Chapter 16

Celia, Vince, dad and Tabitha accompanied us to California. Michael and I applied for a marriage license since residency wasn't a requirement. Once I produced Jeremy's death certificate, we were issued the marriage license immediately. They had an opening with an officiant for the following afternoon.

Michael and I exchanged vows while my children and family witnessed. It's official. I am now Stephanie Ramsey. Michael and I are married. Our wedding officiant filed our license within an hour of our nuptials. We'll receive our copy within a few weeks.

We stayed in California for a few days before we decided to return to Miami. My children said we needed to spend time together, away from them and our Rangeman family.

Ranger passed me his beach house keys. Ella stocked the house with food and other necessities. It was only a 20-minute drive from Rangeman. "Stay for a few weeks," he said when he gave me the keys. "Congratulations, Babe, Michael." He gave me a tight hug and Michael a manly hug.

"Thank you, Ranger. It is way too much," I stated.

"Anything for you, Babe. I'll be in Trenton for a few months. Give the keys to Tank," he said before leaving.

"Is he going to be okay?" I asked my husband.

"He needs to lick his wounds. Even though he knows we're together, he was still holding out hope of a future with you," Michael explained.

"I can see us being nothing more than friends. He's been a good friend until he tried to manipulate me. It's going to take more than lending us his home for me to get over that hurt."

"You're a very understanding, kind and loving woman. In time you'll forgive him," he said before kissing me. He was right, I will eventually forgive him. I wasn't one to hold a grudge. "If you can forgive your mother, Morelli and Orr for everything they did, you can forgive our boss too."

"There are other things I'd rather be doing than discussing our boss," I said with a husky voice. He lifted me into his arms and carried me to the gorgeous guest bedroom in this opulent house.

We didn't waste any time talking. The rest of our day was spent in bed, loving each other.

As Michael and I slept in each other's arms, I dreamed of my late husband, Jeremy. "I'm very proud of you, Stephanie. You opened yourself to love. Ram will be loyal, honest and faithful."

"I love him, Jeremy. It isn't the same as our relationship," I stated.

"It's different and more fulfilling," Jeremy added. I was reluctant to admit my feelings for Michaels ran that deep. "Stephanie, my love. I'm gone and he's very much alive. I understand. He's your future and the new love of your life. Be happy and live life to its fullest. I approve."

"I'm sorry Jeremy," I said through my tears. "Thank you for your guidance. I still love you." I woke up when I felt Michael wipe the tears from my face.

"Anie, I know you still love Ace. I will never ask you to stop loving him," he said between gentle kisses.

"Thank you, Michael. I'm okay now. To be honest, I have a stronger, deeper connection with you. I was just feeling a little guilty," I explained. "I truly loved Jeremy, but what we share is so much better. It's like he was an important stepping stone in my love life."

Before Michael and I became more serious, I told him all about my past. He heard some things from Jeremy, but not in so much detail. I felt Michael needed to know everything about my history before fully committing to me. Michael needs to hear if I had any triggers. He told me everything I needed to know about him.

"Let me love you," he whispered.

"Okay," I answered. We made love slowly. Neither of us was in a hurry. It was more intense than our other encounters. Our coupling was more intense than any I have previously experienced. "Mike," I moaned.

"Anie," he whispered as he released into me. He rested his forehead against mine. "I love you."

"I love you too," I reciprocated. Michael pulled himself from me and pulled me into the spoon position. His warm hand rested against my abdomen. I wondered if he was hoping to have a child with me. If he wants to have a child, I would be open to having another one.

"Someday," he whispered. "I would like to see you grow round with my child."

"Really? I'm open to having a child with you."

"We will decide as a family. It's important to have Lory and Curt on board," he wisely said. "Will I be permitted to adopt your children?"

"I would love nothing more," I replied.

"Lory and Curt already asked me to adopt them," he confessed.

"If they already asked you, then why are you asking me?" I wondered.

"I would never make a huge decision without your input," he answered. "Adopting your children requires your approval."

"Have you filed the paperwork?" I asked.

"Not yet. I have everything except your signature."

"Hand it over."

"Now?" he asked.

"Yes, Michael. Now." He climbed from the bed and grabbed the papers from his suitcase. I watched his tight, naked ass move away from me. Michael flexed, sensing I was watching. He passed me the papers to read. I was thrilled he was taking on the financial responsibility of my children. "Are you sure?"

"Positive. I want them to be my children too," he answered.

"Okay. If this is what Lory and Curt want, then I want this too."

Lory sent a well-timed text. 'Mom, we want Michael to be our legal father. Please sign the papers.' I received another one from Curt, saying the same.

I signed my name to the documents, then kissed Michael. If my children want him to be their father, who am I to begrudge them? Michael will be a wonderful father to my children.

"We'll need to provide Jeremy's death certificate," I reminded Michael.

"I'll need to have a background check completed too," he added.

"Lory and Curt will need to be at the hearing," I stated.

We decided to go home after a week to ourselves. It didn't feel right to take more time than we had available for vacation. I appreciate Ranger giving us extra time off, but we really should get back to our day jobs.

Michael and I started the laundry the day we decided to return to Rangeman. We waited until the laundry was finished and made the bed. I knew Ella would handle the trash and leftover food. We cleaned the kitchen, hardwood floor and ensured everything was stored in its correct spot.

"I love this house," I said as we looked around.

"Ranger had it built after Julie was born. He was planning to live here with his family, but we both know how that went." I do know what happened.

"It's a shame they didn't live here. If I owned this house, I would be the happiest woman on earth," I admitted.

"Would you like an off-site home?" he asked.

"I would love one. I've never owned my own home before."

"Where did you live before moving to Rangeman?"

"Rosa Manoso rented me her beach home for many years. When it was time for high school, Mateo rented us a place to live. We had to move early when our lives were in danger," I replied. "My children moved to California with Sophia and I moved into Rangeman."

"So you never had a place to call your own?" He was genuinely surprised.

"No," I said while shaking my head. "I would love to have a place I can call my own."

My phone chimed, indicating I received a message. 'Babe. I would like you and Ram to accept the house as Rangeman's wedding gift.' A tear streamed down my face as I showed him the text.

"It's ours?" he asked.

I nodded and replied, "Yes, but it's too much."

Michael's phone chimed. He laughed as he read, 'It is not too much. You both deserve to have a place to call your own. The deed is in your Rangeman apartment.'

One day I hope to repay him for his generosity or maybe I should pay it forward. I took many pictures and sent them to the children. They were happy we have a home of our own and promised to visit during their next break.

'Thank you,' I replied to Ranger's text.

'Babe,' he replied.

We went through the house to see what we needed for linens and other items to make this house our home. Maybe I should ask Ella for suggestions. Ranger likely never spent any time in this house. I loved the current decor which was more my style than what I imagined Ranger would prefer.

A few days after we returned to our Rangeman apartment, a news report indicated that Ranger kidnapped his daughter, Julie from school. I called his cellphone and asked, "I know you're innocent. Ram and I will find your daughter. Are you okay? Please call me."

"You don't think he did it either?" Michael asked me.

"Not at all. He may not be involved in her life, but he cares about her. I know he pays support and pays for the private school Julie and her siblings attend," I replied.

"Didn't he sign over his rights?" he asked.

"He did, which makes him a very special man for financially supporting his daughter. I wonder who is responsible," I wondered. My spidey sense was humming. The man who took Julie must resemble Ranger.

I went to the control room to grab my laptop. Something was really bothering me. Tank left a note on my desk. He returned to Trenton so he could help Ranger.

Hector appeared at my desk with some CCTV footage. I sifted through the videos and discovered a man resembling Ranger leading Julie to his car. When we searched the plates, we discovered it was a rental.

"He needs our help," I told Michael. "The trail leads back to Trenton."

"Are you unsure you want to go back to Trenton? I know you haven't been there since you were a teenager," Michael said understanding my trepidation.

"This is about a little girl a few years younger than Lory and Curt. If it were my child in danger, I know Ranger would help me. Julie needs me. I know it has to be me," I stated.

"Let's go. Call Lory and Curt first," he stated.

I called my children to let them know where I was going. They were a little concerned I was heading to my hometown, but they knew it was necessary to save Julie. "Bring Julie back home mom. She really needs your help," Lory stated.

"Face your demons mom. Dad will be there to keep you safe," Curt told me.

"Thank you, babies. I love you," I told them.

"We love you too mom. Dad?" Lory asked.

"Yes, sweetheart?" Michael replied.

"Keep our mom safe. We love you," she said.

"I love you too. We'll text when we land and keep you updated as much as we can," Michael reassured them.

"Thanks. Bye mom and dad," my children said in unison before hanging up.

Manny, Hector, Michael and I took the Rangeman helicopter to a private airfield. Dad was waiting with his friend. "Pumpkin, this is my buddy, Riker. He's flying you and your team to Trenton. Lester will meet you at the private airfield," dad told me.

"Thank you, daddy," I said. He knew I would be nervous about returning to Trenton, so he made life easier by arranging our transportation.

My team loaded into the jet with our suitcases. We would be staying in Rangeman Trenton throughout our stay. I had a feeling I needed to find a place for Ranger to hide from the authorities while we locate his daughter. When I talked to my team, they agreed.

TPD would search Rangeman for our boss. Hector had several locations available for us to use. I felt using an overtly secure building would give him away. "We need a place that doesn't scream 'look here'."

"What about renting an apartment?" Michael suggested.

"We could do that, but it needs to have two bedrooms. Especially if he's planning to stay with us," I replied. I need to find a way to draw him out. Before Michael's arrival in Miami, I've been seen around town with Ranger. Maybe this lookalike thinks I'm in a relationship with him and we're living in Trenton.

"It has to be believable," Michael stated.

"I know it's the only way," I agreed.

"Rent a one-bedroom apartment in a lower-income area, but not in a dangerous area," Manny advised. Hector was typing away on his phone to make the necessary arrangements.

In Spanish, he said, "One bedroom apartment rented in a building with seniors. Second floor with a fire escape. Internet, phone and second-hand furniture. The men will have it ready when we arrive."