Disclaimer: Anything familiar belongs to JE. Thank you for letting us play.
Warning: Adult language, adult situations, tissues needed
Tank's POV—Five Months Later
Little Girl can have her baby any day now. That's what her doctor told her at today's visit. She's thirty-six weeks, which means she's full term. I haven't heard from Ranger in over seven months, not a good sign. I am trying my best to be optimistic around Stephanie, but it's getting harder and harder. She is making a pregnancy book for Ranger, in hopes that when he returns she can share it with him. I'm afraid she's never going to get that opportunity.
Stephanie agreed to work mostly in-house and on security consultations during her pregnancy, which means we were able to keep her safe. She had a smooth pregnancy, aside from her mood swings, which also helped. Now, we only have to get her to the big day. Suddenly, the phone rings. I pick it up to find Hal on the other end, his voice not normal.
"Tank, two men in full dress uniforms, are here, asking to speak to the Core Team." Shit. We all know what that means.
"Have someone escort them up to my office. I'll gather the Core Team."
I call Lester and Bobby, telling them to be in my office asap and to bring Stephanie. She will hear the news with us, in private. Bobby said he's bringing his bag. Probably a good idea. In less than a minute, Bobby's in my office, but we're waiting on Lester and Stephanie.
"She needed to use the bathroom, again." Shit. I wanted her in the office before the brass got on the floor.
I walk to my doorway, looking for Steph. I see her exit the ladies room and start walking to my office at the same time as the elevator opens. She takes one look at the uniforms and turns deathly pale. I see her reach for her belly, starting to shake her head no. Lester manages to guide her into my office and on to the couch. I recognize the two men.
"Tank, the woman isn't on the list." The General states.
"General, that's Manoso's baby she's carrying."
"Fuck. Lead the way." He replies.
We enter my office, and they stand opposite us. Lester and Bobby are flanking Stephanie, and she's holding their hands like a vice. Fear is written all over her face; her body is tense. I see her holding back her tears, though.
"Gentleman, Ma'am, I'm sorry to inform you that Ricardo Carlos Manoso died from injuries he sustained saving the lives of two other men yesterday evening at 2200. We will return his body to New Jersey, but we would like to bury him in Arlington."
Stephanie lets out a scream and dissolves into hysterics, falling to the floor, curling up in a ball. "No, not Carlos, no. It can't be happening. Why, Carlos, why? You promised you'd come home. You will never meet your child. Please, God, no. I can't do this alone."
My heart is breaking at her pain, her torment. Lester embraces her, tears in his eyes, as he is losing not only his boss, his friend, his mentor but his cousin. "Shh, Beautiful, you're not alone. I am here, so is everyone else. We won't abandon you; we will help you raise this baby. I promise, Stephanie, I'm not going anywhere."
"When Captain Manoso arrived at the hospital, he was still coherent. He dictated a letter to the nurse. Once he finished his thoughts, he closed his eyes and slipped into a coma. A bullet ripped through his chest, knicking his lung. What we didn't know, was that he had a damaged kidney from a few kicks the enemy got in before we got to him. When his kidney failed, we couldn't save him. He was bleeding internally. I'm sorry. He addressed the letter to 'Babe.'"
The Core Team and I look to Stephanie, who has stopped crying and is staring into space, in shock. I take the letter from the General. I go to hand it to her. She looks at us, shakes her head, then says, "Lester, please read it to me. I can't focus on anything right now." I get up to move, to leave my office, but she stops us, "No, stay. I need you here now. I can't face this alone."
Lester opens the letter and begins to read it. I never realized how similar Lester's and Carlos' voices are to each other.
My Dearest Babe,
When you receive this letter, I will no longer be here on Earth. I'm sorry I failed you. I pushed hard and took longer on this mission than I was supposed to to be safe, to come home to you. I almost made it home.
I thought about you every day, wondering if you are pregnant. I imagine if you are, you are almost ready to give birth. I know, if you are, that you are hoping the baby is a boy, a miniature version of myself, but I wouldn't wish me on my worse enemy. I hope, if you are, that the baby is a miniature version of you, right down to your beautiful, crazy curls and magnificent blue eyes. I saw a bird whose feathers matched your eyes exactly and managed to pick up a feather so I could carry you with me. I go to sleep thinking about you, imagining having you in my arms again, holding you, kissing you, loving you. Dios, Babe, I miss you so much it hurts.
I hope that you will be able to open your heart again, to love a man as you love me. You deserve a husband, a family, and a happily ever after. I hope and pray that if you are not pregnant, that you will one day become a mother because I know that you will be a fabulous mother. Please stay near my men. I don't expect you to stay in Trenton, but if you leave, go to Boston or Miami, where my men can watch over you and keep you safe. You have my permission to move on to one of my men if you so desire. I beg of you, though, please don't ever go back to the cop. The biggest mistake I ever made was sending you back to him. I regret that to this day.
I wish we had another hundred years together, for me to spoil you and love you as you deserve to be spoiled and loved. I will tell you this; I am proud of you. Leaving you was the hardest thing I ever had to do, and you made it easier by understanding that I had no choice.
My time is limited, and I am tired. I leave you with these final words. Babe, you are my love, my life, my heart, and my soul. You saved me from a life of misery and loneliness. Until you, Querida, I never thought I was worthy of being loved, and I had withdrawn from everyone except for my men. But you opened my heart and my soul to love, allowing me to make amends with my family, and most importantly, allowing me to have a relationship with my daughter, Julie. Please keep in touch with her and support her, I know you have a special bond with her. And if she does have a half-sibling, allow her to be in their life. I love you, Stephanie Michelle Plum, and I hoped to make you Stephanie Manoso. Please take everything I left for you and live your life to the fullest. Fly, my Wonder Woman.
With all my love, heart, and soul,
Your Batman, Carlos
By the end of the letter, there wasn't a dry eye in the room. Lester collapsed on the floor, next to Stephanie, sharing in each other's grief. After about five minutes, Stephanie went to rise.
"I'm sorry, I need to use the restroom, again." She stated. Lester and Bobby helped her rise. Once she stood, she grabbed her belly and said, "Oh shit, not now. Damn you, Carlos."
"What's wrong?" Bobby asked, in full medic mode.
"My water broke." We looked down and noticed her wet pants. Shit. I pick up my phone and call Ella.
"Ella, my office, now."
Ella came rushing into my office. "What's wrong?"
Stephanie replied, "Carlos is gone, and he decided that I needed to have this baby today."
Stunned, Ella stood there trying to comprehend what was said. "Carlos is dead?" she finally managed to say.
"Yes, and my water broke."
"Okay, dear, come with me. I'll get you changed. Bobby, call her doctor, let her know she's going to the hospital. Tank, get the car ready. Lester, help me get her to her apartment to clean her up and change her."
"Do we have time?" I ask.
"Yes, Tank. The baby will come, but not in the next hour."
Lester picked up Stephanie and carried her to her apartment. Ten minutes later, we were in Ranger's Cayenne, getting ready to welcome his child into the world.