A/N - I forgot this a few chapters ago, but Julie Scrumptious was my 250th review and my 18K view! Thanks hon and I miss your reviews! Sorry for being late on this!

Selene and Jenn I miss you guys too! Actually, I miss a bunch of you reviewing! Please let me know you still like the story or even if you don't! New followers, thank you! I hope you start reviewing too!

Thank you as always to my Lou! XxTartLoverxX you inspire me always and you are a wonderful friend that I wouldn't have without this story! Love ya!

Chapter 21 – Takedowns and Girl Talk

Over the next few days, Steph and Les settled into a routine. They woke in each other's arms, worked out in the gym, showered together afterwards, and then ate breakfast before heading downstairs for work. However, the evenings they spent together were their favorite. Lester started teaching his love about cooking and she enjoyed spending the time with him in the kitchen. Sometimes while they ate, they'd feed each other while discussing their day. After dinner, they'd clean up and settle on the couch to watch a movie, a couple of TV shows or a game while cuddled together. Their evenings ended with loving each other until they were sated and falling asleep curled together.

On Tuesday, Stephanie ran into Ella who immediately pulled her into a huge hug. "Ah, mi Hija! I am so happy for you and Lester!" Ella pulled back and put both hands on Stephanie's cheeks, "I know you love Carlos, but he would not let himself give you what Lester can. I am happy you two have finally found each other, Dear!" Ella kissed her on each cheek and went about her day with a smile on her face.

That night, as they were making dinner, Lester seemed a little anxious. "Steph, my Mom called today. ShewantsustocometodinneronFridayisthatOKwithyou?"

"Ripping the band-aid off quick, huh? I think I know that trick," Stephanie winked at him. "Of course it is OK with me. I want to meet the rest of your family. Who will be there?"

"Mom and Dad, of course, my sister, Tony and Anna Maria if they can, so basically everyone," Lester laughed.

"Sounds good, I'm excited to meet them!"

"Mom, Dad and Lucia are definitely excited to meet you! Just so you know, I hadn't told them about us yet. I'm not sure who caved, Tia Ella or Anna, probably both. When Mom called she told me to bring my girlfriend to meet the family on Friday or else, and she said it even before telling me hello!" Les laughed. "Baby, maybe my Mom needs that phone manners class you keep talking about!"

"Sure, that will get me points with your Mom, Smartass!"

"You love my ass!" Lester wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"More than I ever thought possible," Stephanie smiled and gave her man a quick kiss as she went to set the table.

Les watched his girl swing her sexy hips as she headed to the dining room with a beaming smile on his face.

Damn, I'm a lucky man!

##############################

Thursday – 14 Days before the Mission

"OK, seriously, it's been almost a week since Fish blew up my car, why the hell can't we find him if he's so stupid?" Stephanie was exasperated. In her frustration, she threw down the pen she'd been chewing on and watched as it bounced across Les' desk where she was working.

"Baby, I know you're frustrated," Les got up from his chair, came around behind her, and started rubbing Stephanie's shoulders. "We know he's hiding out on Stark Street somewhere, Ranger and Hector will find him. They're both out there pounding the pavement; knocking a few heads in, they'll figure out where he's hiding."

"I know, Les, I just can't stand to be cooped up!"

"It hasn't been all bad has it, Baby?" Les whispered in her ear as he gently nipped at her ear lobe. "You've been cooped up with me, after all."

Feeling the heat of desire begin to pool in her belly, Stephanie moaned, "No, it definitely hasn't been all bad, Sexy. Not bad at all."

"That's good to hear, because if it was my fragile ego would be crushed!" Les smiled as he kissed his way down her neck. "What can I do to make it better, Baby?"

"Well, it would probably be a good idea if you started by closing your door, Santos!" Bobby laughed as he entered the office to Stephanie and Lester groaning in frustration at his intrusion.

"Your timing sucks, Brown!" Les reluctantly returned to the chair behind his desk as Stephanie giggled.

"I'd say it was impeccable since you were about two seconds from taking your woman on your desk with the door wide open for all the men to see and hear!" Bobby smirked. "They'd probably give you notes, so it is a good thing I walked in. Besides, we wouldn't want them to damage your fragile ego and all!"

"Shut the fuck up, Asshole!" Lester couldn't help but smile when Stephanie laughed at Bobby's teasing. "To what do we owe the pleasure of your company?"

"We need to talk about dinner at your folks' house tomorrow. Since we haven't found Fish yet, we gotta discuss the plans for protecting Bomber," Bobby's demeanor became serious.

"Damnit, I don't want to meet Les' family with a militia of Merry Men there for protection! What kind of message does that send? Hi Mr. and Mrs. Santos, I'm your son's girlfriend and I attract psychos! I should be able to wait at least until the third time I meet them to spring that news!"

Les and Bobby laughed as Steph glared at them.

Finally, Lester got serious, stood up and knelt in front of her taking her hands in his. "I know this isn't what you want, Baby. My parents will understand and they will love you because I do. We have to keep you safe, Steph, please. I couldn't take it if something happened to you," he looked into her eyes pleading with her to understand.

Stephanie sighed and agreed, "OK, Baby, I'll do it for you. I don't want to meet your parents surrounded by the Merry Men like I'm the President or something, but it isn't like I want something bad to happen either. You're stuck with me now, Santos," she winked.

"Good news!" Tank bellowed as he entered the room. "Ranger has a location on Fish. We're taking him down tonight. This should be over soon, Little Girl!"

"I want in, Tank," Les demanded.

"Figured you would, Santos, meeting in 20 to discuss the takedown," Tank replied as he left.

"Well, since you boys will be storming the castle tonight, is it OK if I invite Mary Lou over? I haven't talked to her in a while and it would help keep me occupied," Steph asked Lester as Bobby discreetly left the office.

"Of course! I think that's a great idea. You guys can hang out at our place," Les replied.

"Our place, huh?" Stephanie tried to raise an eyebrow but both went up instead.

"Well, yeah, if that's OK. I think of it that way," Les looked a little sheepish.

"It's definitely OK. I'm glad you think of it that way, too," Stephanie smiled. "Just be careful tonight, please. I couldn't handle it if something happened to you either, you know."

"Always, Baby."

###############################

Later that evening, Stephanie kissed Lester goodbye before the guys headed out and then she went to the lobby to meet her best friend. Mary Lou was excited to see the Rangeman building since she'd never been there before, and squealed when Steph told her over the phone she'd get a tour.

After the tour, Mary Lou and Steph were on their way to the fourth floor and "their" place. Just thinking of it that way made Stephanie smile.

"Wow! This place is incredible! The eye candy certainly doesn't hurt, huh?" Lou gave her friend a little elbow jab as Steph moved toward their apartment when Ella approached with her dinner cart.

"Stephanie, Dear! This must be your friend, Mary Lou! I'm so happy to meet you," Ella enthused as she shook Lou's hand.

"It's lovely to meet you, Ella! Stephanie has told me so much about you," Mary Lou smiled.

"Lester asked me to bring you both a nice dinner since he isn't here to cook for you," Ella grinned.

"Thanks, Ella, he's thoughtful, isn't he?" Stephanie beamed as she unlocked the apartment door and held it open for Mary Lou and Ella. The ladies headed toward the dining room, Lou stopped with a gasp. "What's wrong?" Steph asked as she looked at the table and gasped herself.

In a beautiful crystal vase, there were seven long stemmed red roses arranged with baby's breath and a note. Stephanie stepped forward, picked up the note and began to read it aloud.

My Darling Stephanie,

Happy weekaversary, Baby! I know you probably think it is tomorrow, but to me, our relationship finally started when you said you'd be my girl. The reaction you had to the bouquet told me that night that you loved me and that you wanted to be with me. It doesn't matter that the words came the next day.

You already know that red roses symbol love and desire, and I present you with one for each of the first seven days we have been together.

Each one symbolizes a day where I fell more in love with you than I was the day before.

Each one symbolizes a day where I was happier than I ever knew I could be.

Each one symbolizes the foundation of our relationship that grows stronger as each day passes.

Each one symbolizes how our hearts and souls continue to grow together as one.

I know this week has been both joyous and difficult, but I'm glad we have shared it together.

I love you!

Always yours,

Lester

All three ladies wiped a tear from their faces at Les' beautiful words. "Wow, Steph! That was so beautiful and so romantic! He wasn't kidding when he said he was a writer!" Mary Lou exclaimed.

"I always knew that underneath his flirtatious exterior beat the heart of a true romantic! Mi sobrino seems to take after his Papa. It will make my sister so happy to know he treats you so beautifully, Stephanie! She will be almost as happy about it as I am!" Ella laughed as she gave Steph a hug. "Now, let's get dinner set out for you both, so you can enjoy your evening of girl talk!"

Mary Lou and Stephanie smiled and helped Ella unload the cart. "Will you join us, Ella? I'd love to hear some stories about Lester's childhood," Stephanie requested.

"I'd love to, Darling, but I need to get back to my Luis. He is also a romantic and has plans for us this evening," Ella smiled as a slight blush tinged her cheeks.

Stephanie and Mary Lou both giggled and hugged Ella goodbye wishing her a very good evening indeed.

###################################

The only thing Lester regretted about leaving Stephanie tonight was that he wouldn't be there to see her reaction to the roses he left for her. However, he smiled knowing that there would be plenty of opportunities for him to surprise her and see her reaction in the future. He'd learned the lessons his Papa taught him well.

While riding in the SUV with Tank and Bobby, Lester got his game face on the closer they got to the rendezvous point. It was time to catch a Fish.

####################################

"Do you want to hear about what the Burgvine is buzzing with about the shooting at your folks' place?" Lou asked about halfway through their dinner.

Stephanie laughed, "I don't know, do I?"

"Well, according to your Mom that nice Lester was appreciative of her pot roast and hospitality. She is also ecstatic that the two of you are a couple and she is sure it is only a matter of time before you are married and giving her grandsons."

Stephanie groaned, "Good Lord, she never stops does she?"

Mary Lou laughed, "No, she doesn't, but I'll give her this, she has spread it all over the Burg how Lester and his friends protected your family during the shooting. She got into an argument with Grandma Bella at Giovachinni's about Rangeman being filled with nothing but thugs, and your Mom defended them. Told ol' Bella to stuff it and worry about her own family instead of casting aspersions on good men who weren't screwing around on and beating their wives."

"Holy shit! Are you kidding? MY Mother actually said that?" Stephanie was astonished.

"She did, Honey," Mary Lou smiled and then turned the table on their discussion. "So, have you talked to Ranger yet?"

Stephanie sighed, "No, but not because I haven't wanted to. After my car went up in a blaze of glory at the Tasty Pastry, I told him we needed to talk, but I couldn't do it that day. Ranger said that was fine and he'd be available when I was ready, only he hasn't been. He went off chasing the stalker. So, I haven't been able to talk to him yet and it has been almost a week."

Mary Lou was thoughtful for a moment, "Hmmm, sounds like Ranger went off to play hero instead of facing what he knew was coming. He went to Denial Land."

"Come on, Lou! Ranger does a lot of stuff that I don't know about, but I'm pretty sure heading to Denial Land isn't one of them!" Stephanie huffed.

"Seriously? Steph, think about it, OK? He told you he loves you, and yet you didn't jump into a relationship with him like he thought you would. You ended up choosing Lester. He didn't expect that. So, he's gone off to try and be your Batman again. Ranger still has hope that you'll choose him, even though you chose Lester right in front of him!"

"Shit, Lou, when you put it like that it makes me feel like a total bitch!" Stephanie put her fork down and held her head in her hands.

"I'm sorry; I didn't mean it like that. I know you'd tried to talk to him while he was in Boston, but he probably had a feeling and didn't want to hear it then either. Circumstances played out with your car bombing that sent you straight into Lester's arms when I'm sure Ranger hoped it would be his. So, instead of accepting that you chose someone else, he's gone off to play hero for you once again. It is what he does for you," Mary Lou knew her friend felt guilty and looked at her with understanding.

"Being Batman isn't all he does for me. He's one of my best friends and I don't want to lose that. There might have been a time when Ranger and I could have been a couple, but I don't know that it would have worked long term, and if it didn't I might have lost his friendship. That is the one thing I've never been willing to lose. Maybe that is why I never pushed for more," Steph sighed.

"Then that is what you need to tell him, Honey. I think he'll understand that. He may not like it at first, but I think he'll be OK with that in the long run. Now, let's eat this delicious dessert Ella made us!" Mary Lou smiled and picked up her fork to taste the decadent French Silk pie.

Stephanie smiled at her best friend and picked up her fork. Mary Lou was always able to give her the perspective she needed.

After dessert was done, Lou looked at her friend and beamed, "Steph, you really do look so happy! I have known you all of your life and I've never seen you like this! I am so glad for you and Lester and I honestly believe he is the right man for you," she reached across the table and held her friend's hand.

"I've never been this happy, Lou, in my entire life," Stephanie sighed. "Les doesn't judge me, he doesn't try to change me, he just….loves me."

"I know, and you've never really had that except from your Dad and Grandma. I know Ranger encouraged you, and I know he loves you, but he can't or won't give you emotionally what Lester obviously is. He's your Lenny," Mary Lou grinned. "Of course, Lenny could take a few lessons from Lester in the romance department! That note was seriously the sweetest thing I've ever read!"

"It isn't the first one, and knowing him it won't be the last," Stephanie smiled, but as a thought crossed her mind she got serious. "Lou, honestly, I've never been this happy and things with Les have fallen into place so easily, so naturally, even with this stalker mess. Honestly, I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop."

"Oh, Sweetheart, don't do that!" Mary Lou reached out and wiped a tear from her best friend's eye. "Lester is different from anyone you've ever dated and that is a GOOD thing! He treats you right. He respects you, he takes you out, he obviously loves you, Steph, don't do that to yourself, please!"

Stephanie wiped away a tear and sniffled, "I know, I try not to, but it seems like every time I have something good in my life, something bad happens. I don't want that to happen this time." Stephanie looked into her best friend's eyes and declared, "Lou, I'm in love with him."

"I know you are, and he knows it too," Lou squeezed her hand. "Now, let's get a glass of wine and go sit on the couch and you can tell me all about the bouquet of flowers your man gave you last week!"

###############################

"You have your assignments, move out!" Ranger ordered.

Lester was assigned to the back door, but Ranger assigned himself to the front. Les knew the assignment was made so Ranger could be the one to take Fish down and it pissed him off. If the threat was made against any of the other Rangeman's girlfriend, then that guy would be right beside Ranger. However, since it was Stephanie, Ranger was still trying to stake a claim. His cousin was still holding out hope that he'd win the prize. Carlos didn't understand that there was no longer a contest and Stephanie was never a prize to win. Right then, Santos decided not to play this game and let Ranger have his way. The only important thing was Stephanie's safety.

The team took Fish down without a problem and Ranger escorted him to the SUV. Everyone returned to Haywood where the man who had been stalking Stephanie was treated to the deluxe Rangeman package in a lovely holding cell.

Lester watched with Tank and Bobby as Ranger interrogated the prisoner. All Santos needed to know was that Fish was working alone, he needed to know his girl was safe and this threat was over. Unfortunately, it wasn't.

###################################

Stephanie was sitting in the armchair with her back to the front door and Mary Lou was on the couch angled towards her friend.

"You have to get Lenny to take you to Havana de Libre! You know what? I'll call Anna Maria tomorrow and get you guys a reservation for next weekend. Oh and you better get one of the grandmothers to watch the boys and make a reservation at a hotel because you will DEFINITELY want some alone time!" Steph fanned herself as Mary Lou bent over and giggled.

Lester entered the apartment to the sound of Mary Lou giggling and couldn't help but wonder what the two of them were talking about, so he quietly closed the door and decided to listen for a minute.

"Sounds wonderful and I can't wait! Maybe sometime the four of us could double date, wouldn't that be fun? We haven't done that since high school!" Lou exclaimed.

"I'd love that! Maybe Les could give Lenny some pointers!" the two friends doubled over with giggles. Lester decided that he should get to know Lenny and let him know a few Santos pointers on romance that he'd learned from his father. Mary Lou deserved to know how cherished she was just as much as Stephanie did.

Once they regained control of themselves, Mary Lou got serious again, "So, you've been living with Les for a week. How's it been? This long with Joe and you'd already have had a fight about peanut butter!"

Lester smiled to himself and wondered how Stephanie would answer.

"It's been wonderful! Honestly, everything is just natural between us," Stephanie was beaming as she looked at her friend.

"That's how it should be, Steph, it is how Lenny and I are, and what I've always wanted for you. Not the Burg life, but someone who loves you the way my husband loves me," Lou reached out and grabbed Stephanie's hand.

"I need to tell you something, Mary Lou," Stephanie spoke quietly. Lester moved slightly as he strained to hear.

Mary Lou caught the movement in her peripheral vision and saw Les standing close to the front door listening, but before she could say anything, Stephanie continued.

"Someday, soon, I hope, I'm going to marry Lester Santos, and I want to have his green eyed babies," she closed her eyes imagining it as she squeezed Mary Lou's hand.

Looking up at Lester, Lou saw him beaming with the knowledge that Stephanie wanted to marry him and have his babies. They caught each other's eyes and silently agreed not to let Steph know he'd heard her confession.

Mary Lou knew her friend wasn't quite ready for Les to know how she felt, so she distracted her, "I'm happy for you, Steph, and I know that is a big thing for you to admit that you want."

Lester used the opportunity to open the front door and close it again loudly; "Honey, I'm home!" he called out.

A/N - Next Santos Family dinner...