Chapter 25
My husband woke me up with kisses. "Anie, you have given me everything I wanted and more."
"Hey," I said with a yawn. "Do you like your gift?"
"I love my gift. Have you told our children?" he wondered.
"They know. We still need the doctor to confirm the pregnancy, so we can't tell anyone for a few months."
"Whatever you say, Anie," he growled. He removed my clothes to make love to me. His warm, large hand rested on my abdomen. "I love you, Ace," he said while stroking my baby bump.
"Is that his name?"
"I was thinking more along the lines of Jace," he replied. It was the best way to honour my late husband and Michael's best friend. If this little one is a girl, Jace would still work.
The next few months seemed to progress faster than expected. Ranger would be overseeing more missions over the next few years, so he promoted me to co-CEO. His last contract ended, but he signed a new five-year term. When I asked him, he said it was to train the new recruits and ensure they had a suitable candidate to take over. Ranger was very good at his job.
I was sitting at my desk in my office. My stomach was feeling a little queasy today. I've had some morning sickness, but it's been manageable. Ranger entered my office as I rubbed my tiny baby bump. "When are you due?" he wondered.
"Oh, April 24. I was planning to tell you soon," I replied as I played with the locket I always wore around my neck. I gave my other one to Lory.
He set a neatly wrapped present on my desk. "Happy Birthday, Babe."
"Thank you, Carlos. You didn't have to get me anything." I opened the box and found some charms for my bracelet. He gave me the Batman symbol charm, a Babe charm, entwined hearts with MR and SR inscribed and the last charm was a girl holding a baby. "They are beautiful. Is this Julie holding my baby?" I asked when I noticed the dark-skinned girl and pale boy.
"Yes. She's excited to have another brother," he replied. "Julie picked the Batman symbol and the girl holding the baby boy."
"Why does everyone think I'm having a boy?" I wondered.
"Babe," he replied before hugging me. "Take care of my godson."
I laughed when he left the room. Throughout the day, I received more gifts from the men. They must have coordinated their selections. When I opened the final gift, a stethoscope charm from Bobby, my charm bracelet was full.
Michael and I planned to announce my pregnancy at the morning meeting, but I felt it necessary to tell them now. "Attention," Michael announced over the PA system. "Stephanie and I are having a baby."
The men's cheers were nearly deafening. It would be the first Rangeman baby. They all accepted Lory, Curt, Julie and Dax, but they never had a baby in the building. Cassidy hugged me and whispered, "I knew it. Congrats, Steph. I'm very happy for you and Ram."
"Thanks, Cass. Are you and Carlos having one soon?" I asked.
"No. After Dax, I had an emergency hysterectomy. Carlos doesn't want any more children," she confessed. I could tell something else was upsetting her.
"We'll talk later. Come over when the children are sleeping," I whispered. Cassidy was living with her parents. I thought Carlos would have them move in, but he was maintaining some distance.
Ella brought some cake to celebrate my birthday and pregnancy. "Thanks, mama," I said while hugging her.
"Anything for you, hija. How's my grandson?" she asked.
"You too? Everyone thinks I'm having a boy," I mumbled.
"In another month or two, you will know for sure," she said as she patted my cheek.
Cassidy came home with me after our shift at Rangeman. She took over my role as client liaison. I was still running the searches since it wasn't her forte. Instead, she was helping Tank handle the massive amounts of paperwork Rangeman generated.
"Julie's at my house working on a school project with Dax," she stated when she closed her car door.
"Now works. We can cook dinner as we talk," I suggested. "I'm starving." My stomach rumbled to exaggerate my words. She laughed and followed me into the house.
"Dax said this used to be Carlos's house."
"It was his house. Carlos gave it to me and Michael as a wedding gift. He has an apartment in the basement with Julie. They're here most nights, but when he has to work late or spends the night at Rangeman with you, Julie sleeps upstairs in her bedroom," I explained.
"He loves you," she said with resignation.
"Cass, we're best friends. Julie is like another daughter to me. Her happiness means everything to Carlos. He knows we can't have anything more than friendship. I know he loves you, but if you keep trying to quantify his feelings, you'll push him away. Has he ever told you about his previous marriage?"
She shook her head no. "He told me he was divorced and has a daughter from that marriage. I've asked several times for details, but he keeps shutting down," she confessed.
"Have you heard the rumours circulating?" I wondered.
"I have; it's the reason I need answers. The man I see and the man in the rumours are two different men," she replied.
"Please don't take this the wrong way. Carlos was a very different man when I first met him. The rumours are true, but the reasons behind his actions are different from the rumours. He's been hurt before and is more guarded with his heart. If you keep pressing for details, you will lose him. Let him tell you in his own time," I explained.
"He keeps telling me not to expect a ring, but a condom will come in handy. What the hell does that mean?" she asked.
Shaking my head, I said, "It means he doesn't want to get married. Are you talking marriage already?"
"I've mentioned it a few times," she admitted.
"Cass, he needs time. You're the first woman he's dated since he was married. Please be patient with him. He needs time to get out of his own head," I explained.
"I promise to try. It isn't easy, but I will do it for him." It was a relief to hear those words from her. Carlos does love her, but she's been pushing for more.
I sliced the sausage to cook in the butter. A pot of water was boiling, so I added the linguine. Before Cass grabbed the hot peppers to cut, I said, "Use those gloves." She shook her head and sliced the peppers to add to the pan.
"What are we making?" she finally asked. I carefully watched her and made sure she didn't touch her eyes or nose. Those peppers always made my nose itch. I wore the special gloves Michael purchased for me so I wouldn't be tempted to scratch my nose or eyes.
"It was going to be sausage alfredo, but my little one wants the spicy sausage linguine instead," I replied. "Whatever you do, don't rub your eyes or nose."
"Too late. Argh. It burns," she exclaimed.
Grabbing the Greek yogurt from the fridge, I opened it to rub it over her face. "Relax and let the yogurt soothe your nose. It will sting a little, but it will feel better soon," I promised. "Next time wear the gloves." I made her stick her fingers in the yogurt.
"Why am I sticking my hands in yogurt?" Cassidy asked.
"It deactivates the capsaicin in the peppers. Give it a few minutes," I replied. I added the peppers to the sausage and placed a few whole ones into the sauce.
Michael entered the house and stifled a laugh. He could tell what I was making for dinner. "Nose or eyes?" he asked.
"Nose using the back of her hand. I tried to warn her, but I was too late," I confessed.
He grabbed a washcloth and towel. After applying soap and warm water to the washcloth, he carefully wiped the yogurt from Cassidy's hands. Michael rinsed the cloth and applied more soap. Placing the warm, wet cloth into Cassidy's hand, he said, "Use this to wash your face." They kept passing the cloth back and forth until Cassidy's face was clean.
"Thanks, my nose feels much better," she admitted.
"At least you didn't get it into your eye as I did," I told her. "It stops stinging after an hour on its own, but the yogurt speeds up the process."
I mixed everything together and served a few plates. "This is so good," Cassidy moaned as she took a large bite.
"If it's too spicy, drink the milk or eat a spoonful of yogurt," I reminded her.
Dax and Julie arrived before I could store the leftover food. They grabbed plates and divided the container of food. "Nana said you already ate," Cassidy said as she read the text from her mom.
"We love mama's spicy sausage linguine," Julie replied.
Cassidy and I cleaned the pots and loaded the dishwasher while we waited for the children to eat. They rinsed their plates and added them to the dishwasher. Julie grabbed the dishwasher soap and started the wash cycle.
"Can you train mine?" Cassidy asked, pointing over her shoulder.
"Mama never trained me. I help because I want to," she replied. Julie wrapped her arms around me and placed her hand on my baby bump. "How are you feeling today?"
"Pretty good. The morning sickness is going away. He wanted the spicy sausage," I replied.
"Sure he did. I'm sure it had nothing to do with being your favourite meal," she teased.
"Time to go home, Dax," Cassidy stated. It's a school night and the kids have track early in the morning. "We'll be here at 0600 hours, Julie."
"Thanks, Cass. See you tomorrow, Dax," she stated. Dax gave her a wave before leaving the house.
"Thank you for the talk," Cass whispered while she hugged me.
"Remember to be patient. Everything will work out as it should," I reminded her.
We watched them drive away before shutting the door and setting the alarms. Ranger was staying at Rangeman tonight. He needed some time to himself. "Did you talk to her?" Julie asked.
"Yes, but I don't think she liked what I had to say," I confessed.
"Sometimes the truth hurts. Are they going to make it?"
"I have no clue, Jules. It all depends if she takes my advice. He loves her, but he's also very guarded," I replied.
"Rachel messed him up. Uncle Les said she changed him," Julie stated. "I like Cassidy. She's an amazing woman. It must scare her every time daddy gets deployed."
"I'm sure it does. It scares us too, but we aren't trying to make him change who he is or rush him into something he isn't ready for."
"True," Julie admitted. "We just love him and let him find his way to us."
"You are such a wise girl," I stated. "How are you feeling today?"
"Better. Thanks for your help. If you didn't prepare me, I would have been more afraid," she replied. "Lory's books helped too."
I laughed when I remembered my talk with Lory several years ago. "I needed help from your Tia Jasmine," I confessed.
"She's so funny. Are we having a girls' night soon?"
"Definitely. We finally have the same day available. Tia Alexandria is flying up from Trenton," I replied.
Ranger was working from our Miami office. Mateo moved to Trenton to head their branch. Alexandria didn't care for Trenton, but she wanted to be with her fiancé… I mean husband. They secretly married before moving.
Our girls night quickly arrived. I was eighteen weeks pregnant and found out I was having a boy. Michael, Lory and Curt were the first to know. We FaceTimed the twins so they could hear the results with us. They were ecstatic. Julie was also happy.
We were at the local bar celebrating when I saw Joseph Morelli enter. "What is he doing here?" Alexandria asked.
"No idea, but I'm sure we'll find out soon," I replied. Celia, Jasmine, Cassidy and Alexandria used their phones to send texts.
Hector slid his arms around me. "I will keep you and Jace safe," he whispered. I turned around to stroke his teardrop tattoo. Since Michael announced my pregnancy, Hector appointed himself as my bodyguard. He made me feel safe.
Morelli saw me but didn't attempt to approach me. Joe was talking to an attractive blond I recognized as Tenessa from the local hospital emergency room. She was the latest victim of Lester's one-night stands. I like Tenessa, she's a very kind woman and always talked to me whenever one of my Merry Men went to the hospital.
"I'll be right back, Hector. I need to use the washroom," I whispered. He followed me to ensure I was safe. The second I entered the washroom, Morelli locked the door behind us.
"Hello, is anyone there?" I heard Tenessa ask as she opened the door to her stall.
Before I could say anything, Morelli punched me in the stomach. "Oomph," I sighed and fell to the floor and clutched my stomach.
"What the hell, Joe. Are you fucking crazy?" Tenessa shouted. She blocked Joe from exiting and used her phone to place a 911 call. "Hi, can you send an ambulance to Hoppers Bar? Stephanie Ramsey. She's pregnant. Hurry," she said before hanging up.
Hector banged on the door, asking us to unlock the door.
I was crying as I held my stomach, hoping my baby was safe. It didn't take Hector long to pick the lock to gain entry to the washroom. He grabbed Joe and restrained him with the cuffs from his belt.
Michael sat on the floor and pulled me onto his lap. "Jace is okay, Anie. I've got you," he whispered.
"Would you like to press charges?" officer Brooks asked.
"Yes," I cried. "He's a Trenton New Jersey police detective," I warned.
"I don't care if he's the pope. Assault is a crime," Brooks responded. She gathered all my personal information and let me leave in the ambulance. "I'll visit you in the hospital for your formal statement."
Michael and Tenessa jumped into the back of the ambulance with me. Both EMTs were male, so Tenessa pulled the 'gender' card as her reason to be with me.
"Why would Joe do that to you?" Tenessa asked.
"Same reason for breaking my nose. He's angry because I'm not his wife," I replied.
"Abusive asshole. Does your stomach still hurt?" she asked.
"Not too much now. I'm not cramping," I replied.
"That's good." She grabbed the stethoscope hanging on the medic cart.
"Hey, don't lose those," Caleb yelled from the front.
"Bite me, Caleb," she snapped. "Let me listen for a minute." She placed the cold stethoscope to my abdomen and moved it around. I saw her smile when she found his heartbeat. "Give a listen," she pulled the stethoscope from her ears and gently placed them in mine. "The quick beats are your son's heartbeat and the whooshing sound is your heartbeat."
"Thank you," I said as I pulled the stethoscope from my ears. Michael had to listen to our son too. He needed the reassurance our son was alright.