Sorry for the delay in updating. Hope ya'll haven't lost interest in the storyline. J Usual disclaimers apply…all characters except Trey, the doctors, and the twins aren't mine. Thanks to JE for the great characters to work with.

Previously:

"Babe, I'm sorry that I startled you. I should have awakened you before trying to take Trey from your arms. I just wanted you to rest as long as you could. But please don't worry too much over the letter. I promise you that nothing is going to happen to our son. And nothing is going to happen to you. I will catch the SOB that dared to threaten my family. We've worked too hard to finally be where we are now, and I'll be damned if I'll let some idiotic psycho screw with us. Do you trust me, Babe?"

I nodded and spoke a soft "Yes".

"Then trust that I will take care of everything. Just concentrate on staying healthy for our children, and taking care of Trey. We'll get through this together, Babe. I promise."

Carlos pulled me into a strong hug and I felt myself finally relax against him. He gently rubbed my back and I knew that he would do everything in his power to make good on his promise.

Carlos finished helping me wash my face and he held me while I calmed down. We exited the bathroom and found Lester in one of the recliners holding Trey like he was a pro. Ranger spoke up first. "Santos, you look like a natural holding him. Maybe you should rethink the Romeo lifestyle."

Lester looked up and smiled as Carlos pulled me into his arms. "If I could be guaranteed a wife like Beautiful there, and a kid that was as happy as Trey, I just might do that. But then again, I wouldn't want to deprive all those lovely ladies out there that are counting on me."

I rolled my eyes as Carlos chuckled. Lester is a good friend, and it is true that he was a Lothario. But I really think that one day he will settle down when he finds that special someone.

Trey was awake and was starting to get restless. I figured that he was probably due for a diaper change and a feeding. I took him from Lester and made my way to his crib to change his diaper. Carlos and Lester were deep in thought when I heard Carlos asking if Lester was able to get the phone number he had requested.

"Affirmative Boss. I have it right here."

I was just finishing up the diaper, so I took Trey and settled into one of the chairs. "Who are you calling Carlos?"

"Babe, I am going to speak with Trey's doctors about taking him home early. I know they want him to stay here a few more weeks, but with you pregnant, and now the new threat, I would feel better if we were home. There are too many unknowns here in at the hospital, and no matter how safe I try to make it, there's always a chance for failure. And with my family at stake, failure isn't an option."

"But Carlos, what will we do? They won't just let Trey go home yet. He's still having tests ran occasionally, and oxygen at times. And the nurses…"

Carlos interrupted me as he came and placed a gentle kiss on my lips to silence me. "Babe, trust me. I'm taking care of everything. I have the number to a pediatric nurse that is a friend of Bobby's. She was a nurse in the military, and when she left the military she started working for a local pediatric clinic. Bobby has already spoken to her, and if we can get the all clear to take him home, then she will come in daily to work with Trey. Also, he'll be exposed to less germs at Haywood than he would here in the hospital. Plus, I am going to contract one of the doctors to come in every few days to check on him and arrange any tests that he requires. If there are things that can't be done at Haywood, then you and I, along with two of the guys, will accompany him either here or to St. Francis in Trenton to have the tests done. It'll be better for everyone all around."

"It's a great plan in theory, Carlos. But what if Trey's doctors won't agree."

"They'll agree, Babe. Trust me."

Two hours later, after a few phone calls and some magic on Carlos' part, we were packing up our belongings to head back to Trenton. Lester had called Hal and Woody to come and pack up our condo, so all of our things would be headed back to Trenton with us. Luckily, Ella had went out and purchased a car seat and stroller combo for us shortly after Trey's birth, and she sent it with Hal and Woody when they arrived in Newark. We hadn't planned on Trey going home so quickly, and with him coming as a surprise and early, we had very few baby things prepared. I said a silent prayer of thanks for Ella, since without the car seat we couldn't take Trey home.

I'm not sure how Ranger managed it all! I say Ranger because the whole operation was executed with military precision. By the time we were to arrive at Haywood, a home respiratory therapist would be there to help Bobby set up oxygen for Trey along with a machine to monitor his breathing. Bobby had oxygen available in the small medical area on the third floor, but supposedly they were bringing some sort of machine that would compress the air in our apartment and make it into concentrated oxygen for Trey to use when he needed it.

We were also leaving the hospital with a portable apnea sensor that would alarm if Trey quit breathing for too long (as preemies are sometimes prone to do) or if his oxygen levels dropped below a certain number. Molly, the nurse that Bobby knew from the military, would be checking in on us this evening, and Ranger had even set her up in a temporary apartment until she could get settled in the area. Turns out she was new to the area and hadn't been out of the military very long. She was living with a couple of friends while she searched for an apartment, and she was more than willing to move into Haywood to help us out. Since Bobby knew her, Ranger trusted her. But he also told me that he was having Tank run a background check and military clearance check on her. Leave it to Carlos to cover everything.

As Carlos and I finished packing up Trey's room- which had been our home away from home for several week- I was stricken by how much I would miss the nurses that had taken such good care of us. We had formed a bond with several of them, and they had been there through the ups and downs to reassure us that Trey was going to be fine. I must have appeared deep in thought, because Carlos came over and pulled me into his arms with a reassuring kiss.

"Deep thoughts Babe?"

"I was just thinking about all of the nurses. And how much I'll miss them. They've all been really good to Trey. And to us."

"I know what you mean. I'm not going to miss this place, but the staff have been very nice. I think the flower arrangement that we sent to the front desk for them, along with the spa gift certificates that will be delivered this afternoon will probably go a long way in telling them just how much we appreciated everything they did."

I looked at Carlos with my mouth wide open. "Carlos! How did you manage that so quickly? We just found out we're going home!"

"Babe, just trust me. I've got my ways, and I wanted to thank them for taking such good care of you and Trey."

I pulled him to me and kissed him deeply. He continually surprises me with his uncanny ability to make every situation better. He's my true north, my safe harbor, and my soul mate. How I got so lucky, I'll never know. It scares me to think about how close we came to never finding true love with each other.

I dressed Trey in a warm outfit that Ella had sent since the wind was slightly chilly outside. Carlos helped me get him settled in the carrier/car seat and then I placed a blanket over him to protect him from getting a chill. I packed a few final things in a diaper bag that my mom and grandma had brought by, and looked around the room to make sure we weren't leaving anything important.

"Babe, looks like that's everything."

"Yes. I think so. Carlos, I'm so nervous about going home. What if something happens?"

"Bobby and Molly are a quick elevator ride away. And if it makes you feel better, they can stay on the couch for the first few nights. We've been taking care of Trey here in the hospital anyway, except for the few times the nurses have to come in for tests or to take him to the NICU for assessment. I spoke with Trey's doctor, and instead of referring me to someone else, he will be coming by three times a week to check on Trey."

"How did you manage that Carlos? This has to be costing a fortune!"

"Babe, the doctor was more than willing considering Rangeman is a rather large contributor to the Newark hospital yearly. Also, our insurance covers a large portion of home care and home therapy for Trey. And what isn't covered by insurance doesn't matter. Remember Babe, no price."

"But Carlos, we have almost nothing at home for Trey. I haven't left the hospital since he was born except to go to the condo and out to dinner with you once. Our families have brought by an outfit or two here and there, and my mom and grandma brought a diaper bag along with some sleepers. But where will he sleep? I have a pump for breast milk, but very few bottles! We need wipes and diapers and clothing! And I'm sure there are things I'm not even thinking of!"

Carlos finished buckling Trey into the carrier and then turned to me and pulled me into his lap as he sat in the chair. "Babe, do you really think I'd take my son home and not have a place for him to sleep? I know you've done everything here for Trey, and have helped take excellent care of him. But the few times that I've been back to Trenton to work have also included preparing a few surprises for you and Trey. Just trust me that we will have most of what we need when we get to the apartment. Eventually we'll need a house. A real home for us. And while we do own several properties in the area, I'd like for you to help pick out something that will be a home for all of us. Right now, until we catch this idiot, Haywood is the safest place for us. And it's close to work and Bobby. The office will have to suffice for a nursery for now. But it'll all work out eventually. Just don't stress out and don't worry. Let me take care of all of the big things Steph. It's not that I don't want you to help, but you're doing so much more than me already. You are the only one right now that can feed Trey unless you pump. And don't forget that you're growing and nurturing our two newest family members. Babe, I'm not trying to take away your choices, but please let me take care of you. Trust me enough to know that I won't let anything happen, and that I'll make sure that my wife and children have everything they could possibly need, when they need it."

Tears were flowing freely from my eyes. Damn pregnancy hormones! How did I ever get so lucky? "Carlos I do trust you! And I love you! Thank you for taking such good care of us. Everything has just happened so quickly! First Trey's birth, then the marriage, and now the two new babies. And a crazy stalker to boot! I just am a little overwhelmed. In a good way- well, except for the stalker. It's all I could ever want or dream of, even though I never really knew I wanted it until I found you. Does that make sense?"

Carlos nodded his head slightly. "It does Babe. I know what you mean. I never in a million years would have thought of myself as father material. And now I'm going to be a dad to four children. Julie will love having two more siblings in addition to Trey. She's already been calling and asking when can she come and see him. We have the perfect life. That's why I don't want you to worry over this latest nut. We'll find them. Whatever it takes."

"I know you will Carlos. I trust you."

Several hours later we pulled into the Rangeman garage to see that Hal and Woody had already made it back. Our things from the condo must have already been unloaded since the truck was empty.

I grabbed the diaper bag along with a couple of bags of things we had at the hospital while Carlos unlatched the carrier from the backseat. We made our way to the elevator, and up to 7. When the elevator doors opened, there were blue balloons in the foyer to the apartment along with a home made sign that said "Welcome Home Trey"! My eyes filled with tears immediately while a soft chuckle escaped from Carlos. This was probably the equivalent of a full belly laugh from most people.

Carlos opened the apartment doors and I stepped inside. So much had changed in the past three months. When I was last here Ranger was in the wind and I didn't even know I was pregnant. Now here I am walking back into our home with a son. It was amazing and yet almost unreal.

Carlos took my hand, while still holding our sleeping son in the carrier with the other hand, and lead me to the home office. I was overwhelmed to see that it had been painted a soft green and trimmed in white. A beautiful crib was in the room that was a rich cherry color. The bedding set was jungle themed with colorful monkeys, giraffes, and elephants. There was even a mobile on the crib that matched! A wardrobe had been brought in that matched the crib ad had a hanging area along with several drawers below. I stepped in the room to open the wardrobe and found that it was full of soft baby clothes that had already been washed and hung on small hangers. The drawers were filled with other baby items, clothes, and receiving blankets. Several expensive looking, plush blankets were neatly folded on a shelf as well. One had already been embroidered with Trey's name along the edge. It hung on the side of Trey's crib.

My eyes fell on a beautiful matching rocking chair in the corner that had a matching foot rest in front of it. I sat in it as I looked around the room and was speechless. Carlos sat Trey's carrier down on the floor and came to kneel beside me.

"Babe, do you like the nursery? I had Ella help me with it, but I picked out most of

the things and colors. I thought it might be something you'd like and would pick out if you could have been here."

I found myself crying again as I tried to formulate the words to express what I was feeling inside. In between tears and hiccups, I managed to speak. "Carlos, you did all of this for me? And for Trey? How? When?"

"Steph, we've been gone a while. I picked a lot of it out right after Trey was born and I saw that he was going to be in Newark for a while. The guys and Louis painted the room and assembled everything. Ella, of course, arranged buying everything that I specified. She picked out most of the outfits, but you and I can go shopping one day when it's safe for you to go out. And when Trey is better. I just didn't want my son to come home to an empty nursery. I was afraid you'd be upset that I did it without telling you at first, but now I'm kind of glad I did. Since we had little time to prepare today…"

I interrupted Carlos for a change. "Carlos I couldn't possibly be upset. Your forethought and preparation means that Trey has a room, and a crib, and clothing, and everything we could possibly need. Thank you for doing this! I love you so much!"

I was still crying and couldn't seem to stop. Carlos seemed to understand and pulled me to him tightly in a hug as I sat in the recliner and he sat on the rocking foot stool. Our brief embrace was interrupted by Trey waking up and starting to fuss.

"Sounds like someone's ready to see their new room."

I laughed at Carlos. "More like he's ready to be rocked and fed, but maybe we can arrange all of the above."

Carlos lifted Trey out of the carrier and handed him over to me after placing a soft kiss on his forehead. I settled him in to nurse and he latched on immediately. He was still hooked up to the apnea monitor that we were given at the hospital, and Carlos arranged the thin wires so that I could rock Trey as I fed him. He took the carrier and placed it in the corner where it would be out of the way and then went about calling Ella for dinner.

Ella had already anticipated our arrival, so dinner was ready and she appeared within minutes with a rolling cart of wonderful smelling food. After arranging the table, she knocked lightly on the doorway of Trey's room where she found me continuing to feed Trey and Carlos lounged out on the floor, relaxing at my feet.

"Come in Ella," Ranger spoke. I looked up and smiled a welcoming smile.

"Oh Ella! Thank you so much for everything you did to make Trey's homecoming so special. I was so worried about not being prepared!"

"Oh nonsense sweet child! I was more than happy to do it. But Carlos picked out most of the things. It's so nice to see you two as a family. I wish I had a camera. This scene is perfect and -long overdue if you ask me." Ella gave Carlos a quick 'one-eyebrow-raised' look, as if to say "you finally got your head out of your ass"!

Carlos had the decency to look slightly embarrassed, well, as embarrassed as Carlos gets. And then he looked to me and smiled. "Thank you Ella. You're right. This is perfect. I'm home with my wife and son. It couldn't be much more perfect."

"Well, I won't bother you two any longer. Dinner is ready and you can leave the dishes and I'll clean up in the morning. I saw Bobby on my way up and he will be here shortly to show you what the home medical group brought by earlier. Ring me if you need anything else. And welcome home. I missed you!"

I spoke up through the lump in my throat. "Thank you Ella. I missed you too."

Trey was finished nursing, so I wrapped him in a thin blanket and laid him in his crib. He had fallen asleep while nursing, so I hoped that he would sleep a little while and I could eat. As Carlos took my hand and we started to walk out of the room, I stopped quickly and realized that I wouldn't be near my son to hear him if something happened. And no one was in the room with him. "Carlos what if he needs me? We've never left him alone at the hospital. Not even for a second. One of us, or our mothers were always with him. I can't leave him in here even though the kitchen is just down the hallway. I know you think I'm crazy, but he's still so little and…."

Carlos smiled and pulled a baby monitor from his back pocket. "Babe, do you really think I'd leave our son in here alone? See the base unit is on the side of his crib there. And here's the receiver. It has a clip so you can put it on your pants or on a pocket. And there's a video feature as well." Carlos pushed a few buttons and a picture of our sleeping son popped up on the screen. "The base unit has a camera built in and relays the video feed to this receiver. You can hear him and see him. Pretty neat, huh?"

Leave it to my security conscious husband to think of everything. "Carlos I love it. This is brilliant!"

We took the monitor to the dining room with us and I sat it on the table so that we both could see Trey as we ate. When we finished, Carlos rinsed the dishes as I wiped the countertops and table, and then we settled on the couch to rest while I held the baby monitor. Bobby came in a few minutes later with Molly, and I was glad to find her not only polite, but genuine as well. I could see us possibly becoming friends. Bobby seemed to be quite smitten with her as well, and the quick looks he gave her didn't seem to escape by Carlos. We left the guys talking in the living room while Molly and I went in the nursery to check on Trey.

Molly gave Trey a quick once over and asked about his eating habits as well as how many diapers he was soiling each day. She took careful notes, and I was relieved to see that she was treating him like a real patient. She noticed my glimpse at her notes and explained that she would set up a chart for Trey so that his pediatrician could look over it when he came in for his visits. Molly took his temperature and Trey didn't like that at all, so after she finished with him, I swaddled him in a blanket and held him while we talked. Molly told me that she was in one of the apartments on four, which I already knew, but also told me that we could call her any time night or day. She only worked part time for the childrens clinic, and Bobby would be available when she wasn't in the building. Turns out they had already worked out a schedule. Also, before my mind could even think of it, she assured me that she planned on showering after work so as not to bring home any germs or viruses or colds to Trey. She assured me that she knew the importance of keeping premature babies healthy and I felt immediately at ease after talking with her.

We joined the guys in the living room, and Carlos stood to take Trey from me. "Babe, you should rest. You have to be tired. I'll hold Trey for a while until he settles down and goes back to sleep. Why don't you get ready for bed?

Bobby smiled at Carlos as he was holding Trey. I looked to him, sensing that he wanted to say something, and finally gave in and asked. "What is it Bobby?"

"Bomber, it's just so good to have you guys back home. I never thought I'd see the day that Bossman here would be holding a tiny baby in this apartment. But it's good. We need this around here. It affirms life and how good it can be, especially after some of the hell we've all seen. This will be a breath of fresh air for Rangeman."

I smiled up at him as Carlos pulled me close. He kissed my temple, and then looked at me as if he were inquiring. Our ESP must have been in sync because I knew what he was asking. I nodded my head as I pulled myself even closer to him.

Carlos smiled his 1000 watt smile and it was Bobby's turn to ask what was up.

"What is it guys? You both look like you've got something to say."

Carlos chuckled again. (I swear it must be something new that they installed in him after Trey was born. I'd never heard him chuckle or laugh in my life!) "We're glad you are happy about Trey being here. And if Trey being here is a breath of fresh air, then when the twins get here it'll be a full blown hurricane!"

Molly and Bobby looked at each other quickly and then to us. Molly laughed and grinned as Bobby stuttered. "You mean…she's…Bomber's….twins…when…how?"

We both laughed at him. Finally I spoke up. "Bobby I would hope you'd know the answer to the how part since you're the medic around here! But yes, we're having twins. We just found out and wanted to wait until we got Trey home to tell everyone. I'm only around 5 weeks, but we've already had an ultrasound and the doctor confirmed it was twins. I have to go for weekly visits, although I'm not sure how our new psycho will affect my appointments."

Molly hugged me quickly. "Congratulations! Were the twins planned? Have you been sick?"

"Thank you. No, they weren't planned. Quite the opposite in fact. But we're happy. We just found out yesterday and I visited the doctor today. I've been nauseated and threw up this morning. So it looks like my pregnancy might not go by as unnoticed as the one with Trey."

"Bobby filled me in on how you didn't even gain weight with Trey. That's unusual, but not unheard of. A lot of pregnancies with twins result in hyperemesis gravidarum, which is just a fancy way of saying you're sick a lot with your pregnancy. It's from all the extra pregnancy hormones from having twins. I can give you some suggestions for helping with it. I'll write them down and bring them by in the morning."

Carlos smiled. "Thanks Molly. We appreciate that. Steph's doctor already said she's a little under weight for where he'd like her to be for the beginning of the pregnancy. We'd appreciate any help or advice."

Bobby did the man hug and complicated hand shake thing with Carlos as he showed them to the door. He returned as I as sitting down on the couch.

"Come on Babe, let's get you to bed."

"But what about Trey?"

"Come on, let me show you."

I walked arm in arm with Carlos, who was still holding Trey, and saw that a portable crib had been set up in our room at the foot of the bed. The leather bench seat that was previously there had been moved to a corner, and the colors of the portable crib matched the colors of our bedding.

"Carlos! You really thought of everything! Did you pick this out?"

"Yep. Ella actually suggested it, since I told her I was worried that you'd be sleeping on the floor in Trey's room."

I smirked at him and stuck my tongue out, even though he was probably right.

"She said her nieces used one of these for several months with their child. She was able to get it in a color to compliment the rest of the room, and the bottom is adjustable so that when he gets older, it can be used as a playpen. It has wheels on one end so it can be easily rolled. I thought that if you decide to work, you could bring it downstairs with you. I think it's called a pack and play. It's really easy to set up."

"Thank you so much Carlos. What would I do without you?"

"You'll never have to find out Babe."

After quickly changing into a pair of Carlos' silk boxers and one of his t-shirts, I snuggled down into the million count sheets that I had missed dearly for the past few months. Carlos placed Trey in his portable crib, and while he got ready for bed, I noticed that there was another baby monitor on the side of the crib. When he came back into the room, he handed me the receiver and I placed it on the bedside table after making sure the volume was up.

We snuggled together as the reality of the day set in. It felt so good to be in each others' arms with our son home as well. Even though there was a crazy psycho stalker out there somewhere, I felt safe and secure. I sighed as I realized just how much I'd missed home. Carlos pulled me closer and kissed me gently. He held me close as we drifted off to sleep. I knew I'd be up in a few hours for a feeding, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I had come to realize that all of my fears about being a Burg wife were unfounded. With Carlos beside me, I knew that I could do anything I wanted. I could be anything I wanted. And I knew I'd be doing it with him beside me, supporting me, and loving me.