674Okay, so once again, I meant to post this like Tuesday, but I was studying and I finally got a free minute to get this chapter typed. Thank goodness, because it was starting to bother me. Ranger was standing in the back of my subconscious, poking me to get it written down and posted to you guys.
Please excuse my lateness by enjoying this longer chapter.
I hope you enjoy! I know this was the most fun I've had in a while.
Not mine.
"You rang?" Diesel said, popping into the room.
"Jeez! Stop doing that!"
"Relax, Stephanie. You're too stressed."
I huffed, but stayed silent. I was kind of stressed.
"So, what's new? Where's the big man?"
"Asleep."
"Huh. I thought you would've dumped him by now."
I punched him in the arm. "You did not."
He just smiled. "You said you needed my help. I thought this was dirty kind of help."
"Get real."
"A man's got to try."
I ignored him and went into the kitchen to start the coffeemaker. Diesel followed me. He pulled the coffee grounds down from the shelf and handed them to me.
"So what's this project you need my help on?"
"I want to get Ranger the perfect gift and…"
"Jeez. I don't know what to get the man."
"And I need your help pulling it off." I said, glaring at him for not letting me finish my sentence.
"Sweet."
Ranger's POV
I rolled to my side and felt the cool sheets next to me. I opened one eye, looking to see where Stephanie had gone. Considering it wasn't even eight yet, I was surprised she was even up.
"Babe?" I called.
Hearing sounds coming from the kitchen, I pulled on my sweat pants and went in search for her. When I reached the kitchen, she was sitting close to Diesel, who had an evil grin on his face.
"What's going on here?" I asked.
Stephanie smiled at me and came over and gave me a kiss. "Good morning."
"Hi. What's up?"
"Diesel was just leaving."
His head shot up. "I was? But…"
"Later."
"Okay." He said, shrugging.
She turned back to me. "Meet me in the shower?"
I grinned. "Absolutely."
She gave me a small kiss and headed to the bedroom. I turned my attention back to Diesel.
"Dude, she asked me here."
"I figured since you need to be invited in."
"What am I, a vampire?"
"I wouldn't put it past you."
He rolled his eyes. "You need to get a grip."
"You need to tell me what you're doing here."
"Or what, you kill me?"
"That can be arranged."
He snorted. "That's like getting tickled. Bring it on."
I decided to change my tactics. My mother always told me you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. Hopefully Diesel is a stupid fly. "You're really not going to tell me? After all we've been through?"
"You've been a pain in my ass since this all started."
So much for that theory.
"Besides, what's between Stephanie and me is between us. Not you."
I felt my hackles rise. "Hey."
"Cool the jets, man. Not like that."
I crossed my arms.
"Honest! She turned me down. Me!"
I rolled my eyes. "Leave."
"Fine." He closed his eyes.
"Through the door!"
"Sucking all the fun out of everything. Everything!" He turned towards the door, but turned back. "Oh, here," he tossed something in a paper bag to me.
"What's this?" I started to open it.
"No! Don't open it!"
"When should I?"
"You'll know. Merry Christmas." And he left.
What a crazy person. I shrugged my shoulders and went to the shower. Stephanie was waiting for me.
Over the next few days, Stephanie continued to act weird whenever I was around. Not that it wasn't out of the ordinary for her, but when she continually jumped when I tried to hug her was a little disconcerting.
"Babe, this has to stop." I said to her when I sat down to dinner.
"What?"
"You jump every time I touch you."
"Not on purpose."
"Babe."
She sighed. "How's your chicken?"
"You're seriously not going to tell me what's going on?"
"Nothing's going on."
"You lock yourself into your office for hours on end, you don't tell me anything anymore and I think the guys know your mother by name now."
"So? They should know my mother."
"They don't know my mother."
"Well you're the boss. I'm the cute arm candy."
"You are not arm candy."
Her fork slammed down. "What?"
"You are better than arm candy."
Her eyes narrowed a little. "I'm still not telling you anything."
She was turning out to be a tougher nut to crack then I thought. I didn't want to drop it, but she was adamant about not telling me. I wasn't about to push her, because she pushes back. Hard.
So I let it go. It was the hardest thing to do since I let Stephanie go.
Somehow, I knew it was going to be worth it in the end.
A few weeks later, on Christmas Eve, I was working on some paperwork when Tank entered my office.
"Hey." He said, sitting down in the club chair.
I looked up. "You look nice. Big date?"
"Yeah, Lula and I made up."
"Good for you, man. You're good for each other."
"Don't I know it. What are you doing here? I thought you and Stephanie had some big plans."
I sighed. "She decided she wanted to go to her parent's house."
"Avoiding Grandma Mazur?" He chuckled.
"No. Just trying to spend as little time as possible around her. I'm leaving in an hour."
He continued to chuckle. "Good choice."
He was still sitting there and I stopped now. "What is it?"
"I don't want to bother you, but…"
I sighed. "This better be good. I don't want to upset Stephanie."
"It's Lester. He may have TP'ed the gym downstairs."
I blinked. "What?"
"He's a little drunk. I thought you might want to punish him."
I felt my anger rising. "Where is he?"
"Still down there."
I stomped to the elevator and quickly called it. The ride took seconds.
"SANTOS!" I bellowed.
"Oh shit. He's coming!"
There was more than one person? "You…you… ASS! I can't believe that…"
I stopped the sentence when I entered the gym. I didn't find toilet paper.
But instead, I found twinkle lights and white roses. The gym equipment had been taken out and in its place, was dozens of flowers and lights wrapped around the fake trees placed at the end of each row of chairs.
And fifty pairs of eyes were staring at me.
Stephanie came down the aisle and stood in front of me. She was wearing a silky robe and I was very interested to know what was underneath that robe.
"Surprise." She said, giving me a soft smile.
"What is this?" I asked her softly.
"Your Christmas present."
I opened my mouth.
"I know it's a little early, but I figure this way, you'll be extra surprised."
I looked at her. My brain still wasn't working.
"Do you need a hint?" She asked, smiling full on at me.
"Yes."
"I'm giving you me."
I felt my brow furrow.
"You told me that the greatest gift I could give you was me. And since we were already engaged… I figured this was the next best thing."
"You want to get married…tonight?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure? I don't want to push you into anything you don't…"
"I know. And that's what makes you so great. But I figure since I'm throwing this wedding, that I'm so sure that I'll even race you to the priest."
"Babe." I said, giving her a small smile.
She bit her lip. She looked worried.
"I'd love nothing more than to marry you tonight."
She sighed with relief. "Oh good." She smiled at Tank. "And you were worried."
"Me? Never. I knew I'd have to kick his ass until he said yes." He turned to Lester. "Pay up."
He handed Tank a five. "Damn."
"You bet on me?"
"No, I bet on me." Tank said. "He thought I was going to have to punch you at least once."
I turned to Lester. "Stupid man."
He lowered his head. "I know."
I turned back to a giggling Stephanie. "Where do I change?"
"Locker room."
I softly kissed her. "See you in a few."
"You bet."
Tank, Lester and my brother all followed me into the locker room. "How?" I asked them.
"It was all Stephanie." Lester said, handing me the shirt. "She was running around like a mad woman. Finally she asked us for help. Said there were some things that even Diesel couldn't get."
"I couldn't believe that you were still in the dark." Tank said.
"Man, that woman is amazing." My brother said.
"Back off."
"Dude, don't worry. Lena would have my ass."
I smiled. His girlfriend would have his ass.
The guys continued to hand me things. I was barely conscious enough to dress myself.
"Nervous?" Tank asked, bringing me out of my reverie.
I looked at him. "About what?"
"About marriage."
I smiled. "No. Not at all."
"Good. Cause its show time."
I held him back. "Best man?"
"Of course. I'm sure Lester wouldn't want to make out with Lula anyway."
"What?"
"You know that the best man always makes out with the maid of honor."
Only my men. "Let's go."
I was standing at the end of the aisle with the priest, Tank standing next to me, and I finally got to look around the room. All of our immediate family and close friends were here. Stephanie had really thought of everything.
Angie pushed play on CD player and started to walk slowly down the aisle. She was followed by her sister, Mary Alice, Mary Lou, Connie, Val and then Lula before I saw my Babe.
And when I saw her, she took my breath away.
The dress she was wearing was a cream color, strapless, that hit about her knees. It made her skin tone glow and she had soft curls bouncing down her back. The bouquet of white roses was tied together with a blue ribbon.
When she reached me, I held out my hand for her. She smiled and took it.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Ricardo Carlos Manoso and Stephanie Michelle Plum in holy matrimony…"
"You, my dear wife, are amazing." I said, wrapping my arms around her waist as we watched the reception get underway.
"I thought you'd like it."
"I love it." I kissed her neck. "So, Diesel?"
"He was very helpful."
"I'm sure he was."
"Be nice. I'm yours now. Forever."
"I'm going to hold you to that."
"Go ahead."
I smiled at her when her mother came over.
"Oh Stephanie, the place looks wonderful."
"Thanks mom."
"Congratulations, you two. I have a feeling you will be very happy together."
"Thank you Helen."
She walked way.
"Don't get your hopes up. She said that when I married Dickie."
I shoved her. "You're mean."
"But you love me."
"Unfortunately."
She punched me in the gut. "Hey!"
I chuckled. I wrapped my arms around her middle again.
"Ouch, hey, not so tight."
"Sorry."
She rubbed my arms, but stayed silent.
It was then that I knew, I'd be needing Diesel's present.
"I'll be right back." I said.
Not bothering to wait for the elevator, I ran to my office. I pulled the drawer open and grabbed the rectangular box. When I had it opened, I smiled.
I didn't want to get my hopes up, but something other than the surprise wedding was up with Stephanie.
And this was exactly what I was thinking it might be.
Diesel was right. I'd need this soon.
A pregnancy test.