Sorry it's been so long. I have been having a blast working in ICU and learning so much (sounds bad that I'm having a blast in ICU, but I truly enjoy my job). Anyway, I'm working nights now, so hopefully I can get back to writing while the family is sleeping and I'm trying to stay awake on my nights off . Hope you enjoy the chapter. I had a hard time getting back into writing, but somehow the muse hit last night, so I hope this works.

Zip walked in the front door and could tell his girls were sleeping; he heard no noise. After toeing off his shoes and hanging up his coat, he walked to the bedroom he'd been sharing with Stephanie for months. There on the bed he saw pillows arranged on his side of the bed with Sophia laying on top of the blanket and Stephanie on her side next to the baby.

Zip took off his shirt and utility belt, pulled the pillows off the side of the bed and slipped in next to Sophia. Turning to his side, he placed a hand on the baby's stomach and felt her breathing. When she started to stir, he carefully picked her up and placed her on his chest smiling when she let out a content sigh and settled back into sleep.

He kept a hand on her back, so he'd be sure to feel it if she moved and closed his eyes just enjoying the peace that came over him anytime he was near the two. Zip thought back over the last few days since they'd returned from his parents' place. He and Steph had a wonderful time there with no worries and were able to just relax and enjoy each other.

His parents fell in love with Stephanie and Sophia; so much so that they told her she was welcome back anytime and she didn't have to wait for him to bring her. He hoped she understood how much of impression she'd made on them; they'd never told anyone they were welcome without one of their children bringing them.

Sophia stirred and Zip opened his eyes. Looking down, he saw her stretch her arms and legs before curling back up into a ball. Rubbing her back his thoughts drifted to the day after they returned. Steph met with Ranger's parents and introduced them to their granddaughter.

While they were surprised to hear of another grandchild from Carlos, they weren't surprised to hear he had signed off his paternity rights. They knew their son felt he was damaged and couldn't commit to a relationship, but they had hoped it would be different with Stephanie. Still, they wanted to be a part of Sophia's life.

Stephanie set some ground rules for their involvement in her daughter's life. Rule one was they were not to give any information to Ranger. No updates, no pictures; nothing. If he wanted any information, he had to go to Stephanie for that.

Rule number two was if they ever had Sophia at their place and he showed up, they were to take Sophia to another room and call her. She or Zip would be there to pick up Sophia. Again, if Ranger wanted to see the child, he had to go through Stephanie. Surprisingly his parents agreed and understood her concerns.

Zip looked over at Stephanie and smiled when he saw her watching him. "How are you?"

"I'm good. When did you get home?"

Hearing her call her place his home made his heart swell. "About fifteen minutes ago. Found you two in here sleeping so I crawled in bed and somehow, this little one ended up on my chest."

Smiling, Steph reached over and rubbed Sophia's back, "She knows where is comfy and safe." Sliding over closer, Stephanie waited for Zip to lift his arm and then she snuggled into his side, placed her head on his shoulder, and continued to rub Sophia's back.

"This is perfect," Zip whispered. "I could stay here all day."

"Me too."

After a few minutes Zip asked, "Will you go out to dinner with me tomorrow night? We can get a sitter; I know a huge group of men that would be willing."

Stephanie smiled and nodded, "We can go out, but NO Les or Manny. They turned the baby dolls into footballs during the baby shower."

Zip laughed remembering that scene. "Okay, I'll get someone other than them. Would you like dinner and a movie, dinner and dancing, dinner and walking, or just dinner?"

Thinking for a few minutes, she finally answered, "You pick. I trust you completely."

Zip knew how hard it was for her to trust any males at the moment and his heart soared when she said she trusted him. "I'll try my damnedest to never break that trust," he whispered as he kissed the top of her head.

They laid there a little longer before they watched Sophia stretch awake. She made little noises as she came awake. When her head turned toward Zip's nipple and her mouth opened, he laughed and held her up, "Not me, Princess. You need mama for that." Laughing, Stephanie sat up and took her daughter from Zip, latched her on a breast and smiled down at her.

While Steph fed Sophia, Zip went to the kitchen, started dinner, and called Junior.

"Hey cuz, what's up?"

"Want to babysit tomorrow night?"

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

When Stephanie stepped out of the bathroom, she put on her jeans and a red sweater, grabbed her shoes, and walked to the living room. When she heard the voices, she smiled. "How many guys does it take to watch a little baby?" she laughed when she saw the guys.

Junior, Ram, and Manny sat on the couch arguing over who was going to feed Sophia when she was hungry and who was changing her diaper.

"Junior will be in charge of diapers," Stephanie said as she remembered the baby shower and all the shenanigans that happened with the diaper challenge.

Ram, laughing, said, "I get to feed her!"

"Do you remember how to heat up the breast milk?" Zip asked as he put Sophia in her swing.

"Microwave for ten minutes," Junior answered with a straight face. He smiled when Steph hit him upside his head. "I know. Put the bottle in a cup of hot water and let it warm up. No microwave."

"Okay, she has bottles in the fridge, diapers are stocked as are wipes. She had a bath earlier, so unless she somehow manages to get filthy, she should be fine. She is usually ready for sleep around 6:30." Stephanie leaned down and kissed Sophia's head, "Love you, baby girl. Take it easy on your uncles."

Zip helped Steph into her coat and put his on. Grabbing his keys, he led her to his truck and helped her in. Once she was buckled, he went to the driver side and slid in. "Thank you for coming out with me tonight. I know it is still hard for you to leave her alone with someone else."

"It is easier since you took us to your parents' place. There I realized that I don't have to be with her 24/7 and she will be fine without me for a few hours. Plus, I know the guys will take care of her. And…it gives me a chance to go on a date with you." Looking at Zip as he drove, "Speaking of which, where are we going tonight?"

Reaching over, Zip grabbed her hand, "I thought we'd hit the new Italian restaurant in town and then go dancing for a little bit."

TBC