Don't know how I ever missed this story. Loved it and loved that Joe stepped up to the plate. He was great.

What a great story. I absolutely loved it. My heart broke for Steph and Ranger at how their families treated them. Absolutely horrible. They will be missing out on so much love in their grandson/nephew's lives and their son and his wife who absolutely love each other. They don't deserve to be included the way they treated them both. I loved that Ranger took Tank and Lester with him, fully dressed back to the party to tell everyone off. That was priceless.

I really liked how Joe came to be friendly with Ranger and the guys. The way you had it happen was realistic and I could see it happening. Great story. Loved it.
Maggie M.

Enjoyed reading your story. Thought there was symmetry in both of their families reacting badly to the news of the pregnancy and their choice of life partner. Having the Plums’ turn up at the hospital after Steph was shot, so Mrs Plum could have all the news and Joe Morelli turn them away was fitting and showed his acceptance of her relationship with Ranger, liked that. Snorted at the Ranger shopping scene, where once again Joe soothed the ruffled feathers. Thank you for the entertaining story.

Nice story, you did a great job!

Oh, big badassed Ranger and the blue teddy bear! So sweet, I can just see him plotting against the bear and his silly smug smile when he got it! Priceless! :)

ha! Like the part about the bear.

Awwww, just found this today and it was a perfect story for the afternoon. Thanks for shearing your creativity with us!

Good, angsty but good [not fond of angst ...] I am glad that Joe is being supportive, I have had bad breakups that the anger lasted for years - I have an ex boyfriend that is still nasty about meand I wasn't the one caught fucking around ... so I can really feel for Steph about Dickie and in the fics where Joe is caught screwing around on her. It really does hurt when you have to wonder what was wrong in your relationship that your bf decides to screw around on you instead of breaking up first.

And I thought Steph's mom was a bitter nasty bitch ... in most fic's the Manosos are normally the welcoming ones, but I really could see after the whole Rachel thing something like this happening.

My step-monster-in-law hates me ... 3 years after we got married and while Rob was deployed there were wildfires near where his father and step-monster lived so I called to check that they were safe and I had to introduce myself since she didn't seem to recognize my first name ... real or faked I don't know - since Rob's father used to call and talk to him every couple of weeks and *he* would ask after me by name if I wasn't the one who answered the phone ... [though apparently Rob was a bit spun when he found out after he got home ... and I notice that his father calls my cell instead of his now whenever he wants to talk...he may have had a discussion with his father about the whole issue. On the other hand, his mother, sister, brother, brother's wife and sister's kids love me ... ]

Lol! Too cute!

Great story. I could imagine it just this way - with all their friends coming through, and both families being stupid. Loved the arrest scene at the jewelry store. Thanks for sharing. Hope you write more soon.

This is the first story I have read where Ranger's family was antagonistic. You have captured it so well (and it is so sad...). Thanks for sharing.

I guess everyone reacts differently to oncoming parenthood - what a riot! And demerits to both of those crabby families they seem to have. Thanks for sharing.

I can only imagine - what a scene with all the grown men trying to beat one of those infernal claw machines! Just priceless. Thanks for sharing .

"At least his family had tried to call him. Mine had seemingly disowned me. My mother had left a message saying that when I was ready to grow up, get rid of Ranger, and settle down to a normal life than I was to call her. I wouldn't be calling." - Yay! for Stephanie. She should have long since kicked that witch of a mother of hers to the kerb.