-1Thank you for all your feedback. I appreciate every one. There should be only a few chapters left. Thanks again, Lee Anne
Someday Let Go
Chapter 12
Stephanie looked at Ranger with a furrow in her brow, "I thought you didn't do white picket fences?"
"Babe," Ranger was laughing very boyishly, "it's wrought iron. It lasts forever. Wood rots."
Pulling into the driveway, there on the front porch sitting waiting for them, Gozer, the cream colored fluffy Chow Chow puppy with the characteristic black tongue sticking out.
Stephanie just looked at Ranger again, "You bought a Chow Chow puppy?"
"That's a high society dog. Sir Ghostbuster of Trenton would only fly first class home."
"You bought him a first class ticket? He sat in first class?" She thought for a moment. Something even more obscure, "Ranger, you really bought a puppy!"
He was still laughing at his Babe next to him, "Yes, I'm glad the plane was somewhat empty. He seemed to enjoy the leather seats and he drooled on a man's newspaper. You said he was the perfect Rangeman dog."
She shrieked, "You bought a puppy!" Stephanie was out of the Porsche, the passenger door was left wide open running up to the porch.
He shut off the engine and ran around closing the passenger door and over to join his Babe hugging the puppy. "Do you like Gozer?"
"You named him from 'Ghostbusters'?"
"It's your favorite movie. Ready to go inside?" Ranger was excited like a kid in the candy factory dangling keys in front of Stephanie.
Stepping inside the entry, she remembered something Ranger said, "What did you mean 'our' house'?"
"It's ours. Yours and mine," cupping her face gently in his hands, "if you like it."
"Like it?" Stephanie blinked, "It's perfect."
Ranger chuckled, "Babe, this is just the foyer."
The entry was cream with stone-washed tiles, cream walls. Peaking around the corner was a breakfast room that with a bayed front looking out to the street they were just driving on. There was a small round rattan glass topped table in beige with pale blue chair cushions. It led into a kitchen with glass in the cupboard doors and all new beige appliances she could see. Blue plates and crystal wine glasses were in one cabinet. Gozer was drinking from a pale blue bowl next to a another blue bowl for food set into a small driftwood tray so they were off the floor. Going through the kitchen, there was a back expanse of windows looking out over the ocean from the dining room opening into the living room. The creamy color continued through in the tiled floor, walls, and furniture with touches of blue and white. The fireplace was made of beige field stones with a worn driftwood mantle lined with white candles. Out the sliding glass doors was a large deck. The steps led down into the wrought iron fenced yard with a gate leading to the wooden walkway to the beach.
"You can change anything you don't like, Babe."
Stephanie hadn't said a word taking in the house so far, "It's still perfect."
Off the entry was a powder room and laundry. Ranger took her hand and went up the stairs. At the top were two bedrooms with double beds and simple white bedside tables. Each bed was covered in a pale blue Chenille bedspread touching the cream carpeting. The bathroom had the same sand washed tile on the floor like the downstairs with fluffy white towels on the racks.
Stepping into the master bedroom, there was a king size bed with ivory quilted coverlet, blue embroidered toss pillows across the bed. Tears were sliding down her cheeks spotting the pale blue chaise big enough for two with a beige on beige fringed throw in front of the balcony door to watch and listen to the ocean. Just like the one Stephanie had wanted since she was a little girl to watch the blue waves.
"You remembered," Stephanie whispered gliding her hand over the top of the soft velvety fabric.
His voice was soft, "Only for you, Babe. I want to make you happy."
There was a spa tub, shower with a bench, separate raised bowl sinks in the cream bathroom with blue and white towels. Through the entire house, Stephanie never saw a hint of black. The house was light and airy with the soft natural colors.
Coming out of the bathroom, there was a long cream dress with satiny straps on the bed and matching sandals on the carpet. "Are we going out?" Stephanie asked.
"Consider it dressed-up dining in," Ranger said. "Trust me?"
Stephanie nodded. She couldn't say anything because she was overwhelmed. A short time ago she was walking away from Ranger, now she was in their absolutely perfect beach house. From the house and all the little touches, this was something he had been planning for their 'someday'. He may not have spoken the words she wanted to hear until now, but his actions told her he was working towards them. Gozer who was stretched out in front of the open French doors was a bonus.
"I'll let you get ready," he told her. "Take your time. I have a few things to get ready, so before you come down will you call me?"
Stephanie was curious, "What are you planning, Ranger?"
"Please, trust me."
She shook her fists and tightened her lips, and a brilliant smile appeared lighting up her blue eyes, "You had to say 'Please' didn't you?"
"Yes," he kissed her and deepened it very subtlety leaving them both breathless when they broke apart. "Come on, Gozer," Ranger called before they went out the bedroom door shutting it.
She found everything she needed in the bathroom, hair dryer, brushes, combs, moisturizers, Bvlgari in the shower, her favorite shampoo, make-up. There were Victoria Secret panty sets in a drawer in the dressing room, shorts, tanks, flip flops, jeans, a couple of tank dresses in the closet. She finally found something black amongst all the beach clothes in Ranger's side of the wardrobe, boxers. But to go with the black ones, there were blue ones. They were more of a soft bluish grey, but they weren't black.
She took her time in the shower, drying her hair, applying her make-up for her 'night-in' with Ranger. From the soft long dress she slipped into, Stephanie had butterflies in her stomach. He must be planning a very romantic evening for them.
"Ranger, can I come down?" Stephanie called down the steps. The sounds of soft music were filtering up to her.
"One second, Babe," he called back to her. She thought she heard Ranger say "Everything set?" and other voices. "OK, Babe."
Stephanie started down the stairs holding up her dress so she didn't trip. Coming down the steps, she stopped at the turn catching her breath. Ranger was waiting for her at the bottom in a cream colored suit with a satin tie which was the exact color of her dress straps. He was so handsome in his black tuxedo but the cream against his mocha latte skin was devastating to her. Standing beside him was Gozer with a shiny cream bow around his neck he was trying to bite. In the hand he was holding out to her, the diamond earrings and bracelet he bought in New York. "I bought these for you, and only you." He fastened the bracelet around her wrist when she came off the last step. He swept her curls aside and gently fastened each earring in her pierced ear. "You are so beautiful."
She felt like a princess. Tears were welling up in her eyes.
"I love you, Babe."
As he spoke the words, Stephanie could see his lips were trembling. He knelt down on one knee, "I love you, Babe. I always have and I always will. I'm sorry, I should have told you sooner because I almost lost you. I would have fought with everything that I am to get you back. I don't want to wait another minute. Stephanie Plum, will you marry me?" He held up the beautiful sparkling engagement ring he slipped on her finger once before.
She stared at Ranger looking up at her with his brown eyes which she saw the uncertainty in them. Something which was very rare. She could only nod because the words couldn't come out right then. His hand was shaking as much as hers when he slipped the ring on her finger. "Yes," floated out in a hushed tone but he heard it as he stood up and she found herself swinging around in the entry, finally stopping to kiss her and wipe the tears from her cheeks. With a butterfly soft touch, Stephanie brushed Ranger's away. "I love you, Ranger."
She noticed a bouquet of white roses laying on the steps Ranger picked up, white roses in vases around the entry with candles flickering, and roses petals scattered on the tile.
"Now?"
Ranger held her hand as they walked into the living room on the trail of roses, "I don't want to wait. A very wise housekeeper told me I could get hit by a bus tomorrow and you should know I loved you. She's getting a raise."
Candles were flickering around the living room and dining room. White roses were all around the them. On the deck, Stephanie saw a minister and she assumed his wife and witness.
"You're serious, Ranger!" Stephanie stopped. "What about not doing marriage, picket fences, and babies?"
"All I've ever considered for myself has been the Army, the Special Ops, or Rangeman, it was all I allowed myself. I never thought of meeting anyone who would accept what I've done. I'm a mercenary, Babe. I met you and not only did you accept me for who I was, you challenged me, and didn't back down. If I let you get too close, I didn't want you to be hurt, but I can't live without you. There's nothing there. This last mission was the hardest I can honestly say, I was given the choice if I could assist with breaking this terrorist ring, then my obligation was over. I had to stay in this character, Ricardo Martinez, and I felt if I was witnessing my life, but I couldn't participate in it or touch it. The hardest was keeping you at arms length. My life is my own now. I'll give you the wedding you want back in Trenton, but I just want us at this moment in our someday."
"Carlos Manoso," Stephanie said quietly but firmly, "you can call yourself a mercenary, but what you did was because your country asked it of you. You're dedicated to your men and your country. That honor is not something which is trained, it's in your soul." She stopped and gave him a mischievous smile, "Damn it! I'm all dressed up and you bought out the florists in three states, I'm getting married!"
Ranger started to laugh, "That's my girl."
Gozer took the lead through the open doors out onto the deck followed by Stephanie and Ranger.
"Babe, this is Justice Webber and his wife, Louise" Ranger introduced them and another man in a white apron. "This is Chef Paulson. He is making our wedding dinner."
Stephanie shook all their hands and without thinking nudged Ranger, "Hell, that's a reason right there to get married!" She clamped a hand over her mouth realizing she swore.
"Don't worry, Dear, I'd get married again if a personal chef cooked my dinner, too!" Mrs. Webber told her patting her hand.
The railing was roped in a garland of white roses and more candles were lit in the early evening on the deck.
The justice stepped to the middle of the deck opening his book, "Ready?"
Both nodded standing in front of him.
'We are gathered here today to celebrate one of life's greatest moments, to give recognition to the worth and beauty of love, and to add our best wishes to the words which shall unite Carlos and Stephanie in marriage.
Carlos and Stephanie, life is given to each of us as individuals, and yet we must learn to live together. Love is given to us by our family and by our friends. We learn to love by being loved. Learning to love and living together is one of the greatest challenges of life - and is the shared goal of a married life."
"Stephanie, Carlos has something he wishes to say to you."
Ranger took both of her hands in his as she faced her handsome Cuban man. She could feel his nervousness.
"Babe, Stephanie," he began with his voice cracking, "today I become your husband and you become my wife. I will strive to give you the best of myself, while accepting you the way you are. I promise to respect you as a whole person with your own interests, desires, and needs, and to realize that those are sometimes different, but no less important than my own. I promise to keep myself open to you, to let you in to my innermost fears and feelings, secrets and dreams. I promise to grow along with you, to be willing to face change as we both change, keeping our relationship alive and exciting. And finally, I promise to love you in good times and in bad, with all I have to give and all that I am, in the only way I know how -- completely and forever."
"Stephanie, would you like to say your vows to Carlos in your own words or use the more traditional wording?" Justice Webber asked.
She looked at him and shook her head, "I think I know what I want to say," turning her blue eyes to Ranger, "Carlos, I take you to be my husband, my partner in life, and my one true love. I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you, I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully, through the best and the worst, through the difficult and the easy. What may come I will always be there. As I have given you my hand to hold, so I give you my life to keep. Was that OK?"
"That was beautiful," Mrs. Webber answered.
"Oh, can I add something else?" Stephanie asked.
The justice nodded and Ranger gave her a raised eyebrow.
"Carlos, I will try to eat a healthier diet, but I do need some of the good fatty stuff, Tastykakes, and dessert."
Ranger and the three people around them were laughing.
"Babe, only you. Ella will make you whatever you want," Ranger told her pulling her to him and kissing her curls.
The wedding rings were in Justice Webber's hand. "Carlos, please repeat after me as you place the ring on Stephanie's finger."
Ranger picked up her ring repeating the words as he placed it on her finger, "Stephanie, take this ring as a seal upon the marriage vows I have spoken, and as you wear it, may it be a reminder of how much I love you, not only on this precious day, but every single day of your life."
"Carlos," Stephanie took her turn sliding the platinum band in place on Ranger's hand, "take this ring as a seal upon the marriage vows I have spoken, and as you wear it, may it be a reminder of how much I love you, not only on this precious day, but every single day of your life."
"By the powers granted to me by the State of New Jersey, I pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss you bride."
Ranger didn't wait for the words, he was kissing Stephanie softly, but made it long and slow savoring the moment which he knew may have never happened in his life.
Gozer with his half chewed bow was sitting beside Stephanie. Justice Webber looked down at him, "I'd like to introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Manoso."
The puppy got up, wagged his tail, and ran down the steps to pee in the yard.
"He's excited, Babe," Ranger chuckled.
Carrying out a tray, Chef Paulson had blue frosted crystal flutes of champagne for the newlyweds. "Congratulations," he said passing them out to the four on the deck.
"Pour yourself a glass," Ranger told him.
He was going through the sliding glass doors, "I'm cooking."
"Ahem," Paul Webber interrupted before a toast, "so all of this is legal, I think the bride should sign the marriage license and both of you sign the marriage certificate."
Before Stephanie began to write, "How did you get all this done?"
"Babe, I have my ways. And, I was going to appear very stupid and possibly one screw loose if you turned me down, so I had to pull out all the stops and say 'Please'," Ranger explained with a very sexy eyebrow, but his facial features showed the truth, he was uncertain of her reaction.
Once the legal documents were signed, Ranger held up his flute, "Babe, I love you. I intend for us to have the happiest someday for the rest of our lives."
"I love you, Ranger," touching her glass with his.
The justice and his wife left them after taking pictures of Stephanie and Ranger standing on the deck with the waving blue ocean for a backdrop and the chef had dinner ready for them. There were blue and cream china plates on the soft cream dining room table. It was covered in the softest blue tablecloth with crystal votives in the middle of rings of white roses.
"Oh my God!"
On a scalloped blue cake plate standing in the middle of the breakfast bar separating the kitchen and dining room, a two layered wedding cake with smooth chocolate frosting encircled with white icing roses. The cake topper was two frosted entwined crystal roses.
"It's beautiful," Stephanie was standing in front of their wedding cake.
Slipping his arms around her resting his chin in her curls, "Anything for you, Babe. How about some dinner?"
Gozer was crunching his puppy food in the kitchen they could hear.
"I hope everything is to your liking," Chef Paulson removed the lids from the serving bowls and platters. There were fresh scallops and shrimp in a light lemon cream sauce over homemade angel hair pasta with crushed herbs which the aromas lingered in the air, steamed vegetables, warm crusty rolls, clams on the half shells, and poached pears in caramel sauce.
"Oh, this is delicious. If Carlos didn't have a housekeeper, I'd steal you away," Stephanie closed her eyes enjoying the tastes of the food.
She heard Ranger chuckled and opened one eye, "Babe, Tony can come back anytime you want."
Both eyes opened, "You're the best husband. You deserve the 'Husband of the Year' award ."
Shaking his head, "Thank you, Babe, for that vote of confidence. I've only been your husband now for almost an hour."
"Hands down. A housekeeper, you know a personal chef, you bought a Chow Chow a first class plane ticket, and this perfect beach house. That more than qualifies you," she was laughing teasing him. "Ranger, B.A. is by himself at the hotel. He's missing all this."
"We'll go get Junior, Babe, after dinner. We can spend the evening dancing on the deck if you want and cutting our wedding cake."
"I want."
Later walking into the 'Point Pleasant Lodge' in their wedding clothes with Gozer on his leash, Stephanie told the woman at the front desk she was checking out. "I got married!"
"We've really married!" Stephanie jumped in Ranger's arms as they went up in the small elevator to the third floor.
Ranger playfully kept kissing her lips "We are, Babe," walking them off and to her corner room.
In five minutes she had gathered her clothes, make-up, toiletries, and B.A. and they were back in the lobby handing in her key. The clerk never said a word about Gozer with them even though there was a small plaque at the front desk clearly stating 'NO SMOKING. NO PETS.' It must had been the intimidating stare.
Laughing on the way back to 'Someday', Gozer's head was out the window of the passenger side in Stephanie's older Jeep which would be replaced with a new model maybe before they even returned to Trenton.
Having set the timer on the digital camera, Stephanie and Ranger captured themselves cutting their wedding cake and feeding each other. Of course, she missed his mouth and had chocolate smeared at the corner of his lips.
She heard notes of a song as he led Stephanie out to the deck lit in white twinkle lights. It was a country song from the music.
"First dance, Mrs. Manoso?"
She curtsied, "First dance, Mr. Manoso."
They twirled and swayed to the words around them.
'You are the love of my life
And you are the reason I'm alive
And baby baby baby
I knew you are the love of my life
I
When I think of how you saved me
I go crazy
I've never known love like this
And it fills me with a new tenderness
And I know I know I know
You're in my heart you're in my soul
You're all I can't resist
And I need to tell you
The first time I held you
spent a lifetime waiting
Always hesitating until you
I was lost so deep inside my shell
'Til you came and saved me from myself
Now all I really know
Is I need you
And you are the love of my life
All the joy and tears that I cry
And baby baby baby
You don't have to say a word
I see it in your eyes
As we stand together
I promise forever
'Til the day that I die
You are the love of my life
I spent a lifetime waiting
Always hesitating until you
I was lost so deep inside my shell
'Til you came and saved me from myself
Now all I really know
Is I need you
You are the love of my life
You are the reason I'm alive."
"You are the love of my life, Babe, and will always be," he whispered ending their dance with a kiss that consumed them both.
Before going upstairs, Stephanie and Ranger walked barefoot on the beach in their wedding clothes. Gozer ran along the edge of the water and barked at a wave or two that was breaking on the sand getting him wet. The night air was warm so they leisurely strolled hand in hand down the beach.
The doors were locked and Stephanie was in his arms as he carried her up the stairs to their bedroom. Even though the house has been finished for a number of months, he never slept a night in it, not without Stephanie. The interior decorator was on strict orders to keep the colors light and he gave his final approval on the beige, white, and pale blue palette.
Stephanie giggled when Ranger shut the bedroom door and Gozer let out a big sigh outside of it and his nose was sniffing at the bottom of the trim.
"I'm making love to my wife," he told the puppy through the door.
She gave him an adorable pout, "Ranger, Gozer's lonely and scared. This is a strange house for him."
He relented somewhat, "After, Gozer."
The puppy whimpered his response.
His breath caught when Stephanie came out of the bathroom in a cream baby doll nightie with a satin top and g-string he could see through the shear skirting. He was stretched on the bed in the slated blue boxers waiting for her. "Come to, Daddy." His raised eyebrow gave him a devilish look as Ranger curled a finger at his wife.
"Me?" Stephanie purred crawling up the bed to her husband.
Growling, "Yes," taking her in his arms kissing the only woman he, Carlos Manoso, would ever consider marrying, his one true love. He had Stephanie to shared his life with and this woman he was going to spend the rest of his life making love to in their someday.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Song--'You Are The Love of My Life' by Sammy Kershaw.
Their house www eplans com. Plan #HWEPL03284