Chapter 32

I explained the situation to Eddie. He promised to contact the chief to inform him of my nieces' location. "Do you have a copy of Valerie's will?" Eddie asked.

"Yes. Albert included it with the other documents. She assigned guardianship to you and Shirley," I read.

"Damn," he sighed. "We don't have room for the girls. My salary at TPD wouldn't cover the cost of a larger home."

"It's okay, Eddie. The girls are staying with my cousin Vince and his wife, Celia. We can file for temporary placement. When is the funeral?" I asked.

"Yesterday," he replied. "Your grandma Mazur didn't want the girls to suffer any longer than necessary."

"When was the accident?" I wondered.

"The day before the funeral," he stated.

"Not enough time to notify everyone," I mumbled.

Ranger sat beside me as he handed me a receipt from Stiva's funeral home. I was about to ask Eddie who paid for the funeral. The receipt indicated Rangeman Trenton covered the funeral costs.

"Thanks, Eddie. Remember to tell your boss. I would hate for anyone to think the girls were kidnapped or ran away from home," I said, winding down our conversation.

"We'll talk soon, Steph. Take care of yourself and the girls. Bye," he said before ending the call.

"Why?" I asked Ranger as I held up the receipt.

"Edna opened an account to pay for the funeral in instalments. Neither Helen nor Valerie had a life insurance policy. Albert abandoned Angie and Mary Alice. It's more than Edna would be able to pay. I paid the fees for the girls," he replied.

"Thank you, Carlos. You're an amazing and generous man."

"Babe," he sighed.

Ranger held my hand as I made the difficult call to child protection services. I didn't want to call, but it was necessary. We needed to ensure the girls would remain in Vince's custody.

Tarin Palmer promised to push through the paperwork then visit the girls in the morning. "Steph, I have your back. Nobody will take the girls from Vince. If his household doesn't meet the requirements, I'll recommend the girls live with you and Michael," she reassured me.

"Thank you, Tarin. I appreciate everything you can do to help my nieces. I'll talk to you tomorrow," I said before ending the call. "Two calls down. I need to contact a lawyer."

"Vince already contacted our Rangeman lawyer," Carlos stated. "He's requesting interim custody."

"Oh. I assumed Michael and I were taking the girls," I responded.

"Babe, you're raising two babies. Let Vince and Celia help," he kindly added.

"Okay. When can I hold Ric?" I asked, changing the subject.

Tenessa entered the room. She placed Ric into my arms as she asked, "How about now?" My handsome godson buried his face into my neck. "He loves his Tia Steph."

"I love him too," I said before kissing his head. His body went rigid before he started grunting. "I think he's filling his diaper for you, Carlos."

"Babe," he groaned. When Ric stopped grunting, Ranger removed him from my arms. "I'm borrowing the baby changing table," he announced as he walked towards the stairs.

"Batman changes his diapers?" I asked.

"He does. I love watching him with Ric. Carlos does everything possible to help while he's home. He handles the nighttime feedings. I've watched him bathe Ric and read him stories at bedtime. He's an amazing father. It's a shame he missed out when Julie was a baby," she replied.

"It's alright," Julie said, startling us. "Dad was fighting for our freedom. Besides, he gets to enjoy all those smelly diapers now," she joked.

Julie wiggled between Tenessa and me. We were against her sides. She gave a contented sigh as she rested her hair on my shoulder. "What's on your mind?" I asked.

"Dad told me about Mary Alice and Angie's mom. Are they going to be okay?" she asked.

"I think so," I replied. "Mary Alice and Angie are staying with Tio Vince and Tia Celia tonight. Angie's a year older than you. Mary Alice is a year younger."

"So they're fifteen and thirteen, respectively," she stated.

"Mmhm," I agreed.

"Will they go to Catholic or private high school?" Julie wondered.

"Probably Catholic, if we can find a place. They're transferring mid-term. It will be a challenge to get Angie into the same courses," I replied.

"What about Mary Alice?"

"She'll attend Celia's school," Tenessa answered.

"Was their offer accepted?" Julie asked.

"It was. Vince and Celia will be moving across the road next month," I replied.

Julie barely suppressed her excitement. "Sweet! I want all of my uncles to live near us."

Tenessa laughed as she said, "Of course you do, sweetie."

I heard soft singing over Livie's baby monitor. Using my phone, I opened the app to view inside her room. Carlos was holding Ric in his right arm, Liv in his left. Both babies were staring at him, smiling. He was singing a Spanish lullaby. I pressed the record button so we could listen to his song again.

"Awe. They're falling asleep," Tenessa pointed out.

"He's a good dad," Julie added.

"I like seeing this side of him," I stated. Julie and Tenessa agreed.

Our family is unconventional. Tenessa, Celia and I act more like sisters than best friends. I rarely see Jasmine and Alexandria. At one time, we were inseparable. Now the only time I see Jasmine is when I give birth or have a medical emergency. Jasmine is the department head of obstetrics. Alexandria lives in Trenton. Visits with Alex only happens a couple of times a year.

I don't know what I would have done without Tenessa and Celia. They've been my rock. When I need comfort, they embrace me. If I need to talk, they lend an ear. My Merry Men are supportive too, but sometimes you need the feminine touch.

Ranger descended the stairs. "Time for bed, Julie," he stated. "Liv's sleeping, Babe." He kissed my forehead before leaving with his family.

Michael held out his hand towards me. He guided me off the couch to hug me. I stood to the side as Michael prepared the bed. "Just a few more days, Anie," he promised.

"I know. Remember to turn up the monitors," I said as I pulled off my yoga pants. "Thanksgiving is just around the corner."

"Where are we celebrating this year?" Michael asked.

"Tenessa and Celia are hosting," I replied. It was unnecessary to say it would be in Ranger's house.

Four weeks after surgery, I was allowed to complete light activities. Michael and the men wouldn't let me lift Livie. I wasn't supposed to carry more than 20 lbs. Livie only weighs 16 lbs. Jace weighs 25 lbs, meaning I couldn't lift him for a few more weeks.

"It's been so long," I complained. My hormones were on a rampage. I wanted to strip my husband bare and make love to him all night long.

"A few more weeks, Anie," Michael reminded me. "Patience."

We climbed from our bed to use the main floor shower Ranger thoughtfully added during the house renovations. "I still can't believe Ranger expanded our washroom," I mumbled.

"It came in handy," Michael stated. "Is Hector with the children?"

"He's feeding them breakfast," I replied. "We have a few minutes." I took care of my husband's urgent needs. He cautiously took care of my needs, making sure to avoid penetration. "Thank you," I whispered.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"Alright. Ask me again in a few hours," I replied, all joking aside.

I dressed in the clothes Michael selected from our room. "When do Vince and Celia go to family court?" Michael asked.

"Today," I replied. "I was hoping we would take Mary Alice and Angie."

"Me too, but they're still within the family," he reminded me.

"I know. Grandma Mazur will be moving here after she settles Valerie and Helen's estates."

"Do they have estates to settle?" Michael asked.

"Valerie left everything to Kloughn. Helen left everything to Valerie, Mary Alice and Angie. Grandma wants to ensure Angie and Mary Alice receive what rightly belongs to them," I answered.

"Does she have a lawyer?"

"I asked Mateo if Stew Carter could oversee her claim on behalf of the girls," I replied.

"Stew will ensure the girls receive their inheritance."

I sat in the main floor office to catch up on my Rangeman responsibilities. As I finished my report for the new client, Celia and Vince entered the house. "We got the girls!" Celia shouted.

"Congrats!" I shouted from my office.

She ran into my office to hug me. "You don't mind, do you? Vince and I never considered your feelings," she apologized.

"Are the girls happy?" I asked.

"Yes."

"Did you give them everything they need?"

"We have," Celia replied.

"Will you love them as though they are your daughters?" I wondered.

"I do," she said before giggling. "It feels like you're officiating a wedding."

"Ya, I am," I joked.

"Vince and I love the girls. You and Michael need to spend most of your time and energy on Jace and Liv. We can't have children. Raising Angie and Mary Alice allows us to have our own family," she explained.

"Then I'm happy for you and Vince," I responded honestly. "Have either of them told you about their biological father?"

"No," she said while shaking her head. I spent the next hour telling her everything dad and grandma Mazur mentioned about the girls. "My poor babies," Celia cried. "I wondered why they have such low self-esteem."

"Has the judge recommended therapy?" I asked.

"Tarin mentioned it was likely," she replied. "She said we should consider hiring a therapist."

"Julie saw a therapist after her kidnapping," I reminded her. "I think it would help the girls."

"I'll take your word for it," Celia stated. "The girls could use all the help and support we could offer."

"You're a great mother figure to the girls. I'm so glad you and Vince decided to raise them. Thank you for everything you've done for my family," I said as a tear streamed down my cheek.

"Steph, you're an amazing woman. You make me want to be a better person. Angie and Mary Alice are my family too. They are Vince's second cousins. Since I'm married to Vince, they are my cousins. I love them as much as I love you and your children," she said as tears streamed down her face.

"I told you she would break my wife," I heard Michael whisper loud enough for us to hear.

"Steph broke my wife," Vince argued.

"We broke each other," Celia and I said simultaneously.

Vince's phone chimed. "Celia, we need to pick up the girls from Uncle Frank's house," he stated.

"Right. Angie has dance lessons tonight. Thank you for showing me how easy it can be," she said before leaving. I watched Celia and Vince rush from the house.

Michael wrapped his arm around me before leaning in for a kiss. Livie's cry sounded over the baby monitor. I gave him a passionate kiss before Binkie arrived with Livie.

"She wants her momma," Binkie announced.

"Give me a minute to sit on the couch," I said. Michael held my hand as I walked towards the couch. I wanted to carry Livie, but Binkie wouldn't pass her to me.

Sighing, I sat on the couch and held out my arms. Binkie finally placed my daughter into my arms. He went into the kitchen to prepare her food. We started feeding her puréed fruit and vegetables. Livie loves puréed pears and applesauce.

She doesn't like puréed bananas or mashed bananas. I would say she doesn't like bananas. "Why doesn't she like bananas?" Binkie asked.

"Liv takes after her mother," Michael answered.

"You don't like bananas, Steph?" Binkie was surprised.

"Nope. Not even in banana bread," I replied.

"We even tried adding a small piece into her morning cereal. She spits it out every time," Michael said. "Jace, however, loves bananas."

"What else do you hate?" Binkie asked. "You know, for future reference."

"Black olives. Corned Beef. Liver," I said while gagging.

"Noted," he said as he laughed. "Was it the liver?"

"Was what the liver?" I asked.

"That made you gag," he clarified.

"Definitely. I don't like the smell, taste or texture," I replied. "There isn't enough gravy in the world to cover that horrible taste."

"Do you think Liv would like liver?" Binkie wondered.

"Who knows? She's too young to try it," I reminded him as I crossed my fingers. Knowing my friend, he would google when she could eat that foul food.

Binkie grabbed his phone to google when children could try meats. "She's seven months, right?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied.

He smiled before calling Ella. I heard him ask Ella to make puréed liver for Liv to try. Hector arrived for his shift with the jar of puréed liver for Livie. Binkie tried to prove his point but failed miserably.

Just like her mother, Livie gagged when she ate the liver. I was proud of my little girl.

Binkie gave Jace a taste of puréed liver. He begged for more. When Livie spits the next spoonful of puréed liver in Binkie's face, I laughed. "Stop trying to feed her liver. She doesn't like it," I stated. He finally gave up and fed the rest of the liver to Jace.

We spent Thanksgiving with our friends and family. Angie and Mary Alice loved the dynamics of everyone in attendance. It was nice to see them so relaxed. Tenessa and Ranger were the perfect hosts.

Celia cooked the turkey to perfection. Angie whispered, "The turkey is very moist. Grandma always made it dry."

"You don't need to use as much gravy," I joked.

"It's not as tough as shoe leather," Mary Alice added.

Dad stifled a laugh as he grabbed another piece of turkey. Ranger grabbed a few slices and mashed potatoes to purée for Liv and Ric.

He fed the babies as we finished eating our meals. Ranger is a doting father. Watching him feed my daughter and his son showed me a side of him I enjoyed seeing.

I looked around the table at my family, both biological and chosen. We were blessed to have a loving family.

Lory and Curt were missing from the table. They have an exam tomorrow. I knew they would be home for Christmas.