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."

Steph In The Right Direction

Chapter Six

Stephanie's second day back in Trenton was spent going from apartment building to apartment building in search of the 'perfect' place. By the time they had visited the 18th apartment, Mary Lou was convinced that Steph would forever be living with her parents.

"This one's too… pink." Steph said as she scrunched her nose in disgust.

"Then paint it! It's only a few blocks from Vinnie's office, it's clean and looks safe, plus it has some great closet space. What more could you want?"

Stephanie walked in circles around the empty apartment. "I don't know exactly Lou, but this just isn't the place. I'll know it when I see it."

Feeling too tired to argue, Mary Lou followed Stephanie to the car and prepared for the next location. Henderson street was only a few blocks away and as they neared the apartment complex Stephanie nearly turned giddy.

"Look Lou! They have a pool!"

"I see that Steph, but how about watching where you're going and not give us an up close view of the bottom of that pool."

Jerking the car back into the driving lane Stephanie blushed. "Oooo sorry about that. Let's park and go take a look inside."

After finding the door marked 'manager' Stephanie knocked softly and waited. A short moment later, they were greeted by a gentle looking middle aged woman who introduced herself as Gracey. After explaining she was interested in taking a look at the apartment for rent Stephanie was handed a set of keys and directions to the area of the building in question.

Stephanie and Mary Lou stepped off the elevator on the third floor and began searching for the apartment labeled 3-C. It obviously didn't take long to find and quick enough, Stephanie was sliding the key into the handle and granting herself access to the most wonderful apartment she had seen.

From the second she opened the door, Stephanie knew this place was the one. The kitchen was over to the left and was gorgeous. The floor and countertops were covered with shiny black and white ceramic tiles. The walls were painted bright red and there were tiny red accents all throughout the kitchen.

To the right and directly in front of the doorway was the living room. The far wall was solid glass and encased a terrific view of downtown Trenton. The living room was small but that downfall was easily compensated by a large stone fireplace.

Ignoring Steph's 'ooos' and 'ahhhs', Mary Lou tried her best to keep her focused on the task at hand.

"Calm down Steph. Let's take a look at all of it before you decide. Come on, let's check out the bedroom."

Once again the gasps and moans escaped from Steph as they entered the bedroom. It was a fairly plain room compared to the other two however there was again a large window on the main wall with yet another fantastic view of Trenton. Further into the bedroom there were 2 more doors besides the main entry. One opened into a huge walk-in closet with built-in shelving. Including a built-in shoe rack. Stephanie nearly climaxed on the spot. She didn't reach full orgasm only because she was startled to attention by a near scream coming from the other room.

Stephanie ran towards the noise and found Mary Lou curled inside the largest, whirlpool tub she had ever seen.

"This is it Steph! You have to take it! Do you think Lenny will mind if I come and live with you?"

"Probably so Lou. You are the mother of his children after all."

A distinct look of disappoint spread across Mary Lou's face. "Oh yeah."

5 hours later Stephanie, Valerie, Albert, Ellen, Grandma Mazur and Frank were carrying up the last load from the car.

"I can't believe you still have this much stuff even though you sold most of your belongings before you left." remarked Valerie with a slight hint of irritation.

"Yeah I know and just think, I still have several large pieces of furniture to buy. Speaking of which, can you guys come by tomorrow and help me unload them? I called Stevie down at the Furniture Hut and he said I could buy on credit and he would give me an extra 15 off if he didn't have to deliver."

The moment Stephanie finished speaking all five members of her family spoke at once.

"I have work to do (Albert). I need to pump some breast milk for the baby. (Val). I have to make a cake for Sarah Spencer who is having her spleen removed (Ellen). Gotta work kiddo, or I would (Frank). I need to get new batteries for my didlo (Grandma Mazur)."

Stephanie shook her head. "Fine, fine. I'll find someone else to help me out. I'm sure I'll find a few strong, young men willing to give me a hand

As soon as it had passed through her lips Stephanie knew the solution to her problem.

The following morning Stephanie bounced from bed at exactly 8:00. She had spent the previous night unpacking most of her belongings. She was finished by midnight and quickly passed out on the blow up mattress Mary Lou had loaned her.

After a quick shower, she tossed on a pair of her new jeans and a cute little tank top. It was the beginning of fall, but the weather in N.J. was still warm enough for her to show some skin. She decided to take full advantage and made sure she picked a shirt short enough that would ride up and reveal her tight new abs when the need arose. With her hair pulled up in a loose ponytail she darted off to the office with the top down on her convertible.

Lula and Connie both let out supersonic screams the moment she stepped through the door. Questions, laughs, and smiles were passed around equally. Stephanie spent the next 45 minutes describing what her life had been like for the last couple of months. And for the first time in her life, she kept talking when he passed through the door. She knew it was him. The hair on her neck still stood on end, her panties still became useless and Connie and Lula still slipped into idiotic stupors.

Stephanie finished her story despite feeling his hand trail up her spine and settle on her neck. When she did finally finish, she turned to him and met his gaze.

"Glad to see you Ranger. Can I speak to you outside?"

He didn't speak and if not for the slightest nod she would have thought he hadn't heard her.

She picked up her pace and was able to break the contact with his hand just as they walked outside, around the corner and into the alley.

The loss of touch didn't last long, because just as in the past Ranger grabbed her upper arm and shoved her roughly against the side of the building. He planted his arms on her shoulders and dug his feet into the ground just to the outside of her own.

As he leaned in for the usual kiss, Stephanie did what she had been preparing to do for the last two months. She bent her leg slightly, then in one forceful movement, kicked her knee directly into his crotch.

If it hurt, he didn't show it. Instead he took a step closer and pressed his abdomen harder against her leg. His eyes darkened only slightly as he murmured just one word.

"Babe."

To Be Continued…