Okay, so I know I'm probably going to lose some readers, but I've thought about this, and I have to stick to my original reason for this story. This will NOT be a Babe. This will be a Zip/Steph story. Ranger won't be hurt in the story, and he will be a part of it, but he won't get the girl this time. I'm sorry. I tried to make it work, but I just can't. I hope that those of you that stop reading will read my future stories when I write a Babe.
Not mine... all hers. I just have fun with them.
When Stephanie woke up she looked around and noticed that Zip was reclined back in the recliner chair, his shirt off, and Sophia asleep on his chest. She reached for her phone and snapped a quick picture. She sent the picture of Zip's sister, Julie, and waited on a text back. A few minutes later, she heard the ping from her phone.
My brother can sleep anywhere. Good grief
Stephanie waited before responding giving Julie a little more time to look at the picture and she wasn't disappointed.
WAIT! Is that a baby on his chest? Did you have the baby?
Stephanie called Julie. "I did have the baby. That is Sophia Grace on his chest sleeping." She could hear Julie scream to tell the rest of the Spa that Steph had the baby. "She was born at 12:12 pm and weighs six pounds eleven ounces and is eighteen inches."
"Oh my gosh, why didn't you guys tell us you were in labor?"
"I didn't want a lot of people here and the roads weren't that great last night. Besides, it would have been a long wait."
"I can't wait to come see her and you. When do you want visitors?"
Stephanie thought about it, "How about tomorrow when we get home?" Julie agreed to wait until Steph and Sophia were home before visiting, but she couldn't wait. When she hung up the phone, she noticed Zip was looking at her.
"Have a nice nap?" he asked as he rubbed Sophia's back.
"I did. Did you?" Zip sat up careful not to move Sophia. "You were asleep, Sophia fell asleep on me, so I just leaned back so she'd be more comfortable and I guess I fell asleep as well."
"Well, you two looked so adorable, I had to snap a pic." Stephane showed him the picture and smiled, "I sent it to your sister as well to see how long it would take her to notice the baby. Took longer than I expected."
A little while later, Sophia woke up crying. Zip changed her diaper and handed her to Steph to nurse. "Can I get you anything to eat or drink?" he asked her.
"I could totally go for an ice water and maybe a sandwich," she said as she looked down at her daughter.
"I'll be back in a few." Zip left the room and went in search of food giving Stephanie some alone time to bond with her daughter.
The next day Stephanie and baby were released to go home. Zip made sure the car seat was installed correctly in his truck and then helped Stephanie up into the back seat. He knew she'd want to ride where she could keep an eye on the baby.
When they arrived at her house, Stephanie let Zip carry Sophia's seat inside as she didn't want to slip on ice with the baby. The next few weeks consisted of Zip caring for Stephanie and Sophia and enjoying every moment of it. He'd been able to snap a few pictures of mother and daughter sleeping, nursing, and just hanging out together. He knew most mothers didn't have pictures of themselves with the baby because no one thought to take those pictures. He didn't want Stephanie to miss the memories so he was happy to be there for this.
When it was time for Sophia's one month check-up, Zip drove them to the doctor's office and waited with Stephanie. The doctor said the baby looked good, was gaining weight, and was ready for her shots. Stephanie and Zip didn't like to hear Sophia scream with the shots, but they knew the vaccines were necessary.
After the doctor appointment Stephanie asked Zip, "Do you think we can head to Rangeman and introduce her to everyone?"
"Of course. I'm sure they'd all love it." Zip aimed the car towards Trenton and smiled when he heard Steph talking to Sophia about being on her best behavior and not spitting up on any of the guys. He was sure none of the guys would get upset if Soph spit up on them, but he didn't say anything.
When they pulled in the garage, Stephanie started to panic. She'd not really been back since the day she turned in her box for Tank to give Ranger when he returned. As Zip opened her door, she looked ready to bolt.
"Hey," Zip said taking her hand. "He's not here. If he were, someone would have called to let me know he was back. It's okay."
Stephanie nodded and climbed out of the truck letting Zip grab the car seat with the sleeping baby. As they reached the elevator, the doors opened and Lester, Junior, and Ram stepped out. Junior gave Stephanie a hug while Lester reached for the car seat. Zip held the seat tight, not letting Lester pull it from him.
"You need to wash your hands before you touch her. Anyone who wants to hold her needs to wash their hands."
"What? We don't have cooties dude," Lester replied laughing.
"Actually, you do. It is too easy for her to get sick, and she could end up hospitalized depending on what she gets sick with. So, wash your hands."
When Zip put it that way, Lester didn't argue. He ran up the stairs and told all the guys to wash their hands before reaching for the baby.
Stephanie, Zip, Junior, and Ram took the elevator up to the fifth floor. "You coming back to work tomorrow?" Ram asked Zip. He missed having his usual partner for things but understood why he took time off.
"I'll be back tomorrow," Zip agreed.
When they stepped off the elevator, Tank was there to greet Stephanie and steal the baby. Tank looked at Zip, "I already washed my hands, now give me the baby."
Stephanie laughed and took the car seat from Zip. "Go say hi to the guys, I'll be in Tank's office with Sophia." Stephanie followed Tank into his office and shut the door. When she sat the car seat down on the couch, Tank reached in and unbuckled Sophia. "I'm surprised you know how to do that. It took me forever to try and get her out of there the first time."
Tank laughed as he picked the baby up, "I have a few nieces and nephews." Sitting down at his desk, he cradled Sophia in his arms, "She looks like you both. She has his hair and eyes, but your nose. Her color is the perfect blend of you two."
"I know. I thought the same thing." Taking a deep breath, she asked, "Any news?"
"Last I heard was about two months ago. He was slated to be back on US soil but I don't know anything after that. How are things going for you?
"I'm good. I think Soph and I are getting into a pattern where I'm not so tired during the day. I've finally been able to do some things for myself while she sleeps, so that has helped. Zip has been a huge help during this whole process. He gets up in the middle of the night, changes her, and brings her to me to nurse. I've been trying to do more on my own during the night this last week. I know he starts back to work tomorrow, so I know he'll be spending the nights here. It was just nice to have someone around while I healed."
Tank looked at Stephanie and grinned, "You really think he's going to be moving back in here permanently?"
"Why wouldn't he? All his things are here, he works here, and he'd get more sleep here. Plus, you guys have Ella so he wouldn't have to cook."
Tank just stared at Stephanie and shook his head. He didn't really think Zip would move back into his apartment unless something happened when Ranger returned.
A knock at the door had Stephanie standing up and reaching for her daughter, "I best let you get back to work."
The door opened and Cal stepped in, "I've washed my hand and used hand sanitizer. Now stop hogging the baby," he said as he reached for Sophia. Stephanie laughed when she saw how tiny her daughter looked in his hands.
Cal stepped out of the office and started walking down the hall. "Where are you taking my daughter?" Stephanie asked his back.
"I'm going to introduce her to all her uncles."
An hour later, Stephanie could hear the cry of a hungry baby. She grabbed the bottle from the cooler bag and walked to the breakroom. As she entered the room, she saw Zip had already turned on the hot water for her. "Time for food?" he asked.
"Sounds like it. I'm surprised she lasted this long, but I have her bottle here." After a few minutes of the bottle sitting in the hot water, Zip pulled it out, dried it off, and handed it to Steph, "Thank you."
Cal walked in the break room with Sophia and motioned to the bottle, "That for her?"
"Well, it certainly isn't for you," Zip replied with a laugh as he reached for the baby.
"I got her. I know how to feed a baby. Unless Steph wants her back."
"No, I'm good. If you want to feed her, go for it. Just don't forget to burp her halfway through the bottle."
As Cal sat down at the table, Stephanie looked out in the hall and froze. She saw Ella walked towards her with a huge smile on her face, but behind Ella was someone she wasn't expecting yet…Ranger.
TBC...