Disclaimer: All characters that you recognize belong solely to Janet Evanovich. Unfortunately so does all the money. Everyone that you don't recognized, including characters to be named at a later date, are completely made up by me, myself, and I.

A/N: Yes I'm late. No I don't do this on purpose. And I will get the next chapter in on time. It's not my fault though! Apparently life decided it would be fun to kick my ass for a while. I had a nice leg cast to prove it. It's was a blast to have on . . . . . . . NOT! *rolls eyes* I just got it off this week :) And well. . . . . . . . . . . . . . I am officially a MRS!!!!!!!! :D Hahaha I know that's not an excuse but damn, I love saying it.

Thanks for sticking with me guys :) Love ya!

BTW You might want to go back and re-read at least Chapter 4 for a re-fresh.

I hope you like it :)

As Always, Thanks For Reading.
~Sky

Learning To Live:

Chapter

When I started to come around, I could hear two people trying to talk quietly. Well the woman was, the guy just seemed naturally loud.

"Shouldn't we wake her up?" The guy asked.

She blew out a sigh. "No. We shouldn't. She'll wake up when she's ready."

"Last time it was weeks before she opened her eyes, though." His voice was a lot softer this time.

It was a struggle for me to keep my eyes closed when I realized who the guy was, but I wanted to see where this would go. Just hearing his voice made my eyes water.

It was a dream. You know it was just a dream. It wasn't real. He's not dead. They're not dead. Still my fingers twitch towards my stomach. I had to reassure myself that they were still with me. That I really was pregnant.

Her heels clicked against the tiled floor. I guess she walked over to him. "Don't worry about her so much. She's a fighter remember?"

I could feel anger roll off of him at her words. "If she was a fighter she wouldn't be in here, would she?"

It was a few moments before either one of them spoke. "You know," she started, "what she did was wrong. I think suicide is wrong no matter what, but. . . . . . but I could see were she's coming from. When Wesley died I- well let's just say I know why she would attempt that. Ranger was ripped out of her life and when I told her about the babies. . . . . it was just too much."

"You know it's not your fault. You couldn't have known what she was planning."

"I could say the same thing for you."

"I," there was a pause in his words, "I promised Ranger I would always take care of her. Look at her Cynthia! She's in a fucking hospital missing a part of her skull. She's pregnant for chrissake, with twins, and she nearly shot her head off! I promised if anything ever happened to him I'd take care of her. Keep her safe." His voice started to break. "I failed. I failed him. I failed her. I failed everyone."

"No." My voice came out low and strained. Both heads shot up when I spoke. Dr. Covey stood next to his chair with her hand on his shoulder. She looked like she was fighting back tears. There he was just slouching in the chair, fingers gripping the chairs arms.

I tried to clear my throat and tried again. "It's not your fault, Tank. I did this. Not you. I-" I paused to take a deep breath. "I didn't think I could do it without him.

I didn't realize I was crying until Tank brushed my cheek with his finger.

His voice was still low when he said, "I should have known, Bombshell. I should have stopped you."

My lips tugged into a small smile. "When have you ever been able to stop me when I had a plan. No matter how dumb it was."

His laugh made me smile more.

"I guess you're right." I know he didn't mean it, but I could see we were ok now. We were going to be anyways.

"I hate to interrupt guys," Cynthia broke in, "but Stephanie is still in a hospital, and I am still her Doctor."

I sighed. You did this to yourself Steph. Good going. I mentally rolled my eyes.

"Ok Doc. Let's do this."

Tank just looked at me. Cynthia just smiled a little.

"So. . . . what's on the agenda for today anyways?"

Cynthia explained as she walked over to me. "We need to run a couple tests, make sure everything is ok inside your head first." I thought I heard Tank snort but I ignored him. Then we need to get you up and walking around at least. Moving is going to be a little stiff for you from being in bed for weeks. And after that we need to get you on some real food. You are eating for three after all."

She checked my heart, my lungs, and my blood pressure before bringing over the ultrasound machine.

"I checked on the babies after umm. . . . this morning and they were fine. I thought you might like to see for yourself though."

My breath caught in my throat. "Please," was all I could manage.

"Is it ok if I stay?" Tank asked.

I still couldn't talk so I just reached out my hand for his. Tank stood up and took my hand in his and stood beside me as Cynthia set everything up.

I barely even flinched when the cold jelly hit my bare flesh. I was too focused on my round belly. This was the first time I actually got to see it. Just a couple inches under my skin were my babies. Ranger's babies.

I watched the screen come to life just after she started to probe my stomach with the wand thing. Seconds later their picture flashed on the monitor.

Cynthia pushed the monitor closer as she started to point and explain what on the screen but I wasn't paying attention. I knew what was on the screen. To the left was Ric. His tiny peanut shape was just slightly higher than his sisters. He was protecting her even inside me. She was a hair smaller than him but amazing nonetheless.

I was still staring at the screen in amazement when it flickered black. I looked up at Cynthia in surprise. She just smiled and handed me a couple printouts of the screen.

"They are right on target Steph. Growing just fine. Let's hope that keeps up." I just nodded before she continued. "In a couple of minutes I'll send in a nurse to take you for your scans. It shouldn't take that long. After that we'll play it by how you're feeling, ok?"

She patted my knee and told me to take it easy before leaving to check the rest of her patients.

I sat the with Tanks hand gripping one of mine, as I gripped the photos in the other.

"You're gonna be a mom." I could hear the smile in his voice.

I smiled back up at him. "And you're gonna be an uncle." His grin got even wider. "It's so hard to believe. I never thought I would want to be a mother. But now, I can't imagine not having them in my life. I know it's gonna be hard but will you and the rest of the guys, I know I can do it. I should start reading some parenting books soon. I need to find a house too. I can't raise them up on the fifth floor can I? And I'll need to buy furniture. Cribs, changers, clothes. Lots of clothes. And diapers. There will probably be a room devoted to just diapers huh?" I couldn't help but wrinkle my nose at the thought. "I'll need to find a better car too. Car seats! I'll definitely need those. A stroller. There is so much to do."

Tank put his hand over my mouth. "Stop rambling. You're going to be a great mother. Stop worrying about the details. There are months before the rug rats are born so relax. We'll get everything done ok?"

I tried to speak but he wouldn't remove his hand. I rolled my eyes and nodded my head.

Slowly he removed his hand and I couldn't help but laugh. I thought things were going to be awkward between us. Guess not.

And then I remembered. "Tank?"

"Yea, Bombshell?"

"Where are all the guys? I saw Lester yesterday but that's it. Are they really that mad at me?"

He pulled the chair over to sit closer as he explained. "Yes and no. The guys are mad at what you did but they would be here if they could. We've been having a few problems with some accounts lately. Usually Ranger," he looked at me carefully to see how I would react – my heart skipped a beat but I kept my face blank – before continuing, "took care of most of those kind of problems and he did nearly all the paperwork. With him gone and everyone busy doing their normal jobs, it's hard to get everything done. I've called in some contract workers but it just doesn't seem to be enough."

"What's the matter with the accounts?"

Tank sighed and rubbed his face for a minute before answering. "Some people are worried about our performance capabilities without Ranger. And a lot of the clients think that. . . the new management. . . doesn't have the qualifications to run Rangeman correctly."

"New management? When did Rangeman get new management? Who is it?" I wasn't following Tank at all. Why would they hire new management?

"You," was all he said.

Me? What the hell did I have to do with it? Hell I've been in a coma for a month how could I poss. . . .

Oh.

Shit.

"Yea, Steph." He must have seen the recognition on my face.

My voice was softer than a whisper. "The will." Tank nodded. "I'm the new management. I own Rangeman." He nodded again. "I don't know how to run a company Tank. I don't think I could do it."

"Ranger thought you could."

He did. Ranger always told me my instincts would benefit the company. I always just laughed it off saying he just wanted less paperwork to do.

"It's up to you of course, but all the guys know you'd be great. They all believe in you even if you don't believe in yourself. Just give it a try. I'll be there to help you out."

"I don't know Tank. Let me think about it for a bit ok?"

He smiled a little and placed his hand on my belly. "Ok. I know you have other things to worry about."

Just then Nurse Jackie came in the room.

"Hello Dear. I hope I'm not interrupting but it's time for your tests."

Tank rose and kissed my forehead before starting to leave. "It's not a problem Ma'am. I have to get back to work anyways. Take care of her will you? I don't think I can handle something else happening right now." Jackie nodded and Tank smiled. "Either me or one of the guys will be back to check on you later Bombshell."

Just as he was about to walk out the door I remembered the pictures in my hand.

"Tank wait!" When he turned back around I held out the pictures. "Can you make copies and pass them out to the guys please? If you think they mind want them that is." I started fidgeting near the end. What if they don't want them?

Tank walked back with a big grin and took the pictures. "They'll appreciate it Steph. They still love you. Stop worrying."

I grinned back. "I'll try. Later Big Guy."

"Later Bombshell."

As Jackie got me ready she talked about Tank. "It's about time that man got some color back on his face. For such a dark skinned boy, he sure did look awfully pale these last couple weeks."

"Has he been here a lot?"

"Oh yes dear. Him and a bunch of others. They all came in and talked to you. I thought that was sweet of them. I hear them talking about how busy they were now, but they just wanted to make sure you were ok. Especially that fellow that was in your room yesterday." I could tell that she was still upset for interrupting me and Lester, but before I could say anything she went on. "Oh I hope you don't mind that I was listening. I was just curious is all. So many men coming and going out of your room makes a girl wonder." Jackie gave me a small smile. "Back in my younger days, I had quite a few fellows after me too. It was a while before I settled down though." She was mid-sigh when she gasped. "I'm rambling aren't I? Oh dear, I'm sorry. I did this before but you were sleeping so I didn't think it would bother you. I'm bothering you now aren't I? Oh dear. I'm so sorry. I'll stop."

An orderly had just dropped off a wheelchair when she finished.

I couldn't help but laugh when she was done. I quickly explained before she thought I was laughing at her. "It ok Jackie. I don't mind. Honestly. We're Jersey girls. We talk a lot." At my wink she started to smile again. "And don't worry about the guys. I listen to them all the time. Most of the time they're just talking about what girls they found at the club the night before." We both rolled our eyes at that.

"Well then, I'm glad I guess. But I think we spent enough time done in this room. Let's get you done to your tests so we can get you moving again and get some lunch for those precious little angles and their momma."

"Sounds like a plan, Jackie."

As I was wheeled though the corridors, my mind couldn't help but wander back to Rangeman. Could I really do it? Should I? I went over everything in my head but I still could decide. Not yet anyways.

A/N: Well what did you think? Good, Bad, Ok? Review and let me know. If I get enough I might just post the next chapter early ;) Otherwise the next chapter will be up Monday.

Does Steph have what it takes to run Rangeman? Will the guys be able to convince her?

Next Chapter: Steph goes home.