"I might be just drunk enough to do this." Ranger smiled slightly as he watched Stephanie stumble her way out of the building. She had only had two drinks in the apartment but Ranger knew she was a lightweight. He had kicked back a few drinks as well – just enough for the idea to sound plausible – and everything seemed a little more amusing in the slight haze. He wasn't drunk enough to lose his mobility or complete cognitive abilities and was quick enough to catch Stephanie before she fell. She giggled and snuggled into his chest, thanking him repeatedly. In that moment he could briefly forget their plan, could believe they were just another couple returning home from a bar or club. Then he saw the soft yellow glow from his apartment living room where Hal sat diligently waiting their return.
He could just make out the darkened window of Julie's room on the side of the building. In the morning she would get the surprise of her life but with any luck she would also have the security he and Stephanie were striving for. Gently he righted Stephanie and grabbed her hand and began leading her down the parking lot, past his cars. He didn't feel all that drunk but at the same time, he thought this might work so he figured his judgment was too screwy to drive safely.
"We are going to walk to the next street and get a cab there." He told her inquisitive gaze. He could see the slight annoyance break through her alcohol-induced haze and smiled. Leave it to Stephanie to find the energy to be angry at his desire for privacy over the looming cloud that hovered ever so close above their heads. He doesn't say anymore but leads her to the curb and waits for a passing taxi. It was late but the night was young for the hardcore drinkers and partiers in Trenton and many cabbies plied their trade along the streets. They were happy to catch some dumb fool too inebriated to realize the fare had doubled at the fall of darkness.
Ranger did not wait long until he was helping a giggling Stephanie into the back of a cab. "A chapel, any chapel." He answered the cabby's standard question. He knew the cabby would go to the furthest conceivable chapel but he didn't care. With enough luck Stephanie would fall asleep and when she awoke the next morning the idea would seem too fallible to go through.
He supposed he wouldn't mind being married to Stephanie – she was already living with him for an undetermined amount of time and Julie loved her. However, the sense of urgency and obligation that permeated the wedding plans ruined the effect for him. What would happen if they succeeded and Rachel faded back into obscurity? Would they calmly divorce but continue to live together? Would Stephanie move out? Or would they persist in the marriage and try to stand a semi-domesticated life?
Ranger knew he wanted to try and make the marriage work – he loved Stephanie and she was probably the only woman in the world who could come close to understanding his lifestyle. He didn't know though if that was the alcohol talking or even what Stephanie wanted. The questions plagued him as the cabby took a thirty minute detour to a chapel. Stephanie was chatting incessantly about things he didn't know or care to know about and he only paid a little attention to her. He was hoping to catch some phrase or word that would hint at an answer for his question. Unfortunately, one did not come and he paid the cabby and helped her out of the car while wondering how long their union would last.
The wedding was a quick and simple affair. They got a perfect stranger to be their witness and they read aloud previously written vows in front of a man that dressed as if he was still in the seventies with a belly that put Santa to shame. Once it was over they got the same woman to take a picture and signed their marriage license. Ranger felt guilty as he gently helped his new wife out the door. Even though it was simply the first step for safely keeping Julie at home, Ranger couldn't help but feel that Stephanie deserved something more... deserved a real wedding.
A cab came and although Stephanie fought it, she eventually succumbed to a drunken stupor. Ranger watched her silently, all drunken haze gone from his mind now. When the cabby stopped at the vacant lot he had given for an address, Ranger gave her a tiny kiss and silently vowed that when it was all over he would re-do it all and do it right for once. He paid the cabby and after refusing the man's offer to help, picked Stephanie up as gently as possible and carried her down the half-block to his office building and into the apartment. He studiously ignored the odd looks from his overnight shift employees and the curious ones from Hal.
He dismissed Hal before carrying Stephanie into his – their – room and set her gently on the bed. She stirred slightly, her blue eyes open in momentarily confusion. "We're home now?" Ranger nodded. "And married?" his lip twitched slightly and he nodded again. A smile spread on her lips and she reached for him and pulled him in for a kiss. "Want to consummate it?" It was a tempting offer with her wiggling beneath him and that mischievous smile she wore, but time-honored chivalry kicked in and he distanced himself just enough to remain intimate without the danger of jumping her.
"I'd love to Babe, but you're drunk and we've got to meet my lawyer in the morning." Stephanie pouted some before smiling again and kissing him deeply.
"I never could figure out why I loved you more than Morelli," she told him as she slowly returned to her sleepy haze. "I know now though," she told him softly, the sleep in her words rendering them nearly indiscernible. "It's because I can spend the night with you and not have to worry about repaying by having to sleep with you. It's…refreshing…" she trailed off as her breathing slowed and she returned to sleep. Ranger gently brushed the hair from her face before pulling her body to his and attempting to join her in sleep. He allowed himself a moment to forget everything else and just revel in the gentle caress of his new wife.
Ranger woke early and gently disentangled himself from Stephanie's still sleeping form. He was still in his clothes from yesterday and in the wake of morning he could smell the smoke, sweat, and shame that lingered from the chapel. He needed to take a shower but had enough foresight to call Ella and request a large coke and fries from McDonald's. He could hear the indignation in her tone when she reluctantly agreed and explained to her about Stephanie. Then he hung up before she could begin her rapid Spanish lecture on treating a woman correctly and took a quick shower.
Julie was awake when he got out and was staring at the newly delivered food with a mixture of curiosity and shock. "It's for Stephanie," he told her before grabbing the bag and soda and taking it into the bedroom. Julie followed and Ranger wondered if she knew he and Stephanie had gone out and was waiting for an explanation. He didn't banish her from the room but left the door open for her. Now was as good a time as any and he personally felt that sooner was better than later. They would after all, be going to the lawyer later to discuss Julie specifically and she deserved to know why.
Stephanie was up but barely functioning, trying in vain to find clothes for herself inside Ranger's dresser. Ranger hid a smile and held the bag up in view of Stephanie's clouded eyes. They lit up fantastically as she grasped the soda and fries and began eating. Julie and Ranger didn't say anything while she ate and then kicked them out so she could shower and get dressed. Ranger had been tempted to make a joke of a sexual nature about last night but Julie was present and he found it prudent to not make such jokes around her.
Julie tried to get him to tell her about where he and Stephanie had gone last night but Ranger bid her off. He told her she would find out once Stephanie was done and then distracted her by offering to make her breakfast. Julie's eyes lit up and she shyly requested one of Ranger's omelets. He very rarely made breakfast for himself and his daughter and to Julie it was a large treat to be able to sit down with her father and eat, even if it was an egg-white omelet with soft cheese and vegetables. Ranger made one for Stephanie, just in case, before sitting down with Julie to eat.
They were finished by the time Stephanie came out. She still seemed tired but she was freshly washed, light make-up covered her face, and her hair had turned from atrocious to barely contained. She also had a large smile even as she declined the omelet Julie offered her. They cleaned the kitchen together – Ranger didn't want to press Ella after the McDonald's call – then sat down at the table to have a quick discussion before heading off for the lawyer's.
"So what's up?" Julie asked after several moments of silence passed. Ranger and Stephanie had a silent but vicious battle on who would tell her but with a quiet kick to the shins from Stephanie, Ranger graciously admitted defeat with a glare and inward cursing. He turned to Julie and wondered how she would take it. She seemed amused at his and Stephanie's silent banter and she had taken quite a liking to the woman. Ranger could only hope for the best.
He decided for the quick and simple approach, "Stephanie and I were married last night," he told her. Had the situation resulting in the union been less tense, he might have laughed at his daughter's surprised expression. Then the scream came and Julie was hugging both of them and laughing. Stephanie and he shared a smile over Julie's shoulder and Ranger knew then that once they finished their plan and Rachel was gone, they might have a shot at the whole family thing.
Once again, thank you to TexanBabe for revising this. Most of you guessed the marriage plans but I don't think anyone got the second part, any ideas? No Rachel in this one but she will be back, I assure you. I like this chapter, I liked the idea of a sort of drunk Ranger though, and I thought given all that Julie was going through, she would be excited in that moment. Plus she's only ten-ish and they almost always react excitedly. I hope you liked the chapter and I will try to update as soon as possible, thank you to all who read this.