Chapter 21
Celia arrived at the Newark airport with Julie. She saw an older, attractive woman standing near the hangar for the Rangeman jet. "We should say hi. I think she's looking for us," Julie said, grabbing Celia's hand and pulling her towards the woman.
Monica smiled when the woman and child approached her. The girl looked prettier than her file photo. "Hi, I'm Monica DeMarco from child protection services. I'll be overseeing Miss. Martine's case while she's in New Jersey."
"Nice to meet you," Celia and Julie responded.
"Contact me when you reach the Manoso home," Monica stated as she gave Celia her business card.
"She seems nice," Julie said when Monica walked away.
Celia agreed. "Do you want to visit Stephanie and Mattie at the hospital?" Celia asked.
Julie jumped up and down, excited to see her brother. "Yes. I'll call dad to tell him we're on our way," Julie replied. Julie used her phone to call her dad. She smiled when his number was speed dial one.
"Princess," Ranger said as he connected the call. Ranger smiled, knowing his daughter was going to be home soon.
"Is she here?" Julie heard Stephanie ask in the background.
Julie giggled, "We just landed, but I think you already knew. Celia and I are coming to the hospital to visit." She was excited to see her baby brother.
"We're at home. Stephanie got released an hour ago," Ranger stated. "Tank knows the way." Julie rolled her eyes.
"Okay. Then we'll come home. See you in an hour," Julie said before hanging up. Julie knew her dad wouldn't leave Stephanie and the baby to pick her up from the airport. He would send his second-in-charge, Tank Sherman.
"Julie," Tank bellowed when he saw Celia and Julie walk towards the car rental building. Julie pulled Celia towards Tank. She released her grip and ran towards Tank. "Umph," Tank expelled when Julie launched herself into his arms. Tank noticed how beautiful Celia looked. He had a crush on her since they met during his first visit to the Manoso home.
In Miami, Ron shook his head at Rachel. He supported all of her decisions regarding the children, but even he had to admit that she went too far this time. "Where did our children go?" Ron asked, swiping the bottle from Rachel's grip.
Rachel fell over, landing face-first on the floor. She rolled onto her back to look at Ron. "Taken away by the police for children," Rachel drunkenly answered. Rachel wiped the snot from her face and smeared it onto the couch.
Ron choked back the vomit and averted his attention from the spot Rachel touched. He could handle anything except other people's mucus. "Why did they take away Silvie and Ronnie?" Ron demanded. Rachel sat up and moved back onto the couch.
"I don't know. The woman made up excuses," Rachel said, reaching for the alcohol. "It's all Julie's fault." Rachel groaned when Ron hid the bottle behind his back.
Ron sighed. "Rachel, when I realized you kicked out Julie in a towel, I went looking for her. Do you realize that you endangered her life? I don't think the child protection service fabricated the reasons for taking our children. Neither of us was kind to Julie since she shot Scrog. We should have gone to family therapy," Ron said as he moved the Vodka out of Rachel's reach.
"Psh. Julie was the only one requiring therapy. Our children needed protection from a murderer," Rachel spat. She refused to go to marriage counselling with Ranger when his commanding offer made the request. "Why does everybody recommend that I go to therapy? I don't need someone to shrink me. I'm not the problem." Rachel looked through her blurred vision to see where Ron put the bottle. "Where's my vodka?"
"I think you had enough to drink. We've discussed Julie and Scrog before, Rachel. Julie acted in self-defence. Taking a life during the war isn't easy for soldiers to handle when they get home. It wasn't any easier for Julie. Honestly, we didn't make her home life much better. I'll contact child protection services and ask them to let my brother take the kids. Beca would take care of them," Ron said. He preferred to raise his children, but his brother would help if there were no other options.
"Are you saying we're not fit to raise Silvie and Ronnie?" Rachel screamed. She launched herself at Ron but tripped over the coffee table. Rachel banged her head on the floor. She clutched her head and cried.
"Until we get help, that exactly is what I'm saying," Ron replied before leaving the room. He didn't bother to check if Rachel was okay.
Ron called his brother to make sure they could take the children. Once he ended the conversation, he called the number on the business card he found on the counter. Mindy was reasonable and said that placing the children with responsible family members was preferred. She warned Ron that he couldn't communicate with the children unless supervised.
He returned to the living room to talk to Rachel, feeling guilty for not ensuring she was alright. She mumbled, "Why couldn't he love me instead of his Babe? I'm prettier and sexier. I had to settle so I didn't have to get a job. I should get pregnant again to keep Ron. I love Ric, not Ron."
Rachel confirmed Ron's suspicion, and Ron deserved better than second best. Why else would Rachel insist on keeping the marital home she shared with Manoso? It's time to cut his loss. Ron loved Rachel, but he didn't want to be a means to an end. A sugar daddy of sorts to support a wife not willing to work. Her free ride was about to come to a grinding halt. Rachel was about to hit rock bottom and lose everything.
Ron went to his bedroom to call the lawyer. He got his clothes from the dresser packed into two suitcases. His suits were still in the dry cleaner's plastic covers that Rachel picked up on Monday. Ron loaded his clothes into the car before grabbing a box to pack his keepsakes. With a heavy heart, Ron removed his wedding band and set it on the dresser. His lawyer would deliver the divorce papers in the morning.
Debbie shook her head as she watched Ron load his possessions into his car. He was a gentle, kind and attractive man. She instantly knew that Ron was leaving his wife. Rachel acted like a greedy, money-hungry woman.
Julie's biological father paid for Rachel's younger two children to attend a private school to keep the children together. Ron refused to accept the money, but Rachel went behind his back to make the arrangements. When Julie went to middle school, Ranger, Julie's dad, continued to pay tuition for all three children. "Stupid woman," Debbie said, closing the curtains. "She had everything then threw it all away by neglecting Julie."
Ron noticed the curtains at Debbie's house moved. He shook his head and entered the house one final time to look around. Rachel was passed out on the floor, lying halfway beneath the coffee table. "Disgusting," Ron said, noticing Rachel had pissed herself. He walked across the living room and grabbed the scrapbooks Rachel had created for the children. After walking through the house for the last time, Ron left. He refused to look at the house as he drove away.
Joe sat in the rocking chair to feed Cameron. Paulina was awake half of the night, tending to Cameron's frequent eating schedule. He wondered how single mothers handled raising a newborn alone. Cameron stared at his uncle, soon-to-be dad, and smiled. "Did you smile, Cam?" Joe asked. Cameron released the nipple and smiled. "Thank you. I feel special." Joe lifted Cameron to his shoulder to burp. He tried sitting Cameron on his lap and holding him gently under his chin, but he got afraid that his large hands would hurt the boy.
Paulina watched from the doorway. She grinned when Cameron smiled at Joe. When Tawny was born, Cameron Sr was too afraid to hold her. Tawny never had that special connection to her father that Joe built with her children. At first, she was scared Joe would be the same way, but he surprised her. He offered to take the 5 am feeding to hold Cameron before leaving for work, refusing to take no for an answer. Joe spent quality time with Tawny when he got home. He would cook dinner a few nights a week. Tawny would stand on the chair beside him to help.
"I talked to mom last night. She wanted to know if we need anything for the wedding next month," Joe said.
"We have everything covered. Tell Angie thanks for offering," Paulina replied, entering the room. "Does Cam need a diaper change?"
"Not yet. I changed Cam before giving him the bottle," Joe replied.
"You're great with the children. I honestly expected you to be more hands-off."
"Lina, I can't give Tawny or Cameron a sibling. Helping you nurture and feed them fills the hole in my heart that I never knew existed," Joe explained. Cameron burped and nestled into Joe's neck.
"Do you believe in fate?" Paulina asked.
Joe laughed, "If I didn't, then I never would have met you."
"Great answer," she said, laughing. "Cam is sleeping." Paulina took Cameron from Joe's arms and laid him in the crib.
"Thank you," Joe said, standing from the chair to hug her.
"You're welcome." Paulina hugged Joe. She noticed an improvement in his outlook on life. He came to Pennsylvania to start a new job and found his family.
"I have something to confess. You asked me if I had children," Joe said, unsure how to tell her.
"You have a child with one of those women," Paulina replied, smiling. "Joe, I knew you were lying. I could see it written all over your face. Am I right to assume it's a girl?" Paulina asked.
He shook his head. Paulina picked up on the lie and still gave him a chance. "Yes. I signed over my parental rights so Connie could raise the girl with her husband."
"Thank you for confessing. What happens when your daughter grows up, wanting to meet her biological father?" Paulina asked.
"Then I'll welcome her with open arms," Joe replied.
"Right answer. Your breakfast is ready. It's probably cold by now." Paulina giggled as Joe shrugged. It wouldn't be the first time he ate a cold breakfast. Joe never complained.
Julie and Celia walked up the steps leading to the front door of the house. Celia looked around at the large property as they waited for someone to answer the door. The property got surrounded by a ten-foot-tall black wrought iron fence. Tank had entered a code into the panel to open the gate. "This is not a house. It's a mansion," Celia said as she knocked on the door again.
"Let me open the door, Carlos," Stephanie said, tugging on the doorknob.
"Babe, you just had a baby last night. You need the rest," Ranger repeated.
"Fine!" She impatiently waited for him to open the door. Julie and Celia suppressed their laughter.
Ranger opened the door and nearly fell backwards as he caught Julie. "Dad," Julie whispered before she burst into tears. Julie cried as the reality of what happened hit her like a ton of bricks. She remained in control until she got home.
Stephanie wrapped her arms around Julie and Ranger, giving her a tight squeeze before moving them away from the door. Julie wrapped her legs around Ranger's waist as he carried her into the house.
Celia hugged Stephanie before crossing over the threshold. Stephanie smiled when she caught Tank staring at Celia's ass. "Hi, Big Guy," Stephanie said, grinning.
"Shit," Tank whispered. He knew Stephanie caught him staring. "Hey, Little Girl. How's the little man?"
"Eating, sleeping, pooping. You know, the normal things newborns do. Come in. Ricky's been looking for his Tank," Stephanie replied.
"Ricky asked for me?" he asked, surprised.
"I'm not quite sure because he said tay," Stephanie answered.
"Tay. Tay," Ricky screamed. He ran towards Tank and held his arms over his head. "Up."
Celia wrapped her arm around Stephanie's waist. "Tank is looking hot today," she whispered.
"Did Tank holding Ricky make your ovaries scream?" Stephanie joked. Celia blushed and nodded. "Follow me. I want to run an experiment."
Stephanie took Celia's hand and took Celia up the stairs to the master bedroom. She opened her closet door and pulled out a short red leather skirt, a black lacy top and matching brand new lingerie. "What am I doing with these?" Celia asked.
"Put them on. I know we wear the same size, Celia. Oh, and there's matching heels."
"Why do you have six shelves with brand new lingerie?" Celia asked, raising her eyebrow.
"You don't want to know," Stephanie replied. Her face blushed as she recalled Ranger ripping the panties off of her.
It didn't take long for Celia to figure out the reason. "You're right. I don't want to know."
"Hurry before someone comes looking for us," Stephanie said.
Celia shook her head but changed as Stephanie requested. Stephanie pulled her to the large mirror in the closet. "Wow, I look hot," Celia said.
"You do. Some of the guys are visiting. I want to see how many get erections when you enter the room," Stephanie explained.
"No, Steph. Carlos would get mad." Stephanie waved her off.
"Trust me. You won't be disappointed. Especially when you see what Tank is packing in his pants," Stephanie said. "All I can say is, Tank indeed."
Celia fanned her face as they walked down the stairs towards the noisy living room. She wanted to see if Stephanie was right. It's been too long since she had a social orgasm. Stephanie giggled. "Did I say that out loud?" Celia whispered.
"You most certainly did. I thought I was the only one," Stephanie replied. "I'm happy to know that isn't true."
Tank, Junior, Manny, Hal, Bobby and Cal were sitting in the living room, passing around Mattie. They wouldn't leave him in the bassinet to sleep. Stephanie rolled her eyes. Mattie would have problems sleeping in his crib if they continued.
"Wow, Tia Celia. You look hot," Julie announced.
The men stared at Celia. Ranger and Mateo groaned when they saw Celia's very short skirt. Stephanie and Julie stuffed their fists into their mouth when each of the other men fixed themselves. Tank couldn't stay seated. Celia stood in his way as he tried to walk past. She looked at Stephanie to mouth, "Tank indeed."
Celia followed Tank into the kitchen and wrapped her arms around his middle. "What are you doing, Celia?" Tank asked.
"Hugging my friend," she replied. "We're not children anymore. Carlos and Mateo have no say."
"I'm not going to break my promise no matter how much I want to throw you over my shoulder and carry you back to my cave," Tank said, his voice husky from his arousal.
"Let Stephanie handle my brothers. We're adults, Pierre. You and I make the rules regarding our relationship," Celia whispered. "I know what I want. Do you?" Even wearing four-inch heels, Celia was still several inches shorter than Tank. She stood on her toes and kissed him.
Tank placed his hands on Celia's hips to lift her. He sat her on the counter and deepened the kiss. "It's about damn time," Mateo said from the kitchen doorway.
"No shit," Ranger added.
"They have to fix the geography issue," Julie added.
"Awe. Celia and Tank look adorable together," Stephanie said, wiping a tear from her eye.
"Problem solved, Cece," Tank whispered in her ear. Celia shivered from his warm breath on her neck. "I have the keys to the guest house at the back of the property. It would give us privacy to talk."
"Okay," she whispered.
"Ranger, Cece and I are going to the guest house. We have some things to discuss," Tank said.
Bobby was surprised to learn Cece was Celia. He checked Mateo and Ranger's expressions. Neither man was surprised. "When did you know Celia was Tank's Cece?" Bobby asked.
"Always," they replied.