Hey! thank you so much for the reviews. I can't say that enough. Thank you to all the people who gave me ideas for Val :)

I know that a lot of people make Helen out to be this terrible parent but honestly I want her to be a little less bitchy in my story... Steph doesn't need that shit!

Also, is everything clear so far? Too much detail? not enough? events needing clarified? Please let me know!

I know I usually switch between Steph and Ranger but she is asleep, so that will have to wait! TO THE MANOSO HOUSE- TALLYHO!

read. rate. review. jolly and eat fortune cookies.

When I walked into my house with Stephanie asleep in my arms I was thankful for not being greeted at the door. Steph had a tight grip on my shirt and her steady breath hit my neck. I knew I looked a little too happy at this moment. I climbed the stairs quickly and deposited Stephanie onto my bed.

I took a moment to look at her. I mean really look at her. Not just a quick head to toe check out. Her hair is such a rich chocolaty brown. At first at I thought it was a hot mess of poof, but it is really a thick bundle of shiny perfectly natural curls. And her skin? Luminescent with a healthy pink glow in her cheeks. It's barely tanned and isn't blemished at all. Her lashes were long and thick even under all that black crap. Her nose is small and her cheekbones rather high. Her lips, my favorite feature, are full and plump but not overly so. Her shoulders were small and round and her chest deliciously full. Her stomach was flat and her hips flared in a way that should be impossible. She had curves that an hourglass would kill for. Her legs weren't really that long considering her height. She wasn't done growing yet, but I would but her around 5'4 maybe 5'5? I got to her feet and realized she shouldn't sleep in boots. Slowly, so I didn't wake her, I removed them. Her feet were rather small. I checked the shoe. size 6. I placed them by the door before leaving and heading to the bathroom to check on the hickey situation.

(So... I know That Steph is 5'7 and "Not Dainty" but I like the idea of her being a little smaller in highschool and growing into her womanly body... Sorry if you think she should stick more with the book description... and sorry to destroy the story flow with an A/N)

I was almost to the bathroom when my father spotted me. Ah shit.

"Carlos! Come here son." He sounded happy.

"Yes Papi?"

"Lester was just by to drop off your bike... Who's car is that? Lester just laughed when I asked and left after grabbing a tamale. Damn boy needs to eat at his own house." He muttered the last bit.

"It's Stephanie's car. She was too tired to drive so I took her here to rest."

"Is she the one who gave you that...what is that?"

"... a hickey."

My father laughed and then smacked me in the back of the head.

"OW!"

"You should have stopped her! Women have no sense when it comes to passion. They lose themselves. As men we must restrain them."

"Papi, that is very sexist." I said with a questioning look.

"Yes, well... Between us men, they won't admit it but they like it when we take charge and push our weight around, no matter how much they deny it." He smirked and walked off leaving me very confused.

Finally, I got to the bathroom only to see how terrifying the hickey was. Steph in the throes of passion can be scary... I mean it looked a little like I was attacked by a leech the size of a cat! I caressed it. I should be pissed, right? So why am I so ridiculously content right now?

A sudden knock on the door shook me from my thoughts.

"Carlos? Is that you in there?" My mother asked through the door. Her Latin accent think.

"Si, Mami. I'll be out in a moment." SHIT! I can't hide this... I opened the door and tried to look natural.

"Carlos... what happened to your neck?" She said tilting my head for a better angle. I sucked in a huge breath. Here goes.

"Stephanie sorta gave me a hickey on accident." I received a harsh smack to the side of my head. "What was that for?"

"You are such an idiot! You can't go around seducing young girls!" She scolded before walking away murmuring things in Spanish.

What is with my family and blaming this all on me?

I hurried back to my room to see Steph curled up in my blanket. If I were a lesser man I would have awed audibly. I sat on the edge of the bed and ran my hand up and down her back in a slow rhythm. Leaning forward I whispered in her ear.

"Stephanie. You need to wake up now." I placed a gentle kiss on her cheek and she shifted. Her beautiful blue eyes opened slowly. A soft smile settled on her face when she saw me and my chest felt warm. Then, her situation seemed to dawn on her and her eyes grew wide with surprise.

SO! Mama Manoso will meet Steph in the next chapter and it will be Steph's view!

Hope you enjoyed it!