Stephanie's POV
After Uncle Joe's phone call, I finished up a few items that needed my attention before the end of the day. At seventeen hundred, I gathered Julie, and we left to go home. I texted Carlos, and he said he would be at least another ninety minutes. I guess that means we're getting a dog. When I got home, Ella was there, even though today wasn't her day. After I had Julie, Abuela Rosa stayed with me for the first three months, helping me with Julie. When she was getting ready to leave, I realized I needed a nanny. I was going back to work, and Carlos was on a mission. I only knew a few mothers in the area, none of whom needed a nanny, so I didn't know who to ask for help. Then, Ella came to the rescue. She offered to be my nanny. Ella said that she was getting tired of cleaning multiple houses, that it was getting to be too much. She offered to take care of Julie, saying that she would do some light cleaning and cooking as well. I was shocked, not sure if we could afford that, but after seeking advice from Abuela and Grandma Mazur, I accepted her offer. Ella's been with us ever since.
In many ways, Ella has become my mother. She is forty-five years old, fifteen years older than me. Ella and Luis married young, but she couldn't have children. She worked as a waitress for years in catering halls before deciding that she'd prefer to work during the day than at night, so she switched to cleaning homes. They started their own business and made good money. She saved a lot and invested well, so they weren't doing poorly in finances. I can seek advice from Ella, and she's always willing to help me. She tells me when I'm wrong, but in a loving, caring manner.
Now that Julie's in school full-time, I don't need Ella as much for a nanny, so she works for us at Rangeman, as the "company mother" cooking and cleaning for the men who stay on site. Twice a week, she cleans our home and is always available to watch Julie in a pinch, though that is not as often as it once was. The men of Miami have become Julie's 'uncles,' so whenever she is in the building, they are always fighting to have with them.
"Hi, Ella, I didn't expect you to be here."
"I heard that Carlos went to get a dog for Julie, so I picked up a couple of items you would need right away. I have water and food bowls, a dog bed, some wee-wee pads, and a couple of gates. I suggest you leave the dog in the kitchen the first few nights, or even possible crate train the dog. As a puppy, the dog will need to be walked often, so if you don't get up quickly enough, it's best to be in the kitchen with the easily cleaned tiled floor."
"Thank you, Ella. I didn't even think of any of that stuff."
"No problem, querida. I know it's a lot. What's wrong? You look distracted."
"Julie, why don't you go to the playroom and color for a little while."
"Okay, Mommy. See you tomorrow Tia Ella." Julie replies as she hugs Ella around the legs before running into her playroom.
"Uncle Joe called. He wants us to open a branch in Trenton. He said that they could use our expertise up there because crime is rampant, and the security companies aren't able to provide the businesses and residents with what they need. Many places are shutting their doors, and property values are plummeting. I told him I'd discuss it with Carlos and the rest of the team. However, I'm not sure if I can go back to Trenton. There are no good memories there. I'm not sure I can face the ridicule and ostracization. I'm not sure I want to subject Julie to that."
"Stephanie, I understand your hesitation at returning to Trenton, but until you face your past straight on, you are never going to get over it. You have accomplished so much since you left. You need to embrace your differences, show the Burg how you overcame them to be a better, stronger woman. My dear, you are the co-owner of a multi-million dollar company. You employ over seventy-five people in two cities, most of which are veterans. You provide housing for those employees that don't have housing available, along with three meals a day. You are one of the leading military intelligence agents, holding a rank of Major. Your husband is a Lt. Col. You have a beautiful, intelligent six-year-old daughter. You are a success. Don't be afraid to flaunt what you have accomplished."
As I listen to what Ella says, I realize that I avoid facing my past. She's right. I can't continue to avoid Trenton. If opening a branch in Trenton is a sound business opportunity, then we will do it. I will show them what I have become. "You're right, Ella. Thank you. Now, would you be willing to relocate with us to Trenton? I don't know if I can survive without you. We would probably be there at least eighteen months, possibly two years. After that, we can return here or who knows where."
"Stephanie, wherever you and Carlos go, I go. You are my children, and Julie, my granddaughter. I've never had children of my own, but I like to think of you both in that light. I'd be honored to go with you, Stephanie."
"Thank you, Ella. I'll let you know what the team decides."
"Even if you don't open there, you need to go back to Trenton and face your demons. Don't waste any more time."
"I won't. You have my word."Ella gives me a reassuring hug then kisses me on the cheek. She has always shown me more affection than my own mother. I like to think of her as my maternal role model.
With our conversation at an end, Ella packs up her supplies and heads home. I go into the den to find Julie drawing a picture of a dog and three people, who I assume are Carlos, Julie, and me. I watch from the doorway for a few minutes, still amazed that she is our daughter. I was so fearful of becoming a mother, afraid I would do what my mother did, but, fortunately, I'm nothing like my mother. I'm raising Julie in a loving, supportive environment. My daughter is not a girly-girl, and definitely not a Burg girl. She doesn't like to play with dolls or Barbies. Instead, she prefers her stuffed dogs, remote control cars, and GI Joes. She takes karate and plays soccer. The only "girl" activity she does is dance, but that is her choice. However, as much as she plays with typically boy toys, she loves dressing like a girl. Pink and purple are her favorite colors, and she prefers to wear dresses whenever possible. She is such a dichotomy at a young age.
"Mommy, how much longer until Daddy is back with my puppy?"
"I'm not sure, sweetheart. I would guess about another thirty minutes."
"Oh, that take FOREVER!" She says dramatically, collapsing on the couch behind her.
"He'll be home before you know it. Let's go upstairs and get changed. Then you can help me get dinner ready."
"Alright, Mommy."
I follow Julie up the stairs to her bedroom. Her room is painted a lilac color, with butterflies accenting one wall. She has a white twin canopy bed with a matching dresser. There's a small desk in the corner of the room, where she can draw, and a hope chest that had several stuffed animals sitting on top of it. Her bedding is white with purple and pink butterflies. She runs to her dresser, opening the drawer to pull out her pajamas for the night, which features Minnie Mouse. Once she is changed, I pull her long, silky hair into a ponytail.
"Mommy, can we go to Disney next Saturday? It's been two weeks since we last went."
"I don't know, sweetie. It depends on what Mommy and Daddy must do for work. Also, with your new puppy, we might not be able to leave him or her alone all day."
"Oh, but can't we bring the puppy?"
"No, Jules, they don't allow puppies in Disney, unless they are a service dog. Your puppy will not be a service dog."
"Can we make him a service dog?"
"No, we can't." I need to change the subject and fast. "Julie, how would you like to spend the weekend with Tia Rosa and Tio Tom?"
"You mean we have a sleepover?"
"Yes, Munchkin."
"Will you and Papi be here?"
"No, Papi and I will be away." I watch as Julie thinks it over. She seems to stare into space then announces her response.
"How long will you be gone?"
"Only overnight. We'll leave Saturday morning and be home by dinner on Sunday."
"Okay. That's fine. I get to play with Rosa and Bella. I get to play with Rosa and Bella."
I laugh at Julie's exuberance, then start to head back to the kitchen. Julie follows, clearly excited about spending the weekend with her cousins. That further assures me that moving to Jersey, though hard for me, will be good for Julie. She'll be near her cousins and will have some semblance of a normal childhood.
I start to pull out the ingredients for a salad, take out the salmon Ella left in the fridge, and begin to boil the water for the brown rice. Julie brings her stool over to the sink so she can wash the vegetables as I start to season the fish and prepare the rice. I turn on the radio, and we sing and dance along to the music while dinner is being made. I have everything almost ready when the security signals the arrival of a vehicle. I'm pretty sure it's Carlos, but I take my Sig out, checking the monitors. You can never be too careful. I watch as the car stops momentarily as the garage door opens, then I see Lester in the passenger seat. I put my gun back in its holster and continue with dinner. I'm glad I decided to make seven pieces of salmon. I take the rice off the burner, fluffing it into a bowl while Julie finishes setting the table with the napkins. I pull the salmon out, placing it on the back of the counter, as the door from the garage opens, and two blurs come rushing into the kitchen. Wait a minute. Two?
"Babe, I'm back, with Lester in tow. Connor's going to stop by tomorrow to evaluate the puppies."
"Please tell me one of them is Lester's dog."
"I told you that would be her response. No, Beautiful, they are both yours. Julie, you have two puppies."
"Yeah! I have two puppies! I love you, Papi!"
Julie sits on the floor, and the two dogs immediately go over her, smelling and licking her face. I shake my head. "Explain."
"Well, the breeder said that both dogs would be ideal for our situation. Connor did a quick evaluation, and both responded well. I had decided on the female because she was a little more docile. As we went to take the puppy outside for a walk, the other one, the male, followed me. In fact, he wouldn't leave my side. I already signed the paperwork for the female and bonded with her. But there was no way I could leave the male behind, so I decided to get both dogs. I hope you don't mind. I know it'll be more work, but they seem to be really good and smart."
"I guess we should sit down and eat before the food gets cold. Carlos, it's okay. I had a feeling you'd come back with two."
Carlos and Lester wash their hands and stow their guns in the safe. I gave Carlos my Sig, which he stowed for me. We have a few weapons hidden around the house, in places where the munchkin can't get them. When we are here together, we rely on those concealed guns. I only wear mine when I'm here alone, with Julie.
We sit at the table to eat dinner, talking about the dogs, the breeder, and family gossip. Once we are finished, in the time-old tradition Abuela Rosa instilled, Lester and Carlos cleaned up the kitchen while Julie and I became acquainted with our puppies.
"I want to name the girl Duchess," Julie said. Julie is into everything princess, so we read about the royal families around the world. She is enamored with everything regal.
"I think then King would be a good name for the boy," I say.
"Nah, Mommy, that's not goooood. Don't you know that a Duchess is married to a Duke? His name should be Duke. That works for me. Now, we have a royal family."
"Carlos, what do you think about Duke and Duchess?"
"That works. I won't mind calling either name. They aren't sissy names."
"Ella mentioned something about crate training the puppies. She also picked up some dog bowls and other stuff we'll need. But I don't think she anticipated two dogs."
"The breeder and Connor also suggested crate training. We have two crates in the car. We'll put them together. I guess we should leave them in the sunroom. It's closest to the yard."
"Do they always sleep in the crates?"
"No, from what Connor said, we use the crates until they can hold it all night. Then, we can leave them out of the crates. He also suggested we get travel crates for the car, so they will be safe in the event of an accident."
"That's good. I plan on bringing the dogs to work every day. I want them socialized, used to being around people."
"The guys are going to go crazy. Rangeman will have two mascots. I don't think you'll have a problem having them walked throughout the day."
"You're right, Les. Maybe we should set up a rotation. However, are any of the guys allergic to dogs?"
"I don't think so. I can have Bobby check the records. Come on, Les, let's get the crates."
Carlos and Lester head back out to the garage, and I momentarily pause to think about our immediate future. Yes, it's time to go home. With my dogs, my husband, and my daughter by my side, I can face anything.
