A few weeks later…

Steph slammed the file cabinet drawer and left the file room, slamming the door to the room as she left it. The sound of the door slamming made a lot of the guys wince out on the control room floor. Steph was in the last 10 days of her pregnancy and was becoming unbearable. She was very uncomfortable, her back hurt, she couldn't eat much without feeling sick and she still cried a lot. Most of the guys tried to stay away from her, but some days it was hard. Bobby was unsuccessful in getting her to take the afternoons off, but it only lasted a few hours on the first day. She was restless upstairs and would rather be downstairs with the guys, even if they were starting to be afraid of her.

She stomped back to her cubicle and slammed the file folder down on her desk. Lester looked out of his office at her and shook his head. Either Ranger had to get home or this baby had to arrive. God help them if she went over her due date. Bobby said that her doctor promised that she wouldn't let her go more than a couple days past her due date. Les sure hoped that would be the case. He couldn't imagine her reaction if she went past the due date. And hell, why wasn't his stupid cousin home yet? If Ranger got home, then hopefully Steph would be a bit nicer. Shit, a lot of the guys are scared of her right now and some even asked to switch to the night shift just to avoid her. He sent Tank a text that read, "Any news on the Bossman? The beast is on the loose today." Tank replied and said, "No news. Is it feeding time?" Lester let out a laugh and then turned somber. They shouldn't make fun of Steph, especially referring to her as the beast, but between the mood swings and never ending eating, she was beast-like. Not one of the Rangemen would want to be in Steph's condition. They were all really proud of her, especially with Ranger being gone for so long.

Hector stopped by Lester's office and asked, "¿Cómo está ella hoy? (How is she today?)" Lester shook his head and said, ""Acércate a tu propio riesg. (Approach at your own risk.)" Hector shook his head and walked over to Stephanie's cubicle. He leaned against the corner of her desk and smiled at her. "Hola pequeña, ¿cómo están las dos hoy? (Hello little one, how are you both today?)" Steph looked at him and smiled, "Hola Hector, Estamos bien, hoy estamos inquietos. (Hello Hector. We're okay, just restless today.) Hector bent down and rubbed the baby. "Hola hermosa, tu papá estará en casa pronto. (Hello beautiful one, your papa will be home soon.)" Hector kissed her belly and then stood up and kissed Stephanie on the cheek. He walked back towards his office and sat back down at his desk. He pulled up a program on his computer and smiled.

A few hours later, Steph was ready to call it a day. She was hungry, but every time she tried to eat, she felt sick. Everything on her body ached and she was so tired of being pregnant. Less than two weeks to go and she hoped that Ranger would be home before she went into labor. The thought of having the baby with the guys in the room with her instead of Ranger made her shudder. Lester didn't handle most pregnancy things well and she was sure that watching her deliver the baby would drive him over the edge. She was packing up her desk when she heard the elevator ding and when glanced over to see the doors open, she let out a gasp. There stood her favorite man in black.

She started to get out of her chair, she felt a hand on her back and looked over to see Hector helping her stand. She got out of her chair and ran, well, ran as best should could for being almost 9 months pregnant, and threw herself at Ranger. He dropped his duffle bag and grabbed her, kissing her until they were both gasping for air. He reached down and placed his hands on her stomach, which was much rounder than when he left. He was greeted with a kick, which caused his eyebrow to raise. Steph laughed and said, "He's just welcoming his daddy home." Ranger stared at her and said, "He?" Steph had tears running down her face when she choked out, "Yes, it's a boy." He fell to his knees and kissed her stomach, rubbing his hands over her. He looked up at her with tears in his eyes and then softly said, "Hola mi hijo. Yo soy tu papi. (Hello my son I am your daddy)." He stood up and pulled Steph into him and kissed her. He leaned his forehead down to hers and wiped her tears at the same time she wiped his. Then she hit him on the arm and said, "Well the hell have you been? 'It won't take long Babe' you said. 'Should be a quick job Babe'. It sure as hell took you long enough. I was worried that Lester would have to be there in the delivery room with me." Ranger looked at her and laughed, "Babe."