Ranger

"looks like it's just us this morning" I said to Gabriella

"where did Stephanie go?"

"she went to the bonds office"

"okay, can I go to school today?"

"not today we are working on what school you will go to"

" I miss my friends" She puts her head down on the table.

I think I know where this is going. "do you missing your parents?" she nods. I hear her starting to cry. I go and pick her up "it's okay to miss them, why haven't you said anything?" she cuddles in my shoulder

" I didn't want Stephanie to hate me"

I would never admit it but my heart broke a little at those words.

"she could never hate you"

She sniffles against my shirt getting shot on it. I will have to change it.

"you okay?" she nods "Stephanie is my mommy now"

"she is your mother but it it's okay to love your mommy and Stephanie"

"are you going to be my daddy now?"

"No but I will be your friend and I will be helping Stephanie with you" she looks at me

"will you be my best friend?" she asked

I give her a smile

"I promise now I have to go change my shirt so we will have to go up to my floor okay?"

She nods and take my hand to the elevator. She sit on my couch as I go into my room. I should tell babe to talk to her about her parents. It will make her feel better even though it is uncomfortable. I put on the new shirt. "Come let's go downstairs"

She takes my hand and we go to the elevator to go downstairs. "there is my baby" I hear Lester say as soon as we get off "I heard we have you all day I have some much planned, let's go into the city and the zoo"

"I want her to stay in this building"

"that's no fun" he pouted

"she is to remain here unless her mother or I says go"

"okay papa bear I will play along for now"

"can I have juice?" Gabriella asked

"of course we keep some in our stash" he picks her up and leaves with that.

I go into my office, about ten minutes later Tank walks in.

"I am sure Lester would kidnap the kid if he didn't think you would kill him"

"He is not stupid"

"No but she is a cutie"

"is that why you are here?"

He nodded "I got her an interview later this week for a gifted school in the city"

I nodded "good she asked me about school this morning"

"I will put some educational games and what not on a tablet for her to play to see if that may entertain her for a little bit"

"good I will talk to babe about the schools"

"You know what she is going to say"

"I know but this is what is best for Gabriella"

He nods "it is but it is Stephanie's choice"

"she will agree"

"If you say so boss"