Life as We Know It: A Burn Notice Side Story

~ December 20th/21st, 2037 ~

Ramona Gibbler-Donovan was in the lead, she had maneuvered her Formula 1 Racer through an onslaught of other racers and had somehow outrun the leader and taken the number 1 spot. The last race of the season was being held in Abu Dhabi and the conditions were hot, very windy, and very bright. There were only three laps left, she had plenty of fuel and her tires were good. All she had to do was make sure no one got in front of her and that she didn't have an accident. The wind was whipping against her helmet as she pushed her car. A turn was coming as were three of the top racers. She had looked through her peripheral vision and caught them just before she reached the turn. Knowing it was a risk, Ramona takes her foot off the gas as she makes her turn and arcs her turn wide enough that she is blocking the other lanes. This forces the other racers to hit the brakes as Ramona then punches it and completes her turn at full speed. The three races all collide into a heap of metal, the joys, and sorrows of racing. Three laps later and Ramona crosses the finish line, winning her first-ever season championship.

Once out of the car Ramona removes her helmet and she is rushed by her crew, a mix of men and women who are all responsible for this great victory. The guys in the pit crew hoist her onto their shoulders as Ramona is cheered by her fans and sponsors and numerous photographs are taken of the beautiful Latina. Of her family, her father and mother are the only ones present to bear witness to this auspicious event. As she holds to trophy up a small part of her is hurt that her husband could not make it to see her win in person. Unfortunately her husband, now a Detective with the Phoenix, Arizona Police Department had to testify in a case being prosecuted and he was unable to make the trip. He did promise her that he would be watching (somehow).

On the other side of the globe, 11 hours difference, it was 9:20 AM on December 21st and Charlie Donovan has been up since 6 AM watching his wife in the last race of the season. In the past three and a half years that they have been together, Charlie has spent 9 months of the year watching his wife like this. Ramona's race schedule is daunting and eats up most of the year, but Charlie knew this going into the relationship having watched Ramona from afar like this when he was not a part of her life. Still, it wasn't easy being apart so much so often but he made the best of the situation. His job kept him busy and preoccupied, which unfortunately was why he was in Phoenix right now and not beside his wife as she celebrated her victory. Charlie froze the image of Ramona holding her trophy up high and the radiant smile on her face.

The feed was simulcast between Charlie's laptop and the TV due to their cable provider not carrying the race. With the iconic image of his wife smiling and holding her trophy Charlie saves the image and goes to work on the photo. The 4K image just needs to be sharpened a bit and the color touched up. Once that is done Charlie makes a portrait version and saves his landscape version. He then sends the image to his photo expert to make two photos. The portrait is in standard size and 11 x 17 as well as a 17 x 11 of the landscape version. His friend will then find the perfect frames for each of the pictures and all Charlie will have to do is pay him his fees (which will be well worth it).

Ramona was currently in her hotel room doing the last thing she planned before her victory speech... she was throwing up. During the race, Ramona felt ill, particularly as she made each and every turn in her ultra-fast Formula 1 racer. She somehow found the strength to make it through the initial festivities before she had the chance to excuse herself. As soon as the door was closed in her suite she raced to the bathroom and threw up the entire contents of her stomach. Once she was done she rinsed her mouth with water and made her way to her room. Ramona strips out of her race suit and changes into the dress she bought specifically for this moment. Ramona went to her parent's room and as they were ready to go the trio made their way downstairs for the festivities.

The entire night Ramona felt queasy. Certain foods that she loved were beginning to upset her stomach and others made her ravenous. People would try and hand her champagne but that was surprisingly one of the things that were nauseating her so she would hand it off to a server their next go round the room. Ramona took center stage and made her grand speech thanking her team, her sponsors for believing in her, her alternates for those rare times she couldn't race, her family, and most of all her husband for being supportive enough to let her be away for nine months out of the year. That last line earned her a lot of laughs but Ramona did not. She then departed the podium and told her sponsors she wasn't feeling well and was going to her room. Her mother decided to escort her while Fernando fielded questions for his daughter.

"Mom..." Ramona says feeling her stomach do another flip.

"Yes, Hunny?" Kimberly says seeing her daughter's skin go pale.

"I... I think you need to take me to the hospital... I... I don't feel..." Ramon then raced forward, grabbed the trash receptacle that was in the hall, and threw up into it.

As Fernando had the car keys and it would take a while to hail a cab with all the comings and goings Kimberly helped her daughter to the lobby and sat her down. She ran back to find her husband who was looking for his family when he is waved over by his wife. Explaining what is going on Fernando takes his wife's hand and they make haste to the lobby. Mother and father help their daughter to the car and the trio race to the nearest hospital.

Finding themselves in the presence of the first female Formula 1 champion the staff is momentarily shocked but then their training kicks in and they help Ramona to an examination room. Once in bed, she is poked and prodded by the medical staff. A short time later one of the female doctors enters the room.

"Well, Ramona Gibbler... the first female Formula 1 race car champion, this is an honor." The Indian doctor states looking over the chart. "My name is Doctor Gupta, congratulations seem to be in order all around tonight."

Fernando who has been a bundle of nerves this whole time is the first to speak. "Doctor... is my daughter..."

"Your daughter is going to be fine. I imagine with her schedule she has been running herself ragged and didn't see the signs of what is wrong." Dr. Gupta states to relieve the parent's fears.

"Why... what's wrong with me?" Ramona inquires.

"Your, Calcium, Iron, and Folate are all quite low, I've written a prescription you can get filled at the pharmacy downstairs tomorrow. I've also faxed my findings to your physician and OBG/YN. I would like you to stay overnight as your blood pressure is very high right now. I don't know if that is because of your condition or the stress of your day. I'll have a better understanding in the morning."

Kimberly listened to the issues and a lightbulb went off in her head based on her life experiences and the doctor's words. Fernando was not following as his sole concern was Ramona's health. As long as she was going to be ok and it wasn't life-threatening he could care less what the cause was.

Ramona was still in the dark when Kimberly asks the doctor, "Can I tell her?"

The doctor smiles and nods her ascent.

Kimmy says drawing her daughter's attention to her, When her daughter's eyes met hers Kimberly Guerrero says, "Ramona... You're Pregnant!"

It was noon the next day before Ramona Gibbler-Donovan walked into the lavish room to meet with her race sponsors. The three gentlemen were sitting at a table in the hotel's smallest conference room as it would just be the three of them and Ramona's immediate family. The three men were ecstatic at the prospect of the next season. It was a great day when Fernando Guerrero first approached them with the idea of his daughter filling the vacancy that they had. The racer that took Fernando's spot was young and quite gifted behind the wheel. Unfortunately for the sponsors, he was quite gifted at negotiating as well. While he had not won the championship he placed in the top three in his rookie year and drew a lot of attention from race fans and other sponsors. He had only signed a one-year deal and thus before they could offer him a new contract the racer had found a more lucrative sponsor and was on his way.

Ramona being a second-generation racer and the first female was a PR firm's dream and drew a lot of attention to not only the sport but the sponsor's products. She has been their driver for the past nine seasons and they knew this would be a big contract renewal. The fact that their products were moving now that she has won the championship like never before that she would be worth whatever she asked for.

"Ramona... are you feeling better?" The owner asks his racer. Fernando had informed the man that Ramona had gone to the hospital as she was supposed to meet the group for breakfast to discuss the contract. As she had not been discharged as the doctor had not reviewed her evening blood pressures yet the meeting would have to be delayed.

"Yes thank you." The 34-year-old woman states as she takes her seat. Her mother and father sit on her left and right respectively.

The rather portly man has a black leather-bound folder in his hands and slides it across the table. "That is your new proposed contract. Look it over, let us know if you think it is reasonable and if not what you would propose is acceptable."

Ramona doesn't even look at the contract. She places her hand on top of the binder and says, "Gentlemen, I'm sure your offer is very generous... but I'm afraid I won't be signing with you again."

"Ramona... if you have another offer we will match it. Please just..."

"No Alfonso, you misunderstand," Ramona says. "I'm not leaving you to go to another sponsor... I'm retiring." Ramona tells the man.

"Retiring?" The trio state.

"Yes... due to life sending me down a new path, I won't be able to race next season." Ramona informs the men.

"Ramona... don't be hasty... look at the contract and take the three-month break. Come see us in March and I'm sure you will see that you have at least one more year in you." Alfonso's brother, Manuel states.

"You gentlemen aren't getting it... in three months I won't be able to race because I won't be able to fit in the car." Ramona bluntly states.

Alfonso, a father of six realizes what Ramona is saying (finally). "Oh... I see." The man's son and brother lean in and Alfonso whispers the one-word answer.

"We wish you the best Ramona. How far along are you exactly?" Alfonso wonders as he takes back the contract.

"Four months." Ramona proudly states.

"A May baby, a good time as the Spring season will be in full bloom. Congratulations." The trio stands and leaves the Guerreros and Ramona to prepare for their trip home.

~ December 22rd/23th, 2037 ~

Roman and her family had a very hard time getting a flight out of Abu Dhabi before Christmas but the trio finally managed to get three seats in first-class paid for by Alfonso as a thank you for all of Ramona's hard work. Once the flight was in the air Ramona made herself comfortable as they had a 20-hour flight with one-stop. Ramona had the isle all to herself while her parents were seated in the row across from her. As her mother stayed the night with her (despite her telling her she would be fine) Kimberly was fast asleep in the super comfy reclining seat. Ramona smiled as her mother had her pillow propped against her father's shoulder and her head was leaning on him. She had pulled a blanket on and Fernando's left arm was dropped over his wife as he held his love.

The first half of Ramona's life was rather tumultuous with her parents fighting, separation, divorce, fighting for her affection, and so forth. She recalls the day her mother told her that they were moving into the Fuller's home to help DJ and the boys. At the time she thought it was the worst day of her life as she was leaving her school and all of her old friends. It took some time but she realized that the one thing she was truly missing was the experience of growing up with siblings. She went from being an only child to one of four children. She went from having one mother to three mother figures. Her wayward father remained a part of her life but eventually, he and her mother found their way back to one another and fell in love again. This was compounded by her Uncle Jimmy being a larger part of her life, finding love with Stephanie Tanner, and bringing a baby girl into the world. The day her cousin Danni Tanner came into the world was the day she realized that she and the Fullers were now bound together forever by their shared familial bond.

The moment her life would change would be during spring break of her senior year. Ramona had recently broken up with her boyfriend Ethan who was going to be going to school on the west coast while she was planning to go to school on the east coast. On her pre-graduation trip to Cancun, Mexico she along with Jackson, Coco, and Rocki met the Donovan family. She along with her two female besties first met Charlie's older brothers Chad and Chase. The pair thought they were god's gift to women and it took Rocki breaking one of their noses to correct their Neanderthal-like thinking. Next, they met Chloe Donovan, the cousin of the three Donovan boys. Ramona didn't know at the time how influential this meeting would be on Jackson's future. At the time she instantly recognized the beguiled look on Chloe's face and could tell she was smitten by Jackson's good looks (she would never admit it to another living soul but even she appreciated how handsome he was).

Sometime after they hit the beach Ramona's life changed (much like Jackson's had) with the introduction of Charles "Charlie" Donovan. When she first met him Charlie was a lean (leaner than Jackson) young man with a baby-like face on an almost adult male's body. Still, there was something about the young man that made her heart flutter much as Popko and Ethan once had. Over the week, she got to know the young man quite well and her heart felt like it was ripped in two the day that Chloe (but more importantly to her) and Charlie had to fly home. She knew that they held on to one another longer than was accustomed but Ramona didn't care. She relished the feel of being in his arms and at the time wished that she had the power to freeze time so the moment would never end.

Fast forward thirteen years, a call out of the blue from her absentee surrogate brother asking her to fly out to Phoenix, Arizona would change her life completely. Shortly after her reunion with Jackson, she was reunited with her old friends the Donovans. Ramona would end up making several flights from her various race locations back to Phoenix, Arizona as she was to be part of Jackson and Chloe's wedding. A freak accident with the original maid-of-honor prompted Ramona's promotion to the position. This brought on even more trips to Phoenix. Fortunately, the break that usually took place in August took place in September that year so Ramona's alternate didn't have to fill in for her as he would have.

Over the course of six months, Charlie and Ramona spent all of their free time with one another. Charlie was still the kind, considerate, young man that she had met 13 years prior, only now he was a slightly taller, muscular (but not overly), career-minded, ruggedly handsome man. The kind of man that caught the attention of many passing women. Whenever she was with Charlie before the wedding she made it a point to hold on to his arm or hold hands. Even though they were not exclusively dating she wanted other women to know that he was taken (even though he wasn't).

Neither had broached the subject at the time but after the wedding, the signs were all in place as Charlie caught the garter belt that Jackson threw to all of the single guys, and somehow Ramona ended up with Chloe's bouquet. The pair then took center stage and danced together as the next two fated to be married. As they danced in each other's arms to the song Jackson selected, Ramona knew what she wanted right then and there. If the look in Charlie's eyes were any indication he wanted the very same thing.

After the reception, Charlie escorted Ramona to her room. But rather than allowing him to leave her Ramona pulled Charlie into her room. The two start to dance to the song that describes how Charlie feels about Ramona and Ramona took the initiative and expressed how she felt about him. The two made love several times before they had to meet their families at Jackson and Chloe's home. When they walked in all eyes were on the pair (as the last to arrive) and Jackson just said, "Told ya so."

Jackson knew that the two were destined to be together, having watched the pair together and listening to his best friend prattle on and on about Ramona when they were alone. Jackson would say nothing other than one-word answers but internally he was elated that Charlie finally got his dream girl and that Ramona returned his affection. As such Sean Donovan gave his youngest son a small box. Seeing the initials engraved on it Charlie knew instantly what it was and pulled Ramona into the center of the congregation of friends and family, Charlie dropped to one knee and opening the lid, proposed to Ramona in front of everyone with his paternal grandmother's wedding ring.

Even though she had already agreed to his earlier proposal Ramona still felt a wave of emotion crash over her. Her eyes teared up at the simplistic yet beautiful ring that Charlie slid on her finger. The ring was silver as opposed to gold but that didn't matter to Ramona. This ring was part of Charlie's family history and they deemed her worthy of it and that was all that mattered to her. Ramona cried yes as Charlie rose and lifted her off the ground as everyone present cheered for the newly engaged couple.

Planning a wedding with a bride that travels around the country is extremely difficult. Ramona hired her mother to plan her wedding (of course) and Kimberly, Becca, DJ and Chloe went to work on Ramona's ideas. As she wouldn't be around for the majority of the decisions Ramona charged Chloe as her overall decision-maker. Chloe would video conference the soon-to-be bride when Ramona was free to confer but as she suspected, Chloe (and her mother) knew what she liked and made the choices she would have. Ramona wanted the ceremony and reception held in the same locations as Chloe as they were ideal for everyone.

When the new race season schedule was posted in late December Ramona saw that the summer break would be occurring in September again. Thus, with Chloe and Jackson's blessing, Ramona scheduled her wedding for the day before Jackson and Chloe's wedding anniversary. Despite her hectic schedule, multiple flights, many video conferences, mailing the bride items that would arrive before she got to the next race, and so forth, the wedding went off without a hitch.

On Friday, September 14th, Charlie Donovan stood in the spot his best friend had been one year before, watching as the woman of his dreams was escorted down the aisle by her father. Fernando Guerrero lifted the silky white veil that once belonged to DJ Hale's mother (her borrowed item) up and over her head to reveal the beautiful makeup that she had done. The old item she had was the ring that once belonged to Charlie's grandmother. The something new was the gorgeous wedding dress she was wearing. Ramona remembered the gasps from a few of the guests that had not been present at Chloe's wedding (her Grandmother Nadia for example) as the dress was very sheer save for the white ivory embellishments that adorned the dress. The dress was virtually backless save for two extremely sheer parts that connected at the back of her neck and traveled diagonally down the shoulders to her sides. Ramona had discovered this fashion designer's work through Chloe who had purchased a dress from her. The something blue she wore was a blue ribbon with a necklace that was given to her as a child by her parents. Attached to the ribbon was a locket that contained a picture of her family before her parent's initial divorce. Ramona had since moved that photo to the left side and on the right now contained a photo of her and her parents on the day of their second wedding.

That was the happiest day of Ramona's life until now. Over the past two years, Ramona has spent 18 months coming and going. The breaks she received were few and far between and Charlie always did his best to schedule time off with his wife during her breaks. Sometimes though life wouldn't allow that and they had to make due... but now, now Ramona was coming home to stay. And she was bringing her husband a gift that he could not take back.

Chloe and Cora Fuller pulled up in the Fuller's Honda Odyssey van as Ramona Donovan and her parents exited Phoenix International Airport. Putting the van in park, Chloe presses the button, and the power door on the passenger side sides up as does the rear gate. Fernando with the aid of a baggage handler put the luggage in the back and Fernando graciously tips the young man for his assistance. Chloe presses the button to shut the gate while Fernando and Kimmy Guerrero climb into the vehicle and take seats around Cora who is in her car seat cooing happily at her family. Ramona manages to make it a whole forty minutes before her joy is so apparent that Chloe has to ask her what's up.

"Well..." Ramona begins, "I am officially retired from racing. I told my sponsors that I was done, I was retiring a champion, and that even if they doubled their offer I will be unavailable at the start of next season."

"Why would you be unavailable?" Chloe asks Ramona.

"As I told them... by March I won't be able to fit in the race car," Ramona says matter-of-factly.

That statement takes all of about fifteen seconds to click with Chloe. "OH MY GOD! RAMONA!" Chloe screams with joy at the top of her lungs.

While the girls were having their conversation Ramona's husband had finished his shift at work and arrived for the big Christmas eve festivities. Upon his arrival, he was surprised to see his In-Laws as he had not been told that they were flying in as they were supposed to be with Ramona. Hearing his wife's name Charlie walked into the master bedroom belonging to Jackson and Chloe and found his cousin and beautiful wife.

"Ramona..." Charlie says in surprise.

Knowing that they no longer have the time to set up the gift that Ramona wanted, Chloe takes one of the gift bows that was laying about, removed the adhesive cover, and attaches it to Ramona's stomach.

"SURPRISE... Merry Christmas Charlie!" Chloe announces.

Ramona sighs as she actually could make this better. Turning around, she pulls out the card she bought before leaving Abu Dhabi and places it in her waistband and puts the bow on the envelope. Turning back around she shows her husband the card and says, "Open your gift." Calmly and collected.

Charlie grins and does so. Pulling the card out the words on the outside say, "It's always better to be safe than sorry..."

Charlie looks perplexed as he opens it. On the right-hand side of the open card in huge print is the word, "Sorry..." and under the big sorry is an illustration of a husband and wife holding a smiling baby. In his wife's handwriting are the words "Congratulations Hunny!"

"A baby?" Charlie asks in absolute shock.

Ramona pats her belly and replies, "Four months along... I guess I didn't think about birth control during my last break." Ramona states.

Charlie doesn't care about that. He is ecstatic that not only is his wife home but she is going to have his baby in five months. He knew he had to call his parents and give them the good news but that was for later. For now, now he picked up his bride of two years and kissed her the likes of which she would never forget as long as she lived.

~ March 19, 2038 ~

It was noon on a Friday as Ramona Donovan screamed at the top of her lungs. To her left stood her husband, grabbed in ugly green scrubs. His face was concealed by the facemask but his eyes were currently pinched shut as Ramona crushed his hand with her vice-like grip. Ramona has been in labor for over 9o minutes but the reason this was currently an issue was not that the baby wasn't coming. Oh no, Ramona's daughter arrived at 11:39 AM this morning. No, Ramona was screaming and crushing Charlie's hand (again) because, by some miracle, Ramona was having twins. During her time back home, making all of her scheduled doctor visits, there was no sign of a second child, yet, she was still in labor and this baby was on the verge of greeting Mom and Dad.

With one more massive push, Ramona Donovan managed to bring her second child, another daughter, into the world. The baby began crying signaling all was right (immediately) with the child. While the nurses attended to the newest Donovan Mom and Dad held their oldest daughter and welcomed her to the family. The nurses then presented Ramona with her second child and the brand new mom carefully held both of the little lives that she had ushered into the world and kissed them with all the parental love she could muster. Charlie took a photo of the moment (despite his wife's appearance) as it was a once-in-a-lifetime moment. There would be plenty of other photos to come but this was one for his family.

Kimmy and Becca were the first visitors to be allowed in as the hospital was limiting the number of people in the rooms at one time. Charlie refrained from telling the family that there were two babies, not one, he just ushered his mothers into the room so they could see for themselves. The moms were floored at the sight of the beautiful twins. Since Charlie and Ramona have the same eye and hair color, the only discernable difference between the twins is that the older one has a bit more of a tan complexion than her younger sibling who is a bit paler.

While it was hard for Charlie to get his mothers out of the room to give their fathers their turn he was finally able to do so. Once the dads were in the room the moms blurted out the news that Ramona had twin girls for all the others to know. Charlie knew this was inevitable but to be able to surprise the moms was important (and he got the dads too before the news was blurted out for all to hear).

Three days later Fernando and Sean drove up to pick up Charlie, Ramona, and the twins. Charlie and Ramona were surprised when they pulled up in a brand new Honda Odyssey. It was a Royal Blue and when the sliding power door opened in it were the two baby carrier seats installed and ready to go. Sean got out and took one of his granddaughters so that Charlie could help Ramona up. This van did not have a middle seat in the middle row so Ramona could get in, place her older daughter in the seat behind her father, and then make her way to the back to sit down. Sean hands the baby back to Charlie who places her in the passenger side seat carrier. Once his daughter is secured he climbs in and sits beside his wife.

During the ride, Fernando tells the new parents that the van is a gift from both families as they knew the pair were not prepared for twins and would need the vehicle. As the Donovans (and Fernando) pull up in front of Charlie and Ramona's family home the group sees the banner welcoming the twins to their home. Their Great Aunt DJ was present as this is her handiwork (Ramona tells Charlie). DJ had made a banner but had to go with "Welcome Home Donovan Twins!" and it was hanging over the front door surrounded by balloons and streamers.

Ramona's extended family was all outside ready to welcome Romana's family home. Front and center, much to Ramona's surprise, was her grandmother Nadia. When the van pulls into the driveway Charlie is the first to exit from the back. He is carrying the baby closest to the passenger side door. Charlie's father steps out and takes his granddaughter to allow Charlie to help Ramona who has her youngest daughter in her arms. Helping the new mother out of the van, Ramona makes her way to the center of the congregation.

"Hello, Grandma." Ramona greats the matron of her father's family.

"Hola Mija." Nadia Guerrero replies.

"Hola Mama," Fernando says as he comes up behind Ramona.

"Grandma, this is my husband... Charlie Donovan." Ramona introduces her husband to the matron.

"Hello, Grandma Nadia," Charlie says.

"Hola Charlie, it is a pleasure to meet you."

"I know this is the reason you are here, so please allow me to introduce you to your oldest Great Granddaughter, Adrianna Rebecca Donovan." Nadia takes the little infant in her arms and marvels at her first great-grandchild. She notes that the girl reminds her of Ramona at this age except that her skin color resembles her father.

"She's perfect Mija." Nadia declares.

"We think so grandma... but here is her twin," Ramona says presenting Adrianna's little sister to their Great Grandmother. DJ moves in to collect Adrianna as the first extended member to get to hold one of the twins. Nadia is given her second great-grandchild and sees that while the twins are virtually identical, save that this one has her mother's complexion and looks exactly like Ramona did as an infant.

"So who is this perfect little one?"

Ramona grins and says, "Nadia Kimberlina Donovan."

Great Grandma Nadia doesn't know what to say. She has suggested more than once for her children to name a girl after her. To date none have. For her granddaughter to do so has her in tears. Baby Nadia was given to Stephanie and as soon as her arms were free, Grandma Nadia hugs her granddaughter. This was a beautiful family moment and as Ramona looks at the gathering of all those she holds dear she focuses on her surrogate brother. Despite a lengthy absence from her life none of this would have been possible if she hadn't answered his phone call when he reached out to her. He and Chloe made all of this possible and she went over and hugged the pair and thanked them for bringing her into their lives and reuniting her with her true love and soulmate. Charlie comes behind her and thanks her for loving him and giving him two perfect angels. Life was perfect at this moment in time... hopefully it would never change.

To Be Continued

AN: This is the last of the side stories as the second part of Burn Notice takes us back into Jackson's world of espionage. After all, with a title like Burn Notice you didn't think things were going to be happy go luck forever did you?