Freedom
Chapter 29
SPOV
Joe's trial started today. I can't believe we're already a week into December, it seems like only yesterday that we were celebrating Thanksgiving. The event I've been dreading the most since Joe was put behind bars has arrived. The press has been relentless trying to get an interview from me. Even though they don't have access inside the courtroom, that hasn't seemed to stop them from camping out in the parking lot not only at the courthouse but Rangeman too. Carlos hired extra contract workers to stand guard outside Rangeman to secure the perimeter. Bleeding money yet again but this time it's to protect our child as well and I can't resent him a moment for that.
I talked Carlos into taking me to the safe house in Point Pleasant the day after Thanksgiving and we stayed there until the end of the weekend. We had three days by ourselves and it was heaven, pure uninterrupted, sex filled, food-craving satisfying, walking along the beach heaven. I spent the Monday after in bed recuperating from all the physical activity. I don't think I stopped smiling for days after. Until I remembered the trial. So like Joe, to suck the life out of everything and take away my happy. But I won't let him this time. He's behind bars and I'm here, victoriously happy to be alive and well despite his efforts to break me. I have to testify at the trial, but I'm allowed to do it via skype so the courtroom, and everyone in it can see me, but I can see the judge. I'm relieved that I won't be able to see Joe. It's bad enough I still see him in my dreams occasionally.
I'm fourteen weeks along now and have just barely started showing. I had lost so much weight before getting pregnant and in my first trimester that my very flat stomach has no choice but to allow my little bump to show. It's cute if I do say so myself. And it's driving Carlos insane. He prefers me naked as often as possible and stares at my stomach like it's going to grow right before his eyes. I don't even have to ask him if he's excited, he shows me every day, in every possible, loving way.
We were working out yesterday in the gym, both of us on treadmills, me walking, him running when the rest of my guys walked in to start their workouts before their shift. Carlos helped me off my treadmill and called the guys over. I swear if I didn't love him so much I would've kneed him for what he did next. He lifted my shirt over my belly, pulled my shorts down to below my belly, showing my baby bump. The guys were all sporting huge grins as they one by one took turns rubbing the baby. If this baby is loved half as much as I am by these men, it will be one lucky child. In the days since, when the guys see me and give hugs, they also rub my belly. I feel like Budda.
Our attorney promised to call us when court was in recess for the day and update us on how the trial was progressing. I decided to avoid the circus and stay in. I had Ella make a book run and get me some parenting books so I could at least make good use of my time. I'm fascinated by the changes about to take place in my body and completely freaked out when one of the pregnancy books said we would have to abstain from sex for six weeks after giving birth. Holy shit that's a long time!
LPOV
I was working the monitors today when a call came in for Stephanie… from her mother. Shit! This day is going to be hard enough without that bitch adding to it. I called up to Ranger and asked if he wanted me to put the call through to Steph. He said she needs to make her own decisions. I called Steph and told her her mother was on line 2 and she sighed before thanking me. I feel bad for her and can only hope her mother has truly turned a new leaf and isn't going to berate her for anything.
SPOV
When Lester told me my mother was on the phone, my heart sank. It's been so nice not having to deal with her drama. I took a deep breath for courage before answering, "hello, mother."
"Stephanie. It's been a while since we've spoken. How are you?" This is so not the mother I'm used to.
"I'm well, and you?"
"I've been better. The news of your engagement was a bit hard to explain to the women in the burg, you know, going outside our kind when you had a perfectly good man in Joseph. I've been listening to the news and reading the paper. You've destroyed his career and put him behind bars. He's a good man, Stephanie." I'm seething. How dare she try to tell me the good man that no good, raping, murdering, abusive son-of-a-bitch is!
"And now I hear that you're shopping for baby items. Do you have something you'd like to say to me young lady"
"Why yes, mom, I do! My Cuban fiancé and I are expecting. Please tell daddy he's finally getting the boy he always wanted."
"What? How can you do this to me?"
"Mom…" I tried to interrupt her. When that didn't work, I yelled it into the phone. "Mom, this is my life to live as I see fit and as I see it, I'll be a much happier woman than you ever were, and a much better mother too, because I won't judge or condemn my children for the choices and mistakes they make. And don't ever defend Joe again! He murdered a woman, assaulted me, raped me, almost killed me and my baby, and you still think I'd be better off with him! Do not call here again, your calls will not be answered or returned by me! Goodbye!"
How can she? I just told her she's going to be a grandmother and she acts like I just shamed her in front of her precious burg. This child will never be something to bring shame to anyone! I knew her silence was too good to be true. I thought maybe she was working on getting better, but apparently, she's just been stewing. I didn't need this today.
I heard a knock on the door and was relieved to see Lester standing there with a questioning look on his face. "Are you alright?" I walked towards him and when he opened his arms, I snaked my own around his waist.
"Why does she have to be such a bitch? Why can't she for just once in my life be happy for me?"
"Steph, your heart is racing. You need to calm down. What did she say?" Lester picked me up and headed for the elevator.
"She was cold. She wanted me to confirm the rumors she heard about me being pregnant. I told her I was, with a boy. She still calls Carlos an outsider and said yet again that I should've stayed with Joe, that he's a better man. Can you believe it?"
"Ya, unfortunately, she has blinders on. She sees what she wants to, not what's right in front of her. Like you for example, she never saw the incredible daughter she had all along, she just kept trying to form you into a clone of herself." I shuddered, trying to imagine myself as my mother. Yikes!
We arrived on the fifth floor and Lester carried me into Carlos' office, setting me on the sofa. Carlos came over to me immediately. "It didn't go well with your mother?" He asked.
"No, quite the opposite actually. I told her to never call me again, that her call wouldn't be answered or returned by me. I would greatly appreciate your men knowing that. It's not worth risking mine or the baby's health talking to her. I thought she'd changed, that maybe, just maybe, she read about Joe in the paper and was sorry for how she pushed us together all those years. But she's not sorry, she kept harping on how I should be with him to this day. She'll never understand what he put me through, that he almost caused me to lose our baby…" I couldn't hold on anymore. Crying, I put my arms around the only person that has ever unconditionally accepted and loved me and sought comfort.
RPOV
I knew I should have shipped that woman off to a third world country when I had the chance. I too had hoped Mrs. Plum would come around in these last few months. After I get more details of their conversation, I will call Frank and let him know what transpired and pass along Steph's wishes to not have any further contact with her mother.
I sat and held my precious woman until her cries subsided and she fell asleep. I carried Steph back upstairs to our apartment, past many employees who'd stuck their heads out of the cubicles and offices to see that she her. She would have time for a short nap before our meeting. I changed her out of her work clothes and into my t-shirt, hoping to give her some comfort. I would work just down the hall in my home office until it was time to head down.
Rangeman's trial attorney, Gordon Duprie is the only one authorized to receive debriefings after each day. Gordon is being debriefed by Agent Dirks who is in the courtroom as the FBI representative and head of security for Morelli. He's scheduled to call tonight at 1800 hours. The core team, Steph and I are meeting in the conference room and then as a surprise to Steph, Ella is bringing down one of her favorite meals which we'll all enjoy together. We know this is going to be a trying time for her and we're trying to give her as much happy as possible.
"Steph, babe, wake up." I went into our room to get Stephanie before our meeting.
"Is it time already?" She asked, stretching.
"Ya, babe, it's time. Let's get you changed and go down." She stood and stretched causing my t-shirt she was wearing to reveal her sexy panties.
"What, you don't think they'll like seeing me in my panties and your t-shirt?"
"No, I don't think they'll mind in the least bit, it's me who will mind removing the images you're giving them."
"Give me a minute? Plus, now that I'm vertical, mother nature is calling." I'm amazed that she has to pee as much as she does, the baby not even being large enough to press on her bladder yet.
We walked into the conference room minutes later and heard Gordon was already on the phone shooting the breeze with Tank. Tank told him we were all present and accounted for. I sat at the head of the table with Steph to my left.
"Gordon, it's Ranger. Report."
"The evidence Agent Dirks collected at Rangeman was presented today. According to Agent Dirks, the video evidence alone had the jury gasping. Dirks said Morelli derived visible pleasure from not only their reactions, but from the actual evidence itself, especially the date he pulled Ms. Plum over for the false traffic infraction. His hands were moving actively under the table by the time that video was over if you know what I mean."
Stephanie looked over at me, paling at this news. She took a deep breath in and nodded to me that she was alright. I held her right hand a bit tighter and noticed Tank who was sitting on her other side grabbed her left hand, holding it for support.
Gordon spoke for another half hour on his observations and those of Agent Dirks. He said Morelli shrunk in his chair and looked guilty as hell when the evidence of him blackmailing Capt. Drake came to light. Tomorrow they are expected to finish detailing the evidence against Morelli including the Missy's death, Steph's kidnapping and attempted murder of not only her but our baby.
"Ms. Plum, your testimony will be needed either Thursday or Friday. I may only be able to give you notice the day before. Please be ready."
"Yes, sir."
"Ms. Plum, I have to tell you again that you have my sympathies and deep admiration."
"For what?" Steph seemed surprised to be addressed directly by the attorney so personally.
"When the evidence was read before the jury and video played before the courtroom, it hit me as I was able to see it from the standpoint of a spectator. You went through hell at the hands of that man. You survived a kind of torture that is unfathomable. I admire your tenacity, your strength and your courage. Hang in there, this will be over before you know it."
"Thank you, Gordon, I appreciate your kind words."
"You're quite welcome Ms. Plum, take care. Ranger, we'll talk more tomorrow."
After Gordon hung up, we reviewed the conversation. The jury seemed more than sympathetic towards Stephanie, a woman whom they hadn't even met and that would surely work in our favor. I called up to Ella and told her we were ready for dinner.
"Can I have a few minutes to myself? I just need to stretch." Stephanie asked as she left the room. She looked near tears and we all looked at each other, feeling helpless for what we should do. I opened the laptop and pulled up the monitors one by one. Steph, my babe was in the stairwell, sitting on the stairs, head in her hands, crying.
"Shit!" I turned the computer around to show my men and we all sighed. Ella came in and put the meals around the table, asking where Steph was. I showed her the monitor and she slapped the back of my head.
"Why are you letting that poor girl sit there alone, so sad?"
"She asked for a moment to herself."
"Men!" She left the rest of our dinner on the cart and went to the stairwell. We all gathered around the monitors and watched as she pulled Steph to her feet and hugged her. I could see Steph's body heaving as she cried in my aunt's arms. If only her own mother would offer some kind of nurturing. She pulled her back, handed her a handkerchief and before we knew it, she had my babe laughing. Steph came back into the conference room moments later, her mood lighter. She ate a small dinner, but I think that was just so she could have an extra big piece of chocolate cake.
Lester has the day off tomorrow and offered to take Steph out of the building for an outing. After debating where to go, they decided on the Philadelphia Zoo. It was out of Trenton, and all the prying eyes of the media, and curiosity seekers in the burg, but not too far away in case something should happen. Bobby switched shifts with Hector so he could go too which I'm glad I didn't have to suggest but would have preferred. They decided to leave early enough that they could be there when the doors opened and still make it home by dinner.
Getting ready for bed, I thought Steph would want to go right to sleep, to get rid of the memories of the day. I was however mistaken and found myself feeling forever appreciative of the pregnancy hormones I seem to on the receiving end of. My babe's appetite for sex is not only stronger since she's been feeling better, but her desire to fulfill my fantasies and help me dream up a few new ones has my mind reeling. All traces of her bad day behind her, she stepped out of the bathroom dressed in nothing but her sexy red shoes from our engagement party and a smile, I hope she'll have enough energy to walk around the zoo tomorrow. It's going to be a long night… and I'm going to make sure she enjoys making some new memories in those shoes.