The characters belong to JE; I'm just taking them out for a ride. Warning for language.
Chapter 12 The Girls
Valerie's POV
I can't believe that I have to fight for the custody of my children. What right does that self-righteous bitch have to interfere with how I am raising my girls. I want them to be proper Burg girls when they grow up, like me. Is that so bad? Did I turn out horrible? No. I have a husband who is a lawyer, a house, a car, and three beautiful girls. I have everything I need and want. Meanwhile, that bitch is unmarried and pregnant. She doesn't know how to cook, and she has stalkers and other crazy people after her constantly. Her cars blow up, and she's marrying a mercenary. There is no way that she will take my girls away from me. When I asked Angie andMary Alice what this was all about, they refused to talk to me. When I spoke to their counselors at school, I was told that they couldn't talk to me. When Albert when up as our lawyer, we found out that the girls were unhappy with the rules of the house. Well, they should suck it up. I'm the parent, and I make the rules. If mom had been stricter with Stephanie, we wouldn't be here right now. She is such an embarrassment. If only she married Joe Morelli, everything would be fine. But now I have to deal with the disaster known as Stephanie Plum. I wish she would move away from Trenton already. The only good thing is that I know that she doesn't have a place big enough for the girls, so that will be in my favor. Stupid bitch. I put on my black slacks with my peach colored sweater set. I have my hair fixed conservatively, with light makeup. I have a pair of two-inch black heels, dressed as any self-respecting Burg housewife would dress for court. One look at me and then Steph and I'll be in the clear.
Albert, the girls, and I arrive at the courthouse, and there are reporters everywhere. We put the girls between us and try to make our way into the courthouse; the reports are relentless. We see a Porsche pull up and see the bitch and the mercenary get out. I can't believe it; he's wearing a black Armani suit with a crisp white shirt and black tie. He looks like he could be on the cover of GQ. And that bitch looks normal, her hair is fixed in pretty curls, and she is wearing black maternity dress pants and a pretty blue top with flats. If I didn't know better, I would never believe that they were Stephanie and Ranger. I look at Albert's bargain basement suit and know we are in trouble. The reporters try to surround them, but his mercenaries for hire keep the reporters at bay, and they enter the courthouse quickly. He has his arm on her back, and they are doing a good job presenting a united front.
We finally get to the courthouse and the courtroom. Albert sets up his stuff on the table, and then the other attorney walks in with Ranger and Stephanie. He, like Ranger, is wearing Armani. His leather briefcase has to cost as much as Albert's whole ensemble. Mary Alice and Angie see their Aunt Stephy, but they know they are not to talk to her. The court sends in an officer to sit with the girls in another room until they are needed. They are not to be subjected to this circus. The bailiff stands and calls the court to order. I look around the room and see four other men in black, half of the Burg busybodies, and Grandma Mazur's Clip and Curl friends. Who would think that a simple custody case would be so interesting to the Burg? The judge asks the other attorney, Julio Escobar, to present his case.
"Your honor, counselor, and guests, this custody case is about rescuing a protecting two young ladies from being subjected to continued emotional and psychological abuse by their mother, Valerie Kloughn. Her two eldest daughters, Angelica Marie and Mary Alice, have been seeing the counselor in their school for the last year and a half because of the way Mrs. Kloughn treats them. The family is estranged from their maternal Aunt, Stephanie Plum, and their maternal grandparents are deceased. Their father, Steve Jankovic, walked out on them and their mother several years ago and they have not been in contact with their biological father since. They are in an isolated household, where they are only in the company of their mother, step-father, Albert Kloughn, and his mother, along with their younger half-sister, Lisa Ann. The counselors have reported that the girls are not given any choices in what they wear, what their dreams should be, or in how they are to excel in school. Anything that does not fit into their mother's view of proper activities for future Burg women is not allowed. Mary Alice was asked to be on her school's Robotics team, but her mother didn't allow it because she said that "A woman doesn't need to be smart to be a good housewife." Instead, she was forced to enroll in a cooking club. Angie and Mary Alice are only allowed to wear dresses and have to do activities that will help them to become housewives. When Angie told her mother that she wanted to go to college to become an English teacher, she was told that Burg girls don't need college and it's a waste of money because once she gets married, she won't be working. This type of passive abuse is destroying these two girls and is the reason why my clients, Ms. Plum and Mr. Manoso are applying for custody of Angie and Mary Alice. Ms. Plum and Mr. Manoso are engaged and will be married in a few weeks, are expecting their first child together in May, and have custody of Mr. Manoso's sixteen-year-old daughter, Julie. They have a large house in Deal along with the monetary assets to send the girls to private school and to whatever college or university they choose to attend. Their home has eight bedrooms and is large enough to accommodate two additional children. As owners of Rangeman security, they can keep the girls safe. Stephanie had dealt with the same emotional and psychological abuse as her nieces at the hand of her mother. She survived and will help the girls to rebuild their self-esteem. Therefore, your Honor, we believe that having the girls live with Ms. Plum and Mr. Manoso will be in their best interest."
"Mr. Kloughn, do you have anything you would like to say?" the Judge asks Albert. Meanwhile, I'm beyond pissed. I can't believe that Stephanie would spew such lies! She's a disaster and always has been. Jumping off the garage trying to fly, fucking Joe Morelli in Tasty Pastry, being a bounty hunter, I mean, come on who in their right mind would see her as a more fit parent than me?
"Your Honor," Albert began, "The allegations brought against my wife Mrs. Kloughn are unfounded. Valerie is a loving and caring mother who only wants what is best for her daughters. Life as a housewife and mother is the life that will keep them safe and happy like she is. We have been instilling in our daughters that they are to get married young to a good man who can support them. Then, they are to take care of their home and raise their family. Dinner is a family affair and should be served at six o'clock every night. If their husband has a business dinner, they are to be a good hostess. These are values that have gotten lost in today's society. If they were to live with Ms. Plum and Mr. Manoso, why would be subjected to stalkers, blown up vehicles, and numerous men having access to them and their home? There is no guarantee that they would be safe around these men. Mr. Manoso is now to carry multiple guns and other weapons on him at any given time. He was presumed dead for three years. Ms. Plum has been engaged to three different men since she got divorced from her first husband, respected attorney Richard Orr, and claims that she will marry Mr. Manoso. Considering that no one has received an invitation to this event, I can only assume that this is a trick that she is employing to steal our daughters away from us. This is a woman who for years stated that she didn't want to be a mother and was afraid that she wouldn't be a good mother, and now she wants to become a mother of four overnight? She can't even cook a meal. I firmly believe that putting Angie and Mary Alice in her custody would result in them turning to a life of crime and immoral behavior. Leave them where they are safe, in a church-going, stable family."
Take that. My cuddle-ompkins did a good job. Now the judge will see how Stephanie is behind her designer clothes. I wonder what weapons Ranger has on him now. The judge is ready to speak. "Counselors, you have both given two sides to this case, which are very different from each other. The only way I can make an informed decision on this matter is to speak to the two girls in questions, Angelica and Mary Alice. I will speak to both of them, separately, in chambers. Their school counselor will be with them during the conversation. I don't want their answers to influence by either counselor. If you, Mrs. Kloughn, don't agree to this, then the girls will have to testify in open court for all to hear. What do you decide?"
Well, fuck me. If they talk to the judge alone, I'm going to lose my girls. If they talk in the open court, then everyone will hear whatever lies they have to say. Maybe they will lie and back me up in open court. That's it; they will talk in open court. That's the only way I can ensure that my bitch of a sister will never take them from me. "Your Honor, I prefer to hear what my daughters have to say."
The judge shoots we a glare that would have normal people cowering, but not me. I hold my head high and wait for him to agree. "As you wish, Mrs. Kloughn, but if you in anyway try to influence their responses, you will be removed from the courtroom. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes, sir," I respond.
Albert's POV
What is Valerie thinking? Doesn't she know that this can only be bad for us? She was better off having the girls talk behind closed doors. I told her not to allow them to testify in full court, but does she listen, no. I know that I am not the best lawyer, but I do know about perception and child custody cases. She is stupid and blind. Stephanie is going to come out looking like an angel and Valerie is going to be the wicked witch of the west. Sigh. I guess we need just to cross our fingers and hope for the best.
Stephanie's POV
Why is my sister going to subject those girls to the Burg ridicule? No matter what they say, they are going to full the Burg gossip train for the next year. They won't have any normalcy. I can see most of their friends abandoning them because their parents won't want them to hang out with the two misfits who spoke ill of their mother. God, when did Valerie become so evil? I can see Albert doesn't like that decision. Maybe, after this is over, he'll take Lisa away, so she has a chance at a normal, healthy childhood. I see Angie being brought into the courtroom first. I hope Mary Alice is scared of herself. The social worker escorts Angie to the witness stand next to the judge.
"What is your name for the record?"
"Angelica Marie Plum, formerly Jankovich."
"How old are you?"
"I'm thirteen years old. I'll be fourteen in two months, on March 26th."
"Do you know that when you are in court, you suppose, to tell the truth?"
"Yes, sir. If I don't, you can lock me up in jail."
"Ms. Plum, we will be having a conversation, just between the two of us. No one else will question you. You need to tell truth and be honest so that I can determine the best place for you to live."
"Please call me Angie. My guidance counselor, Mr. Bryant, explained the process to me."
"Okay, Angie, are you happy at home?"
"Sometimes I am. When I am helping mom cook dinner or make dessert, I'm very happy. I love decorating the house for holidays and being part of a family. But there are times when I wish I didn't live there."
"When do you feel that way?"
"When mom is yelling at MA for being a horse, or when she messes up when we're cooking. MA doesn't like to cook, so she tends to make mistakes because she's not paying attention."
"What does your mother say to her?"
"That she will never find a husband and will live her life as an old maid. That she will get into trouble like Aunt Stephy, that she will disgrace our family if she doesn't act more like a proper Burg girl."
"Do you like the role your mom has for you?"
"Maybe. I know I want to go to school and I want to be a teacher. I have a lot of teachers who are females who are married with kids. I know that that is a profession I can have where I can still take care of my family but also work doing something that I will love, hopefully. But mom doesn't want me going to college. I don't even have a college fund."
"If you were given a choice to live with your mom and her rules, or to live somewhere else, what would you choose?"
Angie didn't answer right away. I can see her trying to weight her response. "I love my mom, but I want to live with someone who will let me have my dreams and will encourage me to be me. If I choose to be like my mom when I'm older, I want it to be my choice. I want to learn to cook and clean, but I also want to be with someone who works and who has a sense worth outside the house. I want to be like my Aunt Stephy."
"If given the opportunity to live with Aunt Stephy and Mr. Manoso, would you want that?"
"Yes. Aunt Stephy always supports MA and me, and she lives her life the way she wants to, which I admire about her."
"Thank you, Angie, for being honest with me. I'm going to have this same conversation with your sister now. I will make my decision today. Is that okay with you?"
"Yes, sir. That's good for me."
Angie got off the chair and waved to me as she left the room. I am so proud of her for standing up for herself. I know that it wasn't easy, and I'd love to have her as my 'daughter'. Hopefully, Mary Alice can be just as forthcoming.
Mary Alice is escorted into the courtroom, and she looks at her mother and then me. She is scared of Valerie, I can see it in her eyes. I am sad that I couldn't help her sooner. She needed my help, and I abandoned her. Well, hopefully, I can make things right by her now. Mary Alice sits in the seat that was vacated by her sister a few minutes before.
"Good morning my dear. Can I place have your name for the record?" The judge asks her.
"Mary Alice Plum."
"How old are you?"
"12."
"Do you know what it means to tell the truth?"
"Yes. It means to tell you what is happening, not something in my imagination."
"Tell me, Mary Alice, are you happy at home with your mom and dad?"
"Not really. I don't think my mom likes me. She is always telling me that I'm doing things wrong or that I'm not going to be a proper Burg wife. That I will wind up in alone and the joke of the Burg like Aunt Stephy."
"What does your mom not approve of you doing?"
"When I get good grades we say that they are a waste, I should be spending time learning to cook instead. She doesn't like me to dream about being a successful businesswoman, just being a housewife and mother. I'm not sure I want kids, but I know that I want to have fun and travel, and I can't do that if I don't have a good job, but mom says that a girl needs to let her husband take care of her."
"Why doesn't she approve of your aunt?"
"Because she is not the Burg. She is different and has a crazy job. She moved to California and lived by herself. She works in a building with a lot of different men. She is her boss, and that is not normal. Not to mention, she is expecting a baby and is not married, though my mom was the same way with Lisa, we don't talk about that. At least Aunt Stephy was engaged before she got pregnant."
"So your mom believes in family values, that's not so bad."
"It is when you don't want that life or are different. I love horses and would love to work with them and learn how to ride them, but I'm not allowed to because that is not a proper girl activity. I can dance or learn figure skating, but that is it. I can become a cheerleader. Those are appropriate activities for proper Burg girls."
"If you could choose to live with someone else, who would you want to live with?"
"My Aunt Steph because she never judges me and supports me and my crazy dreams. She knows what it feels like to want to fly."
"Thank you for talking to me, Mary Alice. You are going to be taken back to the room where you were waiting before. I'll let you know my decision in a little while."
"Thank you, Mr. Judge."
I watch my niece walk out of the courtroom, and I am filled with mixed emotions. I'm proud of her because she stood up for herself, but I'm angry that she's been treated so poorly for so long. I wish I had interceded sooner. I know that Carlos and I will be questioned, along with Val. I just hope we can withstand the questions. The judge calls me to the stand first.
"Ms. Plum, why do you want custody of your nieces?"
"I want custody of the girls, so they don't feel the way I did for thirty years. I always felt that there was something wrong with me, that I was a bad person because I didn't want to be my mother, the housewife, and mother of 2.5 children. I had a job that I liked, even though it was dangerous and not a normal job. I had help, and I've been getting better at it. Then, I met a man who accepted me for who I am. Who let me know that there was nothing wrong with me, that I was normal. He supported me and encouraged me. He helped me to see that not being a Burg woman was okay. That is what I would like to give to Mary Alice and Angie now before they go through years of self-doubt and have a crushed ego."
"Do you feel that you can be a good mother-figure to these girls, especially since you will be the mother of a newborn in a few months?"
"Yes. Julie and I have a great relationship. She knows she can talk to me about anything, and that I'll keep her confidence as long as it's not something that her father needs to know. If it is, I tell her that I'm going to tell her father. Sometimes, it's easier for her to tell me something instead of her father, so I'm the middleman. She is excited about the possibility of Angie and Mary Alice living with us."
"What about financially? Can you afford to raise them and give them what they need?"
"Yes. Carlos and I both own shares in Rangman Inc. We are part of the core team. We own the business with Lester Santos, Bobby Brown, and Pierre Dupree. We own a large estate in Deal, and each girl will have her room. We can afford private school tuition for all of the girls, along with college if they choose to go."
"How about food? Home cooked meals are important."
"I will never be a gourmet cook, but I am learning. Carlos is a good cook, and he, along with Julie, can make several good dishes. We have talked about hiring a housekeeper/cook for the house, being that I am working and it is a lot for one person to take care of. Either way, we will eat well."
"How does feel about becoming the guardian to your nieces?"
"He's all for it. We have the means to support a large family. He is one of six children himself. He's used to being around big families. Not to mention, he has four sisters, so he's used to being around girls. Security is his business, so he knows how to keep us all safe and will make sure that each of our children will be able to take care of themselves with self-defense training. Carlos, along with his siblings, was raised to be the best they could be at whatever they chose to come as long as they took care of responsibilities. One sister is a doctor, another is a lawyer, the third is an architect, and the fourth is a housewife. His brother is a successful accountant. Each child was able to live the life that they wanted to with the full support of their family. That is what I want to give to Angie and Mary Alice."
"Thank you, Ms. Plum. You may be seated."
I get off of the seat and start to walk back to the table. I look at Carlos, and I can see the pride that he has in his eyes for me. I stood up for myself and my nieces. I supported him and his family. Yeah, he's proud of me. I hear the judge call Carlos.
"Your name for the record, please."
"Major Ricardo Carlos Manoso, Retired, known professionally as Ranger."
"Major Manoso, how do you feel about becoming the guardian of two young ladies, ages 12 and 13?
"I'm looking forward to the possibility. I missed out a lot on my seeing my daughter, Julie, grow up due to my work with the Army, and I would love to have a chance to help these two young ladies grow up as self-assured and well-adjusted as Julie."
"There are some people say that you are not a safe person to be raising children."
"Those are the same individuals who believe that woman should be barefoot and pregnant taking care of her husband and his children. Those who know about my company know that we go after those individuals who jump bail, provide the highest level security to various businesses and prominent citizens in Trenton as well as in Miami, Boston, and Atlanta. Also, several members of my company are still under contract with the United States government and do get called occasionally to help. Ninety-five percent of my employees on the security end are veterans, many have special forces backgrounds, as members of the Rangers, the Seals, or the Marines. Due to our size and training, we can be intimidating, but each everyone one of my men have the utmost respect for women, children, and the law-abiding citizens of our country."
"There are some employees whose background is less than stellar."
"Yes, some of the men in my employ are former gang members, but I can assure you, that they have not had any contact with the gangs outside of obtaining information on skips or other security issues. If any of my men get arrested and convicted of any illegal activity, that is immediate termination. Everyone knows that when they sign the contract to work for my company. These men who were on their way down the road to prison have turned their lives around and are productive members of society."
"How do you think you'll be able to support these young women, aside from your monetary support?"
"I can provide them with unconditional love and support. In my family, we were taught to follow our dreams and do what would make us happy. My road to this point wasn't an easy one or a straight line. I was one step away from juvie when my parents shipped me off to Miami to live with my Abuela. It was there that I got set on the right track, and eventually decided to join the Army. Never once did my parents or siblings turn their backs on me or stop loving me. They continued to support me and pushed me to become a better man, and I can thank them for my success today. I would encourage Angie, Mary Alice, and Julie to figure out what they love to do and then to be the best they could be in that field. If they choose the housewife route, then I will support them the same as if they decided to become a doctor, lawyer, teacher, or if they decided to join the armed forces. As long as they are happy in their life, then I am happy for them. They will learn that men do participate in household chores and that women can do traditionally male jobs around the house if they so choose. There are no rules outside of the golden rule."
"Thank you, Major Manoso."
Carlos gets up and walks back to me. I surprised that he shared so much about himself in this public forum. I guess he's finally getting used to who he is as Carlos and is starting to shed more of his Ranger persona. "Mrs. Kloughn, your turn."
My sister shoots me a dirty look and then walks up to the seat with her head held high.
"Please state your name for the record."
"Valerie Plum Kloughn."
"How do you feel about your daughters wanted to live with your sister?"
"They are obviously being bribed by Ms. Plum. She promises them things that I can't give them. I know that she is just looking to get back at me because I have the life that she can't have."
"Has Ms. Plum ever expressed the desire to be like you?"
"Not verbally, but every Burg girl wants what I have. She just couldn't find a man to give it to her. She had Joe Morelli wrapped around her finger but couldn't close the deal, so he dumped her for better. So, she has no choice but to settle with that outside Manoso and his gang."
"Is Ms. Plum's life one that you disapprove of?"
"Yes, it's her life that I'm trying to prevent my girls from having. I want them to be like me. No like my crazy sister."
"So the fact that our daughters don't want what you have is not a concern of yours?"
"They are too young to know what they want. When they get older, they will see that this life is the proper life for them, and they will thank me for all that I did."
"Thank you, Mrs. Kloughn. I've made my decision." Once Valerie is seated, the judge shares his decision. "The minor children, Angelica Marie Plum and Mary Alice Plum will become the guardians of their aunt, Stephanie Michelle Plum, and her fiance, Major Ricardo Carlos Manoso effect February 2nd of this year. Mrs. Kloughn and her husband, Mr. Albert Kloughn will have visitation once a week under supervision at Rangeman for two hours. Mrs. Kloughn, please pack up all of their belongings have them ready to be picked up my Ms. Plum on January 31st. Mr. Kloughn, I hope you think about everything that was said here today and make sure that your daughter, Lisa, doesn't fall to this same fate. Ms. Plum and Major Manoso, thank you for interceding on behalf of your nieces, and I wish you luck with your ever-growing family. The court is adjourned."
Carlos and I embrace and kiss. We have a lot of planning to do right now to get the house ready for Angie and Mary Alice. I feel bad for Valerie, but she brought this upon herself. I hope for the sake of Lisa that Alert wakes up and takes care of her, but I doubt it. My sister looks like she's ready to attack me, so my guard surrounds me as we get ready to leave the courtroom. The doors open and my nieces run in and over to me. "Aunt Stephy, is it true that we will be living with you and Ranger soon?"
"Yes, Mary Alice, it's true. Starting on February 2nd, you will be living with us. Julie is so excited, along with Uncle Carlos."
"So are we, Auntie. We can't wait. Love you both." Both Mary Alice and Angie hug and kiss Carlos and me before going over to their mom.
"I hope they are okay with her for the next two weeks."
"Don't worry; they'll be monitored. Anything goes on that's not right, and I will know about it." Ranger replies.
"Thanks. I love you, Carlos."
"Love you too Babe, and I'm proud of you." We leave the courtroom to get ready for the next chapter of our crazy lives.
Valerie's POV
I can't believe that the judge sided with Stephanie? Doesn't he know the value of being a Burg woman? I mean, who would take care of the men and make sure the houses were spotless? Everything would be a filthy mess if left to the likes of Stephanie. And a housekeeper? What self-respecting Burg woman hires a housekeeper? She is ridiculous and will be raising my girls with the wrong values. Maybe I just need to get out of town. That's it; I'll take a trip and bring the girls with me so that she can't take them from me. If we are not in Trenton, then she can't get the girls. I hope Albert will go along with me. Mom should've stopped after she had me. Then we would have been the perfect family, but no, she had to try for a boy, and we got stuck with Stephanie. I don't even know how she landed Morelli, let alone Ranger. The two best looking men in Trenton were fighting over her. I don't get it. She's not even that pretty, she can't cook, and she didn't want children. What did she have to offer them? I know that she's not great in bed, considering Dickie had to find help from Joyce. So what captivated them? Not only is Ranger gorgeous, but he's also loaded. Someone told me that her house in Deal is a mansion, with servant quarters and pool. Not to mention, the house is right on the beach. I'm stuck in a rundown Burg row house married to an incompetent attorney. I still can't believe that she is getting my girls. Fuck that bitch.
"Valerie, dear, we need to talk about our options," Albert tells me.
"What options? I lost custody of my daughters to my unwed, pregnant sister. How can there be options?"
"We can revisit the custody in a few months. I think that if you go to therapy and see a counselor, you may be able to understand how most people feel that girls should have the same options as a boy. If you start to allow the girls to dream while still instilling the Burg values, then you have a good chance of getting custody of your girls back. However, you need to change for the sake of Lisa. I won't have Lisa taken away from me."
"What are you trying to say, Albert, that you will leave me if I try to instill the same values to Lisa that I had for Angie and Mary Alice?"
"Yes, if that is what it takes."
"You have got to be fucking kidding me. You can't even drum up enough clients to keep us comfortable, and I have to worry about you leaving me and raising Lisa on your own? You are so incompetent that I'm surprised that you even got me pregnant in the first place. You couldn't even get the condom on correctly. Once again, you are siding with Stephanie against me. I'm your wife; you should be standing by my side. I'm sure Ranger always supports her."
"What goes on in Ranger and Stephanie's home has no bearing on our home, Valerie. She is right. What you are doing to Mary Alice and Angie is not healthy for them. Mary Alice is smart, but you don't want her to work harder. She can probably get a free ride to college if she keeps up her studies. And Angie is a wonderful teacher already. That is a great job for a mother to have. She's home with her children every day after school and has all of the holidays off. To kill her dreams to keep her locked inside a house is so 1950s. Didn't you ever want more, Val?"
"No, this is what I always wanted because this is what is proper. Why don't you, Stephanie, Ranger, and that judge understand? Now, I'll barely be able to show my face anywhere in the Burg. Everyone will be talking about me, how I am a horrible mother and how I lost custody of my children. This is embarrassing. I think we need to move away from Trenton. I don't think I can deal with the busybodies here."
"Valerie, we can't afford to move. The value of our house went down since we purchased it. We won't get approved for another mortgage. We are stuck here for the foreseeable future. You are just going to have to grow a thicker skin and experience what Stephanie must have endured for years thanks to your mother, and now you."
"Do you think that I could get custody of my girls back?"
"If you change your attitude and learn to accept them for who they are as individuals, then yes. If you don't, then you will never have custody of the girls again, and you will be lucky to have a relationship with them once they are of age." Albert responded and started to walk away. Before he left the room, though, he turned back to me. "Valerie, if you do the same things to Lisa, then you will be alone. I will give you the house and take Lisa far away from you. I will not let you abuse my daughter the way you abused your daughters, and I'm glad that Stephanie saw what was happening and stepped in."
Albert left the room and I headed for the cabinet where I keep the Jack hidden. I need a little tipple before I start working on dinner.
xxxxxxxxx
Author's note: I know, I know, three chapters in two days! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I wanted Valerie to get hers and she did. I also like how Albert finally grew a set. Stephanie and Ranger's lives are going to change, and only for the better. I think that I will write on their wedding, the birth of their child, and maybe one more chapter with Dani and Morelli and that should be it for this story. I feel a sequel coming because there are more storylines to be had, but I won't start it until after I finish Change Seasons.
Once again, THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEWS! PLEASE KEEP THEM COMING! They are the drug I need to keep my muse alive and working. :-)
On another note, I would like to have a beta for my stories. I tried looking on the beta page, but it is overwhelming. So, if any of my readers out there are betas and would like to be mine, please PM me. All I ask is that you are familiar with the world of Stephanie Plum (including all 24 books in canon) and are willing to get my document back to me within 48 hours. If that is you, please contact me. Thank you again!