Carlos POV
Stephanie and Julie hung out in the apartment all day getting to know each other. They did the girl thing. You know paint their nails, listen to music and watch sappy shows on the tv. I on the other hand had to go down to the office to take care of some business.
I refuse to allow my time here in Miami to be all business. Now that Babe and I are a couple, I want to show her what it's like to be in a relationship. I plan on spoiling her because she truly deserves it.
I'm expecting a call from the PI that I hired to find Steph's baby girl Abby. He said he had some good news. I haven't told Stephanie this but that is the main reason we came to Miami. Yes, we came to see Julie and spend some time with her, but we are supposed to be with the PI in the morning and I am hoping that he knows where Abby is at.
It's my goal in our relationship to make sure that Stephanie is happy. I love her with all my heart. My love for her has been growing for years ever since her brother Jack showed me a picture of her, she just doesn't know it. I told her last night that I love her, but I don't think she heard me.
While we are here, I'm hoping to bring her to meet my family. All I need to do is let them know I'm in town and they will immediately get everyone together and have a huge party. It's not every day that I come to town or come to see family. Since I got out of the military, they assume I have all this time on my hands, but I really don't I'm too busy running my company and trying to expand to other regions. Also, another reason why I don't go home is that my sisters are always trying to set me up with one of their friends. Usually, their "friends" are shallow and all they want me for is my money.
Stephanie is not like that. She doesn't like it when I spend what she calls "my hard-earned money" on her. She feels like she is using me, but she isn't. I would gladly buy her anything she wants all she needs to do is let me know, but I know she will not do that. So, I have to take hints or find out from other people things that she likes, needs, or wants before I get her something.
I understand why she does it, because of everything that she has been through in her life, I just find it exhausting sometimes. That's why when I want to spend money on her I usually say please which usually makes her feel bad, so she drops it. I know it's dirty, but it works.
I came down here to sit at my desk to go over some items that I saw recently in a budget report. Things just didn't seem right. I can't put my finger on it, but something was off. Babe is good at finding things others can't so if I can't figure this out, I will have her look at it.
Lester and Bobby are in here with me trying to find the issue also. Lester volunteered to help because he said his family was getting on his nerves and Bobby, well let's just say, he was trying to get rid of a woman that keeps calling him, so he wanted a distraction. He is a player big time.
"Ranger, I'm not seeing an issue. I know it's probably here but I'm seriously not seeing it." Lester was flipping through pages hurriedly trying to make a point.
"I know I'm not seeing it either, but something just seems off." I racked my hands over my face. This was getting old. We've been here for 2 hours and nothing.
"Okay, here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to take all of this up to Babe and get her to look at it. She is good at finding stuff like this." I started gathering up all the pages.
"Wait, you told Beautiful that she wouldn't have to work while she was here. How do you think she is going to feel about this?" Lester handed me more pages to add to my stack.
"Les, you know Steph will do ANYTHING for Ranger. So, she isn't going to mind. Besides, he can get her a couple of Boston Crème donuts and she will be eating out of the palm of his hand. Literally." Bobby laughed as he handed the pages to me to add to the stack also.
I handed Les $10 and told him to go and get some donuts for Steph. Hey, I need all the ammo I can get. I'll sweeten the deal with some kisses and see how far that gets me. Maybe even add please in the mix. She can't resist me when I say that.
We waited for Les to get back, when he had the "contraband" I gathered up all the papers and we headed to the apartment. Let's see if I could sweet talk my beautiful girlfriend in helping me with this.
We walked in and what a sight we saw. Babe and Julie are laying on the floor in front of the tv. They moved the coffee table out of the way, and they have blankets and pillows used to lay on and prop themselves up with. There is popcorn, chips, drinks, and more scattered throughout their makeshift blanket area. They are laughing and watching reruns of the I Love Lucy Show.
"Looks like the two of you are having a blast," Bobby said as we stood at the edge of the blanket.
Babe held out her hand to me, "Come take off your shoes and lay with us. Relax and enjoy yourself. You too, Lester and Bobby. Come on, guys." She waves us over as she and Julie scoot over to make room for us.
The three of us took off our shoes and I sat down on the floor with my back against the couch and pulled Babe up in my lap. I put my arms around her and started nuzzling on her neck.
Les and Julie start making gagging sounds, "Get a room, geez." Les laughs as they see us necking with each other. He's just jealous.
"Babe, I have something for you." I picked up the bag of donuts that Les placed on the floor next to the blanket. I handed the bag to Steph.
"Wait! Did you get me donuts? You? Mr., "Babe, that stuff will kill you" or "Sugar's bad for you Babe", Are you feeling, okay?" She peeked in the bag and giggled with delight as she saw the 2 Boston Crème donuts awaiting her.
"Damn, Ranger she has you pegged big time" Bobby laughed as he watched Steph get excited about the donuts.
I gave Bobby a go-to-hell look and then leaned over to whisper in Babe's ear, "Darling, I need your help with something will you please look at some papers for me. I know there is something off with them, but we can't find out what it is." I started nibbling her earlobe and speaking to her in Spanish, (because I know that turns her on) hey I'm trying here.
"Oh, so this is bribery. I figured something was going on. Because you don't just voluntarily get me donuts. Ranger, just give the papers and I will look at them, you don't have to bribe me. All you have to do is just ask if I will help you and of course, I will." She grabbed the papers out of my hands, "Okay, so what am I looking for?"
"There is a discrepancy with something. We are short on the budget report and I'm trying to figure out how." I watched as she spread out the papers to get a better understanding of them.
"I need a couple of different color highlighters, please." I love the fact that she doesn't mind helping me even though I told her that she wouldn't be working while she is here.
I pointed to my desk drawer and had Lester grab a yellow and blue highlighter. I sat back and watched as my Babe went to work. I like to watch how her brain works.
After the I Love Lucy Show marathon ended, we started watching Andy Griffith Show. I didn't think Julie would care for that, but she was laughing along with the rest of us.
After over an hour of Babe, going through the paperwork and writing down information on a notepad that she asked for midway through her explorations. Suddenly Babe says, "Okay, Carlos you were right there is an issue, but I need to call Hector."
She pulls out her phone and puts it on speaker. Hector answer on the first ring, "Hola"
"Hey, Hector, you are on the speaker. I need you to grab your laptop and check some things for me. Can you check any offshore accounts to see if there are any with a combination of Marco's name?"
Marco is the guy that runs Rangeman Miami and if there is anything shady going on he would be involved with it. I didn't want to believe it but obviously, something was going on if Babe is having Hector check on offshore accounts.
"I'm thinking he is probably not going to use his real name. So, check for something with a combination of his name, first and last." I could tell by the look in Babe's eyes she was on to something
"Estefania, I found a Mark Hare that has an account dating back 5 years with a little over 2 million in it." Very few knew that Hector could speak English, those of us in this room and Tank were the only ones.
"Okay, Hec, hang tight let me check something." Now she has even more pages scattered about. "That must be him. When was the first deposit?"
"First one was January 2017 for $3,000."
"Bingo, that's it." She was giddy with excitement because she solved the mystery. She said goodbye to Hector after thanking him for his help.
"Okay, you were right in thinking there is something going on. The normal start-up bonuses are $2,000 when a new employee signs on. Well starting 5 years ago, Marco has only been giving $1,000 sign-up bonuses and taking the rest and putting it in his offshore account. Also, the "supplies" budget has gone from a stapler costing $3.00 to a stapler costing $50. You know they don't cost that much. It's also other supplies as well. So, with those 2 things going into effect, and interest that is where you get the $2 million something that is in the current account."
She is grinning from ear to ear because she solved it. I knew she could do it.
"Damn, Beautiful, nice work. Marco is really screwing us over big time." Lester is fuming mad and punching his right fist in his left palm.
"Proud of you, Babe." I grabbed her and pulled her in for a kiss. I knew my Babe, could find it.
"Okay, we need to get Javier involved and the police and figure out what we are going to do. He can't keep doing this. Santos, call Javier to have him meet us tomorrow afternoon here at the apartment. Tell him I will call him when we are back. Bobby, call the Miami PD and talk to the chief and let him know what is going on and see if he can have 2 officers here for Monday before Marco gets here for work.
I called Hector back, "Hector, I need you to open an account there in Trenton, where only the core team has access. Don't move any of the money yet from the offshore account but get ready for Monday on my command. We are going to nail his ass to the wall come Monday morning." I was fuming mad. How dare he steal from my company. Everything that I've done for him. He was going to pay and pay dearly.
Babe gathered up all the paperwork and put it to the side so Javier will be able to look at it when we see him. It was already 7 pm at night and we were all hungry and tired.
We were all trying to decide what we wanted to eat. Babe wanted Chinese. Julie and Lester wanted chicken, Bobby wanted seafood and I wanted anything healthy.
We ended up getting Chinese and I got a salad. There was a little bit of moaning going on but since Babe solved the mystery it was only fair that she gets what she wants to eat.
I advised Babe, that we had a meeting with someone in the morning at 10 am and she needed to come that it was important. She wanted to know what it was about, but I refused to tell her. let it be a surprise. Julie would go with Lester to my parent's house while we were in the meeting, and we would show up when it was over with.
We all stayed up until 10 and then finally decided to go to bed. Babe, went to bed before any of us because she said she had a headache, but I think it was more than that. When I went upstairs to get ready for bed, she was asleep, but her face was puffy and red you could tell she had been crying. There is only one thing that Steph cries about these days and that is her baby girl.
I know she thinks I don't know about the times when she cries but we all do. We try to give her space, so she won't be embarrassed that we know. It takes everything in me not to gather her up in my arms and tell her that everything will be okay.
Tonight, I wasn't going to try to make love to her I was just going to hold her and let her know that I love her and I'm there for her. Sometimes just being held is all she needs. I hope that tomorrow, Pat, the PI I hired, has some good news for us. I don't know how much more Babe can take of not having her child.
I climbed into bed next to my woman. Dios, I loved thinking of her like that knowing that finally, it was true. On the streets, in my heart, and at Rangeman she has been my woman for years, but up until a few days ago it finally became a reality.
I pulled her to me so I could put my arm around her. I love touching her. Sometimes I touch her just to make sure that she truly is there. I'm one lucky Bastard to be able to have her in my life and by my side. I plan on letting her know that from here on out.
She stirred in her sleep and mumbled something I couldn't understand. I pulled her closer to me, kissed her on her forehead, whisper to her that I love her in Spanish, and went to sleep with her in my arms.
Sunday Morning (the next day)
Stephanie's POV
I woke up with a pounding headache and it felt like my face was swollen. Well, I guess that's what I get for crying myself to sleep. I made sure Carlos and the guys wouldn't hear me when I cried. I didn't need the looks they give to me when they think I'm not looking. I can tell they feel helpless. They want to help but don't know-how.
I'm currently sprawled out on my man. God, I love thinking that. Without a doubt, the hottest man on the planet is the man I'm dating. His left arm is wrapped around my waist and his right arm is laying across his stomach next to my left arm. My head is laying on his left shoulder. Every time I take a breath, I can feel it on his neck.
Since he is always waking me up with kisses, I figured I would return the favor. I glanced at the clock. 8:17 am. Hum, Carlos must be sick. He is normally up by now.
I started kissing his neck. I worked my way up to his left earlobe. I sucked on that for a minute then traced kisses to his mouth. Must have worked, because I felt him smile under my lips.
He pulled me closer to him and started kissing me back. His tongue worked its way in my mouth and fought my tongue for supremacy.
"Wow Babe, a nice way to be woken up. You can wake me up this way every morning."
"You always wake me up with kisses so I figured I would return the favor. Carlos, it's after 8 and you aren't up yet?" I felt his forehead to make sure he wasn't feeling bad.
He laughed at me feeling his forehead, "I was enjoying being in bed with you. If we didn't have an appointment this morning, we would be here all day, or at least until Julie came and got us up."
"If our appointment is at 10 then we need to get up now. No hanky panky in the shower either, Mister." I pulled myself out of his arms and was heading to the closet when I threw those words over my shoulder.
He can move when he wants to, before I could even gather my 4 articles of clothing he is up and in the closet with me. he leaned in the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest, naked with a smile on his face.
I figured if he wants to stand there all day that's on him. I started getting dressed in the closet. If I couldn't take a shower, then I would show him.
"Babe, I thought you wanted to take a shower?" he gave me his 200-watt grin. Smug Bastard
"Well, I did but you're blocking my way, so I can't now. So, I'll just get dressed here." I turned my back to him to get a bra from the top drawer of the chest that was built into the wall of the closet.
He walked up to me and wrapped his hands around my waist. "Babe, you are right we do have an appointment and we still need to eat breakfast, but I promise you this is not over with. You have gotten me very hard and turned on by undressing in front of me." He pressed his erection on my backside to let me feel what he was talking about.
Without turning around, "Carlos, I came in here to get clothes. When I couldn't leave to take a shower because your fine Cuban Sex God ass was in the way, I had no choice but to change in here. I look forward to finishing this later also."
"Babe…" He turned me around and kissed me then grabbed some clothes so he could go to the bathroom and get dressed. I really enjoy being with him. I look forward to the time that we spend with each other.
After we both got dressed, we met downstairs. I had everything I needed, and Julie was still asleep, so Bobby had agreed to stay with her until Les showed up and they went to Ranger's family's house later that afternoon.
Ranger grabbed my hand interlocked our fingers and we went down in the elevator to the garage so we could go to our meeting. I grabbed us a breakfast to go because we were on the verge of being late for the meeting. Ranger got bagels and cream cheese and I got toast and jelly.
I figured we would eat more at his parent's house when we got there later. He still hasn't told me where we were going and who we were seeing. I didn't bother asking again, I just sat back and enjoyed my food and watched the scenery go by.
We pulled up to a building that had 3 black Mercedes parked in the front. It was a red brick building with no descriptive writing or signs stating what type of business it was. Ranger drives around back and parks in front of a back door. How he knew we were in the right place was beyond me, but okay.
We both got out of the car, and he interlocked his fingers with mine as we strode into the mysterious building. I assumed we were going through the backdoor, but once you walk through it you are mistakenly wrong. It's the front door.
As you walk through the door, there is a large room with brown carpet, a huge metal desk off-center 3 filing cabinets in the far-right corner. An ugly fake potted plant in the immediate right corner on my right side and chairs next to the flailing fake plant. Then on Ranger's left, there are photos and awards lining the wall.
A man that looks to be in his late 50s or early 60's sitting behind the desk. He has short brown hair with silver strands he looks like he is about 6'1 and around 200 lbs. but he is not a heavy set. He is muscular and has a gun holster on his right side with a gun showing. Someone that Ranger would know. The desk was laid out with paperwork of all kinds. There's paperwork on top of paperwork. How he finds anything is beyond me. That would drive me nuts.
"Ranger how are you man?" the guy stood up and they did that man hug thing. You know what I'm talking about where they pull each other in and then like fist bump or some stuff like that. Yeah, it's a guy thing.
"Hey Pat, how's work going, you been staying busy?" Ranger motioned for me to sit down next to him in the chair.
"Staying super busy." He finally looked over at me, "Hello, beautiful lady, I'm Pat. What are you doing with this loser?" His eyes were laughing as he spoke.
"Babe, this is a friend of mine, Pat. Pat this is my girlfriend, Stephanie."
"Girlfriend? Wait! What is he paying you to pretend that you're his girlfriend? I can't see Ranger with a woman in his life." He grabbed my hand and kissed the top of it.
"I promise you Pat he isn't paying me anything, well okay, maybe a couple of Boston Crème Donuts sometimes, but other than that, yes, we are dating. It's a pleasure to meet you"
"Boston Crème's Huh? Good to know." He laughed and sat back down in his chair.
Ranger just shook his head, "Babe, you never disappoint."
"Ranger thanks for giving me that information. I think I may have found something." He was looking directly at Ranger as he spoke. I wasn't sure what information he was talking about, but the way Ranger was holding my hand and would glance at me every so often I had a feeling it involved me so how.
"Babe, Pat is the one I gave information to about your daughter." He rubbed his thumb on the back of my hand "Pat, you need to tell Stephanie here any information you have because it concerns her."
I scooted up on the edge of my seat. Please, God, this had to be good news, right? I interlocked my fingers with Ranger and had a death grip on them. If it hurt, he didn't show it.
"Okay Stephanie, let me tell you what I found. I found a little baby girl, that is almost 3 months old. Her name is Madelyn (but your baby's name could have easily been changed). She is dark-skinned, about the shade of Ranger. She has beautiful brown hair; blue eyes and she has a distinctive birthmark on the left side of her neck the size of a dime."
I didn't realize I was holding my breath until I let it go. I wasn't going to get excited until I could see a picture. "Do you happen to have a picture of her?"
"I do but I would rather get your DNA and have someone at my lab run it and then see if it matches the baby's DNA."
I can see where that makes sense, but I really wanted to see if this could possibly be my baby. Sensing that I was going to object, "Pat, we can give you Steph's DNA, but can she see the picture to at least see if there is a possibility that it could be Abby?" Ranger asked Pat but was staring at me the entire time.
Pat looked from me to Ranger then back. Shook his head then grabbed his phone to find the picture. He handed me his phone.
I was speechless. She was so beautiful. It looked like My Abby; she was the right age. She was asleep in the picture, so I don't know what color her eyes were, but she did have the birthmark on the side of her neck. To me, it was worth giving my DNA to see.
I handed the phone back to Pat, "Take my DNA." That's all I said. I knew I had to try.
He pulled out a long Q-tip and swabbed the inside of my mouth on both sides. He put that in a zip lock bag and said that he should have results within 24 hours.
"If you can speed it up, do it, Pat. I'll pay extra you know that." Ranger stated as we stood up getting ready to leave.
"Yes, I'm aware and I will put a rush on it. Can I call you on your cell if I hear something sooner?"
"Yes, call Stephanie's cell phone first though. Here's her number." He held his phone up so the number could be copied down.
We both shook hands with Pat. He promised me he would let me know as soon as he got the DNA results back. Ranger interlocked our hands back together, his left and my right, and we walked out the door.
Getting into the car, I sat back and got lost in my thoughts. Ranger was in his "zone" so that was good no talking was required. We had our hands interlocked on his lap. The thoughts in my hand were going 90 miles an hour.
Was it Abby? If so, where was she? How was I going to get her back from the people that had her? Would I have to go to court to prove that I'm her mother? She looked like she was okay in the picture if that was her, but again where was she? I guess that was the million-dollar question.
I couldn't believe that a couple that paid $50,000 for a baby, would give her up without wanting to get their money back. Instead of giving her up, they would more than likely sell her for what they paid for her or more. So, why are they allowing a DNA test to be done? It doesn't make sense to me.
Not that I'm complaining by no means if it is Abby, but if I was in their shoes, I would be fighting tooth and nail not to give her back. So that tells me either they never really wanted her, or they no longer have her and can't make that decision anymore. If they no longer have her, then where is she. Oh God, is she in foster care? Is that how they can get the DNA.
If she is in foster care, then why would Joe sell a baby to a couple, if there was a possibility that the child would end up in foster care? I mean, he knows how foster care is. Usually, the children are not treated well. There are just so many questions that I have. So many that I need to be answered. The next 24 hours are going to be insane for me while I wait. Waiting is not a virtue of mine.
Lost in thought, I suddenly realized that we were no longer moving. I looked around and noticed that we were at a house in a nice neighborhood. It was a beautiful 2 story house that had 2 large white columns in the front. Beautiful flowers are planted in window boxes on the outside box windows. The house was a dirty white color. Looked like it may need a good cleaning. There were at least 20 cars if not more parked in the driveway, which was a circle one, and cars were also on the street. Since we were in a Ferrari, it seems to be the only expensive car there.
"Babe, you with me still?" Ranger waves his hands in front of my face.
Shaking my head trying to clear my thoughts, "Yeah, I'm good I was just thinking. Where are we?" Looking around I noticed an older woman was at the door watching us.
"Babe, this is my parent's house. Remember we are here for a party for one of my cousins. You've been lost in thought for 10 minutes. That's pretty much how long we've been sitting here. I figured you had a lot on your mind, and I didn't want to bother you."
"I'm good Carlos, let's get out and see everyone. I just hope they like me." now I was nervous. I hadn't really thought about meeting his parents or the rest of his family all day but now I have butterflies.
He came around opened my door for me. He bent down and unbuckled my seatbelt. Gave me a wonderful kiss on the lips, "Babe, my family will love you. If they start asking too many questions, I will shut them down. You can tell them what you want, or if you want, I can tell them you just have to let me know. Don't be nervous or scared they won't bite, and I promise no one will harm you in any way." He grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the car.
We interlocked our hands and walked up to the door, it opened by a little elderly woman, who was looking directly at me smiling. She was about 5 feet tall with gray hair and dressed in a pair of gray slacks with a flower shirt to match. Her eyes were a beautiful autumn leaf color and she spoke only in Spanish.
"Carlito, usted vino!" the elderly woman said as she grabbed Ranger into a big hug. (Carlos, you came)
"Si, Abuela. Babe, this is my abuela Rosa. Abuela, esta es estephanie mi novia." (This is Stephanie, my girlfriend)
"Mi Novia?" She hugged me tight and seemed impressed that Ranger had a girlfriend. I understand a little of what was being said but not much.
As we walked further into the room, all conversations stopped. Every set of eyes was focused on us. Talk about intimidating. I glanced down to make sure the sundress and sandals I was wearing were okay. No stains. Check. No rips. Check.
Of course, the silence didn't seem to faze Ranger. He was calm and collected. He pulled me over to a woman that had to be his mother. There was too much of a resemblance. She was a beautiful woman about 5'6 with black curly hair beautiful chocolate eyes and a gorgeous smile. She had on a 2-piece outfit that was cream in color. She looked like she just stepped off Good Housekeeping magazine.
"Carlos you're here. I missed you so much." She grabbed him in a big hug. Truly excited to see her baby boy.
"Mama, I missed you too." He pulled me up to him, let go of my hand, and put his arm around my waist. "Mama, this is my girlfriend, Stephanie. Stephanie, this is my Mama Tia Marie."
"Your girlfriend, Carlos? Why did you tell me you had a girlfriend? You never tell us anything." She turned to me finally, "Hello, Stephanie it's nice to meet you." She grabbed my hand and patted it.
I made sure I looked in her eyes as I spoke to her, "It's so nice to meet you to Mrs. Manoso. Your house is beautiful." Hey, I didn't know what to say, I was trying to use my Burg manners. I knew they would come in handy at some point.
"Please call me Tia Marie or Mama."
We walked into the kitchen to see others. Finally, everyone started back their conversations. But there was a steady flow of people coming up to meet Carlos's "girlfriend" everyone seemed nice and was truly glad to meet me. His 4 sisters took me to the side and started drilling me. His sisters are Celia is the oldest, then Lydia, then the twin's Pilar and Amenia.
Ranger decided to take himself outside during the questioning. Oh, he was going to pay for that. Trust me. what happened to "Babe, I'll shut down any questioning if they ask a lot." Yeah, right.
Here I am trying to answer questions as they fly by.
"How did you meet?"
"How long have you been dating?"
"Is it serious?"
"Do you love him"
The questions just went on and on. I couldn't answer them fast enough. Finally, I just gave up and told them to give me a few minutes I would get Ranger to answer all the questions.
I finally found him outside amongst the men laughing and talking. I figured I wasn't going to disturb him, so I sent him a text message
"Get your fine Cuban Ass in here and answer these questions from your sisters before I start drinking." Send to Ranger
Apparently, he thought the text message was funny because I saw him show his phone to a guy next to him, which caused him to laugh then all the others started laughing.
He didn't bother about sending a text back, but he did make his way back to where I was at. Which was in front of the screen door in the back watching him.
By the time he got to me, I was a mess. I was visibly shaken and getting a headache. He could tell that something was wrong because he grabbed my hand as he came through the door.
"Babe, are you okay?" He was looking from me to his sisters that were sitting around the living room anticipating my return.
"Carlos, you left me alone with your sisters. They are wonderful but I'm being thrown question after question, and I can't answer them all. I need you to answer them. Tell them what you want. Just make the questions stop. I'm starting to get a headache."
"It's alright Babe, I got you." He pulled me into a hug. Then we walked back into the living room so he could answer all the questions that his sisters wanted to be answered.
For the next 2 hours, I met at least 50 members of the Manoso family. I met his brother Alex. His cousins, Javier, Matteo, and Juan. Nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles. Just anyone and everyone you could think of. Since Javier was there Carlos made a point in talking with him about the issues with Marco tomorrow. Javier agreed to meet him at 8:30 am the next morning to get things prepared to take Marco down.
With my permission, Ranger explained to everyone, not just his sisters, how we met, what happened to my baby girl, and that he was helping me find her which was one of the reasons why we were here in Miami.
After everyone learned what happened to me, the things that Joe did to me or made me do, and the fact that he sold my daughter, all the women were just stunned. Each one came up and hugged me and expressed how sorry they were that I went through everything that I did.
It felt good to have people that care but I was also very ashamed. They didn't make me feel as I was. Ranger told everyone that we left the PI's office this morning after I provided DNA in hopes that my daughter had been located.
After I showed a picture of Abby to those that wanted to see it, they all thought that she could easily pass as Ranger's daughter. Which in all honesty she could?
By this time, we had been at least 3 hours since we arrived, and it was finally time to eat. Good because I was starving. Seeing how I've never had Cuban food before this was going to be a treat.
There was a whole assortment of food. I didn't know what to get so I had Ranger make me a sample plate of whatever he thought I might like.
Ranger set this plate of gorgeous food down in front of me. This was going to be interesting.
"Okay, Carlos so what did you put on here?" I eyed the plate with curiosity and longing to eat.
"Okay, Babe so this is Arroz Y Frijoles Negros (which is Rice & Black Beans). This meat is Lechon Asado (Roast Pork)." He points to various items as he gives me the descriptions of each.
"Carne Con Papa (Meat & Potatoes) & finally Papas Rellenas (Fried Stuffed Potatoes)"
"Wow, this all looks good." As I ate the food, it was all so good I was moaning and just about had an orgasmic experience. My eyes were closed and when I opened my eyes, I had all eyes on me at the table.
"Oh, Crap. Sorry, it's just so good." I was so embarrassed I made sure that I didn't moan anymore.
"Carino Mio, don't apologize we are glad that you enjoy the food." Tia Maria laughed along with everyone else.
"Babe, you never disappoint," Ranger said as he shook his head.
Everyone knows now how I have a love of food. which isn't a bad thing. This will go down in history as one of the best days I've had in a long-time food-wise that is.
Ranger and I moved over to the sofa and were talking to his sister Lydia about the design business that she owns. As we were just getting into the specifications of it, my phone rang.
It was from a number I didn't know. I started not to answer it but then I thought it might be something important. Good thing I did answer it.
"Hello?" I almost didn't say anything wanted to see if someone said something before, I said hello.
"Hello, is this Stephanie? This is Pat the PI that Ranger introduced you to this morning."
"Oh, hey Pat. Yes, this is Stephanie. Do you have any news?" I scooted up on the edge of the sofa. I was nervous and scared.
"Yes, Stephanie we got the DNA results back. The little girl in the picture, that is your daughter Abby." I couldn't believe it I dropped my phone. I put my hands over my mouth.
I was crying and so happy. My baby girl has been found. I picked my phone back up and told Pat to give me a minute.
"Ranger, Abby's been found." I threw my arms around him and continued to cry. He grabbed my phone and got the information from Pat as to where Abby was at.
Ranger held me as I cried. I was happy and scared at the same time. It was difficult emotions to describe.
Everyone came up to me and tried to hug me, but I wouldn't let go of Ranger. He walked me out of the house with promises that we would return later in the week. He fastened me in my seatbelt then walked around to the driver's side and got ready to leave. Before leaving he grabbed my left hand and interlocked mine with his right hand.
"Babe, I'm so glad that Abby has been found. Are you going to be, okay?"
I still couldn't believe it. I still couldn't believe that my baby girl has been found. I had my eyes closed and I was still crying but it was just basically tears rolling down my cheeks. I opened my eyes and looked into those beautiful chocolate brown eyes that were staring at me through hooded shades. What I saw in them blew me away.
"Yes, Carlos, I just can't believe you found my daughter. You really did. You are amazing. I owe you everything. I don't know how I would be able to repay you, but I would do anything to help you. Thank you. I can't say that enough. I love you, Ranger, I know you may not love me but thank you so much."
He laughed. "Babe, I didn't do anything. I just gave the information to Pat, and he is the one that found her. I love you too, carina. I have for many years."
I looked at him like he had two heads. "You didn't do anything? Carlos, you GAVE the information to Pat. You did. Not me. You. If it wasn't for you knowing Pat taking down the information and offering to help me, she wouldn't have been found. So yes, you did do something. You did something phenomenal. There will never be a way for me to repay you. I will be forever in your debt for the rest of my life." The thought of that was not a bad thing by no means. I pulled him to me to kiss him to show him how much I appreciate and love him.
When I pulled back a look of pure pleasure or what could be called happiness came over Carlos's face. He gave me his big 1000-watt smile, "Babe, I'm glad I was able to help you. Now let's go and get your baby girl."
It was right around 4:30 pm in the afternoon when we left. Ranger put the address that Pat gave to him in his GPS. When we arrived at the location, we discovered that it was a CPS office. Now, why is my daughter in CPS custody? This doesn't make any sense.
Ranger got out of the car came around and opened my door. He saw the questioning look in my eyes as to why Abby was here. "Babe, I don't know but you better believe I'm going to find out." I knew what he was talking about, so he didn't have to elaborate anything else.
We walked into the building holding hands. When we walked in an older woman with glasses greeted us. She was about 5'4 heavyset with her hair in a bun. She wore reading glasses and had bags under her eyes. She was wearing what looked like a homemade dress with one nurse's shoes.
"Can I help you?" She asked sternly with a look of disdain on her face.
Before I could say anything, Carlos became my hero again, He flashed his 200-watt smile, "Yes, Ma'am. My name is Mr. Manoso. We received a call from Pat Zimmerman, concerning an infant little girl that was in your care. I believe she is called Madelyn. This is the baby's mother, Stephanie Plum, and she would like to get her daughter, please."
She was taken back by the smile. Well, hell aren't they all. We all swoon over Ranger's smile.
"Right this way, Mr. Manoso. Thank you so much for coming." He released my hand so she could take him and guide him to my child.
Oh, I will admit, he can play the charmer and flirt when he needs to. He gets props for that no doubt. He is definitely a ladies' man, and he knows how to put on the charm.
We walked into a room that had 10 different baby beds lined up against a wall. There was a chest of drawers in between every 2 beds and several rocking chairs. Some babies were awake, and others were crying.
Our guide, sorry still don't know her name, walked us in front of the far-right bed in the corner. There in that bed was my beautiful baby girl. I just stared I couldn't believe it. She was here. I reached down to touch her to make sure she was real, and she was. I was taken back. I was expecting this to be a dream, but all of it was real.
Ms. Hendrickson, Carlos found out her name, said I could stay there with the baby, but she needs Carlos to sign some papers. He told me he would be right back. I couldn't wait any longer I had to hold her
I gently raised her and put her on my chest. She was in my arms. I stood there crying and rocking her back and forth. Talking to her and telling her how much I loved her. she was asleep but that's okay, I just enjoyed holding her and loving on her.
The rest of the time that we were there I held her. There was no way in hell I was letting her go. Carlos tried to get me to put her down just long enough to sign some papers but nope, I held her and signed papers too. Mommas know how to multi-task.
Carlos found out why she was there and how she got there. Apparently, Joe didn't screen the family that he sold her to because they were nice and proper on the outside, but they were also addicted to Cocaine. Once they got Abby and had what people thought was a picture-perfect life, they started using all their money on drugs. After the woman, her name was Susan, didn't come to work for 3 days, a welfare check was done on her, and they found her, and her husband Charles died from overdose and Abby was in her bed screaming and crying. Thank God she wasn't hurt. The couple had been dead less than 24 hours, so Abby wasn't without food very long.
When I found this out, I vowed that Joe was a dead man when I see him next. He may think he was a big-shot cop, but I was going to make his life a living hell.
We finally got to leave after being there for close to 2 hours. They gave us a car seat and a "diaper" bag that they had for Abby. I walked out of the building with her in my arms and Carlos had his arm around my waist with a huge grin on his face.
I took everything in me to put her in the car seat. I didn't want to put her down. I finally relinquished her to Carlos so he could put her in and buckle her up to keep her safe.
Finally, I was bringing my baby girl home. Finally.
