Stephanie

I yawn as I stretch awake. Yesterday was fun but I need to check in the office today. I go into my kitchen and see Ranger already sitting at my table

"ever heard of knocking?" I tease him

he raises an eyebrow but says nothing

"so what's up?"

"I set up a meeting for an advance school for Gabriella today"

I nod and get a cup of coffee off of the tray sitting in front of him

"when did you set this up, also where is it?"

"It is in Manhattan, and I had Tank look into schools"

"isn't that a bit far for a school?"

"we can arrange for one of my men to drive her back and forth each day but it is an overnight school"

"what?"

"I'm not suggesting that she stays there, I am sure the men would commit a munity"

I laugh

"I would miss you"

I take a drink of my coffee

"how much is this school"

"I will take care of that"

"its bad enough that you refuse to let me pay rent, you shouldn't pay for her school"

he huffs but passes me a pamphlet of this school.

"they teach some of the most gifted children in the world at this school"

I nod as I read it over

"let me guess it is a if you have to ask you can't afford types"

he nods. I put it down

"I do not think I want her off in the city by herself"

I have been thinking about what she said to me yesterday

"what do you know about the people who adopted her?"

"you do not know?"

"it was a closed adoption, I didn't want to know then"

he pulls out his phone and reads from it

"Olivia Grace Williams was a law professor at Stanford, she was 58 years old, Gabriella was her only child. Jacob Thomas Williams was 60, had three children from a previous marriage. He was an oral surgeon until he retired six years ago. In his twenties he was arrested for a DUI but it was settled out of court. He had no issues after medical school. They adopted Gabriella when she was 18 months"

"wait 18 months? They were assigned to adopt her from my womb"

he continued to read the file

"actually no, another family was set to adopted her, some family from Switzerland apparently. Tank didn't mention that when he told me"

he reads over it

"so who did I sign my child to?"

"well you would have agreed to give her to an adoption agency"

I sigh

"she told me that her parents went to the ocean but they never took her"

I push the pamphlet

"thank you for setting this up but I am going to send her to a local school"

"Babe making her go to a public school could be a mistake, she is a genius and needs to be stimulated"

I fold my arms over my chest

"I'm not going to send her to some school, I am going to keep her and give her a normal child hood and if I am making a mistake then at least I knew I am doing what I believe is the bets for my daughter"

"it's your choice"

I nod and drink the rest of my coffee

"I don't want her to feel that I am just sending her away, i need to look into a daycare though, she will not start school for a year"

he nods

"would you like my help?"

I nod

"I am grateful you did this for her"

he nods

"I know"

"Ranger!"

Gabriella runs out and hugs him

"how was the beach, Lester said you taught him all about sharks"

he pulls her into his lap

"yes Lester didn't know much but I know a lot"

he smiles at her

"maybe next time I can come to"

he gives her a smile

"that would be fun right mommy?"

I nod and smile

"it would be"

We hear a knock on the door

"I brought breakfast" said Ella walking in with another try

"I have oatmeal and fruit for you young lady to get you started"

"Thank you Ella"

"and I got eggs for you"

She puts a plate in front of me

"thanks Ella but I could have made breakfast for us"

she smiles

"it don't mind, see you later"

she nods to Ranger and leaves

"we are going to see Connie and Lula today" I say to Gabby

"great"

she eats her food quickly

"go get dressed"

she hops off Ranger

"and brush your teeth"

I call after her. Ranger gets up

"I will see you later babe"

"see you later"

he leaves with that. I swallow the rest of my breakfast. I also should go see my mother. I want Gabby to have a relationship with her grandparents I just don't want her to be extremely involved. I know my mother will be happy to see her. I can't let my feelings come between them. I get dressed quickly and head out for my day.