Disclaimer: Characters don't belong to me. I'm just playing with them for a bit.

Thank you all for the reviews! I love to read your thoughts on each chapter!

Still no beta so please excuse all of my mistakes.

Lifetime of Love

Chapter 17

Lunch the next day was planned at a local café with Zero's mom and her husband. I woke up to a screaming baby and no sign of my fiancé. He appeared a minute later with a very upset AJ. I glanced at the clock and realized that he had slept longer than usual and was probably more than ready for food.

I dashed to the bathroom quickly and then settled back in bed. Zero handed me the crying baby and I immediately latched on to my breast. It suddenly dawned on me that I hadn't gotten up to feed him in the night like normal. Zero saw my internal thoughts and put my mind at ease.

"I heard him stirring around 0330 and grabbed one of the bottles. I hope that's okay. I wanted you to sleep longer and I enjoyed feeding him." My eyes softened. If he wanted to get up in the middle of the night for feeding, I'll pump more bottles for him. I liked my sleep.

"I don't mind. Thank you. I'll pump more bottles if you want to do it more often." His smile told me that he would enjoy that so I made a mental note to have one done for tonight. Momma was getting to sleep.

"What time do we need to leave for lunch?" I hopefully had enough time for a long soak in the gigantic bathtub.

"We'll leave here about 1230. The café is right down the road so we don't have to rush. There will be plenty of time for you to pamper yourself in my bathroom. I'll watch the little man." I smiled and stretched to kiss him on the lips. He really was a great man.

After AJ was done feasting, I passed him off to his capable daddy and locked myself in the bathroom. I spent a good two hours in the luxurious bathtub. It was heaven.

After I was fully relaxed and somewhat resembled a prune (yuck), I climbed out of the tub and decided it was time to re-enter reality. I had a kid to take care of after all, I can't sit in a bath tub all day.

Zero had AJ dressed in his mini RangeMan uniform and he looked yummy in old jeans and one of his thin Army T-shirts. I took his outfit to mean that lunch was casual so I dressed in jeans and a deep blue wrap shirt. My bigger breasts were on display in the top, but from the look on Zero's face he appreciated the show so I decided to just go with it.

I fed AJ right before we left for the café so hopefully he would sleep all through the lunch. Zero hustled us all out the door only ten minutes behind schedule. I swear it wasn't my fault, it was my hormones.

It was warm there for November so when we got the café, Zero saw his mom and her husband sitting outside on the patio. He glanced to me as if asking if it was okay to sit outside. I chuckled and nodded. AJ was wrapped warmly in the blanket and wouldn't even notice we were outside.

I wasn't as nervous today about meeting his mom. His dad had reassured me the night before that everything would be fine. I seemed to trust him. Although when a gorgeous woman approached us with a smile on her face, I felt apprehension grow in my stomach. She never took her eyes off her son and didn't even notice me standing behind him.

"Noah! It is so good to see you." She took him into his arms and hugged him tightly. She pulled away and kissed both of his cheeks and then promptly wiped off the lipstick that she left behind.

Zero hugged her back and was about to introduce us when she finally noticed me standing behind her son holding a car seat.

"Oh, I'm sorry dear. Let me move my son so you can go by." She pulled Zero to the side and looked puzzled when I didn't walk past the two.

"Mom. She's with me." Zero pulled me into his side and kissed my head. "This is Stephanie Plum and our son Allen Jacob, AJ for short." Tears filled her eyes as she looked at me and at her grandson. "Steph, this is my mom Mary and her husband Paul is standing at the table."

Mary didn't say anything. She let the tears fall and I was afraid that we upset her with the surprise.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Mary. Noah's told me so much about you." I tried to break her out of her stupor but it didn't work. She still just stood there crying silently.

"Mom?" Zero touched her arm, still nothing. He looked at me and shrugged. He motioned Paul over. Maybe he could help.

"Paul, mom got a shock and won't move." Zero chuckled when Paul hung his head. I guess that was normal?

"MARY! Snap out of it." Paul snapped his fingers in front of her face and she seemed to snap out of whatever trance she was in.

"SON? ALLEN NOAH WILSON...what do you mean you have a son? And is this the Stephanie that we've heard so much about?" I swear Zero blushed and sighed.

"Can we sit down, and Steph and I will tell you the story?" Mary seemed to gather her composure quickly and nodded. She walked quickly back to the table and sat waiting for us to join.

I had to whisper to Zero as we walked over. "You got the full name. You're in trouble." He chuckled and kissed me above my ear.

"If I'm in trouble then so are you." Shit, I guess he was right.

We sat at the table with Mary and Paul. AJ was squirming in the seat so I pulled him out and held him in my arms. The second Mary laid eyes on him, the hardness that was in her face melted and she reached out for her grandson.

"Good distraction, Breá. Remind me to reward you later." Zero wiggled his eyebrows at me and I wished that I was able to receive his rewards, but alas. I still had three weeks left of no sex. GAH!

"Start talking Noah. I want every detail and I want to know why I wasn't informed of this earlier." Mary never took her eyes off AJ, but her voice was firm.

We started the story from the beginning and when it was my turn to take over, I apologized profusely. It was my fault that no one in Zero's family knew about AJ, because he didn't even know. After we were both done telling our tail, everyone at the table fell silent.

"That's quite a story. I'm glad you two have decided to give a relationship a chance." Paul spoke first and slapped Zero on the back. "He's a good-looking kid. You both should be proud."

Mary still hadn't said anything to us and wouldn't even look at us. I was worried that I had offended her or upset her someway. Finally, she looked at me and spoke again.

"Stephanie. Do you love my son?" Her hazel eyes pierced mine and she looked at me expecting an answer.

"Mary, I love Noah more than I ever thought possible. I know you must think we rushed things and that we're only getting married because of AJ. But I can assure you that once I let your son into my life, I didn't want to let him go. You have raised an amazing kid and I love him more today than I did yesterday, but nowhere near as much as I will tomorrow." I was looking in Zero's eyes when I spoke and he was staring into mine. I guess whatever Mary saw between us was enough to convince her because he smiled widely and stood to pull me into a hug. She passed AJ to Paul, who took him willingly, as her arms came around me. She hugged me tight and whispered into my ear.

"He's loved you for a long time, Stephanie. Thank you for loving him back. Welcome to the family." I pulled away and smiled at her.

After that, we all fell into comfortable conversations as we ate our lunch. Paul held AJ as he tried to eat, which was comical to watch. I learned that he never had his own children, so getting to be in AJ's life meant a lot to him. We were all enjoying our desserts when the subject of a wedding was brought up.

"So, when's the big day? I hope I get to attend the wedding." Mary was serious, but her eyes were sparkling.

"We haven't discussed it yet. I just proposed last night. And of course, you'll be invited. It will probably be in Trenton so you all will have to travel." Zero took my hand and squeezed it.

"Does your father know?" Mary looked hopeful.

"He met Stephanie and AJ last night, but he doesn't know about the proposal. We'll tell him when we see him at Luke's house. I haven't told Luke anything." Mary smiled.

"Oh, this is going to be fun. Paul, honey, we have to get to Luke's house early that day. I want a ring side seat for the show." Paul smiled and nodded. AJ fussed in his arms and I realized that he was probably getting hungry. We were done with lunch so we excused ourselves so we cold go home and feed the baby. Mary and Paul gave us both hugs and kisses and we left them sitting at the table on the patio. Zero and I took our son home. I needed some cuddle time with my two guys after that lunch.

The next three days went by in a blur. We spent the days exploring Zero's hometown and meeting numerous friends of his from high school.

The day we met his best friend's widow and son was hardest. She is still struggling with her husband's death and I could see the disappointment in her eyes when Zero introduced me as his fiancé. I got the impression that she thought she would be his someday. While Zero was in the backyard playing with her son, Michael, and AJ, I took the opportunity to talk to her.

"You love him don't you?" I could see the look in her eyes when she looked at Zero. It was the same look that I had. I should have been angry or jealous, but I couldn't feel any of that toward her.

"Yes, and I'm so sorry. It's just, growing up it was always Michael, Noah and Me." She wiped a tear off her face. "When Michael and Noah joined the Army and left me here, I about died. I hated it, but when I found out I was pregnant and Michael and I got married; I just knew that I would be happy." She stopped talking and I laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. I knew this had to be hard for her.

"When I got the word that Michael had died, I think my heart died that day too. The only reason I'm still alive today is because of that kid out there. If I didn't have him, then there would be no reason for me to live." I stayed quiet hoping she would keep talking. It seemed like she needed to get all of this out.

"After Noah was discharged he came to see me. I begged him not to leave me too, but he said he had a job in Trenton. He never loved me like I did him, and that's okay. I was holding on to some stupid dream of a happy ending for us, but it's never going to happen." She wiped a few more tears away.

"I'm sorry for loving your fiancé, Stephanie. We've talked throughout the years and he's told me all about you. I knew when he started telling me stories about you that I had lost him. I knew that you two would end up together one day. He's a good man and he loves you." She turned to me and took my hands in hers.

"You don't have to apologize, Shelly. I can understand why you love him. He's an amazing man and an amazing father. I am a very lucky woman." She nodded and I pulled her into a hug.

"I'm sorry that your dream is ending, but maybe this will be good for you. Find someone to love that will love you back the same way." I felt her sob and held her as she cried. I did my best to comfort her, but I really had no clue what else to say.

Zero came into the house a few minutes later with a crying AJ. I guess it was dinner time for him.

"Someone's hungry for a boob." Zero stopped dead in his tracks when he saw Shelly and I embracing. I pulled away and took my son to the living room to feed him. I gave Zero and Shelly some privacy to talk. I trusted him.

Whatever he said to her during their conversation worked, because they came into the living room laughing about thirty minutes later.

"I'm sorry for my break down, Steph. Can I hold AJ before you guys leave?" I waved my hand in dismissal of her apology and handed the sleeping baby to her. She smiled and winked at me and I knew she was going to be fine.

We left with promises to keep in touch and I hoped that she and I could become close friends. She needed people in her life and I wanted to be there for her.

AJ slept the entire way to the house and Zero and I were silent. Both in our own thoughts. When Zero parked the SUV in the driveway he didn't turn the car off right away so I didn't make a move to get out. I could tell he needed to say something.

"Thank you for what you said to Shelly." He didn't look at me and I could see the worry on his face.

"I didn't really say that much to her. I didn't know how to comfort her." He glanced at me and then turned away.

"When Michael died, it just about killed both of us. She didn't tell you the whole story of when I went to see her after I got discharged." He looked down ashamed and I knew that I wasn't going to like this story.

"I think I led her on during that visit. I let the grief we were both feeling overwhelm us and we found comfort in each other. I used her for a night of release and she took it to mean more than it was." His head was hanging in shame. You could feel the regret and disgust pouring off him.

"I tried to explain it to her before I left and I had no idea that she's held on to the hope of us being together for so long. I never meant to hurt her." I touched his arm and he raised his eyes up to me.

"She understands now and that's all that matters. She'll be able to move on and find someone." He looked away from me and I had to ask the question that was nagging at me.

"Did you ever love her?" Zero's eyes snapped to mine and they got wide. He was quiet for several minutes.

"When I was younger, I thought I did. She always chose Michael, so she was never an option for me. What I thought was love doesn't even compare to how I feel for you, Stephanie. Please believe that." He honestly thought I would be upset with him. I stroked my hand down his worried face.

"Thank you for being honest, but I'm not mad. It would be hypocritical for me to be upset by that admission. Just last year, I thought I loved two totally different men. There is no judgment from me on this subject. I know you love me and you know that I love you. That's all that matters." His features softened and he smiled that damn crooked smile that made my panties go from dry to ruined in 2.5 seconds.

"You are an amazing woman, Stephanie Plum and I can't wait to make you my wife." He leaned over and gently kissed my lips. I let myself get lost in the kiss and felt his tongue trace around my lips. I moaned and opened my mouth for him to explore and threaded my fingers through his short hair.

His hands ran down my arms and around my back, pulling me closer to him. The heat in the car was raising quickly and I knew I needed to put a stop to it, but it felt so damn good.

Zero pulled me across the console and I straddled his lap in the driver's seat. His hands were massaging my ass through my jeans and causing me to grind myself against his growing erection. His kisses continued down my face and throat and in a second my shirt was ripped off me. His tongue traced the swell of my swollen breasts above my bra.

I was so lost in the sensations that I almost didn't hear AJ crying in the backseat. His little cries broke us out of our lust filled haze and we hesitantly pulled away from each other. Both breathing heavy.

"We better get the little guy inside." I whispered huskily.

"Okay." That was all Zero said as he slipped my shirt back over my head and sat me back into the passenger seat. I watched him not so discreetly adjust himself with a deep sigh. I couldn't suppress my giggle.

"Just about two and a half more weeks, baby. Then we can play." Zero looked at me pained and nodded. I might need to take care of my man tonight. It's not fair to leave him so uncomfortable.

After we ate a late dinner and got AJ fed and settled down, I used that time to do just what I said I would. I took care of my man. He didn't even have time to object before he was spilling his hot cum down my throat.

I left him surprised and spent on the couch as I rushed to the bathroom to get ready for bed. If Zero kept up his promise, he would take care of feeding AJ in the middle of the night. After what I just did for him, I think I could get him to do just about anything for me.

I was just getting comfortable in bed when he entered the bedroom and dropped a heated kiss on my lips.

"Paybacks are a bitch, Breá. When the restrictions are lifted, you need to watch out." I laughed at his back going into the bathroom. I was looking forward to paybacks. They may be a bitch, but I'm going to enjoy every second of them.

Zero joined me in bed and we snuggled together under the covers. I curled my body into his side and rested my head on his shoulder and my hand over his heart. His hand lazily stroked up and down my spine. I heard a long sigh escape his lips and knew that something was bothering him.

"Deep thoughts? Care to share them?" I whispered into the silent night. His hand stilled briefly and then started its path up my back again.

"I was just thinking about Shelly." It was my turn to still. Laying in bed with your fiancé wasn't the time to bring up old lovers. Zero caught my unease. He squeezed me tighter and kissed the top of my head.

"Don't worry, my love. Shelly said something to me earlier that got me thinking."

"What did she say?" Whatever it was had Zero thinking awfully hard. He was silent for several minutes and then spoke again.

"She told me that she knew that I loved you years ago just from hearing me talk about you. My mom and dad said similar things so I was just thinking how transparent I must have been." I tried to hide a giggle, but think I failed.

"I wonder if the guys caught on too and if they did, why didn't any of them say something to me? I wonder if Ranger saw and knew." He sounded worried, but it's not like any of this mattered. If they didn't know back then, they certainly did now.

"Why does it matter? I know that you love me now and that's all I care about." Zero was quiet again for a bit. I was almost asleep when his voice startled me awake.

"If they all could see it, why couldn't you? Did you even notice me or were you too wrapped up in Ranger and Joe?" I could hear the animosity as he said the two names. Where was that shit coming from. I propped myself up on my elbow so that I could look into his eyes.

"I didn't truly see you until Valentine's Day. I was stupid and only focused on men who couldn't give me what I wanted or deserved. You know how much Joe and Ranger mean to me and you know my history with each of them. I won't apologize for how I feel about them, but I will say that I'm sorry for not noticing you before." I smiled but Zero just stared straight ahead into the dark room.

"Do you love them more than you do me?" I could hear the pain in his voice. I didn't know what else I had to do or say to prove to him that he was the one that I chose.

"What you and I have together is so far beyond anything that I felt for them. You are the only one for me. I'm sorry it took me so long to realize that but we can't go back and change the past. Not that I would because everything worked out perfectly. We have AJ and we have each other." He still didn't look at me, but his eyes closed as I spoke to him. I could tell that he was digesting what I said at least.

"Let's go to sleep and we can talk about this another time, okay? I'm exhausted and you look beat too." I reached up and kissed his rough cheek before settling back into his embrace.

He didn't say anything else that night and I eventually heard him fall asleep. Sleep for me didn't come so easily. I wracked my brain trying to figure out what I did to make him doubt my feelings for him. I had no clue where the thoughts were coming from but it was something that we needed to tackle soon. Having your fiancé doubt your love for him wasn't the best feeling.

A/N - Just a few more chapters to go! Zero's insecurities are starting to show. Who do you think is going to set him straight?