***In my last submission, I left off my disclaimer and a very special thank you. Chapter 9 was a mess and I almost scrapped the entire thing. However, the best beta in the world, Angie, took the chapter and worked her magic until it was a chapter that we could both be very proud of. So, you can all give your thanks to her brilliance in making something out of nothing. I don't own anything and am not making any money.
She moaned at what he could do to her with a simple kiss. For hours, they sat on the couch, necking and caressing, neither of them in a rush or minding that it wouldn't end with their physical release. This was a different kind of making love for them, a new level of intimacy.
Chapter 10
"Tis the Season"
Ranger and Stephanie walked through the door of the apartment after a taxing and tiring day of celebration. Christmas Eve morning had begun at his parent's house, where they had celebrated Christmas with a late breakfast. The flurry of activity, which descended upon the Manoso household, had been filled with warmth and joy.
Tears of joy threatened ever time Stephanie thought of his mother's gift to her. Maria had given Stephanie a framed calligraphy painting of their name. In bold black strokes, the name 'Manoso' had been painted on a red background. Inscribed into the details had been the meaning of the name, 'skillful'. Other words had been woven into the word. Joy, love, family and peace had been joined with both Stephanie and Carlos. Stephanie knew this was Maria's way of showing her that she was accepted into the family. It meant a great deal to her.
After celebrating with Ranger's family, they had gone to Stephanie's parent's house to have a traditional Christmas meal. Angie, Mary Alice and Lisa bounced off the walls with excitement. Stephanie was glad that they'd enjoyed the gifts that she and Ranger had gotten them. The flurry of activity and socializing had been fun, but exhausting. Stephanie could hardly keep her eyes open as they walked through the door.
"Babe, let's go to sleep so we can get up early and celebrate Christmas before going down to the control room for monitor duty."
She leaned into him as they walked towards the bedroom. Even though it was only nine o'clock, Stephanie knew she wouldn't last much longer. The madness that so often happened while visiting the Plums was thankfully absent. It was still crazy, with the girls and Grandma Mazur, that was a given; but everyone had fun and shared many laughs. Now that they'd arrived back at the apartment, the exhaustion had set in. Stephanie could hardly keep her eyes open as they walked through the door.
"Babe, let's go to sleep so we can get up early and celebrate Christmas before going down to the control room for monitor duty."
She leaned into him as they walked towards the bedroom. Even though it was only nine o'clock, Stephanie knew she wouldn't last much longer. The day had been full of many great times, but now all of her energy reserves were zapped, even the abundance of sugar she consumed couldn't keep her awake. In the bathroom, Stephanie stripped off her make-up and changed into her red satin nightgown, which had magically appeared on the hook on the bathroom door. Ella, she assumed had been at work. She smiled at her thoughtfulness.
Ranger knew Stephanie was tired and he wouldn't normally go to bed this early, but it was Christmas Eve and he just wanted to hold his wife. Even if it meant, spending another night with a perpetual hard on. Plus, it was going to be a long day tomorrow, since it would be only him, Stephanie and Tank manning the control room. Several others were going to be on call in case of an emergency, but it would just be the three of them in the building until two. Ranger smiled as he thought of getting up early and opening presents with Stephanie. Their first Christmas. He couldn't believe they'd been married nearly six months. He shook his head and smiled at the thought.
The lights were low and she climbed into bed, sliding a leg over Ranger's and rubbing her foot up and down over the soft hair that covered his leg. She heard Ranger's intake of breath.
"I thought you were tired?" He asked hesitantly as his wife's hand began to snake its way down his torso.
She smiled at her husband's reaction to her touch. Stephanie could feel the covers move slightly at the twitching of his impressive erection. "I was. Now I'm not."
She giggled when he flipped them over and began tugging, to free her of her nightgown. It didn't take much for them to be completely naked and Ranger poised at her entrance.
"Mio Dios, Babe. You've turned me into a complete nympho."
Their lovemaking was playful and fun as they frolicked in bed. It wasn't until they were almost climaxing that they turned serious eyes on each other, both breathing 'I love you' at the peak that always joined them as one.
He knew she'd be asleep before he came out of the bathroom. She'd been tired and he should have let her sleep. He smiled smugly. He couldn't help it. Stephanie's insatiable appetite in the bedroom thrilled him beyond belief. Before climbing in bed, he went to the living room to set everything up for Christmas morning. That's when he noticed the snow. He immediately started rummaging around in the coat closet for gloves and sock hats to use in the morning. He couldn't wait to show Stephanie the view of a snow covered Trenton from the roof of the RangeMan building.
He sighed, when he climbed back in bed, as Stephanie immediately turned into his body, she threw one arm over his stomach and entwined her leg between his. Ranger instantly hardened at her touch. It was going to be another long night; would this woman always have this effect on him?
He felt as if he'd just fallen asleep when a gentle shaking at his shoulders woke him. He frowned. it wasn't like his Babe to be awake before him. Blinking his eyes, her beauty swam into view. "What are you doing up at…," he looked at the clock and nearly choked at the time, "three in the morning."
She smiled wide with her eyes twinkling. "It's Christmas morning. You have to get up early on Christmas morning! Besides, we have to be on monitors by six and I want to have time to….um…exchange gifts."
He growled and rolled them, effectively pinning her. "You want to 'exchange gifts'." He kissed her then languorously slow, putting all the emotion he was feeling into the slide of his tongue on hers. He couldn't put into words what it meant to him to wake up on Christmas morning with her, so he decided to show her at his side. When he pulled back, he smiled at her lust-glazed eyes. "Gift one."
"Mmmm. And what a gift it was. C'mon, let's go 'exchange gifts' by the tree." Ranger let her up and she slid on her nightgown that had been discarded last night and while he put on a robe. She watched as he belted the black silk robe and slid on his silk pants. Mmmm, she'd never get tired of looking at her husband.
Ranger paused when he saw the look she gave him and returned it with a questioning look of his own. She stood, warring with herself for a minute, before shaking her head and turning to go to the bathroom. While she was occupied he went to the living room to turn on the Christmas tree lights and lit the candles he'd sat out the night before. He arranged a blanket and some pillows on the floor then turned on the stereo to some Christmas music.
He heard the coffee maker finish its' last gurgle signaling that their coffee was ready. He went to the kitchen and fixed them both a cup of coffee, making hers just the way she liked it. It didn't look much like coffee when he was done. He smiled when he remembered her explanation of how she liked her coffee. She'd said, 'I like my coffee like I like my men. Mocha Latte.' She was definitely one of a kind.
With her morning ritual complete, she headed toward the sound of Bing Crosby belting out 'I'll be home for Christmas.' She sighed at the heavenly sight that greeted her. The candles and tree were the only illumination in the room; her husband stood by the tree, holding his hand out to her.
She covered the distance that separated them with a full heart. "Merry Christmas, Husband."
He trailed a finger down her face before kissing her on the forehead. "Merry Christmas, Wife."
They snuggled down on the pillows and blankets, they kissed and petted each other before Ranger finally pulled away, retrieving his first gift. They'd both decided on only three gifts, just like the first Christmas. He knew Stephanie was going to like his first one as he watched her tear the paper with the excitement of a child.
"Oh, my." She sighed breathlessly. Stephanie couldn't take her eyes off the pictures that were framed in elegant pewter. She remembered the night they had posed for the picture in front of the Christmas tree, wearing their matching red silk robes. She hadn't realized after the first picture that the camera had continued to snap their image. Quite frankly, she'd been a bit preoccupied. The frame encompassed an 8X10 photo of which they had posed. The others however looked like they were telling a story. A love story. Each of the remaining photo's were 4X6' and made a circle around the larger one. Stephanie took in the photos in awe, as each one became more sensual. There was one of them gazing into each other's eyes, with Ranger's hand on her face and another of them with their foreheads touching as they savored each other's presence. The next picture was taken after Ranger had slid her robe to the side to kiss her shoulder. Each picture became more and more seductive until the last picture where they had both lost their robes and were locked in a kiss that she knew had led to the bedroom. She shivered as she remembered passion from that night. Stephanie looked at Ranger, knowing that her eyes were dark with desire, which she saw reflected back at her.
"I love it, Ranger! I know the perfect place for it, our bedroom. I want it where we can be reminded of our love and passion before going to bed at night and when we wake up, it'll be the first thing we see every morning." Stephanie quickly brushed away the tear that had escaped and retrieved Ranger's first gift.
Ranger opened her gift as quickly as she had his. She leaned over his shoulder and turned on the digital photo frame. They both watched as another story was revealed, one of their romance from the beginning.
"Babe, how did you get all of these pictures?" He couldn't believe how many there were of them just gazing into each other's eyes.
"Bobby, Lester, Tank and Hal all helped me. Hal ran a search on the back log surveillance cameras and the other's pulled photos from their phones that they'd snapped during various takedowns."
Ranger watched the slide show with amazement. He had known all along that he'd been in love with her since he first met her, but to see the love reflected back from the beginning in her eyes too was surprising. Why had he'd ignored it for so long? Why hadn't he stopped and really looked at her? "Babe, I love it. This is going on my desk. I want it where I can see it all the time."
They share a quick kiss before deciding to open their second gifts. Stephanie opened what she knew was a jewelry box as she gave Ranger his own jewelry box. They both laughed at their similar thoughts when buying gifts.
Stephanie gasped when she saw the diamond slider bracelet. Two of the stones had been replaced with their birthstones. "Ranger, it's beautiful."
Ranger took the bracelet from her and helped her fasten it to her wrist. "Babe, when we have children, some more of the diamonds can be removed and replaced with their birthstones. Then those diamonds can then be made into earrings." He could tell that she loved it.
Stephanie watched as he opened his gift, knowing he would be surprised. He pulled out the silver key chain that had both their initials entwined like a lover's embrace, but it was the key dangling from it that had him grinning like a fool. He pulled out the Harley Davidson brochure that was under the key and started thumbing through it.
"Babe, you shouldn't have."
He was grinning wide, so she knew he didn't mean it. "Well, when you didn't buy it with your share of the bond money, I decided to take matters into my own hands. Besides, it'll be fun riding together."
Ranger had her flipped and lying flat on the blankets under them in a blink of an eye. "You want to….ride…with ….me?" He didn't let her answer as he covered her mouth with his. Ranger groaned when she flexed her hips into him. If she didn't stop, they'd never finish opening their last gift.
"Ranger, if you don't stop, we'll never get to the last gift." She smiled coyly at him, knowing that it was taking the last of his restraint to pull away and retrieve the last two boxes.
They both opened their gifts at the same time. Stephanie gawked at the pamphlet that lay nestled in the paper. It was her dream car. "Holy Cow! You got me the Lexus SC 10! Ranger, you know I'll just blow it up, right?"
Ranger threw back his head and laughed. "Babe, it's just a car. Besides, I've had Al working on some sensors that will help with that little problem. When you do something for RangeMan, you can still take one of the trucks. I just thought this little ride would be fun for both of us when we take a road trip."
Stephanie could see he was as excited about riding with the top down as she was. She watched as he took out the leather jacket she'd bought him to match his new bike. She couldn't wait to see him in it with maybe some leather pants. He, He. By his frown, she gathered that he must have been ESPing her.
"Babe, I'm not wearing leather pants." He pulled her up from the blankets and into his embrace, moving her body in rhythm to the soft music wafting through the room.
Stephanie saw the smoldering look in his eyes and was sure that hers was similar. He untied her robe and it slid down her body with a whisper of sound. She moaned low in her throat as he slid his finger under the spaghetti strap of her nightgown, moving it aside to press open mouthed kisses up her shoulder. He moved the other strap off her shoulder and let the material slide off her body, leaving her completely naked before him.
Ranger scooped Stephanie up in his arms, then bent to lay her down before removing his own robe and sleep pants. He smiled smugly as she glanced at his hard member standing proud. He eased down beside her and pulled her close, hugging her with a sweetness that belied the passion he was feeling.
When she got as close as she could, their bodies touching at every point, she leaned in close to his ear, making sure he could feel her breath as she breathed his name. She felt him shiver, loving his reaction to her.
He groaned when her breath touched the sensitive skin of his ear. He wanted to take things slow…..seduce her. But, she always snapped his control with the slightest of touches. Deciding turnabout was fair play. He drug his fingertips lightly across the delicate skin of her hip. When her head lolled back and her breathing became erratic, his only thought was, mine!
Sliding his tongue up her torso, he murmured against her skin, "I love the taste of your skin." He was thrilled when she gave a small gasp, as he tongued her pert nipple. Using his tongue and fingers, he played her like a fiddle until she was begging him to enter her. Ranger was happy to oblige her.
Ranger rolled them until he was positioned above her hot center. He teased her entrance with his cock as she flexed her hips against him. She was already dripping wet, so he plunged inside her heat. Nirvana. He grasped her hands as his body began to pulled out, then dive back in using slow, steady strokes.
Hanging on by a thread, Stephanie knew she was about to go over the edge and wanted to Ranger to join her. She dug her heels into his buttocks urging him on. "Ranger….faster….harder," she panted.
She didn't have to ask him twice. He sped up his strokes, going deeper with each one. "Like this, Babe……Is this how you want it? Hard and fast?"
"Yessss…" White blinding light flashed and she arched her back trying to get closer to feel more of him. She felt him stiffen and then cry out her name in bliss. He pumped in out a few more times, prolonging their orgasms, before collapsing on top of her.
Laying there trying to get their breath, Stephanie smiled a shit eating grin. "I liked the last gift the best of all."
Ranger rose up on one elbow, "You think that's the last gift? Give me a minute. I think there's one more for you…in the shower."
The smug grin that he wore didn't bother her a bit, because he was hers. She laughed, "Is this the gift that keeps on giving?"
Now it was Ranger's turn to laugh. "If we didn't have to work today, I think it would be." Ranger helped her up and they moved their fun to the shower.
Ranger left her in the bathroom to finish her morning ritual. There was a soft rapping on the door. Tank. He opened the door for him, hoping he'd found someplace open to get them all breakfast.
Tank walked through the door rattling the brown bag containing their breakfast. He stopped took a deep breath. "Ahhh…I love the smell of sex in the morning."
"Oh, shit! Stephanie will have my hide if she knows I let you in without picking up. Don't you say a fucking word about it man. You know how private she is about this stuff."
Tank chuckled as Ranger set about picking up blankets and pillows. "Relax man, my lips are sealed."
Ranger scowled at him, knowing at first opportunity he'd tease her about it. He put the blankets in the clothes basket to deal with later. Peeking in the bathroom, he found Stephanie with her toothbrush in her mouth.
"Babe, Tanks here with some breakfast. Dress warm. There's something I want to show you before we go to the control room." She spit and gave him a curious look.
"He didn't bring tofu did he? I'm not eating that crap."
He smiled at her disgruntled look. "Guess you'll just have to find out for yourself."
She growled at his retreating back. He shook his head and smiled wider thinking about his wife's passion for junk food. It's a good thing that his men knew her well.
After she'd scarfed down two heart attacks on a bun, she took a breath and asked, "So what's up? Why are we just sitting here nearly thirty minutes before work?"
Tank ruffled her hair. "Bomber, we've got a surprise for you and since you've been such a sport about working today, Ranger's going to give you a piggy back ride up the stairs."
Stephanie was surprised when his large hands spanned her waist and he lifted her up onto Ranger's back. "What are you up to?"
As she wrapped her arms loosely around his neck, he replied, "Giving my girl a ride."
They made their way out the door. Stephanie had to ask, "Am I your girl?"
"You were this morning….twice." He laughed at her playful swat.
"Yeah, well, I could've been your girl a third time, but for some reason we're going to the roof instead." She'd never understand men. Ranger was passing up morning sex for a trip to the roof, when it was freezing outside! She was still contemplating the trip when she it really sunk in that her husband was giving her a piggy back ride so she wouldn't have to walk up the steep steps that led to the roof. Awww…his romantic side always made her heart go pitter pat.
When Tank opened the door leading to the rooftop, her heart really did burst with the romantic gesture. He stepped out onto the snow covered roof and eased her down to her feet.
"Oh, Ranger. It's beautiful!" She could see the entire downtown of Trenton which was lit up with Christmas lights and everything was covered with fresh white snow. The sight was more picturesque than any painting she'd ever seen.
"Well, guys, I've seen this view before. I'll be leaving you two to it and see you downstairs. Merry Christmas, Bomber, Ranger."
As Tank retreated from the lovely scene, both Ranger and Stephanie bid him a Merry Christmas. Ranger positioned Stephanie in front of him, wrapping his arms around her to ward off the cold.
"I love you more than life itself, you know."
Staring off into the winter wonderland, Stephanie was a bit startled by Ranger's declaration. Sure, during sex and before going to bed, he always told her he loved her, but it was uncommon for him to say it otherwise.
"What's this? Getting all sentimental on me?"
Ranger moved her hair aside to press warm kisses against her neck. "No. I just can't help but think that this is all a little too perfect. So far, our marriage has been like this perfect winter scene in front of us. Before long, a car comes and drives tracks through it, marring it's beauty. I just hope that our love can withstand all the traffic."
Stephanie understood what he was saying. Turning from the beauty of the city cast in snow, she took Ranger's face in her gloved hands. "Ranger, I've trusted you from the first day I met you. I know I had a case of hero worship going for a long time. But beneath it all, I loved you for who you are. You may have scared me a little bit, but I think that was more about me guarding my heart than anything else. I love you more now than I've ever loved anybody in my entire life, completely and without reservation. We'll stand the test, whenever it comes."
Her reminder of her wedding vow to him made him smile as he took her mouth in a passionate kiss. Against her lips, he replied softly, "Thanks. You always know what I need to hear." He pressed another light peck to her lips. "Now come on, Mrs. Manoso, we've got a company to run."
Bumping his hip with hers, she teased, "Slave driver." She loved to hear his laughter and lately she'd gotten to hear a lot of it.
Teasing her back, he whispered in her ear as they entered the stairwell. "Oh, I can be a slave master alright, just wait till we get off shift."
With weak knees, she entered the control room. "Jeez, what do you have to do that right before going to work?"
"It's all about anticipation. We don't have to work all day, you know. Want to find out more about the gift that keeps on giving?"
Holy hot flash! An entire day and night, with her husband all to herself was an image she could definitely get into.