CHAPTER 32
Returning to the conference room, we worked as a team to clean the room. Ella was staying with the babies until we returned for the night.
Ranger and I decided to allow our children to be themselves and we will encourage them to fulfil their dreams while staying safe. I wrapped my arm around Ranger's waist and said, "I love you Carlos."
He kissed me and said, "I love you too Stephanie."
Julie piped up, "You guys are so mushy."
We hugged Julie and said, "I love you Julie."
She smiled. "I love you too Mom and Dad. Can I stay with you guys forever?"
"Julie, Sweetheart, there's nothing that I would like more. But your mom has custody of you."
She crossed her arms and huffed. "I'm sixteen now, I know I'm old enough to make my own decisions. Besides, I already talked to the Rangeman lawyers. They're working with the family court in Miami to grant custody to you and Dad."
I was surprised. "But what about your brother and sister in Miami?"
Julie barely suppressed a frown. "Ever since I was kidnapped by Scrogg, Ronald distanced himself from me. My brother and sister say I'm not related to them. They told me their dad didn't want me in their house anymore. Mom and I fight all the time. She doesn't understand how I feel. I've been emotionally disowned and abandoned," she admitted with a sob.
Pulling Julie into a hug I said, "Your psychologist will be required to sign off on this prior to notifying the courts of our approval."
She nodded. "I know. I've been talking to her about my options. She suggested I approach you to adopt me and ask Dad if he would reinstate his rights."
I already view Julie as my daughter. Adopting her would be the next logical step. "We love you Julie and would love to have you live with us. You have your own bedroom which still needs to be decorated. Our Christmas present to you, is a shopping spree to redecorate your room. It's a blank canvas and you can decorate it any way you want. Paint it any colour you like. Oh, and you need to fill your closet with clothes and shoes so you can don't have to move them from Miami."
It didn't go without our notice that she brought all her personal, meaningful items with her. She was only missing some clothes and shoes. Besides, she needed more weather appropriate clothing for living in Trenton.
Julie's room only contained a small nightstand and a queen sized bed. Her walk-in closet has drawers and shelves for her clothes. I wanted to surprise her with a decorated bedroom, but when I was her age, I wished I could do for myself. Mom and dad never gave me the option. Saint Valerie was allowed to redecorate her room and took every opportunity to rub it in my face. Julie threw her arms around us and said, "Thank you Mom and Dad." Having this amazing girl call me Mom warmed my heart.
We never returned her to her Miami home after the holidays. Family court and her psychologist ruled in her favour. Rachel and Ron readily relinquished their rights, glad to be rid of her. Ron's adoption of her at age 3 was overturned, reinstating Carlos as her legal guardian. I filed an application to adopt Julie prior to the court date. Given the circumstances, the judge immediately processed my application. We are officially a family of five and I couldn't be happier.
Ella arranged a party to celebrate the addition to our family.
A few weeks later, Robin called to request a lunch date. We met at Pino's for subs. I could tell she wanted to ask me a question, but seemed too timid to ask. After watching her open and shut her mouth without speaking, I said, "Yes Robin. It would be my honour. Just let me know when and where I need to be."
She looked at me in shock, "How did you know what I was going to ask?"
A huge smile appeared on my face as I said, "Woody mentioned you needed to talk to me. Since he just asked Ranger to be an usher, I assumed you wanted me as a bridesmaid."
"Not a bridesmaid Steph. I would like you to be my Matron of Honour," she readily corrected me.
"As I said before, it would be my honour."
We briefly discussed her wedding plans before I needed to return to my babies. I learned Cal was the best man, Eddie, Ram and Carlos were ushers. Shirley, Melanie and Natasha are bridesmaids. If for some reason Melanie was deployed, Julie would take her place.
My friendship with Robin, Natasha, Melanie, Tian and Sophia has grown over the last few months. Even though she was serving overseas, Melanie used every opportunity to maintain contact with us through Ram. It wasn't a traditional friendship, but it was just as important and meaningful.
I spent several hours each week with Robin to plan her wedding. Like Hal and Tina, Woody and Robin wanted to have the reception at Rangeman. Julie joked that we should convert our largest conference room into a banquet hall. She said we could rent the space to our clients or Rangeman family for weddings and parties.
We have no issues allowing the Rangeman staff to use the room, but we didn't want to allow too many outsiders to have access to the building. Our current rule stipulates all guests attending the approved reception must clear our security requirements prior to arrival. Each guest were required to sign a waiver to allow us to complete the security check.
Robin was more than willing to abide by our policy. As deputy chief, it was paramount to guarantee her safety. With Eddie also in attendance, she felt more secure with her reception venue.
Before too long, her wedding day arrived. As predicted, Melanie was deployed the morning of the ceremony. Ram drove her to the airport to see her off. After a few minor alterations, Ella had the pale blue bridesmaid gown altered for Julie. It was fortunate Julie and Melanie wore the same sized shoe.
Robin and Woody insisted on having Anna and Ricky in the wedding party. They wore similar colours to the bridesmaids and ushers. Carlos carried Anna while Julie carried Ricky.
Woody's vow to Robin had most of the women in the church crying. Robin had to take a few minutes before she could recite her vows to Woody. I noticed tears on his face as she vowed to be his partner in every way. They briefly kissed as the priest pronounced them man and wife. She quickly hugged each bridal party member before grabbing Woody's arm to walk back down the aisle as husband and wife. Ram and Carlos drove the vans leading us back to Rangeman for the reception.
When we entered the conference room, I noticed an area was set aside for pictures. Once the photographer, our very own Hector, was finished, the reception began. Ella worked with the caterers to prepare the food. A buffet was set along the far wall for guests to serve themselves. Ella, Luis and a few of the Merry Men approached the head table with plates of food.
After everyone ate their fill, tables were shifted to open the centre for dancing. Carlos and I fed the twins their bottles. Luis and Ella arrived to take the twins to bed. I noticed Julie dancing with Tank. She looks very small in his arms.
I danced with Woody, Ram and Cal before I danced with my husband. During our second dance, I waved Julie over to us. She quickly stepped into our embrace as we opened our arms wide. "How are you feeling?" I asked.
"Tired. Mom, Dad, do you think Tia Robin and Tio Woody would mind if I go to bed now?" she asked.
Checking the time on Ranger's watch, I noticed it was nearly 2 am. "We should all be heading out soon," Carlos stated. He approached Woody and handed him an envelope and said, "Your plane leaves in a few hours. A helicopter is on the roof waiting for your arrival. It will take you to the private airport where you'll board the company jet. After it refuels, you will be flown to Hawaii where you'll stay at the resort. Your return tickets are in this envelope along with spending money. Enjoy your honeymoon."
We knew they were planning to leave in the morning for their honeymoon. After hearing the arrangements from Robin, Carlos and I decided they deserved the same honeymoon we gave Hal and Tina. In fact, Carlos and I own the resort where they are staying. It was the same resort where we stayed pretending to be married. After Tina and Hal stayed there, we learned the previous owners were having some financial difficulties and decided to sell their resort. We purchased it for a fraction of its worth.
When the last of our friends get married, we will offer them the chalet of their choice. I have a feeling they will select their honeymoon suites. We were careful to assign a different chalet to Woody and Robin, hoping they would fall in love with it. Hal and Tina already booked their chalet for their 1 year anniversary.
Two couples down, three more to go.
