I hope I haven't left out thanking those who sent in reviews. To those who replied as Guest, a blanket thank-you for taking the time to write. All mistakes are mine, and I want to thank Janet Evanovich who allows us to use her characters.
Chapter 4
Stephanie sat at her desk and gave a big sigh. The picture of the young girl and the baby lay beside her keyboard.
Her emotions were literally all over the place. While it was a complete shock to be told that she was abandoned shortly after her birth, well, her life had not really been one of hardship. While mentally thanking her parents for their love and care, she was also questioning what might have happened to her if she had remained with her birth mom.
At the same time, she couldn't help but wonder if maybe she was who she was because of her beginning. Did her mom and dad unconsciously remember that she was 'adopted', and had treated her a bit differently? Had they lavished a bit more love and attention on Valerie since she had been truly 'theirs'? Val had never wanted for anything, be it tap dancing and ballet lessons, beauty and deportment classes, or new and frilly dresses for no apparent reason. Helen had just taken money out of the cookie jar and had paid for the extras.
While Stephanie had never wanted those things due to her overactive energy as a youngster, swimming lessons, soccer and horse-back riding camps were carefully considered due to 'money issues'. She had heard snippets of conversations now and then that Edna and Harry had stepped in with contributions when it was pointed out that they were treating the girls differently. Even her young mind had questioned why they had felt the need to help with Stephanie's activities but never Valerie's.
She remembered how exasperated Helen had been with her. A dirty dress just before church? Well, the puddle had called her. Grass stains always advertised that she had not been sitting on the porch playing with dolls as ordered. That episode off the garage? She had truly believed in her heart that she could fly. She was Wonder Woman, after all. How about all her skinned knees, black eyes, and aches as she had chased skips as a bounty hunter? Her mom had stated on numerous occasions that trying to catch skips could be the death of them both.
And Morelli. Helen had tried to push her to commit to Joe. He was Burg, he was stability. He was the 2.5 children, the house with the white picket fence and a dog. He was what every Burg girl was supposed to wish for.
But, Stephanie was breaking that long-held mold, flirting with danger as she dangled, or appeared to dangle Ranger Manoso to the Burg. He was dark, dangerous, and mysterious. Scary for the Burg to understand. And, they just didn't understand why a man like that would choose a girl like Stephanie Plum. Truth be told, she had practically been challenged after they had returned from eloping. How dare they? The Burg didn't elope! They had a lavish wedding with an over-the-top reception at the hall and everyone was invited.
Stephanie had wondered a number of times if she really belonged to the Plum family. Had the stork missed the house with the delivery? Should she had instead been dropped off further down the street at the Dunnigans who had a family of five boys?
She looked at her In-basket and shook her head. She had a job to do and miss-using company time was not something she was comfortable doing. She was sure that Ranger would not fault her for using company resources, but her personal searches could be done on her own time.
There were files almost over-filling her wire basket and pulling the top one toward herself, she began to work. File after file was processed before she looked up.
Les and Bobby had stopped by but she was uncomfortable talking to them about this yet. While she knew that she had their support, well this was a personal journey she needed to go on her own.
Tank had respected her privacy and once again Stephanie wondered about his upbringing. In all the years she had known him, his life when he was young was shrouded in mystery. She knew he had a family. It's just, well he never talked much, and even less about his childhood. She suspected that there was a story on that. Probably Ranger knew since they were best friends but nothing had ever been said.
Looking out the window, it was pitch black. Her RangeMan issued watch read the time – 2200. Really? Where had the time gone?
She looked toward Rangers' closed door wondering when he was planning on walking out. Was he waiting for her or was his in-box just as full? She had taken him away from his work earlier when he had driven her to Point Pleasant and allowed her meltdown to happen away from curious eyes.
Looking at the door, she watched as the door in question opened and her man walked out, heading to her cubicle.
He spoke. "I was working on some things. When you finally looked up and around, I knew it was time for you to stop for the day. How about we head upstairs? I asked Ella to leave something in the oven for us, knowing that it might be some time before we went up to seven."
Stephanie nodded just as her stomach rumbled.
Hand in hand they moved to the elevator. Normally they would have raced up the stairs, laughing as they rushed out the stairway door and to the apartment door.
Ranger used his fob and they moved inside, instinctively taking off and putting their boots on the tray by the door.
Heading to the kitchen Stephanie headed to the cupboard for plates, cutlery and glassware, and Ranger put on some oven mitts and opened the oven door, pulling out the casserole.
They sat at the nook, and scooped some of the food onto their plates. A salad was in the fridge and a cake dome was sitting on the counter.
Sitting down across from each other, they began to eat. Since marrying Ranger, she noticed that they talked during meals, they laughed during meals, and they kidded each other during meals. She just couldn't imagine how much fun meals would be. Her foot slid over and rubbed up and down Rangers' leg.
In contrast, it the Plum home, it was eat and stay silent.
Stephanie looked at the cake dome and her mouth watered. Ellie certainly knew her and seemed to have a sixth sense when she needed that little extra bit of love.
Ranger pulled the dome toward himself and lifted the cover. Inside were two small dishes and some fruit placed tastefully around the bowls. Stephanie took her spoon and dipped into the mixture. Her face relaxed and she smiled. It was chocolate pudding and it was cold which meant that Ella had recently come up and put it out.
Stephanie looked at Ranger. "I love Ella."
Ranger popped a few raspberries into his mouth, and pushed the other pudding near her. He watched as she cleaned the pudding out of both bowls, moaning with happiness.
Putting down her spoon, she pushed the dishes away from her.
"I have so many questions and no answers. How did they ever get through Vital Records recording me as born in Trenton? Doesn't a hospital have to acknowledge a birth to someone? Did anybody ever do a test and found out that my DNA was incompatible? How did they get to come back to Trenton with little or no gossip? The Burg is famous for what they can find out and I never heard from anybody that something was amiss so many years ago."
Ranger shook his head. This was going to take time to unravel and Stephanie needed to be very careful who she asked.
He looked at her as she sat at the nook playing with the water glass in front of her.
"There are questions that only your parents can answer, but I could suggest that Grandma Mazur might be the place to start. I have a feeling that she was a very strong supporter and probably had the ways and means to help things along. She is a force and I suspect that she was a force to be reckoned with that many years ago too."
Stephanie nodded her head. She too had come to the conclusion that she needed to talk to her Grandma Mazur. She needed to see her for a candid conversation, and soon.
Standing up, she gathered up the dishes and put them in the dishwasher. Ranger followed up with picking up the placemats and setting them to the side then grabbed a cloth to wipe down the counter. He took her hand in his and they walked to the bedroom.
After doing their nightly routine they hopped into bed and nestled close to each other. Stephanie laid her head on Rangers' shoulder and her right hand laying on his chest, over his heart. He, in turn had his fingers playing with the now unleased curls of hair falling down her back. He liked to play with her hair and had asked if it bothered her. She had responded a number of years ago that it comforted her, especially if she was stressed about something.
Their lips touched and their tongues began to play. Soon, they were petting each other in favorite spots and moving as if to slow romantic music. Stephanie moaned as Ranger moved over top of her and keeping most of his weight off her, he looked in her eyes.
"Whatever happens, Babe, I love you and always will."
She smiled and brushed her hands down his chest to rest by his hips.
"Whatever happens, Carlos, I will love you for the rest of my life."
Smiling, they made love, knowing and responding to favorite acts of attention. The night ended with them holding each other and drifting off to sleep.
Tomorrow they would try to learn more, but until they had the final pieces, they would live their lives as they wanted. The past was in the past, and their future was still to be determined.
~~~o0o~~~
Lula was at the bond office and she was grousing to Connie.
"We never see White Girl anymore now that she's married and working full-time at RangeMan."
Connie was filing her nails and nodded.
"I miss her with her goodies coming in."
Lula looked at Connie. "You know, it's time for a Girls Night Out. We haven't heard anything interesting going on. It's time for some details."
Connie nodded her head. Life was pretty boring right now. Time to shake up the Burg and get some dirt.
~~~o0o~~~
Stephanie woke up as Ranger stirred. She didn't need to look at either the clock radio or her phone to know that Rangers' internal time clock meant time to get up to head for the gym.
While she still detested it with a passion, she had started to spend time there also, just not at the ungodly hour of 5am.
Ranger slipped from the bed after giving her a kiss and headed for the bathroom. With only one eye open, she could still see that muscular outline and she licked her lips. My, that man was one magnificent specimen and she felt very lucky that he had chosen her. Many times she'd looked in the mirror wondering what he had seen in her. She was at least six inches shorter, had small and unspectacular breasts. Her legs were long and almost unbalanced the rest of her physique, but they were at least strong and in her opinion, her knees weren't knobby. Her nose she gave credit as being 'cute', and she couldn't imagine why he would want to be near someone as clumsy and as messy as she. Sure, her 'spidey senses' had helped in some take-downs and distractions, and while she had helped them with some captures, well, her history of blown-up cars belonging to RangeMan was still overbalanced on the negative side.
Stephanie sighed as she finally dragged her body out of bed. Ranger had left for the gym and she wanted to have her shower and start her day before he returned. She was now expected to attend the daily morning meetings and they started at 0 dark hundred in her opinion, 0700 to the others.
Ranger returned and stepped into the shower, emerging less than two minutes later. She raced to finish dressing and headed out to the kitchen where Ella was just putting out a large tray.
"Ella, I don't know how you do it but thank you," Stephanie spoke.
Ella smiled. "Stephanie dear, the men are hungry after their gym time and I want everyone to have a hearty breakfast to start their day. I have some down time in the afternoon and that's when I can catch up with a nap or reading a good book with my feet up."
Stephanie looked at her. After moving onto seven, she sometimes would head down and sit with Ella, drinking some tea and talking. Was it time to let her know what was going on?
"If I'm not disturbing you, can I come down on your break? I want to bounce some things I just found out about yesterday and I need your advice."
Ella nodded her head. She had seen the Core Team's reaction to something yesterday and if it was involving their special spark, well, she would always have time. Sleep was over-rated anyway and she could catch up tomorrow.
"Anytime, Stephanie, anytime. I'll make time if you are on the clock."
Stephanie impulsively gave Ella a hug as she prepared to leave.
"I'll call you to see when you're free."
Ella walked out the door pushing her trolley in front of her. She would keep her ear to the ground in the meantime. Something had happened.
()()()()
Author's Note – Grandma Mazur is ready to talk – next chapter.
Myrna
