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. I only own Carmella, but you can have her if you want her!

Carmella yawned and climbed out of her enormous bed. It was the 31st of December and she had a party to organise. It was a combined housewarming and New Year party, so it had to be perfect. Freya, Oli and her friends from Florida had all come up and her friends from school were all invited including, much to her father's disgust, Anthony Morelli. He was bringing a couple of his friends and all the drama class except, of course, the 'beautiful people'. Her father had the RangeMan staff all coming as well and Ella was helping to cater for the party. She padded out of her room and knocked on the guest room next door. Freya stuck her head out and grinned.

"Morning Caramel, come in." She smiled and opened the door properly. Carmella walked in and saw Oli in the bed already.

"Honestly you two, what if my dad had come in?" Carmella asked, knowing full well that Oli had spent the night in Freya's bed. Freya laughed as the two girls climbed into the bed.

"We all know your dad wouldn't have come in to my room Caramel, that's a stupid warning." She grinned. Carmella rolled her eyes and smiled. She missed her Florida friends badly and wished they could move up to Trenton, but she knew they all loved Florida too much. They chatted for an hour before going downstairs to get some breakfast. Ella smiled at them as they walked into the huge, modern kitchen and sat at the breakfast bar. She put various plates of bread, toast and cream cheeses along with a pot of coffee and some frothy milk. Carmella poured herself a large mug of milky coffee, piling it high with the froth.

"Are you not eating, Carmella?" Ella asked with concern in her voice. Carmella shook her head.

"Not yet, I need a mug of coffee before I'm even slightly human." She smiled. Oli had piled his plate high with bread, toast and cheese. Freya was eating cheese on toast. Ella put a bowl of mixed berries in front of Carmella.

"Your father's orders, he thinks you're not eating properly." She explained. Carmella sighed and poked the berries with her spoon. Then she shrugged and ate a mouthful. Oli was sat with a piece of toast in his mouth, laughing at her healthy breakfast. Carmella glared and threw a berry at him.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

I woke up and smiled when I noticed Ranger was still asleep. Sleep was catching up with him. I climbed out of the bed and walked into the en suite bathroom. A few minutes later, Ranger walked in.

"Morning Babe." He dropped a kiss casually on my forehead. I smiled.

"Ready for tonight?" I asked. He laughed.

"As ready as I'll ever be." I had a quick shower, then went and pulled on a pair of jeans and a tank top. Ranger walked out of the bathroom wearing black combats and a t shirt. Like he'd wear anything else.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Carmella, Freya, Oli and her other friends from Florida, Jasmine, Lilly, Freddy and Carl were sat in the games room. Sammy had tried to get an invitation but had failed miserably. Freya and Oli were sat in the corner making out, while the others watched 'The Ring'. Jasmine screamed loudly as the horse fell off the ship on screen, causing Oli and Freya to jump apart. Carmella laughed, she hadn't realised how much she'd missed hanging out with her old friends.

"Hey Carmella, I've never properly thanked you for taking the wrap for the whole toilet blowing up thing." Jasmine smiled appreciatively. Carmella waved a hand dismissively.

"It was nothing, seriously. I was leaving anyway." Jasmine smiled and gave her a quick hug. Just then, the phone started ringing as the film ended. The girls all shrieked and hid under cushions. Freddy rolled his eyes and picked the phone up.

"Hell, Mañoso residence…um, yeah she's here." He held the phone towards Carmella, covering the mouthpiece with his hand, his eyes wide with fear. "It's for you Caramel, I don't know who it is, it's some girl." He whispered. Carmella thought of the psycho child serial killer on the film they'd just watched. She took the phone and held it to her ear.

"Hello?" she whispered.

"Carmella? Is seven ok?" A female voice whispered back. Carmella whimpered slightly.

"Who is this?" She squeaked. The person coughed.

"Dude, it's me, Mandy. Is seven ok to come over?" Mandy asked with a clear throat. Carmella heaved a sigh of relief and threw a cushion at Freddy, who was shaking with silent laughter.

"Sure Mand, that's fine. I'll see you later." Carmella hung up and put the phone back on the base. There was a knock on the door and Ella walked in brandishing a tray of various drinks and sandwiches. Carmella smiled appreciatively.

"I thought you might be hungry by now. Your father said to tell you his guests are arriving around seven and that he will be keeping an eye on you. Excess drinking will not be accepted." Ella told them sternly, but with a slight twinkle in her eye that suggested she knew it was unrealistic to ask teenagers not to drink at a party. Carmella laughed and nodded. The others all thanked Ella and she left. At four, they all went down to the main room downstairs to start the decorating. Freya and Oli were just in the corner making out. Jasmine and Lilly were making paper chains, while Freddy and Carl were tying Carmella up in streamers. She shrieked abuse at them as Freddy shouted.

"She can't move, quick let's push her down or hang her of a light fixture or something!" Carl laughed and the two guys picked her up and hoisted her above their heads. She wiggled vigorously and shouted but no one helped. They were all too busy laughing or making out. Carl shut the door and Freddy hung Carmella on the door peg by the neck of her jumper.

"You guys are so unfunny!" She shrieked. Freddy grinned.

"Be nicer Caramel, or we'll hang you up by your underwear like we used to do at middle school!" He threatened and then stuck a piece of paper in her mouth. Carmella glared at him. The door swung open and Stephie walked in.

"Have any of you seen Carmella?" She asked, not seeing the teenager hanging from the back of the door. She let out a squeal and wiggled a bit. Stephie closed the door and raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"What are you doing?" She asked, pulling the paper out of Carmella's mouth.

"Y'know, just hanging around." Carmella muttered, causing Freddy and Carl to start laughing hysterically. Ranger walked in, took one look at his daughter and walked out again. Carmella smiled. Freddy walked over and lifted her off the peg, while Carl started to rip the paper off her. Steph laughed.

"Listen, your dad wanted a quick word with us, something to do with work. Come on." She instructed. Carmella nodded and followed her out the room and into her dad's office. He was sat at hid large mahogany desk with Tank leaning against a wall. Carmella and Steph took a seat opposite Ranger.

"Nice desk." Carmella complimented. Her dad smiled.

"I need a quick word about a job we're doing in four days. Carmella, I need you to do some background research. His name is Steven Jenkins and he was arrested for…for rape of a fourteen year old." He told them with his smile faltering. Carmella nodded and jotted down his name on the small notepad she carried in her pocket. Ranger nodded, then looked at Steph.

"I'll need you to act as a distraction again, if that's ok." He asked. Steph looked at him as though he were insane.

"Ranger, I am almost four months pregnant. I'm hardly at my most attractive, especially to a child rapist." She pointed out. Carmella gave a snort of laughter. Ranger frowned slightly.

"I forgot, shit I don't know…I could ask Jeanne Ellen-"

"I'll do it!" Carmella cut in abruptly. Ranger and Tank both stared at her. Tank shrugged.

"Well, she could man, I mean-" He started.

"No way. No fucking way! She's only fifteen, he's a rapist. It's not safe." Ranger said adamantly. Carmella rolled her eyes.

"I'll have a wire and a gun. I'll be fine and I will expect to be paid. I'm more likely to bait him if I'm younger. You need to think about this as a bounty hunter and not as a father. You know it makes sense. And I'll expect 50 of the reward or bond or whatever you call it." She smiled, stood and walked back into the newly decorated lounge where her friends were playing chase. She rolled her eyes as Freddy ran and hid behind her.

"Caramel, you need to protect me! Carl's got a-ahhh Carl you bastard!" He yelled as Carl shot them with a water gun. After having a small water fight out in the garden, they all trudged back inside to get ready for the party. Carmella settled on the skirt and necklace Stephie had given her for Christmas and the earrings and gloves she'd got off Mandy and Caz. On top, she wore a tight black corset that made breathing difficult. She was pulling on the gloves when Freddy burst in wearing jeans and a t-shirt. She raised an eyebrow.

"It is polite to knock." She mock scolded. He grinned and walked over to her dresser where he started to rifle through her jewellery.

"You've got some nice stuff here Caramel." He said admiringly, picking up the bracelet that Anthony had given her "Why don't you wear this?" He asked. Carmella indicated the gloves, but Freddy just shrugged and fastened the bracelet around her right wrist.

"I like it, where'd you get it?" He asked. Carmella smiled.

"It was a present from Anthony." She told him. He nodded and flopped onto her bed.

"You're not short of admirers, are you?" He laughed. Carmella grinned and sat next to him.

"I can't help being attractive Freddy; unlike you I am naturally beautiful." She giggled. Freddy raised an eyebrow, then started tickling her. She shrieked with laughter and tried to roll away, when the bedroom door opened. Carmella looked to see who it was and almost rolled off the bed. Freddy grabbed her by the shoulders to steady her as Harry walked in. He looked at the pair in surprise and then started to back out.

"Sorry, I didn't realise-" He started

"No, come in. Freddy was just trying to beat me up, malicious little bastard." Carmella cut in and pushed herself up. Harry smiled nervously and sat on the edge of the bed.

"The others are just chatting to Oli and Freya." He told her. She nodded and introduced him to Freddy, who grinned and shook his hand enthusiastically. They chatted for almost half an hour when the others burst in, a mixture of swishing black clothes and skimpy bright ones traditional to Miami. At seven thirty, they moved downstairs where the adults were already chatting and drinking. Carmella was dancing with Freddy, when she heard the doorbell. She pulled away from her friend and ran to the front door, where she saw Anthony, the drama class from school and a few of his football friends. He grinned widely and embraced Carmella. She smiled.

"Glad you could make it, come on through. We have to spend some time socialising with the oldies but then we should be free to roam without parental supervision!" She told them. They cheered and followed her through to the party. After spending nearly an hour dancing with her friends, her dad and the RangeMan employees, Carmella indicated for her guests to follow her up to her wing. They all crammed into the games room, where someone put a Green Day CD on. After spending half an hour dancing madly, Freddy held up an empty Archers bottle.

"Who's up for spin the bottle?" He asked, grinning widely. All of the Florida gang cheered and the goths, to Carmella's surprise, shrugged and nodded. They all sat in a circle on the floor. Freddy spun it first, where it landed right on Carmella. He grinned and crawled towards her.

"Close your eyes Caramel, I promise this won't hurt!" He laughed and pressed his lips to Carmella's. Carmella spun and kissed one of Anthony's football friends. The game continued for nearly an hour, when Carmella spun and watched the bottle stop, pointing at Harry. He stared in shock at the bottle, then up at Carmella. She smiled almost apologetically. They walked in their knees towards each other, meeting in the centre of the circle. He wrapped an arm around her waist, then lowered his mouth to hers. Carmella almost melted as she felt his tongue push into her mouth. Her breath caught in her throat as she massaged his tongue with hers. Her arms rested around his neck, while he ran a hand through her hair.

"Um guys…it's only supposed to be five seconds…" Dan said. Freddy laughed loudly, walked over and tapped Carmella on the head.

"You want to save some for the rest of us Caramel?" He asked, grinning. Reluctantly, Carmella and Harry drew apart and sat back in their seats. Anthony looked at Carmella and winked unsubtly. She felt her cheeks flush furiously and tried to avoid eye contact with everyone, failing to notice the murderous glare Meredith was sending her.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

I smiled happily as Ranger wrapped an arm around my waist, gently forcing me to dance with him or at least to sway rhythmically in time to the music. He glanced up at the clock on the wall.

"One hour till midnight babe." He stated. I nodded and smiled as I watched Lester and Bobby trying miserably to start a conga line. I looked around the room and saw that Carmella still hadn't reappeared. I pulled away from Ranger.

"I'm just going to talk to Carmella, I'll be back soon." I told him. He nodded and started dancing with his sister in law who seemed all too happy to fill my place.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Carmella checked her reflection in the bathroom mirror and wiped the smudged eyeliner from under her eyes. She was pulling a hairbrush through her hair when the bathroom door opened and Meredith stormed in. She glared at Carmella.

"You have no idea what you're getting into." She hissed. Carmella raised her eyebrow quizzically.

"Oh? Then please enlighten me." She muttered in a bored tone.

"Harry. I know you want him and that you'll get him if you put your mind to it. I love him and I want to see him happy but you…you'll just hurt him because you don't understand him. You don't know him." Meredith said, still glaring.

"I know him well enough." Carmella replied coolly.

"Really? So I guess you know he's in counselling for alcohol abuse. I suppose you're fully aware that he's been smoking since he was eleven years old because his dad left the family and went to live with his second family in England. And of course, you'll know that he's been smoking pot for a year." She spat vindictively. Carmella felt her mouth drop in shock. She hadn't known any of that and she was hurt that she'd had to find it out from Meredith as oppose to Harry himself. She shrugged and put down her hairbrush, then pushed past Meredith out into the hall. The girl walked out behind her and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her round to face her.

"Leave him alone! I'm warning you-" Meredith started, but was cut off by a call

"Carmella, I need a word." They both turned and saw Steph stood at the end of the landing. Carmella nodded and pulled away from Meredith, following Stephie into her bedroom.

"What's up?" She asked. Steph smiled and sat on the large gothic bed.

"Nothing, that just looked like a conversation you'd rather not be having." Carmella grinned appreciatively and sat next to her.

"It's nearly midnight; I thought you and your friends might come downstairs and bring in the New Year with us." Steph said. Carmella nodded.

"We'll be down soon." She promised. Steph nodded and walked back downstairs while Carmella rejoined the others in the games room. Harry smiled up at her and she sat in the small space next to him.

"Dad says it's almost midnight so we should head downstairs soon." She announced. Everyone nodded and mumbled in agreement. Meredith was sat opposite her, glaring darkly. They chatted for a bit longer, until Anthony stood up.

"Right then troops; let's head downstairs by the right quick march." He commanded. Carmella laughed and led her friends back down the stairs and back into the main room. Bobby swooped down on them, grinning.

"Hey there Batgirl, almost New Year, are you gonna give me a kiss when the lights go out?" Lester walked over and dragged the obviously drunk Bobby away. Carmella showed her guests the champagne table and picked up a glass herself. She could see her cousin Leah dancing with Junior, which brought a smile to her face. Her Aunt Celia was flirting shamelessly with Lester, while her husband was slumped on a chair in the corner. Anthony took her glass out of her hand, set it down on the table and pulled her into the middle of the room. They danced for two songs before separating to go and socialise. Carmella walked over to Harry and smiled. He was about to say something, when her father stood on a chair and cleared his throat.

"If I could have your attention please, it's almost time for the new year countdown!" Everyone cheered in a very drunken fashion. He laughed and continued "So then all together now, 10, 9…" He jumped down off the chair and stood next to Steph while everyone started chanting the seconds away to the New Year. At two all the lights went out and at one, Carmella felt someone grab her by the waist, pull her closer and kiss her as everyone around them shouted 'Happy New Year!' The lights all flashed back on and Harry released Carmella and smiled at her.

"Happy New Year Princess." He smiled. Carmella grinned back and kissed him lightly on the lips.

"Happy New Year."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

I smiled as Ranger pulled me into a long kiss. The lights flickered back on and he straightened up, smiling.

"Happy New year, babe." He said as he brushed another kiss across my neck.

"Same to you Batman." I replied. Carmella walked over with Harry loitering behind her. Ranger pulled her into a hug and wished her a happy new year. She grinned.

"It would be hard pressed to be worse then last year!" She laughed. Ranger smiled at her and kissed lightly on the forehead. She gave me a quick hug before disappearing with Harry and her friends back upstairs. We both watched her go as she skipped across the hall, laughing and spinning round.
"She's a great kid." I said admiringly "She's a real credit to you." I told Ranger and he smiled appreciatively.

"I can't take much of the credit there, she practically raised herself. But you're right, she's a fantastic girl. I'm proud of her." He nodded. Tank and Bobby sidled over to us, smiling shiftily. I raised an eyebrow questioningly. Bobby chuckled.

"Hey Ranger, check out your sister." He grinned and nodded in the direction of the door. Celia was there, with Lester backed against a wall kissing him passionately. Her husband was unconscious in a chair. Ranger rolled his eyes.

"She's married." He muttered to no one in particular.

"I don't think Lester minds." Tank shrugged, as if that was the problem. As we watched, Celia pulled away and grinned. Lester wrapped an arm around her waist, smacked her lightly on the ass and kissed her again. Tank and Bobby burst out in hysterical laughter. Tank swatted Bobby playfully on the shoulder, sending him flying across the room and into the opposite wall. This just made Tank laugh harder. I tried hard to keep from bursting into laughter as well because Ranger did not look amused with the situation. Deep down he was probably laughing as well. Deep deep deep down.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Carmella closed her bedroom door behind her and looked at Harry, who had already climbed onto her bed and was resting against the headboard. She climbed on next to him and smiled. They sat in silence for a while until he said.

"I'm an awful boyfriend." Carmella looked at him quizzically as he continued "I mean truly awful. I never answer my phone, I'm always late if I actually turn up, I won't return calls, I smoke and I drink excessively." He finished. Carmella shrugged.

"I don't care." She said simply. Then she leaned over and kissed him. He wrapped and arm around her shoulders and pulled her on top of him. They finally pulled away and he looked up at her.

"I mean it." He said earnestly "I'm truly awful." Carmella smiled.

"So I'll keep calling till you answer, I'll wait for you and I'll hide your cigarettes and your alcohol. We can make this work." She told him. He grinned and pulled her to him again.

"You know what?" He said as he ran a hand up her back and planted kisses on her neck "I think I love you." He told her. She smiled and pressed a kiss on his forehead.

"Good." She whispered.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Many thanks to everyone who read this chapter, I hope you all approve! Love it? Hate it? Please Please PLEASE review! As always, any suggestions and/or comments are welcome. I hope this was ok, and I think Carmella and Harry make a cute couple. Dysfunctional but cute! Thanks to everyone who reviewed to the last chapter! I'll try to update ASAP. Arigato!