Chapter 6

Carlos' POV

Tank and I finished at the clients location and made our way to Haywood. I couldn't believe my ears when Stephanie told me that not a single man she had been with respected her enough to take her on a proper date. I planned on spoiling her all day tomorrow. As much as I wanted her to accept my money and love I believe she thinks she is a gold digger when she does. Stephanie is far from a gold digger. I have watched her go without food from Pinos or Shorty's, because we all know she can't cook, and endure her mother's criticism just for a proper meal. For a woman who buys Tastykakes as a cheap source of food I don't know where she puts it all because we also know she hates exercise. I never want to see her sell another piece of appliances or furniture just to make ends meet and don't get me started on those POS cars she insists on buying.

"RANGER!" I heard Tank yell into my ear. "I have been calling you for five minutes man."

I looked out the window and noticed we were in the underground garage at RangeMan. Good thing babe wasn't here. She would tell me to be more aware of my surroundings.

"Let me take a wild guess and say you were thinking about Stephanie. I have known you for years and she is the only one that has made you lose focus." Tank said smirking. "I just hope you have gotten your head out of your ass and told her how you feel about her. It is quite obvious that you have feelings for her and with your contract up I'm pretty sure you have no more excuses. I hope the time you spent at the house with her gave you time to tell her how you feel. We all know that if you brush her off again Morelli will say or do something to break her spirit down and make her marry him. She would be not only physically but also emotionally abused by him."

"Pierre," I said hoping to get his attention. "When we went to get my babe from that monster I had an epiphany. I can't live without her and never want to go a day without her. I plan on showing her everyday how much she means to me whether it is with my love or money. I know she rejects anything I buy for her but what else do I have to spend my money on? I spend my money on nothing but cars, houses, stocks and anything Rachel and Ron can't afford for Julie. Speaking of Julie, Stephanie has done the one thing I had never expected in the sixteen years of my daughter's life, I am getting to know her and spend time with her. I love Stephanie with all that I am and if she will have me I hope to marry her and, I can't believe I am going to say this, but I might consider having a real family."

"That's good to hear man." Tank said getting out of the SUV. I followed suit. "We have seen some fucked up shit in our lives and deserve some happiness." We made our way into the elevator and I turned to Tank before he got off on four.

"Stephanie and I are offline until further notice and will be reachable by cell." I said and Tank nodded.

"The leadership and core teams here, in Miami, Boston, and Atlanta will not be present tomorrow and I requested contract workers to come in a pick up the slack." Tank said backing out of the elevator. "Hopefully I'll see you tomorrow." I gave a slight nod and made my way to seven.

I fobbed my way into the apartment and found it pitch black except for the TV playing Ghostbusters. I saw a mass of brown curls draped over the arm of the couch and went to kneel in front of her. I vowed in that moment to be everything she needed and wanted and to never let her guess at how I felt or my intentions with her. I picked her up in my arms and she stirred but quickly settled down and let me carry her to bed. I stripped her out of everything but her panties and slipped the shirt I had on over her head. I tucked her in. I knew by the time I would come to bed the blanket would be on the floor in a heap. I kissed her forehead before walking into the kitchen to reheat dinner. Once warm I took it with me to work in my home office.

I made a few calls, wrote a few notes, and made sure everything was absolutely perfect to sweep my babe off her feet for her first proper date. I sealed the notes into envelopes, shut down my computer and locked it into my desk knowing babe was very nosey and would do anything for a single clue as to what we were going to do tomorrow. I walked into the closet and put on my only pair of silk boxers before snuggling into my babe in bed.

I moved her hair to expose her ear and whispered "Te amo Estafania." (I love you Stephanie) I fell asleep in the comfort of my love and knew everything was right in my world.

RS~RS~RS~RS~RS~RS~RS~RS~RS

I woke up promptly at 0600 hours and of course found my babe asleep. I kissed her forehead and jumped in the shower. I packed everything babe and I would need for a while and took it with me. I set up everything babe would need for the day and made my way downstairs. I would love to see her face at every surprise but I would have to wait until tonight to see my beautiful babe. It was going to be a good night.

Stephanie POV

I woke up and knew that this was not where I fell asleep last night. I could imagine Carlos carrying me in here late at night. I also realized I was out of my clothes I fell asleep in and they were replaced with a black t shirt that smelt like my man. I always felt safe in Carlos' arms and he knew that when he was in the wind I spent a lot of time in his clothing and showering with his shower gel just to be close to him. I sat up in bed and noticed that Carlos was gone but soon saw why. It was nine in the morning and by now he was sure to have saved a third world country.

Beside the alarm clock there was an envelope with babe on it in Carlos' beautiful script. Next to the envelope was a fedora hat with folded pieces of paper inside. I opened the envelope and started to read the long letter.

Babe,

I promised you a date you would never forget and plan to do that today. I have a lot of surprises in store for you throughout the day and hope they are to your liking. I wanted to let you sleep this morning knowing you will need the rest for the next couple of days. On your night stand where you have found this note should be a fedora with five pieces of paper. Each piece has a number on it. I want you to take a second to choose a number and then continue reading.

I leaned over to my night stand and grabbed the black fedora. I shook the hat a bit, closed my eyes and pulled a random piece of paper out. I opened it and came up with the number two. I picked up the letter and continued to read.

Now that you have your number I want you to walk into the closet and look at the side that I always claimed was yours and there will be surprise number one. Continue reading when you have done so.

I got out of bed and headed to the closet. As soon as I opened the door I found five garment bags hanging up from the railings on 'my' side of the closet. I didn't live with Carlos but I knew Ella couldn't pass up an opportunity to go shopping for me. I looked back down at the letter and continued to read.

In these bags are different dresses I have handpicked for you. Even though you picked one out of the hat you own all of them to wear at a later date. I did this to show that in our relationship I want you to always have options but with those options trust that I know what is best for you. I need you to take the duffle next to the garment bag you have picked and bring it with you down to the garage by 1100 hours. You can check out the dress but leave the duffle closed until I tell you it is ok.

I love you Babe

~C

I set the letter down and quickly unzipped the bag with the number two taped to it. I gasped at what I saw. It was a huge poofy half blue half black ball gown.

( )

This dress only spike my curiosity more on what Carlos had planned. I walked out of the closet and heard the sounds of cart wheels. That only meant one thing. Breakfast!

I pulled on a pair of sweatpants Carlos must have left on the floor after changing and made my way into the living room. Ella was in the kitchen setting up what must be my breakfast on the island.

"Good morning dear," Ella said giving me a hug. "Carlos has told me he has a wonderful day planned for you and to make sure you had some well-deserved breakfast. He also told me to give you this note." Ella handed me a small piece of paper. "Enjoy." I watched Ella leave with the cart and sat down to look at my wonderful breakfast of chocolate chip pancakes with syrup, that wasn't half fat or no sugar added, bacon, sausage, orange juice and water. I unfolded the small piece of paper and saw Carlos' handwriting.

Although I tell you that the sugary and fattening things will eventually kill you I want you to know it doesn't matter what you eat as long as you stay healthy. I want to spend as long as possible with you and if it means cutting back for a little while on some sweets I will make sure it happens. I know how you get without sugar and let me just say bring it on! I love you babe and can't wait to see you later tonight.

~C

I smiled at his cute note. I know how much he enjoys his healthy food but I don't know if I would ever be able to eat like him. I grew up on sauce, cheese, sweets and other artery clogging goodness. Switching would be hard. If a medical problem ever arouse because of my diet I would change but until then I plan on eating whatever I want.

I ate quickly moaning through every bite. Thank god I was the only one on the seventh floor because I was a little loud. I left the remnants of my breakfast on the counter, knowing Ella would take care of them, and went into the bathroom to get ready for the day. I shaved, exfoliated, and lotioned every inch of my body, not knowing what Carlos has in store for today, and started to control my hair. I decided to go with a simple pony tail and walked into the closet. I didn't care that I was naked because no one was around to catch me.

I went through all my clothing options here, which were far from limited, and picked a pair of comfy grey yoga pants, a yellow cami and yellow flip flops. I found a panty and bra set that were yellow as well to match. Once dressed I looked at the clock and saw that it was ten forty five and quickly grabbed the garment bag, duffle, my keys and headed downstairs.

I stepped into the elevator, gave the camera a small finger wave and took a short ride down to the garage. I gasped at what I saw. Parked there was a shiny new 2013 black Cadillac hybrid. ( pm-cadillac_hybrid_2013_ )

I walked up to the car and saw that Lester was in the driver's seat. Before I could open the passenger door for myself Lester was there doing it for me. "My cousin asked me to escort his precious cargo to a disclosed location and I am at your full service." Lester said helping me into the car. Before getting into the car he put my dress and duffle into the trunk.

He quickly made it back into the driver seat and I was totally speechless. Was the car Lester's or Carlos'? God help Carlos if he bought this for me. I turned to Lester when I heard him laughing.

"Beautiful," Lester said smiling. "Carlos has bought this especially for you. I'm just your body guard to your destination and chauffer for the day. Before you cast the powers of God onto Carlos please know that he would do anything for you. Anybody in their right mind would do anything for you."

Aw, but I was still mad at Carlos for bleeding money on me all the time. "Hey, don't talk like that. Carlos loves you and doesn't bleed money on you. He likes to buy you things because he loves to see a smile on your face."

"I said that stuff out loud didn't I?" I asked leaning my head back against the head rest. I really needed to work on that.

"Yup," Lester said as he started pulling out of the garage. I watched as Lester drove for a while and became quite bored with the silence. I turned on the radio and laughed when Metallica filled the car speakers. "What you thought you were the only one who loved a good hard core rock song?" Lester asked with a smirk.

"I always wondered what the Merry Men listened to." I said looking out the window. Did Carlos listen to Metallica? I couldn't see it considering the times he drove my car and grimaced at the radio when it was on and classical music playing every time he turned on the radio either in his car or in the apartment.

"Yes, Carlos listens to the occasional Metallica. He just likes classical music because it somehow soothes him. Load of shit if you ask me." Lester said looking at me. "Before you ask, no you didn't say it out loud; it was written all over your face."

Lester and I sang along to the radio and I didn't even notice when we pulled into what I guessed was an airport hangar. We parked and Lester helped me out of the car. He popped the trunk and picked up my garment bag and duffle from the trunk and carried them towards a giant black private jet. I was frozen staring at the jet. It was nice and shiny and must have cost a fortune.

"Coming beautiful?" Lester said with his head out of the door to the jet. "It looks better on the inside."

I walked up to the jet and climbed the stairs. The inside was like anything else Carlos owned, dark yet elegant. There is black leather interior with a light brown grain around the sitting area. There was a small section for making a meal or snack, a sitting area, bathroom and a bedroom. If Carlos was here I'm pretty sure I would make sure we were both members of the mile high club. Was he already a member? Something I would definitely need to ask him.

"We are ready to take off as soon as you're ready beautiful." Lester's voice said coming from the cockpit.

"Where are we going?" I asked knowing he wouldn't tell me.

"Sorry beautiful I value my life too much to say where we are headed." Lester said with a laugh in his voice. Then it occurred to me that I didn't see a pilot get on the jet. "Relax beautiful. Carlos told me you had a problem with planes. I'm flying this baby and I promise to not crash land in the ocean."

I laughed and sat down on the couch that had seat belts, awkward, and realized what he just said. "Lester, you better not crash anywhere!" I only heard chuckling.

Once in the air I grabbed a water bottle and a nature valley oats and honey bar and headed back to the bed room. After all Carlos told me I would need my rest for tonight. I took off my flip flops and slipped between the luxurious sheets. The last thought I had before I went to sleep was of how much I loved my Carlos.

RS~RS~RS~RS~RS~RS~RS~RS~RS~RS~RS~RS

I slowly came awake to someone rubbing my nose. I swatted at whatever it was and heard someone groan in pain. I shot up realizing someone was in the room. Opened my eyes and saw Lester hunched over in pain. "Way to go for my family jewels beautiful." I smiled and slowly got out of bed.

"Well you should learn that I value my beauty sleep about as much as you value your life." I slipped on my flip flops and made my way out of the bedroom to the sitting area. I watched Lester remove my duffle and garment bag from a small storage room along with a black garment bag. "What is in that garment bag Lester?" I asked being curious.

"Oh it's nothing, just my clothes for a few days." He said smiling a gorgeous smile that scrambled my brain. I shrugged and we deplaned. "Welcome to Miami beautiful!" I stood on the steps with my mouth agape. I looked out across the runway and saw beautiful blue sky and palm trees and I could see the heat coming off of things in the horizon.

It was smoldering hot in these yoga pants and I couldn't wait to change. Oh shit! I didn't bring weather appropriate clothes because I had no clue where I was going when I was getting ready this morning. I shrugged it off and thought to myself you are from Jersey and you are used to humidity and heat. I kept walking down the steps and followed Lester into an awaiting SUV. We made our way through towns and I watched as the houses got bigger and bigger. After a while of driving through these immaculate neighborhoods we pulled up to a private driveway. There was a gate with an M intricately done in cast iron. Lester rolled down the window and entered a code into a key pad and the gates swung open. We drove for about another mile and came to a nice sized house about three stories with a balcony on the middle floor. Lester carried everything to the door and I followed closely behind. He used a key fob like the one to get onto seven and opened the door with it.

Lester pushed open the door and I knew immediately I was in Carlos' home. Sure the batcave in Jersey was nice but this was his home. There were photos on every wall. Some were of him as a kid, him in the military and with each RangeMan office while it was bare bones. I smiled at each memory that I wasn't there for. Memories that made the man I loved. I couldn't wait to make memories with Carlos and hopefully have some photos of our own to hang on the wall. Just after I had that thought, or what I thought was a thought, Lester grabbed my hand and pulled me upstairs and made me face a wall of pictures.

There on the wall were all pictures of me. Some of them I was with Carlos and some of them I was by myself. My favorite one had to be the one where we had our backs to the camera and Carlos had his arm around my shoulder and my head on his shoulder in front of a burning car. After committing each photo to memory Lester opened a door down the hall and brought my stuff inside. I followed him and fell in love with the room. It was light and open. The white curtains were blowing where there was an open door to the balcony and the bed was on a platform. The bed spread was white with light blue stitching and it oddly didn't look too feminine for Carlos.

"He made this room with you in mind. The guys here at RangeMan Miami wouldn't stop laughing at the white and blue and lace everywhere. He called them all to the mats a lectured them on how lucky he was to have a woman as special as you." Lester said placing my duffle and garment bag on the bed. "II have seen my cousin change in the last few years because of you. It's nice to see the old laughing Carlos instead of the stern Carlos all the time. The only one to not give up on Carlos was Abuela Rosa and you are just like her. Out of all of us he was her favorite even though she never said so we all know. He was sick as a baby and was very close to death and Abuela would sit by his crib and pray all day. She thinks god had a special purpose for him and she wants to be alive to see him accomplish everything life has to offer. She was the only one who could see the real Carlos after he started to get into trouble with the law and finally joined the military. His blank face slowly started to make an appearance but she cut right through it. When I started to tell the family about you they would question Carlos but the farthest they would get were a smirk and a shaking of the head. Abuela is very special to Carlos and by reminding him of her you are also very close to his heart." Damn that was the most I have ever heard Lester say. Plus it was something so intense. I didn't know what to say. I stood with my own thought running through my head and just registered Lester handing me another letter. "This is from Carlos." He handed it to me and left the room.

I opened the letter thinking what else could Carlos possibly have planned. Boy was I in for a surprise. Along with the letter was a picture of Carlos in his uniform all decked out with his medals.

Babe,

I hope you are enjoying Miami. I know it is your first time in the city I once called home. Ever since I was a teenager in trouble with the law I called this my home. Until I met a curly haired, blue eyed, white girl from the Burg I started calling Trenton home. I want you to know wherever you are I will call home. The picture I have given you is the man you met, Ranger, and the man you tore apart bit by bit to become Carlos. As my 'girlfriend', which sounds crazy considering you are far from just a girl, I would like to ask you to the 237th birthday ball for the U.S. Army. There is no one I would rather spend the night with than my babe. I know you don't like to be expected to do things but since you're here and have a dress it would be my honor to be your soldier/escort for the night. I love you, please say yes.

~C

I felt tears well up in my eyes. He wrote the one word I could never refuse from him, please. Of course I would go to the birthday ball with my batman. With Morelli he would never take me to the Police Chief Ball I know they had each year. He would magically pop off the radar on that night, now that I think of it, probably fucking another woman. With Carlos I know he would rather stay home but he loved to show me off. I guess I should be worried about being flashed around like a new toy in Elementary school but he made me feel loved while he did it, even if it was after a distraction at two in the morning. I set the letter down on the bed on top of my dress and felt arms wrap around my waist.

"Please say yes."