Here you go... Tart Thursday! Thanks for the reviews for the last chapter! I know a few of you have asked someone in this chapter...don't worry, we will hear from them again ;)

My New Life
How Dare You
SapphireJ

Vince and I worked on the blueprint after Lester called with the dimensions. Once I told Vince the layout I wanted, he input it all in the program and told it how big each room was to be. He hit print and I heard the printer start spitting out pages.

"Wow, it looks wonderful on paper. I can't wait to see how it will look when it's done." I looked at each of the pages and then handed them to Vince.

"You did an awesome job on the layout of this, Steph. I think your dad will be pleased." Vince and I headed over to my place to give the blueprints to the guys. When we pulled up, I noticed that there were a few extra cars on the street.

Look liked Connie and Lula were here. Who the hell was running the Bond's Office?

I looked around and whispered, "Shit."

Vince looked at the cars and then at me. "What's the matter?"

"Vince, do me a favor. Go give the papers to the guys and tell Les to let my father know my mother is here and to stay in the house."

"You want Les or someone else out here?" Vince didn't hide the anger from his voice.

"No, I'll deal with her. Go in the side entrance so I don't have to open the garage and show her my dad is here."

"Ok. I'll go tell them. Holler if you need anything." Vince got out and walked to the side of the garage. When I got out of my car, my mother got out of hers and walked over towards me.

"What are you doing here?"

"Stephanie Michelle Plum, is that…"

"Santos."

"What?"

"Santos, mother. My last name is Santos and has been for a year. I'll ask you again, what are you doing here?"

She walked up the sidewalk towards me and I could tell she'd been drinking.

"That is no way to treat me. I'm looking for your father."

I looked around. "As you can see, he's not here." I stepped closer to her. "You are not welcome here. You need to go back home and stay there. Stay away from my father, away from me, and away from my house."

"You cannot talk to me like that. I'm your mother." She raised her hand as if to slap me and I grabbed her wrist.

"You may biologically be my mother, but you've not been part of my life for over six years. You need to leave before I call the cops."

I saw the front door open and saw my husband and a few other guys walk out.

"Beautiful, is there a problem?" Lester was at my side in a blink.

"No, no problem. This woman was just leaving. Weren't you?"

My mother turned to leave, but then turned back to me. "I can see why Dickie cheated on you; you probably weren't faithful to him. How can you say you are married but yet have all these killers and thugs around? Are you sleeping with all of them? You're disgusting. I can't even believe you are my daughter."

She turned to walk back towards her car. I started after her and Lester tried to stop me.

"These men are my friends and family. I'm glad dad is leaving you. You are a good for nothing conniving little…I can't even call you what I want to call you. Get out of my sight and stay away from property. I never ever want to see you again." I was screaming and didn't realize it.

Lester came up and tried rubbing his hands up and down my arms. I was shaking uncontrollably.

LPOV

I couldn't believe how upset Mrs. Plum left Stephanie. I could feel the anger rolling off her.

I saw her shaking and knew she was about to collapse.

I picked her up and started towards the house.

"Tank, grab the door." Tank opened the door and I took Steph right upstairs to our bedroom. I laid her down and took off her shoes and socks. I curled up around her and held her while she cried.

"Shh, baby. It's going to be okay. She's gone. She won't upset you again."

I heard a knock at the door, but I couldn't move.

"Come in"

Ram walked through the door. "How is she?"

I could tell he was really worried about her. Even though she wasn't his partner right now, he really did care for her. He'd grown to love her like a sister and would protect her with his life.

"She'll be okay. She just was on adrenaline overload. Combine that with the anger she has towards her mother, she was crashing and crashing fast."

He sat down on the bed and squeezed her leg to try and comfort her.

"Ram, I need to make a few phone calls. Would you mind sitting with her so she doesn't wake up alone?"

"Sure thing," nodded Ram. "Take all the time you need."

I got out of bed and Ram took my place next to Steph. I know most people would be jealous of another man sitting in a bed next to their wife, but all of my co-workers love Steph like a sister. I knew I had nothing to worry about.

I walked out of the bedroom and closed the door. I went to the study and made a few phone calls. I wanted to know what I needed to do to get a restraining order against Mrs. Plum. I didn't need her upsetting Steph again. It isn't good for her or the baby.

After the phone calls were made, I decided to check on the guys with the garage.

"Hey guys."

Tank came over to me first. "How is she? She gonna be okay?"

"Yeah, I think it was just the combo of anger and adrenaline. She's sleeping right now and Ram is with her." Looking around, I nodded, "I just wanted to see how the garage was going."

"Les, man, with the blueprints One Shot and Vince put together and with all of us working on this, we should have this done by Christmas." Bobby was grinning ear to ear. He knew how happy that would make Steph.

"That would be great guys. I'll help you out when I can, but I need to make sure Steph is okay first."

I went back to the house and checked on Steph. She was still sleeping and so was Ram. He was on his back; Steph's head on his chest with his arm around her. I should be jealous, right? I'm not.

I shut the door and went downstairs to talk to Frank.

OoOoOoOo

When I opened my eyes, I saw I was in my bed, but the man next to me was not my husband. I looked up and saw Ram still sleeping. Shit, why was he in my bed. I did a quick glance and saw that I was still fully dressed. Whew!

Ram must have realized I was awake. "Hey, Steph. How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay. Little headache, but I'm fine." I looked up at him and took a breath. "Um, Ram…why are you in my bed?

"Les didn't want you left alone and he said he had some calls to make. I must have fallen asleep with you."

We got up out of bed and went downstairs. I looked at the clock and saw that was 6:17pm. Wow, I must have needed the sleep.

Les and my dad were talking. Tank and Bobby were watching a game on the TV.

Lester saw Ram and I coming down the stairs and he came over.

"Hey, baby. Are you feeling better?"

"Yes. I'm sorry. I don't know what happened."

He hugged me tight to him. "Let's go to the kitchen and get you and the little one some food."

We went to the kitchen and he sat me down and put a plate of food in front of me.

"Steph, I need to talk to you."

"That doesn't sound good."

He took a deep breath before speaking, "I called and talked to your cousin, Eddie. I want to get a restraining order against your mother."

I looked at my husband and thought about what he said. Part of me was happy that he was so protective and wanted to keep my mother away. Another part of me was pissed that he had done that. This was my fight to deal with. In the end, I realized he was right. I do need a restraining order against her. I need it in order to stay calm and protect our baby.

"Steph, I'm sorry, but I can't let her upset you. Not like she did earlier. I know you are probably pissed at me for stepping in and doing this, but I won't let her jeopardize your health or our baby's health."

"Yes, I'm pissed…"

"Please, don't be." Lester interrupted. He came around and hugged me.

"Les, let me finish. I'm pissed, but not at you. I'm pissed at her for putting you in that situation, for putting me in this situation. I guess I didn't realize how angry I am with her. And then for her to say things about all of you guys."

I looked up at him and smiled. "People can say whatever they want to about me. However, you don't mess with my guys. She had no right to say what she did about all of you and I will let her know that the next time I see her."

"I love you, Steph." He kissed me softly and then pulled back. "All the guys love you. We've never had anyone stand up for us like you. Hell, a lady looks at one of the men, and you are all over her. I don't know if they are ever going to find someone who will pass your inspection."

He was smiling, but I knew it was true. I don't know if there are any women that are good enough for my guys.

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