This is one of those boring but necessary chapters to set up the final chapters – it's not my favorite, but hopefully you all like it. For those of you who read early drafts of this story, this chapter is new.

Don't own them, make no profit, rating for language…

…

Steph stared at the rapidly filling kitchen sink and tested the temperature again. Today Livy had her two week check-up, and the doctor had cleared her for baths. The doctor had also said that the screaming the night before was only the beginning, and to get used to it. Great.

She stripped Livy down, but hesitated. She should have thought to do this when her mother or Ella was present. Anchoring one arm behind the baby's head, she tried to lower her into the water. Immediately, Livy wiggled and slipped out of Steph's fingers.

Steph smothered a scream and grabbed for her, but the baby's wet skin was slippery. Terror filled her, growing each time her fingers slipped again. It took three tries to haul her out of the water, and by then Steph had stopped breathing entirely. Livy was no worse for the wear, her head never having gone all the way underwater, but Steph was left shaking and gasping for air, her heart pounding out of her chest. She wrapped a towel around the wet baby and rested her head against the upper kitchen cabinet.

"Okay," she said aloud. "No harm done." She wiped at her damp eyes with the sleeve of her sweatshirt and tried to work up the nerve to try again. It had only been the slightest of seconds that her hands hadn't been on the baby, but in her mind it had stretched to horrific proportions. She sniffed and took a deep breath.

"What's wrong?"

She flipped around at Ranger's voice. "Nothing," she said, trying to appear calm. "I was just going to give her a bath--" To her disgust, her voice cracked and her eyes filled with tears. She blinked them back. "Sorry, I'm just tired."

His glance moved between the baby and the sink. "She slippery?"

Steph sagged. "Yes, and I dropped her and it was only for a second but I--"

"Here." He stepped toward her and took the baby, unwrapping the towel from around her. "You have to hold her armpit, like his, or you'll never hang on to her. Watch." Ranger snaked one arm behind her hand and under her arm, supporting both at once. He lowered her into the water, and ran the washcloth over her chest and stomach. "You want to try?" he said, turning to look at her.

She wiped her sleeve over her eyes again and nodded. "How'd you know that?"

"Big family." Without letting go of the baby, he motioned for her to step between him and the sink. He helped her get her arm in the right position, but he stayed where he was.

He was behind her, his arms on either side of her, his hands resting on the sink. In an attempt to ignore his presence, she focused on Livy. The hold she had on the baby worked this time, and she ran the washcloth over her tiny body.

Ranger's hands dropped to her hips. "You're doing good," he said, his mouth too close to her ear.

She stiffened. Her instinct was to flee, but with the baby, she couldn't do that until she finished. "Thanks," she managed to say.

His fingers flexed on her hips, but he still didn't move back o r give her any space. She started moving the washcloth faster, trying to get the job done. Livy's hands splashed in the water, making her smile in spite of her uncomfortable position. Finally, though, she was done. She lifted Livy from the water, but the gesture forced her to take a step back - landing her square in Ranger's chest. His arms came up around her and he took Livy, wrapping a towel around her and setting her on the counter, effectively pinning her between them.

Her breath came in a gasp. "I need to--"

"You're fine."

He ran the towel over Livy's hair, over her hands, her feet. His movements were slow, gentle, taking extra care to dry each part. It was impossible for her not to lean against him due to their positions. She tried to stay stiff, to not relax against him, but his warmth, his scent - it all surrounded her. His face was so close to hers that she could feel his breath fanning her cheek. Had they been a normal couple, it would have been a perfect, intimate family moment.

But they were nothing of the sort.

She pushed on his arm that was pinning her. "I need to get her diaper and clothes. Let me go."

He was starting at her profile - she could feel it but didn't turn to look. Finally he lifted his arm and let her go.

…

"What are your plans for Christmas?" Ranger said, walking into the living room where Steph was rocking the baby, who for the moment, was blissfully quiet.

"Uh--" She didn't know how to answer that. It was the 22nd of December, and she had every intention of spending Christmas Eve with his mother - as far as he knew, she had never met his mother.

He raised an eyebrow.

"I'm going to my parents early on Christmas day, and will probably stay until early afternoon."

"What about Christmas Eve?"

Her heartbeat kicked up. "Why do you ask?"

"Julie just called. She wants to fly in tomorrow and have me take her home Christmas morning. She wants to go to my mother's for Christmas Eve."

Steph nodded. Julie had called her first, but there was no need to let Ranger in on that.

"My mother would like for you and Livy to come too."

Steph waited, to see if he would add to that. He didn't. "What do you want?"

He shrugged. "I haven't gone in years. But with Julie..."

That wasn't what she had meant and they both knew it. "Sure, I'll go." Since she was feeling peevish, she added, "Your mom has been wanting to see Livy again anyway."

His faced darkened and she had to quash a smile at her small victory. "Explain," he said.

"What's there to explain? That the important people in Livy's life actually showed up when I gave birth?"

"You didn't call me."

She rolled her eyes. "Tank called you within an hour."

"The point, Stephanie, is that you didn't call me."

"No, the point, is that you didn't come, regardless."

"I was working," he said, his voice tight.

"Yeah, even Julie didn't buy that."

A muscle in his jaw twitched, but he didn't bite. "Would you like to come with us to Miami on Christmas Day? My Aunt Sarah was hoping to meet you."

Frowning, she tried to remember why that name sounded so familiar.

"She's married to Judge Melendez. My Uncle Jiame."

Oh right. Him. "Will he arrest me if I don't come?"

"Is that a no?" he said, ignoring her sarcasm.

She glared. "I am so not spending Christmas with that man."

He stared at her for a minute. Then he seemed to let out a breath. "I'm trying, Stephanie."

She didn't know how to respond to that. Statements like that sent too many jumbled emotions soaring through her - emotions too suspiciously like hope to be tolerated. "Well you can stop trying."

…

Steph was nursing the next afternoon when Julie came bounding in in front of her dad. "Hey Steph!" she said. She rushed over the to the rocking chair and tickled Livy's foot. "Hi Livy."

The baby didn't react, more interested in food than her big sister. "She's so much bigger!" Julie said. "How old is she now?"

"Three weeks. And she's going to cry a lot, so I hope you brought ear plugs."

"I'll be okay," Julie said. "I have two little brothers. They were both screamers. So, what are we going to do today?"

Steph gave Ranger a panicked look. "I don't know, Jules." She hadn't slept more than two hours at a time in weeks. No way did she have the energy to keep up with an eleven year old.

Ranger spoke up, saving her. "Your mom said you still needed to do some Christmas shopping."

"Yeah."

"Well, why don't we go to the mall in Newark. We'll take the baby with us and leave her with Abuela while we shop and then we can have dinner at her house."

"Okay!"

Steph almost wept in relief. She would have four, maybe five hours alone. She could sleep. "That's a brilliant idea. There's bottles in the fridge you can take."

Ranger dropped a kiss on the top of her head as he walked past. "I'll get Livy's stuff together. Julie, why don't you put your bag in my office."

"Where am I going to sleep?"

"On the couch. It's a pull out."

Stephanie looked up at him. "It's a pull out?" She had spent more than one night on that couch without it ever being pulled out.

Ranger winked at her. "I was trying to make you uncomfortable so you'd move," he said.

She glared, but her heart wasn't in it. Ten minutes later, the three of them were out the door, and she was left in silence. Glorious silence and hours and hours of uninterrupted sleep. She chucked her clothes, slid between Ranger's amazing sheets, and was out in a matter of minutes.

She awoke fuzzy, because for the first time in weeks, it wasn't to the sound of a baby crying.

"Steph."

She blinked and squinted at the doorway. "Joe?" She sat up halfway. "Hey."

"Where's Livy?" he said.

Steph blinked again, her mind still muddled with sleep. "Uh, Ranger took her and Julie to Newark for the afternoon." She rubbed her hands over her eyes and crawled out from under the covers. "What's up?"

He glanced around the room. "I just stopped by, and got worried when I couldn't find the baby."

"Oh, thanks." She grabbed a t-shirt, yanked it on, and stumbled past him to find the coffee pot. "This is the first time I've been alone since I had Livy. Can I tell you how wonderful it's been?"

"Have you been asleep the whole time?"

She grinned at him over her coffee mug. "Oh yeah. What time is it?"

"5:30. I just got off." He poured himself a mug and sat on the bar stool beside her. "When will they be back?"

"Not before eight. Is it weird to already miss her?"

He leaned over and nudged her shoulder with his. "Nah. Wanna get out of here?"

"Yes." Her eyes widened as she realized it'd been almost a week since she'd stepped foot outside the building. "Yes! Can we go to the mall? I need to get a Christmas present for Julie."

…

She was still laughing when she stepped off the elevator. Joe had gotten roped into spending part of the night before keeping an eye on the drunk tank, and was repeating the worst of it for her.

As she reached for the apartment door handle, it swung open from the inside. Ranger's blank stare confronted her, freezing her laughter. She glanced back at Joe before facing Ranger. "Hi. How'd it go?"

Julie ducked around Ranger into the hallway. "Hey Steph!" She looked at Joe and cocked her head. "Weren't you Steph's boyfriend?"

The tension in the small hallway went up one more notch. "I was," Joe said. "Now I'm her friend."

"Oh." Julie said. "Where'd you go?"

"Christmas shopping."

Julie grinned and zeroed in on the bags. "Can I see?" She lunged for one, but Joe was quicker. Laughing, he pushed the bags behind him.

Steph finally gathered up enough courage to turn from Joe and Julie to face Ranger. He was staring at her, his gaze blank. There was tension around his eyes and his mouth. But before either of them could say anything, Livy cried from inside. "Excuse me," she said, sliding past Ranger into the apartment.

"Julie, go with Steph," she heard Ranger say.

"Jesus Christ," she muttered. She scooped up Livy and went back to the door, trying to head off disaster. Ranger was setting her bags inside the door of the apartment. "Ranger, don't you dare--"

"Dare what?" He raised an eyebrow. "I'm not going to challenge him to a duel."

She glanced back and forth between both men. Some of the tension had left Ranger, but she couldn't read anything else. Joe just looked amused.

"Bye Cupcake," Joe said. He stepped forward and kissed her on the cheek, then rubbed Livy's tummy. "Merry Christmas."

He and Ranger both got in the elevator. Steph started to follow, just to make sure that Ranger didn't act like an ass, but Livy scrunched up her face and screamed. She glanced between the elevator and the baby. Finally, she headed back into the apartment. "Julie, think you can help me out?"

…

The elevator descended in silence, both men staring straight ahead.

"Look man," Morelli said, "You two have a family now. I have no intention of messing that up. You're doing a fine job of that yourself."

Ranger cut his eyes to the cop. "Got any ideas?"

Joe snorted. "If I knew how to deal with Steph, she never would have been with you. I do know that telling her what to do never goes well."

"Yeah." The elevator dinged as the doors opened into the parking garage. The cop headed for his car. Ranger hesitated before speaking. He didn't like being indebted to anyone, but once he was, he didn't forget it. "I appreciate what you did for Steph and Livy while I was gone."

Morelli paused and turned back. "I gotta say, Manoso, I had been hoping you weren't coming back."

"I think Steph was too."

Morelli turned like he was done, but then said, "Just so you know, if you walk away again, I won't make it this easy for you."

Ranger nodded and got back in the elevator. He had no intention of letting that happen.

…

Ranger pulled up in front of his mother's house and put the car in park. It was a two-story, brick row-house. He had tried to buy her a new house when he started making money, but had to settle for paying off this one instead.

He unhooked Livy's carrier from the car seat and threw a blanket over her before catching up with Julie and Steph halfway up the walk. Steph shot him an apprehensive look over her shoulder. He winked at her and opened the door for them.

The first thing that hit him as he walked in were the Christmas decorations. His mother had decorated the same way since he was a kid, instantly transporting him back in time. Julie squealed and ran after one of her cousins.

Steph took Livy from him, pulling her out of her carrier. "Come on," he said. "I'll introduce you around." They found his mother in the kitchen surrounded by pots and pans. He hadn't told his mother he was coming, hoping to surprise her. It had been at least ten years since he'd been present for the traditional Christmas Eve dinner.

He stepped into the small kitchen first. "Feliz Navidad, Mamá"

His mother glanced up and gasped. She clapped a hand over her mouth as tears filled her eyes. "Carlos!" Rushing to him, she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him on the cheek. "You came! I'm so glad." She squeezed him tight, and planted another kiss on her cheek.

Then noticed Steph behind him. "And Stephanie!" She kissed Steph too and took the baby. "Oh look how fast she's growing!"

His mom wiped her eyes with her free hand and smiled at him. "Thank you, Carlos," she said. "I can't tell you what this means to me that you came."

He walked to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Julie here's too, though I don't know where she ran off too."

"I knew Stephanie and Olivia were coming, I didn't realize you two were coming as well."

He looked over at Steph.

She rolled her eyes. "Oh get over it."

His mother laughed and patted him on the cheek. "It doesn't matter. You're all here now. Now go get one of the girls to finish dinner while I sit here with my newest grand-baby."

…

He kept an eye on Steph over the course of the evening, but she didn't seem as nervous as she had been when they arrived. The baby was passed around while she chatted with his sisters. He was catching up with Celia's husband when he realized she had disappeared.

He found her in the formal living room, where they had opened presents, with his mother and Julie. The sight in front of him mesmerized him - he stood in the doorway and for a moment, just watched. Steph was on the couch, nursing Livy. Julie was on her knees on the cushion beside her, tickling the baby. Steph winced when Livy's entire body jerked from Julie's tickling. Laughing, she stuck her finger in Livy's mouth to break the suction and lifted the baby to her shoulder.

She was still laughing as she looked up, that brilliant smile hitting him square in the chest. Their eyes met, connecting them across the room, and for that one second she looked so fucking happy that it made his heart constrict. He couldn't help smiling back.

But he could see the exact moment when she remembered all the shit between them: her eyes shuttered, her smile slipped. He'd have given anything in the world to take away the sadness that crept into her eyes. In that instant, he would have given himself.

She blinked and lowered her eyes. Turning away from him, she said something to his mother and handed her the baby. She stood and walked toward him. He wanted to say something, needed to say something, to her. But she ducked her head and slipped past him.

He caught up with her in the foyer, stopping her with a hand on her arm. "Steph."

She glanced at him, but then her gaze dropped to her shoes.

"Babe."

She sighed and met his eyes, defiant now. "What?"

"Mistletoe," he said, praying that his mother still hung it in the foyer like she had when they were kids.

She glanced up and froze, her gaze slowly sinking back down to meet his. Yanking on her arm, she tried to escape his grasp. "Right. That's gonna happen."

He moved fast, hauling her body into his arms. He kept his hold light enough that she could have gotten away, but the moment their bodies touched, she stilled in his arms. She stared at him with wide eyes as his head lowered. He paused, his lips a millimeter from hers, so close they almost brushed as he spoke. "Merry Christmas, babe."

And he kissed her.

…

His lips brushed across hers, soft, gentle. There was a tenderness to the gesture that she had never felt from him. He drew back after that contact, not far, but enough so that he could stare into her eyes. He was searching for something, but she had no idea what.

Their bodies were touching in an unbroken line: her breasts were pushed against his chest, her hips against his, his knee between her thighs. She could have walked away - she should have - but there was something in his eyes holding her where she was.

His mouth lowered again, demanding more of her this time. Without meaning to, she gave it. She stood up on her toes, leaned into him, and savored the feel of his lips against hers. His hands brushed her hips, then slid up her spine. It wasn't until his hand came around to brush the side of her breast that she realized what she was doing.

She jerked back and stared at him. She wanted to read something in his expression, but she couldn't. His arms were still around her, but when she stepped backwards he let her, dropping his arms to his sides. "That was dumb," she said.

He kept staring at her.

She scrubbed her hands over her face, trying to erase the feel of his mouth. "That was really dumb."

…