Chapter 19
Joe took Paulina and Tawny to the zoo. He was concerned about Paulina since she was close to her due date. Paulina and Joe started dating a month earlier. He accepted her offer of a second chance after talking to Stephanie and Manoso. When Joe apologized, it lifted his spirits, making him see what was right under his nose. His life could have been different if he had noticed the signs.
Paulina was a remarkable woman. She was funny, kind and nonjudgmental. It didn't matter what he did in the past, as long as history didn't repeat itself. He felt a connection to Paulina from the day they met, but he didn't believe it could be possible.
Stephanie once told him that she knew when Ranger was around. She got a tingle in her neck. He dismissed it at first until he saw her touch the back of her neck and look around for him. Joe was a fool for thinking Stephanie wanted him when it was obvious that Stephanie and Manoso were in love.
It's been a while since he got an erection. He wasn't sure if it would be possible. Paulina didn't pressure him to do anything he didn't want to do. Joe felt like less than a man until Paulina stated, "Joey, have faith. Stressing over your situation isn't going to make it happen sooner. I'm not expecting anything right now."
Joe ran his fingers through his hair before rubbing it down his face. "You deserve to have a whole man, not this damaged one here," he replied. They couldn't continue their conversation because Tawny interrupted.
"Why sad, papa Joey," Tawny asked when she finished eating her snack. Tawny was having fun with her papa Joey. She idolized and loved him. He loved reading her stories before bedtime.
"I'm feeling sad because I love you and your mommy so much. But I'm scared that I'm not enough," Joe attempted to explain.
"You nuff," Tawny said. "Momma, me love you." A tear ran down Joe's face from Tawny's profession of love. He couldn't love the cute little girl more. Joe let Tawny hug him. His heart felt full when she gave him a wet, sloppy kiss on his cheek.
"I love you," he whispered to Paulina. She mouthed the words back.
A few weeks later, Paulina woke up with intense back pain. She called Joe to come over. "I think I'm in labour," she cried.
Joe jumped out of bed and threw on whatever he could grab. He should have moved in with Paulina when she asked. His rent was month to month, so it wouldn't be a hardship if he moved. It was stupid to leave her alone in the house with a three-year-old when she was due in a week.
He used the key that Paulina gave him to enter the house. Paulina pulled a robe over her body. She pointed towards Tawny's room. "I've got her, Lina," he replied.
Joe pulled a sweater from Tawny's closet and carefully slipped her arms through the sleeves. Tawny didn't fidget when he lifted her to his shoulder. Holding Tawny with his left arm, he urged Paulina down the stairs, hanging onto her with his right hand clutched to her arm.
"My back," Paulina cried.
"Take a few deep breaths. You've got this, Lina," Joe said, consoling her.
She took the breaths as they practiced during Lamaze classes. Tawny slept through the trip to the hospital. Joe held her while Paulina got taken to the delivery room. "Would you like to put your daughter into the daycare? We can take care of her while you're in the delivery room with your wife," the nurse stated.
"Thank you. I'll accept your offer," he replied. Joe thought it was pointless to correct the nurse. He followed her to the daycare and laid Tawny on the cot. "Her name is Tawny Scorsone-Morelli." The nurse wrote Tawny's name on the sign-in sheet and the time she arrived.
Joe followed her back to the delivery room. Paulina was lying on the bed with her feet in the stirrups. "You're doing great, Paulina. Another push, and we'll see his head," the doctor instructed. Joe looked away from Paulina's spread legs and stood beside her. She pushed when her contraction rolled through her abdomen, but there was no progress.
He placed his hand behind her neck to gently massage the tense muscles. "Dad, can you help pull her foot up," the doctor directed. He pulled Paulina's foot until it rested near her hip. "That's perfect. Now gently tug her knee towards you." Joe followed the direction of the nurse on the opposite side of the bed.
Watching Paulina give birth was the most rewarding experience Joe had ever witnessed. He got to cut the umbilical cord and hold the baby boy. "He's handsome, Lina," Joe said before kissing her forehead.
"He looks like his daddy," the nurse crooned as she took the boy from Joe's arms. "I'm taking your son to get weighed and measured."
While waiting for the nurse to bring the baby back to the room, Joe asked, "I've been wondering something. Do you mind if I get a paternity test done on your son?"
"Why?" Paulina wondered.
"Everyone says how much your son resembles me, and I couldn't help notice the similarities between Cameron and me. I wonder if Cameron was my half-brother," Joe replied.
"If it's important for you to know, then I give you permission," she answered.
"Thank you, Lina." Joe kissed her forehead.
The nurse didn't think twice about getting the blood samples for tests. She was used to that request from the fathers. After grabbing the kit, she drew blood from Joe. "You'll receive the results in a couple of weeks," the nurse stated.
"Now I have to know why you think Cameron is your half-brother," Paulina said.
"My dad wasn't the most faithful husband. He often stepped out on my mom," Joe explained. "I know he travelled to Pittsburg and Pennsylvania for jobs. He may have taken advantage of his freedom."
"Ah. Cameron got raised by a single mom and never knew his father. He resembles you in more ways than one. I assume you look like your dad?" Paulina asked.
Joe grabbed the picture of his dad from his wallet. "My dad, Anthony Morelli Sr.," he said as he gave her the photo.
Her hand moved to her mouth as she gasped. "Your dad looks exactly like Cameron," she whispered. Joe nodded. "I see why you wanted to know."
"Lina, I appreciate that you allowed me to know for sure," Joe said before kissing her.
"We're back, mom and dad," the nurse announced. She pulled the baby bed into the room. "You need to stay in here until a bed becomes available."
"That's fine. Thank you," Paulina stated.
Joe waited until the nurse left before asking, "Would you like to name your son Cameron after his dad?"
"You don't mind?" she asked, shocked.
"Not at all. I anticipated that you'd name your son Cameron," Joe answered honestly.
"You're acting very mature about this," Paulina commented.
"It was bound to happen eventually," he joked.
Stephanie rubbed her hand down her swollen abdomen. "I can't believe how much this little guy has grown," she stated. "I'm huge."
"You're beautiful, Babe," Ranger whispered.
"When do we get Julie?" Stephanie asked.
"She's being examined by the psychiatrists appointed through her lawyer. They're concerned about her claims and need to investigate," Ranger replied.
"We have video proof."
"Babe, I own the company that recorded the events. Julie needs an unbiased third party to gather evidence," he explained.
"I don't like it. Julie shouldn't have to live in those conditions," Stephanie complained. "Sorry, I'm a little emotional."
Julie was supposed to go shopping with her mom and sister, but they left before she got home from school. She needed larger pants, tops and underwear. Her clothes were getting too small. The only clothes that fit are part of the uniform for private school.
She called her mom and recorded their conversation. "Hey, mom. I'm home from school," Julie stated. "Where are you?"
"I told you to get home right after school. We left because you didn't get home in time," Rachel snarled.
"But the bus drops me off last," Julie reminded her. "You know the schedule."
"That's not my problem, missy. You could have asked them to drop you off first," she snapped.
"But I need clothes. All of mine are two sizes too small."
"Next time, get home right after school, Julie," Rachel shouted before hanging up. It wasn't the first time Rachel pulled this stunt on Julie. She used the money Ranger sent to support Julie for her son and daughter. None of it gets spent on Julie. Ranger paid the tuition directly to the school. If he gave the money to the Martines, they would use it for their bills and send Julie to public school.
After she forwarded the recording to the investigator, Julie held her face in her hands and cried. If only her parents could let her Rangeman bodyguards drive her, she wouldn't have to take the bus.
Julie suddenly sat up. She thought of a way to get spending money. Ranger could transfer the money to her account. Julie quickly looked up her banking details, then felt deflated. Ron and Rachel could access her account online and transfer funds.
Stephanie paced Ranger's office. "We have to do something," she cried.
"Babe, we are not to interfere during the investigation," Ranger reminded her.
"Did you see the clothes she wore? They were at least two sizes too small. I know you transfer funds to pay Julie's expenses. Why haven't they bought her new clothes?" Stephanie wondered.
Ranger walked to his wife and pulled her into his arms. He placed a finger under her chin to look into her eyes. "Babe, I'm angry too. Ella bought Julie the clothes you requested. When Julie comes home, she'll want for nothing. I promise," Ranger stated.
Stephanie leaned up to kiss him. "I want our daughter home," she mumbled against his lips.
"As do I," he whispered.
A few months later, Ranger received a call from Rangeman Miami. "Boss, we have Julie here," Silvio announced.
"Why is she at Rangeman at 2300?" Ranger barked.
"Sir, her family kicked her out. Patrol picked her up a few blocks away from her home. Child protective services are on their way," Silvio replied. "What are your orders?" Silvio didn't tell Ranger that Julie wore a towel barely covering her body. Rebecca, Miami's Ella, gave Julie clothes to wear.
Ranger groaned. He wanted to bring Julie home, but Rachel would call the police to claim he had kidnapped her. "Let them run through their protocols," Ranger reluctantly said. "Call Celia. Julie can stay in my apartment."
"As you wish, sir," Silvio replied and hung up. Silvio would make sure Celia knew how they found Julie. She would file an order for temporary custody for Ranger and Stephanie.
Ranger was advised to scale back the support. Rachel only received enough cash to pay for Julie's clothes and food. He expected Rachel to call and complain, not force Julie to leave home.
"Carlos," Stephanie called as she clutched her abdomen. "Get Bobby and Hector." They lived at Rangeman for the past week, prepared to leave immediately to collect Julie.
He entered the bedroom and asked, "Babe?" Stephanie went to bed several hours earlier because her back hurt. She didn't expect to wake up covered in amniotic fluid.
"Call the ambulance too," she groaned. "I can feel the head." Stephanie wasn't due for another three weeks, but Mattie was too impatient to wait.
Hector and Bobby arrived as Ranger placed his son into Stephanie's arms. "This looks familiar," Hector joked when Bobby pushed Ranger out of the way. Bobby delivered enough babies during the past four months to know what to do.
"What did you name him?" Bobby asked.
"Mateo Hector Manoso," Ranger replied. "Tank and Mateo are his godfathers."
"Don't act all offended, Hector. You're Ricky's godfather," Stephanie said, laughing at his expression.
"Babe?" Ranger asked.
"What?" Stephanie replied.
"When did you learn to speak Spanish, Babe?" he asked.
"Um. A while," Stephanie answered cryptically because a girl deserved to have some secrets.
Julie laid in her dad's bed at Rangeman Miami. Her aunt, Celia, arrived within an hour. "What happened, Jules?" Celia kindly asked.
"Mom and Ron kicked me out because I'm not their cash cow anymore," she cried.
"Is that what they called you? A cash cow?" Celia was furious. She never liked Rachel, but she was a good mother. At least Celia thought Rachel was a good mother. Maybe she is to her children with Ron, but not Julie.
"Silvio gave me a new phone. He retrieved everything from my old one in case my mom erased the data. I wouldn't be surprised if she smashed it." Julie stated. "You should listen to what she said to me. I sent it to my caseworker." Julie played the audio track on her phone.
"What did you say to him?" Rachel screeched.
"To whom?" Julie asked, confused by her question.
"Ranger. He only sent 300 this month. It barely covers Ronnie and Silvie's Karate and dance classes. I need more to pay their music teachers," she snapped.
"Dad sends money to pay for my extracurricular activities, food and clothes," Julie stated.
"Hmph. We only let you live here after you murdered Scrog because your biological father gave us money. You were our cash cow. Now you're nothing to us. Get out of my house!" Rachel screamed.
"But I'm only wearing a towel," Julie whined.
"Not my problem." Celia heard some shuffling and Julie crying before the door slammed shut. Ten minutes later, Rachel said, "What the fuck? The little bitch was record…," the recording cut off.
"When Bruno and Ramon picked me up, they called Silvio and got him to grab everything off my old phone before mom deleted it," Julie said as tears dripped off her chin. "Stephanie would never treat me this way."
"Because she loves you, Jules," Celia said.
"I wish Stephanie was my mom," Julie cried.
"You and me both, princess."