The character all belong to JE. This is a short one that came to me as I've been working on my other stories Easter is a time for family and renewal.
Thanks, Lee Anne
A Family Affair
The black Rangeman limousine pulled up to a stop in the small cemetery on the edge of Trenton. It was a warm June day. Hal was dressed in a Marine dress uniform and Ram in his Navy one got out of the front opening the doors in the back. Tank walked stoically over to the back door on the driver's side, he was in his full Ranger uniform. Frank, Ellen, and Grandma exited from the other side. The Manoso family was already standing under the white canopy. Ranger's sisters and his brother were supporting his grieving parents.
Something went wrong on the mission; Ranger wasn't able to escape the exploding building. His family, friends, and his Babe were there to say their final 'Good-byes''.
A black hearse was parked on the roadway silent and immobile. Six Special Ops officers were standing straight at the back of it waiting to carry the Cuban man's casket to the grave. Rangeman employees from the other offices were in attendance adding to the wide range of military uniforms present in the small cemetery.
Holding out a hand, Tank helped Stephanie out of the long black car. She slid out with dark sunglasses on her face, tears were sliding down her cheeks she didn't wipe away. Dressed in a simple black dress that fell mid-calf, she was moving still in a haze of disbelief. He hugged her offering his arm to escort down the path. She stood focusing on the hearse for a moment where Ranger's body was waiting. Nodding she was ready, Stephanie linked her left arm and shifting her right so Addison was secure in her arm, the daughter Ranger never knew about and would never see grow.
Taking a few steps with her head high she let out "Oh". A tingle ran across her neck. Her curls swayed in all directions as her heart stopped. She didn't see Ranger; she was craving him, his touch. She felt him.
"Steph, are you all right. Do you want a moment?" Tank asked. Her parents and grandmother were huddled around her.
Her eyes behind the sunglasses rested on her daughter in her pink bonnet and dress. "No," she choked, "Addie and I need to do this. Ranger would want that." She continued walking with her daughter through a procession of Rangeman employees at attention recognizing the woman who their boss loved making her way to the canopy. Her father was walking directly behind her. Once Stephanie and Addison Marie were in place next to Ranger's family, the military pallbearers began their solemn walk with Ranger's black casket Stephanie chose for him.
The priest from Ranger's home church in Newark presented a beautiful, down-to-earth service. It was difficult for Stephanie to listen, the tingle was there and it was strong and distracting. With his lifeless body so close to her, she was surprised to still feel the connection. A bright spot was Addie didn't know what was going on around her and she kept Stephanie grounded, it was unsteady footing. Addie needed her mother so Stephanie couldn't curl up into a ball and deny any of this wasn't happening.
Addison was hugged and kissed by Ricardo Sr. and Isabel like her mother after the ceremony. Stephanie bravely stood tall thanking the elderly priest and all the guests attending Ranger's funeral. She stayed behind at the grave site as people began leaving for the luncheon following the ceremony. Frank stopped Tank from going to Stephanie's side as she kneeled beside the black coffin crying. It broke both men's hearts because neither could bring back the man she loved with her heart and soul. Everyone witnessed it and they ached for Stephanie, the daughter Ranger didn't know existed, and Ranger.
"I love you, Ranger," Stephanie sobbed. Her shaking fingers were touching the cold steel coffin. "I couldn't wait for you to come home to meet Addie. She has your eyes and the little hair she has will be dark like yours. I don't want to do this by myself! I want you! Why couldn't we have our someday?" She stopped speaking realizing in the grief that was pouring out of her, she was touching Ranger's coffin and there was no tingle. It was there so strong just a short time ago, now there was nothing. "Don't leave me!" It didn't come back and she felt even more lost. She heard Addie making a sound in her mother's arms; she had her bottle in her pocket. "I will always love you," Stephanie cried. She touched her fingers to her lips to leave Ranger her kiss when she brushed his casket once more before she rose walking to the lasting piece of the man she loved, their daughter.
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She sighed when the Rangeman limousine stopped at the Elk Lodge. It was the largest hall available in Trenton for the luncheon. Stephanie was relieved her mother and Ella handled everything, she wanted to hole up on the 7th floor after the service, but knew that was unrealistic. She owed it to Ranger and all the guests whom cared about the man she loved.
"Who's Daddy's pretty girl?" Stephanie asked her daughter drinking the bottle. Those words echoed in her brain. Ranger never had an idea Addie existed. She discovered she was pregnant after he was called on this last mission. As much as she wanted Ranger here as her pregnancy progressed, if he knew he would have worried about Stephanie and his unborn child while he was 'saving the world'. Addison Marie Plum-Manoso was born three months ago. She arrived two weeks early with dark brown eyes and a small tuft of Ranger's hair.
Frank knew as a father knows Stephanie wanted to avoid the luncheon, but she would put on a brave face for the next few hours as best she could. He wanted to take every ounce of grief away. Motioning for Ellen and Grandma to go into the hall ahead of them, he would sit with his grieving daughter and granddaughter.
"Ranger was a good man, Pumpkin. I couldn't have chosen a better man for you and my granddaughter," he said quietly holding her hand as her tears fell freely.
"He was the best in all he did. Addie will miss having him for her Daddy."
Mr. Plum agreed. "I know it's not a comfort now, but Ranger will always be with you through Addison."
"I know," she exhaled reaching for the pink diaper bag on the floor. "I'm ready."
Tank was standing there when the black car's door opened; she glimpsed him wiping tears from his eyes. Stephanie hugged him. "We have to carry on somehow for Ranger," she cried against his broad chest.
"I know, Stephanie. I know."
