This chapter moves quickly, and it answers a lot of your questions. I hope you like it. Review, as always. Thank you for the feedback I've gotten so far!!!

And once again, I own nothing.

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Ranger's POV

I'd just slammed the door in my Babe's face. I had to get her out of my life while I could. She deserved so much more than me, which is why I'd always told her my love didn't come with a ring. I couldn't tell her how I really felt, though. It was like a curse.

I visited Steph twice after she'd told me she was carrying my child. The first visit, she slammed the door in my face. The second, she made it very clear she never wanted to see me again. As much as it hurt, I had to agree with her. It would be the best for her and the baby, even if it meant being heartbroken. She meant too much to me, and I couldn't lose her, so I did everything in my power to keep her and our child safe, and all the while I was slowly letting myself go.

I put at least three men on my Babe everyday. I made sure they knew where she was at all times, and if she were to so much as blink improperly, I made sure my men would be there instantly to fix it. It was hard not being able to protect her myself, but being a mercenary and having the lifestyle that I had, leaving her out of it was much safer, even if it hurt more than anything I'd ever experienced.

I knew the financial situation Steph would be in. It wasn't hard for me to slip money into her bank account and pay for her doctor bills. I knew she'd eventually catch on to me helping her out, but I could only hope she would be grateful. I helped with Julie financially, and I would do everything in my power to make sure this child had anything and everything it's heart desired.

I checked in on my Babe every once in a while, if I felt daring. I'd quietly unlock her door and slip into the darkness, through her apartment, and into her bedroom. I'd twist a loose curl around my fingers, kiss her ever-so-lightly, and stare at the most beautiful woman I'd ever laid eyes on. I'd take one final look, knowing very well it could be last, and slip out through the door, locking it on my way out, unnoticed.

Steph was the most beautiful pregnant woman I'd ever seen. I didn't see her often enough to watch her grow and really take everything in, but those few times I'd snuck into her bedroom had always left me wanting more... of everything... of her... and less of my life; a life I'd worked so hard for.

No matter what I told myself, I knew my thoughts and feelings could only be summed up into three words. I felt the same way about Steph and our child. I was lost and broken without them. I loved them.

Back to Steph's POV

Nothing hurt more than spending my entire pregnancy on my own. Poeple constantly rubbing my stomach and asking me how far along I was was okay at first. But after nine months of it I was ready to scream. If a boyfriend or a husband had rubbed my stomach, it would've been loving. Sensual. But when a complete stranger walks right up to you and plants their sweaty paws on your stomach, things were different. And I didn't have the patience to deal with it any longer.

It was probably safe to say that I became more and less patient during my pregnancy. I had a very small bladder, therefore waiting in lines to go to the bathroom became extremely unnerving. Watching my child grow throughout the pregnancy in pictures and watching my stomach grow had me in awe of the beauty of life.

Ranger had continued to be in my life, even though I'd asked him not to. I could see the fleet of Merry Men following me whenever I went somewhere. And the huge sums of money continuously put into my bank account had obviously been from him. I wasn't angry that he was doing these things for me; I was glad he was helping me out. It was hard working at a new job where the pay wasn't great, which was, by the way, a job as a secretary at the Button Factory. I continued to buy things for my baby, which I found out was going to be a girl, up until my baby shower, thrown by Grandma Mazur and Lula, where I recieved more than I could've ever imagined. I started to cry, thanked my friends and family for supporting me, and chowed down on cake until I felt as if I couldn't walk...well, as much as I could before.

The weeks came and went and I enjoyed my pregnancy more than I thought I would. I experienced morning sickness for a few weeks early in my pregnancy, but it passed as soon as my body became used to the changes it was undergoing. I had sugar and salt cravings like no other, but I stuck to an all fruit and veggie diet, despite the fact it was torture. I allowed myself to eat sugar every once in a while, like at my baby shower, and once when Tank and Lester had invited me out to ice cream to check up on me. They would visit every so often, making sure I was healthy and everything with the baby was okay. In reality, I knew that they'd gotten tired of sitting in their black vehicles constantly following me and decided to take a closer look of things. But I was grateful they even agknowledged my existense, now that Ranger was out of the picture.

I was sitting in my apartment, talking to Mary Lou, when I felt a sharp pain. I sucked in a breathe, but thought nothing of it. Twenty minutes later, after things had gotten worse, Mary Lou came over and got me and we rushed to the hospital. My water broke the instant they'd admitted me into a room. From what I'd read in my pregnancy books, this was a good thing. It meant I'd have a fast labor and delivery. I hoped they were right.

Mary Lou took the liberty of calling my family and friends and letting them know what was going on. I sat in my bed and watched television, wincing every now and then from the intense pain. It was too late to get any medication to help with the pain, so I relaxed and took it in as best I could.

Dr. Santos came in smiling. "My brother Lester is sitting in the waiting room. You didn't tell me you knew him."

"I didn't know he was your brother," I explained, then realized how dumb I sounded, considering they had the same last name and looked similar.

At that very moment, the door to my room opened and a dark figure stood in front of us.

"Ranger?"

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Sorry it moved so quickly. I was getting impatient. :) Review, as always.