Chapter 12

Stephanie's POV

Arriving in the kitchen I said, "Yum, what are you cooking that smells so darn good Justine?"

Justine laughed, "It's beef tips in wine sauce and vegetables in butter sauce with my Texas chocolate cake."

"Omigosh, John told me about that cake. He said we'd need to eat it in private, I would like it so much."

She laughed, "That is the one. You can get drinks dear. Lucas, you put out the plates and silverware. Lester grab those rolls out of the oven for me."

We all settled in to dinner and really enjoyed each other's company. I felt like I was really with family for the first time in my life, except for Grandma Mazur.

After dinner Les suggested I go have a soak in the tub. He said he would help Justine clean up after dinner.

Lester's POV

I had sent Steph off to soak in the tub and relax. I was helping Justine clean up the dishes. Lucas was talking about his business and asked some questions about ours. He left to go light a fire in the living room and Justine looked at me.

"Lester, I see the same look in your eyes that I saw in Carlos's the first time I met him. You love her too, don't you?"

I sighed, "Mrs. Nash, there is no one man or woman that is not affected by her. There is no other woman like her. Her warmth draws people like a moth to a flame. She is loyal and loving and a fierce friend to those she loves. She's compassionate even to the fugitives she brings in. I can't help but be in love with her. Ranger is my brother but I swear if he messes up with her one more time…"

She hugged me. "There are few people in this world like our Stephanie and she deserves so much more than she has endured. She is so innocent; she doesn't really know the effect that she has on people. You help her and you don't feel guilty about what you give each other during this time. You just remember that your fates have already been written. She is a unique woman with great love for many people and even many men. She is not average and never will be. Yours and hers and Carlos's destinies are already written my son."

This woman was really special. Stephanie had talked about Nash's kindness and I could definitely see where it came from. This woman cared about everyone around her. She drew people in like Steph. I can see how they would be close. I knew a little about Steph's mom and she was known to be a "Stepford Bitch."

I went upstairs to check on Stephanie.

I knocked on the door and it was quiet. I opened the bathroom door and walked in. Steph was asleep in the tub. I grabbed a towel and knelt by the tub and let the water out. I picked her up and wrapped her in the towel.

She was on my lap and her eyes fluttered open. "Les?"

"Shh, I just fetched you out of the tub and I'm going to tuck you in bed. You were asleep and the water was getting cold."

"Kay," she said.

She was wasted; she was so tired. She didn't even care that I was holding her naked. I dried her completely and carried her to her room. I tucked her in and undressed and then got in beside her.

Stephanie's POV

I had another one of those fantasy dreams where I was being pleasured by one of those romance novel guys like that Fabio. But, it wasn't that guy. All those cheesy words were going through my head like his smooth gentle lips and his rough manly fingers and my silken folds and heavenly nub and an explosion of lust and passion. Jeez, I gotta' stop reading those things.

I got up the next morning and made the bed and headed off to the shower. When I took off my panties, I thought shit I really am having wet dreams.

I fired up my turbo and got ready for the day.

Heavenly smells were coming from downstairs again. It was pancakes and sausage and fruit. "Yummy, Justine."

Lester was already eating and grinning. I kissed everyone on the cheek ending with Les. "Morning, Les."

"Good Morning gorgeous, you sleep well?"

"Yes I did. I feel really rested today and ready for my doctor's appointment."

Justine said, "They will probably do an ultrasound today. Do you want to know the baby's sex?"

I was hit with a sudden pang of panic and sadness and terror and I felt sick. No, I don't want to know anything. I don't want to…I don't…I can't… do this. I started to sob and I got up and left the room.

I was lying on the bed crying when Lester opened the door. He came over and settled next to me and put his arm around me. "Gorgeous, you can do this. If you don't want to know any details about the baby that's fine. You have people here that love you and will help you get through this. I am so sorry that Ranger and Nash are not here for you. We all care. Mrs. Nash? How about her for a dream mother?"

I rolled over and laughed. "I know; I love that woman." I touched his sweet face, "Thank you Lester, I love you," and I gently kissed him on the lips. Lester rubbed his hand down my back and deepened the kiss.

I pushed him back. "No Lester, this is just wrong."

He got out of the bed and looked at me. "Well Justine thinks that it isn't. Ranger is not here for you but I am. I would never stand in the way of you and him. He's my brother and I love him too. But, you need someone, you need a man right now to love you and take care of you. He's not here and he didn't come back."

I began to sob again. Just then Justine knocked. She sat down on the bed. "Child, your life is not a normal one. That does not make you bad; it makes you special. I don't know what has happened between you and Ranger. I am as worried about him as you are. But, you take the love and the help that is offered to you right now and don't you feel bad about it. Your health and that of your child's depends on it. If you are meant to be together then you will be together."

"Now come, let's dry those eyes and go see your doctor." She put her hand out to me like a lifeline and I took it. "We'll go and have a nice lunch and Lucas and Lester will go to the office today. We'll stop at the grocery on the way home and get whatever you want for dinner and we'll cook it together. We'll have fun. Okay?"

I said, "Can we make chocolate chip cookies?"

She and Lester both laughed. "Of course we can."

Lester said, "Just don't bring home any of that scrapple shit. I can't watch you eat that. It's against my religion."

"What religion is that Les?" "The Temple of Lester," he beamed.

Justine and I both giggled. "Justine you don't even know how twisted this guy is."

The doctor was nice. Her name was Lucille Jenkins and she was in her early fifties and very warm. She did the ultrasound and Justine told her that I didn't want to know details. I told Justine that she could know if she wanted. She and the technician had worked out a code and Justine was smiling when we left the room.

We went to the grocery store. "Okay, what are you craving dear?"

"Um, I'm thinking meat and tomato sauce and noodles and cookies."

"Okay, I may be from Texas but I make a mean stuffed ziti with tomato sauce and great tollhouse cookies."

"Yum, with some French bread and garlic butter, too?"

"Sounds even better."

"Justine, do you make gravy and biscuits like John?"

"Why, yes I do. That was his favorite breakfast. True comfort food. Would you like me to make that for you tomorrow morning?"

"Would you mind? I know it's a lot of trouble. They were so good though. That was our best morning together."

She looked sad for a moment and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "Gravy and biscuits it is. I love you child."

Tank called to let us know they were en route to Pakistan. We were just into May and I was almost to the uncomfortable stage of my pregnancy. "Tank, I love you guys, please take care."

"No problem doll, we be good." He didn't sound so sure though.

I was sobbing on my bed and I heard the door open and close and the lights turned out. Then I heard the rustle of clothing and felt strong arms enveloping me and then I was riding the white horse without a care. I love those romance novels.

Tank's POV

Karachi, Pakistan 1800 hours

I hate this fucking place. I always have. If there is a place that births evil incarnate, it is this place. How Ranger could stand to be here any longer than necessary is the big fucking question. What the hell was going on? This guy never lost his shit.

I was so fucking scared for so many people. The life and sanity of this man mattered to every one. He was our rock. Ranger please let us find you because we aren't the only ones who are looking for you now.

Me, Bob and Ram had alias personas and dressed in disguises to head out to Lahore. We got in our vehicle and headed to Heera Mandi, the walled city. That was the best place to start looking.

Any criminal, terrorist, or mercenary could hide there.

We waited until 2300 hours when the district came to life and then we started going from door to door. We were loaded with rupees. We had to pay every time we entered a new bazaar. We had been through nearly every brothel and had decided to regroup and head to a hotel when I spotted a familiar silhouette sitting at a table outside a café.

Oh hell no, it couldn't be this easy. I motioned for the guys to stop and be quiet. I watched the man for a few minutes and he eventually turned to us and shook his head just slightly - the no approach sign. I signed for the team to back into the shadows and wait.

I was relieved and thankful. We had our boy and he was on his game. Now we just wait until he makes contact and we can see what he's up to. I have seen him this way before and he's on a mission. Hooah, my brother. You're okay.

TBC