Thank you all so much for the positive reviews. I know I haven't been able to respond to each and every one, but please know that your reviews mean the world to me! And they encourage me to write more!

None of the characters are my creation (except for Trey) and am just taking them out for a joy ride. Thanks to Janet Evanovich for creating such loveable characters.

Previously:

As we sat there gazing at our newborn son, I couldn't help but realize that this was what I had been missing all my life. This was what I tried so hard to distance myself from, and in reality, it was what I needed all along. I felt complete. I felt whole. And for once in my life, everything in the world was right.

Ranger's POV:

Stephanie stayed in the hospital for three days after Trey's delivery, and then was discharged. I took care of finding and renting a condo near the hospital, since Newark had a NICU and the hospital in Trenton didn't. This made it easier on us since we were at the hospital several times a day. Our days were filled with doing the things new parents do, the only difference being we had to travel to the NICU each day. Neither of us wanted to be apart from him very long so I worked from the condo when we were there, and only attended those meetings that were absolutely necessary.

Most mornings we would wake up early, shower, and then go see Trey. Stephanie chose to breast feed, and although Trey couldn't suckle or nurse, she pumped breast milk for him several times a day and we took it to the NICU for him. Stephanie was dismayed at how her previous petite breasts had taken on a life of their own since Trey's delivery. I, however, was loving every minute of it.

Sometimes we had lunch at the hospital. But most days, we would come back to the apartment and heat up food from Ella. Steph would rest while I worked on the laptop, and then we would venture back to the NICU to visit Trey again in the evenings. This was how our time was spent for weeks on end. The doctors and nurses were impressed with Trey's progress and he was steadily gaining weight. Each day seemed to bring a new milestone for him. We celebrated the small things each day: an ounce gained, coming off the ventilator, holding down his milk, sucking from a bottle, etc. You name it, it was a cause for celebration for us. We were counting down the days until we got to take him home.

Stephanie had taken to motherhood like a duck to water. For someone who always feared marriage and motherhood, she took to it like she did everything else in life. Perfectly. Back when she decided to take on the job as a bounty hunter, she did so with a 100 percent capture rate. She may have captured her FTA's by in unorthodox ways, but she was good at it. When she did research for Rangeman, she attacked it with a gusto that most employees don't have. She has always went about any given task with excitement and determination. Parenthood for Stephanie has been no different. She has devoured any information that she could find on premature babies. She's constantly reading baby books- that is, when we're not visiting Trey. And when I'm not working on the laptop, she's researching therapy and early intervention for premature babies. I'm amazed at how she's taken on the role of mother. Although I'm not surprised. I knew she would be an excellent mother. She's the most caring and nurturing person I know. We've learned a lot about what to expect in the coming months with Trey's care, and what to do when we get home with him.

Today marks Trey's six week birthday. Which also means that Stephanie has her six week checkup with the OB/GYN that delivered Trey. So far, we haven't been able to consummate our marriage, although we've had a hard time keeping our hands off of each other. We've shared passionate kisses and heavy petting, but hopefully today will be the day! Dios! I can't wait to make love to my wife. It's still hard to believe that just a couple of months ago, neither of us knew we were going to have a baby. And now we're married with an amazing son. How quickly life can change and be put into perspective. I never thought I'd open myself up to love considering my past. But Stephanie changed all of that. Somehow I feel like we can get through anything together.

I was interrupted from my thoughts by Stephanie coming down the hallway from our bedroom. "Carlos, are you going to my doctor appointment with me today? Or are you going over to see Trey while I'm gone?"

"Babe, I thought I'd go with you, and then we could go over to see Trey afterwards."

I pulled her into my arms and kissed her eagerly, while pushing her gently against the wall. "Steph, I can't wait to make love to you. Do you realize how long it's been since we've been together?"

Stephanie pulled back from me as I nuzzled into her neck. "As a matter of fact, I do Batman. It was about a three weeks before Trey was born. So that's about 9 weeks. Have you missed me?"

"Christ Babe! You have no idea! Let's go so that we can get the all clear from your doctor."

I took her hand in mine and lead her out to the Porsche Cayenne. We motored over to Dr. O'Riley's office and I signed us in as Stephanie took a seat in the waiting room. After a few minutes we were called back, and the nurse took Steph's weight, temperature, and blood pressure.

"Mrs. Manoso, your blood pressure has stabilized. That's excellent news. How are you feeling?"

"I'm doing well. I'm tired, but otherwise great. I stay busy going back and forth to the NICU to see Trey, so sleep isn't a huge priority right now. I'm sure it'll become even less so when we get to take him home with us."

The nurse smiled and nodded, and led us to a small room. "Here's a gown for you to change in to. Take everything off including your underwear, and Dr. O'Riley will be with you in a few minutes.

Stephanie took the gown, and glanced up at me. "Carlos, I….well, I…"

"What's wrong Babe?"

"Nothing, it's just that you've never been the gynecologist with me before. It just kinda feels weird."

"Steph, I've seen you give birth to our son. But if you're uncomfortable I can wait in the waiting room. I just want to know that you are healthy. I don't have to be here for the exam if you don't want me to be."

"Carlos, it's not that I don't want you to be here. It's just that, well, could you just sit up near my head? And don't watch the doctor?"

"Sure Babe. Whatever you want."

Stephanie stepped behind the small curtain to change into the gown. I chuckled to myself that here she was standing behind a changing screen and I had seen every inch of her intimately. Only my Babe!

When she was finally changed, she hopped up onto the exam table and I kissed her temple. "Are you sure you don't want me to step out into the hallway? I don't mind Babe."

"No, Carlos. It's ok. I hate doctor visits anyway. It's kinda nice to have the moral support."

I stood with my back to the wall, near the head of the exam table, and stared around the room at the posters on the wall. There were charts with pictures of birth control options, pictures of the female anatomy, and a poster of a baby in a uterus! It was much different than the doctor's offices I was accustomed to. But then, I've never been in a gynecologists office before. Julie was born while I was deployed, and I never got a chance to attend any of the prenatal visits.

Dr. O'Riley knocked on the door and came into the room. He talked to us about how Stephanie was feeling. He asked lots of questions like how breastfeeding was going, did she have any pain or tenderness, how was her moods, if she had resumed her monthly cycle yet, and what birth control we were planning on using.

Stephanie answered all of the questions while I stood silently in the corner. When the subject of birth control came up, she blushed. "Dr. O'Riley, I was on birth control pills when I got pregnant with Trey. Carlos and I haven't really discussed any options at this point."

Dr. O'Riley spoke up. "Tell me Stephanie. Were you on any medication when you got pregnant with Trey? Or possibly shortly before? Besides your birth control pills?"

"Ummm, let's see. I remember Bobby giving me some antibiotics for an ear ache that I had. I don't remember what kind they were."

Dr. O'Riley chuckled. "Who is Bobby? Your physician?"

I spoke up. "Bobby Brown is our company medic. He's a physician assistant and is working on his medical degree. We have a part time physician that works for our company as well, so Bobby is authorized to write prescriptions for our employees. "

"Stephanie, did he tell you that sometimes certain antibiotics can interfere with birth control pills. And that you might need to use a back up method for the remainder of your cycle?"

Stephanie looked up at me. "No, I don't recall him telling me that!"

Dr. O'Riley smiled a big smile. "The pharmacy always puts a label on the container, but unless you read the warnings, you might not have noticed it. I'd say you probably have Bobby to thank for your precious son! But that's not such a bad thing now, is it?"

I chuckled and smiled. "No, Sir, it isn't. We're very blessed and proud of our son, regardless of the circumstances surrounding his conception."

Stephanie smiled and took my hand. "Carlos, we still have to make a decision about birth control. I'd like to decide today."

Dr. O'Riley spoke. "Why don't I give you two a few minutes and I'll go get the supplies I'll need for Stephanie's exam. You can always use condoms, or I can prescribe birth control in the form of pills, a vaginal ring, a diaphragm, an IUD, or a three month shot. I'll be back in a few minutes."

When the doctor left, Stephanie nervously played with the sheet covering her legs. "I guess we should have discussed this before we got here, huh?"

"Babe, it's not a huge decision. I want you to pick whatever works for your body. If you want me to use condoms I will. If you'd rather use one of the options the doctor gave us, then that's fine too. And I know we haven't discussed this, but I'm also open to having more children. I know Trey is very small and we've got a long road ahead with him. But if you want to let nature take its course, well, then that's fine too."

Stephanie seemed surprised. "Carlos, you really would like to have more children? "

"Yea, Babe. I think I would. I know I never really sounded like I wanted kids in the past. Or at least more than Julie. But things changed when you had Trey. And to be honest, I'd love to have another child or two with you. But only when you are ready. Maybe we could pick something today, and then later we can talk about when we'd like to have another child. There's no hurry and we have all the time in the world to decide about more kids."

"Ok. I think for today I'd like to just keep taking what I was taking before. The pills I was on didn't make me sick like others I've taken. And providing I don't take any more antibiotics, I think we'll be fine."

The doctor came back in with a nurse, and we informed him of our decision. It felt good to work as a couple to arrive at a decision, even if it was something as simple as our method of birth control.

The doctor quickly and efficiently completed Stephanie's breast exam. He pressed on her abdomen and asked about pain. He noted that her she could probably stand to include more calories in her diet, since her weight was on the low side for her size. He instructed her to put her legs up in the stirrups, and scoot down to the end of the table. Stephanie blushed furiously, and I found myself having a new found respect for women who have to have physicals each year and those that go through the birth process. It must be hard to feel that exposed to someone that you don't really know.

Dr. O'Riley told Stephanie to relax, and then he inserted this metal thing into her. He told her to take some deep breaths, and he worked quickly underneath the drape across Steph's bottom half. I held her hand and whispered in her ear while he did what he had to do. Stephanie grimaced a couple of times as he worked below, and I kissed her temple while I kept my eyes trained to hers. Finally the doctor was finished and I helped Stephanie sit up. He told her she could get dressed, and that he would meet us in his office in a few minutes. Finally, the doctor left the room.

As she got up to step behind the dressing screen, I pulled her to me. "Stephanie, have I told you how much I love you?"

She kissed me quickly and pulled back. "What brought that on Carlos?"

"It's just that I don't think I've ever really thought about what women have to go through to have a baby. All of the exams. All of the doctor appointments. Even getting a prescription for birth control involves a doctor's visit and a cold metal speculum being crammed into your most private place. I just want you to know that I love you. And I'm so glad that you are the mother of my son. Our son."

"Well, that's good to know. I didn't exactly have the prenatal care that I should have had with Trey, but it's good to know that you appreciate what women go through. And next time, you'll get your chance to accompany me to all of the prenatal visits. Each and every one!"

I kissed her once more and laughed. "I'm looking forward to it Babe!"

Stephanie quickly dressed and we stepped across the hall to the doctor's office. He sat down behind the desk and pulled out Stephanie's chart. "Well, Stephanie, it looks like everything has healed nicely. I don't see any problems, other than I would like for you to work on gaining about ten pounds or so. I know it can be difficult when you are breastfeeding. But you need the extra calories and nutrition to help support not only you but your son. I want you to drink plenty of fluids and try to get an extra 500 to 1000 calories a day while breastfeeding. And I don't mean empty calories either. Concentrate on vegetables and proteins. Fruit's good as well. Here's a prescription for the birth control pills. Since you haven't resumed your monthly cycle yet, you may want to use an alternate form of birth control until you've been on the pills for a week or two. You've got less chance of getting pregnant since you are breastfeeding, but still, you need to be informed. I've included instructions on when to start your pack. Having said that, you can resume your normal activities when ever you feel comfortable. Please call me if you have any problems, questions, or concerns."

We thanked the doctor and made our way out of the office. We stopped by the pharmacy to fill Stephanie's prescription and while we were waiting, Stephanie wandered over to the condom isle. "I think we better get a pack of these to use for the next week or so. Don't you?"

I nodded and took our purchase to the counter and picked up her prescription. After paying, we headed over to the NICU. Trey was having a good day, and we got to bathe him and feed him. We took turns holding him against our chest, in what the nurses called a kangaroo hold. They said that the skin contact is important for premature babies.

After several hours of visiting with our son, we reluctantly went back to the condo. I made a few phone calls to Tank and others while Stephanie heated up a dish that Ella had left for us for dinner.

After we ate, I helped Stephanie clear the dishes and we sat on the couch listening to some soft music play in the background. The condo we were renting was furnished, but Ella had Tank bring some things over that would make it feel more like home. She had included some of Steph's favorite movies and some of my favorite music.

I pulled Stephanie's legs into my lap and began to massage her feet and legs. "Mmmmm that feels nice Carlos. You're relaxing me."

"Babe, it's my pleasure. Are you sure you don't want some more to eat? You know what the doctor said about your weight. You didn't eat very much at dinner."

"I had plenty Carlos. Besides, I was kinda hoping you might be in the mood for dessert. I think I have something you'll like."

I grinned broadly. "Oh really, Babe. What's that?"

"Me!" Stephanie giggled and then blushed slightly as I pulled her into my lap. I swear she gets more beautiful each and every day.

"Babe, there's nothing I'd like more than to make love to my beautiful wife. But if you're not ready…"

Stephanie interrupted me. "I'm ready Carlos. I've been ready. But can we go slow? Just until we see how it's going to …umm…well how it's going to feel?"

"Of course Babe. And if you need more time, or if you're uncomfortable just tell me. And we'll wait. Or we'll try something else."

I stood up and pulled her to me and picked her up bridal style. "You know, I never got the chance to carry you over the threshold when we got married." She giggled and nuzzled into my chest. I carried her to our bedroom and gently placed her on the bed. I slowly removed her socks and her jeans, and kissed my way up her legs while massaging them to relax her.

"Oh God Carlos, that feels wonderful. You're going to make me a lump of jello by the time you finish!"

"Just relax Babe, and let me love you. Let me take care of you."

I pulled myself up beside her and unbuttoned her shirt. I gently slipped it down from her shoulders and let it fall into the heap of clothes quickly gathering on the floor. I kneaded her shoulders and kissed wet, open mouth kisses across her collar bone and down her arms, making her shiver with chills as I scraped my teeth across her soft delicate skin. Her moans only served to spur me on and I found it hard to control my desire to ravish her body. Dios! It had really been too long! I kissed her, gently at first, but quickly our tongues found each other and danced in a familiar rhythm that we both had missed for far too long. We kissed and petted like starving teenagers who were hungry and desperate for each other; desperate for that first taste of sexual bliss.

I pulled her to me, and went to remove her bra when she gently touched my hands. "Carlos, what about….well…my breasts are full. They might leak."

I pulled her to me lovingly. "Babe it's nothing to be uncomfortable with. You can leave your bra on if you'd like. But I love how you are able to nurture our son with your breasts. It's beautiful to me. You're beautiful. You don't have to be uncomfortable because of it. Let me love you. Let me worship you tonight."

She smiled and nodded her consent, and kissed me deeply. I removed her bra, and panties, and tossed them to the floor. Her hands found their way to the hem of my shirt, and she quickly pulled it over my head. Our hands were feverish and it seemed as if we couldn't get enough of each other.

She nipped my chest gently with her teeth and kissed her way up my neck. "Carlos, you're wearing too many clothes. Strip. Now!"

I laughed softly and pulled my pants off as her hands found their way to my hard erection. She tugged gently on my balls, and stroked me with her other hand. Drops of precum had gathered on the head, and she bent and licked me from tip to base. All of a sudden, she took me deeply into her mouth and I hissed loudly. "Christ Stephanie! I can't take much more! You don't know what you do to me!"

She chuckled softly, and the vibrations make me twitch in anticipation. She continued to lick and nip me in wonderful ways, until I could hardly hold back. Finally, I flipped her onto her back gently, and kissed my way from her ear to her neck, stopping briefly to pay homage to her beautiful lips. I worked my way down to her breasts and licked and nuzzled each one. Her breasts were heavy from motherhood, and I looked up at her before taking one into my mouth. She must have understood my silent question, and nodded her consent. I gently took her right nipple into my mouth, and sucked on it slightly. Sweet milk flowed into my mouth, and I groaned in ectasy! I'd never experienced anything like it before. How could something so necessary for the basics of life affect me in such a primal way? Stephanie was encouraged by my groans and raised her hand to feel of her other beast, and tweak her left nipple. I kissed my way from her right breast to the left, and pulled it into my mouth as well, swirling her tender nipple into my mouth and flicking it with my tongue. Like it's twin, it filled my mouth with sweet milk when I sucked several times on it. I nuzzled into her further, pulling her nipple a little harder, as my hands explored her stomach, hips and mound. I finally worked my way down her body with hot kisses, and settled myself between her legs.

"Babe, you don't know how much you turn me on. You have no idea what your body does to me."

I teased her lips with kisses, and flicked my tongue over her clit as my fingers made gentle circles around her enlarged nub. I worked slowly and gently, nipping and tasting all that she had to offer. I knew that Stephanie might need a little more time to get ready for our love making, so I paid extra attention to all of the erotic spots on her body. I nipped the valley between her thighs and mound, and kissed my way down to the special place behind her knees. As I traveled back up her body, I stopped once more and licked her clit, attacking it gently until she began to gasp and moan.

"Carlos…don't stop. Please! Don't….stop…God!"

I gently inserted one finger, and then another, and gently stroked her g-spot as she came apart, screaming my name. I held her as she rode the waves down, and pulled her to me, attacking her mouth with a fervor I had never known. We had made love many times in the past, but tonight was different. Tonight I was making love to my wife. She could taste herself on me, and as I kissed her she moaned. "Carlos, that was wonderful. I need you. Please. I need you now."

I settled myself between her legs as she raised her hips to me in silent offering. I took my hard shaft and gently ran it over the lips of her sex, wetting it with the moisture that had gathered there. I slowly pushed the crown in, watching Stephanie for any indication that she was uncomfortable. She nodded and I continued until I was buried in her. I stilled, giving her time to stretch to accommodate me, and giving me time to gather my control. "Babe, are you ok? Does it hurt?"

"No Carlos, I'm fine. I need you. Please. I need to feel you inside me, claiming me as your wife."

I began to move slowly, in and out. "I love you Stephanie Manoso. I love you more than life. I love you so much it hurts."

"Carlos, I love you! Never doubt that."

We made slow, tender love for quite a while, and when we both came together, it was like a quiet whisper falling over both of us at the same time. There was a specialness to it that I'd never experienced before. Our love was unified, and our marriage was consummated. It was as if our souls became one. Surely the earth shifted, and time stood still.

Afterwards, as we lay together, we still couldn't get enough of each other. It was as if we had to have contact with each other at all times. Stephanie turned to kiss me deeply. "Did you feel it Carlos? Was it different for you? It was somehow…I don't know…"

"Yes Babe. It was magical. There are no words to describe it. I've never experienced anything like it. Dios! How I love you. I'm so thankful that you agreed to marry me. I'm honored that you're my wife."

Our kisses turned passionate and I pulled her to me yet again, and began to show her over and over exactly how much I loved my new wife.