Stephanie's POV
The news hit the airwaves and spread like wildfire. You could read the details in several newspaper publications and on the local news. It became national news, too. Ron Martine, husband of Rachel Martine and father of Julie, Caleb and Sarah, was arrested for possession of illegal drugs. He had over a million dollars worth of heroin and cocaine in his shed. I felt sad for the children. They will receive the brunt of the fallout from Ron's actions. I know firsthand how cruel kids can be.
Fingerprints found on the boxes and the inside plastic by the forensics team confirmed Ron not only stored them but also helped Tim Williamson and Jeanne Ellen Burrows package them. Police determined Rachel Martine was not involved in drug trafficking. She allowed the parcels to get stored in the shed but thought she was handling an overstock of toys. The police forced Rachel to complete a lie-detector test to confirm her claim. She passed the test.
"Carlos, have you seen the news?" I ask. I wonder if that's why Rachel applied for an office position at Rangeman. Her resume got rejected before it hit my desk. Silvio used my background check on Rachel Martine to prove she misrepresented her education. The woman never completed her degree, despite her claim. Rangeman values honesty and respect. Why would I want to work with my husband's ex-wife? Perhaps Rachel thought she could turn his head and seduce him. It would never happen because my husband and I belong together. Nothing will come between us.
I almost feel sorry for Rachel because she had to move to Texas to find a job. Nobody in Miami would hire her. She's living with her cousin until she saves enough to rent an apartment or buy a house. Rachel isn't my problem.
"About the Martines?" he counters. I nod. "Yes, I've seen the news. He's the man you found in Jeanne Ellen's background, but you couldn't place how she met him."
"Well, I never thought to check if he had other aliases. How was I supposed to know Cody Ward was Ron Martine in disguise?"
"It was a military-issued ID belonging to John Richards. Ron and John are the same height. Wearing contacts would hide any eye colour discrepancies," Carlos explains. I know Carlos has multiple cover names created by the Army. He has even more that he made for our family of four. I know he'll add ones for our babies after their birth. We can leave the country, and nobody will find us.
"I still feel bad for missing the connection. It could cost Rangeman the contract with the alphabet agencies," I argue.
"Babe, you mentioned something was amiss with the Cody Ward identity. The military thought that ID got burned several years ago. Any records of the name got redacted from the files, which is how you never found the connection," he says, passing me a cup of decaf coffee.
"That makes sense. I thought I was losing my mind or suffering from pregnancy brain," I joke.
"Tio Carlos, I can't find my boots," Mary Alice yells from the hallway, interrupting our conversation.
I smile and shrug. Mary Alice's boots were muddy from running around the obstacle course with Lester and Bobby. They want her to learn to do everything while wearing the boots instead of running shoes.
"I'm Tio Carlos today," he says, smiling. "Our names depend on their moods."
"To be fair, it's Steve's birthday today. You can't blame them for reverting to calling us Tia and Tio," I reply. "I told Angie and Mary Alice they don't need to call us Mom and Dad, and we're comfortable with Aunt and Uncle."
"I noticed they call me Dad at school more often than at home," Carlos replies. He kisses my forehead and leaves to help Mary Alice find the boots he cleaned last night.
Angie cautiously approaches me. "Auntie Steph, are you upset about us not calling you Mom?"
I pull Angie into my arms and hug her. "Sweetheart, you may call me Auntie Steph for the rest of your life if that's what you want. It's your choice, and I'll never be offended or upset by it," I reply, reminding her of our previous conversations on the matter.
"Can we visit Mom and Dad's graves?" she asks.
Moving Angie to an arm's length away, I look into her beautiful eyes. "We'll have to fly to Trenton. I'm afraid we'll have to go sooner than later," I reply.
"Does that mean we can't go on Mom's birthday?" Angie wonders.
"I can have Tio Carlos take you, but I must stay here. The doctor doesn't want me flying after twenty-four weeks," I reply.
"That's okay. We can get flowers for Mom's grave, too," she reasons. "Tio Carlos won't leave you unless it's necessary. Like for another mission."
"You're right," I say, tapping her nose. "Get ready for school, and I'll talk to your uncle about visiting your parents."
"Thanks," she replies. I smile when she skips away.
"She's looking happy," Carlos says as he approaches me.
"For now. How soon can Roger prepare the jet for a flight to Trenton?"
Carlos looks over my shoulder, catching Angie peeking around the doorway. He smiles at me as he brushes a loose curl behind my ear. I lean into his gentle touch. "A few hours after filing the flight plan," Carlos replies. "Are we keeping the girls home from school today?"
"Only if Roger can fly us to Trenton," I reply. Carlos smiles and contacts the pilot. He winks and motions to the girls using his chin. I know we're flying to Trenton in a few hours.
Angie calls Grandma Mazur while I call Dad. We invite them to join us for the trip. I'm happy when Angie says Grandma is coming with us. She usually hangs out with her friends at the retirement home.
I call the school to notify them of Angie and Mary Alice's absence today and tomorrow. Carlos is on his laptop. I read the email he sent to the principal and the other he issued to Rangeman, telling Tank and Lester we're offline.
We meet Dad and Grandma at the airport. Grandma hugs us and climbs up the steps into the plain. Angie and Mary Alice follow her. Carlos is close on my heels as I walk up the steps. His hand is firm on my back, and I know he's ready to catch me if I misstep. Fortunately, I board the plane without issues.
I smile when Hector, Bobby and Lester climb aboard. "Is everyone here?" Roger asks.
Lester takes the co-pilot seat and slips on the headset. He starts the preflight checks while Roger ensures the door is closed and secure. Thirty minutes later, Roger taxies down the runway and takes off.
We land in a private airfield just outside Trenton, New Jersey. My Uncle Joe Juniak is awaiting our arrival with two vehicles. I smile and get inside the one he's driving. Carlos, the girls, and Dad get inside. Grandma winks and catches a ride with the other men.
"Sandra bought flowers for the graves. I hope you don't mind. She's preparing lunch for everyone. We'll stop at my house before making our rounds," Uncle Joe announces. I catch Dad's eye. He winks. I know he arranged everything for our day.
"We brought our overnight bags. Roger will take us home in the morning," I add.
"That's great. We have rooms prepared for everyone to spend the night. I assume the men won't mind sleeping in bunks," Uncle Joe teases. "There's plenty of room for everyone, including your grandma, Steph."
Mary Alice giggles, "Would Angie and I share with Great-grandma?"
"That's the plan," Uncle Joe replies. Angie and Mary Alice giggle. I wonder what they would do with Grandma in the room.
"No stealing her teeth," I warn, making Mary Alice laugh. She used Grandma's teeth for her stuffed unicorn. I caught her before she coloured them with markers and bedazzled them with fake gems.
Sandra had enough food to feed a small army. She made sandwiches and salads for the adults. Angie and Mary Alice ate macaroni and cheese. Sandra refused to let the men help clear the table after lunch.
We visited the cemetery and walked to Valerie's and Steve's graves. Their headstone was in place, unlike the day of their burial. I hand Angie the flowers for her dad and Mary Alice the ones for her mom. Angie and Mary Alice count to three and place the flowers in the holder attached to the sides of the headstone. I put another bouquet on the ground between their graves. We pray and walk to the other section, where the Mazur family is buried.
Grandma places flowers on Grandpa's grave. She lets the tears drip off her jaw. Her expression is stern as she moves to the plot beside Grandpa's headstone. I watch Grandma shake her head as she puts the wildflowers on Mom's grave.
"Are you okay?" I ask.
"Your mother should have let me take the blame," Grandma says. "They never came after me. She should be here to meet your children."
"Grandma, I think you're wrong. They targeted Mom's car. She was supposed to drive you home," I argue.
"That's where you're wrong," Grandma sighs. "I arrived at the funeral with Mabel Bestler. She was supposed to drive me home. I changed my mind at the last minute to ride home with your mother. There's no way the Morelli boys would have known. They saw me arrive with Mabel."
I hug Grandma, unsure how to respond. She wipes a tear from her eye and walks away. I add flowers to Mom's gravestone before visiting Grandpa's grave. "I miss you," I whisper as I drop a single white rose on his headstone. Carlos wraps his arms around me. I soak up his comfort before we leave.
Mary Alice holds my hand. I smile when Angie grabs Grandma's hand. It's one of those bonding moments that fills my heart with love. "We have each other," Angie says.
"I know, sweetie. You girls make every day worth living," Grandma replies. "I'm looking forward to meeting my other great-grandchildren."
"It's too bad Grandma Helen won't see them," Angie says.
"Your Grandma tried to save your Mom and Dad's lives. She understood the risks when she wrestled with me for the gun," Grandma explains. Luckily, Carlos and I had already told the girls the story. Angie quickly tells Grandma she knows and doesn't need to repeat it.
I get thrown back to that day when Mom killed Joseph Morelli, hoping to save Steve and Valerie. It hurt when Mom confessed she wouldn't have done the same for me. The sting of the words still affects me despite Dad saying I was capable of protecting myself.
Grandma winks at me. She's glad I didn't sugarcoat what happened with my mom. They know Joe Morelli killed their parents, but we kept the worst of the details to ourselves. "I know Aunt Steph and Uncle Carlos will protect us like Grandma Helen," Mary Alice wisely adds. She glances around and whispers, "Aunt Steph has two guns and a knife. Uncle Carlos has two guns and two knives."
"Really?" Grandma asks, catching my eye. I nod. Mary Alice is correct.
We visit Mary Lou at Grandma's old house. Lenny and Mary Lou are happy to live in a larger, updated home. The young family who purchased their home was pleased with owning a house in the Burg. Mary Lou catches us up on everything in the Burg before announcing she has to pick up her oldest son from school. I hugged my friend and promised to visit again.
It's strange to see a different vehicle parked in the driveway of my parents' house. A pregnant woman shuffles to the car as her husband races to grab her bag for the hospital. I smile and wave. The woman is Tina Rosolli, Connie's younger sister. I went to school with her. She smiles and returns my wave. I giggle when Carlos says, "Your hospital bag is in the car."
"Carlos, I still have another fifteen weeks," I giggle.
"One can never be too prepared," he replies.
We enjoy dinner and the evening at Uncle Joe's house. He informs us that he's running for mayor in the next election. I think it's an excellent opportunity for him, and I promise to contribute to his campaign. Carlos and I go to bed after dinner. Dad and Grandma insist that I rest while they take care of the girls.
I'm feeling guilty for letting Dad and Grandma manage my parental responsibilities. Carlos says, "You had an emotionally charged day. Frank and Edna offered to watch the girls while you were sleeping. I'll stay with you and check on them before bed."
"Thank you, Carlos. I love you," I whisper. He gently kisses me.
"And I love you," he reciprocates.
I let his warmth embrace me and fall asleep in his arms. I'm halfway lying on Carlos when I wake at three to empty my bladder. He opens his eyes and smiles. "I have to use the washroom," I whisper when he tugs me closer.
"Hurry back," he whispers. I quietly leave the bedroom to use the bathroom. I flush and wash my hands.
Carlos lifts the edge of the blanket when I return. I climb into bed and cuddle into him. He rests his hand on my stomach. I feel a flutter beneath his hand. "Move it lower," I whisper. Carlos rubs my baby bump. More flutters make me gasp.
"Babe?" Carlos asks.
"I feel our babies moving. It feels like butterflies in my stomach," I explain. "It's still too early for you to feel them."
We lay awake in bed, enjoying the uninterrupted time, when I heard Mary Alice screaming. Carlos helps me get out of bed. I walk to the room next to mine and open the door. Grandma is sleeping through the noise, but Angie is holding Mary Alice, attempting to calm her.
I climb on the bed and gently pull Mary Alice onto my lap. Carlos sits beside me to hold Angie, who's crying because Mary Alice is distraught. "Shhh," I say. "You're safe, Mary Alice. I won't let anyone hurt you."
Mary Alice buries her head in my neck. I feel my shirt growing damp with her tears. Carlos raises a brow as I rub small circles on Mary Alice's back. "Let it out, Mary Alice. It's okay to cry," I whisper.
It takes nearly thirty minutes before Mary Alice calms. "I'm sorry for being a baby," she hiccups. "I miss Mommy and Daddy."
"I miss them too, sweetie. Your Mom and Dad will live forever in our hearts," I say.
"You miss them?" Mary Alice asks. She seems shocked by my confession.
"Yes. Your mom and I never got along when we were little, but we moved past our issues to become friends. I felt the babies move tonight. The first person I thought to call was your mother," I reply.
"Really?" she asks.
"Mmhmm. Your mom would've told me everything to expect during my pregnancy."
"Thank you for making me feel better," Mary Alice whispers. She kisses my cheek before reaching for Carlos to hug him. I smile when she hangs onto his neck as he stands.
"Let's make breakfast for the others," I suggest. Mary Alice nods as Angie smiles.
Sandra finds us cooking scrambled eggs, pancakes and bacon. She grabs bread and starts toasting the slices. We work together to make breakfast for everyone.