A/N: At long last…for the Babe fans. I hope you like it. Warning: NSFW.

Chapter Forty-Nine

Stephanie POV

I haven't been back to my parents' house since that night my mom ambushed me with Morelli nearly two months ago. I've talked to my dad and my grandma several times, and my grandma confessed she told my dad what Morelli did to me when I was sixteen. It's not how I would have wanted him to find out, but I am glad I didn't have to tell him myself.

Jeanne Ellen is now five-and-a-half months pregnant, and her belly just sort of popped one day. She wears it proudly, and though she was nervous about having one kid—let alone twins—she has gotten excited about the idea. However, she's also talked to her doctor about performing a tubal ligation when she gives birth, as she doesn't want any more kids after these two are born. I can understand her feelings; I don't think I want any more kids, either. Zoë is my life, and I love her, but I don't want my life to be about raising kids.

Val and Hal went official a couple of weeks ago when Val came with Hal to another barbecue at Tank and Jeanne Ellen's house. We didn't know how serious they were until Val took us aside and told us her news.

"Hal asked me to marry him, and I agreed," she said somewhat shyly. "We're going to get married as soon as my divorce is finalized."

"What's the rush? You guys haven't known each other that long," I pointed out.

Val blushed. "I'm pregnant. We just found out."

Jeanne Ellen and I looked at each other, astonished. "Wow. Congratulations," Jeanne Ellen said.

"Yes, congratulations," I echoed. "Are you happy?"

"We're both happy, though, of course, I would have preferred to wait until my divorce was final and we had been together longer. But children are a blessing whenever they come."

I hugged her and said, "Hal is a good man. I'm happy for you."

Jeanne Ellen hugged her as closely as possible, with a baby belly between them.

After most of the guests had gone, Tank, Jeanne Ellen, Ranger, and I cleaned up after the party while Zoë played with Suzy and Applepuff in the living room.

"They haven't known each other that long. I hope they know what they're doing," Jeanne Ellen said.

"Hal's got a pretty level head on his shoulders," Tank replied. "I don't think he'd ask Val to marry him just because she was pregnant."

"So you think they're really in love?" I asked.

"I'd say so."

That made me feel better. I would hate for Val to get married only to give her new baby a dad. Hal was a good man, but even Ranger had married someone he didn't love to give his daughter a name.

Ranger and I spent nearly every night together now, nearly always at my place since I had Zoë. Occasionally, Zoë stayed the night over at Val's or Jeanne Ellen's, and Ranger and I would take advantage of a child-free night to go out on a date. We went out dancing, and to the movies, and one night, we went to the observatory to look at the stars. We were getting closer physically, too, and I was finally ready to take our relationship to that next level. He had been incredibly patient with me, waiting until I was healed from the traumatic ending of my marriage.

Zoë was sleeping at Jeanne Ellen's house tonight, and Tank and she had fun activities planned. Zoë loved the big queen-sized bed in their guest room with a down mattress pad and duvet. She described it as a puffy cloud, and I thought that was pretty apt.

I had asked Ranger to come over to my house, so I could make him dinner. I think he knew I was ready too, but he let me take the lead. When he arrived, I was putting the finishing touches on a meal of baked salmon, wild rice and broccoli. He kissed my neck, poured each of us a glass of white wine, and set the table. We dined by candlelight, and I was intensely aware of his proximity during the meal. It had been too long, my hormones were raging, and my body was tightly wound. I didn't bother making dessert; he wouldn't eat it, and I was more hungry for him anyway.

After dinner, I turned on some music. "Will you dance with me?" I asked.

He didn't reply and just took me into his arms. We danced closely through several songs until a Latin song came on, and he led me through a dance that could only be described as sex while standing up. His thigh was between my legs, and I rode it shamelessly while his hands roamed over my body. He captured my mouth in a searing kiss, and I felt like I was consumed from the inside out with need.

I stopped dancing and stood still, gazing intently into Ranger's eyes. Slowly, I brought my fingers to his shirt buttons and began undoing them. As I bared it, I laid soft, wet kisses on his delicious, hot, smooth skin. His fingers were threaded in my hair, and the gentle tugging enhanced my desire for him. When his shirt was unbuttoned, I yanked the tails from his waistband and pushed it off his shoulders. I bit my lip; he was so beautiful to look at. He lowered his head to kiss me again, and in that anticipatory moment that seemed to last forever, I could feel his love pouring from him, surrounding me in a haze. I could smell the wine on his breath as his lips parted, and my tongue slipped inside, initiating a dance that would go on for several more minutes. My thoughts were swirling around me. Did he love me? It felt as if he did. Did I love him? I thought so. Was I in love with him? I desperately hoped so as I clung to him, smoothing my hands over his body, drowning in his scent. I unzipped my dress and let it pool at my feet, impatient to feel his skin on mine. His eyes darkened with desire as they swept over my body from head to toe.

His gaze emboldened me, and I whispered, "See something you like?"

He grinned, said, "Oh, yes," and undid his pants, dropping and stepping out of them. I took him in; his entire body was magnificent. Ranger stepped forward and lightly pushed me back until the backs of my knees hit my bed, and I was forced into a sitting position on the edge of the mattress. He dropped to his knees before me, snaking his arms under my thighs and pressing his mouth to my panty-covered mound. "I can feel the heat pouring from you, Babe. You smell so good."

He hooked his fingers into the waistband of my thong and pulled gently. I lifted my hips to aid in his quest and felt the silky material sliding down my legs until he tossed it aside. He buried his face in my lap again, and I could feel his hot breath against me. I carded my fingers through his hair, and he tossed his head back, leaning into my touch. I bent down to kiss him—first, his soft lips, then his throat and jaw. I kissed every part of his skin I could reach and thought I'd never get enough of kissing the man in front of me. Ranger grabbed my hands and raised them above my head, holding them there with one hand while his other hand trailed softly down my cheek. He smiled tenderly and whispered, "Lay back. Keep your hands above your head."

I lay back and did as he said. His hands slid down my thighs until he reached my knees, then prodded my legs apart until I was completely bare to him. He whispered, "So beautiful," my eyes slid closed when his fingers found my clit. I felt a rush of warmth at his touch and thought I would die from the sheer intensity of my feelings. When his face lowered to me, I lifted my head to watch. I hadn't experienced this in nearly five years. Richard didn't like doing it, and I was too shy to ask him. When Ranger's tongue dipped into my moist center, I cried out, and he looked up at my face, the blazing desire in his face plain to see. He returned to his task, his tongue swirling, his teeth nipping, his lips sucking until I was a writhing mess, and my hips thrust upwards into his touch. He laid one arm over my stomach to still me, but when he pushed one, two, three fingers inside me and sucked at my clit, my body exploded in bliss, and a scream tore from my throat.

He swiftly moved up my body and claimed my mouth again. I could taste myself on his tongue, and my desire increased. There was something so incredibly hot about your scent on your man.

His fingers kept pace inside me while he used his other hand to undo my bra, flinging it aside. Soon my pleasure was ramping up again until I hovered on the edge. I reached down and grasped his cock, wrapping my fingers around it and pumped slowly. I could feel a drop of his fluid gather at the tip, and I suddenly wanted nothing more than to taste him. I pushed at him until I could roll us together, and now I was on top of him. I moved down his body until his dick was in front of my face, bobbing slightly with his movement. I licked my lips and looked at Ranger's face. I smirked, then lowered my head that last few inches, taking him into my mouth. He groaned loudly, and one hand bunched the sheets next to him while his other hand caressed my shoulder before he moved his fingers into my hair, winding the curls around his knuckles. An ever-so-slight tug of pain spurred me to take him deeper into my mouth. I stroked, licked, sucked and tugged; Ranger was moaning my name now, and I felt his balls tighten right before his cum burst forth in spurts. I swallowed everything he gave me, wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, and grinned up at him.

He sat up and pulled me to him until I straddled him. I was surprised when he kissed me. He didn't care that I had just swallowed his cum? I worked hard to banish all comparisons between what I had been used to and what I had now.

I could feel him harden beneath me as we kissed, and he broke it off, whispering, "Are you ready for more?"

A few different meanings were rolled up into that one simple question, but no matter which definition, I was ready. I nodded breathlessly and opened the drawer of my bedside table, retrieving a condom. He flashed a grin and laid me down, tearing open the package before rolling the condom down his impressive length. He nudged my knees wider apart and settled between them. I rolled my hips upward, impatient. He had all my senses on exquisite alert, and I wanted him, needed him, to claim my body with his.

He gave me one last look, and I nodded, thrusting upward. He lined himself up and buried himself inside me with one push. He stilled, allowing me to acclimate to his sudden intrusion, but I grabbed his ass with both hands and urged him to move.

With every stroke and muscle movement of his powerful body, he took me higher and higher. I caressed every part of him I could reach, my legs wrapped around him to keep him as close as possible. I was moaning so loudly that if I had neighbours, they'd be banging on the wall, and when he reached down to pinch my clit while he thrust his tongue inside me, I came apart and flew over the edge into the abyss. He followed me a moment later, my name on his lips.