Unexpected Surprises

Part two of the Blindside series.

Follow Stephanie and Ranger as they navigate through balancing through compromises, pregnancy and a to top it all off a new stalker. Life was never simple for these two and it won't stop now. And to top it all off Diesel is there causing trouble, driving Ranger crazy and helping save the day.

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Sneak Peak:

Ranger walked past the snickering in the conference room knowing full well that the room was full of men who were talking about a fuckin baby shower. If someone had told him a year ago that this would be happening, he would have laughed in their face.

Now all he could do was shake his head and let it go, Stephanie was not even five months pregnant and the men in his office had already changed. Since she had been kidnapped not once but twice since becoming pregnant, they created a bubble around her that was nearly impenetrable. While that made Ranger sit back and be able to breath without a constant fear, it was driving Stephanie up a wall and he knew that she was about to snap.

He still remembered the moment that he found out she was pregnant, he was so worried about just getting to her and getting her to safety, that it didn't truly register. It wasn't until he got her to the hospital and the doctor told them that everything was going to be ok, and that she was fine did it click. She was pregnant… he was going to be a father again. He was once again terrified, he knew that if anything happened to Stephanie he was lost, but now he had another piece of her. He felt panic like he had never felt in this life time, it was like nothing he had been through had prepared him for this feeling of helplessness and worry. He had started reading baby books on his phone, hiding it from everyone. Within two days he had finished two books and his panic had become a tri-fold. Because now he was worried about someone hurting Stephanie, Stephanie not making it through her pregnancy with the million conditions he read about in the book and he was worried something would happen to the baby.

He had been doing a good job hiding his worries from everyone, especially Stephanie, not wanting to stress her out any more. Until she made the announcement to the team that she was having twins. He had walked out of the room in shock, nothing registering as he made his way to his office and just sat. He couldn't breathe, he remembered the chapter he read on multiple births and the dangers to both the mothers and babies.

He could still remember Stephanie walking into his office, looking lost and scared.

"It finally clicked with the photo, didn't it…. That there is going to be a baby…. And you realize that you didn't sign up for this." She whispered.

He could still remember how she looked down at her hands, twisting them nervously. "Its ok, you know. I understand. When I first found out I was having one, I freaked out. I mean, it was not in my plan and I am probably going to be a crappy mom. I can't even keep a car safe…." She whispered.

He had just shaken his head at her because he couldn't process that it wasn't that he didn't want the babies or her, it was that he couldn't get past the fear. He had never in his life dealt with this kind of fear. Not on any mission. Not on any steak out. This rolling fear of everything being out of his control…. it felt like a tidal wave pulling him under.

Stephanie took a deep breath, "I mean maybe it would be better if give you a few days to think about everything…...to processes it and figure out what you want to do?" She asked him.

He looked up at her with his blank face but stayed silent. She gave a half watery smile and nodded at him. "I think I will go stay with Lula for a few days, give you some time and space."

It took a moment for the words to process and filter through his panic, but then an entirely different panic rushed over him, "NO." He had shouted at her, making her jump in surprise. He could still remember the way she looked at him wearily and he felt his heart pause. "I am sorry." He said softly. "Can you close the door and come over here?"

She had paused for a moment looking at his face carefully before relenting and closing the door to walk over to his desk. When she stopped right in front of it, he held out his hand for her to come over to him. When her hand slid into his, some of his fear began to settle. So, he pulled her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her. He pushed his face into her hair and hugged her tight, one of his hands settling on her still flat stomach.

She could feel how tense that he was, how much he was worried. So, she just waited for him to breathe through it and calm down. She laid her head back on his shoulder and relaxed into his arms, letting him get whatever he needed from her.

After about 5 minutes he took a deep breath and sat back in his chair, pulling her with him. "I'm sorry." He whispered.

She nodded sleepily against him.

He started rubbing her stomach in small circles, "That has never happened before to me." He said, eyes closed cheek resting on her head.

"What?" She asked softly, reaching a hand to cover hers on her stomach.

"I think I had a fucking panic attack." He said with a snort. "All I could think about was how I was going to keep not one, not two but three of you safe. About all the things that could go wrong with a pregnancy and how the problems and complications more than double with multiples." He sighed and moved his hand from her cheek to her face, turning her head to look up at him, "I cannot lose you or the babies now." He whispered as his thumb moved back and forth over her cheek, "I love you."

His eyes widened in surprise when she burst out laughing, "What?" He asked with narrowed eyes.

She grinned up at him, "No it's just that I am having a panic attack that you didn't want me anymore after I told you there was going to be twins. When all along you are just falling off your God like pedestal and having a human panic attack with me."

She shrieked when he smacked the side of her ass, "Yes smart ass, I too can have a panic attack, especially when I learn that I have zero control over your pregnancy." He took a deep breath, "I am going to have to fight against everything inside me to not put you in a bubble and lock you up in a room." He whispered, his hand going back to her stomach.

She grinned up at him, "Do not worry, because I am also worried and taking better care of myself. Plus, I won't let you lock me up and I know no matter how much you want too. … you wouldn't unless it was life and death." She said reaching up to give him a small kiss. "Don't ever do that again, I was really thinking that you didn't want me anymore."

Ranger shook his head, "No it was more along the lines of I couldn't think. I couldn't get past the fear for a moment. I don't think it helps that for the last few months your life has been constantly in danger, and you have been attacked and kidnapped twice."

She sighed, "I know, I am sorry…." She whispered. "I think I am gonna relax and just work for a while now." She laughed at his expression of disbelief, "What I can stay out of trouble."

Ranger snorted, "No you can't, and if our children are anything like you… I am fucked. I will be a constantly stressed…... I am going to go gray." He said

She laughed while pulling him down for a kiss, "You are not wrong, but I will be good from now on…. Promise." She whispered.