Well here you are, the next chapter. I hope you enjoy, it's not really exciting, but it is one of 'those' chapters to lead up to upcoming events...wink wink (; The next chapter should be posted soon, I'm almost done!

Chapter 21

When I entered the apartment, I could practically see the ideas swirling around like wisp of fragments in the air. Celia was on her laptop typing away. She looked up from the screen noticing me paused in the doorway.

"Oh…there you are. Come here, I've got lots to discuss with you" Celia greeted, motioning me to the couch seat next to her.

"Uh-uh, no. Don't even think about it Celia. I don't want any part of this, don't think you're going to suck me into all this planning" I said, backing away until my back hit the door. I could already feel her force field narrowing in on me

Celia's face tightened into an evil grin. "I'll get you my pretty…and your little dog too" she teased. I shook my head in defiance and she let out a bellowing laugh. I wasn't going to give in!

Her face turned back to seriousness and she rolled her eyes. "Steph, come on now…it won't be too painful, I swear on my life"

"Celiaaaa" I whined like a little child.

"I'll have none of that" she said. "And if you think I'm bad, wait till mamá gets here"

"Maria's coming!" I shrieked.

"Yes…she is. She'll be here tomorrow evening for dinner. And you will cooperate with her" she said, pointing a finger at me. "And if you don't, she won't be happy. And trust me; it's best to keep mamá happy"

Funny, Ranger said the same thing.

I gulped.

Seems I have lost this battle.

"Okay, what do you need me to do" I gave in.

Celia gave a satisfied smile and patted the seat next to her. I dragged myself towards her and plopped down.

"Well first off," she began, "congratulations on your engagement to my brother! You'll make a fine addition to our family"

"Thanks" I said solemnly.

She smiled back with a welcoming smile. "Okay then, I was thinking we could do a joint bridal and baby shower…" she began, never pausing to take a breath.

Somebody shoot me...

A few hours later...

"Ranger, she had me pick out color templates for the table set-ups!" I fussed. "We hadn't even gotten to the guest list or location and already she had made seating arrangements! I'm freaking out here Ranger!"

I was telling him of Celia's plans as we prepared for bed.

He stopped folding the blanket over and paused to look at me. "Babe…humor them. Just go along with it and calm down" he told me.

I scowled back at him. "Calm down! You want me to calm down!" I said, starting to hyperventilate. "And your mother is coming for dinner tomorrow and you want me to calm down!"

I was yelling and flinging the throw pillows on the ground. "You have it so easy Ranger. You get to go out and chase down bad guys, while I'm stuck here—FAT AS A WHALE, I might add—planning some big shebang I don't even want! And oh god…my mother. I still haven't told my mother!"

I turned away from the bed and started to pace. I was shaking from all the ruckus and strain I had put on myself. Ranger came up to me and pulled me into a hug.

"Babe…Stephanie, you need to calm down. It's not good for the babies" He cooed, rocking me in his arms.

I heaved a sigh, sucking in a shaky breath. "Y-your right. I need to just relax…this too shall pass" I said, exhaling a smooth gust of air. Ranger was rubbing my back, giving me comfort, when suddenly he froze—his body rigid as a rail.

I looked up at him. "What…what is it? Something wrong?" I asked him.

"My mothers' coming?" he cautiously asked. "When did she tell you this? This morning?"

I big my lower lip. I knew this was coming. "Actually, no. Celia told me when she took the phone away from me."

"I see." He said in thought. "Well then what did she have to say to you before Celia took the phone?"

Did he sound mad? Or was he really just curious. "Umm, well…s-she uh." I stuttered. "…nothing much really. Just stuff, you know?"

"No, I don't know" Ranger said sternly. He was looking down at me with accusing eyes. I knew where this was headed. Time for me to pull out the big guns.

I batted my eyes at him, flashing my baby-blues. "I didn't mean to answer your phone…honest" I said, trying to sound as innocent as I could. Ranger held his composure, not giving in. "I'm really really sorry…I wont do it again, I promise".

I arranged my lips into a pout and waited for his reaction. He continued to stare down at me, then shifted gaze down to my lips. His eyes darkened and I felt my bottom lip part under his stare. The embrace that had once been an act of comfort soon changed into a feeling of desire. I could feel his arms tighten around me as my breath hitched in my throat.

I unconsciously licked my lips, anticipating the feel of his lips descending onto mine. He inhaled sharply, allowing a hiss of air to penetrate. His eyes dilated to lustful black. Before I even had a chance to blink his lips latched onto mine. I opened to him, allowing his tongue to dual with mine. I angled my head to allow him better control—leaning my head back exposing my neck.

He had started to linger down my throat, leaving love bites in his path. I started to giggle.

Guess he no longer wanted to interrogate me. Now his focus seemed to be on my jugular rather then my reasoning for answering his phone. I had this man in the palm of my hand…

"You're laughing" he stated as he halted in place—his lips pressed against my throat.

I laughed out loud. "You're just so easy to distract!" I expressed, not hiding my amusement.

I felt him restrainedly exhale against me. "I once said you had all the power…some things never change."

I pulled away to look at him. "Please don't be mad at me" I said bringing the moment back to seriousness. Who would have thought I'd go that route?

Ranger continued to stare down at me, his eyes softening. "I don't think it's even possible for me to be angry with you anymore Stephanie" he said sounding discouraged. "In fact, it's quite obvious that I'm not" he said, grabbing my hand and guiding it down to take hold of his standing erection. "I'd say that I'm rather happy with you".

I smiled mischievously before releasing the hold I had of him. "Yeah, but pushing that aside—so to speak—would you have been angry with me? I mean about answering your phone without your permission?" I asked. I don't know why I was pressing my luck; he seemed to be letting me off the hook. And here I was provoking him. I guess I just wanted to know his inner thoughts and what was acceptable between us—I wanted honest communication without any doubts in the way.

He looked thoughtful for a moment. "No, I'm just uncomfortable with that fact that you felt the need to meddle into my business…"

"But…" I began, but he hushed me before I had the chance.

"Let me finish" he commanded. I nodded, allowing him to continue. "I understand that I'm not always open with you…but when I am I'm always honest and straight up with you. There are things in my life best kept in the shadows, but I need you to trust me if ever I bring forth something to the table. You are to become my wife; you are a part of me and as a result there shall be no secrets between us—unless it's absolutely necessary. You can trust me Stephanie; you just need to allow it."

We were facing each other, both of us absorbed in what was being said. He asked me to trust him—unconditionally—without ever having to question him or his motives.

And here I was at a standby. He knew this was hard for me; my nature wasn't one to give in so easily. I am one to mull over something; I've never just said 'okay I'll accept that' without ever having to question it.

But with him it was different. I never doubted my trust with him. He had never to even prove himself to me—though he has many times—I had just felt a bond with him that allowed trust from day one. What he said was true, he was a part of me—my other half. Trust wasn't an issue with him.

Just 'trust' in general was the issue.

"I've always trusted you Ranger" I whispered, my voice distant. I was looking off in space, still lost in thought. "It's just that I am so eager to know more about you. You have this whole 'mysterious' persona about you and I can't help but feel shut out from. Yes, I know what kind of man you are, and I love you because of that… but I don't know what makes you the man you are today".

I had turned my gaze back to Ranger, whose attention was drawn on me. He looked so focused, taking in all I had said.

This was a new experience for us—connecting on this level. We've never directly discussed our relationship on a communicative level. Yes, we had expressed ourselves and our love through actions—for actions speak louder then words—but never to verbally come out and profess/discuss our relationship.

When he spoke his voice was soft, but held conviction. "I have a strong sense of duty that entails for me to be that way. Over time, it's just something that became a part of my identity. When I meet you," he began, lifting my knuckles to his lips, kissing them softly before continuing. "I didn't feel discouraged from that proclaimed duty. What I felt was empowered—knowing I had a belonging and a purpose. You need to know Stephanie, that if you get into this—combine your life with mine—you are mine, there will be no going back. I could not lose you now that I know what I have."

I meet his stare feeling completely submitted to him. Amazing what opening your heart to someone can do for you. I brought our folded hands up and kissed his knuckles; our eyes never leaving each other. We stayed like this for awhile—focused on each other where nothing else existed. Ranger brought us back to the bed and tucked me in and pulled me to him from behind as I fell asleep.

Alright, there you go! Let me know what you think!