Steph's POV

I sighed as I got out of bed and padded to the kitchen to make coffee. I'd spent a quiet day at home yesterday, finishing unpacking and settling in by myself after having Les's help the previous day, and didn't really have anything to keep me occupied today. Dad was going to see Vinnie this morning about the BEA job, but until I heard from him I was at a standstill.

I walked into the living room with my coffee and Tasty Cake and found myself watching CNN and paying particular attention to the world news. I had no idea where Cal was right now, but it somehow made me feel better to have a vague idea of what was going on in the world and not hear of any reports of military casualties. I was jarred from my breakfast by my cell phone and I answered the unknown number.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Hey, Steph. This is Victoria, Cal's sister," I heard on the other end.

"Oh, hey. How are you?" I hadn't even realized that Victoria had my phone number.

"I'm really good. Mom and I are going to have brunch and do a little shopping today and we thought it would be nice if you could join us. Cal mentioned that you weren't working yet and we'd both love to spend more time with you," she offered.

I wrinkled my nose and thought hard. I did get along really well with Cal's family, but it still seemed a little...different. But, I guess sometimes different is good.

"Do you think Cal would be okay with that?" I asked. I didn't want to insert myself into his family if he wasn't good with it.

I heard Victoria laugh on the other end of the line before she spoke. "Oh, Steph. Mom and I already knew we wanted to spend time with you before he left, and he e-mailed us both with your contact info and suggested that we see you while he's gone. Of course it's okay with him," she assured me.

I smiled and shook my head. He's always been looking out from me, way back to that very first night we met. "Sure then, I'd love to," I agreed. "Where should I meet you?"

"Nonsense! We'll come by and pick you up at 10:00 so we can all ride together. I can't wait to spend some time with you! See you soon!"

And suddenly the line was dead. Well, at least now I had something to occupy my time while I was waiting on word from Dad. I finished my coffee and then took a shower. Hair dried and makeup done, I stood in front of my closet and debated on what to wear. Finally I grabbed my black denim skirt and grey off-the-shoulder pullover and then slid my feet into a comfortable pair of sandals so I would be ready to shop 'til I drop.

Carol, Victoria, and little Sam arrived right at 10:00 and I couldn't help but reach out and rub my fingers down Sam's soft cheek after I'd situated myself in the back seat of the SUV.

"Thank you for inviting me along today," I said while I cooed at the baby.

"We're so happy to get to spend time with you, Steph," Carol replied. "Cal has told us so much about you, and when we met you at Sam's christening we instantly fell in love with you. How are you holding up with him being gone?"

I smiled and relaxed. Today was going to be just fine. "I miss him so much already and can't wait for him to be home, but I'm doing okay. Les came over Saturday morning and helped me get settled into the new house and now I get to spend time with you two today," I told them.

"Well, we're here anytime, Steph, day or night," Victoria promised me, and I completely believed her. For whatever reason, I had felt completely at ease with Cal's family when I met them.

"Thank you, I appreciate that. I haven't been in a relationship since my ex and I divorced, but I've already become quite accustomed to being near Cal and I miss him a lot," I shared.

"That's because you two are perfect together!" Victoria squealed, and I just laughed. I couldn't argue with her.

We had brunch in a little café near the mall and I found my eyes glued to sweet little Sam as we chatted and ate. She got fussy and some crazy maternal instinct must have possessed me because before I knew it, I'd pushed my plate away and asked if I could hold her. I settled her into the crook of my right arm and held her bottle with my left and just melted as her little eyes took me in while she ate. I pried my eyes away from Sam to chat with Carol and Victoria while they finished eating.

"I still maintain that you're a natural," Carol said as she eyed me with her grandbaby.

I laughed and shook my head. "It must be some ability I've gained as I've gotten older, or it's just Sam. I really didn't think I was a baby person," I explained.

"But you might be now?" Victoria pressed, and I smiled.

"I'm going to cut to the chase and be honest," I replied. "Before your brother, absolutely not. Just the thought of marriage and babies made me break out in hives and start planning my escape."

"But...?" Carol prodded.

"But with Cal by my side, I'm seeing things differently. Where I grew up, in the Burg, the women were expected to be homemakers and mothers and not have an outside life. That's wonderful if it's what you want, but it's not something that I want for me. But, I know it wouldn't be that way with Cal. We would be a team, and I trust him," I shared.

"Well, if seeing you with Sam is any indication, you'll be a wonderful mother. And Cal is crazy about you, so you don't have to worry there," Victoria said with a laugh.

"I'm crazy about him, too," I whispered.

We finished our lunch and headed to the nearby mall for some retail therapy. Sam had apparently taken quite a liking to me, and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't smitten with her, so when she got fussy in her stroller, I asked Victoria to help me put on her Ergo carrier and get Sam situated. She settled right in against my chest, which simultaneously felt both warm and tight. As we walked through the baby store and looked at all of the cute little clothes, my ovaries twitched. God help me, I found myself actually wanting to have a baby. Me, Stephanie Plum. I wanted to create a little life with my handsome boyfriend. Hurry home, Cal.