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As always, I don't own anything, well except Ranger's family (It's a start isn't it?), and I make no profit.

Joy and Pain

Chapter 10: Parents Nr.2b

Ranger was distracted by Carleen most of the time. She was telling him about her study and everything else that had happened since they had talked the last time. She occupied him a little bit too much for my taste but I didn't want to say something.

After dinner, which had been delicious, I helped Rita, Maria and Marta , Ranger's mother wanted me to call her that, to clear the table. Ranger sat down on the sofa with Carleen who was still talking nonstop.

Ranger's father, or Carlos as he wanted me to call him, turned on some latin music and he showed me how to dance the salsa. I soon got it because I already could dance the mambo, the tango and a few other dances. It was nice and soon David and Pedro demanded to dance with me. I danced with them while Rita snuggled with her husband.

Another half hour later I was tired and so I sat down on an armchair. Devid and Pedro sat down on the arms and started to argue about who would get to marry me.

"Sorry, my friends, but that's my woman." Ranger picked up both of them and took them to his grandmother who was sitting in another armchais looking quit pleased with herself. "Go search for your own woman."

He came back and crouched before me.

"Carleen got a call." Huh, as if I was interested in that. I was tired because everything had been so exciting and I hadn't slept today.

Carleen came back and she frowned as she saw Ranger with me. She came towards us and put one hand on his shoulder. "Come on, Ricky, I have to tell you some other things."

"Soon, bebè, Stephanie and me have to tell you something first." He stood up and asked for everybody's attention.

"Okay everyone, we have something wonderful to tell you." He grinned down at me and I smiled back. "We're going to have a baby."

First there was silence then everyone clapped and hugged us.

Marta hugged me. "I'm very happy for you two. You make my son very happy."

I smiled at her. "He does the same with me."

Everyone looked happy for us. Well, except one person of course.

Carleen moved to Ranger's side and whispered something into his ear he nodded and she pulled him out of the room.

I looked after them and sat down again. Marta, Rita and Maria were asking me about my pregnancy. They were happy to hear that Ella was my midwife and Dr. Meek my doctor.

Half an hour later I was exhausted.

I moved up and into the garden. There I sat down on a deck chair in the shadow of a big tree. It was surprisingly cool out here.

I looked around the beautiful garden. It was full of grass and flowers and there was a little pond on my left with water lilies swimming on top of the water. I wanted a garden like that. Except mine would have a swing and a sandbox, too.

I sighed and tried to relax.

"Hey, are you tired, miel (+)?" I looked up as Marta sat down on another deck chair next to me and nodded. "Yes a little bit. It was a wonderful but stressful day and I didn't sleep very well because I was so excited." She smiled and nodded thoughtfully.

"And my son didn't pay very much attention to you today, did he?"

I shook my head. "That's no problem. Carleen and he had much to talk about and he told me that they hadn't seen each other for a long time."

She took my hand. "You have to know that Carlos and me didn't plan Carleen but when we found out that I was pregnant we were very lucky about it. Carleen is the youngest and she's pretty spoiled. She has always looked up to Ranger and he has loved her right from the first moment he saw her. She demands his attention very often but you have to show her that you're Ranger's girl now." I looked at her surprised and she laughed.

"Did you think I wouldn't notice her reaction to you? And believe me I wouldn't defend or justify this reaction even if she asked me to. I truly love my daughter but as I said she's spiled rotten and she has to learn that she can't be the star of every play."

"So, what should I do? Normaly Ranger notices when something's wrong."

She nodded. "And I guess sooner or later he will at least notice that something is wrong with you but concerning Carleen he only sees the little girl that could say his name even before she said mommy or daddy. But you'll find a way. Now sleep a little bit. He will notice that you're away and I will tell him you eloped with a pretty guy." We laughed and she stood up. I leaned back and closed my eyes.

Ranger's POV:

Carleen had just finished telling me about her new boyfriend. She hadn't told my parents yet because she didn't know if it would last. I decided to check him out anyway.

I looked around and couldn't see Stephanie. I stood up and walked into the kitchen were Maria and my mother were washing the dishes.

"Did you see Stephanie?"

They both looked at me and well…if looks could kill I would be six feet under right now.

"Oh, you finally remember that you have a pregnant girlfriend? How wonderful!" My sister started.

"What did Carleen tell you that was so important that you forgot her? That the world is going under? I can't believe that you just ignored Stephanie." My mother went on.

"I didn't ignore Stephanie. You occupied her the whole time."

My sister laughed. "That's perfect Ricardo. We were talking about your relationship and the pregnancy so it's not as if you couldn't have joined us."

"Do you have any idea how alone she must have felt?" Okay, by now I was feeling pretty bad.

"So where is she?" I tried to change the topic.

"And you didn't even once get the idea that this is very exhausting especially because of her pregnancy, didn't you?" I felt fear tighten my throat.

"Is something wrong with her, mother?"

She shook her head. "Why are you so blind when it comes to Carleen? She's in the garden,…" I didn't hear the rest because I stormed out of the kitchen through the living room and into the garden.

It didn't take me long until I found her. She was sleeping in the shadow of the tree my parents had planted when they moved into the house. Mary was sitting beside her, watching over her.

I sat on the chair beside Stephanie and stroked the dog. "I'm taking over girl. Go inside and play with the children." She gave me a long reproachfull look and I sighed.

"I know, I know. Go in now." She shot me one last disgusted look, licked my babe's hand one last time and walked into the house.

I looked at my babe. She was sleeping, her face turned towards me. On of her hands lay on top of her belly while the other lay beside her. She looked exhausted and I gasped when I saw a drop of sweat on her forehead. I put my hand on her cheek and she was feeling cold.

I stood up and ran to the living room where I stopped in front of my dad. My mother was talking to him, no doubt telling him what a bad boyfriend I was.

Carleen moved to my side.

"Dad, could you come out and look at Staphanie, please? She's sweating but she feels cold."

My father nodded and stood up. I turned to follow him but Carleen held me back.

"Ricky, I have to tell you something." She had talked to me the whole day, what could she possibly tell me now? "Not now, bebè. I have to go outside."

I moved her hand from my shoulder and walked out of the living room.

"But daddy's with her, isn't that enough?" I heard her whine.

I stepped into the garden so I didn't see her displeased look.

Steph's POV:

I woke up when a cool hand setteled on my forehead and I heard Mary whine. I opened my eyes and saw Ranger's father, sorry CARLOS, standing above me.

He moved his hand to my wrist where he took my pulse. Ranger and his mother were standing behind him, looking worried.

"Look towards me, miel(+)." I looked at him and he concentrated on my eyes.

"Are you feeling sick?" I shook my head.

"Does your head hurt?" I nodded.

"A little bit."

"And your belly feels normal?"

I moved a little bit then nodded.

He gestured towards my belly and asked, "May I?".

I nodded. Ranger kneeled down next to me and took my hand. He was looking pretty bad.

His mother helped his father move my top up to expose my already slightly rounded belly.

Carlos moved his hands lightla over my belly.

"Did you have much stress during the last time?" Both me and Ranger nodded and I noticed Marta shooting Ranger an angry look.

"Torner got to know that she's pregnant and is pretty angry about it." He defended himself. "And she moved in with me and we ahd to tell everyone about the pregnancy…"

"Everything seems normal right now but if you're feeling anything unusual during the next time I want you to consult Dr.Meeks immediately."

I nodded.

"What's wrong with her?" Ranger asked as I moved my top back down and sat up slowly.

"It's just the heat and the stress" another angry look from Ranger's mother "that's catching up on her. I want you to drink very much and take many breaks between your work"

I nodded and so did Ranger. His mother took a step towards him but her husband quickly laid his arm around her and steered her into the house.

"Come on, they have to talk."

I relaxed into the chair and looked at Ranger. I wouldn't be the one to talk first.

"Babe." I just looked at him.

He sighed. "I'm sorry, babe. I should have paid more attention to you."

And?

"I knew how excited you were and I shouldn't have left you alone."

And?

He kissed me softly while I just looked at him. That was everything?

I turned my head away before he could kiss me again.

"Come on don't be angry, babe." Oh describing my mood as angry would be the understatement of the year. I was furious. His mother had been right, he was completely blind when it came to Carleen and I sure as hell wouldn't be the one who cured him.

He kissed my neck and I couldn't help but move my head a little bit to give him more room.

Hey, I'm furious not dead.

Just then a voice called.

"Ricky, we're having dinner, now. Come on I have to tell you some more stories."

Calm breaths, Stephanie.

He kissed my neck one last time.

"Come on, babe. Time to eat. I'm sure you're hungry since you're eating for two now."

Sure, remind me that I'm going to look and feel like a stranded whale soon, especially when your perfect looking sister is watching us.

Two hours later we were saying goodbye to everyone and, as I had promised, I invited Ranger's family to my mothers birthday which was in two weeks. They said that they were looking forward to it.

Ten minutes later we were sitting in the car.

"So, babe, how did you like everyone?"

"They're nice. You really can be happy to have them."

After that I turned away from him and tried to sleep.

During dinner Ranger had hold my hand but he still had talked to Carleen most of the time because she nipped every other conversation in the bud. The whole family was angry with them but he didn't seem to notice or he didn't want to.

Huh, I sure as hell wouldn't tell him.

When we arrived at RangeMan I declared that I was tired. I took a shower and went to bed. By the time Ranger joined me I was sleeping.

(+)Honey

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