We spent the rest of the day in bed. Ranger left the disposal of George by whatever means or end to Tank. He said they were partners in this business. He'd always made the decisions. It was Tanks turn. It was his call. I never asked what the end result had been, but based on Tank's reaction to a picture of George's daughter we were shown I'd say he met a deserving end and it probably hurt pretty damn bad.

The Melendez family was relocated and given new identities. They had no other family to deal with and when George's wife was told of his misdeeds she was devastated. Especially when she had to hear her twelve year old daughter tell her what her father had done to her and had been doing to her for years. Both Melissa and Jamie would get counseling along with the other two children, but they'd get it in Miami where they'd been relocated into a gated community in a safe neighborhood with no financial cares. They would be in the safe and comfortable care of Rangeman for the rest of their lives or until they no longer wanted it.

Rangeman would fund it. That is Rangeman and a fund from Uncle Sam for just such an occurrence.

Ranger and I were lying in bed a few days later watching television. It was some talk show like Jerry Springer where everyone's misdeeds were on display for the viewing public's entertainment. I find that I'm not a big fan of that particular kind of television. It's probably because I feel like my life has been under a microscope for everyone's viewing pleasure for so long.

"I hate this show," I sighed.

He raised the remote and flicked the television off. "We don't have to watch it." Yea, even Ranger in all his glory still has to have control of the remote. Just like a friggin man. And yes, even naked Ranger controlling the remote is a little bit annoying. I mean, I'd like to have control sometimes. Now that he's relaxed and we're all lovey dovey and committed to one another for life, he's really relaxed. Not only has he taken over the remote, he's asserting himself in other areas as well. We'll have to see how this plays out.

I rolled toward him and curled against him. My fingers automatically traced the new scars on his abdomen. I liked knowing every inch of his body. I didn't mind when he explored mine either. He'd even taken the time to reassure me on several occasions while examining my ass that Joyce's little memento had all but disappeared. It was now a tiny little pucker on my ass. Then he started kissing my ass and I forget what he said after that. You would too.

"What's going on in your head," he said softly as his arms wrapped around me and he pulled me tight against him.

"How many children do you want?"

"Well…," he began with a smile, "I think I'd like at least a couple more. I mean this one and at least one more." His fingers slid over my belly. "When will you start showing?"

"Not for months," I said serenely. "It depends."

"I can't wait for you to get a big belly," he grinned.

I raised a brow at him, "can't you? Do you have a closet thing for plus size women? Is Lula really your secret desire?"

"Brat," he slapped my bare ass playfully.

I grinned up at him cheekily, "I want to wear some of the maternity clothes in the closet too Ric, but Val assures me that being pregnant in the summer is horrible especially when you're big during that time. I'm just going to be thankful for small favors."

"I want to feel the bean move."

"Me too," I sighed. "I'm relieved you don't have the hots for Lula too. How would we ever explain it to Tank? I don't think he'd like it either."

He growled and rolled me to my back and kissed me, "I do not have the hots for Lula. I don't have the hots for plus size women. I only have the hots for you. I only want you. I will only ever want you."

I smiled up at him and ran my fingers over his stubbly cheek, "ditto."

He roared with laughter and rolled us over so I was on top of him. "I've gotten just what I deserve with you Stephanie Manoso."

"I'm glad you realize it," I cuddled down on him. "I love you Ric."

"I love you Stephanie," he sighed. "We have therapy this afternoon."

"I know. Do we really need it?"

He chuckled, "don't you think Dr. Addison will be happy to see us and know that we're a success story?"

"I would think," I agreed. "There are probably varying degrees of how successful he really was though. A lot of people seem to think we're a disaster…well, at least that I'm a disaster."

"Ha," he shook his head. "You couldn't be more wrong."

I raised my head, "I need to stay in therapy?"

"Or I could give you therapy from right here," he growled slightly.

I felt him rising under me, "I could stand some more of your therapy."

"I love you."

"I love you," I whispered.

We walked into Dr. Addison's office hand in hand. We sat together on the couch and accepted French Vanilla Coffee from Dr. Addison. Ranger's was black, mine had cream and sugar. The doctor was good.

"You two look good," he smiled. "Julia tells me you arrived without an entourage. Am I to assume that your latest bout with the bad guys is resolved and all is well?"

"You may," Ranger smiled.

"Good," he nodded. "Have you had a chance to work on your homework?"

"We have," Ranger agreed.

"Not as much as we would have liked," I admitted. "We had a situation to resolve first, but we've been working on it ever since."

"And how is it going?"

"Very well," I beamed up at my husband.

Dr. Addison sat back with a smile and gazed at us, "how well?"

"I call him Ric," I smiled, "in intimate situations. I don't mean just sexual situations, but any time we're alone. I'm testing it in other settings, but so far it's just when we're having our own time."

"That's okay," he nodded. "You've done very well." He tilted his head, "you said in sexual situations, does that mean that you've lifted your ban on intercourse?"

I laughed, "oh yea. It's lifted and tossed aside and trampled and I hope we never have to resurrect it for any reason."

He laughed, "How do you feel about that Ricardo?"

"Good," he chuckled. "I feel good."

"So he said he loved you?"

"Well…yea," I laughed.

"But she lifted the ban before I said it," Ranger smiled over at me. The look on his face was loving and tender, "she realized that I said it in every way but using the words."

"Very good Stephanie," Dr. Addison beamed at me.

I blushed, "it felt good just to accept it."

"I know it did," he nodded. "And how did you overcome your fear Ricardo?"

"It started small with admitting to her why I couldn't," he said quietly. "Then I just started saying ditto when she'd say it to me."

Dr. Addison laughed, "That's good."

"I thought so," Ranger smiled.

"Me too," I squeezed his hand in mine.

"Then we had the situation and I thought…for a few moments, I could have lost her and it…the words just came rushing out," he said. "It was such a relief too. I mean it felt so good to say it to her."

"I'm sure it did," Dr. Addison nodded. He sat back in his chair and contemplated us thoughtfully. "You know you don't need couple's counseling anymore, right?"

"We were pretty sure," I nodded. "But it's always nice to have it confirmed by a professional."

He chuckled, "well, I'm glad to ease your minds. Stephanie I think in light of everything we should go back to the once a month maintenance for you. I know you said it makes you feel like a car, but we'll try it for a while and you may decide you don't need me any more at all. That would be okay too. Ricardo, I'd like to keep seeing you for a while. We've been digging into some things I think… Well I feel that it will just take some of the burden off of you to say it out loud. Then you can let it go. What do you think?"

Ranger sighed in relief, "I'd like to continue. I told Stephanie once that I didn't need therapy because I knew how I felt."

"What did she say," Dr. Addison said in amusement.

"She said she knew how she felt too, therapy helped her to know how to deal with those feelings."

"Very good Stephanie," Dr. Addison said proudly.

I blushed.

"She's very wise," Ranger said softly.

"She is," Dr. Addison agreed.

"So I'll see you at your regular appointment next Wednesday and Stephanie if you'll stop by and see Julia on the way out to make an appointment for a month from now, I'd be happy."

"That's it then," I blinked at him.

He smiled kindly, "Stephanie…you're actually a very healthy, happy and well adjusted woman. You've come a long way from the hysterical woman you were just a few months ago. I know the baby has changed you. I know your commitment to your husband has changed you. But I think it's more than that. I think you grew up."

"Oh hell," I sighed.

He laughed, "It's not a bad thing. You're a wife. You're about to be a mother."

I sighed and nodded again.

"Don't worry Babe. You can always be a little childish with me."

"Thank you Ric," I said and melted into his soft gaze.

"Okay…you two need to get out of here and get a room," Dr. Addison laughed.

Ranger laughed, "That is an excellent idea. But first I'm going to take her to get some food and raise her energy meter."

"Always advisable," Dr. Addison got to his feet with us. "Take care. I'm always here if you need me Stephanie. But I doubt you will."

I smiled and hugged him before I could talk myself out of it. "Thank you Dr. Addison. You've helped me change my life."

"That's why I'm here," he said kindly.

Ranger took me to lunch at Pinos. When we walked in we were happy to see our favorite table in the corner empty. We sauntered back to take the table stopping along the way to greet friends both old and new. Ranger clapped Joe on the back when we paused at his and Terri's table. Isabella was giggling and I laughed feeling that twinge that a woman feels when her own child is coming or desired. They looked happy. Our exchange with them was pleasant and comfortable. My hand was in my husband's. I was happy.

"Come on Stephanie," he tugged me toward the table.

I gave Terri a little finger wave.

"Your parents just arrived," Ranger said as we started to sit. He waved them to come and join us and they headed over. We exchanged hugs and murmured 'happy to see you'.

I scooted into the booth and Ranger waited till my parents were seated before sliding in beside me.

"How are you doing dear," Mom asked reaching across the table to cover my hand with hers.

"Good," I smiled. I turned to beam up at Ranger, "Dr. Addison released us from couple's counseling."

"Oh honey," she beamed and her eyes filled with tears, "I'm so happy to hear that."

"Me too," my father said gruffly and patted Ranger's hand on the table.

"We are too," Ranger said softly. "I'm going to continue for a while, but Stephanie is really done."

"Oh honey," Mom sniffed and reached into her purse for her lacey handkerchief.

I laughed, "I feel the same way Mom."

"I had no doubt you'd make it," Daddy said with a smile. "I knew he loved you."

"I thought he did," I said softly, "but it's nice to be sure."

"How sure are you," he asked.

"I love her," Ranger smiled.

Daddy grinned and sat back in his seat, "you are very sure."

"Very sure," I agreed and smiled up at my husband.

Ranger leaned over and dropped a soft kiss on my mouth. "I love you."

"I love you," I whispered back.

"What's next then," Daddy asked opening the menu.

I shook my head with a smile. I never opened the menu at Pinos. I knew the menu by heart. If he made changes, he made sure that I knew about it. To me it's like going to the drive-thru at McDonalds and having to wait because the lone guy in the car in front of you can't make up his mind. Come on Dude, the menu hasn't changed that much. Order your damn Big Mac Value meal and get out of my way.

"We're going to take a vacation," Ranger said with a smile. "Maybe even that honeymoon we've never had."

"To Disney World," I beamed up at him hopefully.

"You're so romantic," he rolled his eyes and shook his head with a smile.

I sighed. I was never getting to friggin Disney World. When the bean was old enough, I was going to start plotting. She would easily be as obsessed as I am. I could get her to work her Daddy for me.

"But first we are slated to attend the grand opening of the new Unit. You're going right," he raised a brow at my father.

"Are you kidding," he shook his head with a chuckle, "the boys would kill me if I didn't show. And if I don't bring your mother-in-law they may just kill me anyway."

"It's the lemon cake," Ranger said seriously. "It's addicting."

Mom just smiled serenely. "You've done a good job with the menu dear," she smiled at me happily. "That sweet boy Mike sent me a copy of it and noted all of your handiwork on it. He's very proud of you and so am I."

"Me too," Ranger smiled.

"It was fun," I admitted. "Ella has even asked me to help her out with her menus for the new place. We're hiring more people even for food service."

"In this economy you're really doing very well," Daddy nodded. "It's good to see."

Ranger shrugged. "We provide a good service for a reasonable price. In this day and age when crime is rising significantly our services have become pretty premium."

"I know," my father nodded. "It makes me feel better to know that Ellen is safe at home when I'm not there thanks to the alarm system your boys installed."

"It makes me feel better too," Ranger nodded.

"You're so sweet Ricardo," Mom smiled. "Stephanie dear, how are you feeling? Have you had much nausea or anything?"

"Not too much," I smiled. "I had a few rough days. These days if I get nauseous it's only first thing in the morning and it's gone within the hour. I'm a little more tired than normal, but I feel pretty good."

"Oh that's good. When I was pregnant with Val I was just miserable. I mean it. I was sick all the time and had heartburn. Oh my goodness I thought I was going to die. When I was pregnant with you though, it was a piece of cake."

"That's what this has been so far," I smiled. "She's a good little bean."

"Just like her Mommy," my mother said proudly.

I had the sudden feeling that she'd been waiting a lot of years to say that. Oh and I even did it in the right order. I got married and then I got pregnant. Who knew I could be so responsible? I didn't.

We chatted easily over our pizza, beer, and salads. Okay, only Ranger had a salad but there's only so much temple destruction he can do and I'm only going to admit this once and if you tell anyone I'll deny it but…I'll do whatever is necessary (including withholding Lemon Cake from him) to make sure he maintains the temple just as it is. I'd like to continue to worship at it just as it is for years to come. I'm delusional. We're going to get older. But hey, my land of denial isn't completely gone…it's just redirected.

We walked to the door and Ranger paid for lunch amidst my parents protests. We made a deal to get together at our house for dinner soon and then kissed and hugged and parted ways. It was much as I imagined the rest of our lives to be…only we'd be messier because children aren't the neatest eaters in the world. I know this for fact, I was one.

We started home and stopped at the light down the street from the Tasty Pasty bakery and Ric looked over at me and grinned.

"What," I blinked at him. He looked wolfish and a little bit devious.

"Let's make a bakery run," he grinned.

"For what," I blinked at him. He barely ate desserts and quite frankly I didn't want any sugar to destroy my mojo.

"Props," he grinned and pulled into the parking lot.

"Props," I blinked.

"We'll get the rubber sheets later."

"Oh boy," I gasped. It was going to be an interesting night at Casa Manoso. It was going to be a very, very interesting night.