Chapter 17 Forced Family.
Ranger and Stephanie woke up to a very loud alarm clock. "Tell me again why we have to get up early today?" Ranger complained as he silenced the alarm.
"Today is the ultrasound for this little one," Stephanie said. "Then we have to go shopping. Julie needs clothes for school, and we should buy items for this little one too." Stephanie stifled a giggle because she knew Ranger didn't like shopping.
"Right." Ranger got up and held out his hand for Stephanie. She took it, letting him pull her off the bed. They got dressed after taking a short shower.
Ranger and Stephanie walked downstairs to see Julie was already awake and dressed. "What took you two so long? We don't want to be late. I'm anxious to know if I'm going to have a baby brother or sister," Julie excitedly said, grinning. Stephanie noticed the 200-watt smile that was similar to Ranger's smile.
"Relax, we have time," Ranger told Julie. He placed his hand on Julie's back and gently guided her to the kitchen.
Ranger took out a protein shake from the fridge. Stephanie wrinkled her nose at his choice of breakfast.
She found a pastry bag in the refrigerator. Inside the bag were two Boston cream donuts. It didn't take Stephanie long to eat both of them. Once everyone ate their fill, they piled into the Rangeman SUV. They drove to Trenton Hospital, where Tank was waiting for them.
"Hey, uncle Tank," Julie said as the three of them approached him.
"Hey, staying out of trouble?" Tank asked her, smiling.
"Yeah," Julie said as she hugged Tank. She grinned at her honorary uncle.
Tank noticed Ranger as he was rubbing Stephanie's neck. "Hey, little one, how far along are you?" Tank asked. He knew it was around twenty weeks, but he wasn't sure.
"Six months. Twenty-four weeks, so we should find out what the baby is. That's if he or she cooperates this time," Stephanie said to Tank.
"Your child is taking after you, Little one," Tank joked. Stephanie rolled her eyes but resisted the urge to stick out her tongue.
Everyone walked into the main hospital and made their way to the radiology department. Stephanie walked to the counter and checked in.
Once she confirmed her health insurance, they waited until her name got called. Ranger could see that Tank had something they needed to hear. But it would have to wait for a while.
"What's wrong, mom?" Julie asked. Stephanie was squirming in her chair.
"I hope they hurry. I've got to pee," Stephanie whispered to Julie. She continued to squirm as Julie giggled. "I don't know why they ask you to drink four glasses of water while you're pregnant. Do they not know that the baby uses your bladder like a trampoline?" Julie continued giggling.
When it was their turn, everyone walked in except for Tank. He waited outside the room by the door. Stephanie grumbled that it was about time.
The radiology technician put some cool gel on Stephanie's baby bump after asking her to lower her pants to expose her abdomen. "Damn that's cold," Stephanie said out loud. Julie giggled.
"Sorry," he replied. He rubbed the wand over Stephanie's abdomen, spreading around the gel. After pressing it into the bump and clicking the keyboard, he said, "Your baby looks healthy. Do you want to know the gender?"
"Yes," the three of them answered.
"Is that what I think it is?" Julie asked. She could see the extra bit between the baby's legs.
"Yup. Congratulations, it is a boy," the technician said. He pressed a button on the keyboard to take pictures, then he printed the image for the three of them. Stephanie used the scratchy paper towel to remove the gel from her stomach. She pulled the stretch pants back up.
After Stephanie was ready, they left the exam room. "Well. Is it a girl or a boy?" Tank asked.
"Boy," Ranger answered him.
"Congrats, guys," Tank said. "Where are we off to next?" Tank was excited they would have a mini-boss man.
"The mall. we need to do the shopping for Julie and our son," Ranger said, shaking his head. He does not enjoy shopping.
"So, do you guys have a name picked out for him?" Tank asked.
"Yeah, Joseph, after Morelli," Stephanie said out loud. "Before we go to the mall, I need to visit the ladies' room." Julie giggled as she took Stephanie's hand. They found a washroom outside the radiology department. Stephanie was relieved to empty her full bladder.
Once they arrived at the mall, they entered several stores to purchase clothes for Julie. They bought a few clothing items for baby Joseph in Baby Gap. Tank and Ranger carried the bags.
Ranger found a baby furniture store to purchase a crib, dresser and diaper table. Stephanie rolled her eyes when Ranger asked if he could get them with a black finish.
Three hours later, they arrived home. Tank followed them to their house. Julie made sandwiches for everyone before taking her lunch back to her room.
Once Julie was out of hearing distance, Tank said, "Little one, your mother is a dumbbell. She went on and on about how she planned everything regarding your kidnapping. Neither of you will have to testify." He shook his head at Helen's stupidity. "She really screwed up this time."
"That is music to my ears," Ranger said. Tank noticed that Stephaine was getting tired. She yawned as she tried to eat her lunch.
"Anyway, thanks for lunch and congrats with Joseph," Tank said. He smiled because his friends honored Morelli's sacrifice to keep Stephanie safe.