~25~
They walked out of the theatre, hand in hand. Ranger asked if she wanted to walk back towards the hotel and stop to eat dinner along the way. Steph agreed and they set off. Steph had been to New York City many times, but never had this much time to just wander. They strolled along and found a place to eat. They were seated by a window so they could watch the city as they ate. They talked quietly between themselves and finally Steph couldn't take it any longer. "Ranger, what did Lana say to you when we were leaving? You blushed. I've never seen you blush before." "Babe, she just told me to stop being an ass and never let go of you and that you're the one for me. That we're the perfect person for each other." "How does she know so much about me if this is the first time I've met her?" "Babe, I've kept in touch with her over the years and helped her out with some money when she first moved to the city. She has a wonderful talent and I knew she belong on Broadway, but it was tough to break out of the old neighborhood. I grew up in a neighborhood that was similar to the Burg. Just not quite as gossipy though." They talked the rest of the meal about their childhoods and how they broke out of them.
After dinner they walked back towards the hotel. Ranger detoured them through Central Park and then waved down a horse and carriage and they took a ride through the park. Ranger talked to the driver had him stop at the fountain near the center of the park. He helped Steph down out of the carriage and walked with her, hand in hand, to the front of the fountain. He leaned in a gave her a gentle kiss. "Having fun Babe?" She stood looking around the park and admiring the art work of the fountain. "You bet I am Ranger. I love New York but have never spent this much time just wandering around. Thank you for bringing me here on the way to Boston." Ranger fidgeted around and then finally grabbed her hands and turned her around to face him.
"Babe," Ranger started, but then stopped and cleared his throat. "Ranger, are you okay?"
"Babe," Ranger tried again, but just couldn't get his thoughts out. "Ranger?"
"Oh hell." With that he knelt down and pulled a ring out of his pocket. "Marry me?"
Steph stood with her mouth hanging open, just staring at him. "What?"
Ranger smiled and said, "I had a big speech all worked out, but once I looked at you, standing here in the moonlight, by the fountain, enjoying our time here together, I just lost my ability to remember what I had come up with, so I'll just wing it. Babe, I love you, more than I have ever loved anyone else. I love everything about you. I love when you figure out something at work. I love how hard you worked in your classes and training but still hate your gun. I love your love of food, even though most of what you eat will kill you. I love how loving you are to everyone, even those who don't deserve your love. I love your spunk and enthusiasm. I love your courage and willingness to help at work, regardless of the situation. I love that you love Julie as if she were your own daughter. Babe, I love all of you and want to spend the rest of my life with you, make a family with you. Please Babe, please marry me."
Steph still just stood, not moving, not speaking, tears running down her face, just standing and staring at him. "Babe, you're leaving me hanging down here." "Huh? Oh Carlos, I love you too. So yes, yes, I'll marry you." He slid the ring on her finger and standing up, pulled her in for a kiss. They stood wrapped around each other for a few minutes and then he walked her back to the carriage. She had forgotten it was still sitting there waiting for them. Ranger helped her in and then told the driver to take them to the Plaza. The driver handed Ranger a camera and joked with him. "She left you hanging there for a minute young man. Glad to see it worked out and I was able to videotape it for you. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Congratulations to you miss and to your young man." Stephanie smiled and thanked him. Ranger sat down next to her and they snuggled under a blanket. Ranger pulled her hand out with the ring on it and kissed her fingers, one at a time. She looked down at her ring and gasped. "Ranger, this ring is huge." "We can take it in and get it sized if it's too big." "No, the diamond is huge. I don't know if I can wear this without worrying about losing it." Ranger laughed and said, "It will be okay Babe. I can always get you another one if you lose it." Before she could reply, they pulled up in front of the hotel. Ranger helped her out, shook the driver's hand and passed him a tip. The man congratulated them again and they headed up to their suite.