Reconciliation

We were both packed and ready to go by 5pm, the flight was at 10pm so we had enough time to grab dinner before heading off. We decided that we would figure out what we were going to do with the property after the holiday.

Ranger would receive the tapes and the money the moment my plane takes off, which means that under no circumstances can I miss this flight. I am ready to move on with my life, I don't want explanations, arguments, excuses or anything else from him.

By the time we're seated on the plane, I was exhausted and fell into a dreamless sleep. The good thing was that I woke up just in time for the landing. It was a solid ten hour sleep and yet I didn't feel rested. I could feel the starting of a headache and my throat was sore, signalling an oncoming cold. Phil and I had registered a car so we picked up the keys for the locker storage by entering the codes we were provided beforehand, and headed straight for our car… a black Porsche 911. Phil was in charge of the car and right now I could strangle him.

The moment I sat on the leather seat of the car, I was bombarded with memories

We had just finished a distraction job and it was pouring outside, soaking my dress. Ranger had pushed me into the car and buckled me in, giving me a peck on my lips. The gesture was so natural and smooth that I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to live a life like this… Frequent comfortable kisses, soft touches and lingering glances, nights filled with passion and days full of laughter…

I was pulled out of my tour down the memory lane by the skidding of the breaks. The car slid to a stop in front of a beautiful cottage. Since it was midday, we decided to dump our stuff and head straight to the beach.

XXXOOOXXX

Phil and I were playing in the water when I was tackled from behind, picked up and dragged out of the water. I spluttered as I was unceremoniously dumped on the dry sand by none other than a very angry Cuban man. His eyes glinted dangerously as he furiously pulled out my favourite red sundress and pulled it over my head.

Phil, the traitor that he is, seemed to find this whole situation amusing and backed away into the beach, where he was flocked by a dozen or so gorgeous beach babes.

Ranger pulled me up and dragged me to what I believe was his car, another Porsche 911, I'll give you one guess for the colour scheme.

The ride back to his hotel room was uncomfortable for two reasons: the first one being that there was sand stuck to me in very uncomfortable places and I was still wet; second being the tight grip Ranger had on the steering wheel. I don't even know what he's mad about. Did I mention that I'd checked into denial land once again?

The trip up the elevator was also very quiet, mainly because I was dreaming about a warm shower. I wasn't surprised when we stepped into the Penthouse suite with a magnificent view of the beach.

Ranger once again dragged me into a room – bathroom and started removing his clothing. I stood still, still unsure of what to do. I need not have worried as he stepped forward and removed my clothes for me. He then stepped into the shower and waited until it was sufficiently warm before pulling me in. I debated running, but he looked really hot steaming and steaming…

His anger wasn't betrayed by his hands, they were as gentle as ever as he washed the sand away, replacing it with a burning arousal. But he didn't pay any attention to my moans, and concentrated on washing my hair instead. We stepped out when we were both squeaky clean and he towelled both of us off. He wrapped the towel around me and tucked it into my cleavage. Then he left the room and came back with a floor length cream choker neck dress. He managed to dress me and himself within half an hour, I was actually impressed… I wasn't wearing any underwear, but I think he was fine with that.

We still hadn't spoken, but I think the silence was about to be broken.

"What the f*** were you thinking?" he asked, his anger only slightly more restrained than before.

"What do you mean?" I asked, not exactly sure which screw up he was talking about… there have been plenty in the time we've known each other.

"Don't test me Stephanie. Why did I get five million dollars deposited into my personal account by you? Are you trying to get rid of me?" Somehow his anger turned into vulnerability by the end of his tirade.

"I wanted to pay you back for all the times you've helped me," I murmured, looking down at my hands "You've really helped me a lot over the years, and whilst there may not be a price, there's a cost." Looking into his deep drown eyes I could see a battle taking place. He was clenching his fists as if stopping himself from reaching out. In that moment, I was exhausted, I was tired from fighting him, my feelings, and the burg. I was just tired; so I did what anyone would do, I gave in, even if this only lasted a moment, I would know that I gave it a chance.

I took his hands into mine and smoothed out his fist, staring at his palms as though they would reveal my future. I spoke, so softly that I wasn't sure he'd be able to hear a word, afraid that if I talked louder the words would come back to haunt me "I know you don't want to hear this, but I love you, I know that I can never have you, but that doesn't mean that I can never find someone who will love me for me… I've decided to leave Trenton and maybe settle down either Manhattan or Miami, I'm not sur-"

I was cut off by a bruising kiss and pulled close into his embrace, holding so close that I felt as though I was a part of him. I could taste the tears that were streaming down his face as he bit my lip to gain entrance into my mouth. Finally, seconds, minutes or maybe hours later we separated to catch out breaths.

"Why do you sneak into my bed at night?" I asked

"I can't protect you if I'm not close, anything could happen-"

"It's not your job to protect me!" I was enraged. How dare he?

"It will always be my job to protect you, no matter what." His reply brooked no argument.

"So, I'm a job, a security issue?"

"No, you are the most precious treasure in the world. Don't you see it woman – I can't sleep without you, the thought that there could be, may be another man in your bed dries me insane."

"Well if you don't want me, there is definitely going to be someone in my bed, may not tomorrow, but maybe within a year, six months… what are you going to do then hmm? Sleep on the other side? Make a Stephanie sandwich?"

"No!" he growled out, "there's never going to be anyone other than me in your bed ever again. I love you."

I scoffed at his words "love?" a bitter laugh escaped me as I thought of the many implications of that word.

His eyes were suddenly gentle as he repeated "Love" and got off the bed and knelt on one knee "this time, it's the forever kind."

From his suit jacked he pulled out a ring sized box and behold, inside was a sparkling princess cut flawless diamond on a platinum set infinity ring "Marry me babe, be mine forever, so that I can be your forever."

I did the only decent thing to do in this scenario – I fainted. Total blackout.

XXXOOOXXX

I woke up to concerned brown eyes, which were quickly relieved. Ranger gave me a glass of water before sitting me up. He seemed to look really sad.

"Hey, why do you look so sad?"

"I well, I guess you must really not want to marry me if the idea upset you enough to make you faint… I'm sorry I'll leave you alone from now on." He looked dejected and on the verge of tears.

"Noooo, I mean, yes, I want to marry you… I was just so surprised, everything is so sudden." He stopped my rambling by kissing the daylights out of me.

I tried to give him hell for all the late night stunts he's pulled, but ultimately I was touched that he liked sleeping next to me enough to sneak in after I'd gone to bed and wake up before I woke up. I have a feeling Phil knew about his late night visits… hmmm

We were married the next day with Phil as my witness and Tank as his… apparently Rangeman has contacts in Hawaii as well.

I guess I do always get my man… ;)