By popular demand I am continuing this story. I am glad everyone likes it. The response has been more than I ever expected. Thanks to everyone for the encouragement, especially Xylia. I apologize for not mentioning it on the last installment, but thanks for the idea to continue this story.

CHP 3 : School Days and Goodbyes

Ric and Stephanie were practically inseparable. They had only had 2 classes together, Biology and History. Those were Ric's best subjects and Stephanie's worst. All the subjects were Ric's best he was an A-B student whereas Stephanie was getting by on a C average. Ric agreed that he would help her when she needed it.

Ric was on the football team so, he cut his hours at work to day shift on the weekends and Monday nights. He became a master of time managment. Monday's after school he would work from 4-10, using his lunch break doing homework. Tuesday and Wednesday he had football practice from 3:30-5:30. Friday nights were the games. Stephanie went to each and every one of them. She cheered Ric on and would get a vicotry kiss after every game they won. Which was just about all of them.

They became the hottest couple in school. The girls wanted to be her ad the guys wanted to date her, but her heart belonged to Ric and she made sure that everyone knew that. Ric would be waiting outside the door when class was over to ecsort her to her next class, she often wondered how he would get there so fast, especially when he had Calculus and she had English and they were on opposite ends of the school building.

Homecoming was right around the corner and they were going to the dance together. Ric, being the star football player, was the number one pick for Homecoming King and Stephanie had a few nominations, but she doubted she would get it. She olny had the nominations because she was Ric's girlfriend and a few people didn't want to see anyone but Steph as Ric's queen.

Since Steph was nominated she had to get dressed up for the football game that Friday. Her mother had bought her blue satin ball gown that went to the ground and had a slit to middle of her thigh. It was a chilly night in November, but they told them it would only take about up about 15-20 minutes of half-time during the game for the ceremony.

Steph sat nervously a she watched half-time grow closer with each play, staying warm in Ric's letter jacket. When the buzzer that signaled the end of the 2nd quarter sounded. The band was ready to go out on the feild. That gave everyone about 30 minutes to get ready for the ceremony. The girls locker room mirrors were being hogged up by the other girls that were part of the ceremony, 7 girls total, including Stephanie. One girl each representing the Freshman, Sophmore, and Junior classes. Then there were the four top nominees for Homecoming Queen. Stephanie, Stacey Carlucci, Loni Randomski and Joyce Barnhardt, who Stephanie hated with the passion. Joyce only got nominated because she screwed anything with a dick between it's legs. Steph had even heard a rumor that she let Josh Martinez's dog do her in the butt. That made her sick. Plus ever since Steph and Ric had been going out, Joyce was constantly passing notes to Ric telling him suggestive things she would do to him. Ric said he "wouldn't touch that dog fucker with a hundred foot pole."

While the other girls primped in the mirror, Stephanie pulled out her mirror compact and touched up her make up from a chair by the door.

It was time all the girls got excited and started to file out the door. Stephanie came out last. She just knew she wasn't going to get Queen, so she was in no hurry. She saw Ric had cleaned up and was wearing a pair of black slacks and white button down shirt with a blue tie that macthed Stephanie's dress. He was so handsome. He had his hair slicked back and it waved a little on the ends just above his neck. Stephanie loved his hair. Slick, shiny and black. Not too short, not too long and it had the slightest wave to it. His white shirt stood out against his dark skin. He was gorgeous.

"You look beautiful, Babe." He whispered in her ear when he hugged her in the hallway. Stephanie smiled a sad smile. "Don't worry, Babe. It's yours."

Stephanie looked at him confused and then Stacey pulled Stephanie to the front of the line where she was supposed to be. She smiled to Ric and mouthed ,"I love you" to him and he about lost it. He ran up to her and kissed her hard.

Mrs. Harrington cleared her throat. "Ricardo, where are you supposed to be standing?"

"Sorry, Mrs. H " and he went back to the back of the line up.

Now was the moment. The lights were shining down on them. As expected Ric was crowned as King and now it was time to announce who his queen would be. Stacey and Loni were really hoping that Stephanie would get it. They were pretty sure, so the three of them held hands while Joyce tried to adjust her boobs in her purple mini dress.

The announcers voice bombed over the stadium speakers "And, our Homecoming Queen is..." She drew it out and the band played a drum roll. "Stephanie Plum." Steph about fell over when Stacey and Loni started jumping up in down.

Ric walked over and place the crown on her head and gave her a kiss on the lips. "My queen." he said with a smile. She wasn't going to ask how she won, but Joyce "Barnyard" wasn't happy. She stomped off the field and threw her shoes at the school band who was playing the first song Ric and Stephanie ever danced to. "More than Words". Stephanie smiled at Ric, "You set this up didn't you?" she asked him.

"Only the band, I knew you would win. Joyce was actually disquailfied for sleeping with Mr. Windell. So none of her votes counted. You won fair and square, Babe."

The cheers were so loud. Stephanie hadn't even dreamed of being crowned Homecoming Queen. Some of her friends shunned her for hanging with a more popular crowd ever since she started dating Ric, but it was obvious they were still excited for her.

Ric had to go to the locker room to change back into his uniform for the second half of the game. He gave her a big kiss on the 50 yard line and she stood there a still a little stunned when he headed back to the locker room.

Another victory for the home team! There was a new rumor circulating after the game that Joyce was caught screwing the mascot for the visiting team under the bleachers and that she had told him not to take off the eagle head of his costume. Ric and Steph laughed about it on the ride home.

Ric made a detour, heading away from Stephanie's house. "Where are we going?" she asked.

"Somewhere special." he answered.

When they stopped they were parked on a hill overlooking the city. "Why are we here?" she asked. He pulled her closer to him on the bench seat of his truck.

"So I can do this." and he kissed her so gently, she almost didn't feel it. "And this," He said as he pulled her across his lap and kissed her a little harder. His mouth kissed that spot on her neck and she moaned. Her body hummed, like it did everytime he kissed her neck. But still she wasn't ready for the next step, not yet and not in his truck.

"Ric, not here, please. I want our first time to be special."

He pulled back and looked into her pleading eyes. "Ok, Babe. But I love to kiss you. You are intoxicating." He kissed her like there was no tomorrow. She gave into his kiss and savoured the feeling. It was well after midnight when she got home and went to bed.

The next night was the Homecoming Dance. She was really excited about it. Ric was picking her up at 7 to take her to dinner at Rossini's and then they would make their appearance at the dance.

After all the usual dances and announcements. Ric and Stephanie left. They stopped at an all night diner for a midnight snack, before calling it a night.

When they stopped in front of Stephanie's house. Ric turned to Stephanie, "Did you mean what you said last night?"

Stephanie was confused,"What did I say?"

"When Mrs. H interupted our kiss and you turned around to me and said something, did you mean it?"

Stephanie had to think, she didn't remember much from before she was annouced Homecoming Queen. Then she remembered.

"I love you."

Ric smiled, "Always remember that, Babe. Because I love you, too".

They shared a soft kiss with just a flicker of tongue and Stephanie got out of the truck and headed to the front door. She turned around and smiled before unlocking the door and going inside. Ric drove around to the alley in the back of the house and waited to see Stephanie at her bedroom window. She waved and blew him a kiss, then he drove away. He always made sure she was safe before he left her.

The rest of the school year flew by. Ric and Steph were still together and Steph's grade average was up to a B+ and her teachers praised Ric for his tutelage. Graduation was 2 months away. Ric was already signed up for boot camp, Stephanie was crushed. But she promised Ric she would wait for him and he better come back to her in one piece. He told her he would come back to her no matter what condition he was in.

Prom was a blast, and once again Ric and Stephanie reigned over there classmates. Joyce had disappeared with her date somewhere half way through the night. God only knew.

Stephanie was sad at Graduation. She knew Ric was leaving next month for the Army and she was going to miss him horribly. They spent every day after school was out together.

The week before Ric was scheduled to leave he got them a hotel room in Point Pleasant for 3 days. They enjoyed every minute together and for the first time, in their eight month relationship, they were going to commit to each other. Stephanie knew she couldn't wait any longer. She needed to feel what sex was supposed to be like and have it with someone who really cared and loved her . Ric was the one.

The first night they spent in the hotel, they were both nervous so they just slept and held each other. But, by time morning rolled around, their nerves were gone and they knew just how right the moment was.

Ric kissed that spot on her neck, her moan sent a blood rush between his legs. He kissed her on the neck again and paused after her moan.

"Here? Now?" he asked.

She bit her lower lip and nodded. He pulled her night shirt over her head and gazed at her body. She was the most beautiful creature. Milky white skin contrasted perfectly with his caramel color. He slowly removed her panties. The site before him was breathtaking. God she was beautiful.

Ric explored her body with his fingers, lips and tongue. He learned every freckle and every sensitve spot of her body. They tenderly made love for hours. Stephanie was elated. She expreinced something this time that she never imagined would feel so good. An orgasm, multiples at that. She was now a woman.

When they got back to Stephanie's house a few days later, Ric gave her a gift.

"What's this for?" She asked when he handed her the small box wrapped in red paper.

"Something so you can have me with you everyday I am gone." He brushed his right hand down the left side of her face.

She opened the box and found a cassette tape. She read the label "Babe". She smiled he made her a tape. She took it out and underneath it was a set of dog tags. She pulled out the ball chain and looked to him in confusion.

"I had those made just for you, read what it says." he nodded her on.

The first tag read "My Babe, Always and Forever" She felt a tear fall from her eye and roll down her cheek. She read the second one. It was all of his information. Full name, Ricardo Carlos Manoso. Social Security number, blood type, religion. Steph's mother would be happy, he was Catholic. She was crying full force. He hugged her.

"You are really leaving aren't you?" she sobbed.

"Babe, it's what I want to do, don't worry. You'll always be with me." He pulled a picture out of his pocket. It was their Prom picture. "If I have to stuff you in my underwear, you will always be with me." He smiled. Stephanie laughed at the thought of him putting the picture in his underwear.

"I knew I could make you smile." He kissed her softly on the lips. "I'm leaving in the morning to go to Fort Dix to catch the bus to Fort Jackson in South Carolina to start basic on Monday. I promise as soon as I get there I will write you and let you know how to write back to me." A tear sliped from Ric's eye, "God I'm going to miss you, Babe."

They hugged and cried on the front porch for hours. Ric had Steph sitting in his lap, her legs wrapped around him, her arms around his neck and her head on his shoulder. Stephanie's parents were upset that Stephanie felt heartbroken, but proud that Ricardo was going to better himself. He had been nothing but a perfect gentleman and they were happy for him. He was a good kid, no make that man.

I am really interested if you like this story. I promise it won't get angsty. It's going to have a very happy ending I promise. I still can't believe this came from an idea of Ranger being a Cart pusher at Wal-mart. This is crazy!! My special thanks go out to Xylia. Thanks a ton, Babe!