Chapter 2

Ranger POV

Tank pulled into the parking lot of the St. Francis hospital, and I was bolting out of the truck before it had even stopped. I ran through the doors straight to the nurse's desk.

"Stephanie Plum?" I questioned. There was no way I could get into a lengthy discussion at this point. I needed information, and I needed it NOW.

The nurse lazily looked over the rim of her glasses. "And you are?"

With clenched teeth, I spit out, "I am her medical power of attorney. Where is she? How is she?" Before I could say anything else, Tank walked up beside me and gave the woman a deadly glare.

She stuttered, "Uh...uh...they have her in surgery. That's all I know." She walked away quickly to get out of my way.

I nodded to Tank, and we went to the waiting room. I started pacing back and forth. I made eye contact with Santos, and he went to find out what was happening with Babe.

After two hours of pacing, the surgeon entered the waiting room to meet with us. "Is the family of Stephanie Plum here?"

We all jumped up, but only I stepped forward. "I'm Ranger Manoso. I have Miss Plum's medical power of attorney. Is she okay?"

He pulled me to the side, "Mr. Manoso, I'm going to be frank; her condition is serious. We found small metal fragments embedded in her face and skull, probably from the igniter behind the airbag. We were able to repair everything, but it's still touch and go due to a grade four concussion. We've placed her in a medically induced coma to allow her body to rest and heal."

He told me what room she was in and then walked off. I was in shock.

I staggered back to my seat and just sat there. I was stunned; I didn't know what to do. Tank was beside me, and he put his hand on my shoulder, "Ranger, Steph is a fighter; she will make it. You have to stay strong and tell her you love her and are there for her."

I knew he was right, but this was my Babe—the woman who holds my heart. I couldn't lose her. I knew I had to pull it together in front of my men, "Okay, I want guards on her door, and I need Ella to pack a bag for me. I'm not leaving until Steph comes home."

"Done." Tank pulled his phone out and started making demands. I got up and walked to the elevator to Babe's room. She was on the fifth floor, room 507. I thought for a moment. Shrapnel from the airbag? Wasn't there a massive recall for something like that? Did Morelli's truck have the new airbags, or did that pendejo ignore the notices? I picked up my phone and texted Hector.

'Find out if Morelli's truck has any open recalls, particularly for the airbags.'

I hesitated before I walked into Babe's room. I had to regain my composure. I knew it would be bad, but I didn't think it would be as bad as when I opened that door. I dropped to my knees at the foot of her bed, and tears ran silently down my face. There were wires everywhere, and the state of her injuries looked catastrophic.

I haven't cried in years, not since my father died. This was the woman of my dreams and whom I love more than life, and there was nothing I could do to fix her problems, to make her better.

Pulling myself off the floor, I snagged a chair and pulled it next to her bed. I held her hand in mine, and I prayed. I haven't done that in so long.

(His prayer to God)

Dios, sé que te debo más de una, y los mendigos no pueden elegir, pero pagaré por todo lo que he hecho; solo por favor no dejes que la pierda. Si todavía estás allí, Dios, perdónala. Sé que solo oro cuando necesito un favor, pero Dios, necesito un favor. La amo con todo mi corazón. Por favor, cúrala y déjame pasar el resto de mi vida con ella. Ella es mi mundo. Amén.

Translation:

"God, I know I owe you more than one, and beggars can't be choosers, but I'll pay for all I've done; just please don't let me lose her. If you're still there, God, spare her. I know I only pray when I need a favor, but God, I need a favor. I love her with all my heart. Please heal her and let me spend the rest of my life with her. She is my world. Amen."

I didn't leave her side for the next several days. I talked to her. I told her all about my childhood. I promised never to leave her side again. I told her I would buy her all the TastyKakes she wanted and even eat one myself if it would make her happy. You know I'm desperate when I tell her I'm willing to do something that will pollute the temple. But there was no visible improvement.

On the third day, I went to the chapel. I figured it was time that I talked with God. I've been throwing up prayers like Hail Mary's. I walked into the chapel, went to the altar, and fell to my knees. I can cry and scream, and no one will say anything.

I begged God to make Babe well. God, I know beggars can't be choosers and that you've spared me, but I'll pay for all I've done; just please don't let me lose her.

The priest came out and talked with me and said that the more prayers, the better. That gave me an idea. I called Tank and asked him to call my mother and tell her what was happening and see if she could get as many people as possible to the hospital tomorrow night for a prayer session in the chapel. I figured the more, the better. It may help if Julie were here too. Thank goodness it's summertime.

Rachel understood on the phone and agreed to allow Julie to come here. She will leave in the morning with a bodyguard in a first-class seat. Anyone I can get here to help with Babe, I will. I had to promise Rachel that I would ensure that Babe knew how much I loved her when she woke up. I planned on doing that anyway.

Now that everything was in motion, I focused on what I would do when Steph woke up. I have a ring in my safe that I have had for over two years; it's time to let her know how much I love her and want her in my life permanently. I just hope she says yes.

I stayed a few more minutes and lit a candle as I left the chapel. A code blue sounded over the intercom, and doctors and nurses ran down the hall. They were headed in the same direction as Babe's room. "No. No. Please, God, NO!" I ran with them the whole time, begging God not to take her. They ran past Babe's room, and I stood in the doorway of her room and released the breath I didn't know I was holding.

I slowly walked into her room and just stood looking at her. She is so beautiful, and I love her so much. The ache in my chest is so intense. I hurt when she hurts. If I could take her pain away, I would.

Tank arranged for a chair bed to be brought into the room for me to use instead of just a chair. It usually would be in maternity, but with as much as I donated to this hospital, he could procure one for this room. It looks like he also brought a duffel bag with clothes and toiletries. I smiled when I saw the Bulgari. Babe always loves this scent on me, and I know she loves to smell me; that's why I wear it.

Before taking a shower, I called Tank to check in and make sure everything was good, which it was. I discovered that Morelli was driving, and he didn't make it. That's why he hadn't been there. Well, not to sound like an asshole, but I'm glad he's gone. Good riddance. I kissed Babe on the forehead, then went to take a shower and get ready to sleep. After the shower, I pulled the chair over as close to her bed as possible. Ella packed a blanket and a pillow for me, so I bundled up while holding Babe's hand and prayed again to God not to let me lose her, and I fell asleep. The last thought was, "I need a favor, God. Please don't let me lose her."