Chapter 16

I was so nervous. I don't know anything about babies at all. Will he know I'm an inadequate mother. Is just wanting him and loving him enough? All these thoughts were running through my head.

Beside me, I think Ranger felt my anxiety. He looked at me and kissed me. "Relax Babe. He's beautiful."

The nurse took us back to a room and walked to a little incubator.

I looked inside and began to cry. "He's so tiny. I fucked up already as a mother. Oh crap, see I already said a bad word in front of him."

Ranger chuckled. "Babe, this will be a learning experience for both us. Look at how beautiful he is."

Oh, he was. He was a couple shades lighter than Ranger and then he opened his eyes for a second and they were a striking color of blue. I gasped. "Did you see that? His eyes."

He nodded. "The pediatrician was particularly impressed with those eyes."

The nurse came over and told us that we could stick our hand through and touch him. She said that our voices and the stimulation was comforting to them.

I washed my hands and I put my hand through the little hole in the side and gently touched his little chest. He was so soft and he reacted to my touch and I started talking to him. I instinctively told him that mommy couldn't wait to hold him in my arms and take him home.

I looked at Ranger. "Where is home?"

"Home for me is wherever you are. If you want to stay here that's fine. If you want to go back to Trenton, you can choose a house."

He said, "We need to give him a name Babe. Now that you've met him does anything come to mind."

"Do you mind if we give him part of Nash's name. I feel like that none of this would have been possible without him in my life. Maybe John or Jacob for his middle name?"

"I think that would be fine. I have an idea for his first name. Aaron

in Spanish means 'light bringer'. I think that's very appopriate. Aaron Jacob Manoso. Do you like that?"

"That is beautiful. Little Aaron. I love that. I kissed this man that I adored so much. I love you Carlos."

Carlos touched Aaron and talked him for a few minutes and then we went out and told Justine and Lucas the name we had chosen for him. Carlos told her what the name Aaron meant and tears rolled down her face. She hugged us both. "That is so beautiful and how appropriate for this miracle child."

Justine and Lucas took their turns visiting Aaron. We notified the staff of the name we had chosen for our baby so they could finish the birth certificate and we all went home.

Justine had planned a special dinner. She told me that Lester had told her he wanted to bring a date. I was shocked. "Really, who?"

She said it was Bing's sister. "Omigosh, you're kidding!"

We were all at the door like Grandma Mazur when Lester pulled in the drive with his date. They got out of the car. "Oh wow, She is beautiful", I said.

Justine said, "Don't they make a lovely couple."

We backed up and let them through the door. Lester beamed, "Everyone, this is Bing's sister Jasmine." She gave all of us gawkers a warm smile and said, "Very nice to meet you. Lester told me a little about you all on the way here. But, I have to say, I'm confused and fifteen minutes evidently wasn't near enough time to understand this family. He is very fond of all of you."

We all started laughing. I grabbed her hand. "Jasmine it will take a few days and we are so not the average family. Only one of us is blood related. But, there is enough love in this room to sustain a dynasty."

We ate in the dining room. Justine had outdone herself. She had made Coq au Vin with pearl onions and button mushrooms, asparagus in butter sauce and chocolate mousse. We opened bottles of red wine.

I looked at Ranger, "Think your delicate stomach can handle this big boy?"

He grinned, I'm not adverse to eating good food. I just don't imbibe too often. He kissed me passionately.

I looked up a little embarrassed. Justine, Lucas and even Lester and Jasmine were smiling. "Hehe, Uh Justine, Maybe you need to back the sexy out of your menus a little", I mumbled. Every one snickered.

Carlos and I took a bath together after dinner and the sheer pleasure of sinking into his warm comforting arms was enough to fully revive me and the past was forgiven as soon as I saw our sweet baby boy. I knew I needed him like this water and the air that I breathe. I couldn't live without him.

What was it about this man that gives me so much pleasure and so much strength? He is my best friend and has been for a long time. I loved him desperately. My life today is so much changed from a year ago. I turned and kissed him. We were tangled in each other and breathing hard and panting.

"Babe, we can't. Justine is taking you to your doctor tomorrow. Even I know we can't make love for a while."

"But?" "We'll see about what we can do tomorrow", he grinned.

"Come on blue eyes let's get dry and go to bed."

I looked at him. I really looked at him. "Carlos, I love you so much", I whispered.

"I love you too Babe. More than anything except our little Aaron. I love him equal. You did good. He's a handsome guy." He kissed me on the nose.

"Let me tuck you in beautiful Babe." He smiled a genuine smile. Not the hooded smiles and grins I was used to.

Justine and I went to my doctor the next day and she told me I was doing good and was so happy that I was back to myself. She told me no sex for at least another month though. I was embarrassed trying to raise the question of the orgasm. She grinned, "You can have an orgasm, you just can't have penetration because your still healing."

Justine gave me a knowing grin. This woman knew me like more than a mother. She never judged. I think we might be more alike than I ever imagined.

In the next couple weeks Justine and I shopped and converted the fourth bedroom into a nursery. Lester had been dating Jasmine regularly to Bing's chagrine. They were almost inseperable, like they were made for each other. It was early but, my stupid man friend was in love. I couldn't be happier for him.

That night the two came to dinner. Justine had outdone herself with spicy garlic shrimp with the buttered asparagus and my favorite pineapple upside down cake with fresh cherries. "Carlos whispered in my ear, "These are aphrodisiac foods Babe." He winked at me. I looked at him and smiled. "Can we?"

"No, but I have something else planned beautiful Steph", he whispered. My panties were gone and damn his control.

I mumbled and made a mocking face, "fucking Batman got willpower of steel."

He was staring at me with a big wolf grin on his face.

"Patience Babe."

Lucas laughed, "Did she just call you Batman?"

"Yes. That's her and her girl friends' little joke. They called me Batman and had me living in a Bat cave."

"Yep, he was mysterious, sneaky and locks never keep him out. The address on his driver's license used to be a vacant lot. He would always just walk out of the shadows and be there. Every time I got into trouble, he was just there. He's a stealthy sucker and he's got this willpower of steel." I made the mocking face.

Lester hooted. "Not really Steph. He hasn't had that much willpower since he met you. He was whipped the minute you stumbled into his life."

"Santos, speaking of whipped it's been a while since I've spanked your ass so watch yourself", Ranger said. Lester just chuckled.

Justine, Lucas and Jasmine laughed. Lucas said, "That must make you very good at your job and good on your missions?"

"It helps sir. I had good military training", Ranger said.

Lester said, "He has saved my ass and the boys too on several occasions. He is the best at what he does. He got our backs always." He winked at Ranger.

"You just saved your own ass a whipping just now Santos." Ranger grinned at Lester.

Under the table I took Ranger's hand and he squeezed it and smiled at me.

About an hour after we ate, Lester and Jasmine retreated to his room. The rest of us were sitting in the living room talking and in about another half an hour we were looking at each other trying to repress grins. There were sounds coming from the upstairs room. Very loud erotic sounds. Carlos grabbed my hand and Luke grabbed Justine's and we all headed upstairs to our own respective rooms.

The next morning at breakfast that stupid 80's tune the "Love Shack" was playing in my head again. Every one was quiet and trying not to grin at each other. Lester and Jasmine were making goo goo eyes.

Oh this was just weird. "Cripes, okay let's just get it out. Did every one have a good night last night and Justine you're sneaky too?" I pointed my finger at her. They all started laughing.

Lester put his arm around Jasmine and beamed.

Carlos kissed me and Lucas winked at Justine.

Ranger's POV

Justine and my Babe were headed to the hospital to see Aaron. Lester was going to take Jasmine home and he and Lucas were going with me to pick out a ring for my sweet Babe. I was not going to waste any more time. Aaron would be able to come home soon. I would buy her dream houses in Trenton, Texas, Miami, here. Wherever she wanted to be as long as she and my boy were with me it didn't matter.

We picked out a perfect ring with a big diamond and the sapphires that matched her beautiful eyes. I thought it would be romantic to give her the ring on a date but knowing Steph she would want to share the moment with the people she loved. I looked up and noticed Lucas taking his credit card from a clerk in the store.

I showed Justine the ring and we planned the dinner. We would have everyone there. Bing, Trigg, Binky, Lisa, Jasmine and all of us in the house. I called Tank and Bob and they were even going to drive down for the occasion and spend the night. Tank was bringing some surprises for Steph.

Justine had come up with an incredible menu of tomatoes stuffed with eggplant caponata for the appetizer, baked Greek chicken stuffed with olives, feta cheese and spinach for the entrée' and for dessert double chocolate fudge tart with strawberries. Justine was going to ruin my diet. She was an incredible cook and everything she put on the table was outstanding.

When Steph came home I told her to soak in the tub and that I had left her a gift on the bed. She came down the stairs in a little while in the blue sheath dress I had bought her with little black patent peep toe pumps and the sapphire jewelry I had bought her. She had put her hair up in a chignon and her eyes sparkled. She was a vision and I felt myself get hard as a rock. God how I loved this woman. Tonight was the night that I could have her the way I had dreamed for months now.

I was gazing at her and just then the door bell rang. I opened the door to Tank, Bobby and Lula and Grandma Mazur. Behind me Steph squeeled.

"Lula!" They both ran to each other jumping up and down. Tank and I grinned at each other and nodded.

"Damn skinny white girl you look good for just havin' a baby! I'm gonna' kick your ass though for leavin' me and Connie wonderin' what the hell happened to you! We are your girls!"

"Lula I'm so sorry. It's been"…She stuck up her hand, "I know it's been complicated." She grinned. "Tank filled me in and damn skippy it's been complicated."

"Grandma Mazur!" She hugged her. "I have missed you so much."

"Me too Stephie girl. I wish I could have been here for you."

"It's okay, I'm just glad you're here now."

We all hugged each other. Lula said, "I can't wait to see little baby Batman. I bet he's somethin'."

Grandma Mazur asked, "Has he got a Batman package too?"

Steph laughed, "I don't know Grandma. Everything is tiny right now. She looked at me. "I'm sure he'll grow into his own whatever in the future." I saw Justine standing in the kitchen doorway beaming.

I hugged Tank and Bobby and whispered, "How's your packages? In one piece?" Bob said, "Well it was touch and go there for a few miles" and winked. I laughed.

Shortly after their arrival came Lester and Jasmine, Bing and Trigg and Binky and Lisa. Everybody was hugging and high fiving and just happy to be together.

It was time. We were about to have dessert when I got up and got down on one knee and took my Babe's hand. Everyone became silent.

"Stephanie in front of all these people that you care about I want to ask you a question." She looked shell shocked. "Will you marry me Babe? Will you be my girl for the rest of my life? Because I love you and Aaron more than anything else in this world and I can't live without you."

I opened the box and she gasped. She put her hands on my face and kissed me. "Yes Carlos, I love you! We kissed like we were ready to retreat upstairs." Everybody started clinking their glasses.

Justine said, "I would like to make a toast." Everyone became silent. "I lost a beloved son not long ago but, God and destiny has brought me a new love and a bounty of sons and daughters, a beloved grandchild and a new family. I love all of you children."

Lucas said, "Chayyim (to life)" and raised his glass.

Every one kissed and hugged. Bing and Trigg looked at each other.

"Don't event fucking think about it Trigg", Ron said. Grandma Mazur winked at them and they grabbed each other and hugged hard. We all started laughing.

Just then Lucas got up. I don't want to to take away from this wonderful moment in time for Carlos and Stephanie. But, I was moved by the love that you all share for one another. So I bought a ring for my own beloved and I would also like to ask her to be my wife. Then he got down on his knee and presented a whopper of a diamond to our adopted mother Justine. She beamed and kissed him. "Of course, I love you my Lucas. Are you going to be able to get up dear?"

"I might need a little help my sweetheart." Every one laughed.

When we got to our bedroom Carlos grinned, "Babe we are going to do this and it is going to be the best ever. I love you."

She sighed. "I love you beautiful man." We made love half way through the night then sated, fell into a deep contented sleep.

TBC-