SHADES of GRAY
Chapter 37
"No!" Stephanie said again. "You can't go!" Tears began sliding down her face.
His neck was wet from them as she was clutching at him, "I don't have a choice, Babe."
The word was muffled, but she got it out, "When?"
"Bobby and I leave tomorrow. Four hundred hours. Someone is picking me up from Rangeman so I can get some things together. Stay here and finish what you need to do."
Her water filled eyes were watching him, "How long will you be gone?"
"Hopefully, only a few weeks so I'm back to escort you to your award ceremony. It's classified so I can't give you much information." He tried to cheer her up, "This way I won't be under foot while you're packing and moving in here."
"Carlos!"
"Babe, I can't stay away from you. This was another reason I haven't let anyone in. My life at times isn't my own, but I knew you would change my life and I don't want to stay away, I can't stay away."
Tank was walking in with Frank, "I have to go get things ready and I'll see you in a little while. I'll take you to Pino's for lunch," a mocha latte finger tipped her damp chin to see those beautiful blue eyes.
"Carlos," Stephanie touched her quivering lips to his. He was her lifeline and needed some of his strength right now. Boyfriends, the few she's had this far left her life because the relationship wasn't what she wanted, but how would she handle this man leaving her temporarily not by hers or his choice. She was wishing tomorrow morning never came that she knew without even thinking. But, she had to like every woman who sent their man off to battle or war through out time and to be here when he returned. "Go, do what you need to do," kissing his lips one more time. Her fingers shook as she smoothed his painted-on shirt where she pulled it. "Go."
"I'll see you in a little while."
Concentration was difficult, but Stephanie finished what she needed to do at her house and made arrangements to have the carpeting laid, walls painted, and floors refinished coordinating everything with her father. A few adjustments had to be made. It was discovered the living room did indeed have a beautiful smooth hardwood floor when a corner of the carpet was lifted. And when Polly checked, the white carpeting she wanted in the bedrooms wouldn't be back in stock until after she was planning to move so she picked her next choice, Cheetah with a wave pattern in the looping. It along with the other was a recycled Earth friendly floor covering.
Walking through the empty rooms, her father found Stephanie. "He'll be fine, Pumpkin. Try not to worry too much," Frank told his beautiful daughter. He saw the sadness despite the brave face she had on for Paulo and Tiana.
"Hi, Ella," dialing her cell phone, "would you be able to make some of Carlos' favorite foods tonight?"
"Of course, Stephanie."
"Would it be too much trouble to make enough for the other three to eat with us and something special for dessert?"
"No trouble at all."
Trying not to cry anymore, "Thank you, Ella."
"You're welcome, dear. He'll be fine. He's the best at what he does, Stephanie."
"I know. Bye, Ella."
Her children couldn't help but see the tears, "Mommy, what's wrong?"
"Something came up and Carlos has to go take care of it. Bobby is going with him. They'll be away for a few weeks."
"That would make you sad," her little girl told her.
"We need to go get a few things to have a surprise party tonight for them, but no telling."
Paulo agreed with his sister, "We like parties!"
All the party supplies were under the tarp hidden away when her blue pick-up truck pulled up in front of Rangeman and Ranger slipped into the passenger seat.
"Hi, Babe."
"Hi, Cuban Man. Did you get your things ready?" Stephanie hoped she pulled off the cheery. She didn't want Ranger to worry about her while he was gone, he needed to be focused.
"Mostly, I have a couple of small things to finish."
The whole way to Pino's their hands were interlocked and Stephanie wished they would stay that way forever.
Mr. Pino showed them to a back table. "Someone's proud Poppa told me his little baby girl is coming home and she is an author of the year."
"Yes, to both. I signed the papers on my house today."
Little Mr. Pino became suddenly shy, "When you come home officially, would you do me the honor of reading here?" sweeping an arm around his restaurant. "You are the most famous, beautiful woman to come here."
She kissed his cheek, "You're a sweet talker, Mr. Pino. I'll make you a deal. I know the downtown library would like to remodel the children's area, think maybe we could have a family pizza party fund raiser?"
He jumped two feet in the air, "Bella, I like it!"
"I'll talk with Joe Juniak so we can get something in the works."
"You make me a happy man. Pizza on me," patting his chest and waived a waitress over for their order.
Ranger sat down in the booth next to her, "Babe, that's an excellent idea."
"Mary Lou takes her boys to the library quite often because of school and they have already requested I do a reading after my new books are released. My dad and Joe Juniak have been friends growing up together. I know with the ups and downs of the economy he needs to trim the city budget, so I think that would be a good use of my talent."
Their hands were connected again and Ranger brought hers to his lips, "I agree and Rangeman will make the first contribution for it when you set it up."
"You don't need to do that."
He gave her a rueful smile, "I want too, but I'm also a business man. Rangeman can always use a little good PR and a tax deduction."
"I'm a tax deduction!"
"No, you are my everything."
Paulo spoke up from sipping the root beer float he and his sister were enjoying, "Mommy is the best."
He couldn't agree more, "Yes, she is."
After lunch before returning to Haywood, Stephanie stopped at the locksmith. She wanted new locks on all the doors, but also wanted to replace the door handles. Ranger approved of the polished nickel ones with dead bolts that she chose for the front, back, and apartment doors, not that he could imagine anyone would break-in above the garage if Stephanie's grandmother was there. He would make the security system a priority with Tank while he was gone.
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Ranger reluctantly went to his office to go over a few last minute things with Tank and Bobby. Stephanie and her children went to the garage for the party supplies, then the 4th floor to get busy. There was a square wooden table next to the one rectangular one in the apartment with three extra chairs set up with elegant white table cloths and good china dishes.
Ranger picked up his ringing office phone, "Yo."
"Carlos, when you some for dinner, would you bring your three friends with you so we can all eat together?" Stephanie asked.
He wanted to say 'No' having her all to himself, but there was cracking in her voice, so Ranger caved into the request of his beautiful woman. "I'll tell them, Babe."
Shortly before the four men were to arrive from one floor above, Ella delivered dinner of sizzling chicken and streak fajitas with a variety of toppings, Spanish rice, stuffed shells, salad, and nachos with cheese. Dessert was sugar cookies, pudding, and apple and cherry turnovers. The housekeeper outdid herself on such short notice.
"It looks lovely, Stephanie," she told her smiling at the decorations pushing her cart out.
"Ella," Ranger greeted her just outside the door with Tank, Bobby, and Lester. Stepping in the apartment, "Babe."
There was a red, white, or blue star shaped balloon tied to each chair, an American flag was hanging from above the breakfast bar, star shaped candles were lit on the table and counter.
"It's a party!" Paulo and Tiana announced.
The guys couldn't believe everything Stephanie and her children did for their last night together for a few weeks, hopefully nothing would go wrong and it would be a quick mission.
"Come here," Ranger whispered seeing she was fighting tears. "Thank you." He kissed her lips trying to reassure her without words.
"Let's eat while everything is hot," Stephanie told the guests of honor.
Ranger had to shake his head when he sat down with his filled plate, at each place setting was a rubber duck dressed in camouflage and helmet.
"My own rubber duckie," Lester was squeaking his as it swam through the air.
The conversation was light during dinner mostly asking questions about Stephanie's new house and the air hockey game the guys wanted to play after dinner.
Stephanie and Tank were loading the dishes in the dishwasher while everyone was bringing plates over. Paulo and Tiana came running from the bedroom holding pictures behind their backs they had been working on all afternoon.
"This one is for you," Paulo handed Bobby a drawing of different size figures sliding a hockey puck with sticks. "We're going to keep practicing."
The Rangeman medic looked at the picture, "Rematch when I get back."
The little girl handed Ranger his picture. There was a basket with vegetables and churros drawn on one half and boats in the water with a whale on the other representing the first things he did with Stephanie and her children. "This is yours to take."
"Thank you," Ranger hugged both of them taking in their masterpiece. "Will you do something for me while I'm away?" Ranger had knelt down on the carpet to be on their level.
Both Paulo and Tiana nodded with their big dark eyes focused on him.
"Help Mommy pack to move here and make sure she doesn't worry. Keep her smiling."
"We will because we love Mommy," Paulo spoke.
"I know you do."
The tears couldn't be held back any longer, Stephanie was held tightly in those strong arms.
"I'll be back soon. Don't worry," he tried to comfort her.
Tank, Bobby, and Lester motioned to the door and mouthed 'Hockey'.
Her children gave Stephanie's legs a quick hug with "It will be OK" and went running out the door.
"This is hard," Stephanie said between her gulps of air attempting to calm herself. The soothing fingers drawing circles on her back her were helping a lot. "I don't want you to think I'm a cry baby."
"Never, Babe," Ranger couldn't help being amused, his T-shirt was soaked.
Her bottom lip was out, "Yes, you do."
"No," cupping her streaked face in his hands, "it's been a very long time since any woman has cried over me leaving on a government mission. It feels nice that I'll be missed so much."
Taking the initiative, Stephanie touched her lips to his, "You will."
Ranger scooped her up and sat on the sofa with her in his lap, "If you need anything while I'm gone, ask Tank. He'll handle everything for your security system and coordinating the added security for the writer's conference until I get back. Use the apartment as long as you need and keep the fobs with you; they have trackers in them also."
Stephanie nodded.
"One more thing. If something happens."
Her manicured nails stilled his lips, "No, don't talk like that!"
He kissed them and continued, "I need to. I love you more than I thought was humanly possible. I've lived in every moment we have been together. If something happens, I want you to be happy in your life."
"Carlos."
"Babe, promise me," his dark eyes were intense on her face.
Her heart was breaking at the thought of this man being lost to her forever, but she had to say those words, "I promise."
"Good to know," Ranger whispered those last words. His lips crashed down on Stephanie's and didn't break away until they heard laughter in the hallway.
Hugging each of Stephanie's children before they were crawled up on the sofa bed after a bath and story, "Take care of Mommy."
"We will," replying, "and you can come to our new house." They kissed Stephanie 'Good Night' as she tucked them in.
The dim light above the stove was clicked on before they walked into the bedroom and Ranger closed the door behind him. He noticed unlit candles scattered about the room but didn't say anything. His black T-shirt was tossed in the hamper outside the bathroom door following Stephanie. Peeking out the other bathroom door leading into the living area, her children were sound asleep and she shut that one.
Memorizing every inch of her trim body he already knew so well, Ranger slowly soaped and rinsed in the extra long shower they shared until the water began to cool down. He wanted that memory to last the weeks he would be gone.
"Give me two minutes, Cuban Man," Stephanie requested slipping her short blue silk robe over her tingling body as he was brushing his teeth.
His response as a raised eyebrow with a mouth full of foam.
Opening the door and turning out the light, the calming scent of lavender and glowing candles filled the room. Her soft fingers tugged on his, "I want this to be about you until you come back to me," her voice soft but breaking. Their time was fading away slowly by the minutes. She made Ranger lay down on his stomach despite his protests and gave into the gentle fingers that began kneading his muscles that have been tight since his cell phone rang hearing General Hanlon's voice. The massage oil seeped into his skin, across his neck and shoulders, down his back, where ever her fingers rubbed, caressed, touched his skin. He was relaxed mush but needed to feel all of Stephanie's against his body. In a blink, she was the one now on the bed looking up into dark smoldering eyes.
No words needed to pass over their lips, the touch, the longing, the connection of their bodies said it all. There was no black or white anymore, it was shades of love through the night until he would leave her.
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I don't have small children anymore and Stephanie had to reconsider her carpet choices after it was pointed out to her. Thank for all your reviews. Lee Anne