Be My Valentine Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Does he really want to have kids? Does he really to get married? Is he really waiting for Stephanie? Will he jump up and down in joy and cheer if Stephanie tells him she has made up her mind and wants to marry him? Hell, he has no idea. He's Joe Morelli. He's a man in his mid-thirties. He enjoys playing games and gambling with life and refuses to settle down and get really serious. He has a dog. He has a house. He's a good man. He's a cop. He has stable life and steady income. 

So what?

Does that mean he has no choice but to go with the flow and marry Stephanie—a thirty-something woman who's no good at cooking, baking and cleaning? Yes, she's cute and fun to be with. Yes, she's sometimes adventurous in bed and sexy. Yes, she's different and thus attractive.  But she has a lot of shortcomings as well as a crazy family. They don't fight as much as they used to because they are both tired and have no strength for it. They talk about the Burg rumours and gossips instead of their thoughts and feelings because that will be too awkward and uncomfortable. The sex is as good as usual. Pizzas. Beers. Hockey games on TV. The familiar and best foreplays. And they both try their best not to talk about Ranger.

Of course they talk about Ranger's mystery cars and his muscular minions. Of course they talk about how to get Ranger to help him or the TPD solve a case or catch Stephanie's FTAs for her. Of course they joke about Ranger's compulsive need to keep Stephanie safe from time to time. But no, they don't talk about Ranger's relationship with Stephanie. 

Why? Because It's too god damn complicated. 

Joe Morelli sighs a sigh and rubs his eyes. He's a busy man, a devoted police detective. He wants a promotion and is in need of a pay raise. He has crimes to fight and bad guys to catch. He really truthfully doesn't have time for trivials and insignificant stuffs. He doesn't mind having Ranger protecting, saving and helping Stephanie out. Let's face it: Ranger has the money and the manpower and knows just how to get the job done. Joe Morelli takes a bite of his doughnut and smiles. He finishes his lunch with the smile intact on his face and puts his concentration back on the case at hand.

And Stephanie will always come back to his bed at the end of the day no matter what. That's what matters right now.