Chapter 11
Woody's POV
A month has passed since the Morelli distraction, and Michelle has taken on an additional role at Rangeman. Apparently, she's a natural when it comes to running searches. Since her work as a PT and masseuse didn't keep her busy all day, she would come up to the fifth floor to find something to do. One day, Silvio took pity on her and showed her how to run a basic search. He was so impressed that he approached Tank, asking him to allow Michelle to run searches. After Tank saw her results, he agreed. So now, whenever she's not busy with her primary responsibilities, she runs searches.
The Monday after we went out to Shorty's, she had lunch with Ranger in his penthouse. The next day, the security at her house got upgraded, to the platinum package. When I asked Michelle about it, she simply said that Ranger was a good salesman. That Thursday, he had to leave to go to Boston. The Boston branch was working with the DEA on a reasonably large drug operation, and Ranger needed to be there. He was supposed to be gone for a week, but it turned into three. Before he left, he spoke with Michelle. Then when he returned two days ago, he also went to her. Something is definitely up between them, but I'm not sure what.
Last week, I took Michelle away for a weekend in the Poconos. We stay at the Sterling Inn, which is a charming, old-fashioned inn. It was built in the 1850s, and we stayed in a cabin that had a jacuzzi and fireplace, though we didn't need the latter. We went hiking on some of the trials, and I even got Michelle to shoot her gun a bit on their range. We even made love, finally.
Tonight, we are going out for dinner. Michelle still hasn't introduced me to her children as anything more than a colleague. In fact, most of the time we meet at the restaurant, or we leave directly from work. At first, I didn't mind, but it's been almost three months, and she still won't acknowledge me with her children. I don't understand, and it has me feeling like our relationship is doomed before it can even start. I hope she knows that I plan on spending the rest of my life with her if she'd have me, that is.
When I get to her house, I see her waiting on the porch. She looks beautiful in her purple sundress with a white sweater over it.
"Thank goodness you're here. I didn't think I'd be able to escape."
"That bad, huh? The twins were difficult?"
"Yeah, the twins are in rare form. I think they're coming down with something. They were both whiny and clingy. I had to escape while Grandma and Dad had their attention."
"If you need to be home with them, we can reschedule."
"No, I need a night out. Besides, I enjoy spending time with you."
The insecurity I felt on the ride over here evaporated once Michelle made that confession. When she gets into the car, she leans over to give me a gentle kiss. "Where are we going?"
"You'll see," I inform her. I'm wearing a pair of blue chinos, a blue dress shirt, and a gray sport's jacket. I wanted to give her a special dinner tonight, then take her out dancing. When we arrive at Marsiello's, the valet opens her door. When I walk around the car, I try to put my hand on her back, but she walks faster, grabbing my hand in the process. I think for a moment and realize that she does that every time I try to guide her. What is that all about? The few times that she and Ranger have walked somewhere together, I noticed that she allows him to put his hand on her back, and she doesn't push his hand away. The maître d seats us at a table in the corner, where I have a good view of the entire room.
"What are your plans for this weekend?"
"Tomorrow, I'm taking the kids to Ocean City with Mary Lou. They're going to go on the rides. Then on Sunday, we're hoping to go to the Philadelphia Zoo. Alex can't wait to see the pumas, and Lucia wants to see the penguins."
"Wow, you sound like you're going to be busy."
"Yeah, well, we have another two weeks before the softball season and spring soccer season begins, so I need to get as many activities as I can in. Besides, since I started working at Rangeman, Mary Lou and I haven't had as many opportunities to see each other."
Michelle ordered her favorite, sausage alfredo, and I ordered veal piccata. During dinner, I told her about growing up in Texas.
"Wait, you grew up in Texas? How come you don't have an accent?"
"When I was fourteen, my parents divorced. My father moved to Chicago, and I went with him. My two sisters stayed with my mom, who moved to San Diego. She went to live with my aunt and uncle, and their house wasn't big enough to accommodate my family plus their family. They had four daughters. So, I went with dad. In Chicago, I quickly learned to hide my accent, and eventually, lost most of it. Though, when I do go to Texas or Oklahoma, it tends to come back."
"Very interesting."
"Who's sick tonight?" I ask as we are finishing our main course.
"Lucia. She has been complaining that her stomach hurts. She's been nauseous, has no appetite, and a slight fever. I know the stomach bug is going around, but she says that it hurts to move sometimes."
"No wonder you were in a rush to get out."
"Yeah, she's normally a trooper, so I'm a little concerned with how she's behaving. I expect this much whining from Alex, not Luc."
"I had a nasty stomach bug one time that left me bedridden for almost a week because I was too weak. I couldn't keep anything down. But, once I was able to eat, I felt better after a day."
"Hopefully, she's not sick that long. I don't want to take off from work so soon after the Core Team arrived."
"I'm sure they understand. Bobby is a good medic, so I'm sure that he will go to bat for you. I mean, your children do come first." The waiter is walking over with the dessert menu as Michelle's phone rings. She checks the caller ID.
"It's my Dad. Excuse me why I take this call." Michelle answers the phone and walks to the small hallway that leads to the bathroom. I watch her and see that something is wrong. I motion for the waiter, giving him enough money to cover our meals and leaving him a generous tip. In the past, it used to piss me off when my date would sit with her phone out on the table, but knowing that Michelle is a single mom, I understand why she does. But, she is respectful and never looks at it or checks it unless it rings. She returns to the table, trembling slightly.
"My father is taking Lucia to St. Francis. Her pain is worse, and she's very pale. Her fever has also increased. My grandmother is staying with Alex at my house. Do you mind taking me to the hospital? I know this isn't how you wanted this date to end."
"Michelle, don't worry about it. Your daughter is more important, and right now, she needs you. Let's go."
"Don't we have to pay the bill?"
"Already taken care of."
We quickly leave the restaurant and get in my car. I drive over to St. Francis as fast as I could without breaking any traffic laws. When we arrive, I let Michelle off by the Emergency Room before I park the car. Once parked, I head inside to find Michelle. I'll sit with her as long as she needs me here.
As soon as I step into the waiting room, I see her father. "Mr. Plum, how's Lucia?"
"The doctor thinks she may have appendicitis. She has all the symptoms. They were waiting for Steph to arrive before they continue treatment."
"I'll stay here with Michelle if you want to go back to the house."
"Thank you. I'll stay here until we find out how the doctors are going to treat Lucy."
We sit down on the opposite side of a small table, talking baseball. After about twenty minutes, Ranger, Bobby, and Cal walk in. Shit. I wonder what happened. Cal notices me then starts to walk over.
"Woody, why are you here?"
"Michelle and I were out to dinner when her father called her. Her daughter hasn't been feeling well, and she got worse as the night progressed. She's being examined, but the preliminary diagnosis is appendicitis. Why are you all here?"
"Hal and Zero reported to a robbery in progress at one of our clients. They arrived while the assailants were still there. While trying to apprehend them, one of them shot Zero in the shoulder. It's a clean wound, and we expect him to be released once he's treated. The criminals are on their way to TPD lock up."
A moment later, Ranger and Bobby walk over. "Woody."
"Ranger, how's Zero?"
"We're not sure yet. The nurse won't let Bobby back yet."
"Ranger, this is Mr. Frank Plum, Michelle's father."
"Sir, Carlos Manoso, but most people call me Ranger. I am the CEO of Rangeman. This is Bobby, our medic, and Cal, our Director of the Trenton office."
They all shake hands. "Military? Army?"
"Yes, Sir, for Bobby and I. Cal was Navy."
"You all look like special forces. Rangers or SEALs?"
"Once again, Bobby and I were Rangers, and Cal was a SEAL."
"It's nice to meet fellow Rangers. I was a Ranger back in the day, during Vietnam."
"We'll have to trade war stories. Is Michelle okay?"
"Oh, yes, Stephanie is fine, well as fine as a mother could be when her child is sick. Her daughter, Lucia, may have appendicitis." Mr. Plum informs Ranger. I notice that Ranger didn't question Mr. Plum when he called Michelle 'Stephanie.' Then again, I'm sure he read her file thoroughly. If I didn't know any better, I'd say that he paled slightly. Ranger frazzled? That doesn't happen. He glances at Bobby, who once again walks over to the reception desk. He is finally allowed in the back.
"Bobby is going to get an update on our man, and he will see if he can help Michelle."
Cal and Bobby join us at the table, and soon we are all sharing stories from our days in basic training. I've been in Mr. Plum's company a couple of times, but it seems to me that he is sizing up Ranger. Something is going on with Michelle and Ranger, and I will find out what it is. After what seems like forever, Michelle finally joins us in the waiting room.
"What's the verdict, Pumpkin?"
"Appendicitis. The doctor is going to operate to remove it. The appendix is large, which the doctor said will make it more likely to burst, so they will remove it the old fashioned way, with no laparoscopic surgery for Lucia. However, because she is young, she is less likely to have an unsightly scar."
"When are they operating?" Ranger asks her.
"Now. Surgery will take about an hour, barring no complications. By the way, why are you here? Zero was released about a half-hour ago." Michelle asks Ranger and Cal.
"We were having an enjoyable conversation with your dad. Besides, we wanted to know how your daughter was."
"Well, Pumpkin, I'm going to head back to the house. I don't want to leave Edna alone with Alex too much longer. Besides, I'm sure Alex is pestering her for an update on Lucia." Michelle gets up and walks with her father to the exit. They are talking about something that seems to get Michelle upset. She doesn't seem to like what her father is saying, but in the end, she agrees to something he said.
When Michelle returns, she sits in the seat her father vacated, looking exhausted. I see her rub her arms. Damn it, I wish I thought to grab her sweater or my jacket from the car. Ranger notices and removes his windbreaker, putting it around Michelle's shoulders.
"Here, you look cold. Do you want Cal to stop at your house to get you a change of clothes?"
"Yeah, that would actually be great. Let me call my grandmother. She'll pack the bag for me."
Michelle once again gets up to call her grandmother. When the call is over, she lets Cal know he can leave. Now, it's Michelle, Ranger, and me. I don't understand why Ranger isn't going back to Rangeman. To keep Michelle from worrying too much, I ask her what her dream vacation is.
"Hmm, let me think. This is a hard question because there two places that I want to go to. My first is Hawaii. I've heard so much about its beauty and its beaches. Since I love the beach, it's a natural vacation destination for me. However, I also want to go to Italy. I've always been fascinated by Roman times. I'd love to see the ruins. There is so much history in Italy that I could spend a year there between the artists and the composers. What about you guys."
Just as I'm about to respond, the doctor comes out, looking grim. I see Michelle tense as he walks over to us.
"Ms. Plum, the surgery to remove Lucia's appendix when well. We were able to extract it without it bursting. We were able to make a minimal incision, so she won't have a large scar. However, once in the recovery room, we gave her a dose of penicillin, which is standard after an appendectomy. Unfortunately, Lucia had an allergic reaction."
"Is she okay?" Michelle asks.
"She went into anaphylactic shock. Her blood pressure dropped, and her pulse got very weak and rapid. We're not sure if she is conscious since she was still recovering from the anesthesia. However, the next few hours are critical. Does anyone in the family have a history of penicillin allergies?"
Michelle is about to say no, but Ranger responds instead. "Yes, her aunt and grandmother are both allergic to penicillin."
Suddenly, a light bulb goes off in my head and Michelle's behavior around Ranger for the last few weeks makes sense. The Monday after Shorty's he discovered that he is the twin's father. That explains the upgrade in her security, the way he stopped to see her before he left and when he returned, and why he is staying here tonight. From the look he gave Bobby, he knew as well, then again, they all did meet at the same time. Now I know why Mr. Plum was sizing up Ranger. I'm hurt and angry, wondering why Michelle never told me. To be honest, though, when I actually think about how her kids look, Alex does strongly resemble Ranger. I'm such an idiot. My mind turns back to what the doctor is saying.
"Having relatives who are allergic is not a sure sign that someone will be, but it does increase the likelihood. She is fortunate that the reaction happened here in the hospital. We injected her with epinephrine and will start her on corticosteroids and antihistamines to counteract the reaction. I expect Lucia to make a full recovery, but we won't know for sure until she wakes up."
"When can I see her?"
"Give us ten minutes. We're moving your daughter to the pediatric ICU. Once she's settled, a nurse will come for you."
"Thank you, doctor."
Once the doctor walks away, I look at Michelle. "What is going on between you and Ranger? Please don't say nothing, because obviously, you have a history since he is Lucia's father."
A/N: The cat is now out of the bag, and Woody knows. What does it mean for Woody and Steph and Steph and Ranger? Especially now since Woody and Steph appear to be getting closer to each other. Only time will tell.