Thanks for the positive welcoming of a new MM (Ella said his name in the last chapter, but not all of you caught it) as he follows his true passion, igniting Steph's curiosity along the way when she realizes she's been stuck in survival mode for far too long. Here's the continuation.

BTW, several updates to other stories are going out in the coming days.

Disclaimer: The Plum universe belongs to JE. Typos are my bad and I post when I can.

Stephanie's POV

"Wow." I was in awe as I tried on the first version of the dress Julian designed. Even in its rough, unfinished form, Julian's creation is jaw dropping.

"What do you think?" Julian asked once I rejoined him and Ella in his living room. The man looks nervous, possibly thinking I'm not going to be a fan of his extremely unique creative design. He can't be further from the truth. "This isn't the final version, but I want to make sure it fits you and get your feedback…" Poor Julian is still stressing despite busting his ass off for the better part of a week.

"Are you kidding?" I gave a spin in front of him and Ella so that they could get the full effect, keeping my arms crossed over my chest to keep my boobs from flying out with the movement. I'll need assistance the day of to make sure the lace-up back is fastened properly. "It's awesome." Having a custom made dress was not on my checklist before the end of the year. Go figure! Sure, the fabric is a bit scratchy, but other than that I think this could pass off as the final form. Julian's already surpassed what he's been asked to do and then some, in my not so expert opinion.

"It's a beautifully breathtaking." Ella agreed, telling Julian how proud she was of his accomplishment. The tips of Julian's ears turned bright red with the compliment, smiling warmly at Ella in response. She's the mother most of us dreamed of having, but weren't lucky enough to get until now. We love her even more for taking us under her motherly wings when she didn't have to at our big ass ages.

I've gotten to know Julian more during this hectic week. I think it's wonderful that he wants to honor his grandparents by following his dream. It obviously helps that he has lots of natural talent. Understanding his need to create and bring beauty to the world after his dark time in the military is a no brainer.

"We need to get a move it." Julian said we had a tight schedule if we wanted to be back in the building before his shift later this afternoon.

It's been a bit of a struggle to work together with our various schedules and life commitments, but I think we've done a great job juggling it all. Being tired is going to be worth Julian being one step closer to fulfilling his dream. We can rest after his project is done, closing the year off with a bang!

We piled into his Jeep Wrangler and headed towards the garment district in the city, chatting and bumping music the whole drive. Heading into New York City means I'll get to enjoy some pizza and other goodies before we return to Trenton, which I plan to enjoy since it's been a long while since I've been in the Big Apple on a day trip. Hey, I'm pretty cheap all things considered. All it's costing Julian for me to let him drag me through endless garment spots is some yummy food. Plus, there's no way I'm going to pass up some legit pizza from my favorite New York spot when someone else is buying.

Ella and Julian discussed fabrics the entire drive there and while we hit several shops upon arriving. I didn't understand half the stuff they were talking about, but I'm still happy I got to tag along. After repeated busts, we reached the final place Julian's hopes were set on according to his research. And just when he thought he'd have to settle for a different fabric, somewhat deviating from his original plan, from the corner of my eye I caught a peek of something promising. Bringing up the existence of a possible score to Julian's attention after I ambled around the shop on my own, he and Ella went into a full blown Spanish conversation. My Spanish hasn't magically improved these last handful of months working a more set and consistent schedule at Rangeman, but I can usually understand a lot of what's being said nowadays even if I can't speak it much. I was quite lost given how fast Julian and Ella were speaking, and that was even before the sales woman joined in on the animated convo. Thinking on my feet and remembering Hector's advice about using my cell as the smartphone it's intended to be, I pulled up google translate to save the day. Following along as the conversation was translated and transcribed on my screen in real time, I got to stay in the loop. The only word I could easily pick out by earshot was because it kept being used repeatedly: azul. Julian's theme revolves around blue after being inspired by the color of my eyes.

Forty minutes later, we were scarfing down our greasy pizza slices when Julian immediately stiffened mid chew. From one second to the next, his animated excitement was snuffed out completely. Almost simultaneously, the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end and a cold shiver swept throughout my body. Someone must be trying to stare a literal hole at the back of my head, because this isn't my usual Ranger neck tingling.

"Lian." A woman's voice sneered through the fake-sweet greeting, sounding like her teeth were clenched tightly.

"Anita." Julian replied, slamming down that Rangeman prerequisite blank face so fast that I'd have missed it had I blinked.

"¿No me presentas a tus amigas?" Was the snarky reply, Anita's gaze remaining zeroed in solely on me despite asking if Julian was going to introduce us, his 'female friends', to her, whoever the hell she thinks she is.

"Stephanie… Ella, this is Anita. Anita, te presentó a Stephanie y Ella." Julian's usual sweet nature was gone, replaced by a thick self preservation shield. It was obvious to both Ella and I that there was some intimate history there.

Ella, being her warm self, acknowledged the woman with a soft smile. Twisting around in my seat, I made a move to do the same. Addressing Anita earned me a deliberate scanning from head to toe on her part. It's obvious she didn't like seeing me with Julian, probably thinking we're together in a romantic or sexual manner. Ha!

Anita's open jealousy flipped to anger when she spotted the bags full of fabric and other materials we placed on the seat next to Julian. The next words out of her mouth gave me a vivid insight into their relationship, or should I say what it used to be.

"Yes, I'm preparing for my final project to end the semester." Was as much as Julian was willing to share, glaring at Anita in open defiance. Instead of continuing with the interaction, Anita scattered away with a mumbled goodbye.

Since I could tell that Julian was quite shaken by the interaction with whom he shared was his ex, I offered to drive us back to Rangeman. His head is most definitely not in the right space at the moment to make the lengthy drive, especially after he confessed to Ella and I why his relationship ended so abruptly. It's messed up that who should have been his biggest and most unconditional supporter as he followed his dreams turned out to be his first obstacle. Damn. Been there, done that. Sometimes it's better to be alone than with someone who snuffs out your light.

The final days before Julian's deadline were chaotic at best considering our schedules didn't fully blend. Despite the hiccups, we made it work. In fact, we were running through the final details on our lunch break in the Rangeman break room when some of the Merry Men ambled over, curious as to what we were reviewing. The guarded look on Julian's face dissipated when Cal was the first to say the design was quote on quote badass. Turns out, most of the guys have hobbies I would have never guessed.

S&R

Ranger's POV

Mira.

Was all Hector gave as a heads up before he sent me a link to view what seemed to be a live video feed of some sort.

Clicking on the secure link, I was unsure of what I was supposed to be on the lookout for initially. Scanning the crystal clear feed that Hector was able to achieve thanks to his innovative tech, I noted that this was some sort of community type event. Based on the rows of seats and stage up front, I figured the location had to be in a theater or playhouse of some sort. Trenton and its vicinity has several options that would fit the mold. If I had a look of the building from the outside, I'd be able to fully pinpoint the location. As it is, I'm confident this is some sort of community event.

As I was trying to process the scene, I spotted her.

Babe.

She was wearing a deep blue dress, a satiny fabric that clung to her body like a second skin from shoulders to waist before flowing out from the hips down.

As Stephanie walked closer towards the viewers seated below the stage, I noticed how intricate the design really was. With her movement, loose fabric flowed around her with her well placed spin to show off the full view of such an intricate design. Babe's soft alabaster skin contrasted spectacularly with the dark blue glossy, lustrous textile as she moved effortlessly. Clearly, I'm not the only one entranced by her captivating presence.

Babe looks gorgeous as always, and I'm absolutely positive that the fabric matches the current shade of her blue eyes perfectly. The whole thing makes Babe look wet. There's no other way for me to describe such striking visuals. Her curls give the appearance of being soaked, further cementing the idea that Babe is drenched from head to toe as she rises from a dark body of water. It's easy to visualize the exact scene as she emerges amidst turbulent waters of a dark abyss.

Hector knows me too well, gracing me with an up close shot of every detail. Starting at her feet encased in glittery silver stilettos, the camera slowly ascended in a deliberate attempt to showcase every intricate feature. I'm sure that in spite of Hector's top of the line tech, I'm positive that the screen simply can't do full justice to the jaw dropping in-person experience.

It's safe to say that by the time the camera panned up to Babe's beautiful face, I was in quite the state. Being on the edge of my seat, impatiently wanting… needing to be back in Trenton right this second, meant I'd be spending the remainder of my flight mentally pacing back and forth.

I kept my eyes glued to the screen, grateful for the secure online connection of the company jet. Hector, as well as Tank, were automatically notified the instant I was back online. Although I haven't reached out to anyone yet, both Hec and Tank know that I'm on my way back to Jersey.

I'm coming home, Babe.

Now more than ever I fought the urge to reach out to Stephanie, doubling down on wanting to surprise her after months 'in the wind', as she calls it. It's a shame there's no way I'm making it in time to witness even a snippet of this masterpiece in person. Babe will most likely be out cold, snuggled under her multiple blankets, by the time I land in Trenton. The short drive from Trenton-Mercer airport to Babe's place will be a breeze at that late hour, so at least there's that benefit to look forward to.

Hector sent me quick snippets of the group celebration they had as the night progressed well into the wee hours. Julian received a rain of congrats and praises from the men, cementing his drive to power through and keep going on his recent quest to honor the memory of his late grandparents.

My boots hit the ground running towards my waiting transport promptly after deplaning. I was tossing my bag in the front passenger seat and angling behind the wheel of my truck faster than Babe can devour a Boston Cream donut.

A quick flick of my eyes towards the dash was a stark reminder that there was a big possibility that I'd find Babe fast asleep. Regardless of the likelihood, I stepped on the gas pedal, intent on making it to her side as soon as possible. God, I've missed Babe.

Babe's building was eerily silent when I pulled into her parking lot, parking parallel to the fleet Rangeman SUV Babe's driving and the dumpster. I don't want to waste time and find on-street parking.

Sprinting towards the lobby doors, as well as taking the stairs up to the second floor two at a time, saves me valuable moments. After my time away, I'm not willing to give up any sliver of time I can spend with Babe. Keeping each other at arm's length is a thing of the past.

I could hear Rex running on his wheel as soon as I slipped into the tiny foyer. Re-locking the front door, I set out on my quest to find Babe. With light spilling under the bathroom door, partially illuminating the darkened hallway leading to her bedroom, I knew exactly what she was up to.

Sadly, surprising Babe while she was in the shower was out of the question tonight when the bathroom door was yanked open abruptly and Babe emerged fresh out of the shower. Focused on patting her hair dry, she'd yet to spot me standing in the middle of her living room still wearing my combat uniform.

"Babe." I called out to her, unable to contain my grin when she automatically snapped her head up in search of me, following my voice sporting a look of utter shock.

"Ranger!" Dropping her microfiber hair towel on the carpeted floor, I braced for impact as Babe dashed my way. "I've missed you so, so much!"

The enthusiastic shriek threatened to damage my hearing for life, but I wouldn't change this for anything. Peppering noisy kisses all over my face, tightly wrapping her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck, Babe welcomed me back. With my hands gripping the backs of her cotton sweats covered thighs, I gladly kept my Babe pressed tightly to my body as I found her lips with mine. I've missed her so much. She's got a lot to fill me in on.

Gasping for breath long moments later, I basked in our private cocoon. "Blue is definitely your color, Babe." Grinning at her flushed response to my appreciative praise of her look tonight, I let my boot clad feet lead us back to the bedroom.

While we divested each other amidst heated caresses and sensual kisses, I was beyond thankful we decided to take a leap of faith, finally allowing ourselves a real chance of giving our relationship, as unconventional as it may be, a real shot. As I plunged deep into her tight heat, my hips set a near frantic, hard pace on our path to reconnecting with ourselves after my absence.

Coiling ourselves tightly, we detonated in an explosive release long moments later, cementing our deep connection and reinforcing the reality that I was finally home.