Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me and never will. I'm simply playing with them for a little bit.

Thank you all for the continued support of this story. Your reviews are very much appreciated so keep them coming.

My beta is MIA so the next few chapters are not beta'd. I apologize for any mistakes. I'll go back and fix these chapters later. I didn't want to postpone posting. : )

Lifetime of Love

Chapter 10

I never knew that when I left Trenton more than 7 months ago it would end up being the best decision of my life. I had originally intended to go back home after a few months, but the peace and quiet that my new home gave me was too appealing. I never planned on staying this long, but I'm so glad that I did.

Once I settled, It took me about three days to learn my way around this little town. The people were really friendly and were always willing to give me good directions if I needed them. If I needed a place to shop or eat, all I had to do was ask someone and they were more than helpful. That's how I found my second favorite place on the planet to eat. Pinos will always be my favorite, but this little hole in the wall blew everything else out of the water.

Looking at the outside of the diner was scary. It was famous in the area because of the sandwiches it served, but it was also known for the gum wall. Covering the outside brick walls were years of chewed bubble gum. I almost walked away just from seeing that, but I decided to give the food a shot. I was hungry and tired of the frozen dinners that I bought for myself.

The inside was clean and packed with people. The booths were small and the bar had one empty stool that I quickly sat in. I read the menu board trying to make sense of what they served. I had no clue what a Maid Rite sandwich was, but the people around me were ordering them by the sackful, so I gave it a shot.

I wasn't disappointed. Their loose meat sandwiches tasted wonderful with just the right amount of onions, pickles and mustard. It sounds weird, but trust me...it was amazing. AND they serve the best chocolate milkshake that I've ever tried. Once I found this little place, I couldn't stay away.

The house I lived in was only about 7 blocks away from the diner, so I would walk down there around eleven, eat my lunch and then I would walk around the beautiful park that wasn't too far away. My walks quickly became my favorite activity (aside from eating that is). Not only did they help me stay in shape, but my son seemed to enjoy them too.

Yes, I said son. I found out that the little peanut growing inside me is a boy. He was a stubborn one the first few times we tried to determine his sex. He refused to roll over and coöperate with the ultrasound technician. The last time, however, he let go of his inhibitions and was laying sprawled eagle. His little boy bits were prominently on display. I called my dad right after I found out and told him the good news. He had waited for a grandson for years and actually cried when I told him.

My dad and Joe were the only people who I spoke to back in Trenton. Joe convinced me a month after leaving that my dad deserved to hear from me. I guess I worried him. That first call was difficult, but he soon understood my need for space. My dad passed messages on to me from my grandma and my mom. Surprisingly, neither of them pestered him too much about where I was. He kind of explained the situation to them and they accepted it. Neither of them knew about the baby though. I didn't think it was fair to tell them and not the father.

I picked up the phone to call Zero about a hundred times, but each time I hung up the phone before I finished dialing. He had the right to know about his son, and I felt bad for keeping this experience from him. However, every time I thought about the way our relationship started, I just couldn't bring myself to talk to him. His lies and betrayal still hurt, even after so many months.

Joe called me every other day to fill me in on what's happening in my home town. He and Karen were officially living together. She moved in about a month after I left. They were happy together and I knew a proposal was coming soon. Maybe as a Christmas present.

Joe warned me a week after I left that RangeMan had gotten their letters and had started the search for me. The guys had questioned Joe countless times because they knew he knew where I was. He refused to tell them and warned them that looking for me would only piss me off. He turned out to be a really good friend. I'm not sure where I would have been without him.

Fortunately, Joe and I were clever enough to cover our tracks. The closest the guys got to me was Columbus. I was stupid enough to look up into a camera at a gas station. Joe warned me that they were on the move to that location, but I was already long gone and settled in my new home. I didn't understand why they just couldn't leave me alone. I thought I made my desire for space pretty clear in my letters. Even after seven months, they hadn't stopped looking. That should've told me something, but I refused to think about. I had done enough thinking and still hadn't came up with any concrete decisions. I knew I need to go home, but I really didn't want to. I had fallen in love with the little town and the people in it. I could see myself raising my son there and being quite happy. Yes, I lived in denial land while I was there too.

Fall has always been my favorite season. I love to watch the trees turn colors and I woke up one September day to spend that day in the park. It was still warm outside and I was tired of staying in the house so I grabbed my light jacket and locked up the little house. No one had shown interest in buying it. I had let people in to look around and some wanted it, but it seemed like the financing always fell through and they couldn't buy it. That made me happy, since I got to live there for free while it was on the market.

The walk to the diner was uneventful, just like normal. The line of cars waiting in the drive through stretched back about three blocks. I waved to some of the people in the cars, they were regulars and were there just about as much as I was. When I opened the door to the diner, the familiar sounds and smells flooded my senses. As usual, they were packed but my seat was always saved by my a new friend.

I met Carl Jacob Young the first day I came here. He was sitting in the stool at the bar beside me and we struck up a conversation. He knew I was new to town and gave me some advice on where to shop and what to do if I got bored. I appreciated all of his help. He was always there and the stool next to him was always empty, just waiting for me to sit in it.

"Hi sweetness!" Carl always greeted me the same. With a kiss on the cheek and his normal 'hello'. You would think that having a 74 year old man call me sweetness would creep me out, but it didn't.

"Hello to you, CJ." I kissed his rough cheek and sat in the stool beside him.

"Normal please, Jenny." The waitresses all knew me and what I liked to eat so ordering was a snap.

"How's the little man today?" CJ was eyeing my protruding stomach.

"He's kicking up a storm. It seems like he only calms down when I'm outside doing something. He doesn't like when I stay inside the house." I laughed and rubbed the spot where my son was kicking.

"He's an outdoorsy fellow then. You'll have a fun time keeping him inside when he gets older." I knew he was telling the truth. Luckily my dad was already planning the fishing trips and sports games, so I would have some help.

"He must take after his daddy. You don't strike me as an outdoorsy girl." That wasn't entirely true. I liked the outdoors just as much as the next person, but I'm not about to spend all day standing in the sun or sleep outdoors. Camping and I don't get along so well.

"Guess so." I hardly ever talked to CJ about Zero and the guys back home. He knew that I ran from something but I held myself back from giving him that information. My lack of sharing didn't stop him from fishing for information though.

"Does the daddy know where you are?" He looked at me with concern in his eyes. He'd always been curious, but had never came right out and asked me that question. I couldn't answer him with words so I just shook my head. The waitress brought over my two Maid Rites and my chocolate shake and I dug into my favorite meal.

"Too bad. He has to be worried about you two. I know I would be if you belonged to me and disappeared." I ate my food without responding and thought about what CJ said. I gave Zero and Ranger both letters explaining to them why I left and that I was fine. They didn't have reason to worry, right?

"Oh, I know what you're thinking. Maybe you told him not to worry so you just assume that he's not. You've told me about your days as a bounty hunter and the trouble you seem to find yourself in. Seems to me that knowing that trouble just finds you combined with the poor guy not knowing where you are is enough to keep him worried sick." CJ always knew how to make me see his way on things. We had many arguments and discussions and he always turned my opinions to his. It was unbelievable.

"I don't think he has the right to worry about me. He chose to lie to me and destroy my trust in him. He doesn't even know about the baby." I don't know why I told him that. It just came out like word vomit. CJ turned in his stool to face me. His eyes were full of hurt.

"Are you done eating, sweetness?" I nodded and slurped the rest of my milkshake down. CJ and I paid for our meals and then walked out the back door together.

"Mind if I walk with you today?" He asked setting a slow pace for me to follow.

"Not at all. I'm not sure how far I can go today. Little man is sitting in a weird spot." CJ chuckled and we walked silently for a while. We walked to a large pond and sat down on a bench to watch the ducks fight over scraps of bread thrown by two young kids.

"Sweetness, will you tell me about your man back home? I can see that you love him just in the twinkle of your eyes. I know he hurt you, but maybe he had his reasons." I thought for a second. The only other person I told about this whole mess was Joe. Maybe getting an outsiders perspective would be helpful.

"You want the whole story or just the part about the father?" Telling him everything could take all day.

"I don't have anywhere to be, so tell it all to me." I let out a long sigh and started telling him my life story. I went as far back as the choo-choo game when I was six. I honestly don't know how long I sat there talking or how many tears fell. At one point CJ wrapped his arm around my shoulders and let me cry into his chest.

After my crying fit was over and after I spilled every pathetic detail of my life to this man we sat quietly for a few minutes. I was able to get myself under control before he spoke.

"You know, I've heard a whole lot of stories in my 74 years. But, sweetness, I've never heard of something like that. No wonder you ran away from those two buffoons." I laughed and rested my head on his shoulder.

"However, you need to tell the boy how you feel about him. AND, you need to tell him about that baby. He messed up, but it doesn't mean he didn't honestly love you. Men are stupid. We think we're invincible. We think nothing can bring us to our knees. That is until we meet the right woman." He patted my knee and rubbed my belly.

"Your guy, Zero, was given an opportunity of a lifetime and he took it. Just because he fucked up and didn't tell you the truth doesn't mean that his love was a lie. I'm sure he's making himself sick with worry. You need to call him." I let out a sigh.

"What about Ranger? What do I do about him?" He shook his head.

"That boy needs an ass kicking and I'll be happy to do it for you. I can tell, just from the way you talk about him, that you need him in your life. Maybe not as a romantic interest, but as a friend. I bet he feels the same way. He may be stupid, but he knows what he lost and I bet it's driving him crazy. He deserves a call too." I let out a long sigh again. I knew what he was saying was the truth, but could I really just pick up the phone after more than 7 months and call them? They might be mad at me.

"Oh, they'll be mad. But, they'll be so thrilled to hear your sweet voice that the madness will disappear. Trust this old man. Don't walk away from love. I did and regret it to this day." He got a far off look in his eyes like he was remembering something. He quickly shook his head and looked at me and smiled. I smiled back.

"Thanks CJ. You're pretty smart for an old fart." His booming laugh echoed in the park and made me laugh along with him.

"Sweetness, you are a special girl. A very special girl, indeed." He kissed my hair and we both enjoyed the peacefulness of the nature us. I was able to think and plan about what I was going to say to the two men who I needed to call. Zero needed to know about the baby and Ranger needed to know that I was safe. I knew how frantically worried he must be. I couldn't imagine what I put them through during those months.

"Thanks for the talk CJ. I'm going to head home and make some calls." I stood up from the bench and looked at the old man still sitting there. He smiled and nodded at me. He knew exactly who I was going to call.

"I'll see you tomorrow for lunch. I want to hear all about those calls, sweetness." I smiled and nodded. Before I left, I bent over and placed a kiss on his aged face.

The walk home passed too quickly for my taste. It seemed like I just floated back the house. I thought about the conversations and wasn't paying attention to my surroundings. I almost passed the house, but looked up just in time to see the little walkway leading to the front door.

Once I got inside and used the bathroom, I grabbed the cordless phone and headed into the living room. I wanted to be comfortable for what I was about to do. I knew that even if I didn't tell them where I was, they would be able to trace the calls. I was essentially telling them to come and get me.

I dialed the first number and listened to the ringing on the other end. His voicemail picked up so I assumed he was on a takedown or a stake out. It was early evening, so maybe he was still working. I decided to leave a voicemail.

"Hi Noah. It's Stephanie in case you didn't know. I just wanted you to know that I am okay. I'm healthy and happy and perfectly safe. I love where I am staying and wanted you to know that. I'm sorry for leaving like I did, I just needed some space. I hope you're not too terribly mad at me. We have some things that we need to discuss, but I don't want to leave them on your voice mail so please call me back. You should have the number on caller ID. Hopefully I'll talk to you soon. I miss you."

I had tears streaming down my face during the message. Stupid pregnancy hormones always made me cry. I took a deep breath and dialed the next number on my list. He answered on the second ring.

"Yo." My heart skipped a beat and I couldn't talk, but I didn't have to for him to know it was me.

"Babe?" I smiled. He didn't sound mad.

"Yeah, it's me." I heard the sigh of relief on the other end of the phone and I released my own too.

"Dios, Babe. Where are you? We've been worried sick." I could hear the worry and fear in his voice. I hated that I caused them to worry about me.

"I'm safe. I'm staying in a great little town in Ohio. You don't have to worry. It seems like I've left trouble behind too." I heard him chuckle and I could picture him sitting behind his desk shaking his head.

"Well that's good to hear. I'm so glad you called, Babe. I've missed you so much." What was that I heard in his voice? Regret?

"You know why I had to leave. You guys hurt me and I didn't want to stay and be reminded of that pain daily." Ranger let out a sigh again.

"I know, Babe. If there was any way to go back and change things, I would in a heart beat. I would take it all back to save you from being hurt. I'm so sorry Stephanie." Yep, definitely regret and what sounded like shame.

"Thank you for apologizing. I think I'm finally ready to forgive you. I've missed you so much." I felt the tears fall and the sob escaped before I could stop it.

"I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I appreciate it. Are you coming home soon? I would love to see you." I'm sure he's going to shit his pants when he sees me. I decided at that moment that I was ready to leave my peaceful town. I had to return to reality.

"Yeah, I think I'll spend another week here and then head home. I tried calling Zero, but he didn't answer. I need to talk to him. It's really important." I heard a slight growl, but surprisingly Ranger didn't sound angry when he started talking again.

"He's out of the country on a mission. He volunteered right after you left. Said something about needing redemption. The last I heard the mission was successful and he should be home in a month or two." I was impressed that Ranger shared that much information with me but I was sad that Zero felt he needed to risk his life. Hopefully he would be back before the baby was born.

"Don't worry about him, Steph. He's a good man and he's staying safe." Ranger's reassuring voice calmed my nerves.

"Thanks Ranger. I appreciate that. Listen, I need to go. Can I call you tomorrow?" Now that I talked to him, I didn't want to let him go but I knew he needed to get back to work and this baby was once again jumping on my bladder.

"You can call me anytime, Babe. I'll talk to you later." I heard the phone disconnect and sighed looking at the phone in my hand. Would it kill the man to say goodbye?

I collapsed back onto the couch and smiled. For the first time since I left Trenton, I was hopeful. I thought my past life was gone forever. I never thought I could go back, but after talking to Ranger I knew that I could, and I would. It was time to say goodbye to Greenville.

I rubbed my belly and asked my son, "Are you ready to go home and meet your daddy? He's going to be surprised about you, but he'll love you just like I do." He kicked the place where my hand was resting and I smiled. It seems like he was on-board with my new plan.

A/N - Another one down. Let me know what you think. The next chapter should be up on Wednesday!

Greenville Ohio is a real town and the place where I grew up. The diner is real too and even though I live eight hours away from my hometown, I still crave those stupid sandwiches. It's my first stop when I get into town for a visit with my mom. The gum wall is rather disgusting, but I've contributed some pieces of gum to it. : )