Woohoo... two days in a row! I hope you'll enjoy this chapter. Hope everyone has a wonderful Halloween. And I hope those of you that live on the East Coast are all safe and sound!
Ranger and Helaina, who is now six and a half months pregnant with Ranger's son, have been back in Miami for three weeks. I heard they got married two weeks ago.
I've not had a stalker in a few months. I really think the training has helped. I no longer roll around in garbage as often as I use to. Yes, it still happens, but only once every few weeks. I still train with the guys almost daily. My gun is still always on me and loaded. I actually feel under-dressed when I don't have it on. I've been able to take Tank done twice; not an easy feet, let me tell you.
As far as I can tell, all the betting has stopped as well. I've not blown up a car in a long time, hell, I can't even remember the last time. The Merry Men have all been wonderful to me.
Lester and I are doing wonderful. I really think I'm falling in love with him. He is there when I need him, he never criticizes me, never tells me I need to stop what I'm doing or anything like that. When we thought I did have a stalker, her wasn't pushing me to stay at RangeMan or at the house. He didn't tell me I needed men on me. He actually sat down with me, we discussed what was going on and he asked what I wanted. I asked for him or Hal to be with me when I went somewhere. I was so surprised that he actually asked and listened. But then again, I shouldn't have been surprised. He is always making sure I have a say in what happens where I'm concerned. It wasn't really a stalker as much as it was a teenage kid with a crush.
I've only been working part time at RangeMan for the past three weeks. I told Les and the rest of the guys that I needed a break. They all understood. Lester told me not to worry about a thing, that if I didn't want to go back to work at all, I didn't have to. He said he has enough money that I don't need to work if I don't want to. I told him that I couldn't do that to him, I needed to help contribute to our finances. I swear he actually rolled his eyes.
So, instead of working, I've been meeting Lia at either our house or hers every day. Lia and I have become very close the last few months. She knows all that happened with Ranger and Joe. She has never said any of it was my fault. She has told me several times that she and Ramon are very happy that Lester and I are together. Anyway, I've been spending my spare time with Lia because I've decided that I want to learn to cook some. Lester and I have Ella when we stay at the office, but at home, it is usually Lester that does the cooking. I know he has told me before that he loves to cook and I shouldn't be worried about it. But, I want to share the cooking and cleaning with him. Lia has been teaching me some of Lester's favorite dishes and I must admit, they are not that hard to make. I've really enjoyed spending time with her. I've learned a lot about Lester and his childhood. She has even told me about Beth, the girl that Lester was engaged to and almost married. I was in tears when Lia told me how depressed Les was when she left at the alter.
I decided that I wanted to do a family dinner at the house. I've invited Lia, Ramon, Yelina and her husband Aren, Lil' Ramon as I've taken to calling him and his wife Carol, my mom, my dad, Grandma Mazur, Val and Albert. I want to show everyone that I can cook, that Lester and I are making it and that I'm fine. I've not spoken to my mother in months and I've only seen my daddy a few times at the office.
So, here I am, trying to get dinner fixed. I decided to try a Mexican Chicken Lasagna that Lester loves but doesn't get too much. I'm also fixing steamed carrots, steamed corn on the cob and twice baked potatoes. Lil' Ramon said he'd bring the drink for tonight when I told him what I was making. Lia also taught me how to make her famous German Chocolate Cake. Ohmigod, I'm in Heaven now that I can make that anytime I want it.
Dinner was in the oven, so I ran upstairs to get dressed. I picked out a blue sundress that Lester had bought for me. I picked out some earrings to go with it and my silver strappy sandals. I left my hair down. Partly because that is how Lester likes it and partly to hide my love bites from Lester. I just hope he is able to hide his.
I heard the door downstairs and knew Lester was home. I raced to the top of the stairs to see him.
"Wow. You're Beautiful." Lester was slowly climbing the stairs towards me. The look in his eyes was animalistic.
"Sexy, we don't have time. I just finished getting ready and our guests will arrive soon." I stepped backwards so he could get off the stairs. I was pushed into the wall as his hands started roaming up and down my sides. I could so get lost in his eyes and arms.
"Are you sure we don't have time? What time are our guests arriving?" I could see love, lust and desire in his eyes as his lips brushed mine.
"They will start showing up at five thirty and um.." Oh god, I can't think when he kisses me like that. "Les…sexy…oh god…we need…to…stop…oh god…I want you." And then it happened. The door bell rang letting us know someone was here. I jumped and Les laughed. I slapped him on his arm and told him to go get ready.
"I will finish later, Baby. I love you." He gave me a kiss and walked off to the bedroom.
I got downstairs and opened the door to Lia and Ramon. I was given hugs and kisses from them both. "Something smells wonderful, my child." Ramon smiled when he figured out what he smelled. "I think my son will be pleased with what you have chosen for dinner."
"I hope so. This will be the first time I've cooked for him. I've not even told him yet." I was nervous and Lia could tell.
"Steph, I told you, he will be very pleased that you wanted to learn. I know he doesn't expect it and it will be a wonderful surprise. Especially since you learned how to cook his most favorite dish. Even he never cooks that for himself, he always asks me to."
"Always ask you to do what, Momma?" Lester came into the living room wearing his black slacks and blue silk shirt that matches my dress. He gave his momma a hug and kiss and shook his dad's hand. Then he came and wrapped his arms around me, pulling my back to his front.
"You ask me to do a lot of stuff for, hijo."
Again, the door bell rang and this time it seemed like everyone showed up at once. Well, almost everyone. My mother wasn't there. Lester saw the sadness in my eyes. He just held me tight and kissed my head. "Don't worry, Baby. It is her loss."
"Hi Pumpkin." Daddy came over and gave me a hug. "I'm sorry. I couldn't make her come. I knew if I made her come, then your dinner would be a disaster. I would rather help you have a wonderfully happy dinner without her than a miserable one with her." Daddy was always making things better for me.
Once everyone was introduced to each other, we headed for the kitchen. Everything finished at the same time, so Lia and Lina helped me serve. Ramon made a toast once food was served. "To our Dear Child, Stephanie. Thank you for making this wonderful dinner and inviting us all here. It warms my heart to be able to meet your family and to see who influenced your life so much. May we have many more dinners like this one."
Valerie looked at me with questioning eyes. "Steph, you cooked dinner?"
"Yes, Val. I've been taking cooking lessons for the past three weeks or so and I've found that I actually do enjoy cooking. This, however, is the first full meal I've made and the first time I've had anyone other than Lia or Ramon taste it." I looked at Lester and saw some emotion I've never seen before. I'll have to ask him later.
"Beautiful, you have been taking cooking lessons? Is this why you have only been working part time?" I shook my head. "You amaze me more and more every day, Steph. I don't know what I did to get so lucky to have you in my life. Thank you for fixing my favorite meal. I love you." He took my hand and kissed the back of it.
Everyone started eating and there were many "oh this is good" and "almost as good as Lia's". I don't know that I would agree with that, but I must admit, it did taste pretty damn good. Everyone had a piece of the cake and really enjoyed it. After a while, the guys all went downstairs to the "play room" as I've named it. All the girls went to the living room.
Yelina sat down next to me and just smiled. "What? What is that look for?" She was making me nervous.
"I'm just wondering how long until you become my sister-in-law. I've not see Lester this happy in such a long time. I will admit at first, I thought it was just a fling on your part; you know to help get over Carlos. I'm sorry I thought that. I see you really do love my brother and he is one hundred percent in love with you. You two are good for each other."
"How's that package, Granddaughter? Is it better than the last one?"
"Grandma. I'm not discussing anything like that with you." I swear I was as red as blood.
The guys came back upstairs after a while. It was getting late, so everyone decided it was time to leave. Everyone said they really enjoyed dinner and the company and promised we had to do this again soon. Daddy said he'd try to talk to my mom, but I told him not to worry about it. She will either come around or be without me in her life. It was now her decision.
After everyone was gone, Lester turned out the lights and took me upstairs. He wanted to show me how grateful he was at what I had done. If that is the reaction I get from fixing him his favorite dinner, I'll do that every night. I don't think we stopped until around two in the morning. He must have really enjoyed the dinner. I curled up next to him in my favorite sleeping position and he kissed me on the top of my head.
"Good night, Baby. I love you." I felt his body relax and was welcoming the sleep.
"Night, Les. I love you, too." Oh shit, did I just say that? I felt both of us tense up for a split second and then we both relaxed.
"I'm glad you finally realized that." He just chuckled a little bit and we both drifted off to sleep.