Lester's POV
I am so happy for my cousin and my sister. They are truly made for each other. They have been inseparable since they met, and their bond only grows stronger with time. I am honored that they both want me to witness their union and that my sister wants me to give her away. Abuela is equally thrilled. Now, I'm sitting with Abuela as Carlos and Steph are spending some time together before I take Ranger back to base. Yes, I call my cousin, Ranger. With Abuela and our family, he will always be Carlos, but when he's working, when he's in the field, Carlos disappears, and Ranger appears. He is different. He is even more introverted, if that's possible, and even more aware of his surroundings. He, like Abuela Rosa, has an uncanny ability to see things that others don't, and I see that same skill in Stephanie. I think it is what draws them to each other.
There were times during our war games that, for some unknown reason, Ranger changed tactics at the last moment. By doing so, we avoided getting "killed" and taken out. That is the only reason why Tank, Bobby, and I finished so high. Ranger is truly unstoppable in the field. He can fire any weapon, from guns to rifles, to grenade launchers, to knives and spears. He can kill someone with his bare hands. He is almost unbeatable in martial arts. In fact, it took four of us taking him on to beat him.
I also noticed that he wasn't too pleased with one of the brass which was talking to Steph after the ceremony this afternoon. I'm not sure who pissed him off, but he was even more possessive of Stephanie than he usually is. Steph didn't look too pleased herself. I hope it wasn't anything bad or anything that we need to worry about. I know that Carlos trusts Steph, and I know she would never stray, but being in the field, being away from home, well, there's always that fear that when you come home, you'll find that your woman has moved on. It has happened to too many soldiers for it not to be a concern. Being an Army wife is not an easy life. But, with Steph also being enlisted, they should have an edge.
"Lester, it's time for you to bring Carlito back to base. Make sure he doesn't leave. I want them to have the best of luck because they are going to need it."
"Okay, Abuela. You're going to help Steph get ready?"
"Of course. Steph is my granddaughter and will officially be tomorrow."
"Good night, Abuela. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good night, Lester. Carlito doesn't need to say goodbye. I'm going to bed now."
I walk out of Abuela's hotel room, waiting to hear her lock the door behind me. I then knock on Steph's door, to see Carlos open it a moment later. I look at them both and see that both sets of clothes are in the same condition as they were when I last saw them. I nod my head with approval.
"Beautiful, I'll see you tomorrow. Love you, sis."
"Good night, Lester. Love you too." Steph turns to Carlos, and they kiss once again. "See you tomorrow, Lieutenant Manoso."
"See you tomorrow, Lieutenant Plum."
We get into the Jeep, with Carlos driving, heading back to base.
"I'm not going to have to stay awake all night to make sure you don't go to Steph's hotel, do I?"
"No, Les, I told Abuela I'd stay away, and I will. You know I won't disobey a direct order from Abuela."
"Yes, I do. Just making sure, though." I watch as he gives me the finger, and I know that I've gotten to him. Score one for me.
"Who made you and Beautiful so uncomfortable this afternoon. It looked like you wanted to kick someone's ass."
"Captain Carter. It seems he is taken with Steph. He was openly flirting with her and hitting on her, with me standing there. He knew that we are engaged and that we are getting married tomorrow, but he still tried to pick her up. I think he's being transferred to Virginia, so I have a feeling he's going to continue to go out of his way to "bump" into Steph, trying to get her to go to him. Now, before you say anything, I trust Steph, I know she would never betray me, but I don't trust him. I'm afraid he might try to manipulate her, to make her do something she doesn't want to do to protect me. I just get a bad feeling."
"I hear you, man, you both looked like you could spit nails. I didn't want to bring it up in front of the family, but I could tell that you both were unhappy."
"Do we know anyone who will be working behind a desk who can keep an eye on Steph?"
"No, but I wouldn't worry. Steph can handle herself. Remember, Ranger, her job is to collect intelligence, to collect evidence. She has great instincts. I don't think that Captain Carter will be able to do anything that she won't document. It will be his career, not hers, that will be destroyed in the long run."
"I hope you're right. It's just, there are times when she reverts to her sixteen-year-old self, the girl who was beaten down, who had zero self-esteem. The girl who thought of herself as a screw-up, a mistake. When she gets stressed, or when she can't find a solution right away, that girl makes an appearance. Without you or me beside her, who will remind her of how perfect she is? Who will tell Stephanie that she is smart, intelligent, and capable? I'm afraid that in a moment of weakness, Carter will be able to break down her walls. Shit, Lester. There's nothing I can do, and I feel helpless."
"Then you need to speak to Beautiful and tell her what you just told me. If she is prepared for the games, then she'll be better able to defend against them. You know Steph, she does better when she has a plan, though she is more than capable of flying by the seat of her pants."
"I guess you're right. You ready to give Steph away tomorrow? Or do I need to worry that you'll steal her from me?"
"Only to you would I ever give her. I'm warning you now, Ranger, cousin or no cousin, you better treat her right. I swear, if you ever hurt her, if you ever break her heart, I will kill you. You must remember that no matter what hell-hole we're put in, you need to return home for Stephanie. She won't survive without you."
"Lester, you know I will never knowingly hurt Steph."
"I do. I just want to remind you of how important she is. Always remember that, Carlos."
"Oh, I'm Carlos again. No more Ranger?"
"You'll always be Carlos, but lately, Ranger seems to take over more and more. It suits you, just make sure to always be Carlos to Steph behind closed doors because Ranger can be a downright asshole."
I watch as Ranger chuckles before we fist-bump good night.
I wake at my normal 0500, knowing that Ranger is up as well. I meet him outside, where we do our normal run. We run silently, both lost in our thoughts. I'm sure Ranger is thinking about tonight, how he is going to spend it with his wife. Me, though, I'm thinking about what I want in life. I do like the bachelor life. I know, right now, I don't want a girlfriend. I'm not looking for someone to tie me down. I know my life is not really my own, that the government can and will send me God knows where. I don't want to have a woman deal with that aspect of my life right now. So, instead, I choose to remain unattached.
I do know, though, that in the future, I would love to meet a girl like Stephanie. Abuela is right, Stephanie is my ideal woman. I know that there is not another person who is like her, but I hope that the woman I find will be sassy like her, self-assured, sexy, and caring. While the women I've dated have been a little of each, they haven't embodied everything. Maybe someday.
When we get back to our room for the last time, I shower, shave, then throw on some clothes to go to the mess hall to eat breakfast. Ranger accompanies me, dressed similarly. I can see his nerves starting to get the better of him. I don't know why he's nervous, he and Stephanie are made for each other. We finish our breakfast, and then it's time to get dressed. We once again don our dress uniforms, showing our new rank. We throw our duffles into the Jeep that belongs to Carlos. My car is with Stephanie and Abuela. I have a Ford Taurus, which is more comfortable for Abuela to ride in.
We drive to the site where the ceremony will be performed, waiting for Abuela and Steph to arrive. Ranger pulls out the ring, a five-stone diamond band set in platinum for Steph, and a plain platinum band for himself.
"How long did you save for that band?"
"I've saved every penny since we started dating. I want only the best for Steph. When Abuela gave me her ring, I was able to put that money towards her wedding band. I know she's not showy, but I wanted her to have this."
"It's beautiful. I know you are both going to be happy for a long time."
At that moment, we see my car pull up. Steph gets out, wearing the green dress uniform. While Army green is not the best color on Steph, she looks stunning. It's amazing how she can make an Army uniform look sexy. Abuela gets out as well and is beaming at the bride and groom. Major Mitchell approaches, as he will be the officiant.
"Are we ready?"
"Yes, Sir, we are," Ranger replies.
I go to Abuela and Steph and walk Abuela to the front. Then, I return to escort Stephanie to Carlos.
