Disclaimer: Still not mine. Just playing with the characters that JE created. I'll return them when I'm done.

Here's the promised second chapter for today and the one that you all have been waiting for. I hope I don't disappoint.

Still not beta'd so please excuse my mistakes.

Lifetime of Love

Chapter 15

SPOV

Seeing Zero standing at my door was the most amazing sight. His skin was tanned from his time in the sun and he was more muscled - if that was even possible. His hair was buzzed short and his eyes sparkled with something raw - vulnerability, hope, love?. He was the most gorgeous man who I've ever seen and at that moment I knew that I still loved him with everything in me.

"You want to come in?" I stepped aside and watched him walk into the apartment. We stood awkwardly for a few seconds before my burg manners kicked in.

"Would you want a bottle of water or some tea?"

"Water would be good." He followed me into the kitchen looking around at my new home.

"This is very nice. Much bigger than your old apartment." I looked around and had to agree with him. The new digs put my old apartment to shame.

"Thanks. I really like it." We both fell silent and I couldn't figure out why, but standing there with Zero felt so awkward.

"Do you want to go to the living room so we can sit down? We would be more comfortable." Zero nodded and followed me into the living room. I pointed to the overstuffed couch and we both sat down. Nope didn't fix the awkwardness and it actually made it worse. I opened my mouth to talk, but snapped it shut. Why was this so damn hard?

"Why is this so weird?" Zero's voice brought me out of my internal monologue and I laughed at his facial expressions.

"I have no clue. I pictured this happening differently." I imagined a passionate kiss and confessions of undying love, but I guess I had read too many romance novels. This wasn't fiction, this was real life.

"I didn't expect to see you when that door opened. I'm not sure who I expected, but it wasn't you. I honestly thought you'd never want to see me again." He hung his head in shame and I felt bad for how I treated him. I scooted on the couch so that I could lift his face to mine with a finger under his chin.

"I'm so sorry for running away, Noah. It wasn't fair to you to just leave without talking to you. You deserved so much better than that." His eyes were looking deep into mine and I could read every emotion on his face.

"You don't have to apologize to me. You had every right to leave and get away from me and from the guys at RangeMan. We betrayed you and hurt you. I'm sorry for doing that to you, Breá." I choked back a sob when he called me my special name. Maybe he still loved me too.

"Why did you choose that nickname?" His warm hand brushed a tear off of my face.

"Because even in the beginning, I loved you. My feelings were never a lie. I've loved you for so damn long. You know that Breá means love?" I nodded my head and he smiled his crooked smile that still made my knees weak.

"Then you know that you are my love. You are my life, Steph. You are everything that I want and everything that I need. The past nine months have been unbearable." His hand stroked my face so tenderly.

"Do you want me Stephanie?" His voice was soft and I almost didn't hear his question. I didn't have to think about my answer and there was no hesitation when I answered.

"More than you'll ever know. I fell in love with you I think that first night at the diner and I've never stopped lovi..." I couldn't finish my statement because his lips were on mine in a hungry kiss. I tasted the tears from my face and then a felt a few drop from his eyes too. His lips moved against mine just like they had all those months ago. Nothing had changed between us during our time apart.

As hard as it was, I pulled away from him before I let myself get too carried away. We had entirely too much to talk about and I couldn't have sex anyway. Stupid six-week rule.

"Please. Let me talk for a second. I need to tell you something and I don't know how you're going to react so I'm scared." I looked at him. His eyes were questioning me. He sat back on the couch giving us some distance. I took a moment to gather my thoughts and then let out a deep breath to prepare myself.

"That day in the hospital that I found out about everything, I also learned something else." I paused to look at him. There was a look of concern on his face.

"I found out that I was pregnant." Shock and anger flashed across his face and he stood up from the couch and began pacing around my living room.

"Please let me explain..."

"Explain? It's a little late for explanations. Does Ranger know?" I was really confused by his question. Why would it matter if Ranger knew?

"He knows. He was there when AJ, my son, was born in Greenville, but why does that matter?" I was still confused, but Zero's anger was evident and I started to get worried.

"He's the father. That should matter a whole hell of a lot. Why isn't he here right now?" Oh, now it makes sense. Guess I should have been more clear in the beginning.

"No, no, no. AJ isn't Ranger's son." Zero whipped around and glared at me.

"Then who is?" He was still angry, but I guess he had a right to be.

"AJ isn't his real name. I named him after two really important people in my life. Allen, after his FATHER and Jacob after a dear friend who sacrificed himself to keep us safe." Zero's face turned pale when the understanding finally hit him. He collapsed on the couch and looked at me with tears in his eyes.

"He's mine?" He looked so broken and so hopeful at the same time. I scooted closer to him and grabbed his hand.

"He's yours. I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you." He hushed me before I could say anything else and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. We sat quietly with our foreheads resting together for a few moments.

"Would you like to meet him?" His eyes got big and he nodded his head.

"Wait here, I'll be right back." I wanted to take a minute to center myself with my son before introducing him to Zero. I needed to take a few deep breaths and calm my emotions if I was going to get through this.

AJ was awake in his crib looking around at the things around him and smiled when he looked at me. I did a quick diaper change and made sure his clothes were clean. First impressions are important after all.

"Are you ready to meet your daddy, little man? He's going to love you just like I do. I promise."

Zero was sitting in the same spot. His eyes followed me as I walked into the room holding his son. I placed my son into the arms of his dad and sat beside them. Zero looked at his son in wonder and I watched him with love.

"God, Breá. He's beautiful. I can't believe he's mine." Zero ran his finger down AJ's face and got a smile from him for his efforts.

"We made a pretty handsome baby. He's a good kid too." Zero looked at me again with tears in his eyes.

"Thank you, Stephanie." I leaned over and kissed his luscious lips.

"I should thank you. You had a hand in making him too." He smiled at me.

"True." We sat for several silent minutes just watching AJ. When he started to get fussy and when he started rooting in Zero's chest, I couldn't hold back the chuckle. I picked him up out of Zero's arms and adjusted him for a feeding. I didn't bother with covering or leaving the room. Zero's seen it all before and will hopefully want to get re-acquainted with it soon.

"I don't think your daddy has the equipment to feed you little guy. That is mommy's job." Zero watched with fascination as AJ attached his little mouth to my breast.

"Is it wrong that watching that is turning me on?" I laughed. Sadly, he wasn't the first person to say that, but I'm not going to mention that.

"Not at all. I told him the first time I fed him that he was a natural. Just like his daddy." Zero scooted closer to get a better look of our son. He kissed me again and then kissed AJ's head.

"Did you want this to be our life, Breá? I mean, we never talked about kids or anything when we were together. Is this what you want?" He was the third guy to ask me that question. With Joe and Ranger, I may have loved them but I couldn't see either of them doing the family thing with me. I wanted that and more with Zero.

"You are the only man who I want this with. I love you and I love our son. He may not have been planned, but he is most definitely wanted, at least by me. The question is...do you want this? I can't take it back so if you don't want kids, then you can't have me." I looked into his eyes and prayed that he wanted us...that he wanted me.

"I love you so much Stephanie. I never thought I would ever love someone else even half as much until I met him. I love you both more than anything else. Never question how much I want you both in my life." I saw the truth in his words behind his eyes.

"I love you too, Noah." He smiled a full smile at me. I guess he missed hearing his name just as much as I missed saying it.

We spent the rest of that day together as a family. AJ napped off-and-on on both of us and Zero and I spent hours just talking about our plans. We wanted to be together, but we wanted to give the relationship a real chance. I wanted him to move in with me, but he decided to go back to RangeMan for a while. He wanted to take me out and do everything that boyfriends did.

After a dinner of delivery Chinese food, Zero announced that it was time for him to go. So after a passionate filled goodbye kiss, one of the guys picked him up so I wouldn't have to take AJ out at night. When I finally got AJ settled in his crib, I fell into bed exhausted - mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Sleep came immediately and I was able to sleep soundly in between the feedings. When I rolled out of bed the next morning I felt well rested, alive and happy. It was going to be a good day.

I didn't have any plans for the day and had originally thought that I would spend it inside with AJ. I guess Zero had other plans because my phone ringing that morning startled me from my morning musings and woke up AJ. I answered the phone before taking care of the crying baby.

"Hello?" I tried really hard to not sound pissed off, but not sure I pulled it off.

"Steph? Is everything okay?" Zero sounded worried because I'm sure he could hear AJ crying in the background.

"Everything's fine. Just getting ready to feed your son. He's a little impatient this morning." I chuckled when I heard him let out a sigh of relief.

"Sounds just like you in the morning." He laughed. "I was on my way over there and thought I better call first. I don't know your schedule. Is it okay if I come over for the day?" God he was so cute.

"You can come over anytime you want. I even have an extra key for you so you don't have to pick the locks." He laughed.

"I'll stop by the Tasty Pastry on my way. Any requests." If I didn't love him before, I sure as hell did at that moment.

"You know what I like, sexy." Oh snap. Where did that sexy kitten voice come from? I heard him growl and swear under his breath.

"You bet I do. I'll be there soon. I love you." He hung up before I could respond but I didn't really care. I really enjoyed hearing those three words from him.

I hung up and got AJ's needs taken care of and put him in his mini RangeMan uniform because Zero would get a kick out of it. He looked like a mini version of his father and it made me laugh seeing him dressed in black cargos and a tight black T-shirt

I was sitting in my normal couch position feeding AJ when I heard the locks tumble on my door. I should have been worried, but I wasn't because I knew it was Zero. Sure enough, a few seconds after I heard the door close he walked into the living room carrying a white pastry box. My two favorite things - my sexy man and donuts.

"Didn't want to wait for me to answer the door this morning, huh?" He smiled.

"Nah, I wanted to test the locks to see how good they are. They're really nice. It took me awhile to get them unlocked." I rolled my eyes and pulled AJ off my breast. He was almost asleep and I still needed to burp him. Zero took him from my arms and replaced him with the white box. I opened the box to see a dozen Boston Creme donuts. I moaned before I even tasted one. Zero was walking around with AJ on his shoulder trying to get him to burp. It was a touching sight to see.

"What are your plans for this week and next?" He interrupted my moans with his question. Plans for next week, sheesh? I barely had plans for the next hour.

"I've got none. What's on your agenda?" He smiled and then sat beside me wiping a dollop of crème off my lip. He stuck the finger with the sugary goodness into his mouth and I moaned louder than normal. It had been a long time since my last orgasm and that was almost to much for me to see.

"I was hoping that you and AJ would be able to go to California and Oregon with me to see my family. My brother and his wife are hosting Thanksgiving dinner early and invited me. I haven't told them about you or AJ and I thought it would be a good surprise." Oh my god. He wanted me to meet his family? Shit, shit, shit!

"Don't freak out. They're going to love you, just like I do." He kissed my lips suddenly I would agree to just about anything now.

"That sounds like fun. Are we flying or driving?" AJ was a good travel baby, but I wasn't sure how he would like a cross-country drive.

"Ranger offered the use of the company jet. It would be easier to use it instead of commercial flights or driving. What do you think?" I really wanted to go with him so I nodded and smiled at the gorgeous man beside me.

"Private jet sounds fun. When do we leave?" He smiled at me and kissed me again.

"Tomorrow morning. We can go see your parents today if you'd like. I would like to introduce myself to them properly." I couldn't believe that he was volunteering to go to my parents. All the guys avoided my parents like the plague. Well, maybe it's just my grandma they avoided.

"Sounds great. Can you watch him while I get ready?" I pointed to the sleeping baby in his arms.

"Of course. Take your time. I'll talk to my son." I stood from the couch and paused to kiss him deeply on the lips before making my way into my bedroom.

I took my time in the shower, enjoying the freedom. I'm used to rushing so AJ isn't left alone very long, but since Zero was here; I indulged myself. I got dressed and fixed my hair and makeup. I didn't do a whole lot of primping those days - I just didn't care what people thought of me anymore.

I walked back into the living room to hear Zero talking to AJ who was awake and looking at him intently. I decided to eavesdrop on their private conversation. I missed the first half of what he said, but the second half made me cry.

"...so scared that I'm going to be a bad father. I mean, I'm not dad material. I do bad things for money. That's not something that a good father does. However, I'm never going to leave you or mommy. I promise you that I'm going to do the best that I can. I promise to always be there when either of you need me. I promise to protect you both at all costs. I will never let anything bad happen to you. I might not be the best daddy in the world, but I'll always love you and mommy. I can promise you that. You have the best mommy in the world. She's smart and beautiful and she has the biggest heart that I've ever seen in someone. She loves unconditionally. She is the love of my life and if you promise to keep a secret, I'll tell you something important." He paused and tickled AJ under his chubby chin. AJ smiled and wiggled in his lap.

"I'm going to ask mommy to marry me. You think she'll say yes?...Good, I think so too. All I have to do if figure out the perfect time to do it. Will you help me?" I walked back to my room and sat on my bed. Was I ready for marriage? Damn straight! When Joe used to mention marriage, I would start hyperventilating and run away. It surprised me that I didn't feel any of that when I heard Zero talk about marriage. I didn't want to run away from him, I wanted to run to him and say yes right now.

I wiped the tears away and tried to fix my make up so Zero wouldn't know I had been crying. I didn't want to admit that I overheard his conversation. I got myself taken care of and made sure to make noise when I walked out of my room that time.

"Alright. I'm ready if my boys are." Zero stood and smiled at me.

"I'm ready, but I think your son needs a diaper change. That last smile he gave me came with some rumblings down below." I laughed out loud and took AJ from Zero and walked back to the nursery to change him. Zero watched us from the doorway taking in everything that I did.

"We're ready now daddy. All clean and fresh." He chuckled as I got AJ buckled into his car seat. I handed Zero the stocked diaper bag and ushered us all out the door.

We walked down to the parking lot together and I headed toward my car since that is where the base was buckled in but Zero guided me toward the RangeMan SUV.

"Ranger bought the same car seat so there is always a base in an SUV for us to use. He told me that was the job of the Godfather." Oh snap. I forgot about that.

"Are you mad that I asked him to be AJ's Godfather?" I really expected him to be upset but he shook his head.

"Nope. It makes sense. Ranger and I had a long talk last night when I got back to the office. We came to some understandings." I didn't ask for the details because I'm not sure I wanted to know what those understandings were.

The drive to my parents was quiet. My hand rested comfortably in Zero's and AJ snored lightly from the back seat. My mom and grandma were waiting for us outside when we parked at the curb. I'll never understand how they did that.

"Stephanie. It's so good to see you and AJ." Mom was nearly bouncing on her toes. "And this must be Noah. It's a pleasure to meet you young man. Come in and bring that adorable baby with you." My mom and grandma walked back into the house and Zero and I stood on the porch shocked.

"Thank you, Mrs. Plum. It's a pleasure to finally meet you and Mrs. Mazur. I know where Stephanie gets her beauty now." Both women blushed and I rolled my eyes.

"Please call me Helen, son. Come in and get comfortable. I'll get us some drinks." We walked into the living room and my dad hopped up out of his chair.

"Dad, this is Noah Wilson. Noah, my dad Frank Plum." They shook hands and then dad reached for AJ in the seat.

"Pleasure to meet you son. Now, let me see my grandson." I laughed and watched as my dad unbuckled and picked up the bundle.

"Pleasure is mine, Mr. Plum. You've got a great daughter.'

"I know and you both created a great kid. Call me Frank." Zero nodded and sat beside me on the couch. Grandma plopped down beside him.

"You can call me kitten because I'm feeling a little frisky." I tried to stifle a laugh when I felt him shudder.

"Grandma, please leave Noah alone. You can be frisky with any other guy." He grabbed my knee and squeezed in a silent thanks.

"Okay, baby girl. Only because he belongs to you." She stood and walked to the kitchen to help mom.

We stayed all day and enjoyed lunch with my family. Surprisingly there weren't any rude comments or mention of marriage. My parents seemed to love Noah and he seemed to fit right in with them. Grandma even behaved herself. I was truly impressed.

We bowed out of dinner, saying that we had plans even though we didn't. We decided to go to Pino's as a family for dinner. We sat ourselves in the back booth with Zero's back to the wall and AJ beside him and me and on the other side.

It seemed like everyone stopped to welcome me home and to congratulate me on the baby. Everyone was friendly to Zero and congratulated him on AJ too. It was a surreal experience, but it also made us feel like a real family.

Joe and Karen came in right as we were done and stopped to say hi. I could feel the tension between Zero and Joe right off the bat.

"Hi, Cupcake. How are you and my little guy today?" Way to escalate the tension Joe.

"Hey Joe. We're great. You remember Zero, right?" Joe offered his hand to Zero and he begrudgingly shook it. The glares they were sending each other were scary to say the least.

"Yeah, I remember him. I'm glad you made it back." Joe addressed Zero but then turned to me. "Everything going okay?" I knew he was fishing for information about Zero's and my relationship, but I wasn't ready to share that just yet.

"Everything's great. How are you doing Karen? Any problems with the pregnancy?" Zero's eyes widened. I guess he didn't know about Joe becoming a dad too. Karen smiled from beside Joe and rubbed her belly.

"I'm great. You really helped a lot with all the advice and tips. Thanks Steph. Joey, I'm going to grab that booth before someone else does." She said goodbye and walked to the only open booth in the place.

"I guess that's my que to go too. It was good to see you, Steph. Zero...take care of them." Joe glared at Zero for a second and then when Zero nodded slightly, he walked to join Karen in their booth.

"Jeeze. You two want to puff your chests out more or maybe whip out your dicks and compare them? I thought Joe and Ranger were bad." I giggled. "You have nothing to worry about, Noah. Joe and I are friends. He's quite happy with Karen." My words seemed to relax him, but I could still tell something was still wrong.

"Let's get AJ home and in bed and we can spend some alone time together." That snapped him out of this jealous haze and he smiled at me. When all else fails, make a guy focus on sex.

Zero paid the bill and we drove quietly to my apartment. Zero watched as I fed and changed AJ and then we put him to bed so we could have our alone time. Zero and I snuggled up together on my couch and immediately his lips were on mine.

"Do you know how much I missed you, Breá?" I couldn't think straight with his lips moving against my skin, so a groan was all he got in response to his question. "I can feel how much you missed me, my love. It's a shame we can't finish what we started." I felt his hardness pressed into my thigh and I moaned again.

"You're evil, Noah Wilson." He laughed and kissed me on the forehead.

"Maybe, but you love me anyway." I smiled and rested my head over his heart. I did love him. I loved him more than I ever thought possible. For the first time in my life, I felt complete. I had the love of a great man and I had an amazing son. What more could a girl ask for?

A/N - What did you think? Let me know, good...bad...or ugly. We've only got about six more chapters to go. The next few will be with Zero's family on the West Coast. I should have the next chapter up tomorrow. : )