Bobby's POV
The core team had spent most of the morning in Steph and Ric's apartment, leaving Ram and Cal in charge downstairs. Steph was starting to get really excited about being pregnant and was being an unusually good patient by ensuring she drank plenty of fluids and took it easy. She was already looking better after getting some good sleep and relaxing. We'd decided that Lester and I would take her to pick Julie up from school and then go dress shopping since Tank had client meetings scheduled for the afternoon.
"What sounds good for lunch, Bomber?" I asked as the clock neared noon.
"Will you guys take me to Pino's?" she asked, once again turning her pitiful look our way.
"Yeah, let me just call Ella to let her know she doesn't need to worry about your lunch and then we'll head out," I offered.
"Do you guys think Ric would be mad if I went ahead and told people?" Steph asked quietly. "Ella's like a mom to me, and Julie will figure it out quickly if I keep getting sick. It doesn't seem right to keep it from them."
Lester, Tank and I exchanged looks and then nodded. "You're right, Steph. You should let the guys know, too. They need to know what to watch out for and what your restrictions are for work. I know you don't go out in the field much, but you really shouldn't do anything that has the potential to harm you or the baby now. I think Ric would be fine with client visits and meetings, but he wouldn't want you on any takedowns," I explained, hoping she would agree with me.
She sat there quietly for a few seconds and then shrugged. "You're right, and honestly, I don't want to be in the field now. I haven't really since the wedding; I just figure that Julie has lost so much already that I shouldn't put my life in jeopardy."
Her answer surprised me, but also made me very happy. I reached out and tugged on her curls and tapped her nose. "Good thinking, Steph. Marrying Ric and adopting Julie has really helped you...well, you're more mature and reasonable," I explained sheepishly.
She started laughing uncontrollably and the guys and I all exchanged worried looks. "What is it, Beautiful?" Lester asked.
"All those years…" she said between giggles. She took a deep breath and wiped the tears from laughing so hard from her eyes. "All those years that Joe tried to threaten and coerce me into quitting my job and getting married and having kids and I couldn't do it. God knows he tried hard enough, especially with that stunt he pulled toward the end, but it sounded like the worst thing ever. And then Ric and I get together and suddenly I'm happily getting married and adopting Julie, coming to work here fulltime and staying out of the field. Joe tried everything he could think of to change me, but it didn't work. Ric just loved me and it made me want to change, for both of us."
"And I know he's very proud of you and grateful, Little Girl. He's going to be so damn excited when he gets back and finds out that you're pregnant," Tank replied with a smile.
"Can you ask Ella and Louis to come down before we leave so I can tell her the good news?" Steph asked. "And maybe the guys who are onsite today can all meet in the conference room for a few minutes, too?"
"Of course, Bomber. You go get ready and I'll take care of everything," I replied with a grin. She took off toward the bedroom and the guys and I looked at each other after the door closed behind her.
"Ric still making his check-ins?" I asked Lester. We usually got word each time he successfully made contact with the powers that be.
"Yeah, I just heard from them two days ago, so that's good news. Based on the timeline for the mission, I would expect he'll be home in two to three more weeks," he explained.
"Good. In the meantime, we need to do everything we can to take care of Bomber," I insisted. "Let's all help make sure that she eats well, drinks plenty of fluids, and gets rest. She'll obviously still want to work, but we need to make sure that she doesn't get too stressed. I'll call and get her a doctor's appointment so we can find out how far along she is. Tank, you call Ella."
Twenty minutes later, Steph walked out of the bedroom and Ella and Louis walked in the front door. They were Ric's aunt and uncle, and they ran the Haywood facility. They'd never been able to have kids of their own, but they treated each one of us like we were their children. "Are you feeling any better now, Steph?" Ella asked, obviously concerned after this morning.
Steph walked over to Ella and smiled. "I'm feeling better for the moment," she reassured Ella. "Bobby ran some labs and they came back a bit ago. It looks like you're going to have another little great niece or nephew running around, but I would really like it if you'd be honorary grandparents."
Ella's entire face lit up and she began crying happy tears. She wrapped Steph up in her arms and hugged her tightly. "Oh, my sweet girl! This is such exciting news!" she exclaimed. Louis wrapped his arms around the crying girls and added his congratulations.
"We would love nothing more," Louis said with a smile. "Anything at all you need, you just let us know."
Steph nodded and pulled away. "Bobby, Lester and I are going to Pino's for lunch and then we're going to take Julie shopping for a dress for a dance at her school. Could we maybe have chicken and noodles and homemade bread for dinner?" she asked. "And don't worry about dessert - sweets don't sound at all appetizing at the moment.
"Of course they don't, you're pregnant with Ric's baby," Lester joked.
"Of course, hija," Ella answered warmly. "I'll research foods that are good for morning sickness and pregnancy and make sure I keep them around. I'll also stock the pantry with some more easy-to-eat foods and drinks; I understand most women eat more frequently when they're pregnant. I can't believe that we get to be here for your pregnancy! We didn't get that with Julie!"
The two women hugged again and soon the guys and I were getting off the elevator on five. We walked into the conference room to find everyone gathered, talking among themselves quietly. They all looked up at Steph when we walked in, and I could see the question in their eyes. They all wanted to know if we'd called this impromptu meeting to share news about Ric. I guess I can see how they might think that. It's unheard of for all of us to take a morning away from work.
"It's good news," I quickly assured them, and suddenly the tension in the room was broken. The men all visibly relaxed and Steph took her place at the head of the table.
"I got some news this morning, and I wanted you all to be among the first to know. It looks like we'll have a new little Rangeman joining the ranks in a few months - Ric and I are having a baby!" she shared excitedly.
She was immediately swept up in a sea of hugs and congratulations. She had a special moment that she shared with each of us - no two were the same. It had become tradition her to meet us outside the elevator before we went out on a takedown. We would pass her down the line before heading out, each of us considering her our good luck charm. She would kiss Hector's teardrop tattoos, kiss her fingers and touch Cal's flaming skull, rub Tank's big bald head and hug him. She would stop in front of Ric last, and he would dip her and lay one hell of a kiss on her with us all cheering and wolf whistling around them. Then she would meet us all in the same place when we returned to make sure we were okay. The only thing missing today was the kiss from Ric. We all noticed and the room grew somber again.
"You know, I'd be more than happy to give you some Santos lovin', Beautiful," Lester offered with an exaggerated eyebrow waggle. I slapped him upside the head and everyone laughed.
"Hands off the boss's wife, Santos!" I growled.
The men slowly filtered out and soon we were on our way to Pino's. I noticed Steph tense and start wringing her hands and looked at her questioningly. "Something on your mind, Bomber?"
She looked up at me as though I'd startled her and shook her head. "No, not really. It's just...I haven't set foot in the Burg in months. Dad, Grandma, Mary Lou, and Lula come visit us at Rangeman or we meet somewhere less unpleasant for me. I don't know what to expect," she whispered.
I thought back and realized that she was right. The last time she ventured into Burg territory was before she and Ric got married. They had gone to her parents' house for dinner and her mom had said some horrible things that Steph swore she would never forgive, and frankly, I couldn't blame her. From that point on, those people who she wanted to keep in touch with from the Burg came to visit her at Rangeman, or met her somewhere that didn't hold such hostility and so many bad memories.
"You've got Lester and I both here with you," I reassured her. "Nobody's going to mess with you with us two by your side."
Steph snorted and rolled her eyes. "That's hilarious, Brown. Morelli didn't think twice about trying to get a dig in the last time we were in the area even though you were right next to me, did he?" she asked, and I sighed at that.
"I think that the conversation Tank had with him later that day will make him think twice about trying anything again, but either way, we'll be there with you," I insisted.
"Yeah, and it's my turn to rough someone up for you, Beautiful! It's no fair that you let the other guys have all the fun," Les whined dramatically.
I knew what he was doing, but it had the desired effect. Steph started laughing, instantly pulling her out of the bad place in her head. I would kill Morelli with my bare hands for what he had done to her if I thought Steph wouldn't hate me for it. That's one of the things we all loved about her - she had such a kind, compassionate heart. She was such a stark contrast to the rest of us. We all had dark souls that had been marred by such violence and unthinkable things we'd done in service to our country. Just having her in our lives made us all better people.
We pulled up to Pino's a few minutes later and Lester and I were both by her door before she could get her purse and jacket. We helped her out of the Explorer and flanked her on either side, trying to find the balance between making her feel protected but not smothered. It was a routine that Lester and I had mastered, thanks in no part to how close we were to Steph and how well he and I worked together in the field after years of having each other's backs.
We walked in and sandwiched Steph between us at a booth in the back where we all three could have our backs to the wall and a clear view of the door. We ordered a large pizza with everything and a couple of meatball subs to split and sat talking easily as we waited for our food. The place was mercifully empty of Burg busybodies who knew Steph, so we enjoyed the peace.
Steph tore into our food when it was brought to the table, her morning sickness apparently not a problem at the moment, and I laughed as I watched her.
"Didn't we just feed you this morning, Beautiful?" Les teased her.
"Bite me, Les," Steph snapped, but it lacked any real heat. "I hardly ate last night, and right now I feel good and I'm starving."
Les leaned over and kissed the top of her head. "You know I'm just teasing you, Steph. Eat all you want, we need you and the little one healthy and happy."
A shadow was cast over our table as Les finished and Joe Morelli looked down at the three of us with a sneer. "Ranger already get tired of you, Cupcake?" he spat. "I warned you that it wouldn't last."
I stood to my full, imposing height and glared at Joe. To my surprise, Steph was up and out of the booth before I could say a word.
"I swear, Joe, you turn around and walk away right now or I'll shoot you with my own gun!" she snapped.
"Please, we all know that you don't carry your gun. Besides, you could never shoot me, Cupcake. After everything we've shared?" Joe leered with a laugh.
Steph pulled the side of her shirt up slightly to show the obvious bulge of her Glock. "Two guns and a knife now, Joe. And before you ask, yes, they're both loaded. Want to see how good of a shot I am now?" she challenged.
Joe paled and then put on his blank face. "Carrying concealed, Steph? I could take you in," he postured.
"All those years of lecturing me about not carrying concealed and not once did you offer to help me get my permit. You should know as well as anyone that Ric would make sure his wife could carry legally," Steph corrected him. "Now, I suggest you go bother someone who actually wants you around."
Joe turned to walk off but was stopped by Steph's voice. "And Joe?" she asked sweetly. She continued when he turned around. "You and I may have a history, but none of it is something that I would be proud of if I were you. My husband is a real man; you're nothing more than a controlling asshole."
A small crowd had gathered around to see the confrontation, and Eddie and Carl each put a strong hand on Joe's shoulders and pulled him away after Steph's parting words. "That was stupid, man. You know she could have you brought up on charges," Carl could be heard saying as they walked away.
Les and I both exchanged worried glances and then looked down at Steph. Neither of us were sure what to expect from her after that spectacle. She watched Joe walk away for a minute and then turned back to the table. She bumped her hip into Lester and he sat back down again, quickly followed by Steph and then me.
"That asshole interrupted my lunch," she growled before tucking back into her sub. Les and I both laughed and dug in again, happy that she was handling Joe's antics well. Our girl had come a hell of a long way from that heartbreaking phone call I got when she and Joe had broken up, and I was proud of her.
