Disclaimer: Everything familiar belongs to JE.
Warnings: Adult Language, adult situations
Chapter 3: May 2014
Stephanie's POV
"Do you, Stephanie Michelle, take Joseph Anthony to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The priest asks.
"I do," I respond.
"Do you, Joseph Anthony, take Stephanie Michelle to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do," Joe responds.
There. I am a married woman. I married Trenton PD Detective Joseph Anthony Morelli in a small, private ceremony, with only Mary Lou and his cousin Mooch as our witnesses. I found out yesterday that I am eight weeks pregnant with his child. For the last ten months, we've been living together and dating, with very few arguments and much compromise. We have been engaged for a month but decided to get married before we announce my pregnancy. Joe and I had a long talk six months ago. He now understands my need to work, while I understand his need to keep me safe. I agreed to accept Ranger's offer to work full-time at Rangeman, where I could still chase skips, but this time, with a competent partner or two. We further agreed, that once I was with child, I would stop chasing skips, switching to office work only. Joe thought that was a compromise on my part, but it was Rangeman policy. Those employees who were expecting are pulled from all potentially dangerous assignments until the child is six months old. I sigh. Once I tell Tank that I'm pregnant, I'll be stuck in the office most of the day.
Ranger has been mostly out of town for the last eighteen months. He went on a mission and returned two weeks ago, which happened to be two weeks after Joe proposed. Since he found out about our engagement, he's been avoiding me by visiting Miami and Boston. He's due back in Trenton on Monday. I'm not looking forward to telling Ranger I'm pregnant on Monday. Especially because I have to tell him about our child, the baby I couldn't keep safe.
We finished exchanging rings, and it was finally time to kiss the bride. We were in a church in Newark in an attempt to hide our elopement from Trenton, at least until we were ready to share the information on my unplanned pregnancy with our family and friends. It was at that moment that Joe leaned over to kiss me that we heard the noise in the back of the church and saw a large group of people enter, who quickly quieted once they realized what was happening at the altar. Joe and I kissed before Mary Lou and Mooch hugged us. We signed our marriage certificate then I heard his voice, "Babe?" Fuck.
"Beautiful, you married Morelli without inviting me?" Lester responded. I turned and looked at my two friends and co-workers. Suddenly, there was a blur and two arms wrapped around my waist.
"OhmyGod, Steph, it's you! I thought I'd never see you again!" I looked down to see Ranger's daughter.
"Julie, how are you, sweetheart? How are you doing?"
"I'm doing great, Steph. What are you doing here?"
Wow, talk about awkward. At least Julie was brave enough to ask the question that both Ranger and Lester were itching to find out the answer. "Julie, I'd like to introduce you to my husband, Joe." I said as I pulled him next to me. "Do you remember him from the hospital?"
"Yes, he was the one who drove you there. But I thought you and…"
"Congratulations, Stephanie." Ranger interrupted his daughter and looked at me with his blank face on, though I saw the sadness and hurt in his eyes.
Ranger shook Joe's hand, kissed me on the cheek, then turned to help someone with a baby. Lester shook Joe's hand then kissed my cheek as well. "We are here to baptize Ranger's nephew. He's the Godfather."
Of all the churches in Newark, we have to pick Ranger's family church. "You won't tell anyone, right? We aren't ready to let the Burg know we're married."
"Of course not, Beautiful. We'll keep it quiet."
"Thanks, Lester."
"Cupcake, we better get going if we're going to make our dinner reservations." Joe said.
"Yes, you're right. I'll see you on Monday, Lester. Julie, I'm happy to see you here. Maybe your father can bring you to work, and we can have lunch."
"I'd like that, Steph," Julie said. I looked into her eyes seeing sadness and regret. She seemed to be on the verge of tears.
"Bye, Ranger, I'll see you Monday."
"Bye, Stephanie." Wow, no Babe. Come to think of it, since I told him I was engaged he hasn't called me Babe once until he arrived in church a few moments ago. Now he won't even look at me. God, I can't lose my best friend. Joe takes my hand as we walk down the aisle as husband and wife for the start of our new life together.
Ranger's POV
I can't believe that my Babe married the cop. They weren't supposed to get married until November! I still had time to win her back. Why did they elope? Wait, is she pregnant? That could be the only reason. I'm trying to act like I don't care, but I am I hurting more than I have ever hurt before. I love Stephanie. I want her to be my wife carrying my child, but I fucked it up. I pushed her away. And now, that I'm finally free of my contract and ready to make my move, she's gone.
"Papa, what happened? I thought you said that you were going to date, Stephanie?" Julie asks me, with a tear escaping from her eyes.
"Mi hija, I was hoping for that, but when I came home, she was already engaged. I can't break apart her marriage. She told me she was content."
"But not happy, Papa. I wanted you to marry Stephanie. She's perfect for you." Julie responded before her tears started flowing fully.
I embraced my daughter and held her while she cried. I felt a few tears escape my eyes as I realized my heart was breaking into a million pieces. "I'm sorry, mi hija, I thought so too."
"Carlos, that is your Babe?" asked Abuela Rosa.
"Si, Abuela. That was my Babe."
"Carlos, you must fight for her if you love her. She isn't happy. Her smile didn't reach her eyes. The minute you turned your back on her, her eyes filled with sadness. Don't run away to Miami. Stay in Trenton. She's going to need you." She told me. She placed her hand on my shoulder, giving me support.
"I'll stay until her baby's born, then I'm out of Jersey. I can't say here watching her with her family. I should have renewed my contract."
"Ranger, what are you talking about, she's not pregnant." Lester tells me.
"Yes, she is, that's the only reason she would've eloped with Morelli. On Monday morning, she's going to come into the office to tell us she's off active duty. I'll be finding you a new partner, Les."
"Well, that blows."
Those are my exact thoughts. I look up at the statues of the Holy Family, walking over to their alcove. I take out a $100 bill, offer it to the Church, light two candles, and kneel down to pray, something I haven't done in almost twenty years. Dios, please watch over my Babe, keep her and her child safe. Make sure that the cop stays faithful to her, that he doesn't hurt her or clip her wings. Let my Babe stay working for my company so I can ensure her safety. If I can't have her, put me out of my misery, so I don't have to watch what I lost because of my stupidity. Amen.
Stephanie's POV
Monday morning has finally arrived, and I'm off to Rangeman for work. Today, I will be telling the Core Team that I'm pregnant. I'm also giving my notice. Joe and I agree that once this baby is born, I'm going to become a stay at home Mom, at least for the first year. I know that it will be a hard adjustment for me, but this is what is best for the baby. I wonder how my Merry Men are going to take the news. The elevator opens on the control room floor where I say my good mornings to Manny and Vince on the monitors. I see that Ranger's office door is open. I walk to it and knock on the door. He looks up. "Stephanie. Come in."
"I think you should call in the rest of the Core Team, Batman," I said teasing him. I see the start of a smile, then a flash of sadness before the blank face slams down. Sigh. Ranger picks up his phone, calling Tank to his office with Lester and Bobby. Within two minutes, everyone has assembled, closing the door as they enter.
"Good Morning, Bomber." Tank and Bobby say when entering.
"Morning Beautiful." Lester greets.
"Good morning guys. I have a couple of announcements to make. Firstly, Joe and I got married on Saturday." I pause and look up. There was shock written on the faces of Tank and Bobby before they glanced at Ranger. "Secondly," I continued, pretending not to notice their looks, "I am pregnant. I found out on Friday afternoon, which is why Joe and I eloped this weekend. With that said, I am giving you my notice. Once the doctor says I can no longer work, I will be leaving Rangeman, at least until the baby is a year old. As long as I am doing office work, that should be up until the day the baby is born. I know I am no longer in the field."
Bobby was the first to recover. "Congratulations, Bomber. That's great news. What do you need me to do to help you? If you tell me your dietary restrictions, I'll let Ella know. Have you had any morning sickness? How far along are you?"
"I'm eight weeks right now. No morning sickness. I would love your help, Bobby."
"Beautiful, you're telling me I need to break in a new partner? I just got you trained." Lester sighed.
"Bomber, being restricted to office work, would you be willing to help me with schedules and some client meetings?" Tank asked.
"Sure. Searches get boring after awhile." I reply.
"Well, we better get ready for the morning meeting. See you in the conference room." Tank, Lester, and Bobby got up to leave the office. I started to rise to follow them.
"Stephanie, don't go." Ranger said in a voice that I've never heard before.
Lester had closed the door again after he left. I sat in the chair opposite Ranger on the other side of his desk. "What's up?" I asked.
"Are you sure this is what you want? Are you going to be happy staying at home all day with only the baby?"
I sigh. There's a reason Ranger is my best friend. I often hoped and wished that he could be more, but alas, he's Batman, and Batman doesn't get married or have a family. "I'm not sure, Ranger, but it's what will be best for the baby. I am not thrilled about the idea of dropping off an infant at daycare. Especially when the baby can't tell you if anything is wrong. I'm sure I'm going to go crazy sitting home, but I need to make this marriage work. It wouldn't be fair for the baby to grow up without a Mommy and a Daddy. I don't want another divorce."
"Stephanie, you can still work for me on a part-time basis if you want. Once or twice a week here in the office. Or, I can set it up for you to be able to work from home. If you continue to do the scheduling, you can do that from your house. You will have the flexibility to work when you can, while still being home with the baby."
"I don't know, Ranger. I don't think Joe will agree to that."
"Will you ask him?"
"Yes." I get up to leave than sit back down. "Ranger, if I ask you a question, will you answer it honestly?"
"As long as it's not about my government work, yes, I will answer it honestly."
"What was Julie asking you before you cut her off after I introduced her to Joe?"
Ranger's POV
Fuck! She had to pick up on that. The past two days have been the worse two days of my life. I lost my Babe. I lost Stephanie forever. I kept holding on to that someday, hoping that when I finally finished my contract, I would be able to have my Babe as my own, but I returned to find her engaged. I had so much hope after I left for that mission with her in my bed, but the fucking mission had to take eighteen long months. It was FUBAR before it even started. Now, before I could even try to change her mind or apply pressure, she's married and expecting a child. I know I can't lie to Stephanie. "Stephanie, Julie has been pushing me to date you since she met you. She was hoping that someday we would be married and that she would be able to live with me for part of the year. When I finished my last mission, I spent a few days in Miami with Julie. She was on a school break. I told her that I wasn't going away, that I would work on getting into a position where Rachel would allow her to live with me in the summer and during long school vacations. One of Rachel's conditions was that I develop a real relationship with a woman. Julie hoped it would be you."
I look at Stephanie's face, watching sadness come over her. Maybe even some regret. Then, she slipped on her blank face and looked at me. "Ranger, I'm sorry. But you told me to go back to Morelli. You told me your life didn't lend itself to relationships. You told me that you didn't do rings, but a condom might come in handy. Ranger, you kept pushing me away. I didn't want to be alone. Even after the two days, we spent together; you told me not to wait for you. I tried, I swear I did, but I couldn't stay alone."
"Stephanie, I'm sorry too. I couldn't start anything not knowing if my survival was possible. I didn't want to do that to you. But Stephanie, know that I am, and always will be, here for you if you ever need me. I'll always be a phone call away."
He got up, walked over to me, and pulled me into a hug. I felt the tears start to fall. "Steph, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
"Damn hormones. I regret what we will never know. I regret what we won't have, what we could've had, what we almost had. God, Ranger, I've been in love with you for years. Now it's too late." She wipes her face with a tissue, pulls herself together mentally, and steps back. "We need to get to the meeting. Wouldn't want to anger my boss at being late."
"Stephanie." I watch as she turns her back to me, walking out my door. I close the door behind her, locking it, before returning behind my desk. I open the small safe behind the picture on my wall (I know cliché, but there is nothing of value here), taking out the box that has resided there for four long years. I open the box to look at the emerald and diamond engagement ring that belonged to my Abuela Rosa. When my Abuelo died, my Abuela gave me a ring to give to my wife. I told her I'd never had a wife. She told me that one day I would meet the woman who'd sweep me off my feet while giving me a run for my money. I didn't believe her. Two days later, I met Stephanie. I've known since day one that she was the woman for me, but I didn't act on my feelings. I guess Julie will be the next Manoso woman to wear this ring. I put it back in the safe, where it will stay until Julie's mate asks for her hand in marriage.
Tank's POV
We walked out of Ranger's office and immediately entered my office. We sat down around on the couch and armchair in my office. We looked at each other and sighed.
"What the hell? How did this happen? How come you don't look surprised, Lester?"
"Ranger and I saw their first kiss. They got married in our family church in Newark. We were arriving for Celia's son's baptism." Lester responded.
"How did Ranger react?" Bobby asked.
"He's pulling back, got serious, no smile, he's hurting, bad."
"Damn it. Ranger just finished his contract. He was ready to claim Stephanie. Then he returns from hell to find her engaged, and now pregnant. He won't do anything now that she has a baby in the picture." Bobby said.
"Do you think that Bomber is happy?" I ask the room.
"No. I think Steph's miserable. I don't think she wants to stay home, ever, but to stay with Morelli to give a chance for the baby to have both parents, she has to do this. But I don't understand why he stopped calling her Babe." Bobby said.
"I think he's stopped using Babe because that's the name for his woman, the love of his life. Now that she is officially Morelli's, he won't disrespect her with that nickname. He knows how she hated when Morelli called her 'Cupcake' every time they broke up." Lester tells us.
"How do we keep her in our lives? We can't lose her; Ranger can't lose her, not if we want him to live." I respond.
"You think Ranger will take his life?" Bobby exclaims.
Lester answered. "No. He'll retreat into his head, close off his emotions, and become Ranger the Robot again. We need to convince Stephanie to tell Ranger about the baby sooner, rather than later."
"The morning meeting starts in five; we better get in the room. It wouldn't be good for the Core Team to be late." Tank orders.
Stephanie's POV
I'm sitting in the conference room, confused more today than I've been in a long time. It seems that Ranger was finally ready for our 'Someday.' As usual, I had to ruin it by getting knocked up by a man I'm not in love with, a man who wants me to change. Don't get me wrong, I love Joe, but more like a close friend than a lover. I chose Joe because I couldn't have Ranger. How fucked up is that? Now, I find out that Ranger was mine to claim. I guess I'll have to go through the rest of my life wondering 'what if.' Now, not only what if I didn't marry Morelli, but what if I didn't lose our child?
Ranger enters the room. Everyone immediately quiets down. He goes through the usual drill, getting reports from the various people, discussing the take-downs for the week, then finally announcing which cars are getting inspected this month. When I think the meeting is over, Ranger looks at me. "There's one final announcement that I would like to make. It seems that one member of the Rangeman family is married and expecting their first child. I'd like us to offer our congratulations to Stephanie, who married Detective Morelli this past Saturday. Due to her pregnancy, she is now on light duty, so Miguel, you will now partner with Lester. Dismissed."
The guys briefly allow their looks of shock to register on their face before walking over to me to congratulate me. I'm overwhelmed with their well-wishes, but I can see their confusion. Hell, even I'm confused. Hector is the last one left in the conference room. I didn't even realize everyone filed out, including Ranger. Hector looks at me, without a smile. Hector hasn't given me his "scary" look in a long time. I wonder what he's thinking.
"Estefanìa, you no look happy. Why? Do you want this bebé?" He asks in his broken English.
"Si, Hector, I want this baby, but I don't want the baby's father. Hector, I screwed up. I lost my chance at happiness. My wings are already clipped. My time left working here, at Rangeman, with my brothers, is coming to an end. Once this baby is born, I have to quit. Ranger offered for me to continue working part-time, in the building or from home, but I doubt Joe will allow me to continue working. It's not proper for a Burg wife and mother. Hector, what am I going to do, when the only man I've ever wanted is so close, but yet so far?"
"Hermana, I can take care of the cop for you. Make it so you can have Ranger. You only need ask me."
"Hector, I couldn't do that to you. I love you too much, mi hermano."
"Estefanìa, is Morelli hurting you?"
I look at Hector, not understanding his question. Suddenly, his meaning dawns on me. "No, he's been good to me. I promise. Thank you for looking out for me."
"You know if he hurt you, you come to me. I protect you."
"Don't worry; I will. Thank you, mi hermano."
Hector and I walk out of the conference room, and I see Ranger in his office, alone. I know I need to tell him about our child, and I need to tell him today. I detour to my desk to get the picture frame that Ella gave me. I put it in my bag, then walk to Ranger's office. I once again knock on the door.
"Come in." He calls. I enter his sanctuary.
"Ranger, we need to talk, and I would prefer to have this conversation on seven, please." I try to look him in the eye, but I can't. It's too hard trying to hold back the tears. I think he sensed my pain because he immediately got up from his desk.
"Okay, Stephanie, let's go upstairs."
Ranger's POV
I wonder what Stephanie wants to talk to me about; it seems like it's important to her. I can tell she's trying to hold back tears. What could have happened to her to make her so sad? I immediately get up and escort her to the elevator, where I fob our way up to seven. Once there, I open up the apartment door for us. Stephanie stops in the kitchen to get two bottles of water. I follow her to the living room. Once there, she sits on the couch, and I sit on the coffee table directly across from her. She has her bag with her, which is unusual. I wait for her to begin.
"Ranger, Carlos, six weeks after you left, I found out I was pregnant." Dios! She was pregnant. I hope she didn't get an abortion. But what happened to the baby? "I didn't tell anyone, because part of me was in Denial Land. I didn't know that it took two doses of the shot before it was fully effective at preventing pregnancy. I truly thought we were safe when we were together before you left. I had a very easy pregnancy, with no morning sickness. No one knew I was pregnant. Then, when I was three months pregnant, I was with Vince going after a skip. The skip surprised both Vince and me. He pushed Vince down then punched me hard in the stomach. I lost the baby that day. I am sorry that I deceived you, Carlos, and I'm sorry that I couldn't keep our child safe. If it weren't for my stupidity and inability to do anything right, we would have a baby here with us right now. The baby would be eight months old. Here is the picture from my only sonogram. Ella gave me this frame on Mother's Day."
She hands me a beautiful silver frame with hearts around it. Inside is a sonogram picture showing our child. I look at this picture, and I feel my heartbreak. I look at Stephanie and see the hurt and pain in her eyes. My poor Babe had to deal with losing a baby without me here to support her. And, she blames herself. "Stephanie, Babe, look at me. Nothing was your fault. It wasn't your fault that you got pregnant. I didn't push the condom issue. It wasn't your fault that someone punched you in the stomach. You couldn't have prevented it."
"But if I would have told Tank when I first found out, I would have been taken out of the field. The miscarriage wouldn't have happened. We would have our child here with us."
"Babe, I'm glad that you're okay. Look, Babe, I would have loved to come home to you and our child. I have dreamt that we would have a little girl who would look like you, right down to your piercing blue eyes and wonderful, crazy curly hair. But it wasn't meant to be. Maybe someday, in the future, you and I can be together, and we can have a child together, but if it doesn't happen, then it wasn't meant for us. Stephanie, I still love you. I'm sorry you had to go through that by yourself."
By this point, my Babe was crying. I sat on the couch next to her, lifting her into my arms. I held on tightly to her, allowing my tears to fall. I was so close to having everything I ever wanted. A wonderful, crazy, loving woman in Stephanie, a child to love and spoil the way I dream of spoiling Stephanie, my happy ever after, but I lost it all fighting for the freedom that we enjoy in the USA. But, at what cost? I gave up my freedom to be with the woman I love so that others can be safe. I decide to enjoy this moment of grief with Stephanie, being able to hold her in my arms without feeling guilty, because together, we are grieving for the baby that was never born, that baby that we will never meet. I don't know how long we cried, but all I know is that we were woken up at 1500 by Tank, banging on the door.
I tell Tank to come in, as I can't get out from underneath my Babe. He walks in, giving us one look, and smiles. Then he notices the picture frame. "Ranger, the cop is here. He wants to take Stephanie home early. He has an important dinner that he just found out about, something to do with his job. I told him she was at a client meeting with Bobby. She needs to go home soon."
"Okay. I'll get Steph home." I tell Tank. He then leaves us alone again in my apartment. I gently start to wake Stephanie by rubbing her arms. "Steph, Babe, you have to wake up." She slowly starts to stir, taking a few minutes to figure out where she is and why she's here.
"I'm sorry, Ranger, I've kept you from work for most of the day."
"Don't be sorry, Stephanie. I've enjoyed every moment we've shared together. Thank you for telling me about our baby. I'm sorry things didn't work out differently. But remember, I'm here for you. Now, you need to wake your cute ass up because Morelli was here. You need to get home asap. You have some fancy dinner you need to attend. Tank told him you were at a client meeting with Bobby."
"Oh no. I better hurry up home. I don't want to make Joe unhappy. Thank you for understanding, Carlos, and not being mad at me."
"I could never be mad at you, Querida. I kiss her on her forehead, holding her one last time before I send her off. I know that she won't be mine, and now I can grieve for the child that I never knew I made.
Joe's POV
I arrive at Rangeman to let Stephanie know that we have an important dinner date at six sharp with a high ranking member of the NYPD and the FBI. I've been working on an interagency case, and it seems that I might be up for an opening in the FBI, my dream job. I get here, only to find out that she's out on a client meeting with Bobby. I'm wondering if that's true. Now that Manoso's back, I can't help the feeling that I'm losing Stephanie.
I was annoyed when he showed up at the church on Saturday. However, there was nothing that we could do about it. I couldn't foresee that his sister would be baptizing his Godson on the same day. At least he arrived AFTER we exchanged our vows. I'm not exactly happy that we are married, though. As much as I want children, I was hoping to be established in the FBI or NYPD before the child came along. If I can get Stephanie away from Trenton, then I can get her to behave more like the proper Burg wife. I know that now that there's a child involved, she won't dare leave me, so I guess I can up my fun with my side pieces. Being that I still have some time, maybe I'll see if Joyce is available. I quickie with Joyce always relaxes me, especially because she's willing to do the things that Cupcake won't do. I think that's the ticket.
I arrive home at five to find Stephanie just coming out of the shower. She's putting on the dress she wore the night I proposed. Perfect. That dress is classy and sexy, in the proper Burg way. I only hope she puts her hair up or straightens it. She knows how I hate her unruly hair.
"Hi, Cupcake. Did you have a good day?"
"Yes, Joe. I'm sorry I wasn't there when you stopped by the office. Bobby asked me to go with him to visit one of the residential clients. He had the quote for them and wanted my opinion on the placement of some cameras."
"That's fine. As long as you're not going after skips, I don't mind you seeing clients. It's a safe job."
"Who are we meeting with tonight?"
"We are meeting with Captain John Malone, from the NYPD and Agent Ken Whitman, from the FBI. There's a chance that there might be an opening in either agency with my name on it, so we need to make sure we make a good impression."
I watch as she comprehends what I'm telling her. She reaches for the straightener and starts to straighten her hair. Her make-up is flawless, and her straight hair looks great. If only she could look this good every day, I'd be a happy man. "Cupcake, you look wonderful. Isn't there something you can do to your hair, so you don't have to go through the hassle of straightening your hair every day?"
"Yes, I can get a Japanese hair straightening procedure. It takes almost a whole day but lasts about six months to a year. It's also expensive. Another option is a Brazilian treatment. It's not quite as long lasting, but still fairly expensive."
"Well, Cupcake, make an appointment for either treatment. I'll pay for it, as part of your wedding gift."
"Okay. I will." She finishes getting dressed. We leave the house at five thirty. Thank goodness. I wouldn't want to be late. We arrive at this fancy Steakhouse in Princeton. When we sit, we meet Captain Malone's wife, Emily and Agent Whitman's wife, Karen. Both women have blonde hair and blue eyes, with an impressive chest, at least a C or D cup. I think I'll need to pay for Stephanie to get a boob job. She needs to fit in better. Maybe I can even convince her to go blonde, too.
Somehow, during dinner, the conversation turns towards Stephanie's job. Captain Malone asks, "Stephanie, what is it that you do? I understand you are currently working."
"Well, I work for Rangeman Securities. I run background checks for clients on potential employees as well as search for individuals who skip bond so that our BEA's can apprehend them. I've started to meet with some clients, at the request of the Core Team. Now, I've been asked to take care of payroll and scheduling."
"Rangeman, I've heard of them. I believe Senator Juniak uses their services for his events." The captain responds.
"Yes, Uncle Joe uses them exclusively."
"Uncle Joe?"
"Well, not an uncle my blood. My dad and Uncle Joe have known each other since elementary school. They've remained good friends over the years, and Joe is my honorary uncle. He's my Godfather."
"I see. Do you have much contact with the owner of Rangeman, Ranger Manoso?"
"Yes, I know him well. He was my mentor when I worked as a BEA. Sadly, I never really became as good as he hoped I'd become. I was a little resistant to some of his lessons, like learning self-defense and carrying a weapon with me. I have a permit to carry a concealed, and until about a year ago, I never used it."
"I heard he was on some secret government mission for the last year and a half. Did he return?" Agent Whitman asked.
"He was out of town, but I don't know what he was doing. He returned to Trenton about two weeks ago. Then he went to visit the offices in Boston and Miami before returning here this weekend."
"When you see Ranger next, tell him I said hi." Agent Whitman finished.
"I will do that, sir."
"Wait a minute; I recognize you now." Emily Malone stated. "You're the Bombshell Bounty Hunter, right?"
I shake my head and groan inside my head. Not the impression that I need to make. I wonder how Stephanie is going to get herself out of this mess.
"Yes, I am, though the newspapers highly exaggerated the stories."
"You were the one who helped Ranger when that psycho kidnapped his daughter?" Agent Whitman asked.
"Yes. I helped Ranger to get Julie."
"Wow, I remember that story. You must have been scared. I don't know if I would have the strength to do that." Emily stated.
"Ranger is one of my best friends. I would do anything to help him, and he has helped me a lot in the past. I know I can always count on him to help me if I need it." Thankfully, the waiter came to take our dessert order, so the conversation about Ranger ended. Now, to get everyone back to talking about me.
"Joe, I thought that I read that your lovely wife was the one who discovered the evidence to prove your innocence when you were charged with that murder a few years back. It that true?" Agent Whitman asked.
I can't fucking believe; they want to spend more time talking about my Cupcake then me. This dinner was supposed to be my interview out of Trenton, helping me get Cupcake away from Manoso once and for all, instead, it's turned into "How wonderful is Stephanie Plum" instead. Fuck my life. The little bitch will pay for this when we get home, when I get her out of that dress, pregnant or not; I will have my wife tonight, the way I want her.
"Yes, it's true. We worked together and managed to tie Benito Ramirez and his gang to the murders that were occurring as well as to a large drug distribution ring." I answer.
Karen, Whitman's wife, added. "That was when you met Ranger, right? Joe was your first FTA, right?"
"Yes. Joe was my first FTA. I was desperate for money, I had lost my job six months before, and I managed to convince my cousin to give me the job. I had a horrible brown Nova that I purchased after my beautiful Miata got repo-ed, I had no food in my fridge, and zero money in my bank account. I had no idea what I had to do. Connie Rizzoli, the office manager at the time, called in a favor, asking Ranger to meet with a new BEA. We met at a diner, a little hole in the wall. I swear, when I first saw him I almost turned around and went home, but I needed the money, so I steeled myself and sat down in the booth. I think I shocked him more than he shocked me. After that meal, he helped me get a gun, handcuffs, and some other tools of the trade. He became my Henry Higgins, and I was Eliza Doolittle."
"Wow, that's so sweet. Manoso has always been a badass. I remember the first time I met him; I wasn't sure whether I wanted to run away in fear or jump him, he's incredibly sexy." Karen added.
I watch Stephanie's face. I can tell that she's intimately thinking about him. I was right; he did fuck her. I wonder when.
"Well, I have had that reaction to him over the years as well, but we are only great friends. I can truly say that Ranger is one of my two best friends. I can tell him almost anything. Beneath that badass exterior, he is a good guy with a big heart. Only don't tell him I told you that." Stephanie replied.
"I remember a while back you had a hit out against you by the Slayers. You went into hiding, where did you stay? Rumors were that you were hiding out in Newark or NYC."
Slippery ground. Maybe I'll get some insight into my wife's history with Manoso.
"Well, I was staying at Rangeman. Once again, one of my cars got blown up, and I was without transportation. Ranger had one of his guys drop me off a car to use, one of his cars, not a fleet car. I managed to use the GPS to find his headquarters and sneak inside. The key fob on the car gave me access to his seventh-floor penthouse. He wasn't home, he was in Boston, I think, so I played Goldilocks and hid in his apartment. I thought I was sneaky, with no one knowing I was there, but the whole building is under surveillance 24/7, so Ranger knew I was staying there. He told Tank, his second in command, to let me stay."
"Oh, I met Tank. He's the big black guy who's about 6'6" and 300 lbs? He's scary." Emily added.
"Yes, that's Tank. He's not bad either. It takes longer to crack his armor, though."
"What did Ranger do when he returned?" Emily asked.
"Well, he returned in the middle of the night, I thought I was getting kicked out, or thrown out the window. Instead, he took a shower then climbed into bed and went to sleep. The next night I slept on the couch."
"So you stayed in Ranger's apartment with him there, slept in the same bed, and did nothing?" Emily asked incredulously.
"Yes. That's what happened. I was dating Joe at the time, so I would never dishonor him by cheating on him. My first husband cheated on me before the ink on our marriage license was dry. I had the joy of walking in on him and one of his mistresses. I felt a sense of hurt and betrayal that I've never felt before. I wouldn't do that someone else."
"So you and Manoso are only friends? Never anything more." Emily pressed.
"Yes. We are only friends. Nothing more." Stephanie added.
I watch her expression. I see regret on her face. What the hell happened between her and Manoso. Something happened between them today. I wonder what it was. I know she didn't fuck him. That much is true; she wouldn't cheat on me. However, something happened, and I will find out what. She will tell me whatever she's hiding. At least she's pregnant with my child, so I know that I will have her forever. She will never divorce me now that we have a child together.
The rest of the evening turns to talk about some of my more prominent cases. Stephanie talks up my abilities, down-playing any assistance from her or Rangeman. She's the proper wife. Fortunately, I think that Stephanie enchanted both Captain Malone and Agent Whitman, so she didn't hurt my chances for advancement. Now, to punish her when we get home, I think it's time to bring bondage into the bedroom. I'll make it good for her, this time. Let her enjoy it a few times before making it what I want. After all, she is my wife.
