AN: Thanks to everyone for reading. I really appreciate the reviews. Hope everyone read LMT. You'll note that Ranger is becoming a little more chatty in Janet's books as well as in this story. It is kind of the only way to develop his character when you're writing from Stephanie's perspective. Here's the Friday night dinner chapter:)
Chapter 13
I rushed through the day completely oblivious to the fact that it was Friday until Lula announced that she had special plans for the weekend. Once I realized that tonight was Ranger's dinner, I bolted to the truck and barreled down the road toward the house. I checked my watch and noted it was after three.
I saw Ranger's Porsche parked in the garage. Lights were on in the apartment over the garage and in the living room of the house. I looked up and saw that the master bedroom lights were also on. Ranger was obviously home.
I dashed into the front door, forgetting to input my code and the alarm started before I even made it to the stairs. I headed back to the front door, but Ranger beat me to the alarm.
"Forget something, Babe?" He was dressed in jeans and a tee shirt, his feet bare. Before I could even respond, I smelled wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen. I reached up and kissed him lightly, turning to follow my nose into the kitchen.
"Hey, you're not getting off that easy, Babe," he teased, picking me up and sitting my on the counter near where he was working on what appeared to be a vegetable tray.
"What else did you make?" A domestic Ranger was truly a sight to behold.
"I made a pork roast, but kind of spiced it up a bit. I hope it will work with your family."
My family was used to the basics in cooking. They wouldn't understand Cuban food, but as long as they had a meat on the table, the evening shouldn't be a total bust. I seriously doubted that the vegetable tray would see much action, though.
"Dinner smells wonderful. It's really great of you to be doing this," I smiled at him. He really did look comfortable in the kitchen.
"It's family, Babe. Just wait until I ask you to cook for my family," he joked.
I nearly fell off the counter. "Just kidding, Babe. When my family comes over Lupe can do the cooking."
I took the moment to actually get off the counter. I thought about whether or not I would ever be in a position where I could cook for anyone's family. I seriously doubted it. Cooking wasn't my strong suit.
"Babe, don't worry, I'm not concerned with your cooking abilities," Ranger said with a grin. "I just consider it fortunate that you can really 'cook' in the bedroom."
I grimaced. I had seen that one coming. "Very funny, big guy. Just wait until my grandmother finds our bedroom."
Now it was Ranger's turn to grimace.
The family arrived right on time. My mother and grandmother led the way. It turns out that Valerie and Albert could not make dinner tonight because of an unannounced visit from his parents. Could it be that fate was smiling down on me?
"Stephanie, I cannot believe the size of this place," my mother began.
"Yes, Stephanie, it's huge. Kind of goes along with the package, doesn't it?" Grandma Mazur smirked. I saw my father's eyes roll back in his head.
"Mom, Dad, Grandma, welcome to our home," I said as I felt Ric's arm come around my waist.
Luckily, we had showered (yes, together) and managed to have everything ready by six as required.
"Something smells good," my father said.
"Come on Daddy, let me show you to the dining room. After dinner, we can have the official tour." I escorted my dad and left Ric to bring the women along. I heard Grandma make some off color remark but Ric handled it with as much grace as possible under the situation.
"Mother, you're impossible," my mother started. "If anyone wants to know where Stephanie gets her behavior, they just have to look at you."
Grandma grinned. "Yes, she sure is a pip, that granddaughter of mine. Makes me want to be young again, I tell you."
Ranger smiled down at my grandmother, "Edna, it appears that I have you to thank for letting Steph know it's okay to be her own woman." He kissed her wrinkled cheek. "Thank you."
My mother pretended not to see that exchange and instead turned to me, "Where do we sit? Did you cook dinner, Stephanie."
"Just take that seat in front of you, Mom. Ric did all the cooking. I know you're going to love the dinner."
"Just as long as there's dessert," Grandma added. "Maybe I could have one of those big guys I saw outside for my dessert. I promise to return him unharmed, well mostly," she laughed.
Ric sighed, "Sorry Edna, those guys are spoken for. Wouldn't be fair to them to find out you're Stephanie's grandmother and you're available."
Ranger played her like a harp. Grandma Mazur was glowing. "You're right. Better that they don't wonder about what they missed."
My father was seated next to Ric. I noted that he nearly took the head of the table place, but thought better of it and settled down to the left of Ric. I though it best to be the one to set the table, so I started carrying the dishes into the dining room. Ric and I never used the room before. It was one room I figured wouldn't see much use in our house, but now that we were settled in for dinner, I had to admire the amount of room we had. It was spacious, but it was still comfortable and even homey.
"Stephanie, you're very lucky to have a man to provide such a wonderful home. Of course, it would be even better if you were married." My mother was generally more tactful.
"That's one reason we asked you over, Mrs. Plum. Stephanie and I wanted to tell you first that we are engaged," Ric offered.
"Hot damn," Grandma shouted. "I knew you had it in you girl. Go for the gusto, I always say."
My father just nodded.
"Daddy, are you okay with this?" I asked.
"Pumpkin, I've never been better. As long as he takes care of you and loves you like you deserve to be loved, he'll have no problem from me," Daddy replied, looking over at Ranger.
"You have my word, Mr. Plum," Ric assured him.
"This calls for a celebration," Grandma said. "What kind of booze have you got?"
Oh no, I thought. A drunk grandma was not something I needed tonight. Ric stood up and went over to the buffet table. He had a bottle of champagne chilling. I had somehow missed that before. He poured us all a glass and then proposed a toast.
"Here's to family. I hope that you will accept me as part of yours."
What in the world was he asking for? Hadn't he been paying attention over the past couple of years? My family bordered on dysfunctional at times, crazy at other times. Yet looking around the table, I knew that there was no other group of people that I would rather spend this night with.
The front door slammed open and Lester came running into the dining room.
"Problems, Boss. Perimeter security has been breached."
Ranger didn't wait for further information. He started to herd us through the kitchen and down into the gym.
"Mr. Plum, please keep the ladies down here until I come back."
He didn't wait for my father to acknowledge, but simply pulled me close. "Babe, stay with your parents, please. I don't want to have to worry about you." One kiss and he was gone.
I looked over to the kitchenette in the back of the gym. "Well, anyone want something to drink?"
"Stephanie Plum, what just happened? What did that man mean about a security breach?" My mother wasn't used to such flurry of activity.
"It's nothing, mom, just a technical difficulty probably." I smiled up at my dad. He wasn't buying the act.
Grandma and I helped ourselves to the bottled water. The glasses of champagne were left untouched on the dining room table. I stood there drinking the water and thinking 'welcome to my life' when my mother wandered over.
"I don't know how or why you live like this, Stephanie. I mean, the house is lovely, but to be in danger all the time and surrounded by men who look terrifying enough as it is. As you sure this it the life you want?"
There were times when I wondered myself, but then there were times when I knew I would be happy with nothing else. "Mother, I know it is a bit confusing, but you have to accept that I like my life the way it is. I don't want what it is that you want for me."
Grandma came up next to me at that moment with my father joining her at my side.
"She's not just a Burg girl, Ellen. She's different. You've known that all her life, but now you need to accept it. Ranger is what she needs. This life is what she's chosen," my father explained.
I turned to him, amazed to hear him speak so much at one time. "Thank you, daddy."
"You're welcome, Pumpkin."