R/N: I'm preparing to finish this story within the next few chapters. Part way through this chapter, I'm skipping forward in time several years.

Chapter 23

Several more years passed. I was taking my children to the Rangeman daycare. Hal and I have two boys and two girls together. We decided our youngest daughter, Sera, was going to be our last. Actually, we originally decided Hal Jr would be our last but I got pregnant a few months after Hal's vasectomy. To ensure we had no more children, I had my tubes tied. I was getting too old to have children.

Kyra resembles me as much as Hal Jr resembles his father. Like William, Sera has red curly hair and bright blue eyes. Hal Jr was the only one of our children without the crazy curly hair.

Our daycare currently has ten children. Penny's son and daughter, the only non-Rangeman children, also attend our daycare. Morelli was pleased we allowed him to bring his children. He has become an asset to Rangeman. Our distraction jobs go more smoothly with his assistance.

We hired a few ex-military women for our distractions. I thought one of them would interest Ranger, but he never gravitated towards either woman. One was openly gay, the other started dating Binkie. Andie and Binkie look so much younger than their actual age. They made a very cute couple. Only four of my close Merry Men friends weren't married. Ranger, Lester, Tank and Hector. Lester claims to have too many demons to exorcise. Tank claims to be too large for the average woman. Hector enjoyed his freedom way too much and Ranger… I worry he'll be alone for his entire life.

Hal says I shouldn't worry about Ranger, that he knows exactly what he's doing. I haven't heard any rumours of him kissing women in dark alleys or inviting women into his bed. He once told me he was living his remaining years celibate. Ranger has his daughter and doesn't want anymore children. However, he takes every chance I give him to spoil my children.

Mary Alice's first day of high school arrived, as did Kyla's first day of junior kindergarten. Willie started JK last year. He loves his school and teachers. My little man is very intelligent. Hal Jr will start school next year and Sera the following year. I honestly never thought I would have four children five and under. Hal is a wonderful father. He's very active in our children's lives. It does help to have many uncles and aunts to assist. We truly have a village to raise the Rangeman children.

Kyla, Tomas and MJ, Manny Jr, are very close friends. I could tell Kyla and Tomas have a special connection. MJ and Sera are close. He's always watching out for her. She's only two and he's four, but it's adorable. Hal Jr is best friends with Alex's little girl Sophia. They were born a week apart. I can hardly wait for our children to grow up so I could see how their relationships develop.

How do you know these relationships will last? Unfortunately, none of us have the answer. We could only sit back and watch. The children's relationships will hit various speed bumps, but it's how they get through will make all the difference.

Julie graduated from UCLA with honours. She was accepted into Columbia university's medical program. I was so proud of her. Ranger was very proud of her too. She was hoping to get into neurology. It's a difficult program, but I was confident she could make it. Whatever she needs, Ranger was willing to offer.

Just before Christmas, Mary Alice started dating Cameron Parker. She met Cameron when she started school at Holy Rosary five years ago. Cameron's father was Morelli's partner for several years before he decided to take a permanent desk job. Working homicide with Morelli caused his marriage to end.

I had already talked to Mary Alice about safe sex. Abstinence is preferable, but I know hormones could easily take over. Parker assured me he had the same conversation with his son. With her bodyguards always close by, I wasn't too concerned about them giving into their hormones. Mary Alice promised she was in no hurry to grow up or halve children.

True to her word, my oldest girl waited until she was much older before giving herself to a boy. I thought she would get over the Parker boy, that it was just a passing phase, but their relationship was still going strong. Both Mary Alice and Cameron were attending veterinarian school together. Their goal was to open a practice together. I thought it was very sweet.

Time continues to fly past. It feels like I just had my little Sera, now all my children are now in school full time. They were all excelling in school. Sabrina finally decided to take a teaching job. Holy Rosary's kindergarten teacher retired. Sabrina Ramos was the obvious choice. She's an amazing woman and has a lot to offer as a teacher.

My marriage to Hal is as strong as ever. Every day I love my gentle giant more. He's an amazing husband, father and friend. I work with my closest friends and I see their children nearly every day. My godson Tyler is Joe and Penny's son.

Carrie, my goddaughter, is RJ and Cynthia's daughter. I was surprised they decided to have children. It was like they woke up one morning and said, 'let's have a child'. She's an adorable little girl. Carrie just celebrated her second birthday last week.

Sera is turning six next week. Her hair didn't darken as much as her brother Will's hair. She has beautiful curly strawberry blond hair. My little girl looks so much like her daddy. Sera may have been our 'oopsie' baby, but she has never been more loved or wanted. Her favourite uncle is Ranger. Every time she visits Rangeman, she has to find him.

My best friend Carlos loves my children and spends time with them. He takes Hal Jr and Will to play paintball. Kyla and Sera are more interested in shopping. I was amazed when he took my girls to the mall. Ranger absolutely spoils my children. Lester is also another one of my friends who loves to spoil my children. It was getting so out of hand I had to call a meeting with Ranger, Lester and my husband Hal.

Ranger was surprised to learn exactly how wealthy I am. It necessitated creating a Rangeman controlled bank account for my children. All activities and shopping sprees were to be paid using this account. I had a suspicion Ranger, Lester and Hector contributed to the account on a regular basis. There was always more money in the account than I deposited. Sometimes I wonder why I even bother. When I confronted Ranger, he said, "Babe, it was a great idea… in theory." His eyes displayed his amusement. I rolled my eyes and shrugged my shoulders. There really wasn't anything I could do differently. I really should have known better.

A few of the men, my husband included, were planning a weekend away with the young boys. Rangeman has a training camp, complete with an obstacle course. Willie and Hal want to follow in their father and uncle's footsteps. They want to join the military to fight for our country. If my boys go through with their plans, they'll be leaving for the Army starting in eight short years. At least Will would be leaving in eight years, Hal Jr in ten. It kind of scares me, but I will support their decision when the time comes.

I have a feeling my girls are going to surprise me more than my boys. During their last shopping trip with uncle Ranger, they returned with camo clothes. Kyla's camouflage clothes were the typical green. My little Sera's were pink. They clashed with her hair colour, but she really didn't care. Pink was her favourite colour. Ranger claimed to have no influence on their decision, but I beg to differ. All my children look up to their Rangeman uncles and I wouldn't have it any other way. These wonderful men deserve to have some happiness in their life.

~~~~~~~~~

"This can't be happening already," I whispered to Hal. Tears streamed down my face as I watched my beautiful little girl graduate grade eight.

"We knew this day would happen eventually," Hal reminded me. I knew our children were growing up much too fast. In no time at all, Sera will be graduating high school. I'm afraid if I blink, the years will disappear.

I've been married to Hal for nineteen years this past May. Our son William will be leaving for basic training in the fall. He wanted to join last year but promised to graduate high school before joining the Army. Speaking of the Army, Ranger's been away for the last year. Rangeman is being run by a younger generation of ex-military men. Ranger is still the company CEO, but I've been running the business in his absence. General Manoso is training the new Ranger recruits.

Sera was upset her uncle Carlos missed her graduation, but she understood his reason for not attending. She said 'America was calling him' and he had to answer. I swear she's been listening to the old eighties music. Hal chuckled, "Sera loves the eighties music." She is definitely her daddy's little girl. If Hal had a favourite, I would say it was our youngest. He would disagree, but I would call bullshit. The men all claim Kyla is my favourite daughter and Hal Jr is my favourite son. It isn't true, I love all my children equally.

Mary Alice made her way back to her seat. "Did I miss her?" she asked.

"You're just in time," Hal told her.

"This little man is jumping on my bladder," Mary Alice said while rubbing her baby bump. She has another month before my first grandchild's due date. Cameron and Mary Alice have been living together for the last seven years. They aren't married yet, but plan to once their child is born. Grandma Plum was upset they weren't married already. I warned her to butt out, but she kept bugging Mary Alice. Like her mother, she had to do the opposite of what grandma wanted. Hal and I both knew Mary Alice and Cameron wanted to get married. It will happen when it happens.

"Sera Evans," I heard the principal call my daughter's name. She collected her diploma and shook his hand. Before she could leave, he added, "Sera is this year's valedictorian, which is the highest award given to the graduate. She maintained the highest grade average since she started at Holy Rosary." This was the surprise my daughter had for us. I smiled and waved at my daughter. Woody was recording everything so we could show Ranger. Our friends were at my house watching the live video. My parents were at home. They were feeling too sick to attend and were watching the live feed Woody was recording.

After all the names were called and each student received their graduation certificate, Sera stood at the podium and gave a very compelling speech. I am so proud of my little girl. At the end of her speech she said, "I would like to thank my oldest sister Mary Alice. If it wasn't for all your help, I wouldn't be standing here giving this valedictorian speech. They say it takes a village to raise a child. Mom, dad, all my uncles and aunts, thank you for being my village. I love all of you." Everyone clapped at the end of her speech.

My daughter received several academic awards. The science award came with a plaque and money. I could tell she didn't like all the attention. It would have been better for the school to distribute the awards among the students. She accepted every award with dignity.

When we returned home, Sera was embraced by her extended family. Even her 'cousins' hugged her. MJ kissed Sera's cheek and told her he was very proud of her. He asked to date her, but Sera wanted to wait until she was at least sixteen.

Binkie gathered everyone together. Mary Alice and Cameron had a surprise. Technically it was Sera's party, but she was nodding emphatically when Mary Alice asked her a question earlier.

I thought turning fifty a few years ago was the most difficult day of my life. Mary Alice, my first born, just married Cameron Parker. His parents arrived in time for the ceremony. I couldn't be more proud of my oldest daughter. My children are growing up and starting on the next adventure in their life. It won't be long before Sera doesn't need me anymore.

All our guests left when the celebration wound down. Cameron and Mary Alice were the last to leave. I gave my daughter a hug and told her how proud I was. Hal and I gave her details for two bank accounts. One for them to purchase everything they needed for my grandson and another for my grandson.