Chapter 10

July 5, 2015

Ranger stared into Stephanie's eyes. He placed his hands on her cheeks and stroked her face with his thumbs.

"Yes, in my own way which his heart, body and soul. I loved you from the moment I looked into your eyes on New Year's Eve. Yes, I know you are my Shelly," Ranger said, resting his forehead against hers. "I was a fool to send you back to Morelli. He couldn't give you what I already had, a son."

"I love you too, Carlos," Stephanie said. "Our son's name is Rafael Pablo Castillo. I have an application to change his last name. Should I use Plum or Manoso?"

Ranger guided his family back to his car. Tank had relocated his vehicle from the bridge to the road that ran beside the river. He grabbed the phone he wisely tossed into the console to call his mom.

"Carlos, oh thank God you're home. I don't want to say this over the phone, but I have no choice. Your son is in Trenton. Rafael stowed away in Celia's trunk. Please, Carlos, I'm begging you to find my grandson," Maria said.

"I know about Rafael, mama. He's safe," Ranger said before hanging up.

December 18, 2004

Stephanie noticed that Bailey had been acting weird since Halloween. Bailey stopped inviting her to the clubs and movies. "Are you going home for the holidays?" Stephanie asked.

"No. I have a few things to do here. What are you doing over the holidays?" Bailey asked.

"Dickie and I are meeting the families. He'll meet mine on Christmas Eve, and I'll meet his parents on Christmas Day," Stephanie replied. "I have to leave. Merry Christmas, Bailey."

"Merry Christmas," Bailey whispered as she hugged Stephanie.

Bailey went to the office of the registrar to transfer from the college. The application to finish her degree at another college closer to home got accepted. She'd be resuming classes in January at the new school.

When she returned to her dorm, Bailey packed her belongings. She left a note for Stephanie. "I've sent you an email with a photo attachment. I know you said that you didn't want to know, but I think you should. I'll leave it for you to decide. If you want to know, read the email. Otherwise, ignore it or delete it. Love always, Bailey," she wrote. She left on Stephanie's dresser.

In the email, she wrote that she was sorry, and she didn't know until it was too late. Bailey begged Stephanie to forgive her.

December 23, 2005

Dickie and Stephanie met with the court-appointed mediator. Stephanie felt it was a waste of time. There was no possible way that Dickie would give her anything they amassed during their marriage. Richard Orr, Dickie's dad, was representing his son. Stephanie didn't want the house. All she wanted was her car, shoes and clothes. Nothing else mattered.

She had finally opened the email from Bailey. Stephanie wasn't surprised that Dickie joined his friends to screw Bailey. As she had said before the party, they weren't officially boyfriend/girlfriend. Stephanie sent Bailey an email.

"Bailey, if that night with Dickie the asshole was the reason for leaving, then you are an idiot. You could have stayed. I assumed Dickie would take advantage of our lack of labels and screw someone. But I'm sorry you got caught in the middle. FYI: Dickie and I are getting divorced. I found him screwing Barnhardt on my dining room table.

Please tell me you had learned your lesson from that epic mistake. Oh, and stop feeling guilty. At that time, Dickie and I never claimed exclusivity. However, by Thanksgiving, we were supposedly exclusive… at least I was… Dickie was not. It's my fault for not listening to my instincts. Bailey, I forgive you. Always your friend, Steph."

~~~

Bailey cried when she read Stephanie's email. Unfortunately, Stephanie's words of forgiveness didn't assuage her feelings of guilt. Bailey would never have willingly hurt her friend. She had moved back to Boston to finish her education. One day she hoped to meet up with Stephanie again.

She hoped Stephanie would find love again. Bailey accepted a job at a marketing firm. Her business administration degree got utilized as an office manager. She loved her job, and everyone was friendly.

When she graduated from college, she used her graduation money to get a breast reduction. Her back was in constant pain from the weight. Bailey's mom tried to talk her out of the surgery, but she was insistent. The men only dated her because of her breast size, not her intellect or personality.

Bailey composed an email in response.

"Hey, Steph. I'm glad you've cut the dick loose. But I am sorry you had to go through the agony of catching him cheating on you. It would have been better if he terminated your relationship before it got to that point. I have some news too. My breasts are no longer a 38F. I'm at a comfortable 38C, and I couldn't be happier.

I recently met a boy named Calvin. He's tall and sexy… and ohhh, so muscular. We started dating before he left for SEALS training. I could have asked him to stay, but that wouldn't be fair to him. One day, I hope you two can meet. Maybe I'll introduce you to his younger friend, Halton. He's a few years younger than Calvin and in the Navy. Halton wants to join the Seals too. He has to serve the required terms before applying for the program. If your life still has room for me, please write. I miss my friend. Love you always, Bailey,"

July 31, 2015

Maria and Ricardo Manoso travelled to Trenton, New Jersey. They got invited to an important event at Rangeman Trenton. Yolina and her daughter Juanita received the same invitation and took a road trip.

Ranger arranged a celebration for the day. All Rangeman Trenton employees, their significant others, Ranger and Stephanie families, and a few friends were in attendance. Julie stood beside her father, her hand wrapped in his. Stephanie held Rafael's hand. The foursome waited at the head of the largest conference room for everybody to get situated.

Joe Juniak, Stephanie's godfather, Justice Mathers, Marjorie Sumner and Claire Brooks also got invited to share the momentous occasion. Ranger and Stephanie had a surprise in store for their guests.

"Hi, everyone," Stephanie called out to the room, making their guests pay attention. "I know everyone is wondering why you got invited to Rangeman Trenton today. Carlos and I welcome our son, Rafael, to the family." Stephanie hugged Rafael, then waited for Ranger to speak.

"We failed to mention that Stephanie and I are getting married today," Ranger replied. Several people in the room gasped while Maria grinned. Her son was marrying the love of his life.

Helen was surprised the boy's father was the Rangeman thug. She opened her mouth to contest, but Frank whispered, "You have done more than enough, Helen." She pressed her lips together. Stephanie smirked when she saw her dad whisper to her mom.

Frank had spent a lot of time with Rafael since Stephanie introduced them. He babysat Rafael a few days a week while Stephanie worked at Rangeman. Frank never told Helen where he spent his days. His grandson was a remarkable boy despite getting shunted to several foster homes.

Stephanie and Carlos repeated the standard vows as Justice Mathers presided over the ceremony. When he asked if anyone objected, Frank made sure Helen remained silent. Everyone, except Helen, cheered when Stephanie and Carlos kissed. Julie and Rafael hugged their parents.

"Did you know I had always wanted an older brother?" Julie asked.

"I always wanted a younger brother or sister. It didn't matter which one I got," Rafael replied as he returned Julie's hug.

Someone entered the conference room. "Did I miss it?" the female's voice asked.

Cal grabbed the woman's hand and pulled her into the room. "I'm sorry, Lee, you're fifteen minutes late," Cal said. "How are you feeling?"

"Like an overinflated balloon," Lee replied.

Stephanie caught the familiar voice. She walked closer to the gorgeous woman holding Cal's hand. "Bailey?" Stephanie asked.

"Hey, Stephanie," Bailey shyly replied.

"You two know each other?" Cal asked.

Bailey shrugged, unsure of what to say. Stephanie replied, "We were roommates in college." She hugged her old friend and whispered, "Is Cal your Calvin?"

"Yes," Bailey giggled. "I'm sorry for not visiting sooner. I got busy at work."

"Are you moving here after you have the baby?" Stephanie wondered.

"I'm not sure. I thought about it. Cal planned to move to Boston and transfer offices," Bailey replied.

Stephanie had never made the connection that Lee was Bailey. "Bailey, Cal and I are close friends. I don't want him to leave. We could use another woman in Rangeman," Stephanie stated.

"Really?" she asked.

"Yes," Ranger replied as he wrapped his arms around his wife. "Otherwise, Stephanie wouldn't have offered you a job."

"Calvin said that Halton worked here too?" Bailey asked.

"Do you mean Hal?" Stephanie asked. Hal used that moment to join the group.

"Hey, Lee. How are you?" Hal asked.

"Feeling like an overinflated balloon," she replied.

"Hal, I had no idea that you and Cal knew my friend Bailey." Stephanie laughed. "How close are you to the due date?" Stephanie asked.

"A few weeks. I had to take the train here because Cal said I couldn't fly," Bailey said. Stephanie linked her arm in Bailey's arm. It was time for the women to catch up.

Helen's face paled when she saw Claire Brooks across the room. She squared her shoulders and approached the woman from the adoption agency. "You have to tell Stephanie that you decided to place the boy in foster care," Helen whispered.

"I will do no such thing, Mrs. Plum. You lied about your daughter's death," Claire replied loud enough for others to hear. "You signed a document stating that your family didn't want the child."

Helen gasped before she said, "It's a mistake I have to endure. There's nothing I can do to change the past."

Stephanie approached the two women. "Mom, regardless of how I feel about your decision, I will never keep a child from his family. However, if you inflict your hatred on my son, you will be sorry," Stephanie calmly said.

Rafael approached his mom. He held Stephanie's hand and added, "You can make up for everything, grandma. What happened in the past needs to stay there. But we should use the lesson we had learned to make our future better. I'm willing to try if you are."

"You don't hate me?" Helen asked.

"No. You're family, and I should give you a chance. But if you treat me the way you had my mom, I'll never speak to you again," Rafael said. "My mom is an amazing woman. She welcomed me with open arms before she had proof that I was her son."

Helen felt ashamed. "I don't understand why you lied to me," Stephanie said. "I grieved for my child since the day he was born. Except, I thought my daughter passed away. When I started working at Rangeman, I researched every girl born on September 3, 2004. Incidentally, one girl was born in the same hospital as Rafael. Did you know?"

"I did not know," Helen replied. "Stephanie, all I ever wanted was for you to get married and have children."

"It may not have been in that order, but it doesn't make it any less true. Carlos and I are happy. We're married and raising our son," Stephanie said. "I do have one more question if Claire Brooks told you that I didn't want my child in foster care, why did you go against my wish?"

"You put him up for adoption. I thought that's what you wanted," Helen confessed.

"Only if he was better off with the other family. Placing Rafie in foster care was not the solution," Stephanie said.

Helen wasn't much of a hugger, but she opened her arms for her daughter. Stephanie and Rafael stepped into her embrace. "I'll do better," Helen whispered.

"Okay," Rafael and Stephanie said.

"Frank, please take me home?" Helen asked.

Frank hugged Stephanie, Rafael and Julie. He shook Ranger's hand before escorting Helen from the building.

Marjorie and Claire approached Stephanie and her family. "Congratulations, Stephanie and Carlos. I'm happy to see Rafael in a happy home," Marjorie said. "Rafael, you scared everyone when you disappeared. How did you get out of Newark?"

"I jumped into the trunk of a car in front of my grandma's house," Rafael replied. "But I didn't know they were my grandparents."

"Papa?" Ranger asked, raising an eyebrow.

Ricardo Sr joined the conversation. "I watched him climb into Celia's car. Before you get angry, son, I called Hector and asked him to keep an eye on the boy."

"Hector?" Ranger asked, confused.

Stephanie laughed before she explained. After she told her side of the story, Rafael added his part. Hector finished the story, "I never left the boy unprotected. If Stephanie didn't take him in, I would take him home. He would not get left on the street."

"Hey, Uncle Hector, may Julie and I stay at your house tonight? Mom and Dad should spend their wedding night alone," Rafael asked.

Hector was about to agree when Maria Manoso intervened. "Ricardo and I are taking the children back to Carlos' home tonight. You're welcome to join us, Hector," Maria said.

"Come on, uncle Hector. You know you want to," Julie cajoled. Hector agreed while grinning.

After everyone ate and congratulated the newlyweds, Carlos and Stephanie kissed their children goodnight. They hugged the parents while thanking them for watching the children for the night.

Carlos held Stephanie's hand as he guided her towards the elevator. He scrambled the cameras as he pressed Stephanie against the back of the elevator. His lips crashed against her mouth as he controlled the kiss. The elevator doors opened on the seventh floor. Carlos lifted Stephanie into his arms and carried her into their apartment.

He continued kissing her as he followed her down on the bed. Stephanie moaned when Carlos deepened the kiss. She tugged on his shirt, pulling it up his body. They broke the kiss for her to remove his top. Stephanie unbuttoned his pants and pulled down the zipper. Carlos quickly removed his clothes before tearing the ones off Stephanie's body.

"Carlos," Stephanie moaned.

"Babe, we're going to do this, and it's going to be good," he growled.

"Yes!" she screamed when Carlos pushed into her. "So good."