SPOV
Two weeks have passed since my night in the hospital. My bed rest has finally been lifted and now it is the day before Christmas Eve. I developed a small baby bump that Ranger noticed before I did. In my defense I had been wearing mostly shorts or yoga pants so I didn't notice the tightness of real pants but one morning I woke up to Ranger giving my tummy open mouth kisses and bam I saw it. The babies are both the sizes of oranges this week and my energy level is high for once. I can't stop propositioning Ranger either not that he complains. He says my libido has been more extreme then my normal jelly doughnut hormones, joking he should have put a baby inside me years ago.
I was happy about my bump but at the same time sad I was getting fat. I wasn't Valerie sized but my pants were tight. Ranger on the other hand became particularly horny by the sight of my bump and couldn't get out of bed with me that day for the gym.
Ranger spent the majority of the two weeks in the penthouse office. When he had meetings, Ella was with me. I was fine alone but Ella liked talking to me and spending time with another woman. Ella discussed the layout I wanted for Christmas for the apartment since I couldn't go out to shop for a tree or decor with her anymore.
I told her simple but festive. She is like house elf turning the penthouse into a magical wonderland even with fruit rolled in frosted sugar for different centerpieces with the flowers. Ella picked up stockings for us and a simple tree Tank set up for me. When Ranger walked in later that day he was frozen in place, he was so surprised since he has never decorated for Christmas before since he was a kid. Deep down I think he was ok with it because I was happy.
Over the last two weeks I had Slick pick up my mail so I could wrap up everyone's gifts I ordered online. Ranger and I had a long conversation over Slick as well, he asked me not to tell any of his men I would hire them privately if they were ever fired in the future because it undermined his leadership of them now. Fear in this line of work was a tool he used to keep the men at peak performance.
I explained I didn't want Slick fired because of my actions. We had a calm rational discussion, understanding each other's point of view. It's still a mind trip we don't have knock down screaming fights like Morelli and I had but I like this much better.
Ranger's new Porsche was delivered on time, Tank test drove it around then delivered it to Al who had plenty of time to add the security adjustments. Tank kept one set of keys to deliver it to Rangeman Christmas morning and I wrapped another in a box for Ranger to open Christmas morning. I even had Ella track down a huge bow and tag to place on the car that she hid in her apartment. When most people get a new car they scream and jump up and down like a crazy person, that's not Ranger so I'm curious to see his response.
Tonight I'm dropping by my friends and family to give them my gifts for them. My mother called me several times to force me to come to Christmas with several techniques, guilt, shame, badgering but I held strong and just ignored her. It was difficult but she had to learn. I did call my dad though and he wanted me to stop by eventually because he bought me a baby gift. I've never seen him this excited over one of Val's pregnancy's it's a little strange.
Lane my Realtor also helped me secure my new house! I was so excited. Ranger and I agreed to start physically securing the property in January and just work on plans this month. He spoke about adding a guest cottage eventually for extra security when needed or any help we may employ such as a nanny or house keeper. I left it open to discussion for the future but I wasn't at that point in my mind yet. I also felt weird about hiring help.
When Ella heard I bought a home she couldn't wait to decorate and begged me to be involved. I told her she didn't have too but she said it was a hobby for her and brought over every magazine, board, clippings and paint colors she had in her apartment.
I explained I needed a bed just like Ranger's as my major splurge and all comfy couches. Everything else could be nice but not super over the top expensive like things in the penthouse. I didn't want to waste the money on a name or get upset if I spilled something that cost more then one of my old cars. Ella made a design board for each room and started adding colors and furniture pictures so I could get an idea of what she was thinking while I worked on my case.
I asked Ranger his opinion after dinner's and he just wanted a large desk for his office and a comfy chair and a good mattress otherwise he didn't care because it already had a perfect gym for him and plenty of space to run around the property when he wanted to be outside. He loved how the wine fridge was already built into the wall of the kitchen like at the liquor store and regretted he never thought of that for this penthouse for his wine. I asked Ella to look for a unique pieces of furniture and possibly an antique desk for Ranger's office. He spent so much time in it I wanted it to be relaxing.
For my office I wanted one of the rooms that had a fire place and lots of storage, comfortable chairs and couches but I wanted more of a table then a traditional desk since it was mostly for research with a mini fridge and snack section.
The dinning room was difficult, I explained to Ella, Ranger and I weren't dinner party people so we should just skip that room but she found this beautiful farm table with benches on the long sides and chairs with arms that could go on the ends. I really loved it wasn't traditional. I saw kids coloring at it or me working on projects so I agreed.
I'm not one for paint but she picked warm neutral colors that gave the flow of the house as comfort instead of formal. She was an amazing decorator. The house was already amazing but she raised it to this new level taking into consideration Ranger's upscale tastes with my need for comfort and function. I told Ella the screening room needed a snack cart and she found an antique trolley cart. Loved it! Very Harry Potter on the train to Hogwarts.
While the gym was Ranger's domain that screening room was mine. I knew I would use it more then any other room in the house hands down. I also wanted a little area to keep our DVD collection down there and a place for popcorn and cold drinks. Unfortunately it didn't have a bathroom in the basement but Ranger looked at the plans and found an area where one could be put in so he could use it too after working out. Tank told me he was thinking about moving into that area near us as well because his lease is almost up on his home.
The only thing Ranger wanted to add was a panic room to the house but I still don't know where it would go, he mentioned one of the extra bedrooms as a possibility. The only room we didn't make any decision on and will stay empty for a few months is the nursery. I wanted confirmation on the gender's first to be sure.
Ella is still working on the parlor room, she wanted to put a piano there but neither Ranger and I played so that wasn't happening. Ella's new goal since I didn't want anything too formal was a sitting/play area for the kids or a TV room. The attic is still an unknown room as well. It could be another bedroom, office or the panic room.
Ranger and I decided to RSVP to Julie's birthday this week. Ranger wanted me to be apart of her life and share in her day in case anything ever happened to him, he asked me to watch over her. I was wildly curious about Ranger's ex wife, last time she was in town she grabbed Julie from Rangeman and got on the next plane out of Jersey without even visiting Ranger in the hospital. I decided not to research Rachel first before meeting her, I wanted a natural impression of her instead of an informed opinion.
When I found out Julie was first missing, Connie had done a simple background on Rachel. It said she was a stay at home mom with 3 kids and Ron was a plumber. Lenny Mary Lou's husband was one too. I never did an in depth search because in the past I didn't have access to search at will with Rangeman but when I did, Ranger would have known since it was his resources.
I'll decide after I meet Rachel if I will search her since its only two weeks away. Going to Julie's birthday also gives me a chance to check out my Florida victims environment and speak to people I have left messages for that have not returned my calls.
Some days on bed rest were great in the penthouse, I hysterically laughed at the women on The Bachelor, I never watched the show till this season but I couldn't get enough. I was wildly entertained that even Ranger caught a few peaks from his office.
Other days I was crawling up the walls, those days Ranger would carry me down to the war room to look at the board and think about my case. Slick usually came in to sit with me and help me make calls. He also helped me last week write information and details about the woman who have been kidnapped and killed to submit to numerous papers.
January was coming and I still didn't have many leads and I wanted the public warned. Two days later the Trenton Gazette ran the story then multiple newspapers after that. Rex not pleased was an understatement, I heard he had a shit fit according to Royce. I think deep down Royce knew I was the leak but didn't tell anyone, he understood my reason. However, information was on lock down now from the task force.
When I needed a break from the case in the war room, Slick would teach me odd things he knew. One of those things was how to beat a lie detector test. Slick taught me the difference between relevant and control questions and when I was asked a control question they were trying to pinpoint my anxiety levels. To throw the test off I needed to flex my anus on those questions. I thought he was messing with me so I looked it up and it was true! He had me practice an impassive face and level breathing while emptying my mind by focusing on my task like counting tiles in the room or decorating a room in my mind so I didn't over think the questions.
Eventually he "borrowed" a machine from somewhere and had me practice. After our third round I could beat it. It cheered up my whole week and I bragged about it to Tank and Ranger who were amused. Slick also started to teach me the art of pick pocketing. I practiced on him a lot then tried it on Ranger one night but Ranger is hyper aware of his wallet and keys, he was not pleased with what Slick was teaching me but promised to not interfere as long as it was making me happy.
I eventually did hear from Maggie Austin's boss and security from her apartment building but they had nothing on her disappearance. They both said she wasn't chatty on her personal life and kept to herself. My cousin from the bank came through with the bank security tapes of the exterior but I didn't see anyone suspicious on the days I went. Randy Briggs told me the hospital tapes only recorded every three months then erased so it was a dead end. Royce couldn't get the clinic tapes but a nurse confirmed monthly they record then erase. It seemed like Rangeman was the only one that kept records for years so I asked Ranger if I could access the exteriors feeds from the days I had been here in the past three years. He agreed and Slick and I watched them looking for anyone suspicious that conceded with my fob logs. We are still looking at them. My stalker was smart that much I figured out.
My case has hit a bit of a stall. I researched sedatives and I found thirty six normal ones that didn't even include mixtures people would make that were illegal so I kept my list on the back burner. Restraints on the other hand was more interesting. People could purchase bondage rope which is softer then real rope, padded cuffs, pvc tape, soft or padded fabric like a scarf, lined cuffs for ankle and wrists or a straight jacket. Those items sounded more like Violet's style but all could be purchased easily online that don't leave marks.
Tox screens also didn't show all Benzodiazepines sedatives. If a person don't ingest a sedative for 44 hours prior to a test your body could process it out of your system too. Online I discovered you can take certain pills to clean out your system faster too so I added it to the war room boards.
It's all very complicated and I'm not a doctor so I forwarded my findings to Royce since he had access to the Trenton tech's. I discovered most screens check for amphetamines or narcotics but not everything comes up unless the tech runs more expensive and extensive tests. Most of these areas didn't when the bodies were first found because the cities were small. I found it interesting in my research most plants and arsenic don't show up on a regular screen either, Violet died from a plant. Rex or Royce must have requested the extra test.
I finished doing deep backgrounds on all of the victims and left more messages for their family and friends to call me back but being so close to a holiday I haven't received many. I got ready for my visit to Valerie's.
I met Slick in the garage.
"Holiday plans?"
"Nah, not close to my family, I'll be your guard when you go out otherwise I'm on monitor duty."
I felt sad for Slick, that's pretty much what I offered to do too. Ranger and I planned a romantic dinner on 7 for an hour or two on Christmas Eve and I offered to be an extra person on duty to watch the monitors when the men needed bathroom break or dinner since I wanted to work more on my case anyway on that floor. I had the same plan Christmas day although Ella was making a fancy feast for those on duty before she left for her sister's for dinner.
Slick pulled up to Val's house and she opened the door just like my mother does before I even get there. It must be a mom thing. Holy cow she was huge! She is only 4 weeks more then me but looked 6 months already, it freaked me out.
"Hey Val I just wanted to drop off these gifts for your tree."
"Hey Steph come on in. Ma told me you were pregnant you look good. What are you a few weeks? Twins will make you bigger then me soon." My eyes bugged out.
"I'm four less then you right now." I noticed Val sitting at the table dipping everything in gravy. Cookies, bread, a potato, chips, a piece of chocolate cake.
I turned to Slick and whispered "If you let this happen to me I'm shooting you, no gravy for me!" Slick just smiled and nodded. I took a deep breath.
"Val you should cut back a little, I have cravings too but exercise and diet will make sure the baby comes out healthy. I know it's crazy coming from me trust me I love a good snack food but you could end up with a major issue."
"Why does everyone think I'm fat, I'm pregnant! It's my last one I want to enjoy it. Were hoping for a boy this time... Just wait a few more weeks you will be bigger then me." I started having trouble breathing and was freaking out again. Slick noticed and told me it was time to go to Mary Lou's. I quickly said my goodbyes and rushed to the car. Mary Lou talked me off the ledge and reminded me of her pregnancy with her photo album's helping calm me down. She told me I was like her and never like Valerie.
Ranger wouldn't let that happen to me and not say something, I'm almost positive he is having Ella sneak more vegetables to me hidden in my food as it is.
We exchanged gifts and Lou loved the spa weekend while she got me a pregnancy photo session. The pamphlet seemed pretty cool and I liked how one woman took all of these nature shots with her stomach. This was going to be my only pregnancy and I wanted to document it. Mary Lou said she regretted not having one done herself so I made sure to make an appointment in a few months.
Next Slick and I made our way to the bond's office. Lula went on a chicken run three hours ago and never came back, typical, while Vinnie was on a cruise with Lucille. Connie loved her gift card for Amazon books and bought me a Kama Sutra book to use with Ranger. I laughed. Ranger could probably write his own book, he was that good.
I thanked her and eventually moved onto Trenton PD. Royce sent me an email he was back in Iowa a few days and Rex was going to be away as well seeing his kids. Joe wasn't at his desk so I left him his small gift as well as Eddie's gift since Eddie didn't have a desk. It wasn't anything big but I wanted them to know I was thinking of them.
In my rush to leave Valerie's I forgot to open her gift, so Slick passed it to me. It was a homemade gift certificate for three cooking lessons with her along with a cook book. Although very kind, I have no interest in cooking at this point. Maybe that will change in a few months but right now it didn't. Slick told me he didn't cook either except with a microwave. He lived of Ella's meals so I really didn't feel too bad. I could at least use an oven for mac and cheese.
I wanted to surprise Ranger tomorrow with some sexy lingerie for Christmas Eve so we made our way to the mall for Victoria's Secret. One think I loved about pregnancy was my enhanced chest, some shirts I use to wear made me look like I was spilling out so I didn't mind shopping for new tops. I was in luck and found a sexy red teddy and a black baby doll that was see through for Ranger. Slick didn't look at my selections and kept his eyes respectfully towards the door at all times. He was a really good guy.
I tried looking for my gifts from Ranger this week but he was excellent at hiding things. Slick and I had been spending so much time together I also got him a gift card to Harry's Army and Navy for putting up with my nuttiness.
Slick also helped me pick out my needed detective tools from the list we made together weeks ago. It was fun. I finally used a slim Jim and saw how to hot wire most cars. Like people certain cars were the exceptions to every rule. Cheaper or older cars were easier to break into then higher end ones and getting rid of the cars gps trackers that were built into the more expensive models were a pain to get out. It was something we would work on together as we take breaks on the case.
Slick spoke up "I've thought of my Christmas gift to you, would you like to know what?"
"Sure what?"
"I want you to make an all star list. Anything you ever dreamed of learning write on a list and I will make three things happen on it for you. Even if I don't know how to myself I'll find someone to teach you."
"You don't have too your already teaching me a lot."
"No I want to. It can even be on my days off if we need to take a field trip. Think about it."
"Hmm this is hard... I want to learn some Spanish, pick a lock perfect maybe crack a safe..."
"I know an art thief too, he could teach you planning and execution of a heist. Never know when that could come in handy for a case or learning the art of a con... Anything you want in regards to your condition of course. No climbing or repelling off a wall." He gave me a big smile.
"I'll start thinking about it. Have you heard anything about Jeanne Ellen yet?"
"Nope. It's like she disappeared. Between you and me she isn't in Trenton I've been looking so I can keep an eye out for you. I even called Les Sebring and he said she took a job out of town for a bit."
Ranger was working late tonight so Slick and I were having dinner with Grandma Mazur at her apartment. At first Slick was weary of my Grandma but he realized after a while she likes the shock value as her entertainment. Now he flirts back with her giving her a thrill they are a riot together. Grandma loves his attention and we love her cooking it's a win win.
"Hey baby girl." She hugged me and I noticed how nice the apartment was decorated.
"Looks amazing in here I almost don't recognize it. Do you need anything?"
"O no this apartment's enough."
"What are you cooking it smells amazing."
"Since your missing Christmas dinner I made a smaller version tonight." I was really touched she did this for me.
"Sit down and relax. My date will be here soon. He just moved in downstairs his name is Christian. He has all of his hair, a James Dean Rebel Without a Cause kind of man. I really like him."
Slick and I looked at each other and broke out into a big smile. Grandma's taste in men was wide and eccentric just like her. I imagined this guy with a pop up collar in a leather jacket but she seemed happy and that's all that mattered.
My father has left me a few messages this week thanking me for letting Grandma have my apartment. He never wanted another gift from me again, that was enough.
We heard a knock so Slick got the door. Christian did not disappoint one bit. He had his hair slicked back, black dress pants and a black dress shirt. I thought he was more Jack Nicholson then James Dean but he made grandma giggled like a school girl around him. He gave her roses. Very romantic.
In these social situations I feel weird calling Slick my bodyguard so I addressed him as my friend. We all sat for dinner.
"So Chickie, my girl has told me all about you, is this your boyfriend she mentioned?"
"No he had to work, Slick is a friend." Slick talked about the army with him and I noticed Christian's attentiveness to Grandma. I never saw my Grandfather this way with her, Grandma mostly took care of him and served him. I liked this picture much more. Christian reminded me of Ranger and it wasn't because he was dressed all in black, he listened to Grandma and really cared about what she said just like Ranger did with me.
"Tell me about yourself Christian." He grabbed grandma's hand and turned to me.
"I was in the army for a long time but married once briefly to Vegas show girl. It was fun at the time. I drove a vintage Harley most of my life until I got to old and my hips couldn't handle it anymore now I drive a Lincoln. After the army I started my own business in motorcycle mechanics until I sold it recently now I'm enjoying my retirement. I grew up in Newark, lived there most of my life till recently. I wanted a change and had an old friend and former client in this area that I could play cards with now."
Eventually we left them to enjoy the evening but took a bunch of leftovers for both of us to eat later. I got to the car and forgot to give Dillon his gift. Slick carried the cases of beer and chips. Dillon's liking for beer is the same as my liking for donuts, we don't judge each other. I heard my phone ping with a text.
Thanks for the gift Steph, I have yours at my house if you want to stop by.
I agreed to come over. Joe was working on his emotions but our most recent weeks had been friendly communication and work. I really missed Bob too so we decided to stop by.
I told Slick he could wait in the car but he insisted coming in as backup saying Morelli still had feelings for me and he wanted to make sure my boundaries were respected, he also reminded me like my apartment a ton of people break into Joe's place too.
"Hey Joe Merry Christmas." I gave him a friendly hug and he kissed my cheek. Bob came running around the corner but Joe stopped him before he could knock me down.
I gave Bob a hug and a kiss while we sat on the couch.
"I liked my gift a lot, here for you."
I opened it up and saw he got me a few baby outfits. The first said I'm Cute. Mom's Hot. The second said My Mom's hotter then Your Mom. Followed by Make Poop not War.
My favorite outfits he gave me were the next baby jumpers and toddler t-shirts that said the same thing My Mom Doesn't Want your Advice.
"Now these I will use no doubt. Maybe I'll get the matching shirt for me too. Thank you Joe."
"Manoso doesn't trust us alone?" He nodded to Slick.
"I'm pregnant and being stalked by a killer as it was pointed out to me earlier, the Webmaster did kidnapped me from here before and your home is broken into a lot. It's for my security, Ranger trusts me he doesn't need to trust you."
Joe put his hand on my thigh "no matter what happens I'll always be here for you no matter. I need you to know that."
"I do Joe, your a good friend... Whose the woman? Anyone I know?"
Joe looked surprised. I rolled my eyes.
"There's a woman's thong stuck in the side of that chair, two wine glasses in your drying rack and a smell of a woman's perfume near the down stairs bathroom."
He just shook his head "a few women. No one I'm serious about, with my hours it's hard. I took our relationship for granted that's for sure." He seemed sad but Slick was right he needed time to move on.
"Joe you need to date, you can't put your life on hold waiting for me because it won't happen. No matter my status we will only be friends again. You should date someone like Robin Russell or one of the secretaries at the PD, they would get your life and hours or a nurse. A million girls would die to date thee Joe Morelli so don't cut yourself short on one night stands." He was about to respond when the door bell rung. Slick looked out the window.
"Terri Gilman with a casserole."
I looked at Joe with a disapproving look.
"It's work, a case."
I sighed "whatever you need to tell yourself Joe but it makes you look dirty by her association here at your house. Your a good cop watch out. I'm going to go."Joe tried to talk me into staying but I declined.
Slick and I left giving Terri a nod. She looked surprised to see me then puffed out her surgically enhanced boobs at Joe. I use to get into a jealous rage over her, now I just didn't like her as a person because she was that mean girl from school everyone hated.
RPOV
Since Babe returned home for bed rest I tried to give her space to work but I couldn't help but check on in the apartment. Working up here helped me get a lot done, my focus could return knowing Babe was close by. I finished all of my reviews and reports letting me start as soon as January to have to sit downs with each of my employees.
It's been a long two weeks but I pushed through, by Christmas Eve my days will return back to my normal hours. I'll still have occasional long days, client meetings and break ins causing odd hours but I'll be home more with Steph most nights. I couldn't personally shop for Babe's gifts so Ella brought me magazines and I circled things for her then had Ella place the orders.
My issues in Miami have also settled down. Santos looked into every man employed, even breaking into certain men's homes to look for suspicious activity with his second in command. Everyone came back clean. It helped me breathe easier. Hector's is installing new safeguards so software in the future will corrupt immediately if compromised, sending an alert to our control room from now on.
I also will contract out with Babe on the reviews of all my men. I see evidence, cold hard facts but Babe sees the story, she can see a person's life and get a beat on the human aspect. I told her how much I valued her input and she agreed to the contract work for Bombshell Investigations. Steph didn't want to take money from me for the work but I know how long and tedious these reports can be. I refused to use her time without payment but also having Rangeman as a paying client gives her business legitimacy on paper. It was a win win for both of us.
Babe's libido has also kicked into high gear this week. I read about it in the books but Babe and I have always been active in our love making. I didn't think it would surpass Vordo or her jelly doughnut hormones but some days it does. I couldn't enjoy it more.
When I saw Steph sporting a baby bump it really clicked with me my babies are inside of her. I know that I've gone to the appointments but to see her stomach grow made it feel real suddenly. I shouldn't have been surprised Ella decorated our apartment for Christmas and planned a romantic meal for the holiday's for me and Babe but I was. Ella constantly goes beyond expectations, I made sure she received an extra large bonus this year as well as a raise.
Eventually Ella will have to train someone for our new home when Steph and I move but I haven't found anyone qualified enough yet that I would trust. Ella likes living at Rangeman so adding a new house to her tasks would be too much for her. I may just end up hiring someone to help Ella at Rangeman then have her come to our home to clean a few times a week instead of everyday like she does here at the penthouse since its only 15 minutes away. I thought of hiring her an assistant to take days here when Ella is away from Rangeman but it is something I plan to discuss with her in January.
Food wise Ella could make meals for the fridge or freezer so Steph and I could pop them in the oven when Steph and I are home and have her place grocery shopping orders for us while she does Rangeman orders. It's hard for me to hire someone personally in my life for security reasons and it took a long time for me to trust Ella. I don't want to start all over and I don't want all the work on Steph either. Home wise it didn't matter to me how Babe and Ella decorated, I just needed a good bed. I slept too many years on the hard ground.
The next day after coming home from the hospital I meet Slick on the mats, not to beat the crap out of him but strengthen his hand to hand combat to improve Steph's protection. After talking to Babe and hearing her side of the event, the stress of her whole day, I realized Slick did what he could but he did make a few mistakes. I made it clear when Babe gets into certain states of upset he needed to contact me himself no matter what she says. A text would even do. Her blood pressure was dangerously high putting her at risk before she went to the hospital, Slick knew that Steph had that condition and there was no excuse he didn't get her checked out after the fight.
I made my concerns known to Slick that he can't become personally attached, he needs to draw a line. He is not her friend but my employee and despite what Babe said if he is fired in the future he does not have a position with her automatically. I didn't want him to think she would protect him if he made a major mistake in the future, that he was allowed to use her as a shield for myself.
I made it clear to Slick he wasn't my first choice as her partner but Steph had bonded with him to the point she didn't mind his presence as a guard. I couldn't say that for a lot of my other men with her. I didn't see Babe running from Slick in the future but I could see her eventually including him in her ideas. I made him aware of her lack of impulse control at times and how even though Steph may not like things, he needs to stand up to her when her ideas put her in danger.
I made it clear I'd rather her upset at something then dead. If at anytime they had a major conflict then Tank and I needed to mediate the situation before it became out of control.
In my office I monitored the war room when Steph was alone with Slick using the cameras. They worked well together but in an extremely relaxed capacity. Music on, odd training demos, sports talk, not how I expect my men to guard her but Babe didn't like formal. Tank pointed out currently they were in a secure building in a secure room so there guard was down like any of the men would be. To see a trust test I needed to monitor Slick with her on the streets then make sure he isn't off guard in public otherwise he will be removed immediately from her post.
I had to turned off the feed of the war room that the control room could monitor because I noticed the other men becoming jealous of Slick. They wanted to be Babe's guard and Tank had a long request list which became her rotation list for the weekends or when Slick requested vacation or sick days. I had to make it clear to my men Slick didn't have a cushy job, if anything I pushed him harder in his work outs and gun training and my monitoring of him.
I gave Slick a choice after two weeks he could continue to be her guard or return to patrol, he said he preferred being her partner. I made it clear if he passed 60 days with her as a good partner he would receive a pay increase but he would still have monitor shifts when Babe was in the building. He could also be called upon for certain assignments as well. He accepted the temporary position without blinking an eye.
I didn't mind Slick teaching Babe new things but I didn't want Babe testing them out on me either. I made it clear to him that under no circumstances could he teacher her how to be a cleaner. I didn't want Steph to know how to kill anyone strategically, torture anyone mentally or physically, how to clean a room of blood and DNA. I didn't want her to know how to get rid of a body or where to hide one. Under no circumstances could he compromise that innocence inside of her.
The mentality I wanted him to have in her training was legally grey, morally right. If she asked to learn anything beyond those limits he needed to come to me first. I told him his goal was to maintain her gun training standards as well as exercise routine then after her delivery self defense again. It was his job to motivate her and encourage her as his partner. Incentives and deals would have to be made but all within reason I made clear.
After our long meeting I felt better having Slick partner with her, more settled in the knowledge that if I had to leave in the next hour between Slick and Tank, Babe's physical safety was intact while Mary Lou and Ella were in charge of her emotional well being.
Babe didn't realize it, but I was creating an environment for her to grow again like she did in Greece by implementing multiple support systems instead of her falling back into old ways. I knew after the holidays I'd have to privately sit down with her parents to keep them from upsetting her constantly.
I was proud of Steph's boundaries she had put in place but I felt I needed to further her message. I couldn't completely stop the gossip and beat every person that talked about Steph but having less incidences have calmed down the amount of people to call her. I personally think she needs a new number but I get her reasoning, if everyone knows a certain number, good intel eventually comes out from the garbage. It was something I would keep an eye on though.
I was frustrated by Jeanne Ellen's disappearance. I left her a message to call me hoping to drag her out of hiding but she is smart enough to avoid me right now. I heard she took a job out of town since she is now broke and only has her car and condo to her name. She is going to be pissed when she decides to return, I'm at the point where I have given the order to anyone who catches her to deliver her to me for interrogation.
I wanted to covertly find out what her and Cross may be up too but she verbally attacked Steph, I rather force it out of her now. I don't take pleasure in hurting a woman but she is the exception, she may have girl parts but she is basically a man.
I told Babe at the hospital about our non relationship. I didn't tell Steph sexual details on what we had done that one time in my Bronco but I mentioned we had worked together for a month as her mentor in bond enforcement. I tried her for as an employee of Rangeman and explained why she didn't fit. I made it clear I never talk about Babe to anyone and my one time with Jeanne Ellen was just a release that meant nothing to me but she wanted to start up a fling. I mentioned Jeanne really enjoyed sexual pain and it wasn't something I enjoyed with her. I made it clear how long I went without a woman after I met Steph because no one else measured up in my mind.
I could see the fear leave her body and I felt stupid for not coming clean sooner but I didn't want images of me with other women floating around in her head just like I didn't want images of her intimate with Morelli in mine. When I put it like that she agreed on no details for either of us. We couldn't stop kissing each other after our talk. I was just thankful she was ok.
I heard Babe come into the door. I was sitting in my office just finishing up my last file before the holiday. Babe walked over to me and straddled my legs.
"Grandma's got a man that reminds me of you. You have to meet him soon." I raised an eyebrow and pushed my erection into her.
"Just like me?"
"No." She giggled and kissed me. I lifted her skirt and pulled down my fly. Babe didn't need foreplay these days, she craved sex like a sailor on leave. She was tight, wet and beautifully pink.
"Carrrrrrrrlos." She whispered my name as she rode me. I loved when Babe said my name. Not many women in my life had. Once I joined the Ranger's I became Ranger. I increased my pace so she would moan it again.
Babe and I continued our second round in the shower then laid together in bed afterwards skin to skin.
"I have a problem and I'm not sure what to do." Babe was sprawled across my body, head on my neck while my one arm was around her stroking her back and the over cupping her butt cheek.
"What's up. I thought Miami was fixed?"
"Rangeman is but I'm having an issue with Rachel and I don't... I need a woman's perspective. In the pass 11 years I would see Julie maybe 3 or 4 times a year sometimes a few more and I would always send monthly child support based on the amount that would normally be determined by the court based on my income as well as Christmas and birthday gifts but you know that.
I made it clear to Rachel in the beginning the money was for Julie's needs, food, clothing child care, medical bills, toys but if she was short on rent or a power bill the money could be used for that too. When Rachel got together with Ron he took care of the house bills so more more went to Julie's care and activities but things were tight because I was a solider. I didn't care how the money was spent as long as Julie came first always.
Over time Rachel was responsible with the money, I guess because at first it wasn't much but once I started my government work I made a larger living so I increased my support based on the courts calculator of my own free will. I didn't legally have to but I wanted too. I felt if the checks stopped Rachel would stop the visits. It was a win win, although in the past Rachel also wanted Julie and I too have a personal and emotional relationship as well until Scrog happened. That's why it was never kept a secret I was her biological father.
Around five years ago I noticed an odd splurge or two in Rachel's spending, clothes or furniture purchased but nothing like a shopping spree around that time just a few items for herself and the kids. Ron was paying all the house bills and mortgage, he was always a hard worker and I respect him a lot as Julie's father. I saw how much he loved her like his own. I didn't see any major issues so years went on.
Ron and Rachel live in a modest home, drive modest cars. I've always monitored there accounts off and on from to make sure they maintained a roof for Julie and see if they struggle because I was willing to assist. At this time in my life I only had myself to take care of and not Rangeman yet. But when I started Rangeman Miami and Trenton along with the other two offices I noticed Rachel's spending increase some more but still not a lot yet. This was around three years ago then about the time I met you maybe 6 months after.
I didn't comment because all of Julie's activities were being paid for, Julie had everything she wanted and I talk to Julie myself to make sure. What Rachel did with the extra money didn't concern me so if the furniture was worn down or the car needed repair I didn't care. Rachel was raising Julie every day so I felt everyone deserved a break. The spending got out of the control a year and a half ago after Scrog. Rachel spent a lot more on clothes and stuff for her and the kids. I thought it was temporary due to the kidnapping trauma she experienced so I gave her money for a therapist for her and the whole family to heal. I felt a lot of guilt about Julie being kidnapped and I still blame myself today. He could have done anything to her that would have marked her for life.
The family went together for treatment then some individually like Rachel and Julie. The kidnapping created difficulties in my relationship with Rachel which I've told you about in Greece. Rachel was paranoid about the kids safety so I offered private schooling and bodyguards on top of the child support as well as continued therapy as needed in case Julie developed post traumatic stress down the road. At the time the guilt was my motivating factor but I just wanted to make there family whole again.
Based on Santos report and looking at the accounts since we have been back from the wind, Rachel has been using the child support more then Ron's money, Julie mentioned they had been fighting a lot since the kidnapping and it took a long time for them to settle down again. Things are better in their marriage now I'm told based on reports, but Rachel is a constant nag on the bodyguards for the kids." I explained Rachel concerns to Babe and how Ron and the children don't feel the same way as her.
"I wasn't even sure I'd get an invitation to Julie's birthday this year, I'm surprised, I haven't received invites since Scrog as much except from Ron or Julie. I guess I need your help explain the bodyguards to her and I want her to get her spending issues under control again. The last 8 months have been the worst. I can't pretend anymore but I don't want to lose my visits with Julie either."
"I never met Rachel but as a mother, if that situation happened to me I'd be thankful for the therapy, private schooling and bodyguards, those things I could understand. That was very generous of you but the other two kids don't need bodyguards. If it makes her feel better then you might just have to bite the bullet till their 18. I remember during the kidnapping, Rachel has Julie 13, Christopher 11 and April 10 so that's a shit load of schooling money even if you own the company that supplies the protection. The private schooling for three is a shit load."
Ranger spoke up "I did a trade in services with the school for reduce rates and then had my accountant do the right off so its not as much as your thinking since its for a school but it's still a lot out of pocket."
"I don't know Rachel well but you could sign the checks over to Ron from now on in a private account. Has he said anything to her about the spending?"
"Yeah he said it caused a lot of rifts in there marriage for many months, last time I talked to him maybe 6 months ago. We have been gone for so many months I didn't check the accounts till our return."
Babe just shook her head. "It's your money but I think you need to do some tough love at the point. When we go for the party we can all sit down but if Rachel continues to complain about the bodyguards after I speak to her I'd tell her your removing them.
Julie is the only one who needs protection so have someone follow discreetly near by, your Rangeman guys are stealthy enough. Child support issues, you just need to cut off the head of the snake, either place a conservator in charge or talk to Ron.
It seems like Rachel really cares about the money so I would threaten to cut her off, she may threaten to keep Julie from you but then you would pull the school support with everything else. It could turn nasty for a while but eventually I think she'd miss the money then, you can start with a clear slate. One my old FTA's had a major spending problem and she said it was due to her depression and lack of self worth. She spent to make herself happy again but it never lasted. This might be the case with Rachel. Hell I've been known to max out my Macy's card a time or two for a really bad day to cheer myself up but it doesn't sound like a normal pattern of behavior.
Your such a strong man I never knew you had this much guilt over it. I know your proud but you could have told me this a year ago and I would have gone to talk to Rachel with you." I kissed Ranger's lips.
"Despite how you feel I'm not a superhero. I have flaws like everyone else and I didn't want to make a hard situation worse."
"I got your back Batman. Call Ron after the holidays and let's discuss it on the phone with him privately, maybe he has a suggestion on dealing with Rachel."
SPOV
This morning is Christmas morning. Yesterday was a busy day, Ranger, Tank, Slick and I, among several others did monitors. It snowed a lot so the day was quiet. Ranger and I dressed up for each other to enjoyed a romantic prime rib dinner by candle light, dancing to soft Christmas music in the penthouse. This was starting to become a holiday tradition except Ella did the cooking. After a few fast rounds of love making, I settled into the night with my blanket and Christmas movies while Ranger went back down to the monitors with Tank.
Ranger and I didn't really have plans this year, I wasn't in a huge holiday spirit and he had to take the monitors so his men could enjoy the day off, hopefully next year we will start some kind of family tradition together with the babies.
It was 4:50 am Christmas morning so I ran into the closet and placed Ranger's gifts under the tree before he woke. I saw a lot for me already, he must have put them out last night after he carried me to bed. Tank planned to bring the car over at 6 am so I just have to hide the key until then. I heard Ranger's alarm go off then him in the bathroom.
"No gym today?"
"Holidays I take off."
"Present time!" He nodded and kissed my head.
"I'm surprised your awake." Ranger went to make coffee in the kitchen.
"I'm excited for your gifts I can't help it." I was bouncing around with nerves.
Ranger raised an eyebrow at me. "I told you I didn't need anything."
"O boy" I rolled my eyes. Ranger grabbed some fruit salad from the fridge and brought it over to snack on for us as we sat on the couch. I turned soft Christmas music on and the tree lights. I grabbed my camera and split up our gifts and stockings.
"You first!" Ranger put down his food and went into his stocking. He pulled out a Batman pez dispenser filled with some nuts since he didn't eat candy, a couple bags of granola, organic energy bars and some whole walnuts and an orange.
He raised an eyebrow at me again. "Walnuts and an orange?"
"I thinks it's a Hungarian thing or a great depression thing. I don't know, Grandma Mazur always places some kind of whole nuts and an orange or an apple in our stockings, it felt weird not too."
Ranger kissed me "Thank you Babe. I haven't celebrated in years." That made me feel sad for him.
I sighed "you didn't even open your gifts yet."
Ranger gracefully opened up the wrapping paper slowly, it was driving me nuts. He started with the Ranger baby clothes I got from the army surplus store with the different sayings. Ranger smiled and chuckled at them. He said his favorite was my Ops are Blacker then Yours which was mine too. Ranger also liked the Ranger thongs asking me to wear one today for him. Ranger opened up the boxes of lingerie I purchased as well. I told him I had one more gift for him but he had to wait 15 more minutes so I opened mine. Ranger had bought me the most beautiful clothes, when he told me they were maternity I didn't believe him at first. He included the magazine that he picked them out from to shop from in the future. Ella had left her gift to me under the tree, she had given me a purse that I didn't realize was a baby bag at first. It looked like something I would use normally and not an obnoxious color with animals like I have seen in the past. I loved it.
"I'm shocked. Val and Mary Lou never wore cute pregnancy clothes so I just assumed I'd look like a tent too but I love them and you." Ranger and I made out a little. He turned me around and had me sit in his lap then pulled out a red Cartier box with a bow. Charms!
"Do you like it Babe?"
"A house charm, a Christmas present charm and I don't understand the last charm?"
"It's a k and m in Hebrew that represents the symbol for Krav Maga so you remember your self defense lessons we had together."
I had a big smile on my face. He placed the charms on my bracelet then kissed my inner wrist.
Ranger and I were getting frisky on the couch when the apartment phone started to ring. I looked at the time and knew it was Tank. We were already three minutes late.
Ranger picked it up and told him he would be right down.
"Tank wants me to check out his new car I got him for Christmas then sign something." I pretended I was excited to see it too so I put on my sweater and yoga pants. Ranger dressed in his uniform for the day.
I didn't have makeup on and my hair was crazy so I borrowed Ranger's Seal's hat to go down. I hid the small box that contained his car key when we were almost to the floor I gave it to him to open. He seemed confused.
"Just open it fast!" He did and put the garbage in his pocket.
"A key?" The doors opened and I pulled him out of the elevator dragging him to the car. Tank stood next to Ranger's new Porsche 918 Spyder with a big smile.
"Surprise! Merry Christmas." I shouted.
Ranger just stood stock still not saying anything.
"Crap you hate it don't you, I'm sorry I should have asked, I just thought..." Ranger pulled me into his arms quickly and really kissed me good, letting his hands roam to my ass squeezing me closer to his body.
"Babe I love it, you really shouldn't have." He just shook his head and walked me over to it with his mega watt smile in place.
Tank spoke up "I turned the cameras off, you can act like a little boy now."They did a man hand thing together.
"I'm getting old if I didn't see you two working together."
"Al did the upgrades, it's registered and ready to go."
"Start it up Ranger! Go on sit in it!"
Ranger kissed me one more time then got in with Tank.
"I'm never driving this car ever, just you, it's too beautiful to destroy with my luck." Ranger touched all the buttons and Tank pointed out things in the manuel he had read. I walked over to Tank's side and pulled out the envelope for his gift.
"Merry Christmas big guy, remember I'm pregnant before you respond." Both Ranger and Tank looked concerned. I moved back to Ranger's side just in case this went badly.
He read it for a few minutes with no expression but laughed at the card about putting the condoms to good use.
"You think I need a match maker?"
"Umm...I researched her and the business... I included the printouts she's legit... I just thought you'd like a lady friend to spend time with you and your cats. It's not to be mean or anything. I didn't think it would hurt for you to meet her."
Tank got out of the car and hugged me. He whispered in my ear "thank you" then kissed me on my head and got back in the car with Ranger. I had a big smile on my face and so did Ranger. It was more he was laughing at Tank getting a match maker for Christmas.
"You two go test drive, I'm going to shower and get ready so I can catch Ella." I gave my signature finger wave and got into the elevator.
RPOV
Tank pulled the bow off and I placed the car in drive. I couldn't believe Babe bought this, it was crazy expensive and I've looked at in the past but my car guy never had one in stock for me. This must have cost her a fortune and I was really touched. I liked her other gifts but this was something else.
"This is love man that woman debated over which car for a while but I know you love speed."
"This is my new favorite car... are you pissed about the match maker?"
"Nah she has a good heart. I might even try it. I haven't had a stable girl since Lula and the one night stands are getting old... Your a lucky man."
"I know. She makes me want to be a better man."
To be continued... Snow day today Yay! I'll be posting another chapter later today where Steph gets back on the case.
P.S I've kept Steph's inheritance total vague in past chapters by saying at first she saw a lot of zeros when she read the paper work to being a millionaire in Anderson's office but not the amount, in my mind I pictured Steph with around 9 million. I've picture it as a mixture of her mother's assets at the time but also Ethan adding to it himself over the years as well and him just not telling Steph that tid bit.