Stephanie's POV
Carlos is watching me. I can feel him staring, willing me to say something. I'm not giving him the silent treatment, but did he have to accept the mission when I'm supposed to deliver our triplets in two weeks?
"Babe, talk to me," Carlos begs.
I angrily wipe the tears off my cheeks and walk away. Since returning from the mission where Carlos, Lester, and Ram neutralized Jeanne Ellen, Carlos left on a mission every few weeks. The missions paid well, but he's hardly home. Is Carlos avoiding me now that I'm bigger than a house? Doesn't he find me attractive? I've heard many stories about men losing interest in their wives during pregnancy.
"Stephanie, you aren't going anywhere until we discuss this," Carlos snaps.
"Why?" I ask.
Carlos wraps his arms around me, pressing his chest against my back. His hands settle on my stomach, cradling our babies. "Babe, I explained this to you already. I'm freeing my time to concentrate on you and our children."
"But do you have to take Tank, Lester, Ram and Bobby with you?" I ask. I wipe another tear off my cheek.
"It's the only way I can ensure the mission will only take a few days," Carlos explains. "I think you're only reacting because the doctor advised against having sex for the remainder of the pregnancy." He gently turns me to face him and brushes away the tears.
"I'm sorry. It's the hormones," I cry.
"What else is bothering you?" he asks softly.
"You don't find me attractive," I whine. Carlos moves us to the bed. He takes my hand and places it on his erection.
"Stephanie, you are beautiful." He kisses my lips. "The most beautiful woman in the world." Carlos kisses my collarbone. He tugs the oversized shirt off my body, baring my belly and breasts. I moan as he tugs, nips and sucks on my nipples.
"Carlos, we shouldn't be doing this," I moan.
"The doctor said no intercourse. She never said anything about using my fingers and mouth," Carlos says. He kisses my belly before moving down. Carlos gently lays me at the edge of our bed before his mouth lands on my privates. I raise my hips to give him a better angle. It isn't easy with the triplets in the way. His hands move to my ass to hold me in position.
A few minutes later, I'm sated and ready to reciprocate. Carlos shakes his head as he strokes himself. I'm his captive audience. When I can't take it anymore, I lean forward to take him into my mouth. Carlos hisses as I bring him to completion.
"Feeling better, Babe?" Carlos asks.
"Yes. Thank you, Batman. How are you feeling?" I joke.
"Less worried about my wife," he replies. "As long as it's safe, I will care for your needs."
"And I will care for yours." I chew my bottom lip as I contemplate telling Carlos what's truly bothering me. Glancing at the alarm clock, I see it's almost time for Carlos to leave, and I have to get ready for work.
"Tell me," Carlos quietly orders. I pull on my bra and the oversized Rangeman shirt to hide my nakedness. Carlos chuckles as I tug my panties into place.
"I'm feeling insecure and wondering if these next few weeks will turn your head away," I confess.
"Babe, I love you with every cell in my body. I only see you. In my opinion, there is nothing sexier than watching your body expand as you grow our children," Carlos says. "Nothing will change how much I love you or how desirable I find you. Steph, you are my world."
I'm crying again. Everything makes me cry, especially my loving husband. Carlos kisses my forehead and goes to the washroom to shower.
"Where are the girls?" I ask after checking their bedroom inside our Rangeman apartment.
"They woke up when I was on the phone," Carlos replies.
I brush my teeth as I watch Carlos slowly drying his sexy abs. He winks when catching my eye. I waggle my brows, eliciting a two-hundred-watt smile.
"When do you leave?" I ask after rinsing my mouth.
"After the morning meeting. We fly from the Miami air base," Carlos explains. It makes perfect sense why Carlos was still home this morning. "Besides, I couldn't leave without resolving our issues."
I apologize, "I'm sorry for getting upset. I understand why you're running frequent missions."
"I've accompanied you to every prenatal visit. I'll be home by the time you have the babies," Carlos promises. "It's a quick rescue. We should be gone for three or four days."
"Provided everything goes well," I remind him. He kisses me before brushing his teeth. My back aches, so I leave him to his morning routine.
He finds me on the couch a few minutes later. I'm feeling more aches in my lower back. As the pain radiates through my back, I place my hands on my abdomen. There isn't any tightening or pressure, so I know it isn't labour.
"Babe?" Carlos asks. He squats to my level.
"Can you help me up? I shouldn't have sat on the couch," I laugh.
"Are you in labour?"
"No. It's that ever-present backache from carrying the babies," I reply. "Feel for yourself."
Carlos places his hands on my stomach and smiles. "I felt them move," he says in awe.
"It isn't the first time you felt the babies. I love how you react to their movements," I reply. Carlos helps me stand. He presses another kiss to my lips.
"Babe, are you forgetting something?" he asks, looking at my feet.
"Shit!" I cry. "I need help with my shoes."
My fantastic husband kneels as he slips my CAT boots on my feet and ties the laces. He kisses my stomach before standing. How did I get so lucky? "I'm the lucky one, Babe." Carlos kisses my lips and opens the apartment door.
The heat emanating from his hand on my back eases the ache. It's comforting. Carlos chuckles and rubs my lower back. He slips his hand beneath the shirt and rests his hot hand above my ass crack. A moan slips between my lips.
I roll my eyes as he guides me to the conference room and pulls out my chair. "Hmm," I moan. "Comfortable." I sigh and settle into the seat. The armrests are spread farther apart, and don't pinch my baby bump. I had Luis remove the armrests from my other chair, which made standing challenging since I didn't have them to push myself to my feet. The men found my calls for assistance entertaining.
"We bought a chair for your office too. I'm glad you like this one," Tank says. "Is it easier to stand?" Pushing back from the table, I use the armrests as leverage to stand. Tank grins.
Carlos smiles and calls the meeting to order. Everyone takes their seat as they patiently wait for their orders. "Tank, Lester, Bobby, Ram and I are leaving for a few days this morning. Stephanie is in charge. I'm relying on each of you to keep my wife and daughters safe," Ranger says. He glances around the room and catches Alex's eye. "Bones, I'm counting on you to monitor Stephanie. Contact General Plum if she goes into labour." Bones nods.
"Woody and Binkie, I need you to remain near the school to remove the girls from classes if Stephanie goes into labour," Ranger orders. I roll my eyes.
Ranger issues the remaining orders and changes in jobs for the next week. He has Rodriguez and Silvio taking over the research department. Manny will help me with client meetings. Hector will stay at Rangeman and leave the others in the installation department to manage updating the cameras and other surveillance equipment.
I think it's overkill to keep the men surrounding me all day. What could possibly happen while Carlos and the men were on a mission? It's not the first time Carlos left on a deployment.
"Stephanie, I'm setting all these precautions in place because your due date is three weeks today. Christmas is in less than five weeks. I should be home by Friday," he promises. "We can celebrate Thanksgiving then."
I'm fighting back the tears. It's Angie and Mary Alice's first Thanksgiving without their parents. Their emotions are all over the place as they remember the previous year's celebration. With the pregnancy, my hormones are running rampant, and I'm unable to calm the girls. I'll need everyone to help in Carlos' absence. The timing of the mission couldn't have been worse.
"It could always be worse," Lester whispers. I glare at him, and he shrugs. He grabs my hand and squeezes. "Steph, our team has to do this rescue and extraction. We're familiar with the terrain."
"I know, but I still don't like it. Angie and Mary Alice are struggling. You all know how challenging the holidays are without your loved ones. My girls are still grieving the loss of their parents, great-grandfather and grandmother," I complain.
"Babe," Carlos sighs. "It's unfair for the men we're rescuing to miss time with their families."
I'm overly emotional, and the guys are aware. I've been through so much since I met Carlos. A traumatic incident led me to meet Carlos and his men. My life is forever changed by knowing him. I never thought I'd lose my mom, sister and brother-in-law at the hands of the Morelli men.
"I understand that you have to bring those men home. I'm feeling sorry for myself."
Bobby shakes his head, "Your feelings are valid, Stephanie. We are the best Rangers team for a reason. I'll keep Ranger safe. All we ask is for you to stay safe and be yourself. With your love, Angie and Mary Alice will get through Thanksgiving. Ella plans to have dinner with your dad and grandma. It should help ease some of your angst. Trust us to do our job and return to you and the girls. We all love you."
"We love you," the other guys chant, making me smile. I wipe the tear before it slips down my cheek.
"I love you guys, too," I giggle. "Okay, Ranger, it's time for you to leave. I'll finish the meeting."
"Are you sure?" he asks, not masking his concern for my mental and emotional health. I breathe deeply and nod. "I'm proud of you, Babe. You're the strongest woman I know."
"Go save the men, Batman," I say. Ranger kisses me passionately, leaving me breathless.
"I love you, Stephanie," he whispers. Carlos leaves the conference room before I can reciprocate. Hector takes Lester's vacated seat. He nudges my shoulder, indicating I need to continue the meeting. I smile at my friend and pick up where Carlos left off.
Twenty minutes later, I dismiss the men. They're hesitant to leave the room. I laugh when they approach me for a hug before going to their desks.
Friday comes and goes. Carlos and the others aren't home. I resolve to call Dad on Sunday for an update when Carlos enters our Rangeman apartment. His shoulder is bandaged, and his arm is in a sling. My eyebrows raise in concern. "Oh my gosh. Are you okay?" I ask, trembling from head to toe.
"I'm alive," Carlos replies. "It seems a certain woman was worried and sent a few of my Navy SEALs men after my team. I can't thank her enough."
"So Cal and Hal found you?" I ask.
"Yes. We had to hike a few miles north and hide in a cavern. Luckily, they arrived when they did. I thought the high tide would drown us," Carlos confesses.
"I'm attuned to you, Carlos," I reply. "Cal and Hal were the closest to your location. By the way, they start at Rangeman in the new year."
Carlos laughs. It's music to my ears. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Well, they did offer to help find Valerie when Joe Morelli kidnapped her. Cal and Hal still have a few more years on their contracts, but I figured we could use a few SEALs at Rangeman. We can offer more services for securing property at the marina." I hug my husband tightly.
"Where are the girls? I was expecting them to be home," Carlos wonders.
"Ah. Woody, Binkie, Manny and Hector took them to the obstacle course. They're adding a new component Angie designed. I have no idea where she came up with the idea," I joke. "Woody said they were going out for dinner before coming home. There's plenty of time for you to nap."
The girls came home three hours later. Angie notices Carlos' boots near the door and grabs Mary Alice. I'm sitting on the bed reading a book with Carlos' head in my lap. He's sound asleep. I feel the babies move, pressing against his head, but he doesn't wake up.
"He's home," Mary Alice whispers.
"What happened to his shoulder?" Angie asks.
"I got shot," Carlos replies. He opens his eyes and awkwardly moves to a seated position. His chest is bare, but he's wearing boxers. The blankets are hiding everything below the waist.
"Are you wearing clothes?" Mary Alice asks as she narrows her eyes.
"I'm wearing boxers," he replies.
"That's underwear," Angie giggles. "Come on, MA. Let's give Tio Carlos time to get dressed."