This was the day. I took advantage of Ranger over some birthday cake and then I told him that I loved him.

"Babe. I told you that my lifestyle doesn't lend itself to relationships. Look what happened to Julie. I couldn't bear it if someone went after you just because of some grudge against me. I care about you too much."

"Care? Is that all?"

"It should be."

"Well, since my love is so repulsive to you I am sorry for taking up so much of your valuable time. I thank you for all you have done for me. I'll let myself out." I took the key fob from my purse as I grabbed my shirt from the floor. I pulled it on as I headed for the door and didn't look back.

Today was the day that I left Trenton. I couldn't go back to my apartment after the shooting. There were too many bad memories. I had been staying at Joe's, but we broke up a month ago. After I admitted that I loved him I admitted that I loved Ranger and that I didn't think that we were going to work. Surprisingly there was no argument and we remained friendly.

He was the one that was helping me move on. He understood my desire to leave and was actually helping me become untraceable. I never thought our ending would be so anticlimactic. He had already decided that we were probably better as friends and was waiting for me to come to the same conclusion. He knew what I felt for Ranger and he wanted me to be happy.

"If Ranger doesn't want you, and us being together won't make either of us happy, then I'll do whatever it takes to see that you get the happiness you deserve Stephanie."

"Even if it means helping me disappear forever?"

"Even if. I still love you, even if it isn't the forever and babies kind of love. Know that Stephanie."

"I do Joe. I know."

Joe pulled in a few favors with the higher ups and was helping me set up a new identity. Tomorrow I will be living in Ohio as Ms. Danea Carlos. I had a new life and I was starting over.

Seven months later Mansfield, Ohio—

"Danea! You are getting huge!" My new best friend Crystal Carnett screeched.

Did I forget to mention that I was pregnant with Ranger's baby when I left? Three of them actually. That explained the belly already. I went from being a bad hamster mommy to being pregnant with triplets. Life sure did throw ya curve balls. Crystal was my midwife. She was also my neighbor, so that made things easy. She was a cute little bubbly blonde. She was curvy and reminded me of a smaller, less colorful Lula. She was only twenty three, so she still wore jeans and tee shirts, so no leopard spandex either.

"Hey Crystal. How are Micah and Connor?"

"They are a hand full, but what can I say. Michael says that his brother is coming home this weekend, so I need a place to hide out. Is it okay if we stay with you?"

"Yeah, as long as you don't mind helping me with some painting. I bought the fume free kind."

"What color did you decide on?"

"Mint Green. It is really pretty and it is unisex."

"That is always best. Especially since you decided not to decide the sex of the babies."

"I think that some of Connor's artwork on the walls would be nice too. It'll give it a nice childlike aspect."

"Connor would love that. I never knew that six year olds could paint like he does. I actually know what he is drawing. Micah on the other hand…he is a different sort of artist."

"That kid is destined to be a singer. He already has the most angelic voice."

"Just like his daddy."

"Are you sure that you don't want him knowing about the boys?"

"It is for the best. He is in a dangerous line of work and it was just a dumb mistake. I was sixteen and he was leaving for the army. He was my brother's best friend. He probably doesn't even remember my name."

"Does Jake know that Lester is the daddy?"

"no and I would prefer it remains that way. It would ruin their friendship. I just can't believe that I believed him when he said he loved me. I wrote to him, and he had started writing back. When he entered Special Forces he said that his life was too dangerous for a relationship now."

"Sounds like a guy I know."

"The trips daddy?"

"Got it in one. What is it with army men?"

"I dunno. Let's go get the boys. Can we take your van?"

That's right. Stephanie Plum Bombshell Bounty Hunter of Trenton New Jersey drove a minivan in Ohio. She also operates a daycare. My life sure has changed. When I look back to Trenton there are very few happy memories. Since my new life I have had more happy memories than I thought possible. Number one being finding out I was pregnant. I never thought that I could be happy about it, but I was. The children made me happy and I was stalker free. I also have learned how to make my own pineapple upside down cake. That one almost ties for first on the happy memories list.

Trenton—

"Here's the mail boss." Tank said to Ranger.

"Ohio? I don't know anyone in Ohio."

"Maybe it is Stephanie."

"Why would she go to Ohio?"

"I dunno, but why would she be in any of the other places that you have looked?"

"I haven't had any leads that point to Ohio."

"Maybe it is a sign that Ohio is where you should look."

Ranger tore open the envelope. There were photos inside. One was of a woman and two children. The little boys looked familiar, but he couldn't place them. The woman did too. It was strange. Usually he remembered a face. He flipped the picture over.

You did this to her. You took love from her life by convincing him that his life was too dangerous. Now she has no one to protect her or the children that were the result of the love they shared.

He thought back and remembered.

"Lester, do you really expect to be able to go back and have a relationship with someone?"

"I love her. She is like the sun to me on sad days."

"She is also sixteen. What do you think our enemies would do to her if they found her?"

"Don't say that!"

"It is the truth. Think about it."

"This is Crystal Carnett. Lester's old girlfriend. Shit."

"Are the other pictures her too?" Ranger took out another picture and fear flashed into his eyes.

"Stephanie."

"What?"

"It is a headshot of Stephanie."

"There is another one. What is it? Please don't tell me it is Lula." He pulled out the last picture and cursed.

"Is it?"

"No. It is a full body of Stephanie."

"What? Lemme see." Tank grabbed the picture and his eyes grew wide. "Damn she is big! She ran from Morelli and she was pregnant with his kid!"

"No, she ran from me. I think that is my baby." He flipped the picture over and sighed at the writing.

You never know when to give up do you? It went from a friend's girlfriend that was pregnant with two of his sons to your protégé. Did you know when you sent her away that she was pregnant with three of you children? I bet you didn't…now there is no one to protect them. All seven of them will be mine.

"Shit. That is triplets. Fuck! Call Lester! We are headed to Ohio."