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Realigning Destiny
By TT

Sometimes chance intervenes in our lives and causes destiny to jump the tracks. When this happens, fate steps in and realigns destiny’s course to bring us to where we need to be. But, as with the course of true love, the road of realignment doesn’t always run smooth.

Part 51 - Winners And Losers/b>

That night, Stephanie slipped out onto the porch, taking in the night air and trying to come to grips with the day's events. She knew she couldn't stay out long. Charlie would be needing her after yet another nightmare. Of course, she was almost thankful for the interruption since her own nightmares didn't bear thinking about.

The gentle swish of the screen door opening and closing alerted her to another presence. She wasn't worried, though, knowing it was Ranger.

After the events at Mandy's house, the other Rangemen had insisted that beside Stephanie was where Ranger belonged. That didn't keep him by her side all day, but it did free him to be with Stephanie and Charlie for most of the day.

As the winners and losers for the day were being sorted and credit was being divvied out among all the agencies who had almost nothing to do with the events, Stephanie had shared Charlie's past with Ranger.

Ranger had insisted that Merry and Aaron Mitchell be brought up immediately and even offered to drive and get them himself.

The Mitchells were able to come and arrived by lunch. While Merry spoke with Charlie, Aaron took both Ranger and Stephanie aside to discuss the situation, what to expect and what could be done. Ranger had stayed back for a few minutes with Aaron discussing the changed that would be coming to all of their lives.

The three of them now had a series of meetings scheduled with the couple. First, though, they needed to sit down and decide how they wanted to proceed with their lives, if they could stay together.

“Couldn't sleep?” Ranger asked as he wrapped his arms around Stephanie and drew her closer to him, ending with her back pressed to his front.

“Charlie will be having nightmares,” she replied.

Ranger leaned forward and rested his chin on her shoulder. “Is he the only one?” he asked.

Stephanie turned in his arms and hid her face in his chest. “No,” she admitted before turning her head so her ear was over his heart.

The two stood like that for several minutes, Stephanie listening to his heartbeat and Ranger slowly running his hands up and down her back in a soothing motion.

“What are we going to do about tomorrow?” she asked quietly, finding it easier to ask in the darkness.

“We're going to take it one day at a time and face it together,” Ranger assured.

“I still love you,” she admitted, “but I don't know if I'm ready for marriage.”

Ranger was quiet for a moment. “I love you, Babe,” he assured. “I'm never going to let you go. If that means we never marry, then we never marry. Given the disaster my first marriage was, I'm not eager for a repeat. If it means I sleep in the front room for the rest of our lives, I'll probably go insane from not touching you, but that's what we'll do.”

His last statement was met with laughter as he intended. Allowing Stephanie to draw back slightly, he cupped her face and met her eyes. “I meant what I said. We, the three of us, will figure out what works for us and that is what we'll do. We've got all the time in the world now. But I really hope we'll be sharing a bed soon.”

Stephanie beamed at Ranger. “Sounds good,” she agreed.

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