Soon Christmas was upon them all. Steph and the babies were doing well and Rosie was in her last year of preschool, with kindergarten on the horizon. Julie and Ram were still going strong and over time, all of RangeMan had learned they were dating. They were more open about it after hours, while keeping work hours as work time with nothing personal involved.

One day over her lunch hour, Julie headed upstairs to the penthouse. She opened the door quietly, as it was the time of day the twins were usually sleeping. She found Steph sitting on the couch, just staring at the wall. Julie sat down next to her and Steph looked over at her after a few minutes. "Oh, Julie. I didn't hear you come in." "Steph, have you slept lately?" Steph shook her head. "Both babies are dealing with ear infections and it's been a few rough couple of days. Ranger's in Miami dealing with an issue and I've been single parenting all of three of them. I don't know how people do it being a single parent, but they have my deepest respect. But, you didn't come up here to hear me moan and groan, did you?" Julie shook her head and after a moment of silence said, "I need to talk to you about something and I would prefer you don't talk to either of my dad's about it. Is that okay?" Steph said, "Of course, unless I feel that you are in danger, I will keep my mouth shut. Go ahead."

Julie took a deep breath and slowly let it out before saying, "I want to have sex. I mean, I think it's time for Ram and I to have sex and I don't know what to do." Steph didn't say anything so Julie continued, "I mean, I know how sex works, the mechanics of it, if you will, but I don't know how to approach it with Ram. I don't know what to say, when to say it. I just can't go up to him and say, 'Let's have sex'. I'm not experienced. Shit, I don't know anything." She covered her face with her hands and just sat there.

After a moment of silence, Steph said, "Do you love Ram? Truly love him? Struggle throughout the day when you don't see him? Can't wait to get your hands on him? Your mouth on his after work is over? Can't live without him? Can't breathe without him?" Julie nodded and then Steph continued, "If you can say 'Yes' to those questions, then there should be no questions or hesitations for the next step." Julie didn't say anything so Steph continued, "Julie, I can't tell you how to approach sex with Ram. It's different for everyone and it will take time to know how the other thinks and wants, but that's the joy of making love and being in love. You go down this path together and learn together. You'll know when to approach the subject."

"Thanks Steph, that's exactly want I needed to hear. I do have one other question if you still have time." "Sure sweetie, what is it?" "I need to know about what kind of birth control to get." Steph shook her head and smiled at Julie. "Well, let's talk about what's out there and what you should get at first." They talked for a bit longer before Julie stood up to get back to work. She gave Steph a hug and said, "How about I pick up Rosie after work and take her home for a sleepover tonight and then you can just have the twins to deal with?" "Julie, that sounds like heaven. Ella should be bringing her back from preschool by 3:30 so any time after that will be fine." "Thanks Steph. I know you sometimes question yourself and your parenting abilities, but you're a great mom."

Julie made an appointment with her doctor and together, they decided on the best birth control option for her. Things were still going well between her and Ram, but he could tell something was going on with her. Finally one night while he was at her house he finally confronted her. "Julie, what's going on? Is something wrong?" She looked at him and shook her head, "Nothing's wrong Ramsey." She was quiet after and he stewed about it for a few more minutes before reaching for the remote and turning off the movie they had been watching. She looked over at him and before sighing and finally saying, "I've been thinking about us." Before she could say anything else, he interrupted. "Julie, I'm sorry if I did something to upset you." She laughed, "Why do you think you upset me?" "Well, usually when a girl says 'I've been thinking', it usually means I did something wrong." She got up off the couch and knelt down in front of him, grabbing his face with her hands. "Ram, you did nothing wrong. I've just been doing a lot of thinking and decided it's time." She searched his face, but there was no sign that he understood what she was saying. Mentally, she rolled her eyes and said, "Ram, I'm ready for us to take the next step in our relationship." Still, nothing from him. She paused for a few minutes before he said, "Of course I want to marry you" at the same time she said, "I think we should have sex now." Both sat stunned at what the other had said. Finally, Ram said, "What did you say?" Julie just kept staring at him. "What? You want to marry me?" Ram blushed and said, "Well, yeah, hell yeah, I want to marry you. I just thought it would be further down the road, but what did you say?" Julie laughed and said, "I said, 'I think we should have sex now.'" He stared at her before saying, "Are you sure?" She nodded and smiled at him. "I've been to the doctor and am now on birth control and I feel like it's time. I've never wanted this more than I do right now, so yeah, I'm sure."

Ram stood up and swept Julie up into his arms and then said, "Hell yeah!"