Epilogue

Stephanie looked over the crowd of familiar smiling faces. The wedding had morphed from a small family group to almost everyone she'd reconnected with in Trenton. Fortunately, the Mañosos had a large and beautifully landscaped backyard.

"How did this happen?"

"They're just people that love us and want the best for us, Babe. You'll enjoy this party. Come on, we've got wedding cake to cut and champagne to drink."

"I can't believe your mother and Ella did this," she said. "It was supposed to be a simple ceremony. Private, for the family."

"These people are your family, Stephanie. Every one of them was thrilled to be asked to come. You've reconnected with them all. We'll go back to Georgia, and for the first time you can get a Facebook page and stay connected with these people. They can be part of your life. You don't have to hide any longer."

"That's such a change for me. It might take a while to get used to. Uh, there's something I've been meaning to tell you."

"Babe?"

"Well, we never really talked about it, but I sort of did something without asking you. I invited Val and Albert to come down and stay with us."

"That's great. Are they coming soon?"

"I'm not sure. But you really don't mind?"

"Of course I don't mind. And even if I did it wouldn't matter. It's our home. Not my home. I didn't exactly invite them, but I think my parents, along with Ella and Luis plan to come down sometime soon. We might need to coordinate visits."

Their conversation was interrupted by a call from Stephanie's new mother-in-law. "Come cut the cake, you two. We're all waiting!"

Stephanie looked at the expectant faces and suddenly relaxed. Friendly faces smiled at her with real affection, and she was getting ready to eat wedding cake with her husband. Life was good!

As they stood at the cake table, Ranger nudged Stephanie. "Look at that," he whispered, and Stephanie followed his gaze. Two young women were standing next to one another.

"Oh! Is it…?"

"It is. Julie was upset she couldn't get here a day earlier to spend some time with you, but I've invited her to come to Georgia for a visit as well, and I think she's planning on it also. We may have to get a bed and breakfast license."

Julie Mañoso squeezed Cally's hand. "I've got half-siblings, but you're my first step-sibling," she said. "And I'm thrilled to have you."

"I'm glad to have a step-sibling, too," Cally said with a grin. "I've never had any type of sibling." They giggled together, partly from nerves and partly from the effervescent champagne they were drinking.

"Your mom was my hero when I was young. She was awesome. I hoped, and well, I prayed that my dad would marry her," Julie confessed. "When it didn't work out, I was sad, and when I heard she was killed I was devastated. My dad, who was the strongest, bravest man in the world just fell to pieces. It was a scary time. When he called and told me he'd found her, and then told me about you, I was over the moon!"

"I agree my mom is awesome, but she's the only family I have ever known. I think your dad is awesome, too!"

"Don't look now," Julie said, "but there is a handsome young man over there who can't take his eyes off you. Wait! I think I know him. It's little Luke. I didn't get to spend much time in Trenton after the Scrogg deal but when I did, we always spent time with Lester and Barbara."

"The Scrogg deal?"

"Yeah, not really wedding conversation. Ask your mom about it, or I'll tell you sometime. I remember going to their house and Luke would follow me around. He had such a crush on me, and he wasn't much more than five or six."

"Then maybe it's you he's staring at," Cally said.

"Nope, it's you. He's heading this way. I'm hungry for some cake." She turned and left Cally with a little wave to the oncoming Luke.

"Hey," Luke said. "Was that Ranger's daughter, Julie?"

"Yes, she said you had the hots for her at one time," Cally said.

"When I was six, I thought she was really cool."

"I think she's still really cool," Cally said.

"I think you're really cool," Luke said as he exchanged her empty champagne glass with his nearly full one.

"Oh, I shouldn't," Cally said. "This stuff goes right to my head."

"Good," Luke replied. "Maybe I'll get you tipsy and take advantage of you."

"Not likely," she said. "I know my limits."

"Yeah and you were probably just teasing anyway. Two glasses of champagne wouldn't go to anyone's head."

"Maybe not, but four would."

"You've had four?"

"Your father brought me one and Tank brought me one. Everybody wants to make sure I'm having a good time."

"Are you?"

"I am. I've never seen my mom look so beautiful or happy."

"Not everyone is happy." His eyes found his father who was talking with some old guys from RangeMan.

"This must be hard on him," Cally said. "He and my mom signed partnership paperwork yesterday. I think it's going to be beneficial for both of them."

"I think so too," Luke said. "After my mom was sick the first time, when we thought she'd beat the cancer, I was deployed. It was just the two of them, and they spent all their time together. When Mom got sick the second time, I was home and I watched my dad die a little each day along with her. They were happy here, but without her, this just isn't the right place for him. I'm glad he's moving to Georgia."

"And buying my mom's condo!" Cally said.

"Yeah, it's all good. I have a backup plan to help Dad get to a happier place though. I'm going to get him re-engaged in living. I'm going to make him a grandpa."

Cally raised an eyebrow. "Anyone I know?" she asked.

"Yep, I think you know her pretty well."

"Luke, what are you implying?"

"I'm not implying anything. I'm getting ready to ask you something. I've learned some things from your mom and Ranger's story. I think we need to jump into life with both feet. Will you marry me, Cally?"

"What! You can't be serious."

"Dead serious."

"Luke! We haven't known each other long enough. We haven't even…uh, I mean we don't even know if we're compatible…that way."

Luke laughed loud and long until he realized he was attracting some attention from nearby guests.

"You're right," he said. "We haven't, but we are compatible…that way…and you know it. I've seen you undress me with your eyes, Beautiful, and I'm here to tell you what you're imagining is nowhere near as good as the real thing!" He puffed his chest out and dropped his voice an octave as he whispered in her ear, "I can deliver on what the package promises."

He took the champagne glass from her hand and drained it. Then he led her to an area near the fence where they were partially hidden by the world's fluffiest forsythia bush. He set the glass on a nearby table and took both of her hands in his. "I know we haven't known one another long, but sometimes it doesn't take long. I knew the first night I met you. I want to spend my life with you, and I want to make babies with you. And I want to start soon."

"What about medical school," she asked, "and your burning desire to be a gynecologist."

"I do want to be a gynecologist. My mother died of ovarian cancer and if I could save even one mom from that fate, I'd be happy. There's nothing that says I have to start right away. We'll get married, you have the babies and go to school, and I'll stay home and raise them. Then when you're done, I'll go to school. We have the rest of our lives, but we need to start now. I'm still waiting for your answer. Will you marry me?"

"I…yes!" she said.

His arms went around her and his lips came down on hers, but she pulled away. "This is my mom's wedding reception. We can't be caught making out like a couple of teenagers!"

"You're right," he said. "We can't get caught, but I know a place…follow me!" He grabbed her hand and pulled her across the yard, and around the corner of the house, where they disappeared.

"Uh oh," Lula said. "You see that?"

"I didn't see anything," Connie said.

"Stephanie's girl, Cally, and Lester's son. They just left the yard hand in hand and I think I know what they're up to."

"They're past the age of consent," Connie said.

"Yeah, they are, but somehow it don't seem possible. Stephanie has been gone so long and now she's back with a grown-up daughter. Hard to believe it's been so many years. Stephanie looks the same. She hasn't aged hardly at all. I wonder if she's had work done.

"Whaddaya mean?" Connie asked.

"You know what I mean when I say 'work,'" Lula said. "You took two weeks' vacation last year for 'work.'"

"So what? I can afford it. You're right about Stephanie though. She looks real good. She sure has kept her figure. She must have given up Tastykakes and doughnuts."

"I don't know about that," Lula said. "She's on her third piece of cake. I'd better go remind her of what sugar does to her love bug. She won't want a sugar coma tonight and Ranger won't want her to have one either."

Stephanie popped a buttercream rosette into her mouth and moaned. Althea laughed. "I'm a buttercream girl myself," she told Stephanie.

"Buttercream is good, but it might not be good tonight, if you know what I mean." Both women turned to see Lula standing next to them. Stephanie instinctively reached out to hug her old friend.

"I'm so glad you came," she told Lula.

"I wouldn't have missed it," Lula said. "I walked all the way across that grass in these Valentino's to remind you not to overdo the sugar tonight."

Stephanie frowned for a moment and then understanding dawned. "Thanks for the warning," she told Lula, "I'll take it under advisement. Lula, this is Althea Whittaker."

"Althea and I know each other," Lula said. "Nice to see you again."

"Yes," Althea said. "We met when Tank and I had the happy job of telling Connie and Lula that you were alive and coming back to see them," she explained to Stephanie.

"That's right. You and Tank must be real good friends, I'm thinking," Lula said.

"Well, yes. We are," Althea agreed.

"Tank and me used to be real good friends. I bet you and me have a lot to talk about, Althea."

At that pronouncement Stephanie stepped away. She could imagine the direction Lula would lead the conversation. She wondered if she should warn Althea but decided anyone who could run the WITSEC program could handle Lula. She only made it as far as the punchbowl when she was intercepted by Ella.

"You look beautiful, dear."

"Thanks, Ella. My daughter helped me pick this dress out."

"That soft blue lace is very flattering. Do you remember when Ranger used to let me pick out some clothes for you?"

Stephanie smiled. Ella had purchased some interesting outfits for her, mostly for distractions, and frequently a size too small, but they'd always been appreciated by Ranger.

"I have some exciting news for you," Ella said. "Ranger has invited Luis and I down for a visit. We're going to help you hire a staff for your new home."

"Th-that's great," Stephanie said. "And speaking of Ranger, there he is, talking to some of his old employees. I need to go and say hi. I'll look forward to your visit, Ella."

Stephanie made her way to the bar where Ranger was in conversation with Tank and Lester. Staff? She needed staff? Well, she supposed they did need someone. It was a huge place. She stepped beside her husband and tugged on his sleeve.

"Babe," he said. "Having fun?"

"Not as much as I plan to have later," she whispered in his ear, and then louder, "Ella is going to hire staff?"

Ranger looked perplexed. "She's going to hire staff, huh? That sounds like an idea cooked up by her and my mother. I told you they wanted to come visit."

"Staff is a good idea," Stephanie said. "I'm going to be busy, running three gyms and working for RangeMan Investigations. I could use staff."

Tank turned from his conversation with Lester. "Speaking of RangeMan Investigations, Althea and I are leaving for Vietnam in two days. We'll be gone a week, and then back to Georgia to get things rolling. Where'd Althea get to, anyways?"

"She's right over there, talking to Lula." Stephanie motioned toward the cake table.

"Talking to Lula? Holy crap!" Tank thundered off across the lawn. A man with a purpose.

Lula looked up and saw Tank approaching. She gave him a salute and turned to go find Connie. "What did she want?" Tank asked.

Althea's eyes were wide. "She asked me if I like cats, and then she gave me this."

She held out a business card to Tank. "It's the name of a good allergist."

"She's a nut," Tank said.

"No, she's not," Althea said. "I know you have a history with her. I think it was kind of her to come and try and help me. I like her."

"You're not jealous then?" Tank asked.

"We're a little old for those sorts of games, don't you think, Tank? You're certainly not jealous of the men in my past."

"Nah…wait! What men? You've never told me about the men in your past." She smiled and used her finger to scoop the last little rosette from her cake plate into her mouth.

Ranger watched the byplay between Tank and Althea from across the yard. "The bigger they are, the harder they fall," he said.

"I think it goes both ways," his bride told him. "Althea is crazy about him. I'm happy for them, aren't you?"

"Babe, I'm just happy. The only thing that would make me happier is if we could leave. Do you think we've socialized enough?"

She looked around. She hadn't talked to Julie yet, and she'd barely said more than hello to Connie. Mary Lou and Lenny were standing against the fence taking things in. As Stephanie met her gaze her old friend waved. Her reunion with Mary Lou had been wonderful, and constantly interrupted by Mary Lou's grandkids who were just as unruly a bunch as Stephanie remembered Mary Lou's kids being.

There was an easy feeling inside. The stress she'd lived with for so long was completely missing. She wanted to be alone with her husband, but she didn't want to leave these people. She heard Ranger sigh in defeat.

"You win this one, Babe. I'll give you tonight because you've given me all I could ever want." He leaned down to her and brushed his lips across hers. Slowly they made their way across the yard, pausing to talk to one group after another, the promise of tomorrow humming in both their hearts.

The End

A/N: This has been such a great ride for me. In the beginning I was afraid people wouldn't enjoy an older Ranger and Steph. I was wrong! Along the way there have been many wonderful reviews with very insightful comments. There have been some criticisms of my storytelling with points I thought were valid. To the guest reviewers to whom I could not respond…thank you for letting me know what you thought. I'm always available for a PM if I've written something that bothers you. Again, thanks for making my return to FF after a time away for enjoyable!

A special thanks to jago ji for beta'ing this unwieldy manuscript. I couldn't do it without her help.