Chapter 19

Mom was surprisingly supportive of Hal adopting Mary Alice. It took her awhile to get used to my married name, but she eventually got there. I had my ultrasound appointment earlier today and my baby cooperated. We were visiting with mom and dad to give them the news. "Why did you need to visit?" Dad asked.

"We have an announcement," I replied. "Mary Alice?"

She pulled the sweater over her head to reveal her shirt. 'IT'S A BOY!' was in bright blue letters across her shirt. "You're having my grandson?" Dad asked.

"We are," Hal answered. Mom and dad were both crying. They were happy to finally be getting their grandson.

"I'm so proud of you Stephanie," mom cried as she pulled me into her arms.

"Thanks mom." Mom excused herself to cook us dinner. For once, it was a very enjoyable meal void of the usual drama. I helped mom clean up before I went home with my family. "Next time you and dad should have dinner with us."

"Will Hal be cooking?" she smiled. It was a little bit of a dig, but I could tell she was joking. Mary Alice told her earlier I've been cooking all her favourites for dinner. I jokingly said Hal cooked all those meals.

Ella and Hal were teaching me how to cook. It was easier learning from them. Neither of them would criticize my lack of skills, they just encouraged me to try again. They even ate my disastrous meals, saying they were really good when the expression on their faces said it was anything but good. Eventually I caught on and my cooking dramatically improved. Mary Alice said if I could learn how to cook, so could she. I am so proud of my little girl.

"I'll be cooking mom. I have a Mexican lasagna recipe I'd like to make for you and dad," I replied.

"Isn't your lasagna Mary Alice's favourite meal?" she asked.

"It is. Just to warn you though, we eat salads in my house." She started laughing.

"Kind of difficult to burn salad isn't it?" she joked. I bumped her with my hip before joining in her laughter.

My little man was very active. He was kicking a lot. I rubbed my stomach to calm him down a little. Mom noticed and asked to feel. "Was that Will moving?" she asked.

"Yes mom, that was Will. He's more active than Mary Alice was during this phase."

"She probably was this active, but it's harder to recognize the movement during your first pregnancy. When they move for the first time, you think it's just gas. Then they start moving more frequently and you think it's just your body processing your latest meal. But I imagine while you were pregnant with Mary Alice, you didn't notice because you were grieving the loss of your first true love," she wisely explained.

"When did you get so wise?" I joked. It appears I've been underestimating her all these years.

"The day I had you," she replied with sincerity. "I have made a lot of mistakes raising you. Valerie was very easy to raise and you were the direct opposite of her. In my need for equality, I tried to get you to behave like Valerie. It certainly would have made my life easier."

I didn't know how to respond so I remained quiet. "If I actually paid attention, I would have been able to stop everything that Morelli boy did to you. I was so caught up in what the neighbours would say that I ignored what I knew was true. Joseph Morelli was just like his father. He was an abuser," she said as tears streamed down her face. "I'm so sorry baby. You're my little girl. I love you more than I ever admitted to you. I should never have pushed you to marry that sick man." She wrapped her arms around me and held me tight.

"I love you too mom," I reciprocated. "I forgive you."

"If I was a better mom to you, would you have raised Mary Alice from birth?" she asked.

"No mom. It wouldn't have changed anything. My reason for not raising Mary Alice for the first nine years of her life would have been the same. None of that matters anymore. I'm raising my daughter now. She has always known how much I love her," I replied.

"We should have talked years ago."

"I agree mom, we should have."

"Despite how I raised you, I am so proud of the amazing mother you are to Mary Alice," she admitted. I was surprised. "You are going to be a great mother to Will too." Mary Alice walked into the kitchen. She was smiling when she heard her grandma's words.

"How do you know?" I asked her.

"I just know," she replied. Tears were still pouring down our faces.

"Grandma? Mom are you okay?" she approached us carefully when noticed our tears.

"We're okay baby," I replied. "Grandma and I were just making…" I trailed off not knowing what to say.

"Apologizing," she finished with a nod. "I'm glad." She walked towards her grandma and pulled her into a hug. Mom was a little surprised since Mary Alice wasn't much of a hugger. At least she wasn't much of a hugger with her grandparents. "Thank you grandma," she whispered.

Today was a day of changes. Mom and I finally came to terms with our past. It was time for us to move forward in our new relationship. Both of us are willing to embrace our differences and work together to raise my children. "I'm sorry for being so tough on you Mary Alice. I didn't realize the damage I was causing," she confessed.

"It's okay grandma. We have lots of time to fix everything. Mom, dad says it's time to go," Mary Alice stated.

"Thanks Mary Alice. Tell him I'll be there in a few minutes." I waited until she left the kitchen before giving mom another hug. "She's right you know. We don't have to do everything right away. It's going to take some time for both of us to get used to our new dynamic."

"You are an amazing woman Stephanie Evans. I'm so proud of the woman you have grown up to become," she said with a final hug.

Mary Alice was still very happy. She wanted to make another stop before going home. "It's a little late. Can we go tomorrow?" I asked.

"Mom, please? I can't keep this secret for another minute," she begged. I had to laugh. Thank goodness it wasn't a school night.

"Fine, I'll let you have this one," I caved. Hal was silently laughing, but already heading in the direction of Rangeman.

I heard her typing furiously on her phone. The responding tones made me realize she messaged Ranger, Tank, Lester, Bobby, Alex, Manny, Junior and Cal. Hal caught her eye in the rear view mirror. "Are you spilling the secret already?"

"No Dad. I'm just asking them to activate the Rangeman tree," she replied.

"The Rangeman tree? Is that where you contact your list of people and they contact their list and so on until everyone knows?" Hal asked.

"Yup," she answered with a huge smile. I was trying not to laugh. She's been learning a lot from her aunt Valerie.

We pulled into the Rangeman garage. Hal parked in my assigned spot instead of using the employee lot. Mary Alice jumped from the car and into Ranger's waiting arms. "Hi uncle Ranger."

"Hi mini-Babe. Are you going to tell me why it was important to call all my men into the office tonight?"

"Not yet. Is everyone here?" she asked.

"Soon. We're meeting in the conference room," he replied.

Ranger carried my daughter to the conference room where all the men were waiting. I noticed both Sabrina and Bethanne in the conference room. Sabrina was holding Manny's hand while Bethanne was holding Vince's. I was really happy these two sisters are dating best friends.

Hector pulled Mary Alice from Ranger's arms and sat her on his lap. He whispered something into her ear and she giggled before nodding. That rat bastard… he got her to tell him before everyone else. She started laughing louder, "Mom swore."

Mary Alice pushed back the chair before attempting to climb on top of the table. Hector lifted her and placed her in the centre. "Can everyone move to that side of the room," she commanded. All the men quickly listened to her. For the second time today, she carefully removed her sweater. She turned around to reveal her shirt. The men hooted and congratulated us. "I told you it was a boy," she directed to Ranger.

"That you did, mini-Babe." He was smiling at her. I know if things had been different, he would be her adoptive father. We visited with the men until I was too tired to stay later. I'm more exhausted during this pregnancy. Mom did remind me every pregnancy was different.

Ranger was living in Trenton again. Julie, his daughter, finished high school early and received an early acceptance into UCLA. He visited her once a month. She refused to allow him to relocate with her. Ranger purchased an off campus house for her to live in. Julie posted an ad requesting roommates. He wasn't impressed, but he was also happy she wasn't alone. I was glad to have my best friend back in Trenton full time.

"Do you mind if I walk you down?" Ranger asked as Hal entered the elevator with a half asleep Mary Alice. He nodded to acknowledge he heard the request.

"Not at all," I stepped from the elevator to wait with Ranger. "What's on your mind?"

"Babe. I'm leaving for a mission soon. If you would agree, I would like you to be the interim CEO during my absence," he requested.

"Sure," I found myself agreeing. "Exactly how dangerous is this mission?" I asked.

"Very," he quietly replied. "If I don't return, I want you to look out for Julie." He was making it sound as though he won't be returning from this mission.

"Carlos," I started. "Please tell me this isn't a suicide mission."

"Babe," his chin dropped to his chest. His reaction was more telling than his words. I lifted his chin to look into his eyes. The elevator arrived and I grabbed his hand to pull him in behind me. Reaching into my purse, I grabbed my fob to scramble the cameras.

"Please Carlos, look at me." He lifted his head to look into my eyes. "Go then come back to me. I need my best friend," I say as a tear streamed down my face.

"I love you Babe," he said before lightly kissing my lips.

"I love you too Carlos. Don't get shot," I whispered.

"Don't go crazy," he replied as the door opened to the garage. He waved as I left him behind. I couldn't look back. If I did, I would cry.

Hal drove us home in silence. Mary Alice was sleeping in the back seat. Cal and Junior were following behind us. He was curious what Carlos and I talked about, but didn't want to pry. I know my husband trusts me. I'm in love with my husband. Ranger and I are best friends.

We parked in the garage and waved to our friends parked in front of our house. Hal carried Mary Alice to bed while I made my way to our bedroom after securing our house. I changed and waited for my husband to come to bed. Hal smiled when he saw me wearing his shirt. He loves when I wear his clothes.

"Sweetheart, is everything alright?" he asked while wrapping his arms around me.

"Only if Ranger's mission doesn't kill him," I said into his shoulder.

"He told you." Hal held my face in his hands and kissed me. "He'll come home. Have faith in him."

"I know. He's the best of the best," I agreed. It didn't take away my fear, but it did me feel better.

Hal continued kissing me to take my mind off my fears. He is an amazing lover and it took no time for him to redirect my thoughts. It took little time for me to be screaming his name. "Stephanie," he groaned.

"I love you Hal."

"I love you Stephanie." He pulled his shirt back over me before pulling me into his body.