Hi Guys

I'm afraid this chapter is a bit short, but VERY sweet and it stops just where it needs to (so no whinging about the chapter's length, ok?!)

Or does it?!

hmmm?

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Mama Manoso's party was in full swing now that the guest of honour had arrived and people were dancing to the music from the live band while they waited for the food to be served. Canapes had been handed round in generous quantity already so hoards of the guests had rushed to the temporary dance floor in an attempt to use up some calories so they wouldn't feel guilty when they hit the buffet later.

While the music pulsed and throbbed and bodies gyrated and undulated in time with a lively salsa, Ranger, swigging from his beer bottle periodically and looked on stoically.

"How's it hangin', Batman?" Lula asked as she wandered over, disturbing his silent vigil.

She'd been standing with Tank and Les and the three of them had been surreptitiously watching him for a few minutes before she decided to go and annoy him. As far as she was concerned, he needed to get the stick outta his ass and chill. Pining for his Babe was not going to bring her back and while she was pissed at how White Girl had fallen off the face of the planet, she completely understood her need to disappear. Didn't mean she didn't miss her though.

Ranger turned his face to look her and studied her blankly before taking a long pull of his beer and turning back to his audience.

Ignoring his indifference she tried again. "I miss her too." She whispered even as she slid her hand round his and squeezed gently.

Startled by the revelation and the fact that someone was actually touching him for the first time in a very long time, he squeezed back and whispered almost too softly for her to hear he replied. "I fucked up, Lu and I don't know how to fix it."

Lester had never really seen what it was about Tank's brash and over powering fiancée that appealed until a moment later when he watched Ranger turn and embrace Lula in a giant bear hug.

"She's something else, ain't she?" Tank said proudly as they both watched the interaction. A couple of minutes later the pair broke away and Lula put her palms either side of his face as she said something profound to Ranger. What ever it was made him nod his head and take a visible deep breath all the while looking her straight in the eye.

Moments later like smoke, he was gone and Lula wandered thoughtfully back to the very stunned Rangemen who had just been joined by Celia.

"What was all that about, Hun?" Tank asked curiously.

"He's still so in love with her, Tankie. He blames hisself…"

"And so he should." Lester added emphatically with a nod as he crossed his arms, scanning the area for his cousin.

"Who?! And who is he still in love with?" Celia piped up.

"Batman and Wonder Woman." Lula replied.

Celia looked non-plussed.

"Carlos and Steph." Tank translated.

"Ah!" Celia replied, now understanding who they were talking about. "Thought I saw him earlier. He still here? What happened to their marriage. I thought they were a sure thing after Scrog." she added.

Tank and Lester gave each other a knowing look. Tank nodded and Lester began his tail of woe…

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Sitting down on the sofa, Steph tucked her daughter under her arm to hug her close to her side and kissed her hair gently before picking up her pocket book and pulling out a slightly dog eared c6 envelope.

"What ya got, Mama?" Charlie asked as she looked up at her Mom who was blinking back tears. "Don' cry, Mama! S'gonna be OK!" she added as she quickly knelt up and pulled her mother's face to her own with her little pudgy fingers.

"I know, Beautiful child." She replied as she gazed deeply into her daughter's innocent eyes. How could she tell her? Would she understand? Taking a deep breath she pulled Charlie onto her lap and tipped four photos carefully into her hand.

"Don't touch, Sweetie" She commanded softly. "I'll get you copies, but these are all I have left. If they get damaged I have no more."

Charlie made as if to protest. "Shh, just look." Steph commanded gently as she held the first one before her.

"This was your Daddy and I on our wedding day in Hawaii." She explained.

They were on a beautiful beach with a large expanse of white sand. There were palm trees in the distance and in the corner of the picture was part of a gazebo covered in white organza and decorated in white, gold and traces of pale pink Hawaiian Plumeria.

The man was holding her bridal style in his outstretched arms and pretending to drop her into the waves that lapped round his feet. His pant legs were rolled up to mid calf, the sleeves of his linen shirt were rolled up slightly, showing off his muscular forearms and his long dark hair was tied back off his face. He looked like he didn't have a care in the world.

Charlie touched his face gently. "so pretty." She said softly as she gazed at his playful countenance.

Steph's hair was dancing in the breeze and she was obviously screaming with laughter as she protested against the idle threat he was making. Her arms clasped round his broad shoulders as she fought to keep the pale blue, gauzy fabric of her dress dry.

"Mommy you so…happy." Charlie stated once she'd found the elusive word she needed. "Why you not looked like that now? You always so sad." She added as she knelt up again and patted her mother's cheek.

Steph leaned into her daughter's palm even as she closed her hand round it. "I'm not always sad. You make me so very happy…" she added as she dropped the photos on the coffee table by her knees, a devious look and grin spreading across her face.

"Oh no! My fingers are all itchy, I need to tickle something!" she growled out playfully as she lunged at Charlie who was now giggling and scrabbling to escape. For several minutes, childish peals of laughter and squeals of delight hung in the air before they collapsed in an out of breath but happy heap back on the sofa.

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Celia looked thoughtful as she considered what the trio had told her. Lester was the main narrator but Lula and Tank had their own information to impart as well.

"Holy fuck!" she eventually blurted softly out as she looked from face to face. "What a complete mess! No wonder my baby brother is even more closed off than ever. Are we totally sure no one knows where she went?" She added even as she had a lightbulb moment.

"Hang on…" she said, holding her index finger up. "Just gonna go grab someone…" she added before disappearing into the throng.

The others looked at each other in confusion then turned their heads as Celia returned, dragging Tio Lucas behind her.

"No so fast, young lady!" he gasped out "Where's the fire?" he added with a chortle before coming up short before the trio, any further laughter dying on his lips in confusion.

"Tio, you know Lester but can I introduce you to Tank and Lula?" she asked rhetorically.

They both said hello but before they asked any questions as to why he'd been dragged over, Celia asked them to repeat what they'd just told her.

One they'd finished, Celia looked at her uncle again. "So, Tio, you know something, don't you?" she asked for the second time in 24 hours...

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Dun, dun derrr...

So what will Lucas say? Has he seen sworn to secrecy by his Mom?

All will be revealed

Soon...

(Insert evil laugh here)