I could not leave the story after such a surprising revelation from Stephanie's father. Here's a third update update... Valerie makes an appearance. No, she will NOT be paired with the 'cuddle umpkins' aka Albert Kloughn. Valerie deserves to have her own protector and Adonis, don't you think? My rubber arm could easily be bent if you want chapter 11 posted... all you have to do is ask.
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Chapter 10
I never engaged the floor bolt after Dad left. Carlos would be entering my apartment within minutes of seeing Dad exit the building. I waited inside the door until I saw his face. "Hi Batman. I can't believe you sat in your car for that long. You must have been bored."
"I used the time to answer emails and arrange for your moving crew," he said as he moved me further into the apartment. The usual men followed us into my apartment. I couldn't understand why we had so many people around.
"We haven't been here before," Ram stated. "Ranger said it's our new 'decompression' space. We needed to know what items are provided."
"Ummm... everything?" I wasn't sure what they were hoping to accomplish. My apartment had a small second hand wood table and chairs. The couch was lumpy and the coffee table was wobbly. Only my queen sized bed was in decent shape.
Lester had a tablet of paper and a pen. "New couch, larger table with more chairs, dishes, pots, pans, cutlery, utensils, linens..." he mumbled as I followed him around the apartment. "How did you cook anything in this kitchen?" he asked.
"I didn't cook anything unless it was take out or frozen," I answered honestly. I saw Ranger's lips twitch. He knew I couldn't even boil water. If it couldn't go in the microwave, I didn't eat it. Thank goodness Ella always stocked my freezer with prepared meals.
"We need a safe," Ram announced. "Steph's been using her cookie jar to store her gun."
I attempted to hold back a yawn. It was a very busy day. I was drained both emotionally and physically. After showing the men where everything was located, which took nearly no time at all, I packed my clothes.
Ranger brought an empty duffle bag into my room to help me pack my dresser. Tank filled 4 moving boxes with my shoes. I know there's a lot of shoes. You can't just have a few, you needed options. Cal and Hal carried several garment bags to the SUV. I wasn't sure where they came from, but I was happy to have my dresses hidden from view. Some of the outfits may give the guys ideas.
Ram carried Rex to the car and buckled him into the rear passenger seat. I thought it was hilarious. "You could have just tucked him between the suitcases in the back."
He sheepishly replied, "He's the new Rangeman mascot. I couldn't risk him getting hurt or escaping." Awe... the mean ex-military sniper was a complete softy.
"Thanks Ram. Just for that, I'll let you place Rex on the table near the monitors." His face brightened. Uh oh... what is this guy planning? I would eventually learn about the intricate aquarium system complete with tunnels and lifts. Rex was going to be in heaven when he sees his new home.
Carlos and I quickly set into a pattern for cohabitation. We went running early every morning. If it was too hot or raining, we used the track in the gym. I trained with the men and discovered I was more than capable of holding my own. It wasn't long before I passed all tests required to work at Rangeman.
My body was in the best shape ever. It's not like I was out of shape before, I have more muscles than before. Daddy was very proud of me. I was happy to have Grandma and his full support. Mom? She was being Mom, still trying to meddle, but was obviously unsuccessful. I never went home to dinner. The last one I attended, I was ambushed. She really didn't want me dating Ranger because he was neither Italian nor Hungarian.
A few weeks later, I had my confrontation with Joyce. She started working for Vinnie. He gave her low bond skips in exchange of sexual favours. I was picking up files for Rangeman when I saw her exit the building.
"Hey Joyce, do you have a few minutes? We need to talk. It's important," I stressed. She reluctantly followed me to my Rangeman SUV. "Vince, can you grab the files while I talk to Joyce?"
"Sure partner," he replied. "I'll talk to Connie until you're ready." He knew what I needed to tell her.
"Thanks." I got into the SUV and motioned for her to get into the passenger seat.
"What's so important that you had to corner me at work?" she snarled.
"A few things. First I want to know why you hate me so much. You spent nearly everyday since kindergarten making my life miserable. What did I ever do to you?"
"Daddy loved you more than me!" she spat out. "Every time I tried to talk to him, he brushed me aside and spent more time with you. He wouldn't even acknowledge me as his daughter." She was screaming. I would be surprised if Vince and Connie couldn't hear her.
"Joyce, that's because Frank Plum is not your biological father. I have the results of a paternity test for Frank Plum, Fred Gazarra, Peter Costanza, Anthony Morelli SR and Joshua Barnhardt. You already know Josh isn't your dad. Please read the results." I pressed the paper into her hands.
She was shaking too hard to unfold the paper. I gently took it from her hands to open it. "Each man along with the result is listed. Please read it," I begged.
I saw when she saw the name of her biological father. "Oh my God! I lost my virginity to my own brother?" She dissolved into tears. As much as I didn't want her cooties, I pulled her into a hug. I waited until she pulled herself together.
"Do you want to talk about it?" At first she shook her head, then she agreed.
"When we had sex, it was the first time for both of us. I heard from the older girls at school it would be awkward. During the act it wasn't too awkward, but it was after we finished. Carl and I couldn't even talk after that one time. Now I know why. He's my half brother. Does he know?" she timidly asked.
"I don't think so. It's something the two of you need to discuss. Having a sibling would be beneficial to both of you. He always wanted a sister," I joked.
"Ya, he did. I wonder if he'll hate me."
"I'm sorry, but I don't have any answers. You need to find a way to talk to him. Air out your dirty laundry and see if you can find common ground. I'm sorry nobody told you years ago."
"Thanks Stephanie. I'm sorry for everything I did to you over the years. I hope one day we can remove our head from our asses and become friends."
"That's a very tall order Joyce. I don't trust you. It will take a lot of time for me to be your friend. However, even though you destroyed my marriage, I do forgive you. It really isn't your fault the grown ups decided to hide important, life changing information from you. Use this knowledge to become a better person."
"I'll try Steph. It will take time to stop my behaviour. I really am sorry and I promise to let you live your life in peace."
"Thanks Joyce. Take care of yourself. Don't take too long to contact Carl. Sometimes it's best to just rip off that bandaid."
"Can I keep this?"
"Yes. That's your copy Joyce." She nodded before exiting the SUV. I watched as she used her phone to place a call. Hopefully she was trying to contact her brother Carl Costanza.
Valerie returned home a few months later. Her husband left her for the babysitter. She has 2 daughters, Angie who is 9 and Mary Alice who just turned 7. We decided to meet for lunch. I invited her to my apartment at Rangeman. We talked about Steve and she confessed to having a new romantic soulmate mark appear. "I've never seen the mark before. It appeared shortly after Steve met Bethany, our babysitter."
"Didn't he meet her 2 years ago?" I couldn't believe she never told me about Steve and Bethany.
"Yes. He says they never did anything, but I find that very hard to believe. Both Angie and Mary Alice caught them playing doctor. She's pregnant. That's why he left me."
"I'm so sorry Val. I can't imagine if I lost Carlos that way." I suppressed a shudder. Carlos and I were completely secure in our relationship. Neither of us would cheat on the other. Especially since we are married. Only the core team and Daddy knew we got married before he left for his mission last week. Until Ranger's contract was done, he didn't want anyone else to know.
"It was a long time coming. After Mary Alice turned 4, he started acting strange. I know he hadn't met Bethany yet," she said.
I interrupted, "What makes you so sure?" It was around the time Valerie cut her hair to emulate Meg Ryan's style. She even dyed it blond. Unlike my blue eyes, Valerie's were a warm, chocolate brown like Daddy's eyes.
"I met Bethany the day they moved in. He was at his firm's conference in Texas. Her family moved from Victoria BC in Canada. Steve never travelled to Canada. All of his conferences were held in Texas, Colorado or California. Bethany's mom said they never travelled to the US. Moving to LA was a difficult decision for the family. Her husband's company relocated and they decided to transfer. Bethany offered to babysit for me. Steve met her a few weeks later."
"I'm having the guys over for dinner tonight. Carlos is away for the next few weeks on a mission."
"Like the ones Daddy used to do?" she asked. I was surprised Valerie remembered. She was never close to Daddy and never paid attention to his disappearances. Valerie and Mom were very close. Since I was never interested in learning how to cook, Mom spent all her spare time with Valerie. I guess I should be jealous, but I really wasn't. It gave me more time to spend with my grandparents and Daddy.
"Yes. The same type. You can bring Angie and Mary Alice too," I offered.
"No, I think I'll let them sleep over at Mom and Dad's house. They've been bugging me for weeks. I'll send Mom a message to pick up some clothes." She sent a quick text to Mom, outlining the plans for the evening. I heard her phone ring. Rolling her eyes, she answered the phone. "Hi Mom. Yes, I'm spending the night at Steph's house." I could almost hear Mom lecturing her. "Mom. It's just one night. I'm not planning to move in. Okay. Thank you. Tell the girls I love them. See you tomorrow Mom."
"I'm surprised she didn't give you a harder time." I had to laugh. Mom would have been completely relentless if it had been me.
"Nah. I'm her favourite and we both know it. She'll do anything to keep me happy. So which guys are joining our party?"
"Ram, Cal, Binkie, Tank, Hector and Bobby. Did you want me to invite anyone else?" I asked. I had a feeling her new romantic soulmate mark belonged to one of my Merry Men. If only she would show me, I'd make sure he was here tonight.
She laughed. "Only if you know who belongs to this writing." I watched her lift her shirt to expose her bra. Just beneath the bra line were the words, 'Why didn't Steph introduce us sooner?' Ah... that explains why she asked about the guys. I recognized the writing. He wasn't currently invited to dinner.
Sending him a text, I begged, 'Please, please, please can you come to dinner tonight?'
'I'm on monitor duty until 8 pm. Can't make dinner,' he replied. 'Nobody to trade with.'
'That's okay, can you come over after your shift?' I used a different tactic.
'Sure. What are we doing?'
'Um... movie or playing cards. I'll let you choose.' He loved our poker nights. I hoped he'd take the bait.
'Poker. Be prepared to lose. How many players?'
'Whatever you say... maybe I'll win for a change.'
'Not likely. So? How many?' he asked again.
'Let me see... Binkie, Tank, Ram, Cal, Hector, Bobby, me, Val and you.'
'I'll bring someone with me. Make it 2 teams of 5. Winner of each team play against each other.' I had a feeling it would be his monitor buddy.
'Deal. See you then.'
"Okay. I invited another person. He'll be bringing someone else. How's your poker face Val?"
"I don't know. It's been awhile since we played." We talked about the guys who were arriving within the next hour. I could tell she was apprehensive about meeting my ex-military coworkers.
"You don't need to be nervous Val. The guys are big teddy bears. If you relax around them, they'll relax around you. Do you trust me?"
"With my life," she quickly replied. "Thank you for the plane tickets. I don't know how we would've got here."
"No price for family Val. I was glad to help."
"How did you get that much money? It must have put a significant dent in your bank account. I'll do everything I can to pay you back. Do you know anyone hiring? Steve took all the money, house and car. I'm completely broke."
I was aware of her financial situation. Rangeman's lawyers were attempting to rectify the issue. "As I said, no price for family. After buying a car, I used the money from capturing Ziggy, Sal and Morelli. I earned 110 000 that day."
"It's still too much. Dad said you rented the townhouse for me too. I thought he was paying the rent."
"Val, I'll do anything for you and the girls. You're my sister. What type of sister would I be if I didn't help you? Oh, before I forget, I have a gift for you." I gave her a small box with a large blue bow stuck on top. "Happy Birthday."
She opened the box and found a key to a new Ford Escape. "Steph. This is just over the top. I can't accept this." Valerie attempted to pass me the key.
"You can't keep driving big blue. It's a pig on gas and it's not safe for the girls. Please, take the car for them," I begged. "It would put my mind at ease knowing you and the girls are safe." I gave Valerie my puppy eyes. It took a few minutes for her to smile and agree.
"Okay. I'll accept the gift. Thank you for everything Steph. I don't know what I would have done without you."
"I hope you never have to find out. Rangeman may have an opening for a receptionist. Business is taking off. With the guys rotating on missions, we could use another person to answer phones, schedule meetings and other paperwork jobs. Do you have a resume I can give Tank?" I asked.
"No. I don't have a recent copy, only the one I had prior to getting married," she admitted.
"Not a problem, it's a starting point. Follow me, I need my laptop so we can create a new one." She followed me into the apartment office. I watched her face as she took in her surroundings. It was obvious she really liked the decorations.
"When did this happen?" she asked as she picked up my wedding photo.
CRAP! I forgot it was on the desk. "Before he left for his mission. Only a few people know Val. Please don't tell anyone."
"Your secret's safe with me. I promise not to tell anyone. It will be my way to repay your generosity." I could easy handle that payment.
"I accept your payment," I joked.
Ranger, Lester, Junior, Zero, Zip and Bones were on a mission together. We had a few contract workers available for field work and monitor duty, but no one to help with everyday business operations. I was helping Tank with the paperwork and daily scheduling. Tank and I really hated paperwork. My time was split between office duties and searches. I wasn't spending too much time in the field. We really needed another support staff member in the office. Tank said if we found an adequate person, he'll consider our options. Having Valerie here would help. She was friendly and maintained calm when immersed in chaos. Her marriage was a perfect example. Before she married Steve, she worked as a receptionist at a law firm. I knew she was capable of handling a large volume of work. We just needed to work on her resume.
