JE owns the rights to anything familiar. All mistakes are mine
So this is the end, for now, for these two. I have had such joy writing them and knowing all of you have enjoyed reading about them was the icing on the cake. Thank you for every read, favorite and follow, and most of all for those of you who took the time to leave a review. You are the main reason I kept this going! I do believe I will miss them greatly, so I'm sure I will be dropping in from time to time with an update on their life. Thank you again to everyone for joining me on this journey with these two amazing men.
I hadn't shaved in close to a week but as I stared into the mirror above the sink the only thing I could see on my face was the tiny teardrop tattoo under my eye. It wasn't like I didn't know it was there but I was so far from the man I was when I'd had it done that it sometimes caught me off guard when I took the time to look at myself.
I'd been thinking about it for a while, even before Gracie became a part of our lives, but the longer we had her the more it bothered me. I dreaded the day she asked about it…or some of the other ink on my body and decided maybe it was time to make some changes.
When I reached for the straight razor and shaving cream waiting on the counter, Zip's warm hands slid around my waist from behind and he pulled me back against his bare chest, dropping his lips to my neck. "She's finally asleep," he murmured against my skin, in between kisses that were making my lower anatomy stand up and pay attention.
Our daughter was having a rough time sleeping at night so when we were finally able to get her down, it seemed like a small miracle. "If we're really, really quiet, maybe she'll stay down long enough for…" he trailed off and let the dipping of his fingers beneath the towel secured around my hips finish the thought.
He took me in hand, beginning a slow stroke, and my head dropped back against his shoulder as my cock swelled in appreciation. "It's been too long," he whispered before trailing his tongue up the side of my neck. He was right; it had been way too long. Having a kid made finding time to be intimate challenging. Since we were used to fucking when and wherever we wanted, it was a little frustrating.
I couldn't stop the moan as his thumb drifted over the sensitive slit and he sunk his teeth into the spot just below my ear. "Shhh," Zip reminded so I turned in his arms, dislodging his grip and took his lips in a hungry kiss, silencing us both. He worked on the knot holding the towel in place, letting it fall to the tile floor when it was undone and dug his fingers into my ass while I continued the assault on his mouth.
The hard length of him was pressing into my abdomen and I worked my hand between our bodies and into the elastic waistband of the sweats he was wearing. Mr. 'we have to be quiet' let out his own soft moan when my fingers closed around him but I swallowed the sound with another deliberate kiss. It would be over quickly at this pace though I didn't think either of us cared at the moment. I inched his pants down over his hips and then my goddamn cell phone starting vibrating in its charger right next to the baby monitor on the counter.
Zip pulled back and swore under his breath while he cut his eyes to the phone. "It's Ranger."
"I'm..."
"Don't." He cut off my apology and shook his head. "But we need some uninterrupted alone time, Hec. Soon."
"I know," I agreed and brushed my lips across his before snatching the phone from its cradle. If it was anyone else I would have ignored it, but Ranger never called unless it was important.
"I'm outside," he announced after my greeting. "I didn't want to ring the bell in case Grace is asleep."
"She is, so thanks. I'll be down in a minute."
I killed the line and dropped my phone on the counter.
"He's here?" Zip queried with a lifted brow.
"Yeah."
"That can't be good."
"It usually isn't," I concurred and went in search of clothes.
"Do you want me to come down with you?" Zip followed me into our walk-in-closet and watched me get dressed.
"No, you better stay up here in case the little hater of sleep wakes up."
He smiled at that and also added an eye roll as I pulled a black t-shirt over my head and zipped my pants.
"Hopefully this will be quick," I added and then yanked him to me by the drawstrings dangling at his belly button, kissing him until I felt him stir beneath the sweats again.
"Please let it be quick," I heard him beg as I left him in the closet with half a hard-on.
I poked my head through the doorway of Grace's bedroom before heading downstairs but thankfully she was still out.
When I got to the front door I deactivated the alarm and then hit the button to disengage the floor bolt before flipping the lock and sliding off the security chain. It might be overkill but after what happened to my brother, I'd added extra security to all the doors and windows, not willing to take any unnecessary chances with my family's safety.
Ranger was waiting on the porch when I finally got the door open. He was dressed all in black and if not for the yellow file folder in his hand he would have blended seamlessly into the night landscape.
"Sorry for the intrusion," he apologized quietly when I invited him inside, "but I didn't think this should wait."
"Don't worry about it. Can I get you anything?" I asked as he followed me into the kitchen.
"I'm good, thanks." I grabbed a bottle of water and then sat across from him at the little two-person table Zip's Mother had insisted we needed in the breakfast nook.
Ranger slid the folder across the top. "As requested," he said.
My stomach clenched into a tight ball as I stared down at it, realizing what I would discover if I opened it. I'd asked him to find out, positive I wanted to know, but now that I was faced with that knowledge, I didn't think I wanted to anymore. Before Zip….before Gracie, I would have done it myself, and probably not thought twice but now….everything was different now. I was different and it was time to take another path.
I lifted my eyes and met Ranger's dark, unreadable expression. "I'm with you," he told me, "whatever you choose."
I nodded once and with one more look at the folder, I slid it back to him. He searched my face for a beat, making sure I didn't have any doubts before he rested his hand on top of it. "There may be a chance they'll come looking for you."
I knew it was a possibility but hearing him voice that fear out loud brought an unexpected tightness to my chest. "Is that why you have a man on the house?" Ranger knew I'd notice the security detail, even though they'd been pretty good about staying out of sight, and a small smile touched his lips.
"That order was given by my wife, actually, but I agreed. I'm leaving it, at least for a while so no arguments."
"I wasn't going to," I admitted. "It's...reassuring and I've also taken some extra precautions by adding more cameras around the property and setting some traps in the back. There are floor bolts on every door and they finished installing the bulletproof glass on the windows last week."
He nodded his approval and then tapped a finger against the unopened folder. "There's enough in here for a conviction...but that might spurn retaliation if they found out who provided the Intel."
I had no doubt Ranger covered his tracks but if I wasn't willing to risk potential harm to my own family, I certainly wouldn't with his either. "Let it lie...for now."
I wanted my brother's killer to pay for what he'd done, but it was time for the cycle of bloodshed to stop. Revenge couldn't be a part of my life anymore, not when I had two people upstairs who needed me to be around.
However, if they ever even attempted to get to my family, I'd kill every last one of them.
Ranger searched my eyes one more time before rolling the folder and tucking it into the inside pocket of his jacket. "I did bring some good news," he said after a few beats, putting the previous discussion unceremoniously to rest.
"Oh?"
"The daycare license has finally been approved. It's officially open as of tomorrow. Ella, in particular, is looking forward to a certain little girl's presence." It was supposed to have been operational almost two months ago but had been held up by some bureaucratic red tape for longer than anyone anticipated.
"That is good news. We'll bring her in the morning."
"Good, and based on the dark circles under your eyes, I'm guessing she's still not sleeping much? You should talk to my Mother; she claims to have lots of tricks to get babies to sleep and to stay there."
I was just about desperate enough to try anything. "I'll keep that in mind," I said with a small smile.
"I'll let myself out," he offered and stood from the table. On his way by, he paused briefly and squeezed my shoulder. Ranger didn't often express emotion, except around Steph, but for him, that small gesture spoke volumes. He was proud of my choice... and proud of me.
And yet I knew he would have fought by my side if I'd made the opposite decision.
After he left I spent several minutes re-securing the house, making sure all the locks were engaged and all the blinds were closed before setting the alarm and climbing the stairs. I moved slowly past Gracie's room, gliding my sock-covered feet across the hardwood instead of taking actual steps. Anything to keep as quiet as possible.
When I pushed open my bedroom door I discovered Zip sprawled out on his back across our California King. Unfortunately, he hadn't removed his sweat pants and he was fast asleep. I really wanted to wake him and pick up where we left off but we were slowly learning it was best to sleep whenever we could because we never knew when our rest would be disturbed.
Silently, I stripped down to my boxer briefs and clicked off the bedside lamp before crawling in beside him. He had one arm draped across his chiseled abs and the other bent at the elbow with his hand tucked behind his head so I settled on that side and kissed his chest before laying my head against it and closing my eyes.
We slept two whole hours before the tinny sound of a baby crying began to emanate from the monitor on the nightstand.
*#*#*#*#*#
I was never more aware of the age difference between Zip and I than when we weren't getting enough sleep. How much or how little we got didn't seem to be an issue; he always appeared bright-eyed and energized no matter the time of morning. I, on the other hand, looked and felt like I'd just woken up from a two day bender that involved a lot of physical activity and a shit ton of alcohol.
My energetic husband was currently entertaining our daughter by blowing raspberries on her belly and then tossing her into the air and catching her before doing it all over again. I was slouched by the coffee pot, willing it to brew faster, and thoroughly enjoying the show. It was sexy as hell watching him bond so quickly with the little girl who'd instantly had us both wrapped around her finger.
"Are you ready for your first day at Rangeman, Gracie?" He asked and blew on her stomach again. She giggled with delight and up in the air she went. Even my sleep deprived brain couldn't ignore how fucking adorable they were.
The coffee was finally done and I filled my cup. Zip snatched it from me before I even got a sip and placed Grace in my arms. "I have to go," he said and took a drink of my caffeine. "I wish I could go with you to drop her off but Zero and I have to be in Newark by nine." He set the mug down and kissed me once before also kissing Grace on the cheek. "I'll see both of you later."
And then he was out the door, leaving me to the morning ritual of a bath and trying to get her to eat something without splattering it on every surface. During that time I was keenly aware of why I had never had kids before. The whole experience has been challenging, and I probably couldn't have handled it without a ton of help.
We brought her home that same day we met her. I don't think it was supposed to happen so fast and I'm pretty sure Ranger called in more than one favor to get it done, but we were allowed to take her and last week we started the paperwork to legally adopt her. It was an unusual way to start a family, but she was ours now and I wasn't going to have it any other way.
I had a brief freak out on the way home from New York that day, realizing our house was not equipped for a kid, yet once again, Ranger and Stephanie came to the rescue. Not only did they arrive with the car seat, but while they were gone they'd apparently called everyone we know into action because by the time we got home, the spare room in the house had been converted into a little girl's room, complete with a crib, a dresser and closet filled with clothes, toys and stuffed animals, diapers and all the other millions of things kids need.
I had no clue babies required that much stuff. And I'm not gonna lie, some days I felt completely overwhelmed and unequipped to handle it. It's a good thing I'm lucky enough to have Zip at my side through all of it. Not to mention his Mom and sister and also the entire clan at Rangeman seemed to have embraced Gracie as one of their own.
The whole lot of us have denied the traditional convention of what a family is supposed to be and created something amazing and unique and I couldn't be happier.
Well, maybe if I could get more than two hours of sleep at a time...
I somehow got both of us fed and clothed and buckled Grace into her car seat before heading off to daycare. It was my day off, so I didn't really need to take her, but I wanted to get her used to it...and maybe be able to take a nap.
When we got inside the building and headed to the second floor, we ran into Lester, who I assumed was dropping off his own kids. "Hey, there's my future daughter-in-law!" He stopped and tickled Grace's cheek and I lifted a brow.
"Excuse me?"
He flashed me a grin. "After you guys left last week Cougar turned to me and said, "I'm gonna marry that girl." And that was the last time she was going to spend time with the mini-playboy. Make that playboys; the twins were probably just as bad.
"No way is my daughter marrying a Santos. Over my dead body." Best to get that fact straight immediately.
Lester eyed me somberly. "The heart wants what the heart wants, Hector."
"Can it, Santos. If she's marrying anyone, it's going to be Jackson so your boys are out of luck." Tank's imposing bulk came around the corner and I felt a migraine starting. I knew they were joking but I was flashing on what it was going to be like when she was old enough to date. Holy Christ.
"Leave the poor man alone." Thank God for Ella. "Go on, shoo." She waved them off. "There are freshly made muffins in the kitchen."
"You're the best, Ella," Lester exclaimed before he kissed her cheek and then Grace's. Tank followed suit and then they went in search of muffins. I was sure that's where I'd find Stephanie later too.
"Oh, mijo," Ella said to me softly and brushed her fingers across the dark bruises under my eye. "When was the last time you slept for more than an hour?"
"That bad, huh?"
She gave a little shrug and lifted Grace from my arms. "Let's get her settled in and then you can get some rest...actually why don't Luis and I keep her tonight? You need at least eight hours straight." She cut her eyes to me while we headed down the hall. "Maybe twelve would be better."
"Thanks a lot," I grumbled. I must look worse than I thought.
Ella laughed. "Don't worry, it will get better. Do you want to leave her with us, at least for tonight?" I almost said no. We hadn't left her with anyone overnight yet, not wanting to disrupt her routine, but she was right, I needed sleep. And I needed some time with Zip.
"That would be great, Ella. Thank you and Zip will thank you too."
"I bet," she said with a wink and swung open the door to the new Rangeman daycare. I didn't know much about childcare facilities but this one seemed to have all the stuff, including the Santos playboys and Tank's son, Jackson. Who I didn't expect was Bobby's wife, Camille. She was about five months into her pregnancy and really starting to show.
I greeted her with a hug and asked if she was checking out the scene for their future kid. Another boy, I'm told, and another potential suitor for Grace, apparently.
"Yes and no," she said with her deep throaty laugh. "I'm actually going to be working here, at least until I'm too big to be able to handle this lot." She gestured to the kids with a sweep of her hand.
"And my niece will be here full time too." Ella pointed to the young woman currently chasing after Logan Santos. Or maybe Luke, I couldn't tell them apart. I'd met Ella's niece from time to time over the years, I think her name was Nadia. "And of course me when I have time between my other duties." I felt relieved Ranger hadn't gone outside the family to staff the daycare. It made it a lot less stressful to leave Grace when I knew and was comfortable with the people caring for her.
I stayed for a while, hoping she wouldn't throw a fit when I left, as I'd heard some kids do, but apparently I'd been worried for nothing. She seemed at ease and was happily playing with Jackson when I eventually left. I made arrangements with Ella to pick Gracie up the following afternoon and then went to locate Stephanie.
Devouring a blueberry muffin in the kitchen is where I found her ten minutes later. She wrapped me in a hug and then pulled me down into a chair next to her so she could finish her breakfast. "I promised Ranger I'd only have one," she told me with an eye roll. "So how was it? Are you having separation anxiety already?"
"Funny. And how many muffins is that, two or three?"
Stephanie laughed and stuffed in another bite. "You're off today, right?" She asked after swallowing the mouthful.
"Yep."
"Me too. Want to go shopping?"
"You know I do, but honestly, I really need to sleep. Rain check?"
"Yeah," she replied with a nod. "You are looking a little exhausted. Gracie's still not sleeping, huh?"
"Not more than a couple hours. Everyone tells me it's normal."
Steph shrugged. "I wouldn't have a clue. Do you think part of it is being thrust into a new environment?"
I did think that. I also thought she was starting to figure out that I wasn't her real Dad. Most of the time she got excited when she saw me, called me Papá all the time - one of three words we discovered she knew - but every once in a while she recoiled a little bit when I reached for her. I'm sure I smelled different and sounded different than Emilio and it was probably confusing as hell for her. Zip and I keep talking about when we should start trying to explain the situation; luckily she's way too young right now to comprehend any of it.
"I'm sure that's some of it," I agreed.
"Listen, before you head out, come to my office, I have something for you." I followed her down the hall and to the corner office she'd commandeered when Ranger deemed she needed her own space. Stephanie had taken over the processing of all new clients when she quit working for her cousin and started at Rangeman full-time. She seemed to like it and Tank was grateful for one more thing he didn't have to handle. Although she did still go out in the field a least a couple times a week so, as she put it, she didn't go crazy sitting behind a desk.
She settled herself behind said desk and I fell into the chair positioned in front of it. Opening a drawer, she pulled out an envelope and tossed it towards me across the top. Curious, I picked it up and peeked inside. When I saw the contents, I lifted my head and found her grinning at me.
"Don't argue," she commanded immediately. "You never got one and you need it. You're going. I've already worked out a schedule with Zip's mom and Ella to look after Gracie while you're gone."
I wanted to say no. She and Ranger had already done so much for us, but Stephanie was probably more stubborn than I was so denying her would be an exercise in futility. Plus, if I did she'd tell Ranger and he would make us, even in he had to tie us up and drag us there himself.
"One condition," I said instead and she lifted an eyebrow in response. "We go shopping tomorrow and you help me pick out new swim trunks."
"For Zip too?"
"Obviously," I agreed.
"Deal," she said and then her face got serious for a second. "I love you, Hec. You know that, right?"
"Ditto, Chica," I responded with a grin of my own.
"Good, now get the hell out of my office and go home and sleep."
After a few errands I hadn't had time for lately and a trip to the grocery store, I did as instructed, and when I woke up from a nap that seemed entirely too short, I headed to the kitchen and got out a bottle of tequila to make a batch of margaritas and started cooking. Since it was Zip's favorite, I chose to make carnitas for dinner, though food would probably be the last thing on his mind when he learned we had the house to ourselves. He arrived an hour later and I dropped the tortillas into the warming tray when I heard the garage door start to open and slid it into the oven. Zip stalked into the kitchen a minute later with a scowl on his face.
"You're never going to believe this," he alleged, forgoing a greeting altogether. He was apparently in a mood so I handed him the margarita glass I'd been drinking from and he lifted it to his mouth, downing what was left in two swallows while he dropped his utility belt onto the counter. "Yum," he said and added the empty glass to the counter. "What's the occasion?"
We hadn't indulged much since bringing Grace home so it was a reasonable question. "It's Tuesday," I replied.
That drew out a smile. "As good a reason as any." He tilted his head and sniffed the air. "Carnitas?"
Now I smiled. "Yes. With black beans and rice."
"Oh my god, I've been craving that for weeks." He snuck past me and lifted the lid on the simmering pot. Snatching a wooden spoon from the utensil drawer next to the stove, he dipped it inside and brought a mound of pork to his mouth. "So good," he groaned after devouring the meat, and then leaned over and caught my lips in a quick kiss. "Hi," he said, "and thanks for dinner. Are we ready to eat? I'm starving."
"The beans need a few more minutes. So what won't I believe?"
The scowl was back and he ran his hand through his hair, making it stand on end. "It's Zero."
"What about him?" I inquired when he didn't continue.
Zip leaned up against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. "He's fucking my sister."
I was glad I hadn't poured another margarita or it would have spewed out all over the stove. "What? He told you? Just like that?"
He rolled his eyes and grabbed the pitcher off the blender base, filling the empty glass. "No, he said they're dating," he made air quotes, "but I know what it really means. He's fucking her and wanted to tell me before I found out...or worse, before I caught them." He shuddered, swallowed some of the drink and then handed me the glass.
"Maybe they really are dating. Zyla seemed pretty into him at our wedding." I took a sip and gave it back to him.
"Please, Zy doesn't date. She fu..." He cut himself off, eyes wide. "Is Gracie asleep?" He seemed horrified, realizing he'd just repeatedly used the word we tried really hard not to say in her presence.
I couldn't hide the smile. "I hope so but we'll have to call Ella to find out."
Zip's face went inexplicably blank. "What?" He asked as if he'd not heard me correctly.
"Gracie's spending the night with Aunt Ella and Uncle Luis tonight. It's just us. Alone." I took the glass from him and tipped it to my mouth but Zip grabbed it before I got any past my lips.
"We have the house to ourselves?" He asked with obvious surprise. "All night?"
"Yep."
"Shit," he said and then fisted my shirt at the collar and dragged me against his chest. I was barely able to take a breath before his mouth was on mine. He kissed with a singular focus, which was to get me naked, as the only time he removed his lips from mine was to whip my shirt off my body.
When he reached for the button on my cargos I asked if he wanted to eat first.
"Later," was his only response and it was much much later but we did manage to consume the dinner I'd made, in between many other activities. Eventually we made it up to our bed, hopefully to sleep for several uninterrupted hours and Zip curved his body behind mine as we settled between the sheets.
"I know I've been whining about private time but...I think I really miss the little munchkin." He kissed the back of my neck and wrapped his arm around my bare stomach.
"Me too," I admitted, mildly surprised I actually meant it. I never thought I'd be the kind of man who would have or even want a family like this but Zip and Gracie shot that theory all to hell. And I was happy about it. "Though, we are going to be missing her for a few more days."
His fingers flexed into my abs. "What? Why?"
"Stephanie and Ranger think we need to take the honeymoon we never got to go on so they're sending us to Tahiti."
"You are just full of surprises tonight, aren't you? When do we leave?"
"Friday morning, you okay with that?"
"Sunshine, White sandy beaches, cocktails with little umbrellas in them and you naked and all to myself? It will be a hardship, but I think I can handle it."
"Good to know," I said with a laugh.
He nuzzled his cheek against my neck and tightened his grip around my middle. "I love you, Hector. Always."
I was smiling when I drifted off to sleep in his arms.
