Hi! So I can't believe it's been over three years since I last updated this story. Where has the time gone?! It sure does fly.

Once I graduated college back in Dec 2015, I hit the pavement running Jan 2016 and have kept that work hustle. Unfortunately, being an adult juggling different professions has created the lack of writing time *sniffle*. Sooooo, here we are now *insert cheeky smile* with an update for this story.

To recap: Ranger was gone for years, he comes back and finds that Stephanie is engaged. On the other hand, Stephanie was hella shocked with Ranger's return.

Some of you expressed how deeply you feel in terms of BABE HEA, and some 'Poor Ben' v 'Poor Ranger' v 'WTF Stephanie' teams have formed. Interesting. Some of you are also wondering how the heck will this unfold. Is Ben a good guy? Is he a bad guy? Does Ranger deserve another chance? What really happened to Stephanie? All of these questions (and after all this time) will have an answer as this story moves forward. I'll try my best to update as fast as I can.

In this chapter, you'll find out a little bit of what these years have been like on the homefront.

Disclaimer: The Plum Universe belongs to JE. Mistakes are mine.

"Thank you, Aunt Steph." My sleepy niece hugged me tight before going inside.

"You're welcome, kiddo." I said to her retreating back.

"Thank you for keeping an eye on her and making sure she came home safe." Valerie said with a shiver as she tightened her fuzzy robe.

"Any time." I said sincerely before parting. My sister was always the saint between us, but some would say freaking out over a school trip was extra even for her. A couple years ago I wouldn't understand the motherly worry Val has for her girls and would agree with the 'some'. Younger Steph had no idea how much life can change in the blink of an eye. Today's Stephanie understands completely.

"She's my oldest." My sister said by way of explanation, as if reading my mind. "They grow up so fast. She'll be off to college before I know it."

I nodded my understanding. "Angie's smart and responsible. You've done a great job with her. She'll make good decisions all on her own." Unlike her Aunt Steph.

"Have a good night. Get home safe." With a hug my sister went back inside the warmth of her home.

By the time I angled into the car, Ben was sound asleep. Slowly, I reversed out of the driveway. The drive to his place would be a short one at this time of night, so there was no rush.

"Ben." I tapped his arm once I parked in his driveway.

"Hey." He gave me a small smile while unbuckling his seatbelt. "Are you staying?"

I shook my head in the darkness. "You need to get some rest before your shift." I fibbed. I've spent nights with him in the past, despite knowing his shift would start in a few hours.

"Okay." Ben's sleepy yawn tugged a stifled one out of me.

"Need me to be your alarm?" I offered to call to make sure he'd be up in a couple of hours.

"Don't worry about it. I'll be up." He leaned in to kiss my lips, like we've done in the past, and I was a little relieved it was a sleepy, quick peck on the lips.

I watched him stumble inside before I headed to my apartment. I drove on autopilot, tired both physically and mentally. Maybe this was for the better. The fatigue should let me have a dreamless sleep.

I fobbed my way into the underground garage and parked by the elevator. When I renovated the building, I kept the adjacent parking lot as well as added an underground one. The seniors in the building love the adjacent lot for easier access. I mainly use the underground, along with the Merrymen on duty.

I unloaded the elevator in the lobby so I could say hi to the guy on lobby duty. Tonight it was Woody.

"Hi." I said with a finger wave. I was beyond exhausted, but the men did a great job at keeping everyone in this building safe. Whenever I have the chance, I pay a little visit in hopes it would make the graveyard shift suck a little less.

"Hi." Woody was more alert than I am even after a cup of coffee.

"How's it going?" I asked.

"Pretty smooth." He said Mrs. Bestler was playing elevator operator. "I escorted her to the women's lingerie floor about an hour ago."

"Thank you." The guys have taken it upon themselves to not only watch my back and the building, but also help my older neighbors/tenants.

"I also walked Princess while I did my perimeter check. She was a little antsy."

"You're amazing." I said with a wink before bidding him a goodnight.

I loaded the elevator again and rode to my final destination on the second floor. Transferring my shopping loot to one hand, I silently unlocked my door. I'd just set the bags down in the foyer when the unmistakable sound of paws running my way alerted me of movement in my apartment. "Princess!" I braced for impact just in time.

S&R

Once Lester left, dark thoughts threatened to make this a long night. Curious, I couldn't resist running a search on Dr. Winchell. A part of me hoped to find some deep, dark secret that could help tar the man's image. What I found was the complete opposite. He came from a wealthy family in the South. The Doc was the sole heir in fact. Didn't have so much as a parking ticket. Squeaky clean. A little too clean. So, I ran a more in depth search. The only other news I found was that he'd been divorced once. Married his College Sweetheart, it seemed. Marriage didn't last long. Ex wife is also a doctor and currently works in Boston.

Interesting? Maybe. Maybe not. I've been divorced once, too. So has Babe. The divorcee club. Great.

I tried to sleep. I tried to let her be, at least tonight, but I couldn't. I wanted... Nope, I needed to see her. By the time I'd made up my mind, it was quite late. She'd probably be asleep.

Careful not to disturb her sleep is something I've done in the past. Tonight would be no different. I need to see her.I convinced myself that I'd just pop in, take a quick look to satiate my need and then I'd be gone. She wouldn't even know I was there. In fact, it would be near 0500 by the time I got to her apartment. It's rise and shine for Rangeman, but for Babe it's still basically the middle of the night. She can still bank in several hours of sleep before she has to rise and shine.

Before I could change my mind, I was backing the Turbo out of its parking space.

Tank was right. I wouldn't know this was her place if I hadn't been to this location before. The building was a fortress, very similar to Rangeman. The adjacent lot I would have done without, but I understand the purpose. I recognized most of the outdated cars parked in the lot and couldn't hide the smile that tugged at the corners of my lips. Of course Babe would keep the same tenants in the building. She wouldn't be herself otherwise.

I parked by the dumpster and angled out. When I reached the building's entrance I realized that I needed access. Looking down at the key fob in my hand, I realized I did have access to the building. I fobbed my way into the lobby with ease, only to bump into a very wide-eyed Woody.

"Sir, welcome back." He saluted after regaining his composure. He looked just as shocked as Babe had been. I guess I better get used to that reaction. At this point I've pretty much returned from the dead.

"At ease." I thanked him just as my eyes involuntarily flicked to my right, locking eyes on the elevator.

"Uhm." Woody looked nervous. A nervous Rangeman is never a good sign.

I shot him my best glare and moved towards the elevator. From the corner of my eye I could tell he wanted to come after me. That was not a good sign either. I mean, yes, it's great that my men feel so protective of Stephanie, but I am no threat to her safety.

Again, I fobbed my way until I was standing outside her apartment on the second floor. Would she still have the same apartment? Or does she have a penthouse on the top floor? Only one way to find out.

I locked the door behind me and stood in the foyer long enough for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. The layout seemed to be the same as before: foyer, kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom in the back.

I faintly registered that the place was a lot more furnished that before. It was elegant in its simplicity. Babe kept it classy but not ostentatious. Just like her.

When I finally reached the bedroom, my breath caught in my throat at the sight before me. There was a nightlight glowing against Babe's still form. What caught my breath was the lump of another body occupying the other side of the bed. Clenching my jaw, I stilled as I worked on breathing.

What did I expect? I already knew she was with someone else. Why didn't it occur to me that she could have company in her bed?

Before I could finish processing the scene before me, I was snapped out of my musings when a loud bark sounded at my feet. The surprises keep on coming. When did Babe get a dog? From the looks of it, the dog was a lot smaller than Bob. That's good. I focused and realized it was a pug. Why?

The barking continued and it made me realize I was going to have to abort this visit or I'd risk getting caught. That probably, scratch that, definitely won't fly well with the other occupants in the room.

"Princess!" The sound of Babe's sleep heavy voice startled me. I will be caught if I don't make a move to leave. Now. "Shhshh." Babe was asleep on her left side, her back towards me and the night light. Her face was in shadow but I could imagine her soft features scrunched up in annoyance. Her hand patted the empty space just below her ass. Following the command, the dog jumped on the bed. It sat with its back against Babe and continued to low growl my way.

I was about to make a move out of the bedroom when Babe lifted the blanket off of herself. The dog quickly snuggled against Babe's bare legs. But before she covered herself again, I noticed two things. One, the other body was none other than Grandma Mazur. That was a very reassuring visual. At least it wasn't the doc. Unfortunately, the relief I felt upon discovering the identity of Babe's bed companion was fleeting. The second thing I noticed was the presence of a third, much smaller body.

All at once, I felt this weight sink onto my chest. I wanted to yank the covers and demand answers, yet I knew I wouldn't be able to control myself if I did.

So I did the only thing I could do: I left.

I took the stairs three at a time and found myself in the lobby in what felt like the blink of an eye.

Woody had been replaced by Manny during my time upstairs. Manny gave me the same "I saw a ghost" face. I didn't have time to deal with his shock, because I had mine to deal with.

I raced back to Rangeman in search of answers. Someone had some explaining to do.

Luckily for me I bumped into Bobby in the underground garage. "Lester?" I asked, even before the Turbo's car door slammed shut behind me.

"Monitor Duty." To his credit, Bobby didn't have that startled look on his face upon seeing me.

I nodded my thanks and rushed to the fifth floor. This time, I took the stairs in hopes of burning off some of the pent up emotions currently threatening to cloud my judgement.

Sure enough I found Lester in the control room. He was focused on the camera feeds before him, in his zone just like Hal beside him, to even detect me coming in hot from behind.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I jerked him towards me by grabbing a fistful of his T-shirt.

"Ranger, what the..." Lester's initial surprise was replaced by a quick flicker of self-preservation.

"She has a child!" At this point I was being so forceful with my jerks that it was possible his air supply was being at least partially interrupted. "You rambled on and on earlier, but you didn't tell me that Stephanie has a child?!" I shook him with so much force that it was enough to get Hal to join the mix.

Hal had been silent up until this point, staying neutral to my wrath. He shoved a cell phone in my face. I released Lester and took the phone when I realized it displayed the photo of a smiling toddler.

"Her name is Mia." Hal said simply as I stared at the photo.

My eyes scanned the image before me, committing even the last detail to memory. She has black hair, like mine. She has curly hair, like Babe. Her skin tone is somewhere between mine and Babe's. The cheeky smile is all Babe. Dark eyes, like mine. Soft skin, like Babe.

She looks a lot like Julie did at that age.

My heart and mind were racing against each other as realization hit. I didn't even have to do the math. That... Mia is my child.