Chapter 31

Stephanie paced back and forth in front of Bobby the next morning, Bobby sat in his chair waiting for her to calm down.

"So, you said she could see me this afternoon, like I have to wait all day?" She said frowning.

Bobby look at her with a raised eyebrow, "She is coming in on a Saturday just to see you. She had stuff planed already for this morning." He shook his head and stood walking over to her, "You are freaking out over nothing." He shook his head again and cut her off when she started to speak, "NO, I know what you think with Bella but stress is the only thing right now that can make things worse…. calm down right now and when we go to your appointment in a bit you will see you are fine." He looked at her again, "Why are you up at 6 am anyway. Didn't Ranger think that was weird?" he said with a small chuckle.

Stephanie narrowed her eyes at him and crossed her arms, "I waited until he got out of bed to go to the gym."

Bobby gave a belly laugh, "How long were you there pretending to be asleep while you waited?"

Stephanie shrugged her shoulders and looked away, "Just a bit." She said quietly.

Bobby gave another laugh, "So forever…...did you even sleep?"

Stephanie sat down in a huff, "Not really." She whispered.

Bobby's smile slid off his face, "Ohhhh bomber, you need to rest and not stress." He walked over to her and pulled her up out of the chair. "Come here." He said as he walked her over to the couch in the room, "Lay down for a bit until we have to leave."

Stephanie sat down with a frown, "I CAN'T…. don't you think I tired?" She said in a whiny voice.

Bobby hid a smile as he pushed her back down when she went to stand, "Give me a chance to help you." He said softly. He walked over and dimmed the lights then he pulled out and lit a candle. Then he walked back over to her with a blanket that he placed over her. Then he walked to the back of the couch and then began to rub her temples in a soft slow circle.

"BOBBY." She whined, "I am not going to be able to fall asleep, I can't stop thinking about what she said."

Bobby gave a big smile that she couldn't see, "Just try ok. Close your eyes and listen to what I am saying." He waited for her to listen and when she didn't close the eyes he taped her forehead in a light slap, "Close your eyes." He said again.

She huffed a big breath and closed her eyes, "This is useless." She said crossing her arms.

"Take a deep breath." He whispered as he was rubbing her temples. "And another breath."

This went on for about 5 minutes before he looked down to see her in a deep sleep. He gave a grin, he knew she just needed to rest. He got up and went over to the cabinets to do more inventory now that she was not helping with it. He always got the short end of the stick he thought with a shake of his head.

Ranger found him 30 minutes later still counting all his supplies. "Hay have you seen Stephanie?"

Bobby raised a finger in a shhh motion and pointed to Stephanie over on the couch. "She is sleeping." He whispered.

Ranger raised an eyebrow and walked over to talk to Bobby in a quiet voice, "Why is she in here sleeping?"

Bobby looked over at her and whispered, "She said she couldn't sleep last night so gave her a temple rub and a dark room…. plus, a little sleep mantra." He shook her head, "She was out like a light within 5 minutes." He said with a chuckle.

Ranger rubbed his hand over his face and Bobby could see the exhaustion on his face, "Did she tell you why she couldn't sleep?" He asked softly.

Bobby gave a frown and put his counting sheets down, "Look I know some of what's going on but not everything." Bobby told the half lie…... he really didn't know what for sure was going on in Stephanie's belly. "I can't tell you any more than that."

Range frowned and crossed his arms over his chest, "You work for me." He said gruffly.

Bobby raised an eyebrow at him, "Yes I do, but I am also her friend and she told me what she did as a friend who wanted another friends help."

Ranger slid his hand down his face with a sigh, "I am just worried about her." He said.

Bobby looked at him closely and knew that now he had two friends he had to help without letting the cat out of the bag. "I will tell you that I think the reason she couldn't sleep was just stress and worry. Bella said some stuff to her she is working through." Bobby turned and picked up his clip board, "Give her a few days and if she doesn't talk, push her then…...ok."

Ranger looked at Bobby for a moment, "Thank you Bobby." He said looking over at Stephanie who had curled onto her side, curls hanging everywhere.

Bobby looked at him before and looking at the million tongue depressors he had. "For what?"

Ranger looked at Bobby really wanting him to know how much it meant to him, "For being such a good friend to her. She doesn't have a lot of people she can talk to and know they will keep her secrets."

Bobby gave a barking laugh, "Remember that later."

Ranger raised an eyebrow at him.

Bobby gave a shake of his head, "That's all I am saying, anything else has to come from her…." He looked at Rangers frown, "If it makes you feel better she has every intention of talking to you…she is just…...being Stephanie." He said with another small laugh, "Freaking out over it in her mind." Before Ranger could ask Bobby said, "She is not hurt or sick, she is not being stalked…by anyone that we do not know about. She is not in any danger that I know of and she still loves you unbelievably." Bobby said with a soft smile at him.

Ranger gave a nod, "What are you doing today?"

Bobby's smile turned into a scowl, "Inventory by hand…. one million tough depressors. Check." He said sarcastically.

Range gave him a grin, "That's what you spend your budget on?"

"Fuck you." Bobby said with no heat, "Later Bomber and I are going out, so that will at least break the day up." Looking at Ranger to see his reaction.

Ranger raised an eyebrow at him but said nothing.

So Bobby said nothing and went back to counting ear swabs. Both men on the understanding that they loved Stephanie and would let her talk when she was ready and get help from who she wanted.

Ranger walked over to Stephanie and kneeled to look at her, her eyes had deep circles and even in her dreams he could see that she was worried. Her eyebrows pinched and frown on her sleeping face. "I love you quadria, no matter what. Sleep well." He whispered as he leaned forward to kiss her forehead. His words seem to help as her face relaxed and she took a deep breath in her sleep.

"Take care of her." Ranger said as he walked by Bobby.

Bobby looked over at him, "Of course." He said back, "And Ranger…..." He waited for Ranger to turn back and look at him. "Don't track my truck this afternoon…... let her talk to you."

Ranger gave him a grin, "Of course."

Bobby shook his head with a smile of his own, "Of course." He said back. Bobby looked over at Stephanie and knew these two were going to be the death of him.

-/-

A few hours later Bobby and Stephanie were riding to the doctor's office. While Stephanie looked rested, the stress and worry were still covering her face. Bobby looked over at her and watched her expressions, "Soon ok, you will be find out in a bit. But you have to relax."

Stephanie looked over at him and gave a nod, "I just…a few days ago I didn't even want to think about being pregnant and now all I can think about is that there is something wrong with it." She whispered. "Literally one conversation and I went from the fear of having it…... to the fear of losing it."

Bobby reached over to grab her hand that was twisting in her lap, "You are going to be fine… both of you."

She gave him a small smile, "Thank you Bobby, it means so much what you are doing for me."

"Any time Bomber, Any time." He said pulling into the parking space. The office was right outside of the Burg but still within 20 minutes of the building. It was perfect place for the next 9 months…. At last if everything was ok. She sat for a moment now that she was here too scared to get out and find out. Bobby came around and pulled open her door. "You gotta get out…" He said leaning on the open door.

"But what if it is bad news?" She whispered a tear sliding down her cheek.

Bobby decided to be truthful, "Then its bad news, and we will take care of you and love you… and maybe one day you will decide that you want to try. And we will support you again. But its probably great news and you are stressing over an old nasty lady."

Stephanie gave a nod but didn't get out of the car. "But what if she is right?"

Booby gave a scowl, "I am going to kill that old lady and bury her body where no one will find it." How could one small old lady cause so much stress and worry.

Stephanie gave him a watery smile, "She would curse you too. Then who would take care of me?"

"Fine I will have Tank do it, he can take one for the team." Bobby said with a grin. "Now get up and let's move."

Stephanie looked down at her hands, "I don't think that I can," She whispered.

Bobby felt his heart break for her, she had no fear when it came to chasing a criminal. Fought like the best of them but one conversation with Bella and she was losing her mind. He had never seen her afraid like this.

"Ok hold on for a minute." He walked over to the back of the car and pulled his phone out. After a few rings, he spoke into the phone, "Get over here." Knowing someone had followed them out of the building.

He waited less than 5 minutes before he saw a truck pull in behind them and watched as Hector got out and walked over to him. Bobby just nodded over to the truck and waited for Hector to work his magic. He didn't know how the two had become so close, but he was her best friend lately. If anyone could get Stephanie moving it would be Hector.

Stephanie looked up a Hector walked over to crouch in front of her. "What's going on?" He whispered.

Stephanie just shook her head, hands twisting in her lap.

Hector reached over and took her hands, "Talk to me, harmana" He said softly.

Stephanie looked at him, "I think I am pregnant." She whispered.

Hector hid his surprise well giving her a small nod, "Is that not good news?" he asked gently.

Stephanie sighed, "At first I didn't want it to be true but then Bella said that I was going to lose the baby and now I am scared." Hector waited knowing she wasn't done yet, his patients was rewarded when she continued after a few moments. "It would be my fault, because I wished it away." She said softly.

Hector shook his head, stood and pulled her up into his arms, "I love you but sometimes you make no sense." He said gently.

Stephanie wrapped her arms around him, "I know this in my head… but my heart is disagreeing." She said softy pushing her face into his chest.

"So, let's go up to the doctor and find out. Then you can panic or not. No use in stressing out until you know." He said into her ear.

Hector watched as she pulled herself up and nod, ready to face whatever was going on. He was impressed, she pulled her conviction and courage around her like a sweater, ready to face her fear. He looked over at Bobby and gave a quick nod letting him know they were ready to go upstairs.

When they entered the elevator, she looked over at Bobby, "No matter what happens I want tell Ranger. I am telling you this because I know that you will have to make me do it if its bad news…." Stephanie said softy. She was ready to stick her head in the sand.

Bobby pulled her under his arm, "I will be right next to you when you tell him, good news or bad if you want."

Stephanie gave a soft nod, "Thank you." She whispered.

"Anytime Bomber, anything that you need." Bobby pushed her gently forward when the doors opened, "But I think you will be able to tell him the good news on your own."

"Nice reassurance." she said with a small grin. "OK, I can do this." She said walking up to the empty desk.

She was startled when Bobby pushed her around the desk to the back rooms calling out, "Meg, where are you?"

Stephanie watched as a beautiful younger woman poked her head out of one of the rooms, her long dark hair falling forward. "Your late." She said sternly at him with a frown.

Bobby leaned down to whisper loudly at Stephanie, "Great now you did it, she is mad…... told you to hurry up." he grinned.

Meg turned to look at Stephanie and her frown turned into a gentle smile, already sensing her worry. "Is he an ass to you too?" She asked Stephanie with a grin. It had the desired effect when Stephanie gave her a grin, "Ohh I don't know, he can be ok…. he can be a smart ass though."

Bobby pretended to look offended taking a step back, "Well that's how it's going to be?"

Stephanie gave him a bigger grin, "Yet we still love him." She said, "I am Stephanie." She directed at Meg.

Meg walked over to shake her hand, "It is lovely to meet you, I heard you want to check on a little something…. Get it? Little?" she said with a grin still trying to get Stephanie to relax.

It worked like a charm when she could see Stephanie starting to slow untense and her laugh this time was free, "Very, very little." Stephanie said.

Meg waved her over to an empty room, "Come on in." She held up a hand to the men who went to follow, "Sorry girls only." She said to them. She walked over to Stephanie and whispered to her, "We have to do a vaginal ultrasound, you are too early in your pregnancy from what Bobby told me to do one on the tummy."

Stephanie gave her a nod and turned to the guys, "I will be fine, just wait for me out here please." She saw them look at her with a question in their eyes. "I will be ok, I promise." She said with a smile, she already felt better with Meg.

She followed Meg into the room to sit on the table.

"Want to tell me what's going on?" Meg asked her gently. Moving to bring the ultrasound machine closer to the table.

Stephanie looked down at her hands, "Well I think that I am pregnant and I was cursed by a crazy old lady and now I think something is wrong." She said in a rush knowing how ridiculous it sounded out loud.

Meg gave a startled laugh, "I got two guess who you are talking about…" She said pulling out sheets for Stephanie to cover herself with.

Stephanie's head popped up, "Who?"

Meg gave her grin, "Bella?" When she saw Stephanie's eyes get big she gave her a laugh, "I get a few mommies a year coming in worried because of Bella. Plus, I am from the Burg. I know all about that crazy old lady." Meg leaned down to whisper at her, "She once cursed me for daring to stand in front of her at the bakery and not letting her pass. Not going to lie, I checked my hair every day, a million times a day, for a month waiting for it to fall out." Meg gave a shutter, "She really is a terrifying, crazy old bat."

Stephanie looked at her for a moment with wide eyes before she started laughing hysterically, "So it's not just me?" she said between laughter.

Meg gave her a shake of her head turning away so Stephanie could get undressed and up on the table, "NO and how old is she? Like a million years old? I don't think she is ever going to die."

Stephanie finished and climbed back on the table, "Done." She said watching Meg turn back around, "She is, Joe won't say how old she actually is, but really. She looks like she should have died 20 years ago."

Meg started turning on the machines and getting ready, "I feel bad saying things like this, but it is outweighed by the fear. She really is crazy." She looked up at Stephanie who was relaxed and calm and smiled knowing she was doing her job. "Alright shall we see if there is a peanut and how they are doing."

Stephanie took a breath and a nod.

30 minutes later the girls walked out of the room to see the two men sitting in their chairs waiting impatiently to find out what is going on. Both began to relax as they saw the grins on the girls faces.

Bobby stood up and walked over, trying to grin over the worry, "Everything ok?"

Stephanie gave him a look, "Yes and no."

Bobby's fear peaked, "What do you mean?"

Stephanie gave him a grin, "Well heaven help all of us but I am pregnant. The baby is fine so now I have to worry about how I am actually going to do all of this."

Bobby gave her a scowl, "Not funny, you had me worried."

Stephanie gave him another grin, "You should be, have you met me? I have no clue what I am doing. Or if Ranger is going to want a baby. Or if I can even be a mom."

Bobby gave her a dirty look, "You are a smart ass, you know that."

"Yep, that's why you love me." She said then looked thoughtful, "But those are all real new fears."

Meg gave her a smile, "Honestly those are fears most moms have. You are going to be fine. I can see that you have a great support system already." She said pointing to the guys. "Take it one day at a time, one step at a time." She handed Stephanie some papers, "Here are the prescriptions I told you about and some papers for more information."

She walked them to the front of the office, "I want to see you again in a few weeks, I can do it on a Saturday again. I know that you don't want the world to know and while I think my staff will keep quiet. I can see you with no one here until you are ready to let everyone know just encase."

Stephanie gave her a smile, "Thank you so much. You really have made me feel better."

Meg gave her a smile, "I put my cell phone number on the sheet also. Call me if you need anything, ok. Any worries or fears or you just have a question or need to talk."

Bobby gave her a look, "Meg loves to talk, maybe I will call her later." He said with a grin, crossing his arms over his chest and wiggling his eyebrows.

Meg's smile fell, "You can lose my number. Unless of course you get pregnant. Then you can call me. I will give you and your boyfriend, congratulations." She said with a sarcastic smile.

Bobby smile dropped and he frowned, "Not nice."

Meg gave a bigger smile, "About as nice as you going out with me and not calling the next day?" Eyes narrowing.

Stephanie gave a snorted laughter, "You brought me to a doctor that you brushed off? You sure do have big balls." She looked behind to see Hector trying to push a smile down and gave him a wink. He gave her a full-on grin behind Bobby's back.

Meg gave Stephanie a quick smile, "Trust me they are not that big… nothing down there was really that big." She said turning with a wicked grin at Bobby.

Bobby's face turned into a scowl as Stephanie bent in half, laughing harder then she had in weeks.

"Not…. not… not that big." She said between laughter, tears leaking down her cheeks.

"Fuck off, both of you." Bobby said turning to walk away.

"Bobby…. Bobby, I a …. I am sorry." She said still laughing. "Don't walk away mad…that's SMALL of you." She almost had her laughter under control when he flipped her off and she broke down again. "I am sorry."

"Ride back with Hector." Bobby said getting on the elevator turning to face them. Meg gave him a grin and wave as she pointed to a laughing Stephanie. He knew what she had been doing but his ego was still not happy with it. "Send me any information about Stephanie I need to keep up. I am buying some new equipment too." He said to them as the doors slid closed.

Stephanie pulled herself under control, the small giggles still escaping. "Thank you, you are prefect." She said smiling, "Just what I needed."

Meg gave her a grin. "It's fun to pull his strings." She said with a shrug.

Stephanie gave her another smile, "I will see you in a few weeks and I hope that I have as much fun next time."

She turned to Hector, "Ready to go buddy?" She said pointing to the elevator.

He gave her a nod and followed her to the elevator. Stephanie waved to Meg as the doors closed then turned to Hector. "Well fuck, I am pregnant." She said the news rushing over her again. She waited for him to say something but when he said nothing she turned to look at him. "You think its bad news?" She asked. "That I am not going to be a good mom, right?" She said pushing her own fears onto him.

Hector raised an eyebrow, "Nope." He said with no emotion.

Stephanie gave him a look, "Nope?" She questioned.

"Nope." He said again then walked out the doors when they opened.

Stephanie paused for a moment before rushing out to follow him, "NOPE?" she almost yelled.

Hector turned and grinned at her, "I am going to be an uncle, and I am going to spoil the Shit out of that kid." He said point to her stomach.

Stephanie paused in the middle of the street as it hit her, even if she sucked at motherhood, this kid was going to be pampered, spoiled, protected and loved by all the men in the building. The prospect of having a baby just got a little less scary. If she thought the men were protective before, it was about to get insane. At least the men would make sure her car was protected so it didn't blow up she thought as she began to walk again.

-/-

Behind her in a car across the street a man watched her follow Hector to the car. Talking loudly, arms waving. He watched as she climbed in and buckled up. He followed them to a restaurant for lunch and sat outside waiting to see how long they would be. And when they got back in the car and drove home he followed them.

He was waiting to see when she would be alone. He had patients, she would come out again. And she was the key to getting to the chip. She was protecting Timmy and the men around her were protecting her. Get her and the he would have Timmy and the chip. It was all about waiting for the right time he thought.