Chapter 17

"That didn't take long. You two just met," I stated. I know... pot meet kettle.

Bobby's face turned bright red before he mumbled, "It didn't take you and Ranger long either." His words confirmed they hooked up in her office.

"I know Bobby. I'm just teasing you." We got into our cars and returned to Rangeman.

He arrived a few minutes before me. I had to stop to get a few dozen donuts for the guys. What can I say? I'm in a very good mood.

"Are you telling anyone else?" he asked referring to my pregnancy.

"Not until Carlos knows. I'm barely 5 weeks pregnant. I'll wait until I'm 12 weeks before announcing it to the guys." Bobby already knew I was pregnant with twins. I could continue my exercise routine provided I don't do anything too strenuous. Sit ups and stomach crunches are removed from the rotation. We discussed alternative exercises to accommodate a pregnancy. More modifications would be required as my body expands. Yoga was an acceptable replacement. I'm still young and healthy, but multiples are always a higher risk. I could hardly wait to tell Carlos about our babies.

Dr Annie Portman started visiting Rangeman in the evenings when she wasn't required to work an on call shift at the hospital. She was surprised to be assigned a Rangeman security detail. We discussed the pros and cons over dinner while Bobby was patching up Hector. My buddy Hector was replacing the security system outside my apartment building. Someone shot Hector in the arm using a long range weapon. While Carlos was away, I was staying in our Rangeman apartment.

The list of suspects was relatively short. Benito Ramirez and Jimmy Alpha topped my list. They were the only two men who hold a grudge against me. I wouldn't be surprised if they hired someone for the job. When Ranger was in town, they maintained their distance. Since Ranger's been away for almost a month, they were getting braver and hoped to trap me in my apartment.

Speaking of my apartment, I need to grab the rest of my clothes and shoes. I waited another month before carrying out my plans. There was no activity recorded around my apartment and I felt it was safe to grab my things.

Carlos and his team completed their mission. Fernando Lopez killed himself before he could be detained... the coward. His men were neutralized and their operation was effectively shut down. They recovered 30 young girls between the age of 6 and 14. Luckily none of them were sexually assaulted. The authorities took their statements before releasing them to their families. Everything worked out according to plan. Except the men are required to debrief for the next few days in DC.

My husband was coming home tonight and I wanted to grab my remaining items from my apartment. Being 9 weeks pregnant, I felt more comfortable staying on the seventh floor. Rangeman was a bit short staffed, so I used a couple of our contract workers to help me gather my belongings. I waited as the men secured my apartment. None of us noticed the broken lock on my bedroom window. In our defence, it looked like it was latched. We also didn't know the security camera was overridden by a program to fool the control room at Rangeman.

Everything became evident when Ramirez and Alpha entered my bedroom through the window. I screamed when Ramirez grabbed my arm. Alpha ran into the other room to stop the men from protecting me. While Stan fought Alpha, Declan, one of the contract workers, ran into my bedroom and shot Ramirez between the eyes. I heard another gun shot and ran into the living room. Stan was laying on the ground clutching his gut. He caught my eye and nodded towards the kitchen to alert me.

Jimmy Alpha was standing over the sink puking. I guess he either never shot someone in the stomach before or got sick from the sight of blood. The latter was laughable since he's Benito's manager, which means this was the first person he shot. Unfortunate for me, he recovered fairly quick.

I grabbed my purse as Jimmy quickly turned his gun on me. A burning sensation in my left ass cheek made me realize he shot me. Instinctively, I pushed my hand into my purse and turned it towards him. I emptied my weapon into his chest. Every bullet pierced his heart within an inch. He was dead before he hit the ground. "I'm fine. Stan's injury is worse than mine. Go to him," I shouted when Declan came to my aid. Declan dialled 911 as he held a towel against Stan's abdomen.

My apartment door banged open as I slunk to the floor. Pain radiating from my ass down my left leg prevented me from remaining upright. "Carlos," I sighed as I lost consciousness.

Beeping machines and quiet conversations surrounded me as I tried to open my eyes. I felt something cold and some pressure on my stomach. "Shhhh... Steph, it's me, Annie. Try to relax. I'm checking the babies."

"Babies?" the most amazing voice asked. I was finally able to open my eyes and looked directly into my husband's brown ones.

"Surprise," I said groggily. "We're expecting twins."

His smile lit the room. He lowered his face to mine and kissed me. "Babe," he whispered into my ear. I knew he was excited about expanding our family too.

"The babies are healthy, but I'd like you to stay overnight for observation," Annie stated. She printed off a few more pictures and told us to refrain from having sex for the next few weeks.

"Stan? Declan?" I asked hoping to distract myself from the news of no sex in the near future. There was a very small chance Declan would be injured. I was more concerned about Stan. His injury was potentially fatal.

"Both men are fine. Stan pulled through surgery. He's expected to make a full recovery. Declan wasn't injured," Bobby said as he ran his fingers through my hair. "I was scared," he whispered.

"Me too," I confessed. Carlos was holding my left hand. He replaced my rings and lifted my hand to place a kiss on my finger.

Bobby carefully lifted me into his arms and held me. He handed me to Lester who nuzzled into my neck. "Beautiful, promise you won't do that again," he whispered into my ear.

"There is absolutely no way I'm going into my old apartment again. If there is anything of mine left, someone else will need to get it for me," I told him.

"Thank you," he quietly said before passing me off to Tank.

Warm arms gently held me. Tank may be huge and intimidating, but he's a very gentle man. "We can't lose you little girl," Tank said quieter than I've heard him speak before. "You're our light. Our beacon shining through the darkness in our world. We need you to guide us home." He kissed my forehead before gently replacing me on the bed.

I took a closer look at Lester, Tank and Carlos. They lost a few pounds during their last mission. Each man looked like they needed a good night of sleep. The nurse entered the room as Carlos was climbing into my bed.

"Sir, you can't be in bed with her. Hospital regulations indicate…" She stopped talking after seeing the look on my husband's face. If I was on the receiving end of that look, I'd stop talking too… and maybe piss myself from fear. It was a very intimidating look. Luckily, she just took my vitals and left.

Carlos gently rolled me until I was mostly laying on top of him. My butt was temporarily exposed while he moved me. Bobby took advantage and checked the injury. He was happy to see the bullet just grazed me. I could have told him that myself. As he replaced the bandage, the doctor entered the room.

"I'm Dr Stevens. It's good to see you awake Mrs Manoso. You are one lucky woman. The bullet only grazed you, so it was easy to stitch," he informed us.

"If she just needed a few stitches, why were her rings removed?" Bobby asked.

"Mrs Manoso is allergic to naproxen, the pain medication we used. The nurse noticed her arm beginning to swell and quickly removed her rings. Luckily it wasn't an anaphylactic reaction, but she shouldn't take any NSAID medicines," he explained.

I was barely listening to what he was telling me. "Isn't Advil and Motrin an NSAID type medicine? Stephanie's had both before," Bobby was curious to know why I reacted to one medicine but not another.

"She must have reached her tolerance threshold. I don't recommend giving her any type of NSAID, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatrory drug, in the future. You'll need to rely on acetaminophen or steroid based pain medications. Don't give her steroid based pain medicine while she's pregnant," he replied. "Continue giving her Benadryl for the next few days to ensure the swelling doesn't return."

He pulled on a pair of medical gloves and leaned over to look at my injury. Once again, I felt the bandage being peeled back. "No sign of infection. It should heal nicely. I'll return tomorrow morning during my rounds," he stated before leaving the room.

Lester carefully pulled the blanket over my hips to cover me. "You have a very sexy ass, Beautiful. I doubt Ranger would like his men staring at it."

I giggled when Carlos growled. Lester was right, Carlos doesn't like them staring at my ass. Carlos stroked my back, relaxing me until sleep finally took over.

Quiet conversations woke me up several hours later. It was in between dark and light, but I wasn't sure if it was dusk or dawn. "Dawn, Babe. You've been asleep for around eleven hours. It's 0455."

I lifted my head to look around the room. A cool breeze passed over my ass when the nurse changed the bandage. "No sign of infection," she said as she taped down the new bandage. "You'll need someone to change the bandages." After taking my vitals, she left.

Lester, Bobby, Tank and Manny all looked a little… wrinkled. "Did you guys sleep in those uncomfortable chairs?" I asked. When did Manny get here?

Manny moved closer to me. "We did sis. You were there for me when I was shot. I thought I should return the favour," he replied. I wanted to tell him I wasn't worth the risk of back pains and no sleep. "You're worth it to us," he added, preventing me from speaking. Tank gently lifted me off Carlos so he could slip out of bed. He's a very gentle giant.

"Thank you, Little girl," he whispered. I must have said that aloud. When will I learn to keep my thoughts to myself?

"I hope never. It's helps to know what you're thinking," Carlos replied. He removed me from Tank's arms and gently laid me on the bed.

"When can I go home?" I asked as Carlos covered me with the thin blanket. Everyone knows how much I hate hospitals.

"Once the doctors sign the discharge papers," Bobby replied. "Your nurse is starting the paperwork. Annie still needs to clear you."

"Which is exactly why I'm here now," she interjected. "You're still under observation for the next ten hours. Dr Stevens already cleared you to leave. I want to make sure your babies are still alright."

She pulled down the blanket and motioned for me to raise my gown. I noticed Tank, Manny and Lester leave the room as she examined me. Annie didn't say anything which concerned me. "Is something wrong?" I asked.

"Everything feels as it should. You have nothing to worry about," she insisted. When she pressed on the left side, I flinched from the bullet wound. "I'm a little concerned about your reaction to the naproxen and its effect on your pregnancy."

"So… you're trying to tell me you want to keep a close eye on me to ensure the babies aren't affected?" I asked.

"Exactly. Bobby said you may be resistant to being monitored constantly. I'm moving into Rangeman for the next few days." I had a feeling my situation was a convenient excuse for her and Bobby to be together. She glanced at Bobby and blushed. Busted.

At 1800 I was finally discharged from the hospital. I was sitting on a soft pillow to cushion my ass. It still wasn't comfortable, but it was better than the other option. When we arrived at Rangeman, I was paraded around the control room so my Merry Men could see I was alright. It's a silly ritual, but I would do exactly the same thing. I would need to see my Merry Men to make sure they were okay too.

"I'm okay guys. I could use some sleep," I said with a yawn. Each man gently hugged me before letting me go to my seventh floor apartment. Ella had dinner ready for us since I refused to eat the meal the hospital provided. We silently ate until fatigue overrode my ability to eat.

Carlos helped me dress for bed. He changed my bandages before pulling a clean pair of yoga pants up my legs. Reaching behind his head, he pulled his shirt off and pulled it over my head. I loved his scent mixed with Bulgari. He laid on the bed beside me and pulled me into his arms. Carlos didn't want to leave my side. It didn't take long to hear his breaths become even. Matching my breaths to his, I quickly fell asleep.