This is a little shorter chapter than I have been posting, but I needed to get this one done and out of the way. So, update: My muse has spoken and this will eventually end up as a BABE HEA. It WILL take time to get there, but there ya go! Thank you for all the reviews. I really appreciate it! As always, they are hers and I'm not making anything.
Stephanie was working on the financials when Julie stopped in her office to say hello. "How'd the baby appointment go? Did Justin show up?"
"He did at the last minute before we pulled out of the drive. Baby is growing well. Can't believe I'm 12 weeks away from meeting this little one."
"I know. And, speaking of which. I need a list from of you of who you want invited to a baby shower. Names other than the Rangeguys, because they are already on the list."
"You are inviting the guys to a baby shower?"
Julie sat on the corner of Stephanie's desk and smiled, "This isn't going to be a standard baby shower. All the guys are invited, and they WILL be playing games."
"Oh my god, I can't wait to see them playing games. That should be hilarious!"
Julie grabbed a pad of paper off Stephanie's desk and a pen, "So, I need names and phone numbers of family and friends you want invited."
Stephanie thought for a moment, "That will be easy. Mary Lou, Connie, and Lula. The guys from Rangeman and then the group from here."
"I don't hear any family there; other than the Range guys."
"Well, my grandmother moved to Florida just before I found out I was pregnant. She's having so much fun there going to the beach and wearing her bikini every day; she won't be back. My sister, well, she's a saint and busy with her four kids and husband, who is more like a kid."
Julie laughed, "Had one of those before. Okay, so no grandma and no sister. Mom? Dad? Anyone else?"
"My mother doesn't even know I'm pregnant. If she knew that, she'd have me married off to the cop no matter what I wanted. Either that or tell me how I am an embarrassment, and no one will want me since I'm having a biracial child. All I'd hear is "Why me? Why do you have to embarrass me? I can't show my face in public." Waa waa waa."
"Okay, so no wonderful granny because she moved. No sister because she's too busy being perfect, and no bitch ass momma. Got it."
Stephanie laughed and took a drink of her water. "Dad is unknown. He usually just sits there with his mouth shut and doesn't take sides. Only really speaks when he asks where dinner is."
"Okay, so no weak-ass daddy either. Got it. We will have the Range Guys, all of us here, and your friends. Don't you worry, it will be a kick ass party." Julie looked at the time, "Oh, Derrick has an hour, you want another prenatal massage in a couple hours?"
Julie saw Stephanie's eyes glaze over, "Oh my god, he has wonderful hands."
Julie smiled, "Don't we know it. He can put his hands on me anytime he wants!"
"How did Jeffrey get so lucky? Derrick has the looks and magical hands and..."
"I know. But Jeffrey and he are good together. So, massage or no?" Stephanie thought about and agreed she could use another massage, so Julie put Steph's name in the book and took off to the front desk.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
"Oooohhhh, Girl, I see I get to put my hands on you again," Derrick said as Stephanie walked into his massage room.
"Yep, I don't know which one of us is luckier. Me for getting to feel your hands on my body or you for getting to touch my body," Stephanie said as she sat down to take off her shoes.
"Tell you what, I'll leave so you can get undressed, on the table, and under the towel, then I'll come back and see if I can get you to make more sounds this time."
After getting undressed, Stephanie hopped up on the table and positioned herself comfortably and waited for Derrick to return.
Derrick turned on some instrumental music down low and began massaging Stephanie's back. "So, tell me. Are you dating Justin or Junior?"
"Um, neither," she replied as he hit a tender spot and pulled a long moan from her.
"Oh honey, why not? If I had the chance, I'd tap one of them. Oh, you got a different hunk from that company?"
"Nope. I've only been with baby daddy from the company. OH yeah, right there! And what do you mean you'd tap one of them. You have Jeffrey!"
"Girl, I may have my man, but I ain't blind. Those are some fine-looking specimen. If I could talk Jeffrey into a threesome with one of them. Ohhhh, boy. I need to stop thinking about that." Derrick moved to her lower back and started working there. "Now what is this about baby daddy? From what I've heard, he ain't no daddy."
"He is the father, he just doesn't believe me," Steph sighed.
"Haven't you ever heard the saying, 'Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a daddy'? He may be the father, but he doesn't have to be the daddy. Now, I've heard all about the rangemen from Julie, Justin, and Junior. And I've seen a lot of them since you started working here. They'd all be happy to be a daddy to this baby."
Stephanie didn't say anything but knew Derrick was right. "I say you let yourself enjoy your life, your pregnancy, and learn to enjoy spending time with a guy."
"I did allow myself to spend time with a guy and look what it got me. I'm fine on my own. I need to provide for me and the baby. That's why I stopped working there. I didn't want to ruin the friendship the guys have with their boss. I know I could have worked there, but I also needed to grow up and find out how to do things on my own. This has been good for me."
"Well, just don't shut yourself off if someone comes knocking. That's all I'm saying." Derrick finished the massage with no other words and let Stephanie relax.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Stephanie sat on her couch and thought about her discussion with Derrick during her massage. She knew he made some valid points and the more she thought about a father versus a daddy, she more upset she got. She knew Ranger was upset he had to go fight for year, but that still didn't give him the right to treat her the way he did. She hoped she'd have the chance to tell him that at some point.
Just as she was about to get up and make dinner, her phone rang. Looking at the display, she smiled, "Hey Zip."
"Hi Steph. I was on the way to visit Julie and thought I'd see if you wanted to come along and go out for dinner?"
"Not tonight. I've been on my feet a lot today and they are getting a little swollen. I think I'm just going to make dinner and relax. But you can come over if you want." Stephanie had also learned how to cook when she moved into her new place. Julie, as well as Ella, had come over a few times to help Stephanie get comfortable in the kitchen.
"Whatcha making?"
"I was thinking the baby wants Grilled Cheese and Tomato soup."
"Sounds good. I can be there in twenty, is that okay?" Zip asked as he pulled into the store parking lot.
"Sure, sounds find. Let yourself in."
After hanging up, Zip went inside the floral store and picked out some flowers he thought Stephanie may like. He found a bouquet of mixed roses, tulips, and peonies. Calling Julie, he told her he would be by later after dinner and hung up when she laughed at him; she knew where he was going.
Tbc...