None of the characters belong to me, nor do I deserve the credit. It all belongs to JE.
Chapter 21 – Epilogue – 2 Years Down the Road
"Bobby!" I practically screamed into the phone.
"What Baby, what's wrong?" He replied clearly assuming the worst.
"You need to come home right away, when can you get here?" I pushed.
"Tell me what's happened," He pleaded obviously in the middle of something he couldn't just drop.
"I can't tell you, you need to see it yourself," I tried explaining without giving too much away.
"I have a line of guys that I'm doing vaccines for so they can leave the country. I can be done in fifteen minutes as long as no one faints," He estimated.
"Is Lester in the line?" I wondered.
"Yep. He's next." I could hear the smile in Bobby's voice as he told Lester to drop his pants and bend over.
"I'm assuming he'll hit the tile then?" I asked remembering how much the tough guy hated needles.
"Maybe not, since he can't see what I'm doing," No sooner had the words gotten out of his mouth than I heard a terrible commotion in the background. "Then again, maybe so," Bobby commented telling me Lester hit the floor anyway.
"Please try to get home before the hour is over," I pleaded.
"I'll do everything I can Baby," He promised. "Can you tell me if something is wrong so I'm not worried?" He asked after telling his next victim to bend over.
"Nothing is wrong, quite the opposite in fact, but you have to see it to understand," I told him.
"Got it. See you soon," He said as a goodbye before he hung up.
I hung up the phone knowing Bobby would do everything he could to get to me. I smiled thinking back on our whirlwind lives over the last two years.
After Bobby proposed he wanted to get married right away. I was opposed to getting married until I could walk down the isle without getting winded or limping with a cane. He volunteered to carry me, but I refused telling him this was something I needed to do on my own.
I remember the cold March afternoon when I called Bobby's cell and asked when he could come home.
"Is something wrong, Baby?" He asked in a panic.
"No, everything is just great. I wondered if you were free tonight." I asked worrying my lip while I waited for his answer.
"I don't have anything planned. Why?" He seemed curious.
"I had a great session with Turner today and he thought it was safe to release me from any restrictions so I wondered if you wanted to go out dancing?" I hoped he would agree, I was dying to wear all my Christmas goodies and had been saving them for just this occasion.
"I'll call the guys because they will want to share in this and we will meet you in the basement at 8:00," He promised. "Carry some clothes for me to my office and I'll get ready over there to give you the run of the apartment."
True to his word, when I stepped out of the elevator at exactly 8:00 I was surrounded by a sea of Merry Men, none of which were in black, reminiscent of that October night that changed my life forever. Bobby took my hand, kissed my check, and whispered, "Simply beautiful," in my ear making me shiver to have his warmth so close to me contrasted with the chill in the air.
We were at the club twenty minutes later and except for when I insisted I needed to rest I spent the night on the dance floor with the guys. I can't remember having so much fun. My face hurt from the smile that was constantly plastered on it.
I felt like a little girl swaying slowly with Tank, especially when he picked me up vertically and held me so that our faces were at the same level. "I'm so glad you finally got your night out dancing with us," He said as the song came to a close. "I remember that tough negotiation and wanted to be sure you realized I was a man of my word and would be sure you got your demands met."
The beat began to thud in my ears next as Lester spun me around into his arms. Lester was a ladies' man and knew his way around the dance floor and a woman's curves. He kept us pressed tightly against each other moving our hips as one until Bobby couldn't stand it anymore and cut in.
As great a dancer as Lester was, moving with Bobby was easier, more natural for me. When Cal came to claim the next dance he commented, "Damn, Angel. It's obvious you and Brown are together. Watching you two dance should come with a rating!"
I should have been embarrassed, but I had to agree. When we were pressed together that way it was hard to remember we were surrounded by other people and our hands shouldn't be as familiar as they were.
The last dance of the night for me was a slow sensuous number with Bobby. With my head lying on his shoulder I closed my eyes and let him lead me around the floor. I floated with him and realized how complete I was by his side. Not thinking it through, my mouth spoke on its own, "I think it is time to start planning a wedding."
Bobby pulled back to look at my face. "Really! You're really ready?" He asked not bothering to mask his enthusiasm.
When I nodded my head confirming I was ready to get married he picked me up and twirled us around before slowly lowering me down pushing me against his body as I descended. When my feet hit the floor in my perfect silver shoes from Christmas I could tell from the look in his eyes we wouldn't be staying after the song ended.
By the time our apartment door closed behind us my dress was gone and his shirt had lost its last three buttons. I smiled as the memory of that night ruined the panties I was wearing now.
Three months later we were married at Point Pleasant on a private beach outside a RangeMan owned house. We were surrounded by our friends as I walked down the sandy isle to become Bobby's wife. In lieu of traditional attendants we had Turner and Hector at our sides standing for us, sharing in our joy as they were both responsible for our making it to this point.
When I joined them in front of the minister Bobby put his forehead against mine and whispered, "You were right Baby, watching you walk to me was worth the wait."
We spent the next week alone in the house hoping the RangeMan security around the place was tight enough to keep us safe as our honeymoon kept us preoccupied to an extent we were definitely not aware of our surroundings. I was convinced I would never walk normally again, but Bobby promised Turner would have me back in shape in no time.
When we returned from our honeymoon Turner announced I no longer needed his help. The last month we had spent more on general conditioning and self defense anyway. I had healed enough that I no longer needed regular sessions with a physical therapist.
Turner got a job at the local VA hospital so he could go back to working with injured soldiers but Ranger kept him on staff part time at RangeMan too to help when the guys needed physiotherapy after injuries. I think he did it more because we all had included Turner in the RangeMan family and we didn't want to see him go.
Fortunately for me he was still around some the next month as I became violently sick for a few days putting Bobby into a frenzy to figure out what was wrong with me. Turner came up to visit and I told him I had been really sick that morning but believed if Bobby would just let me out of bed to run I would feel better.
Turner got a knowing gleam in his eye and excused himself to get something. Half and hour later he was holding my hand while we waited for the double pink line to appear in the window of the pregnancy test. I was a nervous wreck while we waited. Bobby and I hadn't discussed having children so early and even though I knew he would be pleased down deep, I was still worried that it might disrupt the easy life we had come to enjoy.
As soon as the second line appeared meaning I was definitely having a baby Turner kissed my head and got up to leave.
My heart slowed and all the nervousness left when Bobby walked in the bedroom.
The concern was evident on his face. "Baby, how are you? Turner said you needed to see me right away."
I nodded and held up the little stick hoping Bobby would know what it meant because my tongue was suddenly glued to the roof of my mouth.
I knew his medical training wouldn't let me down. Sure enough, his eyes danced with unshed tears knowing exactly what I was telling him.
"A baby?" He asked around the huge grin on his face.
I nodded.
"We're going to have a baby?" He repeated still adjusting to the idea.
On my second nod, his knees hit the floor and he put his head against my stomach while wrapping his arms tightly around me.
"Oh Baby, we're going to have a family." He said still adjusting to the obviously good news.
Suddenly, he jumped up, grabbed my hand and pulled me from the apartment into the hall. My voice finally returned for me to ask where we were going.
"We have to tell the guys," he informed me bouncing on the balls of his feet in the elevator.
We arrived on five and he pulled me into the control room so he could grab the intercom located there to announce, "Hey guys! Steph and I wanted to warn you that the building will be getting a little more crowded in a few months. We are having a baby!"
The tears began to fall from my eyes as I was passed from one Merry Man to the next, to be congratulated and hugged. When the commotion died down we went back to our apartment and celebrated in our own way.
My pregnancy went smoothly for the most part until the last trimester when the size of the baby began to put pressure on my back and the sciatic pain was excruciating. I knew it would be worth it and Turner and Bobby gladly rubbed my back and legs any time I asked, but I still felt various degrees of discomfort pretty much all day. The doctor said any pregnant woman could experience this, but mine was definitely worse because it aggravated by my old injury.
One month before I was to deliver Ranger had Bobby go to Boston to do physical testing of the staff there. He knew Bobby wouldn't want to go in two weeks when the testing was technically due so he bumped up the deadline and had him go early.
Ranger also asked if I wanted Nicole to come stay with me while Bobby was gone.
I didn't think I needed the assistance, I mean I was only pregnant, I wasn't helpless. But, I couldn't resist asking, "How do you know she would do it?"
"Babe," Was his first attempt at an answer.
"What?" I asked. "Surely you don't expect that to be your whole answer."
"I might have mentioned it to her yesterday at lunch and she might have said she would be free to stay if you needed her," He offered without making eye contact.
Ranger would never admit to a relationship with Nicole, but I knew when he was in town he spent a lot of his free time with her. They seemed to understand what the other could give and it fit nicely with what they were comfortable receiving. So title or not, they were a couple, even in a non-traditional way.
On the second day of his three day trip my biggest fear came true.
I woke up with my typical nagging back pain. Knowing it was just a feature of my life until the baby was born I got dressed and went to the gym to do my prenatal workout. Two miles into my walk on the treadmill I noticed the pain was going up my back instead of into my legs like usual.
I thought nothing of it knowing the baby was moving a lot now and figuring it was just pressing on a different nerve. Luckily the pain wasn't constant so each time it would go away I would sigh in relief that its intensity was backing off.
After my workout I showered and changed to run some searches. Ranger still let me work a couple of hours each afternoon to keep me sane even though if Bobby had his way I'd be sitting downstairs with my feet propped up all day.
By my second search the pain was frustrating me. It would get so intense I could not concentrate through it and now instead of radiating up my back it was coming around my sides.
I picked up my mug full of herbal tea, heaven forbid I drink any caffeine, and tried taking small sips to calm myself. Unfortunately another pain shot off around my side and it felt as though my stomach was being ripped apart. I dropped my mug because of the sudden intensity of the pain and it hit the desk before falling to the floor and shattering.
Les jumped up and came around my cubicle to check on me. Taking one look at my face he picked up his cell phone for Ranger.
"Yeah, man, you need to get Bobby home right now." There was a slight pause. "No, Steph is in pain and I think the sooner the better."
I understood then exactly what Lester was implying. I shook my head no when he hung up. "No, I can't be in labor; I'm still four weeks away from my due date." I explained.
"Beautiful, I'm no doctor, but I've seen a woman in labor and you definitely have that look." He tried reasoning with me. "Why don't we take a walk to the garage and I'll call your doctor. If she thinks you need to be seen I can drive you over there now."
I thought that sounded like a reasonable solution as it avoided me having to go to the hospital just to be told it was a stressful sciatic day.
We were nearly to the elevator, in the full view of most of the guys working that afternoon when the next pain hit me. This time it began across the top of my stomach and by the time it hit the bottom my knees had given out from the pain.
Luckily Lester caught me and broke my fall. Tank came running out of his office, "Little Girl, you okay?" He asked worried.
I shook my head yes, but looked up at him with tears in my eyes. "I think I need a ride to the hospital."
"You got it Beautiful," Les said helping me up to my feet.
I took three steps away before turning back to Tank. "Do you think Bobby will make it?" I worried.
"I'll make sure he does," Tank answered picking up his cell phone and calling Ace, the chopper pilot that worked out of Boston.
By the time we got to the garage I needed to lean against the wall to wait out the next pain. They seemed too close together and intense for this to be false labor. When the pain was at its worst I heard a slight popping sound and cried out at the change in sensation more than the pain.
Realizing my water just broke caused Lester to pick me up, not risking the baby following and he ran me to an SUV parked close by.
We were at the hospital in record speed, but I still had plenty of time to worry about the baby. Was it too early? Would it be alright? Would Bobby get there in time to see his son or daughter enter the world?
In the middle of my panic I realized I needed some help calming down and if Bobby wasn't available, there was only person qualified to fill that roll. Looking down at the angel clipped to my RangeMan maternity shirt, I pushed it in until I heard it click. I'd never pushed my panic button before and wondered if it would still work. It had been over a year since he gave it to me.
Les pulled me out of the SUV cradled in his arms calling out to the nurse that greeted us that I was in labor a month early and my water broke fifteen minutes earlier. She took a few other details from him before the gurney arrived.
Les stretched me out just as another pain hit. I closed my eyes and tried breathing in through my nose and out through my mouth like Bobby had taught me. It helped some as I at least felt like I had something I could do instead of concentrating solely on the pain.
When it stopped, the nurse asked if I was ready to roll and meet my baby. I nodded and as she and an orderly began to push me to the elevator I heard the unmistakable sound of boots running toward me.
I let out a big sigh of relief when I saw the worried face of Hector quickly approaching me. "I help you," he called out when he was six feet away.
I nodded at him feeling the tears fall down my face. Bobby had taught Hector what to expect in case something happened while he was not around so I knew Hector was okay to be with me now. I also knew, based on our past experience, that with him next to me I couldn't be any safer and so I could relax and let my body do what it needed to in order to bring my baby into the world.
Two hours later the doors flung open and Bobby dashed to my side. I was between contractions so I was able to show him how relieved I was that he made it.
"How is she?" He asked Hector, but before he could answer Bobby turned to me and asked, "How are you?"
"I'm fine, apparently, the baby is fine too. They did give me a steroid shot just to be sure their lungs were okay, but since my water broke there isn't much they could do other than prepare for what might be there when he or she is delivered." I answered.
"How far along are you?" He asked slipping into his medic role briefly.
"I'm at 8 centimeters and it is beginning to get hard now, but the doctor said I'm doing okay and it should begin going faster." I explained trying to stay focused on Bobby while I felt the beginning of another contraction taking over.
Hector began his ritual of stroking my hair back while whispering to me in Spanish as he watched the monitor to know when the pain was releasing its hold on me.
When that contraction ended I opened my eyes and saw Hector smiling. "You do good, I help you, now Bobby." Then he kissed me before walking to the door and turning around. "Adios, mi angel. I wait outside."
Bobby and I both knew he was standing right outside the door and would not move until we told him he should. I rested in that knowledge.
An hour later Bobby was supporting one leg while Janie held the other. I was shocked to see her walk in telling me not long after she left RangeMan she got a job back at the hospital working in labor and delivery. She promised not to leave my side no matter how long it took once she realized how close I was.
The doctor was telling me I was doing great, but I was unconvinced. I believed the guys when they told me if I kept up my exercise program, it would make labor easier. But, this had definitely not been easy and I was running out of steam.
"Come on, Steph, I think one more good push might get the head out," The doctor instructed.
When the next contraction came I bore down and gave it everything I had.
"That's it Steph, you're doing great, her head is right there." Bobby coached.
What he said registered as the contraction ended. "Her!" I screamed. "I told you I didn't want to know the sex until the baby was delivered."
Bobby began to stutter out his defense. "Baby, I've been good at keeping the secret ever since we had the first ultrasound. Besides, she is being delivered and it was a surprise until now."
At that moment the doctor said, "The head is out Steph, one more little push will get the shoulder clear."
I dropped my anger and concentrated on getting the baby out. Ten seconds later the doctor said, that's it, she's out."
I waited for the sound of crying but heard nothing. It felt as though minutes were passing during which my heart was not beating. Bobby was gripping my hand in his own steel grasp.
Apparently, it was only three seconds while the doctor cleaned out her nose with an aspirator before the first tiny scream filled the air.
I was practically sobbing at the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.
Our little bundle of pink skin, fine brown hair and blue eyes was laid on my stomach to clean up while Bobby cut the cord. They took her away to check her lungs and overall health and I let my head drop to the pillows behind me.
"I'm so proud of you," Bobby said kissing my lips. "You did great, the guys said you were keeping it together and the doctor said you didn't get the first thing for pain. You did it, Baby. You brought our daughter into the world."
Listening to Bobby talk I felt like I had done something monumental. I guess I had. "She needs a name," I said.
"You gave her life and did all the hard work; I think she should be named after you." He advised.
"I wanted to do something in honor of Ella too," I said. Since we announced my pregnancy Ella had begun to show me what a loving mother could be like. Everyday she checked on me. She took me shopping, arranged my baby shower and listened when I needed to talk. She had no reason to invest so much time and energy in me, but I knew one of the main reasons my pregnancy had been so smooth was because of the support she had given to me.
"How about Stella?" Bobby offered while I was lost in my thoughts.
"It's perfect," I said as they handed our baby to me wrapped in a pink blanket.
"Her lungs are holding their own right now," the nurse explained, "So you can try feeding her to see how she does."
Bobby unbuttoned the shirt I was wearing and began to laugh.
The nurse noticed and blurted out, "She refused to let us put her in a gown saying something about a promise. The guy with the tattoos said she could wear his shirt instead. We didn't think it was our place to argue."
That only made Bobby laugh all the harder as he pulled open the shirt to one side revealing my swelling breast in order to help me position Stella for her first meal.
She latched on like a pro and instantly began to suckle. I felt like Wonder Woman. I had brought a beautiful perfect baby into the world and had the power within me to feed her and nurture her.
She ate happily with her eyes closed until she fell asleep ten minutes later. I closed my own eyes a moment after her and heard Bobby laugh saying, "Like mother, like daughter," while taking her out of my arms and closing the shirt.
The nurse came to clean me up and get me moved to a different room and Bobby said he and Stella were going to meet the rest of the family.
"I wouldn't take her out there, sir," The nurse tersely advised him.
"Why not?" Bobby asked confused.
"There is a large group of armed men all dressed in black waiting on something. They seem nervous and they refuse to leave. I don't think it would be a good environment for a newborn." She explained.
Bobby didn't even bother to respond, just walking out with my heart in his arms instead. I leaned back and laughed.
The nurse asked what I thought was so funny and I told her, "The men in black are her family. They were waiting on her and will spend the rest of lives watching over her. She couldn't be any safer than she is right now surrounded by her big, strong, goofy, uncles." I tried explaining gently.
Three days later I left after spending an extra day in the hospital giving Stella a chance to adjust to the concept and eating and breathing as some babies have trouble doing both at the same time when they come a little early. She proved herself to be a fighter and the doctor released us with a smile.
Nine months later I'm sitting on the floor with Stella between my legs as she is chewing on my watch waiting on Bobby to come home.
The door burst open and I heard the unmistakable footsteps of more than one person enter the den. I looked up to see Bobby at the front surrounded by Hector, Les, Cal and Tank.
"What?" They seemed to ask all at once.
I stood Stella up on her shaky legs and turned her to face her admirers. "Alright, sweetheart," I told her. "Go to Daddy."
Then I took my hands off of her and watched as she took off walking in a straight line towards Bobby.
He picked her up when she fell at his feet and tossed her into the air serenading us with her squeals of delight.
"You did it!" He called out to her tossing her again.
"Have you ever seen such beautiful steps?" I asked with my eyes moist from the realization my baby was growing up.
Bobby handed Stella to Hector who began to plant kisses all over her face. She loved her Tio Hector. They spent every Wednesday afternoon together in the electronics room.
Bobby pulled me to my feet in front of him and wrapped me in his arms to whisper in my ear. "Yes, I have seen such beautiful steps," He began. "Yours two years ago when you started walking on your own, and a year and a half ago when you came to me down the isle at our wedding and every morning when you walk up to kiss me at the office. That little girl is our heart walking around outside our bodies, but you are my everything, and nothing will ever top the look of you in my eyes."
They say the best thing a father can do for his child is love their mother. At that moment, for the first time, I understood what they meant.
My life was still unpredictable, each day brought new challenges or problems, but it also brought more love. I had lived through a period where my wings had been broken and I was unable to fly, but during that time on the ground, with the help of my husband, and a few good friends, I learned to soar instead.
The End
A/N: No story is developed entirely in a vacuum. I cannot thank you enough for all your reviews and comments which shaped this tale as it went along. To Amers3 who spent the extra time to read through each chapter and make suggestions of things that needed to be corrected when I was too impatient to wait to post, I am eternally gratefully. To Rangergirl11234 for your reminder to include Chapter 20, I am also grateful. Knowing you all stayed with me from beginning to end made the hours typing at my keyboard so much more fun.
I'll be beginning another story tomorrow and hope to hear what you think of my next attempt.
~Jennifer