Thanks for all the nice comments. I am sorry I have not had time to answer back real life has been busy.
Joe brought me back to my apartment after lunch. I am in serious need of a nap. But I really need to tell him about my pregnancy. I think he deserves to hear it from me and not through the Burg grapevine. I am on pins needles.
"Cupcake, are you going to tell me what is going on? You have acted strange all day and Ranger was acting strange when he saw us together. Are you two back on? Does he know I am dating someone else?"
"He probably wishes you and I were back together. I am pregnant with his baby. When I told him he asked me if it was Lester's or yours. I think he was hoping it was not his."
Joe pulls me into his arms and I finally break down and cry. I guess I had held it in.
"Steph, it's going to be ok. You will be a great mom. He'll come around." How can he be so supportive?
"No Joe I don't think he will. When we were at Shorty's and I went outside to talk to him he made a point of telling me he had told Tank about the baby and said "your baby" not our baby. I told him he could decide if he wanted her to have his name and if he wanted to be listed as her father. As it stands now I doubt he wants to have any part of her life."
"Have you told your parents?"
"No. I just found out when I was in the hospital. I'm afraid to go over there."
"No I need to do this alone. Besides my mother will get the wrong idea about us. You need to get back to the hospital."
"I have a few hours. You sure?" If he goes with me my mother will be planning a wedding.
"Yep. Man, I have so many things to think about and consider. I don't know where to start."
"Well you have several months to think it all out."
I laugh at him. "I have six months I am almost four months pregnant. I need to find a larger safer place to live. I have a good job with benefits but I am going to start thinking about day care, breast-feeding, diapers." I think I am giving myself a panic attack.
"Come on try to take a nap and we will talk some more when you wake up."
"Will you lay with me for a little while?"
"Sure Cupcake, but no funny stuff."
"No problem Morelli."
Joe and I slept with my back to his front until Lester called and told me he had just dropped Ranger off at the airport for his 3pm flight.
I woke up feeling better. Joe had to get back to the hospital so I am going to bite the bullet and go see my parents. I am probably never going to see a pineapple upside down cake again. I wonder if Ella has the recipe.
Telling my parents went pretty much like I thought it would. My dad said he hoped my little girl would want to watch sports with him and my mother started drinking and asking 'Why me'. I think she will come around...when pigs fly.
It has been a month since I told my parents I am pregnant. My mom is still hitting the bottle and asking "Why Me?" and my dad is not saying anything. Grandma is in Florida but calls me everyday. Val said now she didn't feel so bad about having Lisa before getting married because she was at least with the baby's father.
Two weeks ago I gave into Tank and moved into the two bedroom apartment Ranger offered me in the Rangeman building. I have not heard from Ranger since he went back to Miami he has however been depositing money into my bank account every week. At first I did not want to spend it but after talking to Mary Lou I decided to use it to buy stuff for the baby. I have everything for the nursery ordered and it will be here in a few weeks.
Lester moved out of building. He bought a house on Joe's street. I miss him dropping by the apartment every evening to make sure I have had dinner. He offered to take me to meet Ranger's parents. No way in hell is that going to happen. If Ranger wants his parents to know about the baby he is the one to tell them.
Joe is still living and working out-of-town. He is still trying to decide what to do with his house. He is still dating Jenny. I guess I will meet her today. Grandma Bella died two days ago and the visitation is tonight. Lester and Bobby are taking me to the visitation. It will be interesting. At least Grandma is out-of-town so there won' be drama. I hope.
One person that has really surprised me during the last month is Angie Morelli. She has called me every couple of days to see how I am feeling and to see if I need anything. She even offered to make me a pineapple-upside-down cake. She called me this morning and asked me to come over to her house after the funeral tomorrow. I think I am going to see how Jenny reacts to me first. I don't want to cause any problems for Joe with her.
Ii don't know why I am nervous about going to Grandma Bella's visitation. Bobby and Lester are with me, Joe is my friend and he is here, I probably know more than half the people here but I still have a feeling I can't' shake.
"Guys, I appreciate you both coming with me. I want to get in see Joe and Mrs Morelli and get out of there. I have a funny feeling about tonight."
" I am going to drop you and Lester at the door. I'll wait in the car. Call me when you are ready to leave and I will pick you up in the front."
"Thanks Bobby."
Lester and I get out of the car and head towards the door.
"Hey Cupcake, Lester, thanks for coming. How are you doing?" Joe is standing outside the funeral home greeting people. Dang he looks good tonight in dress pants and a nice button down. Damn hormones.
"Hey Joe. I am getting fat. I laugh while giving him a hug. "How are you doing?"
"I am good. Glad she is not suffering anymore. My mom asked me earlier if you were here yet. I think Jenny is with her if you want to meet her."
"I'm not going to stay long. My feet are swollen today for some reason. I will be at the funeral tomorrow and your mom has asked me to come to the house after the funeral. Is that ok with you?"
"That is great. I'm glad you will be there. Oh and Cupcake you are not getting fat. You are beautiful pregnant." Ok now I am uncomfortable.
"Ok. Well I will see you later." Now Joe is laughing at me because I'm flustered by his compliments.
As I walk in to the viewing room I am kind of glad Grandma Mazur is in Florida but also kinda sad. I could use her moral support now.
Lester is guiding me through the crowd and making sure no one bumps into my pregnant belly. The guys have become so protective lately. I am thankful to have such good friends since my baby's father doesn't see to care. Crap I told myself I was not going to think about him. I am trying to keep positive thoughts because I think the baby probably picks up on my mood.
Finally I make it to the coffin where Angie Morelli is greeting people.
"Stephanie dear I am so glad you made it. How are you feeling?" I don't remember her being this nice to me while I was dating Joe.
"I am fine Angie. How are you doing? I am so sorry about Bella." I try to sound sincere about the last part.
"Thank you dear. You just missed your parents. I am so sorry your mother is treating you the way she is. If you need anything please let me know. I am going to have a lot of time on my hands now that Bella is gone."
"Thanks" What is the angle here I wonder. "Joe said Jenny was up with you. Would you introduce us?"
"Oh I think she is somewhere talking to Terri Gilman." Oh great.
"Maybe I can meet her tomorrow then. Unless something changes I am still planning on being at your house tomorrow after the funeral."
"Good, I really want you there. There is Father Patrick I need to talk to him. Thanks for coming honey and I will see you tomorrow." She hugs me and turns to the priest. I don't remember her hugging me this much when Joe and I were together either.
I turn to find Lester right behind me. "This baby is on my bladder. Let me run to the ladies room real quick."
"I'll wait for you outside the door." So protective.
Luckily there is no one in the bathroom so I don't have to wait. As I am taking care of business I hear the door open and what sounds like two women walk in. When they started talking I realized why I was feeling uneasy about being there.
"I can't believe she showed up here pregnant. Aren't you glad I pulled you away from Mrs Morelli when she walked in?" Terri Gilman?
"I have to thank you for that. I don't know why Joe is so set on us meeting and being friends. When I convince him to marry me HE will not have time to be her friend." I guess that is Jenny.
"She kept him hanging for so long going while she was screwing Ranger. I don't see how he can still be her friend. I am so glad you and he hit it off when I introduced you." Ahh so that is how he met Jenny. "I am glad she ended up knocked up by Ranger. From what I have heard he has left town and is not coming back. I think she got pregnant to trap him. Joey is so lucky she never did that to him." Do people really think I got pregnant on purpose? "I saw him in Newark with a beautiful blonde about a month ago. He did not look happy to see me." What? A blonde?
"Well after tomorrow Joey won't have a reason to come back to Trenton as often and you better believe I will be with him every time from now on. I just could not hang around the hospital anymore with Batty Angie while we waited on the Old Hag Bella to kick it." WOW. What does Joe see in her?
"Well let's head out she had probably left by now." Thank God they left I don't think I could hold my tongue.
I am so relieved to see Lester when I walk out of the bathroom. "Les, please get me out of here."
"You ok Beautiful?" Crap I didn't mean to worry him. "I am fine. Just hungry. Take me to Pino's!"
"Bobby is waiting outside. Do you want to talk to Joe again before we leave?" I look over and there is a tall blonde attached to Joe that I am assuming is Jenny. "No I will see him tomorrow. Let's just go."
No sleep for me tonight. What am I going to do? I know I have to go to the funeral but I do not want to go back to Angie's house now. I talked to Mary Lou and found out that Jenny is Terri's cousin. I would lay money on Terri being at the house tomorrow with Jenny. I don't think I could handle a confrontation.
I don't know what to think about Terri saying she saw Ranger with a blonde in Newark. I wonder if Lester knows anything about it. Do I even care at this point? He could have at least been honest with me it he had someone else.
I need to quit thinking. I think I will head to the control room and talk to Woodie for a while.
"Hey Steph. Can't Sleep?" Woodie has a sexy Southern accent.
"Too much on my mind. You know how that goes."
"Anything you want to talk about?" Where would I be without all the guys? "No I need to work it all out myself."
"Honey your feet look terrible. Put them up here so I can rub them." I knew I came up to 5 at 3 in the morning for a reason. "Steph does your doctor know you are this swollen?"
"No I have an appointment day after tomorrow. I will tell her then. I am having another ultrasound. I can't wait to get more pictures."
"Who is going with you?" Good question I think to myself.
"Not sure yet. I may ask my mom if she wants to go with me. Maybe if she sees the baby it will change the way she feels about it. Who knows?" I don't really want to ask one of the guys to go with me but I don't want to go alone. Ah the joys of becoming a single parent.
"Well Wood man I think I am going to head back to bed. Have a good night!"
"You too honey. Call me if you need anything."
I head towards the elevator and see it is on its way to the 7th floor which is strange because Ranger is not in town. I think I will head to the garage and see if his car is there. Sure enough the Cayenne is there. Ranger is back. Just what I needed. Why did I move into the building. First thing tomorrow I am going to start looking for a place to live out of here.
Since I didn't sleep any last night I am up and out of the building early. I am going to hit the Tasty Pastry and head over to Lester's to hide for a few hours. I to want t
Lester bought a cute little duplex on the same street as Joe's house. He has worked on it slowly but surely turning it in to a bachelor pad. I still get a funny feeling in my stomach when I turn on the street and pass Joe's house. The lights are on at Joe's I guess he is staying there while he is in town.
I get out of the car in Lester's driveway and am immediately knocked on my butt by Bob. "Hey Boy, what are you doing out by yourself? Where is your daddy?" Bob looks at me wagging his tail so much his entire body shakes. "I've missed you buddy. Let's put my stuff down and I will take you home."
Lester meets me at the door and takes my donuts and coffee. "Hey Steph I heard Ranger was back. Did you know?"
"Yep I was up talking to Woodie in the control room last night when he got in. Mind if I hide out here for a while after I take Bob back to Joe?"
"That is fine. The guest room is ready for you."
"Thanks I will be right back."
As I am walking back Bob back to Joe's house I see the blonde from the other night that I assumed was Jenny walking towards me.
"Hi. I am sorry my dog was out. I can take him back now." She is calling Bob her dog?
"That's ok. Bob and I are old friends. I am Stephanie Plum you must be Jenny."
"Oh. What are you doing here so early? Joe is in the shower I was just getting ready to join him when I noticed tom was out." Who is Tom? Does she think Bob's name is Tom?
"I was going to a friend's house down the street when BOB ran up to me." She tries to take Bob's collar and he growls at her. "Bob calm down boy?"
"Hey Cupcake what are you doing out this early?" Joe asks while walking up. Guess he was not in the shower after all.
"Good morning Joe. I was just going to Lester's and Bob ran up and knocked me down." I tell him laughing.
Joe goes into concerned mode them. "Are you hurt? Is the baby ok?" Jenny is not pleased. "Morelli, I am fine not biggie."
"Jenny take Bob back the house I am going to walk Cupc err Stephanie back to Lester's." Now she is really pissed but she takes a not too happy to ge going with her Bob back to Joes. Is it bad for me to be happy she is pissed?
"Cupcake you ok? You don't look so good."
"I am fine. I couldn't sleep last night. When I finally felt like I could lay down and drift off I found out Ranger is back in town. I have not heard from him since tht day at Shorty's."
"You are kidding? What a jerk. Listen can we get together tomorrow night? I want to catch up."
"Is that going to be ok with Jenny?" I ask knowing it is now ok with her. "Sure she knows we are friends. Besides I think she is going back to New York in the morning." Probably not when she finds out he has plans with me. "Why don't you come over to the house around 7. I will pick up some pizza. I know Bob would love to spend some time with you as well."
"Ok I will be there. Your mom wanted me to come to her house after the funeral. I don't think I am going to be able to make it now. My feet are really swollen and I would just be in the way sitting around."
"I'll tell her why you couldn't make it. Why didn't you tell me your feet were swollen?" He asks before picking me up to carry me back to Lester's. Jenny walks out the door of his house just as I a laughing and telling him to put me down. If looks could kill I would be laid up with Bella.
"Joe I am fine. Please put me down I am fine to walk back to Lester's." Why am I hoping he continues to carry me?
"Nope Cupcake not going to do it. Jenny I'll be back in a few." Another death look. I hope her face doesn't freeze like that.
Joe deposits me in Lester's living room gives me a hug and tells me he will see me later. I head to the guest room to take a nap.
After a good two hour nap I decide it is time to bite the bullet and ask my mother if she wants to go to my ultrasound with me tomorrow.
Turns out my mother has something to do tomorrow I didn't even bother listening to what she said.
I think about asking Ranger but think better of it. I mean he has not wanted to know anything up to this point why would that change. I will get extra pictures in case he wants to see her.
Maybe I'll ask Mary Lou.
The funeral was nice. Angie insisted Joe give up his seat with the family so I could sit. Jenny was once again not happy with me.
After the priest finished the service I stop to talk to Angie before going back to where Lester is waiting to take me home.
"Angie, I am not going to be able to come over. My feet are so swollen and I think I would just be in the way. I hope you understand."
Of course dear. Why don't you come over tomorrow morning. Bella left something for you and I really want to give it to you while Joey is still in town."
"I have a doctor's appointment at 10 and an ultrasound appointment at 11 but I can come over after that."
"Is your mother going with you to your appointment?" I notice Jenny is trying to listen to our conversation but Joe's sister is talking to her so she is not having much luck.
"No she has her own doctors appointment tomorrow." I don't think that is what she said so why did I lie? I guess I don't want her to feel sorry for me any more than she already does.
"Well don't I come by, pick you up and take you to your appointment?" Huh?
"Angie that is not necessary. I am make it on my own."
"Nonsense. I will pick you up at 930. From Rangeman?" I guess it would be nice to have a maternal figure with me.
"If you are sure it is no trouble that will be fine."
"Good I will see you then. Joseph will you walk Stephanie to her car?" Hmm is Angie up to something?
"Sure Ma. Come on Cupcake. You need another lift?" I am sure Jenny would love that.
"No but thanks Morelli I can walk." Now Terri Gilman is giving me eat shit and die looks. I think this may be making my day.