Seriously, the support is amazing and it gets me motivated to squeeze in some writing time. I have a loaded schedule, but luckily for you there's only so much calc, bio or chem I can do before I reach my limit. Thinking about the next chap for 'Parental Mode' helps;)
This is a transitioning chapter, moving from 'what's the deal with Julie' and the pregnancy to a 'where are we headed' movement.
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE.
I stepped out of the elevator, making my way past the control room. I led the way, a small hand clasping mine as we moved together to reach his office. I rapped softly on the open door to announce our arrival. "Hey." Ranger's gaze snapped towards us, smiling warm and full. "Daddy!" Small fingers slipped out of my hold, quick feet dashing towards Ranger. "Baby." He greeted, scooping up the little blur of movement. "We came to take you out for lunch. You ready?" I heard myself say. "I'm always ready for my girls." He uttered, rubbing noses with our daughter. Ranger stood, easily cradling the little girl with one arm while closing the file on his desk with his free hand. "Let's go!" Our little girl shouted. I found myself smiling. "Come on." Ranger reached my side, leaning closer to leave a chaste 'hello' kiss on my lips. His arm went around my shoulders to steer me out of the office. I slipped an arm around his waist, nuzzling his shoulder as we walked down the hall.
S&R
Consciousness slowly seeped in, until I realized I'd been asleep. I smiled against a warm, solid form. The dream left me feeling loved and happy.
"Ah!" I sighed in content, tightening my hold on Ranger.
"Good dream?" Ranger's chest rumbled under my ear when he spoke. I nodded, landing an open mouth kiss on bulging biceps. "Was I there?" He murmured against the top of my head while his left hand roamed over my bare back, slipping lower to cup my bottom.
My eyes snapped open. "Hey, I'm naked!" I fake growled.
I felt him shrug. "You muttered something about it being too hot and started tugging on your clothes." I shifted my head to look at his face. "You weren't very successful on your first try and got frustrated real quick." Another shrug. "So I provided assistance."
"Really?" I arched an eyebrow at the feel of him growing more solid. He groaned when I shifted, saying I was restless last night; tossing and turning. It hit me that he probably didn't get much sleep. We'd chatted for a long while before I drifted off. "Does it hurt?" I murmured, trailing the fingers of my left hand from his right shoulder down past his elbow until I reached the cast.
"Nah." He said it was more discomfort than pain. I shifted again, intent on giving him a soothing kiss when he sprang into action.
A breathless gasp escaped my lips as my back hit the mattress, Ranger's hard body keeping me pinned.
"Been waiting for you to wake up." Ranger's words were muffled against the side of my neck. He was busy leaving a trail of wet, sucking kisses that had me straining against him in search of more contact.
"Why didn't you wake me up?" He's woken me up before to indulge in hot and very sexy private activities.
"Sleep is important." He mumbled, growling in frustration after. Before I could even register what was happening he flipped us again, this time so he could be on his back. I guess it was because he couldn't really find a comfortable position for his arm.
Works for me. I get to be naked woman on top.
The playfulness was slowly replaced by a need that wasn't quite physical. Our bodies mingled, becoming one in an almost desperate and frantic rhythm that left us breathing hard.
I was still feeling the delicious buzz of our lovemaking aftermath when I felt Ranger shift, rolling us to the side. I snuggled close, darting my tongue out to lick at his throat.
"So, you gonna share?" He tangled his left hand in my messy curls. I smiled against his skin, knowing he wanted to know what made me wake up feeling like a satisfied kitten.
I told him what I remembered about the dream.
A lopsided grin graced his handsome features as the information sunk in. "A little girl, huh?" Ranger cocked his head to the side, studying me. "With your curls and blue eyes..." His grin widened. "Yeah, I can see that."
I don't have the flattest, most defined stomach out there and yet, the thought of having a baby still feels surreal. "Is it silly?"
"Nah." He turned on the full wattage, the smile reaching his eyes. "I say it's normal." He admitted he's imaged a few scenarios himself.
"Really?" Ranger nodded in response, tucking me closer. We were silent for several moments. "Can't stay in bed all day." Despite how comfortable I was, I untangled myself from Ranger and dragged myself out of bed.
I adjusted the temperature of the water and just as I was about to get in, Ranger joined me.
It's just plain unfair that even with a plastic bag covering his right arm Ranger still looks drop dead sexy. I tapped on his left shoulder, signaling for him to turn around.
"Babe?" My eyes snapped up at his inquiry, tearing my focus away from his suds-covered-back. Ranger shot me a look over his shoulder, knowing full well I'd lost myself in the beauty of his sculpted physique.
"I know something's up." I wrapped my arms around him from behind, pressing my front flush against his back. He snickered. "Not that." I told him I was talking about his willingness to let me help him, although I'm pretty sure that was up.
"Cuz I like your attention?"
"Wrong." I gave him a squeeze. "I think it's to soften me up." I think he's letting me give him special care so in the not so far away future he can be able to give me special treatment without me complaining.
"Alright," He drawled, turning around to back us under the water spray. "You caught me." He swooped down, capturing my lips for a quick peck.
Hunger prompted us to speedy along. I shut the water off, stepped out, grabbed a towel for myself and handed one to Ranger.
I was drying quickly, wanting to get some food in my system when I felt the atmosphere in the bathroom shift. I looked up to catch the intensity in Ranger's dark eyes.
My throat went dry, my heart rate spiking to indecent levels as I read his intentions.
It flashed across his forehead in neon letters. The big M.
Marriage.
Oh boy!
Time for a serious question. Initially, I thought I'd end this story once Julie went back to Florida, but now I'm thinking it'll be nice to go through the pregnancy journey with Steph? (and all the other things that come with it: living arrangements, marriage, no marriageā¦)
