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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.

Epilogue - Shirt

Two Years Later

“Babe? Have you seen my gray Henley?” Ranger called as he came down the stairs of the old inn. He was met with an abashed Stephanie, standing in the middle of the kitchen, a spoon in her mouth, a carton of yogurt in her hand, wearing nothing but panties and his missing Henley.

“This Henley?” she asked once she'd gotten over her embarrassment at being caught, as well as Ranger's naked chest.

“Babe,” Ranger smiled, crossing the kitchen and pulling her close for a kiss. One hand caressed the slight swell of her stomach. Two months ago she had announced that they were expecting a baby. It was hard to tell who was happiest and most proud – Ranger or Charlie.

The past two years hadn't been easy, but they had come through it together, stronger and more tightly knit as a family than they had ever thought possible.

Charlie had been the one to eventually convince Stephanie and Ranger to marry. The ceremony had also included Ranger legally adopting Charlie, allowing them to be a family in the eyes of the law.

Trying to juggle running Rangeman with living in Montana had been challenging and resulted in a high level of frustration among the trio, but agreed on monthly trips to the various offices seemed to ease that. It also allowed Stephanie and Charlie the security of knowing Ranger's schedule – when he would be leaving and arriving – in advance.

It was for one of those trips that Ranger was now trying to pack.

“Why do you need a long-sleeved shirt in Miami?” Stephanie asked, unwilling to forgo her prize.

“I told you last night, Babe, there's been a change. I'm off to Boston.”

“Oh? When did you tell me?” she asked, honestly not remembering. Her cheeks flushed and her body tingled in anticipation when he whispered exactly what he had been doing to her when he mentioned it. “I”m sure if you were to jog my memory...” she hinted, her voice husky with desire.

She was offered a wolf grin in response as Ranger stripped his shirt off of her, leaving her clad only in her panties and bra.

“Charlie...” Stephanie protested.

“Won't be home for fifty-five more minutes,” Ranger informed, reacquainting himself with his wife's body, relishing the reaction he received.

“OK,” Stephanie gasped out, soon forgetting why she had protested.

Fifty minutes later, Ranger sat up and searched fro the shirt Stephanie had been wearing earlier. Finding it, he gently kissed her awake and slipped the shirt over her head.

“Charlie will be coming soon,” he informed as he stood and slipped into his pants. “You have about five minutes to clean up.”

“Five minutes!” Stephanie gasped, holding out her hand so Ranger could help her up. Racing to the stairs, she ran up them and into the bathroom. “Why didn't you get me moving earlier?”she demanded.

“You were moving earlier,” Ranger replied with a wolf grin. It only earned him a glare, though, he could tell by the flush on her cheeks and her body's response that she wasn't really upset with him. “I'll greet Charlie,” he assured, stepping into the room and kissing her. “You take your time.”

“OK,” Stephanie agreed, enjoying the closeness. “But you should put a shirt on. I don't think Mandy's recovered yet from the last time she saw you shirtless.”

“Will do, Babe,” Ranger assured, giving her one last kiss before exiting the bathroom.

As he jogged down the stairs, Ranger caught sight of one of the pictures on the wall and thought back to the highly-charged time when Stephanie had first show up in Trenton after being gone and declared legally dead. Helen plum had been tranquilized. Frank Plum was happy to finally have a grandson. Grandma Mazur had actually been speechless, but welcomed Stephanie and Charlie with open arms. Valerie had been pulled in multiple directions, but managed to convey her joy at Stephanie's return.

Lula and Connie had nearly deafened the entire block with their greeting. Vinnie had informed her she couldn't have her job back.

Morelli had been quiet. Tears were seen in his eyes and pride in his face as he introduced Stephanie to his family.

The police station and the Rangeman office had been equally emotional.

As with most of the rest of their life, things in Trenton had changed and settled. They still visited several times a year and received visits in return, but their lives were in Montana now.

Reaching the front door, Ranger watched Mandy pull into the drive.

This certainly wasn't the life he had envisioned for himself, but four years apart from Stephanie had changed him. Fate had been cruel to them in separating them, but Destiny had triumphed in the end.

Greeting Charlie and waving his thanks to Mandy, Ranger relished the feeling of home and family that filled him.

He idly wondered what Stephanie would think of him trying for the job of sheriff when Jed retired next fall. The two men had discussed it several times and with a baby on the way, Ranger found he preferred being close to home.

Besides, he thought with a wry smile, it could be interesting to try being legally white for a while.

The End

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