~23~
Steph quickly agreed to the trip to visit the other office. She was going to leave Lester in charge of the clients while she was gone. The client department was still rapidly growing and Manny was now working with Steph full time. Manny agreed to tag along and help go over the changes she'd made in Trenton. One of her big pushes on this trip would be for the other offices to hire at least one woman to handle clients. She wasn't sure how that would go over, but with Manny there to share his experiences working with Steph, she hoped things would work out. Ranger wasn't too excited that Manny was going along, but Manny would be heading back to Trenton after the Atlanta visit.
Ranger and Steph were spending almost all of their free time together, either staying at night in her apartment or upstairs in his. He really wanted her to move in with him, but that was rushing things and they agreed to take it slower than they normally would have in the past. She was able to get him out of the office on the weekends that he didn't have to work and taught him how to sit and relax. One day she had gotten him to the beach and they were just laying on towels with their shoes kicked off. It wasn't warm enough to swim or to even strip down to swimsuits, but she still got him there. They were looking up at the clouds and picking out shapes. Ranger kept laughing at her because all of her cloud shapes turned into food and she laughed at him because his all turned into weapons or cars.
They stopped at Pino's for pizza on the way back to the building and ran into Morelli. He was there with a few other police officers and stopped by their table on his way out. "Steph, Manoso. How are you?" he asked. Steph looked up and said, "We're good Joe. It's nice to see you." "I'm on my way out and just wanted to say hello", he said. Ranger nodded to him but didn't say anything. He knew this was the first time Steph had seen him since she walked out of his house. Joe nodded back to Ranger and he walked out the door. Ranger looked at Steph and asked, "Babe, you okay?" She smiled at him and reached over to grab his hand, linking her fingers through his. "You know, I am okay. I knew I'd see him eventually and hopefully the awkwardness is past us." The waitress dropped off their food just then so she let go of his hand and dug into the pizza. Her enthusiasm eating cause him to shift in his seat a few times. He looked at her and smiled. "Babe." "What? I enjoy food." "Babe, eat faster because I need to get you home and see if you can enjoy something else." She gave her a blinding smile and laughed when she started shoving pizza in her mouth.
As he paid the bill, Steph walked over and talked to some of the other cops that were there. He joined her, nodded his hellos and then ushered out the door. He helped into his car and then drove as fast as he could back to RangeMan. He slammed the brakes on and jumped out of the car, running around to her side before she could even get her seatbelt unbuckled. "Jesus Ranger, I'm not going anywhere. You know you're going to get some when we get upstairs so just calm down." He pulled her out of the car and threw her over his shoulder and headed to the stairs. He didn't even want to wait on the elevator. They bounded up the stairs with her swatting his butt the entire way up seven floors. He kicked open his apartment door and turned around to kick it shut, but Steph had already reached back and swung it shut. He set her down, backed her up against the closed door and attacked. Her laughter turned to moans and eventually she slid down the door to the floor trying to catch her breath. He leaned against the door and slowed his breathing down before picking her up and carrying her to the bedroom, where they spent the rest of the night together. They had long ago used up the condom supply from the guys and Ranger had stocked up both of their bedroom side tables. They made a good sized dent in his supply that night.
~24~
Finally it was time to head out of the other RangeMan offices. Steph ended up with 4 suitcases full of clothes and shoes. Ranger had 1 suitcase and a duffel bag. He stood eyeing her suitcases and shaking his head. "What? Do you want me to look like a slob when we get there? I don't know what the weather is going to be so I have to be prepared. Besides, I packed something just for you for Miami." She laughed at him and answered the knock at the door. Lester had come up to help with the luggage and they all rode in the elevator together to the garage. Lester helped load the luggage and pulled her in for a hug and good bye kiss. Ranger growled when Lester's kiss landed on her lips and he just laughed and said, "I can give you a kiss too if you want." Lester ducked out of the way before Ranger could smack him in the head. Steph laughed and pulled Ranger into the car. They had decided to drive to Boston, just the two of them. Ranger had plans to stop in New York City for the night and treat her to a show and dinner. Maybe even a carriage ride through Central Park. Manny was flying and would meet them at the Boston RangeMan building.
The drive to New York City went fairly quick. Traffic was minimal and once they agreed on the type of music to listen to, they sang along. Steph never knew Ranger had such a sweet singing voice. She'd have to work to get him to sing to her more. Ranger pulled up to The Plaza Hotel and Steph let out a gasp. He handed the keys to the valet and helped her out of the car. "Ready to go check-in Eloise?" he asked, laughing and pulling her into his arms. "Ranger, we're staying at The Plaza? Really? I've always wanted to stay here ever since I read the Eloise books." "Babe, I know, you told me that once and I thought this would be a great chance to treat you. Nothing but the best for my Babe. Now, let's go check-in and see if we can find you something with Eloise on it from the shops."
Ranger handled the check-in and found Stephanie looking around the lobby, just taking it all in. He had to admit, it was a bit overwhelming. He walked over to her and said, "Babe, you ready to go upstairs? They are sending our bags up so we're free to head up." "Ranger, look at that shop. It's all Eloise themed. I'm sure I can find something for my nieces in there." "Babe, let's go upstairs and then we can figure out what we want to do while we're in town. I was thinking about maybe a show and then a late dinner." He led her to the elevator and put his key card in the elevator. It took them straight to their floor without stopping at any of the other floors. She looked at him and he just smiled. When the elevator door opened, it opened up into a suite that he had booked for them. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the elevator. "Babe, it's not the Eloise suite, but we are at the tippy tippy top of the building." She looked at him with her mouth hanging open. "First of all, wow. A suite at the top of The Plaza. And second, you know about Eloise?" "Babe, Julie went through a phase. Maybe next time she comes to visit us, we can get your nieces and spend the weekend here and maybe even in the Eloise suite." Stephanie jumped into his arms and kissed him for a long time. "Babe."
They unpacked once their bags were delivered and decided to go see Chicago and then a late dinner at a restaurant near the hotel. Steph headed into the bathroom to take a shower and before she could finish, Ranger had joined her. The shower went on for a bit longer than normal and they both ended up getting dressed together in the bedroom. Steph headed back into the bathroom to finish up her hair and makeup and when she came out, Ranger was speechless. She was wearing a beautiful blue dress that hugged her curves in all the right places, silver heels and had done her hair up in a half up do with several strands of curls hanging down to frame her face. "Babe, you look beautiful. Here I think this will go with your dress tonight." He handed her a long flat jewelry box. She looked at him and said, "You don't have to buy me anything. This hotel room is enough." "Babe, just open it and accept it. I can afford to buy you pretty things so learn to enjoy them, please." "Damn you Ranger, you just had to say please, didn't you?" He reached over and wiped away the tears that she had been unaware were even falling down her face. She opened the box and let out a gasp. It was a beautiful diamond and sapphire bracelet. He reached over and took it out of the box and put it on her wrist. He kissed her hand and then said, "Go fix your makeup Babe so we can go." She gave him a kiss and said, "Thank you Ranger. It's beautiful." "No Babe, the bracelet is sparkly, you are what's beautiful." He gently pushed her towards the bathroom and waited by the door for her, holding her wrap and purse. She came out a few minutes later and walked over to him. She gave him another kiss and then they were off.
Once they stepped outside of the hotel, Ranger opened a door to a cab that was waiting for them. It was only a 10 minute ride to the theater and once they arrived, he grabbed her hand and they walked in to find their seats. Ranger stepped out after Steph was seated and came back with a glass of wine for each of them. They chatted quietly until the show started and then Steph was lost in the wonder of the musical. Chicago was one of her favorites and this was the first time she'd seen it live. Ranger refilled their wine at intermission and the second half of the show was even better than the first. When they stood at the end for the curtain call, Ranger could see that this was a dream come true for Stephanie. He had made arrangements prior to the show to have a meet and greet with the cast once it was over and when he pulled Stephanie backstage, she was speechless. Ranger knocked on one of the dressing room doors and when they heard the yelled "come in" he opened the door and pulled Steph inside. Lana Gordan was sitting at her dressing table, taking off her stage makeup. She looked up and saw Ranger and Steph and jumped up. She ran over and threw herself into Ranger's arms. Steph looked shocked, but Ranger was laughing. "Hello Lana. I see you're just as excited as ever." "Carlos, you should have told me you were coming tonight. I would have marked off some seats for you two." She turned towards Steph and held out her hand. "Lana Gordan, nice to meet you." Steph shook her hand and smiled. "Stephanie Plum. Ranger, I didn't know you knew someone in the show." Lana laughed and looked at Ranger. "Stephanie? The infamous Stephanie?" "Lana, please," said Ranger. Lana grabbed Steph's hand and pulled her over to the couch. They sat down and Steph looked at her and said, "Whatever you heard, it wasn't my fault. Well, most of it wasn't my fault, but there were a few times it really was my fault."
Lana laughed and looked at Ranger. "Carlos, she's perfect for you. I hope you don't let her get away." Ranger smiled and said, "Babe, Lana is an old friend from the neighborhood. In fact, she was my first girlfriend. She broke my poor little 12 year old heart. Anytime I get to New York, I try to stop by and see her." Steph looked at the two of them in amazement and thought, "Wow, a fact about Batman's childhood." Lana and Ranger burst into laughter and Steph blushed. Apparently the thought came out of her mouth. "So, tell me about Ranger's wild youth." Lana launched into story after story and by the end of an hour, Ranger put a stop to it. He stood up and pulled Stephanie off the couch. "Babe, if we're going to get dinner, we'd best be going." He pulled Lana in for a hug and she whispered something into his ear. He blushed and nodded while saying, "That will not happen." Lana hugged Steph and whispered to her "Carlos loves you. Take care of him." Steph smiled and reached back for Ranger's hand. Lana smiled at them and walked them to the door. "Come back again and visit. I'll be here, just singing and dancing." Ranger gave her a kiss on the cheek and then he walked Steph out the door.