A/N: You may want to get the tissues ready...

Chapter 11

Ten years later…

"Momma, where are we going?" Sera asked. Sera was the youngest child of Carlos and Stephanie. She was a tanned carbon copy of her mother. The seven-year-old girl had her mother's tenacity and curiosity.

"We are going to grandma and grandpa Manoso's house to pick up Rafie and Julie," Stephanie replied.

"But why are we picking them up?" Rici asked. Rici got named after his father. He was a carbon copy of his dad, including the brown eyes. Rici celebrated his ninth birthday a few weeks earlier.

"Because we have to drive them to the airport," Carlos replied.

"That's not an answer," Sera complained.

Carlos laughed at his sassy daughter. "Sera, Jules and Rafie are going to basic training," Stephanie replied.

"Is that the Army?" Rici asked.

"Yes, it is, son," Carlos replied. "Rafie and Julie enlisted together."

Stephanie knew Rafael would enlist the second he stepped inside Rangeman to see the life he had offered his friends. She thought about the day he got to meet everyone.

"There's a lot of muscular men in here. Is it a requirement of the job, mom?"

"No, sweetie. Your father had hired mostly ex-military. He believes in exercise and a proper diet, and Rangeman has the best-equipped gym in the state. Every man in this building follows a military-like routine. Most had worked with your father on missions," Stephanie explained.

"Wow. I would like to have those muscles," Rafael added. "Do you think dad would let me use the gym?"

"I'm positive he would be proud that you had asked," Stephanie said, laughing.

"Why did dad start the company?"

"He created the company to give the ex-Army, Navy and Marines employment after they served time for their country. Some companies and people are intimidated by ex-military men and women. They didn't hire them because there's always a risk they'd get called back to service. Half of the Merry Men still have government contracts. Your father permits them to work between deployments," she explained.

"Wow," Rafael said as he took in the control room. He walked around to look at all the desks, computers and men. Stephanie lovingly watched her son approach men to introduce himself.

When he got to the monitors, Ranger shouted, "Men!" After ensuring he had their attention, he announced, "The child walking around the room is my son with Stephanie. His name is Rafael. I expect you to treat him with respect."

"Same SOP as Stephanie?" Cal asked. Ranger nodded.

"Mom, what's SOP?" Rafael whispered.

"Standard operating procedure," she answered. "Come on. I'll show you around." Stephanie introduced Rafael to the men on the floor.

Ella bustled into the break room when Stephanie and Rafael sat to eat. "Welcome to the family," Ella said, hugging Rafael.

"Family?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I'm your great-aunt Ella. Your father is my nephew," she replied. "Stephanie, dear, I stocked Ranger's apartment with clothes for Rafael. Luis is converting the office to a bedroom."

Stephanie showed Rafael the gym after they ate. He was fascinated with the weight room and ring. Rafael watched Hector and Lester spar.

Hector noticed Rafael watching and motioned him towards the ring. Rafael removed his shoes and climbed between the ropes that Lester pulled open. The two men showed Rafael defensive moves while Rafie asked many questions about the military. Lester patiently answered his questions. Stephanie knew he would enlist one day.

"Momma, we're here," Sera announced.

"You interrupted her daydream," Rici said as he fought back the laughter.

"Thanks, baby. I was thinking about the day I introduced your brother to his uncles," Stephanie stated.

Carlos reached for Stephanie's hand as she exited the car. He entwined their fingers and gently pulled her towards the door. Stephanie and Carlos had been married for ten years. Their love never waned. After Sera's birth, Carlos got a vasectomy. Neither Carlos nor Stephanie wanted more children.

The door opened before they got the chance to knock. "You're early," Maria stated. "Rafael and Julie are eating lunch."

"Food!" Sera and Rici shouted as they ran towards the dining room. Stephanie rolled her eyes. The children ate a large lunch before leaving home.

"Hi, mama, papa," Juanita greeted.

"Hey, sweetie. How are you feeling?" Stephanie asked.

"Still nauseous," she confessed. "How long does it last?"

"Up to fifteen weeks," Stephanie replied. "Remember to eat small meals and have crackers on standby."

"Um," Juanita said. She wasn't sure how to broach the subject. Her dad had dementia, and Yolina spent most of her time keeping him safe. Juanita planned to live with them while Rafael was away, but she didn't think it was the place for a pregnant woman.

"Sweetie, Rafie told us about your father. You may live with us as long as you need," Stephanie offered.

Juanita sighed in relief. "I wasn't sure how to ask," she admitted.

"You will always have a place in our home," Carlos added.

Rafael entered the room and wrapped his arms around his wife. "Did you get sick again?"

"Yes. Mama said it should only last a few more weeks," Juanita replied. Rafael and his childhood best friend, Juanita, got married on New Year's Eve. He felt it was fitting since it was the night of his conception.

"Mom and Dad will take care of you and our baby, Nita," Rafael whispered.

"I know. I'm sure your aunts and uncles would help too," Juanita joked.

Rafael and Julie hugged their grandparents when it was time to leave. Carlos grabbed Julie's duffle and left Rafael to carry his own. Julie was relieved her dad drove an SUV with enough seats for their family. She hopped in the back beside her sister, who was suddenly looking sad.

"Hey, Sera. Why are you sad?" Julie asked.

"Because you and Rafie are going away to the Army. My teacher told me that some soldiers don't come home," Sera said, a tear running down her cheek.

Julie wiped the tears from her sister's cheek. "I love you, Sera. No matter what happens to Rafie or me, know that we love you," Julie said.

"I promise to write home every chance I get," Rafael added. "Would that help?"

"Ya. It would help," Sera replied.

Rici rolled his eyes. He didn't understand why his younger sister was so emotional. However, when they got to the airport terminal entrance, he cried along with everyone else. "I'll call and write whenever I can, buddy," Rafael whispered to his brother. Rici nodded. His voice refused to make a sound.

Carlos drove his children home in silence. Nobody had anything to say. "Nita, do you mind watching the children for a few hours?" Stephanie asked.

"Not at all. Is everything okay?" Juanita asked.

"Oh, yes. Everything is fine. I wanted to visit my father's grave. Sera and Rici never met him, so I assumed they'd want to go home," Stephanie explained.

"We don't want to visit a graveyard. They're scary," Sera stage whispered.

Stephanie shook her head. At some point in Sera's life, she'd have to visit one. "It's only scary at night," Juanita whispered. "Oh, do you mind taking us to Rangeman? I want to visit with Uncle Hector."

Carlos nodded and dropped the children at Rangeman. "Let Tank know if you need a car to get home," Carlos said as the children exited the car.

"Stephanie," Hal shouted when Carlos drove towards the gate.

She rolled down the window to see what Hal wanted. "Hey, I want you to meet my girlfriend," Hal said.

"Could it wait?" Stephanie asked. Before Hal could reply, Talia exited the stairwell. Stephanie jumped out of the car to hug her friend. "Talia, it's great to see you."

"It's great to see you again, Steph. I'm sorry for interrupting your plans, but I have to leave in a few minutes. When Hal said your name, I wondered if you were the same Stephanie I knew at EE Martin," Talia explained.

"We'll catch up soon, Talia. Carlos and I have plans," Stephanie promised as she hugged her friend. Talia and Hal waved as Carlos drove through the gates.

"Small world, Babe," Carlos stated.

"Three degrees of separation and the gap is closing," Stephanie retorted.

After purchasing two bouquets, Carlos drove to the gravesite with the Plum and Mazur family plots. Stephanie got out of the car to visit her grandma Mazur's grave. "Hey, grandma and grandpa. Carlos and I just dropped off Rafie and Jules at the airport. They joined the Army," Stephanie said. She told them about the past few months and Rafie's baby news. "I miss you, grandma. You would have loved Sera and Rici." Stephanie placed one bouquet in the planter in front of the gravestone.

She stood in front of the other headstone and shook her head. "Why did you do it, mom? How could you get behind the wheel of the car? I want to hate you and never forgive you, but I've taught my children that forgiveness and redemption are possible. I'm not leaving you flowers because you don't deserve them," Stephanie said. She turned on her heel to walk towards the Plum plots.

Sitting on his grave, Stephanie carefully placed the carnations in the holder. "Hey, daddy," she greeted. Stephanie stroked his name before tracing the dates. Frances Stephan Plum, June 5, 1964 - September 22, 2015. "I miss you. Every time I visit, I wonder why you got into the passenger seat of mom's car. Uncle Joe said your cab broke down, and you called for a ride. You should have called me, daddy. I would have driven you back home. Mom was drunk, and she had no right getting behind the wheel of the vehicle. Heck, even one of my Merry Men would've picked you up," Stephanie said.

Carlos lifted her from the ground to take her place. He pulled her onto his lap. "I'm not mad at you, daddy. Mom had been drinking so much that we stopped recognizing the signs of her drunkenness. Grandma Edna had a heart attack after you died. We thought you'd pull through, but the swelling in your brain happened too fast. Mom didn't suffer and died upon impact on the twentieth. You lived for two days after the accident, daddy. A nice woman in Newark got your kidney. She leaves flowers for you too," Stephanie said as she picked the withered petals off the roses.

"I know I've said this before, but I named my daughter after your mom as I had promised. Seraphina Edna looks like me after spending the summer at the beach. Carlos says Sera has my personality too. God help us all," she joked. "Your grandson, Rici, looks like his daddy. Of my three children, he's the only one with brown eyes." Stephanie's chin wobbled, and she had trouble speaking.

"Babe?" Carlos asked.

Stephanie shook her head. She wasn't ready to leave. "Daddy, I came to visit you today because Rafie and Juanita are expecting a baby. He wants to name him after you. I hope that's alright. Anyway, Carlos and I should get back home to the kids. I'll see you next month, daddy. I love you."

Carlos stood with Stephanie in his arms. He gently placed her feet on the ground. As they walked towards the car, Stephanie smelled her father's cologne. A gust of wind blew across his grave, and she could swear her dad said, "Pumpkin, I love you too."

Nearly seven months later, Rafael and Juanita Manoso welcomed their son, Frances Stephan Manoso, into the family. Carlos called in favours for Rafie to be home for his birth. Julie came home with Rafie. Rafael had asked Julie to be Frank's godmother, and his cousin, Michael Gazarra, his godfather. Julie and Rafael would leave within a few weeks for their second tour.

Stephanie and Carlos stood at the hospital window, holding their grandson. Their children stood around Juanita's bed, discussing their plans for the baptism. Juanita planned to organize the baptism for the Friday before they'd get deployed.

"Daddy, I wish you could see him. He's handsome, just like his grandpa," Stephanie whispered.

Rafael broke from the group to join his parents at the window. "Nita and I named him Frank, after grandpa," Rafael said. "He's perfect."

"I'm proud of you, Rafie," Carlos said.

Stephanie placed her grandson into his father's arms. "You and Juanita make beautiful babies," she whispered. Carlos and Stephanie wrapped their arms around their son. It was amazing how much Stephanie had endured until her son came home.

The End.

A/N: Thank you for reading my story and taking the time to leave reviews. I truly appreciate the kind words.