Always There
Disclaimer: I own none of these characters, but am grateful to JE for inventing them for us to play with. Unlike JE, I am not making any money from them either
A/N: See, I said it wouldn't be too long before another chapter appeared. This one went in a completely different direction to how I thought it would go, but I hope it's better for it. Huge thanks to the wonderful VulcanRider for the wonderful encouragement and technical support! Also to my favourite 'nagger' Margaret – hope you see your influence here! As always I'm blown away by all your reviews, alerts, follows and favourites. Thanks everyone so much! Ok, so there may be a minor tissue warning here. Enjoy!
Chapter 8
Journeys
By the time Steph had dressed and made it to the front of the hotel a crowd had gathered. Once she got to the front she realised why. In front of her had to be at least twenty motorcycles, at least half a dozen ridden by Merry Men.
"Stephie, would you look at this," said Edna literally bouncing on her toes, the biggest grin on her face. "Did you ever see so many stud muffins looking so hot? I mean these bikes are real crotch rockets."
Steph couldn't contain her laughter.
"No, Grandma, I've never seen anything like this," she replied, partly in awe and partly in pure emotion. The guys had done it again.
Edna dragged Steph down the steps and towards the waiting bikes.
"Lookie here, this is one of them Suzuki Hayabusa thingies and this here's a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-14R – these are two of the fastest bikes in the world. I mean the Ducati 1199 Superleggera is the bike of course, but they're so expensive they don't even have a listed price, you have to reserve one and there's a waiting list, but these bikes are the next best things. I'll bet these are Lester and Bobby's, but look that hottie behind's got one too and he's waving at you – is he one of Ranger's men?"
The visor on the full face helmet came up and Manny winked at Steph. Next to him were Zip and Zero and behind them Hector and Woody. Steph wasn't exactly sure what they were riding but then she didn't really care – they looked even hotter than they usually did all decked out in leather and plated jeans. And they were here.
Before she knew what was happening Edna was pulling her further down the line of bikes.
"These here are touring bikes – bit more comfortable for older birds like me." She winked conspiratorially at her grand daughter, "who knows, maybe I can still get me a man!"
"Grandma, how do you know so much about bikes?" asked Steph, still smiling and loving her grandma's enthusiasm.
"Well, you know Beryl in Clip and Curl? Her son-in-law is bike mad and gets all the magazines, so I read 'em under the dryer – much more interesting than a skinny celebrity's latest boob job! Now, you see this one? This is a Harley Road Glide. Not to be confused with the Road King, which is that one – see the different shape?"
"Grandma, I know what a Harley is – I have got a licence you know?" laughed Steph.
"So you have – does that mean that Ranger's got you a bike to ride here? Because I'm going on that one!"
Steph turned towards where Edna was pointing to see Ram seated with smile a mile wide on the biggest, blackest Harley Davison Fat Boy Steph had ever seen.
"What do you think Baby Girl? Isn't that the hottest thing ever?" said Edna in a stage whisper. "Ram's not bad either," she added with a giggle.
Ram put a hand to his chest as though his heart was wounded, but his smile didn't break.
Ranger came up beside Steph and Edna.
"Ram's tricked this bike out especially for you Edna," he started. "See that rear seat – he changed it just for you, to make sure you're comfortable.."
"Yeah, and I don't do that for just any girl," added Ram with a wink. "I've also got you and me a radio in the helmets so we can talk on the way. If you feel unwell or need a break you just let me know and we can stop whenever you like ok?"
"Ten Four!" answered Edna.
She went over to the big bike, touching it reverently.
"One problem," she said to Ram. He raised his eyebrows in question. "How the heck am I going to get on to it?"
"Ah, that's where we come in!" Lester's voice made Edna start.
She turned around and there was Lester and Bobby, as ever, waiting to lift her on to the big bike, one either side of it just to be sure. Once they were sure she was settled in the seat they showed her the helmet and how to use the radio and very discreetly did up a seat strap they had added. They also told her that she was welcome to hold Ram's waist, but that if that became too much he was wearing a belt with handles that she could hold. Truth was, she didn't need to do either, just sit, but the guys thought she might like to get her hands on Ram - and he felt protected enough in full leathers to let her!
As Lester and Bobby passed Steph to go to their bikes, she couldn't help but reach out to give them a hug. She had no words at that point, but they understood and hugged her back.
With a fantastic roar and Edna's squeal of delight, Ram started the bike and moved past everyone to the front of the queue – he and Edna were definitely leading this parade. The air was filled with the sound of the powerful bikes all starting up and Steph felt the exhilaration of the engines vibrating in her chest. Hearing the bikes rev up – she was sure those MM were showing off – and then watching them file out of the hotel grounds in convoy, pure joy on her grandmother's face, was something she knew she would never forget. She watched until they were out of sight but all the time aware of the comforting presence of Ranger next to her who was explaining that the rest of the group was made up of the riding club that some of the guys belonged to. When they realised what the trip was for a few had asked to join in and the whole thing just grew. Eventually Steph turned to Ranger.
"So Batman – got the Bat Bike for us?" she asked.
Ranger rewarded her with his full two thousand watt grin.
"Strange you should mention that," he began. Taking her hand he led her to the sexiest sports bike she had ever seen. Steph had to smile to herself – this bike WAS Ranger. Powerful, sexy, unique – she had never seen anything like it.
"It's a Ducati right?" she asked as she walked around it caressing it gently.
"Yes, but it's not any Ducati. This is the real deal. This is a Ducati 1199 Superleggera."
Steph managed to tamper down her reaction to a small smile. Why would she be surprised? Only Ranger could make such an admission and there not be a trace of arrogance behind it.
"It's beautiful," she managed, awe in her voice.
"It'd look more beautiful with you on it," he replied, his dark brown eyes boring into hers. "Will you ride with me Babe? We can catch up to the guys pretty quickly on this."
Steph laughed. "I wondered why you had me all dressed up and then they left without us – you wanted to show off your bike!"
Ranger leaned in and pulled her close.
"That and I wanted to see more of you in those leather pants."
Steph shuddered and he chuckled in her ear.
"Come on Babe, let's catch them up before I investigate those pants more."
Steph reluctantly pulled away before she decided that she wanted him to investigate her leather pants.
"Ok," she managed, "but where are we actually going?"
"We decided for our last stop we'd like to take Edna to Point Pleasant."
Steph took a sharp breath in. Point Pleasant. The home of so many wonderful memories, the place where she still went to escape. Point Pleasant. Perfect.
ooOoo
Ranger smiled and thought about what a great day they'd had. In truth, it seemed that he and the guys had also needed some time off and this was so simple – and close to Trenton – that he'd found himself wondering why he hadn't done it more often. It didn't need to be for days at a time, just the odd day trip would be enough to ward off some pressure and weariness. But then it wouldn't be the same without Steph. He couldn't imagine coming here without her.
They'd caught up with the main group of bikes easily and it had been a fabulous ride down to the house they had hired on the outskirts of Point Pleasant. Ram had gone for maximum effect though and had taken the convoy right through the middle of town, everyone stopping to gawk at the sight of all these powerful bikes cruising along. Edna had lapped it up just as they'd hoped she would.
Binkie had drawn the short straw and had been given the job of bringing all the stuff from the hotel and he had gone straight to the house having also brought supplies. Bobby had insisted on Edna having a rest so Ranger had taken the opportunity to take Steph out for a longer run on the bike. He knew the roads well and had opened the bike up, knowing how she loved the flying feeling – and how he loved feeling her pressed tightly into his back.
After a very late lunch it was decided that they were all going to hit the beach and then have a cook out for dinner.
Ranger found Bobby on the back terrace of the house looking out towards the beach, a small smile playing across his face. Following his gaze he realised why. Steph and Edna were sat on loungers under a parasol watching a very animated game of beach volleyball being played by the guys – all wearing nothing but board shorts. Ranger shook his head and chuckled to himself.
"Yeah," started Bobby, amusement in his voice, "any chance those guys get to show off - and I don't want to even think about the conversation Edna's having with Steph!"
A comfortable silence fell between them as they both took in the scene. It was Ranger who eventually spoke.
"So?"
Bobby didn't even look up. "So," he breathed out heavily.
Ranger took a gulp from his bottle of water before speaking.
"The first night away you had a couple of beers, the second only one. Since then you've taken no more than a few sips of any alcohol to keep up a good show but have stuck to water. You've begun to check Edna's blood pressure and sugars more often and you discreetly check her diet. You've been adding something to her drinks at breakfast and you don't move more than twenty feet away from her unless you need to pee. So."
A smile threatened to cross Bobby's face but didn't quite make it.
"So. She's getting weaker. We knew it was going to happen, that the treatment would only contain this thing, but even so….. Her body's beginning to forget how to regulate itself which is why I'm taking her blood sugars and BP more frequently. I'm also monitoring for any pain. I'm checking her diet to keep her iron levels up – simple stuff like making sure she has OJ with some high fibre cereal as the OJ helps iron absorption. She was anaemic before we came away so I've been adding an iron supplement in liquid form to the juice. And it's working – she has a better colour and she's not so short of breath – but now she's just feeling weak and I'm fairly sure it's nothing to do with her iron levels."
"Do we need to get back?"
"Not immediately. I've been in regular contact with Dr Olsen and he's not overtly worried, but I'm going to keep a close eye on her. We're only slated for one more night anyway. And look at her. What it comes down to, when all said and done, is what is best for Edna? For the sake of one more day and night do we go back tomorrow and get her into hospital for a check up that won't tell us anything we don't know, or do we let her have another day and night having a great time? I know which one I'd prefer."
"Agreed. But it's your call Bobby ok? Any time, night or day you feel we need to go just say the word."
Bobby nodded his understanding.
"For what it's worth, Edna knows what's going on. She's sharp and has great instincts about people, so she knows why I'm checking up on her. A part of her wants this to last but she told me only this morning that it was time to go back. She said she feels the need to spend time with the rest of her family too – and that she had some other business to take care of."
This time it was Ranger who nodded. He watched as Bobby made his way down to the beach with some blankets. The sun would be setting soon and the guys had already made up a fire pit that they would all sit around tonight. His gaze wondered to Steph. She was his main concern. There was going to be a tough road ahead.
ooOoo
The next day was another beautiful, sunny day. Some of the guys had taken a swim, some had had to leave early to get back to Trenton and a few of them had gone to the boardwalk with Edna and Steph. Ranger and the guys had hung back as the two women had begun a slow walk, arm in arm, stopping every now and again to point at something and giggle, clearly reliving very fond memories.
After an ice cream and some time in one of the arcades, Edna was more than ready to go back to the house.
Ranger found Steph sitting on the beach looking at the ocean. She looked deep in thought but unusually she turned at his approach.
"Aware of your surroundings Babe – nice," he observed as he sat down beside her.
Steph chuckled sadly and nodded.
"You ok Babe?" he enquired gently.
Steph shrugged.
"Honestly? I don't know. God, I wished I was better at this taking about your feelings stuff!"
She felt Ranger smile beside her.
"Yeah," he said simply but she knew that he meant that for both of them.
It seemed to take an age before she could collect her thoughts to speak again.
"Today," she started quietly, "was one of the happiest and saddest days of my life. How can that be? There are so many wonderful memories here – this is my place – and yet I'm not sure if I it'll ever be the same again. I'm not sure if I can ever come here again." She turned directly to Ranger. "Does that make any sense?"
"Yeah Babe it does. It's a perfectly natural reaction. Don't be scared of this stuff Steph, it's a natural part of the process; sadness, anger, helplessness, loss, it's all valid."
"How did you become Dr Phil?" she replied as she bumped him lightly on the shoulder.
Ranger didn't want to lose the moment that she was actually talking so he decided not to go with her distraction but to keep on track.
"Practice."
The air between them tensed and he thought she may just bolt. To his surprise she didn't.
"Ranger, I'm so sorry. I didn't think.."
"It's ok Babe." He glanced over at her and had to work hard to keep himself from crumbling at her mortified expression. He put his hand over hers. "Seriously Babe, it's all good."
They sat in silence a little while longer. He could feel her willing herself to talk. He stroked her hand knowing the gesture calmed and affirmed her but needing the physical contact himself too.
"So, how do you cope?" she asked eventually.
"By remembering this, these past days, when you were a kid, the shell suits, the pink hair, the teeth that didn't quite fit – the times she's groped me and my men!"
Steph burst out laughing. He pressed on, loving the sound.
"Truth is Babe, it's hard. Really hard. And there may always be a little bit of pain there; things they'll never do or see, that kind of thing. And people will give you the platitudes that they think will make it better but won't, not really, not then. They mean well but it won't help." He took her by the elbow and turned her slightly towards him so he could look at her. "But it will get better and you'll always have the special times that you shared. How many people have memories like you do Steph? I mean your granny locked up in Stiva's or wearing a cone bra, falling over a speaker and singing with Sally Sweet?"
Steph broke out laughing again.
"How the heck do you know about that?!" she squeaked through her laughter.
"That's classified information but it's stuff of legends Babe, stuff of legends! But see," he continued. "That's what you need to remember. The things that bring a smile and laughter – those are the things that will eventually replace the pain. And wouldn't you want to be remembered like that rather than have someone in tears and bitter? I would."
She let his words sink in. It was true. Grandma wouldn't want to be remembered in sadness. She looked up into his face, his eyes searching hers. Something shifted in her heart and mind, emboldening her.
"And I won't be alone will I?"
He brushed a curl behind her ear and smiled.
"Never."
A/N 2: I know many of you wanted Edna to go skydiving and it's a great idea, but I felt I couldn't really send a frail, very ill old lady skydiving however tempting and however much she'd love it! Hope the biking didn't disappoint though. Chesi xx