-1I don't own anything JE. Nope…nothing…zilch…zip…nada! Phooey!
A/N this story got a little off track. I'm trying to make it right…so bear with me.
Oh…I'm a review slut…so leave me one. Good or bad.
Enjoy!
If Ranger loved her enough to want to marry her, then maybe a baby wouldn't be so bad. Would it?
Now she would have to find out if she was actually pregnant…
Chapter 3
Hector waited nervously with Cal at the doctor's office. Steph had been inside with Dr. Erickson for more than an hour, and they were getting antsy. The door to the back offices opened at Steph walked out, smiling a little to herself.
Cal stood up and handed Steph her jacket. "What did the doctor say, Bomber?"
Steph smiled. "I am pregnant." And excited. Inside of her was hers and Ranger's child. Cal grinned and hugged her.
Hector also smiled and embraced Steph gently. "I think we need to celebrate. Pino's anyone?" The three of them drove to Pino's and sat down in the Merry Men's favorite booth. Steph rambled on about setting up a nursery in the house, and how she would have to call Lula and go shopping.
But then her face grew serious. "Guys, has anyone heard from Ranger yet this week?" Cal looked uncomfortable and bit into his Pizza. Hector rolled his eyes.
"No, Bomber. He hasn't called in yet. But we knew he was going into a no contact zone two weeks ago. It could be that he just hasn't come out yet." He glanced at Cal. "Don't worry, you have a baby to think about, and when Ranger calls, you can tell him the great news. It'll make his trip so much easier."
Steph nodded and her thoughts drifted back to when Ranger had left just over a month ago. He had come into their bedroom, his body tense, his eyes troubled. Steph remembered how he had crawled next to her on the bed and had held her in his arms tightly…
Steph snuggled into Ranger's chest. "What's bothering you, Ranger." Ranger didn't answer. Instead he rolled her over onto her back and kissed her passionately. Steph returned his kiss and then pulled away. "Ranger…"
Ranger
smiled, almost sadly. "Babe. The government called me." Steph
knew that meant a mission. She remained silent and waited for him to
continue. He did. "I have to leave tomorrow. I can't tell you
where, of for how long I'll be gone. Hell, I don't even know
those answers."
Steph nodded, tears in her eyes. "I understand." Ranger gathered her up in his arms and they made soft, sweet love through the night. Exhausted, Steph fell asleep on his chest.
When she had awaken the next morning, Ranger had been gone. But there had been a beautiful red rose on the nightstand with a note next to it.
"Babe, I'm sorry I left without waking you. But you looked so peaceful and content in your sleep, I didn't want to ruin that for you. I'll check up on you as much as I can. Tank is in charge at Rangeman. You know who to turn to if you need help. I'll be back as soon as I can. I love you Babe."
Cal and Hector watched Steph for a minute as her eyes glazed over and she stopped eating. But as quickly as it had come, it disappeared. She snapped out of her trance and smiled tightly at the men.
Cal shook his head. "Bomber, he's fine, stop worrying. How about we drop you off at the house, you take a nap, and then we'll take you out shopping for baby stuff. You'll be able to put together the nursery before he gets back. It'll be a great surprise." Hector nodded his agreement. Steph's face brightened and she bit into her second slice enthusiastically.
Shopping seemed like the perfect spirit lifter. And with the Merry Men shopping with her, who knew what kind of an adventure she could have.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
True to her predictions, shopping had been an adventure. Lester, Bobby, Hector, Cal, and Hal had all accompanied her to the mall to buy furniture and paint for the future baby's room. They had decided to do a zoo theme, perfect for either a boy or a girl. The lady working at the Pottery Barn Baby had swooned over the five handsome men. And then nearly had a heart attack when she heard none of them were the father. But they were a riot, and Steph couldn't remember when she had laughed so hard in her life. Lester and Bobby argued about which crib would be perfect for the baby. Finally Hal had stepped in and made the decision for them. Everyone agreed with Hal. Dark wood furniture it was. They picked out a changing table, sheets and blankets, a mobile for over the crib, window dressings, chairs and a beautiful cabinet for the clothes.
Lester glanced over all the purchases as they loaded them up into a waiting Rangeman truck. "Hey guys, do you think Ranger will be pissed over the whole using the corporate credit card to pay for all this?"
Bobby shook his head. "No. He'll be too surprised to care." Steph grinned and put the last of the bags in the truck. Bobby was right. Ranger wouldn't know what to do right away.
Lester wrapped his arms around Steph. "Hey Bomber, you look much happier. See…I told you shopping would do the trick." Steph laughed as they drove back to the house.
"Lester, it wasn't shopping that did the trick. I think it was being around all of you. You're like the brothers I never had."
Hector smiled and pretended to wipe a tear from his eye. "Aw Bomber, that was the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me." He kissed her forehead and opened the door to the truck. "Steph, why don't you go inside. We'll take care of this."
Steph nodded and headed to her bedroom. She shut the door and sat on the bed in the dark, listening to the men set up the furniture. Tomorrow she and Tank would set up the room and paint the walls. In the midst of the noise, she heard her phone ring. Everyone grew silent as Steph flew out of the bedroom to the phone in the living room.
Nervously, she picked up the phone. "Hello?" The other line was quiet. Steph sighed, and figured it was a wrong number. Just as she was about to hang up though, she heard a voice on the other end. A voice which brought her to her knees.
"Babe."
TBC
A/N Yeah! Ranger called! Will she tell him the news? Is he okay? Only I know. If you want to find out…Review and Wait for the next installment. HAHA. J/K. I'll update soon. I promise.
