Disclaimer: Anything familiar belongs to JE and the creators of Criminal Minds.
Warning: Adult language, adult situations
Chapter 54: Monday, August 29th, 1200-1500
Ranger's Estate
Mariela's POV
It has been great spending time with my brother Carlos this last week and a half. For the first time in a long time, he is back to the Carlos I knew before he was sent to live with Abuela Rosa here in Miami. When we were little, before he got in trouble, he was always a very caring, tender kid. He looked after all us girls, even though Celia and Juliana are older than us. When he returned home to go to Rutgers, he no longer shared his emotions. While he would greet us all with hugs and kisses, still protected us when we needed protecting, he no longer displayed his feelings in public. When Carlos entered the Army, all closeness that we once had as a family disappeared for good.
Since he started his government missions, Carlos has become more and more distant from the family. We are lucky to see him two times a year, usually only when Abuela Rosa summons him. From what we have learned from Abuela, he sees her the most. But, in this last week and a half, I've seen him openly display his emotions and feelings to both my niece, Julie, and Stephanie. Lester has been telling us for years that Stephanie is Carlos' other half, but we had a hard time believing him because of the way Carlos has been for the last ten plus years.
I know Carlos has asked me not to share any information about him to our Mama and our sisters, but I can't hold back any longer. I'm too excited at the prospect of having my big brother back for good. Carlos is finally becoming the man that we all knew he could be. I can tell that there is some tension between Stephanie and Carlos, but they are good for each other. I have learned that Stephanie has had a rough few years and that some of the things my emotionally stunted brother told her did not help. I can see that they love each other and are each other's soulmate. I never believed in soulmates until I saw Carlos and Stephanie together.
Carlos is so good at keeping secrets from his family, even when those secrets he keeps aren't bad. I'm sitting on the beach, getting some sun while my brothers and everyone else is off to get Thomas. I decide to call Mama to tell her about Carlos.
"Hello? Mariela, is that you?" Mama responds.
"Si Mama, it's Mari. How are you and Papi?"
"We're good. How are things at your brother's in Miami?"
"Good. Julie is doing great. She's healing well, and she has been seeing a great therapist. I think she's going to be fine."
"What about your brother, Carlos. How is he doing?"
"Surprisingly well. Carlos is a great support to Julie, and his friend, Stephanie Plum, is also a great help to Julie. So much so that I often feel like I'm not really needed here."
"Stephanie? She's there with Carlos? Isn't she that one that Lester's been telling us about?"
"Si, Mama, she is. Stephanie came here with Carlos from Trenton. She is staying at the house with us, sharing Carlos' room."
"Mi hija, does your brother know you are telling me this information? You know who he feels about his privacy."
"Mama he never told me not to tell anyone."
"Are Carlos and Stephanie dating?"
"I'm not sure, but I do know that she is perfect for Carlos. Stephanie stands up to Carlos, not taking any of his bullshit. She also has a calming effect on him. I've seen him tense and tightly coiled, the way he got at home before he moved to Miami, but all Steph has to do is touch Carlos or say his name, and he visibly relaxes. She even gets him to eat real food!" I tell our mother.
"She sounds wonderful. Are you sure they are not together?"
"I don't think they know if they are together or not." I respond before adding, "but that's not all. Carlos has custody of a five-year-old boy who lost his parents. He and Stephanie are sharing custody. The boy's name is Thomas. He is precious, so cute. Carlos is picking up Thomas from the hospital now with Stephanie and Julie."
"Gracias Dios, it seems as if Carlos is finally ready to settle down and be a family man. I'm so proud of him. I must call him later this afternoon to congratulate him. Maybe I'll fly down to Miami to meet my new grandson."
Shit! That's the last thing I need is for Mama to make an unannounced trip here to Miami. Her calling Carlos could be problematic. Think, Mariela, think. "Mama, Carlos, and Stephanie are working with the FBI and are using the guest house as the base of operations. I don't think it's a good idea for you to come down here now. I also don't think you should call Carlos just yet. He has a lot on his mind. The case revolves around finding Rachel's killers."
"Perhaps you're right. I'll wait. Maybe Carlos will call me to inform me on his own. Take care of yourself, mi hija. Te quiero."
"I love you too, Mama. Goodbye." I say before hanging up the phone. I think I handled the damage control well. I lie down on the chaise lounge, closing my eyes to relax in the sun.
A little while later, I hear Javier calling my name, fairly loudly. "Mariela, where are you?"
"Javi, down on the beach," I respond. I sit up on the lounge, smiling at my brother. However, my smile quickly turns to a frown.
"Javi, what's wrong?" I ask my eldest brother.
"What did you tell Mama?" He growls at me.
"What do you mean? I didn't tell her anything major."
"Mari, don't lie to me. What did you tell Mama about Carlos? She called me, told me a lot of interesting things as she was yelling at me for not keeping her informed."
I pale slightly, realizing that my damage control didn't really work on Mama. Hopefully, she hasn't decided to call Carlos yet. "I only told her that Carlos was here with Stephanie, that Julie was doing well, and Carlos and Stephanie adopted Thomas."
"You told her WHAT?" Lester bellows from behind us, startling me.
"I told her about Thomas. What did I do wrong? Carlos did take another child, he is letting him live here and purchased furniture, clothes, and other items for him. What is the big deal?" I ask the two men.
"Querida, firstly you know how private Carlos is about his personal life. The only reason why he doesn't get mad at me for telling everyone about Stephanie is that I have never made their relationship to be more than it is, just a close friendship. I've never misled your family or told them that Stephanie was Carlos' girlfriend. They are still just close friends." Lester replies.
"But they share the same room every night."
"They have many times over the years. That doesn't mean anything. I know they've been together a few times, but most of the time, they stay with each other as only friends. Tia Maria thinks that Carlos is going to give her another grandbaby out of marriage. He's not that stupid to have a child he doesn't plan to have." Lester continues.
Javier jumps in, "Mari, Carlos, and Stephanie are NOT adopting Thomas. Right now, they are only his temporary guardians, simply fostering him until the threat against his life is over. Our brother never does anything halfway. If he is bringing someone into his life, even only temporarily, he makes them feel at home. If someone else gets custody of Thomas permanently, he will give everything he and Steph purchased for him to that person. You better tell Carlos what you said to Mama before she calls him. I mean, she's ready to start planning a wedding between Carlos and Stephanie, and as of now, Stephanie may be returning to Trenton when I return to Boston this weekend."
"I didn't mean to cause Carlos any problems, it's just that I'm so excited to see our brother back. He has been so closed off, so distant from us for so long. Seeing him with Stephanie, showing her love, devotion and genuine concern remind me of the boy he was before he came here to Miami. I know I am the youngest, but Carlos was always with me when I was a toddler." I respond, trying to hold back my tears.
"Mari, I understand. I'm hopeful as well. Stephanie is good for Carlos. She accepts him for who he is, perceived flaws and all. She doesn't want him for his money, from what I've seen, she doesn't want him spending any money on her. I'm surprised she accepted the Ferrari."
"She's seen him in ghetto mode, mercenary mode, and corporate mode, and respects each of his personas. She's not afraid of him or of any of us, which is saying a lot. Most women take one look at us and either want to get in our pants or run away. She accepts everyone. Hector smiles at her! She managed to win the heart of a gangbanger who only interacts with about ten of us in Trenton. But she has a lot of demons of her own, and only Carlos will be able to help her, but she needs to realize that on her own. As much as she is curious about Carlos' family and his life, she wants to learn about you all from him." Lester adds.
"Mariela, you need to let Carlos decide what to tell the family and when to tell them. Stephanie is not in a good frame of mind. She's not yet ready for us to come and bring our inquisition." Javi finishes.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't think it would be that big of a deal. I guess I better go find Carlos now and apologize."
"That's an excellent idea." Javi answers.
