Chapter 10

The city looked beautiful. Confinement does wonders to you. It was like I was looking at it for the first time. The streets were busy, children played on sidewalks, runners with sweaty bodies dodged the kids, mothers walked pushing strollers, all in all it was a nice summer night. The sky was sapphire blue with hints of yellow, gold and red. The sun had just set and it was showing all its magnificence.

We pulled up to a restaurant near pleasant point. The beach was soaring and the ocean breeze tickled my skin. The building was a one story colonial mansion, with large windows and plantation shutters. Green shrubs surrounded the lush lawn and yellow and white lilies adorned the garden. There was the most wonderful tree with fuchsia flowers that cascaded almost onto the grass on one side and made a gorgeous natural canopy on the other. There was a bench under the tree's canopy, it made for a romantic spot, and next to it was a birth bath that was crowded with four canneries.

"Like it?" Ranger said with a full smile on.

"Like it? Ranger this is gorgeous. You sure know how to make a girl smile!" She looked at him and saw emotion. She saw that the blank face was replaced with happiness. He came around her side opened her door, and held his hand out to her.

"I love this place. I haven't been here in a while, but the food is excellent and the atmosphere is fun." He wished the festive surroundings will help bring her out of her depression. It has been two and half months since her accident and she needs to move on with her life. Just then her stomach growled. "I guess we got here just in time."

"Well then let's get to it." Her eyes glimmering in the setting sun. She felt good; it was nice to get out of the apartment. It was time. Time to let sad feelings go. Her life had changed the night she lost her baby. She hurt for the outcome of the accident, but had learned to live with the fact that it was an accident. It was time to move on and forgive Joe. Time to realize that they will never again have a romantic relationship.

They were greeted by a young woman wearing a female version of a tuxedo.

"Good evening. Table for two?"

"Yes. Something on the terrace please." Ranger placed a proprietary hand on the small of her back.

"Certainly, follow me." She looked at Ranger from head to toe. Hooch.

"You know I'm not made of glass. Women should try to make it a little less obvious when they drool all over you." It sounded a little higher pitched than she wanted to.

"Jealous Babe?" He looked at her from the corner of his eyes, smirk in place.

"No! I just think that they should keep their hormones in check, that's all." And eyes locked in another direction, hands to themselves, and tongues in their mouths… Christ! Where are all those thoughts coming from?

The terrace was dimly lit with the sun, candles on the small round tables and tiny white lights that were suspended from the ceiling. The terrace was almost at beach level only three steps to the sand where there were a path made out of tea light candles. This was a very romantic place. We were seated at the farthest table in the corner, and the ocean breeze swept passed us with almost a musical hymn.

"Ranger this place truly is remarkable. Thank you for bringing me here."

"Well you wanted to go out, so only the best will do for your first outing."

"Hmm… I love the ocean. The waves crashing… its tranquil." She stared into the ocean. It was so grand. You could still see the glimmer of the sun, it was like glitter. Red, yellow and almost orange glitter that sparkled.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. I used to come here when I would feel down." He thought about all those times that she went back to Morelli, those were some of the most confusing periods of his life.

"It's peaceful." She closed her eyes and took in the smells of the ocean and the caress of the breeze and she felt peaceful.

Ranger just looked at her. He wished he could hug her, keep her tight against his chest and make things better for her. He hoped she would talk to him about what she was feeling; he wanted to help ease the pain, hold her hand through this ordeal.

"Everybody treats me like a porcelain doll, fragile, like if I'm going to break any minute." She sighed.

"Babe, you went through a horrible experience. One of the worse if you asked me. A cheating boyfriend, a car accident and the loss of a baby, it's very traumatic."

"I know… but I've come to terms with it. I can't forget what Joe did, but I forgive him. Neither he nor I had control of the accident, and the loss of the baby is not his fault." She felt calm, relieved to be talking to someone about this.

"Yeah you're right about those things, but how do you feel overall?" He looked nervous; he didn't want to push too hard.

"I woke up this morning and I decided to go on with my life, I won't have complete closure until I see Joe, but I feel so much better. It wasn't time for my baby, and I understand that now."

"Babe…"

"No, listen, I thought I didn't want children but when I found out I was pregnant all these feelings I never though I could feel came naturally to my heart. I want that someday."

His heart starting beating faster, his palms sweaty, his jaw clenched. He wondered if she would be able to go back to Morelli after all of this. He had disappeared.

"Someday?" His voice was the usual flat tone.

"Yeah, someday." She locked eyes with him. "Not with Joe, I can't go back to him. Our relationship is shattered, there is nothing either one of can do about it. I hope we could put this whole thing past us and stay friends." She waited for his reaction, a hint of what he was feeling. But as usual he kept his blank face in place. "I just hope we can talk about it some time soon, I wonder where he is."

"Babe, he's a jerk for cheating on you, but I'm sure he's having a tough time dealing with the accident and the baby."

"Yeah, I just wish I could see him. Maybe if we talked he'll feel better."

They were interrupted by the waiter and they ordered dinner.

"What are you going to after your doctor clears you for work?"

"Well, I had been thinking about that too. I wanted to get trained, I'm tired of being so inept at my job, I want to be able to defend myself, but most of all I want to be in better shape."

"Really? Babe… good for you. You know you are still a Rangeman employee you can train with the guys if you want. I could teach you martial arts, Bobby is the computer geek and he can teach you all about that stuff, Lester is the best with guns, and Tank can teach you how to be aware of tails and how to loose them." He was beaming. This is the Steph he knew. She was as strong as ever, and he was proud of her.

"Yeah I was hoping you guys could help me. You sure the guys wouldn't mind?

"Mind? Steph they love you, you're like a sister to them. I know they'll be lining up to train you."

"Ok, well as soon as the MD says its ok we'll organize something, okay?"

"Sure, I'll talk to the guys tomorrow."

The food arrived and ate in silence. When the dessert trolie came around Steph's eyes widened like a kid during Christmas.

"See anything you like babe?" He chuckled.

"uhmm… that tiramisu looks out of this world. I'll have that." She licked her lips and Rangers breath caught. He loved to watch her eat. The sounds she made were making him crazy. After dinner they walked on the beach for a few minutes and talked a little more about her future.

Ranger looked at his watch. "Time to go Babe. Its late and you need to rest." He held out his hand.

"Thank you so much for tonight. It was wonderful. Just what I needed." She brought her arms out and swirled towards him. She stumbled a little and he was at her side in a heartbeat.

"Careful there." He held her by the waist and looked into her eyes. She leaned up and brushed her lips to his. It was a quick, sweet kiss. He tightened his grip and returned the kiss.

"Lets go tiger. Its late."

They drove home in silence and Steph drifted off to sleep.