I would like to state for the record that this story is in the driver's seat now. It drives me, not the other way around. Hope you enjoy!
Not mine.
One week later, Tank and I were arguing on the seventh floor.
Well, he wouldn't call it an argument, but we're totally arguing.
"I can't see why I can't go!" I screamed.
"It's not safe for you and the baby."
I scoffed. "Please, I'm taking a train down, no stalkers have been after me since I got married and I'm not going to be in the middle of everything."
He crossed his arms. "I don't like this plan. I see it spelling disaster all over it."
I rolled my eyes. "Right. 'Cause everything else I do doesn't have disaster spelled all over it. Look, I'll be with Carlos. Who can keep me safer than him and a bunch of army recruits?"
It's been a week since I last saw my husband and I was on the verge of bursting.
Damn hormones. Because of them, I'm horny all the time.
And that'd be okay…if my husband was around.
Tank sighed. "Even if I say no, you'll find a way around it."
I shrugged. "There's a good possibility."
"Fine. But you're taking Lester with you."
"Lester! Why do I need Lester?"
"For my sanity."
I rolled my eyes again. "Fine, dad."
He snorted. "Being pregnant has made you more of a wise ass."
"You love me."
He nodded. "I do. Please, please, please, be careful."
"I swear on Grandma Mazur's grave."
"Geez that gives me a lot of confidence."
"Excuse me?"
"She like what, 150 now? The minute she croaks, you'll be finding trouble."
Not likely, but it was the principle of the thing. "I'd hit you if I knew I wouldn't mess up my hand."
"When are you leaving?"
"Tonight."
He nodded. "I'll let him know."
I didn't think I needed Lester, but if it was going to get me out of the building, fine. See, the Merry Men have made it their mission in life to keep me up in the RangeMan tower. I haven't left the building since I got back and the guys have been getting me everything.
I couldn't wait to sniff the toxic air again
"Let's go shopping." I said to Lester when he got to the seventh floor apartment.
I sighed. "This was a bad idea." I had finally lost my mind.
"No it wasn't," Lester replied encouragingly. "Ranger's going to love it. I know he misses you like crazy."
I snorted. "He's doing what he loves best."
"Sure, maybe before he met you."
I looked at him. "What do you know?"
"I think he should tell you."
"Bullshit. Spill."
Lester sighed. I had him. He was such a gossip. "So you know the day that you met him?"
I nodded.
"Well, he was thinking about extending his contract to go overseas. Permanently."
"Get out."
He nodded. "He was ready to sell Tank his shares and make him the acting boss. But when he came back after meeting you, he had this look on his face."
"Like what?"
"Like he just found his saving grace."
I was speechless. He looked like that after meeting me? I wasn't even that nice to him.
"He called the government and changed his contract so he could stay closer to you and told Tank the deal was off."
"All because of me?"
"Steph, haven't you noticed that the man will move heaven and earth for you?"
I nodded. I had noticed. Tears welled in my eyes.
"Uh oh, what did I say?"
I shook my head. "It's not you, its him. I had no idea that…that…"
"He's loved you from the second he laid eyes on you?" I nodded and then he nodded. "After we met you on the job, we all understood why he was doing the things he was. When we saw you two together, it was plainly obvious."
If it was possible, I loved him even more now.
"Still think it's a bad idea?"
"No. Not at all."
"Go get 'em!" He said.
I smiled, picked up my bad and opened the door. Lester gave me one more lecherous before I got out of the car. I rolled my eyes. Same old Lester.
"Excuse me," I said to one of the passing recruits. "I need to find Captain Manoso."
They both looked me up and down. "Why do you need to see him? We can take care of you better than him."
I mentally rolled my eyes. Boys. They were barely out of high school. "That's sweet." I said. "But I want Captain Manoso."
"I think he's in the mess hall." The one on the left said.
"Thanks!" I smiled.
"Anytime." They replied, dazed.
I made my way to the mess hall with little effort and many men (and some women) staring at me. Well who could blame them? I was wearing a short army print skirt, a green tank top and a small army hat on my head and three inch FMP's. I was hot.
When I entered the hall, many men turned and whistled at me. I could see my husband's head in the crowd, clearly used to the commotion because he didn't turn. I finger waved at the boys who began yelling things (some not appropriate for a married woman to hear, except from her husband) and continued to whistle as I strutted my stuff over to Carlos.
When I reached his table, he still didn't look up, but the men around him did. When he finally noticed they were no longer paying attention, he turned.
"Surprise," I said.
"Babe," he replied with a big smile on his face. He stood up and gave me a big, delicious kiss.
Now that's what I'm talking about!
The men cheered louder and clapped.
"What are you doing here?" He asked when we came up for air.
"Seeing my man. Is there somewhere we can talk in private?"
He nodded, grabbed my hand and led me out of the building.
"So do you get your own room in this place?" I asked, looking around.
"Babe." He said.
"Well I was wondering if you had to share with the rest of the officers like they do on tv."
"You watch too much tv."
"It's all I can do at night without my husband."
He smiled. "I can think of some things."
I rolled my eyes. "I know, but they're so much more fun with more than one person."
We had reached his room and he shut the door behind him. Then he wolf grinned.
"Want to show me some of these activities?"
Oh boy!
