Chapter 27 - You are Special

Julie POV - Rangeman

"Hi Ella, we're home from school!" I walked into Ella's apartment with Jamie after school. We were staying on the seventh floor while mom and dad were on their honeymoon in Bali.

"Good afternoon dears I left some snacks on the table and I'll be back in 20 minutes to help you check in with your homework. Jamie Uncle Cal is down stairs and said you could sit with him on the monitors. I'll bring you down now."

"Okay Elwa" Jamie let go of my hand and took Ella's jumping up and down with excitement. I've done monitor duty with guys before and it was mind numbingly boring. I don't know what he's so excited about but I guess everything is exciting to a three year old.

I set my backpack down and got out my textbook for world history. We were currently learning about the Korean war. I was just finishing up my notes on my reading pages when Ella returned to the apartment with her lunch cart filled with pots to be washed to put the dinner in. I jumped up to help her wash and dry.

"This is a really nice kitchen but it's not very homey?" I stated.

"No, I had your father build me an industrial kitchen since we had the entire floor to work with. It's much easier to cook meals for all the men if I have three ovens: a walk in pantry and a walk in freezer. But if you want a homey touch just open the cabinets to your left."

I reached over and opened the cabinet Ella had plates and platters of all sizes and colors along with mugs, saucers, and bowls to go with.

"I've been collecting dishware all my life. I don't bring it out very often but on holidays I like to switch it up and bring the guys some comfort by using plates their mothers and grandmas might use as opposed to the plain black and white plates we keep in the breakroom."

"Ella, can I ask you a question?"

"Of course dear. Never be afraid to ask me anything."

"Did Uncle Luis serve in the Korean War?"

"No he's a little too young for that he served in Vietnam though."

"Did he have any um problems when he got home?"

"Well the men who served in his war were not well received by most of society when they came home because many Americans dislike our participation in the conflict but my Luis was lucky that he was assigned as an engineer building planes so he didn't have to suffer many of the struggles those men came home with."

"What about my dad or Uncle Tank, or Les, or Bobby or any of the other Rangemen?"

"Well those are their stories to tell but yes all of your uncles and your dad have suffered a great deal since returning from war and their military missions. Many of them may never see complete peace but having Stephanie here has really helped them fight their inner demons especially your Dad."

"My teacher says that Veterans day is coming up. Do you normally do anything for them?"

"I put flowers in the common areas of the building and the men normally have a moment of silence for those they have lost but no not really and most of them don't have families who take the time to honor them for their service."

"Oh."

"What's on your mind dear? Do you have something you'd like to do?"

"Well my Stephanie always says that we should treat our veterans with respect and honor them whenever we can because they are our real life superheroes. I was thinking maybe I could plan something for all the men here."

"Well I think that's a great idea Julie. How about after dinner and putting Jamie to bed we can sit down and I can help you brainstorm some ideas?"

"That's perfect, Thanks Ella!" I rushed off to get the rest of my homework done so that I could start brainstorming some ideas.

SPOV - Bali

"Mmm 5 more minutes." I moaned as Ranger was trying to get me to move from my lounger on the deck of our on the water cottage.

"Babe, As much as I also want to stay here we have to get packing or we're gonna miss our flight." He leaned down and brushed some of the hair from my face and then kissed the pressure points in my neck. I turned over to face him and reached out to pull him on top of me and bringing his lips to mine.

"But we're having such a good time here just you, me, and room service next to the ocean." I complained.

"We are indeed." He moved from my neck and started kissing down my body as the passion heated up between us. "In Fact I think we have time for one more round if you're up for it?" He said into my chest before taking my breast into his mouth. It was easy access since I was sun bathing topless. He made his way down to my core and made quick work of my bikini bottom before satisfying me with his mouth and then his fingers. I was on the brink of a doomsday orgasm by the time he entered me. We've had plenty of sex this year to make up for all the time we lost since we first met but our honeymoon had allowed us to reach a whole new level since now we were able to not have anything in between us. Before i knew it i was falling over the edge taking Carlos with me both us screaming out for each other in our ecstasy.

After we caught our breath. He pulled out of me and then wrapped me around him carrying me to the shower. We took a long shower, taking in the last moments of our honeymoon. We got dressed and threw everything into our suitcases, not worrying about making sure it was orderly since everything was going straight into the wash when we got home anyways.

It wasn't that I didn't want to go home. I love my kids, dogs, and my friends and family but life has changed so much and so quickly this past year it was nice to finally have some time with just Carlos. We talked about everything we wanted to do together now that we were married and the first thing that we agreed on was kids of our own. We promised to take a yearly vacation just the two of us. We even worked out a way that we could both be home by 5 at least three days a week and not work the majority of weekends. It was gonna require hiring more staff but with the influx of accounts we were receiving lately it would be possible.

The flight home was long and both of us were incredibly restless and a little irritable by the end of the 19 hour flight back to JFK but Seeing Lester and Bobby at the airport with our kids and welcome home signs made all the suffering worth it.

"Mama I made you this" Jamie said as he handed me a paper that had a painted handprint on it with Jamie age 3 written in the corner. I picked him up and gave him a big hug.

"I missed you and I love it baby, did you make it at preschool?"

"Yes Ms. Aimee help me"

"Well It's perfect you did a great job should we show your dad?" I asked. He nodded.

"Dada look what I made!" Carlos took Jamie and the painting from me so I said hello to Julie as we all followed Bobby to the car.

"How's my little girl?"

"Mommm I'm not a little girl I'm a teenager!"

"My bad How's my little teenager?"

"I'm good I got an A on my history test last week and I'm working on a special project with Ella!"

"Oh and do I get to know the details of this projects?"

She stopped walking but motioned for me to lean down so she could whisper in my ear.

"Yes but you can't tell dad or any of the Rangemen or Jamie cause he'll ruin the surprise."

I turned to look at her raising an eyebrow but accepting her statement. "Okay you can tell me when we get home but now we gotta run to catch up with the others." I held out my hand and we jogged to catch up with the others who had made it surprisingly far since we stopped, men.

Bobby POV - Rangeman

Today is Veterans Day. It's not normally a day we celebrate in the office since many of us didn't like the constant praise that came with the day. Most of us loved our time in the military but there was still plenty of things to not love about the job and there were also many men that we have lost along the way that often haunt our ability to see the goodness in what we sacrificed for our country.

I pulled into the garage and parked the car. I kissed Lester on the cheek before angling out of the car. We took the stairs, me going to the third floor and him going to the fifth. I made my way to my office. On the desk was a vase with a mixed bouquet with a variety of red, white, and blue flowers and an American flag. There was a card with my name on it attached to the front.

Dear Uncle Bobby,

Thank you for your service to our country. I am very thankful for you risking your life so that me and Jamie can live a peaceful life at home. I may never truly understand the sacrifice and hardships you went through but I am thankful that you came home to be my uncle. Thank you for being brave everyday and putting yourself between us and danger. You are a Hero Uncle Bobby never forget that.

Please join me and the rest of Rangeman at 12:30 in the reception hall on the first floor for a special surprise.

Love, Julie

I don't normally tear up being a big strong Army Ranger but I was almost crying by the end knowing that Julie took the time to write this letter to me and give me these flowers. I put the vase at the top of the file cabinet and went to log into my computer. I had several instant messages in the core team group chat.

BetterthanYouSantos: Did you get flowers from Julie too?

TankluvsCats: Hey man got some nice flowers today did you get some too?

RamtheMan: I got some too and a nice note!

Hal: Nice flowers.

Flaming Fred: Happy veterans day everyone. Enjoying my flowers!

GeekSquad Hector: I get reactions on camera!

Bombshell: Hector! Why did you change my name again? Glad everyone is enjoying the flowers.

TheBoss: It seems my daughter has been busy scheming with Ella and my Wife. Happy Veterans day everyone. Anyone late to the conference room will receive mat time. Spread the word and get back to work. - Ranger

The morning passed quickly and the overall mood in the office was much happier than normal. I spent most of the morning getting Bones up to speed on where everything was in the current medical suite and how to order supplies when he needed to. Before I knew it Lester was knocking on my door asking if I was ready to go downstairs.

We entered the conference room which looked like the 4th of July threw up on it but was also tasteful. There was a big lunch spread out with soup, sandwiches, salad, fruit, and vegetables since we were all still on the clock. At the end though was cake and some cookies no doubt healthy. Steph must have called Julie and Jamie out of school today since they were sitting up with her at the front with Hector looking at a computer. The men trickled in and then we saw Stephanie ask Ranger to bring the room to attention at exactly 12:30.

"Wait, we're missing someone" Julie said at the exact same time Tank busted into the door.

"Sorry I'm late Jules I had to take Ms. Kitty to the vet this morning when she started puking. Lula's with her now. Turns out she's pregnant!"

"It's okay Uncle Tank but I think you owe my Dad some mat time" Jule responded sweetly. The entire room erupted into laughter.

Stephanie directed us to take a seat around the tables they had set up and then she turned off the lights. Hector booted up the projector and a video popped up. In the video Jamie was sitting on a chair being interviewed.

"Hey thats me!" Jamie squealed pointing at the screen causing another course of laughter. Hector hit play on the video and Julie came on the screen to sit next to Jamie.

In the video Julie asked Jamie why they were being filmed.

"We here to tell Uncles how much we love them and say thank you!"

"That's right Jamie and why are we saying thank you?"

"Because they are our heroes and they keep us safe."

"We love you guys and we are so grateful for all that you have sacrificed so me and Jamie can have 43 of the best uncles to ever exist! Now a message from some other people you might know." Julie said and then her and Jamie waved as the camera faded to the next group.

Ella and Luis came on the screen next and then it went through our families like Lula and Tank's kids, then in quick succession we got thank yous from many of our clients, the trenton PD, several trenton community members including those from the burg, even stephanie's parents said a few words, the video started reaching the end when the men who weren't military came on screen including the lawyers, accountants, Hector and Manny. Finally before the video ended Stephanie came on screen.

"Hi guys. Surprise! I hope you've like this video so far it was Julie's idea and she well we just wanted to remind you how special and appreciated you are. I know I joke about Ranger benign my Batman but the truth is every single one of you are my superheroes. Your honesty and kindness taught me how to trust and love myself and others as selflessly as you look after me. Your bravery taught me how to fight, fight for my voice to be heard, fight for those I love, and fight for those who I don't even know. Your loyalty taught me what the true meaning of friendship is. I am thankful for every single one of you because I would not be the person today and I also might not even be alive, but we don't have to reminisce about that. I love you each and everyone of you and happy veterans day. So please just this once let us celebrate you." Video Stephanie gave her signature finger wave goodbye as the video faded to black. The brief moment of silence was quickly interrupted when

Hector turned on the lights to find a bawling Tank and several other men wiping tears away including me. Ella rolled out a cake with lots of candles on it to bring the mood back to a party atmosphere. Lester jumped up to blow out all the candles before anyone else did. Jamie, Julie, and Stephanie went around and gave every man in the room a hug while Ella handed out the cake and the men helped themselves to the lunch buffet.

RPOV - Trenton

The end of the year was quickly approaching. We spent Thanksgiving morning with my family in Newark at my parents house. The entire family was there including Lester's side of the family. We had to put tables in four rooms of my parents house just to fit everyone. Later that night we went to Stephanie's parents house Val was a week overdue so it was a short night. Stephanie's grandma had flown up though so she, Stephanie, and Julie went black friday shopping.

It didn't go so well though when I had to bust them out of mall jail after Steph's granny tried to punch out another lady from getting the sweater she wanted because it was the last one they had in her size. Stephanie tried to get the sweater from both of them and accidentally made it worse when the other lady fell down. Lester was with them but was absolutely no help since he was too busy laughing.

This week Steph was busy watching her nieces when Val went into labor with their baby boy on Tuesday. So I haven't seen her much so I was surprised to see her car in the driveway.

"Hey Babe, how was your day?" I found her sitting at the dining room table. Julie and Jamie weren't with her so they must have been elsewhere in the house. Rosie got up to greet me from her position at Steph's feet. Bob was pacing behind Stephanie like he was protecting her.

"Hi Carlos. My day was wonderful. I got you an early Christmas present." She pointed at a small bag on the table. I walked over and leaned down to kiss her before picking up the bag. I opened it and pulled out a small pink and blue baby rattle.

"Babe. Stephine Michelle Manoso, are you saying what I think you are?" I looked up at her and she was nodding furiously with a thousand watt smile on her face. I think she might have even been glowing. I sweeped her into my arms, capturing her face in my hands, kissing her. We were so busy celebrating about the baby we didn't notice Julie and Jamie had come downstairs when the dogs started barking. Bob seemed a little peeved at me so I put Stephanie back on the ground and he immediately came up to sit by her side.

"Mom? Dad? What's going on?"

"Well" Stephanie picked up the rattle and gave it a little shake.

"What no way! OMG we're gonna have a baby!"

"Mama what Juwie saying?"

"J-man you're gonna be a big brother!" I said picking him up and spinning him around in a circle.

"I be best big brother like Juwie big sister!"

"That's right J-man well I think this calls for a special dinner what does everyone say?"

"Tacosssss!" Jamie shouted.

"How about that? Does tacos work for everyone?"

Everyone agreed so we loaded up in the car and headed out to a local taco restaurant to celebrate our expanding family.