Chapter 26

The OB/Gyn on call confirmed my baby didn't suffer as a result of the assault. He was furious someone would deliberately hurt a pregnant woman. "You are a lucky woman. If he had punched you a few inches lower, he could have caused the placenta to detach," he said as the image appeared on the sonogram. "From the tenderness on your abdomen, this is where he punched you." He pointed to the area three inches away from the place where Jace was attached.

A shudder ripped through my body as I thought of losing my son. "If he punched a little lower, could I have lost Jace?" I asked.

"It's a possibility. Your son is safe. I would like you to rest for a few days and no lifting anything more than five pounds. When is your next prenatal appointment?" he asked.

"Not for another few weeks," I replied.

"I would like you to follow up with your doctor next week," he added. "Take care of yourself, Mrs. Ramsey." He left Michael and me in the examination room. Michael helped me dress so we could update the men waiting for us in the waiting room.

"Why was Morelli in Miami?" I asked Ranger when we entered the waiting room.

"Visiting a friend," he replied. "My godson?"

"Jace is fine. I just need to rest for a few days," I replied.

Ranger nodded. I could tell he was brooding. Anything I say wouldn't get him to relax. He hugged me and stroked my abdomen before leaving the room.

Hector wrapped his left arm around my waist. He gently touched my baby bump before he kissed my cheek and followed Ranger. Every man took a turn to hug me, kiss my cheek and rub my baby bump.

"I'll call the kids," Celia stated. "They will want to know."

"Thanks, Celia. I appreciate your help," I stated. "Let them know I'll video chat with them when I get home."

"I will. Take care of my godson," she stated.

"Is it my imagination? Did Ranger and Celia appoint themselves as godparents to Jace?" I asked Michael as I sat in the wheelchair.

"Sounds that way to me. Who are Lory and Curts godparents?"

"Celia and Mateo are Lory's godparents. André and Jasmine are Curt's godparents. I assigned godparents when they were seven," I replied.

"Are you alright with their godparent claims?" he asked as he pushed my wheelchair towards the SUV parked near the door.

"Yes, I'm fine with it. I was planning to ask Celia and Carlos anyways," I confessed.

"I was sure you would ask Hector," he added as he helped me into the car.

"If my baby happens to be a girl, I would choose Hector. She'll have two godfathers, no godmother," I shared my thought as he sat in the driver's seat.

"We'll have another one after Jace is born?" he asked hopefully.

"Definitely," I replied. "Lory and Curt want a younger brother and sister. Since this pregnancy is a single child, we'll have to try again."

"How soon after Jace is born?" he wondered.

"As soon as the doctor clears me for sex," I replied. His face paled slightly; I had to laugh. "Michael, after a woman gives birth, they are told to wait a minimum of six weeks before having sex."

"What are your thoughts on Cassidy and Ranger?" he asked, effectively changing the subject.

"I like her, but she looks too similar to me. I've warned her regarding pushing Ranger too much. She seemed to be receptive, but what she says and what she does aren't in alignment. Do they have a future together? I doubt it," I replied.

"She's been asking the men about Ranger too," he stated.

"Ranger is not going to be happy. He's a very private man. If word gets back to Ranger, I expect he'll end their relationship."

"Julie likes her, but she doesn't like Cassidy for her father. She wants him to find a better match," Michael stated.

"By the way, where is Jules?" I wondered.

"With Mateo and Alexandria. When we received the text, Mateo said he'd stay with her until Alex arrived," he replied.

"She must be worried about me." I didn't like worrying Julie.

"I imagine she would be. Celia was heading to our house so she would put Julie at ease," he wisely stated.

"It's important for me to talk to all three children. Simultaneously would work best," I said.

We drove the last block home in silence. I was thinking about Ranger and Cassidy. Julie and I need to talk about her feelings. So much is happening that she must be getting anxious. Her therapist said she was making good progress that she sees her once every other week now.

Julie was bouncing on the balls of her feet when we parked in the driveway. I knew she wanted to run to me and throw her arms around me, but she knew I needed to be careful. "Hey, Jules," I said when Michael helped me from the SUV.

"I was so scared, mama," she said as she grabbed my hand. "Tia Celia has Lory and Curt on video chat."

"Oh, good. I love Celia," I stated honestly.

"She loves you too," Julie replied. "I was going to ask if you're okay, but you should tell all of us at the same time."

"When did you get so wise?" I asked.

"Since I started staying here with you," she replied.

"Good answer," I joked. I sat on the couch beside Celia. She shifted the screen so I could see Lory and Curt. "Hey, babies."

"Hi, mom. I heard what happened at the bar. Are you okay?" Lory asked.

"I'm alright. Little Jace is fine too. The doctor ordered me to rest for a few days and no lifting anything over five pounds," I answered. I removed the new sonogram image and held it for them to see. "You can see his nose," I said while pointing at his nose.

"Can you scan and send it to me?" Lory asked.

"Sure. I'll send it to you later," I promised. "I'm sorry, but I'm exhausted."

"It's okay, mom. Go to bed and take care of baby Jace," Curt stated.

"I love you," Lory and Curt said simultaneously.

"I love you too, babies," I reciprocated. Michael led me to our bedroom while Celia and Julie continued talking to my twins.

We laid in bed. I was lying on my left side with my head on Michael's shoulder. A familiar knock sounded on our bedroom door. "Enter, Carlos," I called out. I was too exhausted to move.

He entered the room and looked at my husband for a visual cue. I felt Michael nod his head, giving Ranger permission to approach me. The bed dipped as Carlos laid on the bed behind me.

His arm draped over my hip as his hand rested on my protruding belly. "Morelli will not get out of jail this time," he stated.

"Are you sure?" I had to ask.

"Positive. Judge Marconi and ADA Marconi do not have jurisdiction in Miami. Neither is licensed to practice law in Florida. Enzo filed complaints on our behalf. An advisory committee on judicial conduct is investigating Justice Marconi. ADA Marconi is under investigation by the office of public integrity and accountability. I heard there are several complaints filed against each man," he informed us.

"Could they lose their license to practice law?" Michael asked.

"It's a high possibility," he replied.

"Not a sure thing," I added.

"Nothing in life is a sure thing," he stated. "Can we talk about Cassidy?"

I shifted my position until I was laying almost flat on my back to see Ranger's face. Michael repositioned the pillow and his arm to make me more comfortable. "What are you thinking?" I asked.

"It isn't working."

"Okay. You should end your relationship before Cassidy gets too attached," I stated.

"She's not the same person I first met," he confessed.

"Let me guess, she keeps asking personal details you're not willing to share," I replied. "She gave you a few days of reprieve before asking you again."

He nodded. "Babe, she isn't the woman for me."

"I know she isn't. You'll find someone better suited to you soon. Keep the faith," I said as I brushed the hair from his face.

"You look tired. I'll be in my apartment with Julie if you need anything," he said before he kissed my forehead.

"Good night, Carlos. I love you," I called out.

"Te amo, Babe," he said before closing the door behind him.

Michael rolled me until I was facing him again. I shifted until I was comfortable. He lifted my right leg and hooked it across his thighs. "Better?" he asked.

"Much. Thank you for being you, Michael," I replied. "I love you more than ever."

"I love you, Anie," he reciprocated. It didn't take long for me to fall asleep.

Michael was kissing my baby bump when I woke up. I smiled when he talked to my stomach. He climbed from bed and opened our bedroom door.

"Mama," I heard Julie call from the base of the stairs. "Breakfast is ready."

Chatter filtered throughout the house. I followed Michael to the kitchen for breakfast. "I hope you don't mind me stopping by."

"Not at all. We practically have an open-door policy," I joked. Michael and I were used to the men dropping in whenever they wanted.

"I wanted to check on you before I started my shift," she replied.

I checked my watch, "You're late."

She laughed before telling me, "I told my supervisor I was doing a house call. How are you and the baby today?"

"We're good. No cramps or spotting," I replied.

"Do you mind?" she asked while pointing to my stomach.

"Not at all," I replied and led her to the couch. She lifted my shirt to feel my stomach. I flinched a little when she pressed above the baby bump.

"Take it easy today," she stated. "I want to see this little man when you have him. Have you named him already?"

"His name is Jace Michael Ramsey," I replied.

She held out an arm to pull me off the couch. We entered the kitchen when I felt her freeze. Carlos was grabbing a plate of food shirtless. His damp hair was loose around his shoulder.

"He is gorgeous," she whispered as she checked out Ranger's body. "Very nice."

"Morning, Carlos," I greeted.

Ranger lifted his head and smiled at her. I could see the sparks between them. "Hi, I'm Tenessa," she introduced.

"Carlos, but everyone calls me Ranger," he replied. Tenessa reached towards him to shake his hand. When they touched, I could feel the energy permeate through the air.

"I need to get going," she said as she continued holding Ranger's hand.

"I'll walk you out," he replied.

"She's pretty," Julie stated. "I heard her knock on the door while I was making breakfast. She wanted to make sure you and Jace were okay. It was a surprise when she offered to help me cook."

"Tenessa went to the hospital with me last night. She saw what happened to me," I confessed.

"I hope she dates dad," she said while tapping her bottom lip.

"She was… dating Lester," Michael chimed into the conversation.

"Whatever," Julie shrugged. "It wouldn't be the first time they dated the same woman."

"Don't set them up until you talk to Lester," I warned her.

Julie gave me a wicked grin as she pulled her phone from her back pocket. "Hey, Uncle Les," she greeted before putting the call on speaker.

"Yo, Jules. What's up?" he asked.

"Tenessa helped me cook breakfast for mama. She's very nice and pretty. Do you mind if she dates daddy?"

"Not at all. I'm not overly interested," Les answered.

"If she dates daddy, would you pursue her?"

"No, she isn't my type," he stated.

"Isn't there some kind of bro-code you follow?" Julie asked.

"Yes, but she doesn't fit the category since we didn't technically… date."

"She was more of a one-and-done woman for you?" I heard Julie ask.

"Jules," I whispered. "That was kind of rude."

"I know, mama, but I need to be sure," she said loud enough for Les to hear.

"You could say that. If your dad wants to date her, I'm all for it. I've got to go, Jules. The barista just called my order," he said as I heard the barista call out a triple venti half-sweet non-fat caramel macchiato.

"We have to tease him about his Starbucks order," I told Julie when she ended the call.

"Operation set up papa with Tenessa has begun," she said before laughing maniacally.

Julie told me why she felt Tenessa was a better fit for Carlos. She was more relaxed than Cassidy. Tenessa offered to help cook and let Julie talk without being prodded. "You're saying the conversation was easy and more natural?" I asked.

"Exactly. Don't get me wrong, I like Cassidy, but she acts very possessively around dad. She didn't try to converse with me. It's like she didn't care about me. Did you know she said I should visit with Rachel and Ron?" Julie went from good feelings to irate.

"Sweetie, Cassidy lost her husband during a mission. She probably wishes Dax had the chance to know his dad. I'm sure she means well," I stated, not believing a word I said.

"Dax is my best friend, but he expressed concerns regarding his mom's obsession with dad. Their relationship isn't healthy for any of us," she added. Julie bit her bottom lip before saying, "Cassidy needs to move on."

"She's not the woman for him," I agreed. I needed to have a conversation with her. Maybe she would be open to relocating to Trenton, Boston or Atlanta.