Sadly the characters still belong JE.

Chapter 18

The holidays are finally over and they were nothing like what they were supposed to be. It was to be our first Christmas together as a family, instead we were apart. I have only seen Lester twice since he has been back and the last time almost killed me.

It was two days after Christmas and once again I had my dad take me to Rangeman so I could pick up some more files. It was pretty quiet in the control room, I stopped and talked to a couple of the guys. They all wanted to know when I was going to bring the newest "Rangeman" into see them. I promised them all that it would be soon, little did they know that my dad was bringing him back with him, once finished in the control room I made my way to my office. I was hard at work for about 45 minutes when I heard voices in the hall.

"So Les, did you really ask Courtney to marry you?"

"Sure did, Ric. She wants to get married right away, and I agree with her. We have spent to much time apart to wait a long time to get married."

I heard Lester respond to Ranger and I instantly started crying, I heard a noise at the door and looked up to see Ranger and Lester standing there.

"Steph, are you okay?" Ranger asked.

"Yeah, I think I am catching a cold. I was just finishing up in here and getting ready to head back home. Do you have anything that you need done before the New Year?"

"No, but I do need to talk to you about a few things before you go. Do you have time?"

"Let me just call my dad real quick and let him know. I will meet you in your office in a few minutes."

"Take your time."

Lester stood there and up to this point hadn't said a word, but I could feel his eyes on me the whole time. Finally he spoke up.

"Hi Stephanie, nice to see you again. Did you have a good Christmas?"

"Yeah, I did. How about you?" I asked praying that he wouldn't tell me about his engagement. But of course I am Stephanie Plum and things never go the way I want them to.

"I had an excellent Christmas, I asked Courtney to marry me and she said yes." I could see excitement in his eyes when he responded, but I could also see confusion.

"Congratulations, if you would excuse me I need to make a call."

"No problem Beautiful."

They both walked away and I couldn't breath, I just wanted to go home but I knew I needed to talk to Ranger first. I called my dad and he would be by in an hour to pick me up, I finished my phone call and went to Ranger's office.

"What's up Ranger?"

"Steph, come in and close the door."

Once the door was closed he walked over to me, guided me to the couch and started speaking as he sat next to me.

"I'm sorry Steph, I had no idea you were even coming in today."

"It's okay Ranger, but something needs to be done now. You need to tell him the truth; if you won't I will."

"Steph, it's not that simple. We have no idea how he will handle the truth and we don't want to risk something happening to him." Ranger pleaded.

"Ric, you need to understand how I feel..."

"Steph, I do under..."

I cut him off. I knew I was being selfish but this is my life we are talking about. "You don't understand, tell me Ric, is my son supposed to grow up not knowing who his father is? Am I supposed to go on knowing that my husband is in love with someone else and going to marry her? What about me?"

"I have no idea Steph, I just know what the doctor's are telling us. I am going to schedule a meeting with them, you and I will go and we can talk to them about the situation. I will let you know as soon as it's scheduled but it probably won't be until after the new year."

"Thanks Ranger, but what do I do in the meantime. I am not really sure of how much more I can handle right now."

He stood up from the couch and pulled me up with him and wrapped me in a hug, there was a quick knock at the door and Lester came barging right in.

"Sorry to interrupt, Courtney is here and I am leaving. I just wanted to ask you a few things before I left, but I can see that you are busy. I'll talk to you later." He slammed the door as he left.

Lester sounded angry to see me in Ranger's arms. I looked up at Ranger and he had the same dumbfounded look on his face that I am sure I had.

"What the hell was that all about?" I asked

"I have no idea, but I am going to find out." And no sooner had he spoken the words, he went after Lester.

I went out into the Control room to see my dad coming off the elevator with Jake, Lester and Courtney were waiting to get on. I noticed Lester take a peek at Jake and heard him tell Courtney that he need to speak to his brother before they left.

"Hey Daddy, thanks for bringing him in."

Within minutes I was surrounded by Merry Men all wanting to see the newest "Rangeman". Loud angry voices were coming from the direction of Ranger's office and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on.

"Stephanie, he is absolutely beautiful. You are very lucky, hopefully someday Lester and I can have a child that is just as beautiful."

I had no idea what to say, "thank you", was all that I could come up with. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Ranger's office door open and Lester stalk out, he came over, grabbed Courtney's hand and flew out of Rangeman. Ranger came out a minute later.

"Ranger, what the hell is going on with him?"

"He thinks we are having an affair."

"Are you kidding me?"

"Steph, I wish I were, there's more to it though. He thinks that Jake is my son."

"Oh God, please tell me that this isn't happening."

That was almost three weeks ago. The rest of that day was a blur to me and I haven't seen Lester since, but that will all change tomorrow, since I am sure that he will be at his own mother's birthday party. Ranger and I are meeting with his doctors on Monday. I just hope we get some answers.

TBC