Disclaimer: Characters that you recognize don't belong to me. I'm simply using them for some fun and I'm not making a profit.
I want to thank everyone who has reviewed or added this story to their favorite/follows. Your excitement to see what happens is what keeps me posting regularly.
Thanks to my beta Rangergirl1234. She's done an amazing job fixing all of my silly mistakes.
Lifetime of Love
Chapter 8
"So which one of you is going to tell me what's going on? This is the second time that I've seen you ready to fight one of your friends, Noah. Care to share why that is?" He looked down sheepishly and Ranger glared daggers at me when I used his real name. Yet, neither of them spoke.
"You know. This is exactly the reason I left RangeMan that night. Something is going on and no one is telling me what it is even though it OBVIOUSLY concerns me." I was really trying not to get worked up. I wanted to get answers and that wouldn't happen if I started yelling or cried.
"Babe, I can assure you that everything is fine. Zero and I were having a conversation about his job assignment." I could hear the anger when he said the last two words. I didn't understand what that meant but I doubted that their attitudes were totally about work.
"So all of this animosity and anger is about work?" I scoffed. They knew I didn't believe them.
"Yeah, Steph. Ranger and I don't see eye to eye about something, and we were discussing it when you got back. It's no big deal." Still not convinced. I was about to open my mouth again when the doctor reappeared in my room.
"Ms. Plum. I have some results for you." I held up my hand to stop him from talking again. For some reason, I didn't want the guys to hear what he had to say. I needed privacy.
"I'm glad you both are here, but I think it's time for you both to go. You need to go work out whatever bullshit is bothering you two. If you want me to be anywhere near you guys after I get out of the hospital, this..." I pointed to the two of them and their obvious tension. "...needs to stop. I don't like my parents, but I will go stay with them if this shit is still going on tomorrow." Ranger nodded his head but still stared daggers at Zero. Zero looked ashamed and then slowly nodded.
"I'll be back later Babe. I want to know what the doctor said." With a quick kiss on my lips, he left the room. Zero growled at the kiss.
"I'll stop by after my shift tonight, Breá. We need to talk about some things and I need to know that you're okay." He gently kissed my lips before leaving.
"Wow, they're intense." The doctor chuckled after both men left my room. "Hopefully I have good news for one of them." I looked at him confused. What good news could he have for one of them.
"I can see you're confused so I'll get on with it. Ms. Plum. Congratulations, you're pregnant." He smiled, but the smile faded when he saw my reaction. I couldn't be pregnant. I use birth control. I'm not ready to be a mom.
"Ms. Plum, you need to breathe. You need to take some deep breaths. I can tell this is a shock for you." Shock. That was putting it lightly.
"I can't be pregnant. I take my pill every day. I'm anal about popping that little thing. I have an alarm on my phone set to remind me to take it. I never miss a dose. This has to be a mistake." My eyes were pleading with him to tell me that it was a joke, but he didn't.
"I can assure you that there is no mistake and no form of birth control is one hundred percent effective. You are, in fact, pregnant. We can do an ultrasound to find just how long you are, but from the amount of hCG in your blood I would say you are just about three weeks. Give or take a few days. And since you've been in the hospital for two and a half weeks, I would say you conceived the day of or before you came here. Does that fit a time frame that you remember?" Of course it did. I was with Zero the day before and the day of my attack. Well shit! I was pregnant.
"Yeah. I know exactly when it happened. No ultrasound necessary." He laughed and nodded. "So is everything okay with the baby? I mean, the attack and my semi-coma?"
"We're going to bring in an OB/GYN for a consult and he'll probably still want to do an ultrasound to check for any issues, but you didn't miscarry and you seem to be doing fine. This explains the tenderness in your breasts. The nurse caught on and asked me to test for this possibility." The doctor grabbed my chart and began writing furiously. I'll never understand how anyone can read those notes.
"Okay. Thanks for the information. Can you please not tell anyone else about this? I know Bobby Brown has spoken with you about my condition, but I want to keep this to myself until I can tell the father." The doctor nodded and kept writing.
"Of course. I only share what you want me to. This will be kept between us. I'll order that consult and we'll get you out of here asap. Congratulations, again." He left the room and I heard him whistling as he walked away. Freaking chipper doctor. Makes me want to call him back and punch him in the face. He was whistling while I sat there freaking out.
A baby? I'm seriously going to have a baby? I'm not ready. Zero and I aren't really even seeing each other. Well, we see each other naked but I don't think that counts. We've gone on two dates for fuck sake. How could this happen?
I was left alone with my thoughts for two hours. Then an aide came and took me to another exam room for my OB/GYN consult. The doctor was friendly and talked me through all the procedures before he did anything. He asked me to pee in a cup and then did the exam.
He informed me that everything looked good and there were no visible problems. He estimated my conception date based on the ultrasound to the exact time I suspected. The first time Zero and I had sex. Well, I guess it could have technically been the second time that day, but you get my drift. He gave me a bottle of prenatal vitamins and made me a follow-up appointment with him for next month.
I was exhausted when I got back to my room, so the second the door closed behind the aide I was asleep. I guess the two and a half weeks I slept before wasn't quite enough.
When I woke hours later, I was aware of two things. There were people in the room with me and they were once again talking. This time, however, they weren't talking in a different language and they didn't sound angry. I decided to eaves drop to see what I could learn.
"So are they a couple now?" That sounded like Bobby.
"I guess. They were together the entire night before the attack. I warned him not to hurt her, but I don't see how else this is going to end." That was Lester.
"I can't believe he stepped in like that and just took her." Bobby laughed.
"I can't either. Ranger is pissed. He was ordered to protect her, not to fuck her." What the hell were they talking about?
"If Ranger would have just pulled his head out of his ass and asked her out that Valentine's Day, then none of this would have happened." Bobby had a valid point.
"You know Ranger is never going to do that. He only took out what's her name to draw the attention from Beautiful. He doesn't want her to have a target on her." I'm so confused.
"Yeah, well now he lost her for good. I don't see Zero stepping down voluntarily." Bobby chuckled again.
"He might not have a choice. Ranger is thinking about firing him and shipping him to Siberia. I can't believe he used her like he did. His girlfriend was pissed when she found out about their dates." Girlfriend? He told me she dumped him.
"Well, she had a right to be pissed. Man up and tell her what's going on. He's going to hurt Bomber and then we'll all be pissed at him." I heard Les grunt in agreement and the conversation ended. I felt the tears form in my eyes and couldn't stop them from falling. Les noticed first.
"Beautiful? Are you in pain? What's wrong?" He and Bobby were beside my bed in an instant. I opened my eyes and looked at the men.
"Tell me what's going on. I heard your conversation and I need to know everything." Bobby and Les both looked sick.
"I'm sorry, Bomber. We didn't mean for you to hear any of that. The nurse said that you would be asleep for a while." Bobby was pushing my hair out of my face.
"I don't care if you meant for me to hear it. I want to know what the fuck is going on." My voice got louder with each word and the guys backed up away from the bed and I was yelling by the end of my rant.
Before they could say anything, the door burst open and Ranger and Zero stepped in together. Perfect. I was finding out what was going on right now.
"Perfect timing. The two main players in this whole fucked up mess. Go ahead, Les. Tell me what you meant when you said that 'he was ordered to protect me, not fuck me.'" I was beyond pissed and looked at Ranger and Zero who were standing at the foot of the bed.
"Beautiful. I think you need to calm down if..." Oh hell no. He's not getting out of this.
"Tell me now, please. Because my mind is going to really bad places and I need to know the truth." I pleaded with the man beside me. I could still feel the tears running out of my eyes and I didn't do a thing to stop them. I heard all four men sigh and I knew that whatever they were going to tell me was going to be bad.
"Babe, this whole ordeal started a few days before Valentine's Day. I got word that an enemy of mine, Leroy Alvarez, had targeted you. I've already told you the back story on him. He spotted us when we were together and thought that we were a serious couple. When the guys arranged the group date, I decided to take someone else out in public so he would think I dumped you." He paused trying to gather his thoughts. Thinking of him with someone else used to make my heart hurt, but strangely it didn't anymore.
"While we were all at the restaurant that night, I got a call that Alvarez was in Trenton and was looking for you. My plan didn't work and I panicked. I called to get your location from the trackers you carry and found out you were at the club. Luckily, RangeMan was doing security that night so I had guys close." He paused and looked at Zero.
"Breá, I want you to know something before I tell you the rest. I have never lied to you. Everything I told you was the truth." I scoffed and rolled my eyes. Zero walked around the bed and took the place where Lester was standing. He took my hand in his and wiped the tears off my face.
"Ranger knew I was working that night as a security guard inside the club so he called me to update me on the situation. I was ordered to protect you at all costs. That's what I did. I figured if I could get you to let me take you home, then I could guarantee that you got there safely." He looked down ashamed. "I never meant to hurt you, but I know you're going to see this whole situation as a betrayal. I've been in love with you for years, but never had the balls to tell you. Getting this assignment gave me the courage to step up and let you know exactly how I felt." The tears were flowing out of my eyes now. I couldn't believe what they were telling me.
"So let me get this straight. You were ordered to protect me that night so that's why we went to dinner after your shift was over. What about the next day? Was that an order too?" I couldn't stop the tears.
"Steph, please calm down baby. I hate to see you cry." Zero wiped the tears away and gripped my hand in his. "Dinner that night wasn't part of my assignment. That was me, Noah, asking you out so that you could get to know me better. I wanted to give you the chance to see the real me." He looked at Ranger and shook his head. "I was ordered, by Ranger, to take you out the next day to see if Alvarez would make a move. What I didn't count on was how fun it was to spend time with you. I got lost in my assignment and I forgot the real reason for us to be outside. Spending the day with you was absolutely amazing." I felt sick when I thought about that day.
"That text you got while we were in the park...they all were watching us, weren't they?" He lowered his head and nodded. That's why he got so tense. He forgot they were there and that all of this was just part of his job.
"What about your girlfriend. You told me that she dumped you, but Les said she was a little pissed when she found out that we had gone out." Zero glared at Les before turning back to me.
"We decided before Valentines Day that we were going to take a break. She thought there was someone better for her out there and she wanted to find him. She didn't and then decided that she wanted back in my life. The second you gave me a chance and the second that I kissed you, I knew that there was no other woman for me. You are what I want, Steph and what I need. I told her that it was permanently over between us." I couldn't believe this was happening.
"When Alvarez didn't show when we were out we decided that you needed to be in a safer environment so we worked on a way to get you to RangeMan. The injury with your back gave us that opportunity. We were so happy when you agreed to stay in the building so we could keep you safe." Zero paused and looked at my tear-stained face. "Those nights that we spent together in your apartment were all me, Breá. As much as I had fantasized about being with you, I never thought that it would happen. When we had sex that first time, I knew that there is no way that I was ever going to let you go." I heard three deep growls when he brought up us sleeping together.
"I can't believe you, Noah. Our whole relationship, no matter how short it was, was based on an order from your boss. Why couldn't you just tell me the truth? If you honestly cared, you would have told me the truth." The tears rolled down my face again and I turned away from him. I couldn't even look at him without my heart feeling like it was going to explode.
The room was quiet for several minutes. The guys were lost in their own thoughts and I was trying to decide how to say what I needed to say to them. I finally got my words and my courage and looked at the three men standing around my bed.
"I would like to speak to Ranger alone. Could you guys please leave us?" It wasn't exactly a request and I knew they understood. Zero started to refuse, but Les punched him in the arm and pointed to the door. All three of them left the room and soon it was just Ranger and I.
"I can't believe you did this. You, of all people, know how much I hate to be kept in the dark when it comes to my safety. It was one of the reasons that Joe and I kept breaking up. He constantly refused to tell me things that I had a RIGHT to know. Why would you betray my trust like that? Why would you disrespect me like that?" I was sobbing by the end of my questions. I have never felt more betrayed before and it hurt.
"I was just trying to protect you, Babe. We weren't in a really good spot in our relationship and I didn't feel I had a right to order you to a safe house. I honestly didn't think you wanted to see me at all." He lowered the side rail down and sat beside me on the bed. I felt his arms around me and I was pulled into his warm embrace.
"I've never wanted you out of my life. I loved you Ranger and I trusted you. You betrayed that trust and I don't know if I can forgive you. You should have told me the truth. Had I know about Alvarez, I wouldn't have been in my apartment alone that night and I wouldn't have been attacked." I felt his shoulders drop and heard him let out a deep breath.
"I think you need to leave Ranger. I need time to process all of this and I can't do that with you here." He began to protest, but I placed a finger up to his lips.
"Please. Just give me time. I don't know how this is going to affect our friendship. You knew how important trust is to me, but you didn't care about any of that. You took away my choices and made a decision without even talking to me. I'm sorry, but I can't just forgive that so soon." He looked deep into my eyes and I saw the sadness and regret in his eyes. I felt sorry for him, but I couldn't forgive and forget that fast.
"I'm so sorry, Babe. Please don't shut me out. I need you in my life." I knew how he felt. I needed him too, but right now I couldn't stand to be around him.
"Just give me time." I whispered. He gave me a lingering kiss on my lips and I could taste the salt from his tears. I looked and saw them trailing down his face. Seeing them only made me cry harder.
"Goodbye Ranger." He nodded. "Goodbye Babe." I watched him walk out of the door and then curled up into a ball and cried. Huge wracking sobs that made my whole body shake and tremble. After I finally got myself under control and the tears stopped, I heard a faint knocking on the door. I was about to tell whoever it was to go away when Zero poked his head in. I knew I needed to talk to him too so I motioned for him to come in.
He sat in the same spot that Ranger had just vacated and took my hand in his.
"Stephanie, I am so sorry. I know that you probably can't forgive me right now, and I understand, but please don't shut me out of your life. I fell in love with you years ago, and spending time with you has only made that love grow stronger. I can't imagine my life without you in it." His eyes were shining with unshed tears. Mine, I couldn't keep back. I blame the pregnancy hormones. I knew I had to tell him about the baby, but I was so hurt and mad that I just wanted some time to get my emotions and my thoughts in check. I needed space to figure out what I really wanted.
"I'm sorry too. I'm sorry that you couldn't trust me enough to tell me the truth. I'm sorry that I let myself start to fall in love with you. I'm sorry that I don't think I can be around you right now. Ranger's betrayal hurt because he has always been my friend. YOUR lies and the dishonest way you went about this relationship broke my heart." I paused to wipe the tears off my face and then off of his. I knew I was hurting him, but I honestly didn't care at that point. Well, I cared but figured turn about is fair play. He hurt me, so I needed to hurt him.
"I need space. Please honor that." He nodded and then stood up from the bed.
"I'll always love you Breá, and I will be waiting for you. I wasn't lying when I told you that you were the one for me. I will never love anyone like I love you. I hope you believe that one day." He pressed a kiss to my lips and then rested his forehead against mine. "I love you Stephanie Plum" was his whispered phrase before leaving me alone in my hospital room.
"I love you too, Noah Wilson." Of course he didn't hear me because he was already through the door.
When the door closed behind him, the almost silent click that echoed through the room was deafening. My heart broke with that sound. I've lost everything that day. I lost my freedom with the news of the baby. I lost my support system when the guys decided to lie to me and play stupid games with my life. I lost my best friend and I lost the man I loved. What was I going to do now?
A/N - So now we know why the guys were acting so weird. Are you surprised, disappointed or did you like the turn of events. Let me know. I'll have the next chapter up on either tomorrow or Sunday. : )