WHERE'S YOUR BALLS

EPILOGUE

Steph continued to stay at the hospital with Ranger until the doctor released him, a week later. Only now, she slept in the bed with him instead of on the chair.

"Babe, I'm going home in the morning, will you come with me?"

"Uh…news flash, Ranger I'm only here because you're here. I'm sure the hell not staying when you leave." She teased.

"Smartass. I meant will you come and stay at my apartment."

"I know what you meant. I've been thinking about this. It would be logical for me to stay with you so I can look after you. I don't want you to think of it as permanent, though. I'm not sure I'm ready to make it permanent."

"I understand. Your rules, remember?"

Ranger's recovery was slower than he would've liked. He was going stir crazy being on light duty. He didn't push the issue, though. As long as he was still healing, Steph was there. Even though it was driving him crazy, he didn't care if it took a year for him to heal. The longer it took the better chance she wouldn't want to go back to her apartment.

The hardest part of his recovery was going to bed each and every night with Steph and being satisfied with only holding her. Making love to her…that's what he would've rather done. The Dr. Rowsalski hadn't released him for physical activity and Steph wouldn't budge. She was determined that they were going to wait until the doctor released him.

Almost everything in her apartment was already at Ranger's. She had slowly, little bits at a time, moved her stuff into Ranger's place.

On the day of Ranger's checkup appointment, Steph asked Hal if he would take Ranger to his checkup. She had a surprise planned for Ranger. She was almost positive that the doctor was going to release him. Oh, boy…she had been suffering just as much as Ranger had.

"Babe, Hal told me he was taking me to my appointment. Aren't you coming with me?"

"No, I'm sorry. I have something I have to do. I tried, but I really need to take care of this today. It shouldn't take me much longer than your appointment. I'll meet you back here. We go out to dinner to celebrate the doctor releasing you."

"You can go to the doctor with me and then we can take care of whatever you need afterward. Then we can celebrate back at the apartment.

I swear if I have to go to bed with you one more night and not be able to make love with you, I'm going to die." Ranger said, wrapping his arms around Steph's waist.

"I told you I could sleep on the sofa." Steph teased.

"And I told you, you were doing no such thing."

"I'll be back by the time you get back. Really, I need to do this. I'll see you soon. Good luck at the doctor. I love you." Steph said, kissing Ranger on the cheek. Then she was out the door before he could respond.

Steph made it back to the apartment before Ranger did. She was hoping that was the case.

She took the fasted shower in history of showers, styled her hair and put on a bit of make up. She was stepping into the bedroom to find something to wear when she heard the front door open.

She quickly slipped into a slinky little nighty and put a robe on over it, just in case the doctor didn't release Ranger.

"Hey You." She said walking out of the bedroom.

"Hey." He said, smiling and waving a piece of paper at her.

"What's this?" Steph said, trying to snag the paper.

Ranger quickly jerked it away. "This means you're in a whole lot of trouble tonight."

"Am I?" Steph purred.

"Oh yes you are." Ranger grabbed her and pulled her to him. "I have lots of energy I haven't been using lately and I plan on burning a bunch of it off tonight. What do you have on under that rob, Babe?"

"Don't worry about what I'm wearing. You'll see in due time.

"I took the liberty of having Ella make us something special tonight. She'll be up in about a half hour. Why don't you go take a shower and I'll wait for Ella."

After dinner, Steph sent Ranger to relax in the living room. She had loaded the CD changer with some of Ranger's favorite music. She picked up a bottle of wine and had it chilling while they ate dinner.

Steph came out carrying the bottle of wine, two glasses and a manila envelope. She sat the wine and the glasses down on the coffee table and joined Ranger on the sofa.

"I have a surprise for you." She said handing him the envelope.

Ranger opened the envelope. His brows furrowed as he read the papers. "Why are you giving me this? I don't understand. I was hoping you'd want to stay."

"This is the original copy of the lease at my apartment. The lease was up a few days ago. I asked Dillon if I could have the original copy." Steph took the papers from Ranger's hands and ripped it in to two halves, and then she ripped those two halves again.

Ranger looked a little confused. He wanted to hope this meant she was moving in with him, permanently. But with Steph, he learned long time ago, not to assume anything.

"I chose not to renew my lease. That is if I have somewhere else to live. I guess I should've made sure I did before I ripped my lease…huh?" She giggled.

Ranger grabbed the pieces of papers from Steph's hand, threw them on the floor and pulled her into his lap. He kissed her like he'd kissed no other woman in his life. She was his and now he knew it was forever.

"I love you." He whispered against her lips.

"I love you." She replied.

Two years later Steph and Ranger were married. A year and a half after they married, Ricardo Franklin Manoso was born. Two years later, Carlos Armondo and Kyla Michelle Manoso were born.

Today Ranger and Steph's friends and family are joining them in celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary and Rick officially taking over the Miami office. Steph wasn't sure she was ready for him to move so far away, but Ranger finally convinced her it was time to let him fly. That she understood.

Carlos decided he wanted to be a doctor. He is in his fourth year of residency. He met a nurse in his second year. Everyone is sure they'll get married.

Kyla went to law school. She works for a very prestigious law firm in Trenton. She is being considered for Jr. Partner next year. She will be the youngest lawyer to make partner at her firm.

Lester was shot in the line of duty. He had to retire from fieldwork. It drives him crazy and he drives everyone else crazy. He married his physical theorist and they have a son and a daughter.

Tank married the nurse that he met when Ranger had been shot. They have a son. He and Kyla have been dating for a while now. No signs of a wedding yet, though.

Bobby married and divorced a girl he met while working a take down at a club one night. They had son named Jackson who looks just like his dad. He adores Bobby. He wants to be a Rangeman when he grows up.

Bobby petitioned for full custody of his son when his ex-wife was arrested and sent to prison. The judge granted him custody with no hesitation.

He's now dating a lawyer from Kyla's office. She is great with Jackson and he loves her. Bobby plans to get her an engagement ring for Christmas.

Hal and Cal met twins while they were looking after the Boston office. They were all married in a double ceremony. Hal and Cal transferred and are now running the Boston office.

Hal and his wife had a daughter. Cal and his had a son. Hmm…what do you think is going to happen there?

Ranger and Steph stood on their back patio watching their friends, children and other family members. Both of them had their arms around each other and smiles on their faces. It was good to be surrounded by the people they loved.

"I love you, Mrs. Manoso."

"I love you, Mr. Manoso."

THE END

I'd just like to thank everyone who stuck in there w/me. It's been a fun trip and hope yaw enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed being you tour guide.

Sorry for the delays along the way. Thank yaw all again for the wonderful reviews and words of kindness thru my mom's passing.

See yaw all on the next journey.