Usual disclaimers. I own nothing. The characters belong to JE and have just come to my yard to play. I make nothing anf write for fun and relaxation only.
Thankd to my friend denny for her encouragment and to Xylia for her wonderful ability as a beta.
Chapter 10
The Dream
Healing
It had been four weeks since our return to Trenton. Most of Ranger's injuries had healed. His ribs were still tender and his arm was in a cast but all in all, he was back and active in his roll at Rangeman.
Ranger was back at work. I had started working more, doing searches. Ranger had encouraged me to take part in the daily operation of Rangeman.
The guys kept me busy with computer searches and to my surprise; I was doing very well with them. Ranger had started inviting me to the daily staff meetings and meetings with prospective clients. I was actually assisting in the planning of new installations for clients. I had also given Silvio some ideas on a new security upgrade he was doing for the office.
I still hadn't given up bounty hunting and did an occasional case with Lula. But mainly I stayed at the office or in the apartment on seven.
I enjoyed thinking that I was helping Ranger. I knew the day was rapidly approaching when he no longer needed my help. His cast was to come off in another week and he would return to full duty.
The past four weeks had been the happiest of my life. Ranger and I had spent dozens of hours playing and basking in our love and lust.
We hadn't talked about any future except with Rangeman. I couldn't help but wonder where we would go when the physical need of Ranger's injuries was no longer present. Would our love carry us on or would his healing pull us apart?
That's where my mind was today when Ranger called my cubicle and just said "My office" and hung up. "What did I do something wrong" as I walked to his office. I knocked on the door and peaked inside. He motioned me in and indicated a chair in front of his desk. With a bit of apprehension I sat down.
Ranger just looked across the desk opened a drawer and dropped a folder in front of me. I looked at him; his expression hadn't changed, and I slowly opened the folder. There was a stack of papers the one on top was folded.
"Steph as the owner of this company it is my responsibility to make sure it runs smoothly with proper placement of every individual. I work very hard to insure this. I hire the best individuals I can to do these jobs. My men are well trained, trustworthy and loyal. If they aren't they don't stay here long. It has been brought to my attention that some changes need to be made." He looked across the desk at me.
I was starting to breathe faster," was Ranger getting ready to fire me? Had I failed in some way? Did he not want me anymore?"
Just as the tears were starting to build, Ranger told me to look at the folder.
"Babe you have become an integral part of Rangeman, I would never fire you!" I guess I said that out loud.
"Steph, if you will look at the first paper you will note it is a blueprint for your new office."
"But Ranger…" He held up his finger to stop me.
"Let me finish. You have final approval of the plans, make any changes you feel are needed. Along with the new office comes a new title. I'm appointing you VP of Analysis and Planning."
My mouth was hanging open at this. "You will find that is the next paper in the folder along with all salary information"
"The next paper is a Partnership Agreement as soon as you sign the next page you will be 19% owner of Rangeman, LLC.
Let me explain. Tank, Lester, and Bobby each hold 10 % of the company. Until today there was one other outside investor. This morning I bought out that investor. This company is now owned soley by the five of us. All decisions will now be made by this core team."
"Ranger I can't do this! The guys have worked hard to build this company. I just do some computer work. I can't take this from you, it's too much. Besides what would they think me having more of the company than them?"
While I rambled on Ranger pressed a button on his intercom and just said "office".
Almost immediately my three favorite Rangemen walked in and stood behind me. Tank picked me up and swung me around kissing my cheek. Lester took me from his arms and kissed me on the lips, squeezing me tight. Ranger growled. Bobby then grabbed me and squeezed me till I could hardly breath and kissed me on the forehead. Once again Ranger growled.
"Put her down."He ordered
Bobby gently placed me on my feet. The three of them smiled warmly at me and said in unison, "Welcome beautiful, we are so glad you are with us."
I was stunned.
"You can and you will sign that paper. I will not compromise on this one issue. You more than deserve this. You have helped Rangeman more than you know. In the last few weeks, you have signed or helped to sign over two million dollars in new contracts.
The clients love you. Most of them would rather work with you than any of us. Silvio is singing your praises with the new upgrades. You've save thousands of dollars in man-hours with your searches. And dare I say you've prevented many injuries with your searches and insight. So yes, Stephanie Plum you deserve this."
The tears were now streaming down my face. Ranger nodded to the guys and they left. Ranger got up, and came around the desk and picked me up walking to the couch, kissing my face, gently kissing and licking the tears away.
"I think I've overwhelmed you. There are a couple of more things in that file but I'm not sure you can handle it, right now."
He kissed my lips. What started as a gentle kiss rapidly became hungry and greedy. He sucked my lower lip into his hot mouth, sliding his tongue between my lips. I sucked it into my mouth as we started to duel with our tongues.
After several minutes, we came up for air. He chuckled and said "Are you ready for the rest?" I just nodded.
Ranger pulled the file over with a pen and told me to sign the paper. With a shaky hand, I did.
"Now that you are independently wealthy, the next paper may be presumptuous of me. I don't intend to rush you on this. The choice is always yours. I need you to understand that what we've talked about has nothing to do with the next paper. Stephanie look at me, do you understand?" He tipped my head up so I was looking into his molten chocolate eyes. I nodded in agreement.
Ranger lifted me off his lap and sat me on the couch. I was starting to get nervous. "Why was he pushing me away?"
Ranger stood and reached into his pocket, he then went down on one knee in front of me.
"Stephanie Michelle Plum, you are the light of my dark world. You are the joy of my night. You are the air I breathe.
The warmth of your smile and the gentleness of your touch make me whole. You alone make me want to be a better man.
The last few weeks you have shown me that I'm not an island, that I'm not a rock. I've come to realize that going to sleep with you in my arms and waking to your kiss is more than I ever dreamed possible.
Babe I can't live without you. I love you with all my heart and soul. Will you marry me and grow old with me? Will you light my days for the rest of my life?"
He kneeled in front of me holding my hand looking into my eyes. I was speechless as the moments ticked by and I was gasping for breath I could see Ranger getting worried. His blank face was slipping down.
"Could I have been wrong? Is this not what she wants? How will I go on if she says no? A million questions swept through my head as I held her hand looked into her eyes for my salvation."
Tears were rolling down my cheeks. I could only nod my head. This man that I had loved for so long wanted to marry me. I finally broke from my trance and screamed Yes! Yes! Yes! And I leaped into his arms.
Ranger grabbed me, smothering me with kisses and murmurings of love.
I threw my arms were around his neck. When we pulled apart, I saw the most gorgeous blue diamond on my finger. it was heart shaped and must have been 4 carats, I don't know, I have never seen a diamond this big.
It was set in platinum. Two slightly smaller white diamonds flanked the center stone. It was exquisite and my tears were flowing again.
Ranger kissed me again and said, "The next paper in the file is a marriage license application, you can fill it out when you are ready to set the date. No pressure babe, whenever you are ready."
"Well, my fiancé, may I present you to my staff?" he asked kissing tears away. I blushed nodding my head.
He took my hand, kissed my ring finger then led me to the large conference room.
As he opened the door and pushed me inside there were cheers of congratulations. There was a banner with Congratulations with bells and champagne glasses. On the conference table, there was a large cake, punch and champagne. It seemed all of Rangeman was there including Ella.
"You were pretty sure of yourself Batman. " I gave him a teary smile.
Ranger grabbed me swung me around and with a 1000 watt smile said, "I was pretty sure of us Wonder Woman."
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