Valerie
Stephanie, Ranger, Pierre and I laid low until our reception at Rossini's Saturday night. The children attended school, getting rides from their bodyguards. Mom blamed Stephanie for everything. I don't understand Mom's logic. She brought all that heartache and pain upon herself. Mom has nobody to blame. Stephanie let it roll off her back as usual. She gave up trying to defend herself to Mom. It was a shame.
We expected Mom to arrive for the party. However, Pierre and I stated we didn't want Morelli or any of his family at our reception. A few men flew from Miami to ensure unexpected guests didn't arrive. I was nervous about someone ruining the day. Pierre reminded me that we already had the official reception dinner in Vegas.
I had my appointment with the obstetrician at the clinic. My babies are healthy. Yup. I said that correctly. Pierre and I were having twins. He said regardless of the twin's genders, we weren't having more. I expected him to get a vasectomy, but he wanted to wait for the babies' gender reveal. Stephanie giggled when I told her. She said Pierre really wanted to have a son. I hoped for our sake at least one baby was a boy. All I knew was the babies were most likely fraternal. They had separate placentas and sacks. I assumed the doctor knew what she was talking about. It all went over my head.
Stephanie was excited when I shared the news. Bobby put me on restricted exercises. I could do yoga and nothing more. Stephanie argued that I could walk on the treadmill. Pierre settled the argument and said I could walk on the treadmill until I reached thirty weeks. He didn't want me to risk injury during the last ten weeks of pregnancy. The doctor said I could deliver as early as thirty-two weeks. My exercise routines would get reassessed after every prenatal appointment.
Since the initial sonogram showed reasonable development, the doctor booked another ultrasound for eighteen weeks. Hopefully, the babies cooperate, and we can learn what we're having. The doctor said she needed to take other measurements of the babies at that time.
Kylie Masterson started working at Rangeman on Monday. Her brother, Jace, got hired as Rangeman's pilot. Jeanne Ellen asked Jace permission to date his sister. He laughed and said it was up to Kylie. Jace doesn't have a problem with Kylie dating a coworker.
Juanita handled the permission issue with Ranger. She said he couldn't stop her from dating Bobby. Ranger raised his hands in defeat before taking Bobby to the mats for not plucking up the courage to ask. Juanita got mad, but Bobby said he knew the rules.
It seemed strange when Juanita applied for a job at Rangeman. She didn't want to work in the field or office. Juanita wanted to watch the children. She loved spending time with Liana and Teddy. The children loved their aunt. I couldn't wait to see how my twins responded to Juanita.
Stephanie moved her desk into Ranger's office. They decided to share since they spent more time in each other's offices than they did alone. There wasn't anything Ranger would discuss privately that Stephanie wouldn't know. The dynamic duo co-CEOs always consulted each other before approving anything.
Lester was supposed to take Stephanie's old office, but he was comfortable. He said the other office had more space for the daycare centre Stephanie planned to build. She decided to partition the office into sleeping and play areas. The children could eat snacks in the break room with the other men. It would keep the children entertained and give the caregiver, Juanita, a break.
Mama Sherman and Josephine arrived yesterday for the reception. They accepted Stephanie's generous offer to stay in their house. Stephanie and Carlos snuck away to the seventh floor several times. I knew they were having quickies throughout the day. Their guests refused to stay in the house without them.
Monique and Josephine cooked our meals and spent time with the children. Angie and Mary Alice went to Stephanie's house after school to spend time with their Nana and aunt. Pierre and I ate dinner at the Manoso home. Everything Monique cooked was delicious.
The morning sickness wasn't so bad anymore. I learned which foods to eat and ate smaller amounts frequently. Pierre had crackers on my nightstand and always grabbed tea whenever I asked. My husband was perfect. I couldn't wait to see the children we created.
It was getting closer to the time of the reception at Rossini's. The girls were at home with Monique and Josephine, getting ready. I loved how my in-laws embraced Mary Alice's tomboy tendencies. Their reaction had thrown Mary Alice off guard. She got used to Mom's criticism whenever we had dinner at the house.
Mom had until Sunday evening to move out of her marital home. Grandma moved into Mabel Burlew's house. She didn't have to pay rent, but Mabel expected Grandma to share the other expenses.
Since Joe Juniak, Stephanie's godfather and Dad's best friend, lost his wife a few years earlier, Dad moved into his house. I was upset Dad divorced Mom, but when Jeanne Ellen caught their conversation about Mom wanting Morelli to force himself on me, that was it. Mom could drop dead for all I cared.
Stephanie and I talked about our experience of losing our virginity. I was shocked Stephanie said no many times, but Joe convinced her to have sex. She took full responsibility for her actions. When I shared my story, Stephanie asked, "If the sex wasn't consensual, why did you return?"
"I have no clue," I replied. "Actually, that's a lie. I was jealous that Joe Morelli wanted you."
"Joe wanted to possess me. It took you sleeping with him for me to get over him. You did me a favour, Valerie. I could imagine getting stuck in a toxic relationship with Joe and Mom taking his side during our arguments. Carlos and I have a great relationship. He's everything I want and more. My life is full of love, respect and friendship. I wouldn't have that with Dickie or Joe," Stephanie said.
"Connie Rosolli said Joe got charged with eight counts of sexual assault." I was undecided about adding my name to the list. He could argue that I willingly participated before he dragged my name through the mud. Our past would get spread around town. What was I supposed to do?
"Valerie, we have video proof of your assault. Those women are counting on your testimony to prove their cases. It would bring Joe's actions to light. He can't get away with hurting whoever he wants. His reign of forcing compliance is over. I'll be with you every step of the way," Stephanie reasoned.
"I don't know," I replied. I chewed on my thumbnail, a nervous habit I shared with Stephanie. She gently tugged my hand away from my mouth. Stephanie stared into my eyes.
"Whatever you decide, I'll support you. It has to be your choice. You need to do what's best for you and the girls." Stephanie left me with my thoughts. I wasn't sure what to do. Everything was confusing. It wasn't really something I wanted to drag my daughters through.
I was still lost inside my mind when Pierre met me in our Rangeman apartment. "What's wrong?" he asked.
"Stephanie gave me some food for thought. I have to sort it out in my head. There's too much to consider before I press charges against Morelli," I replied. God, give me a sign to help me decide.
Pierre gently lifted me to his height before pressing his lips to mine. I wrapped my legs around his thick waist. His large hands moved to my ass, holding me in place. "Valerie, my love. We don't have time," Pierre whispered against my lips as I ground into his impressive erection.
"Oh," I whimpered. Pierre kissed me with a lot of tongue before he tugged my legs loose. I slid down his body, making him hiss in arousal. He was right. We didn't have enough time. Stephanie and Carlos had the right idea. Pierre and I should spend our lunch hour satiating our sexual hunger.
I slipped the gorgeous navy blue dress Ella bought me over my head. The dress was loose around the waist. There was plenty of room for me to expand from eating. Pierre wore his tailored suit with a shirt matching my dress.
My husband was handsome. I loved him more than ever. "Whatever you decide about Morelli, I'll be there with you," Pierre said.
"I know," I replied. Pierre kissed me again before his watch alarm beeped. We had to get to Rossini's before we were late. It would be fashionable for the bride and groom to be a few minutes late, but we weren't detained by a photograph session between a wedding ceremony and reception. "Do you think Mom would be there?"
"Probably. Ranger has eyes on the house. He will be notifying us if your mother arrives," Pierre replied. I wondered how we would get inside the restaurant without Mom seeing us. Most people parked on the street or the parking area beside Rossini's. Mom would likely park out front where there was more light.
"Wouldn't see see us arrive?" I asked.
"Not if we park out back. I'll keep you safe. Mama and Josephine are getting a ride with Hector and Hunter. They have our girls. I have a gift for you in the car."
I loved how protective Hector and Hunter were of Angie and Mary Alice. Pierre knew I loved surprises. Hopefully, the surprise was something worthwhile. It wouldn't be the first surprise from my husband. His gifts weren't expensive. Pierre gave me sentimental things, reminding me about our time dating.
His first gift was a pressed pink daisy in a gorgeous frame. Pierre gave me a bouquet of daisies before taking me out for dinner on our first date. We took the girls to the zoo on our second date. Pierre gave the girls a plush animal of their favourite zoo animal. The photograph he gave me as a gift was of us gazing lovingly at the girls. Pierre has a copy of that picture on his desk. The gifts he gave me a few days ago were bras and panties. He managed to tear the ones Ella thought were invincible. I felt my cheeks turn red at the thought.
"Are you okay?" Pierre asked.
"I'm good," I replied. "I was thinking about your present from two days ago." Pierre chuckled.
We got into the car, not surprised when Jeanne Ellen and Kylie slipped in the backseat. "I hope you don't mind. Kylie and I are going to Lester's house after," Jeanne Ellen explained.
Lester purchased the house beside our home. He renovated the interior instead of demolishing it and rebuilding as Pierre had done. Stephanie and Carlos lived on the other side. As the houses in the neighbourhood got listed for sale, the men at Rangeman purchased them. I wondered what would happen if we moved to Miami.
Stephanie and Carlos were considering leaving Trenton. They moved to New Jersey for the children to know their families, but the primary reason was to open Rangeman in Trenton. Now that the branch was flourishing, they wanted to return to Florida. I couldn't blame them.
"Your gift is in the glove box," Pierre said. He started the SUV and backed it out of the parking spot. I waited until he drove toward Rossini's before opening the envelope, where I found legal-looking documents.
It took a few minutes for the words to register. Pierre gave me the adoption paperwork. All he needed was my signature. I wiped a tear from my eye and put the papers into the envelope.
Pierre parked in the lot behind the restaurant. Mom's car wasn't out front or in the other parking lot. I was relieved she wasn't there to witness my signature.
The second we entered the party room at Rossini's, I grabbed Hunter and Hector to witness me signing the adoption papers. I permitted Pierre Sherman to adopt and raise the girls with me. Hunter and Hector signed their names before Hunter tucked the pages into his messenger bag at his feet. The judge would take almost a year to rule on the case.
Mom arrived a few minutes after I sat between Stephanie and Pierre. My children sat with their cousins and Monique. She loved my children. It was evident in how she treated them. Monique hugged me and whispered, "Mary Alice ran off her excitement and energy. She should sit still long enough for dinner." My mother-in-law understood my youngest daughter.
"Where's your husband?" Mom demanded.
"He's right here," I replied, touching Pierre's arm.
Scoffing, Mom said, "I meant Joseph."
I rolled my eyes and caught Hunter's eye. It was the sign I needed. He raised a brow. I nodded. "Please, excuse me," Hunter announced. He went to a quiet corner and contacted someone. I hoped it was Joe Juniak, the chief of police. Mom sealed Joseph Morelli's fate with her stupid comment.
Throughout dinner, Mom kept talking about poor Joseph getting charged. I was about to blow a gasket when she told my daughters that their biological father got accused of raping women.
Pierre and Dad physically removed Mom from the restaurant. Dad gave Mom a ride home because she was too drunk to drive. Grandma was livid. She apologized for Mom's rude comments before leaving with Mom and Dad. I didn't want Grandma to go, but she insisted. Someone had to keep Mom from returning and ruining the night.
We almost made it through the evening without seeing Joseph Morelli. Someone approached from the darkness and grabbed my arm. Instead of freezing in my spot, I swung my arm and punched the asshole in the nose. I heard the satisfying crack as his nose broke again.
Hector had Morelli pinned to the ground before he could retaliate. "I'm going to charge you with assaulting a police officer," Joe snarled.
"Bring it on, asshole," I calmly said. My arm was already bruising where Joe grabbed it. I got Pierre to follow the car to the TPD. It was time to put the dog to sleep.