Chapter 53

SPOV

Valerie and Michael Ramsey were pronounced husband and wife a few hours ago. All of our plans and preparations made their wedding absolutely perfect. Grandma Mazur hooted when they kissed.

Monica arrived with her uncle and his most trusted staff during the ceremony. They had everything in warming trays. Pino coordinated with Ella for the meal. He made every type of pasta dish on his menu. Ella cooked grilled chicken and roast beef. She spent several days making rolls and breads. Pino made tiramisu for dessert. I learned Ella and Monica made the wedding cake.

It was amazing how everyone worked together to give Valerie and Ram the wedding of their dreams. Karissa did an amazing job on our makeup. She even got Mary Alice to wear a little lipgloss. Once she finished her duties, she joined Ranger as his plus one. Alexander did our hair and stayed until the ceremony started. He had to get back to his salon, but promised to return for dancing.

Dad brought a woman to the wedding. She was very nice and friendly. I also tried to place where I've seen her before. Throughout dinner I keep glancing at her. It was driving me crazy where I've seen her before.

When she caught me staring at her, she gave me a kind smile and approached me. "Hi Stephie. You're absolutely glowing. How far along are you?" she kindly asked.

"Around fourteen weeks. I still have a long way to go," I replied.

She smiled before saying, "I'm sorry if this sounds very rude. How much weight have you gained?"

"Oh," I said before laughing, "Only five pounds. If you're wondering why I'm already showing so much, it's because I'm having twins."

Mallory sat beside me and grabbed my hand. "Me too. I'm sorry if this sounds rude, but who are you?"

"I'm sorry Stephie, I thought you would recognize me. Gladys Carmichael, your grade three teacher," she said triggering my memory.

"You look different," I said as I assessed her. Snapping my fingers, I said, "You've lost a lot of weight. You look absolutely amazing."

"Thank you my dear. Now tell me why this young lady looks so much like your sister Valerie," she said pointing to Mallory.

"This is Mallory Ramos. She's Valerie's identical twin. We found each other around six or seven months ago?" I said while asking Mallory to confirm.

"Closer to seven months," Mallory confirmed. Neither of us mentioned my deceased twin Emily. "When did you and dad start dating?"

"Last month. We met at a church bazaar," she answered. "I always thought he was a very handsome man."

"Daddy was the type of man I was hoping to find for myself. He's been nothing but supportive and always encouraged me to strive for the best. I owe so much to dad," I admitted.

"Your young man seems very smitten with you," she observed.

My back was to the Rangeman dancing like fools on the dance floor. "I would have to agree. In fact, I can feel his eyes watching me," I told her.

She took a glance over my shoulder. "Is he the tall young man with brown curly hair. Very handsome with light coloured eyes?" she asked.

I looked over my shoulder and waved to Lucas. He gave me a smile before making his way towards us. "If you described the man walking towards us, then yes."

"I hope we get a chance to get to know each other better. Your father is a very special man. Excuse me while I talk him into a few dances. It was nice to see you again Steph. Nice to meet you Mallory," she said before grabbing dad for a few dances.

Lucas pulled me into his arms and asked, "Are you having fun my love?"

"A little. I had to rest my feet for a few minutes. Everyone wants a dance," I answered. "The next man I dance with needs to massage my feet after," I joked.

On cue, Junior arrived, "Dance with me Steph. I'll even massage your feet." I let him pull me onto the dance floor. After the song ended, we returned to my chair and he massaged my feet as promised. He held his hand out to Mallory, promising her a foot rub after their dance.

"You realize word is going to circulate you're offering a dance for a foot massage," Lucas joked.

"Yuk it up lover. Even these low heals are murder on the feet." He lifted me into his arms and swayed with me to the music.

When a sexy Latin song started playing, he pulled me onto the dance floor and we lost ourselves in the music. Ranger was dancing with Kari, barely a millimetre separated their bodies. Manny had Mallory pressed tightly against him. Monica took a break from her duties to dance with Bobby.

I laughed when I saw Tank dancing with Lisa fast asleep in his arms. Mary Alice was dancing wildly with Lester and Angie was dancing with Woody. Lester and Woody were giving the girls dancing lessons. It was completely innocent and the girls were having a lot of fun.

After Val and Ram cut the cake, the girls ate their piece and gave their parents a hug. Frank and Gladys took them home while we continued our party. We turned down the music so our neighbours wouldn't complain.

By the end of the night, I danced with everyone at least once. The men laughed when I danced with my sisters, Yvonne and Kari. I wanted to dance with Monica too, but she had to help her uncle. Cal and Yvonne were too drunk to drive, so we let them stay in our guest room.

The following morning, I was surprised to find men sleeping all over my house. My phone rang. Checking the display, I noticed it was Mallory. "Yo sis," I answered.

"I have to ask, do you have wall to wall Merry Men?"

I laughed and replied, "You bet I do. Should we start breakfast?"

"Nah. They are the crashers, they should cook." she answered.

I heard whispering in the kitchen. Following the noise, I saw Ranger and Kari, both looking a little ruffled, mixing eggs and pancake batter. "What are you doing here?" I shouted purposely startling Kari.

She fumbled her mixing bowl, but caught it before the contents spilled. "We… um…" she started as her face turned red.

"Did you clean up your mess?" I asked.

Ranger replied, "Babe."

"Babe as in… yes we cleaned up the mess and I started the laundry. Or Babe as in we made a mess and I'll have Ella clean up?" I asked while tilting my head. I could hear Mallory laughing on the other end.

"The first one," Kari said blushing more.

"Go take a shower in the washroom downstairs. I have some yoga pants and shirts you can borrow." I approached her and whispered, "In the bottom drawer of the vanity there's a stash of brand new panties with the tags still attached."

"Thank you Steph," she said before searching for the room.

"You didn't need to do that," Ranger stated.

"Yes I did. It's acceptable for a man to look like he had dirty sex, but a woman doesn't wear that look too well. Did you find the stash of condoms?" I asked.

He gave me a glare before saying, "Yes." I gave his cheek a pat and offered to help him cook. Lucas entered the kitchen within a few minutes and took over for me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

LPOV

I heard Stephanie yell and jumped out of bed. When I found her in the kitchen helping Ranger cook breakfast, I sat her at the table and took over. The men will wake up when they smell food.

Cal and Yvonne joined us and prepared fresh fruit. Yvonne found the waffle iron and started making a stack of waffles. They set the fresh fruit, whip cream and waffles in the centre of the table with a bunch of plates. I wasn't sure how we were going to have enough for everyone.

Ella entered the house followed by Luis and Enrique. "I thought you could use more dishes," she announced. She smiled when she saw us cooking for the men. "Let me help hija," she told Stephanie.

"Sit down and eat. Von, these waffles are amazing," Stephanie said between bites.

"I can't take credit for the batter," she confessed.

Karissa returned from the basement looking a little sheepish. She sat next to Stephanie to eat some waffles. "Did you make the pancake batter?" I heard Stephanie ask.

"No. I was scrambling eggs," she replied before looking towards Ranger.

Stephanie finished her waffle and made her way to Ranger who was cooking another batch of scrambled eggs. I was using the griddle to cook pancakes. Her arms wrapped around her friend. "Thanks Batman," she whispered before giving him a chaste kiss to the cheek. "Are any of those for me?"

I gave her the plate stacked with pancakes. Ella entered the kitchen and swiped dither plate from her hands. "Go sit hija," she said practically pushing Stephanie back to the table.

A few of the men joined Stephanie at the table. They helped themselves to pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs and turkey bacon. Mallory knocked on the back door before entering the house. She was carrying a plate filled with sausage. Manny was carrying juice. "Mind if we join you?" she asked.

"You're always welcome Mal," I replied. "Put the food on the dining room table."

"I can't believe she showed up," I heard Mallory tell the group.

"She didn't get to far, did she darlin'," Woody stated.

"Are you talking about Helen?" Lester asked.

"Did you just imply Helen showed up an my house last night? I didn't see her," Stephanie wondered.

"She claimed to be invited by Valerie," Tank added. "Helen confessed to finding Edna's invitation."

"I know she wasn't invited," Mallory announced. "Valerie was furious she had the nerve to track down the family."

"How did I not know she was there?" Stephanie asked.

Karissa set another platter filled with scrambled eggs on the table. "You were talking to Gladys. I handled her," Karissa replied.

"You should have seen her," Yvonne stated. "Kari practically picked her up and tossed her into the cab."

"She was upsetting the very pregnant bride. Your grandma left with her," Kari defended herself.

"Karissa's a very nice woman," I said to Ranger. "She's very protective of Steph, Val and Mallory."

"The younger girls too. Kari saw Helen making a scene in front of her granddaughters. It upset Lisa. I was going to remove Helen from the premises, but Kari wanted to handle her," Ranger explained. "Edna left with her." It was a shame Edna had to leave so early, but I'm sure all the guys were thankful she wasn't around to pinch their ass or cop a feel.

"She's the perfect woman for you," I observed. Ranger only nodded in agreement. I guess he already fulfilled his word quota for the day.

As each man finished eating, he entered the kitchen and washed his plate. Several men thanked us for the food and left for their shift at Rangeman.

My wife carried a few empty plates to the kitchen and washed them. "Go eat Batman," she said before pushing him away from the stove. He reluctantly left his station to eat his own breakfast.

The men made quick work of packing the tent and loading the chairs into the van. Woody and Zip were returning them today. Hector and Junior loaded the generator into the back of the Rangeman service van. Lester removed the speakers and wires. I didn't see who removed the twinkle lights.

It was a relief when the last man left our house. I wanted some alone time with my wife. She was soaking in the bathtub waiting for me. "Hey lover," she called.

"Is there any room for me?" I asked. She used her foot to pull the plug, emptying some of the water.

"There is now," she smarted before shifting forward.

I stripped and climbed into the tub behind her. We sat there for several minutes to relax. It didn't take too long for us to get carried away. Loving Stephanie was very easy. Having children was both scary and exciting.

"After our little ones are born, would you like to have more children?" I asked as we wrapped towels around our bodies.

"If we have our boy and girl this time around, then no," she answered honestly. "What about you?"

"Same as you. I want to have a son and a daughter. Whatever you want, I'll do," I answered. "If you decide to have more children, I would give you more children."

"And if I want to stop, you'll support my decision?" she asked.

"As I said, whatever you want my love. I'll follow your lead," I replied. "I love you Steph."

"I love you too," she reciprocated.

Our day was spent running other errands and setting up the house for the Ramseys. Manny helped me drop all the wedding gifts off at the house next door. Valerie and Ram purchased the house from the owners. They already moved to Florida and gave us the keys to the house. Ram had contacted the Rangeman lawyers early Friday morning and they closed the sale late that night. All the financing was handled and the Ramseys can move in any day.

Since the newlyweds were away, the men painted the house interior earlier this afternoon. Ram had furniture in his storage locker. We used his keys to empty the locker and furnish his house. Stephanie was directing the men and told them where to place everything.

When they return from their honeymoon, their house would be ready. We'll purchase their groceries the day before they're scheduled to return.

Angie, Mary Alice and Lisa came to the house to see their bedrooms. They were excited to see everything the men did to their rooms. I couldn't help but notice the extra clothes, toys and books in the girls bedrooms. Lisa has a toy chest and age appropriate books. Angie's room has one wall completely covered with bookshelves. Most of the shelves were filled with books. Mary Alice's room had books about horses and stuffed horses.

"The men completely spoiled the girls," Stephanie whispered as she watched Mary Alice running around her room.

"She's certainly excited," I agreed.

Stephanie made her way down the stairs. When she was halfway down, Mary Alice ran past her, knocking her off balance. "Woah, that was close," Stephanie said as she grabbed the railing.

Lisa came running towards the stairs, but couldn't stop in time. She started tumbling down the stairs and Stephanie turned in time to catch her. With Lisa clutched tightly in her arms, I watched my wife tumble down the remaining stairs. Frank grabbed Lisa who was crying from fear.

I approached Stephanie to see if she was alright. My heart was practically pounding out of my chest, scared she was seriously hurt. She grabbed her stomach and screamed.

Manny called an ambulance as I gently held my wife. Tears were streaming down both of our faces. We were afraid the fall would cause Stephanie to lose our babies. She didn't fall down too many steps, but it was still enough for us to worry. Stephanie couldn't stop screaming.

The ambulance arrived within five minutes, which was extremely fast. Manny waited at the open door for the EMTs to bring the gurney to the door. They entered the house to assess Stephanie. She was still holding onto her stomach. "What happened?" the woman asked.

"Steph was halfway down the stairs when her youngest niece started falling down the stairs. She turned to catch Lisa, but her head hit Steph in the abdomen. Steph fell backwards down the six steps on her back," Mallory explained. I could see the tears streaming down her face too. "Is she going to lose the babies?" Mallory whispered.

"We need to get her to the hospital. How far along is she?"

"Close to seventeen weeks," I replied. "Twins."

The woman sped up her pace to get Stephanie secured to the gurney. I'm not sure what she saw, but I was scared. Manny promised to lock up the house so I could accompany my wife to the hospital.

I jumped into the back of the ambulance, insisting on staying with my wife. The woman, Nina, waited until the ambulance was in motion to tell me, "She's spotting a little. We need to have her doctor meet us at the hospital."

Using Stephanie's phone, I used her thumb to unlock the phone to call the doctor. She was already at the hospital and said she'll meet us in the emergency room.