Wine and Roses

Chapter Six

Albert and Grandma Mazur were the only two left on the floor, dancing their way through the very last song on the Black Eyed Peas CD, performing a very bad version of the Robot. Grandma Manoso had gotten dizzy from twirling on the floor, and at the request of her daughter-in-law, she'd decided to sit the last song out. The twirling wasn't actually the problem for Grandma Manoso. Ranger's grandmother was dizzy from consuming multiple glasses of wine. Jerome sat at her side, keeping her company. His bad leg had giving out about ten minutes into the Soul Train line.

Stephanie was sitting next to Valerie who'd left Albert and Grandma Mazur on the floor just as Rockin' to the Beat kicked in.

"I swear," Stephanie said to Valerie, "I don't know where Grandma gets the energy. Do you think she's really having sex with Jerome?"

"Cripes!" Valerie cried, appalled at the idea. "I don't want to think about that!"

Stephanie chuckled at her sister's reaction and their mother slid up behind them. "Your grandmother is going to have a heart attack! Get her off that floor."

"I think she's fine," Stephanie said, keeping her eye on her grandmother. "If she's bored she'll find trouble."

Helen looked at Stephanie thoughtfully, nodding her head in agreement. "I guess you're right. She hasn't broken anything or set the room on fire. Let her stay out there."

Stephanie looked up at her mother. "What do you think about Ranger's parents?"

"I think they're lovely people. I have to be honest, I didn't know what to expect. Ranger's an odd bird, so I couldn't imagine what his parents were going to be like. But they're so… normal."

"Ranger's not that odd, not once you get to know him," Stephanie said, glancing at Valerie, wanting her take on Ranger's family.

Valerie took a sip of her wine and nodded her head, agreeing with her mother.

"They're all very nice. And his grandmother is the cutest little thing. I think she's finally hitting it off with Grandma."

Stephanie checked her watch. Twenty five minutes had passed and Ranger was still upstairs with her father and Ernesto. She wondered if the men were really engaged in conversation, or just napping in front of the television. She was going to read Ranger the riot act if he'd left her alone with the guests to watch the sports channel.

Just as Stephanie was thinking about heading to the 7th floor to drag Ranger back to the dinner party, Grandma Mazur opened her mouth and yelled, "Shake your money maker!" And her false teeth flew out of her mouth, slid across the floor, and came to rest at Ranger's feet. Stephanie hadn't seen him walk back into the room, but there he stood, smiling down at Grandma Mazur's dentures.

"Careful with those," Grandma Mazur called to Ranger. "They cost a lot of money."

Without a second thought, Ranger picked up Grandma Mazur's dentures and walked over to where she was standing. The last song had faded out and everyone was laughing out loud at Grandma Mazur's antics. She was the entertainment for the evening.

Smiling up at Ranger, Grandma Mazur took her teeth from his hand and shoved them back into her mouth. "You sure know how to throw one hell of a dinner party."

Ranger took Grandma Mazur by the arm and escorted her back to her seat. "I can't take any of the credit. Stephanie and Ella did all the work."

"Well, she did a wonderful job," Grandma Manoso said to her grandson, and then she slapped a high five with Grandma Mazur. "You were really shaking a leg out there."

"I'll teach you some new moves next time," Grandma Mazur promised Grandma Manoso.

Helen rolled her eyes and looked at her watch. "I have to get her out of here before she talks Ranger's grandmother into going on the Internet to find a date."

"I think she has plans with Jerome tonight," Stephanie said to her mother.

"Sweet mother of God," Helen said, crossing her chest.

Helen plopped down in a chair next to Stephanie and put her arm around her daughter's shoulders. "I'm proud of you, Stephanie. Not bad for your first dinner party."

Stephanie leaned into her mother, grateful for the compliment, and relieved that she'd finally made her mother proud. "I really wanted this dinner to go well. And as far as our family dinners go, this was close to perfect."

Helen nodded in agreement. "Thank God we're all leaving in one piece. No bullet wounds or broken bones. I'll have to prep you on the proper etiquette for hosting, but I think you're on your way."

Stephanie shook her head. "I think I'll let you handle that from now on. You're the master at hosting dinner parties."

Helen smiled at her daughter and squeezed her shoulder. "You're off to a good start. Hang in there, it gets easier."

As the nine o'clock hour came to an end, the guests began to slowly trickle out. Valerie and Albert were the first to leave; they had a babysitter waiting at home. Lupe and Courtney made an exit shortly there after, followed by Ranger's parents with Grandma Manoso in tow.

Frank and Helen decided to drive Grandma Mazur and Jerome back to Jerome's assisted living apartment. They were in no condition to drive. And after a few minutes of going back and forth about the sleepover, Helen finally caved after Grandma Mazur claimed she'd walk to Jerome's place if she had to. Ranger's sisters pulled up the rear, not quite ready to bring their evening to the end.

"Adriana and I are going to Club 128," Lucia said to Stephanie and Ranger. "Why don't you two come along? It's still early and we feel like doing the Mambo."

Club 128 was a Salsa club in Newark. Stephanie had been inside the club once to apprehend an FTA, but she'd never been as a patron. As a matter of fact, Stephanie had never patronized a dance club, period, because she had no rhythm to speak of.

"I couldn't dance if my life depended on it," Stephanie said. "And I've never seen Ranger dance."

Adriana smiled at Ranger as if they shared a little secret. "I guess you are going to have to show Stephanie what you can do on the dance floor, bro."

Ranger wrapped his sisters in a bear hug. "Maybe next time, ladies," he said with a warm smile. "Have fun, and don't drink anymore tonight if you're going to drive."

"We'll have to plan a fun night out, just us girls," Adriana said to Stephanie.

"I'll look forward to it," Stephanie said, hugging both sisters.

Adriana and Lucia waved goodnight and headed out to the next party.

Turning to Ranger with an inquisitive stare, Stephanie said, "What can you do on the dance floor, exactly?"

Ranger leaned down and nibbled Stephanie's ear. "I'll show you when we get upstairs."

"You were gone for almost a half hour tonight. Your limit was fifteen minutes."

Ranger offered Stephanie a mischievous smirk. "Man talk." And then he nibbled the soft skin just beneath her ear.

Suzette cleared her throat and cut her eyes to Ranger and Stephanie. "The food's all packed up. We'll be leaving now."

Ranger moved to pull his wallet out of the back pocket of his dress slacks, but Suzette held up her hand. "I have your credit card number on file. I'll charge the remaining balance tomorrow morning, and drop the invoice in the mail."

"Thanks for everything," Stephanie said. "The food was delicious and the service was great."

A proud expression spread across Suzette's face. She pulled a few business cards out of her coat pocket and handed them to Stephanie. "Spread the word. I cater for just about any occasion, weddings included." She looked at Ranger and Stephanie, giving them a sly smile. "Come Gilbert; let's get out of here so Ranger can show Stephanie those dance moves."

Stephanie and Ranger straightened up the banquet room and stacked all the dirty dishes on the table for Ella to pick up. By the time they made it up to the apartment it was ten-thirty.

Stephanie kicked off her heels at the door and carried them toward the bedroom. "I had a good time. What about you?"

"It was good to see my family," Ranger said, following Stephanie into the bedroom. He kicked off his shoes, unbuttoned his shirt, and slipped it off his shoulders.

"Everyone seemed to get along, and the building is still in tact. I'd say it was a successful evening."

"So you wouldn't mind doing it again?"

Ranger looked at Stephanie for a long moment before answering. And then he finally said, "Maybe next year."

"Wow, you're just full of surprises tonight. I was kind of hoping you'd say no."

"It's the wine talking."

Stephanie rolled her eyes at Ranger. "I'm going to take a shower, and then you can show me those dance moves you were bragging about."

Ten minutes later, Stephanie padded out of the bedroom with a bath robe tied around her damp body. She was expecting to see Ranger lying naked on the bed, waiting for her return, but he wasn't in the bedroom. He'd placed a bottle of wine and two wine glasses on the night stand, and resting on top of the comforter was a small box, covered in black velvet and gold trim. A long stemmed red rose was lying next to the box, its pedals in full bloom. Stephanie froze in her tracks and let out a small gasp. For the next couple of minutes, she just stood there, staring at the box with wide eyes.

"The box won't open by itself, babe," Ranger said from the doorway, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his bare chest. He was still wearing his dress slacks.

Slowly, Stephanie moved toward the bed, never taking her eyes off the small package. She picked up the box carefully and her hands trembled as she opened the lid.

"Ranger…," was the only word Stephanie could get out as she stared, completely in awe, at the platinum, princess-cut diamond ring sparkling in its container.

Ranger was behind her now, his arms wrapped around her body, holding her close to his chest. Without saying a word, he kissed the back of her head.

"What are you doing?" Stephanie finally asked Ranger in a hushed voice, her eyes glued to the diamond ring.

"Investing in my future," he said, whispering the words into Stephanie's ear. He reached around her, took the ring out of its box, and placed it on her finger.

Turning to face Ranger, Stephanie looked directly into his eyes. Ranger held her gaze, sincerity etched in his face, his eyes showing deep and pure love.

"You know I'm not good with words, babe. But I want you in my life, indefinitely. And I want to make it official."

Stephanie was speechless. She opened her mouth to speak, but words would not come. What did come were the tears, plenty of them, making a trail down her face. The thought of being someone's wife was frightening as hell, and the thought of being Ranger's wife was completely overwhelming. But at that moment, looking into Ranger's eyes, Stephanie wanted nothing more than to be Mrs. Ricardo Carlos Manoso.

"Yes."

"Yes, you'll be my wife?" Ranger asked Stephanie, clarifying her answer.

"Yes! Yes! I'll be your wife." Stephanie wrapped her arms around Rangers neck and covered his face with wet kisses, starting with his lips and working her way around all of his gorgeous features.

Ranger used his thumbs to wipe the tears from Stephanie's face, and then he scooped her up in his arms and held on tight as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He found her lips and kissed her long and deep, his tongue working magic in her mouth.

"You know what you're getting yourself into, right?" Ranger asked Stephanie once their lips had parted.

Stephanie cupped Ranger's face in her hands and laughed lightly. "I was just about to ask you the same thing. Are we completely nuts or what?"

Ranger smiled a megawatt smile and kissed Stephanie's lips again. "That's why we make such a good team, babe. No one else will have us."

Stephanie loosened her legs from around Ranger's waist and he set her down on the foot of the bed. Picking up the rose, Stephanie put the petals under her nose, inhaling the scent. Ranger was standing over her, watching her carefully.

"Are you really ready to settle down, Ranger?"

Ranger offered a lopsided grin. "I don't think we'll ever be completely settled, babe. That's not who we are. But I want you to be my wife. I'm sure about that."

Stephanie cocked her head to the side and stared at Ranger. "I can be a complete mess sometimes."

"I'm aware of that. I can be distant at times, don't take it personal."

"I'm still not all that great at the domestic stuff."

"You're getting better at it."

"You'll need to pay more attention to Rex, since you'll be his new daddy and all."

"I'll work on that."

"I hear sex changes after marriage."

"Sex with me will only get better, babe."

"Marrying me means you're stuck with my grandmother."

"I've taken out extra liability insurance."

"I'm running out of reasons to discourage you."

Ranger looked at Stephanie with humor on his face. She was entertaining him. "I've thought about this for a long time. My mind's made up."

Stephanie lifted her hand in the air, admiring the glistening, 3-carat diamond ring on her finger.

"Is this what you were talking to my father about when you brought him and Ernesto up to the apartment tonight?"

"Yes. I had to get your father's blessing. Anymore questions?"

Stephanie thought about it for a while, and then smiled. "It will be an honor to be your wife, Ranger."

Ranger sat down next to Stephanie, pulling her into his arms. "I'm happy you feel that way, babe."

Glancing down at the robe covering his future wife's assets, Ranger said, "I need to get you naked. We're going to celebrate now."

Pulling the robe down over her shoulders, Stephanie glanced at the wine on the night stand, and then looked down at the rose she was still holding in her hand.

"Wine and roses," she said thoughtfully to her fiancé. "I should have known this was going to be a special night."

The End…For Now.