~ 11 ~

Things all come together.

It's the day of surgery and I told the nurses that visitors were OK. Carlos came in and gave me such sweet kisses.

"Babe, it was killing me not being with you. I had to wait until you fell asleep to spend time with you so I would come in and just watch you sleep."

"Carlos, I'm sorry about that, I just needed some time alone to reflect on all that's happened and to think."

"Are you mad at me?"

"No, I understand."

Carlos got on to the bed with me and held me. We stayed like that for some time.

"How are you, have you been here since yesterday?"

"Yeah babe and there are a few people who want to see you. Do you want to come out and sit in the family waiting area?"

"Yes, that would be nice."

Carlos got up and helped me out of the bed, he went to the cabinet took out a gown and put it on me so that nothing was exposed. My man is always thinking ahead.

We walked to the waiting room and Daddy, Marylou, Isabella, and Ricardo were all sitting talking. Samara and Alfonso, Hector, Manny, Lester and Tank were at a table talking. Bobby, Lula, Connie, and Joe were also sitting there. Ella and Grandma Rosa were passing around snacks and drinks.

"Hello everyone, it looks like I've missed one heck of a party. I'm sorry I wasn't seeing anyone, I just needed some alone time. I hope you all understand."

Daddy came over and kissed me.

"Pumpkin, we understand and it's OK."

I had asked daddy not to say anything to my mother since she had never bothered to come around after that night.

"Hi daddy, how are you?"

"Oh pumpkin don't worry about me, how are you feeling?"

"Believe it or not daddy I'm feeling OK."

We were all sitting around talking. Joe came over and hugged me. Of course, under the ever watchful eye of one Carlos Manoso.

"Stephanie, you sure as shit know how to scare people don't you?"

"Well Joe, I wouldn't be me otherwise, right?" I laughed.

Lester decided he wanted to brighten things up by bringing up the whole Pinos incident except now there was a video attached. Bozo the clown decided to play it on his iPad, how convenient that he just happened to have it with him, jackass.

Hector had edited the video a little; he muted out the sentence where I mention how much money I had. He did not want everyone to know. How sweet is this man, if he wasn't gay, I would have fallen for him long ago.

Everyone was laughing I even laughed I had to admit the look on my face was priceless as well as the shot of me waking up claiming it was my narcolepsy that took over. Where did I get narcolepsy from sheesh?

"Who recorded this? Lester so help me you are a dead man."

"Beautiful I promise it wasn't me."

"Who was it?"

They all turned their heads towards Joe and stared at him.

"WHAT? Joe Morelli, you recorded it?"

"Stephanie, no I didn't I swear."

"Morelli, you're a lying piece of shit." Connie said.

"Well technically, I didn't record it. My phone was used by the waitress, she recorded it."

"FOR YOU, JACKASS FOR YOU!" I yelled.

We all laughed and the nurse came to tell me that it was time to prep me for surgery. I got hugs and kisses from everyone. Carlos walked me back to my room. The anesthesiologist came in and gave me his routine, he explained everything he would be doing and about my recovering from the anesthesia etc.

Marisol and Alejandro came in and talked to me, saying I had nothing to worry about and they were going back to the O.R. to prep themselves. The nurse was putting in my IV when daddy, Ricardo, Isabella and Grandma Rosa all came in. I asked the nurse not to put any drugs in yet. She said OK but we had only had a few minutes.

Grandma Rosa moved Carlos out of the way and stood by me. I laughed when she did that. She took out a Rosary and started praying over me in Spanish. I didn't understand what she was saying but the tears were building.

Grandma Rosa finished up kissed me and walked out. Daddy came over, kissed me said he would be waiting for me. Ricardo and Isabella also hugged and kissed me then walked out with daddy.

The nurse came back started filling up my IV with who knows what. I looked at Carlos and I started crying.

"Babe, it's going to be OK, I promise you."

"I'm sorry Carlos that when this is all over, I can't ever give you babies."

"Stephanie, we've talked about this, please, you have nothing to be sorry for. I want you for life and this is the only way."

"I love you Carlos Manoso."

"Stephanie Plum, I love you with all my heart. I will be here waiting for you."

They started to wheel me away; Carlos walked with me holding my hand he made them stop before taking me to the operating room he gave me a kiss that I like to think made me pass out. Yeah, I know it was the drugs. All I remember was his kiss and it was lala land for me.

I was trying to wake up but I couldn't, all I heard was the beeping of the machines after a few minutes, the nurse came over.

"Well Stephanie, I was beginning to worry about you when it took you so long to wake up. Glad you're awake how are you feeling? This is your pump for pain. We will be moving you to your room as soon as Drs' Ruiz come and check on you they will give us the OK to move you."

A few minutes later, Marisol and Alex came over, checked everything. Asked how I was feeling.

"Stephanie, are you nauseous or in pain?" said Alex.

"I'm a little nauseous but I do have lots of pain."

"Well dear, the pain is normal and expected. This is your pump for your pain medication, if the pain gets out of control, you let us know OK?"

"Everything looks exactly as it should. The procedure went very well, we pulled blood, and it came back OK. No need to worry about anything."

The nurse and orderly started to roll me out of the recovery area as soon as the doors opened, I saw the most gorgeous man.

"Oh my God, who is that man?"

The nurse started laughing.

"Can I kiss him?"

"Well Stephanie, I don't think your man would like that very much."

We laughed.

"Babe, I'm so happy to see you. We were worried when you didn't wake up as expected."

I don't remember anything after that.

I finally woke up to Carlos and his beautiful smile; I will never get tired of seeing him smile.

"Stephanie, how are you feeling?"

"Do you need anything?"

"I'd like some water."

"All right babe, but just a little."

He gave me some water to sip and told me to take little sips. Which I did, my voice was so groggy and raspy.

"Your dad and my parents want to see you, are you up for it?"

" Yeah, it's OK but I'm sure I look terrible."

He went to the bathroom, brought out a warm wet washcloth, and started to wash my face he kissed me. He came back with a brush and began brushing my hair getting it out of my face to make me look presentable. The nurse came in and just stared at us both.

"What's wrong, why are you staring at us?"

"You two are so damn adorable."

Carlos raised an eyebrow and I laughed.

"I don't think he likes being referred to as adorable."

"Let me check your vitals I will leave you alone to visit with your man and your family."

She finished up noted everything in my chart and walked out of the room.

"Are you ready?"

"Yes I am do I look ok?"

"Even this early after surgery, you are beautiful."

Daddy, Ricardo and Isabella walked in they all kissed me. They asked how I was feeling and if I needed anything. I said no, I was good. We visited for a little bit and they left.

I started to have pain and used my pump but it kept beeping. I started groaning from the pain. My nurse came running in asked what was wrong. I told her I was in pain and the pump wasn't working.

She left and brought me a pill gave me some water. A few minutes later, the pain was gone. She told me that the pump is on a timer and it was too close from my last dose that's why it wasn't working.

I had fallen asleep and I woke up to loud grumbling noises, yep it was my stomach. Carlos and the nurse were laughing.

"What is so funny?"

"The beast is calling; it's time to feed that beast."

"I'm starving, what is there to eat?"

The nurse looked at me with a worried look on her face.

"Well you are on a liquid diet for a couple of days, there's Jell-O and broth."

"You have got to be kidding me, nasty Jell-O and nasty salty chicken flavored water blah. Oh please shoot me now."

I told Carlos to take that crap away before I threw up and I didn't even finish my sentence, I hurled all over the place. Amanda, my nurse told Carlos to leave so she could clean me up. Carlos said no. He would take care of me. Amanda closed the blinds on the door and windows, brought over soap, warm water, and towels. Carlos told her to leave the soap in the bathroom he had shower gel.

He took out his shower gel poured it into the water and it smelled heavenly. He washed my face, neck, chest, and arms. Carlos helped me sit up as he washed my back. He took out a bag that had a beautiful satin button down nightshirt he lifted me up and told Amanda to put the nightshirt on me. He laid me back down on the bed and buttoned up my nightshirt.

I felt much better. Amanda was back to her staring routine.

"Honestly, I have not seen men take care of their uh, what are you two anyway?"

Carlos and I just looked at each other. We are too old to label ourselves as boyfriend and girlfriend.

"We are partners, I said."

"Well it has been a long time since I've seen a man take care of his partner in the way you do Mr. Manoso. It is very refreshing."

"Amanda, he takes very good care of me."

Marisol and Alejandro came in to check on the incision discussed my recovery while in the hospital. They made sure to tell me every little detail and that I was not to do anything at all.

Marisol said I could try and eat regular food tomorrow I smiled.

"Now Stephanie, you have lost a lot of weight, you have to eat and put on weight. Your current weight is unhealthy for you."

I laughed at the thought of having to put on weight. Marisol continued.

"I will send instructions to Tia Ella regarding your food preparation. Do not go overboard but eat whatever you want.

"At your 3 week follow up I would like to run new blood-work and then again after your 6 week follow up. I expect you to have gained some weight when I see you for your follow up.

Marisol looked at Carlos and then at me.

"Carlos wants his bombshell back, he doesn't do skinny."

"All right doc. I promise to eat." I said.

"One of us will be back tomorrow but don't hesitate to call us if you have any questions or concerns OK?"

"Thank you so much for everything."

"Dear, we are glad that we have been able to help and take care of you. Good-bye now. Carlos, call anytime OK?"

"Yeah sis thanks. Alex thanks."

Samara and Alfonso would come visit. They would bring trays of food and dessert, not only for visitors and me but for the nursing staff too. The nurses were thrilled.

The nurses were so sweet they were taking great care of me. I want to do something nice for them. I asked Isabella if she could find a salon for me around here. She did and gave me the contact information.

I called the salon ordered four gift cards, two per shift choosing the full SPA treatment for each of them, plus gratuity on each card. I asked if she could put the cards in boxes and wrap them up; she said she would do so. Before we hung up, I told her that someone would be by to pick up the cards later on today.

"Hi babe, how are you feeling?"

"Feeling OK, tired a little bit of pain, otherwise fine."

"Do you need anything?"

"Yeah."

"What do you need?"

"I need you to come and lay down with me."

'Well I can definitely accommodate that request."

I smiled at my handsome sexy man he gave me a gihugic smile back. He climbed in the bed with me and pulled me to him it was pure delight for me. What more could I possibly ask for?

We laid there talking, he was whispering in my ear about all the things he was going to do to me as soon as it was OK for sex. Oh boy! I laughed but also felt myself turning red.

"Steph. are you embarrassed about something?"

"No why do you ask?"

"You have that nervous look on your face and you're flushed."

"Well you know it's been a while since we've been together in that aspect, with the exception of those two times a few months back, it's been almost 2 years."

"Stephanie, there is no pressure what so ever, you take all the time you need, I am a patient man. I was only teasing you."

The pain started to become intense and Carlos felt me begin to get agitated.

"Steph, is the pain worse? I'll go get the nurse.

"Carlos, you know once I take the pain pills, I will be out shortly after, so would you mind going over to the salon and pick up some gifts I ordered for my nurses?"

"I can do that."

"Shit, Carlos I don't have my purse with me, I want to give you my credit card to pay for the gifts."

"Babe."

Babe must have about 100 meanings; that one was don't fuck with me babe. Isabella came in sat for a little bit and Carlos asked if she wanted to take a ride with him. I was starting to doze off. He kissed me said he would be back soon.

Alejandro came in to check on me then looked at my chart.

"Stephanie, you are doing very well, everything looks good, the nurses tell me you have been behaving yourself. Good to hear."

I laughed at what he said.

"I am very happy with your progress, when Marisol and I come back tomorrow, we will check you out, if you are doing as well as today, you could go home the day after tomorrow. Do you have any questions for me?"

"No, I am all good, I am sure I will have some tomorrow though."

It was difficult to keep my eyes open any longer, I was fighting it very hard I'm pretty sure I fell asleep as Alex was talking to me since I don't remember much. How rude of me.

After a nice nap, I woke up in the arms of Mr. Carlos Manoso it was wonderful. I really would just rather lie in bed with him all day long and do nothing, seriously.

"Hi Stephanie, did you sleep well?"

"I did, how long have you been back?"

"Oh only about 20 minutes, you looked so peaceful, I didn't want to wake you."

My ever so considerate love always thinks about me. He put the bag on the bedside table and took out the cards.

The salon put the gift cards in a nice box with a bow they had a small card for each box.

Thank you for everything, you took such great care of me.
You made being in the hospital bearable and I appreciate that.

Enjoy

Stephanie & Carlos

Carlos and I called them both in before their shift ended we gave them the boxes. They were stunned and they hugged me. They told us that no one had ever done anything so nice before.

We did the same thing for the next shift they were equally stunned. They checked my vitals and went to take care of other patients.

Carlos and I sat and talked he pulled out a box with an envelope. The box had a gift card for four spa packages.

"Carlos you're a stinker, you know that?"

"Yep, but you love me anyway."

"With all my heart honey"

I opened the envelope it was a computer printout of St. James Island in Barbados. the trip he promised me in six weeks.

"Carlos, thank you so much, I love this. Can we take the trip anytime?"

"Yes whenever you like babe."

"Thank you Carlos for all that you've done for me, the trip, getting Marisol and Alejandro involved. All of it, I can never repay you."

"No price Stephanie."

Carlos was nuzzling my ear when my Merry Men came to visit, Lester, Manny, Hector, and Tank. Lester had a hurt look on his face I wasn't sure why. They all came in each carrying a flower and a box of tasty cakes. We sat around talking but Lester wasn't quite himself, so I asked if I could talk to Lester alone everyone said yes then all walked out including Carlos.

"What's up beautiful?"

"Les, are you OK? You look like you just lost your best friend."

"Nope all is good Steph, I guess just seeing you look like you're in pain bothered me, that's all."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes beautiful, I am sure. Are you feeling all right?"

"Yes, just pain on and off."

"Glad to hear that, I am also really happy that you will be sticking around with us for a long long time."

"I was really scared Les, I didn't know how to handle it, before the surgery when I was sick, I kind of was giving up but then I tried to fight it too."

Les has always been a really easy guy to talk to, even with all his pranks and his man whore attitude, he is a wonderful man. He is a great person.

"Beautiful, you scared me, when we would come to see you and Marylou wouldn't let us in, we didn't know what was going on, I was going crazy with worry."

"I am so sorry about that Les, I owe everyone an apology that was not right for me to do that."

I thought about fixing him up with Martha Brantley but the more I think about that the more I think he would be better off with my friend Barb Richardson.

I'm going to work on that one, she's perfect for him. She is sweet, adorably cute and a wild child that will give him a run for his money. She will totally stop his man whore ways and settle down.

Carlos came back into my room he looked at us, Les was comfortable on my bed, holding my hand then the raised eyebrow and a slight growl came from my over protective man. All I could do was smile.

"Sorry boss" was all Lester could say, he quickly but carefully got off the bed kissed me on the cheek and ran out.

"Carlos, was that necessary?"

"Absofuckinglutely."

Well with that and his tone, I knew not to push it. I was starting to get hungry my stomach rumbled like an earthquake. Carlos laughed.

"Babe there is food from the restaurant would you like me to get you a plate?"

"Oh that would be great, anything you choose is fine."

He went out and brought two plates back for us and put everything on the table, he lifted me out of the bed put me on the chair, rolled the table over and pulled up the other chair and sat next to me as we ate.

My dad walked in he smiled at us both.

"Do you two ever stop with all this romance crap?"

We laughed.

"How's my little girl?"

"Better daddy, did you eat? Go make yourself a plate and come join us."

"Sure, I will be right back."

Daddy came back he pulled up a chair, sat across from Carlos and I. We ate, talked a little. He was telling us about how mother was asking him where he goes all the time while complaining that he's never home. He told her that she better get used to it because until she has her act together he will not be spending much time at home.

Apparently, the "burg" got wind of my surgery Val heard it somewhere, told my mother who wanted to know from daddy what was going on. Daddy told her that unless she was ready to apologize as I had requested she didn't need to be involved in my life. I guess she told him that no matter what I was still her daughter.

We finished eating and Carlos got up threw away the plates, utensils and he brought me bottled water, we talked a little more with daddy he said it was getting late and he was going to head home. I had more visitors it was nice to have everyone visit, everyone brought flowers, and each arrangement came with a cute little stuffed animal. I hated to do this but I would not need these at home, so I asked Amanda if once I was ready to leave they could take them down to the kids' floor.

There were so many of them but they really were cute, what would I do with them at home, so she said I should take a ride to the pediatric floor and pass out the stuffed animals myself. I wasn't sure how I would handle seeing the kids especially sick kids, I asked Carlos if he wanted to go downstairs with me. He said yes and Amanda brought over an empty gift basket she took the animals off the vases put them all in the basket. She did a nice job arranging them.

Carlos cleaned me up while Amanda went out to get a wheel chair for me; by the time she came back, I was all set to go. She complimented Carlos on doing a good job with my personal care. I sat in the wheel chair with a blanket and the basket on my lap we headed to the pediatric floor, Amanda was calling the nurse on that floor to give them a heads up, they are very strict with tight security.

We got to the pediatrics floor and the nurse greeted us, said she really appreciated that we were going to give all those stuffed animals to the little kids. It would really lift their spirits.

She walked with us to the children, showed them the basket, and told them to choose which ever they liked. The look on their faces was precious, they all chose one than thanked us, I spotted a little boy that was lying there not really too interested. He looked like he was about 10 it was a wild guess. I tried to talk to him but he really didn't respond. I told him we would see him later.

I asked the nurse what his name was, she said Marcus, that Marcus is a very sick boy. She couldn't tell me anything more about him but that his parents were in the family waiting room. We finished passing out all the stuffed animals, but I kept one on my lap, this one was a little bigger than the others were and it was a penguin. We waved good-bye to the kids the nurse came over to us. I asked if she would take me to Marcus' family she did.

"Mr. & Mrs. Goldberry Stephanie would like to meet you, she was just here passing out little stuffed animals to all the kids and Marcus didn't really feel like talking or having any visitors."

"Hi, my name is Stephanie this is my fiancé Carlos, it's nice to meet you. I don't want to seem nosy but can you tell me what's going on with Marcus? Obviously he's ill but what's wrong with him."

The Goldberrys introduced themselves, Alicia and Michael, they were a little older than Carlos and I. Alicia told us that Marcus has Primary Immunodeficiency Disorder, He is continually being hit with infections. She told us more about his illness along with all that Marcus has gone through. Apparently the treatments are expensive, Michael lost his job a few months ago because he had to take time off due to Marcus being sick. They did not have insurance and now the latest test results show he is a prime candidate for cancer.

That was hard for me to hear especially for someone so young, it should not happen to little ones, that's for damn sure. We talked a little bit longer I wanted to go back to see Marcus. Carlos rolled me back Alicia and Michael followed us.

"Hi Marcus, my name is Stephanie, how are you? I know you don't feel well but I wanted to bring you this little penguin, his name is bomber he told me that he wanted to hang out with a really nice kid."

"Would you like to say hi to bomber? I know he wants to say hi to you."

I wheeled myself closer to Marcus with the penguin dancing around a little and signing a goofy song. Marcus started to laugh slightly. I talked to him as if I was the penguin with a goofy cartoon character voice.

"Marcus, I just had surgery, I was very sick too and you know who helped me?"

"Who?" Marcus said in a sweet but very weak voice.

"This guy back here, his name is Ranger but I call him Batman."

Marcus looked up at Carlos with wide eyes that were sparkling now, he started to sit up, Carlos went over to help him.

"Are you really Batman?" Marcus asked Carlos.

"No, big guy I'm not but Stephanie thinks I am so I pretend to be because it makes her happy, what she didn't tell you is that when she was a little girl, she always wanted to be Wonder Woman, so I call her Wonder Woman."

Marcus started laughing.

Carlos bent down to Marcus and whispered in his ear Marcus looked at me.

"Why is this penguin called bomber?"

I looked over at Carlos and he was grinning from ear to ear.

"Well Marcus it's a long story so I will try and keep it short. I am a BEA, which means I am a bounty hunter."

Marcus suddenly sat up a little bit more, his eyes lit up, and he was smiling.

"You mean like The Bounty Hunter Dog?"

"Oh Marcus, I wish I was that good, no he is a cool dude. Anyway I always seem to get the crazy guys. They always end up bombing my car I have gone through, hmmmm, let me see."

"Carlos how many cars have I gone through?"

"Do you want just yours or mine included in the total too?"

"OK smarty pants."

"Well Marcus, I honestly can't keep track anymore, but it's been more than 10 her cars are always old and falling apart, but my cars, well they've been Beemers, Mercedes, Porsches, SUV, the only thing she hasn't destroyed is a hummer."

Marcus was rolling laughing now, holding his stomach, his parents had tears in their eyes.

"Marcus, you know what she did once? I let her drive my Porsche and she had it parked on the side of a parking lot and a huge garbage truck rolled right over it as if that wasn't enough it blew up."

"Stephanie has a nick name its bomber or bombshell but the guys at work call her bomber."

"But you call her Wonder Woman right?"

"Yeah big guy, I do, she is my Wonder Woman."

We were all laughing when I looked at Alicia and Michael, they were crying while holding each other. It made me teary eyed.

"Hey Ranger."

"Yeah big guy/"

"What do you do?"

"Well big guy, I do a lot of things, I am a bounty hunter too, but I am much better than Dog. I own a company in Trenton I was in the Army and I just finished my last duty."

"Wow Ranger that is way cool, what were you in the Army?"

"Special Forces, Rangers, you name it and I did it."

"What rank are you?"

"I am a Colonel."

Marcus just beamed as his smile grew bigger and bigger, he was now completely sitting up. Carlos had pulled a chair right next to me and we were in our own little world. When I looked at Marcus, his eyes were dancing he was so happy. I started crying.

"Wonder Woman doesn't cry, why are you crying?"

"Marcus, I am crying happy tears, because you are so happy the way you are smiling, it makes me happy. Wonder Woman can cry happy tears."

Oh gosh, this boy was adorable, he took my hand and held it, smiled a big smile at me.

"Bomber, it's OK to cry happy tears, I bet dog even cries."

It was getting late and I know that Marcus needed to get to sleep plus I was starting to feel a little pain.

"Marcus, I have to go it's getting late for you and I am starting to feel some pain so it's time for me to take my medicine so it will make me fall asleep. Can I come visit you again?"

"Sure bomber, can I come visit you?"

"You sure can, I will tell your parents what room I'm in. I am not sure when I will get to leave but I'll still be here tomorrow."

"OK, thanks for my very own bomber, I like him a lot."

Marcus and Carlos shook hands as we were leaving; Marcus called Ranger to salute him. Carlos gave Marcus an official salute.

"Bye Batman, bye Wonder Woman, I'll see you tomorrow."

"OK big guy, we'll be waiting for you." Carlos said.

A/N: Once again, I know that things don't move this fast in real life but I don't want to stay on the cancer topic for too long.

There have been many suggestions about harvesting eggs, I did think about that but while I was writing my notes the story changed direction. Something will happen down the road good and bad.

Originally, Marcus was not a part of my story; I have no idea where he and his parents came from. As I was transferring my notes to my laptop, Marcus appeared, I didn't have to think hard at all on the names, well only the last name.

So what do you think so far? Do you like the new and improved Stephanie?

Thank you all for your wonderful comments and reviews, your words are very encouraging and I truly appreciate it.

This story is taking a life of it's own.