How Many Kids Do WE Have?
Chapter 53
Frank took Cassidy with him so Ranger, Stephanie, and Caden could head to the mall for Stephanie's facial and Mr. Alexander's appointment. Caden convinced them that Ranger needed company while Stephanie was busy shopping. Since they were going to be chaperons at Julie's dance, Ranger wanted a haircut. Caden also wanted one, too.
While Stephanie was getting her facial in Mr. Alexander's spa, the boys got haircuts. Coming out of the spa, Stephanie saw Ranger kept his hair shoulder length, but Caden's curls were gone. Stephanie started to cry because she loved to watch them bounce when he would run. Mr. Alexander cut it short with a side part. It was wavy now. He was smiling at her with his new look.
Mr. Alexander laughed, "Is he afraid I'll cut off too much of your hair, Stephanie?"
Caden was standing protectively beside Stephanie while her hair was trimmed. He looked up at him, "Is that straight?"
Stephanie giggled, "He's my protector."
After her haircut, Ranger and Caden headed Stephanie to Macy's.
"Babe, were going to Rossini's tonight, so you need a new outfit."
"And shoes," Caden told her.
Since it was her birthday, Stephanie figured this would be a good time to ask Ranger about Gayle's Halloween Party for the children's services.
"Ranger, would you do something for me?"
"Anything I can, Babe."
"Gayle's having a Halloween party for the foster children. I said Rangeman would provide the drinks for the party."
"Ok. Does she need anything else?"
"No, but Julie and I were talking and we would like to go as a family costume."
Ranger gave her a raised eyebrow waiting to hear what he was going to be suckered into.
"Would you be Gomez so we could go as the Addams Family?"
That got both eyebrows and he started to chuckle, "Only you if you are a very sexy Morticia, Babe."
"It's a family party, but my ladybug costume for the party at Pino's is very sexy. It will show off my baby cleavage."
He growled at her before he kissed her.
'Hey, I'm here, too," Caden looking up at them.
Stephanie started searching the dresses while Ranger and Caden sat on the sofa in the dress department. To occupy themselves, Caden pulled two hot wheel cars out of his front hoodie pocket.
She grabbed three dress and went into the dressing room while they played smash up with the cars.
The first dress was a black wrap dress. It looked Ok, but didn't jump out at her. The next was a gold on gold striped dress. It had a key hole back with short sleeves and a scoop neck. It was more like a jersey dress but not tight. Looking at it, the dress was roomy enough for when she started to show. Just for effect, she bunched up her t-shirt to see. She liked it.
Stephanie opened the dressing room door and stepped out. Ranger looked at her and noticed her rounded belly. She saw how his eyes softened.
"What do you think?"
He got up and put his arms around her from behind. "I knew you would be the most beautiful pregnant woman," rubbing her fake roundness.
"I'll still be able to wear this when I start to show."
"Mommy, how'd that baby get so big?"
"Caden, it's my t-shirt," reaching down the front of the dress and pulling it out, so she was flat again.
"You're funny. You need shoes."
"I'll change and go find some."
Stephanie found a pair of gold colored ankle boots to go with her dress. She also bought shimmery thigh highs. Ranger added a gold purse to the purchases.
"You need a complete outfit. Babe, what color is your dress for tomorrow? What should I wear as a chaperon?"
"Blue and clothes.'
Ranger gave her an eyebrow.
"Wear pants and a shirt. You don't need a tie unless you want one."
"Well, since a few of my ties were used as headbands," glancing at Caden, "let's go see what they have."
"We got the bad guy. It was for effect."
They went to the men's department and they picked out a few new ties, one had a blue and black swirls for the dance. Caden had found a tie with flowers on it, but couldn't convince Ranger that it was him.
Since Caden had never been to Rossini's, he wanted a new shirt to wear and socks.
"Socks," Ranger said.
"Maybe he has a sock fetish."
In the boys department, Caden found a new Sponge Bob t-shirt, but he finally chose a yellow, white, and black striped polo shirt. The yellow stripes were wide. And he found Sponge Bob socks.
"Babe, we can't lose him in that shirt."
"If I take Emmie on a date, do I have to wear a shirt like this, Mommy," pointing to a blue button down oxford.
Stephanie looked at Ranger and he looked at her.
"Caden, where would you like to take Emmie on a date?" Stephanie asked trying to keep a straight face.
"Well, someplace nice like McDonald's for Happy Meals."
"Your Sponge Bob t-shirt would be just fine."
"Will you drive when we can make a date or can I have one of those big white cars.?"
"A limousine?" Ranger had the look of astonishment on his face.
"If I can't, Ranger will drive you in the Mercedes."
"Ok, that will work."
Ranger was at the check-out counter laughing so hard he couldn't sign his name on the charge slip.
Stephanie was in Victoria's Secrets to get a gold bra and panty set to wear tonight. Ranger paid for a train ride for Caden since a lingerie store was not somewhere for a four-year old, but in passing Caden did mention that the red garter set with matching stockings in the window looked to be Ranger's size.
Next was pizza at Pino's, then home to meet Julie's bus. Cassidy was napping at the Plum's and they would bring her to dinner.
Stephanie had bought Julie a mauve jersey dress at Macy's and left it for her if she wanted to wear it.
Stephanie came down the steps in her gold dress where Ranger, Caden, and Julie were waiting. She had the gold purse Ranger picked and ankle boots. Around her neck, was the birthstone necklace and matching bracelet on her wrist.
"Babe, you look like a glamour girl."
"Mommy, you're beautiful,"
"Wow, Steph."
"Your chariot awaits," Ranger gave her an extra special birthday kiss escorting her out the door.
She let Ranger drive to Rossini's while she had driven her Mercedes to the mall and Pino's earlier in the day. She loved the soft beige leather.
As they were driving, Caden was pretending he was in a limousine and kept calling Ranger the driver.
"Oh, Driver! Can you speed it up a little. Oh, Driver, watch those bumps."
Stephanie and Julie were bent over laughing, while Ranger was trying to keep a straight face.
"Hey, Midget. Watch it or you'll be walking."
Caden put his hands on his hips while strapped into his car seat, "Listen, Driver. I'm only four and I'm not allowed to cross the street. So deal with it!"
"People have disappeared for talking to me like that."
"Hmmmm, you don't scare me. Mommy would find me and you'd be in time-out for a week and have to eat bugs!"
"It wouldn't be the first time."
"EEEW!" Julie yelled.
"Mommy, Ranger-Dad got bug breath. Don't let him kiss you."
"Thank God!" Ranger laughed pulling into Rossini's. Stephanie was still giggling when Ranger came around to open her door for her.
Stephanie's parents , Grandma, and Cassidy along with Ranger's were seated at their table in the back of the restaurant.
"Mum," Cassidy was calling to Stephanie with her hands up.
"You look so sweet, Cassie Girl," Stephanie kissed her.
Stephanie looked at Frank and noticed his eye was slightly bruised, turning black and blue. "What happened, Daddy?"
"I got whacked with one of those wrestling figures by Cassidy."
"Take it up with Ranger, he bought them."
Ranger was smirking, "She has an attitude, Babe."
After dinner, Ranger had a tiramisu brought out with candles and Stephanie opened her gifts from her parents, Grandma, and in-laws.
"Happy Birthday, Pumpkin," handing Stephanie a package.
Opening it, there was a soft blue cashmere sweater and a maternity shirt that read 'Bat Baby' with an arrow pointing down.
'Thank you. Their perfect," getting up and kissing her parents.
Grandma handed Stephanie a decorator bag. "Watch what you pull out, you may not want to show the restaurant the crotchless panties."
"Mother."
"I warned her."
'Thank you, Grandma. We'll enjoy the bath gels."
Stephanie's father almost choked on his beer and Ranger's father looked like he had a slight blush. Selena was giggling.
Selena handed Stephanie their gift. It was heavy.
Unwrapping it, she started laughing. It was a coffee table book titled 'Roadside America'.
"I love it. Thank you," kissing her in-laws and also Grandma.
Opening it and leafing through the pictures, Stephanie came across a photograph of the teepee motel they stayed in on their trip.
"Look, our teepee." Julie exclaimed.
Caden pointed, "There's the foamy place. We need another trip. Look at all the places we have to go to."
Ranger was shaking his head laughing, "What could top a beer drinking snapping turtle."
"A giant potato," Caden pointing to it.
Ranger read the caption, "We're not going to Idaho to see a giant potato."
"Why not?"
"Ranger, it's there to see."
"Babe, if you try and drag me to see a giant potato, I'm having you all committed."
"Mommy, will drive us and Grandpa will go."
"Of course, I've always wanted to see a giant potato with my grandchildren."
"I give up. If we are ever in the Mid-West, we'll go visit the damn potato!" Ranger told them.
"When do we leave, Ranger-Dad?"
"Crazy people," he muttered.
"Ranger, you married into it."
"Babe."
