Chapter 52

SPOV

I cleared my throat loudly, breaking Ranger and Karissa from their trance. "Do you have dresses for everyone Kari?" I asked.

"And tuxes for the men," she stated while staring at Ranger. It was hard to believe these two have never crossed paths before. Then again, they don't travel in the same circles.

Ella wheeled a garment rack into the conference room. I helped her remove the garments and hang them on the top bar.

Valerie entered the conference room with Angie, Mary Alice and Lisa. I knew the dresses would fit the girls, but I was more concerned about Mal's and my dresses. Our stomachs were expanding more every day. At this rate, the dresses wouldn't fit us across the bust or hips.

"I have a slightly different style for you and Mallory. The dresses contain lycra. They'll stretch to fit your body. Go ahead, try your dress on," she hung it off the divider Ella set up in the corner. You couldn't see through it and it gave enough privacy for me to try on the dress.

The fabric was a beautiful blue, matching the colour of my eyes. This colour would also look amazing with Mallory's skin tone. Valerie picked the perfect colour. If I could only zip up the back, I would see exactly how it looks. I was curious how Karissa found out.

"Val gave me the colour swatches and style at her hair appointment. She asked me to help select the perfect dresses for her sisters," Karissa said as she came around the divider to help me zip the dress. "You look beautiful."

Angie and Mary Alice tried on their dresses to check the fit. "Your dress is a little too long Mary Alice. I don't want you tripping on the hem," Valerie stated.

"I can fix it for you," Ella offered.

"That would be amazing," Valerie gushed.

Angie and Lisa's dresses fit them perfectly.

Mallory arrived after the girls changed back into their jeans and shirts. She was handed her dress and moved around the divider to try on her dress. I moved around the divider to help her zip the dress. "You look beautiful Mal," I whispered.

"So do you Steph. I like how the dress moulds to our shape," she giggled.

We held hands and walked around the divider. Lucas couldn't stop staring at me. If I wondered how he felt, I just had too look at the impressive bulge in his pants. Manny noticeably fixed himself when he saw Mallory.

Each man tried on the tux jackets to make sure they fit properly. Karissa confessed she contacted Ella for our clothing sizes and measurements. Only Mary Alice's dress required alterations. Ella was waiting until next Wednesday to have Valerie try on the dress for her last fitting.

"Val, did you ever find a ring bearer?" Mallory asked as she changed out of her dress. I had already changed out of mine.

"Not yet. I don't know anyone with a boy young enough to walk with Lisa down the aisle," she answered sounding sad.

"Have you asked Janet? Her son Mitch is around Lisa's age," Ram asked.

"I don't know. We haven't talked in a very long time," she replied. "It doesn't feel right asking her."

"Well then I'll ask," I offered as I called Janet.

"Hi Steph. I'm on my break so I only have 15 minutes," Janet answered. I put her on speakerphone.

"Do you remember my sister Val?" I asked.

"Ya sure. Mallory's twin… I went to school with her. We used to be close friends. Does she need me to watch Lisa?" Janet offered.

I laughed, "No babysitting required. I'm sure she appreciates the offer. Anyway… she's marrying Ram next Saturday."

"Oh my God. I'm so happy for them. Ram's a great man," she quickly added.

"Could Mitch be the ring bearer?" I asked.

"Absolutely… am I invited?" she joked.

"You are. It's a bit last minute. Are you able to take the day off?"

"Next Saturday you said?" she asked to confirm.

"Yes."

"Well what do you know… I have the weekend off. I would love to attend their wedding. Do I need a suit for Mitch?" Janet asked.

"We can provide one for him. Just text me his clothing and shoe size. We'll handle everything for you. Thanks Janet."

"No prob Steph. I have Friday night off. Are you, Mallory and Val interested in a ladies night out? I can ask Ram or Manny to babysit," she asked.

"I'm game," I replied. Mallory and Valerie readily agreed too.

"Ram and I can watch the kids," Manny offered.

"Thanks guys. You really are the best. Mal and Val are so lucky to have you," Janet said before hanging up.

Karissa told us she arranged to have Kari do our makeup and Alexander volunteered to do our hair. All plans were coming together perfectly.

"You and Mallory are miracle workers," Valerie gushed. It didn't take long for the three of us to cry while holding each other.

"Hormones," I heard Lester stage whisper.

"Your fiancée broke our wives," Manny told Ram.

He laughed then replied, "It's pregnancy hormones men. You broke your own wives." Ram slapped us on the back before gathering up his family. "Time to go girls."

There wasn't much left to organize for the Ramsey wedding. I just had to recruit men to set up the tents, dance floor, chairs and tables.

We found a place to rent us dishes, glasses and silverware. They offered to deliver, but I really didn't want too much commotion around the house. I became overly protective since we uncovered Morelli's corruption.

The Burg gossipers calmed down a little, but not enough for me to fully let down my guard. I know Alexander and his sister in law Karissa, Kari as she preferred to be called, well enough to invite them into our home.

All the dresses were hanging in the guest room closet. There was more than enough room for the women and children to change in the room. Ella will bring Valerie's dress the day of the wedding. Lucas hung the tuxes in the smaller room across from the master bedroom. We emptied the room after I announced my pregnancy. It will be converted into the nursery for our twins. We plan to decorate the nursery after I reach my third trimester.

As we planned, Janet, Val, Mallory and I went out on Friday night. Manny and Ram went to Janet's house to watch Mitch. Frank was home with the girls.

We went to a Karaoke bar. Mallory and I kept singing duets. Valerie couldn't stop laughing at our antics. Janet and Valerie tried to sing some duets, but Valerie kept messing up the lyrics. She literally just needed to read them off the prompt screen. It was a lot of fun and we vowed to make time once a month.

Lucas was waiting up for me. I made Mallory wait inside our house until Manny came home. If he was working the night shift, she either stayed in his Rangeman apartment or in our spare room. We didn't like the idea of her staying home alone. It's not that she couldn't take care of herself, because she's more than capable.

Rangeman wives, especially expectant ones, were not to be home alone. I had a feeling Ranger added this policy because of what happened to Emily. Mallory and I were more than compliant with this policy change.

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LPOV

Our house was busy during the next week. Luis built an archway for Val and Ram to stand under while they exchange their vows. He strung twinkle lights around the perimeter of the yard. More lights would be strung inside the tent. A generator was set up to power the backyard. It was placed in the back corner, but I thought it would be best to set in inside the nearly empty shed.

Stephanie laughed when Hector installed a lock on the shed. "Bang, bang," she called out when he showed her the small fob. He smiled and gave her the shooting gun signal.

Lester was running around the yard with Zip and Junior. They were setting up speakers and wires. Once he had them set up, he played the song 'Beautiful you are' and grabbed my wife for a dance. She was laughing as he twirled her around the yard. When a new song played, Junior grabbed her to dance. After a few more songs and more twirls around the yard, she asked for a break, claiming her feet were getting sore.

I had to laugh when Zero swept her into his arms and placed her in a lawn chair. He removed her boots and socks to massage her aching feet. "Oh Zero," she moaned. "No… move back… ya, that's the spot."

Mallory entered our yard through the gate and laughed. "Are you giving foot massages to all the pregnant women?" He gave a shrug and finished massaging Stephanie's feet. Mal took Steph's place and Zero massaged her feet too.

My wife walked through the yard carrying her socks and boots until she sat on deck steps. I took a seat beside her to help with the boots. "How are your feet?"

"Much better. Zero is a very good foot massager. Not as good as you, but a very close second," she admitted. "There's no way we could have done all of this by ourselves."

I looked around the yard. Every off duty Rangeman was helping us prepare for the Ramsey wedding. When a few left for their shifts, a few more arrived. Most times they brought food with them, curtesy of Ella. She wanted to make sure Stephanie and Mallory were eating properly.

"She spoils us," Mallory said around a spoonful of chilli.

"Yup, but we love it," Stephanie admitted. "How did she know I was craving her spicy chilli?"

"You complained the eggs this morning wasn't chilli," Tank stated.

"And you said the meatball sub at lunch lacked spice," Lester added.

"The guys told Ella so she made you and Mal spicy chilli," Valerie said as she turned up her nose. "Get that away from me. Smelling it gives me heartburn."

Ram brought her some ham and scalloped potatoes. He led her to a chair away from her sisters and placed the food in front of her. "Thank you Mike," she said.

Karissa arrived with Ranger the night before the wedding. They timed their arrival for when the rehearsal party finished. Kari wanted to set up the area where she would be applying makeup while Alexander styled the women's hair.

"Hi Lucas, Steph," she greeted as we opened the door to them.

"Hey Kari, did you remember everything?" Steph asked.

"I did. Do you think Val would let the girls wear a little eye shadow and lipgloss?" Karissa timidly asked.

I smiled and answered for Steph, "In the Burg, it's common for the girls to master wearing makeup by the age of nine. Valerie would have no problems permitting her girls from wearing makeup. However, I would ask Mary Alice first."

"Doesn't she like makeup?" Kari asked.

Ranger laughed and said, "No Kari, she doesn't."

Stephanie and I were surprised Ranger didn't call her babe. We assumed it was the nickname he gave all his romantic interests.

Noticing our confused expressions, Kari laughed. "I told him not to ever call me babe. It's his nickname for you Steph. He needs to find another one for me," she stated.

"What about the Hungarian word for beautiful? Szép?" Stephanie asked. "It would be an original name that only the two of you know."

"I like it," Kari told Ranger. "Technically you guys would know it too."

"Meh, it's either that or querida," Stephanie said with a shrug. "Then again, it's up to Ranger to find an appropriate nickname."

Karissa entwined her fingers with Ranger. I could tell he was completely smitten with her. I've never seen him like this before. Stephanie was very happy her best friend finally found someone. We visited for an hour before Ranger received an important message. "Kari, I have to leave."

"Sure, not a problem. When they shine the bat signal, Batman must come to the rescue," she joked.

She made her way to the front door to put on her shoes. Ranger pulled my wife into his arms to give her a hug. "Thank you for everything Babe. If you didn't insist I seek therapeutic help, I wouldn't have given Kari a chance."

"Be happy Carlos. It's all the thanks I need," she said before lightly kissing his lips. "I love you hermano."

"I love you hermana." He gave her forehead a kiss before joining Kari at the door.

Steph gave her a hug and whispered, "If you break his heart, I will hurt you."

Kari laughed before saying, "If I break his heart, I will help you hurt me. He's a very special man."

"Yes he is. I'll see you two tomorrow," Steph said as they walked towards Ranger's 911.

"He looks happy," I stated as we locked up the house for the night.

"It's about time. He deserves to be happy. Kari's an Army brat, so she'll understand when he has to leave for a mission," Stephanie informed me.

"Did you do a background check on her?" I asked.

She laughed before answering, "No dad did when Alex started dating Andy, Karissa's brother."

I shook my head before carrying my wife to bed. "It's a very small world."

"And it keeps getting smaller," she whispered.

We didn't talk for the rest of the night. I was too busy making love to my gorgeous wife.