Disclaimer: All things familiar belong to Ms. Evanovich. I make no money.
Ranger's POV
One Year Later
Today marks a year since my Babe left me, a year since I last heard her sweet voice, a year since I lost both my present and my future, our future. Edna Mazur had become a great comfort to me, calling to see how I was, sharing in stories of Stephanie's childhood. She allowed me to remember her, to grieve for her. She also pushed me to open my heart again. So when Sofia, my sister Celia's best friend, and I crossed paths again six months ago, I gave her a shot. We started dating exclusively five months ago. Julie's been living with me, and she likes Sofia. Sofia is great with Julie. We didn't have sex until we were dating for three months. Neither one of us wanted to rush things, and I didn't want her to be a rebound.
Now the last two months have been wonderful. I still think about Stephanie every day, I still look at her picture and wish that things have been different, but I try not to dwell on her. I don't want to live with regret anymore. I haven't spent the night with Sofia. I have Julie to take care of, and I need to be home for her. Sofia understands. I haven't had her in my apartment yet. I want to keep my Rangeman life separate from our life. She's been in my office and comes to my building, but seven is off limits. I know if we stay together, I'll have to merge the two, but until then, this apartment is where Stephanie lives, where she still breathes. I can't help reliving our memories together. The night I came home and found her in my bed during the Slayer incident, the day she came to visit me with cake after Scrog. I still have her clothes in my closet, her perfume on my bathroom counter, and her strawberry shampoo in the shower. I can't part with her yet. In my office on seven, I have a picture of her from one of her distractions. She was wearing a little black dress, with her hair falling in beautiful curls and her makeup understated. I often talk to her when I sit at the desk.
On five, I had to remove her memories. It wasn't fair to Sofia. I know that I love Sofia, but she doesn't have my entire heart. I know I can have a good life with her. She understands my job and doesn't get mad when I can't see her or must cancel a date because of work. She is fine with me visiting the other offices at a moment's notice. I lucked out with her.
"Papi, are you going to propose to Sofia?" Julie asks, startling me from my revelations.
"Yes, Carina, I am. I think it's time. I know that I'm happy with her. I don't want to waste more time. Are you okay with that?"
"Yes, I am. I like Sofia too, I mean, she's not Stephanie, but she's good for you."
"Then why do I feel like I'm cheating on Stephanie when I'm out with Sofia?"
"Probably because you never got to see Stephanie's body, because the medical examiner used dental records to identify Steph. Papi, if you're not ready, don't rush it."
"I'm ready, Carina, I'm just scared. What if Stephanie is alive somewhere waiting for me? What if she comes back and finds me with a new family?"
"Papi, you need to stop. I know it's hard. I know you love Stephanie, but you need to move on. That doesn't mean you forget her, but it means that you allow yourself to live a life. You deserve to have a life. It's what Stephanie would want."
"I know you're right, Julie, but I'm having troubling getting my heart to agree with my brain."
"I understand, but it's time."
After my conversation with Julie, I call up Rossini's and make a reservation for Saturday night at 2000 for two. Now, it's time to call Sofia and set up the date with her. I will ask Sofia for her hand in marriage on Saturday.
"Hello," Sofia answers.
"Hi, Sofia. Do you want to go out to dinner on Saturday night at 2000?" I ask her.
"Does that mean eight o'clock?"
"Yes, Sofia, eight."
"Of course, Carlos. Where are we going?" She asks.
"Rossini's."
"Okay, I'll dress appropriately. Will I see you tonight or tomorrow?"
"Probably not. I'm working on a case with TPD and the FBI. It's at a critical juncture."
"Okay then, see you Saturday. I love you, Carlos."
"Me too, Sofia," I reply before hanging up.
The Next Morning
"So, what we have here is intel that they are holding at least six women against their will, along with about three or four babies. It seems that our bad guys are selling the women into the slavery rings and the babies for illegal adoptions. While most of the children end up with wealthy parents, the women are not as lucky. From what we were able to track, at least half are found dead within four months of their purchase." Agent Bicard with the FBI tells the room.
"How and when do you want to take them out?" I ask.
"We want to infiltrate on Monday. Our intel also suggests that new "merchandise" is due in on Sunday, so if we wait until Monday, we can save more women and children."
"I suggest that TPD takes the lead in the sting. That way, we can ensure that everything goes down without a hitch." Detective Morelli arrogantly states.
Agent Bicard counters, "Manoso and his team will coordinate the sting. TPD and the FBI will assist. He has more experience in this type of operation than you do, Detective, and our goal is to get these women out alive. His team knows how to be lethal and stealthy."
I watch as Morelli sneers at Agent Bicard. I'm glad to see him unhappy. Somehow, he managed to convince the Burg that Stephanie and I were not engaged and that he was her fiancé. He also laid claim to my child. But that is neither here nor there, considering Stephanie is dead. Since her death, he has been relentless on my men, citing them for any minor infraction he can find. He even gave a ticket for parking a half an inch too close to a hydrant. My men can't stand him, and he's lucky he still has his gun on his waist. It's because we are using our first-floor conference room that he is even allowed in my building.
The phone rings and I pick it up.
"Uh, Boss, sorry to interrupt, but Miss Caballo is here to see you."
"Escort the client to my office. I'll be there in five to ten minutes." I respond, not wanting Morelli to know that Sofia is here. He'd take that opportunity to try and insinuate that I don't love Stephanie. It doesn't matter that he and Terry Gilman are fucking like rabbits at every chance they get.
"Well, gentlemen, my team needs twenty-four hours to come up with a plan of action. If we could meet back here tomorrow at 1300, we will have the plan ready to go." I tell the room.
"That's perfect, Manoso. We'll see you then." Agent Bicard says, effectively ending the meeting. I walk out first, heading to the stairs. When I get out on five, I walk to my office, with its door closed.
"Hi, Sofia. What brings you here?" I ask before kissing her on her lips.
"I missed you. I figured maybe we could have a quick lunch together since you are busy until Saturday night. I'm not sure if I'll have a chance to stop by before then."
Sofia is the Events Coordinator for the Governor of New Jersey, a position held by her for that last two governors. She has long brown-black straight hair that falls halfway down her back, brown eyes, and a complexion a few shades lighter than mine. She is curvy, with a generous chest and nice ass. She's 5'5" and 120 lbs. She is also Cuban American, so we share the same heritage.
"That sounds great. Do you want to eat here or do you want to go out?"
"Can we eat in your office?"
"Sure."
We head to the breakroom, grabbing a couple of sandwiches, a piece of fruit, and water before returning to my office. We talk about our week while eating, and Sofia asks about Julie. Finally, after we finish our meal, she stalks over to me.
"I'm ready for my dessert now." She says as she straddles my lap, kissing me full on the lips. I don't want to fuck her here. I don't want her in my office. Stephanie is in this room. I pray for a distraction. Thankfully, there's a knock on my door, interrupting our make-out session.
I sigh, "Sorry, Sofia." I say as she gets up and sits next to me. "Come in," I reply.
"Sorry Boss, Miss Caballo, but an alarm at Raymond's Jewelry store is going off, and it looks like a robbery in progress," Cal says.
"I'm sorry, Sofia, but I have to go."
"No problem, Carlos. I'll talk to you later." She replies. I chastely kiss her before leaving my office to get geared up. Cal gives a slight nod, understands he is to escort her out of the building. Only my Babe and Julie have full access outside of my employees.
Saturday Afternoon
Tonight is the night. Tonight I will ask Sofia to marry me. What am I doing? Am I making the right decision? I send a small prayer up to God that I'm making the correct decision. There's a knock on my door then Tank walks into my office.
"Ranger, I just got off the phone with Agent Bicard. We need to move in this afternoon. It seems that the women and children are being moved tonight, after midnight. The feds and TPD will be here in thirty."
"Fuck. Okay. I'll be there. I need ten minutes to change and call Sofia. We're supposed to have a date tonight, but I don't want to keep her waiting."
"Okay. Conference room one?"
"Yes."
With that, Tank leaves my office. I pick up my phone. I hate canceling on Sofia three hours before, because I know she's probably already started to get ready, but this case is important.
"Hello, stranger." She purrs into the phone.
"Hello, Sofia. I'm sorry, but I need to cancel our date. We need to move in tonight on that case I told you about with the missing women and children. I'm sorry."
"It's okay. I understand. Get those women and children. Come to my house after, if you want. I know Julie's in Miami, right?"
"Yes. I'll try to see you tonight. No promises, Sofia."
"Bye, Carlos."
I hang up without replying. I run up to my apartment and quickly change. I grab Steph's engagement ring as my talisman, my lucky charm. "Wish me luck, Babe."
I arrive in the conference room nine minutes after Tank left my office, ready to go. Soon after, the rest of the takedown team arrived. We once again go over the specifics, adjusting what we need to in light of the earlier extraction. Once we all have our roles set, we roll out.
When we arrive at the warehouse, we see the sentry waiting. My leading team, consisting of Hector, Cal, Hal, and Miguel take out each sentry silently, without alerting anyone else. Ram and Zero are in their sniper positions, telling us we are clear to move inside. I take the main entrance with Tank, Lester, and Bobby while Manny, Vince, Zip, and Morelli enter through the rear. The interior guards come at us, and we take them out with tranquilizer darts. I lead my team to the holding area in the center of the warehouse, where we see several cells set up. What the cells are made up of are those storage units that you can keep in your driveway. They developed an ingenious way of transporting their goods. No one would suspect the Pod contained anything but furniture. There are eight cells, and we each take one, knowing that all the sentries are down and out for the count. The forward team has our six, just in case.
I stand before my cell, getting a tingle down my spine that I haven't felt in over a year. I shake my head, to bring my mind to focus. Losing focus at a time like this could prove deadly. I tamp down my emotions and open the door. The sight before me drains all blood from my head. I see a woman with brown curly hair lying on her side on the bed in front of me. I can see her skin at her waist where her shirt bunches up around her torso. I can make out the start of a tattoo, a tattoo that I know well, for I designed it. I step closer, checking my surroundings before standing over her body. I lift the shirt and pull the pants down slightly, seeing the Wonder Woman insignia in the center of the Bat symbol. I start to look at the woman's face when I hear a baby gurgle. I turn my head, seeing a baby boy who looks like me, awake in a bassinet. I turn back to the woman before me, brushing her hair away from her face.
"Babe?"
