A/N: I don't think you'll need Kleenex for this chapter… I'm giving you (and your nose) a break ;) Please enjoy and let me know what you think! I love hearing from you all!
Stephanie stepped off the ladder to make sure the banner was hung straight; she couldn't stand to see it crooked. The house was decorated, the cake was made, the gifts were wrapped; all she had to do was wait for the guests to arrive.
Hearing a quiet knock on the door, Stephanie looked behind her and made her way through the living room. Opening the door, she saw Ranger standing there with a wrapped present. "Ranger," she smiled and stepped aside.
"I know I'm early, but I thought I'd see if you needed any help," he explained as he passed her. "Where would you like the gift?"
Shutting the door behind her, she led him to the living room and pointed to the table, "The gifts are going there."
Ranger sat the gift on the table and looked around, "The house looks amazing." There was Thomas the Train balloons and decorations all over the living room and kitchen. On the kitchen table was Thomas the Train table cover, plates, cups, center piece, napkins, spoons, and forks. Ranger looked on the countertop and saw an amazing cake. It was Thomas the Train engine pulling Annie and Clarabel down the tracks.
"Did you make the cakes?" he asked.
"I did. Adrian loves Thomas the Train and all he has wanted for his birthday is Thomas. I found the pans for the cakes and decorated them for him. The tracks are made of black licorice, so everything there is edible."
Ranger looked at the cakes and back at Stephanie. She saw amazement and adoration in his eyes. "You are an amazing mother, Babe."
With pink cheeks, Stephanie smiled and looked away, "Thank you."
Looking around, Ranger suddenly realized it was quiet, "Where's the birthday boy?"
"He's sleeping before the party. That's why I put the sign on the door to knock and not ring the bell. I want him to sleep as long as possible."
Ranger nodded, "Anything else you need help with?"
"I don't think so. Decorations are done, food is ready, and presents are wrapped. I think I'm all set." Looking around, Stephanie realized how much their lives had changed in the four months since they buried Lester.
His picture was still on the mantle, they still talked about him with Adrian, Bobby was still there for boy anytime he wanted. While somethings had not changed, others had. Stephanie was working full time in the office at RangeMan. She'd gotten to know the guys quite well. Occasionally she went out to the bar with them after work to unwind, or they'd go for pizza on lunch. Adrian was hanging around the office more. The guys liked having him there; he'd sit at their desk asking what they were doing, he'd run papers to someone for them, or he'd just sit in the conference room, watch cartoons and play.
Ranger said something to Stephanie, but when she didn't respond, he looked up and followed her gaze. Stepping up behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulders, "We all miss him," he said as he stared at the picture of her and Les on their wedding day. "He was a great man."
"Yeah, he was," she replied wiping a tear from her eye. "I just wish he were here today to celebrate his son's second birthday."
Without thinking, Ranger wrapped his arms around her waist and hugged her while her head fell back to his chest. Suddenly, Stephanie realized what she was doing and stood up straight, "I'm sorry," she said as she took off for the kitchen.
Ranger chastised himself. He knew he had feelings for Stephanie, but he also knew those feelings were unrequited. He couldn't blame her; she had just lost the only true love of her life and buried him not even six months prior.
Walking to the kitchen, he found her standing at the sink staring into the back yard. "I'm sorry," he whispered. "I didn't mean to upset you."
Turning around, she looked at him with tears rolling down her face, "You didn't upset me."
"Then what?"
"I… I just don't think…"
"Mama?" she heard come from behind Ranger.
"Hey, Baby," she said as she wiped her tears. "Did you have a nice nap?" she asked as he came around to her.
"I did. I not leepy more," he told her as she picked him up.
"Are you hungry for some lunch?" she asked Adrian as she glanced to Ranger.
"No, me want take," he said in a surprisingly awake voice.
Stephanie and Ranger laughed, "Well," she replied, "in a little bit, okay?" He nodded. "How about you go get some socks and shoes and then you can play outside."
Adrian took off for his room while Ranger stared at Stephanie. "If you want me to leave, I'll understand."
"NO," she yelled. "I don't want you to leave. I just… now is not the time to have this conversation, okay?"
Ranger nodded when they heard the knock at the door. Stephanie pushed past him to answer the door. When she reached for the knob, the door opened to reveal Bobby, Tameka, Malika, Ram, Binkie, Zip, and Tank. They all walked into the living room taking in the transformation of the house.
Bobby kissed Stephanie on her cheek and took most of the gifts to the table. "Malika, Adrian is heading out back if you want to go play," Stephanie told her. The little girl ran through the house for the back door while Tameka looked at Stephanie.
"Something happen?" she asked quietly.
Shaking her head, Stephanie responded, "Not now."
Tameka looked at Stephanie and wondered what happened that had her in tears, but decided it was best to drop it for the time being. She knew her best friend would open up when she was ready; although Tameka had an idea of what, or who, happened.
As Stephanie turned to shut the door, she was met with Helen, Frank, Ester, and Lincoln. Holding the door for them, she kissed them all on the cheek and pointed to the living room, "Gifts are going on the table in there."
Helen let everyone else go and she stayed with her daughter, "How are you, dear?"
"I'm good, Mom. It's been a good day," Stephanie replied with a smile.
"That's good. Do you need any help?" Helen asked her.
"No. Everything is done. Just enjoy yourself. Adrian is out back playing with Malika. Valerie and her kids should be here soon and then the party can start." As soon as she said that, Valerie walked up with the kids who were screaming Happy Birthday Adrian.
Stephanie told Val's kids where Adrian and Malika were before she looked at her sister, "Hey there. I'm glad you could make it."
Val hugged Stephanie, "Wouldn't miss it for the world." Val looked at Stephanie and pulled her aside, "What's going on?"
"What do you mean?" Stephanie asked as she looked around the yard.
"Come on, I'm your sister. I can tell when something is bothering you."
"Not now, okay? This is Adrian's party and I don't want to ruin it. Please, for me?" begged Stephanie.
"Okay, but once this party is done, you're talking," Val said as she hugged her one last time.
The party was a success. Adrian received a ton of Thomas the Train items, his own black RangeMan outfit, a toy pair of handcuffs and a water pistol. Bobby and Tameka went in together and purchased an inflatable bounce house for the yard. Ranger had the pleasure of giving the little boy a Geo-Trax Batcave, which turned out to be one of the favorites. After all gifts were opened, Stephanie was about to light the candles when Ranger spoke, "Just a minute, Steph. I have one more gift for Adrian."
Stephanie turned around to say something, but was met with Ranger's back as he walked out the door. A few moments later, she saw him in the back yard with a huge box. Everyone stepped out on the deck and watched as little feet ran down the steps to the box.
"Wat dat?" asked the very excited little boy.
"That," smiled Ranger, "is another birthday gift for you. Go ahead and open it."
Adrian looked at Stephanie and smiled as he tore into the paper. Once the paper was gone, his smile lit up his entire face and he began jumping up and down, "Mama, me own tar, me own tar."
With everyone laughing at Adrian, no one noticed the glare Stephanie sent Ranger. She had specifically told everyone not to spend too much money on the boy; he was only turning two and would out-grow his toys soon. Everyone except for Ranger had listened.
Sitting on the lawn was a black Cadillac Escalade, battery fully charged and ready to go. Ranger picked Adrian up, sat him in the driver seat, and began showing him all the accessories. He knew he was being glared at, but he was avoiding her gaze. He was in trouble, but for the time being, he was content with the happy little boy bouncing in the driver seat.
As Ranger stood up, Adrian pushed his foot on the pedal and began driving around the yard, "Loot at me, me dibing," he shouted with glee.
Stephanie stepped off the porch and meandered through the crowd until she found Ranger. "I should be very upset with you."
Looking in her eyes, he could tell some of the anger had dissipated, "You aren't?"
"Not as much as I was two minutes ago." Hanging her head, she took a deep breath, "He loves it. How can I be mad about something that brings him so much joy and happiness?"
Ranger slung an arm around her shoulders and pulled her to his side, "Then he can keep it?"
"Yes, he can keep it."
Smiling, Ranger said, "Good, because I already have the license plate ordered for it."
Stephanie laughed and elbowed Ranger in the side, but didn't pull out of his arm. Adrian stopped the Escalade in front of his mother, "Me need to tange," he told her.
"Did you go potty?" asked Stephanie. Adrian had begun to potty train but still had accidents from time to time.
"No, no totty."
"Then why do you need a change?" she asked confused.
"Me need form," he told her as he held up his RangeMan unfiform.
The guys all laughed as Ranger helped Adrian from the vehicle. Once the little feet were on the ground, they took off running for the house. Stephanie picked up the clothes and helped her son put on his new outfit complete with the handcuffs and water pistol.
Bobby had the camera ready when Adrian stepped on the back porch. Zip reached in his back pocket, pulled out a child sized pair of mirrored sunglasses, and placed them on Adrian's face. Tameka laughed as Bobby took the picture of Adrian standing there with his water pistol aimed at the camera saying "Feeze."
After the cake had been cut, served, and eaten, the guests began leaving. Ranger, Bobby, Tameka, and Valerie stayed to help clean up. All the kids were passed out in Stephanie's room while Bobby and Ranger cleaned up the back yard.
Stephanie, Tameka, and Valerie were cleaning the house when Tameka finally asked. "Okay girlfriend, spill!"
"I knew I wasn't imaging it," Valerie smiled at Tameka. "You know she's hiding something too, huh?"
Tameka smiled, "Yeah, she's hiding something and I have a feeling I know what it is."
Stephanie sat down and looked at her sister and best friend, "Is it wrong of me to have feelings for someone?"
"Hell no," replied Valerie. "Why would that be wrong?"
"Because I still love Lester," she whispered.
Tameka and Valerie flanked Stephanie as they tried to comfort her. "You are fine, Sis," Valerie told her. "You still love Les, but you also need to live your life. I'm sure he'd not want you sitting here being miserable the rest of your life. He'd want you to live; for him and for Adrian."
Stephanie nodded and closed her eyes, "I just don't know how to do this anymore. How do I let myself give into the feelings I have, yet still love him? How do I even think of dating when I have a son to raise?"
Tameka looked at Stephanie, "Steph, if you have feelings for whom I think you do, then you have nothing to worry about. I'm pretty sure he loves that little boy and I know he has feelings for you. Hell, he's probably just as worried about this as you are. You two need to talk."
Stephanie nodded, "I know. I just didn't want to ruin my son's party today. Maybe tomorrow," she whispered.
"Maybe tomorrow what?" they heard Bobby ask. Turning around, Stephanie saw Ranger standing next to Bobby looking a little worried.