I know it has been awhile since I published any Stephanie and Ranger stories. I really appreciate the reviews and people still want to read something from me. Thank you.

Ranger POV:

Now that I got the kick in the pants I needed, I was on a super mission; the one which is the rest of my life. Someday with Stephanie. This contract could wait as I picked up the receiver punching in buttons.

"Plums"

"Frank, can I pick you up in 10 minutes?"

"Sure, Ranger."

I turned the Porsche into the narrow drive and over the wooden bridge. Stephanie's father had the same expression on his face I saw on hers seeing the house and bridge.

Getting out of my car, the words just started getting right to the point. "Frank, I'll have an appraiser out here and I'll pay you above his value. I'll have a house built here and maybe some of the original one can be salvaged and used in the construction. The house will be designed any way Stephanie would want it as a wedding present. Would you sell this to me for Stephanie?"

His steel gray eyes softened I noticed at the mention of his younger daughter. "That's too complicated. You got a dollar in your pocket."

My eyebrow arched questioning why Frank Plum wanted a dollar bill. Pulling my wallet out of my cargo's back pocket and opening it, the smallest paper note I possessed was $50. "No," I said holding up the bill.

"You aren't 'Burg', but that will do." Stephanie's father pulled it through my fingers and I watched it disappear into his pocket then holding out his hand.

Not exactly sure why we were shaking hands, my right hand met Frank's.

"Sold."

"Sold? What did I buy?"

Looking up and around, Frank's attention rested back on me, the man who loved and protected his younger daughter. "This."

Stunned, now both eyebrows slowly arched. "Frank, I'll pay a fair price."

"You love Stephanie and her happiness is priceless to me. Make sure there is a big screen TV when I come to hang out and eventually maybe a grandson or two would be nice. This place is not the 'Burg' for Ellen. So, what am I going to do with it? I've held on to it for so long and I have my memories. Pumpkin and you can make it a home again making new ones."

"Definitely one in the family room. When the new garage is built I'll have an apartment added with a big screen TV. Grandsons I'll discuss with Stephanie."

"My Boy, I love you!" He hugged his future son-in-law delighted for his daughter. "Can I still cut the grass? That's my mental health therapy."

"Why?"

"Live with Edna and my wife who irons everything including my boxers."

"Cut away," I said waving my hand. Grandma Mazur would send me to the farthermost jungle on the planet if it wasn't for my Babe.

Before I was back at Rangeman, my attorney was handling the deed transfer and I contacted an architect.

A few days later, I was standing in a dusty house with flashlights shining around. Anthony, my architect, and Frank were here looking around. There were a few pieces of furniture covered under sheets in some rooms. Stephanie could decide on those if they were usable.

"This house has good bones," Anthony determined. "I think we'll be able to use a lot this in your house, Carlos. The fireplace appears to be intact."

"Great, I want to keep all that we can."

Frank was standing in front of a built-in china cabinet, the glass was dirty but you could see the empty shelves. "After my mother died, Stephanie would help my father dust off her collection of milk glass. She had special plates with cups she served cookies on when Stephanie was a little girl. I've stored them for her for when she had a home if she wants them."

I patted his back imaging 'my Babe' as a little girl with curly hair amongst dishes "Frank, I know she will want to bring them back home. Anthony, that stays."

"Got it."

One week later:

I think I covered everything. I would have married Stephanie a week ago, but I wanted Tank to share in this day and I had arrangements to work out. He would say it was 'way overdue'. The rings I selected were locked in my desk drawer. It was cruel fate on Morelli's part running into him yesterday. I was coming from the Mayor's office picking up the 'on-the-sly' marriage license when he was coming from a side door of the City Building. It was the

free-clinic. He was scratching and had more pharmacy bottles in his hand. He must need another round of antibiotics. I was preparing to marry 'my Babe' and all he could do right now was scratch himself. I laughed all the way to my Porsche.

My arms encircled Babe's waist. She was deciding on breakfast standing in one of my Rangeman T-shirts by the breakfast bar licking her lips at the Boston Creme or raspberry pastries Ella had on a plate. Her hair was wild just the way I preferred.

"Hey, Babe."

"Morning, Ranger."

I loved kissing her and today would be more special I hope. "What do you have planned for today"" I asked casually but holding my breath if my plans were going to go up in flames.

"Mary Lou and I are going to Mr. Alexander's for trims and manicures. The rest of the day is free. Your schedule?"

"I have a few meetings on my calendar. I am hoping we could have a special evening out."

"Dressy or casual?"

I pretended to maul it over. "Dressy."

"Ooh, I like those." Her blue eyes were wide with delight.

"I'll be back by 5 and I hope you like the dress I bought for you."

"You bought me something?"

She was off the stool running for the bedroom like an excited child on Christmas morning. Her curls were flying behind her as I watched her disappear through the doorway.

I brought a dress bag out which I hid between my Armani suits carefully laying on the bed. I watched Stephanie slowly unzip the long bag and gently removing the ivory gown.

"It's beautiful."

Tears were in her blue eyes glistening. I knew her so well and her face always told me her thoughts and emotions. Something was struggling to remain hidden. "You don't like it." I bought a strapless pale ivory dress with crystals around the pleated bodice above a flowing skirt. It was the only ornamentation on it. It was classic elegance with vintage gems. Stephanie would be beautiful in it.

"It's beautiful."

"But?"

She was fighting the tears from falling when I tipped her chin up to look me in those blue eyes. "Please, Babe. Tell me."

Her brow crinkled as soon as I said 'please' knowing I would get her to divulge her thoughts. Huffing, a stray curl blew out of her face which I tucked behind her ear. "This," Stephanie started and stopped. I waited patiently for her to find the words. "If I ever picked out a wedding gown, this is it. Not the big puffy thing my mother chose. It's simple with old Hollywood glamor. It's perfect, Ranger," she whispered unsure of my reaction to the hint of wedding or marriage.

"When someday comes, Babe, you will be the most beautiful bride I will ever see." She just didn't know I planned on someday to be today. Every word of truth was in the kiss we shared.

I went into the dressing room coming back with a shoe box and jewelry box.

"More presents? Did I miss Christmas?" She teased opening the smaller box first. It was a gold lariat chain with two diamonds and a heart-shaped one dangling at the end. It matched the heart-shaped diamond on her engagement ring. Stephanie had my heart. She was my heart. "Oh, Ranger."

I kissed her before she would say 'it's too much." She squealed opening the shoe box seeing champagne colored high heels with crystals and slipping them on immediately walking around our bedroom. Shoes trump jewelry where 'my Babe' is concerned. "Oh, these are soft. Thank you, thank you, my Cuban Bad Ass!" She was tickling me with her lips all over my face. I dipped her back for a long, slow kiss that would last me until later.

"I'll see you later, Babe. Have a good morning with Mary Lou."

"You, too."

I wanted to get to her grandparent's property because the company would be raising the white tents I ordered and also the utility trailer with a bathroom for the evening. I hope the bridge is strong enough for it to cross. I wasn't having Port-A-Johns at my wedding. The utilities were shut-off so Hector was in charge of the generator set-up for the white lights., music, and a working trailer. The florist would be there. Everything had to be perfect for tonight and it was going to begin on our Bridge to Someday.

I was waiting on the slight rise of the bridge. Everything was ready and I was included. White and pink rose petals covered the wooden bridge. The white lights Hector strung around the bridge were lit in all the overgrown greenery. My Mercedes was pulling up. Tank was driving Stephanie here. He stretched the truth as I instructed that I was running behind from my meeting and to save time, I asked him to drive Stephanie to me. It stopped at the entrance of the wooden bridge. I watched as he went around opening the door for her and 'my Babe' stepped out. She glanced at Tank then saw me waiting on the bridge in my black Armani suit. From where I stood, I read the questions on her face. I fell more in love with this woman stepping towards me as I went to meet her.

The ivory dress fit her every curve and on her slim figure. The crystals and diamond heart glistened from the late afternoon sun and lights. Her curls were soft framing her beautiful blue eyes.

"Ranger, what's going on?"

I held her left hand in mine as I bent down on a shaking knee. "Marry me, Babe. Marry me, Stephanie Michelle Plum, on our 'bridge to someday'."