The very last chapter! If you haven't read them yet, this story is followed by Brown Eyed Girl and Breathe a Sigh.
I also want to explain some things that some reviewers have mentioned. Yes, I do believe that Frank should get to know what Helen and Joe have done. Yes, I think the terrible duo ought to get theirs, or at least a one way ticket to Siberia. Fact is, I wrote this prequel after writing Brown Eyed Girl and Breathe a Sigh, and to tie them together... Let's just say it would have been a lot easier if I'd written them in the order they are chronologically. I've also realised that there are some loose ends left. I have already tentatively started planning a part IV, working title Blue on Black. I'm a slow writer, and have a lot of other things going on, but I hope to get back to you with part IV. And maybe Lester will meet his match this time. I mean, all the other guys from the core team have met their special ones. ( I got a reviewer asking if Lester would have his own story. I answered no, I don't plan a Lester-story. And someone else asked another thing that got me thinking. And for that, well Lester probably will get his own story...)
A very big THANK YOU for all the support in form av reviews, favourites and such. And also thank you to Janet Evanovich, who lets us play with her characters.
X
Chapter 21. Tying up the loose ends
The next day they flew back to Trenton. Over the next days they started planning their move. Tank was stoic about it, but said that he would stay in Trenton for the time being, later on - who knew.
Steph also told Dillon that she would move out of her apartment. He said he'd miss her, but he had someone looking for an apartment, who would be happy. Dillon said that if Stephanie wanted to leave any of her things, he had a buddy who worked for the Salvation Army who could pick it up for free. Steph said that some of it really needed a trip to the junkyard, but if that was OK with his friend, she'd gladly leave it. She took her clothes, the new sofa and the furniture after Grandma Mazur plus the painting, and that was it. She asked her dad if he wanted the telly, and he muttered something about a mancave in the basement, and accepted. One of Ella's nephews paid his way through college by working at a cleaning firm, and he was glad for some extra work cleaning the apartment.
Stephanie looked around her when they fetched her things.
"I've lived here for quite a while," she said. "In a way it was a testament to independence, being able to live on my own, but really, I'm so done with both the apartment and Trenton."
She sent an evil eye towards the bathroom.
"Not to mention the bathroom. Hopefully the next person here will like the 70's theme."
"I don't think anyone likes the theme, Babe. Not even the original constructor or architect. If there even was an architect," he said after a doubtful look.
He kissed her.
"Let's get out of here. We have somewhere else to be."
x
Ella had planned a wedding reception for that Saturday. The invitations were nondescript, nothing about either engagement or wedding was mentioned. The Merry Men were of course invited, and since they were quite observant, the fact that both Ranger and Stephanie now wore rings, had been noted, but not commented on.
On Tuesday they had dinner with Les and Bruce, and Ranger also gave Bruce's lasagna high praise. They talked about their upcoming adoption, some funny stories from the bond's office, and all in all had a very relaxing and pleasant evening. Les and Bruce also thanked them for the invitation, but unfortunately they wouldn't be able to attend. They promised to visit in Miami, though.
Frank came over for lunch at Haywood on Wednesday. He congratulated them when they told him about their wedding, and promised to come to the reception. Without Helen, was stressed from both Stephanie and Ranger. Val had been invited, but said that she and her family were already otherwise engaged. True or nor, Stephanie didn't care right now, they had never been close as siblings, and even after Val came back from California they hadn't really connected. Ranger had called his parents and told them about the wedding, and they and his siblings were coming to the reception.
The reception went well. Nobody said anything about Helen and Val not being there. The food was excellent, the drinks as well, and Ella had made a beautiful wedding cake, decorated in blue and white. Ranger and Stephanie wore their wedding clothes.
Since they hadn't told many people about it being a wedding reception they didn't get a lot of presents, and they asked those who really wanted to gift them something, instead of a toaster, vase or something similar, to donate to the women's shelter, or any other charity the giver felt did good work. Frank had a present for them though. He gave them an envelope, and when she opened it Steph saw a photo of a cut glass chandelier.
"It's the one piece I have after my grandparents'," Frank said." I have no idea how they managed to take something that fragile with them from Italy. You always liked it when you were little, Pumpkin, and I want you to have it."
Stephanie knew that the chandelier held pride of place over her mother's dining room table, but didn't ask how he would manage it, just gave him a grateful hug.
"Thanks, dad. You're right, I always admired it."
She turned to Ranger.
"I used to lie on the floor and look up at the colours of the prisms when the sun shone at them."
"I'll get a professional removal firm to bring it this week," Frank said.
He lowered his voice and added.
""I've talked to the solicitor. Helen is down to half the original sum from Edna. Apparently your cousin Shirley and her husband Eddie has told Mrs. Clifford some things."
"Were they the 'anonymous person' Mrs. Clifford talked about? Who would keep an eye on Helen?"
If Frank realised that Steph talked about 'Helen' and not 'Mum', he didn't comment on it.
"I believe so," he said. "And honestly, who but Edna would realise that Shirley the Whiner is in a prime position to get all the latest gossip."
Who, indeed, thought Steph. If she told Eddie and/or Shirley even half the things Helen and Joe had done, Helen would be without any money But she didn't want to even acknowledge Helen. And now she, Steph, was married to the love of her life, was moving to Miami, never ever having to visit the Burg again. Helen could keep the money. It was more than possible that she would use them for 'ice tea'. Stephanie hoped she'd choke on it.
Her husband gave her a look that showed he worried about her. In return she gave him a dazzling smile and a kiss.
"She can't get to me,' Steph whispered in his ear. "I'm out of her grasp, out of the Burg, and I'm looking forward to a wonderful life in Miami together with you."
x
Steph had been a bit nervous about meeting Ranger's family. They had only met after the Scrog incident, and she had neither looked or felt her best then. She needn't have worried though. All the Mañosos were affectionate, and apparently overjoyed to see them married. Ranger's mother, Camila, hugged her for a long time, crying tears of joy, his father had kissed her cheek and explained how happy his was, Ranger's younger brother Raul flirted enough with Stephanie to get a rise out of Ranger, and the three sisters - Celia, Maria and Sofia - who had managed to come to the reception talked a mile a minute and made her promise to accompany them to a spa-day the next weekend. The fourth sister, Carmen, was in Europe on a conference for her work, but would be back by then.
And finally Steph had met Ranger's abuela Maria, his father's mother. She was fragile, but when you met her gaze you saw a will of iron. Ranger had told her about the family's escape from Cuba, and the force that were his abuela. She congratulated them in accented English, and then switched to rapid Spanish, giving Ranger - no he was Carlos here, Stephanie thought - a look that told him to translate her. He immediately obeyed.
"Again, congratulations. I have felt like you were a part of this family for much longer than the rings on your hand. When you saved our Julie, we saw what a strong and compassionate woman you are. Maybe we despaired a little when Carlos didn't bring you home as one of the family for a while, but now everything is as it should be. And even though you will move closer to Julie, you both will be very much a part of the family here as well."
Steph gave Carlos a look, but he just smiled and gave her a miniscule shake of his head. So, he hadn't told anyone about their decision to move to Miami. Well, the whole family seemed intelligent and perceptive, she wasn't surprised his abuela had figured it out.
After the talk with Carlos family Frank held a short speech, Stephanie almost dropped her glass in surprise. Her father had after much nagging from Helen held a short speech at her wedding to the Dick, but she never thought he would do so again, especially without Helen there to prompt him.
"I just want to say that I'm happy that both my daughter and Carlos finally realised what is important in life, and got together. That they also married shortly afterwards was not that much of a surprise, really. Since I've come to know him I've seen that Carlos is a decisive man. And my daughter may sometimes take a while to decide on the important things, but she has never been stupid, and knows a good thing when she sees it. Let's give a toast to the newly weds!"
Everyone raised their glasses, and Ranger and Steph took a sip of champagne and then happily kissed each other. And then Carlos father Ricardo held a somewhat longer speech, declaring that he truly felt that he had gained another daughter, and a brave, loving one who had helped them regain both their granddaughter Julie, and also made Carlos reconnect with his family.
At a lull in the conversation Tank took the opportunity to hold a speech.
"Anyone who've met me before knows that I don't talk much. I just want to congratulate the newlyweds, and wish them all happiness. Let's raise our glasses in a toast for Carlos and Stephanie, or as I usually call them - Ranger and Little Girl. May they love happily ever after."
After the toast he continued.
"Stephanie came into our lives some years ago, and Rangeman hasn't been the same since. But I mean that in the best way possible, she never saw us as a bunch of scary looking ex soldiers, but from the get go looked at us as individuals, doing her best to get to know each one of us. I dare say that she succeeded in a way I never thought possible. She's also given us some embarrassing nicknames, but since it is your wedding reception, for once we will somewhat acknowledge them. Carlos, Stephanie, since you said that you didn't want a traditional wedding gift, we've honoured your request, and the 'Merry Men' has donated to the women's shelter in Trenton. The Rangeman companies in Miami, Boston and Chicago has done the same things in their respective cities."
Another toast, and the Merry Men than did their usual round of pass Stephanie, complete with hugs and kisses. She laughed, cried tears of joy and thankfulness, and was finally deposited back at her husband's side.
"I want to thank all of you for coming here to celebrate with us," Carlos said.
"A special thank you to Ella, who planned and organized it all while we were enjoying our honeymoon, and also baked the spectacular cake. Since I believe that the good people of Trenton often speculates and gossips without having facts, we also would like to tell you that we indeed are planning our move to Miami. We'll miss you, but balmy weather and a chance for a fresh start trumps that. And now I believe my wife wants to add some words."
He smiled at Stephanie, who gave him a quick kiss, which rendered them some catcalls.
"Yes, we are moving to Miami. But we'd like to add that we'd love visits. And looking out on the typical Trenton December weather I hope Miami won't be a hard sale. And now, please, I don't want a stuffy reception. Hector will be our DJ for tonight. Let's party!"
She turned to her husband, who gave her a smile and held out his hand to her. They walked over to the small dance floor, and soon they were accompanied by a lot of their guests.
She smiled up at Ranger, and gave him a soft kiss.
"Happy?" she cheekily asked.
"Happy," he confirmed. They kissed and slowly revolved around the dance floor.