A Family Affair

Chapter 11

Not wanting the luncheon buffet to go to waste which was for the President's visit and the notable public figures who vacated Liberty Bell Center before seeing a terrorist done-in by two 'Burg' girls, it made a very nice wedding luncheon.

Frank sat down at the table his daughter and son-in-law were eating at; Addison was asleep in one of her father's arms. "Ranger, I can hold my granddaughter so you can eat."

"I got it, Frank," the possessive father demonstrated he could eat with one available hand.

"Daddy, he doesn't give her up much."

With total pride, the Bad Ass father informed his wife and father-in-law, "She's my daughter."

Tank stood there watching his best friend kiss his new wife. The great Manoso finally did it! He tapped a champagne flute for everyone's attention. "I'd like to make a toast," he said raising his glass of very smooth champagne. "I've known Ranger a very long time and we've been through a bunch of stuff together. But, Bombshell, the day Connie called him for a favor, all the training that Cuban Man has had didn't do him any good nor did his heart have a chance against a beautiful girl from the 'Burg'." The room was laughing. "And he finally wised up."

The intimidating glare wasn't doing it today; Ranger was laughing and kissing his bride.

"Ranger, Stephanie, and Addison, you deserve all the happiness!"

The room all raised their glasses to the newlywed couple.

After eating, the President raised his hand after a Secret Service Agent informed him of something. 'I hate to leave this wedding party, but our plane is ready to leave for Washington. Carlos and Stephanie, congratulations and many years of those simple joys. Despite that little terrorist thing, I would say this day was a success. I'll stamp the Presidential seal on that hand written marriage certificate and get it to you in a day or two."

"Thank you, Stephanie," Emily Cosgrove hugged Stephanie telling her, "Ben maybe the President, but he is my husband and the father to our sons and I couldn't live without him.

"I understand that," she agreed looking at Ranger talking with his friends and General Warwick. "Thank you for our wedding. It was perfect."

"Enjoy the wedding petit-fours," the First lady encouraged the woman who had dessert at the top of her food pyramid. They watched the caterer carry out a graduated tower of the fancy cakes.

"I love dessert almost as much as I love my husband."

"Don't we all."

XXXXXXXXXXX

"Carlos, I never in all my years of military service could have guessed one of the most wanted terrorists in the world could be taken down by mother with a baby bottle and her stun-gun carrying Grandmother," General Warwick chuckled.

"General, I've learned to expect anything when it comes to My Babe. No training could prepare me for her."

"She's your match."

"Be glad, General, the old bat had a stun gun. She shot a perfectly roasted chicken off the dining room table with a pistol some crazy sold her," Frank relayed.

"Night Hawk, thank you for your assistance and you have your hands full with Edna."

"Don't I know it?"

Speaking of Grandma Mazur, she came hustling over to the President pulling a pair of edible undies out of her purse. "Can you autograph these?" She was waving a pale tie-dyed pair with a smiling President Cosgrove on the front."

"Where did you get those, Mrs. Mazur?"

"These are a hot selling souvenir. I'm going to sell that pair on EBAY. I'm a senior citizen and my social security only goes so far when you like the slots," Grandma explained handing the Commander in Chief a permanent marker.

He accepted it signing his name under his face. His wife was snickering adding her signature under his.

"Hot damn. I bet I'm set for life."

The President and First Lady shook hands before the Secret Service escorted them to a waiting limousine for the short trip to Air Force 1.

"Carlos, General Warwick said shaking his best operative's hand one last time, "you are one of the best. Enjoy your life, you worked hard for it."

"I will, Sir."

The decorated officer shook Stephanie's hand, "Keep him in line and that job offer will always be open if he ticks you off."

"Thank you, General." Stephanie leaned into him kissing his cheek. "I appreciate the offer, but he's stuck with me."

"OK. The State Department will announce tomorrow there was a mistaken identification and you've been in a coma so you couldn't tell us who you were. That will give you time to get out of town and enjoy your honeymoon."

"We will," Ranger agreed.

His arm was around Stephanie as he watched the man who was his guide for many years walk out of Liberty Bell Center. That chapter of his life was over and Carlos Manoso was beyond ready to begin his long awaited 'someday'.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The Merry Men safely deposited Stephanie, Ranger, and Addison at the Omni without anyone recognizing them. Every news station was reporting on the assignation attempt in Philadelphia, but luckily no news crews were inside filming the speech, so Ranger, Stephanie, and their gang could not be identified. Cell phones had to be turned off also so hopefully nothing would end up on 'You Tube' or 'Facebook'. The reporters interviewed a number of attendees, a few did say the terrorist appeared to be struck with something from behind, but couldn't be sure. Some reported it appeared he had a seizure because his body was jerking around, but no one stuck around to find out because the building was evacuated quickly. There was some out-of-focus film of activity inside the Liberty Bell Center after things settled down. People confirmed it was a secret wedding, but Secret Service chased gawkers away.

Ranger and Stephanie laid in the king size hotel bed watching their 'fuzzy' wedding wrapped in each other's arms. Addison was sleeping in the hotel crib not far from her parents. They were drinking champagne and eating petit-fours from their wedding after doing their own in-room 'celebrating'.

"I'm sorry, Babe, we couldn't go out to celebrate."

"Why? I few days ago I believed I would never hear your voice or feel your touch again. Addison would grow-up without you. My prayer was answered," Stephanie told him holding Ranger's face in her hands. "I have you. That is all I can ever want. I love you, Carlos Manoso."

"I love you, Stephanie. I wouldn't let anyone take away our someday and it will be good."