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Surprise! It's another chapter in less than a month! Please enjoy… And thank you all who have been reading and thanks for the reviews. Also, a big thank you to Melody and Haleigh for their help polishing this up!
What Happens in Vegas
Chapter 28
I met Ranger on the 5th floor and we went up to his apartment where Ella had dinner waiting for us. We ate and then settled in for the evening, making an effort to keep our hands to ourselves.
And that was our pattern for the next few weeks. Get up, breakfast, work for the day, dinner together and spend the night relaxing in the apartment and making wedding plans. A few nights we had dinner with our respective families, keeping them up to date on the wedding, but still doing things our way, and a few nights we went on double dates with Tank and Lula, but that was it. Lester actually accused us of acting like an 'old married couple.'
Then, before we knew it, it was the 24th, two days before the wedding, and Ranger was having his last post-op check up. Despite the fact that he was very creative, we were really hoping he was cleared to resume normal activity…
oOoOoOo
"Is this necessary?" I asked from the passenger seat of Lula's Firebird.
I was currently dressed up for a distraction and blindfolded, while Lula took me somewhere.
All I had figured out so far was that the text I'd gotten from Tank, telling me to be ready for a job at nine, had really been from Lula. She had something planned, but wouldn't answer any questions. Given the fact that she was dressed in her own version of a distraction outfit, I was feeling a little nervous.
"Okay, girlfriend, we're here," she suddenly announced, pulling the blindfold from my eyes.
Looking out the window, I saw that we were at a club I'd only been to for a distraction once.
I was starting to get a pretty good idea about what was going on as I followed Lula inside, and when I saw Connie, Mare and Val dressed in their own slutty get-ups my suspicions were confirmed.
"Surprise!"
I just rolled my eyes and laughed, deciding to go with it.
"Does Ranger know about this?" I asked once I was settled in at the table.
"He will once my man, Tank, gets him to his own party."
I laughed, picturing Ranger's face if Tank actually succeeded in surprising him… And I was hoping he was surprised, otherwise he was in royal trouble for not tipping me off.
I came out of my thoughts just in time to hear Connie ordering me a drink and a round of shots. Shit. At least they'd thought to do this two days before the wedding rather than the night before. Maybe Mare and Val remembered the state I had been in for my wedding to the Dick. I thought my mother would die when I was hung over in front of the entire Burg.
When the waitress arrived, she sat a glass of light brown liquid with a bit of ice in front of me and a bright red shot.
"What are these?" I asked.
"The drink's a .38 Special, it's 7Up and Rum. And the shot… is a Red-Headed Slut," Connie said holding hers up and motioning for the rest us to do the same.
When we were all prepared for the toast she continued, "To Joyce Barnhart. If you hadn't caught her with the Dick, you wouldn't be here today. Cheers."
We took our shots and not much later, as I finished my first drink, I was beginning to feel a serious buzz. I was having a great time just sitting and gossiping with the girls, when Lula announced it was time to start party games.
To Hell with raising one eyebrow, I think both of mine shot up into my hair.
"I think Steph needs another shot first," Mare said, flagging down a waitress.
"I don't think—" I started, but Lula cut me off.
"This be your last chance to have a wild girls' night."
I just motioned towards Val and Mare. "And you think Ranger's the kind of guy who would expect me to stay at home, chained to the stove, taking care of the kids?"
"Fine. You had a wild night with him and his posse in Vegas and we want our turn," she pouted.
I rolled my eyes and saw the waitress coming towards us with a tray of shots.
"What is it?" I asked resignedly.
"Pineapple Upside Down Cake," Mare said.
"It's a shot?" Maybe I should tell my mother. We'd have something to bond over…
"Sure is," Mare said lifting hers into the air. "To friendship. We love you Steph, and wish you the best."
I took the shot and felt my eyes go big. Wow, oh wow. It tasted just like my mother's cake. I think I just found a new favorite drink.
By the time the shot hit, I was ready for games. The games basically involved Lula giving us assignments and the first was getting a guy to buy you a drink. Followed by getting the most numbers in a set time. Followed by getting a kiss. That explained the distraction outfits at least.
I won almost every round since I decided to treat the games like a distraction. Mare, Val and Connie weren't quite as confident targeting random guys, and I think Lula kind of scared them…
The games and drinking continued until around one o'clock when I heard a loud crash. I turned to see what was going on and saw that a waitress had dropped a tray of drinks. She was staring at the door, so I turned my head and saw what had her distracted.
Batman and his Merry Men had entered the building.
Feeling flirty, I stalked towards Ranger and pressed my body against his, kissing him hard.
"Hi," I breathed when I finally pulled away.
"Having a good time, Babe?" he asked, grabbing my ass and pulling me a little bit tighter against him. He looked like he had a good buzz of his own going.
"Yeah. You?"
"I am now," he said, leaning in for another kiss.
The kiss was heating up with a bit more tongue and roaming hands than was appropriate in public when Lester pulled us apart.
"Let the girl breathe," he said laughing.
"Maybe I don't want to breathe," I mostly-fake pouted.
"Okay, then don't get us kicked out of the club for lewd acts in public," Bobby chimed in.
I rolled my eyes and spotted Lula and Tank. "I don't think Ranger and I are who you have to worry about."
Lula was straddling Tank's lap and her skirt had ridden up to the point that the only thing keeping her decent were Tank's large hands across her equally large ass.
"I knew coming here was a bad idea," Lester said, moving to pull them apart.
After that, we had a great time, dancing and drinking until closing time. And when we left, as if by magic, there were a couple black SUVs waiting to take everyone home. I don't think I made it out of the parking lot before I was passed out against Ranger, dozing happily.
oOoOoOo
Ouch. That was my first waking thought. My second was along the lines of, what the Hell happened? My head was pounding, my brain felt like mush and my tongue was stuck to the roof of my mouth. My entire body ached and I wasn't sure if I was capable of opening my eyes or if it was even a good idea at this point. I was just starting to think that letting myself drift back into unconsciousness was the best thing I could do when I noticed a weight around my waist and heat at my side.
I cracked one eye and saw Ranger still sleeping soundly beside me. Thinking back to that morning, I peeked under the sheet and got the same results. We were both completely naked. I thought hard, trying to remember if I'd missed something good, but nothing came to me so I shrugged and snuggled back into Ranger.
I dozed for awhile before coming awake again to a hand tracing its way up and down my side.
"Morning, Babe," Ranger said, sensing that I was awake.
"Ungh," I said, not opening my eyes.
"Ella's brining the cure."
"Cure. Good."
"Want to get up?"
"No."
"A shower will make you feel better."
"So will sleeping 'til tomorrow."
"Tomorrow's the wedding, Babe. I think you have things to do today."
"Shit," I said, finally opening my eyes and dragging myself into a sitting position.
As the blanket fell away, I remembered my naked state and pulled it back up over my chest.
"Seen it all before," Ranger said, sounding amused.
"Did we do anything I'd want to remember?"I asked.
"I don't know. You fell asleep in the car. I carried you up here, undressed you, put you to bed, undressed and climbed in before going to sleep. Do you want to remember that?"
"Ass," I said, swatting his stomach.
"Good thing you love me," Ranger said, pulling me on top of himself and kissing me. "How about that shower?"
"Mmm, sounds good," I said, letting him pull me out of the blankets and carry me towards the bathroom.
Half an hour later we emerged, refreshed and mutually satisfied. Ranger got dressed and I pulled on his fluffy robe before heading out to the kitchen to find two plates with fries and two glasses of Coke. I was a little thrown off by the lack of paper cups and fry holders, but sat down and dug in anyway.
We ate in comfortable silence and when we were done, Ranger pressed a kiss to my lips saying he'd be on five if I needed him. Apparently, he didn't have as much to get done today as I did…
The first thing I did was call Ella. She had been a God-send, offering to do the catering and other odds and ends despite my protests that she was going to be a guest and shouldn't be doing these things.
"Hello," she answered.
"Hi, Ella. It's Stephanie."
"How are you feeling, dear? Was breakfast all right, or would you like me to bring up something more?"
"Breakfast was fine. I was just calling down to thank you for getting it and check how things are coming for tomorrow."
"I have everything just about done and my niece should have the cake here some time after lunch. Would you like me to call you when it gets here?"
"No thanks. I have complete faith in you and Lucy."
"Thank you, dear. Now, I'm going to let you go. I'm sure you have a lot to get done today."
Once we hung up, I headed back to the bedroom. I'd put off packing for the honeymoon and now I was out of time. The problem was, I had no idea what to pack since Ranger wouldn't tell me where we were going.
Sighing, I started with the things I'd take anywhere. Bras, underwear, the sexy lingerie I'd gotten at my shower and a couple of the 'gifts' from Grandma Mazur. I packed my make-up and hair stuff and then tackeld the clothing. I started preparing to go to an island and ended ready for a ski trip. When all was said and done, I had two suitcases, a shoe bag and a carry on. Guess that will show Ranger to not tell me where we're going.
With that done, I checked the time and saw it was just about noon so I grabbed my cell and called Mare.
"Hello," she answered.
"How are you feeling this morning?"
"Alive. I think."
"You still up for the spa?" She'd gotten me a manicure, facial and massage at our favorite spa for a wedding present and then bought the same for herself, so I wouldn't have to go alone, she'd said.
"Of course," she said, suddenly sounding much more like her usual self.
"How about I pick you up in an hour?"
"Okay, but can we take my car? I'll need to drop the kids off at my mom's."
"That's fine. See you in a bit," I said before hanging up and heading into the dressing area to get ready.
It didn't take me long to get ready since all I had to do was pull on sweats and a t-shirt and tame my hair back into a decent pony tail. There was no point getting dressed up and putting on make-up when I'd just be changing into a robe at the spa and getting my face washed for the facial.
Once I was ready, I made a quick peanut butter and olive sandwich and was on my way.
Mare and I had a blast at the spa. Our masseurs were complete hotties – not quite RangeMen but hotties -- the facials left our skin baby soft and we each got our nails done beautifully for tomorrow. Mine were soft French beige and Mare's were a light purpleish-gray.
When we were done, I picked up my car and headed back to RangeMan to get ready for the rehearsal and dinner, wishing I could squeeze a nap in.
I stopped on five on my way up to the apartment and checked in with Ranger. He'd apparently gotten everything he needed to do for the wedding done and brought in two skips. Now he was just finishing up some paperwork before coming up to get ready for the rehearsal. If only my life worked like that…
Upstairs, I hopped in the shower and wet my hair down so I could style it. I did the make-up thing, picked out clothes and was just about done with my hair when Ranger showed up. He kissed me quickly and jumped in the shower himself. Fifteen minutes later we were in the elevator, riding down to the garage.
"How're you holding up?" Ranger asked, encircling me in his arms.
"Fine," I said.
And I was, now. When we'd first started planning the rehearsal dinner, I'd had a mini-melt down, realizing it was the first time my family and Ranger's would be meeting. Add Best Man Tank and Maid of Honor Lula and we were asking for a fiasco. But then Ranger had offered to take care of everything for tonight. And I'd calmed down considerably. With Batman in charge, it couldn't go wrong. Right?
The rehearsal went like a breeze with just Ranger, Tank, Lula, the priest and I. We'd explained to the priest that we'd both been married before as well as the rest of the situation and that we just wanted to keep things simple. He'd understood and agreed to make the ceremony as simple as a Catholic wedding can be.
Once we were done, we headed for Rossini's for dinner, and I took a deep breath before heading into the restaurant, holding tightly to Ranger's hand.
Our parents and grandmothers were going to be the only other guests, but they weren't there yet so I let out a sigh of relief. Ranger's family arrived first and as I was hugging them hello, I spotted my family.
I introduced everyone with my best Burg manners and we all sat down. Ranger squeezed my thigh under the table and I managed to relax a little more.
Overall, the dinner went well. There were only a few awkward moments after some of the things Grandma Mazur said. I swear there's nothing more embarrassing than her bringing up Ranger and my sex life in front of both sets of our parents. And Mom managed to refrain from criticizing my small wedding party, or the fact that I'd refused to come stay at my parent's house that night.
oOoOoOo
"Thanks," I said to Ranger when we finally made it back to the apartment.
"For what?"
"For making tonight go smoothly."
"Babe, I don't think it was ever going to be the disaster you were anticipating."
"Right. Apparently you need to spend more time tuned into the Stephanie Plum show."
"That show's about to get canceled," Ranger said, picking me up and settling us on the couch.
"Huh?" I asked, both confused and distracted by his nearness.
He lifted his wrist and looked at his watch for a minute. "In fifteen and a half hours you'll be Stephanie Manoso."
"Can't wait," I said, turning my head until my lips touched his neck.
oOoOoOo
The next day at quarter of one, I was standing in the annex of the church, watching the clock and fidgeting. Fifteen minutes, I told myself, you can wait fifteen minutes. Think of it like a stake out… there's nowhere you can go, nothing to do and no way to speed up time.
"Do you have any Snickers?" I asked Lula who was watching me like I was about to explode.
"Damn Skippy," Lula said, grabbing the huge bag she'd told me was 'for emergencies.' "I've also got a bottle of tequila. That's what Tank said you were drinking last time. You need a shot?"
"No!"
"All right, all right. It's just that you're standing there all twitchy and nervous. You're making me nervous and Lord knows I'm nervous enough with all the cops out there in the audience."
"Lula, it's just Joe and Eddie."
"So? They still make me nervous," she said, finally finding the Snickers and handing it over.
I unwrapped it quickly and took a bite, focusing on the cocolatey, nougety goodness.
Just as I was finishing it up, my dad appeared, telling us it was time. Lula grabbed our flowers, handing me mine, before giving her long, black tube dress one last check in the mirror. Then she looked me up and down, nodded and took her place in front of dad and me.
The music started, the doors opened and she walked out.
"You ready, baby girl?" Dad asked when we were alone.
"Yeah," I said softly, looking down the aisle and seeing Ranger standing there in his black suit, blank face in place.
That changed as soon as Dad and I started walking towards him. Ranger's eyes locked with mine and I felt my heart skip a beat. His lips twitched almost imperceptibly up and I felt a huge smile spread across my face. And then I was there, Dad was kissing my cheek and putting my hand in Ranger's and we were turning to face the priest.
As the mass progressed, we heard a reading on unconditional love between man and wife and Ranger's hand tightened around mine. I turned my head slightly towards him and he mouthed 'no price.' I just smiled because I finally understood.
We both repeated after the priest then, giving our consent to the marriage, promising to be faithful and to love and honor one another. During Ranger's turn, I got my wedding band back that I'd only taken off that morning and then I returned his to him. When the vows were done, I heard the priest say, "What God has joined together, let no man separate," and then he pronounced us man and wife.
"You may kiss the bride," he said to Ranger as he took a step back.
I held my bouquet of flowers out to Lula, not taking my eyes off of Ranger as he lowered his face to mine. The kiss was slow and sensual and only ended when the cheering from the congregation broke through.
"We're married," I whispered to Ranger as we looked out over our family and close friends.
"How's it feel this time?"
"Better without the hangover."
oOoOoOo
A/N: Well, I think there's just one more chapter and maybe an epilogue left, so let me know if there are any loose ends you're dying to see tied up! And as always, please review and let me know what you thought!