Stephanie closed her eyes while listening to the men talk about usual guy stuff. She was almost asleep when the conversation got interesting. "When do we open for business?" Lester asked when Bobby sat on the couch.
"Next week," Ranger replied. "I want to get Stephanie up to speed on the responsibilities."
"How can I work when sitting is uncomfortable?" Stephanie asked, opening her eyes.
"Babe, you're on bed rest for the next month," Ranger replied, reminding her of the surgical care instructions. Stephanie would go crazy if she couldn't do anything for four weeks. She would negotiate for two weeks of bed rest unless necessary to extend the time.
"What about getting a reclining chair for Stephanie to use?" Bobby suggested, talking as though Stephanie wasn't in the room. "We can find one comfortable enough."
"Ya," Lester said. "Then we can get one of those tables that extend over the arms to keep the pressure off her abdomen." Stephanie raised her head off Ranger's shoulder, then shifted to look at the men.
"No," Ranger barked. Stephanie rolled her eyes. She preferred having choices and was determined to make her husband understand. Tank caught Stephanie's eye. He wondered how she would react to her comments.
"Ranger, I like their suggestions. I could work a couple of hours each day so I don't go stir-crazy," Stephanie offered, carefully laying the trap.
"I don't like it," Ranger said, attempting to end the discussion. Tank watched Stephanie.
"You don't have to," Stephanie snapped. "I won't push myself too hard." Tank could see the fire and stubbornness in Stephanie's eyes. He wondered if Ranger would cave to her will.
"Two weeks of bed rest before you work," Ranger negotiated.
"Deal," Stephanie said, shaking Ranger's hand. Tank saw the triumphant look in her eyes, then laughed.
"You got played, Ranger," Tank said, holding his stomach as his boisterous laughter filled the apartment. "She laid the trap, and you jumped inside with both feet."
"Babe?" Ranger asked. He was amused that Stephanie managed to get her way without crying or throwing a tantrum like other women.
"He's right," Stephanie confessed. "I hoped you'd say two weeks. Any longer, and I'd go crazy."
The others laughed at Ranger's expense. "Babe, what are you doing to me?" Ranger whispered, realizing he only caved because he loved her.
"Showing you how to love me. I have to use the washroom," Stephanie quietly replied. Her face flushed in embarrassment. Ranger stood from the chair, taking Stephanie with him. He placed her on her feet. Stephanie smiled when Ranger entwined their fingers.
"I've never seen him like this with anyone," Tank commented when Ranger and Stephanie left the room.
"It gives me hope," Lester said as he waggled his eyebrows. Bobby smacked his head, making Lester groan in pain. "You didn't have to hit so hard."
"Quit whining," Bobby said. Tank shook his head and laughed at Bobby and Lester's antics. The two men were like grown children. At times Tank wondered if they were running a daycare for adults.
Carlos repeated the procedure from earlier. He cleansed Stephanie before replacing the panty liner. Her face flushed red. "Babe, you're my wife. There isn't anything I wouldn't do for you."
"I know. It's going to take a bit for reality to settle in," Stephanie replied. She knew it would be weeks before they could make their marriage real. They couldn't have sex until she healed. The upcoming weeks were going to test their fortitude and devotion to each other.
He pulled up Stephanie's pants when she stood. "Until that happens, I'll keep reminding you," Carlos promised. Carlos stood behind Stephanie as they washed their hands. His chest pressed against her back while maintaining the distance between her abdomen and the countertop. Carlos kissed her neck, then grabbed the towel.
"Are you going to help me all the time?" Stephanie asked.
"For a few more days," Carlos replied.
"You're being overly protective," Stephanie said. "And incredibly considerate."
"Stephanie," Carlos said, turning her around to face him. Carlos tilted up her chin to see into her eyes. "Do you see how I feel about you?" She looked into his eyes and nodded. "I'm amazed by you. I love your fiery spirit. I love your cute nose. I love the fire in your eyes when you challenge me. I love your wildly curly hair."
"Is there anything you don't love about me?" Stephanie quietly asked.
"I don't love that Ramirez hurt you and took away your choices," Carlos confessed.
"I don't love that either," Stephanie said. "We should see what trouble Bobby and Lester are causing for Tank and Hector." The conversation was too serious and intense for Stephanie.
Carlos gently kissed Stephanie. He smiled against her lips. "Was our conversation getting too serious?" he asked. Carlos looked into her eyes, filled with amusement.
"Damn, skippy," she replied. Stephanie kissed him again. "I could get used to this. You and me being alone and kissing. I can't wait for the rest of the activities expected between married couples." She wondered if Carlos could make her orgasm by kissing. It was something she wanted to try.
"Neither can I. With our chemistry, I know it will be explosive," Carlos said. Stephanie took a step away from Carlos. He raised an eyebrow.
"I'll need a cold shower if you continue," she confessed. "Let me know if I can help with your growing problem." Stephanie lowered her hand to touch the erection threatening to break the zipper.
"I don't get a sexual release until I can reciprocate," Carlos said.
Carlos and Stephanie returned to the living room in the middle of their conversation. "… you kiss the woman properly, you can make her orgasm without touching her breasts or clit," Lester said.
"Where did you hear that?" Carlos asked. Stephanie's face turned bright red. She had read the article in Cosmopolitan.
"It was in the latest issue of the Cosmopolitan magazine," Lester said. "There was a copy on Connie's desk. I read it while she got the Rangeman files ready."
Stephanie yawned. She was tired. It was past ten o'clock.
Hector's phone pinged. He checked the message, then ran from the apartment, yelling that Alpha arrived at Stephanie's apartment. Tank, Lester and Bobby followed him. "Carlos, go with them. I'll be okay here," Stephanie said.
Carlos shook his head, then called Jeanne Ellen, knowing Ella was asleep. "Hey, bro. What's up?" Jeanne Ellen asked.
"I need you at the Rangeman building on Haywood. Stephanie got released today and still needs help using the washroom," Carlos replied, making Stephanie blush.
"Sure. I'm up the street. Have someone let me in," Jeanne Ellen said, ending the call.
"Carlos, I'll be fine," Stephanie insisted.
"Please," Carlos said. Stephanie's heart melted when she saw the concern and fear in his eyes. How could she say no?
"Okay," she whispered. Stephanie was afraid to meet Jeanne Ellen. She knew the woman was her sister-in-law, but Stephanie had seen Jeanne Ellen on the streets. She dressed like Cat Woman. It was hard not to be intimidated by the beautiful woman. Jeanne Ellen represented everything Stephanie was not.
"Babe, I love you," Carlos said.
"And I love you," she replied. His face glowed from her reciprocation of love.
"You are beautiful." After another chaste kiss, Carlos left the apartment to let Jeanne Ellen inside the gates. He met the guys in the garage.
"Are you coming?" Tank asked, knowing it was the reason for letting Jeanne Ellen park in the spot beside the Boxster.
"Yes. Jeanne's here to stay with Stephanie," Carlos replied. Tank thought Jeanne Ellen was appropriate company. He knew Ella went to bed an hour earlier because she had a lot to accomplish the following day.
Jeanne Ellen climbed from her Mercedes SUV. "Does Stephanie know I'm coming upstairs?" Jeanne Ellen asked.
"Yes," Carlos answered. "She's expecting you."
"Go get him." Jeanne Ellen stepped into the elevator. Jeanne Ellen went to the seventh floor, where she knew Carlos had built an apartment for himself. The apartment door opened when she exited the elevator.
"Hi," Stephanie said. She chewed her bottom lip as she waited for Jeanne Ellen to approach. Stephanie was surprised to see the woman wearing dark jeans and a black top.
"Don't you have clothes that fit?" Jeanne Ellen asked, pointing to her brother's sweatpants Stephanie wore.
"Not really," Stephanie replied honestly. "The guys are supposed to get my clothes from the apartment. I'm afraid there won't be anything loose enough for my thighs."
"Won't yoga pants work?" Jeanne Ellen asked. Stephanie shook her head then explained the pants she borrowed tugged on the stitches. "How long until they get removed?"
"Another week," Stephanie replied. "I can wear Ranger's sweatpants. He doesn't mind. In fact, he gave me these to wear."
Stephanie wondered why the comment made Jeanne Ellen grin. Jeanne Ellen clapped and squealed. Stephanie patiently waited for Jeanne Ellen to explain her reaction. "My brother never let a girlfriend wear his clothes. Not even Rachel when they got married. He didn't mind sharing clothes with his buddies, but never a woman," Jeanne Ellen said.
"Until now," Stephanie replied. Stephanie felt the hope grow. Carlos loved her? He said the words, but did he truly mean them? Stephanie hoped the answer was a resounding, "Yes."
"Right. You must be special," Jeanne Ellen added. "Abuela Rosa always told Carlos he'd find his soulmate. When that happened, he needed to pull his head from his ass and marry the woman." Jeanne Ellen grabbed Stephanie's hand. She rubbed her thumb over the engagement and wedding bands. "These are custom-made."
"Are you sure?" Stephanie asked.
"Positive," Jeanne Ellen replied. "I was with him when he ordered them. He never explained why he wanted to purchase the rings. It was shocking when he asked for a matching band for himself."
Stephanie furrowed her brows and stared at her rings. She wiped a tear from her cheek, then went to the bedroom. Jeanne Ellen gave Stephanie a few minutes to herself before interfering with her privacy. "May I come in?" Jeanne Ellen asked. Stephanie shrugged.
Jeanne Ellen lay on the bed beside Stephanie, rolling over to face her. "Are you okay?" Jeanne asked, brushing a curl off Stephanie's face. She saw the beauty shine from the inside, understanding why Carlos fell in love with the brunette.
"I don't understand why he designed these rings," Stephanie replied. She turned her head to look at Jeanne Ellen. "I'm nobody special."
"Yes, you are. You are special to Carlos because you're his soulmate. I saw his eyes in the garage. He loves you. It's obvious when someone says your name. Why are you so insecure?"
"Carlos is handsome. Some gorgeous women would look better on his arm. Why would he want to be with an average woman like me?" Stephanie asked. She couldn't shake the insecurity. "We've been married for barely a week, and we can't consummate our marriage for another six weeks."
"Do you think he cares about sex right now? Steph, I know my brother. He will wait for you to be ready, however long it takes. I've never seen him so happy," Jeanne Ellen explained. "I know you were previously married. Carlos told me. What did your ex-husband do to you?"
"He cheated on me with the skank Barnhardt. I found out she wasn't the only side piece. But he's not the only man to hurt me," Stephanie confessed. "I had a crush on Joseph Morelli. When I was six, he molested me. Then he stole my virginity ten years later. He wrote about the encounter all over town in the washrooms. Every boy since then only wanted me for sex. I never let them get past kissing. My dad taught me self defence to fight them off if they tried to pressure me for more. I'm afraid Carlos would wake up someday and wonder why he married me. I can't give him children unless we hire a surrogate."
"Steph, I have to tell you something about Carlos. You know he married Rachel to give her medical coverage for Julie, right?" Jeanne Ellen said.
"Yes. He told me about his marriage of convenience. Carlos married me for basically the same reason - to pay my medical bills," Stephanie argued.
"And what was different between Rachel and you?" Jeanne Ellen wasn't going to let Stephanie derail her explanation.
Stephanie thought about it. She couldn't see where Jeanne Ellen was leading her. "Rachel had Julie, and I can't bear his children," Stephanie replied.
"No, Stephanie. The difference is Carlos made your custom rings. He wanted to marry you before even kissing you. Carlos fell in love at first sight. I know he met you in the cafe, but he saw you outside Vinnie's bond office. Carlos waited for you to exit, hoping to look at you again. The connection was strong before he met you face to face. Don't dismiss what you have as some chivalrous action," Jeanne Ellen explained. "He never had a real marriage with Rachel. They never had sex other than the one night when Julie was created. Rachel complained when Carlos had to leave immediately after their ceremony. They never consummated their marriage. Carlos never cheated on Rachel. She cheated on him. Carlos was devastated. It changed how he viewed relationships. Rachel has since married the man. The point is, my brother is head over heels in love with you."
"Jeanne?" Stephanie asked. She chewed her lip, hoping Jeanne Ellen would believe her. "I'm head over heels in love with him too. I've never wanted children before, but now that I can't carry them, it's all I can think about."
"Jordan and I can't have children. He got surgery as a teen, because his testicles were twisted. It left him sterile," Jeanne confessed. "I'll bear your baby when you and Carlos are ready to have children."
"Why?" Stephanie asked.
"Because my brother loves you, and I love my brother," Jeanne Ellen replied. "We have plenty of time to decide. Wait until you and Carlos can connect sexually." Jeanne Ellen removed a photograph from her pocket, wanting to share her life with Stephanie.
"He resembles my cousin," Stephanie said. "Is he your husband?"
"Yes. Do you think your cousin will donate a sample?" Jeanne Ellen asked. Her eyes glimmered in excitement. She felt hopeful for the first time since she got married.
"I can ask," Stephanie said. She yawned and closed her eyes.
"I'll let you sleep," Jeanne Ellen said. She climbed off the bed.
As Jeanne approached the door, Stephanie said, "I'm glad we talked."
"Me too."
The discussion with Jeanne Ellen was exactly what Stephanie needed. Jeanne Ellen put Stephanie's mind at ease by showing her that Carlos truly loved her.