The primary characters do not belong to me. They belong mostly to Janet Evanovich. Even though I'm not happy with her continued humiliation of this wonderful cast, I thank her for creating them and letting us play with them.

This is the sequel to Redemption. It is not going to be an easy journey, and will be full of angst again. So, keep those tissues handy.

I did something different in this story like I did in Redemption. That story was written entirely in Ranger's POV, well this one is going to be written in the third person so we can hear all the characters voices in the story. There will be a lot going on. Got the idea from babesrus2. Very talented lady!

A/N - I'm sorry, I know a lot of you side with Stephanie, but when I began writing again, I just couldn't. My own mother is worse than her mother, Helen. I may not be right either, but I just never would or could be as aloof or irresponsible thinking as she is. I always strived to do better, and it wasn't easy because I didn't have just a little devil on my shoulder saying I couldn't do anything right, I had TWO parents saying that at the same time. So, I'm sorry, she may be a nice person, but come on? The secrets, the lies, the two-timing. I just can't give her all my sympathy in this story.

I have a friend like her that I tried to help repeatedly over the years. She was pretty, the guys liked her, she was fun. However, she had a difficult upbringing as well. Daddy abandoned the family, and left them destitute, he was rich, a doctor, never paid any child support. She always had to have a man, always picked the wrong ones, always made the wrong choices. Well, her looks began to fade, she ended up on painkillers, later she was stealing, men set her out, and I had to cut her loose as a friend. I had my own family, and you don't lie or steal from me when I'm trying to help you. The last time, I bought her clothes, gave her some silver jewelry. She lost the earrings in less than a week. Ironically, she even had a baby that died. Her one and only. Poor little thing had severe birth defects.

She uses men, and even her friends to putter through life, and I'm sorry, but that is Stephanie Plum in a nutshell. What it boils down to is that she may not like to be dependant on anyone, like have someone telling her what to do, but even in the books when she needs money or a place to stay, she goes to the men in her life. Like my friend, she has learned to be a user. Has no appreciation for anything, not even gifts from friends. Now, she's just reaping the consequences of her actions, and she is damn lucky that Ranger is giving her the time of day. I don't care what he did in the beginning or the end. He did a lot for her, invested his time and money in her, gave her protection, helped her all the time, but he had no obligation to her. They were friends with benefits. We forget sometimes that Morelli, not Ranger, was her boyfriend.

So we shall see if Stephanie Plum goes the way of my friend or if she finally decides to grow up, and begin making unselfish, and responsible decisions. I promise you that that would be the one and only reason why Ranger would take Angel away from her altogether.

I'll blog about my author note, and if you want to post your point of view feel free. The above is just my personal opinion of course.

If you catch me switching tense, I apologize. I'm kind of just learning to write in the third person. You guys are like my little guinea pig tasters, to try it on. Ha!

Alix33 depending on you to come up behind me and clean up my punctuation. Thanks girl!

The Absolution

Absolution -

Forgiveness, mercy, pardon, release.

Formal release from guilt, obligation or punishment.

The act of forgiving someone for having done something wrong or sinful.

The act of absolving someone or the state of being absolved.

Chapter 1

She hadn't been filled with joy or the feeling that her prince had finally arrived to wake her from the nightmare of these past two years. She looked down at the small box she was holding in her lap. She was simply relieved that her secret was out, her baby would be laid to rest, and Angel would get the expensive hearing aids she needed to hopefully hear her voice for the first time in her short life.

Her mind was frantically working on the way back to Ranger's beach home in Miami. His last words still fresh in her mind. Hadn't they all said that they loved her? Her unfaithful first husband had said that he loved her, her second husband had vowed his love, even her Dad who gave her money, and his own walking papers had declared the same. What was it with men, and using those words so loosely?

She couldn't change the past. The only thing that she could do was stay focused, not make waves, and coöperate with Ranger. There was no doubt now that he was going to adopt Angel. She just couldn't be sure what would happen after that. It was entirely possible that she could just be kicked to the curb again like all the times before.

She had to come up with a plan. A reason for Ranger to want to keep her around, at least until Angel got help, she got a job, and they could leave. She knew very well what one of the things was that would keep him contented. The same thing that all men wanted. She'd heard Tank and Lester talking crudely about that woman, his mistress. He supposedly had given her up. That would at least make it easier for her, since there would be no one else to gratify him for now.

She cringed at the thought of having to do those things he liked again, but she had done things with men that made her want to throw up before, during and after, for she and Angel. She would do anything necessary for her baby. She would start looking for a job as soon as possible, she knew she didn't have much time. All the times before that she had become complacent with a man, her comfort had abruptly come to an end.

He should have been relieved that she had finally told her story. That she was finally talking, but something still didn't feel right with her. He could almost smell the burning as the wheels grinded in her head. He glanced at the box in her hands and his heart seized. He pictured the faces of his daughters; Julie and the little one he already thought of as his own.

"Babe, what name is on the death certificate?"

She didn't turn to him right away. "Angel Plum."

""Why don't we add a first name to that."

She looked away again. "She was Precious. That's all I can say about her."

"That's beautiful. And our little Angel, do you still want to name her Angel Plum or do you want to add another middle name for her birth certificate?"

She looked over at me. "I used to like that show called, Touched by an Angel. The Angel's names were Monica, Tess and Gloria. I like all those names."

He said, "How about Tessa, Angel Tessa Plum Manoso. That's a pretty name."

She smiled at him. "I love that."

Even though she smiled, there was so much sadness in her eyes. He was not so naïve that he didn't realize that Steph was far from being back to normal. He sensed that she was still deeply troubled, and he was sure that she was scarred. In other words, she still had a long road to recovery, and they maybe had an even longer one as a couple. Did he just think that? He and Stephanie, like together in a real relationship as a couple? The thought didn't make him cringe or make him that uncomfortable. He had emotionally let her go at one time. Was he finally ready now?

He glanced at her again, reaching out and taking her hand in his. He would do what was necessary to earn her true forgiveness, and bring his babe back to him. It was true that there was no woman that he had ever loved more than this woman. He just wasn't sure if he had ruined her for all other men as well as himself…

Ranger called his family the next morning to make sure that they were all available for a memorial service in two days, then asked Tank and Lester to stay a little longer. The family was the first to be shocked and saddened by the news. Ana Lucia offered to call her church and make plans for the service there.

Then he called the Plum family. There were some things that he wanted to say to them, and he wanted them here for the service. Mrs. Plum answered. "Mrs. Plum, this is Carlos Manoso, you know me as Ranger. Is your husband home?"

She was quiet a moment and then said, "He's working. If this is about Stephanie, she doesn't live in Trenton any longer."

"Stephanie is here in Miami with me now. We're having a memorial service for the baby we lost. You were aware that your grandchild had not been put to rest when she left for Newark?"

"I...we… You'll need to speak to Frank. He'll be home early afternoon."

"Tell him that I would like to fly you both down here along with her grandmother for the service. I will be calling him back."

"I'll relay your message. Goodbye." Then she abruptly hung up the phone.

He took a deep breath and then called the cemetery where his grandfather had been placed when he passed. The funeral director referred him to a web site, and Ranger quickly chose a bench style monument with an Angel on it to be placed near his grandfather. Then he gave him the name that Stephanie had chosen for the baby and added his last name, Precious Angel Plum Manoso.

Later that afternoon, Ranger called the Plum home again. Her grandmother answered. "This is Ranger? How did Stephanie end up in Miami? Did she call you? Are you her boyfriend now?"

"Mrs. Mazur, I'll be happy to answer all of your questions when you get here. I'd like to speak to Mr. Plum, please."

"They're talking. He's not too keen about coming down there."

"It was bad enough that he didn't help to put his grandchild to rest before Stephanie left for Newark. It would be extremely disrespectful for the family to decline my invitation to come here for the memorial service. Again, please ask him to come to the phone."

He heard her talking while waiting for Mr. Plum and was quickly losing his patience. "It's that Ranger fellow. He don't sound like he's going to take no for an answer about coming down there for a memorial service."

"This is Frank Plum. This is Ranger calling, is it? Well, we're not coming to Miami for a memorial service because Stephanie had a miscarriage. That's just ridiculous."

A miscarriage? "Mr. Plum, you're obviously ill informed. She gave birth to a stillborn baby. She's been carrying around the cremains for a year. I just found out about it yesterday. The child was mine, and I'm putting her to rest. Who told you that she had a miscarriage?"

"Oh dear God. We just assumed. She didn't tell us what happened, and neither did Morelli."

"Mr. Plum, I'm going to be honest with you. She was not in a good state of mind when you sent her away, and she didn't fare well. She was destitute, and near starving when I ran into her a few weeks ago. I'm doing what I can to help her now."

"We'll come. When is the memorial service?"

"Day after tomorrow. I can send a plane for you and I'll take care of the accommodations. Just tell me when you want the plane to pick you up."

"How about tomorrow after dinner time. Just call and give us the flight information."

"Very well. Mr. Plum, prepare your family. Stephanie is different. She's suffered much since you last saw her."

"All I can say at this moment is that I appreciate the call. I'll see you in Miami."

Ranger made a call and booked the corporate jet for the next evening, and booked two rooms at a hotel near the house. He knew he needed to tell Stephanie and give her time to emotionally prepare for their arrival.

He called the Plum family back to give them the flight information. Mrs. Plum answered. "Oh, Ranger. I'm glad you called back so soon. My daughter Valerie, her husband, and four children will be coming."

He interrupted her. "No, they will not, Mrs. Plum. Stephanie doesn't even know that you, her parents, are coming. This is not a family reunion or a vacation. Not one of you ever thought to check on her in a years time. I certainly hope that you haven't talked to people, and sent the Chambersburg gossip mongers into a frenzy. Your daughter is not well, and I asked you both here for support, not to do her more harm than you already have. Do you not understand that she's been carrying around a dead baby in a crematory box for a year?"

"Well I...we… This is not our fault!"

He growled out. "Trenton-Mercer Airport, 6:00 PM, Rangeman corporate jet. Be on time tomorrow, Mrs. Plum. They are only expecting three passengers plus a man from my office there. I'll pick you up tomorrow evening. Goodbye." Now it was his turn to abruptly disconnect from the ignorant woman. He wanted to throw the phone across the room, and stopped himself at the last-minute. He took some deep breaths and headed out of his office to talk to Stephanie and the rest of his visitors.

He found her in the kitchen with the others feeding Angel, and having some ice cream. He leaned down and first kissed Angel, and then went to kiss Stephanie, and she turned her head so that it landed on her cheek. He sighed, and said hello to everyone else including his housekeeper, Betina. Then he made his announcement. "We had a stillborn baby, and we're having a memorial service for her the day after tomorrow at Ana Lucia's church. I ordered a bench for her urn in the cemetery where my abuelo was placed, but it won't be ready for a while."

Everyone had stopped eating and was staring at us now. Lula dropped her fork. "What baby you talkin' about?"

Ranger glanced at Stephanie and her face was quickly turning red, and she lowered her head. "Do you want to tell them the story, Babe?" She slowly shook her head in the negative.

"Stephanie altered her story when she talked to you, and Tank because she didn't want me to know that she had a stillborn baby while she was with Morelli. It was mine, and that is the real reason why her marriage with him was annulled."

Tank was the first to speak. "Oh my goodness. I'm sorry you had to go through that by yourself little girl. You should have come to me."

Lula leveled her eyes on Stephanie. "You couldn't come to me, your best friend, with none of it? Then you lied to me? You even let a stranger tell you how to be a ho. This woman sittin' here in this kitchen ain't my friend, Stephanie Plum. I don't know where she run away to or what's in her head, but I'm done feelin' sorry for her." She looked at Ranger. "As soon as this memorial is over, I wanna' go home."

He nodded at Lula. He had a feeling that the fallout from Stephanie's bad decisions wasn't even close to being over yet. He had no choice, but to ride it out with her. He had been part to blame for some of the mess.

Lester looked at Stephanie and then his cousin. There was so much that he would have liked to have said to both of them, but it wasn't good, and now was not the time. He never quite understood his cousin's fascination with this woman. He had once liked her, but had always thought of her as entertainment, her antics kept his cousin and all of them amused. He knew she had some brains in her head, he'd seen what she could do when she worked at Rangeman and on distractions. What totally baffled him was the way she'd handled her bounty hunting job, and her personal life, with absolute disrespect. Hell, she disrespected everyone around her. He wasn't a fan of Morelli, but he actually felt sorry for the guy knowing the real truth now. And, he felt sorry for his cousin, and wished that he'd never ran into her again. Hard to believe that she was even worse than what he'd thought of her the last two years. She hadn't hit bottom yet with being an ex-ho, she just dropped another big notch with adding liar to the list. He didn't even want to be in the same room with her. Jesus Christ! He shook his head, put his bowl in the dishwasher, and left the room. He was with Lula, he would be on the same plane out of here after the memorial service.

Stephanie glanced up as Lester soon followed Lula out of the room without a word. She could tell by the look on his face that he hadn't left because he was speechless. She felt shame, and remorse. She knew she'd just lost her good friend. She suddenly began laughing hysterically. Stephanie Plum's famous words for so many years, it wasn't my fault, had been just a big fat lie. Just like the one she'd fed Lula and Tank. Just like her lies to Joe. All of this was her fault, Bobby's death had been her fault, as well as the long trail of dead she'd left behind, starting with Jimmy Alpha.

Ranger was furrowing his brows, and Tank had a funny look on his face. Guess they thought she was ready for the loony bin. Bring it on. What could be worse than what her life has come to, than this.

Ranger spoke. "Babe, I came in here to tell you that I called your parents. They're flying down tomorrow night. They said they didn't know you delivered a baby. They thought you had a miscarriage. Why didn't you tell them the truth?"

Tank groaned and began rubbing his bald head, and Ranger was staring at her. Oh God, that was worse, and she didn't have a good answer for him. She just hadn't been thinking straight, and she was suddenly angry that he would take it upon himself to call them. Stephanie just shook her head and stood with Angel in her arms. "Shame, fear, grief, take your fucking pick, Ranger. You can even pick one of Lester's if you want, irresponsible, selfish, ignorant. I don't give a damn. And damn you for calling them without talking to me first…" Then she turned to leave the room. If this was any indication, her choices would be getting fewer and fewer quickly, again. She needed to hang on long enough to get out with Angel.

TBC -