"What are your plans for Christmas Tank?" Lester, Tank, Ranger and Hal are still sitting around the conference table, gathering up their paperwork after the weekly wrap-up meeting.
"Going to the Manoso's, like every year….what about you Lester?"
"Driving to Pittsburgh to my grandparents'. Hal? What you doing?""Gonna be flying out to LA after the party to see my kids. Ranger gave me the week off."
"Nice. What about you Ranger? What are your plans?" Hal looked to his boss.
"I don't know. I had been planning on going to my parents."
"Good. Tell them Hi. Ok, Boss, see you two at the party." Lester and Hal walked out and Tank remained sitting.
"You don't sound like you are coming to Christmas, Carlos." Tank stared at Ranger.
"I had figured on seeing Julie next week, when I moved down to Miami. Charlie, I came back to Trenton to tell you I was moving on." He sat for a moment. "By the way this opening up thing sucks. But now I am undecided ---what do I do?"
Tank laughed lowly, looked at Ranger for a second and then asked, "Why were you leaving?"
"Stephanie."
"Why are you thinking of staying?"
"Stephanie."
"Maybe you should be talking to Stephanie about this, man, not me."
Ranger looked at Tank thoughtfully. "Yeah, I know, Charlie. I know. It's been wonderful lately to see the money I spent on your education come back to bite my ass," Ranger chuckled.
Tank laughed too. It was good to see him lighten up. "Anyway, I'm going to your parents for Christmas whether you are there or not. I was going to ask Trey to come. You should bring Stephanie too."
"To my parents? What, are you crazy?"
"They've met, Carlos. All survived. It seems like maybe you should be wanting to spend Christmas with the woman you love? Just an idea. You bought her a beautiful gift; what are you planning on doing, having it messengered over or something?"
"I don't want to disappoint Julie. I should see her for Christmas if I am not moving to Miami, shouldn't I?"
It wasn't lost on Tank that Ranger didn't deny he loved Stephanie. But he chose not to push it for the moment. "Julie's not expecting you for Christmas, so go down afterwards. You are willing to piss your mother off for not coming to Christmas? You are a bigger fool than I thought."
Tank looked at Ranger for a long moment. "You asked Steph what she's doing for Christmas yet? Maybe she'd like to spend it with you."
"I just figured she'd be with her family."
"Ask her man. Damn, you are fucking clueless sometimes." Tank picked up his stack of files, smiled at Ranger, and walked out and closed the door behind him.
Ranger looked at the screen of his cell phone for a lengthy minute, deciding what to do next.
"Rachel… is it too late to ask if Julie could come here for Christmas? Just for a few days? My parents would love it. I'd have her back before new years."
"Aren't you going to be down here then? I don't know if changing all her plans at the last minute is right."
"I know Rachel… look I'm sorry. I want some time with her. I think my plans are changing. I know she thinks I'm definitely moving there in January, but I never told her that…I told her I was thinking about it… and right now, it looks like it's not happening."
"You're going to disappoint her Carlos." I thought he had changed. Guess he's back to his selfish ways, Rachel thought with irritation. "She's been looking forward to having you nearby. Let me discuss it with Ron, and with Julie. I'll call you back, ok? It's the best I can do."
Yeah. Ok. Thanks Rach."
He closed the phone. Stared at it for an instant, then opened it again and dialed 1.
------------------------------
Stephanie had had to wait three days before she could get Lula and Marylou together for their shopping excursion. Time was running out.
"Girl, I don't know how you are going to do this. Only two days till the party? We've got to get our rears in gear!!!"
Lula wiggled her ample rear end for emphasis as she maneuvered herself into the passenger seat of the Miata.
"A stop by Tasty Pastry is in order; we can't hit the mall with no sugar, girlfriend…. That place gonna be crazy."
"We'll get Marylou first, and we're taking her van, in case we shop too much," Stephanie said as she whipped into traffic. They both laughed at that; its just days before Christmas, and three Jersey girls were heading to the mall. What could possibly happen except shop too much!!!
"I know, Lula. I had no idea Ranger was going to be back. I thought I was going with Joe, if I even went. I hadn't decided if I even wanted him around all of RangeMan all night."
"So, now?" Lula asked, with many questions in the word 'now' obvious. She chose one to voice. "Ranger ask you to go with him?"
"Well, no, I'm just going. But I want to make the right impression."
"Hmhmm hm…" Lula intoned, knowing exactly what Stephanie wanted to impress upon Ranger.
"We've got to find the perfect dress. I already made my appointment with Mr. Alexander for the morning of the party."
Marylou came out of her house with a wave, and beeped open her van. Her eyes didn't even widen when she saw Lula pry herself out of the Miata. Lula was a sight, in sparkly red spandex with white boa trim around the neck and wrists. She had golden jingle bell earrings and a matching bracelet, and white boots up to her knees. "Santa's little helper, are we?" Marylou acknowledged with a grin.
"Tasty Pastry first Marylou, we need some sustenance for this little trip! We got one day to get our girl to be looking irresistible to Batman!"
Stephanie's cell phone starts chirping the Batman theme while she is pirouetting in the mirror, wearing a particularly sexy and revealing outfit. Marylou looks at Steph as it rings, and Stephanie's eyes widen. Marylou decides to risk Steph's wrath, and answers the phone.
"Yo."
"Uh huh."
"Who's this?"
"Marylou."
"Oh. Hey. Steph around?"
"Um, yeah, she's um, kind of busy wriggling out of this little black dress right now and …"
"Give me the phone!!" Stephanie lunged and took the phone from a laughing Marylou. "Yo." She tried to sound unaffected, but Ranger just laughed out loud.
"Babe. Need help getting your dress off?"
Stephanie stuck her tongue out at the phone.
"Saw that Babe," he laughed.
He probably did, she thought. He probably did. "What did you want Ranger, I'm kind of busy." She looked around the mirrors and grimaced. Shook her head at Marylou. Nope. She mouthed.
"You gals having fun? I just called to ask you something. It can wait till later though."
"No, it's ok. What?""Well, actually, I wanted to know if maybe you wanted to come to Christmas dinner with me, at my parents. I didn't know if you had plans, and"
"Yes."
"Yes?"
"Yes. I'd like that Carlos." Both Marylou and Lula looked at each other. "Carlos?" they whispered in unison, while their eyebrows rose a few inches. Stephanie waved them off, and tried to concentrate on what Ranger was saying.
"Dinner is usually at 6 so all the families can do their thing at home first, and then we all gather at my parents for another round of gifts."
"I've got to go Ranger. I need to shop!" And I need to get off this phone.
"Bye." And she snapped it closed, and then stared down at it. I just hung up on Ranger.
Ohmygod, Ranger just opened up. He asked me to go to his parents. He told me things. And I hung up on him. Stephanie plopped down on the bench in front of the mirrors and both Marylou and Lula just looked at their friend. Her heart was racing. She appeared to be in shock.
"Our shopping efforts must be redoubled. I need an outfit to go to dinner in. On Christmas day. At his parents' house." Stephanie's voice was monotone and barely above a breathless whisper.
Two enormous 'O' shaped mouths stared at her.
"Girl, you betta start talking; right 'bout now I got me the feeling you holding out on us."
"Yeah. What's with 'Carlos', hmm?" Marylou piped in.
"We don't have time. Ohmygod. What am I going to wear??""What is wrong with all these dresses, Steph? You've tried on six dresses that make you look as hot as I've ever seen you, but you passed on all of them?" Marylou waved her hand in the general direction of the mess in the corner of the fitting room.
"I don't know…. I mean, I guess, well, he's seen me in stuff like this, you know?? I wear these revealing things all the time when I'm doing distractions, and I guess I just don't want to look like I was heading out to do a job, you know? I want something sexy, and eye-catching, but maybe not so obvious."
"Well why didn't you say so girl?? Ok, now we know what we're after. And what about for dinner? And by the way don't think you're gonna get out of explaining what's goin' on here with you and Joe and Rang— and 'Carlos', but first things first." Lula got moving to the door, ready to start again.
After another two hours of serious shopping, they had come up with not only the perfect party dress, but a nice ensemble for Christmas dinner. And she still had enough money to buy shoes for both!
"Pino's, Marylou. This girl got lots of explaining to do and I think pizza and beer might put her in the proper frame of mind." There was enough room in the van for the three of them. Barely. But no one would be disappointed for Christmas this year, especially the credit card companies.
"Ok. Spill Chickie. What's up? You ain't at Morellis'. And you don't got your own place no more. Where you been staying all week?" Lula bombarded her, as the waitress set down three meatball heros and a large everything pie.
"What? Wait a minute. The grapevine must be wilting here, I had no idea you had moved out. Why don't I know this? And Lula is right! Where are you staying? You're not at my place, and I'd know if you were at your parents. Louise Barnaky across the street from your parents would have told Jennifer Polhauz by now."
"So?" They both said at once.
"I'm at Haywood."
"Haywood? Seventh floor?""NO! I'm a RangeMan employee; I'm allowed use of an apartment on 4."
"Why?""Christmas must really be affecting the grapevine Marylou; Joe and I had it out almost a week ago at Restaurante Italiano."
"REALLY." Marylou gaped.
"Yeah." Stephanie shrugged her shoulders, and didn't say another word. She concentrated on her hero with more attention than was necessary.
"About what?" Lula pestered her, waving her slice in front of her.
"He said things, called Tank and Ranger things, too…."
"To their faces? And he's alive? Like what?""I'm not repeating it. And no, not to their faces…well to Tanks' but not Rangers."
"Anyway, Tank took me back to his apartment because I couldn't go back to Joe's that night. Then the next day, Ranger arranged for an apartment on 4."
"My Tank is a good man."
"Your Tank?" Marylou sputtered.
"Well, just 'cause I sent him to the curb don't mean I don't care about the fool still. And he is a good man, which is why I made him go."
"Lula. You regretting it? He's not seeing anyone yet." Stephanie saw an opening in the distraction game and she wasn't about to let it go.
"No. Yes, I regret it, or I did. I actually started seeing someone a few weeks ago, but I haven't told you all yet, 'cause its so new…"
"Spill." Stephanie and Marylou said in unison.
"No. You just are tryin' to change the subject."
Stephanie stared at Lula, but Lula stared back. "Anyway…. I haven't seen Joe since. I don't know what to do." Stephanie finally stated.
"I know it can't continue. I have to be done with him. Ranger's making like it is over with Joe and I. He's all over me, but I just feel so …I don't isn't right, I know that at most every level…but …; but Ranger had been gone most of the fall, and is moving to Miami next week. He hasn't even had the courtesy to tell me yet. He is putting Tank in charge up here and leaving."
"Yet he is all touchy-feely and being charming and wonderful and romantic and just what I have always wished he could be. I am so flipping confused. Why did I just spend all that money to impress him or his family?? He'll be gone. Then what?" Stephanie looked at both of her girlfriends; hoping one of them may jump in with an answer to what to do next.
When none was forthcoming, she continued on. "I can stay at Haywood for a while. But need to move on. Do I leave RangeMan? Do I follow him to Miami? What if he's going there to get away from me? Can I really be through with Joe? It feels like a bad idea to leave…But I don't want to stay. Why does it feel bad to leave? My life sucks." Stephanie ended her litany of questions with a scowl. She picked up her bottle of Corona and downed the last of the liquid.
"It sure is good to be venting with you guys. I've told Tank all this; he's a good listener, and actually he's good at figuring it all out; but well, I mean, he's Rangers man, you know?"
"He's your partner."
"Yeah. Until Ranger is ready for the field. Well, no, if Ranger is leaving….oh, hell, he's still Rangers. Not mine. Not for real. You girls, you're mine."
"For real, girlfriend, for real." Lula smiled at Stephanie.
"Are you going to let him take you home, after the party? Will you sleep with him?" Marylou prodded.
"I can't Mare. If I do that, I'm done. It's so good to be in his arms, his lips drive me crazy…I'd never survive sleeping with him." Whoops. Beer number three arriving for duty; loose lips on board. I better watch what I say, Stephanie thought.
"You've survived Joe all this time."
"Have I?"
Her eyes glazed over, her mind was full, wandering, she wasn't even aware she continued to speak out loud. "Ranger is different. He's so much more…. attentive … selfless… considerate… tender… passionate. Making love with Ranger is so different than sleeping with Joe."
Both women's mouths dropped. "You been really holding out, girl! You been with Batman? When?" Lula finally asked.
"Details!" Marylou squeaked.
"Oh, damn." She looked at her friends, then back down at her hands. Yes, she was bad, for not ever telling them about that night, she knew it. But the whole circumstance just made it awkward.
"A long, long time ago. I haven't been with him since. It was just one night." One incredible, earth shattering night, her face said, but she kept that to herself. "I don't think I should again. It will just make things more confusing."
"Has he told you he loves you? Cuz girly, for what it's worth, you both might as well have it tattooed across your foreheads."
Stephanie's mind had wandered to the past summer. She was recalling the conversation they had in Florida that night……….
"But Babe, I do love you. And I will take what I can. If I can have only your friendship then that's what I will take. I do want more but you need to give it freely, and I am not going to ask you to cheat on Joe. I want to be more than friends with benefits. Which is why nothing further has happened."
He looked at her, and she understood that he was telling her that he has had tight control on himself for a long time. "That doesn't mean I won't take the opportunities that present themselves to me. I will kiss you. I will touch you. I will dream about you. I will always love you."
"Steph? Earth to Stephanie! How does Ranger feel about you? What has he said?" Marylou was waving her fingers under Stephanie's face, trying to get her attention.
"We went over all this in July, in Miami. I was with Joe then. Ranger said he loves me. I told him the same back but we were letting the Joe thing rule. He didn't want to be the cause of anything, ya know?"
"And where the heck were we all summer? We don't know this why?" Lula seemed slightly offended that they had been left out of the loop.
"Well the Joe thing is done, isn't it? Ranger knows that right?" Marylou suggested practically.
By the time dinner was finished, Stephanie wasn't sure if she had figured things out or was more confused than ever. But it was fun to hang out with the girls.
-----------------------------
"Hey Babe. Have fun today?" Ranger greeted Stephanie at the elevator door as she arrived at the 4th floor. One glance at her hands full of shopping bags gave him the answer, and he grinned; then took hold of some of her packages.
"Anything in there for me?" He raised his eyebrow suggestively while leering at the Victoria's Secret bag.
Stephanie dropped her bags to the floor…. "I knew I forgot something! Duh!" She laughed and leaned into Rangers' outstretched arms.
"Dinner, babe? Ella just brought it up to 7 if you want. She hoped you'd be there; she made dessert. You've got her wrapped around your finger too."
"I'm there!!!" Stephanie laughed and tried to pull away, "I just need to shower first. I'm exhausted and grimy from all that shopping."
"Want me to help, Babe?" he asked quietly. Ranger hadn't let go of her yet, his fingers were gripping her waist, thumbs rubbing up and down her spine.
"No. Definitely no," she whispered. Stephanie looked at him like a deer caught in the headlights. All that talk at Pino's with the girls came back in a flash. What the heck was she doing?
Ranger shrugged slightly. Tank said give her time. Ok. I will. I'm here with her, right? That should be enough. "See you in a bit then," and he kissed her forehead and was gone.
After dinner they settled into the living room with a bottle of wine. "Wine, huh? Must be one of the non-temple days?"
Ranger smirked. "No. just one of the celebratory days."
"What are we celebrating?""You—you make my days shine, Babe. How is it I have lived all this time without you?" Ranger handed her the glass he had filled, and kissed her cheek. "Cheers." They touched their glasses together. You survived, you haven't lived, Manoso.
"Me --- I've figured out that I don't want to be alone…and hope it isn't too late. Slainte." I would do anything to wake up to your face every day of my life.
"Us---that we can find happiness in each others arms, in each others lives… I love you Stephanie Plum." It's that simple, isn't it? No qualifiers. I just love you.
"Joe—"
"Joe?" Stephanie choked.
"Yeah, Joe. May he find happiness with someone else---far from us."
They clinked glasses one last time. Ranger took her glass from her, and pulled her into his lap. "Shush. Just lay here with me babe. Let me hold you." They settled in on the couch, and he hit the remote a few times. The lights went down and soft jazz filled the air. "Sometimes I think this is the best part," he nuzzled into her hair.
Stephanie didn't want to move. It felt like heaven in his arms; his body was warm and hard and he smelled delicious. But she knew she couldn't stay. This is getting weird, she thought. She'd spent the last five months, heck 2 years, longing for exactly this, trying hard to be happy with what she had with Joe, and now? Ranger is giving her what she thought she wanted and she was freaking out! Joe and she were over, damn it!
"Carlos, it's getting late…. I really should head back downstairs." Stephanie struggled to sit up.
"You don't have to." Ranger tried to hold her close.
"I do. I definitely have to, Carlos." She looked at him, and gently pried his fingers from her arms, giving him a sorry smile.
Ranger let go, and sighed. "Ok." He stood up to walk her to the door, and took her hand again, pulling her close to him. "Babe...you are coming to the Christmas party right? Would you go with me?"
She felt 13 all over again. "Yes, I would. That would be nice." She said, not looking up at his face.
"Great."
"I have to get some last minute errands and stuff done tomorrow, before the party…."
"Limos will be arriving starting at 830 pm…Call me when you're ready to go, ok?" Ranger opened the door, and walked her to the elevator. "Night babe. Sweet dreams."
Stephanie was all set. She had been able to put her hair back together with a little help from Ella. Of course, it would have been fine, except for her unscheduled nap earlier; a lucky opportunity actually, considering she got not a moments rest all night; she tossed and turned, Ranger on her mind. She had finished her makeup, extra mascara and all. Her 4 inch FMP's were strapped to her ankles and her purse was by the door. Ready or not….she took a deep breath and buzzed Ranger.
Her door opened a few moments later and her breath was taken away by the incredible vision that Ranger made. All male. All rich, dark, hard, sexy, delicious male. Here is a man built for a tuxedo, she thought, smiling at him. Eating him up with her eyes.
"See something you like, babe?" Ranger beamed her his 200 watt smile.
Then he stopped walking and stood, stunned by the alluring vision Stephanie created in her dress. She was wearing a dress the color of champagne, just a shade darker than her skin; the raw silk bodice was two pieces of fabric that left a keyhole between her breasts. It haltered into a mock turtle neck, giving a sexy but elegant view. The back was cut away, allowing for no bra, he noted. The fabric started again at her waist, where the bias-cut silk georgette skirt began. The skirt stopped in a gentle frill just above her knees, and her legs were sheathed in nude stockings.
Her shoes were the same color champagne, but the straps were encrusted with rhinestones, which mimicked the chandelier earrings that she wore as her only jewelry. Her hair was up, in an elegant sweep, but carefully orchestrated curls had "escaped" around her face and the back of her neck.
Ranger walked over to her, laced his arms about her waist, and kissed her under her ear, where her earring was tickling her skin.
"You look astonishing. I am awestruck babe." And his lips found hers, and his hands grazed her chest. She wasn't wearing a bra, he recalled, as his fingertips discovered her nipples pressing against the fabric. "I am so done for tonight babe. You're trying to kill me," he whispered into her ear, before he let her go.
---------------------------
"Can I join you, Babe?" Ranger asked, pulling Stephanie across the limo seat into his lap.
"Huh?" Stephanie settled into his arms, and closed her eyes for a moment. This is so nice, she thought. She looked at him with a question in her eye.
"In your little world …wanted to know if I could join you there," He flashed her a 200 watt grin.
She smiled back ---a small smile. "Ranger?"
"Babe?""You didn't tell anyone about Miami." She twisted in his lap so she could really look at him.
"Babe."
"Julie told me."
"I know."
"Why, Ranger?" Why are you going, why didn't you mention it tonight at the party; why haven't you told me?
"Why haven't you asked me about Miami, Babe?" Ranger's fingers were trailing up her bare arms, running around the high collar of her dress, definitely distracting her. And distracting himself. She shrugged. "I've learned that you will tell me when and if you want me to know."
He'd been too good for too many hours. Watching her dance with Lester and Tank had been torture, he thought; only to find that torture was too simple a word for actually dancing with her. Watching her dance in this dress was almost like watching her dance in the nude. He was so hot for her; he didn't want any more words. But he knew she needed to hear this.
His hand stopped moving; his fingertips began to outline her ear, and his mouth followed his fingers in a slow exploration of her earlobe. He carefully removed her earring and handed it to her. "Babe, I've changed my mind." He softly breathed into her ear.
"Changed your mind?" Stephanie sighed.
He stopped sucking her earlobe, and looked straight at her. "I was leaving to get away from you. I realized I had lost you to Morelli. I told you all those months ago in Miami that I loved you. Still do." He squeezed her close.
"But Joe seemed to have captured your heart. I couldn't continue watching, that's why I've been in Boston most of the autumn. I came back the other night to tell you I was going for good. And I found out that he broke your heart. I told Morelli I would not allow him to break your trust or your heart; that if he did, I would make my move for you with no guilt…."
Wow. True, honest emotion from Ranger. When did he and Joe do all this talking? He's staying. Julie will be heartbroken. "Ranger, if you told Julie you were moving to Miami …."
"I know. I need to straighten that all out with her. I am staying Babe."
Ranger took his hand and placed it on her chin. "Babe. You are amazing. I love you." And his lips descended on hers for a long, searching kiss. His fingers strayed along the back edge of the dress, and then his hands smoothed up her front, cupping her breasts as his tongue explored her mouth, her neck, her fingers. Neither was aware that the limo had arrived back at Haywood.
"Babe?" Ranger whispered as they walked to the elevator. "Come home with me, please? Stay with me. Let me make love with you." His arm wove around her waist, and he pulled her to him as the elevator door closed.
As the elevator door opened on 7, both Ranger and Stephanie tumbled out, arms entwined, lips trying to stay connected. The door closed as Ranger hit the remote to unscramble the elevator video monitor. He backed Stephanie into the door, and reached around to unlock the door, twisting the knob with one hand and twisting a strand of hair around the fingers of his other as his lips settled for a spot just under her ear.
He put down his key fob, and tugged on his tie, as he continued walking forward with Stephanie doing a two step backwards, in his embrace. He didn't let go until her legs came in contact with the edge of the bed. She fell into the soft comforter, and Ranger just stared at her for a moment.
They were both out of breath, their eyes were dark, and her tongue was darting out of her mouth, licking her lips involuntarily. She never removed her eyes from his.
They lay together afterward, with the comforter over them, basking in the moonlight, tracing their fingers up and down and around each other. There was tranquility and harmony in their souls this night, and passion in their hearts.
Ranger rolled over and grabbed Stephanie to him. He kissed her face, and ran his fingers through her hair. "Babe. I have to go." He whispered into her ear. She slept through his touches. He got up and showered, got dressed and came back to the bed. "Babe. I'll see you at Christmas, ok? I love you."
"Wait. Carlos." Stephanie rolled over, not wanting to face morning. Last night was too recent for morning to intrude.
"What?" he had almost reached the bedroom door before responding.
"Where are you going? Why are you leaving?" Her face was sleepy, her thoughts were not connecting yet, but she felt like he was walking away. Again.
"Babe, I've got to go. I'm late."
"For what? Where are you going?"
"Babe."
"Carlos. We're not doing this again. You will not walk away from me this time." She was awake now, and she was getting hot. It was going to be different. He loved her. All those things he said last night. And still he's walking away without telling her a thing.
"Damn you Carlos." Stephanie sat up and tossed the covers off of her and threw the pillow at him.
"Babe." Ranger walked back to the bed, and handed her the pillow.
"Where are you going? Why are you leaving?" Stephanie pulled the covers tightly around her.
"I'm going to Miami, to pick up Julie. She's coming here for Christmas," he said as he sat down on the edge of the bed.
"Is that all? Why is that so hard to tell me! Damn it, Ranger. You should be able to just tell me that….."
"Old habits, babe." He shrugged. "Don't be mad. Try not to take it personally, ok? Just keep reminding me to change." He kissed her cheek, and rubbed the tears away from the corner of her eye.
"Ok, I'll try. When will you be back?" Stephanie looked into his eyes. She loved this man.
"Tonight, but we'll be staying in Newark with my parents. Tomorrow I want to take her to the city so she can see the tree at Rockefeller Center and all the windows on Fifth Avenue. We'll stay at my parents Christmas Eve as well. I'll see you when you get there, ok? Check with Tank about times and stuff. He'll drive you. Ok?"
"Ok."
"Babe."
"What?"
"I love you."
"Me too Carlos. Me too."
CHAPTER EIGHTEENTank picked up the phone at his desk, looked up the number, and called his son. Damn, I feel as nervous as a schoolboy, he thought. This shits crazy.
"Can I speak with Treyvon," Tank asked the man who answered the phone. He got a grunt for a response, and heard a muffled screech before the extension in the house was picked up.
"Whassup? Who dis?'
"Your father. Trey? It's Tank."
"Oh, Hey, Tank, what's goin' on?""Not much. You haven't called much. I wanted to check in."
They chatted uncomfortably for a few minutes, before Tank got around to the reason he called. "What are you doing for Christmas, Trey?"
"Nothin' much. Stayin' home. Grandma in the hospital again. She had another stroke last week."
"You should have told me. I'm sorry to hear that Trey."
"Yeah, whateva. Her husband be going to his sons house, but his wife don't like Nica to come over there cause she don't behave right so we staying here."
"Trey, come to Christmas dinner with me? My sister's family is in Newark, I go there every year."
"I can't be leaving Nica home alone, man. I don't know when grandma is getting home again. We done Christmas by ourselves before, man, it ain't no biggie."
Tanks heart broke. "Trey. You can bring Nica. I wouldn't expect you to leave her home alone. Come to Christmas, and meet your family."
"Your family won't mind her?"
"Your family won't mind. The more the merrier, Trey, that's how Mama Manoso feels."
"Uh, well, I guess. Ok."
"So have you done your Christmas shopping?"
"Don't got money to do that."
"Tell you what Trey, where's Nica now?"
"At school; her bus will drop her off around 5."
"I'm gonna be by to take you shopping ok? You need to buy your grandma a gift, and Nica, right?"
When Tank arrives, he spots new electronics, a big screen TV, and other gadgets. "Someone has some pretty toys," Tank comments. Trey said, "Yeah, her husband been buying shit lately." Tank suddenly realizes that the money he had started giving Treys grandmother was not making its way to Trey.
Tank handed Trey a $100 bill when they arrived at Target. His eyes lit up. "What this for?"
"Christmas shopping, son. Go, have fun. You need to get your grandmother and your sister a gift before you spend it on yourself though, ok?"
"Veronica likes baby dolls," Trey said, as they stood looking at the well picked over selection of dolls in the toy aisle. "Oh, man she'd love this stroller, too. Ah, I can't get that. Don't got enough."
Tank excused himself. "Trey, I'll meet you in the front of the checkouts in 30 minutes, ok?"
Trey stood in the line of customers with his gifts. A baby doll, and a pretty shirt for Nica, and he found a fuzzy throw blanket for his grandmother in yellow, her favorite color. And he had a gift for Tank. He didn't know what to get him, but he figured a DVD of The Matrix might be good. He met his father and had a smile on his face. "Thanks, Tank." Tank just smiled silently. "No problem son, no problem." He said, as they walked to the truck.
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"Merry Christmas!" Tank stood at the door of Trey's apartment. Trey opened the door, and let him in. Veronica was behind Treyvon, hiding. "Nica doesn't like men, Tank."
"Merry Christmas, Veronica," Tank leaned gently around Treyvon and gave the little girl a beaming smile. She looked up shyly, then turned her head so she was protected by Treyvons' arms. Trey carefully pried her arms away from his waist, and looked down at his little sister. "Veronica, this is Tank. He's my father. Say Merry Christmas, Nica."
Veronica was almost 8 and tiny for her age. Her hair was plaited in corn rows and each braid was ended in brightly colored pony beads. Her eyes were bright, but it was obvious that she was a child with Down syndrome. She looked up at the large man standing with his arms full of gifts. "Melly Chismas," she whispered.
Tank handed both Trey and Veronica gifts, and told them to open them up before they left. He got the expected wide eyed excitement when Trey opened his box to find an MP3 player. "Cool, man, cool!" Veronica awkwardly opened her present, and she grinned when a large stuffed panda bear appeared in front of her.
She took Tanks' hand and put it to her face in a gesture of thanks.
Tank smiled at her, and said, "Let's get moving, ok? I've got someone sitting in the car."
"Can you take us to the hospital first to see grandma maybe? Just for a minute?" Treyvon hated to ask Tank for favors, but he had to give his grandmother a gift, and he thought that Nica might like to see her too.
"What hospital?" He opened his phone to let Carlos know that they were en-route but would be late.
Tank pulled up to a brick home in a modest neighborhood in Newark, and let everyone out before going to find a parking space elsewhere. The Manoso household was overflowing. Stephanie took Veronica's hand, and urged Trey to carry the shopping bags full of gifts up the flight of stairs to the porch. "Ring the bell, Veronica," she said, as she pointed to the doorbell.
The door was opened by a child of about nine. "Hi. Merry Christmas!" She said. "Come in. Who are you? I'm Ainslie."
Stephanie laughed and introduced herself. "My name is Stephanie, and"
"Babe." Ranger walked to the door and grabbed her. "Merry Christmas, Babe" he said and kissed her, his arms around her waist. Tank jogged up the stairs at that moment, and said, "Uh, yeah, man, sorry to interrupt, but it's freezing out here. Let everyone in already!"
Trey found a quiet corner and sat down. Quiet didn't mean empty, but there was just one girl sitting there. "There's an awful lot of people here," Trey said to Julie. "Who are they all?"
"Cousins, I guess. I only know a few of them."
"But I thought you were Ranger's kid, aren't you?""I'm Julie Martine. I'm 11. Ranger's my birth father. But I was adopted by my Dad when I was a little baby. I never even saw Ranger a lot until this summer. Did you know I was kidnapped this summer?"
"I heard about that."
"So, are you one of my cousins? What's your name? How old are you? Who's your parents?"
"Um, well, I don't know if we'd be cousins or not. My name is Trey and I'm 16. My father is Tank."
"Uncle Charlie is your dad? That's cool. I love him a lot. He's my godfather. Your sister Daisy was my bestest friend when I was a little girl."
"I never met her. I just met Tank this summer."
"That's too bad you didn't know her. But I'm glad you got to meet your dad. I don't think you'd be my cousin, though, because Daisy wasn't my real cousin. Ranger was her godfather though, so he was like her uncle. I'm not really sure. Maybe we are cousins."
"Why does she do that?" Julie pointed to Veronica, who was twirling in slow circles.
"She hears music in her head I think. She likes to dance. Nica, slow down." Trey grabbed her hand.
"What's her name? Who is she? How old is she? She doesn't like to talk much does she?"
"Her name is Veronica, but I call her Nica. She is my sister. She's 8, and no she doesn't like to talk as much as you like to talk." Trey smiled, and gave her a small punch in her shoulder as he said it.
At that moment another group of people entered through the basement doors. Treyvon and Julie looked up amazed more people could even fit in this house.
"Oh, man." Trey whispered.
"What?"
"That's my Spanish teacher!"
"You're kidding."
"No. That's her."
Treyvon got up and went over to Celia, and stood quietly while she greeted Ranger and some other people he had never seen.
"Señora Stevens."
"¿Treyvon? Feliz Navidad. ¿Qué usted está haciendo aquí?"
"Vine con mi padre. ¿Es esta su familia, señora Stevens?"
"Sí. ¿Quién es su padre, Treyvon?"
"Tank."
"Charlie? Bien, cómo recepción maravillosa a nuestra familia Treyvon. Éstos son mis hijos, y mi marido."
Trey listened carefully, and he concentrated as Celia slowly tested her student's Spanish vocabulary with this little speech.
Ranger smiled at Charlie's son. "Small world," he said to the two of them. God, I wouldn't want Celia as a teacher!
"Ok. Hey there everyone. Now that Celia had decided to join us…." Ranger stood up and attempted to get everyone's attention. Celia reached over to rap Carlos on the head.
"Thank you Carlos, for corralling everyone. Dinner is about to be served." Rico stood by the Christmas tree, looking out on his family. His heart swelled. The people who meant the most were there today with he and his wife. Life was good.
"I would like for us to take a moment to review our year, and think about the blessings that we have all received. Our family has grown this year. Drew, you had managed to escape our family Christmas's so far. Marisol and Mikhail welcomed little Francis almost year ago into their family. Charlie has found his son Treyvon, and his sister Veronica, who both are sharing Christmas with our family. And Julie, Carlos' little girl, has finally had the chance to come to be with us on this wonderful Christmas."
"We should take a moment to thank Stephanie," Rico nodded towards Steph, who was leaning comfortably in Rangers embrace, "who is directly responsible for Julie being with us." Stephanie looked at Ranger, and he squeezed her tightly. "We are grateful that Carlos has recovered from his wounds and are gratified that a reunion has been affected between him and his daughter."
"Feliz Navidad, a usted todo. Esta familia es mi corazón, y todos estamos parados juntos."
Everyone clapped, and then the chattering of close to 40 people who want to visit began again.
Ranger spoke up. "Just quickly…there are about a thousand of us in this family, and you are all here today." A laugh ran through the room. "Julie has asked me, repeatedly, who all of you are. So, for the benefit of Julie, Stephanie, and Treyvon, can we do a bit of counting off?"
And with that, Ranger started around the room, with each family group.
"Mama—Mercedes, and Popi,--Rico. Abuelita Rosa. My oldest sister, Celia Stevens, her husband Jamal, their sons, JJ, Mike and Tony. Pilar and Jesus Rodriquez and their daughter Becca. Marisol and Mikhail Demarski, their girls Alya and Zoe and son Luca. Renata and Drew Kemble, daughter Kaitlyn and son Scott. My brother Manuel and his wife Cynthia; their daughters Ainslie, Bethany, Cassandra and Daphne. And just for kicks mama has invited about half the neighborhood, so if there is anyone who you don't think you've been introduced to, then it's a fair bet they are not close cousins. Did I forget anyone? Ok. There will be a test!"
Stephanie was quietly observing. She was so surprised at this Carlos; who laughed and joked and was open and funny. Today was absolutely huge as far as learning who this man was, she could tell she needed to really pay attention.
After dinner, the gift giving began. Treyvon walked over to Tank, and spoke to him quietly. "I am going to take Nica for a walk, ok? I don't think she'll understand that the presents aren't for her."
"Trey. Stay. There are gifts for you both here."
"But, you gave us something already, when you picked us up?""That was from me. But I happen to know Santa has left Nica a doll stroller, and I know Mama Manoso asked me what types of things you liked. Wasn't able to answer too well," he laughed, "cuz I used what little I've found out so far for my own gifts. But stay. Ok?" Tank reached out and put his arm around his son for a moment. "This is your family, Trey."
The children's gifts were doled out first, so that the adults could have a slightly quieter exchange afterwards.
Tank handed Stephanie two boxes. "Steve, it wasn't hard to decide what to buy you, little girl." She burst out laughing and held up a t-shirt with the quote "Men confuse me, Chocolate I understand" printed in rhinestones. The second box was obviously a large box of Godiva Chocolates.
Ranger handed his mother a box. While she was opening it he said "This is for you and popi." She pulled out an Eskimo doll. Rico looked at his wife and then at his son. Mercedes eyebrows raised in mute question.
"It's a cruise to Alaska, mama. Whenever you want to go, although they say summer is best. And you need to let me know, because I need to give Tia Ella and Luis the time off…they're going with you." Ranger at that moment handed a similar box to Ella.
"Ah, mi hijo. You are wonderful, Carlito!"
"Mama!" "Carlito??" Ranger and Stephanie choked at the same time.
"Don't," he mumbled. Ranger's eyes were slits as he looked at Stephanie.
"Damn it mama!" Ranger laughed. "Do you have to?"
"Language, Ricardo!" Rico bellowed.
"Si, popi. Im sorry." Ranger said contritely. But Rico laughed lightly and smiled at Stephanie. "Carlos will always be her little boy."
Julie was sitting on Rangers lap, watching the gift giving. Someone handed Ranger a gift for Stephanie, from him, that had been sitting under the tree but he shook his head and said, "We're going to exchange later…Stephanie left my gifts at home." He looked at Steph, sitting next to him and she nodded agreement to that decision.
She didn't know why she hadn't thought to bring his gifts with her. Duh. Probably because of the incident she had been so worried about occurring at her parents when she got to tell them that she was leaving early to go to the Manoso's for dinner. She had left his gifts on the 4th floor, and the scene went down exactly as badly as she had expected. It was bad enough if she had wanted to go to Bella Morelli's for dessert on Christmas; and how was Joe supposed to handle her going off to Newark? Surprisingly, it didn't get better when Tank rang the door bell at 4 pm to collect her.
"But Daddy! You have to give it to her now," Julie whispered loudly into Rangers ear. He laughed a moment, and then grabbed her arm gently.
"Daddy?" He asked her, looking into her eyes. "Julie, you called me Daddy?"
"Is that ok?" She watched him closely.
"Si, querida, it's wonderful." He pulled her to him for a moment and gave her a hug.
Everyone in the room was watching this poignant exchange. Then Ranger's sister Celia took up the call, "You have to give Stephanie her gift now, Carlito!" And Renata, and Pilar and Marisol all joined in. Ranger and Stephanie both looked embarrassed. But Ranger knew something Stephanie didn't know. He was most assuredly not going to be the victor this time. He never won with his sisters. Ever.
"Come on then." Ranger said. Julie handed the gift triumphantly to Stephanie. "Steph, I saw this, and well, it reminded me of you." Stephanie tore off the bow, and the paper quickly, and held the long box for a moment.
"Open it!" Ranger's sisters cried together. And so she did. And lying on a cushion of red satin was the platinum claddagh necklace. Her eyes looked to him, and he took the box from her hands. "The heart is for love," he whispered as he opened the fastening, "the crown for loyalty," he stated as he swept her hair away from her neck, "and the hands for friendship." He looked into her eyes, as he fixed the clasp around her neck.
She looked back into his eyes, smiled and put her arms around his neck. He leaned in to kiss her, and the room went wild. As he pulled away laughing, Julie jumped in. "Look, Daddy got me a ring just like your necklace Stephanie! He told me about yours. Isn't it neat?" She pranced around in front of Stephanie, showing off her ring and smiling.
The goodbyes took forever.
"Carlito." "Mama." Ranger needed to bend over to wrap his arms around his mother, but the embrace that Mercedes gave to her youngest son was strong, and sincere.
"Carlos. You are growing up."
"Mama. I'll be 33 next year." Ranger's voice had sound of benign annoyance, but it was tinged with laughter.
Ignoring his response, she continued, "You are a good father, Carlos. Julie dotes on you. I am so happy to see her here with you, finally."
"I've been a fool, haven't I mama?""Si. You and Stephanie will make beautiful children too, Carlito."
"Mama."
"You will be marrying her, si?"
"Si, mama. But please, mama. This is still new…I haven't asked her, but it is what I want. Please don't say anything to scare her off, ok?"
"Carlos!" As if, her tone said.
"Mama!" He said with warning. "Por favor?" his voice begged.
"Ok …" Mercedes voice sounded resigned.
"Not a word to the girls or it'll be over….and Steph won't be given a moments rest."
Julie was asleep on Ranger's bed. He had carried her in from the car and gently removed her boots and skirt and tucked her in.
Ranger came out and sat down. "So? What'd you think? My family pass?"
"Christmas was perfect. Your family was wonderful. Your mother is a force of nature."
"Uhm yeah."
"She really knows how to keep things in line. I don't think I have ever seen you or Tank follow orders so quickly and completely," Stephanie laughed. "Is the big bad mercenary afraid of his mommy?" Steph teased. "Damn straight," Ranger muttered without missing a beat. Stephanie threw her head back and laughed.
"My necklace is beautiful." Stephanie grabbed his hands in hers. "I love you Carlos. You make me happy, you know that? It was the perfect gift, Carlos. Absolutely perfect."
"No, not perfect. The gifts I have yet to give will be better." He raised his eyebrow at her and smiled.
"Oh yeah? Like what?" She loved a mystery, and she loved getting presents. She wondered how hard it would be to get him to tell her about other gifts. She sat back on her knees and leaned over and started planting kisses all over his face. "Like what? Tell me," she whispered seductively into his ear.
"Like your engagement ring." Ranger kissed her neck, leaning her down into the couch.
"Like our wedding bands." His lips trailed along the top edge of her bra, stopping now and then for a longer taste, as his hands worked around back to unhook the bra.
"Like the babies I want to make with you." One hand cupped her breast and the other continued an exploration of her abdomen, sliding his fingers inside the waistband of her sweat pants, his lips moving from spot to spot, making them both crazy with desire.
She gasped. To say she was astonished with both the presents and the ease in which he shared with her was an understatement.
He looked at her and grinned a huge grin.
"Babe, watching you with little Frankie tonight… I could see you with your belly round, our baby growing inside you. I saw you holding our son…" his hands automatically reached to her stomach, and his fingers splayed protectively across her belly.
"This is all so rapid, Carlos."
"But surprisingly effective, don't you think babe?" His forehead touched hers, in a manner not at all seductive or sexual, but instead full of trust, and devotion and caring.
"Is this what shell shocked means? Carlos? I –you- I thought you weren't relationship material."
"I very well may not be, and I know I've told you that in the past. But babe, I can't deny my feelings for you. And no, they don't jive with my expectation of how my life needs to be lived. I don't seem to have control of that part of my life. You do. You are my heart and my soul. You are what is causing me to want these things in my world. I've told you before that you had all the power. And despite some strongly conflicting emotions, I am learning to listen to my heart."
"I don't know what to say."
"There's nothing to say. That wasn't a proposal. You'll know when I propose." His wolf grin ogled her. They settled back into the couch, holding each other and there was truly nothing more to be said. They both let their minds, and their hands, wander.
The phone rang, and Ranger grabbed it. "What?"
"Actually, looking for Steph, boss," Ram said.
"Why?"
"Visitor."
"Who?"
"Joe Morelli."
"At this hour? Shit." And Ranger hung up the phone.
"Steph. Morelli is downstairs."
"What? Why?"
"I don't know. What do you want me to do?"
"Let me go down and see what's up"Ranger shifted on the couch to let her up, acting casually. Stephanie put on some boots and a sweater and left the apartment and Ranger.
One minute later, he was at the elevator, and got off at the control room. Ram and Tank were monitoring tonight.
"Don't do it man," Tank said but Ranger switched over to the camera in the garage so he could watch.
"Do not turn on the volume." Tank actually swatted Ranger's hand away. Ram decided now was a great time for a coffee break.
Ranger sat and watched them standing, talking, gesturing. She shivered and jumped up and down a bit in the cold. They spoke for about five minutes. Joe tried to embrace her, and she let him for the smallest moment. He tried to kiss her on the lips but she turned her head. He tried again and was successful placing a kiss on her forehead. Then she shrugged, she nodded, shook her head.
He tried to reach for her again, but she pushed him away. He reached out and handed her a present. She looked at him a long moment, and then she backed off and turned away. She hit the button for the elevator and got back in, without looking around at him. He was standing, watching, until the elevator door closed. He turned and walked away.
Stephanie got off the elevator and walked into the control room without a word. She stood, leaning against the doorframe for a full minute. "Fancy finding you here," she smiled at Ranger. "Come on, big boy, upstairs." Tank let out a breath he had been holding since the door opened, and then laughed out loud. Ranger glared at him. "She got your number man!"
(Mrs. Stevens? Treyvon? Merry Christmas. What are you doing here? I came with my father. Is this your family, Mrs. Stevens? Yes. Who is your father, Treyvon?
Tank. Charlie? Well, how wonderful. Welcome to our family Treyvon. These are my sons, and my husband.)
Merry Christmas, to you all. This family is my heart, and we all stand together.