AN: This is the last chapter I have written. I'm committed to completing this and will try to stay on my weekly schedule but I want to do this story justice.

I hope you like the wooden spoon comment because it was a threat from my mom, she never did take a wooden spoon to any of us. :)

Chapter 6 – Moving Day

I woke up the next morning and repeated yesterday's routine. I stuffed my pj's and toiletries into my backpack, slipped my purse over my shoulder and made my way downstairs. I grabbed my suitcase and I put everything in the car and drove to my building. I pulled into the lot and saw Ranger and his Merry Men coming back from a run. They came over and asked if I needed any assistance. Ranger grabbed my suitcase and brought it up to my apartment.

I unlocked the door and invited him in. I showed him which room would be my bedroom and he put the suitcase and backpack in the closet. I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge for him and myself. "Thanks for bringing that up. I'm going down to the gym," I said.

"The men and I were heading there after our run," he said. As we walked down to the gym he continued, "looks like you got moved in pretty well."

"I had a few boxes in my car and went to the stores yesterday and grabbed food and a few things to make myself comfortable. I really don't have a lot because I lived in Jessica's townhouse. I still need pans, more towels and sheets and who knows what else," I explained.

We made our way down to the gym and spent an hour and a half using the equipment; I got my in my run on the treadmill. I was wiping my face with a towel when Ranger came over and said he was in the apartment next to mine and invited me to come over for breakfast. After my run and shower, I dressed in a pair of olive-green cargo capri pants, white cotton tank top and slipped on a pair of white canvas Keds. I put my hair in a low bun, military style. It kept it out of my face and I was so used to it I never thought twice about putting it up. I hadn't put on any make up, just moisturizer, facial sunscreen and lip gloss.

I went next door and knocked. Ranger opened it and invited me. He took me over to the table where Les was sitting.

"Hey Beautiful," Les said, "come over and have an egg white veggie omelet and turkey bacon. Whadda ya want in your coffee?"

"Just some milk please. This looks good," I said. I thought it was much better than the huge carb laden breakfast my mother made yesterday. In this life I was the anti-Stephanie.

We ate in silence with a couple questions about my time in the service asked. Ranger said he was sharing an apartment with Les. Ram and Bobby share another unit while Hal and Cal were in a 3rd. Tank had his own because he was fostering cats for a local rescue.

After we finished, I heard my phone ring. "Excuse me, it's the furniture store," I said. "Hello, yes, that would be great. Yes apartment 320. Thank you."

I turned to guys, "they are 15 minutes out. I'll be back over once they finish setting the furniture up," I said.

Ranger looked thoughtful, "I can come over and go over things and help with anything you need."

I was about to decline when the phone rang again, "Excuse me, it's the moving company." I hung up, turned to the guys and said, "that would be great. The moving company is on its way, probably half an hour away. I'm so sorry to hijack the meeting time."

Ranger smiled, I saw Lester's eyes widen, "that's okay Babe, I can go over things when everyone leaves and help you unpack."

We went to my apartment and after about three hours, the bedroom and living room were in place. I had a computer desk with a comfortable computer chair. I could set my laptop up. If I was going to work from home, I'd need to mount at least 2 but more likely 3 monitors. I may put a futon or daybed in there for guests. I had a bunch of boxes to unpack. At least everything was clean except the clothes I wore over the last few days.

Ranger helped me make the bed while explaining the company philosophy and computer systems. We unpacked the boxes with unopened shelf stable goods, Swiffer duster clothes, toiletries, a new Shark vacuum and some other counter medications like Claritin. I unpacked my laptop, files with personal information and set up my crosscut shredder.

We discussed the need for cybersecurity not just for the company but what can be offered to clients. In the end I asked him to put the offer in writing. I'd rather work for his company so I can be close to him than for a military contractor.

After he left, I began unpacking my clothes. I hung up my uniforms, a few dresses I had, some dress pants and a few blouses in the closet. There was a shelf where I placed my folded jeans and sweaters. I added my underwear, tanks, pajamas, tees and shorts to the dresser. I placed my shoe boxes under the clothes in the closet. I hung my coat, zip-up hoodie and jacket in the closet by the door. I did as much as I could. Ranger had taken the boxes to the recycle bin and I had a few more from my clothes. I took those down.

I came back up to my apartment to find a message from Mare. I quickly called her and got caught up while relaxing in my new recliner. I realized I needed to get a TV. The one I had in Georgia was small so I gave it to a friend to put in their teenage daughter's room.

Mare asked with a giggle, "did you really shoot down the Italian Stallion?"

"Yup, they were planning a wedding while we sat at dinner. Can you believe it?"

"You have got to be kidding me. I heard Angie is telling everyone that you are playing hard to get. Joe is supposed to be at dinner every night this week," Mare advised.

"Well, I already told my mother I wasn't going to attend any meals where she invited men. She is trying to arrange a marriage. What? Does she think I won't choose a proper Burg husband? Well, she's right I won't marry anyone who won't accept my career or help around the house or with kids," I explained.

"Amen to that sister. I'm so lucky Lenny isn't like them. He didn't enjoy changing diapers but he did it. He even got up to feed a bottle. And don't get me started on the comments about a bottle instead of nursing. Sometimes they don't take or you don't produce enough milk, so they try to shame you. I'm so glad my parents didn't get into that. They still treat my mother poorly for working and horror of horrors going back to school to be a physician's assistant," Mare said.

"I'll need to find a provider so text me your mother's office information. Once I get insurance, I'll set up an appointment, I'm coming due for my pap. I know your mother won't work in an office where the Burg bitches share your medical information," I said.

We finished the call by making plans for a day of shopping and lunch tomorrow. Lenny's mom had already offered to pick up the kids from school so we could spend time together. I sat thinking about my day when I heard a knock at the door, I walked over and checked the peep hole to see Ranger standing there.

"Hey, what's up," I asked as I let him in.

"I wanted to bring over the contract, I expect you will want to review it and consult an attorney before signing. Let me know if you'd like to discuss any changes. I was also wondering what you were doing for dinner tonight," he asked.

I was about to answer when I heard the buzzer. I went over to see who was buzzing my apartment. "Hello," I said.

"Hey Pumpkin, we wanted to come and see your new place," daddy said.

I sighed, and said, "Apartment 320, I'll buzz you in."

"I should leave Babe," Ranger said.

"No, please stay. If my mom is with them, I want to get them out fast and we can go to dinner," I begged.

I heard a knock and opened the door. In came my parents and grandparents.

"This is a pretty swanky place ya here baby granddaughter. That's gonna keep the Burg rif raf out," Grandma Mazur said with a wink as she elbowed me.
"I don't know why you had to rent an apartment so quickly; you could have stayed in your old room until you get married," my mother whined.

"Helen, what did we discuss," my father gritted out.

I introduced everyone to Carlos. My dad shook his hand and asked, "you run that new security company Juniak was raving about, doncha."

"Yes, I'm one of the owners of Rangeman along with my former platoon mates. I'm hoping to get your daughter to work for me," Ranger said as he shook hands with my father.
We settled my grandfather on the loveseat, with the throw placed over his legs, while I showed my mother and grandmother the rest of the apartment. Dad and my grandfather spoke to Ranger.

"Stephanie what is that man doing here. What will Joseph think about you having a man in your apartment? It's just not proper," my mother dithered.

"I don't care what he thinks and Carlos is my neighbor. He invited me to dinner, unlike Morelli who just wants to mooch a free meal off you," I countered.

"Baby granddaughter, he's a fine-looking man, you should go for it," grandma said while clacking her teeth.

"Mother, he's not a proper man for a good Burg girl. Why he isn't even Italian or white," my mother exclaimed.

I wonder if you can feel a tumor growing. I think I might be developing one, at least a headache. "How dare you mother, I'm not sure what century you are living in but it's not the 21st. He's a US Army Special Forces veteran. He is a good and decent man unlike your precious Morelli. I heard the rumors you and Angie are spreading and I won't be coerced into marrying that slimeball. Now, if you don't mind, I was getting ready to leave for dinner when you arrived," I rudely said.

My mother hmphed and walked out, grandma patted my arm as she walked out of my bedroom.

"Frank, it's time to leave. Your daughter doesn't want us here. She's going on a date with this man," my mother sniffed.

"Mother…" I said.

"Helen you were taught to be polite to people, I can still take a wooden spoon to you," grandma said.

I looked at Ranger and could see his eyes crinkle like he was about to bust a gut. I gave everyone but my mother a hug on their way out.

"I like him Pumpkin," Dad whispered in my ear.

I turned to Ranger and said, "well that's my family. My mother is opinionated and wants me to marry her best friend's son who I despise. She's gonna need to get over it because no one else in the family wants me to even date him."

"I get it Babe; my family has opinions too. How about going to the diner from last night for dinner," he replied.

"Sounds good," I said as I grabbed my purse and we left.