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Chapter 14: Homecoming

The flight home was uneventful, not that I expected anything to happen, but it was a nice calm before the storm.

And then it happened.

"WHITE GIRL, YOU GIT YO SKINNY ASS OVER HERE!" Lula shouted as soon as Ranger and I emerged from the plane. Tank was standing next to her, looking amused.

"Lula, I've missed you!" I said, hugging her.

"Damn skippy. It's good to have you home."

"It's good to be home. So, what's the news?"

"Well, Gina Sorelli got herself knocked up again. You know, Connie's third cousin twice removed sister's best friend."

"Was she the one that tried to pull her skirt over head last Christmas?"

"Same girl."

"Figures."

"And well…"

"What?"

"Supercop's seein' Terry again."

I felt Ranger tense. "Oh," I said. I turned to him. "You know about this?"

He nodded. "Just that he was seeing someone. Sorry."

I squeezed his hand. "It's fine." I turned back to Lula. "Any other juicy gossip?"

"Well, the Burg doesn't know that you're back."

"That's a good thing."

"But they probably will."

"Why?"

"There's Joe."

I looked up. Oh, boy. Just what I needed.

"Morelli."

"Manoso."

"Plum." Lula snorted. Ranger raised an eyebrow and Joe looked anything but amused. "What? I'm just trying to lighten the mood."

"Glad to see you back, Stephanie."

"Terry throw you out again, Morelli?"

"No, she didn't."

"Then what are you doing here?"

"Just came to ask you myself. Are you really having his lovechild?"

"Yes," I said with a completely straight face. Ranger turned to me, mouth agape.

"Uh, Babe?"

"No, no Ranger. He needs to know the truth. Joe, I am. That's why I ran away."

"Jesus, Stephanie, how could you do this to me?"

"Now for the sake of my family, could you please stay away?"

"You can count on that." He walked away. Ranger continued to gape at me.

"You know, you'll catch flies with that trap."

"Babe, I think we need to talk about things…"

"Whatever could you mean?" I asked innocently.

"Babe."

"Ranger."

"Are you…?"

"Am I what?"

"You're going to make me say it?"

Hell yes I was. This was too good.

"Are you…pregnant?"

Then I couldn't hold it in anymore. I busted out laughing. "No, I'm not. Don't you think I would have told you? Jesus, give me a little more credit."

I felt the sigh of relief.

"Then why?"

"Two reasons. One, I wanted to start my own rumor. Two, it was too damn funny not to." Ranger relaxed at this. "Come on Carlos, it was hilarious and you know it."

Lula and Tank gasped at this.

I turned to them, suddenly feeling very courageous. "Yes, I call him Carlos in and outside of bed."

A few people turned and looked at me. Ranger smiled wider.

"Never disappoints." He said to Tank, who nodded.

When we reached Haywood, all of the Merry Men were waiting in the garage for us and chorused "welcome back, Bombshell!" as loud as they could. I blushed and Ranger came around and hugged me to his side. Each one took their turn in hugging me and personally telling me they were glad to see me.

"Beautiful, this place hasn't been the same without you." Lester said. "Before Bossman decided to go get you…"

"Lester." Ranger growled.

"Oh, come on Carlos, I want to hear the story."

Everyone looked shocked.

"What? That's his name, isn't it?"

"Yeah," Binkie said. "But you're still alive after saying it."

"What kind of fear do you put into your men?" I asked him quietly.

"Every kind, Babe, every kind."

We headed upstairs were Ella had prepared a feast. Ranger was retelling the Morelli/ airport story over and over.

"It's amazing you don't have grey hair, boss." Bobby laughed. Ranger growled at him and he stopped. This time I laughed and he turned and winked at me.

We stayed at the party and eventually men drifted out as their shifts started. Soon it was just Ranger, me, Tank, Lester, Bobby, Cal and Hal. I yawned.

"Uh-oh, looks like someone had a long night last night." Lester said, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Shut your pie hole, Santos." I said. Everyone laughed.

Ranger looked at me. "Ready for bed, Babe?" I nodded and yawned again. He picked me up and carried me to the elevator where everyone said their goodnights.

Ranger sat me on the bed and pulled off his shirt.

"Oh, no, not tonight, I'm way too tired."

"Babe," he said handing me the shirt. "It's for you to sleep in." He headed for the bathroom.

"Oh," I said as I undressed.

When he came back out, I was snuggled comfortably under the sheets. He joined me and pulled me tight against his chest. I was lulled to sleep by the sound of his heartbeat.