Better than myself Part 20

(Sequel to As a Man)

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, I'm not making any money, and all the wonderful characters belong to the lovely JE. I would borrow Ranger for awhile, though.

Frank's POV

I knew the news of Stephanie and Ranger's plans to move to Atlanta would be enormous leaving would shake up more than just the Plum household. Vinnie is closing up shop, with his best bonds enforcement agents refusing to work for him and all others not applying because of fear of Rangeman retribution. He just didn't have any choice. I am not sure what Connie and Lula are doing now, but from what I hear from Steph, I shouldn't care.

There was a news conference because of the community safety concerns, with all of the help that Rangemen gave the police force. We were assured that Carlos Manoso would not leave the citizens of Trenton without help and gave a brief explanation of the slimmed down crew and contract workers that will keep Rangeman Trenton afloat. He just no longer felt that Trenton was the place for the headquarters of his organization or anywhere he wanted to call home. I was surprised that he vocalized what everyone always knew, "There is a sickness that takes over part of Trenton, a sickness that does not accept those who are different and who refuse to conform to the status quo. He and his company cannot sit back and 100% back a community whose values are so far behind the times."

I wanted to stand up and applaud him at that statement. I think that was his way of giving the finger to the 'Burg and I for one loved it. He is a good man; I couldn't have picked a better man for my Pumpkin. I am glad that they are leaving, for them, but sad for myself. With the way Steph and Ranger look at each other, I know that marriage and kids are in the future for them, I don't know if I could live with myself if I missed that.

I have failed Stephanie in so many ways. I know I should have stepped in more than I did and stopped Helen from belittling and beating down Stephanie's dreams. I was a coward. I didn't want to rock the already unstable boat. But by doing nothing, I damaged my only daughter more than I probably will ever know.

Valerie is my daughter in every way that counts, I could not love her anymore if she was my biological child. But she is not. I met Helen in a whirlwind romance before I shipped out for an 11 month tour of duty in Germany. And I came home to a 6 month old daughter. The story I got from Helen was about how big of a mistake that she made, that she was lonely. Gossip had a way of getting back to me with an entirely different story, of a married man that Helen was seeing before and after we were married. He never had any intention of leaving his wife. I was the second choice. I know who he is, he still lives in Trenton, is a very prominent member of the community. He was just in the Rangeman press conference. But as one not to spread gossip, I will never tell anyone. I am surprised that neither Valerie nor Stephanie has heard the story, but gossip mongers are not known for long attention spans.

There has been so many times throughout the years I wondered, what if? What if I found out about this relationship before we were married, how different would my life have been? Could I have been happy, instead of knowing that I was the second, less successful choice?

I was a young single guy, who felt the pressure to have a wife when he enlisted. I married a beautiful girl without really knowing anything about her aside from the beauty. Do I really know this woman that I have called my wife all these years? Do I even love her?

I am angry, for the first time in year I am letting myself get angry. I don't want to miss out on anything else. I don't want to miss out on my first grandson (I know Ranger can give me a grandson) I am debating on how much more of my life I am willing to sacrifice for a woman I never really knew and am not sure I love. When she comes in ranting about Stephanie.

Who does she think she is? Announcing that she is leaving town with a man who is not her husband, she might as well wear a button that says "I am a whore, ask me how."

"Enough!" I shout. "Isn't that the pot calling the kettle? You have the nerve to call Stephanie a whore. What were you? Who were you sleeping with the entire time I was in Germany? Who is Valerie's father? We both know it isn't me. So when you start to throw stones, maybe you should look at the glass house you live in, Helen."

I turn to leave the room and I see Valerie standing in the door way. Shit! I never wanted her to find out I wasn't her father, not ever like this.

Val looks at me with shining eyes, "Daddy, I am not yours? Who am I?"

I respond that I think it is time that your mother has that conversation with you, but I always want her to remember that she is my daughter in ever single way that counts. I hold her close for a minute and I turn to Helen.

Helen starts telling Val that it doesn't matter, she is perfect. Stephanie never knew how to be a daughter and is not important.

"I am not going to stand here and listen to you belittle Stephanie anymore. Both of our daughters are amazing women in different ways. You can't see it because you are too blinding by your own shortcomings and your own jealousy to see what is in front of you. If Steph never gets married or has children, doesn't make her any more or any less than Valerie.

What kind of house wife will you be in an empty house? What will your precious 'Burg think of you because I am leaving? 'Burg husbands don't leave and I refuse to live like this anymore."

I feel great finally having said it. Hugging a shocked Valerie, I grab my keys and leave. I will come back later for my clothes. But will I really need them; I hear it is very hot in Atlanta, maybe an entirely new wardrobe is in order.

First I need to check with Steph and Ranger if they have a place for me to stay here and room for me in Atlanta.

A/N: I have someone else joining them in Atlanta, Yeah! For Frank Plum. I hope that everyone enjoyed this chapter.

Please read and review.