Disclaimer: All things familiar belong to Ms. Evanovich. I make no money.

Too Late

Ranger's POV

She was gone. My light, my angel, my heart, and my soul was gone. She will never grace my presence again. I keep thinking back to the last time a saw her, over three months ago, before I had to go to Miami. I had received news an hour earlier than my Abuela Rosa had stage four pancreatic cancer. There were no warnings, no symptoms. She wasn't feeling well for a few days, went to the doctor, and a week later got her prognosis. She didn't have long to live. She called me, asking me to stay with her. I couldn't say no; after all, my Abuela saved my life.

I stopped at Stephanie's apartment before I left, telling her everything about Abuela. I told her I didn't know how long I'd be gone, but that if she needed anything, Tank was there for her. I told her she could come with me or come to visit; the ball was in her court. As I was about to leave, she kissed me, asking me to stay longer, to make love to her. I couldn't resist. We spent the night making sweet love. The next morning, I left after a round of morning lovemaking, promising to keep in touch. I kept my promise. We spoke every day, even if it was only to say good night, we still spoke. I knew that she'd ended with Morelli, permanently, after she caught him getting a blow job in an alley by Stark Street by some hooker. It was his "payment" for not arresting the hooker.

Five days ago, my Abuela died. She died in her sleep, peacefully. We buried her two days ago. Yesterday, I returned to Trenton, ready to see my Babe, to touch her, to feel her, to hold her in my arms once more, only I was too late. She was abducted from her apartment as I boarded my flight at 0300. By the time I arrived at her apartment at 0600, she was missing for about three hours. We hit the streets, searching everywhere for her. But we didn't find anything. Then, at 1400 hours, an alert came for a fire at an abandoned warehouse along the river. The person who called it in said he heard a woman screaming. I raced there, with Tank, Bobby, and Lester by my side. Upon our arrival, we saw the warehouse completely engulfed in flames. It took TFD five hours to put out the fire. Once they were able to enter, though, they found the body, the remains of a woman who was approximately 5'7". They found Stephanie's purse, trackers and cell phone dumped behind the building. They needed to use dental records to ID the victim. But the preliminary investigation pointed to the victim being one Stephanie Michelle Plum, as the cops found her jewelry at the scene, including the three-carat diamond engagement ring I had given her before I left which she was wearing around her neck on a chain until I could return so we could properly announce our engagement.

I don't remember much else after the fire chief handed me back my ring, except for having the strong desire to kill someone. All I know is I woke up this morning, restrained to my bed, with my core team watching me.

"Tell me it's not true. Please tell me that woman wasn't my Babe."

"Cuz, I'm sorry, but the dental records were a match. Stephanie is dead." Lester said.

I close my eyes to hide the tears that are threatening to fall. I lost the two most important women in my life in less than a week, first my Abuela, now my Babe.

"I want to be left alone," I order,

"No can do, man. We're taking shifts. Her wake is tomorrow; the funeral is the day after."

Before I can argue, I feel a pinch and notice the syringe Bobby has in his hand. Son of a bitch, I need to be more aware of my surroundings.

I woke up the next morning, refused to get out of bed. There was no reason for me to live any longer. Mi corazón died. I forced myself to get up in time to go her wake at Stiva's. She had the big room, for the "celebrities" of Trenton. I saw the Burg busybodies, still spreading their lies about her. I saw the cops, upset over the lost money because they couldn't wager on her anymore. I saw her mother, complaining about Stephanie, saying "why me" to anyone who would listen, while her sister parroted her responses. Her niece Angie looked annoyed to be there, while her father was busy laughing with the guys from the lodge. Only her grandma and Mary Alice seemed to be genuinely sad and heartbroken. I was almost at her coffin when I heard Morelli's voice behind me.

"It's your fault, Manoso, for telling her she could do this stupid job. It's your fault that she's dead. If you would have left her alone, she'd be safe and alive right now, with my children at home."

I couldn't respond; I didn't have the energy. My life is over. Grandma Mazur responded for me, "Joseph, you're the horse's patoot. My baby granddaughter was too good for your lying cheating ass. Go back to your hookers on Stark Street; I'm sure one of them is already carrying your devil spawn."

She places her hand around my arm and guides me to the coffin.

"My Stephanie loved you very much. She loved you with her whole heart. She told me about the engagement, and she was incredibly happy to be marrying you. She couldn't wait for the wedding. She bought her dress already. She looked beautiful in it. I have a picture." She told me quietly as she reached into her purse and pulled ou photo, and I had to gasp because my Babe looked radiant. I took the photograph in my hand, carefully examining it, trying to record her image to my memory. I notice that, in the photo, her breasts seemed bigger, and her tummy a little rounder than it was before I left for Miami. I looked at her grandmother, who seemed to know my question.

"Yes, I'm sorry, Carlos. She found out the day I took this picture. She couldn't wait for you to come home so she could share the happy news with you."

My legs feel weak, and I swear, my heart is now ripped out of my chest. I kneel on the kneeler, placing my head in my hands, and pray. I pray for Steph's passage into heaven; I pray for my unborn child. I pray for the soul of whoever killed my Babe. I pray for myself that I can find the will to go on, to live. I feel the tears falling, and I can't stop them. Steph's grandmother stays with me, consoling me as I have consoled Steph countless times. Mary Alice comes over to me, hugging me. "Mr. Ranger, did you love my Aunt Steph?"

"Yes, Mary Alice, with all my heart."

"You know, it's okay to cry. Crying is our way of letting those we love know we love them. They can feel our tears in heaven." She said a matter of factly. I stood up and sat in one of the chairs at the back corner of the room. Mary Alice climbed into my lap. "Mr. Ranger, if you're holding me while I cry, you can cry too, and no one will notice."

With that, her little body started to shake with tears, and soon my tears joined hers. No one else in her family approached me, and I preferred it that way.

I'm not sure how I made it back to Haywood, but I somehow did. Rangeman was holding a memorial service for her at 2200 when we go to our skeleton night crew. I was in the largest conference room with my men when the service began with Lester calling for everyone's attention.

"Tomorrow we say good-bye to our little sister and friend, Stephanie Michelle Plum. She was our first and only Rangewoman, the person with the best instincts and a killer body. But, most of all, she had a heart of gold. She loved each of us as her brothers and never thought of us as thugs or criminals as the rest of the Burg does. Not to mention, she claimed our Boss' heart. Only I knew that before Ranger left for Miami, he proposed to Steph, and she accepted. So, I'd like to toast our friend, sister, and the bravest woman I know for agreeing to spend her life with Ranger, Rest in Peace, Beautiful."

Everyone said their nickname for her before each man shared a story about her. By the time we finished at 0030, we all had tears in our eyes.

I somehow managed to get myself dressed and ready for her funeral. We at Rangeman decided to wear our dress uniforms, as we were all still active, either in the reserves or under contract. She would have loved to see us in our uniforms. I could picture her eyes glazing over and the panty-ruining comment she'd make under her breath. Ella stopped in my apartment to make sure I ate. She was wearing a tasteful black dress with back flats and a hat.

"Steph would have loved to see you dressed in your uniform."

"I know. I was going to wear this when we got married. We were planning on having a military service."

"At least she died knowing how much you love her."

"Ella, she was pregnant. Her grandmother told me yesterday. She was carrying my child, our child, and they are both gone. Tia, I don't know how to move forward."

"Carlos, you will move forward by remembering her every day, by living your life, by opening your heart to love. Maybe someday, someone else will catch your eye. Don't be stupid. If you find another Steph, go after her. That's how you will honor Stephanie."

I shook my head, and we left my apartment together. I took the elevator down to the garage, and the parade of black SUV's made their way to the church. We offered to be pallbearers, but her mother refused, only wanted Burg men. So, we made our way into the church. We saw the collective gasp from the Burg busybodies as they saw us in our dress uniforms, with our medals and stripes adorning our chests. When Morelli saw me, he paled, finally realizing my rank. Of all of my men, I'm the highest officer, at Lieutenant Colonel.

We all sat on the right side of the church, as the Plum family and rest of the Burg left that side open, clearly not wanting to mingle with the thugs and miscreants. I sat in the first pew, next to the aisle, next to my fiancé, my life, my love. The priest started the mass, and for the first time in my life, I cried in public. My heart was breaking; the light off. I felt despair that I didn't even feel after being tortured for a month is some Columbian Hell-hole. The finality of her death finally hit home. The knowledge that she was pregnant that she was carrying another life within her made things a thousand times more unbearable. Ten minutes into the service, a small hand found its way into mine, and I turned to my right, seeing my daughter Julie sitting next to me. "It'll be okay, Papi. I'm here for you."

My daughter is fifteen going on thirty. We spent a lot of time together with Abuela Rosa and have grown incredibly close. So close that she will be living with me this coming school year. Julie being here reminds me that I have to continue to live life because I have a daughter who loves me, and who I love. "She was pregnant," I tell Julie.

I see understanding dawn on her face as her tears start to fall. Concentrating on comforting my daughter is helping me to regain control and composure. I listen as the priest drones on and on. Finally, the priest asks if anyone would like to speak. Mrs. Mazur rises and walks up to the pulpit.

"My baby granddaughter, Stephanie, was a light, an angel who enjoyed life. She always wanted to fly, to be free, to break out of the mold that the Burg holds to such high esteem. She finally found her raison d'etre when she met and fell in love with Ranger, Carlos Manoso. Ranger was the first person who saw Stephanie's soul, who helped her to fly, to be all that she could be. He encouraged her, gave her his praise, and gave her his love. What the Burg didn't know was that they got engaged three months ago. While Ranger had gone away to care for his grandmother, Stephanie decided she wanted to keep things a secret until he could be back with her. She was excited, even buying her wedding dress. Then, five weeks ago, she discovered that she was pregnant, and was over the moon. She started a baby book, writing down her dreams for their child. She was anxious for Ranger to return so she could tell him the news in person. Unfortunately, she never got the opportunity.

"Throughout the last few days, I have heard you busy bodies talk about how she was a disgrace, finally getting what she deserved for not being a Burg housewife. You are more disappointed to no longer have her to gossip about, to place bets on, to ridicule. You are not at all sad at her demise but are here because it is the proper thing to do. Those men on the left, sitting with Ranger, are the only ones in this church who are truly mourning my wonderful granddaughter. Those men you call thugs are here, in their dress uniforms, with their medals and accomplishments proudly on display. They are men who are honorable, who all love Stephanie as their little sister. They always protected her, always supported her, and always gave her their respect. So, I will now read to you what Stephanie wrote after she found out she was pregnant.

"Today I found out about you, my sweet baby. Today I found out that I will be a mother, and Carlos will be a father, again. I want to start to tell you about your family. You have a half-sister, Julie, who is so much like your Daddy, beautiful, strong, intelligent, caring and loving. She lives in Miami with her mother, father, and half-siblings, though I'm hoping she'll spend time here once your Daddy and I get married. Don't worry, sweet one; we aren't getting married because of you. We are already engaged and have a tentative date set, but shh, that's a secret. Your Daddy, is, well, amazing. He has the most intense brown eyes that turn obsidian when he's angry or filled with passion. His skin is a mocha latte, and I hope yours will be too. He has the silkiest brown hair, sleek and soft, which I hope you inherit instead of my horrible curls. But most of all, your Daddy is the bravest, best man that I know. He loves with his entire being, makes me feel safe, and always supports me. He is an Army Ranger, who spent years in darkness to keep the rest of us safe. You will have a lot of Uncles, all of whom are brave like your Daddy. If you are a baby girl, don't plan on dating until you are forty. Your uncles will scare away all boys. If you are a boy, be prepared to learn to shoot a gun, participate in military drills, and learn to love black. Either way, though, know that you are loved and always will be. We will support you and allow you to fly. Te quiero, carino."

With those last words, Edna Mazur walked slowly back to her seat. I saw her body struggling to comply, and I got up to help her. She gave me a smile and a kiss, and for the first time, I noticed how her eyes were Stephanie's, and her smile was Steph's also. They are kindred spirits. I saw Morelli stand up, but with a glance, he sat back down, wisely so. When no one else got up, the priest ended the service, and we headed to the cemetery. I am still persona non grata, but I don't care, no one will keep me away from my love. When we arrive, we all stand near the coffin and listen to the gravesite prayers. I watch as everyone drops their roses on her coffin before walking away, ready to eat food and gossip once more back at the Plum house. Only after the Burg finishes do my men say their goodbyes.

"Papi, take your time. I'll wait over there." Julie says, pointing to a tree. I'm the only one left, and I walk to the coffin.

"Babe, I love you. I'm sorry I wasn't there to save you and our child. I will always love you, but I promise, I'll try to move on and love again. You will be the only person to have my whole heart because a part of it is dead with you. I regret pushing you away, for our someday could have started sooner. Te quiero, querida." I say, before throwing my rose. Suddenly, I feel a tingle at the base of my neck. I quickly look around, but I don't see her. I guess it's my grief. I turn to Julie, and we slowly walk away, turning my back on my future that is never going to happen.