Disclaimer: You all know it isn't mine & not making any money.

AN: No excuses for the two month hiatus. My muse hasn't been cooperative and been busy with work so weekends away or relaxing. I didn't run this by my beta. I really wanted to get something out to all who have been patiently waiting for an update. This didn't come out the way I planned but as I said my muse isn't always cooperative. I like how it turned out though. I hope you enjoy it and I hope it won't take 2 months for the next chapter.

Stephanie's POV

We drove to the medical complex in downtown Newark and pulled into a parking garage. We made our way into the office to find several women already waiting. I went to the window and was given a clipboard with forms to complete. I sat to do so with Ric next to me. I looked up and found two women staring at him in slack jawed awe. Seriously, I can't believe these pregnant women were staring at my fiancé. I huffed and Ric put his arm around my shoulder.

I completed the forms and he walked them up to the counter. I watched all the women stare at his perfect ass. The receptionist could barely speak. We waited for a few minutes until we were called back. Thank god they could stop ogling him. A female doctor who was a little older than me, probably in her early forties walked in. She was very professional and didn't stare at my man. I had the exam and the doctor confirmed the pregnancy. I had an ultrasound and was advised I was indeed 12 weeks along. It was too soon to tell which sex the baby was but we could hear the heartbeat. It was amazing; I had tears in my eyes as we heard it. I looked over to Ric who smiled so wide I thought his face would split in two. We were both so happy. I was given instructions and the doctor left the room. Ric helped me dress and we made our way to the counter to set up my appointment for next month and again the women in the waiting room ogled my man. It was something I had to live with but even after all these years I hated it.

Ric helped me into the car and walked around it, climbing into the driver's seat before saying, "I'm so happy Babe. Now, we have to go back to see mama and papa. You know they will have the family there."

"I know Ric; I just hope your grandmother and aunt aren't there. I don't want them to ruin our perfect day."

Ranger's POV

"I know Babe; I hope they don't show up either. I know my parent's won't invite them but if they show up, they can't turn them away."

"I know Ric. Let's see what happens," she quietly replied.

A few minutes later I heard her softly snore. Poor Babe, she was exhausted. I drove the familiar streets to my parent's home thinking about how my life had changed so drastically over the last few months. I not only got the only woman I've ever loved back into my life but I found out about the death of my first born child and now we have our second child on the way. I wanted to marry her in front of our family and friends. Well, everyone but my Abuela Socorro and Tia Emelda and maybe Helen Plum. I don't think she'll be exactly happy about our news.

We pulled in front of my parent's home and Steph woke as I put the car in park. I climbed out of the car and walked to her door, as I looked at the cars assembled. It was early afternoon and my entire family was already here. I guess they cut out of work early. I opened her door and helped Steph out of the car. We walked hand-in-hand to the front door which was pulled open as we approached by my sister Celia.

She grabbed Stephanie and hugged her tight and whispered in her ear. I saw Steph nod in agreement and Celia looked at the ring on her finger and hugged her again squealing. She then grabbed me and hugged me. "Carlos, I'm so glad the two of you are back together and getting married. I never thought I'd see it happen after Rachel and Hope. Be happy and don't let anyone take her away from you again."

"I won't Celia. No one will take her away from me again," I replied as I hugged her back. I watched Stephanie walk into the house with Celia, chattering about weddings. I knew that we'd have some adversity to face but I knew in my heart there'd never be another woman like her.

I stepped into the living room and Steph was surrounded by my family there were smiles and congratulations everywhere. My sisters had always adored her and they were introducing their husbands and children. My papa and brother walked up to me as Steph turned and smiled at me. I felt my heart flutter in my chest. It only did that for her. Papa slapped me on the back while Enrique said with a smirk, "Looks like you got the hot white girl back."

I grabbed him by the front of his shirt and said, "Don't disrespect my wife EVER again."

"Whoa, bro I didn't mean anything by it. You have to admit she's hot but I know she's all yours. I can't believe she took your stupid macho ass back."

"You're lucky I'm in a good mood and don't want mama to be upset or I'd beat you within an inch of your life," I cockily replied.

Mama walked in and heard what I said and smacked us both upside the head as she said, "You two had better stop or I'll put a stop to it and neither of you will like it."

"Yes mama," we replied.

Stephanie's POV

We spent the rest of the day with Ric's family. They have always been kind to me and after everything that happened over the years it was nice nothing changed. They treated me like part of the family and were very happy for us. His mother went all out and made a feast of Arrozo con Pollo, Paella, Cuban rice with red beans, fried plantains, papaya-mango salsa and of course flan. There wasn't just plain flan; there was also caramel, coconut and pineapple, yum. I had a piece of each; I mean I am eating for two. We stayed until 6:00 when we drove back to Trenton. We were planning to stop at my parents' house on the way home to tell them. We had dodged a bullet as his aunt an Abuela didn't show up tonight.

As we drove down the highway in his sleek 911 he asked, "Is something wrong?"

I gave a deep sigh, "Not really. I'm glad we didn't have to deal with any nastiness with your family but that will come at some point. I'm worried about my mother. She's never made it any secret she doesn't like you and wants me married to a good Burg boy, even if it's Joe freakin' Morelli. I don't care if he's cleaned up his life, after what he did when we were teenagers, I'll never trust him."

He reached over and took my hand in his much larger one, as he said, "Babe, she is set in her ways. I don't agree with her and I'm not defending her, but she worries about you and wants you to be like her and everyone she knows. When you do something different, she doesn't know how to handle it because it's so far outside her realm. She lives a very closed life; she's never left the safety and comfort of the Burg. Neither have the other women she's friends with. They only know being a housewife and expect it to be good enough for their daughters and daughters-in-law. They don't know why you would want something more. They don't understand how much it costs to raise a family today, let alone one with four or five children on one income. It's actually very sad and they cling to their traditions because it feels like their lives are spinning out of control."

I turned to look at him, he was relaxed and his tone had been earnest. He really believed what he said. I sat for a few minutes thinking about it and saw the truth of his words. The next thing I knew he was shaking me awake. We were parked in front of my parent's house. My mother and grandmother were standing on the stoop with my sister Valerie. Now that was interesting, last I heard she was living in California with her perfect husband and daughters. I waited for him to walk around the car and open the door before stepping out. He had his arm around me as we walked up to the front door. Grandma ran up to me wrapping her arms around me.

"Stephanie, when did you get back? I'm glad you're here with Ric," grandma said.

"I got back a couple of nights ago. What's Val doing here," I asked.

Grandma grimaced, "It's a doozy. I'll let her tell you."

We walked into the house following grandma. Val had already gone back inside followed by a tight lipped Helen. Boy this was going to be fun. Ric still held my hand as we walked in. I saw Daddy, who got up and hugged me, then shook Ric's hand.

Daddy said, "It's good to see the two of you back together. I hope there will be no more craziness and you two have got your act together."

We both answered, "Yes sir."

Helen decided to pipe up, "Well it's about time young lady that you showed up to help your sister. She's just devastated and flat broke. You need to support her and move her and her family into your mansion. We just don't have the room here."

I looked at Val and saw the tears in her eyes as she daintily wiped them. She looked at me with imploring eyes as she said, "Steve left me for the eighteen year old baby sitter. I gave her a beanie baby for her birthday. He took all the money and had taken out two mortgages on the house I didn't know about. We were evicted; the power and cable were turned off. He hadn't paid the bills in three months. The checks I wrote for the girl's dance and piano lessons bounced as did the one to my hairdresser. I was so humiliated. He quit his job and we have no medical insurance. We had to go on Medicaid when we got here. I got a job as a secretary for a lawyer but it pays minimum wage and is only part time. He just started his practice and is handling my divorce pro bono." At this point the tears started to fall harder and the sniffling worsened, "And the worst part is I'm pregnant. Mom," she turned to glare at Helen, "set me up on a date with Joe Morelli and he got me pregnant. He said I can't move in with him because there isn't enough room in his house." At this point she began bawling.

I looked at my mother who had a pinched expression, "This is your fault Stephanie. If you had married Joseph, Valerie wouldn't be in this position."

I glared at my mother. I heard four adults and two children gasp at my mother's words. No, Helen's words. I have to stop thinking of her as my mother because a mother wouldn't say such hurtful things to me. I drew in a breath, slowly letting it out as I icily replied, "No, this is not my fault. You, Val, Steve and Joe are to blame. Steve for leaving his family in this situation, and you for pushing her toward Joe when she's still married. You and your Burg ways, a woman has to have a man to take care of her. Val and Joe are to blame for allowing you to push them together but Joe needs to take responsibility for his actions. That house has three bedrooms so there is room for Val and the girls. He doesn't want the responsibility."

Daddy smiled at me and simply said, "You tell her Pumpkin."

Helen looked at me with venom in her eyes as she angrily stated, "Joe was interested in marrying you. The Morelli's only want their blood children. He thought Val would make you jealous but no you had to run off and now look at this situation."

Val was angry and glared at Helen, "You never told me that. How could you allow me to be used by him? Now, what am I going to do with three children to raise?"

Daddy walked over and hugged Val as she cried into his shoulder. She was an emotional wreck. I felt bad for her, I could stay with Ric at his apartment and let her and the girls stay at my house. This place was toxic right now and the girls didn't need it. They looked sad and were crying as well.

"Val, you and the girls can stay at my house if you want to. I'll move into Ric's apartment."

Val looked up at me through tear filled pale blue eyes, "Really? You'd do that?"

I smiled, a genuine smile, at her, "Yeah. This is a toxic environment right now and the girls don't need it."

She walked over and hugged me. "Thanks Steph. I don't know how I'll repay you."

"Don't worry about it. I have a cleaning woman who comes twice per week; just keep up on the other days with dusting, vacuuming and the kitchen. She'll change the sheets and do laundry. You can have the two guest rooms. We might stay in my room."

Helen looked livid but I decided to drop my bombshell on her right now. I turned to her before saying, "I have some news of my own, Ric and I are engaged and expecting a baby too."

Daddy, Grandma and Val all smiled and started giving us congratulatory hugs and kisses. Helen's face turned purple with rage and a vein bulged in her forehead as she shouted, "Over my dead body."