I was planning on writing two chapters of Changes in the Air before I called it complete, but when I went to start on the next update I could only think of the end chapter. So this turned out to be the final chapter after all. Thank you for all your reviews and continual patience waiting for updates not only for Changes, but Baby Steps (which is coming next) as well. I really appreciate it. Everything familiar belongs to Janet. The mistakes are mine.
And tackle the Burg is what I ended up having to do. I'm glad I had a night of peace and quiet with Ranger before I had to contemplate my mother. As I flipped through the wedding book with Ranger, the comments from our guests couldn't have been more different. The Burg ones - aside from Mary Lou, Grandma, and the bonds office - were polite and didn't need a bleep button if you read them out loud ... which I did.
The guys wrote stuff ranging from sweet like Hal's; 'Congratulations on your marriage. I know it'll be a happy one'. Annoying like Bobby's 'Here's to many years together and many Rangeman babies'.
"Bobby must have been hanging around with Mary Lou at the reception," I said to Ranger, when I'd read that one.
"The men don't want to do the dirty work themselves," Ranger told me,"so they're living vicariously through us. If we had a child, they could play with him or her without any of the responsibility that comes with raising one."
"What do you mean by dirty work?" I'd asked him.
"Figure of speech, Babe."
Tank put it in writing that he'd 'break our faces' if Ranger and I ever divorce. Ram was hoping we can have a party as big as the reception every year on our anniversary. And Lester joked about us never seeing the outside of the bedroom once our honeymoon got underway.
Little did Lester know, Ranger and I saw - and did - a lot outside our two bedrooms.
Mary Lou had wished us a marriage like hers and Lenny's. Which is sweet, but also scary. Then again, those two have been in love with each other since they hit puberty, so I guess that's something we can all aspire to. Eddie had commented that he's glad I'm happy, and he's also happy because he can now rest easy knowing Ranger will be watching out for my ass for life.
Grandma Mazur and Lula were on the same page, with a congrats on our wedding and 'a ride'em cowboy' tone to their honeymoon remarks.
"We need new people in our life," I said against Ranger's chest, where my head had found a very solid, very warm resting place.
"I couldn't agree more, Babe."
And that thought seemed to overshadow our trip to the Burg the day after Ranger and I returned home. The Manosos had been glad to see us even before Coleta and Emilio were given round trip tickets to Miami from Ranger so they could see Julie and our house. My mother was glad as well, I think, but she was far more reserved when we showed up at her door after leaving Newark.
I debated putting this visit off for as long as I could, but Grandma wanted to see me - though I bet Ranger even more so. I sucked it up and told Grandma we'd be over sometime today. I got everyone in my family something from our trip, and I'm positive my mother won't appreciate one part of hers. She and I both needed a reminder of just how much my life has changed over the last year.
"You don't need to go in, Steph," Ranger told me, as he cut the Porsche's engine."Edna can come to Rangeman anytime."
"I know," I told him."I just don't want my mother's attitude to drag everyone down. I'd like to fix this if I can."
"Is there anything negative your mother can say now that hasn't already been said by her or Morelli?" Ranger asked me.
"You know what? I hadn't thought of it that way. Nothing they've individually or collectively said changed my feelings for you or towards them, so I'm good."
"That's what I was hoping to hear, Babe."
We left the car and walked back in time. At least, that's what it felt like to me. I knocked once and Grandma Mazur was opening the door before I'd even pulled my hand back. Grandma had no doubt been watching the driveway.
"Stephanie, you made it back," Grandma said, stepping to the side to let us in.
"Yep. We both did. I was trying to convince Ranger that we should stay away a little longer ..."
"Are you forgetting that you were the one who wanted to come back and see everyone, Babe?" Ranger asked, closing the door behind us.
"No. I know I'm to blame for coming back to Trenton, I just hope I don't regret it," I said to them.
"You have nothing to regret, Steph. Remember that."
I don't think my mother got that particular memo. Her face was pinched and her back was straighter than the ironing board she'd just left in the kitchen, but I swore I saw her shoulders relax slightly when she saw me. Grandma, on the other hand, couldn't have been happier.
"You sure took your time gettin' here," Grandma Mazur told Ranger and I."I was just about to ask old Mabel Markowitz to drive me over to that building of yours to see you."
"Damn," I whispered to Ranger,"I should have dragged my feet a little longer."
"You don't want to avoid unpleasant tasks any longer, Babe. Isn't that what you told me?"
I sighed. Ranger has a memory like a friggin' elephant. I did want this over with so I could get back to my life at Rangeman.
"Did you enjoy your trip?" My mother asked, as we were waved towards the living room.
Looks like we're 'company' today, since we weren't being herded into the kitchen. Or maybe I was just reading into things since I'd left town when my mother and I were still tip-toeing around each other. I curled my hand around Ranger's and felt the reassuring pressure of the rings he'd given me and Ranger's fingers closing around mine. I've faced tougher things than my mother in my life, so I was going to try to enjoy this visit without getting sucked into another fight.
"Yep. Ranger and I had a good time."
We had a reeeeaaally good time, but I'm sure my mother wasn't interested in that part of our trip.
"You brought pictures, right?" Grandma asked, after Ranger declined a chocolate chip cookie just as I snatched two.
"I did bring plenty of pictures, but it seems unfair to show them," I told Grandma."Both places were pretty perfect."
"Well ... I for one want to see them," Grandma Mazur said.
"I printed out a set of the best ones for you to keep," I told them."If you'd like them."
"Why the heck wouldn't we want them?" Grandma asked, taking them out of my hands as soon as I'd dug the photos out of my bag.
Grandma did a quick flip through, I'm guessing to check for naked Ranger pictures. Like I'd ever share those if I had some.
"Why are you smiling, Babe?" Ranger asked.
Best not to answer that one in front of my family.
"Just happy," I told him.
"I assume you mean that you're happy to be home," my mother said.
"I am, but I do miss Miami already."
"You visited with Ranger's daughter while you were there?" my mom asked.
"Yes. We did," Ranger answered, since it appeared my mother was trying to avoid too much interaction with him.
Nothing made Ranger advance like trying to put the brakes on him. He conquered me quite thoroughly despite me doing the same, but my mother didn't get that, and was trying to put up small roadblocks between us. That's probably going to work as well for her as it did for me. And since I'm married to the man now after all the times I've pushed Ranger away, my mother is about a month away from turning into the ideal mother-in-law if Ranger felt like screwing with her head a little.
"Rachel, Ron, and Ranger raised an amazing kid," I told my mom and Grandma.
My mother looked over at me."Doesn't that bother you?"
"What? That Julie is an incredible person? No."
My mother sighed while I geared up for the fight I'd been hoping to avoid, but felt was coming anyway.
"Your husband having a child with someone else, Stephanie. That's what I was referring to."
"Did you ask Albert if Valerie having two kids bugged him?" I countered."No ... of course you didn't. You were just happy Kloughn wanted to marry Val. Ranger did marry me, Mom, so why are you asking that now?"
"Mrs. Plum," Ranger said, in the same voice he uses on Lester when he's trying not to kill him,"Julie loves Stephanie. And Rachel approves of Stephanie spending time with her, not that it's any of your business. It seems the only one who has a problem with loving Stephanie is you. Care to tell us why that is?"
"I thought we weren't arguing today," I said to Ranger.
"We're not arguing, Steph," he told me."We're having a discussion."
"A pretty deep one. If my mother tells me she doesn't love me, you're going to have to make it up to me," I said, only partially kidding.
"I love everyone in my family, Stephanie. You most of all," my mother told me.
"Why? Because in your opinion I need the most work? Dad does whatever you say, Valerie had been your idea of the perfect daughter, and until Grandpa Harry died, you didn't have to worry about what trouble Grandma got into. Maybe I'm like your pet project ... just something that needs to be fixed up a little."
"That is completely untrue," my mother told me.
"I don't know about that. I've gotten pretty good at detecting the truth. And bells are going off in my head right now."
"That's due to the four cups of coffee you had this morning, Babe. Your mother really does love you, she just hasn't reconciled who she wanted you to be versus who you are."
"You don't know enough about me to make assumptions like that," my mother said to Ranger.
I cut my eyes to Ranger, then said a silent prayer. Ranger was out for blood.
"I may not know you personally, Helen, but I'm extremely familiar with people like you," Ranger told her.
"Uh-oh," Grandma said.
I agreed with Grandma. My mother's in deep shit.
"People like me? What is that supposed to mean?"
"You haven't seen your daughter in two weeks, and you hadn't spent much time with her before the wedding. And did you tell Stephanie that you missed her? Embrace her? Ask Steph all about what she saw on the island or in Miami? Because that's what my mother and father both did when we saw them this morning."
"Frank was called to take Mr. Sammerson home," my mom said to him.
"So Frank isn't here to welcome Stephanie back, but you are. And you chose to make a comment about Julie instead of being relieved that your daughter cares enough about you to show up for a visit you don't deserve."
"It's okay, Ranger," I told him.
"No. It's not okay, Steph. And it's time your mother understands that."
"I don't need someone telling me how to love my children," my mother told Ranger.
"That's where you're wrong, Mrs. Plum. You not only need someone telling you, you should have somebody holding your hand and walking you through the entire process of how to love your children without any strings. It would be smart to listen to me before Stephanie sees your treatment of her the way I do."
My mother inhaled sharply."Are you implying that you're going to turn my own daughter against me?"
"I won't have to. Stephanie can make her own decisions regarding who she allows in her life. She's intelligent and intuitive and can sense when someone's using her for their own agenda."
"Why do you think I handled the wedding myself, Mom?" I asked her."You tried to take over something I wanted to do just to impress the Burg. You didn't care that this wedding was one I was actually excited about. And when I put my foot down, you immediately lost interest. You didn't seem happy for us, or glad to be invited. You even skipped the party ..."
"You had multiple dinners, Stephanie, not a party," my mom said.
"We did, but that's what Ranger and I wanted. So you should have smiled, said 'what an interesting idea', and came anyway. I can't count how many Burg events or holiday parties I would've rather chewed my legs off than attend, but I always went because I knew they were important to you. And yet you couldn't force yourself to do it one time for something important to me ... like my wedding?"
"You didn't want me there."
"Don't try shifting the blame to me. I wanted you to want to be there, Mom."
"I was at the wedding."
"You were, Helen, but you were being a major pain in the heiny the whole way there," Grandma told her.
"You fake perfection for everybody else, but you can't pretend to be happy for me?" I asked her.
"You don't need her to, Babe. You have plenty of people in your life who love you and don't have to fake anything."
I smiled over at Ranger. I do have a lot of family now if I count the Manosos and the people associated with Rangeman. And I count every single one of them.
"Would you get the bags out of the car for me?" I asked Ranger.
"Be right back," he said, taking a second to kiss me before going to get the gifts I had for my family out of the Porsche.
"What is Ranger getting?" Grandma asked me.
"The gifts I brought over for you all."
"You bought me something?" My mom asked.
"Of course. I do love you guys, even if we drive each other nuts."
I got my mom and dad some highly-recommended Cuban coffee from Miami. Ranger added cigars to my dad's gift bag while I included hand blown crystal wine glasses from the island to my mother's. Grandma was a little more challenging. I opted for a hot pink, three-piece track suit like she usually wears which said "Come And Get It In Miami" on the shirt and had two racing stripes in white running down the legs of the pants. There's one other thing I had for my mother that I hoped would drive my point home to her. Ranger came back in with my dad trailing behind him.
"Stephanie," my dad said,"it's good to see you."
"Hi, Dad. Did Mr. Sammerson get home okay?"
"Yeah. His wife knew he had a few beers in him, and wanted to be sure he had a ride home."
"That's good. He shouldn't be driving when he's sober, never mind under the influence. He's got a lower alcohol tolerance than I do," I told my dad.
"He can't hold crap. How was the honeymoon?" He asked.
"Ranger surprised the heck out of me with a honeymoon half a world away, then we got our house livable in Miami. Speaking of that ..." I said, taking one bag from Ranger as the two men sat down.
Ranger handed the cigars, along with a Miami Marlins jacket with PLUM embroidered on it, over to my dad. I passed Grandma her present and then gave my mom the coffee, wine glasses, and the photo I had framed while we were still in Florida.
"That's a picture I took of Ranger, Julie, and I in our Miami backyard," I told my mom, when she unwrapped my favorite of the souvenirs.
"It's a beautiful photo," my mom said, looking at the three of us standing on the patio with the pool and bay in the background.
"It is," I told her."And this is the life that's waiting for us over a thousand miles away."
My mother looked up from our three smiling faces. Well ... mine and Julie's smiles and Ranger's tolerant expression, but I think my message got across to her.
"You're considering leaving Trenton?" My mother asked.
"Not right now ... no," I told her."But it does hold a certain appeal. Ranger already has an established Rangeman branch down there. Obviously Julie being in Miami is a huge draw. And our house there is now furnished and better than any apartment ... even Ranger's. We don't have any reason to stay here aside from the people we love. Everyone we work with, you guys being here, and Ranger's family in Newark."
"You know I have family aside from Julie in Miami, Babe. My parents would be okay with a move if that's what we decide to do."
My mother's mouth pulled in on itself.
"Are you threatening me?" She asked us.
"No, Mom. We aren't threatening anyone. I just thought you should know that a Miami move is a possibility. Ranger and I wouldn't leave here just because you annoyed me, but we would leave if we were ready to."
"Trenton's your home," my mom said.
"It's one of our homes now," I told her."Up until now, I never understood why Ranger didn't stay too long in one place. I get it now that he's introduced me to Miami."
"I know I'd be on the first plane out if I had a house down there," Grandma Mazur told me.
I was fighting the urge to hop on a plane right now, too.
"Mother!"
"I'm not sayin' anything Stephanie hasn't already thought of, Helen. You're lucky she came back at all. I'd zip my lips if I were you, because your chocolate torte can't compete with this place," Grandma told her, holding up a copy of a picture I took from our dock.
I have a sneaking suspicion that when we visit Miami again, there'll be a speed boat bobbing in the bay alongside it.
"It is impressive," my dad said."Bet the fishing's good."
"I wouldn't know. No one forced me to go fishing ... thank God."
"Pat and Curtis like to go deep sea fishing, Babe. I'm sure they'll take you out next time we're there."
I shuddered."That would be nice of them, but I'll pass. I'd rather sit on the deck of a boat, sunning myself with an umbrella drink in my hand, than catch my own dinner."
"I'd like one of them fancy drinks myself," Grandma Mazur told me.
I could use a stiff drink right about now, but I don't think my mom would share her stash.
"Another reason I came over was that Coleta, Ranger's mother ..."
"I'm aware of who she is, Stephanie," my mother told me.
"She is a hard woman to forget," Grandma said."She don't take gump from no one. Ain't that right, Helen?"
"Anyway ..." I said, "Coleta's having a party for Ranger's birthday at her house, and she wanted me to invite you all as a goodwill gesture. Ranger said it was fine, but I only want you there if you're going to be respectful to him and his family. That means no saying anything to make Ranger's family uncomfortable, no trying to get the Manosos on your side about us staying in Trenton forever. And there can be no backhanded compliments about food, cars, or anything else that everybody outside the Burg would find offensive."
"How offensive we talkin'?" Grandma asked.
"I think you should avoid politics, race, religion, and all male 'packages'."
"I should be able to do that for a night," Grandma told us.
Ranger leaned in close."She won't last an hour," he whispered to me.
"Will that be a problem?" I asked him, not wanting my family ruining his day.
"You're the one who gets upset, Babe. I've seen, heard, and experienced worse than what your family could dish out or think up."
"That's my point. You shouldn't have to be subjected to it at all, especially from your in-laws." I turned to my family again."I'm passing along the invite, but please don't come if you can't play nice. Mom, I want you to really think this through, because this is the last invitation I'm giving. Not being able to stay civil to Ranger's family will prove that acting self-righteous is more important to you than your own family. I've given up hoping things will just get better between us, so I'm giving you a chance, but it is the last one."
I stood up and Ranger was immediately beside me.
"Think about what I said," I told them."Coleta said to call her sometime this week and let her know if you're coming. I hope you guys will join us, but I'm not going to force or beg you to come."
I picked up my shoulder bag and turned to go, but Ranger's hand on my wrist stopped me. I looked over at him and saw that Ranger's attention was on my parents.
"I've never cared much for birthdays, but mine is apparently important to Stephanie and my family. For their sake, I hope you're able to put all differences aside. I'm not Joe, nor would I ever want to be, but I am who Stephanie married. I'm not going away, so it'd be easier on Stephanie - and easier for you - if you'd just accept it."
The majority of that was directed at my mother, but of course my dad and Grandma Mazur were the ones to keep the peace.
"Stephanie will tell you that I was rooting for you. I wouldn't mind another grandbaby or two before I die, but I knew she wouldn't be happy with Morelli."
Ranger tried not to smile."I appreciate the support, Edna."
Grandma blushed, my mother looked like she wanted to roll her eyes, and my dad seemed confused as to how we got into this conversation. And that reminded me.
"Now that the wedding is over, and I'm more interested in hearing it," I said to my dad,"what were you going to say about Mom while we were dancing?"
"Frank?" My mother asked him.
My dad cleared his throat, not at all comfortable.
"I was just going to say," my dad told me,"that all your mother and I want for you is to be happy."
"Your version of happy ... or my own?" I asked them.
"Yours of course," my dad said.
"Care to chime in, Mom?" I asked.
"Why are you always so combative?" She asked before answering.
"Because I've realized you can't fix anything by ignoring or avoiding it. I want to have a better relationship with you, Mom, but I can't do it alone. You like control, and you still have some. I'm leaving it up to you to figure out whether or not to celebrate with us. If you don't want to, that's fine, but I won't be asking again. Well ... Valerie's expecting me. Call Coleta when you decide. She told me you have her number."
Ranger's hand went to my lower back as we walked out. Grandma followed behind us.
"I don't care if your mother goes to Ranger's party or not," Grandma told us,"I'll be there. And I'm gonna hit the mall tomorrow for something to wear."
"Uh-oh," I said under my breath.
"My family has already met Edna, Steph," Ranger told me."It'll be fine."
I'm crossing my fingers just in case, though.
Ranger dropped me off at Valerie's, not willing to risk having to make small talk with Albert. Thankfully, that visit with Valerie and my nieces went a lot better than the one I had with my parents. And I got to get rid of the last of the stuff I'd brought home when Lula picked me up from there. Lula must have missed me, because she even paid for the later than usual lunch which she, Connie, and I ate at the bonds office. Vinnie had been hiding in his office all day, but I barged into pervert central once all our food was gone.
I didn't stay long in Vinnie's vicinity. And I didn't sit on - or touch - anything while I said my peace. I was out within five minutes, threatening Vinnie's nuts - as well as his marriage - if he told anyone what we discussed.
"You're gonna need a rabies shot after going in there," Connie told me.
I thought rabies was one of the least gross things I could've caught from breathing in office air.
"I'll have one of Ranger's shakes when I get home," I told Connie."It's bright green and so disgustingly healthy, it's bound to kill any germ ... even ones belonging to Vinnie."
"What's with the closed door?" Lula asked."What're you bein' so secretive about? There ain't nothin' you can't tell us."
"There is if I don't want it spread around. It's part of Ranger's birthday present."
"I'm pretty sure Ranger doesn't want anything that involves Vinnie," Connie told me."The only reason Ranger picks up the files here is because he knows I'm the only one who touches them."
I don't blame Ranger. I made sure not to touch anything Vinnie may have had his hands on this week. I thought a week may be enough time for something contagious to die.
"I think Ranger will be okay with this," I told them, knowing my stomach will be in knots until August.
And I remained clenched ever since leaving the bonds office, worried what Ranger's reaction to my decision would be.
Ranger's birthday was a day of celebration for a number of reasons. The day Ranger came into the world was enough to want to throw a party in honor of, but it was also a night where everyone who loves Ranger will be under one roof again. To me, it felt that we were having a wedding redo ... except in slightly more comfortable clothes.
Another thing that made tonight special, is that I was going to tell Ranger about the decision I'd made that will change mine and Ranger's professional relationship, hopefully for the better. When I'd talked to Vinnie privately, I told him that I was quitting the bonds office and working for Rangeman full time if Ranger would have me.
If Ranger doesn't ... I guess I'll be unemployed again, but I felt I wasn't going to grow as a bond enforcement agent if I stayed with Vinnie. I want to reach Rangeman standards, and I figured upping my workouts, training with the men everyday, and Ranger seeing that I'm committed to more than just our marriage, would persuade him to give me a more permanent place here than I currently have.
Stephanie Plum-Manoso is important to the company because I'm the boss' wife and all, but I want the old Stephanie Plum to feel she deserves to be here, too. I never wanted to be given special treatment because I was sleeping with a guy, except for maybe a little inside information on a skip I was after - and I sure as hell don't want to be catered to or indulged because I'm married to Batman now.
I was trying to decide whether to tell Ranger separately, or let everyone in on my plans at the same time. Ranger being a private person had me thinking that he'd appreciate a heads up. Plus, if Ranger isn't ready to become my sole employer, I wouldn't make an idiot of myself by surprising him with it.
Before we were set to get dressed to head over to Ranger's parents' house, I cornered Ranger in his office off the bedroom.
"Ranger?" I said, standing in the doorway.
He lifted his head and looked over at me. I shivered as those dark eyes ran over my damp hair and the robe I'd stolen from him which was wrapped around me.
"Yes, Babe?"
"I want to talk to you about something, but it will ruin your birthday surprise."
"You know I'm not a fan of surprises, Steph. Why don't you come all the way in here and tell me what's on your mind."
I looked at him for a beat."My robe is going to stay on, right?" I asked.
"If you want it to," he told me.
I tightened the belt at my waist and crossed the threshold. It was hard to feel professional in a bathrobe, but I was going to try. I sat down on Ranger's desk and purposely kept my legs - and everything else - covered.
"Umm," I said, trying to figure out how to start this conversation.
"Just tell me what you're worried about, Steph."
"Okay. I talked to Vinnie ..."
"On purpose?" Ranger asked me.
I shuddered at the memory."Yeah. I told him I was no longer working for Vincent Plum Bail Bonds once he finds my replacement."
"You quit?"
"Yeah. I did. I was thinking that working for Vinnie, alongside Lula, isn't helping - and isn't going to help - me improve. I want to be put through the Rangeman ringer ..."
"Rangeman ringer?" Ranger asked me.
"Yeah. The hell you put new hires through. I want to pass all of that so I can work for Rangeman exclusively."
Ranger stared at me, not saying anything. By the time he finally spoke, I felt as if I'd been taken apart, inspected, and put back together.
"You start Monday, Babe. Welcome to Rangeman."
I rolled my eyes. "I've been a Rangeman employee off and on for forever, Ranger. What exactly would I be starting?"
"First, we'll start with more hours spent at the gun range. You've improved a great deal over the last couple months, but I want you able to defend yourself with whatever you find on hand. Revolvers, semi-automatics, or shotguns ... you need to be accurate with them all."
"I don't like it, but I won't fight you on it. What about using - and avoiding being hurt by - knives and defense devices?"
"I'll talk to Hector and set up some hand-to-hand combat drills that will include knives, defense sprays, and whatever someone on Stark could come at you with."
"Where are you going to find a dirty syringe in this place?" I asked Ranger, smiling.
I was nervous that I'd take longer than most to master this stuff, but I'm a little excited to try.
Ranger returned my smile."Maybe we'll skip the needle training and stick to machetes and crowbars."
"Hah ... funny."
"I wasn't kidding, Babe."
I blew out a breath."Okay. I already know my gym time will be increased."
"And all Rangeman employees need to know basic lifesaving techniques ... CPR, how to apply tourniquets properly ..."
"Stemming blood flow from a gunshot wound? That's got to be a biggy here," I told Ranger.
"It is a common one. Along with how to stitch someone up on-scene."
Here's where we might have a problem.
"Umm, I'm not sure I can stab someone repeatedly with a needle, Ranger."
"You don't think you can now, Babe, but you'd be surprised at what you can do when your life - or someone else's - is on the line."
"You've really been through hell, haven't you?" I asked, getting off his desk to stand behind Ranger's chair, doing my best to rub the sudden stiffness out of his body.
"I have. Many times. If you keep that up, Steph, you're going to create another kind of tension we don't have time to work off."
"I was just trying to make you feel better," I said, taking my hands away.
Ranger grabbed one of them and pulled me to him.
"You did, Babe. I feel a little too good right now."
"We're supposed to be getting dressed, not undressed, so you'd better rein yourself in."
"I'll do what I can. So we're clear? You're mine now?"
I smiled and traced Ranger's lips with my fingertip.
"I thought I was already yours," I told him.
"Privately, you've always been mine. Now professionally you are, too."
"Should I be scared?" I asked Ranger.
"No. You're in very good hands."
"No kidding. One of those hands seems to want inside my robe," I said, taking a step back so Ranger would stop trying to wreak havoc with my hormones.
"It's my robe, Babe, so I should have unlimited access to whatever is underneath it."
"You'll get no argument from me there, but we really have to leave soon. The only reason I stepped into the lion's den is that I didn't want to just spring my unemployment on you."
"You're not unemployed. I just hired you," Ranger told me.
"I sort of forced you to, didn't I?"
"No. I wouldn't have asked you to work for me in the first place if I didn't believe you had qualities that would benefit Rangeman. Some just need to be improved upon. And you agreed to every one of them."
"I did. And I can't even blame your birthday champagne since we haven't had any of it yet."
"My parents will have plenty. Go get dressed and I'll be right in."
I kissed Ranger while keeping my robe closed with both hands, and then went to fix my hair and shimmy into my dress. The one I've chosen is cream-colored, with what I was told was a blouson top and a very fitted, short lace sequined skirt as the bottom. It had a round neck, slight keyhole back, and no sleeves. To me it seemed sexy, but still okay to wear around my in-laws. I added strappy nude pumps, small earrings, and my "Loved" jewelry Ranger gave me, using it as a bracelet this time. My hair hadn't needed much taming, so I left it down. I dabbed a little perfume on the areas I wouldn't mind Ranger seeking out later tonight, and called myself done.
Ranger, of course, looked better than me in about a quarter of the time I normally need. His chest appeared even more impressive in a well-tailored shirt and his ass was incredibly distracting encased in dress pants. Ranger was dressed like he was on his way to a funeral instead of a family gathering, but maybe that's how he viewed a birthday dinner.
We definitely have a yin and yang thing going on. I'm wearing off white and Ranger was in Zorro-mode. I'm happy and thrilled about tonight, and Ranger was only putting in an appearance for his family.
"Looking good, Babe," Ranger said, eyeing the short skirt and flowy top that made up my dress."But I was liking the robe from earlier."
"Of course you were. One tug and I would've been naked. This outfit will take a little more effort."
"I'm not afraid of extra work," Ranger told me.
"You're probably afraid of your mother, though, if we're late. So we'd better get going."
"My mother doesn't scare me, Babe. But I know you're looking forward to seeing everyone. I'll wait to unwrap you."
"Today - and tonight - should be solely about you, Ranger, not me."
"Everything from the moment you let me walk you up to your apartment and didn't make me leave, has been about both of us, Stephanie. This 'celebration' is just as much for you as it is for me. My parents are glad you married me, and they want to make sure you know it."
"You may have a point. Any woman would kill to be your wife, Ranger, so if anybody should be celebrating, I guess it is me."
"I'll let you thoroughly explore what you've acquired when we get back. I'll also let you time me on how long it takes me to get you out of that dress."
Now that is a party game I can appreciate.
I picked up my shoulder bag that contained Ranger's presents, said bye to Rex, and took Ranger's hand as we left the apartment and buckled ourselves into his Turbo. I'm now very familiar with the ride to Newark, having taken it a dozen times already since we got back from Miami.
I think Coleta felt sorry for me, or maybe more sorry about my strained relationship with my mom. I saw Grandma regularly, and my dad when he dropped her off sometimes, but I've been so busy playing catch up with work and enjoying married life that I haven't ventured too far into the Burg.
I was giving my mother space and time to decide if Ranger and I are family or now outsiders. And the time-out has given me a chance to see that I'd be fine with being a Burg outsider. I have family, both at work and in Newark. I'm not a little girl anymore, and I don't need my mother's opinion or direction to live my life. I have one I like, and that's good enough for me.
The Manoso home is not one I picture when I think of Newark. It's a four bedroom, three bath, two-story house with a stucco-like exterior that I thought should be featured on a magazine cover. I'm still surprised every time we pull up how impressive it is without being pretentious.
When I asked Coleta about it, she told me it was an Arts and Crafts inspired colonial building, which didn't help me at all, but I took that to mean that their home is extremely pretty but still livable. There were gardens blooming in the front and back yards, and the Manosos had a large white front porch and small deck on the back of the house where you could sit and enjoy both.
The inside contained a gourmet kitchen with oak cabinets, slate floor, and soapstone countertops that Coleta had completely covered with food when Ranger and I got there. The living, dining, and other rooms where Ranger's family were already milling around had white walls and dark hardwood trim ... even on the ceiling. And the inlaid wood floors were so polished, I considered them a slipping hazard.
Coleta and Emilio took care of their family and their home, and they are proud of both. That was evident as soon as word spread that Ranger had arrived. I could feel his hesitation. Ranger doesn't like being the center of attention, even though I thought his looks and confidence would have him used to the feeling by now.
"Are you going to make it?" I whispered to Ranger.
"Yes. I can withstand all forms of torture, Babe."
"That's a healthy way of looking at it."
"I'm not big on parties."
That was a major understatement. I laughed and pressed my face into his chest, waiting for Ranger's arms to come around me. I sometimes thought that there was a button hidden under that delicious mocha skin which caused his arms to immediately close around me when I got this close to him.
"I kind of figured that out," I told Ranger,"but you survived a wedding so this will be nothing."
"You made sure our wedding wasn't unbearable, Babe."
I smiled."That was my goal ... to make sure we both wouldn't bolt."
"It worked," Ranger's sister Claudia said."This is your first birthday since getting married, does it feel any different?"
"No," Ranger responded."I try to enjoy every day I'm given."
"If I didn't know you, Ranger," I told him,"I'd say you were full of it, but you do have a mellow vibe going on when you aren't beating up or shooting people."
"Don't say that around our grandparents," Claudia told me."They're convinced Carlos walks on water."
"I'm pretty sure he does," I told her."I've seen his schedule. Ranger practices water-walking on Monday and Thursdays."
She laughed, making her dark brown eyes sparkle even more.
"If I haven't said it recently ... I really like you, Stephanie."
"Unfortunately, I think the feeling's mutual," Ranger said to Claudia and I.
"It is," I told him."You probably should have kept us separate indefinitely."
"That wasn't going to happen," Eva said, apparently eavesdropping, which is something we have in common and made me instantly like this sister, too.
Truth is, there isn't anything not to like about anybody Ranger is close to. He's picky about who he associates with, so it would be hard to find fault with them. I still have days when I wonder how I made the cut.
"Mom said dinner will be ready in twenty minutes," Eva informed us."Then we're moving onto presents, followed by cake."
The mention of cake distracted me from trying to figure out where Eva got her shoes. Clearly she knows a few places still undiscovered by me. Maybe she'll be up for a little store-hopping sometime soon.
"Eva would outlast even you, Babe."
I cut my eyes to Ranger."I didn't say anything," I told him.
"You've been looking at Eva's shoes like you look at me."
I shrugged."I enjoy both. Incredible shoes and incredible men."
Eva smiled, her wine-colored lips tilting up."Good. It's nice to know that I have a new shopping buddy, not someone I have to smack for hurting my brother."
"Eva ..." Ranger said.
"It's fine, Ranger. You're not the only one with protective instincts. And I'd smack me, too, if I hurt you."
"I don't need anyone watching out for me," Ranger said to us.
"And we do?" I asked.
"Yes."
"Hey!" The three of us said.
"He's not lying, either," Marco, Ranger's brother, told us.
Angeli and Celia, the last of the Manoso siblings, joined the conversation.
"You would say that, Marco," Angeli told him."Since you're the one who actually needs a round-the-clock babysitter."
"I can't help it if women stampede when I'm around."
"They do storm the exits to get away from you," Celia added."I've seen it happen."
"Very funny," Marco said.
"I thought so," Celia told him.
"Children ... behave," Coleta told us all.
"Carlos started it," Claudia said.
"You've picked the wrong one to blame," Coleta told her daughter."Carlos is exempt from blame tonight since it's his birthday."
"I knew birthdays were good for something," Ranger told me.
"Yeah, cake," I said to him.
Emilio smiled as he slipped an arm around Coleta."You'll definitely enjoy this one, Stephanie."
"Grandma Rosa made it," Angeli told me."That's why Mom put presents ahead of it, so there'll be enough time between Mom's dinner and Grandma's cake so both can be fully appreciated."
"Don't worry, I'll appreciate them enough for everybody," I said to Ranger's family.
"And that's why we enjoy it when you visit, Stephanie. You should do it more often," Coleta told me.
"It's a trap, Babe," Ranger whispered in my ear."Walk away slowly."
Of course Coleta heard that comment and shoved Ranger's shoulder.
"It is not a trap, just an invitation."
"Speaking of ..." I started to say.
"Your grandmother said your family would be here tonight," Coleta told me.
"Everyone?"
"I assume so ... yes," Coleta informed us."I told her they could arrive anytime before a six, so they should be pulling in right before or right after my parents."
I wasn't sure if I was relieved that my family wanted to be here, or worried how they'll react to being included in a Manoso family dinner.
"Breathe, Babe," Ranger said quietly, pulling me back against his chest.
"I'm breathing," I told him,"but my mother won't be if she messes tonight up."
"I see you do have a few protective instincts of your own."
I pressed my lips to Ranger's briefly, conscious of his family watching us.
"When it comes to you, Ranger, I have a lot of them."
I was on guard for the rest of the night, but so was Coleta ... and everything went smoothly. My parents arrived, along with Ranger's grandparents, and Tank right after them since the Manosos consider Tank part of the family, too. I missed the other Rangemen, but we did have a happy birthday lunch of sorts for Ranger on five.
"Welcome," Coleta told my parents, who both looked extremely uncomfortable, but were so far remaining polite."Make yourselves at home. Dinner will be out shortly ..."
"Can I help with anything?" My mom asked Coleta.
Coleta paused, most likely debating if it was a good idea to be trapped in the kitchen with a woman who has an obvious problem with her son, but Coleta can handle Helen Plum, and welcomed the opportunity to prove it.
"I could use someone to bring out the serving dishes," Coleta told my mother.
"We can do that," Grandma said."Just point us towards the kitchen."
"It's right through here."
The last I heard from them until the food hit the table was Grandma pointing out the heavy-duty, stainless steel dishwasher Coleta had. My dad's eyes darted away from mine, since he's the holdout for more modern appliances at the Plum house despite him not being the one stuck with the dishes.
"Frank," Emilio said to my dad,"a friend of mine can help you out at a discounted rate if you'd like to update your home."
"I don't see what needs updating," my dad told him.
Ranger's dad sighed."We really need to talk, Frank," he said, leading my dad further into the living room.
"This is weird," I told Ranger.
"No ... this is what you wanted, Babe. Our families interacting without bloodshed."
"Hmm, so it is what'd I hoped for, but that doesn't make it any less strange."
There were no balloons, streamers, or anything birthday-esque at this party - knowing Ranger would hate that - but Coleta had gone all-out with the food and table setting. The dining room captured how special today was for them without needing more than a few well-placed candles, tasteful flower arrangements along the center of the dining room table, and exquisite dishes that have been in Coleta's family for generations, which I was afraid I'd break if I looked too hard at them.
My parents were noticeably careful in their answers, and Ranger's family were mindful with their questions. The girls were good at distracting Grandma, and Emilio and Marco handled my dad. Ranger, Tank, and I just joined in the conversation whenever we were asked something. I was a little sorry that Valerie couldn't witness this, but I understood that two sick kids, and an ill Albert, came before anything else.
Grandma Rosa and Grandpa Julian are very different than what I was used to with my Grandma Mazur and Grandpa Harry, but hearing stories about what they suffered before coming to this country, made me realize just how special they really are. I can see why Julie gets so excited to talk to them, which Coleta, Emilio, and Ranger's grandparents got to do along with Ranger and I before we did presents and cake.
Ranger even promised to have an entire slice of his grandmother's Cake de Nata. It really was love at first sight for me. I have a feeling Ranger will have a whole piece of it because I'll be helping him with his once mine was gone. Even my dad perked up when he saw Grandma Rosa carrying it into the kitchen.
We cleaned up after supper, which included everything from marinated chicken, rice and beans, and chicken and rice gumbo, to egg-breaded steak, crushed potatoes, and a few things I hadn't heard of before, like Ajiaco Cubano, Pulpeta - which I learned was like the Cuban version of meatloaf - and Ropa Vieja, also known as shredded beef.
There were also various roasted or steamed vegetables, homemade breads, and salad. It's a good thing this family is a large one, because there was going to be tons of leftovers. When it came time for presents, I put my gift in Ranger's hand and watched him while he opened it. Ranger lifted the lid off the gift box and then looked at me.
"I know ... I know, but I couldn't resist," I told Ranger.
"What is it?" Grandma asked.
Ranger held up the metal keychain that was shaped like a bat.
"What does it say on it?" Celia asked us, when she noticed it had words written across the metal.
"You are my superhero," I told her.
As expected, all the women sighed and the men tried not to gag. I was fine with that. I have a back up present that would make up for my sappy one.
"I'm not a superhero, Steph."
"That's what all superheroes say, but it's enough that I think you're one. And that present was more for me," I told Ranger."I got you something else that's more guy-friendly."
"The keychain is all I need, Babe. That and you on my payroll full time."
"Seriously?" Eva asked."Won't your husband being your boss cause problems between you?"
"It shouldn't," I said."We've worked together ever since we first met. We'll just be doing it daily and for more hours."
Claudia laughed and I had to quickly reword my answer.
"Ranger and I will continue working alongside each other, just for longer hours," I clarified.
"Sorry," Claudia said."But in my defense, I only laughed. I didn't make any inappropriate jokes ... even though I had plenty."
"You held back?" Celia asked Claudia."I didn't think you could."
"On occasion, I can behave myself," Claudia told her.
"You're Rangeman's now?" Tank asked me.
"Yeah. Ranger hired me this morning."
Tank's normally expressionless face cracked into a small smile.
"You stopped working for your cousin?" My mother asked.
No one except Vinnie, Ranger, and I knew about this change in my life before now. I haven't been to my parents' house since Ranger and I got back from our honeymoon, so my mother's been left a little further out of the loop than usual. I guess this would be a good test to see if she really understands what I've been trying to explain to her for years.
"Yeah. After I left yours and Valerie's that day, I ended up at the bonds office and told Vinnie that I was quitting. I want to be really good at what I do, so I need to work for - and with - the best."
"Carlos certainly is the best," Coleta said.
"He is," I told her.
"So you won't be running after criminals anymore?" My mom wanted to know.
"I'll still go after FTAs," I said,"but I'll probably be partnered with one of the guys."
"Not probably, Babe. Try definitely."
I saw my mother's face relax. Damn, my mother and Ranger had one tiny thing in common after all. My safety.
"So what's the other gift you got Carlos?" Marco asked me.
I looked over at Marco, then back at Ranger.
"I knew we were coming here tonight," I said to Ranger, and everyone else who was listening while I handed him the other box I'd brought,"but the next night you have free, we're going on a romantic helicopter ride at sunset. We'll get to see the best of Jersey without all the graffiti and drug dealers, as the sun sets beside us, in an environment you're comfortable with."
"Sounds cool," Marco said.
I thought so. I now get to look forward to another special evening with my own personal superhero, in an aircraft Ranger's very familiar with, sipping champagne, watching the sunset as Ranger and I talk about the future we hadn't seen coming, but one I'm embracing with everything I have in me.