Disclaimer: Not mine anything you recognize belongs to Janet Evanovich.
A/N: To the "guest" who said my story was disgusting and I should have stayed away from this fandom. I stated very clearly in chapter one, I am not a fan of Helen or Joe, if this bothers you don't read! I may have deleted your review, but I have to tell you the words you wrote are nothing more than petty crap. If your going to slam someone, at least have the guts to sign your name. To everyone else who reviewed, thank you for your kind words and encouragement!
Chapter 3
Showtime
Ranger POV
I watched my babe get dressed with a smile. She was finally mine. Watching her stand up for herself, was a huge turn on for me, and I couldn't help but be grateful, that all my stupid words, and actions, hadn't pushed her away from me.
Now all she had left on her clean up list was her so called mother. How the hell someone as amazing as my babe, had come from that viper, was a mystery.
From her grandmother's call, we knew Morelli would be there as well. If he tried anything with my babe, I was going to give him the beat down, I should have given him years ago.
Steph POV
I finished dressing, and looked at Carlos. From the look on his face, his thoughts couldn't have been pleasant. I walked over to him and sat in his lap.
"Hey Batman, you ready for this?"
He smiled, "Babe, you have no idea how ready I am."
I laughed, "You can't kill him Carlos."
"Taking away all my fun Babe?" he asked, one eyebrow arched.
"I'll make it up to you, when we get home." I said smiling, moving both my eyebrows up and down suggestively.
Carlos's arms tightened around me and he kissed my lips.
"That's definitely something to look forward to." he said. Then he paused, looking at my face closely. "Babe, are you ready for this? Your mother and Morelli, are going to be very angry by the time we leave."
"Carlos, they start out the day angry, it seems. It's way past time, I put an end to all of this. Besides, I have you, my grandma, the merrymen, Connie, Lula, Mary Lou, and hopefully my dad, in my corner. Even if this changes nothing with my mother, not having to listen to her and Joe, can only improve my life."
He smiled, and kissed my forehead, hugging me tightly. "Proud of you Babe."
I kissed him, leaning back I looked him in the eye.
"I'm pretty proud of me too."
I looked at the clock on the nightstand, it was 5:30.
"Looks like it's just about showtime."
We kissed one more time before, we finished getting ready.
I took a deep breath, and took Carlos's hand. "Let's go Carlos, I'm ready to get this over with."
Shooting me his 200 watt grin, he said "Showtime Babe."
Edna POV
Watching Helen, moving about the kitchen, as she chattered about weddings and babies, with that Morelli bastard, made me want to scream. I held it in, knowing that pretty soon, neither one of them would have anything to smile about.
I left the kitchen, not bothering to hold in my snort of disgust. Walking in to the den, I sat on the couch, next to Frank. Our eyes met and we both smiled.
"You ready for this Frank? Helen's gonna lose what little mind she has left, after Stephie says her piece." I asked looking at him closely.
I relaxed when he smiled, "I'm past ready, and Helen can rant and rave all she wants. I'm moving out Edna, I've had it. I should have stopped this crap years ago." He stopped, looking down at his clenched fists.
"I only hope Stephanie can forgive me, for what I've allowed her mother to do to her for years."
I reached over and covered one of his clenched fists with my hand. "Frank, Stephanie has an amazing capacity for forgiveness. You may not have been there for her before, but you're making a stand for her now. I'm moving out too Frank, I will not stay in this house and listen to Helen, bitch and whine about her daughter, for even one more day. Stephie offered me her apartment. She's going to move in with Ranger, after they leave here. If you need a place to stay, you can come with me."
Frank smiled sadly at me, "Thanks but, Juniack offered me his guest room, and his lawyer's phone number. I'm filing for divorce tomorrow. I'm glad you won't be here after tonight, I have no idea what Helen's going to do. I hope your right about Stephanie being able to forgive me, Lord knows I haven't earned it."
At that moment my cell signaled a new text message, opening it, I started to laugh. I showed it Frank, It was from my baby girl, all it said was "SHOWTIME!"
Frank joined me in my laughter.
"Hang on tight sonny boy, it's gonna be a wild ride."
We both laughed again, smiling at each other, on the same page for the first time in years.
Helen POV
Hearing my mother's disgusted snort, I turned to Joesph, and apologized. I swear, I don't know what's wrong with her.
"Stephanie should be here soon, and if she knows what's good for her she'll apologize for being so horrible to you yesterday son. I can't wait to start planning your wedding, you and Stephanie will have such beautiful babies Joesph."
"We will, don't worry mom, she'll do what's right. Once she gets away from Manoso, everything will be fine." he said.
"I can't believe she walked off with that thug, when she should have gone home with you. It's past time she gave up that horrible job, and settled down with you. I promise tonight that pathetic daughter of mine, is going to agree to be your wife. Enough is enough, she will do as I say, or she won't have a family anymore." I said, huffing out a breath.
Joesph laid a calming hand on my arm, "Don't worry mom, she won't let that thug cost her her family. By tomorrow, we'll be moving her into my house, and planning our wedding."
We smiled at each other, both of us picturing their perfect life. Little did we both know, our lives were about to change forever.
Steph POV
Pulling up to my parents house, we both saw Morelli's POS, parked at the curb. Carlos took my hand, "Let's get this over with Babe, I want to move forward with our lives."
I smiled at him, "I'm ready, and look the welcome witch is already at the door." I said looking at mother, whose face was pinched in disapproval.
We got out of the car, and joined hands, walking up my parents front walk. Both of us smiling,when we heard my mother start shrieking.
"Stephanie Michelle Plum, what am I going to do with you? Another car? Honestly, Stephanie, when are you going to stop this nonsense and get a real job and get married? You're not getting any younger, and Joesph won't wait for you forever, you know. And what is that thug doing here, let go of his hand right now young lady. I swear Stephanie sometimes I'm so ashamed to call you my daughter."
Carlos glared at her and opened his mouth to say something to her, when I shook my head at him. This was my show, and I was going to come out swinging. I pushed past her into the house, leading Carlos into my father's den. My grandmother and my father, both had gotten to their feet, and the sound of my mother's shrill voice.
I walked over to them kissing them both hello. My dad surprised me, by hugging me tightly, before turning to my mother saying, "Shut up Helen, our guests have had enough of your mouth."
My mother gasped, "Frank, how can you..?"
My father cut her off, "No Helen, How could you?" he said glaring at her.
I laid my hand on his arm, and said, "No daddy, I need to do this." I kissed his cheek, and said "Thank you."
He hugged me again saying, "I should have done it a long time ago, pumpkin. Can you forgive me for not being there for you?"
I looked at my father closely, I saw the truth in his eyes. They looked so much like my own had, when I had woken up to just what my mother and Joe had been doing to me.
I smiled at him, hugging him tightly. "Of course daddy, I love you." I reached for Carlos's hand pulling him next to me. "You remember Carlos?"
My dad nodded, and shook his other hand. "Good to see you again son. Thank you for being there for my little girl, when I didn't know how to be."
Carlos smiled, "You're welcome, but fair warning, if you forget again, we will have a big problem."
"Understood." My father smiled, and clasped Carlos on his shoulder.
My mother regained her voice, just as Morelli joined us in the den. "Frank, what are you saying that thug will just get her killed."
"Cupcake, what the hell is he doing here? I came here so you could apologize for what you did yesterday. Why do you have to disappoint me and your mother like this?.."
I cut him off, "Shut up Joe! I meant every word I said to you yesterday! I can't stand your stupid ass, and I have absolutely no interest in ever seeing you again. As for you Mother, why me? Why do I have to have a mother like you? Annie Davis's mother encourages her, and supports her choices. Sarah Caulder's mother would have skinned Morelli alive for pulling half the crap he has. You are a pathetic, bitter old woman, and I am through listening to your crap. My God, who the hell would ever want to be like you?! I am done with you, and as for you Morelli, if you continue this stalking crap I'll get a restraining order against you. After today, I have no desire to see or hear from either one of you ever again. Don't call me, don't try to see me, it's over."
I took a deep breath looking over at Carlos. He was beaming in pride. I smiled back, and walked over to hug my grandmother and my dad.
"I'm so proud of you baby grandaughter, you've become an amazing woman." Grandma said.
She looked over at Carlos, who braced himself, for whatever was coming his way, causing my grandma to laugh outloud.
"Don't worry handsome, you're safe. My baby girl has staked her claim."
Carlos shot her his 200 watt grin, and thrilled her by hugging her gently, before saying, "Mrs. Mazur, I've arranged to have a security system put in Babe's old apartment, as well as a panic button installed. We'll be over to show how to work them, and to help you get settled in. Do you need a ride, or any help moving your things?"
My mother found her voice at this piping in, "Her things? Mother, what is he talking about? You're not going anywhere!.."
This time my grandma cut her off, "Shut up Helen! If you think I'm going to stay in this house and watch you try to ruin your daughters life again, you're even crazier than I thought."
She turned to Carlos, and said, "Call me Edna big guy. Thank you for making sure I'll be safe. Frank's gonna help me move, but we'll call when we get there."
"Okay Edna, but call me me Carlos."
They smiled at each other, as I handed my grandmother the keys to my old apartment. I hugged her one more time before I turned to my dad, asking, "Will you be okay daddy?"
He hugged me again, surprising me, I think he's hugged me more in the last 20 minutes, that he has my whole life.
As if he knew what I had been thinking, he said, "I've let you down a lot pumpkin, but that's gonna change. Don't worry about me, after we get your grandma moved in, I'll be staying at your Uncle Joe's. I mean it, I'm going to change."
I kissed his cheek, trying not to cry. It looks like after all these years, I get my dad. Of course, my mother pipped in again, "Frank, what?.. You can't.."
My father cut her off again, glaring at her, "Helen, I damn well can, Stephie isn't the only one who's had enough! You've become a bitter harpy, and I can't believe it's taken me so long to see it!"
My mother was pale, finally shocked into silence. Morelli went to speak, but my father glared at him.
"Shut your mouth, you prick. I should have killed you years ago, for the crap you pulled on my daughter. In fact get out! Edna and I will be gone soon enough, but until then, I'm tired of looked at your face!"
As soon as he finished, my father took a still stunned Morelli, and shoved him out the front door, slamming it closed.
Carlos, grandma and I grinned at each other as we heard his POS peelout tires squealing.
Go Daddy!
I hugged him and grandma one more time, and taking Carlos's hand I led us out of the house, past my still stunned mother, feeling better than I had in years.
"Come on Batman, Let's go celebrate!"
He grinned at me, helping me into the car. "As you wish Babe!"
Well there we go! I hope it met your expectations! Let me know what you think!
