SPOV
I hear beeping and smell antiseptic, a hospital. Freaking great. I'm fuzzy and I don't remember right away why I'm here and then it hits me.
"I know your awake, please turn over we need to talk." We need to talk is never good. Everyone knows what that means. I flip over and Ranger looks like shit. Bags under his eyes, hair in all directions, stubble on his face.
"Your first response is to freak and run, lets skip ahead and talk. I know you are scared but you need to remain calm. You are ok and so are the babies but your blood pressure was too high and you passed out because of the panic attack." I just nodded.
"I need to know if you want to keep the babies first."
"I'm Catholic and even if I wasn't I couldn't do that. I heard the heart beats. I can't give them up even though I know how you feel about kids and marriage. I'm sorry." I felt the tears behind my eyes.
"I've come up with a plan." He held my hand in his. "I love you and I want to be present for you as much as I can, but you know I still have 10 months left on my contract. I can't get out of it. We have two options.
One. We live together at Rangeman, I'll have the place redone to make room. You will have to stop bounty hunting for 9 months but you can return eventually if that's your choice. I know you will want to work, you can take time and look for something or have the research desk back. Regardless of your decision you will have Rangeman insurance so you and the babies will have the best care.
You can borrow or have a Rangeman car or get your own as long as it is safe. I know you don't like bodyguards but if you choose to be openly pregnant with my children, you will be an open target. I can't live or focus being away and worry about your safety. You will carry your gun always on your person and always wear a tracker and not lose your guards. It's not just you anymore, your actions affect our children. Once the babies are born they will also always have a bodyguard just like Julie.
I know how you feel about marriage but to protect you and take care of you and the babies it would be best if we got married in case anything happens to me, but we can discuss that later." I tried to talk and he just put a finger to my lips.
"The second option is we don't tell anyone I'm the father, you can say you don't know and I can send you as much support or anything else you will need. I'd be involved as much as you want me to be. You can still work for Rangeman, but you would not need constant guards unless you were in danger."
I soaked it all in. "Do you even want to be a father?" He thought it over.
"I never planned for more children, in the past I was actively preventing it, but you know I've told you I've thought of marrying you in the past. I've imagined you pregnant by me, I just didn't expect it so soon. I was on the fence until I heard the heart beats. I'd like to be involved and be with you too. But you'd be making sacrifices and compromises again. You hate bodyguards. You need to really think what you want again, because being with me makes you a target and I can't live with anything happening to you because of me. If we are in this together I'm going to be very protective of you. If you decide you want to do this alone, you will have every resource I have."
"I don't want to be Rachel. I don't want a marriage because of duty or a check in the mail. It would break my heart if you didn't want to be a father but I 'll respect it. If you want out yourself you can have it. No child support, no involvement I don't want to force you into this, I can take care of myself." Ranger kissed my lips.
"I want plan A, you and me at Rangeman together but you do what you need to do. I can't force you either."
"After the pregnancy if I'm on my own will I still have a guard 24/7?"
"If you train again and carry your gun then no, only an active threat. If you are with the babies then yes. You can't defend yourself and them at the same time." I sighed.
"I guess plan A but one day at a time. No marriage on the table for awhile, I refuse to get married because I'm pregnant. Marriage wasn't on the table for you before this situation, it shouldn't be on the table now because of it...My mother is going to crucify me when she finds out I'm pregnant and refuse to marry." I covered my eyes. "Can I go home now?" Ranger paged the nurse on my key pad.
"I'm sorry I'm complicating your life. I'm really sorry."
"Relax Babe we will do this together. We'll figure it out one day at a time but you need to talk to me, your not Rachel. We loved each other before you became pregnant, I never loved her." He just kissed me deeply and held my hand.
"Mrs. Mendez, I'm Doctor Agnes. How do you feel?"
"Fine can I go?"
"Not yet. We ran some tests and saw you were dehydrated and have an iron deficiency. You need to take start on prenatal vitamins immediately and eat lots of leafy greens. You will be on bed rest for the next week to keep your blood pressure low. You should check in with your normal doctor next week. I have a large envelope from your OBGYN with do's and don'ts, which I will go over with you now. She also included your sonogram picture and video. Any questions concerns?"
"Yes my sis.. friend Val got huge, like a whale and I don't want that to happen to me, can I exercise?"
"Not until your primary releases you from bed rest but eventually yes. Nothing crazy but light walks, yoga, swimming and eating well will reduce issues and help you bounce back faster. Your doctor also included each week how the babies are developing as well as a his and her pregnancy book. Dr Barbra must like you a lot. She normally doesn't go the extra mile with patients. You must have made an impression."
He explained what we should be on the look out for and reminded me to take it easy. Since they cut off my clothes, I eventually went home in scrubs by a taxi with Ranger. He gave an address two blocks over from the house and then carried me all the way home despite my protests.
He placed me in a hot shower and then tucked me in bed. I started reading the materials. The doctor made a special note of other books for me to read and ones not too, so I wouldn't freak out again. She probably thinks I'm nuts.
Ranger and I ate in bed until I got a headache.
"I'm officially on your diet. If you see anything fattening in my hand, I give you permission to take it away immediately. No matter what I say, just say white whale and keep me away from all gravy and I'll stop. Alert the guards too. I'm already going to be big with twins, I don't want to end up like the marshmallow man... Did you freak out when you found out I was pregnant? I didn't see you at all."
"I didn't pull a Tank and pass out but I was in shock. You tend to bring out feelings no one else does. I was nervous so I paced for a minute then I was hit again with shock with the twin announcement. Trust me, my reaction was a lot better then when I found out about Julie. Eventually I refocused and came up with a plan."
"Yeah I took it poorly too, let's just tell people we were surprised and took it well... Do you have a gender preference? I'd like one of each."
"No preference. I don't want to turn back time and make up for what I missed with Julie, I don't regret it, she has two wonderful parents but one of each would be nice. I just want to protect these babies and see them grow up." Ranger touched my stomach and began rubbing circles with his thumb.
"I don't want to tell many people in Trenton about my pregnancy, people will gossip and be out of control. I only plan to tell my immediate family and friends. I still can't believe I won't be a bounty hunter anymore. I'm sad. It was one job I really liked, I just thought I at least had a few more years. Vinnie is going to blow a gasket."
"I'll have words with him." Vinnie will pee himself if Ranger has words with him, I should bring popcorn.
"I'll have to eventually tell Morelli too. I thought telling him we are dating was going to be hard but about the babies and dating, he may swallow a whole bottle of antacids. You should avoid him."
"I'll tell him if you want and I will be present when we tell your family. I'll deal with your mom myself." Tempting very tempting.
"No I should tell him, it's the right thing to do if I want us to be friends again."
Ranger parted his lips and kissed me with a lot of tongue. I felt the stress melting away. Eventually we cuddled and continued our pregnancy reading.
"The babies are raspberries this week and have formed taste buds affecting my tastes. My boobs will hurt this week and weird dreams will begin, bummer."
"What about your family? Will you tell them?"
"In time. They will want us to be married so I may just tell them on the phone first. I don't need anyone's approval." Every time he mentions his family I get a vibe that he doesn't want to go into details about them so I let it go for now.
"Do you know anything about babies because I don't. I just hold Lisa occasionally, I've never changed a diaper."
"No. We will learn together and have Ella on stand by. She will love helping with the babies. She has wanted us together since she met you."
I started laughing. "You know she asked me if you pay me for sex the first time I slept over. It was my own fault I told her we weren't dating. She thought it was like "Pretty Woman."
"I think that speaks to her thoughts about me more then you. You are still the only woman that has ever been in that apartment other then her."
"I'm scared I'm going to mess up these babies and be a bad mom."
"Me too. Fatherhood is foreign to me but we will adapt and have Ella. We can hire more help if need be and have Val or Mary Lou on speed dial." I found it interesting he never mentioned our mothers helping.
Eventually my eyes grew heavy and I slipped into a comfortable sleep.
RPOV
While Babe went to sleep I continued reading and marking items to create a new standard operating procedure for Rangeman employees when they guard Babe. I don't think she would do anything on the don't list on purpose but at times she can be impulsive.
I also didn't explain to her the full security plan that will be surrounding her when she returns home. She doesn't need to stress out over the details but I'm going to research and background the best doctor in the area for multiple births and research the most secure hospitals. St. Francis was out, that left Princeton, Hamilton and Ewing.
She will start traveling in a secure car with bomb sensors, bullet resistant glass and a reinforced car frame. Although she will have one guard with her I will have a separate car shadowing them discreetly. Eventually I'll need to bring someone in to train myself and her guards how to deliver a baby just in case. With Steph it was a possibility. All of this seems extreme but it helps me stay in control.
I looked at the sonogram and couldn't believe after 13 years I was going to be a father again. I can't help but be concerned something may happen to me in the next 10 months while in the wind. Babe was already in my last will and testament long ago.
Upon my death she will inherit my shares of Rangeman, my personal effects, my cars, safe houses and a portion of my portfolio that will be divided among Julie and my family. Julie will also have a trust fund that Rachel will oversee until she is 25 for college and anything else. In my letter to Babe I explained why she will be best for Rangeman and my wishes. I knew if I ever died she would mourn the most and take care of my legacy while watching over Julie. It was Tank's promise to always watch over her. I finally went to bed and held Babe tight leaving my hand on her stomach, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.
Over the next few days I wrote document after document of new procedures for the men to learn before they could guard Steph and handle any possible emergency that could happen. I also made a section about not leaving her alone with Morelli not because I didn't trust her but I didn't trust him and his temper. I added a special section just for Tank in case he has to take her to her doctor's appointments while I'm in the wind. I wanted full reports on Babe's condition, she tends to gloss over things to minimize the situation.
I also need to setup a new alias so she can go to her doctor's appointments. Tank will have to oversee any changes to the penthouse and call our government contractor to make the changes.
I'll never tell Babe but my plan B was originally plan A. I was going to support her financially but keep my distance from her for her safety and the babies. I thought of how she would cope on her own. She wouldn't have a large support system, just Mary Lou and her grandmother. I thought she would eventually get back together with Morelli and he would be raising my kids, turning them against me.
No matter how hard I tried, I'd never be able to keep my distance from her. I thought about when I found out Rachel was pregnant, she had supportive parents and friends, she didn't need me. Babe needs me as much as I need her. So I formed a new plan that I hoped she would accept. As soon as she told me she wanted to raise the babies with me something clicked inside of me. I started feeling territorial and extra protective of her.
I felt like I couldn't sleep until I had a battle plan in motion with numerous contingencies. Babe's not a planner unless her first try doesn't work which worked out well for me because I always had several. I keep touching her stomach, it's extremely foreign to me but I find it comforting. If Babe would let me, she would travel with 3 guards everywhere but I know she would fight back, so I need to covertly place people to ensure her safety. I need to find a number two for her as well. Someone to watch her back that she won't mind and can use as a sounding board when she feels like she can't talk to me, similar to my relationship with Tank.
I needed someone who will be threatening to everyone around her but will talk to her and make her feel safe without being intrusive. I run threw my men mentally and the two she talks to the most would be Ramon and Hal. She can easily outsmart Hal because she makes him too nervous and Ramon may get too distracted with her conversations. She hates Diaz and Cal makes her nervous. Binkie's an option or Woody. I may have to just put her in a room with a handful of my men and see how personalities mix while I watch on the monitors. I know deep down Santos would be perfect. He's outgoing but serious, he would make her comfortable but he's family too so he would understand how much she means to me. Problem is he'd never leave Miami and it would be a step down from his position.
In regards to her emotional well being, being in Greece and learning from me has improved her confidence. Her mother will be the first large obstacle for us. Babe wants her parents proud of her, it steams from her mother always trying to compare her to her sister and brow beating her into conforming. Babe is letting her insecurities about the babies effect her confidence and I'm concerned her mother will take advantage. I'm going to have to sit down with Helen eventually and lay the new law down.
Having a number two for her would let me know when I'll have to make visits to people too. I'll have to have a sit down at the bonds office with the girls about keeping their mouths shut and not feeding into any of her insecurities. Morelli is an after thought, we both know he is going to be an issue but hopefully he is back to his bed hoping ways and is smart enough to keep his distance. Stark street already knows Babe is off limits but I plan to send in Hector to reiterate that fact. I can already imagine Tank's reaction when he finds out Steph's pregnant and he will be as stressed as I am.
"Hungry?"
"I just feel exhausted. I'm going to watch "Ghostbusters." I made Babe lunch and she barely ate. She just keeps watching that movie over and over. She's about to start her fourth viewing, cuddled up in a blanket while I watch her from the den.
I walked in and grabbed her feet starting to massage them. "What's wrong? Three times is usually your max."
SPOV
"I had a dream last night I was twice the size of Valerie and pouring gravy into my mouth. You were completely grossed out and the babies kept crying. I couldn't get them to stop. One is a challenge enough but two at once, I'm scared I'll drop them or forget to feed one. I have a hamster for a reason, a dog was too big of a commitment for me. I like my sleep too."
"Two of us, two babies. Ella will cook and clean so you can work and focus on them. We can also have an assistant for you to help, you are not doing this alone."
"I don't like putting all my eggs all in one basket. In a few months you may decide fatherhood isn't what you want anymore and I need to know I have some place to go as my safety net. After my divorce I had nothing, I can't go back to that with twins."
"I'm not going anywhere and if you need your own space to feel safe then keep your apartment or find another place to sublet, but my love for you won't change. I want you with me and safe." Ranger pulled me to him and wrapped the blanket around me. He rubbed my back and spoke softly to me in Spanish.
"I usually use my denial land as a coping mechanism but since the moment I found out I was pregnant it hasn't worked for me and that scares me. I'm scared I'll end up alone with two mouths to feed, I'm scared of my mother, I'm scared I'm going to screw them up or my shitty luck will put me in danger with them."
"No matter what happens they will always have a home and food. I've sent up accounts to take care of Julie no matter what and I will do the same thing with them. My job is your security, your job is being healthy and following doctor's orders. Fear is natural but you need to move past it because we have two new people in our relationship."
I kissed Ranger deeply, I felt a little better knowing I had a rock. I started grinding my hips into him and tried to put my hand down his pants.
He groaned and stopped me. "Your still on bed rest." I pouted.
TPOV
"Helen Plum on the line for you sir." I picked up the line.
"Yes."
"When is she coming home? She doesn't call, she didn't tell us she was leaving, Emily Beeber's daughter doesn't just disappear. Thanksgiving is over two and half weeks away, she never misses a holiday. I need to speak to her now, give me her number."
"She's on assignment out of contact, I'll pass on the message but don't expect her for Thanksgiving. Hopefully she will return by early December."
"I can't believe this, Edna Gluck's daughter never misses the holidays! What will the neighbors say if she doesn't come. If she worked at the button factory she would never miss a dinner or holiday...
"Stop."
"Those girls are not your daughter. Stop comparing them to her. You want her to be home she has work. You need to work on you instead of using your Catholic guilt. Get a hobby, get a job. Throw yourself into something instead of your small Burg world and make yourself happy instead of feeding into others and your own lack of self worth." I hung up on her.
SPOV
After a week of bed rest I felt myself climbing up the walls. Ranger watched me like a hawk, I wasn't even allowed to walk to the bathroom without him carrying me. I had to keep reminding him I was allowed to walk and even sent him to the den more then once so I could shower in peace.
We are back in the same room as before in the doctor's office except Ranger was sitting next to me this time holding my hand.
"Stephanie wonderful to see you again."
"Hi Dr. Barbra, sorry about before."
"No need. You remind me a lot of my reaction with my first pregnancy except my husband wasn't my husband and we both had a commitment phobic tendency. It works itself out in the end. I received the results of all the tests they ran at the hospital, so I just want to check your blood pressure and asks some questions today." She placed the cuff on me again.
"It's normal but on the higher end, does high blood pressure run in your family? I don't remember seeing it in your chart?"
"No. Not that I know."
"Hmm ok we will monitor it with every visit. I see your just visiting from New York, will you be here long?"
Ranger spoke up, "We are on our second honeymoon we haven't decided our return date yet."
She smiled "good man, alright I'll make sure you have copies and notes just in case you have to return before our next appointment. Please make sure the doctor monitors your pressure from now on. I'm removing you from bed rest but you need to take it easy and listen to your body. If you are tired rest and drink more fluids, try to stay away from processed foods and switch to organic if possible. The added hormones in meat and milk aren't healthy for you. Any questions?" I just shook my head. But Ranger jumped in.
"I've read all the books and materials you provided and it says sex is safe, does that include all types and is it only gentle?" I can't believe he just asked that!
"My rule of thumb is as long as it doesn't hurt your fine, the babies are protected it won't hurt them if you enjoy... a little rough fun." I'm bright red.
"When will she start showing?"
"Every woman is different, some at 12 weeks others sooner. It just depends on what she puts in her body, some women take it as an excuse to over indulge, that's not good and will cause issues for both the mother and child."
"I read for a normal pregnancy it's 40 weeks but with twins they can be born at 36 weeks, when will her due date be?"
"Her due date is June 2nd but I'd expect her to be mid may, it will be better determined as it gets closer. The twins have separate placentas, meaning fraternal, so complications are decreased. However with any multiple birth she will have to be monitored closely."
"So his super sperm fertilized two of my eggs and they won't look identical, how does this even happen? No one in my family has twins, do you have twins in your family? Ranger just shook his head.
"That's a myth, twins aren't genetic. Some women just produce more eggs and I'd have to test his sperm to see if it's super, but it seems to work well. You are going to have beautiful babies together, you are both very attractive. I'll see you in a few weeks, the nurse will hand you your medical records and more reading material for you to review."
Ranger gave me a big smile. "Super sperm?"
"It wouldn't shock me. I should have known your soldiers would fight through my barriers, I bet they have pep talks in your balls before being released for their attack along with strategies and maps." Ranger looked like he was trying hard not to laugh. We left the office and he slammed his blank face into place. I notice he does that more and more now deterring people away from me.
We did our Thanksgiving food research and although Greece is known for turkey's they don't celebrate Thanksgiving so Ranger had to bribe a butcher into getting us one days before. Ranger hit a book store with me and we grabbed some cook books and magazines, it all seemed pretty involved to me, I was thankful he was cooking.
"What's the plan?"
"Turkey, stuffing, green beans, mash potatoes, salad, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, no marshmallows we won't find them here. Anything else you want?"
"Pie."
"We will talk to the bakery and order something special for you."
"This seems extensive are you sure you want to do this?"
"Yes and you are going to assist stirring and cutting. Let's go pick up what we can and any fresh ingredients we will get a few days before. Let's hit the bakery and put in your order now too."
I felt like skipping I loved the bakery. Ranger's order from Halloween was pretty good.
We entered and got in line. I didn't even see her until she touched my arm. I turned to look and it was the old woman who was a seer. Shit! I looked in her eyes and jumped. Ranger pulled me behind him.
"I knew you were pregnant when I saw you before, twins. I could feel it when I touched you. I felt other things, we need to talk."
"No she's not. We don't believe in magic and she isn't interested. We are just here for an order." She tried to touch Ranger but he glared and gave her a menacing look.
"She is in danger, if you love her you will want her to speak to me." By now everyone was watching but avoiding the old woman's eyes.
"It's ok Carlos let her talk."
"Follow me little one." Ranger looked really annoyed with me but followed closely as I went behind the curtain and sat at the table and chairs while Ranger took a position next to me.
"This isn't real Babe let's go."
"Just a minute please, for me."
"Why am I in danger?"
"May I?" She reached out her hands to me and grasped my wrists while looking at me right in the eyes.
"Your special. You have an eternal light that people want to take from you. Bad souls follow you to try and extinguish it because you pose a threat to them. Be weary of your friends, enemies hide among them. You have a warrior heart and I see we are more a like then I thought. Trust in your gift it's in your blood..." She moved her hand to my stomach and Ranger tensed even more. "You will have two sons with light as bright as yours, protect them. You fear love but it will grow as your womb expands and your counterpart will grow with you. He's a non believer but you've seen things, hardship and great challenges are coming for you soon unlike anything you've ever experienced before. When you run, run to him not away, he is your soul mate, your safe haven. Forgiveness will be difficult but follow your heart and gift. We all have masks, yours will be ending soon..."
"That's enough we are going." Ranger broke our hands apart and walked me out.
"Why did you do that? She knew things. Did you not hear her?"
"Babe it was generalizations and she could know someone at the doctor's office that told her about the twins. Your face is expressive, she could have picked up on things as she was talking. We read people all the time, we are not psychic."
"I didn't get the vibe she was lying, you are going to be a believer if I pop out two boys."
"She has a one in three shot."
"Wait! We didn't order anything."
"I wrote it on a paper and left it with the girl at the counter as she was talking to you. Let's go home, you've been on your feet all day already." I just rolled my eyes at him.
RPOV
It's been over two weeks and today is Thanksgiving. Babe has started experiencing the joys of pregnancy, exhaustion, nausea at night while eating black olives by the truck load. On the good side, her breasts are a little larger which is a plus for both of us.
"It's too early, you go cook and I'll catch up later."
"Babe it's 9 am up. I need some help."
"Fine."
Babe pulled on a t-shirt and shorts and walked with me to the kitchen. "I've already made cranberry sauce, I need you to skin these potatoes and then chop the sweet potatoes while I prep the turkey."
SPOV
I watched Ranger pull out guts out of the turkey and I felt the nausea coming, he wasn't even fazed. He started cutting up celery, onion, sage and stuffing it inside the bird. He filled the pan with broth and started rubbing spices on the turkey while reading the directions.
"That's not stuffing."
"No I'm making it separate so we don't get sick, I don't want to chance it with you pregnant."
"What did you normally do with your family for the holidays before the army?"
"My abuela cooked all day with other family members, the men watched football and played a game outside."
Ranger and I spent hours preparing and cooking, eventually I went to shower and put on a nice dress and heels. Ranger dressed up too and we ate a romantic Thanksgiving meal by candle light.
I grabbed his hand and did the blessing before we ate. It was surprisingly good. His turkey was moist more then my mother's not that I would ever tell her. Ranger ate a big plate of salad but a little of everything else too.
"The seer told me our masks would be lifted soon, I have a good feeling we are going home at the end of this month."
"We will do what we always do, pack and clean then I'll call early on the last day of this month."
RPOV
After dinner Babe took a nap so I called Tank for an update, he hasn't had any information for me the last few calls.
"Yo."
"Report."
"Adelaide Wyndam's brother was a General in Special Operations 34 years ago, General Kingston. No other information is available on my end. No Ethan as a known associate."
I hung up. I started fitting the pieces together with everything Tank has gathered for me including what Steph has told me about Ethan. I started making a time line and adding facts when I realized who Ethan was.