Stephanie plopped into bed and continued to toss and turn for what seemed like hours. She was anxious about the next morning. She knew she had a lot of stuff to do when she returned to Trenton, but more importantly she knew it was all going to be worth it.
When her alarm clock startled her awake several hours later she sat up in bed and smiled. Then, into the empty room she said aloud, "It's time to go home."
Steph In The Right Direction
Chapter Five
The radio blared so loudly in the convertible that Stephanie was barely able to hear her cell phone chirp. After finally taking notice she turned down the CD and grabbed the phone.
"Hello?"
"Steph, it's Lou where are you?"
"Hey girl, I'm about 30 minutes outside of Trenton. I'll be there soon!"
"Thank god, I can't believe how much I've missed you."
"Same here Lou. It was a long couple of months but it was well worth it. So where are you?"
"I'm getting ready to head over to your parents house. They've arranged a little dinner for you."
Stephanie laughed. "Little huh? My family doesn't know how to do anything little. But I'm in such a great mood right now I don't even care. I can't wait to be back home."
"Well drive safe hon, but hurry!"
"Don't worry, I'll be there soon. Kisses."
"Kisses back Steph."
Stephanie snapped the phone shut and returned it to it's plastic holder on the dash board. She clicked the music back up and sped down the road. Her happy thoughts were so overpowering she didn't even notice the flashing blue lights behind her. She wasn't sure how long they had been following her when she finally grimaced at her rearview mirror. She mumbled a few choice curse words then quickly pulled off onto the shoulder of the road. Before the car had even come to a complete stop she was fumbling around in her purse looking for her identification.
"Ahem" said a deep voice through the car window.
"Just a sec officer I'm looking for my license and registration." Stephanie dug deeper into her bag not taking the time to look back at the cop.
"That won't be necessary ma'am."
Stephanie jerked her head around quickly and realized she was staring at a very familiar face. "Carl! Oh my god, I didn't realize it was you."
"The one and only. I couldn't believe it when I called in your tag and your name came back as the owner. I didn't even know you were back in town."
"Actually I'm just driving in now. I'm on my way to my parents."
"Oh, well since you're heading to your parents, and I don't want to piss off Grandma Mazur I'll let you go with a warning."
"Thanks, I owe you one."
"Yes you do, and I'll remember that. Now slow the hell down and be safe little lady."
"Thanks Carl. See ya around."
As Stephanie's tires squealed onto the highway Carl mumbled to himself, "I sure hope so."
When she reached her parents she noticed a small swarm of cars parked in front of the house. Not only was her entire family there but she also spotted Mary Lou and Lenny's car, Lula's mustang, and Connie's Toyota.
The moment she stepped through the doorway, screams were heard all throughout the house. Stephanie quickly became the center of a good ole fashioned pig pile. Mary Lou, Connie, Grandma Mazur, Val and the girls all jumped on her at once. Ellen clapped her hands together and nearly cried with excitement.
Once the huddled, giggling mass of women was separated Stephanie went around the room hugging each and everyone there, even Albert.
She couldn't believe how much she had missed her family. She struggled to understand how she could once find them to be such a pain. Everything about them smelled, tasted and felt like home and for that one particular moment Stephanie wouldn't change a thing.
Dinner was only slightly more chaotic than usual. Stephanie answered an endless number of questions about her activities during the past couple of months, after which her family filled her in on the funerals, affairs, catastrophes, and other happenings around the Burg during her absence.
Just as the dessert dishes were being cleared from the table someone knocked on the front door. Ellen jumped up quickly, remembering that the best Burg hostesses don't keep guests waiting.
"Welcome Joseph, do come in." Ellen said to the man on the front porch.
"Thank you Mrs. Plum, I just stopped by to see Stephanie."
Stephanie took a deep breath then slide back from the table. "Well you didn't waste any time. Talk to Carl lately?"
Joe walked over to Steph and proceeded to wrap her into a gigantic bear hug.
Stephanie hugged back for a moment then finally pushed Joe away, but not quick enough to prevent him from kissing her on the cheek.
"I've missed you Cupcake."
Steph glanced around the room and realized all eyes were now on her and the cop. She shifted slightly, grabbed Joe's arm and proceeded to lead him outside. "We need to have a talk Joe."
"Sure thing Cupcake. But lets get your stuff loaded into the car and we can talk when we get back home."
Stephanie took a seat on the first step off the porch. "I'm not going to your place Joe."
Joe snickered then replied, "Don't be silly Steph. Of course you're coming home with me. You gave up the lease on your apartment and I know you don't want to stay here with your parents."
Steph sighed deeply. "You're right about one thing Joe. I don't want to stay here, but if the choice is staying here or going back with you and picking up where we left off, then I pick my family."
Joe frowned at her in disbelief. "What's the deal here Steph? Did you run off on some stupid vacation and now I'm not good enough for you?"
Stephanie stood back up and crossed her arms across her chest. "I didn't say that Joe and to be honest I didn't want to get into this tonight, but since you aren't leaving me any other options then here goes.
While I was gone, I realized a lot of things about myself. First and foremost, I finally figured out why I hadn't been happy for so long."
Joe took a step away from her then raised his hand to stop her from talking. "Oh please Steph. Don't tell me you are about to say I'm the reason you've been so fucking unhappy. Don't you dare blame that shit on me."
"Well Joe if you wouldn't have interrupted me you would have seen that's not what I was going to say."
Joe practically rolled his eyes as he responded, "Fine then, I'll shut up. Lay it on me Steph, tell me the reason for all your troubles. It should make for a good story."
"Fine Joe, if you want to play this the hard way we will. I don't want to fight, so please just let me speak my peace and then you can go."
Joe nodded his head in agreement.
"I realized that I wasn't demanding the respect that I deserved. Yes, part of that is aimed at you, but not all of it. I realized for the first time in my life that I want a real relationship. I want a man to be there for me when I need him, to support me, to love me and most of all to treat me as if I matter to him. I need a man that will actually ask me to go on a date with him, who will take me out in public and feel proud that he is with me. I'm not saying it was all bad Joe. I have very strong feelings for you and I know deep down you know that as well. I don't know exactly what those feelings mean because we never really explored them."
"What are you talking about Steph, we were living together for chrissakes."
"Yeah Joe, out of need not out of genuine desire. Think about it, what we had wasn't a real relationship. Besides having sex and watching hockey together, what did we ever do as a couple?"
"Oh, come on Steph. We went out."
"When Joe, when? Name one actual date we had. Name one time we got dressed up and went out for the evening."
Joe thought for a moment then finally came up with an answer. "The wedding. I took you to my cousin's wedding."
"Oh that's right. You mean the wedding where you abandoned me to be with that blonde floozy."
"That's not fair Steph. That was work and you know it."
"Exactly Joe. You came up with one date, and even that didn't count because you put work ahead of me."
Joe ran his fingers through his sandy brown hair. "So what are you saying Steph? Is this it? Is this how it ends."
"That's not what I'm saying. I just want things to change. I still have feelings for you and I'm willing to see where they will go if you are. But we can't go back to the way we were."
"So what? We date then?"
"After loosing my virginity to you, living with you, and after 3 years I think it's time, don't you?"
"If that's what you want, that's what we'll do. Tomorrow night ok? I'll pick you up at 7:00, we'll grab takeout from Pino's and we'll rent a video or two."
Stephanie shook her head in disgust. "You didn't hear a word I just said, did you Morelli?"
"Fine, fine. We'll do it your way. I'll pick you up at 8:00 tomorrow and I'll take you to dinner. Is that better?"
"Will it be some place other than Pino's?"
"Yes."
"Will you wear a suit?"
Joe let out a big breath. "If you insist."
"I do."
"Fine then, see you tomorrow."
Joe turned to take the long, lonely walk down the sidewalk to his truck. He stopped in his tracks when he heard Steph call out to him.
"And Joe?"
"Yeah?"
"You'll be bringing me back here tomorrow night. There won't be any more sleepovers. I just didn't want you to get your hopes up."
"Don't worry Steph, I think you've stomped out all the hope I had left."
With a smile Stephanie turned on her heel and walked back into the house. As soon as she entered the kitchen Mary Lou asked, "Well? How did it go?"
Stephanie smiled, "Just as planned. Now if only the conversation with Ranger goes as well, I'll be right where I want to be."
To be continued…
