Disclaimer: Everything familiar belongs to JE.

Warning: Adult Situations

Chapter 25: Monday, August 22nd, 1500-1700

Ranger's House

Julie's POV

I'm excited to be going home finally and getting back to normal, well, as normal as it could be without Joselyn, RJ, Mom, and Dad. No. I am not going to think about them. I must stay strong. Stephanie has been wonderful to me, helping me get dressed, fixing my hair, so it doesn't bother me during the day, and being supportive. I love spending this special time with her. I hope this will continue for a lot longer. Papi is much happier and calmer when she's around. She is good for Papi.

Uncle Lester keeps telling silly stories, making me laugh. He's always acting like the class clown, but he is one of my favorite uncles, because when no one is looking, he is very sweet, sneaking me sweets, giving little gifts, and keeping us all sane, except for Papi. Papi doesn't know how to have fun. Uncle Bobby has understood about me being uncomfortable with him examining me. I know he is a little uncomfortable as well.

I decided on the ride over that I want to talk to Serena on the patio. I love hearing the ocean and smelling the salty sea air. It calms me, centers me. I'm sure Serena will be okay with that. We get to the house fifteen minutes before her scheduled arrival. Stephanie helps me to my room, where I decide to change into shorts and a tank top. I want to be comfortable now that I'm home. She's very gentle with me and asks me if I want help, instead of assuming that I need her to help me. I feel like I have some control over my life. I tried to get my clothes on by myself but failed miserably with the broken arm. My ribs don't hurt quite as much, so walking and using the restroom is a little easier.

Once I'm ready, Stephanie and I walk downstairs.

"Julie, is there anything else you need?"

"No Steph, I'm good. I can get a bottle of water if I need it. But as of now, I'm fine. Thank you for helping me and asking what I need help with first."

"You're welcome. When I'm hurt, I hate it when people assume that I can't do anything. I may be injured, but I'm not an invalid."

"That's how I felt in the hospital."

"That's how I always feel in a hospital. It's why I'm always trying to get out as soon as possible. I don't make a very good patient, Julie."

"If you want to get started on what you need to do for Papi, go ahead. I'm good."

"Okay, Julie, but if you need anything, call me, and I'll help you. I'm here to help you primarily."

"Thanks, Steph, though I'm sure Aunt Mariela will be happy to share the job."

A moment later the doorbell rings. Papi answers the door to Dr. Serena. She greets my father, saying something to him too softly for me to hear. Then she sees me, and she smiles. Dr. Serena is very pretty. She has wavy dirty blond hair cut in a bob. Her eyes are a warm brown. She's not too tall, a little taller than my 5'4" height. She's slim, but not stick thin. She is fair but darker than Stephanie. I think Serena likes Papi, but he only has eyes for Steph. She is wearing a pretty floral print maxi dress with sandals.

"Hello, Julie. I'm sorry that we are meeting again, but I'm glad to have the opportunity to spend time with you. You must let me know how things are between Crystal and Kevin." Dr. Serena says to me.

I laugh, then respond. "Oh, my goodness, that was so long ago. Crystal and Kevin haven't spoken in six months. Their break-up was legendary."

"Where do you want to sit while we chat?"

"Do you mind if we sit outside on the patio? I know it's a little hot today, but I love being near the ocean."

"Of course not, Julie. That's fine with me."

I gingerly stand up, then walk to the patio doors. "Princesa, you know where I am if you need me."

"Yes, Papi, I do. I also have Steph's number. Don't worry. I will contact either one of you if I need you."

Papi nods at Dr. Serena and me before heading upstairs to his office. I walk outside and sit on one of the chaise lounges. Dr. Serena sits next to me in another lounge. I love how she can be so informal when we meet.

"Julie, how are you doing?"

"I don't know, Serena, I feel all over the place. There are moments when I am thrilled to be with Papi permanently because I love him. I know he loves me and will always respect me. Yes, he will be overprotective, and I am not looking forward to the first time a boy asks me out, but he does everything for my safety. He bought this house for Stephanie and me. I know he won't admit it, but he's hoping to make this a home for all of us together.

"I'm glad Stephanie is here with Papi. He's much happier with her here, much more in control. I've seen him laugh and smile, genuinely smile, and it's all because of her. Steph has been great with me, helping me without being pushy, letting me try to do things on my own, and when I fail miserably, never says 'I told you so,' instead, she helps me and says I'll do it next time. She is positive."

"But then, when I'm alone, I think about Joselyn and RJ. I don't know why they had to die. They were only kids, babies. They were looking forward to starting a new school year, to see their friends every day. They always tried to include me, even with Mom and Dad trying to exclude me. I keep thinking I'm visiting Papi for a vacation, but then I remember the men, their hands on me, their mouths on me, pinching and squeezing and hurting me. I remember the pain when they, when they, you know, put their thingy in me. I remember Dad being unwilling to talk, to allow them to hurt me, almost as if I deserved it. When they finished with me and started on Mom, well, that was when he had enough. He couldn't let them hurt my mom, but he could let them hurt me. Why? Why did Dad hate me?

"Then, after he told them what they wanted to know, I remember seeing the bullet land in Dad's forehead. I remember the bullet going into Mom, but at that moment, I didn't feel any of the panic, pain, or anxiety I felt when Scrog shot Papi. I'm not sure if I would have killed those men to save Mom or Dad. I would save Joselyn and RJ. I remember feeling elated when they discovered that Papi was my father, knowing that his reputation was enough to scare them into leaving me alive. I also felt angry that they didn't learn that before they touched me because I know they would have left me alone if they knew that before they started.

"I'm angry that Papi couldn't keep me safe. Rangeman was supposed to protect us, and they didn't. They didn't get an alert when the men bypassed the alarm, and they didn't get my alert when I hit my panic button. What good is having them monitor me 24/7 if they couldn't help me when I needed them. I hit the record button, but they didn't find it. What's the point of all the invasion of privacy if it doesn't work?"

By this time, I'm hysterical, crying for the first time, letting the gravity of the situation hit me. I cry for my brother and sister. I cry for my mom and dad. I cry for the new life I have that I didn't want to get this way. I cry for my Papi, who doesn't realize how lonely he is, while I cry for Stephanie who would rather stay in a relationship with someone who openly hurts her instead of taking a chance with someone who loves her unconditionally. Serena wraps her arms around me, allowing me to cry until the tears are dried up.

"Julie, dear, what you feel is normal. You lived through not one, but two very traumatic events in your young life. Adults have difficulty coping with similar situations. You, a teenager, are one of the strongest people I know. Julie, I know your emotions are all over the place. You don't know who to blame or who to hate, but I can tell you, the only people who are responsible are those men who broke into your house. Everything that happened after is not your fault. You did everything you could to save yourself and your family. Ranger told me you fought back; you used your training to try to save yourself. You almost got away. The wake is tomorrow, and the funeral the next day. Do you think you can handle going? You don't have to if you don't want to, Julie."

"I want to, but I don't know if I can."

"Look, Julie, have Ranger take you there. You can decide when you arrive if you want to go inside or not. I know he will support you, whatever you decide. I do think it is a good idea to go to the funeral. It often is easier seeing the closed coffin as opposed to the open one. From what I understand, your Aunt Rita has open caskets for all. She doesn't believe in a closed casket."

"I think I'll try. Will my friends treat me the same or will they treat me like I have the plague?"

"Your true friends will support you and love you. They may act a little different at first, not knowing how to act, but you need to guide them. They may want to know what happened, to hear it from you. It is up to you to decide what you want to tell them and how much."

"Can I see you after the funerals?"

"Of course, sweetheart, if that's what you want. I'll arrange it with Ranger." She tells me, checking her watch. "Julie, you said you recorded what happened, and they didn't find it. Does Ranger know you recorded it?"

"He should."

"Did you tell him?"

"No."

"Julie, tell him. There is a chance he may not know. If he isn't looking for it, he may never find it."

"Okay, Serena, I will." I hug Serena, then we both walk back into the kitchen. I see Papi and Stephanie on the couch. Papi is reading something, and Stephanie seems to be sleeping with her head on a pillow on his lap. I've never seen him look this peaceful. He notices Serena and me, slowly standing without waking Stephanie before approaching us.

"Thank you again, Serena, for coming here to speak to Julie. I appreciate the house call."

"No problem, Ranger. Julie said she would like to talk after the funerals in two days. Is that okay?"

"That would be fine. How does 1600 sound?"

"That's four o'clock, right?" Serena asks for confirmation.

"Yes, I'm sorry. Habit. Stephanie hates when I do that to her."

Serena looks at the couch, then Papi before saying. "So that's the famous Stephanie that I've heard so much about, huh? I pictured her to be much prettier than she is; I mean, she's rather ordinary."

I've never seen my father get that look in his eye. That must be the look he gives the criminals and bad guys he brings down. Now he is giving it to Serena for what she just said about Steph.

"Stephanie is the most beautiful woman I've ever met, on the inside and out. I much prefer inner beauty to outer beauty, as inner beauty is always natural while outer beauty can be fake."

Serena immediately realized her mistake and backtracked. "I'm sorry, Ranger, I didn't mean anything by that comment. The way Julie described her; I pictured her much different in my mind."

"I see. We'll see you in two days, Dr. Belliveau."

"Yes, see you then, Mr. Manoso. Julie, if you need to cry, cry, if you need to scream, scream. Don't hold your emotions in; let them out. You will feel better in the long run."

"Thank you, Serena."

Serena leaves. I watch as Papi locks the door. "I'm sorry, Julie. I didn't mean to snap at her."

"No, Papi, it's okay. I didn't like how she put Stephanie down. She's jealous, you know."

"Jealous?"

"Yes, Papi, jealous. She has a crush on you. The reason she always wears dresses or skirts when you take me to her, or she comes here is because she's hoping you'll notice her. So, to see you with a woman who she perceives as not as pretty as she makes her annoyed because she feels like you'd be better off with her."

"Fuck. Please don't tell Stephanie. She has enough issues with her self-image and confidence. I don't need anything external pushing her away."

"Don't worry, Papi, I won't," I reply before kissing his cheek. He hugs me back, sharing a tender moment. "Papi?"

"Si, Princesa."

"I hit record on my panic button. Why didn't you get the recording?"

"You hit record?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Papi, I'm sure. Rocco always told me to hit record if I ever engage the panic button. We'd have drills with me hitting the panic button then pressing record."

"It didn't show up on our system. I'll have Hector look into it. Thank you for telling me, Julie."

At that moment, his cell phone rang. "Report." Pause. "What does the asshole want?" Pause. "Did you tell him we're not there?" Pause. "Fine. Tell him we'll be there at 1800."

"Who was that, Papi?"

"Marco. Joe Morelli is demanding to speak to Stephanie at Rangeman. How he found the building is beyond me, but he's there. He won't leave. Now I have to tell Stephanie we need to confront her boyfriend about her living arrangement while she's here in Miami with us."

"Do you think she'll choose to stay with him?" I ask, concerned.

"No. Steph promised to be here for you, and she will. Stephanie always follows through on what she promises."

"Okay. Don't worry Papi. I have a feeling the Stephanie will be with us forever."

"I hope so, Julie, I hope so."

I leave Papi and Steph to head to my room. I need to decompress and to journal a little. I know I'll feel better once I get my thoughts down on paper.

At a quarter to six, Stephanie knocks on my door. "Come in."

"Hey, Jules. I'm leaving. Your Aunt Mariela isn't here yet, but Lester and Bobby are here. They know where you are. If you need anything, call them. Your father and I shouldn't be too long."

"Steph, are you considering staying with Joe?"

"No, Julie. I'm here for you. You are my priority right now. You have nothing to worry about as far as me staying is concerned. I'm planning on breaking up with Joe when I see him. You are stuck with me at least until September fourth."

"What happens on September fourth?"

"I go home unless there's a reason for me to stay longer. I have to go. I don't want to be late. Bye, Julie."

I watch her drive off in her Ferrari. I'm sure Papi had it all planned so he'd get there before Steph. I hope she stays beyond September fourth.