Chapter 74
RPOV

I watched as Lester talked with Julie. She was growing into a beautiful young lady, to look at she was so much like me with my dark silky hair and dark brown eyes. Unlike me though she didn't hold back on her emotions but had the ability to pull in an inner strength that was definitely mine. I was so happy with how the evening was going, seeing our families and friends talking together and enjoying themselves. I spied a glance at Steph's mother as she sat at her table. Her posture was rigid, and she didn't look as though she appreciated the food in front of her. She lifted a bottle of wine from the table and filled her glass then drank the whole lot down. No doubt she was already tipsy, I just hoped her manners would be stronger than the alcohol. Frank was stood at the bar chatting away to Andrew, so I excused myself from the table and walked over to join them.

"Thank you, Frank, for the speech you gave. Steph and I really appreciated it"

"I meant every word I said"

"How's Ellen coping?"
"She's adjusting. She puts on a brave face otherwise people will think badly of her. She's caught in her own gossip circle, seeing as everyone is saying such positive things about Steph and you and seeing me working for you she has no choice but to start rethinking her whole attitude. She's drinking more and she really hates that I'm doing work for you"

"Do you see her ever making an effort to make amends with Steph?"

"Oh yes, she knows that she'll lose both her daughters so I'll continue to work on her"

"Morelli?"
"Andrew and I took on that. The problem became the spiel from his union lawyer, saying that Steph really was in danger and that was collaborated by the attack on her. The argument that he was ultimately responsible for the man going after her became difficult to prove seeing as there weren't any witnesses. We finally came to an agreement though, one I hope suits everyone, well except Morelli. The police commissioner was annoyed to say the least, but he's arranged for Morelli to be transferred to ADX Florence as a prison guard. It was either accept that or the police commission threatened to proceed with the charges. Being a cop in prison didn't sit well with him but he knew the charges of kidnapping, assault and trying to use a dodgy warrant could add up to a long sentence. I think though the quiet word Andrew had with him sealed the deal"

I could only imagine what Andrew had threatened, a crate shipped out to somewhere in the middle of a conflict area where a white man would be seen as a threat or spy came to mind. ADX Florence was located in unincorporated Fremont County, Colorado, near Florence, and is informally known as the "Alcatraz of the Rockies". The Federal Bureau of Prisons needed a unit designed specifically for the secure housing of those prisoners most capable of violence toward staff or other inmates. Maybe we knew of someone in there who wouldn't be averse to making life hell for Morelli.

"Sounds like a good compromise to me, how will we know that he stays away from here?"
"Andrew mentioned something about a subdermal tracker, not sure myself exactly what that means"

I smiled at that knowing Andrew would ensure that Morelli would never get anywhere near Steph again and if tried then Andrew had connections that would ensure Morelli would never be seen again. A look across the room showed that people had finished eating and the floor had been cleared for dancing. Santos was with Julie talking with Ella and Nita, introducing her to my extended family. Steph was sat next to her mother though that didn't seem to be going too well. My heart felt the turmoil she must be feeling for the lack of love her mother showed her. I watched as Edna interrupted them, as Ellen Plum sat straighter. Steph was smiling now so obviously Edna had said something to try and make Ellen feel embarrassed and Steph feel more relaxed. As I watched Steph turned her head our eyes locked across the room. Her smile made her even more beautiful as she started to move toward me. I excused myself to Frank and walked to meet her, though of course I was intercepted on the way. Nita and her husband wanted to speak with us and I knew this was how the evening was going to turn out. Having to make small talk with everyone, not something I enjoyed.

I was surprised when Steph joined me that she stood so close to me, slightly behind me and I felt her tense.

"Babe?"
"Who's he?"
I looked to Jason who was stood by Nita, surprised at Steph's reaction. Even I tensed slightly when Jason came forward and was almost staring at Steph.

"I can't believe it's you"
What the hell was he talking about? If he knew Steph, then surely Nita would have said something. Steph moved slightly forward, but still had my arm in a tight grip as she now looked him in the eye.

"I don't suppose you were looking your best that night. But I'd recognize those eyes anywhere. Hell, do you live in that building?"

"Yes. But I thought you were visiting someone?"
"I was, my grandfather. He insists on staying there even though we've offered to help find him somewhere closer to us. He says he likes all the excitement that goes on there"
"Babe have you met Jason before?"
To my surprise Steph stepped forward and held out her hand to Jason which he gently took and held in his.

"Hi Jace, I'm Steph"
I was still confused at what was happening until Nita whispered in my ear.

"Jason prefers to be called Jace with people he likes. She must have made an impression on him if he gave her that name"
Then I remembered Steph mentioning a man who had found her when she was outside burying her hamster Rex. He was the one who had approached her and asked if she was okay. I suppose her appearance that night would have been totally different to how she looked now.

"I don't live there anymore so maybe your grandfather will find the place a bit boring now"

I had one of those impulsive ideas, yeah not like me at all.

"I'm sure Edna would love to move into your old apartment Babe"
Her eyes went wide as I said that, and she laughed. Yeah, I think she liked the idea as well.

We spent the remainder of the evening on the dance floor. I'd danced with just about every member of my family and watched as Steph danced with her family and friends. A look at my watch told me it was time to leave, I'd promised Steph we'd be home by midnight. I looked down at Julie who was happily holding me around my waist.

"Julie it's time to leave"
"Really? It's been an amazing night"
"I'm so pleased you came, pleased that maybe you can get to know more of my family"
"I'm staying with Nita and she's taking me to meet everyone"
"I know, my parents your Abuela and Abuelo, are really looking forward to that"
"I'm still seeing you and Steph next week aren't I?"
"Of course, you can stay with us for a couple of nights before you have to fly home"

"Steph is really good for you, I've never seen you so relaxed before"
"She is, as are you hija"

I felt her kiss on my cheek before she moved away toward Nita. I nodded my head at Nita knowing she would understand that I was leaving. As I held Steph from behind and whispered into her ear, I was sure I heard a deep moan resonate through me.

"It's almost midnight amante, and I promised to have you home for midnight"

"I'm definitely ready"

I may have grinned at the double meaning from what she'd said but my reaction to her was unfaltering. I steered her through the crowds, saying our farewell to people before buckling her into the Porsche. Where we were going was a surprise, somewhere that I had asked Ella to organize so I knew Steph would love it.