One Life to Live
By: Chalee21
A Janet Evanovich Fanfiction
This is my first Fanfiction. It's totally babe. Please R & R I could use all the help I can get.
I don't own any of the characters the lovely Janet Evanovich does!
Chapter 1
Ricardo Carlos Manoso
August 12, 1978 – April 1, 2011
That was what had my attention for the past hour. I couldn't believe that he was gone. My life was definitely about to change.
I forced myself to come back to reality. I was sitting in the front row, at a grave site, facing Ranger's casket. His mother, father, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews were falling to pieces in front of his casket. Beside me were the Merry Men. Although in this situation they were soldiers. Every one of them dressed in uniform to support their fallen friend, and brother.
Bobby Brown and Tank were holding my hands and Lester rubbed my back as I was silently crying. I tried to concentrate on the beautiful words that were being spoken about my fiancé. My engagement ring immediately felt like a hundred tons. It was a consistent reminder of what could have been. For the moment everyone around me seemed to disappear.
I heard on voice I thought I would never hear again in this lifetime.
"Babe" It called.
I turned slowly and saw my handsome fiancé beckoning me. I looked around anxiously. We were at our favorite spot at Point Pleasant. We watched the sunrise as much as we could, just like it was now.
"Beautiful isn't it? Ranger asked smiling my favorite smile. He sat on the grass and pulled me to him.
I sat between his muscled legs and he wrapped his arms around me nuzzling my neck and rubbing circles on my stomach. My face looked up at him with surprise.
"Yes Stephanie, I know your little secret."
I started to cry silent tears. Ranger wiped them away with his thumb and kissed me passionately.
"Carlos, I can't do this alone. I need you with me!" I shook with despair. Ranger just held me tighter and whispered in my ear.
"I will be with you, no matter where you are. Think of me and I will be by your side." Ranger stood up and pulled me to him. "Do you remember the reason why you had one to many to drink and made love to me before I left on my fatal mission?" I shook my head no. "You married me Stephanie. That's not an engagement ring. It's your wedding ring."
Ranger reached into his back pocket and pulled out two folded pieces of paper and his dog tags with something else on them. He placed them into my suit jacket pocket and looked into my eyes.
"The sun has risen, a symbol of a new day and life. I love you Stephanie Michelle Manoso. Remember that." He kissed me and turned to walk away. I grabbed his hand. I had to ask him one thing. "Will you come visit us?"
"I will see what I can do." He was gone.
I opened my eyes and noticed I was the only one left at the burial site. I watched them lower my husband into the ground and remembered the things in my pocket. I pulled out the dog tags first. One had:
Ricardo Carlos Manoso
August 12, 1978
Seal
ID # 9D789635342526
The other had:
Stephanie Michelle Manoso
June 10, 1978
Wife
Along with the dog tags was a silver ring with a black diamond in the middle. It matched my ring that had on black diamond with two diamonds on the sides. Past, present and future was the meaning. I took out the two folded pieces of paper next. One was our marriage license; the other was a photo of Ranger and me together watching the sunrise, staring at each other. Tears filled my eyes and my hand went to my stomach absentmindedly.
"I promise to take care of you and tell you all about your father. I love you already Ricardo Carlos Manoso Jr." I walked towards the SUV that was filled with both my most trusted friends and protectors. I had to be strong and let my secret be known.
Thanks to all who read!
Tell me what you think! R&R please!
Suggestions are always welcome!
~ Chalee21
