AN: So here is the sequel. It's a little more kid based just to see what happens when the Manoso kids break loose on Vacation :-) Don't worry, Ranger and Steph are frequently in here! Hope everyone enjoys it. I did take some liberties w/ Army Rangers, but since it's Plumland it'll fit right in :-)
Chapter 1
Fourth of July Fun
Rachel smiled as Julie rushed around the house trying to take care of the last minute things. Carlos and the rest of the family were due to arrive any minute. They had decided to fly down to Miami for a few weeks. She knew Ranger was trying to get Stephanie a break. From what he said on the phone, she had a hard time dealing with Elise being in the Army Rangers. Rachel could only imagine he did as well, but he was better at hiding his worry. On top of the fact that that he had connections that could probably sneak him information to make sure she was still alive.
"Julie, the house is fine." Rachel said again.
"I know, I know, but they haven't been down in awhile." Julie muttered. She was hardly ever domestic, but this was Ranger's house. She felt that he deserved to come down to it being clean.
She was excited to see her dad again, as well as Stephanie and her siblings. She had seen them at Christmas, but hadn't been able to stay long.
The sound of a car door opening made her smile and hurry to the front door. Ranger and Stephanie got out of the front seats while CJ and Camille got out of the back. CJ was in college now, he looked so similar to their father that if someone didn't look close enough to see his eyes, they would have thought they were dealing with Ranger. CJ and Camille had both inherited Stephanie's blue eyes, which came as a contrast against their features that came from Ranger.
Julie smiled as she thought about Christmas. Cami had been teasing CJ about being a man-whore. According to Tank, he liked to charm ladies left and right. Cami was beautiful and her long wavy black hair just seemed to add to it. Julie could just imagine that Ranger was threatening every man who came through the door to try dating his youngest child. Julie's own hair was straight, like her father's, but was currently swept up in a high pony tail.
"Dad! Steph! Hi!" She called as she came out of the house. Cami squealed and ran forward. Julie caught her in a hug. "Hi, Cami!"
"I can't believe we're going to be here for three weeks!" Cami said excitedly. "Do you know any hot guys?"
"Yes, but seeing as how you're seventeen and most of them are well above that, Dad will probably kill and bury them all." Julie laughed.
"If he would just stop with that blank look of his!" Cami shook her head. "It scares guys off faster than we can blink! Mom had to make him stop."
"Mom had to sneak her out of the house so Cami could have one date." CJ chuckled as he came up to hug Julie.
Julie laughed. "That couldn't have ended well."
"It didn't." Stephanie came up sighing. "I found him and Tank and Lester all in one of the RangeMan SUVs with sniper rifles."
"I didn't do anything wrong." Ranger announced as he walked by carrying their bags. Ron greeted him at the door and took the bags from him.
"I should have called you when Julie started dating." Ron told him. Ranger chuckled as he went back for more bags.
Julie looked at Stephanie. She could see the sadness in her eyes that her oldest wasn't there. She hoped this vacation would do something to help. Inwardly, she was doing a snoopy dance knowing she had pulled something over everyone's eyes.
"So, I've invited some friends over for the barbeque. They couldn't get back to their families and I didn't want them to spend the fourth alone." Julie said smiling. "I had them all checked out by RangeMan if it makes anyone nervous."
"Oh, that's not necessary." Stephanie smiled as they walked into the house. She loved coming to visit. She and Ranger had brought the kids countless times as they grew up. Having the house one the beach was definitely a plus. "I'm glad you invited them."
…
Stephanie sighed as she lounged on the beach chair. Between work and home her life had been pretty fulfilling, she reflected. She loved all her children with ever piece of herself and felt herself fall in love with Ranger over and over throughout the years as she watched him with their kids. She had a wonderful picture of him and CJ wrestling around when CJ was big enough to take his dad. Ranger was still in magnificent shape, as was she, but CJ had definitely given Ranger a run for his money. In fact when it happened it had drawn the attention of everyone in RangeMan. She had heard there had been money changing hands over who was going to win.
She felt a swell of pride in her chest as she thought of her family. Yes, she was proud of all of them. She was sad that Elise had joined the Rangers, but she understood the need to be close to both her fathers. The last time she had spoken to Elise she had told Stephanie that her time was almost up and she wouldn't be doing anymore tours. But that had been before Thanksgiving. Elise hadn't been home for the holidays. They had heard from her once and it had been brief.
CJ was running around with Cami on the beach. Ranger and Ron were standing next to the grill laughing over something. Some of the Merry Men had shown up and were doing various activities. A Volleyball net was being set up on the beach. Stephanie let the sun warm her as she watched her large family run around. She smiled. Yes, this was definitely something they needed.
"Julie, we need the burgers!" Ranger called.
"Shit!" They heard from the inside. "Sorry, I called my friends! They have them with them! They should've been here by now."
Stephanie laughed as Ranger looked at her and smiled.
Cami paused and listened to something then shouted. "Julie it sounds like an army just pulled up to your drive way!"
Stephanie cocked her head and listened. Sure enough several doors were opening and slamming shut. Julie stepped out onto the large deck. "Yes…well…I may have made a call or two…"
"Hey!" A familiar voice shouted. "We're Army Rangers, not food delivery!"
Stephanie's head whipped around saw Elise standing at the far end of the yard. She was wearing a pair of aviator sunglasses and a dark blue tank top and shorts. A metal chain went under the shirt, and those that knew her knew they were dog tags that belonged to her birth father and Ranger. Her hands were planted on her hips with a smile sitting on her lips.
"Elise!" Stephanie cried out and ran forward to embrace her daughter.
"Hi, Mom." Elise laughed hugging her back.
Ranger came forward next. "Munchkin."
"Daddy!" She hugged him tightly. He didn't let go of her. Instead, he took her sunglasses off to look her in the eyes. He could see the hidden pain. He knew things that she would've seen. She knew what he was seeing. "Don't worry. I'm a survivor. I had my dads to make me brave and safe."
Ranger laughed lightly as he placed the sunglasses back on her nose. "If you need to talk…"
"I'd have to kill you." She teased. Ranger laughed and hugged her again, then whispered in her ear. "Serious, Munchkin. I've been there. If you need to talk."
She hugged back tightly. "I know, Daddy." She whispered.
"Elise!" Cami shrieked and ran to tackle her sister. Elise barely caught Cami before they both tumbled to the ground. "You're back! Can you help me sneak out on a date?"
"Sure." Elise laughed. She was laughing on the inside too. It was wonderful being home.
"Oh, my. Look at all the men you brought with you." Cami sat up staring at them like they were prime specimens. They shifted nervously.
"Cami, stop." Elise stood, smiling. Then she looked at her parents. "Sorry, once they realized where I was coming, they couldn't be stopped. They wanted to meet the famous Carlos Manoso."
Ranger looked at the men standing behind his daughter. Most of them looked awestruck. One of the men walked past and headed straight for Julie. He let out a low growl as he saw him place a hand on her waist. Julie turned and blushed lightly, then leaned up to kiss him.
"Dad, that's Alan." Elise supplied. "He's a great medic. Please don't kill him."
"Maim." Ranger said with a wolf grin. "Not kill. Maim."
"You can't do either." Rachel and Stephanie said together. They looked at each other and laughed.
"Take all the fun out of it." Ranger muttered snagging his wife and kissing her deeply. She sighed as she wrapped her arms around him and whispered, "Did you know this was happening?"
"No idea. Julie is getting too sneaky for her own good."
"It's a wonderful surprise." Stephanie smiled as she looked at her daughter. It was good to have her back. She looked back up at her husband, "Carlos, I think some men would like to worship you for awhile."
CJ wandered up to his sister. "Hey, sis." He hugged her. "How did they know who Dad was? I thought you went under Donahue to keep from having Dad's rep shoved at you?"
"They're snoops." Elise muttered. "They're worse than girls sometimes."
CJ laughed. "So, you up for some volleyball?"
"Bring it!" She laughed and ran off to the volleyball court with him. Several minutes later there was a full game in swing. Stephanie and Rachel sat together laughing and talking while they watched the game. Most of the guys that had come with Elise were in the game as well. There were still some that were over talking to Ranger. Stephanie loved that her husband could still inspire so much awe.
"Hey, little sister, where were you?" Julie yelled at one point in the game as she hit the ball.
Everyone was watching the game by this point if they weren't playing. They all heard Elise yell back, "Dancing with the Devil in Hell."
"Did you lead?"
One of the guys laughed. "When Rangerette dances with the Devil you bet she leads."
"Trevor!" Elise snapped. Julie hit the ground laughing. CJ and Cami followed suit.
"Rangerette! I love it!"
Elise sent Trevor an ugly look. He responded by grabbing her and kissing her senseless. The cheers and whistles broke through the two lovers. Elise staggered back and stared at him like he was lunch on a plate. Stephanie and Rachel shared a knowing look with one another while Ranger looked like he was looking for his nearest gun.
Night fell and they all settled back to watch the fireworks. A large bonfire was going strong. Stephanie was snuggled comfortably in Ranger's arms. Julie and Alan were whispering back and forth. Elise and Trevor were off talking. Stephanie watched them concerned. There were a few gestures. At one point Trevor walked a few feet from Elise, running his hands through his hair. He turned back to her and cupped her face in both hands. He kissed her softly then walked away.
Elise watched him for several minutes before turning to head back to the bonfire. She sat next to a couple guys. Alan looked at her. "He told you?"
Elise nodded.
"Do you have to leave?" Stephanie sat up. Ranger rubbed her back soothingly.
"What? No. Why would I?" Elise looked at her confused for a moment before shaking her head. "Oh, of course. I forgot. No. I'm done. They can ask if I want to, but it's up to me now."
"So we get you back for good?" Cami asked bouncing excitedly.
Elise laughed. "Yeah, you get me back."
"But not Trevor?" CJ asked leaning back on his hands.
"No, he's not done yet." She murmured. She let a blank look fall into place for a moment, then turned it to a relaxed one. "So, since we're here for the next few weeks, what do we plan to do to get into trouble?"
"Dude." CJ shook his head. "We're Carlos Manoso's kids. What could happen?"
There was a collective groan from everyone present.
