Better than myself Part 31
(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 and maybe Tank, at least Tank as I write him.
Ranger's POV
I am putting on my tux for the opening party of Arielle's House, there are so many important people coming from all of Atlanta and even a couple of contacts I have in DC. I have such faith in Stephanie and her abilities; she has surpassed all of my expectations. She has embraced the small idea that I had and ran with it and made it wonderful. It is a place that I think that kids of all ages would feel comfortable spending time after school. The staff that was hired, after extensive background checks, are all very approachable.
Rangeman Atlanta seems to be progressing nicely; it is always good when our reputation precedes us. Especially when everyone received notices that I was taking over operations and expanding our services. We have several new accounts already and I am making more consultation appointments than I have staff to manage. I do have a lot of interviews in the works; I think we already need at least 5 more guys. I have some people in mind. I just have to convince them that a move to Atlanta would be worth their while.
The move to Atlanta was definitely worth my while. The connections that I am making with JJ and Jason are the kind of connections I have looked for my entire life. When I add their relationships to the ones I already have with Steph, Tank and Ella. It feels that I have a family for the first time in my life. Spending time with JJ is always the highlight of my day, even with all of the questions he has about Thomas. I can deal with telling him anything he wants to know as long as I think it will help him move on in some way.
The decisions that Jason and Cami are making are affecting JJ and I don't think they see it. I think the easiest thing for them would be to just tell him that they are divorcing. The plan that they came up with not to disrupt JJs life to much is amazingly selfless. They are both going to stay in the house; Jason is going to live in the mother in law suite, so he will still have complete access to JJ. I believe that it will work, because they are not ending their marriage because of a lack of love, it is because they love each other that they are breaking up. JJ is too mature for his age because of what he has been through; I think he will understand more than they are giving him credit for. I can't get in the middle of it too much; I am just giving Jason my advice.
Jason, he is a great guy, I always wanted to be free to know him the way I do now. I just am not sure I can do what he wants me to do. It seems important to him to know exactly what Thomas did to me. He is afraid that because his father was a monster, he has some of the same monster in him. Convincing him otherwise isn't working, I tell him constantly, that people who have evil in them, do not sit around worrying about their evilness.
How can I relate so many years of violence and terror into a few sentences in order to give him peace of mind? I want to give him peace of mind; I am getting to a place where I can sleep at night without waking up in a cold sweat. I want that for him. I have invited him to my next therapy session and I have discussed it with the therapist that we might do a question and answer session and Jason can listen in. That should give him the information he needs, stressing that he will need follow up care after that session. With the intention of having him find his own therapist so he can let go of his fears.
This night is not about that kind of fear; this night is to celebrate Steph and her accomplishments. She has blossomed so much outside of the shadow of the Burg. I knew that this strong woman was in her, she was just so stifled in the place. I watch her as she works, the confidence she exudes as a business woman, makes everyone sit up and notice. I always knew she was my perfect match and who she becoming proves me right.
As she walks out of the dressing room, a vision in a purple. The one shoulder dress that she is wearing fits her like a glove, but is far sexier than any of her distraction outfits. Her hair is up showing off her beautiful neck with a few curls skimming her shoulders. What I want to do to her, with definitely make us late for this party. She is the host, we can't be late, but afterwards, I want to have her with this dress bunched up around her waist.
I want to see her in a wedding dress, she would make the most magnificent bride, and I close my eyes and can almost picture her walking towards me down the aisle. I have the rings in the safe in the bedroom; I just am waiting for the perfect moment.
Walking over to her, I pull her close and whisper "Te amo y lo haré hasta que me muera*" in her ear. I know she doesn't understand, but I am practicing.
* I love you and will until I die
A/N: I had several requests to hear from Ranger and since he is my favorite character to write, I had no problem doing it.
Thanks everyone for reviewing, it keeps the story going. I just want to make sure we tie up all the loose ends.
