Disclaimer: Still not mine.

Thank you all for your reviews. I love to hear what you readers think about my chapters. Even though this story is fully written, they still encourage me to post quickly.

No beta so please ignore my mistakes.

Warning for a little bit of smut.

Lifetime of Love

Chapter 18

Sleep did not come quickly for me. I laid awake for what seemed like hours thinking about the questions Zero asked. I had no idea where his insecurities came from and I didn't know what to do to make them better. I woke up the next morning wrapped in Zero's arms. His chest was pressed firmly into my back and he was snuggled up tightly behind me. I could feel his warm breath blowing on the back of my neck. I sighed and rolled out of bed to take care of my business before AJ woke up. I wanted to let Zero sleep in a little since he's been up in the middle of the night for the past couple days.

I finished my duties and walked quietly to the nursery to see my son. AJ was awake and looking around at the things in his crib. It amazed me how observant and aware of his surroundings he was even as an infant. The minute I walked up to his crib, he looked at me and smiled. I picked him up and got him changed and sat comfortably in the rocking chair to nurse him.

That day was Thanksgiving dinner at Zero's brother's. We had to leave soon because Zero wanted to have time to visit with him before the dinner. He didn't get to see his brother often and I could tell that he missed him.

After AJ was done eating, I got him dressed and ready to go before I slipped quietly into the bathroom. Zero was still sleeping and I wanted to let him rest as long as possible.

I took a long shower and got myself totally clean. I dressed in a gorgeous wrap dress that I had bought when I was pregnant. Since it was wrap around, I was able to just tighten it when I lost my stomach. It was the same color as my eyes and looked amazing on me. I got my hair and make-up fixed and realized that I needed to wake up my fiancé. That's so weird to think about, but I liked the sound of it. I walked to the bed and bent to kiss him on his lips. He didn't move so I decided on another tactic. He began to stir when my tongue traced down his jaw and his eyes popped open when I sucked on his pulse point.

"Good morning sexy. You need to get up and get ready or else we'll be late." I guess he hadn't planned on sleeping late because he was immediately awake and out of bed.

"Shit Steph, why didn't you wake me sooner. I wanted to leave early." His voice was hard and angry. I tried to count to ten so I wouldn't snap at him, but I'm not sure it worked.

"You were exhausted and needed to sleep. We still have plenty of time. AJ and I are ready to go." He looked at me for the first time and his face softened slightly.

"I'm sorry, Steph. I don't want to argue today. I'm going to hop in the shower and I'll be ready soon." He kissed me quickly and made his escape into the bathroom. I had a feeling he was going to need some extra time in there so I left the bedroom to finish packing AJ's diaper bag.

Exactly ten minutes later, Zero strode out of the bedroom dressed in black dress pants and a button up shirt that matched my dress perfectly. He looked good enough to eat and I might have moaned and licked my lips, but since he didn't notice it doesn't count.

"Ready to go?" I nodded and picked up AJ's car seat and handed it to Zero while I picked up the diaper bag.

The drive to Oregon only took about 2 hours, which we made in silence. I could tell Zero was thinking about things and would talk when he was ready. I didn't want to push him and piss him off more. It was a beautiful drive so I stared out the window at the passing beauty. We pulled into a massive house and parked in the circle drive in front of the huge front door.

"What does your brother do for a living? This house is huge." I looked around awestruck at my surroundings. Zero chuckled.

"What's your favorite football team?" Zero looked at me with a glint in his eyes.

"New York Jets, of course. Why?" I was curious now because his smile grew.

"My brother's the starting quarterback for the San Francisco 49'rs." He laughed when my eyes bugged out at him.

"No shit?" That's all I could come up with to say at that moment in time. To say I was shocked would have been an understatement.

"No shit. He's got a game on Thanksgiving day, that's why we're having dinner early." Zero chuckled and shook his head at my reaction. I couldn't help it. I had never met a pro-athlete before.

Zero hopped out of the SUV and quickly grabbed AJ out of the backseat. I met him around the SUV and we walked toward the front door together. Now, I was nervous. Zero didn't bother knocking, he just opened the door and walked in. I could hear the TV on in a room and kitchen noises from another area.

"Wait here." Zero placed the car seat on the floor beside me and snuck into the what I assumed was the living room. I couldn't see what was going on, but after a few seconds I heard yelling, the sounds of wrestling, and then laughing. Zero walked out a few minutes later with I swear his twin behind him. His brother was younger and had a smaller build, but the face was the same and so were the eyes.

"Stephanie, this is my brother Luke. Luke, this is the love of my life and my fiancé, Stephanie Plum." Luke's eyes got big and then he smiled that same damn crooked grin that his brother has. Panties ruined and there was nothing I could do about it.

"It is a pleasure to finally meet the famous Stephanie Plum." Luke pulled me into a hug and noticed the car seat beside me. Zero noticed his realization too.

"That is your nephew AJ or Allen Jacob." Luke squatted down and moved the blanket off AJ's face.

"No shit? You a dad?" Luke hugged Zero again and motioned us into the living room.

We all got comfortable on the couches with AJ resting in Luke's arms and Zero's arms wrapped around me. We were in the middle of telling Luke about how we came together when a gorgeous woman entered the room holding a baby about three months older than AJ.

"Noah! It's so good to see you again." Zero stood up and hugged her and took the baby from her arms. He sat back down and ignored introducing me to her. He was too wrapped up with his niece.

"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Luke's wife, Harmony and that bundle in Noah's arms is Katie." I stood and shook her hand.

"I'm Stephanie, Noah's fiancé. And the bundle in Luke's arms is our son AJ." Her eyes got wide and she sat beside her husband.

"You're THE Stephanie?" Harmony asked and Noah rolled his eyes. I giggled and nodded while looking at the man beside me.

"Okay, start over from the beginning. I think I missed something." Harmony giggled and took AJ from her husband.

We started our story over and by the time we were done, both babies were wide awake and ready for food. Harmony showed me to a private room to feed AJ and she got Katie's bottle ready. Zero got to feed her, while I took care of our son.

I was just about done feeding when Harmony came in to see if I needed anything.

"God, he's a gorgeous kid. You guys did good." She chuckled as she watched him eat.

"Thanks. Katie is beautiful. You guys are going to be in trouble when she's older." Harmony rolled her eyes and nodded.

"Don't I know it! So how was your delivery?" I should feel weird talking about this with her, but she was so easy to talk to that information just poured out of me easily.

"Delivery went fine. No problems. The hardest part is the no sex for six weeks." She laughed out loud and nodded.

"Oh, I know. Luke and I found ways to make getting release fun and exciting." I thought she was just talking about her husband.

"I've helped Noah a couple of times, but I can't wait until I can finally get some assistance; if you know what I mean." I laughed and burped AJ.

"You don't have to wait honey. As long as there is no penetration, you are good to go. Luke became a master at helping me find release without causing pain or discomfort." I must have looked shocked because she laughed and shook her head.

"Oh honey. Trust me. Let Noah touch you and stimulate your clit. Don't go around the hole, but you don't need to. It will help, trust me." I smiled and got a wicked gleam in my eye. Maybe my release would come sooner than later.

"I didn't know I could do that, Thanks." I stood and followed Harmony out of the room. We found the guys in the living room with both sets of parents. I passed AJ off to Allen and sat on the couch beside Melody.

Dinner was amazing. It was great for all of us to be together. The guys talked about sports (football of course) and the women talked about babies and how silly our husbands are. I got to meet Noah's two half-sisters, Hillary and Ashley. They were twins and still in high-school and from the sounds of it, they are both going to be amazing tennis players one day. Watch out Venus and Serena!

After the dinner was over and everyone was packing up to head to their respected homes, Mary and Melody pulled me aside into the downstairs den.

"We have a present for you. We're not going to be able to be there for your wedding shower, but we wanted you to have these." They handed me a small box and I opened it. Inside was a beautiful strand of gorgeous grey pearls. The intricacy of the necklace between each pearl took my breath away.

"Those belonged to Noah's great-great-grandmother. Her husband, Allen Mason, bought them for her for an anniversary present. She gave them to her soon-to-be daughter-in-law who married her son Allen Charles. You see, every generation has an Allen and those pearls are given to the bride to be that he chooses to marry." I was stunned. The pearls were perfect and I was honored that they gave them to me.

"Both of us have worn them at our weddings to Allen Lucas, and we felt you deserve to wear them next." Melody smiled and hugged me then Mary wrapped her arms around both of us and I couldn't help the tears that fell out.

"Thank you both so much. It would be an honor to wear them." I wiped the tears from my eyes and watched the other women do the same.

"Now, when Allen Jacob picks his bride you must pass the pearls down to her." I didn't want to even think about that day, but I nodded. I would honor this tradition and pass them down to his bride when the time came.

Zero found us in the den and smiled when he saw the pearls. He kissed both women before gathering me into his strong arms.

"You ready to go, Breá?" I nodded and hugged everyone again before we left. It was a sad goodbye, but I knew we would see them all again for the wedding.

I fell in love with Noah's family that day. They readily accepted me into their family and I was honored to become a part of it. I was looking forward to becoming a Wilson and hoped that I made them proud.

I fell asleep on the drive back to the house. Zero didn't seem to mind, he was always in his zone when he drove anyway. He shook me awake when we pulled into the driveway and I pulled myself out of the SUV and into the house.

"Why don't you get ready for bed and I'll get AJ changed. You can feed him and then go to sleep." Zero kissed me and walked off toward the nursery.

Harmony's words from earlier came back to me and suddenly I wasn't so tired. I cleaned myself up and positioned myself in bed. I was just wearing a pair of panties. T-shirts made it difficult to feed AJ so I didn't bother.

Zero brought me the hungry baby and I positioned him comfortably to eat. Zero took the opportunity to get ready for bed and came out of the bathroom in only a pair of boxers. God he was a gorgeous man. I felt myself getting hot and I knew I needed his help that night.

After AJ was done eating, Zero took him and placed him in the nursery. I heard him through the baby monitor singing an Irish lullaby and even though I couldn't understand the words, the emotion in his voice brought tears to my eyes.

I was still sitting up in bed when Zero came back into the room.

"I thought you'd already be asleep." He looked at me shocked.

"Nope. I found out something interesting from your sister-in-law tonight." He grimaced and shook his head.

"I swear, whatever she told you wasn't my fault. Luke always tried to blame me for the stupid things he did." I laughed.

"No silly. She told me that my doctor wasn't being fully honest with me." He looked at me confused.

"It seems that I am allowed to climax as long as there is no penetration." His eyes turned dark and he started to crawl up the bed towards me.

"I guess that means I get to play a little tonight?" His voice was deep and just the vibrations against my body almost made me cum.

"Guess so...or if you don't want to, I can take matters in my own hands." I heard him growl and he immediately latched his lips onto mine. The kiss was hungry and demanding. His tongue was greedily tasting every inch of my mouth. I moaned into his mouth and pressed my body into his. I needed this so bad. It's been too damn long.

Zero pulled his mouth away from mine and started kissing down my jaw and neck. He kissed and licked all over my collar-bone and then down to my breasts. He stopped before he got to a nipple.

"Is this okay?" God I didn't care if he didn't. I just wanted to cum. I couldn't speak so all I did was nod frantically.

He laughed and licked around my swollen nipple. His gentle tongue drove me crazy. I was humming with need and he hadn't even touched below my waist. His hand moved lower and hovered right over my sensitive mound. I knew it wasn't going to take much.

"Please touch me Noah." I moaned as his tongue trailed down my stomach and stopped at the top of my panties.

"No penetration, right? I can do whatever to your clit?" I nodded again and I guess he understood because he slowly pulled my panties down and discarded them.

I was moaning and writhing. I needed to cum bad and he was torturing me. He kissed the outer lips around my clit and then flicked it once with his tongue. That sensation almost sent me shooting through the roof. I heard him chuckle and I growled - so not nice.

"Paybacks, my love." Oh god! He was trying to kill me.

He slowly started circling his finger around my swollen nub. Not getting close enough to touch it, but enough to make me crazy. Every once in a while, he would flick it with his tongue. He wasn't giving me what I wanted and I was getting frantic. I moved my hands down to do it myself and he pushed them away.

"I don't think so. This is my job." He pushed my hands underneath my ass with a silent command that they were to stay there. I moaned when his finger went back to tracing circles.

"Please, my love. Let me cum. It's been so damn long and I need this." I didn't care if I was begging. I was desperate!

"How long has it been?" He had no idea.

"My last orgasm was the last time we were together." He stopped his ministrations and looked at me with wide eyes.

"Why didn't you help yourself when you were away?" He sounded amazed or maybe it was astonished.

"Tried, but I guess you ruined me for all other men AND for myself." I sighed. It was the truth. Even my shower massager in Greenville failed. I chalked it up to being pregnant, but I was worried that maybe he really did ruin me.

"Oh baby! Let me help you then." He growled and started seriously working my clit. His finger circling kept getting closer to the nub and the pressure he was using increased . The flicks of his tongue turned to little sucks and I was so close that it was almost painful.

"Oh God, Oh God, Oh God." That was the extent of my sentences. The burning in my stomach was unbearable and the pressure building was just about to blow.

Zero noticed my closeness and whispered "Fly my love," right before he bit down on my clit sending me over the edge in the most intense orgasm ever.

White lights burst from behind my eyes and I screamed his name as I came. I wanted him inside me so bad, but I knew I couldn't have that. Zero stroked my clit lovingly as I came down from my climax. My breathing was shallow and my heartbeat was erratic, but I didn't care. I felt amazing.

Zero kissed my mound one last time before helping me put the panties back on and crawling up to where I was laying. He lovingly kissed my lips and settled me into his arms. I wanted to return the favor, but his actions told me that he didn't expect it nor did he want it.

"Sleep!" He kissed my sweaty head and I fell into a deep sleep. I don't think I had ever slept that soundly.

The next morning dawned early and we had to get up to head back to Trenton. As happy as I was to go home, I was going to miss Zero's family in California. Both of his parents treated me like one of their own and they both made me promise that we would come back to visit often.

After the morning routines were finished, we packed up all of our stuff and drove back to the airport. Once we were seated on the private plane and ready to take off, I let out a deep sigh. Zero could tell something was bothering me, but chose to let me keep silent in my thoughts. For once, I was grateful of the zone that we both found ourselves in.

I knew that I would need to talk to Zero about his insecurities, but I just didn't know how to start. I can tell him every day that I love him, but if he doesn't believe it...what else could I do? How do you convince someone who you love them? I thought about that problem the entire way to Trenton.

When the plane landed at the private airstrip outside Trenton, Zero unbuckled AJ's seat and I gathered our stuff from around the cabin. I wasn't expecting the welcome home party waiting for us, but when we stepped off the plane we were swarmed by most of RangeMan and Joe.

Seeing Ranger and Joe standing at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me brought tears to my eyes. I missed all of my guys. I noticed Zero stiffen when Joe pulled me into his arms and then he about punched him when Joe dropped a kiss on my lips. It was Ranger who stopped Zero from approaching us. I guess we would need to have that conversation sooner than later.

Joe let me go and I stepped into Ranger's embrace.

"Welcome back Babe." Ranger whispered in my ear and kissed me on the side of the head. Zero didn't look any more comfortable with my closeness to Ranger than he did with Joe.

He was pretending to have a conversation with Les, but his eyes tracked my process through all of the guys. I was hugged and kissed by most of the men there. Once everyone had welcomed me home properly, Zero and I loaded in the SUV with AJ and our luggage and headed toward my apartment.

Zero was silent and I could tell he was quietly fuming. His jaw was tense and the knuckles on both of his hands were white. His grip on the steering wheel was likely to break it if he didn't relax.

"You going to tell me why you're so upset?" I tried to sound un-confrontational, but I think I missed my mark because Zero tensed more at my question.

"I would think it was quite clear why I'm so upset." His tone made it clear that he wasn't ready to talk about this so I just sighed and let it go for the moment.

Zero parked in my parking lot and immediately jumped out. He quickly grabbed my bags from the back of the SUV and the diaper bag. I got AJ out and met Zero at the elevator. We rode up silently and I waited in the hall as he checked out my apartment. Pointless, because I have RangeMan security but I wasn't going to piss him off anymore than he already was. He stepped out a few moments later with a hard look on his face.

"It's clear. I might see you tomorrow. I've got some things to do at the office tonight and I need to get in some gym time." He turned and walked away from me without a kiss or even a hug. I stood there dumbstruck. What the hell just happened?

"Noah!" I yelled at his retreating back. He turned and looked at me. "Talk to me. Don't walk away like this." He stared at me for a minute and then slowly walked back to where I was standing at my open door.

"I can't, right now Steph. I can't talk to you because I can't look at you without seeing another man's lips on yours." He stood just out of my reach. He glanced down at our sleeping son and a flash of something crossed his face. He looked at me again and walked away. I watched him walk down the long hallway and then turn to head down the stairs. He didn't look back to us once. Tears fell from my eyes as I walked into my apartment and closed the door.

A/N - Well...Zero just messed up big time. The next chapter is Zero's reality check! Who do you think gets to deliver it? Hopefully you'll find out tomorrow.

I have no idea who the quarterback for the 49's is, but I know it's not who I wrote. I'm using a creative license here. : )