Sorry for the mess! forgot to upload this chapter, and thenI uploaded the next chapter, so you guys missed out on this chapter! Anyway, I'm trying to correct this!
I was in a singing mood when I wrote this, hope it works! Let me know what you think!
Chapter 27
In some respects the week flew by, but in most respects it dragged. The only interesting thing that happened was I managed to corner Damien. He refused to explain the whole 'Bam' thing, but he did explain why a bunch of seals were hanging around in Ric's wood.
Apparently, they were training for their last mission. After which, they would join Rangeman. As Ric wanted them to work for him, he provided some extra training to help ensure that they came back from their last mission. He wasn't helping his cousin, hell no; he was an opportunist, not a Good Samaritan. I rolled my eyes mentally, Ric could rationalise to himself as much as he liked – I knew that he was just being nice. But 'nice' isn't on the list of words that are supposed to be used to describe big scary ex-soldiers, hence opportunist – that's right at the top of the list, underlined and highlighted.
Aly had phoned me three times during the week and I was really looking forward to meeting her. I could hardly believe she was Ric's daughter; she loved ice cream and shopping and gossiping. But then, she also loves sport and running, so I guess she is Ric's after all.
I'd learned a lot about Aly this past week, when she phoned it was never for a quick chat, we just couldn't seem to manage that! Instead we spoke for an hour and then some, talking about everything and anything. Even at a young age it was easy to tell that she was very intelligent, so I didn't patronise her, and if she didn't understand something she'd ask, and I'd explain.
She went to a school that was midway between her house and her abuelos's house. So, it didn't matter where she stayed – she'd always get to school in time. The school itself was a high security one, where senator's and pop star's children went. The security restricted her, but she understood why it was there, I wish I'd been half as mature at her age.
I learnt about Aly's routine in the mornings (she drank orange juice mixed with pineapple juice at breakfast). I learnt about her friends at school and which subjects she liked, and I learnt it all without ever really realising it.
I was counting down the days till we met face-to-face, I couldn't wait, but I was still nervous. What if we didn't get on so well when we were actually confronted with each other? I pushed that worry aside, telling myself I was being silly; it'd be ok.
I missed Ric a lot, but I kept myself busy by continuing my training and helping out at the compound or Haywood control rooms. Right now it was five o'clock and Lester and I were on stake out duty.
Meanwhile…Ric suppressed a wince as the nurse cleaned out the knife wound on his shoulder. He felt awful, not just from the pain in his shoulder, but because he'd had to kill a man. Christ, he wasn't even a man; he was barely 21. He could only just buy alcohol legally. And now he was dead.
Eventually he discharged himself from hospital, and headed home to his family. The police had already ruled the death defence of a third party, so he was in the clear legally. Ric knew he hadn't had a choice, but it didn't make his heart feel any lighter.
He got one of his men to drop him off at his parent's house. Ric walked in and slumped into his favourite chair. He needed to hear his Babe's voice. He knew it was early to call, but he needed her. With his eyes closed he pulled out his cell and hit speed dial one. He concentrated on the sound of the phone dialling, ignoring anything else around him, which is why he didn't hear his family walk in.
My cell rang, it was Ric – it was far earlier than Ric usually called so I picked up instantly.
'Are you ok?' I asked.
'Yo Babe,' he said, sounding defeated.
'Are you ok?' I repeated.
'Been a bad day. Just needed to hear your voice.'
'What happened?'
'Tank told you about Guns and Chameleon?'
'Yeah.'
'Guns has been having some problems. He's been getting threatening messages. The person seemed to be pretty efficient; never got caught on camera, never left prints – that kinda thing. Guns had been dealing with it himself, but when Jeanne Ellen got hurt, he called me in for some help.'
'Jeanne Ellen?'
'His fiancé, Babe.'
'Oh. Is she ok?'
'Yeah, she just got hit over the head. But it shook Guns up. Guns had been building up evidence so that we could bring whoever it was to trial, so when I arrived I checked through the evidence. There was a whole load of it missing, but it'd been kept in the Rangeman safe – only an insider could've got to it.'
Ric sighed heavily. 'We hadn't had any newbies in the Miami branch for over a year. Whoever was helping the wacko was a colleague, a friend. It turns out the wacko and the insider were one and the same. Joshua Harding. He was the son of one of other employees, his father died a couple of years ago on a job gone bad – he blamed Guns.' Ric paused.
'I killed him Babe.'
'You had to.' I said simply, knowing it was true. He wouldn't have killed him if it weren't a last resort.
'Yeah,' he said heavily. 'When I worked out who it was, I tried to talk to him. We had a fight, he stabbed me, managed to knock me out. When I came to, he was standing over Guns with his gun to Guns' forehead. I shot him. The cops ruled it defence of a third party.'
'Where did he stab you? Are you ok? Are you in hospital? Should I come to Miami?' I asked, scared for him. Lester shot me a concerned look, and prepared to move the car off if necessary.
'Relax Babe. He just stabbed me in the shoulder, it's just a small wound.' Ric smiled suddenly, 'though the nurses gave me quite a bit of flak for the state of my back.'
I laughed, 'still all scratched up huh?'
'Yeah. Tell me about your day Babe. Just talk to me.' Ric rubbed a hand over his closed eyes and sunk deeper into the chair.
I babbled on about my day, telling him about how I got Rex a new cage, and about dinner at my parent's house. 'They asked after you.' I told him.
'We'll have dinner at your parent's when I get back,' Ric said.
'Sounds good.' I paused as I got an idea, 'hey, want me to sing to you?'
'Will it shatter the glass of the SUV you're in?' I laughed, Ranger humour.
'Nope, I sing really well actually! I was in a band in college; a record company was going to sign us up and everything.'
'Why didn't they?' he asked.
'We didn't want to. We all loved music, but it was for fun, not for a job. Besides, I was seeing the horse's ass and he didn't want me to either.'
'Tosser.' Ric muttered.
I laughed, 'yeah.' Then I started to sing Shakira's 'Whenever, Wherever'.
Lucky you were born that far away so We could both make fun of distance Lucky that I could love a foreign land for The lucky fact of your existence Baby I would climb the Andes solely To count the freckles on your body Never could imagine there were onlyTen million ways to love somebody
Le do le le le le, Le do le le le le
Can't you see
I'm at your feet
Ric let the sound of her beautiful voice wash over him, easing his heart and his soul as he listened to his love sing.
Whenever, whereverWe're meant to be together
I'll be there and you'll be near
And that's the deal my dear
Thereover, hereunder
You'll never have to wonder
We can always play by ear
But that's the deal my dear.
It fit them so well. He could imagine she was there with him, his Babe. This song had just become one of his favourites. He was going to buy it as soon as he could, so that he could dance to it with his Baby under the stars.
Lucky that my lips not only mumbleThey spill kisses like a fountain
Lucky that my breasts are small and humble
So you don't confuse them with mountains
Ric laughed aloud at that, Steph was a little self conscious of her size B-chest, he'd told her repeatedly that he loved her breasts, but she just rolled her eyes and said that 'of course you're going to say that!'
Lucky I have strong legs like my motherSo I can run for cover when I need it
And these two eyes that for no other
The day you leave will cry a river
Ric wondered abruptly if she had cried when he'd left, he hoped not, but knowing his Babe…
Le do le le le le, Le do le le le le
At your feet
I'm at your feet
Whenever, whereverWe're meant to be together
I'll be there and you'll be near
And that's the deal my dear
Thereover, hereunder
You'll never have to wonder
We can always play by ear
But that's the deal my dear.
Despite the hellish day he'd had, Ric couldn't help but smile. His Querida always made him feel better.
Le do le le le le, Le do le le le le
Think out loud
Say it again
Think out loud! That was his Babe through and through!
Le do le le le leTell me one more time
That you'll live
Lost in my eyes.
Whenever, whereverWe're meant to be together
I'll be there and you'll be near
And that's the deal my dear
Thereover, hereunder
You've got me head over heels
There's noting left to fear
If you really feel the way I feel.
Ric smiled hugely, 'You've got me head over heels.' He said.
I laughed, 'good, it's only fair that you should be in as deep as me! So, I think you owe me a song now Rico.'
'Nuh uh, I am not singing to you over the phone!'
'A little birdie's been telling me all about how you were in a rock band in your youth! And how sometimes you and the boys rock up the compound when you're in the mood. So Mr Lead-Singer, sing me a song!'
Ric sighed, he knew he was going to lose, 'ok, pass me to Lester.'
'Yo.'
'Yo Les. If you tell anyone that I sang to Steph over the phone I'll kick your ass to the Antarctic and leave you there. Clear?'
'Crystal Boss. But Ric?'
'Yeah?'
'The bad-ass thing doesn't work so well when I know you're crooning love songs to your woman over the phone.'
Ric heard Steph giggling in the background, 'tell me about it.' He muttered.
Lester laughed, 'I'll hand you back to your woman.'
'Hey amante,' I said.
'Hey Babe. This song could have been written so I could sing it to you.' Ric said, and then he started to sing softly.
I'm not a perfect person. There are many things I wish I didn't do
But I continue learning. I never meant to do those things to you.
And so I have to say before I go, that I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be
A reason to start over new, and the reason is you
I'm sorry that I hurt, its something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through, I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears, that's why I need you to hear
I'm not a perfect person, I never meant to do those things to you
And so I have to say before I go that I just want you to know
I've found a reason for me, to change who I used to be
A reason to start over new, and the reason is you
I've found a reason to show a side of me you didn't know
A reason for all that i do, and the reason is you.
'That was amazing.' I swallowed past the sudden lump in my throat. 'You may not be a perfect person, but you're perfect to me, Ric.' I said.
'And you to me.' He gave a half laugh/half snort, 'I can't believe I did that, next thing you know I'll be making kissy noises.' Ric said ruefully.
I burst out laughing. I could feel him smiling over the phone, how cool is that?
'I love you Querida.' Ric said.
'I love you more,' I replied.
'Rocks Paper Scissors?' Ric asked.
'One two three…Scissors!' I said
'One two three Rock!' Ric said at the same time. 'I win!' Ric said, triumphant. 'I love you more today!' he laughed then, and opened his eyes. 'Oh shit.'
'What? What's the matter? Ric?'
'My family are here. I mean, here, in this room. And they're all grinning at me, jeez, my sister's crying. I blame the pregnancy.' Ric sighed, 'now I'm going to have to sit through the Cuban inquisition!'
I laughed, 'poor baby. Be strong. I'm sure you'll survive!'
'Maybe,' Ric said, sounding doubtful. 'If I survive the Cuban inquisition then I'll be home tomorrow morning.'
'That's great! I can't wait!'
'Oh, and Babe?'
'Yeah?'
'I'm bringing Aly with me.'
'OMG! I need to do my hair and to clean up and to…OMG, what do you wear to met you boyfriend's daughter!'
'Babe, relax, it'll be fine. You're hair will be beautiful, it always is, the house is probably tidy – courtesy of Aunt May – and it doesn't matter what you wear to meet Aly. Breathe.'
'Ok.' I took a deep breath. 'I'd better go, Ric, the skip's supposed to be hear in a few minutes.'
'Ok, be careful. Love you.'
'Love you,' I replied.
Disconnect.
Tomorrow I get to meet Aly.
I'm terrified.
