Valerie
Tank wasn't in bed when I woke up. He left a note on my pillow. "See you in the chapel. I'll be the one standing beside the officiant. Love Pierre."
I wondered why the children weren't bugging me. I found Lester and Jeanne Ellen in the room when I entered the suite's living area. "Jeanne and I took turns watching the girls. We wanted you rested for the ceremony," Lester announced.
"Where's Tank?"
"Giving you privacy to shower and get dressed. Tank doesn't want to see your dress until you walk down the aisle," Jeanne Ellen explained. "Ella and Luis arrived a few hours ago. They brought the dresses we forgot."
"They should have come with us last night," I argued.
"Ella prepared breakfast and lunch for the Rangeman staff. She ordered pizzas and subs from Pino's for dinner," Jeanne Ellen replied. "Ella and Luis caught a commercial flight. Bobby picked them up. Your dress is hanging in the closet." Jeanne Ellen pointed to the door beside the bathroom.
I looked at my dress hung beside the other outfits. My gaze moved from the girls' clothes to my daughters. How was I supposed to get everyone ready in time?
"Concentrate on yourself. Jeanne and I can handle the girls," Lester replied, answering my nonverbal question.
Angie and Mary Alice had showered the previous night. I trusted Jeanne and Lester to get the girls ready. Lester got Mary Alice to sit on the coffee table as he braided her hair. Did he have sisters? I don't recall him talking about any.
Lester and Jeanne Ellen ignored me as I prepared for the wedding ceremony. I pulled my hair into a chignon at the base of my skull. Jeanne Ellen entered to help me with the buttons down my back. I smoothed the imaginary wrinkles from the ivory satin as Jeanne tugged at the fabric to fasten it. "I'm already showing," I said when Jeanne struggled with the button.
"Do you have a needle, thread and scrap fabric?" Jeanne asked.
"My purse has a small kit. You can stitch the sides together. It's just the bottom button, right?"
"Yes. Only the bottom one," Jeanne replied. She called for Angie to grab the kit from my purse. Jeanne didn't want to let go of the fabric. Angie smiled as she gave Jeanne the items. My daughter waited until Jeanne finished her task, then returned the travel sewing kit to my bag.
"Mom, you look beautiful," Angie said before leaving the bedroom.
Jeanne Ellen touched up my makeup and hair before stating I was ready for the wedding. She kissed my cheek before grabbing her dress. I let her borrow the bedroom to change. Jeanne Ellen exited the room fifteen minutes later, looking gorgeous.
"Let's get you married to your hunk," Jeanne Ellen announced, grabbing my hand. Lester looked handsome in his suit. I couldn't wait to see Pierre in his tux.
Dad met us outside the chapel doors. Lester accompanied Grandma and the others inside. He winked before obscuring my vision. I giggled and brushed my hands down my dress, drying the sweat from my palms.
Stephanie slipped through the doors and gave me a bouquet of pale pink roses. She whispered in my ear as she passed me the flowers. I shook my head and whispered my counteroffer. Stephanie giggled, shaking her head. She removed a chain from around her neck. "This is something old and borrowed. Your garter is blue, and your dress is new. You're set."
"Thank you," I replied. Stephanie thought of everything.
I had to concentrate on the wedding. My sister's bouquet contained white roses and pale pink carnations. "It's time, Valerie. Are you ready?" Stephanie asked as music played inside the chapel.
"Yes," I replied. Dad threaded my arm through his and waited for Stephanie to open the door. She stepped inside while Hunter held it open for Dad and me. Smiling, I thanked Hunter for helping. He winked at me and nodded at Dad.
The dark vision of ultimate sexiness stood between Carlos and the officiant at the end of the aisle. Stephanie grinned as I walked toward Pierre. I loved my man more than I thought possible. The fear I experienced during my ceremony with Steve Corelli was missing. Pierre was the perfect man for me. I regretted the decisions of my past. Why didn't I take Dad's offer to leave Steve at the altar? Mom wasn't around to ensure I got married.
Stephanie reached for my bouquet. I nervously handed it over. She mouthed, "Move your ring." I glanced at my hand. Stephanie was right. I forgot to move the engagement ring for Pierre to put he wedding band on my finger. Slipping it off, I transferred it to my index finger of my right hand.
Pierre grinned, his white teeth in stark contrast to his dark skin. My knees felt weak. Dad kissed my cheek before placing my hand in Pierre's large hand. The sparks made my heart patter in excitement. I couldn't wait until Pierre became my husband.
The officiant cleared his throat to get our attention. I giggled and waited for the officiant to start the ceremony. Everything passed in a blur. Before I knew it, the officiant told us to kiss. Pierre and I were married.
Stephanie and Grandma cheered. Everyone congratulated and hugged us. I wanted to escape to the hotel room and make love to my husband. Dad, Stephanie and Carlos had other plans. They rented space in a local restaurant for an intimate dinner with our family and friends.
Before leaving the chapel, I tossed my bouquet and Pierre removed and tossed the garter. As we previously arranged, Juanita and Bobby caught the items. Everyone, including Ranger, chanted for them to kiss. You could feel the energy between them. Stephanie winked at me while Ranger warned Bobby what would happen if he hurt Juanita.
Two gorgeous women approached me. The woman wearing the scarf around her hair said, "I'm Monique, Pierre's mother. Welcome to the family, Valerie."
"Oh. It's a pleasure meeting you," I awkwardly replied.
"I'm Josephine, Pierre's sister," the gorgeous younger woman said. She hugged me and kissed my cheek. "You smell amazing. I can understand why my brother fell in love with you."
Stephanie snorted. She pushed Angie and Mary Alice forward. "Hi, Mrs. Sherman and Josephine. Thank you for meeting us here today. Carlos and I would like you to accept our offer to stay at our house next weekend for the official reception. These gorgeous girls are your granddaughters, Angie and Mary Alice. Pierre plans to adopt them," Stephanie said. She saved me from the awkwardness of introducing the girls.
I wasn't surprised that my sister offered her house to Pierre's family. They had plenty of room to accommodate guests. It wasn't that our house didn't have extra bedrooms. We had a few guest rooms, but Stephanie was giving us the night alone. I appreciated her thoughtfulness.
"I love your hair," Monique told Mary Alice, tugging on the tight curl that escaped her braid.
"Thank you, Mrs. Sherman," Mary Alice politely replied.
"Call me Nana, sweetie." Mary Alice grinned at her new grandma. She quickly hugged Tank and me before dragging my mother-in-law away from us. I loved how she accepted Tank's mother as her family.
"Angie loves to read," Stephanie told Josephine.
"Come with me, sweetie. I must tell you about my favourite books," Josephine said. Angie grabbed Josephine's hand.
"Thanks, Steph," I said when my daughters left with Pierre's family.
"You were looking a bit intimidated. I met the Shermans in Miami. Carlos and I shared dinner with the Shermans many times. Monique and Josephine are wonderful women. You'll get along with them just fine. However, I think you and Tank should tell them about the baby before Mary Alice spills the beans," Stephanie warned. Pierre chuckled when my face paled.
"Don't worry about it, my love. Momma knows about our little one," Pierre replied. I sighed in relief. Hopefully, she didn't judge me for getting pregnant before marrying her son.
Pierre and I held hands as we walked to the restaurant in the hotel. We found our family and friends in the area at the back, separated from the main eating area. The manager placed partitions to keep the other patrons from getting distracted by our group.
Monique sat beside me. She moved platters of food, which upset my stomach. Smiling, Monique gave me the dish of rice. "Keep the food bland for this pregnancy, dear," she whispered. "Stephanie ordered grilled chicken for you." I smiled at my sister. Stephanie kept watching out for me. It made me feel unworthy to have her as my sister.
I caught Stephanie's eye. She winked and grabbed some grilled chicken for Liana. My niece's diet mirrored her father's eating habits. Ricky loved pasta and cheese like his mother. Teddy was too young to show a preference. However, he did not like the processed baby foods. Ella made his puréed fruit and vegetables. I thought Teddy would have the same food preferences as Liana, but Stephanie said Ricky was a picky eater when he was younger.
Monique dished my food whenever I covered my mouth from something I couldn't tolerate. On my other side, I noticed Pierre modified his selections to align with mine. He passed the platters containing food that made me nauseous. Everyone near me cautiously accepted food while watching my reaction. A tear dropped from my eye.
"Are you okay?" Pierre quietly asked.
"I'm fine. Hunter, Lester, Bobby and Stephanie modified their selections for me," I whispered.
"They love you," Pierre replied. I shook my head, unable to comprehend why the others would be so kind.
"Valerie, everyone here knows about the pregnancy. Hector and Hunter figured it out before you took the pregnancy test. It's why I had one for you. The other guys noticed your increased bust size. You should have realized you can't keep secrets from the guys at Rangeman. Most of the Trenton guys are ex-special ops," Stephanie explained.
"Thanks, everyone. I appreciate everything you've done for me and the girls. Stephanie was right about Rangeman being one large family," I said as Pierre gently wiped the tears off my cheeks.
Dad grinned upon learning about the pregnancy. He raised his beer in celebration.
After eating dinner, Dad asked to speak with Stephanie and me in private. We went to Stephanie's hotel suite. Ranger took the children to Maria's room to visit. He returned with Pierre to listen to Dad's news.
Pierre sat on the couch with me on his lap. Stephanie sat in the chair with Carlos, leaving Dad beside Pierre and me. "Girls, I didn't want to tell you this today, but I don't have a choice. You'll find out when we get home. I filed for divorce," Dad announced.
Stephanie and I looked at each other before bursting out laughing. "I told you, Val," Stephanie said. "You owe me five weekends of babysitting."
"I was close," I whined. "Daddy, why couldn't you wait until we got home?"
"What would have happened if I waited?" Dad asked.
"I would have won. Stephanie and Carlos would have to babysit the girls for five weekends," I replied. Dad chuckled.
"Your Mom should have received the divorce petition today. She's probably blowing up your phones with messages," Dad said. He checked his phone and shook his head. I noticed Dad had fifteen missed calls from Mom. The doctor must have released her from the hospital. Stephanie and I turned off our phones before taking a nap.
"I bet I have more than you," Stephanie said. She turned on her phone. The device beeped for five minutes with incoming messages. At that time, Lester brought my phone from my hotel room.
I turned it on. "I have six missed calls and twelve messages from Mom," I announced.
Stephanie raised her brows and rolled her eyes. "I've got you both beat. Mom called me thirty times," Stephanie said, sighing. She played the voice messages. Each one got louder and more threatening. Mom blamed Stephanie for everything I did wrong during my marriage. My sister didn't force me to sleep with Joe. Stephanie deleted the remaining messages after Mom accused her of hiring Joseph Morelli to strip at my bachelorette party.
"I'm sorry, Steph. You didn't deserve that shit from Mom," I apologized.
"It isn't your fault, Valerie. Mom has always blamed me for everything. I'm used to it."
"That was unforgivable. Carlos, when can we go home?" Dad asked.
Carlos replied, "In the morning. We aren't cleared to fly before then. Jace had to rest for at least eighteen hours before flying. I don't want to disrupt my children's sleep routine for a second night."
Dad hugged Stephanie, whispering something to make her cry. She nodded and said, "I love you, too, Dad."
I hugged Dad. He whispered, "Don't let your mother interfere in your life. I'm proud of you. None of my marital problems are your fault. I love you."
"I love you, too, Dad," I cried. Dad shook hands with Pierre and Carlos before leaving my room.