Stephanie
For the love of all that was holy. What the hell was Morelli doing to my sister? I got closer when I saw Valerie pushing at Joe. Holy shit! The asshole was lifting Valerie's dress. He better not try to rape my sister. No asshole Morelli man was going to hurt my family. I sent an SOS to Hector and Tank. Carlos, Dad and Hector knew when Morelli entered our room because I messaged them. Dad said to let things play and see what Mom and Joe had planned for the evening.
"Val, now!" I yelled after I stopped the music. Valerie's right knee smashed into Joe's balls as she shoved him away. I ran to my sister and swung my leg. The toe of my stiletto connected with Joe's nose. His blood ruined Jeanne Ellen's shoes. I would have to buy her new ones.
Joe released his balls and swung at me. I felt my dress slip up my ass, revealing the barely there panties. Modesty flew out the window. Tank, Carlos, Dad and the others arrived as I handed Joseph Morelli his ass. With a final roundhouse kick to the head, Joe fell to the floor. I knocked the asshole out.
Carlos tugged my dress down, covering my barely covered crotch. "Proud of you, Babe," Carlos whispered.
Tank was sitting on the chair, holding Valerie. She was sobbing from the assault. Valerie was hesitant to charge Joe. She didn't want him to lose his job at the police station.
Dad was having a heated conversation with Mom. She defended her actions. "Why was Morelli here?" Dad demanded.
"I wanted that…that thug to dump Valerie for cheating. I don't want a coloured grandchild!" Mom screamed. Woah. That was a heady confession.
"How was Morelli going to accomplish that? By raping our daughter?" Dad asked. His tone scared me. Carlos gently passed me to Lester, who wrapped his arms around Jeanne and me. My cousins and Valerie's friends left. They didn't want to witness Dad's reaction to Mom's response.
"Only if she didn't cooperate," Mom snapped. Tank growled in fury. He was prepared to attack Mom for putting Valerie in danger. Dad looked murderous. Mom went too far. She practically hammered the nails in her coffin.
Hector and Carlos cuffed Joe. Hunter and Bobby snapped the pants back onto Morelli, covering his hairy junk. Grandma helped the men dress Joe. I giggled when she copped a feel.
"Even milking cows are more endowed than this putz. I've squeezed a cow's tit bigger than his dick," Grandma said, shaking her head. Valerie snorted. She started laughing, setting me off. "His moniker is a joke. It's obviously a warning to the woman that his size is barely average. My late husband Harry was bigger." Grandma laughed as she moved her tongue to make her dentures clank.
Dad dragged Mom out of the nightclub after Carlos offered to drive Grandma home. "Did you enjoy yourself, Grandma?" I asked after Bobby, Hunter, and Hector left with Morelli.
"I did, but I don't care about that right now. Valerie, are you okay?" Grandma asked.
"I'm okay. Joe couldn't get my underwear off. Thank goodness I wore the ones Ella bought," Valerie replied.
"The ones resembling a chastity belt?" I joked. The panties were comfortable, but the elastic around the legs and waist was too thick for tearing them. Ella said she had to buy Valerie and me panties that Tank and Carlos couldn't rip off our bodies. It probably saved money in the long run.
"Yup. Ella got tired of shopping for the underwear that Tank removed," Valerie replied. Her face turned beet red. I glanced at Tank, who appeared to be blushing. Carlos grinned, relishing in his friend's embarrassment.
"Okay. I think we've had enough excitement for the night," I announced. Carlos tucked Grandma's hand in the crook of his elbow, keeping her hand from grabbing his crotch.
When we got into the car, Grandma asked, "How far along is Valerie?"
"Almost eight weeks," I replied. "Valerie planned to announce it after the wedding. Before you ask, Tank is the father. Valerie hasn't been around Morelli. What made Mom pull this stunt?"
"Your mother wants a Morelli heir," Grandma explained. "She dated Anthony Sr in high school. I couldn't understand why she wanted to marry him. They were engaged for a month when Angie got pregnant. His father and Angie's mother forced them to get married. Your mother was devastated."
"Did she blame Anthony for cheating?" I asked.
"No. Your mother was saving herself for marriage. She permitted Anthony to sew his wild oats," Grandma replied. Grandma snorted and shook her head. "The foolish child didn't think Anthony would cheat on her. She was furious with Angie for years. Then your mother met your father. They fell in love and got married within a year. She got pregnant a month after Angie announced her pregnancy with Joe. Angie and Helen wanted Valerie and Joseph to get married. But Joe didn't want Valerie. He wanted you."
"When I was sixteen, I thought I loved Joe. He never called after he took my virginity. His way of claiming me made it sound like I was a slut. I have never hated the man more than what he did to Valerie. It made me see the light, and I never wanted to date him again. Joe made it worse by coaxing Valerie into bed again. He took advantage of Valerie's vulnerability. I have no respect for men who don't respect their friends," I said. "My Merry Men are honourable. They never sleep with women married, engaged or dating someone else."
"How about ex-girlfriends or ex-wives?" Grandma asked.
"Never," Carlos replied. "Not even sisters of their co-workers."
"Unless they ask," I added.
Grandma narrowed her eyes. "Did Tank ask you?" she challenged.
"Yes, and he asked Daddy, too," I replied. Grandma was surprised. She had no idea. I increased the shock factor by adding, "Tank and Valerie dated for two months before having sex."
"Did she scratch the itch elsewhere?" Grandma wondered. I shook my head.
"No. Valerie was busy training at work and learning her job. There wasn't time for her to step out on Tank. Valerie respected Tank, and he respected her. Grandma, they have the same electric connection as Carlos and me," I explained.
Grandma grinned at my news. She was happy Valerie and I found our soulmates. I wondered what Dad would do about Mom. She crossed the line Carlos, Tank, and I anticipated, so Carlos and I planned the bachelor and bachelorette parties at the same venue.
~~~~~
Valerie
Pierre ensured I was okay. He slowly stripped the clothes off me to examine every inch of my body. The bruise on my thigh angered my man. Pierre kissed my leg. "Little One, we're flying to Vegas tonight."
"Okay," I replied.
"Stephanie and Ranger are getting the children ready for travelling. Maria and Juanita are coming with us," Pierre explained. I nodded, wanting to do whatever he wanted. Mom ruined an excellent party Pierre and I planned for the guys. It felt like we were forced to move our plans ahead. "Valerie, I love you. We can wait until next Saturday if you want."
"No," I replied. "Mom messed up. We're flying to Vegas. I'm upset Daddy is missing the ceremony." Pierre excused himself to talk in private. He promised to speak to Dad about our trip to Vegas.
Fifteen minutes later, Pierre returned with two duffles. "Your mother is spending the night in the hospital," Pierre explained.
"And Dad?" I asked.
"Coming with us. Your Grandma, too. We have enough room on the flight for our families. Let's get married," Pierre replied. I grinned at my fiancé. He arranged everything I needed to make our day special.
We met everyone in the garage. Ranger said the children were in the SUVs, sleeping. Maria was with the Manoso children, and Juanita was with mine. I appreciated them getting the kids in the cars. "We had lots of help," Stephanie said. She motioned to Lester and the others. I climbed into the SUV and sat beside Bobby, letting Lester sit in the front beside Tank.
"Thanks," I mumbled. During the drive to the private airfield, Bobby rapidly asked questions about the pregnancy and how I felt. He wanted to know if I had cramps or other discomfort. I shook my head when he asked if I was spotting.
Juanita grinned when I caught her eye. She leaned forward and whispered, "Congratulations. Angie and Mary Alice are excited about the baby." I should have known my children would tell her. Juanita stroked her hand across Bobby's head before she returned to her seat. It was my turn to grin at her. Juanita looked sad as she shrugged.
"Are you still dating that nurse?" I asked Bobby. He shook his head.
"She was one of Morelli's side pieces," Bobby sadly replied.
"What about her?" I asked, pointing to Juanita sitting behind him. Bobby shook his head.
Sighing, I grabbed my phone to send Stephanie a message.
Me: Would Ranger have a problem with Bobby dating Juanita? They really like each other.
Stephanie: I asked him. He said it's not a problem, but Bobby had to ask him.
Me: I don't think that's going to happen. What should we do?
Stephanie: Are you throwing the bouquet and garter? I have a blue garter for you, and the chapel has flowers we can purchase for the occasion.
Me: It wasn't in the plans, but we could. Bobby gets the garter, and Juanita receives the bouquet.
Stephanie: Mama is laughing. She said we have to make them kiss.
Me: Sure. I'll handle that on my end.
Stephanie: LOL. Good luck. ;)
"Tank, I know we're getting married in Vegas, but there are some wedding traditions I'm hoping to keep," I said, hoping he would pick up on my scheme.
"Me, too. I've been looking forward to removing that garter from your sexy leg," Tank replied. Sweet. He was on board.
"Stephanie asked if I was planning to throw the bouquet. She arranged flowers for me to carry," I said. "Oh, and Stephanie has the blue garter."
My phone chimed. I furrowed my brows and read the message from Lester. "I'll spread the word among the single men." Lester was helping me set Juanita up with Bobby.
I was nervous when we arrived at the airport. The jet waiting for us on the taxiing pavement parallel to the takeoff runway was huge. It could seat at least thirty passengers. I smiled when Lester ran toward the aircraft like a child in a candy shop.
Lester and the pilot shook hands. The two men walked around the plane as the rest of us climbed the steps leading to the cabin. Tank carried Angie, leaving Bobby to carry Mary Alice. Juanita stared at Bobby longingly. She had it bad for the company medic.
Dad arrived with Grandma as Stephanie and Carlos carried their children aboard. Teddy had his fingers entwined in Stephanie's hair. His head rested on her shoulder as he soundly slept. Liana was in her father's arms. She always looked tiny when he carried her. Ricky held his grandmother's hand as he sleepily walked up the stairs.
The flight attendant politely smiled at the sexy men. She didn't flirt, which surprised me. I giggled when the beautiful woman flirted with Jeanne Ellen. Was Jeanne dating someone? Jeanne broke up with her girlfriend after accepting the file for Ramirez. Adrianna wanted Jeanne to quit her job. Jeanne answered, "No," and then Adrianna walked out. The women haven't talked since.
"She seems nice," I said when Jeanne Ellen sat beside me.
Jeanne bumped my shoulder. "She's new to Trenton," Jeanne replied.
"So? Um…are you going to show her the sights?" I wondered. Jeanne Ellen blushed.
"She's ex-military," Tank replied. "We're thinking about hiring her at Rangeman." That statement piqued Jeanne Ellen's interest. She worked the occasional distraction for Rangeman, but it became increasingly difficult when the skips recognized her.
"I didn't catch her name," I said. Tank looked at Jeanne Ellen and winked.
"Kylie Masterson," Tank replied. "She's a few years younger than Jeanne Ellen."
I watched Kylie get everything the other passengers needed before sitting in her seat. Kylie reached for the intercom and asked everyone to fasten their belts.
The airplane taxied along the runway before lifting off. Stephanie was holding onto Ranger's hand. He flexed his fingers after Stephanie released her death grip. My sister was still afraid of takeoff and landings. I got used to it.
Stephanie waved Kylie over to her seat. Kylie sat across from them in the rear-facing seats. I smiled as they asked Kylie about her military career and five-year plan. Kylie was Brett's sister. Brett Masterson was our pilot for the trip. She filled in as a flight attendant to earn extra cash. I wouldn't be surprised if Kylie got offered a job before the plane landed.
"I hope she likes kids," Jeanne Ellen mumbled. Jeanne loved spending time with her cousin's children. She once said it was a reminder of why keeping criminals off the streets was important.
Jeanne Ellen's mouth popped open when Teddy motioned for Kylie to hold him. Teddy's fists opened and closed until Kylie took him from Stephanie. Kylie smiled at the boy and let him sleep on her shoulder. "There's your answer," I replied, giggling.
Kylie held Teddy until it was time to return to her duties. She grabbed juice boxes for the children to help ease the pressure in their ears. Stephanie asked her to warm Teddy's bottle. He could drink from a cup designed for toddlers, but the bottle would effectively ease the pressure.
Stephanie didn't relax until the plane landed. Ranger kissed her curls before releasing her hand. Kylie collected the trash and helped by grabbing the duffles from the storage closet.
Grandma was talking to Maria about the children. I noticed Grandma looked sad. Catching Dad's eye, I raised a brow. Dad shook his head. He didn't want to talk about it, or it wasn't my business to know. Whenever Dad was ready, he would share what was on his mind. I suspected he would divorce Mom.
Everyone retired to their hotel suites, hoping to catch up on the sleep we missed during the flight. Stephanie, Tank and Ranger went to the chapel on the hotel's main floor. Tank returned thirty minutes later with the marriage license. He had the one from New Jersey and a new license from Nevada.
When I asked about the death certificate proving I wasn't legally married, Tank replied, "The chapel accepted the photograph of the document. We're getting married at 1700 hours." Tank didn't need to convert the time. I knew he said five p.m. We ate a light meal before going to bed.