They're not mine and I'm not making any money.

Chapter 4

Mare gave me another huge hug before leaning down and introducing herself to my stomach.

She was standing again and still jabbering when I came back out of my daze.

"Mare," I said, grabbing her arm, "I don't know what I'm gonna do yet, but you have to promise me something."

"Okay, anything."

"Don't tell anyone, please. Everyone thinks Joe and I are just 'off again', I really don't want my pregnancy to hit the rumor mill 'til I've straightened some things out."

"Alright," she said and before being cut off by the phone.

"Hello?...Okay…I'll be there soon…Bye."

"What's up?" I asked.

"Johnny got sick. I gotta go pick him up from school. Do you want me to drop you back at your apartment?"

"No, thanks. I'll call Ranger. I need to talk to him anyway since this may complicate things." I walked with her over to her mini-van and gave her another huge hug. "Thanks again, for today. I was freaking, I'm till freaking, but in a different way."

"What are best friends for? If you need anything else call, okay?"

"Okay," I agreed, and she was gone.

I pulled out my phone and was about to dial Ranger when the Batman ring tone sounded. Speak of the Bat, I thought.

"Yo," I answered.

"Babe, that's my line."

"I know."

"How are you feeling?"

"Umm, not really sure. Could you come get me?"

"Where are you? I'm at your apartment. The guys are almost done moving."

"I'm at Mary Lou's" I said, knowing he'd know where that was without directions. He's good like that.

"Be there in ten," he said and hung up.

Again with the hanging up on me. I fumed about that for a few minutes figuring that would distract me from thinking about the little person growing inside me. Uh oh, now I'm thinking about it.

The panic was escalating again. I had to tell Joe. I knew that, but I had to make it clear that he was in no way going to be a part of this child's life. He left us, but he still had the right to know. I stopped here and allowed myself to feel warm and fuzzy about the thought of us, me and my baby. I'm going to have a baby. Going to be a mommy. I don't know how to be a mommy…

Ranger pulling up to the curb interrupted that thought and I climbed into the front seat of the Bronco. I sat and resumed my thinking without saying a word.

"Earth to Babe," Ranger said waving a hand in front of my face.

"Oh. What? Sorry Ranger," I said.

"Babe, what's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, per se. Just a bit messed up. Can we go somewhere to talk?"

"Sure," he said pulling the Bronco away from the curb and steering us towards Haywood Street.

We made it all the way up to his apartment, where I saw my boxes neatly stacked in the living room, before speaking again.

"Babe?"

"There might be a tiny problem with this living arrangement," I said.

Ranger just raised and eyebrow and waited for me to continue.

"Well, you know how I've been sick?"

"Yeah."

"It's morning sickness. I'm pregnant," I blurted out.

"And that's a problem with this living arrangement how?" asked the ever calm Ranger.

"Well, I wasn't sure how you would feel about me being here and being pregnant."

"Babe, I'm more concerned with how you feel about you being pregnant. Are you okay?"

"So far so good. I freaked out this morning when I realized my stomach bug was morning sickness, but Mary Lou helped. In the half second it took to decide to keep the baby, I fell in love with it. I can do this, I just don't want it to mean that Joe's back in my life."

"Proud of you, Babe. And just for the record, knowing you're pregnant just makes me feel even better that you're living someplace safe."

"Thanks Ranger," I sobbed, grabbing him around the waist and hugging him. I'm gonna blame the hormones…pregnant women can do that. "What did I do to deserve great friends like you and Mare?"

"You're a good person. Usually you leave people wondering what they did to deserve you." He's such a great guy.

"Ummm, I need to tell my parents. And I should probably call Joe and tell him," I said with a scowl.

"Okay, Babe. Do you want me to take you to your apartment to get your car, or do you want company at your parents?"

I really didn't want to tell my parents about this alone, but it wasn't fair to drag Ranger along. It wasn't going to be pretty. I remember how Mom reacted when Val got pregnant with Lisa out of wedlock and she had been able to produce a father. Hell would freeze over before I let Joe be a father to this baby. He didn't want us, we didn't want him.

My internal battle must have shown on my face, because Ranger pulled me close and told me he would be fine coming with me. I let out a sigh of relief and then breathed in the scent of Bulgari and Ranger as I burrowed into his shoulder to absorb some strength before looking at him.

"Thank you," was all I said. I needed someone there. I didn't think my mother would kill me since I was carrying her grandchild, but back up would be nice.

We went down to the garage and Ranger led me to his Mercedes. I love this car and he knows it. I gave him a smile knowing he was trying to make me feel better.

The drive to the Burg was short and quiet, both of us lost in our thoughts. Well me in my thoughts and Ranger where ever he goes when he zones. One thing was different today with the zone. Instead of having both hands firmly on the wheel, Ranger kept one of mine clasped in his. It felt good.

Walking up to the house, Ranger grabbed my hand again. He seemed to know that I'd need the support and I gave his hand a little squeeze in gratitude. Just as he looked down at me and smiled my mother appeared at the door using whatever radar tells Burg mothers their offspring are coming.

"Mom," I said as she opened the door to usher Ranger and I into the house, "You remember Ranger, right?"

"Of course dear. How nice to see you again, Ranger," she said. I could tell that she thought it was anything but nice. Last time they had met Ranger had been dressed like a street thug, which hadn't made a good impression on anyone but my grandmother. Today, however, I was thankful he was in business mode instead of street mode or third-world-jungle mode.

"It's wonderful to see you again, Mrs. Plum," Ranger said, ignoring her less than pleasant tone and offering her one of his 200 watt smiles.

"Thank you. So what brings you here today, Stephanie?" she asked knowing I only showed up in the middle of a week day if I had a reason.

"Umm, I needed to talk to you and daddy. And where's grandma?"

"Your grandmother is at the beauty parlor and your father is watching television. Let's go sit and you can tell us whatever it is you need to talk to us about." I saw her eyeing my left hand which was still encased in Ranger's larger hand. I could see the battling looks of relief and disappointment that there was no ring there, so I wasn't telling her I was engaged.

"Frank, Stephanie needs to tell us something. Turn off the television for a minute," my mother said.

"Hey Pumpkin," Dad said as I leaned in to give him a kiss on the head.

"Hi, Daddy."

"Stephanie…" my mother said, clearly impatient to hear what I had to tell them.

I took a deep breath and decided to just jump in and tell them.

"I'm pregnant."

"What!" shrieked my mother. "How are you ever going to get Joseph to marry you if you have another man's child?" She would have gone on if I hadn't decided to jump in. I should have realized she'd think Ranger was the father if I brought him. I was only thinking of moral support.

"Mom! Ranger's not the father, Joe is."

"Oh, thank goodness. Now you two can get married like you should have all along. Does Angie Morelli know yet? We'll have to start planning the wedding and getting ready for the baby…"

"Mom!" I interrupted again. "There is no wedding."

"Of course there will be a wedding. I know you and Joseph had a fight, but you always get back together. I'm sure he wants to since you told him about the baby."

"No, Mom. Joe and I aren't getting back together. He left me for some woman in Philly and I don't want him back." From the corner of my eye I could see Ranger grinning at me. Glad someone's happy here. He's not the one with the irrational mother.

"Good for you, Pumpkin," said my dad. Turning to face him, I was happy to see there was no disapproval in his eyes.

"Frank!" my mother exclaimed.

"Ellen, I know this isn't an ideal situation, but you heard Stephanie. Joe left her. Would you have her go crawling back to him now just because she finds out she's having a baby and is going to be doing it alone?"

"Not alone," interjected Ranger, before my mother could respond.

"What's that young man?" asked my father as all eyes swung to Ranger including mine. I was pretty curious about that too.

"She's not going to be alone. Steph has lots of friends who will help her through this. I know I'm going to be there for her," here he stopped for a moment and gave me a look that told me there would be no argument on that, "and it's going to take serious effort to keep my men from going after Morelli once they find out about this."

"You're right" my father said, nodding with approval. "She's not alone. We're here for you Pumpkin, don't be afraid to call your mother and I for anything."

"Thank you daddy," I said with tears in my eyes. It felt so good to have my father supporting me. I knew my mother would take some time, but she'd come around.

"I still think you should give Joseph another chance," said my mother, "but we will stand by whatever you choose."

"Thanks mom. We're going to go now. I've still got to call Joe, he has a right to know since the Burg will figure it all out eventually, but I'm not giving him a chance to be a part of our lives," I said laying my free hand protectively on my stomach. "Oh, and can you two keep this quiet for awhile? I don't want everyone to know before they have to. So please don't tell grandma. I'm still adjusting to the whole idea."

"Alright dear," my mother said.

Ranger and I stood and I gave my dad a kiss, whispering another 'thank you daddy' in his ear, before hugging my mom and escaping before Grandma Mazur got back.

"That went better than expected," I said once Ranger and I were safely back in the car.

"Is your mother always like that about Morelli?' Ranger asked sounding a little shocked.

"Yeah. It's a miracle that I held out against both of them for so long on the marriage thing."

"I can see that," he said before slipping into his zone.

We were half way back to his building when I remembered what he said about me not doing this alone.

"Did you mean it?" I asked before I could stop myself.

"Babe?"

"About me not being in this alone."

"Yeah. If you'll let me, I'll be there every step of the way."

"Um okay," I stammered. I got a little rush when Ranger told me he would be with me in this, but he had also told me that his lifestyle doesn't lend itself to relationships and he didn't see himself becoming family material any time soon. I was glad we were back at the building and I could avoid where this conversation may have been going.

"Now all that's left to do is tell Joe," I said as we rode up to the 7th floor.

"You feel up to it, Babe?" Ranger asked.

"Not really. But I want to do it before I chicken out or the reality of the situation hits me more than it already has."

"Okay. I'm gonna go down to the gym and give you some privacy."

"Thanks," I said as he opened the door for me before getting back in the elevator.

Once in the apartment, the first thing I noticed was that my boxes which had been stacked in the living room, were missing. I wandered into Ranger's room and peeked in his closest to find my suspicions confirmed. All of my clothes were hanging neatly next to his and a peak in the bathroom showed more of my stuff. Ella must have unpacked for me.

I walked over to the intercom so I could thank her. No way was I procrastinating calling Joe. Nope, not me.

"Hello, Ella?" I said into the intercom.

"Yes, dear?"

"I just wanted to say thanks for unpacking my stuff for me. I was kind of wondering where I should put it."

"You're welcome dear. Would you like something to eat?"

I was about to tell her she didn't need to do anything when my stomach voiced it's opinion for the first time all day. I suddenly realized I was famished. And now I got to eat for two!

"That would be great," I said.

"Okay, I'll be right up."

Can't call Joe now, I thought. I'm waiting on Ella. It would be rude to be on the phone when she got here. These thoughts were interrupted with a knock.

"Hi, Ella," I said opening the door.

"Here you go dear," she said sitting another bowl of the wonderful chicken soup on the counter. "Ranger had me make some more when you called this morning not feeling well again. Are you feeling any better?"

"Yeah," I said, "And I'm suddenly starving."

"Not being able to keep your food down will do that to you. I had four months of morning sickness with my oldest son and I'll never forget that ravenous feeling."

"What?" I exclaimed. "How did you know?"

"Know what, dear?" asked Ella genuinely confused.

"Uh, nothing," I tried, but I saw her putting it together in her head.

"You're pregnant!" she said with a big smile. "I should have seen it sooner. The change in appetite and the 'stomach bug' and moving in here."

"Moving in here?" I asked. I got the other two, but what would my moving in here have to do with being pregnant with Joe's child.

"I know Ranger's not the nine to five type, but…"

"Oh, Ranger's not the father," I interrupted. "Joe is and I just found out this morning."

"I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have jumped to that conclusion," she stammered.

"It's okay," I said, trying to alleviate her embarrassment. "He came with me this morning as moral support when I told my parents and my mother thought the same thing. She doesn't even know about me moving in here."

"Oh, I don't feel quite so bad."

"Don't," I said before changing the subject. "So you have children?"

"Yes, two sons. Louie, my first son, just started working at the Boston office and my youngest is a chef." I could here the pride in Ella's voice when she talked about her children and I felt a sudden rush of excitement about the baby growing inside me.

"Ummm, what do I do about this whole throwing up half the stuff I eat thing? I think my mom's still a little ticked at me at this point to offer advice."

"I understand dear, and there's nothing really you can do but keep eating and hope some of it stays down. You can try to find food that the baby seems to agree with you on and that should help. How was the soup last evening?"

"Great. It was delicious and I didn't have any desire to throw it up this morning."

"Good And is there anything else you've been craving or something that's had a bad reaction? That will help when I make dinner and such."

"Well, actually I've been hungry for the stuff Ranger usually has to force me to eat and I almost lost it at the thought of ice cream this morning."

"Okay, healthy food it is," she said with a smile. "That should make things easier. Craving junk food is always hard because you know you have to eat healthy for the baby, but you can hardly stand the stuff."

"I didn't even think of that! What do I need to eat for the baby?"

"Nothing special, I'll make sure your meals are balanced," she said with a chuckle.

"Thank you so much Ella. I feel much better now."

"Oh, you're welcome dear. I remember how nerve wracking everything was the first time around. I'll see you later, call if you need anything or if you just want to talk."