A/N JE owns the characters except for Moe, Striker and Demon. I am just playing. Thanks for reading and reviewing. I love to read your responses.
This story needs a name but nothing seems to jump out at me. My thought is "Turmoil and Peace" but honestly I am not feeling it. So here I am calling all story name ideas from you, my wonderful readers. No hurry, if you have an idea you would like me to consider PM me down the track. Thanks
Chapter 10
SPOV
"Guys" I whine. "I can drive myself to the obstetrician".
"Are you kidding beautiful? Baby Bomber is 20 weeks now. This is when you have another ultrasound. We are not missing a chance to see baby bomber" Les answers for all the boys. Tank is driving, Bobby up front and I am in a sexy hot Latino sandwich with Hector and Les on either side of me. This is not good.
Another sign of pregnancy came to my attention 4 weeks ago. Libido. For the last 4 weeks I have been thinking sex, dreaming sex and craving sex. My shower massager has been really getting a work out along with other sex aids. I let out a sigh. Jeez. I can feel the warmth of Les and Hectors hard muscular thighs pressed against mine warming right through to my core. Les has an arm wrapped around my shoulder and my mind can't help wandering to thoughts of what he could do with that arm. I have an image flash through my mind. Les using that arm to hug me closer, swing me around so I am straddling his strong thighs. My sexual heat is resting against his hips, the feel of his erection pressing into me. Those strong arms wrapped around me pressing my very pregnancy sensitive nipples into that firm chest. His warm breath covering my neck and sending tingles through me. I groan squeezing my thighs together to hopefully ease the ache between my legs. Looking down I see my nipples harden and pressing through my top. STOP. Damn. I am wet again. Is this how it's going to be for the duration of my pregnancy I ask myself? Wet panties most of the time. So hot and turned on that sometimes I can't help myself but wiggle in my sit to feel the friction of my clothing against my centre or even subtly rub my hand against myself to ease some of the ache. Hector is chuckling beside me has he squeezes my hand to get my attention. I told Hector about the about the sex cravings a week ago and I have no doubt that he knows where my mind went just now. Les is looking at me strangely.
"Are you OK Beautiful?"
"Ahh, yeah. Just nervous I guess ". I feel my cheeks blush red and Hector is still softly chuckling. I give him an elbow to the ribs when he leans over to whisper in my ear. "I really want to know about that fantasy Angel".
Thank god. We are here. When Tank stops the truck I push Hector out in a hurry and move quickly away from Les. Hector is smirking at me. He turns to Tank, "I think Angel needs the restroom before the appointment".
"Again Little Girl. You went just before we left to come here" tank says.
I am giving Hector an evil glare. He leans in and whispers to me "I just got you some time to... Work out your frustration". I growl back at him softly "you are so going to get it" I turn back to Tank, "no I didn't. I will see you in the waiting room" then I leave for the restroom.
Bobby stops me. "No you don't Bomber. You need a full bladder for the ultrasound" as he rests a hand on my shoulder.
"Oh sugarfoot" I say as I slap my thigh. "Now I am reminded of the Litre of water I drank an hour ago and my bursting bladder. Let's hop back in the car to distract me, come on Les, Hector." Hector actually chuckles for all to see. He knows me and my mind so well. Les is looking confused.
"Sugarfoot, Little Girl. What are you on?" Tank says what everyone else is thinking I am sure, except Hector.
I sigh, "I am trying not to curse in preparation for Mr/Miss Bump's arrival" saying while rubbing my hand over my baby bump. "And you guys better get in practice too". I get a reply of groans.
"Bomber, as much as I love you, I will not be using your curse word alternatives". Bobby adds. "Let's go or you will be late for your appointment." And he leads me to the entrance. I am grateful Bobby and the guys found me an obstetrician well away from Trenton and a good one. Although, they did go a bit over board by interviewing each Doctor and when I say "interview" I could also say "interrogation" in its place. All four men were dressed and dressed meaning swat black and guns, knives, any other armoury to suit. They were doing complete background checks before letting me go anywhere near them. When Ella told me I was pissed and a little amused when Ella explained how serious this "mission locate doctor" was to the boys. It was top priority and they had the other Rangemen in sweats, fearing there was a big dangerous government mission was about to happen. The boys jumped on any one who disturbed them and the Rangemen were in fear of meeting the mats if anyone interrupted them. Ella had some photo evidence she very sneakily took while delivering lunch that day. One picture was of all four standing tall, side by side, arms crossed feet apart looking blankly at who I assume was a doctor. The doctor looked a little pale. The second was all four boys bent over the conference table with sheets of paper scattered looking very serious and marking of checklists and such. There was also pregnancy books such as "expecting your first baby", "the baby journey", "What to expect when you're expecting" and others. There were about 8 books from what I could see in the picture. When I asked Ella what all the cards were spread out at the end of the table Ella broke into laughter. When she settled Ella told me they were labour flashcards, a card for various stages of labour and birth adding that she wished she was quick enough with the camera to catch the looks on the boy's faces as they looked at detailed images of birth.
I am grateful the guys encouraged me to share the pregnancy with Ella for a couple of reasons. Ella is making some of my meals and to have another female supporter in my corner. Ella has been great and so motherly toward me. I had some morning sickness at about 13 weeks and Ella was wonderful looking after me and finding foods that didn't upset my stomach more. When I let the guys know how I felt about the "interviews". The response I received from all four of them was a shrug of the shoulders and a "we look after our own and want the best for you and baby." There was no way I could stop them. I think they may have scared some doctors into an early retirement.
We walk in to the clinic, Connie and Lula greeting us. Bobby notifies the staff of my arrival while I handle the weekly Les and Lula name battle. Every week Les tries out a boy name while Lula tries a girl name. They go back and forth battling over baby's, move onto picking at the name the other has chosen this week before turning their attention to baby not to be out done by the other in talking to the baby. This week Baby bumps name is Xavier and Isabel, not bad and much easier to handle than some of the other names those two have come up with. Last week, it was Lulapop and Horace. I look down; Les is one side, "now Xavier you are never too young to know how to charm the ladies..." Lula is on the other side, "ok Isabel, lesson one in fashion. Don't be afraid to show off you assets. Me I got the curves and..." My baby is going to be so confused.
My name is called and I follow the nurse only to discover I have three mercenaries, a gang banger, a Betty Boop and one colour explosion trailing behind me excitedly. Les looks like he is about to jump up and down on the spot while enthusiastically clapping his hands like an excited toddler. Even tank and Hector are grinning. I stop, "you can't all come in". And they're faces fall. Looking at all these sad faces I quickly give in. "Come on then" I wave at them and continue walking. I hear Les say "yes!" And high five someone. I shake my head and look down at baby "this is your family baby. Be prepared. Be warned."
All the health check and test portion of the visit is concluded. Now we are all looking at the screen hoping to find out baby's sex. Well, I gave up looking at the screen a little while ago when my urgency to empty my bladder took over and I am focusing on not wetting myself. Baby has legs bent up and crossed at the ankles hiding any his or hers sex.
"Hmmm..." Doctor Rodrigues says. "Baby doesn't want to share his or hers sex. Let's see if we can get the little one to move" and he starts to push the ultrasound probe into my stomach poking at the baby in an effort to encourage him/her to move. Oh my god. Hold it, hold it Steph. Don't pee now Steph. Hold it in. Jeez, quit poking me. I tell myself. I can hear the others encouraging baby to move and then feel hands on my stomach pushing on me. I look down at Bobby's hands also trying to get the baby the move. Oh jeez I can't hold this much longer. My legs are crossed at the ankles and I am squeezing my legs together tightly. Hurry up. Hold it. Hurry up. Hold it. My mind is flashing between the two thoughts. After what feels like hours it is decided baby is not going to move. Hello! This baby's parents are two very stubborn people. What were they expecting?
"Can I pee now please?" And hurry off. I can clean the ultrasound gel off me in the restroom.
"Thank you god" I sigh quietly in the restroom. Kick. "Ouch" I say looking at baby bump. This baby has so much force and power in each kick it delivers and when it comes to moving nothing gets in this baby's way. Organs be damned. Ribs be damned. What is scary is that I am only half way in the pregnancy. How much more room is this baby going to need? "Ouch". Baby kicks me again. "Hey I didn't ask for them to poke at you" I say rubbing baby bump.
We are on our way back to Rangeman now. The boys have convinced me to share the baby news with the other Merry Men. Apparently, they miss me a lot and are wondering when I am coming back. Also Tank wants them to know so plans and protocols go into effect if something unexpected happens and when I am in Labour. The guys plan on being with me at the hospital and they need other Rangemen to step up and cover for that period. Obviously, they do not know I am technically still working for Rangeman just not on site and under a different name. I agree to share the news with my next closest Merry Men, Cal, Hal, Manny, Woody, Binkie, Zip, Zero and Ram. They are all waiting for us when we enter the conference room.
Tank starts, "men I have news. There will be a new Rangeman joining our ranks in a few months." All the men nod. I am sure the men have noticed my pregnant belly but they haven't put it together yet. Les, Bobby and Tank are grinning widely. Hector has a smirk.
"Bombshell is having a baby." All is quiet for a moment then the boys smile sounding off congratulations. I get hugs and kisses. When things quieten down Tank moves on.
"Ok. There are some orders to follow." All the men turn serious and nod.
"One, news of Steph's baby is not to leave this room. This is predominately for safety concerns. Too many people know Steph and they aren't all nice. Do not talk about Steph or the baby with each other outside this building and not with other Rangemen unless I or Steph Ok it. Steph wants this baby to be known to only a select group of people and the core team and Hector agree this is a good idea."
"Two. Steph no longer lives in Trenton. You will need to know her new address but this also remain confidential and do not leave this room. Same as order one. Understood?" And they all nod.
"Three. Core team and Hector will be away during the baby's birth. We will be offline. All of us." This gets some raised eyebrows in response. It is very rare for the core team to be offline at the same time. Tank continues, "We expect to be offline for a 24hour period but that may change. Manny, Ram and Woody, you will take core teams place for that period. Cal, you will be covering Hector but for two weeks. Hector will be on leave." They all nod. "Binkie, Hal, Zero and Zip you help the boys were you can" more nods. "We will meet again to discuss the jobs for everyone, details, procedures and protocols but for now get back to work and expect an email announcing the meeting within the week". Tank finishes.
The men give a "yes sir" and begin to leave but not without another hug and kiss to me on the way out.
Ella walks in then smiling excitedly. "Hello dear. Do you have an ultrasound picture? How is the baby? Is he or she healthy and on track? And how about you? Nice and healthy? No concerns?" Ella rattles off her questions while giving me a hug. Hector hands me the ultrasound picture for Ella to ooh and ahh over. I notice there are copies on the table. Looking at the boys in question, les answers "we want a picture too." Taking one for him and putting it in his pocket.
Later the same day...
TPOV
Core team and leadership are gathered in the conference room waiting for a meeting to begin with Miami regarding the Takedown of a high dollar skip. When Little Girl left us earlier Lester emailed everyone who knows about Baby Bomber requesting they meet us here half an hour before the scheduled meeting time. I knew straight away what he was up to. He is so excited about His Beautiful having a baby. I would almost say he is the proud daddy. That could also be said of Hector. Only the people who know him well, which is just I, Les, Bobby and Ranger would know that because Hector reveals nothing. I am looking at the ultrasound image of Baby Bomber (a nickname that has stuck) I admit it is miraculous and I can't help the smile that breaks on my face. Am I missing something in my life? I look up at the men in the room they are all huddled over ultrasound images scattered on the table and Talking with each other. There is excitement, happiness, love for Little Girl and her baby, pride and protectiveness filling the room. Hector is the only one not participating actively in the group but he is taking it all in with a small smile his only revelation to how he feels about this. These men will be role models for this baby and very dedicated uncles. My thoughts darken, these men and not the one that should be, as father.
BPOV
While I look at the images on the table I feel a little bright spot fill a dark space within me. For all the years that I witnessed life at its end, the lives I couldn't save, and the lives that were so damaged physically and mentally they nearly didn't come back, this one tiny little image of a baby foetus has suddenly impacted on that darkness inside me. I will get to be a part of bringing a life into the world for a change. I did have fleeting moment of why subject an innocent baby to the world and its hell but the moment I saw the first ultrasound image my feelings did a backflip. How could one not bring something so precious into the world? This baby will balance out some of bad with the good. I can't wait to be a part of it. My spare time is filled with updating Bomber's weekly pregnancy journal. No one knows I have it. I fill it with everything not just the medical progress but also with any changes in Bomber from diet, mood, exercise, and feelings, anything that is discussed about the baby. I have copies of medical reports, ultrasound images and any research I have done on pregnancy and birth. You could say this is my hobby. In my off time I am also spending time at the maternity ward with Steph's doctor learning what I can. Looking at the men around the room there is an overwhelming amount of love and happiness. Maybe more than my own dark spot has been shadowed by the Baby Bomber bright light.
LPOV
I have more than a few copies of the ultrasound images of Beautiful's baby. Of course Beautiful doesn't know how many I have. I didn't think she would let me have them all and I couldn't wait to show them to the guys. This morning I was excited to see the baby for the first time but when I witnessed that first image of Xavier I wasn't prepared for the love, devotion and protectiveness that overwhelmed me. My heart soared. Fucking wow man. I get to be a part of this Baby's life, be there for the journey. I will be the best god damn role model for that baby. Then my thoughts flick to my fucker of a cousin, the LF Grenade, I still smile at that one but I quickly shut them out as the guys start discussing first lessons to be taught to Baby Bomber. No fucking way am I missing out on teaching this baby something? Hmmm, maybe Beautiful has something in switching out curse words; she won't let me near this baby if I don't change that. Something to think about.
HPOV
Tank and I are the only ones not actively participating in this sharing moment. I notice Tank is holding his own image below the table. There is no need for me to be involved in this... Yet. Like Angel, this baby is mine and I intend to make that fucking clear to everyone. At my thought of one fucker in particular he comes online. My eyes harden and I smirk, I am going to enjoy this. I watch him on the screen as he takes in the scene in front of him. No one else in the room has noticed the new addition to the room. They are still busy discussing Angel and her baby. Tank is still looking at his own image. I won't let them say too much more because no way do I want this fucker to know anything about Angel. His eyes harden and jaw tightens. I see he trying to figure out what the images are luckily from where he is he can't make out what they are. OK time to stop this. I stare at Tank to get his attention when he looks up short time later I glance at the screen. Tank brings order to the room, "alright men, asses down time for the meeting". They all look up at the screen and in a second the ultrasound images disappear and room goes quiet. He starts by demanding what is going on and what are we looking at? I speak up in Spanish before anyone else can, "Lester's showing off his new woman" and the some of the men chuckle.
RPOV
What the fuck is going on here? No one looks ready for the meeting. They are all just fucking around. What the fuck is Tank doing? And what is he looking at? There are images of something scattered over the table I think they are pictures and every man except Hector and Tank are huddled around them passing them around. They are talking about lessons and someone called Xavier. Lessons in what? And why the hell are they so happy about it? When Tank brings the men to order and they see me on the screen the pictures disappear quickly. What the fuck are they hiding? Apparently the pictures are of Lester's new woman. I am not a fucking fool. We get on with the meeting ad half way through Lester's phone rings with the tune of that "Hey Baby" song. I see the core team and Hector go on alert instantly with eyes on Lester. He answers and talks some then his voice raises a little as he says "AGAIN! You want more oranges? Didn't you get about 5kg a couple of days ago?" Lester pauses and listens while Tank and Bobby are trying to laugh quietly and Hector is chuckling. The other men in the room are bewildered. I hear Lester again "GONE! You're kidding right?" Lester's listens again then passes the phone to Hector. What the fuck, we are in a meeting. Hector listens, says something in Spanish and ends the call. Hector looks at Lester and says "it's your turn. Navel Oranges only". Lester groans and falls back in his chair. "Why don't we just buy a fucking orchard" he groans out and at that Tank and Bobby just about piss themselves.