Thank you for all the reviews and messages. They mean a lot to me. Here is the next chapter...

Sitting in Ranger's office three weeks later, Stephanie was learning the ropes of the contracts for potential clients. Her chair was pulled up next to Ranger's as she watched him go over the contracts on the computer.

"Here is where they are stored. Everyone has access to them; however, usually only Tank or myself type and print them out. I'm looking for someone else to take over this part." Looking at Stephanie, he grinned, "Honestly, we hate this part of the job. I'm not sure which we hate more… the contracts or all the day to day paperwork."

Stephanie laughed and nodded, "I kind of figured that out the other day when I walked by Tank's office and he was mumbling something about stupid paperwork."

Ranger's phone rang just as he was about to point out something else, "Yo?"

"Boss, I'm looking for Stephanie, but she's not answering her phone. Do you know where she is?" asked Cal.

"In here," was Ranger's only reply.

"Sir, she's needed in the lobby."

Ranger hung up the phone and turned to Stephanie, "Seems you are needed in the lobby."

"Oh, I wonder why. Excuse me, I'll be right back," Stephanie said as she stood up.

Wanting to know what was so important in the lobby, Ranger pulled the feed up on his screen. He saw a woman and little boy standing off to the side. He wondered who they were, but when the elevator door opened, the little boy ran off towards Stephanie. He saw her scoop him up in her arms and walk over to the woman. He was tempted to turn on the sound, but knew he'd intruded enough and turned off the monitor.

….

Stephanie stepped off the elevator and was attacked by Adrian, "Mama, Mama," he cried.

Scooping him up in her arms, she walked over to Ester and asked, "Is everything okay?"

Ester had been crying and shook her head no, "Lincoln is on his way to the hospital. They think he had a heart attack. I couldn't remember where your parents lived and I didn't want Adrian to see Papa like that. I'm sorry, but I didn't know what else to do."

Stephanie hugged Ester to her, "Don't worry about it. I understand. Do you need a ride to the hospital?"

Ester shook her head, "Layna is waiting outside to take me. She was over playing with Adrian when the call came in." Layna was Lester's younger sister and lived three blocks away from her parents.

"Please, call me later and let me know how Papa is. If you need anything, let me know," Stephanie said as she hugged Ester one last time.

"I will. Thank you, dear." Giving Adrian a hug goodbye, Ester told him, "You be a good boy for your mama, okay?"

"Otay, Nana," Adrian said as he struggled to get down.

They watched Ester walk out and get in Layna's car. Once the car took off, Stephanie looked at Adrian and smiled. "Want to see where Mommy works?"

"Yes!" he shouted.

Stephanie turned and looked at Cal with a smile. "Come here," she told Adrian. Walking over to the desk, she told Adrian, "This is Cal. I work with him. Cal, this is my son Adrian."

Cal looked at the boy and thought he looked familiar, but he wasn't sure how. "Hi there."

Adrian looked at Cal and whispered, "Mama, he dit into marters?"

Stephanie laughed and said, "No, sweetie. Cal didn't get into the markers, he has a tattoo."

"Otay," said Adrian and smiled.

Cal waved to Adrian as he answered the phone and Stephanie walked to the elevator. "Now, when we get upstairs, I need you to be quiet for a few okay? I need to talk to my boss and see about leaving for the day."

"Tay."

The elevator doors opened and Stephanie almost ran into Bobby as she was stepping off. "Bebe!" shouted Adrian.

Bobby looked up and smiled. "Hey, slugger. What are you doing here?" he asked as he took Adrian from Steph's arms.

"Papa sick," Adrian told him.

Bobby looked at Stephanie to confirm. "Ester said they think he had a heart attack. Layna was taking Ester to the hospital and they didn't remember where my parents lived, so they brought him here. I need to talk to Ranger about taking off for the day. God, I hope he doesn't get pissed."

"He won't. Do you want me to keep Adrian while you go talk to him?" Bobby asked.

"No, that's fine. I know you were heading out." Taking Adrian back from Bobby, she kissed his cheek and said, "Be careful."

Stephanie took Adrian's small hand and led him down the hall. Reaching Ranger's office, she took a deep breath and knocked. "Enter," came the gruff reply.

Stepping in the office, Stephanie took a deep breath, "Ranger?"

Ranger looked up from his computer and his eyes fell to the little boy standing in front of Stephanie. Standing up, he walked around the front of his desk and leaned against it. "Hello there," he said. "Who are you?"

Hiding behind Stephanie's leg, he shook his head. "This is my son Adrian," Stephanie told Ranger. Pulling him out from behind her, Stephanie picked him up and told him, "Say hello to Ranger."

Adrian peeked at Ranger and mumbled, "Hello."

"Um, Ranger. I hate to do this, but I need the rest of the day off. My sitter had an emergency and I have no one else to watch him."

Ranger was staring at Adrian, trying to figure out where he'd seen those eyes before and he missed what Stephanie had said. "I'm sorry?"

"I know this isn't how you run your business and I'm sorry, but I don't have anyone else to watch him at the moment. I'll try to set something up for tomorrow, but I need the rest of the day off."

Ranger listened as he stared more at Adrian. "No, go ahead. I understand. I hope it's nothing serious."

"Papa's heart mad," whispered Adrian.

"Oh, why's that?" asked Ranger softly.

"Nana said," he told him.

Stephanie sat Adrian on the chair and told Ranger, "Nana and Papa are his grandparents. They watch him for me during the day. Evidently, Lincoln had a heart attack and Ester didn't want to take Adrian to the hospital."

Ranger stood there for a moment wondering what the chances were. He knew a Lincoln and Ester, but what were the odds that they were one in the same? "His grandparents, this Lincoln and Ester, what are their last names?" he asked.

Stephanie knew she had nothing to be worried about, she'd gotten the job on her own and had hopefully proven herself capable of the position. "Santos," she answered.

Ranger hung his head and looked at Adrian one more time, "Lester," was all he said.

Adrian heard what he said and looked up, "You know my daddy?" he asked happily.

Ranger sat down next to him and nodded, "I do. Your daddy works here."

Stephanie knew that was the wrong thing to say as Adrian jumped up and ran out the door looking for his daddy. Stephanie took off after him, hollering, "Adrian. Adrian Michael Santos."

Some of the men jumped up when they heard Stephanie yelling. Stepping from the break room an arm shot out and grabbed the little boy as he ran as fast as he could. "Down, down, down," he yelled.

"Hey, buddy, don't make me tickle you," said the voice.

Adrian stopped struggling and turned to look in the face of Ram. "Ram ram," cried Adrian. "Daddy wort here."

"I know, buddy. But, he's not here right now," Ram said as he carried Adrian back to Stephanie. "Hey, Steph, loose something?" he joked.

"But, he thaid daddy wort here," Adrian said as he pointed to Ranger.

Ranger dropped his head and sighed, "I'm sorry, Stephanie. I didn't mean to cause a problem." Looking at Adrian, he continued, "Adrian, your daddy does work here, but not right now. Right now, he's out defending our country and helping keep everyone safe. When he comes back and is ready to return to work, he'll work here."

Stephanie smiled at Ranger and took Adrian from Ram, "I think we best be going for now. I'll find a sitter for tomorrow and be back in the morning," she said as she headed for her cubicle.

After Stephanie and Adrian left, the guys all made their way to the break room where Ram was. "Did you know?" "Is it true?" "Is he married to her?" were all the questions being thrown around.

Ram finally held his hands up and whistled. "Yes, I knew who Stephanie was. Yes, it's true. Adrian is Les' son and yes, they are married. They were married the night before he shipped out. She was six months pregnant when he left and no, he's not seen his son yet."

Bobby walked in at the last comment and looked at the men. Finding Ram he said, "They know?" Ram nodded.

"She said her last name was Plum," said Binkie.

"She didn't want the job based on who she was married to. I told her she could use the Plum name until she felt secure enough in her job to use Santos," came the gruff voice of Tank.

Everyone turned around and stared, "You knew, too?" asked Ranger.

"I found out the day she was hired."

"She won't take special treatment, so whatever men are thinking, ya'll better stop now. She'll know."

They all turned their heads to the back of the break room surprised to see Tameka standing there on a chair. "She loves that man, don't get me wrong. But she wants to make it for herself. Don't pity her, don't treat her differently just cause now you know who she is and who she married. Just treat her like you've been doing and all will be fine."

Bobby smiled at Tameka, "She's right. She didn't even want me to let anyone know that I knew her, but I can't hide it. She's a fighter and even though she doesn't need to work, she refuses to sit home and drive herself nuts worrying about Les."

Ranger had heard enough, "Everyone back to work," he yelled.

….

Stephanie stopped by her parents' house on the way home. When she pulled up, she saw Grandma Mazur on the porch talking with an older gentleman. Looking in the back seat, she saw Adrian sucking his thumb and sleeping.

She stepped from her vehicle and closed the door gently. Standing on the sidewalk, she called, "Grandma."

Edna turned around and smiled, "Hey there, baby granddaughter. What brings you by" she asked as she walked down the steps.

"Is Mom here?"

"Sure, she's inside."

Stephanie looked at the car and back to the house, "Can you get her? Adrian is sleeping and I don't want to wake him up."

Edna walked back up on the porch and hollered for Helen. A few minutes later, Helen came out and saw Stephanie on the sidewalk. Smiling, she walked down and hugged her daughter. "What brings you by in the middle of the morning?"

"They think Lincoln had a heart attack and Ester is at the hospital with him. I need to know if you could possibly watch Adrian tomorrow?"

"Of course, dear. Just bring him by in the morning and we'll be fine. I can't wait." Helen kissed Stephanie's cheek and waved as she got back in the car. Once home, Stephanie carried Adrian in and placed him in bed. Heading back to the living room, Stephanie sat on the couch and her mind wandered back in time again.

"Beautiful?" asked Lester.

"Hmm?" she responded as she rolled to her side and stared at the naked man in bed with her.

"You know I'm leaving tomorrow, right?"

Tears welled up in her eyes, but she fought them off, "I know."

Placing his hand on her swollen abdomen he said, "Will you marry me?"

Sitting up, she pulled the sheet with her and covered up, "What?"

"Marry me? I know this isn't the romantic proposal, but I don't have time. Actually, I've been thinking about this for some time now, but I had wanted to do it right. I don't want to leave you at all, but I'll feel better knowing that if I have to leave you, at least I'll still be able to help you out."

Stephanie looked at Lester and smiled, "I'd love to marry you," she whispered.

Flipping her on her back, Lester hovered over her, holding his weight on his forearms. "You have no idea how happy you just made me. I want to get married today, right now, please?"

"Les, we can't. There's a three day waiting period for the license," she sighed knowing that his dream couldn't come true.

"I have ways around that. If we want to get married today, we can." Lester positioned himself at her opening and waited with baited breath as he asked, "Will you marry me today?"

When she said yes, he slowly slid inside and closed his eyes. He loved the feel of her surrounding him as he moved in and out. When he opened his eyes, he saw her eyes roll to the back of her head as her legs wrapped around his hips, forcing him deeper.

When he lips latched on hers, he picked up the pace and soon found himself pounding harder and faster as her nails dug into his back. Soon, they both found the release they needed and he collapsed next to her. Leaning down, he kissed her belly and told his unborn child, "Your mommy agreed to marry me. So, when you're born, you'll have my last name. I love you, baby." With a quick kiss to her abdomen, he kissed his way back up to her lips and smiled. "I love you, Steph."

"I love you too, Les."