Chapter 4

Ranger POV

"Babe?!" Was she really awake, or was I hearing things?

I held a cup of water to her lips so she could take a small sip. She didn't say anything else, but it seemed like she was glad to see me.

I pressed the button to call the nurse's station to let them know Stephanie was awake. Steph's doctor and several nurses came in and started examining her. They tried to make me leave, but Stephanie wasn't having any of that. She told them that I would stay, or she wouldn't allow them to do any exams. Needless to say, I got to stay.

After poking and prodding her, Babe looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, "Make them go away. I'm tired. Please, Carlos. Please." That's the first time she has called me Carlos. EVER. I liked it. I put my hand on her shoulder to let her know I was there for as long as she wanted me there. I wasn't going anywhere.

With a stern look, I told the doctors and nurses, "You're done. You need to let her sleep. She's tired of all the poking and prodding." The doctor wasn't happy about it and tried to argue. I reminded him that I had donated massive sums of money to the hospital, and I think I earned the privilege to have my way in certain things, which extends to my woman and my men. He was quiet, then nodded his head and walked out.

Dios, I love this woman.

Stephanie POV

I'm glad that I finally woke up. I remember going to see MA, and I was definitely going to bring up the TastyKake topic to Carlos. There was no way he would get out of that. Okay, I may let him get by with eating a doughnut, but I wanted to see him eat one or the other.

After the doctor and nurses finally left, I motioned for Ranger to get in the bed with me. I wanted him to hold me so I could tell him I loved him without looking at him. That way, if he is going to reject me, I don't have to see the reaction on his face.

I snuggled up to his chest, and he wrapped his arms around me. "Babe, I'm so glad you are okay. I was so worried about you. I want us to talk. Will you listen to what I have to say?"

I nodded. There was no way I could deny this man anything. He has my heart. He just doesn't know it yet.

"Babe, I just finished my last mission. That's it, no more missions with the government. I'm getting too old for that shit, and younger guys can take my place. As soon as I saw Tank, I asked about you. He said you and Joe were still together. At the time, I didn't care; I would pursue you and let you know how much I love you. Steph, Babe. I love you. You, and only you. You are my heart. You are my world. You are the light in my darkness. You make me want to be a better person every day. I'm sorry Joe died, but I want you to know that when you are ready, I want to be the one who loves you if you will let me."

It was hard to believe Ranger was saying everything I had wanted to hear. I turned a little so I could face him. "Ranger, what happened to 'my life doesn't lend itself to relationships', and 'I'm not the marrying kind.' I'm not saying we need to get married, but what's changed?"

He stroked my hair with his hand. "Babe, I realized on my last mission that it was my last mission, and I would still be without you. I've loved you for so long that I wanted my chance with you. So, I was going to come back and beg you to let me love you if I needed to, or I was going to woo you and date you, maybe even spoil you if you'd let me, so I could show you how much I love you and need you in my life."

I turned more to face him and pulled his head to mine so I could kiss him. We kissed until we needed to come up for air. "Do you care that I call you Carlos?"

He chuckled, "No, Babe, I don't, but where did that question come from?"

"I just realized I forgot to ask if I could call you something other than Ranger."

He chuckled, "Babe, you don't have to ask if you can call me by my name. I loved hearing it."

I was glad he didn't care that I called him Carlos. Now that God had answered his plea and I was awake, I believe he promised me something. I wonder if he'll try to renege now. Hmm.

"Carlos, I heard you talking when I was in a coma. You made a promise if I woke up. Do you remember what it was?"

He knew what I was talking about. Groaning, he said, "Babe, can we talk about this?"

I decided to tease him. "Come on, Carlos, you promised." Sneaking a glance at him, I decided to give in a little, "Okay, instead of a TastyKake, how about a glazed doughnut? You can get one of the guys to bring it to you along with some Boston Crèmes for me."

Sighing. Wait. Batman sighed? Go figure. He withdrew his phone from his pocket.

"Santos, go to the Tasty Pastry and get one glazed doughnut and two Boston Crèmes. Yes, Steph is awake, and she wants doughnuts. Stop questioning me and do it."

About twenty minutes later, Les came through my room's door. He kissed me on the lips and made me chuckle when I heard Ranger growl and say, "MINE." He placed the doughnut bag on my lap, then said he had to get back to his job before his asshole of a boss fired him.

"0600 mats, Santos," Ranger said.

He groaned, nodded his head, and walked out.

Carlos and I looked at the bag on my lap. I started laughing and couldn't stop. I was laughing so hard I was crying. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Babe, what is so funny?"

"The look on your face is priceless. You look like you're being brought before a firing squad. I promise you, it's not that bad." Poor man. He honestly was scared to eat a doughnut.

"Carlos, I promise you it will be okay." I reached into the bag and grabbed the glazed doughnut. I handed it to him, and waited to see if he would take a bite. I wouldn't make him eat the whole thing, but he didn't have to know that.

He was staring at the doughnut, and then he flashed his wolf grin. I knew then that he was up to something.

"I tell you what, Babe. I will take a bite of this doughnut, and I'll eat the rest if you let me eat off of you." Holy guacamole, BATMAN! This man is sex-walking.

I smacked him in on his arm. "You are so bad, Carlos." We both laughed at the remark. It felt good to laugh.

He ate the entire doughnut, then kissed me. He tasted like doughnuts. It felt so good to be with him. I curled up next to him, which was hard to do in a hospital bed. I reached up and touched his cheek. "I love you, Carlos." I kissed him. He pulled me closer to him, and I fell asleep in his arms.

Ranger POV

I held Babe while she slept. I looked up towards the ceiling. "Thank you, God, for my favor; I promise to cherish her forever." I fell asleep with my Babe in my arms and a smile on my face.

The End