Sorry this has taken a while. Daughter came home from College for two weeks for the holidays and it's been hectic. I've not had a chance to respond to all the reviews, but please know I appreciate each and every one of them. Here is the next chapter and I hope you enjoy!
Stephanie was standing in her kitchen when she heard the front door open. She felt the cold air come roaring in and then the door shut. Foot stomps on the winter mat told her someone had entered her house. She wasn't worried; the only ones that had a key to her place were Zip and Lester. It was an appointment day, so she knew it was most likely Zip. "In the kitchen," she yelled.
A few seconds later, she saw Zip walk into the room, his hair damp with snow. "Hey, Momma. You ready for your appointment?"
Handing him a mug of coffee, she grabbed her water bottle and nodded, "As ready as ever. I'm so ready for this baby to be born. I want to be able to see my feet again. I want to be able to shave my legs again. I really want to sleep on my stomach again."
Zip sat the mug on the counter and pulled Steph to him. "Soon, Steph. I promise. You only have two weeks left and you may not make it the full two weeks. Just hang in there a little longer, okay?"
"I feel like the baby has dropped. My stomach sticks out more and it is getting harder to walk." Stephanie grabbed her purse and gloves. As they reached the front door, Zip reached for Stephanie's coat and helped her into it. He then slipped his boots and coat back on. Helping Stephanie out to the truck, he made sure she was buckled before walked to his side of the truck.
Driving to the doctor's office was quick and Stephanie was glad for that. She hated driving in the snow, even when she isn't the one driving. Pulling into the parking lot, Zp parked and cut the engine. "Ready?"
"Absolutely."
As they walked in the office, the nurse met them, "Stephanie, so nice to see you again. You are getting closer. Oh, and it looks like baby has dropped and is getting ready." Handing Stephanie a cup, the nurse told her, "You know the drill by now. I'll put Justin in room three."
Stephanie used the restroom and waited next to the scale. As the nurse came back out to get Steph's weight, the baby kicked. "I don't like this part either, baby," Steph laughed as she rubbed her belly.
The doctor came in and examined Stephanie while Zip stood near her head. "Well, Stephanie, I don't think you are going to make it two more weeks. You may sit up." As Steph sat up, the doctor washed his hands. "You are 70 percent effaced and dilated to three. I think you are going to see your baby soon."
Zip hugged Stephanie to him and smiled, "You're gonna be a momma with her baby soon."
"I can't believe it is almost time. I never wanted this when I was younger, but now here I am waiting for my baby to be born. I can't believe this is happening."
After the doctor appointment, Zip took Stephanie to the spa for a prenatal massage. When they walked in, she was happy to see Derrick there waiting for her. "Oh honey, I get to put my hands on you again. This is a fantastic day." Derrick followed Stephanie into the room and gave her a towel to cover up with. After she had her music picked, Derrick stepped out so Steph could undress.
"All ready to feel your hands all over me," she yelled with a smile on her face. Derrick opened the door and smiled at her.
An hour and a half later, Derrick stepped from the room to give Stephanie a chance to get dressed. When she left the room, she was surprised to see Zip had stuck around and waited for her. "I thought you would have left," she said.
"I'm yours today. I have nowhere else to be Besides, you have no vehicle here." Zip hugged her and asked, "Feel better?" Stephanie nodded.
Julie looked at Stephanie and asked, "What was the update today?"
"Baby can be here anytime. I'm already dilated some; doc said I probably won't make it another two weeks."
"Oh I can't wait! When you have the baby, I can show you how to do a baby massage if you want."
Stephanie agreed that sounded like fun and she couldn't wait. After a few more minutes of talking, Stephanie and Zip left the spa and headed to Stephanie's house. The snow was really coming down and the streets were getting bad. "I don't want you driving back to Rangeman tonight," Steph told Zip.
"I'll be fine. I'll take it slow," he replied as they pulled into her driveway.
"Please, humor me and stay here. I don't want to have to worry about you getting back there in one piece."
Zip looked at Stephanie and knew he'd be spending the night. He couldn't deny her anything especially this close to the birth of the baby. "Okay, I'll stay."
"Good. Now let's go get some food." Zip and Steph went inside and once the coats and boots were off, they headed to the kitchen for some food. Zip sent a text to Les letting him know that he was staying with Stephanie for the night.
After dinner, Zip started a fire in the fireplace while Stephanie worked on getting some hot cocoa ready. As they sat on the couch, Zip turned to face her an asked, "Are you ready for this... really ready?"
"Am I ready to be a single mother? No, but I have to be ready. I never thought I'd be a mother, let alone a single mother, but here I am killing it."
"Seriously, you are not going to be alone. All of us guys are there for you; you have to know that by now." Zip took a sip of his hot cocoa before he continued, "You know we will be there for you and the baby. Anything you two need, you will have it."
"You know I love you all and I appreciate everything you have all done for me and the baby. It's just, being a parent is different. I have to be a parent as this is my baby; but none of you have to be a parent. You all get to be the fun uncles."
"Steph, if I thought for one second you'd let me be the father to this baby, I would. No questions asked, no regrets. I know we've talked before, and you don't want me to feel like I'm tied down to you and the baby. I'd never feel tied down; but I understand."
"Zip, I just..."
"Shh, I know you are waiting for him to come home and see where things stand. Just know this; I won't sit by and watch him hurt you and the baby. I'll give him a chance to make things right and give you a chance to see what you want. But if he screws things up again, I plan on letting him know he screwed up and that it was his last chance." Zip leaned over and kissed Steph gently on the lips.
"I'm sorry, Zip," she whispered. "I feel like a horrible person."
"Steph, you are not horrible. I knew going in what could happen. I just wanted you to know how I honestly feel."
"Can I ask you something."
"Of course."
"Do think he's coming back? Honestly?"
"I really don't know, Steph. He was sent in deep, no contact, and he put all his affairs in order before he left. Everything says he's not coming back, but we know he defies the odds." Zip sat his empty mug down and took her hand, "What do you want, Steph? If you could have anything you wanted, what would it be?"
Stephanie took a deep breath and slowly let it out, "If I had my way, I'd tell him how bad he hurt me, make him understand what his words did to me. Then I'd tell him that I don't need him in my life, but if he wanted to be in his child's life, I wouldn't stop him. I won't keep him from knowing his child if he wants, but he's not going to be a "holiday" father. I don't want his child support, I make enough now to support myself and the baby. If he tells me he wants nothing to do with the baby, then fine. I won't push it."
"What if he says he wants in the baby's life and your life?"
"I don't know. I don't think I can trust him with my heart again. He once told me he'd ruin me for all other men; I just didn't know how he meant that statement."
"What does that mean?" Zip asked.
"I don't think I can trust another man with my heart. How am I supposed to give my heart to someone knowing they can break it? I never thought about that before Ranger did it, but now that flashes in my mind when I think of relationships. And now, it isn't just my heart that can be broken. My son or daughter can have their heart broken as well and I won't allow that to happen.
Zip and Stephanie talked a little more until Stephanie started to get tired. Zip stood her up and walked her to her bedroom, "Get ready for bed, Steph. I'll be here in the morning. Sweet dreams," he said as he kissed her cheek.
Zip pulled the air mattress out of the hall closet and set it up in the nursery. After watching some standup comedy on TV for a few hours, he checked on Stephanie and then went to sleep. He sent up a prayer that Ranger made it back and realized what he lost and made it right. On the other hand, he sent up a prayer that Ranger didn't fix thing and that he'd have a chance with Steph and the baby.
TBC...