Chapter 23

As Ranger requested, Julie and I completed an application to change her surname from Martine to Ramsey-Manoso. I wanted her name to be Manoso, but Ranger convinced me it would be safer with Ramsey-Manoso. At school, her name would be Julie Ramsey. "We should adopt her and call her Julie Ramsey?" I joked. It would make everything easier.

Michael, Julie, Ranger and my children were completely on board. I shrugged my shoulder and continued entering Julie's data on the form. Adopting this amazing girl would make her surname issue easier, but it was not what she needed right now.

"We would love to adopt you, sweetie, but you have been through so much already. Give Carlos the chance to be your father. He deserves to have this opportunity. You deserve to have your father raise you. In my heart, you are already my daughter. Michael and I will always be here for you," I said as I held her hands.

"She is right, you know. You and your father need this time to heal and grow together. If anything happens to him while deployed, we will raise you as our own. We will even adopt you if it is that important to you," Michael added.

"Even though you are not adopting me, can I still call you mama?" Julie asked me.

"I would be honoured," I replied.

Julie selected Junior and Zip as her bodyguards. Neither of them signed a new military contract. They were free and clear of their military obligations. Getting paid to watch the boss's daughter was exciting. Ranger fired Josh. He had no use or patience for a slacker. Josh would never work for Rangeman again.

Several months passed; Julie was thriving at her new school. Her classmates and peers were very supportive and compassionate. Dax, her best friend, is a handsome Latino boy. His mother was on tour in Columbia. He was living with his grandparents a few blocks away from our home.

"How long will she be away?" I asked him one day after dinner. It was the last week of school and Julie wanted me to meet her best friend.

"A year. I miss her, but she contacts me whenever she's permitted. My gramps and gramma are very supportive. They're hoping she returns married," he finished with a small laugh.

My front door opened, Junior and Zip entered the house. "Hi honey, I'm home," the jokesters yelled when they entered.

"We're in the living room," I called out to them.

"Hi, Uncle Ben," Dax greeted.

"Hey, shorty," Zip replied. "What are you doing here?"

"Visiting Julie and her mom," he replied. "Julie's my best friend from school."

"Small world," Zip stated. "I'm Julie's bodyguard."

"Your sister's in the Army?" Julie asked Zip.

"Yes, Cassidy's on her third tour," he replied. He pulled a photo from his pocket. "This is Cassidy, Richard and Dax. Cass and Rick met the summer before basic training. They joined the Army together and fought by each other's side. Unfortunately, he never returned from his last tour when Dax was three."

"I don't remember dad. Mom said he died after uncle Ben took that picture," Dax stated.

Julie examined the photo. I could tell she was already plotting. She looked from the photo to me then back again. "Your mom looks like Steph," Julie said as she passed Dax the photo. "What do you think?" she asked while raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe. I've always wanted a sister," Dax replied.

"Wouldn't that be awkward when you two start dating?" Zip asked Dax.

Julie grabbed his hand to give him the strength to tell his uncle a secret. "Uncle Ben, I will never date Julie. She isn't my type because I'm gay," he quietly confessed.

"It took a lot of courage for you to tell me, but I already know," Zip reassured him. "Your mother knows too."

"Was she mad?" Dax asked.

"No. Your sexual orientation means nothing to her, you're all that matters," he replied. Dax visibly relaxed.

Junior and Zip raided the fridge as Julie and I talked to Dax. "You're welcome to visit us any time. We'll be at Rangeman most days," I added. I left Julie to tell Dax all about her father and Rangeman. Dax left a few minutes after their conversation. I heard Julie go upstairs to her room.

"Did you find enough to eat?" I asked when I saw the six empty plates on the table.

"Yup," Junior replied. "There were too many leftovers and we couldn't decide."

"So you ate them all," I laughed. "When does he leave?"

"Early tomorrow morning. Ram will bring you the papers to sign," Zip replied. "You'll be acting CEO."

I wasn't surprised since Ranger and I already had this discussion. He was recently granted custody of Julie. Rachel was ordered to pay him support. She refused to pay and relinquished her rights as Julie's mother. Caleb and Amber were living in foster care since Rachel and Ron lost custody of their children. Ron's sister Marsha was petitioning for custody.

Rachel and Ron were charged with child endangerment. Evidence was discovered Ron Martine knew Edward Scrogg. He was heard telling Scrogg he resembled Julie's biological father. Scrogg's placement at the music store was orchestrated by Ron and Rachel. After meeting Ranger on the mats, Josh confessed to waiting at the front as per Rachel's request. He knew Julie would be behind the school, but he went by Rachel's order instead of his instincts.

Tarin said they're facing criminal charges. She asked if I wanted to foster Caleb and Amber, but Julie convinced me it would not be in my best interest if I did. I really hate separating families. "It's best to cut all ties," Julie stated when I asked about fostering her siblings. "They've been raised to treat me like trash. When I visited them last week, all they did was call me names and say they hated me. I know when to cut my losses."

She's a very wise little girl. It's a shame her siblings are behaving this way. Valerie and I never got along as children, but I still missed her when I was exiled to Jacksonville. I never met my nieces. Life is too short for regrets. I tried reaching out to Valerie, but she didn't want to reconnect with me.

Ranger entered the house as I reminisced. "Deep thoughts, Babe?"

"Not really. I was thinking about the Martine children. Tarin asked me to be their foster mother but Julie said it wouldn't be wise," I replied.

"She's right. Those children are spoiled and act entitled. They were bred and raised to be greedy," he added.

"Are you planning to spend the evening with Julie?" I asked to change the subject.

"Yes. We're going to watch a movie or play poker," he answered. I kissed his cheek and left to find Julie.

"Hey, Jules," I said as I looked into her room. She was in her bedroom on the upper level. The desk was identical to the one in her basement apartment, but she liked working at this one when her dad wasn't home.

"Hi, mama. Is dad leaving soon?" she asked. "It's been a while since he's left for a mission."

"You are such a smart girl," I stated as I entered her room and sat on the bed. I gave the spot beside me a small pat, inviting her to join me. "He's leaving in the early hours, so you should stay here tonight," I said when she hugged me.

"How long will he be gone?" she asked.

"I never asked. Are you finished your sketch?" I tried to peek at her artwork.

"Nope and you can't see it until it's done," she stated.

"Go spend some time with your dad. He's waiting for you in the living room."

"We'll cook dinner," she shouted as she ran down the stairs.

The front door opened as I descended the stairs. "Mom," Lory and Curt shouted.

"Hey, babies," I said as I picked up the pace. I pulled them into my arms. "How long are you staying?"

"Only a few days," Lory answered. "We need to be at the hearing."

"Do you think it will happen this time?" Curt asked.

"I was informed it would," I replied. "Julie will need to attend with us."

"I'm starving. Is there anything to eat?" Lory asked as her stomach growled.

"Ranger and Julie are cooking. Go see if they made enough for you. Julie and I already ate dinner," I stated.

"Dad, this is Mallory and Curtis. Lory, Curt, this is my dad Carlos. Everyone calls him Ranger," Julie introduced them. Ranger was out of town the last time my children were home.

"I hope you're hungry. Julie insisted we cook extra," Ranger stated.

Lory giggled. "Mom said Julie already ate dinner," she added.

"I'm like mama. I can always eat more," Julie stated with a shrug.

"Can anyone join this party?" Michael asked. "Here's the paperwork from the lawyer." Michael passed me the folder.

I read the documents and signed my name on the appropriate line. Ranger signed and Michael witnessed.

"What did you sign?" Curt asked.

"Your mom is acting CEO while I'm deployed. She will also assume guardianship of Julie," Ranger answered.

We sat around the table to eat the grilled pesto chicken and garlic mashed potatoes. "What happened to your temple?" I asked Ranger.

"I could use the extra weight," he shrugged.

"What's on the agenda tonight?" Michael asked.

"I'm spending time with dad before he leaves," Julie stated. "We're going to play poker. Would you like to play too?"

"We don't want to take away from your time with your father," Lory stated.

"You're welcome to join us," Ranger offered.

Michael and I spent time together. Ranger played poker with the children. He was laughing at their antics. "They sound happy," I whispered to Michael.

"I haven't heard Ranger laugh like that in a long time. The children are good for him," he agreed.

"It's getting late. We need to be in court early tomorrow," I reminded Michael. We went to the living room where everyone was sitting around the coffee table.

Ranger checked his watch. "I need to leave, Julie."

She dropped her cards on the table and sat on his lap. "Get the bad guy and come home," she quietly said.

"Don't go crazy."

"Don't get shot, daddy."

"Stay safe," Curt stated and hugged him. Lory repeated her brother's words. She hugged him too. I used my phone to snap a photo of my friend hugging all three kids.

He smiled when he saw the picture I sent via text. "Babe," he said before hugging me. "Don't go crazy."

"Don't get shot," I repeated Julie's words. "I love you."

"I love you too, Babe. Take care of Julie."

"She'll be safe with us. Go save the world." I hugged him again. Michael gave him a manly hug and wished him a safe return. He too promised to keep Julie safe.

Julie gave him another hug before he left. "I love you, papa," she whispered.

"I love you too," he said before trudging to his car.

I wrapped my arms around Julie as we watched Ranger drive away. "Are you okay?" I asked.

"I'm okay, mama. I have you and uncle Mike. Having Lory and Curt here helps," she confessed. Lory took Julie's hand and led her up the stairs. I knew my daughter would keep her company tonight. This was Ranger's first deployment since Julie was placed in my care.

"Are you ready to become a daddy?" I asked Michael as we brushed our teeth.

"I've been ready since the day you met me on the Rangeman roof," he replied.

"Would you like one of your own?" I wondered.

"A child? I would love to have a child with you, but I want Lory and Curt to have a say," he replied.

"If we want a child while we're still young enough to enjoy them, we'll need to start soon," I reminded him.

"How about we start now?" he growled. I giggled as Michael stripped me to make love.

"I can skip the next injection," I whispered.

"Thank you," he responded. Michael held me as we fell asleep.

I woke up on top of Michael. He pulled my knees to rest on either side of his thighs and lifted me onto him. "Michael," I moaned.

"Shh… love, we'll wake up the children," he whispered.

"Nope… soundproof room," I moaned as I lifted and lowered back onto him.

"If you say so." He quickly rolled me under him and pumped hard into me. I wrapped my legs around his waist and pulled him with my feet. His mouth pressed against my neck as I felt my orgasm shake my body. He followed me over. "I love you more than ever," he whispered into my neck.

"Ditto," I replied. "Time to get showered." He lifted me from bed and carried me to our washroom. I squealed when he dropped me in the shower and turned on the cold water. We made love again in the shower.

The children were giggling when we entered the kitchen. "What's up?" Michael asked.

Curt started laughing. Lory grabbed my arm and pulled me into the other room. "We heard you, mom," she whispered.

My face turned bright red, "When?" I asked.

"In the shower," she answered. "If you and dad had sex in your bed, we couldn't hear it."

"I'm so sorry. I hope we didn't traumatize you and Curt," I stated. "Oh my goodness. Please tell me Julie didn't hear us."

"Julie didn't hear anything. She was already in the kitchen."

I returned to the kitchen to whisper in Michael's ear, "Our bedroom is soundproof, but the shower is not."

He shrugged it off, "At some point, all children hear their parents making love."

"I've been living here for months and I haven't heard anything," Julie added to our conversation. "Ron and Rachel used to have sex with their bedroom door wide open." Curt, Lory and I all shivered from the unpleasant visual.

"That is wrong on so many levels," Lory stated. "Didn't they have any respect for their children?"

"Not even a little bit," Julie replied. "I'm so glad to be living here."

"We're glad you're living here too. Mom and dad are the best," Lory agreed.

Curt and Lory made breakfast. We managed to clean the dishes in time for us to leave. I had Junior and Zip follow us to the courthouse.