Helen waited until Frank left the house before calling various venues to plan Valerie's wedding. The timing was everything. Unfortunately, none of the banquet halls were available within the timeframe Helen needed. Helen grew more frustrated by the minute.
Edna sat at the kitchen table, peacefully eating lunch. She listened as Helen called and begged for an available Saturday. Defeated, Helen would add her name to the wait list for cancellations.
Movement in Helen's peripheral vision startled her. "What are you doing?" Edna asked. She placed the dishes in the sink to get washed.
Clutching the phone receiver to her chest, Helen replied, "Trying to rent a hall for Valerie's wedding. She needs to get married before the pregnancy shows. What are you doing here?" Edna shook her head. She removed the phone from Helen's grip, then slammed it onto the base. Edna detached the cord attached to the wall, tucking it into her pocket. Helen had forgotten about inviting her mother for lunch.
"You're going to push Valerie into eloping," Edna warned. She patted the pocket of her purple sweatpants, then pushed the cord further into its depth.
"Nonsense," Helen scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Valerie wants a proper Burg ceremony. I'm already getting judged because Stephanie refused to have a reception. What would the neighbours think?" Helen smoothed out the invisible wrinkle on her pale blue top. She touched her hair, ensuring her bun was pulled tight at the base of her neck. Helen was scared a few hairs got loosened during the phone calls.
Edna shook her head, raising her hands to shake in exasperation. "When did you begin caring so much about what others thought?" Edna asked. "Your father and I raised you better than that. We never cared about our Burg neighbours and their narrow-minded opinions." Edna hoped the new version of Helen would last several years. Alas, Helen regressed to her former self.
Helen's regression reminded Edna of a man she had known since they were children. The arrogant man fell off the side of a cliff in California where posted signs warned of fogs obscuring the path at dusk. Well, he mainly slid down the side of a cliff after a misstep on the trail. Rule number one of hiking was to never go alone and tell someone where you are hiking. Having a backup plan for rescue was also advised. Anyway, the man gashed his head as he fell, landing at the base of some trees. His head got covered in mud, sealing the injury, but also threatening a severe infection. The man lived to tell his story. He was generous and kind, readily helping strangers. However, eighteen months later, the man reverted to his typical arrogant personality. There was a word for that phenomenon, but Edna couldn't recall it. Was it survivor's euphoria?
Edna didn't want to concentrate on the correct terminology. The euphoria seemed to last for Stephanie, but that was probably because Stephanie was genuinely kind. "What caused that snort of derision?" Helen demanded.
"I was thinking about Bjorn."
"What does that pompous idiot have to do with me?" Helen snarled.
"He was a few years younger than me. Bjorn was an arrogant man. In his sixties, he went hiking in California and slipped off the path. His head hit something on the way down, giving him an eight-inch gash on his head. Bjorn landed in the mud, which likely stopped him from bleeding to death. A mountain lion, smelling the blood, stalked him like its prey. Bjorn used all the strength he could muster to climb into a tree, where the lion couldn't get to him. He stayed there until someone hiked past. It was fortunate Bjorn didn't break any bones," Edna explained.
"That still has nothing to do with me!" Helen snapped. Her patience had worn thin.
Edna sighed, disappointed Helen wasn't understanding. "Yes, it does. His family was happy he survived. They changed everything about themselves for eighteen months when the euphoria wore off."
Helen fell onto the chair, cradling her head with her hands. "Why me?" Helen lamented. "Why doesn't anything go according to my plan?"
"You can't possibly plan for every conceivable contingency. It's about time you learned to relinquish control of Valerie and Stephanie's lives. You'll lose them if you don't," Edna warned.
"But getting pregnant a second time before marriage was not in the plans," Helen argued.
"Helen, I suggest you keep your mouth shut and enjoy the ride. Let the girls make their mistakes. It would only make them stronger when they overcome the challenges and criticism." Edna dropped the invisible mic and walked away. She was over Helen's meddlesome ways.
"Mother, where are you going?" Helen asked.
"Home," Edna replied. "Are you driving?" Helen nodded and grabbed the keys from the hook. She double-checked to ensure the kettle and stove were off.
Edna waited beside the car for her daughter to arrive. A few neighbours peeked between the curtains, wondering why Edna was outside alone. Helen glared at the nosy lookie-loos, smirking when they moved away from the windows.
~~~~~
Stephanie sent the photographs of the sonogram to her father. He responded with heartfelt congratulations and a wish for a grandson, which made Stephanie smile. She promised to let him know when they got the ultrasound appointment at eighteen weeks. It wasn't solely for determining gender. The radiology technician would check the brain and spine development.
Frank grinned and promised to keep the news under his hat until Stephanie was prepared to announce it to the family. He had no doubt the men at Rangeman already knew. Frank checked his watch, then drove to Newark to pick up the fare.
Smiling, Stephanie returned to work. She received flowers and cards from the men, congratulating her and Carlos on their triplets. Jeanne Ellen was relaxing in Ella's apartment with Micaela. The family was staying at Rangeman until the restrictions got lifted. It drove Jeanne Ellen bonkers, but she appreciated the extra help with her daughter.
Hector often arrived at the apartment to carry Mica to the fifth floor. He loved the little girl. She smiled at her honorary uncle. Mica's legs kicked in excitement. Jeanne Ellen laughed,"She loves her Tio Hector."
"I'll keep her for a few hours," Hector said, grabbing the diaper bag stocked with everything he needed for Micaela. Jeanne Ellen waved from the comfort of the sofa. Luis placed drinks and snacks on the table for her to reach before leaving to clean the vehicles.
Jeanne Ellen rubbed her abdomen. The baby bump was expanding more than she expected for three months. Dr. Struthers assured her it was normal. Secretly Jeanne Ellen was relieved she only had to be the surrogate for a single pregnancy for Stephanie and Carlos. It felt a little strange to be carrying her brother's children. Some people called it selfless, but it was Jeanne Ellen's only way to guarantee she'd have children of her own. The trade off of using her womb as a baby factory for Stephanie to get Micaela was worth every stretch mark Jeanne Ellen anticipated with the current pregnancy.
Another knock echoed inside the apartment before the door unlocked and opened. Stephanie slipped inside to keep Jeanne Ellen company. "Hey, Steph," Jeanne Ellen said.
"I thought you could use some company," Stephanie replied. "So… how weird is it to be carrying your brother's children?"
Jeanne Ellen held her abdomen and laughed. "I was just thinking about that. It's strange," Jeanne Ellen confessed. "I know the Burg bitches are going to criticize me."
Stephanie waved a hand. "Especially my mom. Ignore the ignorant fuddy-duddies. Their opinions don't matter. Carlos and I appreciate you doing this for us," Stephanie said. She passed Jeanne Ellen the tea Ella made, then sat beside Jeanne.
"I promised that I would," Jeanne replied. She briefly rested her head on Stephanie's shoulder. The women grew closer during the pregnancy with Mica. "Thank you for letting me have Mica first."
"Jeanne, you don't need to continue thanking me. Carlos and I needed the extra time to get better acquainted."
Snorting, Jeanne Ellen said, "You mean that you wanted to get caught up with all the sex you missed since meeting him."
"That too," Stephanie replied honestly. "Besides, having Mica first means you know what to expect." She waited for Jeanne Ellen to sip her tea. Stephanie placed the tea on the coffee table and returned to her position. Jeanne Ellen suspected there was another reason for Stephanie's visit.
"True. What's bothering you?" Jeanne Ellen asked after a few minutes of silence.
"I've been thinking about that recurring nightmare," Stephanie replied. "It's back and feels like a premonition more than a dream." Jeanne Ellen shifted to look into Stephanie's eyes, seeing the fear hidden deep inside.
"Tell me about the nightmare," Jeanne Ellen said. She patiently listened as Stephanie shared the dream. Jeanne grimaced when Stephanie mentioned they were at a Rangeman Miami function. In each dream, the details became more pronounced as though Stephanie watched the scene on repeat. "Where am I?" Jeanne Ellen wanted to know if her daughter was in danger too.
"In Trenton with Valerie and her family. I'm with Carlos and our children. The remaining core members are with you," Stephanie replied, trying to recall the specifics about the people at the gathering.
Jeanne Ellen remained silent for several minutes. "How can I help?" she asked.
"I'm trying to pin his location, but can't seem to determine where he's hiding. I have even researched other security firms in the southern states. Unfortunately, there are too many operating under the umbrella of an investment group," Stephanie replied. "I don't have the time to focus solely on the project."
"Steph, you're the best at tracking people. I'm unsure how much assistance I can offer," Jeanne Ellen said. Stephanie looked at her hands and picked at the cuticles. "Carlos wants me to concentrate on growing your babies," Jeanne Ellen kindly reminded her.
Stephanie released a long breath. "I'm not asking you to do the research. Or review the data. I have a stack of resumes to process for the other branches. We're too much alike to tolerate sitting idle for too long. I could use the help with hiring employees. Maybe you can handle the initial phone or Skype interviews?"
"I'm happy to help," Jeanne Ellen said. "Send me the files tomorrow, or Jordan will get pissed at me for working a day early."
"Aren't you coming downstairs in the morning?" Stephanie asked. Jeanne Ellen shook her head, then explained her chair wasn't comfortable. "Let me order one like mine for you."
"And that's why you're my favourite sister," Jeanne Ellen replied, laughing. "Don't you have a client meeting soon?"
Stephanie checked her watch. "Yup. But it's in the conference room on one. I have time to set up. Thanks for your help, Jeanne. I'll send you the email tomorrow with the attached files. Oh. Hector wants to know what to bring you for lunch. Tito's picking up food from that Mexican restaurant around the corner."
Jeanne Ellen couldn't wait until lunchtime. She got annoyed when Carlos gave her a meal plan to follow during the pregnancy. Jeanne understood that Carlos was thinking about his children's future health. It wouldn't surprise Jeanne Ellen if the babies preferred her brother's diet. She checked the menu to send Hector her order, then added some of the healthier options as a precaution.
Hector sat at the monitors with Mica in the carrier. Cal helped him adjust the straps to keep Mica pressed against his chest. Mica stared at him for several minutes before closing her eyes. Lester walked by and snapped a few pictures with his phone, then sent the images to Jordan, who was on patrol with Hal.
~~~~~
Stephanie met Carlos in the conference room. He wore his Armani suit, causing Stephanie to moan in appreciation. Carlos gently kissed Stephanie before pulling her chair from the table. She sat and waited for the client to get led into the room by Binkie. Stephanie briefly stood to welcome Brent and Claudia Jenkins. They planned to expand their clothing store into Trenton but wanted to secure the building before they opened for business.
Claudia gave Carlos a predatory look. Stephanie smiled politely, then introduced herself. "Hello, Mrs. Jenkins. I'm Stephanie Manoso." She extended a hand to Claudia, who rudely ignored her. "As you see, we're very concerned about security." Stephanie motioned to the camera, clearly recording their meeting. It was also a warning to Claudia that her actions are monitored. Claudia flipped her dark ponytail over her shoulder. Her blue eyes fixated on Carlos.
"Mrs. Manoso, I'm Brent Jenkins," the man replied, then shook her hand. "Any relation to Carlos Manoso?" Brent quickly glanced at Carlos.
"Carlos is my husband," Stephanie replied, making Claudia glare at Stephanie. Claudia tried to figure out why such a plain woman would be on the arm of an attractive male. Carlos took a step back when Claudia got too close.
Upset with her behaviour, Brent made Claudia sit before he approached Carlos. "How can Rangeman secure your building?" Carlos asked after shaking Brent's hand. The men sat in their chairs, determined to get the business arrangement settled.
Claudia stretched her foot toward Carlos, attempting to rub his leg while Brent asked for perimeter security and routine patrols. Carlos moved beyond Claudia's reach. "What's your view on professionalism?" Stephanie asked when she felt something touch her leg.
"I expect your employees to do their job and not flirt with the women in the shop," Brent replied.
"Hmm. We expect the same courtesy from our clients." Stephanie sweetly said, "Mrs. Jenkins, please stop rubbing your foot against my leg. I'm a happily married woman." Claudia glared at Stephanie before smiling seductively at Carlos. The hostility Claudia displayed toward Stephanie made Carlos furious. He decided Rangeman didn't need their business.
"Claudia," Brent barked. "Keep your feet to yourself. We're trying to convince Mr. Manoso to accept us as clients. How can I do that when you're busy flirting?"
Carlos pressed a button on his watch to call the others into the room. Tank, Lester, Binkie and Junior arrived within minutes to assist. Binkie and Junior stood closest to Claudia and Brent, while Tank and Lester stood beside Carlos and Stephanie.
Claudia sunk back into her chair. Her body shook from fear. Carlos gave her a deadly glare before addressing Brent. "Mr. Jenkins, thank you for meeting with us today. Unfortunately, Rangeman will not secure your future showroom in Trenton. I don't take kindly to clients, pre-existing or potential, disrespecting my wife by flirting with me," Carlos said. He motioned for Binkie and Junior to escort them from the premises.
Tank and Lester waited until Binkie confirmed Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins had left the parking lot.
"Un-fucking-believable," Stephanie said. "The bitch tried to seduce you after you made it clear you were married and uninterested in her." Claudia reminded Stephanie of Joyce Barnhardt. Both women only wanted money and sex.
"Did you get a recording, Boss?" Tank asked.
"Yes. I got Junior to add a camera below the table to catch movements," Carlos replied. He opened the app on his phone to watch the video. The left side of the screen was below the table, and the right was the rest of the room. Below the table, the camera showed Claudia's foot move to touch his leg, but he pushed his chair back when Stephanie moved her leg to intercept the foot. It didn't catch any views up their skirts since it was at the side.
"Something felt off when I arranged the meeting. Claudia was insistent on having Carlos meet them at a restaurant. I felt it would be best here, where we can record everything. Don't be surprised if Claudia Jenkins files a harassment suit against us," Stephanie said. She shook her head and mumbled that Claudia was a gold-digging whore, trying to find a bigger paycheque. Claudia made a grave error by wanting Carlos as her next victim.