My mother and father knocked on the door. "Do you want me to stay?" said Grant in a whisper.

"Do you mind?" I said. I looked at him in a bit of a panic.

He patted me on the shoulder and gestured them in, then moved off the bed and sat on the chair beside me.

"Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad. Do you remember Grant?" I said. "Grant sat with me while I was sleeping, and he just finished getting me ready for dinner."

"We were hoping to talk to you for a few minutes", said my mother. "Would this be a good time?"

I smiled. "This would be a great time."

My mom sighed and paused, then took a deep breath. "Why didn't you tell us about Dickie?"

"Not much to tell. When I was married to him, he was verbally abusive, threw things constantly at me, belittled me, and Val told me recently that not only did he have several affairs, one of the people he slept with was Val. However, when I found him with Joyce Barnhardt I yelled back. It was the first time I had yelled back instead of cowering, and he hit me. I left. But you always had space for me and I always had my bedroom. You had always made sure that I knew that I could go home. So I did, and you let me stay, no questions asked, and you made sure that I knew you loved me and that you had my back. The next day Dad helped me remove all my things. I didn't want people to feel sorry for me like I was afraid that you and dad would, and I didn't want people to say that I deserved it, like Val would. So I just kept that part of what happened a secret. I didn't tell Joe, but Ranger figured it out. Whenever something happened and I was afraid that he would yell at me, apparently I would cower. Ranger asked me outright whether Joe had hit me, and I had to tell him the truth because I didn't want him to kill Joe and he would have if he had thought that Joe had hurt me. Ranger is a little protective. Apparently when Ranger told Joe, Joe punched a hole in the wall. He was very upset. But that was when Joe and Ranger started working together and becoming good friends, so it wasn't all bad. And I don't cower any longer. I trust that, if Ranger ever hurt me, he would be devastated and it would have been a definite accident. Ranger not only cares too much about me to ever hurt me, but he also has too much self-respect to ever lose his temper like that."

"Why didn't you ever tell us about what you do?"

"I couldn't. Ranger and the team and I talked about it before you arrived, and we decided that you were good people who could keep a secret. However, everyone else other than the kids in the castle has signed a confidentiality agreement. He will probably ask you to sign one as well. I know I had to before Ranger would tell me. What I do, what we do, is a good thing, and although it isn't dangerous if everyone keeps it a secret, it could be dangerous if it got out. We work for some pretty powerful people and we do pretty big things. When we rescued the twenty-two year old from the drug lord and shut down the entire trafficking system from Panama to Nicaragua? That drug lord was a little cranky and if he figures out who we are, he will kill us all. When we stopped the KKK from blowing up a hotel and assassinating one of the greatest men of our time? I don't particularly want to be in their sights. When we saved the police officer from the most vicious gangbangers in Trenton before they finished killing him, when we stopped a drug lord who was intent upon kidnapping pregnant women and shipping them to Africa, and so on – we are working big cases with powerful people, people who don't think twice about hurting others. Ranger keeps our involvement secret from as many people as he can – partly for my safety. Don't take offence to it though. He hasn't told his family either.

"The other part about this is that, as I said, I have signed a confidentiality agreement. We are not allowed to talk about what we do to anyone, not even family. Ranger is the only person who can spill the beans without being sued into the stone age, and he is the only person who can decide who to tell and who not to tell. We know that you will protect that secret just as much as everyone else in the castle as, like everyone else, you would understand the potential ramifications. I can say that I'm a researcher, but it sounds so benign that it doesn't sound like anything important. I can say that we train and supply security guards and, again, that sounds so benign that no one gets excited about what we do. But can you imagine Grandma's reaction if she knew what we actually did? She'd be threatening Grandma Bella again. Grandma would have a field day and would ruin the fact that we are undercover. There would be big flashing lights and everyone would know. And Grandma isn't the only person in the neighborhood who is like that. The fact that Ranger told you means that he trusts you to protect me and the kids, and that is a very big compliment. He doesn't trust too many people. In his job, he can't.

"That is also why we didn't want kids. We didn't want to take the chance that they were hurt or used against us. Julie being kidnapped made a huge impression on Ranger and me, and we didn't want to take the chance that something happened to our other kids."

"Could something happen to them?"

"Yes. But although we weren't planning kids, we got pregnant with Tia. And then we weren't planning more right then and we got pregnant with the twins. And then we had a vasectomy, and I got pregnant with twins. We are happy about the hysterectomy as we figure it is the only way that we can stop having kids but, as Ranger said, if anyone could get pregnant after having a hysterectomy, he figures it will be me."

Mom and Dad and Grant laughed.

"So the kids came to us, despite our best efforts, and both of us adore them. Ranger and I are very happy that we had kids, but it is a little more challenging than having a normal kid. We talk about security risks and what to do about them all the time. They are getting good at identifying risks themselves, and we are always encouraging their observation skills and to listen to their gut. Each of the children have trackers in all their shoes that the Rangeman offices monitor. Someone watches to make sure that nothing is going funky. The kids don't know that, and they won't until they are much, much older. However, Ranger and I deal with the underbelly of society and we know what can happen. Having trackers in their shoes is how we sleep at night. Tracy has a tracker as well, and she is also monitored. She knows of her tracker. Julie started teaching them self-defence from the time that they were babies and they're very good at it. Julie knows that it's important. When she was in high school, it stopped her from being raped. When the guy started to rip off her clothes, she broke his arm. Julie is both an incredible fighter as well as an incredible teacher, and Alix especially has taken to the lessons like a duck to water. A couple of years ago, the twins were almost two, and when we were away some people who were after us entered the house we were in, picked up Tia and Alix, and threatened to kill them if we didn't do what the attackers wanted. I yelled at the kids to do a flutter-kick, and they kicked their legs as hard as they could – and kicked the men holding them in the crotch. When the men bent over in pain, I yelled at the kids to gouge out the men's eyes, which they did. Alix didn't think she was hurting the man enough though, so she also bit her attacker. And then Julie came in the room behind them and kicked out their knees. The poor kids were upset enough to wet their pants, but they were also proud of themselves for taking down the bad men. The men were frantic and asked us what the hell had happened, that they were just babies – at which point, Tia took her thumb out of her mouth and told him angrily that they weren't babies, they were big girls." My parents laughed. "And that is how the girls all became known as She-Devils to the Rangeman crew. They are also known as Rangebabies, and each person who is on the Operations team thinks of themselves as their uncle."

Grant laughed. "I remember when that happened. The girls were so proud of themselves. You had asked me to work with them to make sure they were okay, and they were a little uncertain but were largely proud. You and Ranger handled it perfectly. Ranger got a great cake saying 'congratulations', the local sheriff gave them sheriff badges, and had a formal ceremony, and you had the girls 'teach' all the soldiers the next day how to take down a bad man. And then Cindy designed the 'she-devil' shirts for the three little girls and Julie to celebrate their first takedown. They were always wearing those shirts."

I smiled. "They were so proud of them. When they grew out of them, I had them made into pillows that are now on their beds. It is one of the kids' favorite things in their rooms."

"I've seen those shirts", said my mom. "I didn't know such a story went with them."

"Those attackers thought that we weren't anything special. They didn't realize that we had ten commandos onsite, and they didn't realize that we had tiny commando babies either. They didn't know what hit them. But can you imagine if they did know? Instead of holding the babies up in the air and demanding we do what they said, they could have kidnapped the babies, or sliced their throats, or one of the other million and one things that would have put our babies in danger. I still get nightmares about that one."

Grant looked at me in concern. "That's why you are bringing them up to be strong and independent kids, Steph. That is also why you keep your activities a secret. You and your kids are going to be okay. And if someone ever took them or hurt them? Heaven help them when they are faced with Ranger's wrath." He took my pulse. "Slow it down, Steph. Deep breaths, okay?"

I took a deep breath. "I just love them so damn much."

"I know that, but more importantly, they know that. You and Ranger are incredible parents, and your kids dance through life, they are so happy."

"Ranger isn't the only worrywart."

Grant smiled. "I know. It's hard too, with Ranger getting shot in December, and then you almost dying, and your injuries this time. Everything has been serious and you and Ranger haven't been able to catch your breath very much in-between. The kids and each other are your Achilles' heel. But the thing is, Steph, that it's not just you protecting Ranger and the kids, it's you and the rest of Rangeman. And it's not just Ranger protecting you and the kids, it's Ranger and the rest of Rangeman. Just like we all came out to find Tia when she was kidnapped, we would all lay down our lives for those kids. And that means that they are better protected than any other child, probably in the whole USA. You can't let yourself worry about it."

I took a deep breath. "You're right."

My mother's phone rang, and she said, "it's Val."

I sighed and swallowed my tears.

"Show them", said Grant softly. "They'll never understand otherwise."

I looked at him, and he looked back at me steadily. I took a deep breath. "Let me talk to her. Pretend it's just me here."

"Okay?" said my mother. She handed the phone to me, and I answered the call.

"Hey, Steph", said Val. "How are you feeling?"

"I've been better. How are you?"

"You're probably making up some injuries just to stick me with Grandma. Burns aren't such a big deal."

"Okay? Grandma loves you. I'm sure she is having a wonderful time."

"Grandma is a horrible woman. She expects me to wait on her. She said that you and Ranger wait on her when she is visiting you. I can't even remember the last time that you took Grandma overnight."

"It was about a year ago. We had taken her for about two years, every Friday night, but then she started spreading rumors about the babies and we told her she had to stop spreading rumors or she couldn't come to stay. She decided spreading rumors was more fun than staying at our apartment and, quite honestly, that is her decision to make. However, I am not going to take the chance that she hurts my kids with her insensitive comments."

"So you stick me with her?"

"Val, she loves you. You can do no harm in her eyes, so don't worry about stories. That's the first thing. The second thing is that you are doing this to help Mom and Dad. They are great parents and would give you the shirt off their back if you needed it. Taking Grandma for the nights for two weeks is not a hardship."

"Mom and Dad are my fucking parents. They are supposed to do things for me."

"Really? What do you do for your kids?"

"Bitch."

"So have you found a job yet?"

"There's nothing out there."

"The last I heard, employers were having problems getting enough employees to work."

"I'm not working at some goddamned menial job. I mean, Dad worked for the post office all his life. How embarrassing was that? I had to say that my father was a mailman. People would ask me how many kids he had."

I took a deep breath in anger. "Val", I said. My voice showed how furious I was. "We had a great childhood. We had fabulous parents who loved us unconditionally. They worked hard and were people to be proud of. We always had enough food and clothes that fit. Tell me, are you providing the same safe and loving home for your kids?"

"I would if Ranger married me."

"He's just a security guard. Don't you think you'd be embarrassed about that?"

"I'm sure I could get him to get a better job. Besides, with him, I don't have to admit that he's a security guard. I can say that he's a small business owner."

"Unfortunately for you, he's my husband and I'm not giving him up."

"I knew that I should have unplugged you from the oxygen when I was at the hospital the last time."

"Was that the time that Ranger told you that he would charge you with harassment if you didn't leave us alone, and Joe walked you to your car in cuffs? Wasn't that the time that the three toddlers all positioned themselves on my bed to better protect me from assault? Yeah, I can see how you'd think that Ranger would fall into your arms if I died, and murdering me would be the route to Ranger's heart."

"What do you know? You're just a putz, as Grandma would say."

"Okay? You need a life, Val. And a job."

"I can't get a job until Mom and Dad get back here and take Grandma off my hands. She is worse than a little kid."

"Yes, and Mom and Dad look after her all the time – at the same time as looking after all five of your kids and you and quite frankly, I don't know which is worse. I can only say that Mom and Dad are saints. Now grow up and be an adult and look after your family."

"I can't get a job because of Grandma."

"Now that's the biggest bunch of bullshit that I have ever heard. You are looking after Grandma from six at night to eight in the morning. Annie is looking after her the rest of the time, and that gives you the time you need to get a job and start working."

"Why don't you give me a job? You're just rubbing my nose in the fact that you have a highfalutin job and I can't get a similar one. I asked Ranger for a Vice-Presidency as well and, when he asked me what I could do, I told him the truth."

"What's that?"

"Give him a blow job that would cause him to scream."

"Let me guess – he laughed in your face."

"Bitch. It's what you did."

"Uh-hunh. I'm a researcher, Val. And I'm a good researcher."

"How hard can it be? You look up things on the internet."

"It's not the looking up that's hard. It's putting it all together in a cohesive document and making sense of the information. I've never seen analysis as your strength."

"It's not yours, either."

"I see. What is my strength?"

"Beats the hell out of me. I have never met a more useless person in my life."

"What area are you looking for a job in?"

"I'm not. I don't see why I should work when you have a lot of money coming in. Besides, Mom and Dad cover my bills for me and, as long as I put enough pressure on Mom, you'll eventually give in to make Mom happy, and you'll start paying my bills again."

"That's not going to happen. To support you, Mom and Dad have to siphon money off their pension. That pension is supposed to cover Mom's and Dad's expenses, not Mom's, Dad's, Grandma's, Val's, Angie's, Mary Alice's, Lisa's, Victoria's and Edmund's expenses. That's ridiculous. They earned that money. What do you do to earn money?"

"I shouldn't need to."

"Why's that?"

"I've put up with you my whole life. You need to pay me for that. I mean, you were fucking embarrassing. You were always doing things. The neighborhood kids thought you were very funny, but I was the one that had to admit that you were my sister. I was ashamed of you."

"Val, isn't it eleven in the morning there?"

"Yes."

"Are you already drunk?"

"You condescending bitch. You have everything. I was the pretty one, the popular one, the smart one. And now you have the big job, the title, the luxurious house, the sexy husband? What do you have that I don't have?"

"Class, compassion and intelligence", said my father. He picked up my mother's phone and hung up.

I looked at my parents. "That's why I'm not giving her any more money. And for the record? The two of you are awesome parents. Ranger and I love you very much and, as you've probably been able to figure out, Ranger doesn't suffer fools. You are incredible grandparents and I know that my kids were bouncing with excitement when they heard that you were coming. You have always made sure that I know that you love me and, if I ever needed to come home, there would always be a spot for me. I have learned that Val is an angry alcoholic that is still mad that her first husband left her and you can't take what she says as gospel. She has been like this with me for the last five years. She stopped for about six months when we first started funding her college education, but then she slowly started again as her drinking ramped up. Her jealousy is overtaking her life."

My father looked crushed and my mother was crying softly. I sighed. "I'm sorry, Mom and Dad. I've been trying to shield you from it. But when I was on oxygen because the pneumonia was so bad and I was still recovering from almost dying for the second time in two days, and Val came in and told me that God was going to kill me? That broke me. Like you, Mom, I like everybody to get along together and I will take a lot of crap to do that. But that is what I have to deal with every single time I talk to her. I'm not exactly sure what happened to her, but it wasn't good. You deserve better. You are both good people. I parent the way you parented, I love you deeply, Ranger and the kids love you deeply." I looked at my parents, and they still looked shattered. "Please don't do what I do and believe her venom", I whispered. "I have spent more nights crying myself to sleep over what she has said and forcing Ranger to step back so that we all get along. Now, I've decided that I'm not taking it any longer – and you shouldn't either. She is just angry and she will never get better until she purges that anger. For the last year and a half we've been paying for weekly therapy appointments so that she could purge that anger in a healthy way. But I honestly think that, until we take a hard line with her, she will never have any incentive to improve."

My dad stood up with a sigh, and he wrapped his arm around my mom's shoulders as he pulled her to her feet. "I think we need to go to our room for a while and calm down. We have some things to talk about."

I shuddered in a breath. "I'm sorry", I said.

My mother wiped her eyes. "It's okay, baby girl. It's better to know."

I swiped the tears from my eyes as well. "But does it have to be so friggin' painful?"

My mother snorted out a laugh and my dad smiled sadly, and they left the room quietly.

I rolled over and almost screamed with agony as I knocked my legs against each other. But I was able to bury my face in the pillow and cry. I absolutely lost it. I was having trouble breathing, nerves were screaming, and I was so frantic to look for comforting that I didn't know what to do.

Grant went to the door as he heard someone walk by, and when he looked outside, he saw Kate. "Hey", he said quietly, "can you find Ranger, tell him that Val happened, and that Steph needs him now?"

"Right away", said Kate. As she heard another volley of tears, she said, "is she okay?"

"No. She needs a hug from Ranger."

"Okay." Kate hurried away and Grant closed the door quietly, and sat on the side of the bed. He slowly rubbed my back and let me cry.