CHAPTER 30

Time to put 'Operation set Cal up with Natasha' into action.

I sent Cal to the kitchen to look for the mint chocolate chip ice cream in the freezer, knowing he won't find any... I already ate it. Grabbing my phone, I placed a call to Shorty's. "Thank you for calling Shorty's. My name is Natasha, how may I help you."

"Hi, my name is Stephanie Manoso and I would like to order a meat lovers pizza."

"Stephanie as in 'Bomber'? Cal's sister Stephanie?"

I laughed, "Yes, the one and only. I know this is a strange but bold question, but do you want to date Cal?"

Natasha paused before answering, "Blond hair, blue eyes, dreamy body with an awesome flaming skull tattoo on his forehead Cal?" I like this girl. She has an amazing sense of humour.

Laughing, I answered, "Yes. That Cal. He's my babysitter today and I thought I'd treat him to his favourite pizza for lunch. Would it be possible to have it delivered to the Rangeman Tower on Haywood? I can have Cal meet the delivery person at the door." Hopefully she'll take the bait.

I could hear her speak to someone in the background. Obviously confirming if they actually delivered pizza. I happen to know they didn't have the staff to do so. "Yes. I can personally deliver the pizza. Please have Cal meet me at the door in forty-five minutes."

"Thank you. I owe you a huge favour." She laughed before hanging up. Yes! Part one of the plan is a success.

I texted Ranger, 'Can you come up in forty minutes to keep me company? Cal is meeting the Shorty's delivery person at the front door in forty-five minutes.'

'Babe. Shorty's doesn't deliver.' I laughed.

'I know, they are doing me a personal favour.'

'Only you Babe.' Ranger walked into the apartment thirty-five minutes later. "Cal, you are wanted at the front door to receive Steph's lunch delivery in ten minutes."

Cal looked at me with one eyebrow raised. "When did you order lunch?"

"I called in my order while you were looking for the mint chocolate chip ice cream."

Ranger started laughing. "Babe. You know there isn't any left." He looked at Cal, "She finished it last night and asked me to have Ella add it to her grocery list."

"Bomber, why would you do that to me? You had me remove everything from the freezer to look for it."

I shrugged. "I guess I forgot. You know they say pregnant women get forgetful. Cal, can you please get the lunch delivery? I'm getting hungry." As soon as Cal left I quickly texted Hector. 'Quick, link me to the camera feed with audio for the front door.'

'Done.' I opened the video feed on my phone and turned up the volume.

Ranger and I watched the video feed. I saw Cal's surprised expression, "Natasha, what are you doing here?"

She smiled at him. "Stephanie called and asked for a pizza to be delivered. I figured since she's married to your boss, I didn't want to refuse and risk you receiving retribution from your boss for not delivering."

He scratched the back of his head. "Tell my uncle I'll settle the bill later."

She laughed. "He said it's on him. Umm... Cal, would you like to see a movie with me on Saturday?"

"Really? You want to go on a date? With me?" I started laughing. I could see the blush on his tattoo.

Natasha reached over to rub his tattoo. "It's adorable when your tattoo blushes. Yes Cal, I really want to go on a date with you. Unless you're not interested. Your sister implied you wanted to date me. Maybe I misunderstood."

Cal looked at the camera and mouthed 'Thank you'. He was aware I was watching this video feed. "I've been wanting to date you since I first met you. But when you told me about your late husband, I thought you weren't really interested."

She laughed. "Most men run away when they hear my husband died and I was raising my son alone. Men are afraid of getting involved with a single mom. I prefer being up front and honest."

"I'm not most men. I should take the pizza to Stephanie before she calls me to complain. I'll drop by Shorty's later to exchange phone numbers and get your address. I would like to pick you up on Saturday."

"I'd like that. See you later Cal," she kissed his cheek before leaving.

The video feed stopped when Natasha left the building. I quickly texted Hector, 'Did you save a copy of the video feed?'

'Yes Angel, I did.' Awesome, I can send the video out to the rest of the team.

Cal returned to my apartment sporting a huge smile on his face. He gave Ranger the pizza and pulled me into a hug. "Thank you for everything Steph. At first I was angry, but when she asked me out, I wanted to give you a hug."

Ranger shook his head and said, "Babe." I smiled, opened the pizza box and grabbed a slice of pizza.

Cal looked in the box and said, "You ordered my favourite type. Why? Lately you've been eating vegetarian pizza."

"Ya... the meat gave me heartburn for the longest time. I've been craving this pizza all day." I winked at Ranger. He grabbed a slice, gave me a kiss on my forehead and returned to work.

Between me and Cal, we finished the pizza. I let Cal choose the movies to watch. He selected 'Thor' and 'Thor: The Dark World'. I laughed at his choices. "What's so funny Bomber?"

"I watched 'Captain America' with Tina the other day. It looks like I'll be watching all the Marvel movies before the end of this pregnancy." He draped his arm across my shoulder, allowing me to use his shoulder as a pillow.

Ranger walked into the apartment shortly after 5 pm to find me snuggled into Cal's side. Cal's hand was resting on my stomach feeling the babies kick. I looked in Ranger's direction, smiled and waved him over. "Shhhh... he's asleep."

Ranger raised his eyebrow. "Care to explain why his hand is on your stomach?"

"I was leaning against him while watching the movies. It's more comfortable for me to lean against someone instead of using pillows. They shift too much and it makes my back cramp. He could feel our son kicking his side and wanted to see if he could feel our daughter. After a few minutes, I realized he was asleep. Do you mind helping me? I really need to use the bathroom."

"Babe, you could wake him up."

"But he looks too peaceful."

Ranger kicked Cal's feet and he woke quickly. "Sorry Bomber. Did I hurt you?"

"No Cal. You fell asleep and I really need to pee. Thank you for keeping me company. If I don't see you before Saturday, good luck on your date." I quickly kissed his tattoo. Cal left as Ranger helped me to the bathroom.

I woke up at 3 am feeling a dull pain in my lower back and a wet sensation between my legs. "Carlos, honey. Are you awake?"

He woke up instantly. "Babe. Are you alright?"

"Can you call Tina, Bobby and Tank? I think I'm in labour."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes honey, I'm sure. Thankfully Ella put that plastic mattress cover on the bed yesterday, because my water broke."

He felt the sheets near my hips. "Dios mío." Ranger grabbed his phone and kept fumbling while attempting to call Tank. I removed the phone from his hands and hit the speed dial number one.

The phone rang a couple of times before I heard a tired "Yo."

"Good morning to you too Tank. Can you please come up to the seventh floor? Ranger needs you. I've got to go. I have a few more calls to make."

I hung up and dialled Tina's number. Hal answered with a gruff, "Bomber, this better be important."

"Well good morning to you too Hal. It is important. Can you please wake up Tina and send her upstairs? It's time."

I heard 'Holy shit' shortly before he disconnected the call.

Bobby was on monitor duty so I called the Control Room. "Good morning Steph. Couldn't sleep?"

I took a few deep breaths before answering, "No Bobby, I couldn't sleep. The babies decided today will be their birthday."

I heard another phone dialling in the background. "Lester, get your ass to the control room. Stephanie's in labour." I heard that phone hang up before Bobby spoke to me again. "Okay Steph, I'll be upstairs in a few minutes. Have you already called Tina?"

"Yes Bobby... everyone has been called. Tank just arrived, I have to go." I hung up the phone without saying goodbye.

Tank walked into the bedroom and saw Ranger's frozen expression. "Boss, you okay?" When Ranger didn't answer he kneeled in front of him and grabbed his face between his large hands. "Ranger. Look at me." When Ranger looked at him he said, "Snap out of it boss. Steph needs you to remain calm. Tina and Bobby are on their way."

I heard the door open and more voices. Tina was ordering Hal to grab clean towels and hot water. Bobby and Hector arrived carrying the ultrasound equipment. Cal followed behind carrying a baby heart rate monitor and straps.

Ranger pushed Tank's hands away from his face. He jumped out of bed and pulled on the sweat pants and t-shirt he set on the chair the night before. "Thanks Tank."

"No problem boss."

I was waiting for everyone to get situated before speaking. "Ranger, we need to change the sheets. Can you grab clean bedding and clothes for me?" He nodded before leaving to grab the linens. "Tank, can you carefully lift me so we can change the bedding first?" He gently lifted me from the bed while Hal and Cal stripped the bed. Ranger brought the clean linens and clothes and helped me change.

"Cal, Ella left extra towels in the closet. Can you grab them?" He laid thick dark towels on the edge of the bed.

Ranger helped position me at the foot of the bed, ensuring the towels were underneath me. He climbed in behind me and wrapped his arms around me, providing warmth to my aching back. "Babe, was that a contraction?"

I nodded as I breathed through the contraction. "Yes honey. They are now three minutes apart and lasts for two minutes each. It seems like once I recover from one contraction, another is ready to begin." During my next contraction, he lightly rubbed my belly which helped relieve some pain. "Thank you. That helps."

Tina entered the room and asked me to shift closer to the edge of the bed. I nodded. Cal started to look a bit green. He said, "If you don't mind, I think I'll wait in the other room. When Steph's sister Val's water broke, I passed out, hit my head and had a concussion. I can grab anything you need, but I can't come into the room."

Tina nodded her head, "Thank you for your help Cal. Please do your best to keep the other Rangeman guys out of the room."

"Will do my best, but you know how excited they are to meet the babies."

"Tina, her contractions are closer together. There's only thirty seconds between contractions," Ranger stated. She draped a light blanket over my legs to protect my modesty.

Tina checked to see how far along I was dilated. "Steph, you're 9 cm dilated. Almost time."

I groaned. "I guess it's too late for an epidural?"

"Yes Steph, it's too late. Both babies have their heads down. Your son is already engaged. You are doing very well Stephanie. Keep breathing through your contractions. Bobby, she needs the final RhoGAM injection."