Disclaimer: The characters you recognize as J.E. are hers. Any other character is a figment of my imagination. Kallie and Raven are my own creation and I take credit for creating them.
Spoilers: Possibly any book from 1-18.
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Chapter 50: A New Generation Begins
Stephanie's POV:
It seems that once Julie married, things progressed with lightning speed. Thirteen months later I was watching my baby walk down the aisle on Ranger's arm as Julie and Rambo stood up with them. Although Kallie and Raven's wedding was smaller than Julie's, it was every bit as special. I once again helped out at the shop, this time while Kallie and Raven went on honeymoon. I enjoyed the work so much that the girls asked me to be a partner in the business. They claimed this would free them up to spend time with their husbands and children when they came, plus they could stop worrying so much about me chasing after skips. I had to admit, I liked the job a hell of a lot better than Bounty Hunting. I'd talked things over with Ranger and he was fine with whatever I decided. So I smiled and accepted the girls offer.
Julie and Rambo….uh Trevor, which I will never learn to call him, were gone a month which they spent in the Caribbean. Kallie and Raven were gone for a month as well which they spent in Italy. The three of us worked out a schedule that allowed each of us a day off to spend with our spouse. Ranger obliged by having their days off coincide so each of us got to spend the day with our spouse. There had been many changes in the 5 years since Julie and Kallie came to live in Trenton. Julie had been married for three years now and Kallie had been married for 2 years. I had quit Bounty Hunting and become partners with the girls. The biggest change of all was about to happen.
Ranger and I were enjoying an early night when the phone rang. Ranger had no more than disconnected the call when my phone rang. When I tossed my phone in my purse, Ranger and I looked at each other and started laughing. What timing! We headed down to the garage and got into the Turbo. Although there had been many newer model Porsches that had come out, the Turbo was still my favorite. Ranger drove us to St. Francis Medical Center and of course just as we were pulling in, a car was backing out of the spot right by the door. I rolled my eyes as Ranger laughed. We got out and headed into the emergency room. We by-passed the desk and headed for the elevator. When we got off the elevator I was surprised to see so many people in the waiting room.
I went over to the woman sitting behind the desk and said, "Hello. I'm Stephanie Manoso and our daughters are here."
The woman's eyes widened, "Daughters?"
I smiled, "Yes. Julie Ranson and Kallie Raven."
The woman smiled, "I didn't realize they were sisters. Yes, both girls are here with their husbands. They've just been taken to their rooms and should be settled any minute. Then you'll be able to go in and see them."
I went back to Ranger, "They are both getting settled, then we'll get to go in and see them."
Ranger sat in the only seat available and pulled me down on his lap. He had his phone out and put in a call to Tank. He told Tank he wanted two guys here to guard the babies when they got here. I rummaged in my purse but couldn't find my phone. Ranger handed me his and I quickly called my parents and told them the girls were both in labor. I handed the phone back to Ranger and he placed a call to Rachel to let her know Julie was going to have her baby. We'd been there about 20 minutes when a nurse came into the room and called for the family of the Ranson's. Ranger and I walked over and she told us we could go in and see our daughter. She then called for the family of the Raven's and when Ranger and I remained there she gave us a funny look and asked if that was us too. Ranger nodded and told her our daughters were both growing our family tonight. She chuckled and told us what room Kallie was in.
The girls were in adjoining rooms. I went in to see Julie first and Ranger went in to Kallie. After about half an hour we switched rooms. By then it was time for the doctors to come in as both girls were advancing quickly. Seems both of them had been in labor awhile but didn't want to ruin a romantic night so they'd stayed quiet. Ranger and I had decided that he would be with Julie and I would be with Kallie during the birth of the babies. I held Kallie's hand as she pushed Derek Carlos out into the world. Tears were pouring down my cheeks as I watched the nurse clean him up and wrap him in a blanket. She handed him to Kallie who only had a moment to hold him before she started having pains once again. Seeing her in pain I yelled at the doctor to do something. Raven handed me Derek and took Kallie's hands in his as he helped her to bring Cassandra Michelle into the world. I smiled at Kallie as the tears streamed down my face and told her how proud I was of her.
The nurses took the twins and got them all washed up and dressed in a sleeper before bringing them back. Raven held his daughter who was dressed in a Wonder Woman sleeper, and I held Derek who was dressed in a Batman sleeper, while another nurse got Kallie cleaned up and changed. There was a knock at the door and at Raven's "Enter." the door opened and Hal stepped in.
Hal nodded to Raven, "I'm outside the door."
Raven nodded to Hal, "Thanks."
I kissed both babies and then told Raven and Kallie I was going to see if my parents were here yet. I walked out into the waiting room and not only were my mom and dad there, but so was grandma Mazur and a good portion of Merry Men. I smiled and told them about the twins. About the time I finished, Ranger walked into the room and grinned. He told us about Julie and her twins. Her daughter Veronica Rachel and her son Stephan Ricardo. My eyes widened and I told Ranger about Kallie having twins as well only Derek was born first and Cassie was second.
Ranger hugged me to him and then I went in to congratulate Julie and Ram….uh, Trevor and Ranger went to congratulate Kallie and Raven. I noticed Junior was standing outside Julie's door and I gave him a finger wave as I went in to see the other two babies. I asked Julie if she knew she was going to have twins. She said they knew but didn't want to tell anyone. They wanted it to be a surprise. I asked if she knew Kallie was having twins and her eyes widened with shock. I grinned and nodded, telling her the order of birth was opposite from what she'd had. We laughed and shared hugs and tears of happiness.
When it was time to leave so the girls and babies could rest, Ranger wrapped his arm around my waist and we made our way out to the Turbo. I smiled up at him and said, "We did good Batman."
Ranger leaned down and kissed me before saying, "That we did Babe."
We got in the Turbo and headed off into the night.
AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER!
THE END
Well, that's the end. Hope you all enjoyed the ride. Thank you for coming along once again. Until the next time…
