Best Wishes

By: amkp

Disclaimer: Not mine, there hers and always will be…damn the luck!

Author's note: To best fit this story, Ron and Rachel do not have any children of their own.

As always, thanks to my Beta, JenRar. To GirlieGirl79, for her support and honesty. Special thanks to Batman's Bombshell, for her opinion on this chapter. Whew, Babe, you really helped…now we get to see if everyone agrees with us or not.

Chapter 7-It's all about trust

RPOV

I've had to face many hard sights in my life, seen things that most people couldn't stomach. Images of war and murder are hard to erase from your memory bank; they're etched there in stone. But all that aside, seeing someone you love hurting, especially your child… it tears at your soul. I'd gladly take her pain, absorb it into my body, just so she wouldn't have to suffer. Her physical injuries are hard to witness, but when she finds out about Ron then Rachel. I closed my eyes and prayed for strength. Should I tell her or wait? The matter was taken from my hands as the door to Julie's room opened and a nurse stepped through.

"Well, sweet girl, it seems you have company now." The nurse greeted Julie as she cast a glance at Stephanie and me.

"My dad and his fiancée, Steph," Julie replied weakly. "How are my mom and daddy? Can I see them, please?"

The nurse shot a look to me. I met her eyes and slowly shook my head in a negative fashion. She gave a small nod, then went over to check Julie's IV. Stephanie decided to cut through some of the tension and delay the bad news until a little later.

"Can you tell us about Julie's injuries?" Stephanie asked the nurse while she rubbed Julie's foot through the sheet.

"This young lady was fortunate to be wearing her seatbelt. Had she not, her injuries would have been a lot worse. She has a broken collar bone, seatbelt bruising and several abrasions and cuts from the flying glass. We're keeping her for observation tonight, but if all goes well, I'd expect her to be released sometime tomorrow." The nurse leaned down and smoothed some hair from Julie's face, checked that the oxygen was still in placed, then asked to speak to me outside the room.

I squeezed Julie's hand, told her I'd be right back and followed the nurse from the room, brushing a kiss on Stephanie's temple when I walked past. As I arrived at the door, I saw Stephanie settle herself down next to Julie on the bed. She began talking quietly to Julie; she'd keep her occupied until I returned. The distraction would do them both good.

The nurse asked me to follow her into the waiting room where Charles and Natasha were waiting. When we arrived, they bolted up from their seats, clearly expecting the worst. The nurse motioned for everyone to sit down and stay calm. She reiterated Julie's injuries to us again, stating simply at this time that there really was no need for further concern. She waited just a moment before she dropped the other bomb.

"Mrs. Martine's injuries are much more severe. I won't sugar coat it… it doesn't look good. She's in surgery now; they are trying to stop the internal hemorrhaging in her brain. It's a very delicate surgery. The odds of them locating the bleeder and closing it, well, it's hard to say. Sometimes they have to go in several times. It could be hours before we know anything. Aside from the trauma to her brain, she has extensive physical injuries; broken bones, and a punctured lung being among the long list of problems. If she survives the brain surgery, there'll be more surgeries to repair those injuries. Then there'll be months of physical therapy. It will be a long road."

The nurse paused, reached over and held Natasha's hand. "I'm so sorry. I promise we have a staff of wonderful, talented doctors here that will do everything in their power to help your daughter. I'll check on you later and give updates whenever the information is made available to me. I won't leave my shift until I've been back in to see you." She rose from the chair where she'd been sitting and quietly left the room.

We sat there in silence for a long time. My mind racing back to a couple of months after the Scrog incident, when Rachel and I had sat down and had a serious talk about Julie's future. I appreciated the sentiment she extended me at the time, because honestly, I'd given up all rights to Julie years ago when I allowed Ron to adopt her and give her his name. Sure, I still paid a generous child support payment to the Martines, but that was only to pacify the guilt I felt for letting go of my daughter. The money I made in my career hadn't brought me that much happiness. Most of it was banked away or invested in real estate.

So what, I had some fancy cars, nice clothes and houses all over the place, but until Stephanie, I was completely alone. If you can't enjoy what you have with someone, what's the point of having it?

That was the justification I used to ship a good chuck of money every month to the Martines, in hopes that it made their life a little easier and gave my daughter material things that she wouldn't have had otherwise.

I'd been so shallow. I'd wasted valuable time getting to know my daughter better. But, Rachel had thrown me a bone. After Scrog, she said that she wanted to change Julie's guardianship, should anything happen to her and Ron. It had previously been set that Charles and Natasha would take Julie in the event of their deaths.

Rachel had said her parents were getting older and didn't really want the responsibility of full-time custody of Julie. They'd be happy to help in any way, whenever they were needed, but since I'd taken a more active role in Julie's life, maybe I'd be better suited for the job.

At the time, I was honored. It was just me; Stephanie was still with Morelli and I didn't know if I'd ever get the chance with her that I wanted. Besides, I really never thought the situation would ever happen. I mean, what are the odds?

And yet, here we are, facing it head-on. This was a matter I'd never discussed with Stephanie. How would she feel about this? We'd said we wanted to wait to have children. Hell, I'd been the one to suggest it.

I know she loves Julie, but is she ready to be a full-time mother if something happens to Rachel? Julie's nearly thirteen; it'd be at least five years before she'd go off to college or whatever she decided to do. Was Stephanie ready for that? Was I? Shit. It would change the whole dynamic of our relationship.

Would she think I was trying to make her into a housewife like Morelli always tired to? I wouldn't let that happen. We'd do this as a team, like we'd always done; I'd have an active part in the parenting. I wouldn't let the entire responsibility be dumped onto Stephanie like Morelli would have done. It would all work out for the best; we'd make it work, one way or the other. Who was I trying to convince? I'm terrified, for Rachel, for Julie and for mine and Stephanie's relationship.

Charles cleared his throat and swiped his hand across his face to rid it of any leftover tears. "How about we go see that granddaughter of ours?" he asked, trying to inflect some happiness into his voice, but failing miserably in the effort.

"No one has told her about Ron yet, or Rachel for that matter. Why don't you give me fifteen minutes to tell her, then come down to her room." I didn't want Charles and Natasha to be bombarded with questions from Julie. I also wanted to spare them the hardship of telling her. This was going to be one of the most difficult things I'd ever had to do… break my daughter's heart.

When I stepped into Julie's room, I found Stephanie murmuring to her as she pulled a brush through Julie's hair. It seemed that Stephanie had cleaned some of the dried blood from Julie's face and arms. Julie looked better, a little bit refreshed. Now I get to pull her back down. Fuck.

"Dad!" she greeted when she saw me standing in the doorway. "Do you have any news to tell me?"

"Yes, carina, I do." I took a deep breath then plowed through the whole story. I kept my voice low and steady, as if I was giving a report to a superior officer. It was the only way I knew to get through this as quickly and painlessly as possible.

When she started to sob, I faltered, but kept plugging on. She needed the whole truth from me now and I gave it to her. No evading, just the honest truth. It broke my heart. She was crushed.

Stephanie had her arms wrapped around Julie and I held them both within the circle of my arms. My whole world, right here, suffering, and nothing for me to do but hold them and wait.

Where was my patience? The inner calm I normally had? I just wanted to tear someone to pieces for hurting the people I love this way, like the driver of that fucking car! Too bad someone can only die once. I'd be more than happy to send him to the devil again for what he's done. I wanted to put my fist through the wall, just so I'd have a physical hurt that I could see and treat, instead of this emotional one that brewed below the surface, unseen, but even more painful.

SPOV

When Carlos left, I did everything in my power to comfort Julie. I spoke reassuringly to her, telling her everything was going to be alright, even though I didn't believe that myself. I hated myself for lying to her, but don't we all to that in times like these? We pat each other, say things are going to be okay, even as the world is falling down around us.

I noticed all the dried blood on her body, so I grabbed the pan next to the bed then went to the bathroom for a washcloth and warm water. Julie seemed to relax as I washed her body. When that was done, I grabbed a brush from my purse and worked my way gently through her long hair. I was just finishing as Carlos entered the room.

The look on his face tore at my heart. He hated what he had to say to her, but didn't avoid it. Just delivered it quickly then held us while Julie cried.

Charles and Natasha entered the room a short time later. Julie had pulled herself together for the most part. Every few minutes, a tear would stream down her face, but the gut-wrenching sobs had subsided. Carlos and I left the room to give Julie and her grandparents some privacy.

Carlos pulled me into a dark, vacant room at the end of a long corridor. His hands were fisted in my hair as he delivered a punishing kiss to my lips. I dug my fingers into his shirt and held tight. He slammed his body against mine, pinning me flat to the wall, his hard muscles grinding into me.

He was pissed. I knew it. Not at me, of course, but at the world; the world who'd hurt his little girl. He loved me, completely, and would never hurt me. This was just his way of letting go of the frustration he was feeling and he had no other way to get rid of the anger.

He'd never been like this with me before, this primal, but I wouldn't stop him, no matter what he did at this point. I trusted him above anything else. He needed this, and I was going to be there for him in whatever way possible.

Suddenly, he stepped back and took inventory of what he had been about to do. He dropped his hands from my body, shaking his head in disgust.

"I'm sorry, Babe. You don't deserve this from me. Jesus, I can't believe I nearly lost it with you in a fucking hospital room. What the hell is wrong with me?" He kept his face to the floor, not even meeting my eyes.

I reached out, placed my hands on his cheeks and tugged his face up to look at me. I could see the partially controlled rage fighting to get out behind his eyes.

"Carlos, I love you. I know you're hurting. If you need this to blow off some of your anger, then take it. I'm not going to protest, believe me. I want to help, and frankly, I could use the physical connection right now."

He stared at me for a long minute, then took a deep breath.

"Stephanie, I don't think I can be gentle. The grip on my control is slipping fast. If I was home, I'd take myself to the gym and let go. I don't want to hurt you. So if you're not up for this, you should leave the room now."

"No. I won't leave you alone. The gym's not going to be available to you for several hours, but I am. Just…let go," I said as I nipped at his jaw line.

His body tensed for a moment before he took charge. His muscles relaxed slightly as he reached for the button of my jeans. I followed his movement with my eyes as I ran my hands down his chest then up under his shirt. When I raked my nails across his nipples, he let out a groan. He yanked my jeans and panties down my lower limbs. They fell to the floor.

I made quick work of his pants, tugging them to thigh level before grabbing his erection and stroking roughly down his length. He jammed three fingers into me hard. I felt the warm rush of release instantly. I bit down on his shoulder, and knew that was going to leave a mark.

He lifted my leg and wrapped it around his waist. I clenched at his massive biceps, digging my nails into his flesh. He drilled me to the wall with his first powerful thrust; I could taste blood as I sunk my teeth into my bottom lip to keep from crying out.

He continued with this for several strokes, but in an instant, I was flipped and looking down at the floor. I had to put my weight on my tiptoes to remain standing.

This was a position of dominance and submissiveness. It occurred to me that this was the reason I'd always fought being taken like this by my previous lovers. I refused to allow them the control. It's a trust issue mainly, and probably why it has become one of my favorite positions with Carlos. Trust has never been a problem between us.

I reached out to brace my hands on the wall in front of me. Carlos entered hard and fast. I locked my elbows and forced myself back against him. He was not gentle. He brutally pounded away, one of his hands clamped onto my hip and the other secured above mine on the wall, preventing me from being driven forward.

The raw, unleashed power of him had me climaxing multiple times with no recovery period. I think he was blind to everything but freeing his personal demons at this point.

I just rode wave after wave of sensation, praying I'd be able to walk by the time he was done. I wasn't holding out much hope, though. Both of us were sweating profusely by now, each doing all we could to keep up the rapid rhythm.

"Babe, I'm close. Come with me," he ordered and my body jumped to attention, ready to fulfill his demand. He growled softly as his orgasm over took him. I whimpered and responded as I felt his cock pumping inside me.

"Fuck. I can't believe we just did that." Carlos breathlessly stated from the spot where he'd collapsed on my back. He placed a kiss where he rested, drawing ragged breaths in and out. "Anyone could have walked in and found us, for Christ's sake! I wasn't aware of our surroundings. I completely lost control. Shit, I'm sorry, Steph."

"Don't you dare apologize!" I said as I slid myself forward freeing my body from his still partially erect member. I turned to face him, quickly leaning against the wall in case my legs wouldn't hold my weight. They were noticeably trembling. Sure enough, they weren't up to the task, so I just slid down the wall to the floor.

Carlos tucked himself back into his jeans and pulled them into place, but left them unbuttoned as he dropped to a position next to me on the floor. I reached for his closest hand, entwined our fingers and continued talking.

"I can't believe we did this either, but I refuse to feel bad about it. Do you feel better? Because I know I do. We pushed the grief away for a few minutes, reaffirmed life. It's fine, Carlos. Don't worry." I soothed with my voice as I slowly rubbed the back of his hand with my thumb.

When he looked over at me, I was pleased to see his eyes were easier now; not filled with all the anger and pent-up rage I'd seen when we entered this room. Mission accomplished. Now all I needed to do was be able to walk on my own power.

We sat there quietly as our breathing returned to normal, Carlos staring at me, his face a varying display of emotions. The inner calm had returned and love for me was visible in the beautiful chocolate depths of his eyes. A small smile hinted at the corners of his lips. "You never disappoint, Babe."

Carlos reached over with his free hand to tuck one of my errant curls behind my ear. "Stephanie, there's something I need to discuss with you. I actually picked this room to give us some privacy to discuss the matter. I didn't plan what happened. It just sort of took over when we got in here." He gave me a bashful expression, which tickled me because it was so unlike 'Ranger'.

"Okay, what do we need to talk about? You didn't leave anything out when you told Julie, did you? You shouldn't keep stuff from her, it'll only hurt her more. Especially if someone says something, thinking she already knows."

"I agree. That's my plan. However, this matter needs to be discussed between us before we tell her. I hope that this scenario doesn't come to be, but you need to know. I would have told you sooner, I just never thought anything like this would happen."

"Carlos, what are you talking about?"

"Julie. In the event of Ron and Rachel's death, I'm granted full custody of Julie." Carlos looked into my face, searching for my reaction.

I didn't say anything. I just stared at him, unsure how I felt about this. It would be a big change for us. We'd just gotten used to living in each other's space comfortably, and now we might be adding another person to the equation?

"Stephanie, please say something."

"Umm, okay. I guess we'll deal with this one day at a time? I guess I'm sort of scared. It's really sudden."

"I know, Babe. I'm a little panicked myself. This wasn't part of my plan for the start of our life together. But, we'll make adjustments; make this work if it happens, alright?"

"We both love Julie, she's a great kid. It'll be fine. I knew she'd be spending time with us regularly, so that's not such a shock. I just wasn't prepared for a day-to-day thing."

"Me, either. I love you, Stephanie. Thanks for understanding. I didn't keep this from you on purpose. You know that, right?"

"Yep. No problem. Life happens. We're in this for better or worse. There are going to be bumps in the road. How we handle them is all that matters," I stated with heartfelt honesty.

This was the reason I was in a permanent relationship with this man. We discussed our problems rationally. He didn't go into a fit, waving his arms and yelling or throwing insults. He just laid the problem out and we dealt with it, simple as that.

Carlos enveloped me into an embrace and he rested his head on top of mine as he spoke into my hair. "Babe, I don't deserve you, but I'm never going to stop being thankful that you're here now, with me."

I tipped my head back to receive his kiss. He poured all the love he felt for me into the kiss. This man, who'd always used his actions to speak to me in the beginning of our relationship, was delivering a shouted exclamation. It'd always been his way; I'd just been too blind to see what he was saying without words.

When we finally separated, he stood and then reached down to pull me to my feet. I wobbled a bit. He steadied me and asked, "You going to be able to walk?" His voice was full of concern.

"Just give me a minute here."

Carlos squatted down, retrieved my jeans and panties, then helped me into them. Confident my legs were going to support my weight, I took a few tentative steps around the room. I was sore, but I'd live. All humor aside, the raw animal-like coupling had really blown my mind, and if a little soreness was the price that had to be paid… well, I was fine with that.

"I hurt you," Carlos said. It wasn't a question, but a statement of fact.

"I won't be forgetting you when I try to walk for the rest of the day," I joked, "but whenever you need to lose control like that again, you come find me, alright?" I gave him a crooked little smile that I hoped told him I meant every word. I received a barely perceptible nod from him as he wrapped his arm around my waist to lead me from the room.

As soon as we stepped into the hall, the nurse from earlier turned to us. "Mr. Manoso, I've been looking everywhere for you. We have an update on Mrs. Martine's condition."

TBC