Once again, here it is... Tart Thursday, so here is the next chapter! As usual, if you know them from the books, they are not mine and no money is being made off of them. I hope you enjoy!

My New Life
Will You Tell?
SapphireJ

I walked into RangeMan just before my shift was to start. As I stepped off the elevator, I saw Tank and Bobby standing in the hall. "Hey guys. What's going on this morning?"

Bobby slung his arm around my shoulder. "Morning, Steph. Not much going on. It's actually quiet today. No meetings or anything. So, I was just telling Tank that it would be a good day for him to catch up on his paperwork."

I had to laugh at the look in Tank's eye. "Come on big guy, you know you can't put it off forever. I'll even bring you a reward if you get it done before Ram and I get back today."

I hear Tank grumble something about fucking paperwork and managers as he sulked back into his office. I went to the break room and heard Les and Ram talking. I stood in the doorway waiting for them to notice me.

Ram was grilling Lester, "Man, I can't believe you and Steph have been married for a year. What are you going to do to celebrate?"

"Well, we are going to dinner and then dancing. And of course, you know what will happen when we get home." I could just imagine Lester's look. He is so sure that he will get anniversary sex. Maybe I'll just hold out on him. Oh Hell, who am I kidding. I'd have sex with my husband twenty-four hours a day if I could.

"So, Mr. Santos," I interrupted, "You think you are going to get lucky on your Anniversary?" Lester flipped around so fast, I was sure his body turned around before his head did.

I had to burst out laughing at the expression on his face. "Hey, Beautiful. When did you get in?"

"Oh, don't you try to avoid the question." I walked over to him and ran my fingers along his jaw line. I felt his arms go around my waist and pull me closer to him. He leaned down and bit below my ear.

"Baby, every day that you are in my life makes me lucky. And yes, I am so looking forward to making love to you on our anniversary. I have many things planned for that morning, afternoon, and night."

I felt my knees go weak and heard Ram chuckle behind me. I turned around and glared at Ram. "Go get your shit ready. We roll out in five. Lula has 4 skips to bring in today."

Lester sat down and pulled me into his lap. His lips were on my neck and doing wonderful things that should not be happening at work. I started moaning and knew we needed to stop or I'd be locking the door any second now.

Just as I was about to jump up to lock the door, Ranger walked in. "Santos." We both looked at Ranger, wondering which one of us he expected to answer. He just looked at us, shook his head and left.

I stood up and pulled Lester up with me. "I have my own plans for our Anniversary, so make sure you don't monopolize the entire day." I kissed him, winked, and left. I could see the desire, lust, and love in his eyes as well as the look of regret that we couldn't finish.

I grabbed Ram and we headed to the bonds office.

"Hey skinny ass white girl. Are we heading out soon? I got four I need to bring in today." Lula was bouncing up and down and, personally, I was afraid she'd bounce right out of her tank top.

Ram walked over to Connie's desk and kissed her. "Morning Darlin." I saw Connie's eyes glaze over. She is so not use to Ram kissing her in public yet.

"So, Steph. What do you have planned for you anniversary?" Connie was enjoying the shoulder rub Ram was giving her.

"I have a few things planned, but I can't tell you about it."

"Why not? It isn't like we see Lester in here anymore. Seems since you started at RangeMan, we only see you and Ram."

"Well, if I tell you while Ram is here, he will call Lester and tell him right away. Besides, even if I tell you when Ram isn't here, the entire 'burg will know as soon as I leave. I know how you two operate!"

Lula looked like she was pissed. "Well, I never… we never… shit, you right. We do like to gossip. Well, whatever you have planned must be good if you are keeping it to yourself."

"Connie, you have files for RangeMan? We need to get going if we are going to get Lula's skips today."

"Nope, sorry Steph. No high bonds today. You guys get going. I'll see you later."

Ram leaned down and gave her another kiss and I could see her cheeks turn red. "See ya Darlin."

Ram, Lula, and I rode around for 5 hours, but finally had all her skips picked up and delivered to TPD. We dropped her back off at the bonds office with all her body receipts. She was about to be a rich woman.

Ram and I headed back to RangeMan. "So, are you going to tell me what you have planned for Lester?"

"Nope. Not on your life. You would ruin it and I want it to be a surprise." I wondered when this was going to start; I was actually surprised he held out all day.

"Oh come on Steph. Please? I won't tell him, I promise."

"Oh please. You are worse than Connie and Lula. You'd be on the phone to him as soon as I finished."

Ram tried to give me a look of disgust. "I'm hurt One Shot, truly hurt. I thought for as long as we've been partners, you'd trust me."

I slugged him in the arm. "Oh don't give me that shit. I trust you; trust you to be on the phone or actually... Oh shit, you little fucker! You already have Lester on the phone right now don't you? You have him on the phone so that if I tell you, you won't have to tell him and I can't say you lied. You bastard. You are one sick man, Ram. Maybe I need a new partner."

I knew I had him. I saw his blank face falter for a minute and knew I guessed what he had done. I took the phone off his belt clip and saw the readout. "Hello lover boy."

"Fuck. Hi Baby. I love you."

"Oh don't you pull that shit. You put him up to this didn't you?"

"No, this one was all his doing. I told him no, but he wouldn't listen. I really don't want to ruin any surprises you have for me.

"Mmm Hmm. Well, either way, you are not finding out until next week. Trust me… no one is getting this out of me. We're pulling in, are you still in the office?"

"Yep, heading down to the garage now."

I hung up the phone and clipped it back on Ram's belt. He sheepishly smiled at me knowing he'd been busted good. "Sorry, Steph."

"I will have punishment for you, you know that, right?"

He hung his head and nodded. "Yeah, I know. When do I get it?"

"I'll let you know. I have to come up with a good one."

Lester and I drove home for dinner and some movies. When we got to our house, I noticed my dad's car in the drive. When we pulled in the garage, Daddy got out of his car and walked towards us. "Hi Pumpkin. Lester."

"Hi Daddy, what are you doing here?" I gave him a hug and we walked in the house. "Can I get you something to drink?"

"No. I'm fine. I just came over to see how you were. I've not heard from you in a few days."

"Sorry, we've been pretty busy at work. Can you stay for dinner?"

"I'd love to stay for dinner. Your mother isn't home, so I have no where I have to be." Daddy sat on the stool; he looked worn down and tired.

"How is mom? She still not accepting my lifestyle?"

"No, she isn't. I'm sorry." I knew this was hurting my dad.

"Daddy, she made her decision. I told her she had to accept my life the way I wanted it or she wouldn't be a part of it. So much has happened to me since I divorced the dick and most of it has been wonderful. It is her loss and her problem that she doesn't get to share that joy. She is missing so much, but I won't change just to please her."

"Steph, I don't want you to change your life. You are happy; I can see that." He took a deep breath and sighed.

"Daddy, what is wrong?"

"Sit down, pumpkin. I need to talk to you." Lester started to leave the kitchen to give my dad and I some alone time. "Les, son, you should stay for this." Daddy took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair; something he never does. "Steph, I'm leaving your mom."

I sucked in a breath. I couldn't have heard what I thought I heard. "What? Why?"

"All we do is fight anymore. We fight over the fact that I support you and she doesn't. We fight over the fact that I was at your wedding and she wasn't. We fight over the fact that I see you as often as I can and she doesn't care. All we do is fight."

"I'm sorry daddy. I'm so sorry that all you do is fight over me. I never wanted that."

"No, pumpkin. You have nothing to be sorry for. We don't fight over you, not like you think. I'm done fighting with her. If she can't accept the fact that I want my daughter in my life, then she can go to hell. I've learned over the years that your mother is a selfish bitch. She wanted both daughters to be clones of her. Well, they aren't. You and Val are individuals. Yes, Val took after the 'Burg life, but you made your own life. I'm so proud of you for that."

"Where are you going to stay Daddy?"

"Well, I have a friend that I can crash with for a few nights, or I'll stay in a hotel until I can find something."

I looked at Lester and hoped his ESP was working today. It must have been because he nodded. "Daddy, we have two spare rooms here. You are more than welcome to take one of them. Stay as long as you need. Please?"

Daddy looked at Lester and Lester nodded again. "Please, sir. We do have extra rooms and I know it would mean a lot to Steph to know you were safe and had a place to stay."

"Ok. But only for a few weeks until I can get a place of my own. I appreciate this. I will head to the house after dinner and pack up my stuff."

"I can bring the truck and help you load it up and bring it here. What time is Mrs. Plum due back?"

"She will be home in a few hours. I know she won't say anything when I get there. She hasn't talked to me in two weeks. I've already boxed up most of my stuff and moved it to the garage, so if you want, you can load up what is in the garage and I finish in the house so you don't have to deal with her."

"Daddy, do you want me to come with you?"

"No, pumpkin. This isn't your battle."

We left the conversation at that. Daddy went upstairs to look at the room and see what he wanted to bring inside with him. Lester and I started on dinner. I wrapped my arms around Lester and laid my head on his back. "Thank you."

"No problem Baby. I know you love your dad and he loves you. It was the only logical decision."

After dinner, Daddy and Lester went to the house to load things up. They were back in just over two hours. We decided to just pull the truck into the garage so they didn't have to unload. I made sure Daddy had clean sheets and towels before we went to bed. "Good night Daddy. If you need anything, just let us know."

"Thank you pumpkin. Have a good night. You to Lester, and thanks for the help today."

"No problem sir. Good night."

Lester and I headed to bed. I curled up into him and hugged him tight. "Please tell me we will never get to that point with each other. Please tell me we will always talk things out and never go to bed angry."

"I promise. That is what keeps a relationship going strong. You and I always talk to each other and I don't see that ever changing."

He kissed the top of my head and squeezed me. "I love you baby."

"I love you too. Good night."

TBC

Thanks for the reviews a few of you are leaving. I appreciate them; it lets me know people really are reading and enjoying! I hope you enjoyed this chapter as well. What will her Anniversary surprise be? Will anyone get it out of her before she is ready to reveal it? See you next week for the next installment on Tart Thursday!