Cross Roads
&
Building Blocks
Chapter 25
After breakfast, I took Garner for a walk before heading back to the hospital. Mom and Grandma were changing Sophia for me. I think they liked dressing their real life baby doll in her cute little outfits. Today was a soft yellow one-piece romper I purchased at 'The Good Mother Earth' company store. I will bet money on it that sometime after arriving at the hospital yesterday and leaving for it now, I would find a tracking device on my car if I looked thoroughly. It was more than likely placed on there even before Daddy drove him and Sophia home in the evening.
Driving through the familiar streets of Trenton, my thoughts were running through my mind how I did come full circle in my cross road. I returned more confident in myself. Ranger always supported me and my self-assurance grew from that, but this life I did on my own for Sophia and me. I can't go back nor do I want to go back to that unsure Stephanie who was here. Ranger belongs in Trenton with Rangeman and us in Reading; I can accept that as much as I wanted something more for us, it won't ever be.
It was a good thing I had Sophia in my baby sling or I would have dropped her. I came off the elevator and went straight to the Intensive Care Unit. The waiting area was empty, I saw no men in black on guard or waiting. I looked through the glass window; the bed Ranger had occupied was empty.
"NO!" I cried out as my tears were beyond my control. Sophia began crying as I clutched her to me, she was reacting to me. Ranger! Why didn't anyone telephone me!
"Bombshell!" Bobby called out as he was running down the hall seeing me ready to collapse. His muscular arms grabbing to steady me. "Ranger just got moved to a room. He's on 5."
A sigh of relief escaped me as I rested against him stilly sobbing. I had to calm my daughter I was holding. As I calmed so did she, her cries quieting with mine.
"It's OK, Peanut. Mommy got scared. Sshh," kissing her tears away.
Bobby loosed his grip, "Ranger's vitals were stable all night long. When I got here to relieve Hal, they had a room ready. I'll take you up."
I nodded my breathing returning to normal. Ranger was alive.
"What's that?" Bobby touched my baby sling.
"A baby sling. I can carry Sophia with free hands if I need to and it makes her feel safe as she's close to me."
Sophia was smiling at Ranger's medic.
"I didn't get to hold her yesterday."
"Here," I giggled at the ex-Army man. Sophia was watching him crossing his eyes at her.
'I'm your Uncle Bobby."
Giggling still, "Sophia, that's your crazy Uncle Bobby."
She looked at me, and then at funny-faced Bobby, she let out a squeal smacking her little hand in his nose.
"OK, we know whose daughter you are," rubbing his nose and ushering us into a room. Stepping inside, there was Tank, Ranger's parents, and a Cuban looking man older than Ranger with a woman. More of Ranger's family.
"Stephanie!" Pilar Manoso jumped up from her seat beside Ranger's bed holding his hand and was instantly hugging me. "There's my precious little granddaughter," taking her from Uncle Bobby and giving a big kiss on her cheek.
It warmed my heart my daughter gave her grandparents some joy since their son was so seriously injured.
"Stephanie," Alejandro took my hand, "this is Amado, Carlos' older brother and his wife, Delfina."
I shook his brother's hand, "It's very nice to meet you." His wife had a displeased look on her face watching Pilar rubbing noses with Sophia as she rocked her and my daughter so expressive cooing back.
"My pleasure, Stephanie," shaking mine in return.
Next thing I knew Alejandro was putting Sophia in my arms and shooed everyone out of the room, "Let Stephanie and Sophia spend some alone time with Carlos."
Tank nodded as he closed the door leaving us alone with the sleeping man in black. I noticed Ranger wasn't as pale as yesterday with his mocha latte skin just about it's normal color.
"Hi, Ranger," kissing his lips. Sophia gave him a tiny 'Eh' sound smiling at her Daddy.
Sitting next to the bed, I pulled out a couple of the wooden blocks out of a diaper bag pocket to entertain her. She reached for one as I held them in my hand. Proud of herself she let out a happy chirp of a sound; I applauded her new skill.
"Yeah! That's a big girl."
We sat playing with the blocks and her giraffe with rings when I froze hearing a raspy "Babe" followed by "Sophia". I heard Ranger give an "Mmmm" fighting to wake up.
"Ranger," I leaned close seeing his eyes trying to open.
I noticed he was focusing on both sets of blue eyes staring at him. Those corners twitched up in a Ranger smile. "Sophia," he whispered again.
"Yes."
I dipped a finger in the water pitcher on the bedside table and ran it over his dry lips, his tongue tasting the moisture.
"Let me get the nurse."
Sophia and I ran for the door opening it, I waved to a nurse. Returning a few seconds later to his side, Ranger had slipped back in his deep sedated sleep.