Thanks for the huge response to this story:D Here's an extra-long update.
Since Julie's POV was taken well, I'll keep using it to help the story move along.
I'm thinking about bumping this story up to M just because it allows for more freedom;) Thoughts?
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE.
Julie's POV
My mouth felt dry and I realized I must have been staring, gawking even, because Angie asked me if I was alright. I gave her a short nod as I tried to find words again.
"But you do know him, right?"
"Y-yeah." I took in a deep breath, controlling my emotions. "He's my partner."
Thankfully, the laugh of the ladies in the other room interrupted the moment. Angie gave me a wink as we joined the others, a silent way of saying 'I'll let you know how it goes'.
I was in a trance the rest of the meal, hardly touching my pudding. It shouldn't have surprised me really. Justin is a very handsome guy and just because I've never known him to have dates, doesn't mean he hasn't had any.
Grandma Mazur said something I didn't catch and it made Angie grin behind a spoonful of pudding. My friend's face lit up, enhancing her pretty face.
You're jealous. A little voice in my head pointed out. I shook my head, telling myself that I wasn't jealous. Angie is my friend and her association with Justin shouldn't bother me. He's just my partner after all.
And just as I was trying to focus on the lively conversation taking place, I was transported back to a point in time when I walked in on Justin while he was in the shower. We had a somewhat shaky start in our partnership. I'd felt like I had something to prove and it was part of the reason I ended up seeing him naked. Sculpted chest and abs along with strong arms and thighs made me zero in on one particular piece of his anatomy…
"Julie?" Stephanie touched my arm, asking if I was alright.
"Yeah." I cleared my throat, getting rid of the image of naked Justin from my mind. "Guess I'm just tired." I forced out a smile, hoping I looked convincing.
"I better get going." Angie stood, offering us an apologetic smile.
And just like that I admitted the truth to myself. I was definitely jealous.
We said our goodbyes too and Stephanie got us on the road.
"I want to make a quick stop before we head over to Rangeman." Stephanie told me about a blood-covered man she stumbled upon during a walkthrough over the weekend.
"What happened?" I decided that getting my mind occupied on something, anything, else would serve me good.
Stephanie shrugged, signaling her turn to take us to St. Francis. "I have no idea, but I have a feeling that he has something to do with the break-ins to the chemical facility." Stephanie said that because the place was shut down over the weekend for investigation, Rangeman hadn't gotten around to installing a security bundle yet.
I nodded at her words, knowing from experience that her gut instincts are usually correct. "What's the plan?" I asked as she parked in the hospital's lot. Steph said we were just going to see how Mr. Bloody was doing.
Steph knew the nurse in turn, facilitating the flow of information. After a few minutes the nurse had to excuse herself and we were left in front of the nurses' station, pondering our options. So far, all we knew was that the guy was still unconscious, but stable.
Just as we were getting ready to leave a tall man approached us, his posture shouting 'cop'. I gave Steph a discrete nudge with my elbow. Recognition grazed her facial features instantly. I sometimes feel like she knows everyone in this town and then it turns out she does.
The man had an athletic looking body, a handsome face despite his age and a playful smile. His hair was peppered with gray and in need of a haircut. I thought he was maybe a little older than my dad and the way he looked at Steph showed he knew her. I watched their nonverbal interaction closely and even before he greeted her, I realized that these two have shared a history together. Scratch that. Their looks said they've shared a long history together.
"Looking good, Cupcake."
"Morelli." They shook hands, putting the pleasantries aside for a moment to discuss Mr. Bloody.
Morelli shot a look my way, as if he was trying to judge what he could and could not say in my presence. Steph gave him a nod and it must have been permission enough, because he pulled us aside.
"He's one of us." Morelli said the bloody guy Steph found was a plainclothes in TPD working undercover, trying to bring down a relatively new organization taking over the illegal substance business over on Stark Street. He chose to keep the Mr. Bloody's identity to himself.
"I gave my statement on the scene to Eddie." Stephanie asked why Morelli got himself involved if Detective Gazzara was heading the investigation. "What happened to New York?" Apparently, Morelli was previously working in the Big Apple.
"It's a personal favor." Morelli grinned as he handed us his card before turning around to leave.
Lt. Joseph Morelli.
As I scanned my eyes over the card, I realized that maybe things were about to get complicated for more than one of us. I've heard rumors about the kind of relationship Steph and Morelli once had, but I've never asked and she's never shared.
Since she eventually married Dad and gave birth to Eddie, it doesn't take a genius to know how that worked out.
S&R- Stephanie's POV
I noticed Julie was quieter than normal and thought that having dinner with her family would help her ease back into her normal self. But even through Eddie's nonstop chatter, she still seemed distant. As soon as dinner was over, Julie said she was tired and wanted nothing more than a date with her bed. She left, refusing dessert for the second time today. Maybe she was telling the truth about being exhausted, but I'm still going to ask her what's going on when I see her in the morning.
I hurried to give Eddie his bath before he fell asleep on me. Once he was clean, I put him to bed. I didn't even get to start on the nightly bedtime story before my little boy was fast asleep. I guess Monday's aren't just hectic for me.
After tucking my little one to sleep, I went downstairs to join Ranger. I found him on the back porch and took a seat next to him on our well used bench, setting the baby monitor at my side.
"He knocked out." I commented as Ranger handed me a beer. I took a glorious sip, savoring the rarity of this moment. Sure, we've spent several nights on this very same porch sharing a conversation and a drink; it's just that we haven't done so lately.
"That comment about the puppy," Ranger eyed me, a small smile creeping out. "You know what that's all about?"
"Nope." I hid my grin as I bent down, placing the beer on the ground.
"Babe." Ranger arched an eyebrow, turning to corner me between his body and the bench.
"Okay." I looped an arm around his neck, bringing him a bit closer. "I was on the phone with Valerie. He heard about the new addition to the Kloughn household."
Ranger nodded, rewarding me with a kiss on the mouth. "So, you're saying he wants one?" I nodded.
"I think it would be great." I gave Ranger an innocent smile. "But I told him he had to ask you first."
"I see." Ranger kissed me again, showing his approval. "How about we surprise him?" I smiled, knowing the surprise was going to make our son extremely happy.
We stayed tangled for a long while, enjoying a relaxing ending to our day. My eyes scanned across our backyard, moving from the swing set to the pool.
"I feel like taking a dip." I commented with a longing sigh. The weather was perfect for a swim tonight. September had started off a bit crazy, but if tonight's any indication, maybe it won't be so bad.
Ranger stood, tugging my hand for me to get up. He cocked his head to the side in invitation.
"Let me get my swim-"I'd forgotten about the beer at my feet, accidentally knocking it over when I stood.
"Babe." I could picture his grin as I picked up the now empty bottle. "Clothing is optional when you're with me." His seductive grin made me warm inside.
"Ah." I sighed when the water hit my skin. I'd stripped down to my bra and panties, deciding to leave a little room for the imagination. What if a tiny someone happened to wake up? Plus, we have neighbors.
I submerged myself completely, instantly feeling when Ranger joined me. We surfaced together, moving towards the deep end.
"You're naked!" I gasped when we reached the edge of the pool and he pressed against me.
"I told you clothing was optional." His hands came to rest on my hips, fingers toying with the waistband of my now soaked panties.
I wrapped my legs around his waist, pressed myself flush to his front and rested my hands on his shoulders as I left it up to him to keep us afloat. "What do you have in mind?" I murmured against his lips.
Ranger captured my lips in a heated kiss that had me rubbing against him. "Your eyes are so blue right now." His hands moved to my bottom, skimming under the elastic to touch my skin. The only lighting came from the pool and the back porch. With every move, the water lapped against our bodies. His face was mostly obscured in shadow because of our position and it gave him an air of mystery. It was erotic, electrifying even.
When I felt him lowering my panties, I erupted in a fit of giggles.
"What's so funny?" Ranger asked, leaving a trail of kiss down my throat.
"This reminds of me of the time you were my Spanish teacher." I moaned, throwing my head back when his fingers skimmed the inside of my thighs. "That was such a disaster." With a groan of approval, I untangled my legs from his body so he could get my panties completely out of the way.
"That's not how I remember it." Ranger moved us to a corner of the pool, tossing my discarded panties on the edge.
I skimmed a hand down his muscular front, stopping when I reached my destination. I wrapped my hand around his hardness, giving him an exploratory stroke. "I always ended up naked within the first five minutes." I reminded as I once again wrapped my legs around him.
"I couldn't help myself." Ranger's predatory grin had me instinctively tightening my grip. Ranger groaned, pumping into my fist. The way we were pressed made our bodies brush together, bringing the heat up another notch. "You're so sexy when you roll your Rs." He captured my lips, tongue invading my mouth to tangle with mine.
"Si?" My voice was breathy and not just from our kiss. His fingers had inched their way to my doodah, setting the perfect rhythm. "Carrrrrrlos." I laughed; satisfied with the effect I have on him.
S&R
I awoke to the sound of the alarm. I turned it off, taking a few more glorious moments to savor the feel of the comfortable bed. A small smile crept out as I remembered how our night went, ending things in the laundry room.
The memory was interrupted when I heard the bathroom door slide open. I turned, finding Ranger fully dressed. He was in business mode today, black suit and silky tie.
"What time will you be getting back?" He had business to take care of in the Boston office. Since we've been married he tries to spend only the strictly necessary time away.
"Tonight." Ranger said he'd most likely be back late. "Don't wait up." He approached the bed, bending at the waist to land a soft kiss on my bare shoulder. Ranger straightened, his form illuminated by the bathroom light. "If you're going to be spending time out of the office, take your gun." His tone was serious.
Most husbands probably don't say that to their wives early in the morning. "What's the word on the street?" Apparently, the bloody guy I stumbled on was turning out to be quite a big deal. Something was definitely fishy.
"Gazzara says things are getting ugly."
"I bumped into Morelli at St. Francis yesterday." I sat up, coming to be at eye level with his belt buckle. "It seems there's a lot of involvement on the case already." I gave his abdomen a loving pat so he could rest assured that I would be having nothing to do with that line of investigation.
"Babe." Ranger let out a sigh, kissed me on the forehead and left.
I showered, changed into jeans and girly tee before doing my hair. I opted for minimal makeup, stuffed my feet in my sneakers before going to check up on my son.
S&R
"Bye." I dropped Eddie off at school, waiting until I saw him join his classmates and teacher. He sent me a wave, a silent assurance that he was alright and that I could move along.
I checked the time and since I still had a good hour before I had to be at Rangeman, I decided to stop at the bonds office to catch up on some girl talk. Connie is still the office manager, though she's part owner now. I don't always get to have morning coffee with her anymore, but I try to stop by when I have time.
I arrived at the office with a box of mixed donuts from Tasty Pastry. Connie greeted me with a cup of coffee.
"Lula's on her way." Connie motioned for me to take a seat, asking how things have been.
"It's been a little hectic lately." She'd already heard about the bloody guy. Since I didn't have much to add to it, I took a sip of my coffee.
"Hey, girlfriends!" Lula busted in wearing bright yellow sneakers, black spandex shorts that were just this side of too tight and a red tank. She works for a Nonprofit organization now. Last I heard they were trying to beautify Trenton, trying to improve the environment by bringing awareness to the public about our pollution levels. I'm not sure what her outfit has to do with any of that.
"Hey." I cocked my head towards the doughnuts. Lula's eyes bugged out as she placed two buckets of boneless fried chicken from Cluck in a Bucket in front of me.
"No." Connie groaned, watching helplessly as the greasy buckets made contact with her wooden desk.
My amusement at Connie's scrunched up face quickly faded as a wave of nausea overtook me as soon as the smell of the greasy chicken invaded my personal space.
"I…uh…" I thought I was going to be sick. I lunged for the wastebasket next to Connie's desk and emptied my guts.
"Uh, girlfriend." Lula giggled. "You preggers again?"
"What?" I choked out, wiping my mouth with a paper napkin.
"Here." Connie passed me a water bottle as I got up to take it to the bathroom. "Maybe Lula's up to something."
"When you was pregnant with your cute little boy, you couldn't stand the smell of nachos from the 7 Eleven." Lula reminded.
"That's true." Connie nodded, getting up to dump the contents of her wastebasket out back.
"I…no." I shook my head, waving the possibility aside.
While I cleaned up in the bathroom, I got to thinking that maybe the girls were right. Ranger and I were extra enthusiastic during our summer vacation, especially on his birthday.
And now that I think about it…
Oh boy.