Chapter 51

SPOV

I dreamed about my children again. Knowing I'm expecting twins changed my perspective. The girl is slightly older than the boy. I assumed they were a few years apart since she's several inches taller.

If I get the boy and girl I see in my dreams, I'll talk to Lucas about a more permanent birth control measure. As I lay in my bed straddling the line of sleep, I felt his eyes watching me.

Lucas stroked my face to help me wake up. "Hey lover," I said with a gravely voice.

"Hey Sweetheart. Did you have a good nap?" he asked.

"I did. Thank you for carrying me to bed." I rolled over to face him. "I love you," I said with a kiss.

"As I love you," he reciprocated. "What were you dreaming?"

"Our son and daughter," I replied.

"Emily and Carlos," he added.

"Carlos Julio Rodriguez," I corrected.

"Emily Stephana Rodriguez," he finished.

"Em and Los," we both said at the same time. "We had the same dream?" we asked simultaneously.

I started laughing. From the beginning, Lucas and I were completely on the same wavelength. We are always in sync. My hormones started raging and I had the sudden need to jump my husband. He gave me a very sexy smile and quickly removed our clothes.

Lucas moaned my name as he spilled inside me, drawing a third orgasm from my body. "Luke," I screamed.

We heard banging on the other side of the wall. I laughed when I heard Woody's familiar voice shout, "Can you two keep it down? I'm trying to sleep here Darlin'."

The phone on Luke's nightstand rang. He answered on speaker, "Yo."

"Is she awake yet?" Ram asked.

"I am," I replied. "What do you need?"

"Val needs to talk to you and Mallory immediately. Are you available now?"

"Give me a few minutes. Where?" I asked.

"Your apartment?"

"Sure. See you in a few," Lucas replied before ending the call. "Get dressed."

I managed to pull on my yoga pants before Lucas opened the door. Valerie looked absolutely radiant. Mallory and Manny followed them into the living room. Taking a seat between my older sisters, I grabbed Val's hand.

Mallory took my hand and asked Val, "Do you have good news for us?"

"Yes. They found Steve and Elizabeth," she announced. Mallory, Lucas, Manny and I already knew this information. Within 12 hours of collecting the DNA sample, the FBI arrested them in La Romana at their rental home.

Neither Mallory nor I wanted to get her hopes up. If I correctly calculated the days, Valerie would be notified her ex-husband and his wife were spending the next 30 years in Federal prison.

"Every penny, with interest, was returned. I can afford to buy my own house," she gushed.

"Sweetie, I told you I would buy you a house," Ram reminded her.

"Yes, but you shouldn't have to support me and the girls." Valerie was being a bit obtuse. Ram would do anything to provide for her and the girls, but I could also understand her trepidation.

"Ram, when Steve left Valerie, she had nothing except the clothes on her back and a few outfits they could fit into a single suitcase. She knows you'll take care of her, but she also needs to take care of herself and the girls. I understand her desire to pay her own way and establish her independence," I explained.

"Is that how you feel Val?" Ram asked her.

"I had to fight for everything I provided for the girls. Even when I was married to Steve, money was very tight and I was dependent on Steve to provide our basic needs. I love you and the girls love you. But we need to contribute to our life together. You shouldn't have to carry the load alone," Valerie explained.

"Hey Val," Lucas said, grabbing her attention. "Our neighbours are planning to sell and move to Florida. They were hoping to sell privately. I may have mentioned you and Ram were looking to buy in the neighbourhood."

"Could we check out the house Mike?" she asked hopefully.

"If that's what you want. While we're here, did you want to ask them or should I?" Ram prodded her.

"Um… I've been having problems securing a venue for our wedding. Ranger offered us to use the largest conference room, but I was hoping we could maybe… um… use your backyard? We could rent tents and chairs…"

I cut her off before she could get too carried away. "Val, let me and Mal help you organize your wedding. You can use our yard for your ceremony and reception." Lucas readily agreed.

We knew exactly how much work was involved and time was running out. Her son is due in seven weeks. She wanted to marry Ram before her baby is born. His name will be on the birth certificate. He applied to adopt Lisa, Angie and Mary Alice. Everything should be finalized a few weeks after their marriage.

Mallory and I decided to tell Valerie exactly how we caught up to Steve and Elizabeth. She thought it was hilarious Elizabeth was doing the same to Steve as he did to her. "I would have liked to see his expression while they arrested him," she commented.

I used my laptop to pull up a video. Ranger, Tank, Zip, Junior, the two FBI agents and dad were involved in the arrest. Enrique as recording the arrest. "Hi Steve," Frank said after breaking through the front door. Steve ran towards the back, shoving Elizabeth out of his way. Ranger slammed the door open. Tank was standing directly behind him. The coward took a few steps back before turning around to face Frank. In a few seconds, he realized his mistake.

Steve lowered his head in defeat. Elizabeth was screaming, "I'm innocent. He… he… he forced me to help him." We all knew she was lying.

"Steve Sutton, you're under arrest," the older FBI agent announced as he read Steve his rights. He recited the list of charges as he cuffed Steve's hands behind his back. The second agent read Elizabeth her rights as he cuffed her hands behind her back. She kept stating she was innocent. We had proof stating otherwise. Elizabeth was definitely guilty.

Valerie noticed the date stamp and asked, "You knew about this for months and said nothing?"

I shifted positions with Valerie so she was sitting in the middle. Mallory took her hand and pulled her face to look into her eyes. "Valerie, we were ordered not to say anything until the case was tried and the sentence issued. They already had sworn affidavits from you, so they didn't require your testimony. Also, the FBI had more than enough evidence to prove their guilt. It's over sweetie. You and Ram can get married without having that sword hanging over your head. The girls can also move on with their life with Ram as their father. Steve and his viper wife can't hurt you or the girls anymore," Mallory quietly explained.

"It really is nice to have closure. What do I tell the girls?" Val wondered.

"The truth," I replied. "But only if they ask. Mary Alice and Angie know Steve took all your money."

Valerie hastily wiped the tears of her face and pulled us into her arms. We were squashed against her large chest and protruding stomach. "I love you Val. You deserve to be happy," I whispered. Mallory parroted my sentiments.

Ram held his hand out towards Val. She readily placed her small hand into his larger one. He pulled her from the couch and they left our apartment.

LPOV

I wasn't surprised Stephanie agreed to host Val and Ram's wedding in our yard. She would do anything for her sister and nieces. It was going to take time to find tent and chair rentals, especially on short notice.

Stephanie was already sending requests for the items. She specified help setting up the tents was not necessary. We had enough people to help.

The next few days was consumed making arrangements for Valerie's marriage to Ram. Woody's friend came through for us. He had enough tents and chairs for us to rent, but it would take at least 11 hours to drive them to Trenton. Zip and Woody were flying to Charleston South Carolina to drive the truck to Trenton. After the wedding, they would drive the equipment back and catch their return flight.

I went to visit my wife in her office. Ranger was sitting in Stephanie's chair. She was sitting sideways on his lap and his hand was resting on her baby bump. "Hey Luke," she cheerfully greeted me. "I felt weird twinges in my stomach. Ranger was telling me it's our babies moving. He was trying to feel them."

"Did you feel them?" I asked.

"No," she giggled. "They stopped moving the second his hand touched my stomach." She gently removed his hand and left his lap. He stood up and swept his arm towards the chair. I took a seat and pulled my wife onto my lap. Instead of sitting sideways, she pressed her still firm and sexy ass into my crotch.

I wrapped my arms around her and placed on hand high and the other hand low. "Did you feel that?" she asked excitedly. "They fluttered."

"Sorry sweetheart, I couldn't feel anything," I said disappointed.

Ranger added, "You should be able to feel them in a few more weeks."

Stephanie gave him a sweet smile before telling me, "Ranger is paying us," she motioned between her and Mallory, "to finalize Val's wedding plans."

"Babe," he said shaking his head and leaving the room.

"Well you are," she shouted to his retreating back. "He told us to focus on the arrangements. As you know, the tent and chairs are secured. Tank, Les and Zero are building a dance floor. Ella has enough tablecloths and napkins. We still need the caterer, dishes, silverware, glasses and alcohol."

"Did you arrange the officiant, liquor license and permits?" I asked.

Her face blanched. "I forgot about the license and permit," she cried.

"Daddy got them Steph," Mallory called from across the room. "He also has an officiant."

"Have you heard from Alex or Karissa?" Stephanie asked.

"All set. Daddy took care of them too," Mallory stated. "How does he know Alexander. It's next to impossible to get an appointment. I could really use a haircut. When I called last Tuesday, his receptionist said there wasn't an opening until next month." She told Stephanie when she has her appointment scheduled.

"Listen and learn," Stephanie stated before placing a call. After dialling the number, she placed it on speakerphone. "Hi Alex, it's Steph."

"Stephie… how are you. I haven't seen you in so long. Frank says one of your men cut your hair," he said with a laugh.

"Of course he would tell you that," Steph groaned. "Anyways, I wanted to ask if you have time to cut my sister's hair."

"I just gave Valerie a cut last week," he corrected me.

"I'm talking about my other sister Mallory. She's Val's twin. Mal called last week but your receptionist wouldn't schedule her in."

Rustling paper sounded over the line. "How long ago did she call?" he asked.

"Last Tuesday, but her appointment isn't for another month," Stephanie answered.

"Name?" he asked.

"Mallory Ramos."

There was a few minutes of silence before he stated, "Tell her to get her ass here within 15 minutes. I'll squeeze her in."

"Thanks Alex."

"No problem Steph. Remember, none of Frank's girls pay," he reminded her before hanging up.

"Why exactly do we not pay?" Mallory asked.

"Daddy is Alexander's hair salon partner. Next time you book an appointment, mention Frank is your dad."

"I doubt that would be necessary. Alex is probably telling his receptionist who Mallory is," I stated.

"More like he's tearing her a new one," Steph joked. "You should leave if you want to get to your appointment in time. I think Junior has the afternoon off. I'll tell the bosses."

Mallory called Junior who readily agreed to give her a ride. She gave Steph a hug to thank her for helping. I checked the list on Stephanie's desk. There was still a lot of items on the list. "Have you called caterers?" I asked.

"I was planning to call Monica first then Rossini's," she answered. "It's a bit short notice though…"

I convinced her to call Monica. She spoke to Monica for nearly an hour trying to hammer out a menu. If we had the meal set up buffet style, we could get away serving various pasta dishes. Maybe Ella could cook some roasts.

Stephanie contacted Rossini's. When they heard the timeline, the hostess laughed before hanging up on her. She called Monica back and made arrangements for the pasta dishes. Pino agreed to provide the desserts too. He was closing his restaurant to the public for the day so he could concentrate on Val's wedding.

"Why did I have to plan everything for next Saturday," Stephanie mumbled.

Karissa arrived at Rangeman with many garment bags. Ranger led her to the conference room and ordered Stephanie to meet him.

SPOV

Batman sounds very angry. He does not like having non-client civilians in Rangeman. Karissa rolled her eyes when he gave her his scariest look. "You don't scare me Batman," she joked. "Give me the worst you've got. I just hope you can take what you dish out."

Ranger prowled towards Karissa and lunged at her. She move out of his way and flipped him over. He landed flat on his back with a small oomph on top of the table. Karissa was leaning over him and asked, "Is that all you've got Batman?"

They were having a stare down, but it felt like the heat inside the room was starting to increase. Ranger was looking at Karissa in a way I haven't seen before. Her cheeks reddened slightly before she helped him off the table. He reached up a hand to push hair off her face. It seems Batman finally found someone.