**THESE CHARACTERS ARE THE PROPERTY OF JANET EVANOVICH. I MAKE NO MONEY FROM THIS, ALL MISTAKES ARE MINE.**

We sat on the couch with me in his arms, just soaking in each others presence for what felt like hours. I was having a hard time just believing he was really, and truly with me, and happy about the situation.

We were so wrapped up in holding on to each other, that we didn't even notice Julie come out of her bedroom. Once I saw her make her way into the living room, I made a move to get off Ranger's lap, but he just tightened his grip on me. Julie had a huge smile on her face, and sat down in the chair across from the couch. Ranger looked over at her, and gave her a tender smile.

"Julie, Querida... earlier when I first saw you here, I didn't really say anything to you. You have to understand I was really confused, and just got home from my mission, so I had no knowledge of the last months events. I am first off furious that you were treated that way. I will make sure they pay for that. Second, I am beyond happy to be able to make up for lost time with you, if you will let me. I love both you, and Steph very very much. I am done with missions, so I will be able to spend a lot of time with you both from now on if that is something you want. I was shocked, but I am so happy to see your beautiful face."

Julie walked over to the couch, and snuggled into Ranger's other side. She wrapped her arms around both of us, and in a quiet, shy voice said;

"Ranger...Dad; I always wanted it to be you to be my Dad. Ron always acted like he hated me. He only told me he kept me around because I was worth a fortune. I just want to forget that my life with them existed. I love my Mama, and she is the best person I have ever known, I hope you know that. I want to spend as much time with both of you as I can, please don't leave us ever."

Ranger just squeezed us both tight, and whispered "Never."

Eventually, I had to tell them it was time for me to go into the kitchen to check Julie's homework, and get her lunch ready for the morning. I gave Julie a few quiet minutes in the living room with Ranger while I got her stuff together for school, then had to send her to bed. We both walked her to her bedroom, and told her goodnight, family style. It felt...complete.

Ranger, and I made it back to the couch to sit for a little while, when I realized that I had just unloaded two months of drama on him, he has just come off of a two month mission, and he came straight here. I couldn't feel more guilty. I looked up at him, and told him how sorry I was for putting so much on him in such a short time. He gave me a true smile, and told me that this was the best surprise he could have ever asked for.

At that point it was about 9:30, and I knew he had to be exhausted. I called Ella for her to send some food for him to my apartment, and told him he could either stay here or upstairs, but he was going to be going to sleep very soon. He needed his rest, and he looked skinny, and exhausted. He asked me if he could stay, and hold me tonight.

Our relationship wasn't quite ready to become physical yet, but I could never turn down him holding me while we sleep. He completely soothes me, and makes me sleep soundly no matter what is going on in my life. I slept like the dead with him when a gang was after me trying to rape, and kill me. He is like a healing balm to my soul.

As Ranger was finishing up his grilled chicken, and veggies from Ella, I was eating a chocolate chip cookie, and my cell phone started ringing. I ran through to the living room to get my phone, and pray it didn't wake Julie up. When I answered the phone, it was my realtor apologizing for it being so late, but she wanted to let me know as soon as she got the text message from the other realtor that they had accepted my offer. I was officially going to be a homeowner!

I thanked her, hung up the phone & jumped onto Ranger's lap on the couch that he had just navigated over to when I was on the phone. I threw my arms around his neck, smiled a huge smile, and told him all the details about the new house. He smiled his breathtaking smile, put his hands on either side of my face, said "proud of you babe", and gave me a slow, deep kiss.

We made out like teenagers for a solid 20 minutes, before he pulled away only far enough to put his forehead against mine, and regulate our breathing. We finally decided to call it a night, he was exhausted from his last two months, and I had to be up early to get Jules ready for school. I told Ranger I would let him sleep in, but he insisted that he wanted to ride in the car to take Julie, and Ang, and wanted to see her new school, and my new car.

I changed into my pj's, and Ranger went upstairs to deposit his bag, and grab his boxers, and we slid into bed. As soon as my head hit the pillow with his strong arms holding me against him, I fell fast asleep.

I awoke to the beeping of my alarm clock signaling the end of my epic cuddle session with the warm, Cuban body beside me. I made a move to get up to get to the shower, and he squeezed me tighter. I turned my head to look at his beautiful face.

"Ranger... I have to shower, and get ready. I have to wake Julie up in 30 minutes. Just stay here in bed, and get some rest today. You are offline, anyways. You can go with me tomorrow to take Jules."

With his eyes still closed, he mumbled;

"Ugh.. don't leave me, Babe."

I couldn't help the giggles that came out.

"You sound like me when you are trying to get me to run at the crack of dawn."

He slowly opened his sleepy eyes, and gave me a warm, lazy smile.

"Mornin' Babe."

"Mornin', sleepyhead. I never thought I'd see the day that I had to coerce you to wake up. I'm going to shower, why don't you call Ella for breakfast, and go ahead and shower upstairs, and get your clothes for today if you still want to go. I will get myself, and Jules ready, and we will head out in about an hour."

He squeezed me one last time, and dropped a kiss to my forehead.

"Alright Babe, I'll be back. Don't leave without me."

Exactly one hour, and fifteen minutes later, we exited the apartment, and headed to the garage to get my SUV. I tossed Ranger the keys, and he beeped the car unlocked so we could pile in. He started the car, and turned to me wearing the biggest shit-eating grin.

"A Buick, aye? Why didn't I think of that sooner... Absolutely brilliant. Hopefully Morelli doesn't find himself in your path while driving this, I have a feeling his leg wouldn't be the only thing you'd break if you had a second chance."

Julie looked up from her bejeweled iPhone as we pulled into Val's driveway to get Angie;

"Dad... Mama hit someone with her car before?"

I looked over at him giving my best Burg glare, only to see him shaking with laughter;

"Laugh it up, funny guy. I will get you back... Just remember, I keep cookies that I bake in my cookie jar now, and my gun is now at the small of my back. Jules- it's a long story for another time."

Ranger looked over at me with humor shining in his eyes, and winked. charismatic bastard. I had to smile back, I seriously love playful Ranger.

After picking up Angie, the girls chattered in the back, while Ranger reached over, and held my hand. It was a little bit bizarre to be in this SUV, holding his hand, with two children in the back, taking them to school. It felt so intimate, and right. Co-parenting... I could get used to this.

After we dropped the girls off at school, we decided to go to a few stores, and look for some furniture for my new house. While we were browsing the couch section, my realtor called, and told me her go-to inspector was free this morning, and would be able to inspect the house so that I can get the ball rolling on closing ASAP. Thanks to my Merry Men, all my ducks were in a row, and since the former homeowners have already moved, I get possession at closing. Ranger, and I went on out to the car, and headed to the new house for the inspection, and to take a few measurements for furniture. I can't believe it is all going so quickly!

When we pulled up at the new house, Ranger squeezed my hand, and said he loved it. We stepped onto the beautiful, oversized porch as my realtor, Lisa pulled up. She smiled, and dangled the keys in front of me, and I took them and opened the door to my new house.

We walked around the entire house, with Ranger making notes on how he could make it as secure as possible. I would never fight him on security, unless he tried to put cameras up in my bedroom... that's clearly a line he won't cross if he wants to ever have the chance to live in, or ever be naked in said bedroom.

We took measurements, and he loved the idea for Julie's space in the upstairs. I want her to be able to have her own area, and to feel like she is a part of a real home, and family. Ranger made inappropriate comments about the jacuzzi tub in the master suite, making me simultaneously blush, and feel a zing of excitement straight to the promised land. He just winked, and gave me a panty scorching kiss. Geez.

We finally made it down to the basement, and I could tell he thought it would be a great home-gym. I hadn't shared my plans for it yet, so he was stunned when I told him that was the plan the whole time. He gave me a questioning brow, and I simply said;

"Julie, and I are serious about making sure we are healthy, and safe at all times. I figured if you ever decided you wanted to move in, you might want to work out at home some mornings instead of having to go to RangeMan to do all of that."

He looked at me with love, and tenderness in his eyes;

"I love you so much, Babe. I don't deserve you. I still can't get over how far you have come since I left. I know our real relationship just started, but I will stay here as often as you let me. I don't want to spend a single night that I don't have to without you, and Julie."

We hugged each other for a few minutes, neither believing we actually made it to our Someday.

By the time we left the house after the inspection, it was lunchtime. We loaded ourselves in the car, and Ranger surprised me by going straight to Pino's. God I love that man.

Of course, the closest parking spot possible was open, so he pulled right in. I looked over, rolled my eyes, and got out. He snagged my hand, pulled me close, and gave me a bordering on indecent kiss right in front of God, and everybody. If I hadn't already broken the Burg, it would definitely be broken now.

We walked in holding hands, ignoring the stares of every single person sitting there with their mouthes wide open, not even disguising their shock that Ranger was holding on to me, and kissing me... all I have to say is- Suck it, Burg.

We made our way to the back booth that was magically open, and sat side by side with our backs to the wall. Ranger put his arm around my shoulder, gave me a sweet kiss to my curls, and the waitress come up to take our order. Ranger surprised me by saying he would split a pepperoni pizza with me, and the waitress retreated to get our waters, and put in our order.

We sat for a few minutes talking about the new house, the security for it, and furniture. We had just started getting in a discussion about gym equipment when the bell on the door chimed, and Joe Morelli strolled in like he owned the place. He looked at me, smirked, and started strolling toward our table. I gave Ranger's leg a squeeze, smiled at him and turned back towards the front just as Joe approached our table.

A/N: I promise I won't leave you hanging for long ;) ;) ;) I just want to say thank you to all of you who have been so supportive of my little story. You are all amazing! Please keep the reviews, and messages coming. I really take all suggestions into consideration, they have helped me SO much! Next chapter coming very soon, I swear!

Xoxo-Brit*