Disclaimer: The characters you recognize as J.E. are hers. Any other character is a figment of my imagination and any similarities to real persons is merely a coincidence
This story is definitely AU. The characters have the same physical appearance as in J.E.'s books; however I have changed ages of some characters. This will eventually be a Babe HEA and Cupcake fans may not be happy as Joe is not a good guy. Frank Plum fans may be upset as well, as he is not portrayed favorably, nor is Helen Plum. References may be made to any of the books in the series so if you haven't read them all, you may want to wait to read this. That said...
Chapter 2: Rafael's First Halloween
Stephanie's POV:
Once we'd finished our workout in the gym, Rafael and I headed back up to the apartment while Ranger elected to shower in the locker room. He had work outfits in his locker he could wear. I entered the apartment to find Ella was there leaving breakfast. As was our usual routine, she kept Rafael with her while I showered and dressed. Once I came out she handed the baby back to me and told me what an angel he was. I grinned as I looked down at my son. I carried him through to the nursery, changed his diaper and gave him the opportunity to nurse. Once he'd finished I picked out an outfit and changed him into it. Once I was satisfied with how he looked, I nodded and told him we were ready to get underway. I knew what he was thinking so I gave him a stern look and said, "Now Rafael, this might not be your favorite outfit, but your grandma Mazur got it for you and we wouldn't want to hurt her feelings now would we?"
I picked up Rafael and we headed for the kitchen where I set him in a bouncy seat. I was just getting ready to sit down when Ranger walked into the room. Ranger takes one look at the outfit Rafael's wearing and says, "Babe."
I put my hands on my hips and say, "I've already had this talk with Rafael. Don't you start too."
Ranger just shakes his head and gives Rafael a look. I thought I heard Ranger tell him, "Sorry son. If I would have known about the outfit I would have tossed it out." But I can't say for sure because I've gone to get the breakfast Ella left for us and his voice is barely a whisper. When I rejoin them, Ranger is holding Rafael on his lap reading the paper. My eyes widen in astonishment. My three month old son is reading the paper! I shake my head in wonder. I hadn't been able to read till I was 18 months old. I remembered Diesel's words from the night before. Yes, I had a heads up as to my son's abilities, but at this rate he was going to surpass me in no time. I smiled and thought, 'Proud of you son.'
I set Ranger's lox and bagel in front of him and my French toast, bananas and syrup at my own space. I raised an eyebrow as my gaze met Ranger's and he just shook his head. "He's fine where he is Babe. I think he likes the black and white contrast of the paper."
I smiled. "It's not the contrast that's holding his interest. He's reading the paper."
Ranger looked up at me and our eyes locked. He raised an eyebrow and his expression looked a little stunned. I nodded. He just shook his head and looked down at his son. We ate our breakfast and I told Ranger I was going shopping with Lula and Grams to pick out Halloween costumes. He froze and gave me a look like a deer caught in headlights. I laughed and told him to relax, I was getting him a Batman costume and I was going as Wonder Woman. The only costume I needed to look for was Rafael's. Lula was getting costumes for her and Tank and Grams wanted us to help her get a pip of a costume as she put it.
Ranger gave me a look and asked, "You're not going to get him a sissy costume are you Babe?"
I laughed and kissed him before lifting Rafael and asking, "Are you ready to go pick up Lula and Grams so we can do a little shopping?"
Rafael's eyes were twinkling as we were making our way towards the elevator. Ranger put his hand on my waist and rode down to 5 with us in the elevator. When the elevator stopped, Ranger kissed me and said, "Have a nice time shopping Babe. Don't go crazy with the costumes."
I grinned and said, "Don't get shot and be careful."
Rafael and I headed down to the garage and I buckled him in his car seat. I got in the driver's seat and headed to Gram's house where we were meeting Gram and Lula. I had no more than pulled into the drive when they were coming out the door and headed our way. I turned around and told Rafael that Grams and Lula must be in a hurry. I was reaching for the door handle to get out and help Grams when I noticed Lester was already making his way over to them. He helped Grams into the back beside Rafael and then stopped to talk to me as I rolled down the window.
Lester grinned and said, "I get to shadow you today. That way I can make sure you don't get my man some sissy costume."
I raised an eyebrow and gave Lester a stern look. "You don't have enough confidence in my ability to choose a costume for my son."
Lester looked torn between assuring me he trusted me and wanting to make sure Rafael's costume wouldn't be an embarrassment. I just smiled and suggested he leave his SUV and join us. After a moment of thought, he climbed into the back. We headed for Quaker Bridge Mall. I managed to get a parking spot right by the door. I got out and opened the back to get the stroller out. Lester reached in and lifted it out, making sure it was set up and ready to go before he went to help Grams out. Then he lifted Rafael out, car seat and all and attached the car seat to the stroller as it was meant to be attached.
I pushed the stroller and we made our way inside. Our first stop was the baby costume store. I couldn't believe all the costumes they had for infants. There had to be several thousand baby costumes. I found the most adorable pumpkin costume. I held it up so the others could take a look. Grams and Lula both wrinkled their noses, but I still thought it was cute. I added it to the basket and when Lester groaned I glared at him and told him I was just thinking about it. After about two more hours, I had four more costumes in the cart. A Bumble Bee, a Bunny, a Puppy, and a Winnie The Pooh. I loved all 5 of the costumes and couldn't decide which one I wanted to buy Rafael for Halloween. We headed for the check out; I figured I'd make a final choice once I was ready to pay.
When we reached the checkout, I was surprised to see all the different costumes in the cart. I looked at the others with widened eyes and asked, "How did all those costumes get in there?"
Lula shrugged, "Sheeeeet white girl, you weren't givin' us nothin' to choose from so we had to do some damage control."
I rolled my eyes and just set the costumes on the counter. "Okay, out of these nine outfits, we have to find one we can all live with."
Lester looked over all the costumes and shook his head, "There are only 2 there that have a chance of making the cut."
I turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "You picked out 2?"
He shook his head, "Nope. Just the one." he pointed to a Spiderman costume."
I shuddered. "There's no way I'm dressing my baby in any costume related to spiders."
Lester sighed, "Then I guess it's going to have to be the Captain America costume."
I bit my lip and looked at the costume he held up. My eyes went back to the cute little puppy costume I'd fallen in love with. "I really love this one though."
Grams and Lula made faces. Lula asked the pertinent question, "You think Batman is gonna like his boy wearin' that sissy ass costume?"
I sighed. I knew what Ranger would say if that's the costume I went home with, but I just thought it was so adorable. I lifted the costume and handed it to the cashier. "This is the one I want."
She rolled her eyes and handed it to another girl and said, "Bag it up will ya?" as she totaled my purchase.
Next we headed to the adult costume store. It only took Grams 30 minutes to pick out her costume. She chose a Gypsy Fortune Teller costume that looked very real on her. When we went up to pay, I asked for the costumes I'd ordered. I paid for my purchases and Lula picked up the costumes she'd ordered for herself and Tank. Lester had picked out a Flash costume. Lester carried our bags and we headed out to the Cayenne.
On the way out to the Cayenne, Rafael let out a yell and I felt a tug on my shirt. I smiled at him and asked him to hold on for a few minutes and he winked. I handed Lester the keys and got in back so I could nurse him on the way to Pino's. I used one of his blankets for a little privacy. Lester was a gentleman. He kept his eyes on the road the whole time. Rafael finished nursing just before we parked at Pinos'. Lester helped Grams out before coming around and taking Rafael so I could readjust my top. I climbed out and Lester handed Rafael back to me.
When we entered, the place was packed. There was only one booth left. We sat down and in no time the waitress was at our table making eyes at Lester. Lula, Grams, and I all rolled our eyes and smiled. The waitress asked Les, "What can I get ya handsome?"
Lester smiled and replied, "Two loaded pizzas and four teas no lemon."
The waitress smiled and batted her eyes before walking away. When she brought us our drinks, she nearly upset the tray in my lap. Les shot her a glare and she paled and profusely apologized. When she brought our pizzas, she carefully set them down in the middle of the table before making her getaway.
I moaned with my first bite of pizza and didn't stop till I'd eaten my last piece. Once we'd finished, I dropped Grams and Lula off at Gram's house so Lula could get her car and get back to work at the bonds office. Lester got back in his SUV and followed us back to Rangeman. I knew Rafael was fighting sleep. He'd had a busy morning and we were now into his naptime. I turned on some soothing music hoping it would help settle him so he could fall asleep, but when I pulled in the garage he was still wide awake. I got out and had him unbuckled him from his seat when Lester came over and got the bags out of the back. He got in the elevator with us and we headed up to 7. When I unlocked the apartment door and walked in, Ranger was standing there.
Ranger put his arms around me and covered my mouth with his. When he released my mouth he whispered, "Remember where we left off Babe. Rafael sleeping?"
"He just went out as we came in. I think he figures it's your turn to watch our backs."
Ranger put his hand on the back of our son's head and kissed the top of his head. He whispered, "Proud of you son."
Lester cleared his throat, "Uh, where you want the bags Beautiful?"
Ranger stepped back and took the bags from Lester. "Thanks." He turned and asked me, "You need to go anywhere else Babe?"
"No. I'm going to stay in. I have some searches Rodriquez asked for help on. I think I'll do some of them while Rafael sleeps."
"Okay Babe. I'll see you later." He kissed me before he and Lester headed for the stairs.
Once they'd left, I headed into the nursery and laid Rafael down in his crib. He was sound asleep. I smiled and laid my hand on my son's head. I whispered, "I love you." Before gently covering my son and heading back to the den.
When Halloween arrived, I was anxious to get to Gram's so I could see how the guys had transformed her house. I'd drawn up a basic plan of where everything should be and that, but when I handed it over to Hector I told him it was okay if he needed to change anything. I trusted him. The day started out like most other days. Rafael and I went down to the gym with Ranger and Rafael played on the mat while I had my workout. I collected Rafael and we headed upstairs. By the time we were both cleaned up and dressed, Ranger was joining us for breakfast.
Rafael and I had a wonderful day until I went to put his costume on him. I couldn't believe the adorable puppy costume I had bought was nowhere in sight. Instead, all I had to work with was the Captain America costume no one took credit for. I quickly checked Ranger's and my costumes and they were just as I'd ordered. I knew no one else could have done this because they were in front of me and the girl that had been asked to package the costumes was behind me. I closed my eyes and focused. Suddenly I saw a scene that had my eyes opening wide in stunned amazement. I smiled and carried the bag into the nursery.
I knew by the look on my son's face that he knew he'd been found out. He gave me his best smile with a twinkle in his eyes. I couldn't hold my stern face any longer and laughed saying, "You are in so much trouble young man."
Ranger raised an eyebrow, "Babe?"
I shook my head, "Our son switched costumes at the store."
Ranger looked down into Rafael's smiling face and asked, "Did you do that to mommy?"
Rafael winked. Ranger and I both laughed. When I pulled out the costume that was in the bag, Ranger asked me what I'd picked. I told him a puppy dog costume and he winced before leaning down and whispering, "Proud of you son." I just shook my head and told Ranger to go get ready while I got Rafael ready and then he could keep him occupied while I dressed.
When I carried Rafael into the master bedroom it was to find Ranger strapping on his utility belt. I handed the baby to him and asked him what happened to the rest of the costume. He raised an eyebrow and said, "This is as good as it gets Babe. I'm not wearing tights."
I laughed and shook my head. "I have to say you're wearing more than I thought you would. I wonder how Lula's faring with Tank."
Ranger smirked, "What kind of costume did she get him?"
"She wouldn't say. Said it was going to be a big surprise."
Ranger kissed my cheek and told me they would wait in the den for me. I nodded and went to work changing into my costume. I shaved, shampooed, showered and dressed. I brushed my hair out and left it long the way Wonder Woman always wore her hair. I added mascara, eyeliner and eye shadow as well as lip gloss. I looked in the mirror and decided I had gotten as close as I could. I went out to join the guys. Ranger's eyes darkened when he looked at me and I felt an answering desire. He handed me Rafael and put a cloak around my shoulders. He wrapped his arm around my waist and we made our way down to the Cayenne. Ranger strapped Rafael in his car seat while I got in and then he slid behind the wheel. When we reached Gram's house, he helped me out before getting Rafael out of his car seat, and then he wrapped his arm around my waist and led us up to the front door.
Rafael's POV:
We went shopping for my Halloween costume the day after momma's birthday. We'd gone down to the gym like we did every day so momma and dad could do their workouts. Once they were done, momma and I headed back to the apartment. Ella was putting breakfast on the counter. When we walked in, she took me from momma like she usually did. This was what Ella called our time. That way momma could take a shower and dress. Once momma finished, she came back and took me from Ella. Now it was my turn to get ready. Momma took me into my bedroom and gave me a bath in a tub she put on my changing table. I didn't get to have much fun because there was practically no water in the thing. Once I was clean and dry, she put one of those diaper things on me and then grabbed an outfit. She dressed me in the worst outfit I've ever seen. I mean seriously dude, I'm a guy. I can't do this orange and yellow shit.
She gave me a stern look and said, "Now Rafael, this might not be your favorite outfit, but your grandma Mazur got it for you and we wouldn't want to hurt her feelings now would we?"
I look away and wonder if I can avoid answering. Mom gently turns me to her and smiles at me. "Stop avoiding the issue."
I sigh, and then I grin at mom to let her know everything is okay. She smiles and kisses my cheek. I guess it won't be so bad. She picked me up and we headed back for the kitchen where she set me in the bouncy seat. She was sitting down when dad walked into the room. He took one look at my outfit and said, "Babe."
She put her hands on her hips and said, "I've already had this talk with Rafael. Don't you start too."
Dad just shook his head and gave me a look as he said, "Sorry son. If I would have known about the outfit I would have tossed it out."
I grin at dad and let him know it's good. He lifted me out of the bouncy and set me in his lap. He held me securely as he lifted the paper and opened it so he could read. I let my eyes wander over the page that's available to me and find an article about a rash of muggings that has been going on. I hear momma say 'Proud of you son.' And I smile.
Momma set dad's breakfast in front of him and raised her eyebrow. Dad just shook his head and said, "He's fine where he is Babe. I think he likes the black and white contrast of the paper."
Momma smiled. "It's not the contrast that's holding his interest. He's reading the paper."
I smiled. There was no putting anything over on my momma. When we got done with breakfast, momma took me down to the Cayenne and buckled me into my car seat before we headed for Grandma's house. They were waiting for us when we got there. Uncle Lester helped grandma into her seat and then he got in beside me. When we got to the mall, Lester took me out of the car without taking me out of my seat, and he hooked my seat into the stroller. Momma pushed the stroller and we headed into the mall. We made our way into a store that was wall to wall costumes.
Momma picked out several and I was worried the others might actually let her buy one of those for me to wear. Uncle Lester picked out an okay Spiderman costume, but I knew there was no way momma would let me wear anything to do with spiders. I looked around and took matters into my own hands. I found the Captain America costume as we were nearing the checkout. It didn't take much for one of the customers to put it in the cart for me. I smiled and watched as the lady gasped and looked all dreamy eyed at me. One hurdle down, now I just had to make sure the right costume got in the bag.
Momma was surprised to see all the different costumes in the cart. She looked at the others with widened eyes and asked, "How did all those costumes get in there?"
Lula shrugged, "Sheeeeet white girl, you weren't givin' us nothin' to choose from so we had to do some damage control."
Momma rolled her eyes and just set the costumes on the counter. "Okay, out of these nine outfits, we have to find one we can all live with."
Lester looked over all the costumes and shook his head, "There are only 2 there that have a chance of making the cut."
She turned to him and raised an eyebrow. "You picked out 2?"
He shook his head, "Nope. Just the one." he pointed to a Spiderman costume.
Momma shuddered. "There's no way I'm dressing my baby in any costume related to spiders."
Lester sighed, "Then I guess it's going to have to be the Captain America costume."
Momma bit her lip and looked at the costume he held up. Her eyes went back to the cute little puppy costume she'd fallen in love with. "I really love this one though."
Grandma and Lula made faces. Lula asked the pertinent question, "You think Batman is gonna like his boy wearin' that sissy ass costume?"
Momma sighed. She seemed to hesitate for a minute before she lifted the puppy costume and handed it to the cashier. "This is the one I want."
Okay, stay calm. Time for damage control. I looked at the girl who was bagging up my costume and focused. She looked at the costume and then at me. She set the costume down and looked at the others. She went to pick up the Spiderman costume but that's not the one I wanted so I sent a little zap and she pulled her hand back quickly before moving on to the Captain America. She lifted it and put it in the bag. I momentarily felt bad that momma wasn't getting the costume she liked, but this was my first Halloween and I wasn't going around looking like some dorky dog. I mean I'm a dude, I needed a kick ass costume. I released a sigh of relief when we left the shop and headed to pick up the others outfits.
When we were finally headed out to the Cayenne, I was getting pretty hungry. I let out a yell and momma felt the tug on her top. She smiled at me and asked me to hold on for a few minutes and I winked to let her know I was on board with that. She climbed in back with me and fixed one of my blankets over her so she could have some privacy while I nursed. I knew Lester was straining to get a peek and fixed his wagon but good. He wasn't able to look anywhere but straight ahead without getting one hell of a zap. When I heard momma think he was being a perfect gentleman I thought yeah right but otherwise gave no indication of my thoughts. When we got to Pino's, Lester took me in his arms so momma could adjust her top. I gave him one of my narrow eyed looks and the dude had the nerve to smile and wink at me. Seriously dude, that's my momma you were trying to get a peek at. I smiled and Lester suddenly had a pained look on his face. Yup. I think he got my message. As soon as momma got out of the Cayenne, Lester handed me back and we made our way inside.
Grandma and Lula got on the inside of the booth and momma sat on one side and Lester on the other. Momma held me up on her shoulder so she could help me burp. In no time the waitress was at our table making eyes at Lester. The waitress asked Lester, "What can I get ya handsome?"
Lester smiled and replied, "Two loaded pizzas and four teas no lemon."
The waitress smiled and batted her eyes before walking away. When she brought the drinks, she nearly upset the tray in momma's lap. I gave her a look and saw the expression on her face. She thought momma and Lester were a couple. I rolled my eyes, lady get real. There's no way momma would be with anyone besides my dad. I could tell she was trying to make momma disappear. She thought if momma was all wet she'd leave and the field would be open with Lester. I righted the tray and sent her enough of a zap to get her attention. Nobody messed with my momma. Lester shot her a glare and she paled and profusely apologized. When she brought our pizzas, she carefully set them down in the middle of the table before making her getaway.
Watching momma eat is poetry in motion. In no time the pizza was gone and we were on our way back to Grandma's house to drop her and Lula off. Lula was planning on heading back to the bonds office to work for another couple hours. Once momma and I were finally on our way back to Haywood I felt my eyes drooping but I determined not to fall asleep until we were safely home and I could hand momma off to dad. I knew once we were home he would keep her safe. I managed to keep my eyes open and stay alert until momma had parked the Cayenne and lifted me out of my car seat. When momma turned to head to the elevator, Lester joined us. He rode up to 7 with us, carrying the bags up for momma. By now I could barely hold my eyes open I was so tired. We entered the apartment and dad was there. I smiled sleepily and knew I could finally close my eyes. I was asleep in seconds.
On Halloween, momma and I had a wonderful day. When she came in with the bag that held the costume, I knew my number was up. I gave her my best smile and she couldn't hold her stern look for long. She caved, and laughing she told me, "You are in so much trouble young man."
Dad raised an eyebrow and asked, "Babe?"
She shook her head, "Our son switched costumes at the store."
Dad looked down into my smiling face and asked, "Did you do that to mommy?"
I winked. Momma and dad both laughed. She pulled out the costume that was in the bag, and dad asked her what she'd picked. She told him a puppy dog costume and he winced before leaning down and whispering, "Proud of you son." I smiled.
Once momma and dad had got ready, we made our way to grandma's house. When we got there, dad carried me while he had his arm wrapped around momma's waist. I could tell by the decorations this was going to be one cool party. I was sitting high in dad's arms looking around at the front yard that had about a dozen white tombstone set around. By each stone there was a dummy with fake blood all over them and they were in different poses. There were cobwebs hanging from the trees and in the middle of each cobweb was a giant spider. Mom shuddered as we got too close to one of the spiders and I narrowed my eyes and waved my hand. Next thing I know the spider is whirling through the air, cobweb and all. I look around and see the others are well out of our way and won't give momma any problems. My eyes seek her out to make sure she is okay and I see her looking at me with such love in her eyes. It makes me glow.
Momma rang the doorbell and my eyes widened as a huge green thing opened the door. The shirt was ripped to shreds and barely hanging on the guy at the door. The pants seemed to have been ripped at the seams but covered everything. I laughed as I got my first glimpse of Uncle Tank. I smiled as I wondered how Aunt Lula got him to dress up as the Incredible Hulk. Next to the big guy was a lady in a black dress that seemed too small for her. Her breasts were practically spilling out of the dress and I felt my cheeks turning pink. Aunt Lula was dressed as Elvira, mistress of the night. Aunt Lula was pushing the fake hair behind her and telling us to come in. I can see Aunt Lula looking at me with an intenseness. I know she would never hurt me, it feels more like she has this huge desire to have something of her own. I look into her eyes and see a sadness she is unable to mask. Aunt Lula reaches out and takes me out of dad's arms and cuddles me close. She turns and walks into the house talking quietly to me about how she needs the practice on holding a little baby like me because she's gonna have a baby real soon herself. I'm puzzled by this because I know she's not going to have a baby, at least not the way most people do. I wonder if this is related to the incredible sadness. I cuddle closer to her and let myself focus. Suddenly I see a little girl with Aunt Lula's love of color and Uncle Tank's self-confidence. She is a beautiful little girl and I know we will be good friends. When she opens the fridge to get drinks, I see another door opening and understand the sadness I sensed earlier. I snuggle into her neck and close my eyes letting her know everything will turn out this time. I let her know that this momma won't want to keep her little girl. She wants her to have a family and will be very happy to let her and Uncle Tank adopt her little girl. I let her know that she's right to include the other momma in their life by letting her visit and be as much a part of the family as she can be. That its Aunt Lula's big heart that has drawn the other momma to her.
We take the drinks back into the other room and when we reach the others Uncle Tank takes me into his arms. He shakes his head and tells me I am getting to look more and more like dad every day. He takes Lula's hand in his and looks at my momma and dad. "Lula and I will hopefully have a baby of our own in another few months."
Momma hugs Lula and tells her she couldn't be happier for her. Lula gets that sad look again and I see momma focus on Lula for a moment and then she smiles. She whispers to her not to worry. Everything will turn out this time. About that time Uncle Lester comes out to see what is keeping all of us. We head into the living room and join the others. As we're walking into the living room, Uncle Lester asks, "Did you go back and exchange costumes Beautiful? I thought you were set on the puppy costume."
Momma laughed, "I was. I figured without Rafael though. Seems he arranged for a different costume to come home with us."
Lester laughed and bumped my fist with his. I smiled and winked at him. Everyone had a wonderful time. There was punch with eyeballs in it, cake with chocolate frosting and candy bones lying all over on the top, and there was party mix. There was a tongue splat game as well as an eye splat game and lots of music and dancing. A couple times the guys would try and sneak up on momma and scare her. I couldn't help but laugh at the expressions on their faces when they got zapped before they even got within three feet of her. When she would turn around and ask them what they were doing they just shook their heads and muttered nothing, before looking around to see who might have seen them. When my gaze was the only one they met they relaxed and went back to what they had been doing before trying to scare momma. Once they were gone, momma's gaze would meet mine and she would smile with such love and pride. I could hear her saying, 'Thank you son, I'm so proud of you. I love you.' without saying a word. Then I would smile and say, 'I love you too momma.'
My first Halloween was everything I could have hoped for.