Chapter 24
I should have made that bet with Lester the first time they took the boys on the training excursion. He thought just the boys would join the Army. I knew my girls would join too. Today Hal and I dropped our youngest daughter off at the airport. She's flying to Georgia to attend basic training at Fort Benning, following in the footsteps of her brothers and sister Kyla. My daughter Kyla married Cal's son Tomas after they completed their first year of basic training. MJ and Sera married a few months ago. She wanted to marry him before he left for his deployment. I felt it was too soon, but she disagreed.
My oldest Willie married Junior's daughter Rebecca. Hal Jr married Alex's daughter Sophia. I was surprised my cousin Vince's son Vinnie married Morelli's daughter Isabel. Those two kids were mean to each other all through grade school. When they graduated high school, they grew up and realized they really liked each other.
By marrying my friends children, Junior, Beca, Cal, Tiffany, Manny and Sabrina were officially family instead of honorary family. I am so proud of my children. Sophia and Rebecca are very close friends. With their husbands deployed, they spent their spare time together while waiting for their husbands to return. A few months after William was deployed, I learned Rebecca was pregnant. She found out a few days before Will left. During my last visit, Sophia was wanting to tell me something, but she resisted the urge.
Rebecca and Sophia came to our house for dinner. I made vegetarian lasagna since Hal was told to cut back on his beef consumption. After one bite, Sophia ran to the washroom. I stood outside the bathroom door for her to finish. Her face was red and she was sweating when she finally opened the door. "How far along are you?" I asked.
"Eleven weeks. I was going to wait until twelve weeks before telling you," she said through dry heaves.
"Oh sweetheart. You should have told me marinara sauce doesn't agree with you. I would have made something else," I pulled her into my arms. "Come on, I have some crackers and ginger ale for you." I led her to the living room, far away from the dining room table. Rebecca brought her the crackers and ginger ale.
I sat with her until I knew her stomach settled. Grabbing the blanket from the back of the couch, I covered her and got her to lay down. "Just rest until we're finished our dinner. Rebecca or I will be back to check on you okay?"
"Thanks Steph," she said. I kissed her forehead and returned to my meal.
After dishes were loaded into the dishwasher, we joined Sophia in the living room. She was comfortably sleeping on the couch so Rebecca waited until she woke up before taking her home. "She's been more tired than me," Rebecca confessed.
"Each woman handles pregnancy differently," I told her. "Every pregnancy is also different too. Just because you're breezing through this one, doesn't mean your next one will be easy. It also doesn't mean it would be hard either. You just don't know what kind of pregnancy you'll have until you're pregnant." I attempted to fight back a smile. I was goading her a little while being serious too.
"Funny mom," Rebecca said although she wasn't sure if I was joking or not.
I gave me daughter-in-laws a hug before helping them to the car. Hal was looking a little tired so I quickly said my goodbyes before tending to my husband.
"Are you feeling okay?" I asked Hal.
"A little dizzy, but nothing out of the ordinary," he answered.
"Have you taken your meds?"
"I have." Hal is still in perfect physical shape, however from a medical point of view he isn't. He has high blood pressure and high cholesterol. No doubt to those double burgers and meatball subs we loved to eat.
My diet over the years was much worse than Hal's, yet I don't have high blood pressure, cholesterol or sugar levels. I guess my metabolism has saved me so far. The last time we ate red meat was over a year ago. We've been eating leaner proteins like fish and chicken.
"It's probably from the stress of being in special ops," Hal suggested. "A lot of vets develop hypertension after they retire." I was aware of the statistics. It's the reason Ranger, Tank, Lester and Bobby continue working at Rangeman or training Army recruits.
A few weeks later I received a call from Kyla. She was furious with her commanding officer. "Take a deep breath Kyla and explain why you're angry," I directed.
"My pre-deployment blood test says I'm pregnant and I can't go with my battalion. I have to work desk duty," she went from practically screaming to crying.
"Kyla, being pregnant isn't the end of the world. You can go on the next deployment," I suggested.
"That's what my CO said too. What will I do with the baby?" she wondered.
"When you're deployed, Dad and I will watch the baby. You and Tomas can take care of him or her when you're home. Would that help?" I asked. I know Cal and Tiffany would take their baby too. Maybe we could take turns babysitting our grandchild.
"You would do that for me?" she asked.
"Kyla, you're my daughter. I would do anything for you," I reminded her.
"I know mom. When my contract is done, could I work at Rangeman?" She was probably thinking about her childhood being raised among her many Rangeman uncles.
"Of course you can. You have my instincts. We could really use your brilliant mind," I answered.
"Do you think I would have the same relationship with the new generation of Merry Men as you did with daddy and his friends?"
"I don't know Kyla. All the men at Rangeman are ex-military. You're military. It's a common ground you have with them. Next time you come home, I'll introduce you to them," I offered.
"I would like that mom." She was silent for several minutes before adding, "I love you mom."
"I love you too Kyla," I said before passing the phone to Hal.
"I love you Kyla," Hal said.
"Love you too dad," she said before hanging up the phone.
"Honey, we're going to have three more grandchildren this year," I told Hal.
"Four, Sweetheart," he corrected me. "Mary Alice is pregnant again. She called while you were trying to calm down Kyla."
Ranger called as I was cuddling into Hal. "Babe, how many?" he asked when I answered the phone.
"Um… four. Mary Alice, Kyla, Rebecca and Sophia are all pregnant," I told him.
"Didn't Mary Alice just have Evan a few years ago?" he asked.
"Little Evan is four. He just started junior kindergarten," I reminded him.
"Mary Alice is having a girl this time. Kyla, Rebecca and Sophia are all having girls too. No boys this time around," he joked.
"I would normally take that bet, but I always lose against you." I paused for a few minutes. "So… why are you calling?"
"Julie's moving back to California. She's been offered the head of neurology department at San Francisco Hospital," he replied.
"What about Chris?" I asked about her fiancé.
"They broke up."
"What happened?" I wondered if it was some misguided sense of not wanting him to give up his job in the NYPD.
"Chris got his partner pregnant," he said. I'll have to talk to Julie before she leaves. "Duty calls," he said before hanging up.
My phone rang seconds after he hung up. It was the special tone I had for Julie. I haven't talked to her for so long. "Hey Jules."
"Hi Steph. Did dad tell you my news?" she asked knowing her dad already talked to me.
"He did. Congratulations on your job. Are you okay with Chris?" I asked.
"Yup. I told him I was offered a job in California. He told me to take it before telling me about his baby," her voice hitched.
"Sweetheart. I'm so sorry. Do you want to come over?"
"I do. I'll take a cab because I'm too upset to drive," she replied. "I'm taking my vacation so I can pack my things."
"Come home Jules. We can sit up and watch male hating movies," I joked. She laughed and agreed to my plan. Julie arrived a few hours later. It must have cost a small fortune for the cab, but she makes a lot of money as a neurosurgeon.
Julie wrapped her arms around me when she entered the house. I noticed she had all her suitcases with her. "Is this everything?" I asked.
"It is. I don't want any of the furniture and I can't really take my car. Dad said he'll grab my car and bring it here for Mary Alice to use," she answered. "Can I stay here for a week before I leave for San Fran?"
"Absolutely. We love having you here. You are welcome anytime, Jules."
We cuddled on the couch and watched really bad movies. She fell asleep with her head on my lap. This amazing, intelligent woman is having the worst luck with men. I was a little surprised she was involved with a detective. She also had a brief relationship with a man in the military. Unfortunately he never returned from his last mission. He was one of the many men who gave his life for his country. I really hope she'll find the right man for her.
A week later, Hal and I drove Julie to the airport. Her father met us there to see her off. They shared a tearful hug before saying goodbye. He promised to visit. She promised to visit us during her next vacation. It may be a few years since running your own department takes a lot of time. Building a relationship with other doctors in her department was challenging especially when she was given the job her coworker wanted.
Julie called me frequently until she felt comfortable with her coworkers. I was so proud of her. She's been through a lot during the years. The most difficult was when her mom, step-dad and siblings refused to attend her graduation. They were living in Miami again. Not in their old house since Julie sold it when she attended Columbia. Ranger paid for her education, but she didn't want to ever set foot in that house again. Her mother's attitude was enough for her to sever ties with the entire family. I was angry with Rachel and Ron, but it's their loss.
Ranger was right. Mary Alice, Kyla, Sophia and Rebecca all had girls. Charlie looks just like her grandfather. I was happy Mary Alice could have a piece of him in her life. Rebecca and Will named their daughter Alicia. Sophia and Hal Jr named their first daughter Lori. Kyla and Tomas named their daughter Sienna. Charlie was born in April, Alicia in May, Lori and Sienna were born in June. Lori was a few weeks earlier than Sienna.
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It's now my thirty-fifth anniversary with Hal. I'll be turning seventy later this year. Can you believe it? My mom and dad passed away around ten years ago, just after Hal Jr and Sophia had their third child a boy they named Hunter. They had their second daughter Rosie a few years earlier. Will's son Alex and Kyla's son Calvin were born just a few hours apart four years ago. My youngest daughter, Sera, had difficulty getting pregnant. She finally gave birth a few years ago to her only child Hal. I was surprised she named him after her dad, but she wanted his name to continue on with the next generation. Her husband, Manny Jr, was supportive of her decision. He was devastated they couldn't have more children, but he was thankful they had their son.
Julie was visiting us for my surprise seventieth birthday party. It really wasn't much of a surprise since Mary Alice spilled the beans a few days ago. My birthday wasn't for another three weeks, but she wanted to make sure I would be home. The party was both the best and worst day of my life. It was the best because all
my children and grandchildren were with me. Hal had a massive stroke and died in route to the hospital, making this the worst day of my life. Julie did everything she could to save his life, but there was too much damage.
Today I buried my husband of thirty-five years. Hal William Evans was truly the love of my life. Our children, Mary Alice, William, Kyla, Hal Jr and Sera were standing by my side. I was tightly holding Mary Alice's hand. Alicia, Evan, Sienna, Lori, Rosie, Charlie, Hunter, Calvin and Alex, our grandchildren, were surrounding Hal's coffin. My daughters and sons in law were standing behind their spouses, offering their support.
All the rest of my Merry Men stayed back to give our family time to grieve. Hal was the second of our Rangeman family to die. We buried our friend Hector last year. He died in a freak accident. As I placed the white rose on Hal's coffin, I sank to my knees. Strong arms caught me before I could fall to the muddy ground. From the distinct scent of Bulgari, I knew who held me. Ranger's strong arms lifted me and carried me to the waiting SUV.
He never married or dated since we ended our relationship so many years ago. When Hal had his first stroke a few years earlier, Ranger sat with me in the hospital after my children went home to their families. He has always been my rock. Whenever I had another child, he was the first to congratulate me. Carlos confessed a secret he held for many years. He always said he loved me in his own way, which meant he loved me in every way possible. His greatest mistake was ending our relationship in the first place. I still love him, but I loved my husband Hal more.
It took a few years after losing Hal for me to start feeling human again. If it wasn't for my best friend Ranger… I mean Carlos, I don't know how I would have survived. It's been three and a half years since I buried my husband Hal.
Today I'm marrying my best friend. I never thought I would ever get married a second time, let alone a third time, but here we are. My children are very happy for us. When the minister pronounced us husband and wife, I swear I saw Hal giving us his blessing. "I see him too," my new husband whispered.
We walked into the banquet hall holding hands. The DJ announced, "It is my pleasure to announce Mr and Mrs Manoso." Everyone clapped as we walked towards our table. A letter was on my place, clearly addressed to Stephanie Manoso. I opened the letter and read the wonderful words from my husband.
My dearest Stephanie,
If you are reading this letter, it means I am no longer with you. After my first stroke, I made Carlos promise to take care of you if anything happened to me. Reading this letter means you opened your heart and let him in. I've asked the lawyer to give you this letter if you ever married him.
I always knew Carlos was irrevocably in love with you. His desire to rid our world of evil prevented him from completing giving himself to you. Letting you go was the biggest sacrifice he could ever make. He was telling you the truth when he claimed his life didn't lend to relationships. While he could still fight for our freedom, it was true. Now we're all older and he could only fight from behind the scenes, it's no longer true.
Watching us grow old together and raising our children didn't change his feelings for you. He loves you. Please don't forget it. Everything he does is a result of how much he loves you. Loving him does not mean you didn't love me.
I'm happy you married Carlos. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy. Live the rest of your life to its fullest. Embrace everything life has to offer. But most of all, enjoy the ride.
I love you Stephanie. Let Carlos make you happy.
Until we meet again,
Hal
Carlos accepted the letter I gave him to read. Tears streamed down his face as he read Hal's words. I had my happily ever after with Hal, now I get to have one with Carlos. I'm so lucky to have found another love as grand as Hal's love.
How do you know it will last? The answer is, you don't. That's the risk you take when you fall in love. You never know how much time you have together. All you should do is hang on tight and do as Hal said… enjoy the ride.