They're still not mine and nobody's paying me for this story.
CHAPTER 12
Wow, this pregnancy thing is weird! The fatigue went away, just like Dr. Cooper said it would, and for the last three days I've had incredible surges of energy. While they're great and all, I really wish they wouldn't happen at five in the morning.
That's how I've ended up at the Rangeman track at 5:15 for three days in a row. The first day, Ranger got up for his run and asked if I wanted to join him. Instead of glaring and going back to sleep, I agreed. I think I finally succeeded in shocking Batman!
Anyway, we'd jog my mile, and then I'd head up to the shower. By the time I was done, Ranger was back from his more strenuous run and he'd take his turn in the shower. Then we'd eat a light breakfast, courtesy of Ella, and head to work.
We'd gotten into a nice little routine, but we still hadn't talked about what was going on between us. After our nap the other day, we'd gotten up, had lunch and gone about the day. Only the kissing and touching had escalated, and I really wasn't sure how much longer I was going to be able to control my hormones. Sigh. I needed advice, but no one from the Burg would know how to deal with ex-military, Batman-like man problems. Maybe I'd go see Ella later…
For right now, I just sat back for a few minutes to watch Ranger running. Yummy. I didn't need to hurry upstairs since today was Sunday and I wasn't working. I planned to spend the day relaxing on the 7th floor, watching a few movies and eating veggies. And Ranger might not know it yet, but so did he.
Giving him one last look, I headed up to the shower.
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Wrapping a towel around myself, I exited the bathroom to find Ranger pulling his shirt off as he walked across the room.
"You done in the bathroom, Babe?" he asked, completely oblivious to the fact that his chest was very distracting.
"Uh, yeah," I finally managed, and skittered into the dressing room to put on something besides a towel before I did something else my mother wouldn't be proud of.
I pulled on a pair of loose sweats and a tank-top and was heading back into the bedroom when Ranger waked in wearing only a towel now. I swear the man is trying to kill me.
"Staying in, Babe?" he asked, taking in my outfit and doing the eyebrow raise thing.
"Yep, and so are you," I said, tossing him the pair of sweats and t-shirt I had planned to lay on the bed as a hint.
"Babe?"
"We're relaxing today."
"Oh, you think so do you? You might be able to, but some of us have a business to run."
"Uh huh," I said, taking pains to sound unconvinced. "Well some of us just got back from Istanbul or Guatemala or wherever and haven't taken a break since. And some of us have a bunch of very competent employees who are quite capable of running said business for a day, as they managed for an entire month. So some of us are going to spend the day on the couch before I have to go all 'cranky, pregnant woman' on them."
"Okay, Babe, you win. Just let me call down to control and let them know I'm off-line," he said, coming at me like he was going to do the curl-tugging thing.
"Stop," I said, holding up my hand. "No touching 'til you're dressed."
He flashed me his wolf grin, but disappeared into the dressing area to change.
I did a quick happy dance because I got my way, and then headed for the living room to find some action movies. I didn't want to push it and try to make Ranger watch chick flicks with me…
"What are we watching, Babe?"
"Well, I was gonna let you pick, but I found Ocean's Eleven… I haven't seen it in forever. Can we watch it, please?"
"Sure. You put it in, and I'll go get us some breakfast."
I wonder what he's gonna make. I hope it's yogurt and granola, because I'm having a serious craving. I'll have to remember to ask Dr. Cooper how long these cravings are going to last, since it seems they've replaced the fatigue.
I was finishing setting up the DVD, when Ranger walked in carrying two bowls. A quick peek, showed strawberry yogurt with granola. Magnificent ESP.
"I love your ESP," I said, deciding to share, as I took a bowl.
"Finally you appreciate it," was his only reply.
Once he was settled, I snuggled up against him and started the movie. For the most part Ranger did a good job at keeping the B & E mistakes Ocean's Eleven made to himself. There were only a few times he felt he had to let me know that something wouldn't work, just in case I was getting ideas. It really wasn't surprising that he knew these things…
"My turn to pick," Ranger said, as the credits rolled, completely shocking me. I had expected him to be trying to make a break for the control room by now, but he hadn't even called to check in. I felt a goofy smile cross my face; he was willing to spend an entire day doing nothing with me.
"Okay," I replied, standing to let him up. "I'll go get us some snacks."
Digging through the fridge, I found carrot sticks and celery sticks; I put some fat-free Ranch dressing in a bowl and found some whole wheat crackers. That would do.
I put it all on a tray and carried it into the living room to find Ranger finishing up.
"What are we watching?"
"Gangs of New York," he said, taking the tray and placing it on the coffee table before grabbing me and settling us back the way we were.
"Is it good?"
"Don't know, Babe, I've never seen it. My brother got it for me awhile ago."
"Okay." That said, Ranger started the movie, and it was good, but me being me, I fell asleep.
When I woke up, the TV screen was blue. It didn't take me long to notice I was still lying on Ranger and he appeared to just be waking up too.
"How long did we sleep?" he asked, bringing his arms up to wrap around me.
"I don't know, but it's abut three now," I said, looking at his watch, which was resting on my stomach.
"Only an hour or so, then."
"Mkay."
"So, what next, Babe? You're the expert on the lazy Sunday of relaxation. We've already watched movies and napped."
"Hmmm, not enough time for another movie before we have to get ready for dinner with your family. Which, by the way, I'm still freaking out about."
"Don't."
"Not sure there's any help for it. Can we just stay like this for a little bit?" I asked. I just wanted to spend some more time curled up against him…
"Yeah, Babe."
"Thanks."
After that we were quiet for nearly half an hour and to my amazement it was Ranger that finally broke the silence.
"Babe?"
"Yeah, Ranger?"
"I told you before, that you're the only woman that's been to my apartment, and I don't take women to dinner with my family."
When he paused, I half nodded, half nuzzled his chest to let him know I was listening.
"What I'm getting at, is they're going to think you're my girlfriend."
That wouldn't be so bad, I thought. That would mean we had a relationship… I just nuzzled his chest again.
"When they ask, I want to tell them you are my girlfriend."
This made me lift my head and meet his eyes which were watching me carefully.
"You want to lie to them?" I asked.
"No, Babe, I want it to be the truth."
"Huh?" I croaked. Was he saying what I thought he was saying?
"Babe, my life isn't as dangerous as it was. If I'm honest with myself, it's been getting less dangerous for the last two or three years. I still carry two guns and a knife, but I think we can make it work. Please, tell me you'll let us give it a try."
"Yes," I managed to get out, before flipping over and wrapping my arms around his neck. I caught his lips in a sweet kiss and I don't know how long it went on, but suddenly we were interrupted by throat clearing.
"How do they do that?" I asked Ranger, resting my forehead on his chest.
"Not sure, Babe. You guys need something?"
"Nope, just coming up to check you two are still alive and we're still on for dinner. We called, but you weren't answering your phone," Tank said.
"That's what happens when I turn it off," Ranger said.
"Why would you do that?" Lester asked.
"Steph and I took the day off. I didn't want interrupted."
He left his phone off? So we wouldn't be interrupted? Wow. "Thank you," I whispered kissing his jaw quickly.
"Sure, Babe."
"Uhh, just out of curiosity, what's up with you two?" Tank asked.
"Steph's my girlfriend now," Ranger said smiling, and somehow, he managed not to sound like he was still in junior high…
"So you both finally figured it out did you?" Bobby asked laughing.
"Huh?" I asked.
"You've both been wandering around like love struck teenagers since we got back, and you've been nearly inseparable," Lester said.
"Maybe," Ranger admitted. "Now you've seen we're alive, and yes we're still going to dinner… So go start getting ready."
"Fine, we'll see you turtledoves in an hour," Tank said.
"Bye, boys," I said, giving them a finger wave from my perch on Ranger's chest.
Once they were gone, I snuggled back in. Wow, Ranger and I were together. Wow. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think it would be this easy, but God, I was glad it was.
"Babe," Ranger said after a minute, "you need to get in the shower if we're going to be ready to go on time."
"Come with me," I whispered, taking his hand as I stood.
"I'd love that… but, I want to take this slow. Neither of us have the greatest track record with relationships, we both need to be sure."
Nodding, I softly kissed the hand I was holding. My hormones sure as Hell didn't like it, but I appreciated it. Something told me that whatever was between Ranger and I was different from anything I'd ever experienced, and if we didn't work, it'd hurt more than anything else, also.
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A little over an hour later, I found myself squished in the back of a Bronco between Tank and Bobby. I'd let Lester sit up front since his leg was still sore, and now I was wondering how the three of them had planned to fit…
All four guys were doing the zone thing, and it really wasn't helping my nerves. I mean I was nervous enough about meeting Ranger's family when he was going to introduce me as a friend/co-worker. Now he was going to tell them I'm his girlfriend… I'm his girlfriend, there goes the goofy smile again. I wonder how long this is going to last, 'cause I can't go around like this for the rest of my life… Ranger and I. Together for the rest of my life? Not ready for that, I need some distraction.
"So, you guys know Ranger's family pretty well?" I asked, swinging my head back and forth between Bobby and Tank.
"Yeah, Bomber," Bobby answered, then went back to silence.
"More please."
"We all met in basic, and none of us but Ranger had a family or family we wanted to go home to, so Ranger brought us home with him. We were kind of nervous, but Mama Gloria loved it and welcomed us into her family with open arms," said Tank.
"Babe, I told you not to worry. My family isn't that scary."
"Besides, Sweetheart, even if you wanted to worry, you're out of time. We're here," said Lester with a grin.
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A/N: Hope you liked it! This chapter was supposed to be dinner, but what can I do. I read over it and liked it so I didn't change it. Please Review!! Tell me what you think!!