We were up earlier than any of us wanted to be the next morning. Ranger had a therapy session and he gave in at bedtime and told me that Mitch could take me to the mall as long as we had backup. Seriously…backup to go to Macy's…that's a new one.

I woke up sick, but only threw up once. After I threw up I felt pretty good so I took that as a good sign.

We dropped Ranger off at Dr. Addison's at exactly five minutes till ten AM and Mitch drove straight to the mall from there. We had picked up three tails when we left the gate at the house, one of them stayed with Ranger at Dr. Addison's and the other two followed us to the mall.

I craned around to see Lester and Gabe waving at me from the nearest SUV. "You're kidding, right? I have a total of five body guards today?"

"More than that actually," Mitch grinned. "You actually have everyone in the com too. You know we do security for the mall."

"Right," I shook my head in amazement. "I picked them up as a client."

"He said he'd keep you safe," Mitch shrugged. "He meant it."

"I see that," I sighed. "But does he have to use all his resources to do it? Are our clients being serviced?"

He laughed, "Don't worry about our clients. They're fine. They're happy. They love us. We hired four more people."

"I told him we'd hire more people," I said smugly. "In this economy businesses and homes need good security more than ever. They can't afford not to be."

"That's true," he nodded. "Besides, the market's going back up."

"Let's hope that continues," I sighed.

"Well, you're certainly going to do your part for the economy today."

"You have no idea," I grinned. "I'm in pretty good shape. I mean I had five suitcases worth of stuff at Haywood. Ranger had one duffle bag. I'm gonna buy him some clothes today."

"Okay," he grinned and pulled into a parking space. Each of the SUV's parked on one side of us.

I shook my head. "Are they going in too?"

"One of each team is going inside," he nodded.

"Cool," I said reaching for the door, "there will be plenty of men to carry my bags."

Mitch just laughed and followed behind me.

I honestly did intend to buy things for Ranger only when I arrived. Well, let's be real, if I happened upon a bookstore and came away with some books for the bean that was good too.

Our first stop was the Gap. By the time I handed the guy my credit card Lester was starting to shake his head. I had bought the man quite a few things.

"Are you worried he'll be naked?"

"Maybe I don't want my baby to think his father is the devil because he only wears black."

"Ouch," Lester grimaced and grabbed the bags off the counter. "I'll take these to the truck. I'll meet you where?"

"Old Navy," I said signing the receipt.

"Got it," he said and headed out the door.

When I finished at Old Navy Hal took those things to the truck. I was heading to Aeropostale when I was sidetracked by the Baby Gap store. I stood outside the store with my mouth open and just stared in the window.

"Wow," I whispered.

Mitch grinned, "You want to go in?"

"If I do, I'll buy things for the bean," I whispered. "I'll buy a lot of things for the bean."

"Is that a bad thing," he asked.

"Nope," I said and entered the store.

By the time we finished Baby Gap and Aeropostale it was time for lunch so we headed to the food court and all four of us got in line at McDonalds. I shook my head with a grin.

"What," Lester frowned.

"Are you in this line because I am?"

"Hell no," he shook his head adamantly. "I'm in this line to get a Big Mac."

I just grinned and walked up to the counter. "Everyone wants a Big Mac," I asked.

They nodded.

I turned to the girl who was staring at the man flesh behind me with wide empty eyes and a little bit of drool on the corner of her mouth. I waited patiently till she shook her head and turned to focus on me.

"Oh I'm so sorry," she blushed.

"Don't worry about it," I smiled. "It happens all the time. We need four Big Mac Value Meals Large sized with Cokes. Guys…you all want coke?"

"Is the Pope Catholic," Lester smirked.

I turned back to the girl with a grin. "That's it then…for now. They're growing boys. You know, you better add three more Big Macs just to be on the safe side."

"Sure," she nodded. "That's forty-one dollars and eighteen cents."

I handed her my Rangeman credit card. "Lunch is on the boss today boys."

Mitch chuckled.

We ate in companionable silence for a while. They were on their second Big Macs when the conversation picked back up.

"So, where else do you want to go," Mitch asked.

"Hmmm…Abercrombie and Fitch and probably the Disney Store," I said thoughtfully reaching for my phone. "Yo."

"Yo," Ranger said. "Where are you?"

"At the food court," I said sipping my coke.

"What are you feeding my baby," he said in amusement.

"My daughter had a Big Mac, fries and a coke," I said with a smile. "She isn't protesting. There's a good chance she has my taste in food."

"We can fix that," he smiled. "I'll be there in three."

I closed the phone and sighed, "Well, do you think I have time to down a hot fudge sundae before Ranger sneaks up behind me?"

"Why," Mitch grinned.

"He's concerned about the beans eating habits. I need a sundae."

"I'm on it," he said heading for the counter.

By the time Ranger arrived at our table, I was a third into the sundae.

"Babe," he sighed and shook his head and dropped onto the bench beside me.

"How was therapy," I raised a brow. "Did he make you cry?"

He shook his head but his lips twitched, "no, I didn't cry. This session was mostly just getting to know each other. You know what I mean?"

"Yep," I agreed.

"He said he'd do our couples counseling too."

"Cool," I took another bite of the sundae.

"Yea, we just need to make an appointment. I wanted to talk to you first. You know, he does look and sound exactly like Gary Sinise."

"It's oddly comforting isn't it," I smiled.

"Oddly yes," he nodded. He opened his mouth to request a bite of the ice cream.

I gave him a spoonful and smiled. "You just ate a bite of hot fudge sundae."

"Yea, but it's on old reliable vanilla ice cream," he reminded.

"That's sort of us combined, wouldn't you say?"

"I would," he agreed and grabbed a napkin and wiped my mouth off. "So I looked in the back of the truck and it appears that you've had quite a bit of retail therapy."

"Yes I have," I said happily. "And you have new clothes."

"Me," he blinked.

"The bean needs to know that her father wears something other than black," I said seriously.

"There's nothing wrong with black," he said.

"No, there isn't. It's especially good if you're a mercenary, a ninja, a pirate, a funeral home director or the devil."

He just looked at me and shook his head.

"Being a parent means changing some little things," I said quietly.

"Got it," he nodded.

"You can still wear black," I sighed. "I'd just like you to wear other things more often. Is that okay? It makes us seem a little bit normal."

"Sure," he leaned over and kissed my head. "So, where are we going next?"

"Abercrombie and Fitch and the Disney Store," Mitch said gathering trash.

"But first we feed the boys in the cars," I said and started to get up and go to the counter.

"I got it," Lester said.

I shrugged.

"Okay, lead the way," Ranger said and took the empty sundae cup from my hand. He smiled at my pout. "If you're good, I'll buy you a pretzel later."

"Oh boy," I rolled my eyes and started toward the stores.

He smacked me on the butt, "you say that now, but we'll see about later."

I have a small obsession with Disney. You know I wanted to go on my honeymoon to Disney World, right? Well, we didn't have a honeymoon, but I'm still obsessed. I thought I was going to be bad in that store. The guys were worse. I spent a fortune in that store and they spent a fortune as well. Ranger just walked around with this thoughtful frown on his face and occasionally he'd show me something and add it to our ever growing pile. There's a closet Disney freak in Ranger, I'm sure of it.

The next shop we hit was Gymboree. As weepy as I got looking at tiny little socks and tee shirts, my big bad former Army Ranger husband was just as bad. He didn't cry overtly, but I think his first session with Dr. Addison had to be a success. I think he's getting in touch with his emotions. Now, if he'd just learn to express them to his wife.

By the time we finished at the mall, it was almost six PM and I'd definitely shopped till I dropped. I needed a nap and I needed it badly. We caravanned to the house and the guys unloaded while I went to survey the contents of the freezer. Mitch was right about the moms and Ella loading us up. I just put some things into the microwave and fed the entire bunch of us in no time.

Then I headed up the stairs to put Ranger's new clothes away while he and the guys sat around talking business. They were going over every thing they knew about Mike Stone when I left them. It was definitely more than I needed to know.

It took about an hour before I had all of the things I'd bought put up and still there were great gapping holes where he could put clothes. Well, there were great gaping holes where I could put clothes too, but now we were a little more even.

I flopped back on the bed and opened my ringing cell phone, "Yo."

"Yo to you too," Brian said in amusement.

"Hi Brian," I smiled.

"So…I hear congratulations are in order and you're about to be a mommy."

"I don't know that I'm about to be one," I said with a smile, "but in eight months we'll find out if the kidney bean on the Ultrasound is really a baby or just supper."

He howled with laughter, "the way I hear it is that you're definitely knocked up."

"From Christian," I smiled.

"Who heard it from Natalie, who heard it from Cal, who heard it from Tank, who heard it from…"

"Stop! Stop," I laughed. "In another minute you'll be begetting."

"Ha-ha," he said with a chuckle. "Are you happy?"

"I'm not delirious yet, but I'm getting there."

"Has he said the words yet?"

"No," I sighed. "But he had his first therapy session with Dr. Addison so I have high hopes."

"Wow…the dark knight is in therapy," he said in amazement.

"I know," I grinned. "He loves me."

"I know," he sighed. "I've told you that all along."

"I know. How are you doing?"

"I'm good," he said seriously. "I'm getting my shit together. Dad is joining me in a couple of days and we're going to head over to New Zealand. You're not going to believe this but my father is a closet Tolkien fan. Apparently he's completely obsessed with Lord of the Rings. Would you have guessed that in a million years?"

"No," I laughed. "I would not."

"Me either. He's so much more relaxed these days. It's like he's a completely different man. I actually rather like this guy and to my surprise, he likes me too."

"I'm so glad," I sighed happily.

"So, do you want a boy bean or a girl bean," he asked.

I giggled, "That's what I said. I think it will be a girl bean. It's my opinion that Ranger's evil ways will return and karmicly repay him in spades by delivering one gorgeous Hungarian-Italian-Cuban daughter with sex appeal in spades."

"Ouch," he winced. "I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy and Manoso is not my worst enemy."

"Who is your worst enemy?"

"These days, it's me," he said in amusement. "Anyway…I am glad that you're happy and things are getting better. You know I love you and only want the best for you."

"I know," I smiled.

"I'll call you in a bit. Maybe Dad will have something to say too."

"I can't wait," I giggled.

"Right," he laughed. "I love you. Take care of yourself."

"I love you too," I smiled and closed my phone. I sighed and looked up to see Ranger standing in the doorway with his arms crossed watching me.

"Who do you love too?"

"Brian," I shrugged and sat up and put my phone on the charger.

He sighed, "How do you love him?"

"A lot differently than I love you," I said softly.

"Is that good," he frowned.

"It depends on who you ask," I shrugged.

"He's…he's the only one I was ever really worried about taking you away from me, from us, from…someday," he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"You weren't worried about Morelli?"

"No," he said seriously, "I had too much on him."

"I can imagine," I said dryly and disappeared into the closet to change.

"Believe me; if I thought you were seriously going to marry him, I'd have given you the information to make an informed decision. I just didn't want you to choose me because you had no other options."

"As you so rightly pointed out," I said emerging from the closet in my pajamas, "I had plenty of options until I found them all women."

He made a face. "I only said that because I was jealous."

"Really," I rolled my eyes.

"Really," he smiled and shook his head. "You could find a guy in a heartbeat. Goodman would love it if you'd tell me to take a hike and give him a chance. Hell, Mitch would willingly slide into my place without batting an eye. You have options. I just don't want you to take them."

"Out of curiosity why do you call Brian- Goodman and you call Mitch- Mitch?"

"What," he blinked at me.

"You refer to Brian by his last name and you refer to Mitch by his first name. Don't you think that's interesting?"

"I know Mitch," he shrugged.

"I'm sure that's it," I nodded.

"What do you want me to say Stephanie?"

"Whatever you want to," I shrugged. "We're not in therapy now."

He sighed, "I am more jealous of Goodman than I am of Mitch because Goodman has… He's been inside of your body," he growled. "I don't like that."

My lips twitched, "really."

"Don't laugh at me woman," he growled again.

I walked over and put my arms around his waist, "I know how you feel. I don't like any woman that you've dated or have had a real interest in you, but anyone you've been inside of…I don't like them at all."

"Then why do you hate Jeanne Ellen so much," he said nestling his chin in my curls.

I shrugged, "she's a bitch."

He laughed, "Okay. I don't think I'll introduce you to anyone I've ever slept with in that case."

"Too late," I looked up at him, "I've met Rachel."

"That was eleven years ago," he groaned.

"And your point," I said seriously.

"No point," he sighed.

"But I like her," I said softly. "She's a good mom. Julie is a good kid."

"She is," he smiled. "So which room is going to be the nursery?"

"The nursery," I blinked. "The bean is going to sleep in here."

"For how long," he frowned.

"I don't know," I said in panic. "I guess until I know she won't die in her sleep."

"Babe…please, stop saying the bean is a 'her'. I'm starting to get really nervous."

"You probably need to be," I said smugly.

"But she can't sleep in here with us forever. How are we supposed to have a second child?"

I blinked up at him in shock, "you're going to want another one after this one?"

"Er…yea," he said sheepishly. "It may surprise you to learn that I am actually pretty well into the idea of the wife and kids and the whole family vacation thing. I'd really like to have a boy though. I'd love to be a scout master and maybe coach some little league or something."

I blinked at him again, "and if we only have girls?"

"Well," he frowned. "Maybe one of them will like sports?"

"Maybe," I nodded. "I am their mother."

"Right," he nodded thoughtfully. "As long as they're healthy it doesn't matter."

"Right," I nodded.

"So let's figure it out. We want to start thinking about paint and all that kind of thing."

"Well, it's going to be close. So which bedroom is the closest?"

We walked out in the hall and into the door of the nearest bedroom. It was decorated already and comfortable looking. It was also the room Mitch was using, not that you could tell since it was pristine.

"We can remodel it. We still have the empty bedroom. We'll move everything to that one and we'll make this one the nursery."

I sighed, "She can't stay with us?"

He sighed, "For a while. Not for long. We'll talk to the pediatrician and find out how long is good. Besides, if the bean saw us doing some of the stuff I have done to you and plan to do to you again; it would be scared for life."

I blushed hotly. "Your point is taken." I sighed and looked around the room.

Ranger wrapped around me from behind and smiled against my ear, "what about Disney?"

"What," I blinked.

"Then we don't have to know if it's a boy bean or a girl bean, the baby will have a great bedroom and we don't have to worry about the sex."

I sighed, "I like that."

"I figured as much," he smiled.

"No," I turned in his arms and smiled up at him, "I really do like it. I mean it."

He gazed down at me for a moment before leaning in to kiss me slowly and sweetly. "I want to stay married to you…forever."

"Yea," I raised a bow.

"Yea," he sighed. "I'll get to the rest of the words eventually. But please believe me. I want to be with you."

I sighed and relaxed against him. We were going to be okay. We really were.