Stephanie was released into Bobby's care a few days later. I was thrilled because that meant she had to come back to Haywood; we'd not really talked about where we were going to stay, but I knew I wasn't spending one night without her near me.

Getting her out of the hospital was a chore in and of itself. She didn't want to be pushed out in a wheelchair; it would show weakness. She couldn't walk out; crutches were out of the question as she couldn't use them with her broken arm. She didn't want to be carried out like "a baby", her words not mine! I wasn't sure how we were going to get her out when Bobby finally stepped up and told her, "Bomber, either you sit your ass in the chair and get pushed out of the damn place, or you can sit in this damn bed until the casts come off. Which is it?"

I laughed when she flipped him off and asked me to place her in the chair. Ten minutes later, we were pulling out of the hospital parking lot and on our way home. I knew she was going to hate the wheelchair, especially when she looked at it and growled.

"What's the matter, Honey?" I asked as I ran my fingers through her hair.

"I'm going to lose all my dignity with that thing," she whispered on the verge of tears.

"How?"

"Seriously? I'm never going to have a moment alone. Every time I have to go somewhere, anywhere, I'm going to have to ask to be pushed there. Hell, I don't even know how I'm going to get dressed without help."

"I can help with the getting dressed and undressed," I volunteered with a sly smile.

I watched as her eyes glazed over before she shook her head. "I can handle that, but what I can't handle is," she looked around to make sure the guys in the front seat couldn't hear her. "I can't handle the fact that when I need to use the restroom, I'll have to tell someone and they will have to take me. It's humiliating."

I'd not even thought of that. I know how much she values her privacy and independence… this was going to kill it for her. I wasn't sure what to do. I could help her and I would as much as she'd allow me to, but I also know she's going to be hesitant to allow anyone in the bathroom with her.

"We will work something out, Steph. I promise." Kissing her temple, I noticed we were about to pull into the garage. "Brace yourself. If word got out that you were being released today, you're about to be bombarded with the guys."

No sooner had the words left my mouth and the gate opened, did we see a huge wall of black along the side. I would bet that every RangeMan was there. As soon as Bobby put the SUV in park, the door was ripped open and Cal was reaching in to grab my wife. I expected Lester to be the first one to the door; maybe he was waiting to be the last one and have the chance to carry her upstairs. Not gonna happen, man.

Steph let out a yelp when Cal pulled her from the SUV, but it was more a surprised yelp and not a painful one, so I let it go. I saw one of the first genuine smiles on her face and was glad that the guys were all down here to greet her. Bobby brought the wheel chair around for her and Cal placed her in it. One by one they all welcomed her back and each had to take a moment to assure themselves she was really okay.

When it was Tank's turn, I saw the look of relief on his face. "Good to have you back here, Little Girl. We all missed you." He ruffled her hair before stating, "But, we need to talk about a secret wedding."

Shit, I meant to ask them not to mention anything to her, but in the excitement of her coming home, I forgot.

Steph looked at all the men and I saw tears forming in her eyes. Fuck, I screwed up with this. Before I had a chance to apologize, she cleared her throat, "I'm sorry guys. Honestly, we weren't planning on getting married; at least not so soon. We just kind of said let's do this and did it."

Huh? We were planning on getting married at some point? I don't remember that. Oh well; I love being married to her so I'm not saying shit. I just smile and begin pushing her chair.

I saw Steph look around at the guys and I began to wonder what's wrong. "Are you hurting?" I asked her.

"Where's Lester?" she asked loud enough for everyone to hear. When she said that, I realized that I'd not seen him in the garage. I bet he's in our apartment waiting for a quiet personal reunion.

Bobby scrubbed his hand over his head and sighed, "He took off this morning, Bomber. I don't know where he went, but he said he needed a few days off for a personal matter."

Steph's happy face suddenly became sad. "Binkie, please take me up. I want to lie down for a little bit." I won't say it hurt to hear her call me Binkie; it did. But, I guess we never discussed her calling me Matthew around the guys and they all know me as Binkie; I don't think any of them know my given name other than Ranger and Tank.

I pushed the chair onto the elevator and pushed the button for the fourth floor, "Are you okay? Are you hurting?"

"Not hurting physically," she responded.

When we reached the apartment, I looked down at her and saw the tears threatening to fall. I hated to see her cry, but there was nothing I could do to stop it. I knew what the tears were for and I was going to kill him when he showed up. He should have been here for her.

Taking her into the bedroom, I lifted her onto the bed and curled up with her. "I'm sorry, Steph. I had no idea he wasn't going to be here."

"I'm sorry for crying about it. I don't mean to cry over him, really. He's only a friend; well, one of my best friends. I'm not in love with him or anything. I hope you know that."

"I do. I know what he means to you just as I know what you mean to him. That's why I'm surprised he's not here."

We laid there for a little bit before I noticed she'd drifted off to sleep. I disentangled myself carefully from her and stepped out of the room. Grabbing my phone, I punched in his number and waited.

"Is she okay?" was how he decided to answer.

"No, she's not okay. She's upset that you weren't here to welcome her back to RangeMan. She left the hospital today and was expecting to see your ass. How the hell could you just take off? Damn man, you've not even been to the hospital lately. She thinks you're avoiding her."

I heard him sigh and could imagine him scrubbing his face with his palm; he always does that when he sighs. "Look, I just. I need some time alone right now. I have a lot going through my head and I need to sort it out before someone gets hurt. Tell her I'm sorry and I'll call her in a few days."

"Les, man. What the hell is going on? I'm worried about you."

"I'll be fine, man. Just take care of her."

I heard him hang-up and knew he'd not answer if I called back. So, I called the next number and was greeted with, "Is she okay?"

"Yeah. She's sleeping right now. I talked to Les."

"What did he say? Did you find out where he is?" Bobby asked.

"Didn't ask. He's messed up, man. I don't know what's wrong, but he's not himself. Said he had some shit he needed to work out before someone got hurt."

"Fuck. I think I know where he is. I'll check in later. If you or Steph need something, call me."

I walked back into the bedroom and checked on Steph, but she was still sleeping. I knew she'd be hungry when she woke up, so I went to the kitchen and tried to find something to cook. Looking in the refrigerator, I noticed most of the food was spoiled. "Fuck," I muttered under my breath. I hated to do it, but I knew I couldn't leave the apartment in case Steph needed me. So, I picked up the land line and dialed Ella.

"Hello, Binkie. How's Stephanie?" came her sweet voice.

"Hi, Ella. Steph's sleeping right now, but she's getting better."

"Good to hear. What can I do for you dear?"

"I hate to ask this, but with Steph in the hospital, I seem to have let the food I have spoil and haven't had time to shop. Would you be willing and able to provide us some food this evening?" I really hated to take advantage of Ella. I know she's here to take care of the guys and provide meals to the break room, but this isn't the break room. She shouldn't to cook for our apartments.

"No problem at all, Binkie. I don't mind. Any special requests or requirements for her?"

Shit, was she on any restrictions? "Give me just a moment to look at her discharge papers. I don't know if they put anything down or not." I found the papers and thumbed through them. No dietary restrictions. "No restrictions, Ella."

"Good, then I'll make something that will be easy on her stomach and some desert as well. I'll have it down there in about thirty minutes."

"Thank you, Ella, and I'm sorry."

"Non-sense. You call me anytime you need to."

Thirty minutes later, Stephanie was awake and sitting on the couch when Ella knocked on the door. Bringing the cart in, she served her homemade chicken soup and had fresh chocolate chocolate chip cookies for dessert.

Stephanie drooled just as her stomach made itself known. "Enjoy, dear and let me know if you need something else."

"Thank you so much, Ella. It looks wonderful." After Ella left, we began to eat and Stephanie's phone rang. I reached across the table and grabbed it for her.

Looking at the display, looked a little hurt, "Hello?... Where are you?... Why not?... Physically, I'll heal. Emotionally, I'm not sure. It really hurt that you weren't here. You haven't even stopped by the hospital lately. What's wrong?"

I knew she was talking to Les; hopefully she'd get some answers out of him, but somehow, I doubted it. I grabbed her attention, pointed to myself and then the bedroom. I wanted to let her know where I was going and give her some privacy. I didn't want her to think I was to be jealous of her talking to Lester.

Walking into the bedroom, I was about to lay on the bed when my phone rang. Looking at the display, I noticed it was someone I really didn't want to talk to at the moment but knew I couldn't avoid either. Fuck!