AU. Steph and Ranger move from Miami to re-establish Rangeman headquarters in Trenton and to be close to family. An old acquaintance disappears and they soon find themselves involved in a global mystery.
I wish to apologize in advance for any errors. This is an Alternate Universe and I have taken creative license with a few items.
Chapter 25 – The True Story
JB notified the Abuelos, Val, Mary Lou, and Grandma Mazur of Steph's return. Everyone dropped everything to head to JB's, excitedly waiting to see Steph. They understood that first; Carlos and the boys needed their wife and mommy time.
Steph woke up roughly an hour later in Carlos's arms. She felt three small heads around her middle and thanked God for keeping them safe while she was gone. Steph sat up to euphorically hug and kiss her guys. She patiently listened to AJ, BJ and CJ tell her what they've been up to while she's been gone. She laughed when they told her about the morning memories ritual and how they pranked Sally and Randy. She hugged them again, "Boys, go inside the house and tell our family that mommy and daddy will be in shortly.
AJ responded, "Sure, come on guys they want to kiss and stuff." Giggling, the boys climbed out of the treehouse. Uncles Tank, Bobby and Lester were standing guard. Hal and Cal escorted the boys inside the house.
Steph told Carlos quickly about the implant auto-destruct triggers. I should probably make Bobby aware of the implant.
Bijou can I tell Bobby, our family medic, about the electronic mind reader. He will not tell a soul.
You have my permission Steph. Happy Birthday! I left you a present in your gown pocket.
Steph reached inside her pocket and pulled out a small bag filled with exquisite diamonds.
Wow! I don't know if I can keep them but thank you.
Chuckling, You are welcome. I will talk to you tomorrow. Enjoy your day.
"Bijou gave me permission to tell Bobby. Let's go inside the house. I want to tell this story once. Then enjoy my birthday."
After much crying, hugging and kissing. Steph told everyone what little she knew.
A couple of weeks went by since Steph's return. Bobby gave Steph a complete physical and she was healthier now than before she left. She couldn't take a step without a Rangeman or family member tagging along. Steph understood their vigilance but now she needed some space.
They could go no further with the Victoria investigation. Bas and Billy decided to purchase the adjacent property and cohabitate. Randy was invited to live in their guest house. Sally decided to move into JB's guesthouse. His band could come over and practice and he was close enough to walk to Steph's and tutor the boys. JB and Connie eloped two days after Steph returned. Carlos and Steph was best man and matron of honor.
Aware that Stephanie was feeling claustrophobic Carlos planned a family getaway. The jet was prepared to leave in an hour for their flight to Maldives. The core team was their security detail. The team have strict orders to remain unseen. The Manosos were to spend ten days in a luxurious private overwater villa. Included with the villa was a private yacht, butler, kid-friendly and water sports activities, snorkeling and more.
The boys loved the villa life, the kids' area had all types of activities. The Manoso boys made many friends and had numerous scheduled play dates.
An uproar occurred when the Manosos walked into an undersea five-star restaurant. Dressed in semi-formal wear, Carlos and the boys wore identical black suits with black shirt, tie and shoes. Carlos and his sons wore a single diamond stud earring. The triplets' earrings were magnetic studs. Steph wore a luxurious lace plunging neckline (V-neckline with halter straps), sleeveless, backless, sheath evening gown. The family was so stunning the local paparazzi trolling the entrance attempted to take pictures and demanded to know their identities. The boys looked like miniature James Bonds. Carlos and the boys surrounded Steph as protectors. The core team immediately appeared to remove the paparazzi. Carlos approached the host to confirm their reservations and escorted his stunning family to a private dining area.
Steph spaced out for a few moments.
Bijou: Hi Steph, are you available?
Steph:I'm dining with my family. Can I get back to you in a couple of hours?
Bijou:Sure. Talk to you later.
"Steph, Was that her?
"Yes."
Carlos nodded his head. He knew that Bijou's advanced knowledge and seemingly unlimited wealth would make her next to impossible to catch. She would have to make a drastic mistake or voluntarily expose herself. Bijou was extremely polite and did not demand a lot of Steph's time. I want to keep my guard up but I fear complacency. It's worrying that I don't know why Steph was taken.
Steph needed to use the ladies room. She excused herself and headed towards the restroom located near the restaurant's service area. Steph was followed discretely by a Rangeman and a female diner.
"Excuse me, I wanted to tell you that your husband and sons are drop dead gorgeous and you are a knockout. How do you deal with all that adorableness?"
"Thank you, it's easy, you see the outside which is nice to look at but my guys hearts are pure on the inside. They love me and I love them to pieces. They are my life and heart." Glowing Steph adjusts her halter strap and exits.
Steph has a beautiful genuine family. Curious, she didn't feel uncomfortable or recognize me.
The family arrived back in New Jersey in time for Thanksgiving. Cal, Steph and the triplets went inside the Tasty Pastry to pick up her order of Thanksgiving desserts. The customers, employees, and Grace gushed over the boys. A mother couldn't be prouder of her brave handsome sons.
BJ spoke quietly to his brothers, "Did you guys notice that man sitting near the trashcan staring at mom?"
His brothers nodded yes.
CJ addressed his brothers, "We need to protect mom. She is in a daze eating her éclair and not aware of her surroundings. Uncle Cal has his hands full loading the boxes in the car."
The boys put their heads together and planned. CJ turned around to glance at the man, "Hey, he left his table and is walking towards mom." The boys moved into action.
Damn she looks good. I miss the wild sex. "Hello Stephanie it's been awhile."
"Hello Dickie." Steph turned back around ignoring him.
"BITCH! I am talking to you…. Owww"
AJ poured hot coffee on the back of Dickie's legs. When Dickie turned around to see who spilled the liquid he slipped and tripped. CJ poured hand soap around the area of Dickie feet causing him to slip. BJ had tied Dickie's shoelaces together while he was talking to Steph.
CJ stepped on and kicked, (outside of public view), Dickie's family jewels under the ruse of providing help. BJ kneed Dickie in the neck as he laid on the floor.
AJ moved beside BJ and stepped on Dickie's neck, "No one yells at my mommy or talks mean to her. "Say you're sorry, SAY IT!"
Dickie, choked out, "I'm sorry."
Steph moved her boys away from Dickie, "Stay away from me and my family." Grace walked over and accidently kicked Dickie again in the nuts. He moaned in agony for a few minutes before slithering out the bakery.
Cal proudly sent a text to Rangeman telling them to watch the last fifteen minutes of the Tasty Pastry surveillance video. Ranger and his men observed the video impressed with the boys take down of Dickie.
Tank whispered in Rangers ear, "Those boys are intelligent, creative, methodical, and fearless. I am almost scared to think about the future with their gene pool."
The triplets started a rotating mini protection detail. One of the boys would either; join Steph on her morning walks; hang out in their mom's office; and ride with her when she runs errands.
"Babe? Have you noticed the boys have been guarding you since the Dickie incident."
"Yes, I was hoping it was a phase, but it's been going on for two weeks. However, I do enjoy the one-on-one time."
"Our kids have never suffered from the lack of individual attention. They shouldn't have to worry about protecting you at such a young age. I am going to call them into our bedroom so we can talk."
The boys walked into their parent's bedroom. Carlos patted the bed signaling for the boys to hop up and sit between their parents. "AJ, BJ, and CJ you guys have done an awesome job of protecting your mother. You do realize that your uncles and I watch out for her to allow you guys to play and have fun?"
AJ responded, "We know daddy, but we like protecting mommy like you and our uncles. We are training like Rangemen and practicing reading. Uncle Sally has us read and do math problems during the day. He wanted to surprise you with how much we've learned."
"Steph pulled out a book she recently purchased for the boys from her nightstand, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. It was a recommended book for first graders. She handed it to AJ and asked him to read the first sentence.
AJ: "Way back in Once Upon a Time time."
Carlos indicated for BJ to read next.
BJ: "I was making a birthday cake."
He motioned for CJ to read.
CJ: "for my dear granny."
Carlos and Steph were ecstatic. The triplets were three years old and reading and doing math. Carlos gazed at his family with all the love in his heart then looked up. Thank you.
CJ snuggled close to his mom, "Can we finish reading the book together as a family?"
"Yeah," his brothers echoed. Steph said sure. They jumped out the bed and stripped naked like their dad.
The mini-Manosos snuggled their naked bodies between their parents to finish reading.
Victoria loved efficiency. She was able to obtain Stephanie's DNA cells during the implantation. In addition, she harvested Stephanie's eggs.
Victoria and Diana initiated the somatic cell nuclear transfer of Jeanne Ellen and Stephanie's DNA. Their eggs were placed in an oviduct where it divided. The oviduct acted as an insulator. Their eggs have now reached the stage of its development where it is no longer an egg but an embryo.
The last step in somatic nuclear replacement is to implant the growing embryo into the uterus of a surrogate mother by in vitro fertilization. The surrogate mothers were Diana and a second 'ME,' (known as Carrol). Diana and Carrol will give birth to fraternal twins that are clones of Jeanne and Stephanie at the end of a normal development period.
One set of twins will be injected with an accelerated growth hormone. They will grow to reach the age of Jeanne and Stephanie at their last birthday. The other set of fraternal twins will age naturally.
Steph: Hi Bijou, I thought I would contact you for a change. I haven't heard from you in a while are you okay?
Bijou: I am wonderful Steph. It means a lot to me that you would ask.
Steph: I have been having an uneasy feeling for a few days. Something is happening that affects me. I feel that you know what it is.
Bijou: Hmm curious, I know of nothing that affects you.
Steph saw a red hue when Bijou spoke...she's lying.
Bijou: I want the best for you and your family Stephanie.
Steph was puzzled, Bijou's statement was true.
Bijou reflected, "By this time next year I will have my own personal adult Stephanie and Jeanne Ellen as well as baby Steph and Jeanne. Steph and I have a tenuous respect for each other now. I wonder if Steph will lose her shit if I borrowed a facetime account and spoke to her with Stephanie #2 by my side. That would be fun…"
I hope you enjoyed "Pivotal Moments." I had loads of fun writing about the triplets.
I was arguing with my husband that most stories and comics don't have a born and bred female villian. They are usually working for a diabolical mastermind or they are transformed into something evil/criminal. I wanted Victoria/Bijou to have power and unspoken depths of wickedness. I wanted her to vacillate between good and evil.
I struggled with this last chapter so be gentle :D.
The story ended with the possibility of a sequel. Maybe someone would like to take the sequel on as a challenge.
Again, I thank you for your time reading my first Stephanie Plum fanfiction and writing reviews.
A big thank you to Janet Evanovich whose characters continue to inspire and entertain.
Peace and blessings.