Disclaimer: Everything familiar belongs to JE and the creators of Criminal Minds.
Warning: Adult Situations
Chapter 31: Wednesday, August 24th 1500-1700
Hospital
Ranger's POV
Today was one of the worst days of my life. I had to console my daughter, my Princesa, as she said goodbye to her mother, father, brother, and sister. She broke down yesterday at the wake, but it was worse for her today. The finality of seeing their coffins lowered into the ground struck Julie hard. She collapsed, and I had to carry her back to the car. Stephanie wasn't holding up much better. She also hated funerals. Between her and Julie, I didn't know who to comfort first. Lester picked up on my dilemma and took care of Stephanie for me, giving her his shoulder to cry on, helping her cope even though I wanted to be that man. However, my daughter was my priority.
Once we were ensconced in the SUV, Julie finally relaxed a little. Rita was a bitch to Julie, once again blaming her for the events of that night. However, I was proud of my little girl when she told Rita that she removed those awful teddy bears, that Joselyn and RJ hated them, and she made sure that they had the plush dolls that they loved and wanted, the ones that Julie had given them. I know that Rita will try to get custody of Julie so that she will have access to my money, but she won't be successful. Javier is unbeatable for his clients, but for me, his brother and niece, there is no way that she will find someone who can beat him. "Papi, can we go see Thomas."
"Of course, Julie, if that's what you want," I tell her. In the last few days, Julie and Thomas have formed a strong bond. I know that she feels bad for him that he has no one. She has her Manoso family and me. Thomas is utterly alone in the world. I've been considering asking Stephanie if we could foster him, at least until something more permanent comes along. But I had a feeling that if Thomas made it into my home, he'd never leave. As much as I didn't think I wanted a family, I keep picturing Julie and Thomas sitting on the floor in front of a Christmas tree with a baby in Stephanie's arms. I want that scene. I want a family. I want that family with Stephanie.
We arrived at the hospital shortly after 1530. Julie went straight to Thomas' room, reading him Thomas the Train, which is his favorite character. He had a similar stuffed train as RJ had. He's physically much better, but the doctors are trying to keep him in the hospital as long as possible because they don't want him in a state-run home. They are afraid the other kids will hurt him.
As Stephanie and I watch the kids interact through the glass, I decide now is the time to discuss my thoughts on Thomas with Stephanie.
"Babe, it seems that Thomas and Julie have a strong bond, a strong connection. They both are much happier and centered around each other. I was considering asking Children's Services to allow Thomas to come back with us, to our home, instead of going to a state-run facility. What do you think?"
"I think that's a wonderful idea, Carlos, but what about long-term. Do you think it might hurt him when he has to leave you?" Steph replies.
"I figured we cross that bridge when we get there."
"Carlos, you can't take a five-year-old boy in your house, let him get comfortable and feeling safe only to kick him out later. He already lost one family."
"I'd be willing to adopt him. I have Julie, and if they get along, why not keep Thomas? I have enough money that I can support them. I have a house here and the means to build one or buy one wherever we decide to live, the only thing that is missing is the woman I want to share my life with, the woman who I want to be Julie's mother."
"And who's that, Ranger?" Steph asks. I can't believe she doesn't know the answer.
"You, Babe."
"Carlos, I don't know. I mean, we are not even dating. I'm not sure if I'm ready to be a mom to Julie, let alone Thomas. I'm still not sure if I want children. Please, Carlos, don't make me decide." Steph replies with panic in her voice.
"Babe, I know I've sent you a lot of mixed messages in the past, but I love you. All of you, without qualifiers. I've loved you for a long time. I know that everything I have told you didn't back up my feelings, but I wasn't ready to commit to you. I was too afraid that you and me, linked together, would cause you to be hurt or killed. I couldn't live with myself if you were killed or seriously injured because of me. But, after what happened to Rachel and her family, I realized that you could be taken away from me tomorrow, by no fault of yours or mine. I don't want to wake up one day and discover that I wasted away my life. I don't want to live with regrets. I know how I feel and what I want. I know I'm throwing a lot at you in a short period. You don't need to decide tonight. At least now, if something were to happen to you or me tomorrow, I know that I told you the truth about how I feel. No regrets, Babe."
There, I said it. I told my Babe how I feel. The ball is in her court. I watch her eyes as she tries to formulate a response.
"Carlos, I love you, but there as too many things happening right now. I can't make any decisions about my future yet. I promise I will think about what you said, but I do know that for us to have a chance at all, you need to try a little harder. Joe never took me out on a date that wasn't part of his job or family-related. I never got flowers, chocolates, or gifts for no reason. I want those things. I want to feel loved all the time, even on those nights when I don't want to make love to you. I want to feel appreciated. I want to be wanted."
"Stephanie, we'll take it as fast or as slow as you'd like. We'll go out on a date, just you and me, once everything with this case is settled. Dinner and dancing. Please, Babe."
"Okay. It's a date." Steph replies with a smile on her face.
"Now, about Thomas. I have a lot of concerns about his safety. No one can keep him as safe as I can once he's out of the hospital. I want to be the one to protect him; I need to protect him. Can you help me convince the Case Manager to release him to me, to our custody?"
I need to be the one protecting that innocent boy. I hope Stephanie agrees to it, but if she doesn't, I'll find another way to ensure his safety.
"I think you're right, Carlos. You can ask. But you need to make sure that Thomas understands that your home isn't permanent. I'd hate to see him become attached. But before you start the ball rolling, you need to check with Julie. She is your biological daughter and your priority. She should have the final say."
"Yes, you're right, Steph. Thank you." I tell her before I kiss her chastely on the lips.
"Thank you for what?"
"Supporting me in every way, shape, and form."
I glance into Thomas' room and see that he is asleep. Julie slowly gets up and kisses him on the forehead, placing his Thomas the Train next to him and tucking him in before leaving the room.
"Papi, I'm ready to go home, now. Thank you for coming here. Can we visit with Thomas again tomorrow?" Julie says as she comes to join Stephanie and me.
"Sure. That's not a problem. Now what?"
"We go get ice cream."
"Oh, Julie, that's a great idea. Ice cream, now, Carlos," Steph adds.
"How can I deny my two girls. Let's go get ice cream, even though that stuff will kill you."
Both Stephanie and Julie giggle and I hold back the smile. I love seeing my girls happy. We head out of the pediatric floor and then out of the hospital. As we are getting ready to approach the vehicle, Stephane grabs my arm and pulls me back.
"Ranger don't go near the car. My spidey sense is humming like crazy."
As if on cue, the car explodes. I'm glad we weren't driving the Lamborghini or Ferrari. My phone rings a moment later. I inform the control room of Miami that we're okay and that they need to bring me another car. Julie is scared, holding on tightly to Stephanie, and as usual, my Babe is taking it in stride.
"It wasn't my fault," Steph tells me.
"It never is your fault," I reply.
Miami-Dade PD and Fire Department arrived quickly, with Agents Rossi, Prentiss, and Alvez coming a few minutes later.
"We read articles about your reputation for destroying cars. It seems even in Miami you can't escape your fate." Alvez says, jokingly, shaking his head.
"But it wasn't my fault, especially not this time." Steph whines.
"What happened?" Rossi asks.
"We finished visiting with Thomas when we decided to leave to get ice cream. Julie was feeling a little down after the funeral. As we walked out the door, Stephanie stopped me, telling me not to go any further because her spidey sense was going crazy. A moment later, the car exploded. I'm not sure what the trigger was, though." I respond.
We watch as the local Fire Chief approaches, to discuss what they have determined so far. As the Chief is approaching, I see Morelli get out of a car. It seems he caught a ride with JJ and Simmons.
"Cupcake, I don't know why you still refuse to come back to Trenton with me. Even in Miami you still manage to blow up your car. You are a hazard to yourself. It's time you finally marry me and start popping out babies."
"Morelli, stop. I won't have you yelling at Stephanie in the middle of the street. Enough is enough." I tell him, standing between him and Stephanie."
"Detective, from what we have gathered, this bomb had nothing to do with Stephanie." Agent Prentiss said.
"Oh, great! The fucking BAU is under the Rangeman spell. Why is it that only TPD can see you for what you are, a bunch of mercenaries, criminal thugs." Morelli continues his rant.
Alvez now steps forward along with Simmons. I can tell that Morelli has no clue what he's in for right now. "Detective Morelli, Lt. Col. Manoso is a highly decorated Army Ranger. If it weren't for that man, I wouldn't be standing here right now, along with the rest of my team. You are a Navy washout, never getting anywhere, being forced to leave because of all the days you spent drunk or in the brig for fighting. If you don't think I know your history, think again, so, before you call Lt. Col. Manoso or any of his men thugs, you need to learn your facts. Are you jealous that your Commander refused to support your application to the SEALS, sealing your fate that you would never get accepted? Get over it and move on with your life. Watch how you speak to Stephanie. She deserves her fiancé to treat her and speak to her with respect, especially from a man who thinks she wants to marry him."
"Please, Stephanie needs to know her place. Her place is to be at home, keeping my house clean and taking care of our kids."
By this point, Stephanie has had enough. She steps around me, hands on her hips, fire in her eyes, and sexy as hell. She steps before Morelli, and says is a deadly soft voice I didn't know she had, "Joseph Anthony Morelli, you will leave Miami today, and go back to Trenton. I will have Tank meet you at my apartment so you can pick up whatever you left behind. You will give him back the key to my apartment." Stephanie pauses, pulling out her keys from inside her purse, "I am taking off your house key and giving it back to you. We are over, finished, done. I will NEVER get back together with you. You are a jerk, and I should have broken both your legs when I had the chance. I should never have helped you clear your name. You don't deserve me." Stephanie finishes as she throws Morelli's key at him.
Stephanie turns to walk away, and Morelli grabs her arm, pulling her roughly towards him, "If I'm going back to Trenton, so are you. I won't allow you to be HIS whore. The only reason you are here is that I allowed you to come. Now, you are returning with me."
"Joe, let go of me, you're hurting me," Steph replies, with a hint of fear in her voice. I'm trying to control my temper because right now I want to do nothing more than punch Morelli in the face. However, with MDPD, MFD, and the FBI here, I must keep my control and stay cool.
"Detective Morelli let go of Ms. Plum right now. If you don't let go of her arm within five seconds, I will have you arrested. Ms. Plum, if you choose to press charges, we will support you." Agent Prentiss says firmly.
"Please, you're only a skirt. I bet you slept and fucked your way to that comfortable position."
I see Agent Prentiss tense and watch as Rossi deftly steps into place. "Listen here, paisan, you will release Stephanie, and you will apologize to both Stephanie and Agent Prentiss. Both women are more admirable and competent that you will ever be. I will be calling your Chief of Police, Senator Juniak, and the Mayor of Trenton, demanding your removal from TPD. Trust me when I tell you, I have friends in high places. If you don't comply, your career in law enforcement is permanently over."
Morelli realizes that he fucked up, and releases Stephanie. She stumbles back, and I wrap my arms protectively around her. I feel her lean into me, taking strength and comfort from my arms. I whisper in Spanish, "My darling; you're safe, I've got you in my arms. No one will hurt you now."
"Agent Prentiss, I'm sorry. I didn't mean any disrespect." Morelli says to Emily. His words lack any sincerity, which doesn't surprise me. He turns towards Stephanie, "Steph, you know that you belong to me. You know once I return to Trenton without you, your mother will be on the phone ordering you back home. Why don't you save us the hassle and come home with me now?"
I shoot Morelli a look that has him taking two steps backward as a wrap my arms more tightly around Stephanie's shaking body. The adrenaline crash always hits Stephanie hard. Before I can say anything, Morelli's phone rings. As he picks up, Steph's phone rings. Morelli walks away from us as he takes his call. Stephanie glances at her phone before answering the call.
"Hello?" Steph answers.
"I know it's you." "Not for another week and a half; why?" "So? What does that have to do with me?"
"I'm not his fiancé, Mom." "No, I'm staying in Miami until September 4th. Julie needs me." "Goodbye, Mom." Steph finishes before hanging up.
"Stephanie, you need to come home with me. Grandma Bella died this morning. I need you to come home to help my mother with the funeral arrangements. It's only proper for a good daughter-in-law-to-be to help out in times like these." Morelli said, laying it on thick.
"As I told my darling Mother, I am not returning to Trenton before September 4th. If you need to go back, go. I'll see you then." Stephane replies, then looks at me, "Carlos, can we please go get that ice cream now then go home? I'm exhausted, and I'm sure Julie is as well."
I glance at my daughter, who is sitting next to Lester on a bench and realize that Stephanie is correct. I ask the Fire Chief if he needs anything else from me and he says no. I thank him, and his men for the quick response and I lift a still trembling Stephanie, carrying her to the Cayenne that my men brought for me. Lester helps Julie into the SUV before closing the door. Lester and I look at each other and I nod my head towards Agent Prentiss. Lester will head back with them and fill me in on any new business tonight. As we pull away, I watch a depressed and sad Morelli stare at my car. I know we haven't heard the last from him, but at least he'll be out from under our feet for a few days.