A/N: Ok everybody! It's time for the grand finale! I am no longer ashamed of this story. Now that this is finished, I'm going to get back to work on Biting Cold. The first few chapters should be reposted before the end of the weekend. Thank you so much for sticking with me through this refurbishment, and I hope you enjoy! Feel free to drop me a line or two and tell me what you're thinking.
SPOV
I yawned and stretched, arching off of the most sinful sheets anywhere on the face of the earth and cracked my eyes open to be greeted by another beautiful tropical morning. Yes, I said tropical. I had told Ranger last week that we should take a trip, just the two of us. Low and behold, Batman swooped in, and swept me off to the Bahamas two days later. I've lost track of the days here, but we're headed back to Trenton tomorrow so we can be present for Sean's going away party.
"Babe, breakfast awaits" Ranger called from the main room of our enormous luxury suite.
I grinned, rolled out of bed, and strolled to the doorway that separated the two rooms "Please tell me you ordered more than fruit today" I drawled, propping a hip against the door frame.
Ranger turned to answer me, and I watched his playful smile turn into a wolf grin. Oh, did I not mention I woke up naked? Yeah, whoops, forgot about clothing and all that… again
"Babe" he growled, "If you want breakfast, you'd better stop playing with fire"
"Ranger," I said sweetly, "You know I've always been a bit of a pyro."
He pounced, and let's just say that I didn't see much of the beach our last day in Tropical Paradise.
Abby and Ella had totally outdone themselves this time. The backyard of Abby's parent's house was strung with lights, streamers, and gas heaters to ward off the chill of the November air. Every available surface in the kitchen was filled with trays of snacks or baked goods or decorations. This looked more like a celebration than a goodbye party. I told Abby as much and she just laughed, but there may have been tears in her eyes.
She and Sean had taken their own little trip last week, albeit to San Francisco instead of the Bahamas. Abby missed her old hometown, and Sean had never seen it. She came back and has been talking nonstop about the fog and Chinatown and how they got lost in the Mall. I would have been rolling my eyes, but I knew that this was just her way of keeping herself from thinking about Sean leaving so soon.
I was rocked out of my remembrance when Abby nudged me with her hip and nodded towards the door. "Our first guest is here" I turned, and there was casual Ranger. All decked out in jeans and a button down shirt. I don't know how he manages it, but every time I see him, he looks better. I may have drooled a little bit because Abby just started laughing and Ranger smiled and said "Babe"
After greeting me properly (what, so I want to makeout with my boyfriend is that a crime?) He turned to Abby.
"This place looks great."
"Thanks," she smiled. "I wanted it to be a happy thing and the best way to do that is with good food, good friends, and great decorations. Besides, with Ella helping me, I could do no wrong."
Ranger just nodded "Will your parents be here?" He asked.
Abby looked a little sad. "No, I guess I forgot to tell you guys in all the craziness that has come up recently. My parents decided that all their work is in the UK and Europe, and now that I'm completely independent and all, they are just going to stay over there permanently. They come back the day after Sean leaves to pack and start shipping everything to their new house in England. "
I was stunned, "So you'll be all alone for Christmas?"
Abby nodded. "Ella is going to visit her family, and she offered to take me with her, but I just feel like that would be weird."
The merry men had been arriving as this conversation was taking place, being greeted by Ella at the front door. Bobby, who always made the morning pastry run, must've heard that Abby was going to be alone for Christmas just barged in to the conversation and said "You're just going to have Christmas with us then! We usually just go out for Chinese when we're off shift, but I think we should try to do something a little bit more traditional,"
Abby's eyes lit up "Oh, does that mean I could cook a full on feast?"
Bobby nodded like a bobble head doll and Lester chimed in "Sugar, you could make spaghetti o's and we'd all be happy."
Abby got a little tearier than she had been all day, and threw herself at Lester, Bobby, and Hal, who happened to be standing close. "I haven't had a real Christmas in years. You guys better prepare yourself for a Holiday Extravaganza the likes of which Rangeman has never seen!"
"Hey!" Came a new voice "You guys better get your stinking paws offa my girl! Yeesh, I'm not even gone yet and you're making moves on her."
Abby immediately started squirming away from the guys and towards her boyfriend. "Sean!" She yelled, smacking him on the arm "You weren't supposed to get here for another hour! This was supposed to be a surprise!"
He grabbed her around the waist and bent her backwards in a dip before murmuring "I was surprised" against her lips before going in for a kiss.
I was a little disgusted, with the whole display, but also a little jealous. Ranger never dips me backwards! I sent an experimental glare his way and he just raised an eyebrow, grinned, and swooped down on me, peppering my face with tiny kisses. The merry men where hooting and hollering, but neither Sean and Abby nor Ranger and I particularly cared.
Finally, Abby shoved Sean to arms length away and yelled, "Well, since the man of the hour is here, were might as well eat!"
The merry men dove for the food and everybody proceeded to have a good time until there was a sudden knock on the door. Abby scurried out of Sean's arms and opened the door.
Patrick and a smallish woman who had Sean's black hair and green eyes were standing there.
"Patrick, Maggie, so glad you could make it!" Abby exclaimed.
Maggie grinned and kissed Abby on both cheeks. "As if I would miss my own son's going away party. For shame!"
Abby laughed delightedly and replied "Well, you certainly are lucky that I made extra dessert! I didn't know you'd be bringing a date!"
Patrick laughed, and gave Abby a peck on the cheek. "Well my dear, it's your fault. You left her an entire bread pudding at my house before you went away last week. I might be old, but I can take a hint as well as the next man."
Abby just shook her head "And here I thought I was being subtle!"
The evening passed very quickly, and pretty soon Abby announced that if everyone would go outside, she'd bring out the dessert. She asked me to help her and dragged me in to the kitchen, hollering at Ranger to save me a seat
"Ok." She said, grinning mischievously. "The time has come. I made everybody here their favorite dessert, and in order for Ranger to get his, you have to know what it is."
I nodded, knowing at this point that dessert was sacred to Abby and even questioning her crazy was pointless.
"Right" She nodded and handed me a small plate of four chocolate chip cookies.
"This is Ranger's favorite dessert?"
Abby just giggled and leaned in closer. "Not quite." She whispered some instructions to me, and I helped her carry out a few serving trays piled high with paper plates with names written on them and little desserts on top. There were mini pies, cupcakes, brownies, cookies, and some strange concoctions that I didn't even want to contemplate
As soon as all the desserts were handed out, Abby stood in the center of the yard and shouted for attention. She smiled, and said "I just wanted to thank all of you for being here tonight, and for being such wonderful friends to Sean and me. I know I've only known most of you for six months or so, but in that time, you've become my family." Then she turned to Sean and continued "You know that I love you more than anything else, and I just wanted to say that I am proud of you, and I'll miss you and" Abby choked off into silence and Ranger stood up, still holding my hand.
"Sean, The guys and I wanted you to know that the road ahead isn't going to be an easy one but we all survived it, and so can you. You have the strength, courage, and intellect to make an excellent soldier. We are very proud to know you"
Abby and I were sniffling at this point, and then Sean walked over to where Abby was. He smiled at everyone and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Thank you all for being here tonight." He said "Abby said that she thinks of you as family, and so do I. I cannot imagine a better group of people. I will miss all of you. But, there is one thing that I need to do before I say goodbye in order to make sure that you two" he shot a pointed glare at Lester and Bobby "won't make another move on my girl"
I broke out into an idiotic grin, glancing at Ella and Maggie as they did the same.
Sean got down on one knee in front of Abby and took a hold of her hand "Abby, I know we're young, but I love you. I've loved you since you sat down next to me at lunch and offered me a cookie. I knew for sure you were the one for me when you beat up a man who was threatening you with a sheet pan" everyone laughed "You are the strongest, smartest, most beautiful girl that I know, and I want to be with you forever. Abby, a thaisce, will you marry me?" He pulled out a beautiful, elegant solitaire and Abby sobbed out "yes"
Everyone went nuts and started cheering and clapping, Ella Maggie and I cried, and then everyone ate their dessert.
When we got back to the 7th floor that night, I was still floating on a cloud of romance. Ranger opened the door for me and I twirled in, acting like an idiot and not caring. I was responsible for that moment in the backyard. I helped Abby make Sean see sense, and I had a Cuban sex god who loved me. Life did not get better than this. Well, except for one thing.
"Ranger" I 'pouted' "You didn't eat any dessert!"
He chuckled and said "Babe, Abby couldn't serve it at her party."
I gave myself a mental high-five and harrumphed, marching into the bedroom. While he was still in the main area of the apartment, I gobbled down two of the chocolate chip cookies Abby had given me, changed into a bit of nothing lingerie, and swaggered back out to the sofa. Ranger was already stretched out, getting ready to watch the late show with me, like we always did, and it made my job so much easier. I pounced, straddling him and giving him a deep kiss. When we pulled away to breathe, Ranger's eyes were completely black, and I purred "Batman should never have to go without his favorite dessert."