Chapter XIV Reunion and Renewal
Thank you for your patience! Here are the last three chapters, all at once. I deeply appreciate your support.
#######
Murmurs, she'd been there before. Voices but no bodies. Slowly the baritone and the bass voices were speaking words she could understand. She slowly opened one eye. The room was dark, the bays for the other beds were empty. She noticed the voices had stopped. She turned her head, but kept only one eye open. The man near her knees had grey wooly hair, dark skin and looked tired. "Papa here we are again. "
He smiled and with his deep bass voice spoke, "Jeni Bird." This time she remembered it was her name.
The other man she recognized, "Bobby?" She questioned.
"Jennifer, how do you feel?"
"Nauseous."
"I'll give you something for that. What about pain?"
"Starting to hurt like a..." She wanted to say "bitch" but her father was sitting there. "...son of a gun."
"This is the magic button, push it when the pain threatens to get ahead of you. It is morphine and is monitored, you can't over do it."
"You sound like a doctor?"
"I'm Rangeman's concierge doctor, but I prefer the simple term, medic."
"How long will I be here?"
"Here in Recovery, maybe an hour or two. Hospital stay will be longer, several days, then rehab before you can go ho..." He stopped in mid sentence.
"I probably don't have a home anymore" and she looked to her father who shook his head no.
After an hour in recovery she was wheeled up to her hospital room. Her father came with her. He talked softly on his phone as he watched his daughter. She smiled weakly at him silently mouthing, "I'm OK."
It wasn't long before Bobby Brown was back, checking the hookups and watching the monitor read outs. "You want to sleep or are you up for guests?"
She wanted to sleep, but hoped the guest would be Pierre so she smiled. First in were Ranger and Stephanie. She a small flat package wrapped in bubble wrap. Ranger carried in a larger item but set it against the wall. Her father stood and seemed to already know Ranger so was introduced to Stephanie. Then Ranger came over to her, "You look better than the last time I saw you."
"No doubt. At least now I'm warm, well medicated and they tell me the parts will mend but I'll set off metal detectors from now on."
"You got the ring leader, Bernard Soule." Ranger did not tell her he also shot him, both were kill shots.
"The others?"
"Raimond was captured and is talking, a regular motor mouth. Jules died. The others were 27th Street gang including the gravel truck driver. Several didn't make it. "
"Your men?"
"Two bloodied but both will recover, including Tank, er Pierre."
"Tank?"
"Nick name from Basic Training."
"There was no master conspiracy between JJ Enterprise vandalism and murder attempts?"
"They had a common denominator, Raimond Dias. He was one of the Turtle Bayou escapees. He as been dabbing in illegal activities up here. He knew about Rocket Man, recommended him to Bernard Soule of Turtle Bayou. Martha Nabors wanted to destroy you because she was not mentioned in your in-laws' will. We believe she may have been your father-in-laws illegitimate child. She hired the 27th Street gang to vandalize JJ Enterprise sites. When she needed more destruction, the gang put her in contact with Raimon Dias and Rocket Man. The attack on you, the destruction of your home, and as you know your attempted murder goes back to Turtle Bayou.
Suddenly Jennifer overwhelmed and the pain was creeping in. She pushed the narcotics button. Bobby noticed and said, "Let's give her time to rest a bit. We can come back later." Everyone, including her father filed out. Stephanie carried the package she brought in.
Ranger turned to Bobby, "We haven't see Lester or Tank yet, how are they? "
"Lester's vest absorbed most of the force but there was some penetration. Broken rib, lung penetration. Lung is stitched up. HIs leg wound didn't hit bone. He will heal, but it will take time. "
"Tank has more serious injuries. The hit in the chest will slow him down for a while...sternum and two ribs fractured, bruised heart, hematoma. Leg break was clean, didn't need hardware like Jennifer's. You know how he dislikes pain meds, think he'll need them for awhile.
"Wanna bet?" Ranger asked.
Laughing, Bobby said, "Nope, but I can wish."
Are they up for visitors?
"One floor up."
The four walked into Tank's and Lester's shared hospital room but found Tank's bed empathy. Looking towards the bathroom and finding it empty Bobby bellowed, "Where the hell is Tank?" Lester shook his head, "He got himself into a wheelchair and wheeled himself out, took his intravenous tree with him."
Admiral Caufield spoke, "I think we all know where he's gone."
"Why didn't we see him," asked Stephanie.
"He was probably hiding until we left Jeni's room," grumbled Bobby.
The four reversed course and headed one floor down and turned into Jeni's room. Tank was indeed there on the far side of the bed, holding hands with Jeni. Tears cascaded down Jennifer's face, Tank looked happy though still in terrific pain.
Tank saw the four standing there, a mix of emotions crossed his face. He saw Ranger and growled in anger for being kept in the dark about her existence. Jennifer squeezed his hand, "Pie, hush now." He then saw Arvin Caufield standing next to Ranger.
"Arvin?"
Before Tank could struggle to his feet, the commandant was across the room in few strides and bent and carefully hugged Tank, "Pierre." After a bit he stepped back and appraised Tank and his enlarged physique. "Son, you look just like Andre."
Bobby was furious, "Damnit Tank! Am I going to have to put you into Cardiac Care? You can't go joy riding around the hospital. "
"I'm not leaving Jeni...ever again." His southern drawl made a strange comeback.
"Well at least sit in this recliner so your leg will be up. I'll find a blanket."
As Tank stood to transfer to the recliner, his buttocks were exposed from the hospital gown.
"Nice ass, Pie, " Jeni shyly spoke.
"Woman" was Tanks terse reply.
Admiral Caufield laughed, "Sounds just like Mama Claire and Andre."
Stephanie slipped forward with her packages. "We've found two items in the house wreckage we think you'd like to have." She unwrapped the smaller object. It was a silver icon of the Theotokos, Virgin Mary. Jennifer's eyes widened and she began to weep.
"The Holy Mother. This was my mother's." She looked at her father as he came over to inspect the icon.
Stephanie and Ranger unwrapped the larger item, the painting that once hung in the living room. "Sorry, this is damaged."
Jennifer gasped. Admiral Caufield walked beside Tank and placed his hand on his shoulder. Arvin had seen the picture many times but it still was emotional. Tank was stunned. The St. Bernadette with Andre and another figure, but that's exactly where the canvas was torn. "It was her way of dealing with the loss of Andre and you. She thought you were dead."
Tank turned to Jeni, "You thought I was dead?"
"I saw you, I was there, in that room. You and...Ranger...were bound hand and feet, naked and badly beaten. Your head was down on your chest, you were bleeding from your mouth and nose. I couldn't feet a heart beat. The other man's...Ranger's...one eye was swollen shut. I noticed Ranger's abdominal scar, hasty suturing job, but it was healed." Turning to Bobby Jennifer asked, "Your suturing?"
" North Korea, we were in a hurry."
Looking back to Tank, "I turned back to you, felt for a heart beat, signs of breathing, but nothing. I left."
"But how could you be there?"
Arvin cut in, "She was on life support for several days Pierre. Truly only God knows what happened during that time."
Tank looked at Ranger with a questioning look.
"Yes, I saw her, but thought it was a hallucination. When we first met at Rangeman I thought she looked familiar. It wasn't until I saw her bloody in the forest with the head wrap did I realize she was the one from...whatever it was."
"I realized who he was about the same time," added Jennifer.
Turning back to the picture Tank asked, "This tear...right where you painted me?"
"I can't believe this survived and the only damage is right there. I can repair the canvas and repaint you."
Admiral Caufield spoke, "Maybe Andre sent the picture back for the picture to be corrected."
All were quiet.
Stephanie cleared her throat, "I guess I'm no longer officially your personal assistant at JJ."
Jennifer smiled, "Stephanie, sorry my dear, you are still my personal assistant and your next duty is to find a furnished house to replace the one that was blown up. "
"Which one" Ranger asked.
Jennifer looked confused.
Pierre's, home was also blown up.
Jennifer looked at Tank and he looked back and smiled, "I said I'm not leaving you again."
Jennifer smiled, " Just one. Pierre and I need a place to live, together."
Tank nodded.
Chapter XV: New Home
Tank usually checks himself out early from a hospital. This time he condescended to spend a week at Jenny's side returning to his hospital bed for the evenings. When discharged he moved into Rangeman under Bobby's care. Jennifer was sent to a rehab facility nearby. The two could only communicate by telephone.
"Pie, I didn't mean to put you on the spot regarding living arrangements. If you want a place of your own, I perfectly understand."
"Jeni, I've been thinking about us. Each day I realize how much more I want to be with you."
"Pie, we've been apart for 18 years. We are different than we were years ago."
"Are you getting cold feet about us living under the same roof?"
"No, I'm just giving us both room to maneuver and not be stuck with a commitment we aren't ready for."
"You are the only woman I have every loved. Even when Paul told me he thought you had died in Germany, I couldn't find anyone else. It's always been only you. I don't want to loose you again."
"Oh Pie," she said sadly...
"Jeni?"
"This is embarrassing. My sexual experience is almost nil. We never got together that afternoon at Lake St. Sigo and I don't remember what that bastard did to me in Germany. My marriage to Jerald was consummated in less than 5 minutes as he watched male on male porn. I don't know...well...I'm not sure...I can...
Jeni, don't worry about it. We'll work it out. What's important is we will finally be together and build a life together.
################
Stephanie found the perfect house. It was a very large one story on acreage with 8 foot walls all around. Jennifer and Tank wouldn't have to bother with stairs and the main bedrooms had en suite baths. The Antonio house was move- in ready. The Antonios moved to Scottsdale, taking only their jewelry. The home and furnishings, down to the silverware in the drawers were waiting for a buyer. The Antonios were thrilled Jennifer would be the new owner, having known Jennifer Jenkins through charity work.
Life in the Antonio house was a smooth transition. Tank had his own bedroom and Jennifer had hers. That was until the afternoon Jennifer expressed a need for a nap and Tank came to help her remove her slippers and angle onto the bed. Seeing the bed he thought a nap was a good idea for himself as well and laid down beside her. Both were fully clothed sans slippers.
About 10 minutes later the house was filled with surprise guests. Arvin Caufield had flown in for the weekend and ran into Ranger at the front door. Ranger had picked up Mama Claire and Paul at the airport. Bobby had come in his professional capacity to see his patients.
When Maria opened the door and was greeted by the unexpected crowd she became flustered. "Where are Pierre and Jennifer?" Ranger asked. In a stroke of brain dead Marie answered, "They are in bed together." Ten eyebrows shot skyward.
"No, no, they are napping" a flustered Maria sputtered.
"Yeah right," Paul's voice boomed and he lead the troop to the master bedroom. Mike and Gabe were on the floor guarding the entrance but they immediately recognized 3 of the 5 guests and just wagged their stubs.
Sure enough, there were Tank and Jennifer, fully clothed sound asleep side by side on the bed, holding hands. Everyone had a different thought. Mama Claire was looking at the lovely woman Jennifer had become, Paul was remembering the skinny girl that first day at school. Arvin was thinking how happy Andre would be one of his sons was with Jennifer. Ranger smiled, seeing his best friend at ease and happy. It was Bobby who noted Jennifer's flush appearance. He went over to her an brushed his hand across her forehead, it was hot.
Jennifer stirred and opened her one eye. "Pie, we have company."
"Hmmm?"
"Mama Claire, Po, Pappa, Ranger, and Bobby are here."
"Hmmm Whaaa?"
"Open your eyes, dear."
Tank's eyes opened and he stared at his audience at the foot of the bed. Ranger, Paul and Arvin were smirking. Claire watched Bobby pull a thermometer from his back pack and moved to the side beside Jennifer.
"Can't a guy take a nap?" Tank sputtered.
"Just a nap? Yeah, right," kidded Paul.
"Hell yes, my chest and leg hurt too much for sex". It was at that point he saw his mother next to Bobby. "Oh, Mama, I'm sorry."
Claire gently lowered herself onto the edge near Jennifer's feet. "Look what a fine lady you became, Jeni-girl." Claire noticed Jennifer's flushness and looked at Bobby.
Bobby shook his head yes.
Ranger noted the exchange between Bobby and Claire and said, "Tank, we are heading to the kitchen for beer, join us." With that Paul, Arvin and Ranger left. The dogs split, Gabe went with them down the hall, Mike stayed in the bedroom.
"You coming Bobby?" Ranger asked just as he exited the room.
"Yeah, in a minute. Grab one for me."
Tank carefully got himself up, slid on his slippers, picked up his crutches, smiled at his mother and went to join the others.
Bobby in his gentle medic voice said, "Jeni, you are running a fever. Do you hurt, do you feel ill?"
"Tired, really tired and heavy in the chest"
Out came the stethoscope and he gently lifted Jeni into an upright position and began listening to her chest. Mama Claire's eyes bore into Jennifer with joy and concern. Bobby spent more time than usual listening, moving from one spot to another.
"Without an X-ray I can't definitively say, but I suspect pneumonia."
"What?"
"Could be from the anesthesia or something you picked up in the hospital or in the woods. Let me make some phone calls to get you an X-ray and we'll go from there. We'll go in a bit. Mean time you and Claire can visit and I'll go chide Tank for awhile."
"Bobby, nothing has happened between us, really."
"I suspect not, his chest, both your legs and now your possible pneumonia would squash the mood. Still, hands off each other for awhile."
Bobby packed up and left the room reaching for his cell phone. Jennifer broke into a huge smile and threw out her arms for Clair to move into, "Mama." She then scooted over giving Mama Claire more room to sit on the bed.
"Jeni-girl, I about fainted when Ranger called to tell us about Pierre...and you...and Arvin. Paul didn't tell us about Pierre's house being destroyed, he didn't want to worry us, so when we learned the whole story...I just cried."
"Mama, We've been living in the same town for years and never ran into one another," Jeni said shaking her head.
"It wasn't God's plan for you to meet earlier."
"You sound like Papa."
####################
The diagnosis was indeed pneumonia but not enough to warrant a return to the hospital. Just more rest for Jennifer and full course of antibiotics. Normally Tank would be bugging Bobby to get back to work, but with Jennifer's pneumonia, he had reason to remain at home. By the time Jeni was well enough for Tank to return to work, both knew their love for one another had been renewed.
Several weeks after New Year, Jennifer and Tank were working with Bobby in the gym. Tank's leg was healed and his muscles were coming back. Jennifer's leg would take longer. When Bobby walked away, Tank took Jennifer's hands and asked her to marry him. "Jennifer, as I said in the hospital, I never want to leave you again. I wanted to wait until Valentine's Day to ask you to marry me, but I can't. Will you marry me?"
She looked at him and looked around? "Not much on sentiment are you Pie?
"What?"
"First proposal was on a pier, this one in a gym, I'm afraid to make you do it again for fear where we'd end up the third time."
He looked panicky, "Does this mean no?"
It means I don't get the opportunity to be wined and dined and you going down on one knee."
He took a step back and started to go down on his knee, but she stopped him. Laughing she said, " Of course I'll marry you Pie. I will marry you as many times as you want, but I need to be married in my church. I was excluded from the Eucharist cup while I was married to Jared, I refuse to do that again."
"And I always figured I'd marry in the Catholic Church."
"We need to talk to our priests," Jennifer said." With that they kissed long and passionately. Erik was monitoring Rangeman's internal CCTV on the 5th floor let out a whistle. Soon everyone was crowded around the monitor.
Ranger stepped over, "Finally. There's nothing more annoying than a love struck Tank. How long do you think it will take them to get married?"
"I say they may go directly to the judge, that is if they don't hit the mats first," Lester said.
"Turn off the monitor, Erik," Ranger laughed.
"Awwww, Ranger...," Lester complained.
########
Mid February there was a double church wedding. Neither wanted an elaborate wedding, trying to keep the spectacle low key. First was at St. Catherine's Catholic Church immediately after the entire wedding party and guests moved to St. George Greek Orthodox Church.
The reception was big, loud and memorable. The bride and groom danced only the slow dances as the bride's leg was still weak. Rangemen were present both as guests and security. Pentagon big brass was present with their own security. JJ Construction was also present. Mama Claire was escorted by Arvin.
Stephanie leaned over to Ranger, "Am I seeing something developing between Admiral Caufield and Mama Claire?"
"Weddings bring out all sorts of feelings Babe."
"How about with you?"
He smiled.
"What does that mean?" Stephanie punched Ranger in the ribs.
Ranger smiled again but was ready to deflect a second jab.
The weddings day wound down by midnight. The married couple left on the JJ Enterprise jet for a honeymoon to a small town in the Rocky Mountains were Tank and other Rangeman owned cabins. Tank carried a laughing Jennifer into his cabin after well after midnight. Nine months later they had a family.
Chapter XVI: After the Honeymoon
Jeni, you want coffee with breakfast?
Nooooo,
"You've been nauseous for a couple of days. You either have the flu or are pregnant?" Tank joked.
The thought crashed down on Jennifer like a 5 ton safe. She grabbed her phone and began scrolling for her fertility app. Normally she'd use it to remind her when her monthly period would begin, but she was busy catching up at work, planning the new house to replace the one that had been blown up and enjoying tending to her new husband. The app showed she had not had a period since before the wedding. Yikes, how did that happen?
She looked up, "Houston, I think we've had condom failure." With all the medicines Jennifer had been on for the injuries and pneumonia, Jennifer's cycles were irregular, but not this irregular. Bobby urged holding off on birth control vaccinations and even pills a bit longer, relying on condoms.
Tank broke into a big smile and took her into his arms. "We are going to be a family, a baby giraffe. "
"Tank, we were JUST married. This is a little soon. Did you stick holes in your condoms?"
Tank looked confused. "We said we wanted children."
"Yes, but...". She decided not to pursue the condom sabotage issue. What was done was done.
"Do you want to see to Bobby?"
She nodded her head, just before she went down the hall to the bathroom and became ill.
On their way to Rangeman they stopped at CVS to purchase two pregnancy tests in case Bobby didn't have any.
Bobby smiled as they walked in, "I didn't expect this so soon."
"Neither did I," moaned Jennifer.
Tank just smiled.
Jennifer scowled at him, "I suspecting condom sabotage"
Bobby did have a test kit but accepted the donation. The result, pregnant. Jennifer ran for the bathroom again. When she returned Bobby and Tank had concerned looks on their face, "You OK?" Tank asked.
"No I'm pregnant," she snapped. Then she looked contrite, "Sorry, I didn't mean to bite your head off. This is a shock."
Bobby soothingly said, " Let me take some blood samples and confirm the pregnancy. I'll let you know later today.
Bobby called ahead. "You will come for dinner first," Jennifer insisted. He came to the kitchen and sat at the table. "No mention of the results, you two eat first," ordered Jennifer. Tank and Bobby ate Greek salad with olives, domathes and feta, lemon chicken, and rice pilaf., Jennifer sipped ginger tea.
"No dinner for you?" Bobby asked. Jennifer turned green and excused herself to the bathroom again. The guys cleared the table.
Jennifer returned and said, "OK what are the results?"
"Pregnant as we discovered this morning, but but the HGC numbers are really high. Probably has a lot to do with your nausea. This might mean nothing, but since both of you are twins, I'm suspecting the high numbers may be due to multiples. We won't know until we get another few blood tests over the next weeks. If the numbers return to normal range, just one fetus. You'll also need an ultra sound to determine a due date," Bobby the Medic/Doctor carefully explained.
The next blood test's HCG readings had not dropped but streaked even higher. A third the next week was still off the charts. Bobby had referred Jennifer to an OB doctor. When the OBGYN got the latest blood work, she called Bobby first. "Multiple for sure. Ultra Sound will determine the number."
And few weeks later the ultra sound room was crowded with Jennifer, the OBGYN, Bobby and Tank. As Jennifer lay on the table and the doctor ran the wand over Jennifer's already swelling abdomen, all eyes were on the monitor. "One, two...three and four!" Tank backed up to the wall feeling faint. Bobby grabbed his arm. "Just two sacs...two sets identical twins, that's rare," said the OB doctor.
"I'd better add a wing to the house," thought Jennifer.
After a little calculation the OB said, "If just one fetus it would be early December but seeing as it is a mega multiple pregnancy, I'm thinking pre Thanksgiving, even earlier. They will come early, your body won't be able to hold all to full term.
By the sixth month Jennifer had been ordered to bed rest. She already appeared 9 months pregnant and still had 3 more to go. The new house was under construction. JJ Enterprise was the contractor and taking great care to get everything perfect. Jennifer had designed it with cutting edge security as well as resource management which slowed construction. Rangeman Hector and his team were also on site working along side installing security items but also learning new building techniques Jennifer had designed. Skype kept her in touch not only with her office but with the contractors on her own project.
Stephanie continued to be her personal assistant working 1/2 for Jennifer and 1/2 for Rangeman. She decided Tank and Jennifer needed a baby shower from Rangeman and JJ Construction. Of course it was more like a bachelor party, the gifts were mostly gag gifts except for the semi truck load of diapers in various sizes from the Rangemen and JJ Enterprise. Tank looked horrified, "Do you think we'll need all those?" Jennifer hugged him, "If not, we'll save them for the next pregnancy." Hal caught Tank before he hit his head on the floor while fainting.
By early November Bobby and OB doctor convinced her she needed to be in the hospital hooked up to monitors. Ten days later the obstetrician began seeing problems and initiated labor. The December babies would indeed be pre Thanksgiving babies.
Arvin had come for the baby event and would be in the delivery room with Tank. The doctor had warned if at any time problems would occur, they would have to leave. Jennifer never had a chance to push the babies out, things started going wrong real fast. An emergency C section was ordered. The two boys were pulled out first, each weighting over 4 pounds each. The father and grandfather were ushered into the newborn nursery while the doctors tried to stem the mother's hemorrhage and save the 2 girls as well as the mother. Arvin stood still, his face stoic, he had lost his wife during childbirth and now his daughter and 2 other babies were at risk. Tank was slower to realize the gravity of the situation as he looked at his sons.
Two baby girls were removed from the womb, both weighing under 4 pounds and not breathing properly. The mother's blood pressure was near zero and heart rate racing. Jennifer was receiving transfusions at an alarming rate. A hysterectomy was required. "Everything is tied off, what is the pressure doing?" "It is coming up!" For the first time Bobby began to breathe normally again. Jennifer would survive but at what cost?
In the nursery the nurses and doctors tended the girls gradually getting the breathing back to normal. The nursery staff forgot about the father and grandfather standing off to the side. When the nurses and pediatrician relaxed the two giant men hugged each other. Since all four were under 5 pounds and early, they went into NICUs for several weeks.
Those outside in the waiting room worried, prayed, drank too much coffee. Finally Bobby came out, exhausted, but with a big smile, "Two boys, two girls. Finally all doing well. The girls had a rough start.
"How's the father?" Ranger inquired.
Father and Grandfather are ecstatic, like little boys at Christmas.
"And the mother?" Stephanie inquired.
Bobby's face fell, "We almost lost her. The hospital is probably short blood. You might stop by on your way out to inquire about donating."
"Will she be alright?" Asked Ella as she wrapped her arms around Mama Claire.
"We don't know yet."
"How big were the babies?" Stephanie quizzed.
"Considering there were 4 on there, they came out 2 just over 4 pounds, 2 just under. It is amazing she held them this long."
The next day the Greek priest came and said the newborn prayers over the babies and the prayer over Jennifer.
Jennifer showed no sign of stroke or organ damage but still needed to stay in the hospital for awhile. The babies stayed in the hospital for 3 weeks giving the mother time to rest at home.
Babies Andre , Carlos Anna , and Claire were often called A1, A2, C1 and C2. Before the birth Arvin had begged his daughter not to name either boy Arvin. She teasingly suggested Arvina for a girl. For a moment everyone hesitated, it was unusual, but too unusual. Finally he shook his head, "No the grandmother names are better."
Hector tapped into the NICU's monitoring giving anxious Rangemen, baby updates 24/7. The babies came home quietly as the doctors wanted to limited public contact. They didn't make their first appearance outside their home other than to the doctor's until the Greek Orthodox Church 40 day blessing which occurred a few weeks late. It's a simple ceremony welcoming the mother and babies into the church after birth. Except this time the priest had four babies to carry, one at a time down through the church. All four were respectful and didn't make a fuss.
The babies went home to a giant welcome home celebration mostly of Rangemen and Tank's family along with Connie, Lula and Jackson. With four babies, everyone had a chance to hold one for awhile.
Lula sat quietly with little Claire and wept. Jackson went and sat with her. "I want one," Lula sniffed.
Jackson wrapped his arm around Lula, "I don't think Tank and Jennifer will let you have one. But I think we could figure out how to do this together, but just one at a time, please."
Lula looked up surprised. "I ain't having no baby without a ring on my hand."
Jackson kissed her cheek, "I wouldn't have it any other way. Let's discuss this later."
#########
Tank's brother Paul and his family came for the event. One of his gifts to his new nieces and nephews were four giraffe stuffies and a wardrobe of giraffe onesies and t-shirts. Only a few people knew the significance.
Mama Claire had moved from St Louis and Paul's family to Tank and Jennifer's home where she was most needed. Ella and Louis frequently took a turn at baby central. Last count, the quads had at least 30 aunts, uncles and 2 grandparents and several honorable grandparents who wanted to help with bathing, feeding and rocking the quads. Rangeman had work schedule and baby schedule for those who wished to help. Of course Hector put the babies' nursery on camera so the 4 wee ones were on Baby Cam at Rangeman.
Mike and Gabe were enthralled with the four babies. They paced between them, listening, smelling and watching them. They guarded the nursery door like MPs, waiting for hand signals from Jennifer, Tank, Claire, Maria or the nanny Stella before they'd let in a stranger.
Stephanie who had not a maternal bone in her body avoided snuggling a baby but accompanied Ranger when he came for his "baby fix." She watched as him cuddle and coo little Carlos whispering to him in Spanish. She wondered if she could grow a maternal bone.
"Do you want one of your own?" Stephanie asked.
"I have Julie."
"No another one since you missed Julie's growing up."
"I'll be seeing a lot of these four. As it is Rangeman may have to install a nursery and daycare. The men are beside themselves with these guys."
"You didn't answer my question Batman."
Ranger just smiled. Later that day Ranger slipped an engagement ring on Stephanie's hand. "We'll talk about a family."
Post Script. Indeed there was something blooming between Arvin and Mama Claire and they too walked down the aisle together. Jennifer added another wing to the house
The End, Phew!