Chapter 13 Forced Family
Ranger and Albert entered the elevator when Ranger's cell phone rang. He checked the caller ID and pinched the bridge of his now. "Hi, Rachel. I can't talk right now. It's not a good time," he said before she could speak.
"I just called to inform you Julie's custody papers are ready. Our lawyer is faxing them to your office. We've got the adoption overturned. Congratulations, Carlos. It's a girl," Rachel quickly said.
"I'll drop by my office to check. When I've read them through with my lawyer, I'll sign them and fax them to your lawyer," Ranger said before ending the call. Ranger shoved his phone into his pocket. He dropped by his office to wait for the custody papers to print on his fax machine.
Ranger released a deep breath as the papers finished printing. He glanced at them to ensure all the pages listed on the cover page got sent. Once he verified the fax was complete, he handed the document to Albert. "Time to earn your paycheck, Albert," Ranger said. The corner of his lip tipped into the smallest of smiles. "But first, you need to sign your Rangeman contract." Ranger gave Albert the folder containing his contract and signing bonus for Rangeman. After reading the terms, he signed.
Albert took a seat in the chair to read the details of the custody and adoption papers. He grinned and said, "You need Stephanie to sign them too." Ranger raised an eyebrow. Albert pointed to the line in the document for Ranger to read.
Ranger pulled his phone from his pocket and dialled Stephanie's cellphone. "Babe. Can you bring everyone down to my office right away?"
"Sure. Give us a few minutes," Stephanie replied as he hung.
"Where are we going?" Valerie asked when Stephanie asked everyone to put on their shoes.
"Ranger asked us to come to his office for a few minutes. He never gave me any details, but it must be important enough for us to go now," Stephanie replied.
A few minutes later, everyone was seated around Ranger's office. Valerie was looking at the framed documents hanging on the walls. "Wow, Carlos. I didn't know you got a master's degree in Criminal Justice," Valerie gushed as her jaw dropped open.
"I got my undergraduate degree while I served with the Army Rangers. I returned to school for my master's degree. A few months ago, I signed my exit papers. I'm officially retired from the Rangers. It feels good not having to leave for missions anymore," Ranger replied, giving Valerie more information than he usually shared. Stephanie smiled at Ranger with pride.
"It's good when she takes your last name. It will help you get full custody of her. Martine's lawyer added a clause stating they are handing all rights to Julie to you. I will sign as your legal representation, and Valerie could sign as a witness. Within a few days, Julie will be yours," Albert explained.
"She has always been mine. Now it will be official," Ranger said as he signed. Albert pointed to the area where Stephanie's name was listed.
"You need to sign too, Stephanie," Albert said as he pointed to her name. Stephanie would be Julie's legal mother. After Ranger signed the custody papers, It was Stephanie's turn. Once all the signatures were on the document. Ranger faxed it.
"What is next?" Ranger asked Albert.
"We wait. Rachel's lawyer will get the papers, and then they will go before a judge. Once he rules in your favor, it becomes official by law," Albert explained for Stephanie's benefit. Ranger already knew the process of giving away his rights to Julie many years earlier.
"I am giving both of you a choice. We can go to the house or stay here for the night."
Before Stephanie and Julie could answer, Ranger's phone rang. "Hey, Boss, we got two of Steven's men. They were at the mall. No word on Stevens yet, but we have a starting place," Tank told him.
"Great work, Tank. I will drive Julie and Stephanie to the house. So that way, they will be safe," Ranger told him. They organized the security detail for the house.
"Got it, " Tank said and was gone.
"Yeah, I will stay and help," Albert said. He wanted to protect Ranger and his family. "Just to make sure, we can use what they tell us," Albert added.
"All right, I will have Hal and Lester bring your wife and girls home," Ranger told everyone. Albert was happy his family would be protected as well. He wasn't sure if Stevens or his men saw the group together in the mall. Everyone left Rangeman for the night except for Albert.