process by getting rid of his own shirt. I wasted no time, dragging his boxers down the rest of the way. "I'll replace them." He promised, throwing his head back as I placed open mouthed kisses on his neck, making my way to his lips.

He lifted me onto the counter and even before he raised the dress above my waist, he was plunging inside me.

His fast strokes felt extra snug due to my position on the counter, electrifying every bit of my being. I tightened my hold on him, silently asking for more.

There was a party going on downstairs, but all I could focus on was the feel of his body and the mixed sounds of our passion.

It didn't take much to push me over the edge. Sweet relief coursed through me and I screamed his name. I heard Ranger grunt right before he followed.

I was still trying to catch my breath when I realized I might have been a tad too loud.

"Think anybody heard?" I nuzzled the side of his neck, spearing my fingers through his short hair.

"No." Ranger palmed my thighs, helping me off the counter. "You okay?" I nodded, taking in his appearance. My lipstick was all over his face and neck.

"You look like you just got laid." Ranger grinned and leaned closer to give me another kiss. This time unhurried.

We took our time to tidy up before going back downstairs.

S&R

"Ten, nine, eight…"

The chorus of voices fell to the background as I leaned closer to Ranger. We said goodbye to one year and hello to the next one in the middle of a kiss.

Happy New Year, Babes:D