Thank you all for the nice reviews. I love getting a feedback.
Joy and Pain
Chapter 4 : Heartbeat
Friday, 29th June
My alarm woke me up at 10 o'clock. Pregnant women need much sleep. That's my excuse.
As I had for the past four days I reached for the slice of crispbread and the cup of herbal tea that I had prepared yesterday. But I was excited because of the appointment with Doctor Meek and my stomach wouldn't want to settle down and although I stood up real slowly I had to dash to the bathroom. I hated morning sickness. And my mood became even more evil when I thought about what Ella had told me. Morning sickness could last from week 6 up to week 12. But I wanted it to stop now!
I had just finished brushing my teeth when my phone rang.
"Yes?"
"Hey Stephanie, how are you feeling this morning?" Ella. I had to smile. She had been so nice to me during the last days. She had talked to Tank about giving my old job at Range Man back.
Tank was in charge of RangeMan right now bacause Ranger wanted to concentrate completely on this important job he was on right now.
I still didn't now what this job was, but I already guessed that it's something connected to his family. Hell maybe it was even about Julie. It hurt that he hadn't told me and that he hadn't called me during the last days.
The last time when he had gone to Chicago he had called me once a day. It had been nice lying in bed at night and hearing his voice before going to sleep. I had picked him up from the airport and I still remembered the drive home with his hand on my tight and then the hours we had spent in bed. Since I don't remember us using any protection, I guess that had been the day our baby had been made.
Our baby! I sighed.
"I guess that you don't feel well?"
"Not really. I was very sick this morning, but I guess it's just excitement."
"Yeah, that should be it. But you really don't have to worry. Your doctor is very nice. Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?"
"No. I really like you and I appreciate everything you do for me, but it doesn't feel right."
If Ranger wasn't there she shouldn't be either.
"I understand you Stephanie. Could you call me, when you're finished?"
"Of course."
"Good." She sounded so happy and excited that I had to smile.
"Oh, and Tank said you could start your job on Monday, if you wanted to."
"So early?" There was so much to do before. I had to talk to Lula and Connie and to my parents….
"Yes. Marc, the guy doing research right now, is going to RangeMan Miami and they need to replace him very quickly. Besides, everyone is happy, to have you back."
"Okay, then I guess I will start on Monday."
"Very good. Remember to call me when you're finished at Doctor Meek's."
"I will. Bye, Ella."
"Bye, Stephanie."
I went into my bedroom to get dressed.
Friday, 29th June
Ranger's POV:I opened the door to my appartment and sighed. Finally home.
The last days had been hell.
My brother had been shot at. Now he was lying in hospital with his right arm and his left leg in a cast.
My brother is the head of RangeMan Miami, while I'm the owner.
The guy who shot him, Michael Torner, wanted revenge because my brother Rayn had to shoot his 24 years old son during a bank robbery. It had been him, the bank robber, or a 6 year old girl, the hostage. There had been no other way. The police and RangeMan had proved this.
But I guess a father's love doesn't listen to reasonable arguments. In a way I could understand it. When I thought back to how I felt with Julie being taken as a hostage……
Anyway, now Torner was in Trenton. He probably knew that most of our family lives here. And he still wanted revenge…and he knew that RangeMan belongs to me.
I walked through the hall and into my bedroom. I went to the closet and took out my only pair of balck boxers and turned to walk to the bathroom. All I wanted right now was to take a shower, sleep for a lifetime and then call Stephanie. Sleeping with Staphanie would be even better, but I wanted to be well rested so I would be able to avoid her questions.
The less she knew the less danger she was in.
Halfway to the bathroom I saw something brown lying on my bed.
I turned and saw a brown bag.
An image of Stephanie sitting there with the bag beside her flashed through my mind.
I went to the bed and took the bag.
Ella's POV:
I went up to Ranger's appartment, a tray with a tasty lasagne in my hands and a bag with clothes hanging on my arm.I knew Ranger and he probably wouldn't even remember there's something like "eating" until I brought him something. This guy could forget everything over a job. I just hoped Stephanie was wrong and he couldn't forget everything.
Both of them deseved to be happy. And both of them couldn't be happy without the other.
I opened the door of the appartment and put the tray into the kitchen, guessing Ranger was in the bathroom.
I went to the bedroom to put the clothes into the closet and stopped.
Ranger stood beside his bed as if in trance.
He was starring at a pregnancy test.
I had to smile. I guess destiny shared my opinion.
"She has an appointment with her doctor at 12. If you hurry, you'll make it. Her name is Doctor Meek and her adress is….."
Steph's POV:
Ten minutes after twelfe I was lying on a bed (man, what luxury). And I was listening to my baby's heartbeat and seeing it in grey on the monitor.
Doctor Meeks had told me in her soft voice that my baby was okay. Everything was alright.
And now I could hear it.
Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum, bum…
My little baby, my honey.
I was still staring at the monitor, fascinated, when Dr. Meek turned her head towards the door.
"How did you get in here, mister."
Review, please.
I have no idea if the "pregnancy facts" are right, so excuse me. I guess that one belongs to an artist's freedom. ;)