Thanks for the amazing response to this story. I was a little swamped and didn't want to write something that would mess up the flow, because I love this storyXD
I started classes again and since my Ecology lab was done early I was left with a two and a half hour break before my Econ class started. Why wait when I had a good chunk of writing time? Hope you like this chapter and the forward progress of the story.
Special thanks to all those reviewers throwing hints that they were waiting for the next chapter. Love you guys/gals.
Quick note, I know it's January but let's not forget the story is set in the Summer;)
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE.
I was falling asleep when a sleepy whine interrupted my sleep journey. I felt Ranger shift, cradling the three year old. Her whine became a fussy cry and I struggled to sit up and turn on the lights.
"What happened?" I asked Ranger, coaxing my niece to let me see her face. Ranger shrugged and I finally caught a glimpse of the little girl's face. There was a slight red mark on her left cheek. She must have rubbed it against Ranger's cast. "Here." I took her from Ranger, pacing back and forth next to the sofa bed in hopes that the crying would stop.
There was a knock on my front door, adding to the noise and rousing Lisa from her sleep. Ranger frowned, but went to get the door. I guess this was a little out of his league. I mean, the needy cries was out of my league too.
Valerie came in. I told her what I think happened as I transferred the little girl to my sister. Expertly, Valerie appeased the little girl while simultaneously inspecting her. A few moments later Valerie shook her head, letting me know it was nothing serious.
With a practiced motion, Valerie carried her two younger girls, one on each hip, and motioned for the older two to follow her. Ranger walked them downstairs, offering to help with the younger two.
"Did you have fun?" I asked Julie when we were left alone.
"Yeah!" Her eyes sparkled as she filled me in on what I missed. She was spent, so after letting me know some details she headed off to get ready for bed.
By the time Ranger came back I had already adjusted the sheets on the sofa bed and was waiting for Julie to finish her shower so I could get ready for bed.
Ranger sat next to me and before he was done removing his combat boots Julie emerged from the bathroom.
"Night." She said, giving each of us a hug before shuffling to my bedroom.
"Good night." Ranger and I replied in unison. He shot me a sideways glance. "Yeah, that just happened." I told him, patting his shoulder affectionately.
We went to bed together, his bigger form snuggling close and pressing my back flush to his front. I hugged a pillow so Ranger's cast-covered arm could rest on it. He gave me a squeeze, letting me know wordlessly that he was comfortable.
S&R
The slight shift in the bed when Ranger got up awoke me. I rolled onto my stomach, knowing I had a few more minutes before I had to get up. In the past couple of days we'd fallen into a routine. I'd drive Ranger to Rangeman, making the sacrifice of getting up at the ungodly hour he called the beginning of his day. Once I dropped Ranger off, I return to my apartment and sneak in a couple more hours of sleep before Julie woke up and the day officially started for the two of us.
So I was surprised when moments later Ranger came back to bed. I cracked an eye open to see if it was still the middle of the night, but instead of being greeted with total darkness there was soft, early morning light spilling in through the drapes.
"You okay?" I asked Ranger, my voice thick from sleep. I felt him nod, face buried in my neck. Thinking he might be in pain, I turned to face him. "Ranger?" I touched his face for him to open his eyes and look at me.
"Hmm?" Ranger opened his eyes and I noted he looked perfectly awake.
"What's wrong?" I was worried for him. He's an early riser.
"Nothing." He pulled me impossibly closer, throwing a leg over mine to keep me in place. "I just thought I'd try this whole sleeping in practice you and Julie have." He closed his eyes, a corner of his mouth lifting in a half smile. I gasped in fake outrage, but hugged him.
"All right." I mumbled, closing my eyes and tried to go back to sleep.
It was impossible to fall asleep again since I could feel Ranger was wide awake. His left hand snuck under the hem of tee, roaming my bare back. It was obvious he was interested in something other than sleeping.
I opened my eyes, assessing our possibilities. Even though we didn't go back to sleep, sunlight had already filtered in and the day had already begun. It was only a matter of time before the teen woke up.
"We can't." I mumbled against his throat, unable to help myself and having a little taste. "No privacy." I nipped his jaw, rubbing against him instinctively.
"I know." Ranger whispered against my lips, devouring my mouth in a hungry kiss. We indulged in the heated moment, before taking a deep breath and breaking the kiss.
"We're so bad." I joked, struggling to get my mind out of the gutter.
"Babe." Ranger chuckled, low and throaty. It didn't help with the winding down part.
Not five minutes later the bedroom door opened and we heard Julie shuffle across the carpet to the bathroom.
"Told 'ya." I giggled, poking Ranger's side. He laughed again, placing a chaste kiss on my lips.
"You guys awake?" Julie asked, her footsteps getting closer. She flopped down next to Ranger and since his back was to her, she leaned closer, poking her face between ours. "Happy Birthday, Dad." Ranger got a loud kiss on the cheek, followed by a crushing hug.
"Gracias." Ranger returned the hug with one arm, having no space to roll over. I watched the interaction, feeling a little guilty for not remembering when I woke up. But then again, Ranger was busy getting handsy.
"What are we doing?" Julie asked, looking at us expectantly.
"I have a meeting at noon. I'm yours until then and after." Ranger shrugged, leaving it up to us.
"How about we start with breakfast?" Julie announced, moving to the kitchen. When neither of us made an immediate move to get up, Julie said she was going to need some help.
"Coming!" I shouted, getting up and leaving the birthday boy to enjoy the bed.
S&R
Breakfast was fun. Julie made a delicious breakfast. Ranger broke his diet, eating the very delicious pancakes the teen whipped up. Okay, he had one pancake to my four, but that's not the point. I'm eating for two now.
We lounged around, playing an old board game I didn't even remember I had.
When it was time to drive Ranger to Rangeman, Julie joined us. I think she was going to suggest a place to go once Ranger was free of his obligations at Rangeman.
The guys were all very business-like when Ranger came in. He went straight to his office to get ready for the meeting with a client.
I was going to take Julie up to the seventh floor so we could kill some time when Lester approached us.
"We planned a little something for Ranger in the break room." Lester said they were setting up, taking advantage of the fact that Ranger was going to be in a meeting.
"Cool." Julie wanted to know if she could still help.
"Is there going to be birthday cake?" The pregnant woman, me, needs some cake. Fine, pregnant or not, I'm always ready for cake.
"Yeah!" Lester draped an arm across my shoulders, steering me to the break room.
S&R
I was assigned the arduous task of getting Ranger from his office and taking him to the break room. As soon as the client left, I waltz into the conference room.
"Hey." I cocked my head to the side, motioning for him to follow me.
"Where are you taking me?" Ranger questioned, standing up.
"It's a surprise." I winked.
"Oh." Ranger grinned predatorily, following me.
"Not that kind of surprise." I told him that was for later.
"Oh?" Ranger cocked his head to the side, wondering what was going on.
"C'mon." I tugged on his left arm, leading him to the break room.
"Happy Birthday!" A chorus of voices, mostly male with the exception of Julie, Ella and myself, filled the room.
Ranger blinked, surprised. A smiled spread on his lips, reaching his eyes. "Gracias." He said.
Ranger was congratulated by the men with heavy pats on the back. Ella and Julie set out to pass the cake around, after we sang and Ranger blew out the question mark shaped candle. It was the perfect candle for my man of mystery.
"Aren't you going to open your gifts?" Julie said, sharing a conspiratorial smirk with Lester.
Ranger looked at me, but I shrugged. I had no idea what the gifts were all about.
"Here." Tank passed Ranger a shiny bag that looked too small in Ranger's hands.
"Ah!" Ranger laughed, producing a pair of tiny black socks.
Ella gave a small box to Ranger and he produced a black onesie, complete with the Rangeman logo.
"Uuu, that's gonna be a little tight." I teased, making everyone, including Ranger, let out a bark of laughter. I took the opportunity to lean closer, placing a kiss on his cheek and whispering in his ear, "Feliz Cumpleanos." I was aware of the fact that I'd probably butchered the phrase, but when Ranger flashed me his full-wattage smile it didn't matter.
I have like fifteen minutes to get to my Econ class and after that I've got the Ecology lecture. It would be awesome to have some reviews waiting for me when I check my emailXD