Disclaimer: I do not own the characters created by Janet Evanovich. I just really really wish I did!! I am just using them in this story.
The second I stepped into the house, I was hit with the smell of Lasagne and pineapple upside down pudding. Everyone was sat in the lounge. My dad and Joe were fixedly watching a baseball game on the television, my mom was chatting with Mrs Morelli and Grandma Mazur was talking to Grandma Bella about guns and various weaponry. They all looked up as I walked in. My mother and Joe stood up to greet me; my father didn't take his eyes off the game. Grandma Bella and Mrs Morelli smiled at me.
"Hello Stephanie dear, how are you?" Joe's mother
"I'm fine thank you Mrs Morelli, how are you?" The civil conversation continued till six o clock, when dinner was expected. We were all eating, when I caught Joe's eye and he nodded. I took in a deep breath.
"Mom, could you pass the salt? Oh and by the way, I'm pregnant." I added, trying to sound subtle. Everyone's knives and forks clattered to table and I was very aware of people staring at me, except Joe who was shaking with silent laughter. I didn't think it was slightly amusing.
"What?" My mother squeaked.
"Could you pass the salt?" I repeated, avoiding the obvious answer.
"You're pregnant?" She whispered. My father shrugged and continued eating. Grandma Bella was frowning slightly. Joe sighed and looked at her.
"What? Why are you frowning?" Bella averted her attention to Joe.
"You are going to marry her?" It sounded more like a statement then a question. Me and Joe exchanged nervous looks.
"Ummm…" I muttered. Everyone gasped.
"You're not getting married?!" Joe's mother shrieked. My mother simply looked resigned. Another daughter having a child out of wedlock.
"That is disgraceful; she can't raise a child alone! She's not capable!" Grandma Bella stated
"Excuse me? Not capable, I don't think-" I started, but was silenced by Joe clapping a hand over my mouth. Bella glared at me.
"I don't like the way you're talking to my granddaughter. She will make an excellent mother, she doesn't need your grandson!" Grandma Mazur hissed at Bella. My mother exchanged a nervous glance with Mrs Morelli, who promptly stood up.
"Well, look at the time. Come on Bella, we should be going now." My mom nodded and stood up. My father and Grandma followed suit. Mrs Morelli bid my parents goodbye, kissed me lightly on the cheek and went to hug Joe. I heard her whisper "We will talk about his later" and guide Grandma Bella out of the door. My Father gave me a hug and my mother bid us congratulations. Grandma Mazur was still muttering about Bella's comments as she walked out the door. I collapsed back into my chair and pulled the pineapple upside down cake towards me and picked up a spoon. Joe looked longingly at the pudding.
"Don't even think about it Morelli, I deserve this pudding, it's mine. Plus I'm eating for two now."
I padded downstairs the next morning and found Joe eating lasagne left-overs. I sat down opposite him and grabbed his mug of freshly made coffee.
"Last night didn't go too badly" Joe said slowly. I raised an eyebrow
"Ok, it was pretty bad, but it could have been worse." He stated honestly. I smiled
"So, can we tell friends now?" I asked. Joe shrugged
"Sure, why not? I have to go now, I'll see you later. Take it easy and try to make a doctors appointment." He was out the door before I could say anything else. I got dressed, but didn't leave the house straight away like usual. Everything had been going to fast lately, I needed to slow down. After about ten minutes, my cell phone rang.
"Hello?" I answered
"Why haven't you checked in yet? This isn't like you!" Connie shouted
"I'll be in soon, are there lots of FTA's?" I asked, wondering why I was so desperately needed.
"Well…no, but Ranger's here and he wants to talk to you."
"Ok, give me five minutes." I hung up and spent the drive to the office wondering why Ranger would want to talk to me. I guess we had a lot of catching up to do having not spoken in a month. I pulled up outside the office and instantly recognized a new black Porsche that had to belong to Ranger. I could see him through the window, slouched on the sofa. As I got out of the car, I heard the office door open and sensed Ranger behind me. I turned and faced him. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach when I saw him. He looked good, I wasn't about to deny that, but at the same time he looked tired and almost worried. I could smell his distinct Bulgari fragrance. He almost smiled at me.
"You look tired." I smiled sympathetically.
"I've been working late the past few weeks." He explained. I stared at him. Something wasn't right, he didn't look like himself.
"Is that all?" I asked, wanting to know what was wrong.
"Family problems" he briefly answered. I thought about this for a few seconds. I couldn't imagine Ranger having family problems; actually I couldn't imagine Ranger having a family. It didn't seem right that he was human born! I was suddenly aware that I'd been staring at Ranger.
"I wanted to talk to you." He suddenly announced. I nodded
"Yeah, Connie said." I answered. Ranger took a deep breath. I was surprised; I couldn't imagine what was so important.
"It's about…us. I know that you're living with Morelli and I don't want to interfere with that, it's just that I'm…confused. Why did you just leave like that? Was it something I did, or do you just want to be with Joe?" I didn't know what to say.
"You didn't do anything. I just…I don't know. I just have to feel…"
"Settled?" Ranger suggested. I nodded.
"I don't think you can create the settled life I need. I do love you but…there's something you need to know. Maybe it'll help you. I'm pregnant and I'm going to keep the baby." Ranger stared at me in shock. I willed him to say something, but he didn't. He simply nodded, got into his car and drove away. I stood and stared at the space where he'd been just seconds ago. I felt like the cruellest, most heartless person ever. I stumbled into the office and collapsed on the couch. Ranger's scent still lingered. Lula and Connie were staring at me, mouths open.
"What did you say to him? I have never seen him look like that before." Connie asked. I sighed and looked up at them
"I'm pregnant." I said simply. What else could I say? It was the easiest way to tell them. Vinnie's office door flew open.
"You're pregnant?" he exclaimed. I looked up at him and nodded. His trouser zip was undone and I could see Joyce Barnhardt in the office tugging her shoes back on.
"Dammit, how did you hear that? If you've bugged this office again, I swear I'll take the bug and ram it up your-" Connie shouted, whilst frantically turning over the desk accessories. Lula smiled broadly.
"Damn girl, I had no idea! Congratulations! Hey, can I be godmother?" she asked. I opened my mouth to respond, when Joyce sashayed out of the office and joined us.
"So, you're knocked up then, I take it it's Morelli's kid? I give it two weeks before gets bored with the baby and kicks you out." She smiled vindictively. Everyone stared at her in shock.
"What?" she asked indignantly.
"I think you should go now." Vinnie said, glaring. We all stared at him in shock. Joyce looked like she was about to reply, but instead she glared and stormed out. We turned our gaze to Vinnie.
"What, so I can't defend my family? Geez, you have a low opinion of me!" He turned and walked back into his office, locking the door behind him. I smiled and relaxed back on the sofa. Connie bustled over and fluffed up the cushion I was resting on.
"Connie, I'm ok. I just need to take it easy." Connie nodded
"So do you not want to do pick ups anymore? You could always share with Ranger, he could do the tough ones and you could do the ones we know to be more passive." I nodded and took the mug of coffee Lula had just handed me.
I spent the next few hours being pampered and waited on hand and foot. There were no FTA's for me to attend to, so I simply sat and chatted. The office front door swung open and Grandma Bella walked in. I gulped and tried to scuttle out of sight, but was to slow. She beckoned to me with a finger. I cleared my throat.
"I'd rather stay here if it's all the same to you. Where there are witnesses." I squeaked. She smiled humourlessly and sat on the sofa.
"I have spoken with Joseph. He has informed me that you hadn't even talked about marriage. You know what my opinion on this situation is. It may be different to your Grandmother's, but she is rather more…eccentric then I am. I suppose if you are adamant not to marry, then there is nothing I can do to sway your decision. I just ask that you give marriage serious consideration. That is all I have to say." She rose and walked towards the door. She paused at the exit before turning and calling;
"Oh and Vincent, I heard a repulsive rumour about you and a duck. I hope, for your sake, that they are not true." And with that she was gone. Vinnie stuck his head around the door.
"Jesus, that woman scare the shit out of me." He murmured before retreating back into the office. I sat back on the couch and started to flip through one of Connie's magazines. I heard the front door open again. I looked up from fear of it being Grandma Bella back again. Instead, it was a girl, pulling a large pink suitcase behind her. She looked about 15 and was stunningly pretty. She had mocha coloured skin, dark brown hair and large brown eyes. Her figure was to die for and was shown of by khaki mini skirt and a white tank top. It was sad to admit, but I was jealous of a 15 year old. She approached the desk and smiled at Connie.
"Does Ricardo Mañoso work here?" She asked pleasantly. Connie stared at her for a few seconds. The girl looked confused.
"Um, you might know him as Ranger, I don't-" Connie suddenly nodded
"Yes, he works here. Is there anything I can help you with?" She asked in her professional mode.
"I really need to talk to him, it's very urgent. Will he be in today?" Her voice had a slightly Spanish accent but it wasn't particularly prominent. Connie shrugged.
"It's hard to say with Ranger. Would you like me to call him?" The girl nodded
"Yea please, I'd appreciate it." Connie tapped Ranger's number into the phone, then quickly covered the mouthpiece.
"Can I take your name?"" She asked. The girl looked slightly unnerved by this.
"I'd rather not give my name; just tell him to get here. He will come." She sounded so sure of herself. Connie looked slightly taken about, but uncovered the mouthpiece of the phone and waited for an answer.
"Hey Ranger, it's Connie…yeah, you need to come in…there's someone here to see you…girl…no, she won't give a name…hey it's really not my business…yeah she's still here…just get here ok?" Connie replaced the phone and looked up.
"He says he'll be here as soon as possible. If you'd like to take a seat…" Connie indicated to the couch. The girl nodded and settled down next to me. I smiled politely. She looked at me critically, then smiled briefly. Vinnie's office door opened again and he walked out and threw a file on Connie's desk.
"Sort through these" he grunted
"A please would get you far." Connie muttered. Vinnie glared and turned to go back into his office before noticing our guest. He looked from her to Connie and back again.
"Who's this?" He asked me. I stared at him.
"Um Vinnie, why don't you ask her? It's kind of rude to just ignore her." I whispered. Vinnie nodded
"Fine, who are you?" He asked as the door swung open and Ranger walked in. The girl leapt up and ran over to Ranger. He stared at her in shock then grinned as she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him lightly on the cheek.
"Carmella, what are you doing here?" he asked as he swung her around. She grinned up at him.
"What does it look like? I've come to see my dad!"
Thanks for all the reviews, keep them coming!!! Hope you like this chapter and I'll try to update soon. Arigato!