Chapter 6 Getting the Family Settled
A/N OMG So sorry, Here is the correct chapter! Thank you everyone who reviewed to let me know.
Not wanting to fight with him I gave him my blank face stare. "Where do you want to go?"
"California. The babes there are the best. There aren't going to be any bars or babes on the island."
I completely ignored what he had said and continued my briefing for the family. "Now start the rules: As I said before, when you leave here today you will leave with a two-man protective detail. You will leave your vehicles here and they will drive you everywhere you need to go-"
"Hey I said California, that makes the vote three to two so we win." Julio insisted.
I ignored him and continued. "They will protect you everywhere you go. Do what they tell you to do. They are going to let you go about your business until they see a problem so if they are telling you to do something you need to do it, no questions asked. We leave tomorrow at noon. I want everyone here at ten tomorrow morning so we have time to go through everything we need to go through before we can leave.
"Carlos, California wins. You can pretend you can't hear me but everyone at the table can. I want to go to California." Julio demanded.
I looked at him blank face. "You are not counting my vote, or Abuela Rosa, or mama's and papa's. Six against three, we go to Florida. Discussion closed." Then I continued.
"All spouses are invited to come. If they want to come I need you to let me know as soon as you know and I need you to send me a picture that could be a driver's license picture. Medium head shot against a white wall. Take a couple if you are not sure and send them to me by tonight. Does anyone know for sure, besides Leyla if their spouse is coming or not?"
"Jordan's not coming. He can't get away for such a long period of time on such short notice." Angelia said.
"That's too bad. We could always use a doctor along. Let him know we will miss him but we understand." I told her. "Anyone else?"
"Well, like I said Richard wants to come. Vacation time at his job has to be prescheduled and approved. If he takes this time off he won't get paid. So, we are trying to see if we can make it work." Leyla explained.
"Talk to me privately. We can make it work. I would love to have him along. Isabella?"
"I think Diego will come. He isn't sure about this whole thing. He doesn't understand why I'm in danger so he kinda thinks this is all a game."
"Have him call me and I will put him on the list. I want as many spouses coming as possible. There is safety in numbers and everyone will have a better time if you aren't worrying about the spouse back home that you can't contact. I am going to be very specific. Once we leave there is no contact with anyone left behind. That includes work, husbands, boyfriends, girlfriends, yoga class and play groups. You are incommunicado. If there is an emergency, exceptions will be made, but there is no calling home to say goodnight and blow a kiss. You are off the grid having no communication with anyone but those in the group until we get back." (not able to communicate)
"There are exceptions. Papa runs his own company. Papa, I have an untraceable satellite phone for you to use, it is only for Papa to use, do not ask him to use it. If you need to make a call I have my own satellite phone, you can ask me, but it needs to be urgent, and dire. We aren't just calling people to tell them we are still alive. Trust me the minute you are no longer alive RangeMan will notify people for you so if they haven't heard anything then they need to assume everything is going well. I am working on having our own private cell network, and internet where ever we go. Unless I call and tell you otherwise you can bring your electronics: laptops and tablets.
"I will issue you a new cellphone to use for this trip and it is only to be used to contact people on this trip. You will be assigned a specific RangeMan employee for the trip. They will be guarding you every day and go everywhere you go all day. On the Island, it may be a little more relaxed but they are your shadow. They are not there to watch the kids or hold your bag. They are there to watch everything going on around you and make sure you are safe. If you go to the bathroom, they will be waiting outside the door. They will greet you in the morning and tuck you in at night.
"Their job is your life and your safety, and they will take a bullet for you if needed so please listen to them and do anything they ask you to do without arguing. That said, they ARE assigned to handle your luggage. So, stack it by the door and they will load it. They will get it on the plane. Let them know which ones are your carry-on's, so they will be loaded inside the jet.
"Luggage is different from airline requirements because we are taking a private jet there is no limit on how many suitcases you can bring or what you can pack in them. You can bring your whole 16 oz bottle of shampoo, lotion or a whole tube of toothpaste. Just realize in case of emergency you may be forced to get on a regular airline and all of that stuff would have to go in your checked luggage, and overweight or extra bags will cost you. Don't worry about it too much because I will cover those costs, just be aware of it. Bring cash only, because you can NOT use any debit or credit cards you may have. I will cover all of your expenses as soon as you leave this house until you and your families are safely returned. Any emergency or need will be covered by me.
"Angelia, I'm going to directly state it. The dog can't come, not on the airplane, not in the hotel, not on the cruise ship, not on the island. Either leave him with your husband or find a neighbor or friend to dog sit."
"Fine," she said huffily. I knew she would try to sneak him on board, because she takes him everywhere. I need to make sure to tell her men that the dog is not to come.
"I am going to ask Rachel and family to join us. If nothing else I will get Julie to join us, because she was specifically named. I am also asking Stephanie to join us on this trip. Please be nice to her. Don't scare her away and don't ask her about the bruises on her face. You have all seen the video. That is not something she needs to have repeatedly brought up.
"The men you get today will be with you till midnight. A new crew will come on then and stay with you till you are assigned your permanent protection detail. The next security group will get here about 14:00, you can leave with them any time after that." Oshanna raised her hand. "That's two o'clock." I explained and her hand went back down.
"Make no mistake about this trip the main goal is to keep you sane while keeping everyone safe. I realize it is my past that has put you all at risk and that's why I am sparing no expense. I have worked hard to give you choices and allow this to be a vacation rather than just trying to lock you up in a safe house. Hopefully this will keep your minds off the situation and allow myself and my men to do their jobs. Does anyone have any more questions?"
"What about me?" Julio asked.
"Be here at 10:00 am tomorrow, bags packed. Passport in hand."
"Anyone else?" I asked looking around the room at everyone. Then I continued. "Final notes: Make sure your bosses understand you are off line and are unable to contact them until this is over, which is expected to be two weeks. Let them know if anything happens to you, they will be contacted, but until they hear from you no news is good news. Cancel any doctor or other appointments. Let your friends and Facebook buddies know you are off-line, or out of town where there is no cell phone or internet service. DO NOT TELL ANYONE WHERE WE ARE GOING! Tell them it is a private family vacation and your parents are deciding where you are going. Don't even tell them little things like "it's some place tropical", or "they said to pack a bathing suit." You are dropping off the face of the planet and no one is to have any clue where you are going. Tell them you will be in touch when you get back.
"Normally with security jobs like this, the clients, that's you, have no idea where we are going until we get there. If we are getting on a commercial flight they find out when we get to the gate. Our location is top secret. We are going to extreme measures to make sure no one knows where we are going and we don't leave any digital trail they can follow. So, consider yourselves lucky that you know in advance and can pack accordingly. Papa, will you call your mother and explain this threat and invite her to come on this trip with us? I have men outside her house right now but I will feel better if everybody comes. Mama will you explain all this to Abuela Rosa?" They both nodded to me.
"Now let me call my personal travel assistant and we will get this ball rolling. Then Leyla and Isabella, I will talk to each of you." I stepped out into the backyard full of playing children and dialed Skylar.
"They changed their mind and you're calling for more options." She said in loo of hello.
"No Florida is fine. Book the jet to leave at noon tomorrow, from Newark. Book the cruise line, nine suites or the biggest rooms they have for the family. One small room in the bowels of the boat for my brother. We will sort out who gets what when we board. Book for twenty of my men, fourteen day-shift, six night-shift. Book a hotel for tomorrow night south of Miami in Homestead. Book all the cabanas for two weeks with an option to extend. We want the full kitchen crew and staff. We need a list of every passenger and employee on the cruise ship. We need pictures and detailed résumés on every employee on that Island. Have them all faxed to Tank. One husband is not coming so it will keep our total at 47. Do you need anything else from me?"
"Nope, got it boss. I will call or text you when I hear back about the TV's and internet."
"Thanks so much sweetheart. Good bye." I told her and called Rachel.
"Rachel, how is your day going?"
"Scary, we are all just sitting here at home scared out of our minds. Ron even came home at lunch time and stayed."
"I have a plan that will make things easier if you can put me on speaker phone so I can talk to both of you together. It is safer, with every female in my family being targeted, to get everyone out of town. I am packing my family up to go on an impromptu vacation and I want your family to come along. It will be easier to protect everyone together and getting away will be less stressful on everyone. I am already making reservations like you are coming but you have a few hours to decide. Ron, I would really like you to come too. Explain to your job that you are having a family emergency that is taking you out of town for two weeks and I will cover all of your expenses while you are gone so it won't cost you anything. Even if you and Rachel can't come I want Julie to come for her own safety. So, think about it and let me know as soon as you decide. If you have any questions please call or text me."
"I think we will come." Rachel said with a shaky voice. "It will be less frightening to be with the rest of your family and getting away won't make us feel like the sitting ducks we are right now."
"I agree that is why I am taking everyone away. Discuss it and let me know as soon as you decide."
I told Lester and Woody to go to the kitchen to eat once the TV's were set up then go back out on patrol. I went out to Hal and Cal and sent them in to get lunch from my mother, with the understanding that once they ate they were to rotate and cover everyone while they took turns eating.
I went to the Cayenne and got a RangeMan checkbook and wrote out some checks for my sisters. I went to hunt down my sisters, I found Leyla and Isabella in the kitchen with my mama and I asked each of them to step back into the dining room. "Listen I know this whole thing is sudden. You're both unexpectedly losing money from being out of work and if your husbands come you will be losing more. Here is money to put into your accounts to make sure all your bills are covered."
I handed each of them a check and turned to go find Oshanna. Leyla reached out and grabbed my arm. "Wait a minute Carlos, you can't just walk in and give me this and walk back out. This is too much money I can't accept it." Leyla said.
"Look it is my fault that this is happening and this is nothing. Just another way for me to say I'm taking responsibility for all of this and making sure you have enough money to pay all your bills while you are gone." I told her.
"But nine thousand, nine hundred, ninety-five dollars? Couldn't spell ten thousand?" Isabella teased.
"The minute I hand you ten thousand dollars, you have to fill out special forms for the Federal government and the money is tracked and held for two weeks. This way you can cash that check if you need to and deposit the cash without a problem. Just make sure the money is in your accounts before we leave. It will give me a measure of peace to know that everyone's bills are covered while we are gone. Just don't tell anyone else how much you got because Angelia and Oshanna are not getting as much."
"Angelia is not losing any money. Why are you giving her a check?" Leyla demanded.
"I'm being fair to everyone. I can't hand everyone else thousands of dollars and leave her out." I'd never hear the end of it. "It's still a small way for me to make amends to each of you for what is happening." I walked out then and found Angelia, Oshanna and Julio in the living room watching Lester and Woody program the new TV.
"Oshanna, you are out of work for the next two weeks and I want to make sure all of your bills are covered, so here is a check. Please deposit it before we leave tomorrow, so the funds are there when you need them." I handed her a check and Angelia leaned over her shoulder to look at it.
"Angelia, I know you aren't working right now, but there is a lot of stress involved in this situation and this is to help alleviate some of that for you." I handed her a check.
"Three thousand dollars? You gave Oshanna five." Angelia questioned.
"Just trying to be fair to everyone." I told her. "Oshanna needs it to pay her bills for the money she is losing being out of work. You are not losing any money because you are not working right now but I couldn't leave you out and give you nothing. Just consider this as partial payment for your pain and suffering through all of this." I turned to my brother. "Julio, I need to take your picture in the kitchen."
"Hey bro, where is my check?" He said as he got up and looked over Oshanna's shoulder.
"You should just be thankful mama stepped in. If it was up to me you wouldn't be coming. I still think it is the wrong thing and you will make me regret it before we get back. Now stand against the wall." I told him and I snapped the photo.
"No bro, it's not like that. I understand why we are going now and I can help protect the women in our family. I can be a great asset."
"I have trained men protecting our women. I just need you to not cause problems and keep to all the rules that are laid down."
"Of course, you know me bro. Always the first one to help." He told me. Yeah, I know him. Always the first one to cause problems, break the rules and make a disturbance. My gut told me he was going to be a problem. I walked out the backdoor and called Ella again.
"Have you taken Stephanie her breakfast yet?" I asked as I watched the two three-year-old's, Parker and Ricky, fight over the same porch toy; a four wheel, sit down ride around red truck with big yellow handles over the cab like a bike and the back of the truck shaped into a seat.
"She never called me to bring breakfast up. She just got up and left about fifteen minutes ago."
"Ella, I need your honest opinion. I'm taking twenty men with me to protect the family on a remote island. I want my men to look professional but blend a little better with the environment. I was thinking black cargo shorts, black tank tops embroidered with RangeMan, and ankle high boots. Wearing their name badges on lanyards. Will that still be intimidating and professional enough?"
"If I embroider the shirts it will totally look professional. Your men always look intimidating, it's the serious and blank looks that they give. While I am at it you need a logo. Something to go with the name RangeMan to make it look more official."
When I didn't respond, she continued. "How many do you need and for whom?"
"Three to five shirts and shorts a piece. I don't know how many you can find and make. I will send you the list of potential men. But make up a few extra in different sizes just in case."
"I'm on it. When do you need them by?"
"We leave at 09:00 tomorrow morning. The men have to be packed by then."
Tank had sent me his list of six-night shift options. I added fourteen and I sent it back to him: Lester, Woody, Cal, Hal, Ram, Junior, Chet, Erik, Bobby, Marc, Eddie, Chester, Gino, Martin, Vince, Mario, Victor, Ramon, Zip, Zero and asked Tank if there was any problem with any of these men going.
He texted back that Martin and Victor were due for their physicals. I substituted Manuel and Ryan and texted the list to Ella.
I sent a private text to Lester. This is half an order and half a personal request. I am putting together a protection detail to go out of town with my family. I would like to ask you to be the assigned detail for Oshanna. You know how she is and can talk her into cooperating. I am putting you down for this assignment unless you tell me otherwise.
I texted all of the men on the list: Preparation required. You have been selected for a special protection detail to guard my family. It is expected to last two or more weeks in a tropical, beach location. To blend a little better and be more approachable for my family there will be some changes in the normal uniform. Embroidered black tank tops and cargo shorts with ankle high water-proof black boots will be permitted. Ella is working on the shirts and shorts. Ankle high, waterproof boots are optional but would look better with the shorts. Here are three stores that carry appropriate models or you can check with the local army supply store. Briefing tonight at 20:00. Packed and leaving tomorrow 09:00. Required equipment on full gun belt: stun gun, side arm, knife, extra clip and ammo, six-inch collapsible baton, binoculars, radio, flash light, handcuffs, extra clip for LSAT, ammo pouch for 100 LSAT bullets, rifle strap for LSAT. Bring RangeMan issued credit card, if you don't have one contact Bones immediately. This detail is optional, full protection pay included. If you do not wish to be selected for this detail please let me know so I can reassign positions.
I called Tank as I watched the older kids organize themselves in a game of tag, naming Maggie as 'it' to start and them all running as far away from her as the large backyard would allow hiding behind trees as they went.
"Yo" Tank answered.
"Tell me that Stephanie has a two-man team on her."
"Affirmative." Tank said.
"Who's with her?" I asked.
"Ryan and Raphael" Tank explained.
"Keep her actively monitored until we leave town." I disconnected and called Stephanie.
"Hello."
"Good morning Babe. How are you feeling today?"
"Foggy, angry, my whole face hurts, and I have a drug hang over."
"Do you need my men to get you the cure?"
"No, we're in the drive thru at McDonald's now. Explain to me why I can't go out alone and why I can't drive?" She questioned me.
"Babe, that was a close call last night and until the bad guys are taken off the street I need to make sure you are safe."
"Well it's difficult to stake out an FTA with Godzilla and mountain man with me. Neither of them can talk or blend."
"I'll tell them to be your backup and let you do the apprehensions. How many skips do you have open?"
"Three. Two are low bond but Emanuel Caudillink is going to buy me a new car." I could hear the smile in her voice.
"What is he wanted for?"
"Armed robbery, he held up a convenience store and then went one block down and bought some liquor, while the cops were taking the report from the convenience store clerk. The clerk saw him coming out of the liquor store and the cops gave chase. He resisted and boom high bond."
"He is probably armed and dangerous. Are you carrying your gun?"
"No" she practically whispered.
"Stun gun."
"Yes" She said definitively.
"Lead the assault on the door but let Ryan and Raphael subdue him. Then you can stun him and drag him out to the car. Babe, I have a favor to ask you."
"Sure, whatever it is."
"I want you to come away with me tomorrow. Can you get your skips all cleaned up today so that you're available?"
"If I can find them."
"Call Roger and have him run a search, see if he can't turn you up more leads."
"Where are we going?"
"It's a surprise, but I will come over tonight and help you pack. You can stay at Haywood again and we will leave tomorrow morning." I needed her to come out of town with us or I won't be able to sleep.
"Are you asking me to run away with you?"
"No, I am taking my whole family away. Everyone these guys have threatened including Julie and you."
"Well, you should know by now I'm not the kind of girl that runs away or hides. This is my life and I stand up to whatever threats come my way."
"Babe, you got kidnapped and hung off the side of a building last night. If these guys get ahold of you I won't get a second chance to save you. They will torture and kill you." I paused. "Please Stephanie, come away with me. Just for two weeks. Then I will make it safe for you again. I promise."
"Ok," she hesitated, "I'll come, but I'm not staying away indefinitely and I am not going to run every time you think I am in danger."
"Thank you. I'll pick you up when I am done with my family and we can get you packed."
"Ok, but Joe's getting out of the hospital today. I told him I would come over tonight."
"Cancel. Until these guys are caught, you are not going anywhere with him. He's already shown he can't keep you safe from these guys and Babe, I need you to be safe." I also need to keep you far away from him because you are going to be mine and I don't take to poaching. "Besides he could get hurt worse trying to protect you again. It's safer for you and him, if you stay away from him till these guys are caught." That's the best excuse yet. She will stay away from him and he can't tell her she is wrong to do it.
"I got it. I'll just have lunch with him at Pino's. No one will bother us there, not with all the cops and your two gigantic men following me around."
Good compromise. He can't get her naked in Pino's. "Ok Babe, but keep your eyes open and stay safe. I'm almost done with my family and then I will be back in town."
"How did they take it? You know the whole stalking going to kill you thing?"
"A little rough. It is new to them so they are all a little shell shocked. They were as against protection as you are but eventually they came around. I would like you to meet them all tomorrow." I would tell her about the plans tonight while I helped her pack. If I can just get her to my parent's house there would be no turning back for her.
"Meet your family?" She repeated.
"Yes, they have all heard about you. They are all in danger and they can use the advice from a pro like you."
"You think I am a pro?"
"I think you have more experience than anyone I know with getting stalked and kidnapped. You can be a calm voice of reason assuring them that my men can protect them and that it will all be Ok."
"I think I can do that." She assured me and I disconnected.
By 13:20 Chet and Hank had finished bagging and tagging everything they could find and sent the cops on their way with the evidence. Then I had them get the metal detector and comb through the yard again.
At 13:45 the new protection crew showed up. I lined everyone up outside and gave them their orders. "I know you have all done this before, but this is my family and I'm going to go through it all again. You're assigned to one of my sisters or my mother and grandmother. Two men teams. Once assigned and introduced stay outside until your target is ready to leave. They leave with you, in your SUV. NO ONE drives their own car no matter what. They will all have a lot of errands. We are leaving as a group tomorrow for at least two weeks and they have to get their families packed and ready.
"You are not to babysit or stay with the kids in the car while the target runs in. Everyone goes inside, or the target stays in the car with one man and the other man runs inside for her. Two-man teams at all times the client is moving. My mother and sisters are the primary targets. They get to deal with the kids and you get to protect them. Call me with any unsolvable problems. Expect Angelia and Oshanna to try to duck you, pitch a fit or continue to leave you with the kids. Because they are my family they are going to think you should go easy on them. Tell them the opposite is true. That you have to be harder with them and make sure they are safe or I take you to the mats and shoot you in a very personal place. No breaking the rules for them. Once they are home, they are home for the night. Call me with any exceptions. You will be relieved at O Zero Hundred. Let's go inside and meet my family."
I introduced the men to my family and sent them to posts outside. Then I radioed the first shift to meet me in the front yard. Once they were lined up I addressed them.
"Good work today men. You helped me save Stephanie and keep my family safe. Tomorrow we start the two-week protection detail. Santos you are going. Everyone else on the list can go if you want. I am only taking twenty willing volunteers' because this is my family and I only want men willing and wanting to help protect them. So, if you don't want to go, let me or Tank know.
"Now there are ten men from the Boston and Atlanta offices waiting at Newark. They are to report to Tank upon arrival. Some of you will share your rooms while they are here, Tank is making the assignments. If you come on the trip, men will be sharing your apartment while you are gone, be ready for it. Dismissed."
"Lester," I called him. "I have the gun in the back of the Cayenne, take it to Sybo for processing. Tell him I want a report when I get back."
I went and sat in my car, knowing I would just be continually harassed by my family if I went back into the house. I checked my texts, and then my emails and finally my phone messages. I'd had several calls from other offices dealing with RangeMan business three that I answered and two that I forwarded on to Tank.
Starting tomorrow I was going to be off-line so it was better people started routing their questions to the men next in line. I had one message from Connie stating that she had a new file for RangeMan and could I come pick it up. I delayed in forwarding that message on, I might need that excuse to stop by when Stephanie is there and if not, I can mention it to Tank in the morning.
I watched the light traffic on this residential street and the gardening techniques of their neighbor who had a few selectively placed bushes on either side of the front porch and next to the driveway but covered the rest of the front yard and patio with small and large planters that were overflowing with different colors of flowers and different kinds of green plants. Normally I would just leave, but I wanted to see the window get fixed and make sure my father was happy with the repair. I got his house shot up, the least I can do is repair it. I got lost in my thoughts.
This was going to be a difficult assignment, for my men, in that they will be standing around where there is no perceived threat, watching my family have fun. It is actually easier when you are in public because there are dangers to watch out for. Here they are likely to be hot and board standing out in the sun all day. So, I want volunteers' who know the situation and agree to the job. It is also going to be different because while I am running this op. I will be wearing shorts and spending time with my family having fun. Not a role most of my men have ever seen me in.
I would much rather stay here and hunt down the men that are threatening my family but I knew that wasn't an option. The only way to convince my family to do this was if I went along. The only way I can rest assured of Stephanie's safety is if I am the one guarding her.
I am relieved that the island was the main choice because it will be the easiest place to defend and the likelihood that anyone could find us there is so remote, it is practically impossible. Of course, I would still leave a false trail for anyone to follow. If they followed us to the airport and figured out what we are flying, it is a one of a kind jet and if they find it they will have a way to find us again. Its uniqueness is a dead giveaway to our location. I know Mukhtar told me two-weeks but it just seems too easy and if I don't eliminate the threat they can come after them once we get back or in a month or year. Sergio has waited this long he certainly can be patient enough to wait a little longer.
My phone rang. "Talk."
"Your phone manors only seem acceptable when you call me but I know I am the social exception to your rule." Skylar said.
"My most fabulous woman, I didn't check my read out before I answered. You know I promised your man to treat you like you are the most precious gift on earth and that you walk on water. Both are true so how could I be any other way with you. What wonderful things do you have for me?"
"I called to explain about the internet. First of all, there are TV's and DVD players in every cabana, and Direct TV satellite channels. But the only internet is in the dining room, or the game room. It is not all over the island or in the cabana's."
"I should have asked you to check on this before. Is there cell service on the island? Can you find out for me?"
"Actually, I already know. Yes, they have their own cell tower on the Island but it is only AT&T so if you have another carrier you will be roaming."
"Excellent, good to know."
"That is all the news I have for you today. The links to the hotel rooms for tomorrow and the cruise ship Friday are in your email. If you need anything else just give me a ring."
"Now, my miracle worker. I need a favor."
"Anything for you Ranger."
"File a flight plan that goes to Wyoming, and reserve 5 rooms on the dude ranch as a decoy. Do not tell the pilots where we are going, just that we need a full tank, boarding between eleven and twelve, to depart at twelve o'clock, and we need lunch and snacks for fifty."
"You got it. They are doing a final check on the jet today and it will fly over tonight from the hanger in France. They will have it fueled and ready to go first thing in the morning."
"Thank you Skylar, you are a treasure in all of this."
"Good luck with your family, Ranger. Have a safe trip."
"Good bye"
I texted my whole family that we would have internet on the island and that there are TV's and DVD players in the cabanas. Then I got back to my thoughts about Sergio.
I'm going to have to go after him and take him out. There is no other way with my family's lives at stake. But I'm going to get them past this immediate threat and then I will go alone. He will expect a team. They will be watching for a team. What I needed was to verify his location. Sergio has many compounds now and two families he divides his time between. My reverie was interrupted by the glass installers.
I met them two houses down and walked them to the window with the bullet holes. They said they had glass big enough to cover it. I had my men move vehicles so they could park in front of the house. I left them to measure it out and went inside to get my papa so he could supervise the installation. My papa was the one who knocked out the wall and installed the big eight by ten-foot window, years ago after he started his construction company. It was one of the first renovations he did on the house after adding a full bath downstairs.
After Isabella was born, we were already two to a bedroom and he did a huge addition, taking out the entire north wall and adding the now adult living room and dining room downstairs, then three more smaller bedrooms upstairs, so each kid would have one of their own. Three years after construction was complete Oshanna came along and threw off the entire plan. Six kids and only five bedrooms. Fortunately, they put Isabella and Oshanna together and let each of us older kids have a bedroom of our own. It was a glorious day when I got my own bedroom and jackass Julio was out of my hair and my stuff.
He was always messy, clothes on the floor, shoes, toys, books, schoolwork everywhere. Never able to find anything that he was looking for, he would tear the whole room apart while he looked. It was such a relief to have my own space that I could keep clean and orderly. Of course, now I wanted to share it with Stephanie, but I am not too worried; Ella will keep everything in line for me, and Steph will get better about her stuff being all over.
They were sealing in the new window and I saw my papa frowning. "Papa, what's wrong?"
"It's reflective. None of the other windows have reflective tinting."
"I hadn't realized it. I'm sure when they got the order from RangeMan they thought it was going to be like all the other windows in our building. "Let me talk to them."
I talked to them about getting non-reflective glass and they didn't do safety glass that was non-reflective in sheets this big. So, I asked them if they had more sheets with them and they said yes and I told them to replace all the front windows with the same kind of glass.
"Papa, I think the reflective glass is nice, it is more private because you can see out but no one can see in. To make your house match I have asked them to replace the two living room windows with the reflective safety glass. Then the front of your house will match and it will be safer. I'm sure you don't like it and are worried about the cost. Papa first, I make a lot of money so don't worry about the cost. Second, I give these guys a lot of business and they give me a good discount. Third and most important. The current crazies aren't the only ones that could come after the family. Having the front of your house bullet proof would give me peace of mind."
Papa humphed. He wouldn't argue with me about the safety glass and it did make the house look cool. It would keep the house cooler in the summer, and allow them to leave the curtains open more and keep people from seeing in. It would be safer for him and mom and all the family gatherings we have here. But he still wouldn't like it.
"Thanks papa for letting me do this. It means a lot to me."
Once the glass was replaced I went inside and said goodbye to mama, abuela and my sisters. Told them all I would see them tomorrow and left like my tail was on fire.
To be continued…
A/N Thank you! Thank you! Thank you all for your reviews! This was your bonus chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. I have one more week of daily updates then it is going to go to weekly updates.
Wow, it took a lot more chapters than expected to deal with his family. Hope you are still enjoying the story. The island retreat is based on a real Island owned by Carnival cruise lines, that used to be a one day stop for them on their Bahama cruises. It was beautiful and remote, we went snorkeling there, and the water was pristine but about ten years ago a hurricane washed over the island not doing a lot of damage but filling in sand around the Island so that it became too shallow for the ships to dock there anymore.
As always big THANK YOU to my beta Sassysaint who makes my story's more readable. You are AWESOME! THANK YOU!
This story is developing different than my original outline but I am willing to follow it where ever it leads. Do you want to come along for the ride? Let me know what you think. Please read and review.