Stephanie was bouncing in the elevator as they made their way to the roof, "You sure that we will be safe?" She asked, her hands cupping her stomach, "I know you said that what we would be… but your super sure… right?" She sked.
Diesel grinned over at her, "Yes… I told you…... its hard to follow a helicopter… and no one knows where we are going but my friend… who is going to shadow us today." He said, "Plus Hal is going to call the New York office right now to let them know that we will be in the city to be ready if we need them."
Stephanie bit her lip, "But you don't think we will need any of them?" She asked.
Diesel shook his head, "I had another friend call and have the spa we are going to cleared out…. So, we will be the only ones there…. Under a different name of course…. We are eating lunch there…. And I have the stores we are going to being cleared out this afternoon... also under a different name…. and then we are coming back in the helicopter." He said, "So by the time anyone figures out that we are there… we will be on our way back."
Stephanie nodded and a grin spread over her face, "Ok then I am finally excited." She said watching the elevator door slide open and sild her hand through his arm, "What are we doing at the spa?" She asked as he walked her over to the Helicopter.
Diesel held a hand over her head as they neared blades, "Anything you want." He said grinning pulling the door open, "Up you go." He said helping her into the back seat. Diesel buckled her in and climbed in after her, closing the door.
Stephanie grinned up to the two guys in the front, "Hello." She said over the noise of the blades.
They turned to give her matching grins and Diesel shook his head, "She is spoken for… incase her stomach doesn't say that." He said.
Stephanie laughed at the guys scowls they gave Diesel and shook her head, "Don't listen to him." She said reaching her hand out, "I am Stephanie…. I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you are hanging out with us today."
The pilot reached his hand out, "My name is Mike…. I will be your driver today.' He said with a grin, "You are getting me a day off so thank you."
Stephanie gave a small laugh, "Well you are not the first to say that to me…... and you are welcome." She paused tightening her hand, "And thank you…. really…. I am so excited to be getting out of here and feeling safe."
Mike nodded, "I got you girl." He said with a small smirk, "Lets party." Turing to the front and pulling them into the air and taking off.
The passenger turned and held his hand out, "My name is Eric." He said. "I will be your shadow today…... I will be there, but you will never see me."
Stephanie grinned shaking his hand, "I don't mind seeing you…. I am used to seeing people follow me…. And I would rather you be there to talk to." She paused grinning at Diesel, "Besides this one can get boring if it's just the two of us."
Diesel shook his head laughing, "You love me… and you know it." He said throwing his arm over her shoulder.
Stephanie threw her head back and laughed, "You are right." She said, "I do love you." She mumbled wrapping her arm around his waist, "You are the only one who can help me eat and keep it down…. You are my food supplier… and you know how I love my food."
Diesel burst out laughing, "You are only saying that because we got you to keep breakfast down this morning." He said.
Stephanie shrugged, "You are not wrong." She said with a grin looking over at Eric, "He is my absolute favorite because he keeps me fed and happy." She said nodding at Diesel who just shook his head grinning, "But you can still hang with us today Eric."
Eric grinned, "I wouldn't mind a spa day… I could use a manicure." He said wiggling his eyebrows, holding his hand out and shaking it at her. Stephanie grinned taking in the 6-foot-4 muscled man in front of her, "Well you can sit next to me and gossip." She said making Eric laugh as he turned back to the front.
Last night Diesel had told her about Mike and Eric, both who he had been friends for as long as he could remember he said. He said that there was no one he trusted more with her in this world then these two guys and they would destroy anyone who came near her. She was finally feeling safe and excited and relaxed as she watched the horizon as they flew into the city.
20 minuets later Mike landed them on top of a tall hotel building, "Here is your stop my pretties." He called as he slowed the blades down, "I will be back later today to pick you guys up."
Diesel hopped out and reached his hand in to grab Stephanie, "Come on gorgeous…. Time to get pampered." He said leading them to the door Eric had already opened and cleared.
Stephanie grinned waving to Mike as he took off and giggled as saluted her back. She quickly followed the guys into the building taking the stairs down two flights where Eric was holding the door open. Stephanie walked through the door into a cool and calm room and immediately felt her stomach roll at the candles scent.
"Good Morning." A very chipper girl in white uniform said.
Stephanie shook her head and moved to walk back into the hall, but Eric blocked her, "I need you to move." She said eyes wide.
Diesel turned and frowned, "Shit." He muttered looking over at the girl, "Turn off all of the candles and scents now." He said, 'Do you have room with nothing going."
The girl quickly nodded, "Follow me." She said. "We have a balcony."
Diesel reached out wrapping an arm around Stephanie waist, "Don't you dare throw up." He said walking her down the hall, "We finally got food in you and today is a fun pamper day with no vomiting."
Stephanie nodded as she held a hand over her mouth, Eric following them, "I mean it." Diesel said, "Deep breaths through your mouth…. Just one more second."
The girl opened the door to an outside balcony with a fireplace, "Will this work?" She asked.
Diesel nodded walking Stephanie over to one of the loungers, "Sit…." He said squatting in front of her, "Breath…in… out…in …out."
Stephanie looked at Diesel taking in deep breaths shaking her head slightly, "Nope…I am going to throw up." She whispered her stomach rolling, "I can't."
Diesel gave her grin, "I will give you a great piece of information if you can keep your stomach inside your body." He said.
Stephanie rolled her eyes as she took deep breaths, her hands rubbing her stomach. After a few moments she closed her eyes, "I don't feel good." She said rubbing her head.
Diesel stood up and went behind her and began to rub her temples, "Close your eyes... and breath…in…out." He said. Stephanie followed what he said, breathing in and out until she felt her stomach start to settle. She gave a small smile when she felt one of the babies kick her hand.
Stephanie reached up grabbing one of Diesel's hands and pulling him forward, to squat in front of her again, "Feel." She said grinning at him softly.
Diesel grinned when he felt the baby kick his hand, "That is so cool." He said grinning up at her, "Are you feeling any better?" He asked.
Stephanie smiled, "Yes…. but if I have to go back in there and smell that I may not feel so great." She muttered.
Diesel shrugged, "So then we don't go back in there for now…... we can start with your manicure and pedicure outside." He said.
Stephanie rolled her eyes, "You can't do that." She said.
Diesel raised his eyebrows, "I can do whatever I want." He said, "So lay back and relax and I will let them know that you are going to chillax out here while we work on getting the smell gone."
Stephanie pull on his hand, "Wait… what was the news?" She asked sitting back on the lounger.
Diesel grinned down at her, "I heard from a little Spanish birdie that there are 4 men who are doing just fine… all heathy and working hard to come home." He said.
Stephanie froze for a moment, eyes wide, "They are ok?" She asked, "I know they said no news is good news…. but it is so… so hard not to know."
Diesel raised his eyebrows, "You heard nothing from me, and I heard nothing from anyone else." He said pointing at her, "But If I were you, I would relax…. Right now, everything is right in the world."
Stephanie grinned up at him relaxing back in the lounger, "That sounds like a plan."
Diesel walked back into the building to go and get the woman to set up the manicure outside and Eric strolled over to sit on lounger next to hers, "So I hear that you are like one of Diesel's best friends." He said crossing his legs with a grin, "I also hear that you are a massive troublemaker."
Stephanie rolled her eyes, "First of all, I am not a troublemaker…... trouble finds me… its different…. And also, Diesel is worse than I am… it is usually his fault if we are together." She said.
Eric snickered, "You are right…. Diesel is the worst… which is probably why you two are drawn together." He said folding his hands over his stomach, "Two little troublemakers in a pod."
Stephanie grinned over at him, and shrugged, "If the shoes fits… I will wear it…. I always did love shoes." She said laughing. "So how long have you known Diesel?" She asked her hands moving in small circles.
Eric smirked, "Longer then anyone should…. In fact, there is not a time that I don't remember him being in my life…..." He said crossing his feet, "He was there when no one else was for me."
Stephine looked over at Eric with a small frown, "What was he there for…. if you don't mind sharing?" She asked softly.
Eric shrugged, "I came out…. when it was not so cool to come out…... and once." He paused looking around, "Once it came out that I preferred not traditional company… well no one wanted to work with me anymore." He gave a small grin, "Diesel and Mike were the only ones who would still work with me… still be my friend."
Stephanie reached out and grabbed his hand looking up at the sky, "Diesel is pretty smart like that." She said softly.
Eric looked over in surprise, "What do you mean? He asked.
Stephanie grinned over at him, "To know that you were going to be one of the best people he knows… that is what he told me last night." She said, "To know that you are prefect just like you are."
Eric looked over at her in amazement, "You are just as wonderful as Diesel always said you were." He said softly.
Stephanie smirked over at him, "Wait until you get to know me…. It wears off." She laughing, '
Eric shook his head watching her lay back, "I don't think it will." He said smiling, he nodded at her belly, "How far along are you?" He asked, "You are still struggling with food."
Stephanie smiled over at him, her hands rubbing her stomach lightly, "I am about 20 weeks… I am having twins who cannot agree to let me eat anything." She said shaking her head softly, "One of them wants healthy… only green options…" She paused giving a light gag at the thought of green vegetables before taking a deep breath for a moment, "And the other only wants yummy junk food…. grease and nothing … absolutely nothing green." She said with a deep sigh, "All I want to do is to eat something… anything… that I don't want to throw up."
Eric chuckled, "Well your aruras are all bright and healthy… so while you are not eating great, as of right now you all are looking healthy." He said looking at her with narrowed eyes.
Stephanie laughed, "And now you sounds like Diesel." She said laying her head back on the lounger, giving a small shiver at the cold air.
Eric frowned standing up to walk over to the fireplace, turing the electric portion on, "Here come sit closer." He said fixing a lounger, so it was next to the fireplace.
Stephanie grinned over at him, "Thanks." She said walking over to sit pausing when the door opened, and Diesel stepped out holding a robe.
"Here you go." Diesel said, walking over to help her into the robe, "The staff is going to make sure the message room has no scents by the time we go in there and we are going to do your manicure and pedicure out here while we wait."
Stephanie smiled up at him, "Are you going to sit with me and get your nails done?" She asked siting back in the lounger getting comfortable.
Diesel held up two more robes, "Of course we are." He said throwing one at Eric and then pulling his own on, 'How else are we going to gossip" He said fixing anther lounger next to hers on one side, Eric on the other side. "So, girl… what is the tea?" He asked leaning over into Stephanie who burst out laughing.
-/-/
It was hours later that Stephanie was relaxed and ready to go shopping, they had hours of messages, manicures, pedicures and slow snacking for Stephanie. They had decided that small snacking was a better idea then one large meal and so far, it was working …. since her stomach was relaxed and she was full for the first time in months.
Diesel put an arm around Stephanie's shoulders pulling her close and guiding her across the street to the mall with Eric trailing behind them.
"I am so excited." Stephanie said bouncing in her steps, 'I want to try on new shoes at Bloomingdales, and I want to look at Baby stuff with no fear of people that I know seeing me."
Eric chuckled behind her, "Is that a problem for you normally?" He asked scanning the street.
Stephanie nodded, "Living in the Burg means that nothing you do is kept secret or private…. I finally told my family that I am pregnant so I don't care so much… but once it gets around that I am pregnant I will never hear the end of it..." Stephanie paused at the red light and raised her voice into a shrill, "Oh Stephanie you are pregnant... Congratulations... who is the dad again?" She paused waving her hand out making the guys chuckle, deepening her voice, "Ohhhh Stephanie …a baby is such a blessing…. It would be a better blessing if you were married but you know not everyone can be a good example." She snickered.
Eric paused eyes wide, "They would not really say that?" He said, hs voice in disbelief.
Diesel snickered, "That and worse." He said tugging on Stephanie's hand when the light turned green. He raised his voice in a condensing tone, "Ohhhh Stephanie is the father planning on sticking around…" He said making Stephanie burst out laughing.
"Ohhhh that is spot on." Stephanie said walking into the mall lowering her voice, "Ohhhh Stephanie You look so beautiful pregnant…... where is your wedding ring."
Delsie chuckled, "You have one of those." He said pointing at her hand.
Stephanie shook her head, "No…... I have an engagement ring… which is not even close to a wedding ring in our world." She said walking over to look at a dress as soon as they walked in.
Eric shook his head, walking over to eye the dress, "You would look good in that." He said watching Diesel walk over to the store manager to have the rooms cleared out.
Stephanie shook her head "Maybe 5 months ago…." She said snickering, "Now I need something not so…. tight."
Eric shook his head, "No… it would look good now… try it on." He said eyeballing her, "Being pregnant doesn't mean that you cant wear sexy tight things…... and if anyone can do it… it is you…. you are gorgeous." He said.
Stephanie looked at it closely and gave a swift nod, "Ok…. I will." She said grabbing it and walking over to the fitting room to pull on the dress.
She carefully pulled it over her bump and once she had it settled on her body Stephanie looked in the mirror and grinned. She let her hands settled on her now firm bump looking at the way her new fuller boobs filled out the top of her dress and she knew Ranger was going to love her new additions. The dress flared around her thighs with a black sheer over lay skimming along the bottom. Stephanie felt beautiful and sexy for the first time in weeks.
"Get out here." Eric called, "I want to see if I was right."
Stephanie grinned stepping out of the fitting room, "What do you think?" She asked twirling in circle.
"Holy Shit." Diesel said walking over, "Ranger is going to kill anyone who looks at you in that." He said eyes wide.
Eric smirked looking up and down Stephanie, "Your fucking boobs looks phenomenal in that…. so does your ass… and you being pregnant makes you look like sex in carnet." He said wiggling his eyebrows.
Stephanie burst out laughing, "I will wear it for the baby shower then." She said looking in the mirror, "I will cause such a shit fest with all the burg members that will be there, and all the guys will love it."
Diesel shook his head, smirking, "You will certainly cause a shit storm with the Burg in that …and Ranger will kill anyone who looks at you." He said, "Including all the guys."
Eric walked over and slung an arm over her shoulder, "Can I come to the baby shower… I want to see this shit storm." He said grinning.
Stephanie wrapped an arm around his waist, "I think that would be a great ideal." She said grinning, "I have someone that I want you to meet anyway." She wiggled her eyebrows.
Diesel grinned knowing who she was talking about right away as he pulled his phone out to take a quick photo… Stephanie tucked under Eric's arm in that dress, her head thrown back laughing. Diesel typed out a quick message and sent out an email knowing this photo would drive someone a little crazy… and maybe hurry them home.
Once he hit send Diesel grinned over at Stephanie, "Come on kid…... let's get some shopping done before we have to fly home…... you can tell Eric about Hector while doing some damage here." He called out walking over to pull Stephanie to him, "I want to buy baby clothes." Making Stephanie burst out laughing.
"Fine… fine." She said grinning and wiggling her eyebrows, "I got a credit card to burn today."
/-/-
Ranger froze when his phone buzzed in his pocket… he was not used to it alerting him in the middle of the night.
"I want to see." Lester called out across the room, "Let me see."
Ranger gave a small shake of his head but narrowed his eyes when Tank and Booby both looked over at him and nodded, "Show us." They demand.
Ranger gave them a blank face, but Bobby walked over grinning, "Come on… we all know now… so show us." He demanded crossing his arms.
Ranger sighed under his breath, "You are supposed to be resting so we get what we came for tomorrow and then leave." He muttered.
Tank snorted, "Just show us." He said.
Ranger clenched his jaw but pulled out his phone, "Fine… 2 seconds." He said pulling up his email.
Lester and Tank walked up next to him and looked down at his phone watching as Ranger typed in the 10-digit code for the message to go across the screen.
She found a dress for the baby shower… but if you don't hurry back, she might have different date.
Ranger narrowed his eyes when the photo flashed on the screen taking in Stephanie in a drop-dead gorgeous dress that made her look like sex on a stick while still being pure and innocent.
No…. it was not the dress… it was not the beautiful smile beaming through the photo… or the bright relaxed look in her eyes or the amazing way her beautiful bump filled out her dress… that was his woman… filled with his children... and god it made him ache to be home…... ache to kiss her… to hold her close.
No, the rage that settled under his skin was from the arm that was wrapped around Stephanie's shoulder's…... the way the man was so close along her side… the way that man was grinning down at HIS woman…. that was his fucking place…... his space... who the fuck was this man.
"Who the fuck is that?" Lester growled echoing Ranger's thoughts.
Tank snarled, "I will kill him." He said eyes narrowed.
Bobby tilted his head to the side looking only at her "She looks better…. Her skin has that healthy glow again…... and the bags under her eyes are gone." He said.
Ranger nodded, "She does look better." He said quietly blinking when the photo disappeared.
Tank shook his head, "No… who the fuck was that?" He said.
Lester nodded, "We need to get back…" Rubbing his hands together, "So I can kill that guy."
Ranger gave a small nod knowing that his men had his back, "Get some rest guys… we go home tomorrow." He said.