Chapter 17

Lester and Ranger arrived with all the packing supplies we needed. I watched them help Mary Alice pack the DVDs, books and kitchen items we rarely used. She was telling them about the items she still has at her Aunt Valerie's house. It was important to pack those items too. I jokingly told her to ask Junior and Cal for help. She quickly texted them.

A motorcycle revving and a fire alarm tones sounded from her phone. I had to laugh. Junior loved riding his Harley. I assumed the fire alarm tone was to honour Cal's flaming Fred tattoo. My daughter is too funny. Ranger raised an eyebrow when he heard the tone. He decided to check his tone on her phone. I heard his voice say 'mini Babe' when her phone sounded. Ranger threw his head back and laughed. Hector was catering to my daughter. She obviously discovered he speaks fluent English.

Lester's text and call tone was James Blunt's song called You're Beautiful. She was selecting tones or songs best representing the men. It was absolutely hilarious. Lester always calls me Beautiful. I noticed he started calling her little beauty.

Tank's tone sounded like a huge machine riding over gravel. Mary Alice was quick to say it was a tank. I was amazed she could find the appropriate ring tone for all her Merry Men uncles. "Sweet sound Mary Al," Tank laughed. "Is there anything on your phone to help me with my paperwork tower?" She shook her head no.

The men started calling her various versions of the nicknames they gave me. Turn around is fair play and she's taking full advantage. Mary Alice absolutely loved having her own set of nicknames. Having her own tailored versions of mine was an added bonus.

"And then we have to get the nursery ready for my brother," I overheard part of Mary Alice's conversation with Ranger.

"How do you know it's a boy?" I heard him ask.

"I just know it's a boy," she confidently replied. She went on to explain her biological father visited her in a dream and told her. He was happy she was living with her mom now and told her to behave for her new dad. "Daddy Charlie says Hal is a very nice man and I should be proud to call him daddy." Mary Alice looked around before whispering, "I think my brother's name should be William Charlie."

I smiled when I thought about the name. It was the perfect name for our son. Hal's middle name happened to be William. I wonder how she discovered that little nugget.

"It's a very nice name," Ranger agreed. "Why William?"

Mary Alice giggled before stage whispering, "It's daddy's middle name. He doesn't know uncle Hector told me." Ranger started laughing. It was really nice hearing him laugh. My daughter got him to laugh more than anyone ever has before.

I watched my daughter interact with my friends. We took a break to eat dinner. Lester arranged to have Chinese food delivered. Tank was sitting on the couch with Mary Alice sitting in his lap. She spilled the occasional food into his lap, but he laughed it off. "Uncle Tank?" Mary Alice asked.

"What's on your mind Little one?" he asked.

"If anything happens to mom and dad, can I stay with you and the kitties?" she tried to keep a serious face but failed miserably. Her question made me realize I never made alternate arrangements for her.

"Sure, but it would be better if we lived at Rangeman where Ella can help with the girly stuff," he carefully answered.

"Little Babe," Ranger addressed her. "If anything happens to your mom or Hal, I will be honoured to raise you as my own."

"Really? You want me?" she was surprised.

"We all want to help raise you," Bobby added.

"You're Beautiful's little girl. Of course we want you," Lester also contributed.

She carefully put her plate on the coffee table before making her rounds to the men. Her arms wrapped around Ranger's neck. I could tell he truly loved my little girl. Lester and Bobby displayed the same emotions. My closest friends promised to take care of my daughter. It warmed my heart to know she'll be in good hands should anything happen to me.

Hal wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. "They're doing it for you," he whispered. "We all love you."

"As I love all of you," I responded.

Lester cleaned up before helping Mary Alice finish packing our belongings. He was telling her silly jokes and getting her to laugh until she cried.

Bobby was piling the boxes into the nearly empty dining room until our moving truck arrives on the weekend. I listened as she recruited the men to help us move too. They willingly agreed to help. She has these men completely wrapped around her finger.

Mary Alice yawned and the guys decided it was time to leave for the night. They promised to see her tomorrow. We weren't moving until next weekend, but my little girl wanted to be prepared. With everyone's help, we were able to make quick work of our packing.

Hal and I crawled into our bed and cuddled. We made love before giving in to our exhaustion. "I love you Stephanie," he whispered as I started drifting off.

"Love you Hal," I said on a yawn.

The following morning I woke up on top of Hal. He was my favourite pillow. "Morning my love," I said before kissing his lips.

"Good morning Steph," he carefully rolled me beneath him and slowly made love to me. He just managed to pull his shirt over my body when Mary Alice knocked on the door.

"Mom, dad, uncle Alex is here to drive me to Rangeman. Can I still go?" she asked again. We already gave her permission yesterday, but she didn't like to leave unless we knew where she was going.

"Of course you can," I replied.

"Is it safe to come in?" she asked giggling.

"Yes," Hal replied.

She slowly entered the room carrying a plate with some crackers. "Uncle Bobby said to eat these before getting out of bed. He says it will stop Willie from making you sick." I could see the concern in her face.

"Thank you Mary Alice. I'm sure it will help. Are you ready to go?" I asked.

"Yup," she answered before giving me a hug. "I love you mom."

"I love you too." She repeated the process with Hal. With a wave, she left our bedroom to visit her uncles. I trusted our friends to keep an eye on my daughter. Mary Alice has more freedom living with us than she did with her aunt Valerie.

Her freedom was superficial. She was closely monitored by her Rangeman bodyguards. I guess the appearance of having unlimited freedom was exactly what my little girl needed to build her confidence.

Mary Alice was growing more confident in the little time she's been living with us. Her grades in school were already improving. She would be starting a new school once we move. I know she's scared, but she said it was time. When did my little girl get so wise? She spent the weekend hanging around her Rangeman uncles. Angie was invited to go zip lining with them on Sunday. Hal assured me and Valerie it was safe. Valerie visited with me while Lisa stayed home with her father.

"She's not as anxious," Valerie commented about Mary Alice's behaviour.

"I noticed. It's as though she just needed to burn off some excess energy," I added.

"It's not just excess energy. Mary Alice seems more content. She's changed in the little times she's been living with you and Hal. Like she's finally where she belongs," Val sadly admitted.

"Valerie," I reached for her hands. "You did an amazing job raising my little girl. I honestly don't know what I would have done without your help. Thank you for being her mother when I wasn't able to be." I pulled my sister into my arms.

She wiped the tears from her face and asked, "When do you move?"

"Next weekend. Junior and Cal will be picking up the rest of Mary Alice's belongings early Saturday morning," I replied.

"Cal… is he the one with the flaming skull tattoo?" she giggled. "Lisa loves him."

"The one and the same. Hey, are you interested in a job? Tank could really use some help with the paperwork," I asked.

"What would I do with Lisa? She's too young for nursery school and I can't ask mom to watch her every day."

"We'll figure something out Val. Just forward a resume to Rangeman. You won't regret it," I say walking towards the kitchen. It was time for lunch. Ella sent over food for a few days so I didn't have to worry about meal preparation. "Did Angie choose her furniture for the house?"

"She did and the order was added to your account," Valerie replied. "You really didn't need to give Valerie her own bedroom in your home."

"I know, but Mary Alice insisted. She still considers Angie and Lisa as her sisters. Just because she learned they were really cousins, it doesn't change how she feels," I explained.

"It's still very generous of you," she replied. "You have already given me so much." Wait until she learns how much money I set aside for Angie and Lisa.

"I'm only paying back what you gave to me, Val. You can't put a price on raising someone else's child." I gave her another hug. "Besides, you raised her during the baby, toddler and terrible twos phase," I jokingly added.

We had a very enjoyable visit. She used my laptop to prepare a resume and emailed Tank. "It's done. Thank you Steph. How do you know I'll get hired?" Valerie asked.

"Trust me. I just know," I replied. When Valerie starts working at Rangeman, her daughters will have more uncles.

Before I knew it, moving day arrived. Hector and I were at the new house waiting for my furniture delivery. We had everything timed to perfection. The delivery men put the correct furniture in each room before I signed the receipt. I could tell they wanted to dump everything in the living room, but one look from Hector had them scrambling to place them in the correct location. My Merry Men arrived minutes after the delivery truck left.

Junior and Cal arrived with Mary Alice's belongings, minus furniture, from Valerie's house. They immediately put them in her room and assembled her bed, dresser and desk. Ella arrived in time to unpack the bags and put everything away. I could hear Mary Alice directing everyone.

"That's aunt Cynthia and RJ's room. We can put the furniture together, but they want to do everything else," she stated. Our friends were arriving tomorrow to get everything situated. They were planning to leave some clothes in the dresser so they didn't have to pack a bag every time they visit.

"Mini-Babe, where do Angie's extra clothes belong?" Ranger asked her.

She giggled, "In the icky pink bedroom upstairs."

"You don't like pink?" he joked.

"Nope. My room is orange and blue," she replied. He followed Mary Alice to Angie's room. Even I had to admit it was a little too pink. It's the colour Angie wanted, so it's what she got.

"Your room is very bright," I heard Ranger comment.

"The colours look really nice together too," she added. I was a little sceptical at first, but the end result looked amazing.

"Why do you have a white wall?" he asked.

"I like to draw. Dad told me it's a blank slate and I can draw anything I want," she proudly replied. My husband is absolutely amazing.

Speak of the devil… "Sweetheart, she wants to draw on the nursery walls. I figured she could practice by decorating on her own wall first," he said wrapping his arms around me.

"There's plenty of time for her to practice," I agreed.

Ranger, Tank, Les, Cal, Hal, Hector, Junior, Manny, Vince and Woody helped unload the truck. None of them would allow me to lift a finger to help. Within a few hours, the house was completely set up and everything was unpacked.

I showed the men the empty spare bedrooms on the main floor. "You guys can crash here anytime you want," I announced. "It just needs some furniture."

They went onto the website where Valerie ordered Angie's furniture and ordered sturdy bunk beds for the rooms. I shook my head and let them figure out the furniture arrangement.

Ella grabbed my arm as I walked past her. "I have a caterer dropping off food in 30 minutes. Help me set the table." She is always so thoughtful.

"I noticed you stocked my pantry, cabinets and refrigerator," I shook my finger at her. "Hal and I were planning to go grocery shopping later."

"Ranger wanted your family to relax after moving," she quickly threw him under the bus. I had to laugh. It was so like Ranger to be so… generous.

"Can you come here for a minute Ranger?" I called out to him.

He entered the kitchen and noticed I had all the food cupboards wide open. "Moving is stressful enough. I didn't want anything to happen with my godson," he confessed.

"Don't Hal and I have a say regarding his godfather?" I jokingly asked.

"Babe."

I wrapped my arms around him and lightly kissed his lips. "You will be his or her godfather. Next time wait for us to ask," I whispered. "I love you. You're my best friend. Thank you for everything."

"I love you too Babe and you're welcome." He gave me another light kiss to my lips. I turned to wipe a tear off my face. My gorgeous husband was watching our exchange with a smile on his lips. He knew Ranger and I are close and he accepted our friendship. Hal was not a jealous man.