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...
Special Note: Although there are millions of people out there who respect our veterans and hold them in the highest of esteem, there are the unfortunate few who continue to show disrespect. I read a scene in a book many years ago that had the onlookers booing the Vietnam War Vets as their part of the parade went by. It was based on a true story. I can't remember the story, but I still remember this part of the story. Unfortunately I have heard people put these Vets down for their part in that war. The scene I have created is from my own thoughts as to a worse case scenario and has no basis as being part of a published book as far as I know, nor is it based on fact. Please understand I am in no way implying that this is the norm and mean no offense by the scene in this chapter. I hope you will like how they are dealt with.
Chapter 3: Rafael's First Parade
Ranger's POV:
I placed the phone back in it's cradle and sat for several minutes deciding what I was going to do with the information I just received. To say what I learned pissed me off was an understatement. I was beyond pissed to think there were factions out there that would do this on a federal holiday that honored our armed forces. My eyes narrowed as I contemplated my actions. Suddenly I smiled and stood, making my way to my office door I jerked the door opened and called out, "All hands on deck."
I exited my office and every man was there standing at attention waiting for his orders. I nodded and looked over my men. I told them what I'd just learned from the call I had just taken. I could see by their expressions that they too shared my anger. I told the men what I was thinking and asked for input. When I asked for volunteers, there wasn't a man who wasn't willing to join in on what I was planning. I nodded and told the guys we would have a skeleton crew and the rest would be on the parade mission. When I dismissed the men, I headed towards the stairwell. I needed some strategy, and lucky for me I had the best strategist upstairs in my apartment.
When I entered the apartment, Babe was lying on the floor with Rafael. He was laughing and rolling around on the floor as she watched him with loving eyes. When I stopped to watch them, she turned so she could look at me. I wasn't surprised she knew something was wrong.
Stephanie's POV:
I was lying on the floor with Rafael, watching him roll around on the floor and laugh when I sensed Ranger had joined us. I turned so I could look at him and knew something was wrong. I sat up and asked, "What's wrong?"
Ranger strode forward and crouched down near Rafael. He put a gentle hand on our son's head and took a few moments. I waited till he was ready to tell me, sensing that what he had to say was royally pissing him off. After several minutes he turned to me and said, "I need a strategist Babe."
"What do you need me to do?"
His gaze met mine and I felt his love reaching out to enfold me in an embrace. "I just got off the phone with Joe Juniak. It seems they're expecting trouble at the Veteran's Day Parade. There have been threats made that if there are any Vietnam War Vet's in the parade, they won't live through the day."
I raised an eyebrow and met his gaze. I understood his anger. I narrowed my eyes and said, "I need the parade route and all security measures in place."
Ranger nodded, "You'll have it."
Ranger sat down and lifted Rafael into his arms. I moved over and leaned against him. Ranger wrapped his arm around me and we sat there for a long time lost in thoughts. Finally, Ranger kissed me before placing a kiss on the top of Rafael's head. He stood and said, "I need to get back to work Babe. I'll see you in a bit."
I nodded. Once he was gone I turned to Rafael and said, "Those meanies are gonna wish they'd never tangled with your daddy. Can you imagine threatening people who fought for this country just because they fought in Vietnam? Let's go plan some strategy little man."
I stood with Rafael and made my way into Ranger's office here in the apartment. I knew he wouldn't mind if we used his office. I grabbed a bouncy seat and in no time was settled before the computer in Ranger's home office. I booted up the computer and decided to do some background searches to see what I could pick up. After a couple hours, I had all the information. I couldn't believe these guys had made it this easy. My eyes narrowed and I focused. I saw it all and smiled because apparently it was that easy. I composed an email and uploaded all the information before sending the message to Ranger. I received a response within a few minutes. 'Thanks Babe. We'll take it from here.' I sent another email back to Ranger telling him there would be consequences if I wasn't included in the planning as well as the mission itself. I had no intention of standing on the sideline while they handled this. I could see the smile on his face through the next email. 'Wouldn't be the same without you Babe.' I wrote back 'damn skippy.'
In the next few days we did a lot of planning. Several of the guys planned to take part in the parade. I couldn't wait to see the guys in their turnout gear. There would be a group of 15 men dressed in Rangeman black, and the show they would put on would have that group of panty wastes scared to death. The guys would be marching with the Vietnam Vet's and when the protestors started their shit, the guys were going to take care of them. Rafael and I would be driving the vehicle Uncle Joe would be riding in.
We couldn't ask for a nicer day for the parade. The weather was unseasonably warm and it was perfect for riding in a convertible. We were behind the Vietnam Vet's in the parade and I had no trouble keeping us in the perfect location. I was ready to put the CD in and was scanning the crowd, letting myself focus to see if there was anyone else out there we needed to worry about. It was getting closer to the time and although any other time I had to preform I would have an attack of nerves, this time there was no such attack. I think it was because it was part of my strategy. I watched as the group ahead of us reached their mark and took up positions. I popped the CD in and nodded at Uncle Joe. He leaned forward and handed me the microphone. I took it with my right hand and continued to drive with my left. The music started and I looked out at the crowd of malcontents as I started to sing:
(God Bless the USA- Lee Greenwood
Also god bless all the victims who died on 9/11)
If tomorrow all the things were gone,
I'd worked for all my life.
And I had to start again,
with just my children and my wife.
I'd thank my lucky stars,
to be livin here today.
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom,
and they can't take that away.
And I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
From the lakes of Minnesota,
to the hills of Tennessee.
Across the plains of Texas,
From sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston,
and New York to L.A.
Well there's pride in every American heart,
and its time we stand and say.
That I'm proud to be an American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
And I'm proud to be and American,
where at least I know I'm free.
And I wont forget the men who died,
who gave that right to me.
And I gladly stand up,
next to you and defend her still today.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land,
God bless the USA.
The group erupted and started charging. Ranger and the guys took them out and had them down and handcuffed inside of seconds. Suddenly there were lightning bolts jumping through the air and screams. Pretty soon more people were coming forward and sitting down by those already on the sidewalk. I looked down at my son and noticed the huge smile he had on his face. I guess we didn't have to worry about any of the group getting away. Rafael looked up at me and winked. I could swear I heard him say, 'Naw, I got your back on this one momma.'
Rafael's POV:
I was rolling around on the floor when I sensed dad had entered the apartment. Momma asked him what was wrong and he told us what he'd been told by Uncle Joe. Then dad asked momma if she could plan some strategy for him. I smiled, 'Time to kick some moron asses.' Dad picked me up and held me in his arms, and when momma joined us he wrapped an arm around her and held us close for quite some time. When he finally stood to leave, momma turned to me and said, "Those meanies are gonna wish they'd never tangled with your daddy. Can you imagine threatening people who fought for this country just because they fought in Vietnam? Let's go plan some strategy little man."
I watched momma work at the computer and knew she had a good grasp of the situation. She wondered if it could be this easy and I knew it was. The people planning this weren't the brightest crayons in the box. Once momma and dad got done with them they wouldn't want to be anywhere around them or the state of New Jersey. I felt something else though. I smiled. I had every confidence that momma and dad could handle this situation, but I was hoping I got to have a little fun too. My smile grew wider and I started to laugh.
On the day of the parade I sat in my car seat beside momma. Uncle Joe was in the back riding with us. Everything was planned. At just the right moment, Uncle Joe leaned forward and handed momma the microphone and she had such a beautiful voice when she sang God Bless The USA. Once she had finished the song, the group everyone was watching started charging. Dad and the guys took them out and had them down and handcuffed inside of seconds. There were several members who were staying back in the crowd. They had been vocal during meetings and they were the ones behind the scene being created. They just didn't want to go to jail for their actions. I smiled. I narrowed my eyes and thought of all the people they were willing to hurt with their actions. All the mommas and dads, grandmas, grandpas, nieces and nephews, wives, husbands, and children. They didn't care what they did to the families of these brave soldiers they were targeting. Suddenly lightning bolts started jumping through the air and there were screams each time one hit. Soon, those on the sidelines had no choice but to come forward and sit beside their fellow co-conspirators. Momma looked down at me and I know she saw my huge smile. She was thinking they didn't have to worry about any of the group getting away. I looked up at her and winked as I thought, "Naw. I got your back on this one momma.'
As Uncle Joe made his speech about honoring all the men and women who have given their lives for our freedom, I got a funny feeling inside. I knew my dad had been in war zones and run missions to help our country, and I knew my momma worked behind the scenes as his strategist. I felt so much pride for them and for all the Veterans joined here with us. There was one man who drew my gaze. He was sitting in a wheel chair. When he saw me watching him he turned and smiled at me.
I returned his smile and the man spoke softly to momma as if he was afraid she would ignore him, "How old is your little boy?"
Momma turned to him and smiled, "He's nearly 4 months old."
The man's face looked shocked that momma had talked to him. I could have told him momma's not like those people in that crowd. She's one in a million. Momma saw the man's expression and raised an eyebrow, "Is something wrong?"
"No ma'am. But most people don't talk to me. I fought in Vietnam."
Momma smiled, "I know. You fought in a war that whether you believed in the cause or not, you fought because that's what your country asked of you. You fought because you are a good soldier and a good human being. You put the welfare of your country and it's people above your own. I'd just like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart." and then momma kissed the man on the top of his head.
I smiled as a tear fell on the man's cheek and he whispered, "You're welcome."
My momma had a heart of gold. The man looked like he was proud of what he'd done as he should be.
