Had a major exam to study for on the 27th (I passed, btw!), so I've been a bit MIA from FF. Got this idea thanks to the hellish stress this past month, studying even during Christmas. I'll be updating 'Be Here' and other pending stories soon. For now, here's part 1 of a little fun short.
Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE. Typos are my bad.
"Dang it!" The ground out lamenting feminine whine pulled me out of my strained thoughts.
Snapping my gaze around the break room, I easily spotted the owner of the voice: Stephanie. She's pretty hard to miss. For one, she's the only other female in the building aside from Ella. Two, her curly hair is very unmistakable even when she puts it up in a ponytail like she has today. And three, there's this sort of brightness that shines wherever she is. It's hard to explain it, but even I've grown accustomed to her uniqueness.
"This is what I get for pushing it on my lunch break." With an exaggerated fake wail, Stephanie shuffled her boot clad feet towards my table. I too pushed my meal break until I absolutely could no longer do it, given how fucking busy we are. "Vegetables!" The soft cry she let out as she sat across from me was honestly adorable. "I mean, I know it's going to be good because Ella made it, but…" Sighing, Stephanie mourned the lack of anything high on her list of yummy foods. "If I at least had a Coke, I'd be fine with only veggie soup. I swear." Her grimace as she glanced down at her plate told me that wasn't a full on lie.
"Here." Pushing my bowl towards her, I took hers as an even exchange, explaining that I hadn't touched my food yet.
"You sure?" Her genuine kindness shines bright every time she'd rather put herself last. I've witnessed this woman give the literal jacket off her back to a struggling woman during heavy rain a few months back. She was utterly soaked by the time she angled behind the wheel of her SUV. The selfless act of kindness left Stephanie fighting a nasty cold for days after.
"Yes." I assured her that it was fine and that I didn't mind, swallowing a big spoonful of the delicious caldo Ella made. The guys weren't kidding when they told me that Ella could serve us literal shit and it'd be delicious.
"What's wrong?" Stephanie has this innate ability to get you to open up. That's one of the reasons why she's so good at researching and tracking down FTAs. Something about her makes you want to talk and tell her things.
It was my turn to blow out a sigh. Despite having transferred to Trenton from Miami only eight months ago, I've been able to mesh well with everyone here. Sure, I served and even worked with some of the men here in Trenton when they did their rounds in Miami, but it was still a big lifestyle change for me. Luckily, everyone's made it easy to adjust.
"I'm stressed." I found myself confessing to Stephanie. She nodded, indicating that she had already deduced that as she finished devouring the creamy chowder.
After deciding that my time was up working for the government, I was extremely thankful for Ranger's job offer upon my return to civilian life. Although living and working in Miami was great, I felt like my life needed something a little more… Shit, I didn't even know what I felt my life needed, but I just knew that it needed something. Exploring my interests, I rediscovered my love for what many would call a very unconventional interest for me. At six foot three and pushing three hundred pounds of solid muscle, I'm not necessarily the poster child when it comes to fashion. Regardless, I felt drawn to re-explore my pretty rusty skills. My grandparents took me in after my mother decided she wanted to enjoy her youth living her life and partying, only to remarry and have a whole new family I wasn't a part of. My Abuelo was a tailor and my Abuela a seamstress. I learned a lot from them growing up, life skills that apparently didn't leave me when I decided to finally follow my original dream.
Explaining to Stephanie that I transferred from Rangeman Miami to Rangeman Trenton in order to finally try my hand in the fashion world was extremely easy given her nature. I haven't actively or openly told the guys what I'm up to in my free time, yet I know Stephanie won't judge me. In fact, she thought it was really cool and congratulated me for pursuing my dream.
"Taking advantage of Rangeman's educational benefits, I'm about to finish my first semester here." Smiling cheekily, I had to pause when Stephanie congratulated me yet again. Truth is, I probably wouldn't have done this had Rangeman not made it so accessible for me to do so. Ranger really wants us to be set, even when we eventually move on from Rangeman.
"How can I help?" Stephanie asked as soon as I shared why I'm so batshit stressed right now.
"This semester's final consists of making a dress. Design, execution… the whole shabang." Blowing out a sigh, I confessed that I was absolutely stumped. Stressed is a major understatement. "Not only do I not have any idea what I'm going to make, I don't have a model anymore." Despite Stephanie's compassionate nature, I wasn't ready to open up about my somewhat recent break up with my longtime girlfriend. She most definitely judged me, going as far as to question my sexuality for starting this journey.
"I'll do it." Stephanie was quick to volunteer.
Blinking repeatedly, I briefly wondered if I was dreaming. It couldn't be this easy to solve half my dilemma, could it?!
"Really?" I croaked, wondering why I didn't think to ask her from the get go… Ah yes, because we're not as close as she is with the other guys she's known from day one. "Aren't you afraid you'll have to wear my hideous creation?" I joked to lighten the mood, because I most definitely am close to crying with relief.
She shook her head, her curls whipping across her shoulders as her ponytail swayed from side to side with the vigorous movement. "It can't be worse than some of the hideous bridesmaid dresses I've had to wear in the Burg." Grinning wide, she joked that she's been covered in stinky garbage before, and more than once. "I'm sure your design will be so badass that there's no way you won't pass." With a reassuring shoulder squeeze, she got up to head back to her cubicle to check on the search she left running.
For the remainder of my shift I felt like a small weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I didn't get much down time to think about my plan of action given how busy we were. Every year around the holidays crime tends to skyrocket. Home invasions, robberies… you name it, we'll get a call about it from our clients. It's been go, go, go since just before Thanksgiving. Maybe I'm insane for taking on something so demanding like going back to school while juggling a full time job.
Yeah, what the hell was I thinking?!
When my shift finally ended, I sent a quick message to Stephanie to see if she was still in the building. Hector and Silvio designed a secure communication app for all branches to use. We can access the messages via our cells or our desk computers. Regardless of how vigorous the two-step authentication verification set up on a new device is, I have to admit that it makes it so much easier to message someone, or everyone, within our company.
You still in the building?
Stephanie replied to my text by the time I unloaded from my fleet SUV. She said she was finishing up a report to hand to Rodriguez and would be done in about fifteen or so minutes.
Perfect.
Not having much time to spare, I need to get Stephanie's measurements to know exactly what I'm working with. Luckily, I bumped into Ella as she was making her rounds on the fourth floor. Technically, we're on our own when it comes to our laundry and meals in our apartments, yet Ella still ensures the hallways are in tip top shape.
"Hola, Ella." I greeted her, wondering if she had a few minutes to spare.
"Hola, Julian." Flashing that sweet, warm smile that she so freely gives, adopting us as her own notwithstanding our grown ass age and big bodies. We're her babies through and through.
"Do you have a few minutes?" I explained my situation quickly, being mindful of her and Stephanie's time. Needing to take Stephanie's measurements, I figured if Ella's present then Stephanie can feel more comfortable. I mean, I'd never, ever cross the line or be inappropriate. Ranger and every other man in the holding will kill me, ripping me limb for limb, after Stephanie destroys my balls with her lethal knee.
"Of course." Ella offered her apartment as our gathering spot, going as far as to remind me that she's also available for anything I need. Knowing that I can count on not only Stephanie, but also Ella, had my eyes getting a little too watery and my chest feeling tight with emotion.
Twenty minutes later, I bounded up the stairs to the sixth floor after taking a quick shower to wash off the day's grime after being out in the field for most of my shift. With my necessary materials, I arrived to the sixth floor in no time. After a single knock, Ella opened the door for me.
"Wasn't sure what you had in mind, so…" Stephanie shrugged sheepishly, standing in the middle of Ella's living room wearing a cotton bra and boyshort panties set. "…hope this is okay."
I nearly swallowed my tongue when I got a load of Stephanie in way less clothing than I'd ever seen her wear before. Sure, I've been part of a distraction or two, so I know she's got quite the figure she hides very well with her jeans and V-neck T-shirt combo, and even more when she's in Rangeman cargo pants and T-shirt. It's not hard at all to understand how Ranger is so, should I say, obsessed with her.
"Yeah. It's okay." I cleared my throat subtly as I shared that these measurements would be for me to be able to get started. "I'll make a sample using a cheaper fabric and from there I'll know what other adjustments need to be made for the final form."
"Okay." Stephanie nodded as she fidgeted with her hands, clearly feeling somewhat awkward as well.
To ease both of our nerves, I talked through everything I was doing, keeping my tone professional yet friendly. Not having a full plan even now, I took every and all measurements. Better to have them all than not, only to need it later.
Waist, hips, hollow to floor, shoe heel height, shoulder width, height, arm length, wrist, bicep… I took every measurement I could think of, thankful for Stephanie's willingness to be my guinea pig and Ella's helpful tips on how to get true and accurate measurements.
Writing down the last measurement I took, shoulder to waist to be exact, I glanced over my notes to see what else I had left.
Bust.
Taking a deep breath, I resumed measuring. God, if Ranger walked in right now I'd be a dead man simply for having my hands so close to his Babe's breasts. Perhaps flunking the semester wouldn't be all that bad, right?
"They don't bite." Stephanie teased, her chuckle breaking the tension that had settled itself on my chest.
"You sure about that?" I teased back, rolling my shoulders and willing my hands not to start shaking.
Stephanie is absolutely beautiful, inside and out. With this being the first time that I'm this up close and personal with her, I was entranced by her sparkling blue eyes. So much so that getting her bust measurements, including upper and lower bust, were no longer panic inducing. Instead, my mind was racing with ideas as the creative juices finally began to flow once again in vibrant blue shades. Yes!
"Uh, oh." Stephanie cocked her head to the side, giving me a dubious look as I began making a mental sketch of my new vision. "I know that look. You have a plan!"
Mirroring her grin, I thanked both her and Ella as I grabbed my stuff. I nearly tripped heading downstairs to the fourth floor, wanting to put my ideas on paper and begin executing my plan.
The next two weeks will be absolute hell, and just before the end of the year holiday season too, but unlike this morning, I now have a plan!
