Okay, I think this is the last one and then we'll move on with the rest of the story. To make a compromise, I am planning for my next story to be mostly, if not all in Ranger's POV. So if you like what I'm doing now, you'll enjoy my next story. Alright, let me know what you think!
Not mine.
I was on my way back with the ring when I made a decision. I wanted to see Stephanie at least once before the plan got underway. I looked at the clock on the dash. It was close to midnight. By the time I got back…it would be late and Stephanie would be in bed. I could take a quick visit, get centered again and get back on the game plan.
When I made it back to Trenton, I went straight to Stephanie and ghosted up to her apartment. She was already asleep when I got there. Silently, I went into her room, she moaned softly and turned in my direction. She looked so beautiful in her knit tank top and boy shorts, making her legs look impossibly long where the sheet lay twisted in her legs. My blood quickened and went lower into my body. A few seconds later, when she began to wake, I left as silent as I had came in.
I called Tank as I got back into the car. "Call the plane. I have one more stop."
"On it." He said and hung up.
I made my way to the RangeMan hanger and waited for the pilot to arrive.
"Sorry to pull you out of bed, Mike," I said as I shook his hand.
"Not a problem." He replied. "Where are we going?"
"Miami. I want to see my daughter."
Mike nodded and we got into the plane. I called Rachel.
"Carlos? What's wrong?" Rachel asked groggily. I looked at my watch. It was still a little early.
"Sorry Rachel, I didn't realize it was still early."
"It's alright. What's up?"
"I wanted you to know that I was going to be in town and I wanted to see Julie."
"Sure," she said, surprised. I didn't come to see Julie often. "She'll love it."
"Great. What time does she get out of school?"
"Three. Why don't you come over around four?"
"I can do that. Thank you Rachel."
"Not a problem. See you then." And we hung up.
When we landed, it was a little before nine. What would do until four? I wanted to tell Julie that I was going to start dating Stephanie and someday ask her to be my wife. I knew that they already had a bond after Scrog, but I wanted her to be part of my life. Of our lives. In the mean time, I decided to pay the Miami office a visit.
"Officer on deck!" I heard someone yell. I mentally rolled my eyes.
"Damien," I shook hands with the head of the office. "Do you have to make them do that every time?"
"It gives me a chuckle." He said with a smile. We walked to his office. "So, what do I owe this honor?"
I sat down. "I'm making some changes in the offices. I want you to take more of a commanding role."
He looked at me confused. "I don't quite understand."
"I want you to deal with more of the business instead of sending it to me. I'll still come down for major problems, but anything else, you handle."
"Why the sudden change?"
I smiled inwardly. "I'm trying to be less of the job."
He smiled. "Does this have to do with a certain brown haired, blue eyed beauty?"
I didn't answer him, but that seemed to answer his question anyway. "Good for you man. It's about time."
I raised an eyebrow.
"Tank filled me in."
Of course he did. We'd be having a little talk when I got back. We worked out the details and Damien went back to work as I went to see family that still lived in Miami.
I was doing this to Atlanta and Boston as well. I wanted the companies to still be under my command, but focus more on Trenton, where Stephanie was. I didn't want to fly out to make every small decision. I knew the men that I hired would be well capable to make any decision. It was time I stared to live for something other than my company. Technically, I could sell out to all of the guys and still have enough money for me and Stephanie to live comfortably, but I wasn't ready for that just yet.
I knocked on the door at precisely four and Julie answered the door.
"Hey Ranger!" She said, giving me a quick hug. In some ways, I was grateful for Scrog. He let me get close to my daughter and have some kind of relationship with her.
"Hey Sweetie, how are you."
"Great! I just got all my homework done so we can talk uninterrupted." She smiled at me.
"That's wonderful." I said, mimicking her smile.
We walked in the door and I gently hugged Rachel and shook Ron's hand. We had a new understanding when it came to Julie and I was glad that they let me in to her life, even if I didn't have any rights.
"So what's up?" She asked when we sat down on the porch.
"I wanted to talk to you about Stephanie."
"What's wrong? Is she okay?" Concern etched onto her face.
"Stephanie's fine, don't worry." I looked at my hands. "I wanted to make sure that it was okay with you if I started dating Stephanie."
"Okay? That's better than okay! That's fantastic! I knew that you guys were meant for each other anyway. It was just a matter of time. Why wouldn't I be okay with it?"
"I just wanted to make sure. We've been getting along so well these past few months that I don't want to ruin it."
She hugged my shoulders. "Dad, I understand why you did the things that you did. You and mom weren't in love and you were living a dangerous life." She held up her hand when I opened my mouth. "I know that it doesn't change how you feel about me and that you guys love me even if you guys didn't love each other. I love Ron and he's my father, but that doesn't change the fact that you're still family and biologically my father. I love you and whatever decisions you make won't make me stop loving you."
"I love you too, Sweetheart." I kissed her forehead.
"So," she said after a brief pause. "Are you two going to get married? Have kids?"
"Would you be okay with that?"
She rolled her eyes. "Dad, please."
I smiled at her. She was okay with anything that Steph and I decided. "Maybe. Only if Stephanie wants them."
"She will." Julie said confidently.
Rachel and Ron invited me to stay for dinner. I didn't want to leave Julie just yet. It was amazing as I thought about the things that I had almost missed if she wasn't around. I knew then and there that I was positive about having children with Stephanie. I wanted more children like Julie running around with Steph's curls. Picturing our children put a smile on my face instead of a feeling of dread.
After dinner and when Julie had gone to bed, Rachel walked me to the car.
"You really love her, don't you?" She asked.
I nodded. "She's my world."
She smiled softly. "Good. I'm glad you finally found someone."
"I'm sorry things didn't work out differently between us, Rachel."
"Why? I'm not. If things had been different, you'd think Julie would be Julie?"
I thought about that. Probably not.
"Can you imagine a world without Stephanie?"
"No." I said. Thinking about a world without her made it seem…darker.
"Good. Cause I can't without Ron." She hugged me softly. "Send us an invitation to the wedding."
They were all so confident that we would get married. "I will." I turned to get into the car, but turned back. "Thanks Rachel."
"For what?"
"For letting me be a part of her world. I know I don't have any rights to."
"It wouldn't be right if she didn't know all of her family."
We smiled and I gave her a small wave as I got into the car.
Time to head back to Stephanie.
