They aren't mine. I wish they were. Just going to borrow them for a while. Continuation of Christmas Eve Visitor, Starting Our Life Together and Holy Matrimony, Batman!. People, places and things in the story may or may not be totally factual or real.

Christmas Past and Present
By JayCee08

Chapter 11
Happy and Sad

PRESENT DAY

I came back to the present when I heard squeals of laughter coming from upstairs.

"Hey you! Come back here!" I heard Ranger shout. I heard more squeals and knew that Ricky had run out of the bathroom, probably naked and taking off down the hall.

"I'm gonna get you." I heard Ranger say as he went after the naked little boy. I smiled knowing what was happening upstairs. It was a ritual that always happened when Ranger gave Ricky his bath. I heard the little boy squeal again and knew that Ranger caught him and then I heard the raspberries being blown on his tummy and more laughter and giggles. Who would have thought that little boy would bring so much joy into our lives and that Ranger would be the fun, loving dad that he is.

I thought back to two years earlier . . .


TWO YEARS AGO

It was the middle of November. I was sitting in a night club waiting for an FTA to show up. He had been arrested for child porn. He enticed young boys and girls for the disgusting films that were made. He didn't kidnap them. He just offered them lots of money or the latest electronic gizmos on the market. I am sure these kids were scarred for life because they were afraid to say anything and therefore didn't get the treatment that they need after undergoing such an ordeal.

I got the heads up from Lester that he had just entered the club. I watched as he made his way over to the bar where I was sitting. He was eyeing up the young twenty somethings that were dancing on the dance floor.

He took the stool next to me. Time to start putting the plan into action. I pretended that my phone rang. I picked it up and looked at the caller ID. I put a disgruntled sound and put the phone back in my purse. "Damn kids." I muttered.

"Something wrong?" The perp asked.

"No, just my kids."

"Oh, what's the problem?"

"I needed a night out and I left them at home. They are probably fighting and calling me on the phone to settle their battle."

"Teenagers?" He inquired.

"Yeah, a 15-year-old and a 13-year-old."

"Boys? Girls?"

"Two girls." He suddenly got interested.

"Can I buy you a drink?" He asked.

"Sure. I'll have a chocolate martini." I said.

He signaled for the bartender and he came over. "The lady will have a chocolate martini and I'll have a beer." The bartender nodded. The bartender tonight was Ram. He knew to make my drink very weak.

"So why did you need a night out? Didn't you come with friends?"

"No, I am looking for company tonight." I purred. "I really am looking for someone to take the ache away. I need a man to hold me in his arms."

"I see." He smiled lecherously at me. Yew! "Where's your husband?"

"My husband, uh, my husband died. He was in the Army and he got killed by a road side bomb in Iraq." I said quietly. "I am so lonely. I need someone. I ache to have a man make love to me." I said to him seductively.

"So tell me about your daughters." He said. "Are they as pretty as their mother?"

I gave him a shy smile. Ram brought our drinks over. I took a sip of mine. "The 15-year-old is a cheerleader and on the gymnastics team." His eyes sort of glazed over. This man was disgusting. I needed a shower when I got home. "The 13-year-old is into dance."

"I really would love to meet your daughters. They sound like they are good kids."

"They are. Maybe I should just go home to them." I said as I got off my barstool and stumbled into him. "Oops. I think I had too much to drink."

"Hey why don't I drive you home? You shouldn't be driving in your condition. And then I can meet your daughters." He said with a sleazy smile.

"Thank you. I appreciate it. And maybe I can thank you another way." I whispered in his ear. He took my arm and we headed toward the door. I saw Zero get up from the table he was sitting at and started to follow us. We stepped outside and he started to lead me to where the car was parked. I saw Lester moving in between the parked cars like he was just arriving. I then noticed Bobby getting out of a black SUV. They both were coming over to where I was with the skip. He stopped me and took me in his arms and kissed me. He took me by surprise. I wanted to push him away but didn't.

"Mmm. You taste like a candy bar." He said as he made bedroom eyes at me. I wanted to throw up. We started walking again. I stumbled and the skip let go of my arm just as Bobby and Lester got up to us. They each took an arm. "Anthony Sarducci? You missed your court date and you are in violation of your bond. We are here to escort you back to jail to await your next court date." Bobby said as he clicked the handcuffs on his wrists. He and Lester dragged him over to the SUV that Bobby had exited. Sarducci tried to shake them off but they just tighten their hold. Ranger had gotten out of the SUV and came over to me once they had the skip inside the vehicle.

"Babe. Are you O.K.?" He asked as he took me in his arms. I pushed him away.

"I need a shower. I need to get the scum off of me before you can touch me O.K.?"

"Sure, Babe." He led me over to the vehicle that Lester had exited and opened the door for me to get inside. He closed the door and he quickly got in and started the car. "He didn't touch you or anything, did he?"

"No. Just the kiss. But just the thought of him wanting to meet my fictitious teenage daughters for whatever reason is just too icky to think about. I need to wash him off of me."

"Yeah, well I almost was going to come in there and rip him apart. Especially after hearing you say that you 'ache to have a man to make love' to you."

"Sorry. I had to say something seductive. And you are the only man I ache for." I heard gasps in my ear piece and realized that I hadn't shut off my mike. I quickly removed the object and turned it off and handed it to Ranger without looking at him.

"Good to know, Babe. But now all the guys know it too." He said with a smile. I kept my head down and eyes averted. Oh God! I was never going to live this down.

We pulled into the RangeMan garage. Ranger came around and opened the door for me. I got out and quickly walked to the elevator. My arms were crossed over my chest and my head was down. I looked at the pavement. I heard the bell ding indicating the elevator was there. I didn't bother looking up. I walked right into Tank as he was exiting the elevator.

"Hey, Bomber! You need to watch where you are going." He said as he grabbed me to prevent me from falling backwards from the impact. "You don't need anymore aches and pains." He said with a smile.

"Arrhhgg!" I said as I pushed past him into the elevator. I waited patiently for Ranger to use his key fob to access the 7th floor apartment. I moved into the apartment back in August. I was spending just about every night there anyway so it made sense. I didn't bring my keys with me. Ranger didn't say anything.

The elevator doors opened on the 7th floor. I was still looking down at the floor and recognized the pattern of the carpet. I stepped off and waited for Ranger to unlock the door. I pushed past him and walked straight into the bedroom I started to strip off my clothes as I made my way to the bathroom.

Ranger didn't join me in the shower. He knew I needed this time to get my self back together. When I have had to deal with a particularly slimy or disgusting skip, I need to scrub the slime off of me and it takes me a while to get my emotions in check. I needed it even more now after my confession to the Merry Men.

I stayed in the shower until the water started to grow cold. I got out and noticed one of Ranger's T-shirts and some panties on the vanity. I dried myself off and donned the articles of clothing. I dried my hair a little bit if only to prolong the inevitable with Ranger. What was he going to say to me? We agreed to not say or show too much affection in front of the men. Not only to squelch the comments but to prevent them from getting hard-ons while working. I don't think he would kick me out, but I am sure he will have something to say.

I walked out into the living room. Ranger had a peanut butter and olive sandwich and a Tastykake waiting for me on the coffee table. He had a Corona waiting for me as well. Did I tell you how much I love this man? He was already drinking his. He set his bottle down and patted the cushion next to him.

I sat down next to him and he pulled me into his arms. He gave me a tender kiss. "How are you feeling?"

"Better." I picked up my sandwich and started to eat it. I leaned into Ranger and he put his arm around me. We sat there like that, not talking, as I ate my treat. I love this man. He understands my needs. Joe never did. He only thought about his needs.

We sat like that even after I had finished my sandwich and Tastykake. We sipped our beers.

"Feeling better, Babe?" He asked.

"Yes, thank you. You always know what to do to make me feel better." I said as I snuggled closer to him.

"Good." He said. "I got a phone call today."

"Oh?" I said with some apprehension. I knew that he could still get called away.

"Mama wants us to come to dinner next week. Friday night."

I stiffened a little. It wasn't what I thought the phone call was about, but meeting Batman's family was just as unnerving.

"Your family wants us to come to dinner?"

"It would just be my mother and father and probably Abuela Rosa."

"No other siblings?"

"I told Mama that we wouldn't come if everyone was going to be there. She has been insisting that we come to dinner for a while now. I ran out of excuses not to go."

"Don't you want your family to meet me?" I asked with some hesitation.

"Of course I want them to meet you. It's just . . . it's just . . ."

"It's just what?" I said as I pulled away from him.

"Then she is going to be on my case about getting married and starting a family. You aren't the only one that has to deal with that from your mother. Mine is always on my back. Which is just another reason why I don't see them that often."

"I see." I said.

"Babe, they are going to love you. But I am just warning you that once word gets out to my sisters, they are not going to stop pestering us about getting married."

"What about your grandma? She doesn't have the eye does she or some type of Cuban equivalent? She isn't going to put a curse on me because we are living in sin, is she?"

"No. Out of all of them, she is the one that won't badger us and push us. As long as we are happy, then she will be happy."

"That's good to know." I sighed. "So was all this . . . " I said as I waved my hand at the empty plate. ". . . was it to make me feel better after a nasty distraction or to butter me up for your surprise dinner invitation?" I asked.

"Both." He said as he leaned over to kiss me. "Come on Babe. Let's go to bed."


We had a great weekend. Ranger and I spent it at the Batcave. We talked about the upcoming holidays. My mom had invited us for Thanksgiving. I hadn't given her an answer yet. I would wait until after I met Ranger's parents in case they invited us to come and have Thanksgiving with them.

I talked Ranger into going shopping with me. I needed an outfit to wear to dinner with his parents and I thought that it would be a good time to do some shopping for the apartment. I told Ranger that his apartment looked sad last year when there weren't any decorations.

Ranger and I were shopping for Christmas decorations. Ranger was giving me a hard time about a) that it was only November and b) that I wanted to decorate the apartment. I told him that we need to shop early to get the best stuff. That things sell out fast if it was good. I debated about decorating the Batcave too. Maybe spend Christmas there. I would have to ask Ranger later. One step at a time.

We had just picked out an ornament to commemorate our first official Christmas together. Even though we had spent Christmas together last year. The Batman and Wonder Woman ornament would qualify to mark that Christmas.

We got home with our packages. We bought a small 6' artificial pre-lit tree. A couple boxes of ornaments and other assorted Christmas decorations. He refused to put the tree up before Thanksgiving, so it was stashed in a storage locker on the 6th floor. I took the ornaments and stuff and put them in the closet by the door.

We were just sitting down to relax before dinner, when his phone rang. He answered it and the look on his face told me it was not good news. I heard him say 'yes sir' a few times and then I knew that he was being called away for a mission. Suddenly I wasn't hungry anymore and dread washed over me.

He hung up and turned to me with a sigh. "Babe." He started.

"How long will you be gone?"

"They don't know. However long it takes. I'm sorry, Babe."

"I know. It's not your fault."

"I knew that they wouldn't let my contract just run out."

"When do you have to leave?"

"Tomorrow. 4:30 a.m. they will be here to pick me up."

"I suppose you have a lot you need to do to get ready."

"Yes, I do. I need to make some arrangements. I need to talk with Tank and the guys."

"So no one else is going with you?"

"Not from RangeMan."

I nodded my head in understanding. I couldn't find my voice. I tried to be strong and not cry. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. Tears were sliding down my face. He wiped the tears away. He kissed me and held me as I cried some more.

He pulled away. "I have to go and make some phone calls and talk to Tank. I'll be back in time for dinner."

"Do you have to go right now Carlos?" I whined.

"The sooner I get my stuff lined up the more time I can spend with you before I have to leave. Tonight will be just us O.K.?"

I nodded my head. He kissed me again and got up from the couch. He walked out of the apartment. I curled up in the fetal position and sobbed. What was I going to do now? Where was I going to go? Where was I supposed to live? I gave up my apartment. Would Ranger want me to stay here? What if he doesn't come back? That thought brought more anguished sobs from me.

I must have cried myself to sleep because I woke up to Ranger lying next to me and holding me. He was rubbing my back in a slow soothing manner. I looked at him and knew that it wasn't a dream that I had. The pain in his eyes told me that he didn't want to leave me either. He leaned in and gave me a slow tender kiss.

"Ella brought up dinner. That is if you are hungry." He said.

I shook my head and he pulled me close. "Babe. You can stay here. I want you to stay here. Even if I don't come back. This is your home now. Or you can go to the Batcave. I know we don't spend much time there, but you are free to use it. Even if it is just to get away for a while."

The Batcave. Ranger took me there after we got back from Miami. It is a beautiful house outside Trenton. The property is isolated on a rural road. There is a long driveway before you even get to the gate and then more driveway before you get to the house. The property is surrounded by trees with a high brick wall surrounding the main property.

The house is large with five bedrooms including a small suite on the first floor that Ranger says his housekeeper uses from time to time so it looks like someone is living there. His housekeeper doesn't live on sight. It doesn't make sense to have a housekeeper there full-time when he is hardly ever there. She comes in three times a week. More when he is there.

There is a wrought iron fenced in heated pool. There is a covered patio and a deck with a gas grill like in Miami complete with a refrigerator. There is a living room with a fireplace, a dining room, a den with a fireplace, that Ranger uses as his office, and an eat-in kitchen on the main floor. The lower level has a family room with another fireplace, with French doors that open to the patio, and a gym and a bathroom with sauna, and a wine cellar.

The upstairs has three bedrooms and the master suite that consisted of bedroom, sitting room and bathroom with a large shower and a large whirlpool bathtub. There is a balcony off the sitting room that is actually the roof of the patio down below. Two of the other bedrooms were good sized. A smaller bedroom at the end across from the master suite. There was a large bathroom between the small bedroom and one of the other bedrooms.

There is a large garage that holds six cars. It looks like it was a horse stable and carriage house with living quarters above at one time. Of course it had been totally gutted and remodeled.

We would go there at least once a month for a long weekend. Sometimes more often like in the summer where we would make use of the pool after spending the day in hot, humid, smog clogged Trenton.

"Babe." Ranger said as I was brought back to the present. "You can use any of my cars for your own personal use. If you need anything or if you have a problem, ask one of the guys for help. My attorney has been informed of the situation and if anything should happen, he has been instructed to take care of you financially."

"Don't say that." I whispered.

"Babe. You need to know that I may not come back. But you will be taken care of. You and Julie."

"I do-n't wa-ant your-r m-m-money. I wa-nt you-u." I sobbed. He hugged me tightly. I heard him take a shaky breath and he buried his face in my curls. I knew he was having a difficult time keeping his emotions in check.

"God, Babe. I love you so much. I wish I didn't have to go. I don't want to leave you. Let's go to bed. I want to spend the rest of the night making love to you. I want to show you how much I love you, so we can carry that memory with us until we can be together again."

And we did. We made love over and over. It was slow and tender, full of emotions. We both had tears in our eyes as held each other.

I woke up the next morning alone. I looked at the clock. It was 4:25 a.m. I quickly hit the button for the control room as I grabbed sweats and a T-shirt.

"Steph?"

"Where is he?" I said panicking.

"Lobby." I ran out the door. The elevator came almost immediately. I got on and hit the button repeatedly for the lobby.

The doors opened and I flew out. Ranger was talking to Tank. A black car had just pulled up.

"Carlos!" I yelled as he turned to walk out the door. I launched myself into his arms. He caught me, closed his eyes and held me tight. He slowly set me down and gave me a long slow kiss. We broke apart and he brushed the tears away as he cupped my face with his hands.

"I love you, Stephanie. Don't ever forget that." He said.

"I lo-ve you-u to-oo, Carlos. Do-n't ge-t sh-ot." I said.

He smiled. It was a sad smile. "Don't go crazy." He kissed me on last time.

He nodded to Tank, who came up and took me in his arms. Ranger walked out the door and got into the car. My legs gave out and Tank held me up. I sobbed into Tank's chest as he held me tight. Maybe he was afraid I would run after Ranger. Or maybe he was trying to give me the strength to stand on my own. He slowly walked me to the elevator and used his remote to get to the 7th floor. He opened the apartment door and led me into the bedroom. There he sat me down on the bed and motioned for me to lie down. He covered me up with the blankets.

"I'm going to go down to get some work and I'll work from Ranger's office up here. I don't want to leave you alone." He said.

I nodded my head and he left. Sobs shook my body. How was I going to cope until Ranger came back, IF he came back. Don't say that. He will come back. He has to come back.

I slept fitfully on and off all day. Tank worked from Ranger's office and came to check on me periodically. The other guys made visits to the apartment as well, to see how I was coping. Word had gotten around about my breakdown when Ranger left. They were concerned.

The next morning I woke up. I knew I couldn't spend the entire time Ranger was gone in bed. I showered. Oh that felt so good. I let the hot water run over my body. I got dressed and did my hair. I walked out of the bedroom to find Tank, Bobby and Lester camped out in the living room.

"Hi guys." I said.

They woke up and smiled when they saw me.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked.

"We didn't want to leave you alone." Bobby said.

"Thanks guys. It really means a lot to me."

"We got your back, Steph. You're one of us. We know that this isn't going to be easy for you. We just want you to know that we're here for you." Tank said.

"You want to go out for breakfast, Bombshell? My treat." Lester said.

"Yeah, I'm starving. I haven't had anything to eat since lunch . . . what day is this?"

"It's only Thursday. The day after . . . the day after he left." Tank said quietly.

I nodded my head. "I haven't had anything since the day before he left."

"Well, let's get moving before you pass out on us." Lester said.

TBC Chapter 12 - Meet The Manosos