Chapter 36
Martha
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After reading the threatening email from Miller, I immediately called well more like actually screaming for Ranger and Tank. Saying they were pissed off is an understatement of epic proportions. I swear smoke came out of Tanks ears and the little vein that pops up on the right side of Carlos' temple started pulsating. I didn't say anything. Hector came upstairs like lightning, he must have ran up the stairs three at a time.
He told Ranger and Tank he would take care of the situation and not to worry. Me, it's just another day in the life of Stephanie Plum, I've learned not to get too bent out of shape over these things anymore. I know that Hector will follow through and leave no stone unturned.
I walked into our apartment and the first thing I did was feed Rex, he really does need a new house. I stripped off my clothes and took up my thinking position on the bed in just my bra and panties. Thoughts of the day came to my mind and I simply smiled, in spite of the incident and email from Miller, it was a great day. Very positive and securing additional business made me happy. I guess Miller was the other shoe waiting to drop and it sure as hell did.
My phone rang and I saw it was Isabella Manoso calling, I quickly answered.
"Hello future mother-in-law" I answered laughing.
"Hello right back to you, my future daughter-in-law. How are you?"
"Fine, just got home from work and was relaxing before Carlos comes home. We're taking Martha and her girls out to dinner, we're going to tell her about the new arrangement."
"Wonderful, I can't wait to hear all about it. How is your mother, have you seen her?" Isabella asked.
"She is still at Capital Health Medical Center; Bobby fills me in on her progress but I have not gone to see her. And I have no intention of visiting her again."
"Do you know how much longer she will be in the hospital?" She asked
I didn't know why she was asking but maybe just making conversation.
"I think Bobby told Carlos at least another week or so."
"Ah, I see. Any way my dear Ricardo would like all of us including your father to go out for dinner soon, how does this Sunday sound?"
"It sounds good to me, I'll talk to Carlos about it tonight on our way to pick up Martha can I let you know tomorrow?"
"Absolutely my dear. Tell me how are you liking your new position in Sales?"
"So far this week we've secured six new accounts with good monthly billing which made Carlos and Tank pretty happy." I told her.
"That is wonderful, I am so happy for you. I am proud of you my dear. You will be a huge success I can feel it." She said joyfully.
"Thank you so much, that means a lot to me."
"Alright, my dear, let me know what you and Carlos decide about dinner, I'll talk to you soon. Love you, bye."
"Love you too, bye."
Wow, now why couldn't Carlos pick up his mom's phone etiquette, I thought to myself and laughed. A few minutes later Carlos walked in the door.
"Babe." He shouted as he shut the door.
"In the bedroom." I yelled back.
"Babe, if you want me to keep focused, laying on the bed dressed like that isn't the way to do it." He said as he joined me on the bed and kissed me.
"How are you doing after receiving that email?"
"Oh you know, just another day in the Plum world. I've learned to cope."
"Don't worry, Hector is on it and trust me, you won't be receiving anymore threats."
I let out a huge sigh and rolled into his chest and listened to his breathing and quickly relaxed.
"Come on we need to change and leave to avoid traffic problems so we can get to Martha's on time." Carlos got off the bed and held his hand out to help me. I touched up my make-up, put my hair up in a clip and walked to the closet to find something to wear. Why is it that no matter how many clothes I have, it always seems like there's nothing ever to wear? Sheesh, I probably haven't worn about 30% of the clothes.
I chose an asymmetrical hem layer look top with a crew neck, blue slate color with an off white sheer hem. I paired it with blue leggings and winter white Bella Vita boots with three buckle ornaments and a matching bag, not too big but big enough to hold my work toys that Carlos does not let me out of the house without.
Carlos looked scrumptious in his gray jeans, black shirt and black Cole Haan boots. It was chilly so he grabbed our leather jackets and we were out the door and in the elevator heading to the garage.
We have forty-five plus minute drive to Martha's house so we talked about our day. I listened to my quiet man share about his day and talked about some of the crazy skips. He mentioned my sales calls and how happy he was with my results.
"Proud of you Babe. But it doesn't surprise me that you have achieved success this soon out of the gate." I laughed at his reference.
"Thank you honey, I appreciate it." He took my hand and kissed my palm.
The rest of the drive was filled with various subjects and I almost forgot about his mom calling.
"Oh honey, your mom called before you came upstairs. She wants to know if we can get together for dinner with them on Sunday and she said to invite my dad too."
"You know since our engagement, my mother doesn't call to talk to me anymore, she's pushed me aside. I guess I know where I rate now that you're part of my family." He said laughing.
"Oh that's not true and you know it." It was a big fat lie but I wanted to make him feel better.
"Yeah right." He said.
"Dinner is fine on Sunday, I'll call her back tomorrow and talk to her, just in case she forgot what I sound like on the phone." He looked at me with a smile and I reached over to him and kissed his beautiful face.
"Carlos, when I talked to Martha this morning I mentioned how I missed Barbados and she was really sad saying how she's always wanted to visit Barbados. She told me how she researches the island on the internet to get her fill."
"Tell me what's going on in that beautiful mind of yours." He said giving me a sideways glance.
"Well, can we send Martha, her girls, Val and the family to Barbados for Christmas and New Year?"
"Babe, you don't need to ask, the house is yours as well as mine." My generous sexy Cuban told me.
"It's yours and Kinsey's." I told him.
"It's Kinsey's and Amanda's, yours and mine. You are free to use it at your discretion and as you see fit alright?"
"Thank you honey, I will tell her tonight, I came prepared." I added showing him the folder with the information. He shook his head and smiled.
We arrived at Martha's house, I was surprised how wonderful she looked.
"Hello Stephanie, Carlos, come in, it's nice to see you." Martha greeted us and showed us to the living room. We sat down on the couch and two adorable little girls came running out to us.
"Mommy, mommy, who came, who came?" The older girl asked excitedly, a female version of Marcus.
"Girls, I want you to meet two special friends of mine, Miss Stephanie and Mr. Carlos, we are all going out to dinner. How does that sound?"
The girls came running to Carlos and me and stood in front of us. The oldest girl with me and the younger girl with Carlos. I didn't know what they wanted until Carlos picked up the youngest and sat her on his lap. I followed his lead and yep that's exactly what they wanted.
"My name is Emma Belle, I'm this many." She said showing me five fingers.
"She is my baby sister Anna Grace, she's only this many." She added holding out three fingers.
"Hi Emma Belle, hello Anna Grace. I'm happy to meet you." I replied moving the big gift bags in front of us. I decided that Emma Belle would get the Lucy bear and the Ethel bear would go to Anna Grace.
"Girls, Mr. Carlos and I have something for you both." I took Emma Belle off my lap and handed the bag to her and Carlos helped Anna Grace with hers while he opened the box pulling out the bear.
The excitement on the girl's faces were priceless, they took the bears and they were jumping up and down and dancing around with their new buddies. It was so dang cute. Martha was recording it with her phone. I explained about the bears and how they were built.
"Can you take us one day to make our own?" Emma Belle asked.
"Of course, anytime you want." I answered.
"Mr. Los, you take me to make bear store?" Little Anna Grace asked ever so sweetly.
"I sure will." Carlos replied smiling at her innocent face looking up at him.
The girls were pretty excited about the future Build-A-Bear trip but even more thrilled with their new friends. Martha told them she would frame the birth certificates to hang on the wall above their beds.
"How about we all head out to the restaurant, we can have a nice dinner and talk." I said standing up and Martha followed my lead getting their coats from the closet. Helping the girls with their coats and then putting hers on. We walked out the door to the car.
"Oh shoot, car seats." I asked in a panic.
"No worries, I'll get mine out of my car, Carlos would you help me?" Martha asked.
"Of course." He replied.
I held the girls' hands while the car seats were being switched from Martha's car to ours, and a few minutes later we were set to go. Good thing Carlos is here; I'd have no idea how to install the child seats.
"So what is it that you two want to discuss with me?" Martha asked getting straight to the point.
"How about we wait until we get to the restaurant where we can talk." I replied. She is like me, lack of patience, that's pretty funny.
We arrived at the restaurant and as always Batman found a spot a few steps away from the front door. How does he do it? We got out of the car, Martha and I unbuckled the girls and helped them out of the car and we all walked to the door.
The hostess greeted us and Carlos gave her our name. As soon as she heard our name we were escorted to our table, which of course was in a corner with some privacy, it was set up with a booster and high chair. Carlos put Anna Grace in the high chair, Emma Belle sat in her booster while Martha and I got ourselves situated.
After a few minutes, Samara walked to our table, greeting us with hugs and kisses. She shook Martha's hand and said hello to the girls. She had a small pitcher of my fruit sangria that I liked so much, along with an additional small pitcher of fruit sangria, minus the alcohol. Alfonso also joined us with a tray of appetizers and chips and queso dip for the girls.
"We have something special we're making you, and for the girls we have cheese quesadillas with French fries. How does that sound girls?" Said Samara
"Will we like the cheese things mommy?" Emma Belle asked.
"Yes sweetheart it's like a cheese pizza."
"I promise you'll like it girls." Samara also added.
While we were enjoying our appetizers we talked about Martha's treatments and everything else that she's been going through. She was a little sad as she was telling us about it all. So I decided to change the subject by bringing up our proposal.
"Martha, the reason we wanted to have dinner tonight is a proposition that Carlos and I have for you. Please hear me out before you give me any answers okay?" I said and waited for her to answer.
"Okay Stephanie, I'll hear you out." The girls were busy with their coloring books that Samara gave them, she must have gone out and bought them especially for the girls because they aren't your typical kids coloring books you get at restaurants. They were very well behaved, I was surprised.
"Well Martha, Carlos has a safe house that he's recently purchased, it's a beautiful townhouse in a great neighborhood. We want you and the girls to live it in. A three-bedroom house, with a bonus room with two full baths and a half bath."
I sipped my drink and bit into some chips and guacamole looking at her.
"Anyhow, my sister Val and her family live in the attached unit and we want to hire her as your caregiver, she has three really sweet girls that will be right next door to play with your girls. I told Carlos that we could have a fence built surrounding both units and all the girls would have a huge yard to play in and go back and forth between the units through the back."
I sipped my drink again and waited for her to react. She waited silently.
"The school is close, neighborhood is wonderful and very safe. Trust me, Carlos will make sure that there will be security service." I finished up smiling at her.
"Well, I don't know what to say, you both have been extremely generous already, and how can I accept what you're proposing?" She replied.
"Martha, we want to help you in any way we can. We also have something to share with you. I know this may seem like it's all too much, but please don't poo poo anything yet." I added.
She looked at Carlos and me with slight frustration and embarrassment. Why she's embarrassed I have no idea.
"We initiated a medical malpractice lawsuit against Barnbas and Staff, we won the case, he's out of business and he as well as his staff have lost their privilege to practice because of the mess they created, almost killing me and misdiagnosing you."
"I'm happy for you both." She said with a smile.
"Oh Martha, it was for you, not me. I don't need the money." Jeez that sounded really bizarre.
She looked at me in total shock and her eyes shimmered with tears.
"We have set up a trust fund and Jamison our lawyer has an executor to pay your bills on your behalf and to ensure that you and the girls are taken care of. It will be set up in a way that your ex-husband can't touch the money. He won't know about the money at all and as far as he is concerned it's none of his damn business."
Martha continued staring at me while Carlos kept the girls occupied.
"The house is move in ready, we can go furniture shopping, the girls can pick out their own rooms from a website that I found that has some wonderful ideas."
She watched as she was thinking of a response, I sat patiently waiting.
"Stephanie, Carlos I don't know what to say. I don't know how I can accept it all, I just don't know." Was her answer.
"Martha, let me just put it this way. If you can come up with three reasons why you should not accept our offer, then let me know what they are and I'll back off."
She was spared with having to answer as our food was being served and Samara was telling us about our entrée.
We enjoyed a wonderful dinner of Shrimp, Steak and Chicken fajitas, tableside guacamole, and Spanish rice. I've eaten fajitas plenty of times, I don't know what spices and herbs they use in their food, but it was absolutely delicious. I didn't even bother using the tortillas. They make a delicious lime dressing for the salad, which is very tasty. I have not had a bad meal in all the times I've eaten here. I think they would do great in Trenton.
The girls enjoyed their quesadilla and fries. Anna Grace loved the guacamole, Emma Belle, not so much, she said it was too slimy. I was really surprised at how well behaved they were at the table. Alfonso told us that dessert was already prepared and we were to let him know when we were ready.
"So Martha, have you had time to think of any reasons as to why you shouldn't accept our offer?" I asked, giving her my famous Burg look and a smile. She turned a little red and her eyes filled with tears.
"Stephanie, Carlos I can't think of anything and I don't know how to thank you for all you have just given us. I am humbled by your generosity and love that you have shown my girls and I." Martha replied wiping her eyes.
"Mommy, why are you crying?" Emma Belle asked with worry.
"Honey, it's okay, they're happy tears, not sad tears honest." She told her daughters who were staring at her with such love and concern.
"Mr. Los, help me" Anna Grace asked Carlos wanting to get out of her high chair. He helped her out and she ran to her mom and hugged her.
"Thank you sweetheart, now go back to your seat, I have something exciting and happy to tell you." She kissed her daughter and ran to Carlos asking him to help her.
"Stephanie, Carlos, there is something that I want to discuss with you first before I tell the girls the news, it's rather important and you will need some time to think about it."
Samara came over to our table with some fresh fruit on wooden skewers and chocolate to dip for the girls to keep them occupied and they were so excited at the attention they were receiving. They were enjoying dipping their fruit into the delicious chocolate, I was actually getting a little jealous.
"My first husband passed shortly after Anna Grace was born, and my ex-husband never adopted the girls, we talked about it but he didn't follow through. We have absolutely no one, their father didn't have any siblings and his parents have passed on. I have no family either, I've been on my own since I was seventeen, my parents died shortly after my 17th birthday."
I knew where she was heading with this conversation and waited for her to bring it up, much better than we bringing it up, I didn't want to feel like we were robbing the grave.
"I will take you up on your offer but it comes with a promise on both your parts. I want you to promise that you both will adopt my babies when the time comes and take care of them as they were your own."
She let out a big sigh of release, clearly this particular subject has been weighing heavy on her mind.
"Martha, to be honest with you, it's something that Stephanie and I both have discussed and considered but we didn't know how to approach the subject without sounding insensitive towards your situation."
I was also relieved that Carlos brought that up because I certainly wouldn't have known where to begin without it sounding like, when you die we want your kids. She smiled at us and the tears rolled down her face.
"I'm so glad you both have been thinking about it and are receptive to the idea, I know that you both will be wonderful parents. I have no doubts they will be loved and taken care of."
"We promise Martha; you can count on us being there for the girls." Carlos assured her.
"Then yes, I will accept your offer of the house and your sister as my care giver. I can't ever re-pay you for all you've done for us. If it wasn't for you, I would have gone with the girls finding me and no one knowing about it. My babies would have been devastated."
I started to have my own tears developing, the thought of her dying suddenly with the girls at home was pretty frightening.
"Martha, let's not think about what might have been. Let's move forward with your new home and a new chapter in your lives. We want your days to be happy and for you to live a fruitful life regardless of the outcome. Let's not dwell on the cancer. I know it's easy for me to say but we want you all to be happy for the rest of your life." I told the sweet beautiful woman sitting next to me.
"Now, how about you tell the sweet girls the happy news?" Carlos instructed.
She smiled, wiping her tears and took a big sip of her drink.
"Girls, mommy has something to talk to you about, it may be a little hard for you to understand so if you are not sure of what I am telling you, then ask me okay?" She explained to her girls.
"Okay mommy" they replied in unison.
"Well girls, we are going to be moving soon and…" she was interrupted by the girls.
"Move where mommy?" Emma Belle asked.
"Into a house in a different neighborhood a little far away from where we live now, you'll have friends to play with and a big back yard. A brand new school and a wonderful family who will live next door to us.
Ms. Stephanie and Mr. Carlos are helping us move to this new house, you'll each have your own bedroom. And we can go see the house very soon."
They sat watching us staring at their mom, Anna Grace didn't really comprehend too much but Emma Belle is smart as a whip.
"Mommy, you mean we get to leave our place we live in and we have something new." Emma Belle asked.
"Yep, that's what I mean, what do you think?" Asked Martha.
"Yippie, yippee, Anna Grace, we're going to have our very own rooms and beds to sleep in from now on." Emma Belle told her little sister as she was taping her sisters little hand.
Carlos and I both looked at the girls and watched the excitement between the family and it was precious.
"You'll have a play room of your very own and you both will have a bathroom to share, you can decorate your rooms and bathroom any way you like and pick out the furniture you want. Ms. Stephanie has already found some that she said you'll both love and get to choose whichever one you like."
Emma Belle started clapping and Anna Grace followed her sisters' lead and they were so excited, it was adorable. I couldn't help but shed happy tears of my own, I looked at Carlos who was smiling himself.
"Girls, we can take you to see the house tomorrow if you like." Carlos told the girls.
"Oh Mr. Los, I wuv you big. Can we see my new room tomorrow, please?" Anna Grace asked sweetly.
"Of course Anna Grace, as long as it's okay with your mommy." Carlos replied
After more questions and answers, the girls were satisfied and were looking forward to seeing their new home and meeting their new next door neighbors. I told Martha I'd call Val tonight and talk to her about everything.
I had a pretty good feeling that Carlos would say yes to the Barbados trip for Martha so after I sent off my confirmation emails, I made up a certificate with Christmas clipart. I had printed pictures of the house, the beach and pool and most of the pictures that I took of the island while we were there. I made it into a little booklet for her. I planned on giving it to her tonight.
"Martha, there is something else that I'd like to add. This is not up for negotiation." I took the file folder out of my bag and slipped it to her.
She opened the folder and the tears rolled down her face as she was reading the information, and looked at the photos. She put the folder on her lap and stared at Carlos and me. She was trying to say something but she was actually speechless. We smiled at her and waited for her to get her composure, I can imagine that this has all been very overwhelming for her.
"I can't think of the words to express how much this all means to me, as if all the help that you've already given me and the house isn't enough, now you add this to it all. I'm thrilled beyond belief; I don't know what to say." She said with her cracking voice and tears.
"Martha, you'll love the villa, it's absolutely gorgeous, and the pictures don't do it justice. Val and her family will accompany the three of you on the trip. I'm going to talk to the staff and have them set up a Christmas tree with all the decorations and I want a list of gifts for the girls, Carlos and I will order everything on line and have everything shipped to the villa. We will take care of the transportation, all you need to do is let us know when you can leave and everything will be set." I told her.
All she was able to do was sit and smile, looking at the pictures, the girls and us. I think she's a little bit happy.
"We'll need to go shopping for clothes and swim wear for you and the girls. No arguments from you either." I said.
Carlos didn't say much, he was too busy watching me shower her with gifts and overwhelming her minute by minute. He had a pretty good 'proud of you Babe' smile on his face. Our eyes met and I could see the pride in his eyes. It made my heart really happy seeing that look.
Martha continued looking at the photos and watched her girls before she excused herself to use the restroom. I followed her and she sat on the couch and cried hysterically. I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her into me and let her cry it all out. I waited until she was ready to talk, something that I learned from Carlos throughout the years of blown up cars.
"I don't know how to thank you and Carlos for all you've done." She said in between gasps. It's so hard knowing that my life is short and I think about all that I'll be experiencing as the cancer progresses." She stopped and took some deep breaths.
I let her talk and sat listening to what she had to say.
"This is a hard time for us and thanks to my ex-husband who pissed away all the money we had from my first husband's insurance policy. I didn't know how I was going to pay for all the medical bills and who would take care of my girls once I was gone and so much turmoil that was going through my life. And a sweet angel named Stephanie rolled in like a hurricane and made it all better and continues to make it better."
I laughed at her hurricane reference and waited her to finish her thoughts.
"Thank you sweet angel for making my short life a happy one for the girls and I. You are a blessing and I am so honored to have you and Carlos in my life."
We sat on the couch and I waited for her to finish crying and catching her breath. I was afraid she would hyperventilate so I rubbed her back.
"Martha, when I found out about my cancer, it was Carlos who helped me. He was my hurricane and he pulled in his sister and brother-in-law to take over my care and turned things around in my life. So I know how you feel." I explained.
"The lawsuit was specifically initiated for you and to put Barnbas out of business. To teach them all a lesson, I was dying because of wrong medication and you were walking around dying thinking you were okay. So many people could have been affected because of their negligence but it was all caught in time. I'm sad that we can't fix your situation but I will not allow you to not enjoy every second of your days with your girls."
Her breathing had finally calmed and Samara came into the restroom asking if everything was alright. No doubt Carlos sent her. I told her it's all okay and she nodded and left us alone.
"Crud, I really need to pee." Martha suddenly said laughing and we stood up, she ran to the stall and I left to make my way back to our table.
"Everything okay Babe."
"Yeah, I'll explain on our way home."
"Babe, why don't we have Martha and the girls pack for a few days and they can stay at Haywood, we have a two bedroom available. They can meet everyone and I'll assign one of the guys to drive her back and forth for treatments. What do you think?" My ever so caring sexy man offered.
"That is a great idea, you can tell her when she comes back." I told him.
Samara brought out the dessert just as Martha sat back down and for us adults, there was Carlos's favorite Tres leches cake and Flan. For the girls' dark chocolate banana sopapillas, they were ecstatic and dug right in.
"Martha, how would you like to spend a few days in Trenton, we can go back to your place, pack enough clothes for the week and stay in one of the apartments in our building. I'll assign a driver to take you back and forth for treatments, you can see the house and do the shopping for the trip." Carlos asked.
She stared at us. "Hurricane Stephanie is still in full force."
Carlos gave her a quizzical look and I told him I'd explain later. We enjoyed our dessert and talked for a little bit until it was time to head home. I am really happy with how all this turned out and am so excited for Martha and the girls.
"Martha, we'll have everything ready for you and the girls when you return from your Barbados trip. Jamison will take care of breaking your lease with your landlord. We can go to your place at a later date and see what you want to keep and what gets donated. How does that sound?" I asked.
"Sounds great to me." Martha answered.
With that, Carlos asked Alfonso for the check, of course there wasn't one so my generous man threw a wad of bills on the table and we said goodbye to my future sister and brother-in-law and the girls hugged Samara and Alfonso and we walked out to the car.
Martha told the girls the plan about staying at Rangeman and they were pretty thrilled, Emma Belle started listing off all the things she was going to pack, top of the list were Ethel and Lucy, which made me laugh.
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A/N:
Thank you all so so much for your wonderful reviews and messages. I really appreciate it.
Susan Peters, you absolutely ROCK… Thank you for all your hard work on our Pinterest board.
If you're interested, Susan set up a Pinterest board with pictures jacob1391