What was I supposed to do? Staring at the document, I prayed for a sign. Something. Anything. I needed spiritual guidance. No, not spiritual guidance, Grandma's guidance. My heart raced. The butterflies in my stomach fluttered briefly before settling. "Do I want this?" I asked myself. "Yes, but it's too soon." I don't know why I tried to talk myself out of it.
Something cold touched my shoulder, and Grandma whispered, "Sign it. You deserve to be happy with your soulmate. Waiting any longer would put you in danger." I should have known Grandma would intervene. She wanted me to do it for protection. "For love," Grandma whispered, correcting my erroneous thought.
I laughed and signed the paperwork. Hal grinned and added his name on the line. We couldn't stop smiling. Ranger and Tank witnessed for us. "How did you swing this, Hunter?" I asked as Lester added his signature as the officiant, making my marriage to Hal on paper legally binding.
With a jut of his chin, he gestured to Hector. My friend and honorary brother hacked the system to plant an application with payment. I bumped against his shoulder as Lester said, "You need to exchange vows." He pouted when I shook my head. "Come on," Lester whined. "I won't file the paperwork until you do." It was an empty threat since I watched Hector scan the document into the computer. In a few days, everyone in Trenton and Ewing Township would know I got married today only if they knew where to look.
Hal decided to take Lester up on the wedding vow suggestion. He turned his chair to face me. I immediately copied his motion. Holding my hands, Hal said, "Three years ago, I met this amazing woman with wild curly hair who wanted to leave the confines of Rangeman. As her guard, I lowered my defences as she sweetly asked for my stun gun."
"This sounds like our story," I giggled. Rangeman used that incident during new employee training sessions. Anyone who readily handed me their stun gun underwent additional training after meeting Ranger or Lester on the mats for not following protocol.
"Shh!" Lester hissed. Neither Hal nor I looked at Lester to see what I knew was an irritated expression with narrowed eyes. Hal's cheeks turned pink. I rubbed my thumbs on his hands, encouraging him to continue.
Chuckling, Hal continued, "Over the three years, I've fallen in love with you as we worked together. My face gave me away whenever the other men were watching." Hal squeezed my hand. I understood he wanted me to talk.
"I thought I felt a spark when our fingers brushed that day. Your eyes opened a little wider as you explained how to use the stun gun. Guilt flooded my senses as I pressed it against your arm and pushed the button. When we kept running into each other in Bozeman, I knew we were supposed to be together," I said.
"You threatened to stun my ass if I scared you again," Hal chuckled.
Grinning, I added, "And I carried through on the threat." Everyone laughed for a few minutes. I cleared my throat to silence them. "When our lips touched, and you held me in your arms, I knew."
Hal and I said, "It felt like coming home."
Lester snuffled and wiped a tear from his eye. Ignoring my friend, I quietly told Hal, "You signed prenuptial and nondisclosure documents."
"I'll stand by my word and vow, Stephanie." Hal placed my right hand on his heart. He held it with his hand until I left it there. Hal held onto my left hand with his right as he removed something from his pocket. "You are my life, my love, my destiny and my wife." He pushed a wedding band set over my finger to solidify his vow. Hal pressed a larger ring into my palm.
I loved what Hal said and copied his actions. Hal grinned as I placed his hand above my left breast. "You are my life, my love, my destiny and my husband," I said, pushing the wedding band over his left ring finger.
"But that doesn't rhyme," Lester whined.
Hal and I laughed. "It doesn't have to," I replied. Without prompting, Hal and I kissed. We didn't get carried away as our friends were watching.
The second Hal and I disconnected our kiss, Ranger yanked me from the chair, giving me a congratulatory hug. I found myself engulfed in Tank's arms. It felt like a human version of the game Hot Potato as they passed me around to the others before I returned to Hal's arms.
Did Hal and I get married too soon? Probably. Hal shivered. "Are you cold?" I asked.
"No. I swear I heard your grandmother congratulating us," he whispered. I smiled when I felt Grandma's cold hand on my shoulder and heard her words of congratulations and well wishes.
"I do not doubt that she had," I laughed.
Ranger's phone buzzed. He removed it from his pocket to read the text. His lips thinned, and because I knew him so well, I recognized his frustrated glare from the barely perceptible tightening of his jaw. "Ranger?" Tank asked.
After taking a deep breath, Ranger reported, "Woody found nylon fish line attached to the gas cap. He pulled it from the tank and found a tracker inside a small nylon bag."
"And Chief Jansen issued that tracker to Morelli?" I asked rhetorically. Ranger's eyes met mine. His imperceptible nod confirmed my claim. Why couldn't Morelli leave me alone? It wasn't my first time asking the question.
"I had Woody install sensors and pin cameras to record anyone tampering with your vehicle. We don't have proof that Morelli planted the tracker. He is likely the suspect, but he could argue someone else was involved," Ranger explained.
"Morelli needs to learn a valuable lesson," Lester said. I listened to my friends as they discussed ways to teach Morelli not to mess with me.
When Ranger's phone pinged again, I knew Hal and I could leave. "Is that my cue?" I asked.
With a slight curve of his lips, Ranger replied, "Yes. We're meeting at Pino's at six for an unofficial reception party for you and Hal."
I checked my watch and said, "That gives Hal and me time to visit Mom and Dad for lunch. Thank you for everything, guys." The rings felt comfortable on my finger. As I examined them, I blinked away the tears and snapped my eyes to Ranger. "Are these?" I asked.
"Yes. I gave those to Hal," Ranger answered.
Hal wrapped his arms around me. "I can buy you something else if you prefer," he offered.
"These rings are a perfect fit. I love them. Ranger, thank you for giving them to us. I'll give Julie the diamond when she gets engaged," I said. Ranger nodded once, approving my plan.
Hector, Ram and Manny followed us from the room. They were my guards for the day. Ranger and the others remained behind, likely arranging a team to secure Pino's for our reception dinner with the Rangeman staff. Hal entwined our fingers when I grabbed his hand. I loved how Hal's hand engulfed mine, sending warmth and electricity through our connection, directly to my heart and lady parts.
The men working in the control room peeked around the walls of their cubicles or waved as Hal and I walked past their desks to the elevator. None of them noticed our wedding bands, though I heard a few comments about us holding hands.
We found Cal waiting for us in the elevator. He grinned when he noticed Hal holding my right hand. I raised my left hand to brush the loose hair behind my ear. Cal whooped as the elevator doors closed. "Shhh," I hissed. "Don't say anything. Ranger's planning an announcement at Pino's for six."
Cal pulled me into his arms. He kissed the top of my head and congratulated his friend, Hal. I sighed in contentment when Hal pulled me against him. He rested his chin on my shoulder. Hal placed his hands on my abdomen. I relaxed into his arms. Cal, Ram, Hector and Manny grinned at us. I rolled my eyes and ignored them.
"Where are we going?" Cal asked when the elevator doors opened on the garage level.
"My parents," I replied sadly. I hoped Mom wouldn't be too mad about Hal and me getting married without the family being present. We never planned on getting married today. The opportunity arose, and Hal and I thought it was the perfect time to take care of something we wished to do within thirty days.
"Wow. I bet your mom blows a gasket," Manny said. I rolled my eyes.
"You can count on it," I mumbled.
"Man, I feel sorry for you. Steph's dad will give you the shovel talk," Cal laughed.
Hal gulped. He stood to his full height, puffed out his chest and declared, "There isn't anything I wouldn't do for Stephanie."
"Hal would do anything for me, including visiting Mom and Dad to announce our marriage," I said, defending my husband. Hal opened the passenger side door of my SUV and helped me climb inside. He kissed me chastely before running behind the car to enter the driver's seat. I couldn't remove the goofy grin from my face as I texted Dad about our lunchtime visit. He promised to be home to join Hal and me for lunch.
My anxiety increased as we drove closer to my parents' house. It was only yesterday that I found Grandma deceased in Dad's recliner. "We can do this another day," Hal offered when he parked at the curb. Hector and Manny parked up the road. Manny remained in the vehicle as Hector disappeared between the houses. He would watch Dad's home from the back.
"We can do this now," I whispered. Hal texted Ram, telling him he could collect me from the SUV.
I thought they were over the top, but Hal assured me, "Steph, let us protect you from Morelli. One of the neighbours ran into the house. I bet they're calling Morelli."
"It doesn't matter. I doubt Morelli will come here today. If Grandma visited Bella as Dave Baker claims, he wouldn't come here," I argued, watching Ram and Cal's car in my sideview mirror.
Ram gestured to Cal, silently telling him to remain in the vehicle. Despite watching Ram walk up the sidewalk towards my side of the car, I jumped when he opened the door. Hal raised a brow. "Are you okay, Steph?" Hal asked.
"I'm fine. It's the memory of finding Grandma yesterday," I replied. I attempted to smile at Ram and accepted his offered hand. He pulled me from the car and waited until Hal was with us before guiding us up the sidewalk to the steps.
I forced my legs to take one step at a time. One foot in front of the other. I leaned on Hal to get me up the five stairs and onto the porch. Dad opened the door as Hal raised his fist to knock. "Welcome, son," Dad said to Hal before nodding at Ram. We entered the house, and I was relieved to see the living room rearranged with the sofa, television and other tables along the back wall. Mom and Dad had the living room carpet removed. I wondered if they would finally install the hardwood floor Mom had always wanted.
"We're eating in the kitchen," Mom announced.
"What's going on?" I asked, pointing to the living room.
With a sad smile, Mom replied, "I tried to clean the carpet but couldn't remove the stains Mother left behind when she started leaking fluid. Your father and I decided to have hardwood installed. It will be easier to clean. Why are you here for lunch?"
"Ma'am, Sir," Hal said before clearing his throat. "Stephanie and I got married today."
Mom tittered, "Why me? Getting married is an occasion celebrated with your family." She looked toward her pantry closet but never went to grab the whiskey she stored on the top shelf.
"Been there, done that, and I wanted to get married on my terms," I replied. "Mom, Valerie was so afraid of getting remarried that we had to trick her into marrying Albert on Valentine's Day. It wasn't because Valerie didn't want to marry Albert. She never wanted to have another Burg wedding."
"But she got married here with us," Mom argued.
I had a video, thanks to Bobby, to show them. "You know I never follow the rules. Would you like to see the video?" I asked. Mom nodded and accepted my phone to watch it. She cried when Hal and I exchanged vows. Despite the unconventional ceremony, Mom and Dad were happy for us and welcomed Hal to the family. Mom surprised me by not insisting on having a Burg wedding service to appease the neighbours.
"What about your family, Halton?" Mom asked, calling him by his full name. I smiled. Mom only used my full name when I was in trouble. I knew the same held for Hal and his mother.
"Steph sent them the video. Mama and Pops are throwing a reception for us. I'll let you know once Mama arranges everything," Hal replied. "She would love to meet Stephanie's family."
We had a pleasant lunch, and I laughed when Mom insisted on feeding Ram, Manny, Hector and Cal. "If you want, you can join us at Pino's at six for dinner," I offered.
"Hal said it was for your Rangeman friends," Mom said.
"You're family. We can always make room for you and Dad," I insisted.
Mom hugged me. When she stepped back, Mom touched my cheek and said, "Enjoy your dinner celebration with your friends. I'm looking forward to meeting Halton's family. It would be nice to get away from here and the memories for a while. Valerie's expecting again."
"Albert needs a better job," I sighed.
"Do you know anyone hiring a lawyer?" Mom asked.
"No, but I think Albert should practice a different area of law. Maybe a Real Estate or Technology lawyer?" I suggested.
"I wonder if your uncle Vincent is hiring a technology lawyer at PTES," Mom mused.
"Who knows? Maybe he should apply, but he needs the credentials to prove his education," I warned. Mom laughed. She thought Albert would make a better Real Estate lawyer. Valerie and Albert would hopefully appreciate Mom's recommendation and earn a better wage to support their growing family.
Mom and Dad couldn't continue supporting Valerie. It enabled my sister to do whatever she wanted because Mom and Dad would pay the bills. However, I wanted Valerie to stop reproducing because they couldn't afford to have more children. It was irresponsible. I was helping them by purchasing a house for them to rent, which should be closing soon, but I had to confess that I, too, was enabling my sister. How would she learn if we kept financially supporting her family?
Hal and I would discuss the options once I got through Grandma's funeral.