Chapter 6

Woody held my hand as we walked towards the conference room. He stroked my hand as we took our seats beside each other. I usually sat at the head of the table beside Ranger's chair. Given the circumstances and the news the men would soon hear, I felt it was inappropriate. Woody continued holding my hand as everyone filed into the room and took a seat. A few looked at me sitting beside Woody but didn't comment.

We sat around the table in the conference room. "I have a few announcements," Tank commanded the room. "Ranger will be returning to Trenton within the next few days." Lester and Bobby were excited to hear the news. It meant less paperwork and more time doing the jobs they loved. "A few days ago, Stephanie married Woody," he said as Ranger entered the room. I watched Ranger focus on me. Hurt crossed his face before he slammed down the blank expression I truly hated.

Ranger had no reason to feel hurt. He broke off our relationship and got married twice within a year. Sure, the first one was part of a mission, but it didn't negate the vows. I couldn't understand how or why he married that woman named Lyra. Didn't he learn the first time that getting married because your woman is pregnant is a mistake? He could have saved himself the trouble by waiting until the child was born and getting a paternity test. Thank goodness I wasn't pregnant when Woody and I got married.

"Congratulations, Stephanie and Woody," he said before taking his seat at the head of the table. He remained quiet as Tank continued the meeting. His eyes never left my face. Woody was sitting beside me and squeezed my hand under the table.

Speaking in Italian, I quietly said, "He looks tired and angry." My husband squeezed my hand in agreement. I briefly wondered if Ranger could also speak Italian. Woody shook his head no, but I had a feeling Ranger would know enough to understand our conversation. Ranger and I had some unfinished business to handle.

As the meeting continued through the assignments for the week, I studied Ranger. He looked more depressed than angry. Definitely more resigned, I decided. His hair was slightly longer but not enough to pull back into a low ponytail.

Ranger may have issues with my role in his company now that I'm married to one of his men. He gave me the job when I struggled for cash. I was contemplating leaving Rangeman. My bank account was nicely padded. There was enough money in my account to last me several years, not that my husband would let me spend any of it.

Woody had enough money from his special op missions that neither of us needed to work. He refused to accept my assistance to pay our bills. My husband is a bit old-fashioned in that he wants to take care of his wife and family. We've briefly discussed having children, but I wanted more time with just the two of us before growing our family.

When the meeting ended, Ranger asked to speak to me privately. Woody raised an eyebrow, silently asking if I felt safe. "Sure," I replied. I squeezed my husband's hand, letting him know that I'd be fine. Ranger walked towards his office with me on his heels. He closed the door when I crossed the threshold. I was happy he didn't lock it. Touching his arm, I asked, "Ranger, are you okay?"

Ranger closed the gap between us and pulled me tight to his chest. "Babe, I'm sorry." I felt my face dampen where our cheeks touched. He was crying. It was the first time I've seen him this broken. I pulled him towards the couch and got him to sit. He placed his head on my shoulder and spilled everything that happened during the past year. Batman had a lot of regrets.

"I'm sorry too, Carlos," I said. "You've gone through a lot of emotional highs and lows. Can you promise me something?"

"Anything," he replied.

"The next time a woman claims she's carrying your child. Wait until the baby is born so you can get a paternity test done. It would break my heart if you have to go through that again," I explained. He nodded. "I need to hear you promise, Carlos."

"I promise, Babe," he replied. "I expected you to say I had to leave Woody alone."

"Carlos, that should go without saying," I said with a giggle. "I have something to tell you."

"What's that, Babe?" Ranger asked.

"Helen and Frank Plum aren't my biological parents. My biological mother was Cassandra Plum, Uncle Frank's younger sister," I replied. He raised an eyebrow. I explained everything that I learned during the last year. Ranger was surprised to learn Frank was my maternal uncle and Helen was not a blood relative. He was impressed when I said my biological father was Danny Reagan.

"Respectable family of officers and marines," Ranger responded. "Your latent abilities make more sense now."

"I'm sorry you learned about Woody from someone other than me," I confessed.

"Babe, It's been Woody since the day you met," he stated. "I saw how you two reacted to each other."

I didn't bother denying his statement. "You are correct. I didn't think he felt the same way until the day you broke up with me."

"You look happy, Babe," he said as he ran the back of his hand along my jaw.

"Carlos, I have never been happier. Woody and I are soulmates. Am I still employed at Rangeman?" I wondered.

"Yes, Babe. My life would be empty if you ever decided to leave. I can't lose my best friend," he replied.

"I don't want to lose my best friend either. Remember, no poaching," I reminded him.

"The thought never crossed my mind. Married women are off limits," he agreed. "I'm truly happy for you and Woody."

"Thank you, Carlos." We talked for a little longer. I told him about my brother Sean coming to visit when he finishes school. He suggested running the obstacle course and playing paintball as drill exercises. Rangeman's obstacle course rocks. The men had me training on that course for months. It was scary and exhilarating at the same time.

Our conversation got easy as we found different things to discuss. Ranger was concerned about Morelli's recent behaviour. There was a lot of chatter through the Rangeman grapevine regarding Morelli. "Did you get Morelli to confess?" Ranger asked.

"I sure did. Ask Hector for the video. I know Uncle Joe sent it to him," I replied. I checked my watch and noticed my shift started three hours ago. "As much as I'd love to continue our conversation, I need to get to work before my boss fires me for being three hours late."

Ranger tipped his head back and laughed, "Only you, Babe."

"Glad to see you smile," I said before leaving his office.

Woody was waiting for me at my desk. He got worried when I stayed in Ranger's office for three hours. The office door got left unlocked, and anybody could have walked in at any time. Giving Ranger and me time to communicate showed how much Woody trusted me.

"Everything okay with the boss, Darlin?" Woody asked.

"It appears that way," I replied. He cupped my face in his large hands and kissed me. Our foreheads touched after we kissed. Woody rubbed our noses together before he returned to work. My wonderful husband knew I needed the extra comfort.

On the way home from work, Woody and I discussed the Reagans. The matter of my paternal family weighed heavily on my decision to remain at Rangeman. I want to spend time getting to know the Reagans better. Everyone has been so accepting and wonderful. There are too many choices, and they all would affect my family. Whether it impacts my Rangeman or paternal family is anybody's guess.

Eddie and Jamie planned to visit us this weekend. I've been communicating a lot with Eddie and Erin since I met them. They always made a point to reach out to me. I enjoyed having positive female role models in my family.

We shared stories about our childhoods. Getting to know them through text and phone calls filled my heart with love for my sisters. Our relationship was already easier than my relationship with Valerie.

A few days later, I received a text from an unknown number. 'Hey, this is Nicky, your cousin.' I quickly programmed her number to my phone. I've seen pictures of the pretty woman, but I had yet to meet her.

Me: Erin's daughter?

Nicky: Yes. Mom gave me your number. Is that okay?

Me: Yup. I said she could.

Nicky: Can I visit soon?

Me: Sure. Let me know when.

Nicky: Now?

I laughed before replying, 'LOL… now's good.' A gentle knock sounded on our front door. I opened the door to a pretty girl with shoulder-length brown hair and brown eyes. She's a few inches shorter than me. Nicky was more beautiful in person.

"Hi," I say while opening the door.

"I'm Nicky. My name is Nicole, but everyone calls me Nicky. Mom told me all about you," she gushed.

"Come in," I opened the door wider for her to enter. "What brings you to Trenton?"

"I was just visiting my parents," she replied. It really wasn't an answer, but I waited for her to add more to her story. "Sean gave me your address. I figured since I was in the area anyway, I may as well meet my new cousin. Mom wants you to visit when you take your next vacation."

We spent some time getting to know each other. Nicky is a kind girl, and I felt a connection to her that I had never experienced with Valerie. We are alike in many ways.

Nicky could easily pass as a model. She was under enough scrutiny being the daughter of the ADA and granddaughter of the police commissioner. Drawing more attention to herself wasn't appealing. It was getting too late for her to take the train back to New York, so Nicky spent the night in the guest room. Luckily she brought her suitcase with her.

"When is your flight?" I asked early the following morning as we ate the pancakes Woody cooked for breakfast.

"In a few hours. I'll need to catch the next train if I want to make it in time," Nicky confessed. Nicky wanted to spend more time with her cousin but needed to get back home. We decided to drive her to the airport. She declined at first but agreed when Woody insisted. He used the excuse of getting to know me better.

Nicky was a very grounded young woman. She had her life planned. I wish my life is as together as her life. "It wasn't always the case," Nicky explained after I commented.

"What do you mean? I didn't know what I wanted to do at your age," I confessed.

"I had the support of my parents and the other Reagans. They only wanted what was best for me. If they didn't like my decision, they told me why they felt that way. It helped me narrow down exactly what I wanted. Living so far away gets a bit lonely, but work keeps me busy," she explained.

"Too busy to miss family?" I asked.

"Sometimes. I talk to mom and dad at least once a week," she replied. "Were your aunt and uncle supportive?"

"Uncle Frank always had my back. My Aunt Helen was manipulative and made me feel worthless daily. She wasn't the best mother figure," I admitted.

"I'm sorry, Steph. I wish we grew up together," Nicky sighed.

"Too much testosterone?" I jokingly asked.

"Definitely," she replied.

"Please call me whenever you want to talk," I hugged her at the terminal entrance.

"I will. Thanks for the ride, Woody. We'll talk soon," she said with a wave.

I watched my cousin walk confidently into the airport terminal. She held her head high and walked as though she carried the world in her hands. Nicki is an amazing young woman. I couldn't wait to get to know her more.

As we drove back home, my phone chimed with a message from my brother.

Sean: Hey, Steph. My last exam is tomorrow morning.

Me: When will you arrive?

Sean: A few hours later. Dad's driving me.

Me: Looking forward to seeing you.

Sean: Me too.

Sean: Can Jack come too?

Me: Absolutely.

Jack: Thanks. I'm looking forward to meeting you.

Me: Ditto.

"Woody, both of my brothers are visiting tomorrow," I informed him.

"Do they need a lift?" he asked, willing to pick them up.

"Dad's driving them," I stated. Woody seemed very surprised. He assumed they would take the train or we'd pick them up. "I guess dad wants to see me again."

"Probably to warn you," he joked. I laughed because he was probably right.

The following afternoon, my brothers, Sean and Jack, arrived with dad. Our father requested an additional paternity test to confirm the findings of the Ancestry labs. I already had my DNA mapped and provided him with a copy of the results. "If you want me to provide another sample to compare to your sample, I will comply. Since we're already in the same location, why don't we handle that business right now? Do you have a lab in mind?" I asked.

My biological father, Danny Reagan, already researched labs in Trenton. I was surprised when he recommended the lab at Rangeman. "I know you work for the company, but their lab provides results within a few hours," he stated. "Rangeman employs mostly ex-military."

I wasn't surprised he researched the company. "We'll take my car, and I have to let the front desk know I'm bringing guests," I stated. "Rangeman will not permit your car to enter the parking garage without prior clearance."

After carrying their luggage to the guest bedrooms, we piled into Woody's car. Sean, Jack and I sat in the back to let dad sit in front. I sat in the middle to give my muscular brothers more room. Studying Jack, I realized he had some similarities to Sean and dad, but most were different. "I look like my mom," Jack said when he caught me staring.

"Oh. I'm sorry about your loss," I quickly stated. Sean and Jack's mom died a few years earlier when the helicopter exploded while helping a patient. I remembered hearing it on the news. It was horrible. The man responsible for murdering Linda was still a threat to the family. Knowing my luck, the bastard would come after me next.