Stephanie was excited. Her sister and nieces were only a few miles from town. They took a bit longer than expected to trek across the country. Ram hit road construction and had to detour a few hours out of their way.
"Stop squirming," Lester said. "You're like a kid at Christmas." Stephanie looked down the road, willing the moving van to appear. Ram said they were only fifteen minutes away from the house.
"I can't help it," Stephanie replied. "It's my first day outside of Rangeman." Stephanie knew she still had restrictions. She was supposed to be resting, but the doctor lifted the bed rest portion of her recovery. The doctor didn't recommend working but said it was okay if Stephanie took a break every few hours. Carlos had a client meeting and couldn't accompany Stephanie to her appointment.
"We shouldn't have stopped here," Bobby said. "Ranger's going to wonder what's taking us so long to return from your appointment." She checked her watch. Carlos should be at Rangeman in a few minutes, provided the meeting didn't surpass the one-hour limit.
Stephanie harrumphed. She narrowed her eyes at Bobby, then called Carlos. "Yo," he answered in amusement.
"You know where I am, right?" Stephanie asked. She transferred the call to speakerphone. Carlos opened the tracker program on his computer, then entered the vehicle number.
"Yes. The SUV GPS plots your location at Valerie's house," Carlos replied.
"Thank you. I'm waiting for Valerie and the girls to come home," Stephanie said. She imagined Carlos smiling as he watched the blinking dot on the map.
"As I expected you would," Carlos replied. Stephanie stuck her tongue out at Bobby, who chuckled. "Men, make sure my wife doesn't lift anything or overexert herself."
"Yes, sir," they replied. Stephanie rolled her eyes. Carlos was a little overprotective, but it was out of love, not a need to control her. She didn't mind it at times. Stephanie knew her limitations. Bobby knew Stephanie wouldn't take unnecessary risks.
"I'll see you later, boss," she teased. Carlos growled before Stephanie hung up.
"You're pulling the panther's tail," Lester warned.
"Yup." Stephanie laughed at Ranger's text. "Awe. He sent me a sweet message."
"What does it say?" Lester asked, wondering what Ranger would say that was sweet.
"Babe," she replied. Bobby snorted, making them all laugh. Stephanie grinned and texted "Batman" to Carlos. He replied with a winking emoji. Everything was good in their world.
The moving truck backed into the driveway. Marty and Sybo hopped from the cab. Stephanie waited for them to approach them before exiting the car. She got exhausted from standing too long. Marty and Sybo greeted Lester and Bobby before approaching her. "Hi. I'm Stephanie, but you can call me Steph," she said, extending a hand.
Marty shook her hand. "I'm Martin Romeo. Please call me Marty," he said.
"Sybo Diaz."
Stephanie watched how Marty interacted with the other men. Ram mentioned Marty and Valerie were soulmates like Carlos and her. She smiled at the attractive man. He was Valerie's type.
Another vehicle arrived, carrying three men. Stephanie introduced herself. The men introduced themselves as Chester Deuce, Slick and Beamer. Stephanie laughed at his nickname until he said his name was Martin Beam. She held her stomach and laughed until she cried.
"What's so funny?" Beamer asked. He looked at his friends with a raised eyebrow.
"Steph?" Bobby asked. Stephanie shook her head before sitting on the dry grass. She couldn't stop laughing.
"Is she broken?" Sybo asked.
Marty replayed the conversation in his head, then laughed. Stephanie tried to talk but couldn't. "She wants to know if you're related to Jimmy Beam," Marty said. Stephanie pointed at Marty, indicating he was correct.
"What's the significance…" Lester was about to ask before he grinned. "Jim Beam is your mother's favourite whiskey." Stephanie touched her nose. Beamer laughed. Ram parked the car at the curb. He wondered why Stephanie was on the ground crying.
"That was an unusual question," Beamer said when Valerie exited the SUV.
"Stephanie always asks unusual questions," Valerie announced. Lester scooped Stephanie off the ground and helped her stand. Stephanie embraced her sister. They weren't really huggers, but Stephanie was happy Valerie was home. Mary Alice and Angie ran to Stephanie. "Girls, you need to be gentle with Aunt Stephanie. She's still healing from getting injured."
"Why don't we go inside to find your bedrooms?" Stephanie asked.
Valerie mouthed, "Thank you."
"Do we get to pick?" Mary Alice asked.
"Not exactly, but you and Angie have bedrooms overlooking the backyard. They are the same size. I know you like orange and blue. Angie likes pink and purple. Hopefully, the guys painted them the right colours," Stephanie replied. Stephanie knew the girls only brought their favourite items to Trenton. The rest of their toys and clothes got donated to charity. Stephanie could hardly wait for them to see what she bought them.
Mary Alice slowly walked up the stairs with Stephanie, but she wanted to run. "Go ahead and run," Stephanie whispered. Angie giggled.
"She was trying to match your speed. Mom told us to be careful with you," Angie said. "She said you had a surprise for us."
"I do. You don't need to walk with me. I have Bobby behind me," Stephanie said. Angie looked behind them before running up the steps. "I'm going to need to sit."
"Lester put a folding chair on the landing for you," Bobby announced. Stephanie appreciated the thoughtfulness of her friend. She didn't know the men longer than two weeks, but they had proved their loyalty to Carlos. The men were friendly and courteous.
"You guys are amazing. I can't believe Joe said you were all thugs and criminals," Stephanie said, shaking her head. She got to the landing, where the chair was waiting for her to rest. "Thank you, Lester," she hollered.
"You're welcome," he replied.
After Stephanie caught her second wind, they moved the chair into Mary Alice's room. She was happily playing with the stable. "I love the room and the clothes in my closet, Aunt Stephie. Did you see this wall?" Mary Alice asked.
Stephanie saw photographs as the men painted but not the finished product. On the wall at the back, the men had the top half of the wall painted blue with the bottom green. They painted a farmyard on the walls, with black and white cows in the field. Horses of various colours were in the paddock grazing. Fluffy clouds dotted the sky. "Wow. It's amazing. Who painted this?" Stephanie asked.
Lester entered the room and blushed. "I did," he whispered. His cheeks turned pink.
"I never knew you were a talented artist," Stephanie said. "Is that why you asked where to place the bed?"
"Yes. When Mary Alice falls asleep, she can see the wall and dream of horses," Lester replied.
Mary Alice rushed to Lester and hugged him. "Thank you, Uncle Lester. I love the wall," Mary Alice said. Lester was surprised the girl called him uncle.
"I'm not your uncle, sweetie," Lester said. Mary Alice furrowed her brows.
"Are you Aunt Stephie's friend?" Lester nodded. "Are you Uncle Carlos's friend?" Lester nodded. "Marty said you were close friends, and you call Uncle Carlos your brother. Is that true?" Mary Alice asked, narrowing her eyes at Lester.
"Yes," he replied, trying to figure out where she was going with the questions.
Mary Alice grinned in victory. "That means you're my uncle!" she shouted. Stephanie snickered.
"Yes. What Mary Alice said. Don't argue with a seven-year-old's logic. Uncle Lester, did you paint my wall too?" Angie asked.
"No. I specialize in nature and animals. Tio Carlos painted the princesses, and Tio Hector painted the castles," Lester replied.
Angie looked back into her room. "Who painted the princes?" she asked, wanting someone to answer.
"That would be Tia Jeanne Ellen," Stephanie replied, recalling Jeanne Ellen had paint on her arms when she visited the night before. Stephanie held Bobby's arm as she walked to Angie's room to see the painting. "Goodness," she said. "They all look like me with different hair colours."
"You're beautiful, Aunt Stephie. I love the wall. It's perfect," Angie said. She gently hugged her aunt. "I love the clothes and books too."
"What did you guys paint in the guest bedroom?" Stephanie asked.
"We painted it beige. Valerie would have more options for decorations," Lester replied. "But we painted Valerie's room a pale blue." Stephanie was shocked Lester remembered the story about Steve not allowing Valerie to paint their bedroom. He asked during one of their Mario Kart racing events.
Valerie entered the house, issuing instructions on where to set up the furniture. The men packed the bedrooms last, which allowed Valerie to get their bedrooms ready first. "Where's my room?" Valerie asked as she climbed the stairs. Binkie and Woody carried her dresser upstairs.
"Down the hallway to the left," Lester called over the banister. He followed the guys into the room to watch Valerie's reaction. Valerie wiped tears off her cheeks.
"Thank you," she whispered.
"Stephanie mentioned it was the colour you wanted for your room," Lester said.
"She did?" Lester nodded. "It's perfect. I can't believe she remembered all these years."
"Your sister wanted you to have everything the way you imagined," Lester added. He looked over his shoulder to wink at Stephanie.
"Aunt Stephie?"
"Yes, Mary Alice?"
"How did you get this house? Mom said she was on a waitlist," Mary Alice asked.
"Uncle Carlos offered to renovate the basement. Can I tell you a secret?" Mary Alice nodded. "We bought this house for your mom. Uncle Carlos and I bought the house behind yours."
"But I thought the people listed it to rent," Angie said, overhearing the comment.
"They listed it to sell, but since nobody wanted to buy it, they decided to rent it," Stephanie explained. "When Uncle Carlos offered to buy the house, the owner accepted the offer. Technically, your mom is renting the house until the purchase closes in sixty days."
"Oh. I don't like secrets," Mary Alice said, chewing her bottom lip.
Stephanie tugged the lip free. "You only have to keep it a secret until dinner time. I'm taking you and Angie to Rangeman, where I live."
"Don't you live behind us?" Angie asked.
"Not yet. We can't move in for a few months."
"Are you ladies ready to leave?" Lester asked, sensing Stephanie needed to rest.
"Yes. I'm tired," Stephanie confessed. Her stomach grumbled. "And hungry." Mary Alice and Angie giggled.
Stephanie held onto Bobby's arm as she descended the stairs. Her body ached from the added exercise of the day. She finally understood why the doctor said to take it slow and give her body the rest it needed.
They exited the house, finding more helpers than they expected. Eddie and Pete Gazarra nodded as they carried the leather couch off the truck. Carl Costanza and Big Dog followed them, carrying the love seat.
Helen rushed forward when she saw Stephanie. "Are you okay? You look a little pale," Helen asked.
"I'm fine, Mom. We're heading home so I can rest," Stephanie replied.
"Let your handsome husband wait on you," Helen said. Helen hugged Mary Alice and Angie. "Are you going with your aunt?"
"Yes. Mom doesn't want us getting in the way. We're taking care of Aunt Stephie," Angie replied.
Helen smiled lovingly at her granddaughters. "Make sure she rests, okay?"
"Yes, Grandma," they replied. Helen shooed them away, then went into the house to help Valerie clean and organize the bathrooms and kitchen. She'd wash the dishes and silverware before filling the cabinets and drawers.
Helen scrubbed the kitchen counters and loaded the dishes into the dishwasher as Valerie unpacked the boxes. Marty carried a few more boxes of utensils, tea towels and glasses into the kitchen. He set them on the counter, then told Valerie they had three more to bring inside. Valerie thanked Marty, gently touching his arm. Helen watched their exchange and smiled.
"He likes you," Helen said when Marty left the room.
"I know. The feeling is mutual," Valerie confessed. "We want to be together, but I only left Steve."
"Are you waiting six months before getting involved with a new partner after a divorce?" Helen asked.
Valerie blushed. "Yes, Mom. Marty's in the Army. He accepted a mission for six months to train recruits."
"What type of training?" Helen asked.
"Basic training. He leaves on Friday," Valerie replied.
"Oh. I hoped to invite Marty for Friday dinner," Helen said, feeling sad she would miss spending time with Valerie's new love interest.
"Mom, Stephanie said I can invite you and Daddy to have dinner at Rangeman tonight. They're welcoming the new employees," Valerie said.
"Does Stephanie want me there?" Helen asked, thinking Valerie had extended the invitation without having permission. Helen remembered Frank's reaction to her showing up at the hospital without Stephanie allowing her to visit. She didn't want to make the same mistake.
Valerie rolled her eyes. She washed her hands before grabbing her phone. "Hello," Stephanie answered, "miss me already?"
"Ha ha, Steph. I invited Mom for dinner tonight, but she thinks I don't have the right to invite her," Valerie explained, making Stephanie laugh.
"Put the phone on speakerphone, Val," Stephanie ordered. "Mom, you and Dad are invited to dinner at Rangeman. Ella is serving lasagna, risotto and a few Cuban dishes. There is plenty of food, and I want you to meet the guys."
Helen clasped her neck in shock. "Thank you, Stephanie. Tell your Ella to expect two for dinner," Helen replied.
"Grandma is invited too," Stephanie said.
Laughing, Helen said, "She has plans with her friends. They're going to Point Pleasant for a few days. I think we could use a break from her."
"But Mom, she doesn't live with you," Stephanie said with a laugh.
"She visits for lunch," Helen confessed. "Your father is happy. What happens when the lease ends?"
"Grandma can live there. The rent is cheap, and I can afford to help her with the cost," Stephanie offered. Helen stared at the phone in shock. Stephanie was a generous woman. Why didn't she know? Helen knew the answer. She never gave Stephanie the benefit of the doubt.
"Thank you, Stephanie. Your father and I appreciate your generosity," Helen said. "At what time should we arrive?"
"Six, Mom. I have to go. We're at Rangeman. See you tonight," Stephanie said. Helen and Valerie said goodbye before Stephanie ended the call.
"Now, Valerie, tell me about Marty," Helen demanded. Valerie grinned, then told her mom how she met Marty and the others.
Helen was pleased both of her daughters found their soulmates as her mother and grandmother predicted. Valerie told her mom about the dream with Stephanie and her children. Helen wiped a tear from her face. "But Valerie, Stephanie can't have children," Helen sadly said.
"Mom, there are other options, like adoption and hiring a surrogate mother," Valerie kindly reminded her.
"But she can't carry a child and experience childbirth," Helen whined. Valerie rolled her eyes.
"Honestly, Mom. If I could afford a surrogate to go through the mood swings and labour, I'd do it in a snap," Valerie said, accentuating it with a snap of her fingers. "I'm actually a bit jealous." Helen gasped. "Mom, I'm not jealous that she got traumatically injured to prevent having children. What that boxer did to her was horrible. Remind me to curse Joe Morelli when I see him."
Marty and Ram stood outside the kitchen, listening to their conversation.
"I'm jealous that Stephanie can have someone else carry her baby. When I was pregnant with Angie, I acted like a possessed woman in the exorcist. My head must have turned three hundred sixty degrees as I snarled and snapped at Steve. Carrying Mary Alice was easier, but it took three years to lose the weight I gained from the pregnancy. I have stretch marks, Mom. Nobody ever tells women the downside of pregnancy and childbirth. The only upside of pregnancy is seeing the adorable life you created. Angie was a good baby. She slept through the night after the first week home. Mary Alice was the complete opposite. I never got a decent night of sleep until she turned three. It's exhausting to carry a child for nine months, give birth, then suffer from sleep deprivation for the indeterminate future. I didn't have help with the girls. Steve didn't assist with diaper changing or settle a fussy baby. We didn't have our mothers to watch the girls so we could sleep for a few hours. Stephanie has a village to help her with children if she decides to adopt or hire a surrogate," Valerie explained.
"I didn't realize it was that bad," Helen said. "You should have asked for help."
"No, Mom. I was right about not asking you for help. Steve and I had to move away," Valerie explained. "You know I was pregnant when I got married. Steve and I were planning to get married, but that's not the point. He would have lost his job if we stayed in Trenton. The LA firm didn't care about the conception date. Their focus was on his marital status."
Helen couldn't understand. Most of the men at the firm where Steve worked before marrying Valerie had wives and mistresses. Some had illegitimate children.
Ram couldn't stand by and watch his Aunt Helen defend the employees of the Trenton branch. "Aunt Helen, did any of their wives have affairs or got pregnant before getting married?" he asked.
"Of course, not," Helen said.
"That's the point, Mom," Valerie said. "You can't make partner if the wives don't accept your lifestyle. Steve's only option was relocating to another firm where the wives didn't care."
Helen finally understood.