Ranger jumped up from the table and scooped her up into his arms. "I propose we start practicing in case we ever have a real honeymoon night."
"I like the way you think." she said as she slipped her tongue across his neck. Ranger carried her into the bedroom and for the next two hours they practiced again and again.
Eleven Days Later
Chapter 11
"Well, that went better than I had expected," Stephanie said as she slid into the car next to Ranger.
"I told you we would survive it babe." Ranger reassured her as he pulled the car slowly onto the road.
"What did you and my dad talk about in the garage?"
Ranger flicked her a quick smile and shrugged. "Man stuff."
Stephanie reached over and smacked his shoulder. "Oh please, just tell me what he said."
Ranger laughed then turned slightly more serious. "He asked me what my intentions were."
"Oh God." Stephanie moaned as she dropped her head into her hands.
"Oh, it wasn't that bad babe. He's just looking out for his little girl."
"So what did you tell him?" She asked.
"I was honest. I told him my intentions were entirely dishonorable and he should never allow me in his home again."
Stephanie gasped. "You didn't!"
Ranger tossed his head back and laughed. "Of course I didn't. But I did tell him the truth."
"Which is?"
"That I intend to spend the rest of my life caring for you and doing everything I can to ensure your happiness."
Stephanie smiled then placed her hand on Ranger's thigh. "Good answer Ric."
Ranger smiled, sent her a quick wink then settled into his driving mode.
Fifteen minutes later Stephanie broke the silence. "So, how far is it to your parents?"
"It's an hour outside of Trenton, but this time of day we may hit some traffic. Don't worry babe, you've got plenty of time for nap."
"Smartass." She said before snuggling deeper into the seat.
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Stephanie woke from her nap as Ranger pulled the car to the side of the road.
"Are we there?" She asked.
"No, I just wanted to talk to you first." He explained.
"Ok." Steph said meekly.
"It's not that bad babe. I just wanted to give you an idea of what to expect. And I also want you to know that I understand this is probably pretty hard for you. I just wish I had done things differently and had introduced you to my family a long time ago."
Stephanie raised her palm to his cheek and soothed away his tension. "Promise me one thing Ric. Promise me that no matter what happens in the future, we never look back and say what if. It's in the past now and it doesn't matter. No matter how much we screwed up before we still managed to end up in a pretty great place."
Ranger smiled and rubbed his cheek against her skin. "One hell of a great place." He raised his hand to cover hers then leaned in and planted a soft, tender kiss to her lips. He pulled away slowly breathing in her scent.
"God I love you Steph."
"I love you too. But, before we end up humping in the car tell me what you pulled over for."
Ranger smiled. "Ok, although humping in the car will probably be a lot more fun than drinks at my parents. I just wanted to you to be prepared."
Stephanie slid away from him slightly so she could focus on what he had to say instead of how much she wanted to run her tongue across the muscles in his neck.
"My father is going to love you. He's retired and spends most of his time on the golf course. Mom on the other hand will be completely civil to you but distant at the same time. She still believes that no woman is good enough for me so she'll probably come across as being a snob. Just try to be patient and remember that she's just looking out for me."
"Ok." Stephanie said.
"You're also going to meet my grandfather Carlos. When my grandmother died five years ago he came to live with mom and dad. He's a little off his rocker but pretty much harmless. Just watch out for his hands, sometimes he likes to get frisky."
Stephanie smiled. "So that's where you get it."
"Yeah, I guess it is. So do you have any questions before we go?"
Stephanie thought for a moment then asked, "If everything goes horrible are you still going to love me when we leave?"
Ranger laughed then grabbed her arm and dragged her across the seat until their faces nearly touched. "Nothing that happens in that house or anywhere else will ever change how I feel for you."
Stephanie gave him an innocent peck on the nose then wiggled free of his grasp. "Ok. Just checking."
Ranger laughed again then started the car and aimed it toward his parents.
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The next time the car slowed to a stop was in front of the biggest house Stephanie had ever seen. The front door alone was bigger than her entire apartment.
"What exactly did your dad retire from?" she asked.
"He was an attorney but that didn't buy this place."
Stephanie glanced at him in question.
"I guess I left out a few details." Ranger said as he slid out of the car. He walked around to Steph's side then took her hand and lead her towards the door before continuing. "Dad's father was an immigrant from Cuba. He and my grandmother settled in Miami and worked as hard as they could to provide a good life for their children. Dad inherited their work ethic and threw everything he had into his school work. It paid off and he received a full scholarship to Old Miss. During the summers in Mississippi he got work with a construction company as a painter. The second job he worked on was painting the exterior of an old anti-bellum plantation house. The house was named Rosedown, after my great-great-great grandmother."
"So that's where he met your mother?" Stephanie asked as they inched their way to the massive front doors.
"Yup. As he tells it, he fell instantly in love with her and spent the next four years trying to convince her that she felt the same way about him."
Stephanie laughed. "So your mother is actually a southern belle?"
"Very much so. She comes from a long line of good old southern money, but she almost lost it all when she agreed to marry dad. Her family didn't think he was good enough so they disinherited her for awhile. That was the only time in her life she actually worked for a living."
"So what made them change their minds?"
"Well, the birth of me of course." Ranger grinned.
"What kind of lies are you out here spreading?" said a deep voice from the now open doors.
Ranger beamed as he stepped toward the man in the doorway. With the exception of a few gray hairs on the older man the two of them could pass for twins. The two men embraced and slapped each other on the back.
"Good to see you dad."
"Good to see you to son. It's been too long."
Ranger shrugged. "I know, I've been busy. I'll try to come by more often."
The two parted and Ranger's father eyed Stephanie for the first time. "You do that, but first why don't you introduce me to this vision of loveliness you brought with you."
Stephanie blushed then extended her hand. "I'm Stephanie Plum."
"Well of course you are dear. I know all about you. I'm Andres but pretty, young things like you can call me Andy." He said as he wrapped an arm around her waist and ushered them both inside.
Stephanie nearly gasped as they entered the foyer of the house. A large winding staircase was to her right, and to the left was another set of massive doors. Ranger's father motioned them towards the doors and said, "Your mother's waiting in the lounge for you. I'll grab us some drinks and join you in a moment."
When they were left alone in the hallway Stephanie released the breath she didn't realize she had been holding. Ranger noted her tension the swept his arms around her waist. With his head resting on her shoulder he whispered, "Nothing will ever make me stop loving you."
She smiled against his shoulder and said, "Thanks, I needed that."
"Anytime. Now let's go meet mom."
He grabbed her hand and slowly opened the door.
As they entered the room a woman on the couch looked up from her book and smiled the instant she saw Ranger. She leapt from the couch and reached to give him a huge hug.
"Oh, I've missed you so much." She said.
"I've missed you too mom. I'm sorry I haven't come by sooner, I just promised dad that I would try to do better."
The woman stepped back and looked Ranger up and down. "Have you lost weight? Please tell me you are eating something more than those twigs and leaves you love so much."
Stephanie stifled a giggle and caught the attention of the woman whose expression immediately darkened.
"And who might you be?" She said as she extended her hand.
"Mother, play nice." Ranger whispered.
"Um. I.. I'm Stephanie Plum." Stephanie said as she returned the brief handshake.
"Oh yes. That bounty hunter woman."
"Yes ma'am" she blushed.
"Well Stephanie. I'm Abigail Rosedown-Manaso."
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During the next hour and a half, Stephanie was very thankful that Andy made sure her glass was never empty because the one thing she needed most was some liquid courage.
Ranger had been right about his mother. She was pleasant enough, but deep down Stephanie saw her for the bitch she really was. Aby, as her husband called her kept sneaking judgmental glances in Stephanie's direction. She could practically feel the distaste in the air.
And just when she thought it couldn't get any worse, Andy spoke. "Come with me Ric, I want to show you my newest toy."
Ranger stood and immediately took Stephanie by the hand.
Unfortunately, mommy dearest had other plans for Steph. "Ricardo, let Ms. Plum stay with me. I'll show her the terrace."
Ranger glanced at Stephanie who gave him the briefest nod. She wouldn't dare give Aby any reason to think she could be intimidated.
Ranger walked over and gave Steph a kiss on the forehead before turning to his mother and saying, "Be nice." Then he followed Andy out the door and into the back yard.
"Come Stephanie. Let's have a drink outside." Aby said.
The two women settled into cushiony chairs on a small paved terrace overlooking the estate. Vast, green fields lay before them and for a moment Stephanie almost forgot she was suppose to be tense. "You have a beautiful home Ms. Manaso."
"Thank you. We have shared many memories here."
"I'm sure you have." Stephanie said as the tension returned to her shoulders.
"Yes many memories that I refuse to let be spoiled by certain individuals." Abigail said as she sipped her drink.
Stephanie took a deep breath and tried to remain patient for Ranger's sake.
"I'm sure nothing could take away what you already have Ms. Manaso." she said quietly.
"You aren't the first person to fall for my son Ms. Plum. I'm no dummy. He's very successful, very handsome and when people find out he comes from money that seals the deal."
The anger flared beneath her skin. "What exactly are you implying Ms. Manaso?"
"No need for anger dear. All I'm saying is that you can have as much fun with Ricardo as you like, but that's all it will ever be to him. So don't get your hopes up and start thinking that one day all of this will be yours."
Stephanie took a deep breath as she tried to force her anger back down. "I'm sorry if I've given you that impression but I ensure you that I love Ric and he loves me."
Aby laughed a low, cold chuckle. "Oh dear, men will say the funniest things at certain moments."
Her anger flared to an uncontrollable level. Stephanie took two quick steps toward Ranger's mother and dropped her voice when she spoke. "Ms. Manaso excuse me if you think this is rude, but I thought southern ladies were suppose to have good manners; however apparently you do not. I love Ric, and whether he has all the money in the world or none at all, nothing will change that. I know you don't think I'm good enough for your son, which is sad, because you of all people should know how if feels to love someone your family doesn't approve of."
Aby flinched at the knowledge that Ranger had told Stephanie so much of his family's past. She pulled herself together just as Ric, Andy and another man sped across the lawn in front of them in a golf cart. They squealed to a halt directly in front of the terrace.
"Good lord Carlos, you're going to get yourselves killed." Aby yelled to the man behind the wheel of the golf cart.
Ranger and Andy quickly jumped off the cart in search of safer ground.
"Wimps." The older man said.
Ranger and Andy glanced at one another then burst into a fit of laughter. When they reached the terrace Ranger turned to Steph and said. "Babe, I'd like you to meet my grandfather, Carlos."
The old man leapt from the cart with more energy than his frail body should have allowed. Within seconds he was in front of Stephanie offering his hand. And when she placed hers in his, he grasped it and brought it quickly to his lips.
"It's a wonderful pleasure to meet someone of your beauty." Carlos said as he continued to kiss Stephanie's hand.
She smiled and was relieved that the moment of tension had been interrupted.
"Alright old man, hands off my lady." Ranger laughed as he pulled the man back.
"I never get to have any fun around here." The man grumbled then waddled off to a destination inside the house.
Ranger walked behind Stephanie and snaked his arm around her waist. She stiffened to his touch and he knew instantly that something was wrong.
"Well, I guess Steph and I should get going. It's getting late and we have an hour drive back into Trenton." Ranger said.
The foursome made their way to the front door and each hugged and said their goodbyes. Just as they were about to head down the steps Aby called to Ranger. He took a step back towards her and she leaned down and whispered something into his ear. He didn't respond and quickly joined Stephanie who was already seated in the car.
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Thirty minutes into their drive home, Ranger was unable to sit still. Stephanie hadn't said a word since they had gotten in the car and his imagination had been running wild with the scenarios of what might have happened.
"What did she say to you Stephanie?" Ranger finally asked.
After exhaling a deep breath, Stephanie let her rant fly. "I know she's your mother Ranger, and you love her and if we're going to be together I will have to accept her. But she's an evil, evil woman. In not so many words she called me a golddigger and a whore. And if you hadn't returned when you did I'm not sure what would have happened. But she made it perfectly clear that she hates me and that I'm not good enough for you."
Ranger dropped his head back and laughed. Stephanie felt her anger appear again and she yelled so loud it startled Ranger causing him to swerve the car into another lane. "THIS IS NOT FUNNY RANGER!"
Ranger corrected the car, then slowly brought it to a stop on the side of the road. After shutting off the engine, he unsnapped his seat belt and turned to Stephanie.
"Steph I was laughing about what my mom whispered to me when we were leaving."
Stephanie met his eyes and waited for him to continue.
Ranger reached over and poked her in the side. "Go ahead and ask me," he smiled.
Stephanie rolled her eyes then appeased him. "Fine. What did she say?"
Ranger reached over and grabbed her arms, pulling her into his chest. "She said and I quote: Make sure this one doesn't get away."
Stephanie jumped as if she had been shot. "Are you serious? Did she really say that?"
Ranger laughed, "Yup."
Stephanie thought about it a minute then laughed herself. "That bitch." she said softly.
Ranger's laughter increased and he replied, "That's my mom".
To be Continued…
One more chapter to go….. Then the sequel will be following soon.