CHAPTER 8

After I was raped, I never thought I would enjoy sex. I enjoyed everything Carl and I shared while we were dating. His touch was nothing compared to how Carlos' touch could light me on fire. Carlos made me feel like a woman. He was gentle and always made sure I had at least one orgasm before taking his own pleasure from my body. Our times together was very enjoyable. He completely rocked my world. If he ever decides to leave me, I would be devastated.

Mama let me use her car to go shopping for new clothes. With my expanding body, I needed a larger size to grow into. I went to Target to purchase items from their maternity department. Carlos left me some of his shirts for me to wear. They smelled like him and were large enough to cover my expanding body. He didn't think I should waste money on maternity pyjamas. I selected a few tops and pants with stretch panels sewed into the front.

When I walked past the food court, I noticed a booth set up for the Army. They were looking for recruits who will be eighteen on or before October 31st. I talked to the recruiter for a few minutes. He quickly dismissed me because I was pregnant. After I ate some lunch, I returned to the booth. An older, kind looking gentleman was sitting behind the small table.

"Hello Sir," I said when I approached him. He looked vaguely familiar but I was having problems trying to put a name to the face.

"Good afternoon ma'am. How can I help you?" I was pleased he was willing to engage me.

"I was wondering what type of people you're hoping to recruit?" Carlos and I briefly talked about the benefits of joining the Army. It was something I thought about over the last few months. Unless I receive scholarships, I wouldn't be able to attend university. Sure my grades were high, but nothing is ever guaranteed.

"Administration, soldiers, computer intelligence are just a few. We have positions available in all our departments. When are you due?" he jutted his chin towards my baby bump.

"Late March. I've submitted my college applications for January," I offered.

"What area are you planning to study?" He seemed genuinely interested.

"Business administration. Although I do have an aptitude for computer programming." He looked very intrigued. His dark hair was wavy and his blue eyes were kind. He was wearing Army fatigues.

As I took a closer look at the man, I realized I knew this man. When he adjusted his watch, I saw the telltale ace tattoo. "Uncle Alex?" I nearly whispered. His nickname was Ace.

"Little Fannie? Is it really you?" he asked.

"I haven't heard that nickname in such a long time. Since bio-dad said you had to leave." Uncle Alex wasn't really related to me. He went through special ops training with Dad. After completing a two year contract, Dad left the program. Uncle Alex served several more tours. His jobs were dangerous and he risked having enemies coming after him or his family. Dad didn't want to live in fear, so he cut all ties with him. I was very confused and misbehaved for a long time. It was around the time Mom started grounding me for every little misbehaviour.

"Why are you calling Frank your bio-dad?" he wanted to know.

"It's a long story." I wasn't sure if I should tell him everything. We were very close when I was younger. I didn't realize how much I missed him until now.

"I have time," he said when the other recruiter returned from his lunch break. I followed him into a small store front containing military brochures. He led me into the private back room and pulled out a comfortable chair for me to sit in.

I used my brand new Nokia phone to call Mama. She now knows where I am, who I'm talking to and approximately when I would be coming home. "I'm sorry, she would have worried about me if I didn't check in first."

"I understand." He patiently waited as I told him everything since the last day I saw him. I could tell he was furious with my old family but grateful I had a new, loving one. When I told him about Joe Morelli's involvement with my rape, he was livid. He raised a finger asking me to wait. I heard him dial a number and speak to someone on the other end in Spanish. Most of the words I understood, some I didn't. I mentally added Spanish to the list of courses I should take. It sounded as though he was asking his friend if he heard one particular naval officer bragging about a conquest with a girl referred to as Cupcake.

His mouth went into a flat line as he listened to his friend speak. I have a feeling he found out the other man's identity. "Gracias," he said before hanging up. "The second man is Richard Orr Jr, also known as Dickie. My friend will take care of that scum Morelli." An evil expression quickly passed over his handsome face.

"What will happen to him? I don't want either man coming for my baby."

"He'll be assigned every demeaning task they could find. Starting with scrubbing the lavatory toilets. Did they find DNA on you or your clothes?" he asked.

"Yes. I told the police a friend loaned me the clothes. They found two separate semen samples in the pants and on my body. I only had one of their identities and he already left for the Navy so it was out of their jurisdiction," I explained.

"Are you pressing charges?"

"No. I'm planning to raise my daughter. I don't want them to know about her existence. If I file charges, they'll know about her. I also don't want to go through the whole trial thing. My old mother has enough gossip grapevine fodder. I wouldn't be surprised if my rapists already know I'm pregnant." It was too much for me to handle.

"Do you want to know who the father is?" He wanted to know who fathered my child, but didn't want me to find out just for him.

"Not at all. I would be very happy not having a definitive answer. She could belong to either man, but she's likely Dickie's biological daughter. That scumbag doesn't deserve to know he has a daughter," I sternly stated.

"You always were a little spitfire. Have you considered a career in the military?" he wondered.

"Actually, my boyfriend and I were discussing the merits of being in the military. It's something we're both considering." I could see the glint in his eyes. He wanted me to join the Army where he could protect me.

"Here, I want you to quickly write this test." I looked over the paper and saw it was an aptitude test. Out of curiosity, I decided to see how I would score. He passed me a pencil to complete the test. It didn't take long to answer the questions. Some were geared to mislead you, to see if you were consistent in your answers. I rolled my eyes and continued to power through the test.

Uncle Alex entered my answers into the computer on the desk. He was very pleased with the results. "You have amazing intuition. We could really use someone with your skills in our tactical department. When you and your young man decide to join the Army, give me a call." He passed me a business card with just a phone number. No other information to identify the owner of the number. I smiled as I programmed the number into my phone without assigning a name.

"Here, I programmed the number into my phone. Before you ask, I didn't assign a name." I showed him the contact information and returned the card.

"Take care of yourself Fannie." I gave him a hug before leaving the store front. A young soldier was waiting to carry my bags to my car.

Mama and Papa were waiting for me to come home. They didn't pry for information, but I decided to tell them the details anyway. Mama said they would watch my daughter if I decided to enlist. Papa quickly agreed, promising to tell her how brave her momma is. They were very supportive. I don't think my old family would have been as understanding.

"I want to try college first. Maybe I can finish my degree within a few years then enlist after?" I wasn't asking for their opinion or permission, just letting them know my plans. When Uncle Alex and I talked about the lack of accurate information in the tactical department, I was almost angry. Our troops were relying on this shoddy intel to complete their missions. I wouldn't want my husband to risk his life fighting for my country with lousy intel. If there was something I could do to help, I was more than willing to volunteer my services. I even considered moving enlisting to the top of my list.

Carlos was planning to visit for Christmas. He was planning to stay with us for a few weeks. I could hardly wait to see him. My final course I needed for my high school diploma was complete. I was accepted into Rutgers for Business Administration starting after the Christmas break in January. The dean knows when my baby is due. He mentioned first babies are typically late. Semester ends at the end of March. If everything goes as planned, I could finish the semester, write my exams then have my baby.

My scholarship papers arrived the same day as Carlos. He wasn't surprised to hear I was starting college already. I would be driving Mama's car to school until mid March when Papa will start driving me. "I've accepted a guaranteed placement at Rutgers starting in June," he said as he produced the letter of acceptance. I was excited. We're in the same program and starting college a semester apart. He too received a scholarship.

We went to my bedroom to unpack his luggage. "What do you think about the name Julie?" I wanted him to like the name too. He emptied his clothes into the left side of my dresser.

"It's a very pretty name. Julie Estefania Manoso," he added. I really liked the sound of her last name. My heart pounded faster in my chest, wondering if he was about to propose. Hoping he would propose.

"Julie Ella Estefania Manoso," I modified the name further to add Mama's first name. I used his last name to indicate I would marry him if he asked.

"Do you mean?" his eyes were filled with love and wonder.

"Yes, Carlos. The answer will always be yes."

"Will you marry me?" he asked.

"I already said yes." Tears streamed down my face as he placed a beautiful ring on my finger.

"It belonged to mi Abuela."

"It's beautiful Carlos." It was a simple solitaire. He started removing my clothes as our kisses grew more passionate.

My protruding stomach was starting to get in the way. We had to try different positions. The first position we tried was having me on top. I was too scared to have him enter me from behind. He rubbed my baby bump as I lowered myself onto him. I moaned as he completely filled me. Carlos feels a bit larger than the last time we had sex. He was large before, but his girth is slightly thicker.

"Babe," he moaned as I shifted my position by leaning back on his bent legs. The new angle was rubbing me in all the right places. His hands moved to my breasts to pinch and roll my nipples. My orgasm ripped through my body. It was so intense I was rendered speechless. He screamed, "Stephanie," as he released into me.

"I love you so much Stephanie."

"I love you too Carlos." He stroked my baby bump before pulling out of me.

"We'll try the other position next. I know it scares you, but I promise we'll take it slow and I'll tell you exactly what I'm doing during every step along the way. Do you trust me Babe?"

"I trust you Carlos." I really do trust him with everything.

"Let's take a shower and get dressed for dinner." He kissed me with a passion to make my knees weak. I broke the kiss and climbed off him. Carlos held onto me to ensure I didn't fall off the bed. We went into my shower and he turned on the water. I used a wash cloth to wash between my legs.

He moved behind me to wash my back before he sat on the bench. "Sit back Querida," he guided me onto his lap. "Trust me Babe. I'm going to lower you onto me. We'll go slow." I allowed him to pull me onto him. He penetrated me deeper than before.

"Carlos. You feel amazing." I moaned as he pumped into me.

"I can't get enough of you Stephanie," he moaned as he squeezed my breasts. I felt him kiss the back of my neck, sucking the skin into his mouth. He was marking me and it was turning me on. I screamed my release as he groaned my name.

"We need to get ready Carlos. Mama will come looking for us soon."

He chuckled as he peppered kisses across my shoulder. "Tia Ella probably knows what we're doing right now." I was embarrassed. Having my parents suspect what I'm doing and having them know for sure are two completely different things.

"That doesn't help at all Carlos." He laughed using my shoulder to muffle the noise.