Thank you for the support and reviews. On to the next chapter. And I don't own any of the characters you recognize.
X
Chapter 19. Home
They parked in the garage at Haywood, and took the elevator to the fifth floor. Before they stepped out onto the floor Ranger smiled and took her left hand in his right.
It seemed like the flu at Haywood had passed. The usual sea of black waited outside the door, but this time they didn't play their favourite game of 'pass Stephanie'. There were a lot of back slaps and 'welcome back' to Ranger instead.
And then Tank came out of his office and managed to get the Merry men back to work with a single glance. He then stood there and looked at Ranger and Stephanie without saying anything, and a blank face on.
After a minute of silence he smiled, and said.
"About time, you two. And welcome back." He came over to them and gave Ranger a man hug, and hugged Steph. He also took Steph's left hand in his own huge paw.
"Thought so," he said. "Congratulations."
Steph laughed, and then Ranger just said that he'd be down later. They stepped back into the elevator and continued up to seventh.
x
The next days they ventured out from seventh a couple of times. They drove by Les Sebring's office. Sebring congratulated them, and told Ranger that he thought of Steph as an honorary sister, and that he wanted the best possible outcome for his sister. Ranger gave him an 'I hear you'-nod. Obviously Sebring had a course in silent man talk, and nodded back. Les also said that he and Bruce would invite them over soon.
"Steph," Les said. "I don't want any details, but I wonder if you really think that you're willing to work at the TPD police station, risking running into Joe Morelli."
"What have you heard?" Ranger asked in a tight voice.
"Nothing," Les said. "But I'm good at reading people, you need that to be successful in the bond's business. Even Vincent Plum is good at reading people when he's not thinking with his dick. And I can see that something's happened to Stephanie."
He looked straight at Ranger.
"And if I thought that you had anything to do with it, we'd have a private conversation, you and I. As it is I believe that Joe Morelli is involved. I can assure you that I'll never write a bond for anyone in the Morelli family."
He moved his gaze to Stephanie.
"You don't need to work with the bonds, Steph. Mum was in Atlanta. She lost enough money to want to work again. I would of course help her anyway, but she's proud, and also a bit lonely. She's kicked out her latest husband. And my assistant, Sandy, said that she wanted to start work again in January."
"But then you won't be able to see much of Bruce."
"Relax, Steph. We didn't tell you earlier since we were afraid of jinxing it, but we've just been approved as adoptive parents. Right now it looks like January will be quite overwhelming. I had a feeling that you'd want to spread your wings, so Sandy has also been studying to become a licensed bond's writer. She'll step in more, and her partner Jessie will be home more with their baby, at the same time finishing her thesis. If mum backs us up for a while, it'll work out just fine. That said, if you want to continue here, that is also a possibility."
Steph cried a little, and hugged Les.
"You'll get my vote for employer of the year every year," she sniffed. "You're right. I want to spread my wings, and I don't think that will be possible in Trenton. And you better remember to invite us over soon."
"I promise," Les said, and hugged her back.
X
After the bond's office they went to Mary Lou's. Ranger felt sorry for their poor dog. Mary Lou hit notes usually only heard from a dog whistle, when she saw the ring. She also promised to not tell anyone for the next days.
"Have you told your parents?"
"No. I'll call dad later. And Val."
In the car back to Haywood Ranger saw Steph starting in on her lip again.
"Please save your poor abused lip, and just tell me already," he said.
"When do you want to get married?" she mumbled.
"Whenever you say."
"Next week?"
"Absolutely. What do you want? The town hall, Vegas or church?"
"The town hall. Tank and Ella as witnesses."
"I'll make that happen."
They stopped at a red light, and Ranger gave her a thorough kiss, before the light turned to green.
"Ella said something about a perfect dress when she delivered me some lunch yesterday, while you were down on five with Tank."
"She's got impeccable taste, and a lot of connections, probably one of her numerous nieces or nephews."
"Aren't you her nephew?"
"Yes, but Tia Ella happily includes all of Louis' nieces and nephews as well. Believe me, there's no shortage."
The day after Ella and Steph went to a boutique in Newark, owned by a niece of Ella's. And she was right, the dress was perfect. A short sleeved knee length silver dress with a tasteful cleavage, which clung to her curves. No 'poofiness' at all. It wasn't a 'wedding dress', more like a classy dress with room enough for some dancing in.
"You look beautiful, Stephanie," Ella declared and discreetly caught a tear with her handkerchief.
"Would you be my witness?" Steph asked. "Ranger asked Tank."
"I would love to!" Ella hugged her, and some more tears were dried.
"Are you leaving on a honeymoon afterwards, or will you have a reception? I'd really like to bake your wedding cake."
"Can I get back to you? We haven't really discussed it, and I'm scheduled for work next week."
"Of course. And what cake do you want? Pineapple?"
Stephanie paled, and shook her head.
"Let's just say that pineapple isn't among my favourite flavours anymore. I did love your tres leches cake, and chocolate is always good."
X
They went back to Haywood. Stephanie had a scheduled talk with Sarah, the psychologist. Sarah was happy to hear that Steph had ventured outside of Haywood, without Ranger.
"It may seem like a small step, but you're getting your independence back, Steph. And I want you to listen to me - you are strong. You've been betrayed and belittled, but you've risen above it all."
Steph got an sms from Eddie, where he said that Joe Morelli was on an out of town-assignment again, but that he, Eddie, hadn't heard what it was about, or how long it would be. Eddie also apologized for not telling her when Morelli got back, he hadn't known for a couple of days.
Steph also called her dad and talked, they planned to meet up for lunch in a couple of weeks.
Friday night Tank and Bobby wined and dined them on fancy restaurant in Newark to celebrate their engagement. They had a great time, and Stephanie felt more relaxed out of Trenton. She didn't recognize a single person in the restaurant.