I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Not mine.


The next morning, I woke up with Ranger's arms wrapped around me. I looked at the clock that was next to me. Nine o'clock. What was Ranger still doing up here?

"Ranger?" I asked, my voice thick with sleep.

"Morning, Babe."
"What are you still doing up here?"

"I took the day off."

"Why?"

"Because I wanted to be with you."

I closed my eyes. "You should go to work."

"Why, Babe?"

Because I didn't want him to see me cry. I was pregnant. There was another life growing inside of me. I didn't understand the feelings that I was feeling right now. I felt as if someone had carved a small hole in my heart.

"Babe, come here." Ranger said gently. He turned and pulled me into her arms. I felt the tears coming and buried my head into his chest. He rubbed soothing circles down my back and that's when I broke. The tears came freely now. Ranger just rubbed my back, letting me cry.

The whole situation just hit me. I was numb before, but now, I was suffering. I was crying because I got pregnant and wasn't sure if I wanted to be. I was crying because I didn't know that I was pregnant. And I was crying because I had lost the baby. Even though I wasn't ready to be a mother just yet, it was still a child. My child. Our child. It was a part of me and Ranger. No matter if it was planned, we had created something that had parts of ourselves.

"Stephanie, its okay to be grieving."

I looked up at him. Even Ranger had tears in his eyes. I wiped them away with my thumbs. "I know," I said, unable to think of anything else to say.

He placed his forehead on mine. "I feel it too." He said.

Ranger wasn't an expressive man, so when he said anything, you had to read between the lines. He was trying to tell me that he felt the hole that the little tiny being that was growing inside of me left behind when it died. I was only a few weeks pregnant, but it still hurt.

"How are you? Are you sore?" He asked.

I shook my head.

"Babe, I wish I could fix this. I wish I could take away your pain."

I wish that he could too. "I know, but this is something that we need to work through."

"I know." He said.

"I love you." I said.

"I love you."

"You should go to work."

"No. What if you need something?"

"Then I'll call you. You're only two floors down."

"Babe…"

"Go. I'll be fine."

He sighed. "Are you sure?"

"If you don't go down there, I'll call Grandma."

He shivered. "Babe, I love you, but your Grandma's scary."

I smiled. "I know."

"Okay," he said. "Call me if you need anything."

I nodded. He kissed me on the forehead and climbed out of bed. A few minutes later, I was asleep again. Being emotional is tiring.

When I woke again, it was lunchtime. I heard Ella bustling around in the kitchen.

"Oh good, you're awake." She said when I came out of the bedroom. "I made your favorite dishes."

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese and chocolate cake.

"Adopt me, Ella."

She chuckled. "Carlos wanted you to have all of your favorites. I'm so sorry to hear about you miscarriage."

"Does anyone know?"

"No, just me. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

I nodded.

"You should be in bed. I'll bring this into you."

"No, I'm already out of bed. I can eat here." I started to get onto the stool.

"At least eat at the table, dear."

I sighed. It was a compromise. "Okay."

She sat all the plates in front of me. "Thanks," I said. I dug in and moaned at every bite. Ella smiled at me and bustled out. Ranger came in a few minutes later.

"I got the antibiotics." He said, placing the pharmacy bag next to my glass of water.

"Thanks," I said, leaning my head up to him. He smiled and gently kissed my lips.

"You're feeling better."

I shrugged. "Ella's cooking would help a suicidal person feel better." I looked in the bag. "You didn't."

He smiled and nodded. "The doctor said that you would need them and they only gave us a few last night. I hope this doesn't ruin by badass image."

"Not at all. Only a strong man would buy his girlfriend pads and Oreos. Especially double stuffed. Thank you."

"You're welcome." He sat down and dug into the sandwich that Ella brought up with her.

I spent the rest of the day relaxing around the apartment. The doctor said that I should be able to return to a light workload tomorrow and I was glad. By the time six came around, I was bored out of my marbles.

"Hey, Babe." Ranger said as he walked into the door.

"Hi." I was flipping through the channels. He sat down on the couch and brought me into his arms, putting his nose into my hair. "Rough day?"

He sighed. "No more than usual. Binkie got shot."

"Oh my God, is he okay?"

"Fine, just a graze. We got the guy, so that's good."

I nodded, glad that Binkie was okay.

"How was your day?" He asked, trying to distract himself.

"Boring. I watched tv and Ella clean."

"How are you feeling?"

"Crampy."

"Do you want some Tylenol?"

"Already took it."

"Mmm, good." He rubbed my arms with his hands. "I love holding you."

"I love you holding me." I sighed and melted into his touch.

"Do you need anything?"

I looked at him and cupped his cheek. "I've got everything I need right here."

He smiled and kissed me sweetly.