A/N – I don't normally name my chapters, but this came to me and well, I gotta go with it. Helen needs a slap down. I loved it when Frank spoke up before and now he's back again!

Oh and this is for Margaret! She wants a Helen Plum smack down and here it is!

I hope you like this chapter. I've had a hard time with it. Please review and let me know what you think.

Happy New Year to everyone!

Not mine, if they were there would be an army of Ranger/Steph babies running amok!

Chapter 14 – The Helen Confrontation (aka The Day Frank Took Back His Balls)

Frank's POV (Immediately after his phone call with Stephanie and Carlos)

"Frank, what do you mean his fiancée? Who is Carlos?"

"Helen, Carlos is Ranger's real name and he asked me yesterday for permission to marry Stephanie and I agreed, and she agreed also when he asked her last night."

"Frank, are you CRAZY? He isn't from the Burg, we know nothing about him! Joseph said he was a thug and a mercenary and he'll get Stephanie hurt!"

"Please, Helen, Joseph doesn't know shit about shine-ola. Carlos is a good man and he loves our daughter as she is and doesn't try to change her. And as for being a thug and a mercenary, that is complete bullshit! Carlos was Special Forces and is a security expert, that's it. Morelli told you that crap to get you on his side Helen to continue to brow beat Stephanie into marrying him."

"But….but…..what will the neighbors say?"

"Fuck the neighbors, Helen. Either get on board with this and be happy for our Pumpkin or suffer the consequences."

"Consequences….Frank, what do you mean?"

"I'm done with this crap, Helen. I've let you raise our daughters as you've seen fit, but I'm done with you trying to make Stephanie into a "good Burg girl." Our daughter isn't cut out to be a Burg housewife, and you know it! Stop trying to change her all because you're concerned about what the damn Burg thinks! And if you can't do that, then I'm willing to bet our daughter will cut you out of her life completely. If she does, then I'm right behind her!"

With that, I left the house. It was time to meet the guys and prepare for the fall out because I knew as soon as I left; Helen would be setting the Burg grapevine into motion. This is EXACTLY the reason I told Carlos to keep Stephanie out of town for awhile.

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Edna's POV

Yes! My baby granddaughter is gonna marry the hot Cuban with the excellent package!

And FINALLY my son-in-law reached in Helen's purse and took his damn balls back!

I stayed in the kitchen as Frank left because I wanted to see what my daughter was going to do.

"Why me?" Helen moaned, of course!

"Helen, stop with this Why Me bullshit. What exactly do you have to be upset about? You've been bitching for years that Stephanie needs to get married, and she is. So, what is your problem?"

"Mother! How can you even ask that? Stephanie has always been out of control. She runs around chasing lunatics and now she is going to marry one! We know nothing about him! Poor Joseph, after everything he has done for her! Even with all of her craziness he was still willing to marry her and provide a proper home for her!"

"Daughter, you really need to get your head out of the Burg's ass! A proper home? What makes a proper home? Two people who love each other that's what! Ranger accepts Stephanie, he loves her for who she is. He doesn't try to change her like you and that cop always have! Your daughter is a special person, and Ranger loves her for that! I just wish you could!"

"Of course I love her, I just want her to be happy and how can she be happy with this Ranger person! I just want…."

"You just want her to want what you want for her. You've spent so damn much time thinking you know best Helen, that all you've done is push your daughter away from you! You make her feel like she's an embarrassment to you. You've spent so much time tearing her down that you don't even see it anymore! I'm ashamed of you, Helen!"

With that, I turned and left the room. I can't do this anymore. If Frank walks, I'm going too.

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Helen's POV

Why me? Why is everyone against me? Of course, I love Stephanie! She's my daughter! Why is it so wrong to want what is best for her? What is so wrong with being a Burg wife? Why isn't that good enough for her?

I know! I'll call Valerie. She'll understand!

"Val, it is your mother. I need to talk to you about your sister!"

"Mom, is Steph ok?"

"Yes, she's fine as far as I know. She's off with that Ranger person and apparently they are going to get married! Can you believe this, Valerie? What is she thinking? And poor Joseph…."

"Poor Joseph, my ass, Ma!" Valerie interrupted. "Joe has been wrong for Stephanie for years! And good for her, Ranger makes her happy! After her horrible marriage to the Dick, I'm glad she's going to be happy with a man who loves her!"

"Valerie! How can you say this? You know I want your sister to be happy, but how can this Ranger person make her happy, he isn't Burg! You know how important it is to…."

Valerie interrupted me AGAIN, "Ma, get over yourself. Most men in the Burg are chauvinistic assholes! Look at Steve! Look, you've always been horrible to my sister and I've never said anything. Well, now I am! Stop trying to change her and be happy for her! Stop making her feel bad, Mom! You know your own daughter thinks you don't love her! If you want to have any chance of a relationship with Stephanie, then you'd better get your head out of your ass, Ma, and try and make up for the way you've treated her."

"Valerie, how can you talk to me that way?"

"It is way overdue. Now, I have to go. I'm not going to help you wallow in your poor me bit. I have kids and a husband to feed. Bye, Ma."

What is going on around here? Frank, my mother and Valerie are all telling me that I've mistreated my daughter! By wanting what is best for her? Why me?

I know! I'll call Joseph! He'll know what to do!

"Helen, I'm really not in the mood to talk to anyone."

"Oh Joseph! Why don't you come over for dinner? We need to talk, Stephanie has gone off with that Ranger person and now they are ENGAGED! Can you believe this Joseph? I know the two of us can talk some sense into her!"

"Look, Mrs. Plum, that isn't going to happen. Steph doesn't love me the way I always wanted her to. She just doesn't. She's made her decision. I'm not going to help you. As for changing Steph's mind, that isn't going to happen. All you'll do is end up losing her too, if you try it. Goodbye."

What has happened to everyone? My life has turned upside down and it is all because of Stephanie!