Chapter 13 Undercover

The alarm on Tank's phone sounded at 4:30 pm. Stephanie woke up a few minutes after Tank. She wanted to hunker back down in the warm bed. However, if she didn't get out of bed, she'd be awake for the night.

Tank's cell rang after he silenced the alarm. "What?" he asked, more awake than Stephanie felt at the moment.

"We were able to get the restraining order on Morelli. He can not go with 50 yards of Stephanie, her family or her work, both at Rangeman and the bond's office," Lester replied.

"Great, thanks," Tank said and then hung up. He was relieved that Stephanie would be slightly safer.

Stephanie looked at her husband, then asked, "Did the restraining order get approved?" She chewed her bottom lip as she waited for his reply.

Tank pulled her lip from her teeth. "Yes, it went through. An officer will deliver it to him sometime tonight. Now, let's get ready. I can bring you over to your mom's house." Tank held out his hand, and she took it, smiling.

"I know it's difficult to police a restraining order," Stephanie said.

"True, but it would give us more evidence to lock Morelli behind bars if he breaks it," Tank stated. "I won't let him get close enough to harm you, little one."

"Let me get cleaned up a little bit first," Stephanie then walked into the bathroom and closed the door. She laughed when Tank said she didn't have much time before they had to leave.

About ten minutes later, Stephanie walked out of his bathroom and was ready to go.

"Let's go. Dinner should be interesting," Stephanie looked at Tank, as they took the elevator to the garage.

They left Rangeman to go to her parents' house for Friday night dinner. She didn't really want to go, but she got ordered to attend. Her Burg upbringing had her comply with her mother's wishes.

They exited the elevator and noticed Morelli, on the street, getting served with a restraining order. The two of them saw him drive off. Tank opened the passenger door to his truck and helped Stephanie climb in.

Tank walked around the back and got in as well. They buckled up before Tank drove the twenty minutes it took to arrive at Steph's parents' house.

"Are you ready for the interrogation, Tank?"

"No, little one, I am not ready. Not even a little bit," Tank confessed as he parked at the curb. Tank got out and opened Stephanie's door. Stephanie held onto his shoulders as she hopped out of the truck.

The two of them quickly glanced at each other before walking towards the door. Stephanie briefly knocked before she stepped inside the house first. Tank placed his hand on the small of Stephanie's back as he followed her over the threshold.

"Well, is it true you married him?" Helen immediately asked. She wanted to get the unpleasantness out of the way before dinner. It would give her time to talk some sense into her errant daughter.

"Yes, mom, and his name is," before Stephanie could finish, Helen interrupted her.

"Pierre Sherman. I am Helen, and to be honest, I am glad that you married my daughter. I have noticed some bad behavior from Joe Morelli right now. I am not sure, but I think he tapped our phones. It is why I said what I said to Stephanie over the phone," Helen was quick to explain.

Stephanie's mouth dropped, shocked that her mother was more aware of the situation than she had anticipated. "Mom, you are serious, aren't you?" Stephanie asked.

"Yes, I am, honey. I am sorry I tried to push you and Morelli together, and really all I want is for you to be happy and safe. I don't like what you do for a living, but I am glad you have some good strong guys to help you. Especially him," Helen said, indicating Tank standing behind her. Helen moved closer to Stephanie and gave her a great big hug.

"Thanks, mom," Stephanie whispered to her mother.

"Now, come in, take a seat and eat," Helen said.

Frank came up to Stephanie and hugged her. "Mr. Plum," Tank said, holding out his hand to shake Frank's outstretched hand.

"Please, call me Frank. I am very happy for you and Stephanie. Morelli scares me sometimes. When they were dating, I noticed that he was becoming more controlling over her. Welcome to our family," Frank said as he sat down at the head of the table.

"Hey, Steph, there is a wake that I need to attend any chance you can bring me?" Stephanie's grandmother asked.

"When is it?" Tank asked Edna.

"The same day as always," Edna answered.

"Mom, I will take you. Stephanie and Pierre need some time alone," Helen told her, getting Stephanie and Pierre out of babysitting grandma duty.

"Geez, this will be no fun if she takes me," Edna complained.

"Sorry, Gram, but mom is right. I need time with Pierre. I promise I will take you, but it will not be this time," Stephanie said.

After they ate the main course, Helen brought out the pineapple upside-down cake for dessert. Stephanie saw her favorite dessert and threw up on Tank's boots.

"Sorry, mom, I need to pass on dessert tonight. I am just feeling a little under the weather," Stephanie told her mother, hoping that she would buy her poor excuse. Stephanie hoped to cover up her pregnancy, which in her opinion, was confirmed by the reaction to the sweet dessert.

"Okay, fair enough," Helen said as she suspiciously examined her daughter.

"Little one, let's go. It's time to get you back home," Tank told her, saving her from having to offer her mother an explanation for her sudden illness.

Tank got up from his chair and helped Stephanie up. She grabbed her purse, and the two of them left.

"He is good for her, Frank," Helen admitted as she looked at her husband. All Helen wanted for her youngest daughter was to get married and raise children. Stephanie was halfway there.