All characters belong to JE, I'm just playing with them and will return them when I'm done, although I really don't want to return Ranger, but I guess I will since we are allowed to play with him even for a little bit.

All mistakes are mine.

Chapter 2

Ranger and Steph fluff. A little more back story about the marriage in this chapter. I hope you enjoy.

Steph POV:

The sirens blared around me. A fire ragged to my left and I could feel the heat coming off of it. I had already dealt with the cops betting months ago, now the few that were here knew better to approach me. The firemen worked on putting out the car.

It was another one to add to the books. I knew the guys at Rangeman kept track of which ones I had destroyed. This one topped any of them including Carlos's Boxster. Carlos had bought me a custom Porsche 718 Spyder. Cobalt blue and gorgeous. It had been Convertible and Carlos and I rode with the top down every chance we got.

I felt a familiar tingle at the back of my neck. He came to stand at my head looking down at me with mirrored glasses on. Anybody else wouldn't be able to see it but from the tense line his mouth was set in. The slight furrow of his brow and the lines around his mouth he was worried.

"I'm fine." I said. He raised an eyebrow.

"Lester told me what happened." He said. "Does Bobby need to check you out?"

I sighed. "No. I just wanted fucking doughnuts. It's just my fucking luck a gas truck and a car get into a wreck spilling gas. Then of course the dude in the car was smoking a cigarette and dropped it in the gas, and of course the gas was under my barely two month old Spyder."

I thought I heard a chuckle. He helped me up and pulled me into his arms. "Only good thing about today is that Lester managed to save the doughnuts."

"Babe I know your not that upset about the car. I know you loved it but I can replace it, I can't replace you."

I bit my lip and sighed. I didn't want to tell him but I figured I would just so he didn't think I was that upset about the car. "Your birthday present was in the car."

He smiled down at me. "I don't like my birthday." He said.

"I don't care. I'm buying my husband a birthday present whether he likes his birthday or not. Only problem was, is that was custom ordered and there is no telling how long it's going to take to get a new one made."

"It's only stuff Babe."

"I know but I really wanted you to have it for your birthday."

"There's always Christmas." He said with a 1000 watt smile. I laughed and smacked his chest.

"Have I told you how much I love you?"

"You can always show me." He said. I traced his Adam's apple with my finger followed by my tongue. He growled and grasped my hips in his hands. I smiled and nuzzled his neck.

"Babe." He growled. I felt him against my stomach and smiled.

"I need to go to the mall."

He looked down at me and I could imagine his eyes behind the glasses were slightly narrowed. I reached up and pulled them off his face. This caused a few hairs to fall in front of his face. Carlos had decided to grow his hair back out and right now it barely brushed his collar in the back.

"Why?"

"It would spoil the secret. I've got to get your present remade."

"And?"

I smiled. "Go to Victoria's secret." I said.

He grinned. He nuzzled my neck and laid a kiss on the place where my neck met my shoulder. "I had the accountant set up a fund for your lingerie."

"You did not." I said smacking his chest again looking up at him.

"I did."

"He's your brother."

"I love flaunting that my woman spends hundreds in lingerie a month."

"Only because you like to tear it off of me."

"I wouldn't if you would go commando." He said. I rolled my eyes.

"You just want unlimited access when I'm wearing skirts." I said. He gave me a wolf grin.

"You would be a thoroughly satisfied woman all the time." He said.

A few hours later Carlos and I dressed and went to eat the lunch Ella had left for us on Seven. We had spent the rest of the morning after the incident on Seven making love on every surface in our bedroom and bathroom. And then one more time in the closet.

I kissed Carlos on my way to the door. He would be following behind me to go to his office but needed to get files from his desk in the apartment. "Don't forget I love you babe."

"I love you too." I called over my shoulder.

"Do you have your gun?"

"In my shoulder bag." I said. I heard him chuckle as I shut the door.

I pulled out my phone and called Mary Lou. "Hey Steph." She said answering.

"Wanna go to the mall?"

"What're we driving?" She asked. "I know the Spyder went Kaboom today."

I stopped and walked into the apartment. Carlos was standing in the foyer smirking. He handed me the keys to the Turbo. "The Turbo." I said to ML.

"I'll be ready when you get here. Lenny's picking up the kids today."

I hung up as he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me to him. "Forget something."

"Never when I have Batman to remind me." I said smiling against his mouth. He lowered it and kissed me softly.

"Walk me down?" I asked him. He smiled and put a hand at the small of my back. We took the elevator down. Me leaning against Carlos with his arms around my waist and my hands crossed over his.

I tangled my fingers with his and walked off the elevator with him. He opened the door to the turbo and I slid in. I put the keys in the ignition and started it. He leaned in and buckled me in. His lips let mine and he kissed me hard and passionate.

"What was that for?" I asked panting when he pulled back.

"To remind you I'm waiting for you." He said. I grinned at him.

"Trust me Batman I won't forget your waiting for me." I said. He grinned and closed the door. He stood watching as I backed out and pulled out the garage. Not going inside until after I pulled out.

I pulled up in front of Mary Lou's and she ran out the door leaving Lenny standing in the doorway with a look of shock on his face. She jumped into the Turbo.

"Drive!" She said. I laughed and pulled out revving the engine.

"Why are we running?" I asked.

"Because Lenny was trying to bribe me to stay home with a totally kid free weekend and my choice of sex positions."

I laughed. "I'm so glad Carlos doesn't have to resort to bribing me to get time with me."

"Just wait until you have kids of your own." She said. I smiled.

"That thought doesn't scare me as much as it used to." I said. "There's something about Carlos that makes me want a little mini-Carlos."

"Have you told him that?"

"Of course not." I said rolling my eyes. "Neither of us are ready for that. He just got released for non restricted duty. He's back on the streets and he's happy. We're getting into the husband and wife roles for now. We can worry about kids later."

"When you hit menopause?"

"Who says Carlos will ever want kids Mary Lou?"

"I'm telling you. I've seen the way the man looks at you when you were holding and playing with Lisa. He wants kids."

"You've never said anything about it before." I said shooting her a look.

"I didn't think you were ready." She shrugged.

"I don't know if I am." I said pulling into the mall parking lot.

I shut off the Turbo and made sure to lock it as we walked towards the mall. We walked directly to Macy's shoe department. I tried on an assortment of shoes before choosing two four inch FMP's. One black strappy pair and a red pair of stilettos'.

We walked from Macy's to Victoria's Secret. I felt a tingle on the back of my neck and turned my head slightly. That's when I saw two men in black watching me. I rolled my eyes and motioned to Mary Lou. She laughed.

"Look's like Ranger wants to know what you bought before you get home."

"He wants to know what I'm getting for his birthday." I said rolling my eyes. The I thought about it. "And what I'm getting from Victoria."

I walked across towards them. Hal and Cal looked half frightened as I approached them. "Steph..." Cal said. "It's a coincidence running into you here."

I rolled my eyes. "Where's Lester and Ram?" I asked, knowing if they sent Cal and Hal they were close by.

"Cover's blown boys." Cal said. Lester emerged from a perfume store and Ram from fake plants in between two stores. I rolled my eyes.

"Lester." I said holding out my hand for his phone. He handed it to me and grinned at me.

"I can't believe he sent you of all people." I said to him. He waggled his eyebrows at me.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures, Beautiful."

"So did he want to know where I was getting his birthday present or what I got from Victoria's Secret?"

"Both." Hal said blushing. I have no clue how he survived being an army Ranger.

I opened Lester's phone and found his cousin's number. It rang once before Carlos picked it up. "Is she already at Victoria's Secret? What is she getting? Or is she picking up my birthday present?"

"Well hello to you too Carlos." I said.

I heard sputtering on the other end and what sounded like fumbling. I put my hand on my hip and stared down the four men in front of me, not a single one daring to move. "Babe." He said.

"I was just heading to Victoria's secret but now I'm not so sure I'm going to model it for you when you get home." I said.

He groaned. "Babe don't be like that."

"Be like what, Deceiving?" I asked.

"I didn't mean it like that. I just can't wait."

"If you would have asked I would have sent pictures." I said. This got the attention of the guys in front of me. Cal looked up at the ceiling. Les grinned. Hal blushed and Ram chuckled.

"Babe." He groaned.

"Carlos." I purred.

"Your a tease." He said.

I laughed softly. "Hmmm, if your a good boy I'll model when I get home and maybe let you touch, as long as you call off the dogs."

"Hey!" Lester objected. I gave him Italian Salute of my middle finger.

"I promise babe." He said.

"Actually do you mind if I borrow Lester and Ram?" I asked him biting my lip.

"Why? They aren't going into Victoria's Secret." He growled. I laughed.

"Anything I buy is just for your baby." I said. I could feel his Ego being soothed along with his Alpha Temper.

"Then why do you need them?"

"For your present. Your also not allowed to interrogate them about what it is. If I find out you did I'm make sure your punishment is long, hard, with no pleasure." I said in my sex kitten voice. Mary Lou's eyes bugged out of her head, Hal sputtered, Cal's eyes widened and he took a step back. Les moaned and Ram tried to adjust himself subtly. I felt myself blush. I had forgotten that I was in front of all of them.

"Alright babe. I promise."

"Be good Carlos. Lester wants to talk to you." I said as Lester motioned for his phone back.

He held the phone to his ear for a minute and nodded. "Got it boss." He said before hanging up.

Cal and Hal left and Les and Ram settled in the husband chairs outside of Victoria's secret. Mary lou and I went inside. "You know two years ago you wouldn't have the guts to say that to Carlos. Especially with his men right there."

I laughed softly. "No I wouldn't have. I also now know that egged him on for tonight. Anything that makes my nights more pleasurable." I said. She shivered. "Get whatever you want. You and Lenny deserve some excitement."

I left with four large bags from Victoria's secret and a large bag for Mary Lou. Lester raised his eyebrow and I handed my bags to Ram. "No peaking. Ranger will murder you." Ram said.

Les pouted. I laughed. I linked my arm through Les's and walked towards the jewelry store. "What're we doing here Beautiful?" Les asked.

I walked up to the counter and Mike the sales clerk walked over. "You brought a team this time Mrs. Manoso."

I smiled. "I had an incident today and the watch was destroyed. Is there by any chance I can have a similar one made and rushed?"

"Your in lucky Mrs. Manoso. I ordered a few to come in along with your husbands as they have become quite popular. I have a few in stock. It'll take about an hour to do all the same unique touches to it."

"That'll be fine. I wanted to go to the food court anyway."

"You want all the same engravements and stone?" He asked. I nodded.

"Give me an hour." He said. I smiled.

"Thank you Mike."

"Your welcome Mrs. Manoso." He said.

The four of us walked from the store to the food court. "So what are you looking for Steph?" Ram asked.

"I feel like Ice Cream. I want a huge Sundae."

"The boss is going to kill you." Ram said. I gave him a wicked grin.

"Tomorrow is Ranger's birthday." Les said. Ram grinned.

"I'll burn most of it off tonight. Besides I need the energy." I said. They laughed.

We were all sitting at the table in the food court when someone stumbled into my chair. I turned in my chair and recognized the brown messy hair and whiskey colored eyes. On his arm was his latest blond bimbo.

"Cupcake." Joe said. I rolled my eyes.

"Joe." I said.

"Where's Manoso? Is he passing you around to all his thugs too?"

I put a hand on Lester's arm as he started to raise out of his chair. "You mean like your doing with the girl on your arm. Isn't this Tina who was in BigDog's bed last week? Does he know your banging his girlfriend?"

He sputtered and the blond went pale. I smiled at her. "Your wasting your time Tina. He seems good in bed now but he's not worth it. He's got way to many issues. Trust me you could find someone better. If you decide to stay with him though remember for a guy who was in the Navy he's better on dry land and he's not good at water play. He also doesn't have allot of stamina, and doesn't care for foreplay."

She sputtered and Joe turned bright red. "Unless you want BigDog to find out Joe walk away." I said. He dragged Tina away and I grinned and tumbled into laughter with Lou.

Lester was shaking his head smiling and Ram was laughing but trying not too. "Your bad Bomber." Ram said.

"I know way more about his moves than I needed to." Lester said. I laughed at him.

After we picked up the watch Mary Lou and I got into the Turbo. I parked in front of her house and she smiled at me, making sure she grabbed her loan Victoria's secret bag.

"Expect a phone call from Lenny thanking you."

I laughed. "Anytime Lou." I said. She got out and waved as I pulled away. When I got back to Rangeman I hid his present in my shoulder bag. That would be saved until tonight. I carried the bags into the elevator and got off on five. It was time to tease Carlos.

I knocked on his office door and he called 'Enter'. I walked in and set the bags in front of his desk, in clear view and let my bag fall into his chair. I walked around his desk and bumped his chair slightly and slid into his lap.

I leaned up and kissed him as he wrapped his arms around me. "You were busy." He said when he pulled back.

"You gave me free reign." I said. He grinned. I straddled his lap and he took my hips in his hands.

"You better be in the apartment at six o'clock. Not a minute early not a minute late. I have a surprise for you and we're having dinner tonight. Tell Tank your offline." I said.

He kissed me again. "Lester told me about running into Joe."

I handled it." I said grinning.

"He told me all the details of it." He said grinning. "I like water play babe."

"I know how good you are in the shower Batman. Trust me you have enough stamina also." I said. He chuckled.

"I'll see you at six." I said. He kissed me before letting me go.

"Six." He nodded.

I grabbed all the bags and took the elevator up to seven. I took a shower, shaved, exfoliated and washed my hair. I styled it when I got out letting it fall in soft curls. I pulled on one of my new teddies. It was complete lace and it had ties down the middle and on the hips. It was a dark blue that I knew Carlos would love it.

I pulled a cobalt blue dress over the top and only put on a tinted lip gloss. I called down to Ella to bring up dinner about twenty minutes before Carlos came home and to take him down a suit. When she came up and saw me she grinned.

"Carlos is going to love this." She said. I smiled.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence Ella. I hope he does. Can you remind him six o'clock?"

"Sure thing." She said. I smiled and walked to the closet and pulled on a pair of sparkly four in FMP's. At exactly six o'clock Carlos walked in. he looked sexy in his black suit, and white dress shirt. He had the top three buttons undone showing a few inches of chest.

I walked up to him and he pulled me to him. I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Welcome home." I said as his mouth descended to mine.

I pulled back from the kiss before I completely lost train of thought. "Hungry?"

"Not for food." He growled. He picked me up and tossed me over his shoulder. This wasn't exactly what I had in mind.

We laid in bed hours later panting. My head rested against his chest, his arm around me. "I've got your present."

"My birthday isn't for a few more hours." He said nuzzling my neck. I rolled my eyes and rolled from the bed. He groaned at the loss but I heard him moan as he watched me walk across the room to the closet. I grabbed the watch box and brought it back to him. He laid against the head board. He hadn't bothered to raise the sheets to cover himself. I wouldn't either if I was him.

I settled on the bed next too him as he opened it. The watch was black and titanium. On the 12 o'clock spot was his birthstone, the 3 Julie's, the six mine and on the 9 was the stone for both the month we met and the month we married.

"Turn it over." I said my voice oddly silent. He turned it over and read the inscription.

He laughed. "I love it."

"I thought you would."

"I see why you were so upset this morning."

"Mike had extra's in stock."

"Mike?" He asked in a low voice.

"The sale person." I said smiling.

"Babe."

"Your the only man for me Batman." I said straddling him. The box and watch were placed on the nightstand as he focused all his attention on me.

I know I posted two chapters in a day... But

What did you think?

I hope you enjoyed. I would love any critiques anyone has.

Joe had to make an appearance sometime and the opportunity presented itself in this chapter. Maybe I should make BigDog find out about Tina and Joe. Maybe some carefully told information from the man in black or one of the Merry Men.

I dropped a few more hints on what led to their HEA. All comments are welcome.

A prequel type story might be in the works for all those who are interested. I'm considering writing it and I have most of the story planned out in my head and have started to put some of it in writing. I don't know what it will be called yet but when I come up with a title I'll post it in my bio.