750A/N: Many thanks to all who read, reviewed, followed and favorited this story. You are the reason I write.
And so, we come to the end. Hope you all enjoyed the journey as much as I did.
Chapter 32
Epilogue
I took one last glance in the full length mirror and was satisfied with the result. Instead of my girlie T-shirt, jeans and CAT boots, tonight I was in a gown and heels. The evening gown was midnight blue with a plunging v-neck and full skirt. The silver embroidery on the bodice kept the gown from appearing too somber, and I loved the way the skirt swirled around me as I moved. Of course, it wasn't the same designer label I had been wearing a little over a year ago when I walked into the room at the Plaza, but the FMP's were still Manolo's. A woman has to have standards. And, I knew for a fact the diamond and sapphire earrings and matching pendant were the real deal this time. They had been a present from Carlos last Christmas and I grinned as I recalled how I had shown my appreciation for such a beautiful gift.
Once his government contract was done and he transitioned into the civilian world, I saw less and less of Ranger and more and more of Carlos. Don't get me wrong, he was still a complete badass, but removing the strain of being at the beck and call of whatever alphabet agency needed his expertise was like lifting the weight of the world from his shoulders. He was still driven, and I knew he would always be haunted by some of what he had seen and done, but he had slowly let me get to know the man behind the myth and our relationship was better than either of us would have believed possible.
Tonight, we were attending an awards dinner recognizing volunteers in the greater Trenton community. Rangeman had bought two tables to accommodate all of our friends and family who would be attending. Community involvement was still an integral part of the Rangeman's corporate culture and I wouldn't be surprised if some of the Merry Men were recognized for their ongoing work with at risk teens.
Carlos walked into the bedroom and his eyes did a slow burn down my body, from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. I smiled coyly and asked, "See something you like?"
"No, Babe. I see something I love. And when we get home, I'm going to strip you down to nothing by your diamonds and your heels and make you the happiest woman alive." My body flushed at the image and I suddenly wondered if we really needed to attend the dinner. After all, the tables were already bought and paid for.
"Yes, we still need to go," he said, reading my thoughts completely.
I took a moment to appreciate the way the dark gray Armani suit jacket fit perfectly across his broad shoulders. It was my turn to let my eyes drift down and admire how the slightly tapered jacket accentuated his trim waist before cutting off just below his slim hips. The trousers were tailored to caress his muscular thighs then fell straight down to brush the tops of his hand-tooled, Italian leather shoes. I knew the view from the back side would be just as spectacular.
Carlos grinned and took me gently into his arms. "You look beautiful, but if we don't leave now I may change my opinion about really needing to attend." With a quick kiss, he picked up my matching silk wrap and draped it around my shoulders. I grabbed the silver clutch from the bench at the foot of the bed and pronounced myself ready.
The dinner was being held at an event center down on the recently revived riverfront and was only a short drive from the townhouse on Mill Hill. We pulled into the lot and naturally, he found a spot near the front door. Carlos came around to open my door and offered me a hand up and out of his low slung Porsche 911. He kept a protective hand at the small of my back as we walked into the building. Standing at the door to enter the banquet room, I had a feeling of déjà vu. It only lasted a second and disappeared as soon as I saw Lula waving to us. The pre-dinner cocktail hour was in full swing and Carlos went to the bar to order our drinks. He returned with a vodka and tonic for me and what I knew was straight tonic water with a twist of lime for him.
Dinner was announced and we all made our way over to the Rangeman tables. Our tables were side by side near the front of the venue, but off to the side. Leave it to Carlos to request a table where he could have his back against the wall. Dinner consisted of the standard choice of baked chicken with rice pilaf or beef tips with mashed potatoes. Both came with green beans, tossed salad and a roll. Dessert was a little more interesting with a choice of mini cheesecakes topped with berries or a decadent looking chocolate fudge cake square.
After the dessert plates were cleared away, Trenton's longtime mayor Joe Juniak approached the podium to begin the awards portion of the evening. As he began speaking, I took a moment to look around our tables.
Seated at the end of our table were Bobby and Mykala. One afternoon while Bobby and I had been volunteering at A Way Out, a man had entered the reception area and asked to speak with the person in charge. There was no indication that he was angry or intended any harm, so Mykala had gone out through the door to offer her help. The man calmly pulled out a gun and shot her twice before removing the swipe badge from her crumpled form and opening the door to the secure area. Bobby dropped the shooter with a single shot and then rushed to help Mykala while I dialed 911.
The shooter's ex-girlfriend had left him and one of the volunteers at the program had helped her file a restraining order against him. He had come with the intention of killing everyone in the building. Both the shooter and Mykala survived thanks to Bobby's skill as a marksman and as a medic. Sadly, one of the bullets had injured Mykala's spinal column. She was still partially paralyzed from the waist down and currently confined to a wheelchair, but the doctors weren't giving up hope yet. Bobby had been her rock, remaining at Mykala's side during her recovery and her rehabilitation. Somewhere along the line, they fell in love. From where I was sitting, I could see their intertwined hands resting on top of the tablecloth. The brand new diamond on her left hand caught the occasional glint of light.
Hector was seated across from Bobby. Hector had been an amazing addition to the volunteer roster at A Way Out. He had a way of connecting with the young toughs who found their way into the program, encouraging them to use the opportunity to leave the street life behind. His computer skills classes were one of the most sought after programs in the organization and I worried on more than one occasion that we might be creating a little hacker nation in Trenton. As an added bonus, the gang bangers knew better than to mess with someone under Hector's protection so the kids were able to come to him with fear of retribution.
Lula was sitting across from me with Aliyah and Tank. A week after I had started volunteering, Aliyah showed up in the reception area. She had been badly beaten and nearly raped when a couple of gang members found her sleeping in her alley. Knowing she had no good options, she decided to take Lula's advice and check out the program. Thankfully, Mykala was able to find a spot for her in a shelter for homeless teens and Aliyah asked me to pass along her thanks to Lula.
Something about Aliyah woke up Lula's mother bear instincts. Within a month, Lula had sold off all her leftover 'ho collections and found a small two bedroom apartment in a not so dangerous neighborhood. She applied for and, with a little help from Ranger's lawyer, was granted foster care of Aliyah. Somewhere during the process, she and Tank had started talking again and now the three of them made a very unlikely little family unit.
At the next table were Lester, Hal, Cal and Vince. All regularly accompanied me down to Stark Street and I had grown so much closer to all of the Merry Men through our shared volunteer work. Lester had proven to be a natural teacher, working with individuals studying to take their GED or high school equivalency exam.
My parents had surprised me when they accepted the invitation to the event. My mom looked incredible in the red brocade gown and my father was having a hard time keeping his eyes off of her. After making the initial dietary changes recommended by my father's doctor, my mother reached back out to Ella for more nutritional advice. Their discussion turned to exercise but my mother knew there was no way my father would ever join a gym. One thing led to another and Ella invited my parents to join her and Luis for a swing dance class. After a lot of grumbling and mumbling by my father, my mother finally convinced him to try it and they both had the time of their life. Both were now trim and fit and by the looks of things, enjoying a bit of a second honeymoon.
Rounding out the second Rangeman table were Grandma and her husband, DeShawn Watson. After their third date, they declared themselves to be in love and eloped to Las Vegas. While in Vegas, Grandma hit the jackpot on a slot machine at the Bellagio and came home with quite the nest egg. She and DeShawn still live in his tidy little house and spend their time fighting social injustice wherever they find it. It took some time to convince them to do so with their clothes on, but thankfully neither has been arrested for public indecency for a while now. And if they do start protesting nude again I'll make sure to get them to their court date so I never have to pick either one up FTA again.
Thinking of arrests, my mind went to Joe and Tammy. Tammy had been locked up in a psychiatric hospital where she would remain until she was deemed fit to stand trial for the murder of the three women. Joe's attorney managed to get him off on all charges. I suspect Joe was protected by his fellow police officers and in the end, the jury said there was not enough evidence for a conviction. That didn't stop the 'Burg from sentencing him to life, a life of whispers and dirty looks, without the possibility of parole. The police union successfully argued that the city should cover the cost of a rehabilitation program since the drug use stemmed from his undercover work, but Joe refused to enter the program. He would not admit he was an addict. Last I heard, he couldn't even get a job as a mall cop down in Philly.
Turning my attention back to the podium, I heard Joe Juniak finally wrapping up his opening remarks. This meant the awards presentation was about to begin. I was thrilled to see Lester and Hector both receive individual awards for the number of hours they spent doing volunteer work. Bobby received special recognition for taking down the gunman and saving Mykala's life and the lives of everyone at the center that day. I was especially proud when Rangeman received an award for its commitment to the community.
After Mayor Juniak presented the certificate for Rangeman to Carlos, it was finally time to present the award for Volunteer of the Year. Not only did the recipient receive an acknowledgement of their volunteer work, but the city also made a $1000 donation to a non-profit organization of the winner's choosing.
"Our last award is the Trenton Volunteer of the Year award. This year's winner has demonstrated a commitment to the under served citizens of our community and has worked tirelessly to empower these people and give them the tools they need to better their lives and our community. For her efforts, it is both my honor and privilege to present this year's Volunteer of the Year award to Stephanie Plum Manoso."
My husband was the first on his feet, clapping loudly and looking at me with both love and pride. The rest of the room quickly rose to their feet, joining Carlos in a standing ovation. I felt the blush creep up my cheeks as I walked to the podium to accept the award from Mayor Juniak. I thanked both the mayor and the city and proudly named A Way Out as the benefactor of the $1000 donation.
After accepting everyone congratulations and saying our goodbyes, we headed for home. It had been a good evening and it was about to get better. As we entered our bedroom Carlos came up behind me and slowly unzipped my dress. His hands came up to push the material down over my arms and his lips skimmed my shoulder. Soon the dress was nothing but a puddle of midnight silk at my feet. Warm hands trailed down my back, stopping to hook the midnight blue thong before continuing down my legs, until I was wearing nothing but my jewelry and my strappy silver heels. And then he made good on his earlier promise to make me the happiest woman alive.