Disclaimer: I love the Stephanie Plum series, but I don't own them and I don't make anything off of them.

Thanks to everyone for your reviews on my first story. Also a special Thank You to Margaret Fowler for your encouragement. So here is the long awaited next update. I hope you enjoy it.

This is the last update for this story. I hope you enjoy it.

Previously…

"Well, isn't this an interesting turn of events. Helen Plum, escort/whore to the degenerates. Wonder how many will actually take advantage of that." Alexander asked with a smile on his face.

"It will be even more interesting when they find out who she is, and who she is not going to get protection from. How long do you think she'll last?" I asked. This would certainly be entertaining to watch. Everyone laughed at the idea. Well I guess this wasn't that far off from her behavior before, she'll spread her legs for anything, just now she'll get paid for it.

XXXXXX

Awkward but Happy

(Paul's POV)

Setting the phone down after talking to Ms. Ramos I sat there and stared at it, I was honestly floored. I knew that she was not acknowledging this woman as her mother and some of the horrible things that had been done and said, but this told me that this was taking it to a whole other level. Well, if she wasn't worried about the old bag why should I be, right? Walking back into the room I had left Mrs. Plum I look at her. Her body wasn't in bad shape, but you could tell she was pushing sixty. I shuddered at the thought of tapping that, just not going there. Most of my clients wanted young and perky, I doubt I can do much for her. Her hair looked like it resembled a football helmet on her head and the worst wind wouldn't do it any damage, it probably offered better protection than the real thing. Her makeup was caked on, and it was obvious she was trying and failing to cover up wrinkles. Her breasts were small and seemed to sag a bit, even with her bra and the clothes that she wore were too conservative for this business. There would have to be some changes in her appearance, and fast.

"Mrs. Plum," she turned to look at me with a stern look. "I can't make any promises about my help. I can put you on the list of girls that I have, but honestly, my clients are looking for young, beautiful, skinny arm candy. You fit none of those criteria." I stated flatly.

With a set jaw she glared at me. "I am more experienced at this than most of your current employees, as well as having more tricks than they would even think of. Your clients will appreciate that."

"Do you realize that my other girls are willing to do certain things that you have never heard of? I have a hard time believing you. Plus, they are also protected." I stated flatly.

"You don't know what I can offer, but I would gladly show you." She purred and took a step closer to me, making me internally cringe.

"No. I have no interest in what you can offer me. Again I don't think any of my clients will be interested in your so called 'services', but I am willing to offer to put you on my list. I make absolutely no promises." I stated.

"And what protection do your girls get in working with you?" She asked.

"Due to the nature of my clients, they have the protection of an individual to help prevent any unwanted advances and accidents." I said flatly.

"Ok, how do I go about getting this so called protection?" She asked.

"It has not been offered to you, nor will it be. If you choose to do this, you are on your own." I explained.

Her eyes got hard and her jaw set tighter as she tried to intimidate me. "And why is this not being offered to me?" She asked angrily.

"They have refused to offer you protection." I said flatly.

"And who exactly would that be? What do they know of me?" She asked getting angrier.

"Ms. Ramos. And she knows plenty, I'm sure." I offered with a smile.

The screeching that occurred after that was worse than all the sirens and screaming of the Police invading my business. She went on and on about how horrible that 'bitch of a daughter' of hers was, how she was going to 'get her dues', and that she would make her 'pay' come hell or high water. The woman looked absolutely psychotic. The picture in front of me solidified all the stories that I had heard about this woman. I would be damned if I would be giving her to any of my well behaved clients. This woman would get what she deserved, and if there was anyone that would be interested in doing just that, I would be more than happy to oblige.

I had to call my security to have her removed from the room still ranting and raving and told them to just leave her outside the building and she was not to be let back in. I saw the grimaces on their faces, but hey, that's what I pay them for. Shaking my head, trying to clear the ringing in my ears, I got back to work; I had some phone calls to make.

XXXXXX

(Steph's POV)

It had been two weeks and we were excitedly anticipating the birth of the baby. Things had been going smoothly so far since the call from Paul. I had not heard much from him since then. He did let me know about his conversation with her after we hung up and I got a good laugh from that. He also told me that he was having issues finding anyone that was willing to take her on as their 'service provider'. That didn't surprise me that much, but then again he hadn't really advertised to anyone exactly who she was. In my last conversation with him, I had given him permission to explain exactly who she was and to see what happens next.

Word had it that she was going on her first escorting job this evening with one of Paul's more dangerous clients, a man that I had had some run ins with and had to put in his place. I had a feeling he would be taking out his aggressions on her that he held towards me. Paul promised to let me know what came of it tomorrow.

Sitting in an adirondack chair on the patio overlooking the beach I couldn't help but smile at the times I had had recently with Ranger, John, Isa, Alexander and Adrian. Things still weren't perfect, Adrian was still tense around Ranger, but he was getting better. Ranger had been sweet to not push the envelope around Adrian since all of our things were moved back into the house. He still marked his territory, but he was getting less and less smug about it. John and Isa were both blossoming and looking forward to school starting in the next few weeks. I had been having this feeling building in me the last few days that something was going to happen with the baby so we have been spending more time out here in Deal recently, and it was limiting their time with kids their own age, but they were getting more and more comfortable with their surroundings. Just the other day Isa called me Mom for the first time. When she realized what she had done she began to cry and ran from the room. John looked sad, but he didn't say anything.

I made my way to Isa's room slowly, to make sure that she didn't think I was invading her space. I knocked on the slightly open door and pushed gently. I saw her laying on her bed face down crying. Slowly I made my way to her bed and sat down next to her. Gently rubbing her hair until she calmed down, I said softly, "Isa, its okay to be sad."

She sniffled a bit more, turned over to look at me and threw her arms around my waist. "I miss my mom, but that's not it." She sniffed a few more times trying to get herself under control. "I don't want you to be mad at me."

That shocked me. "Why would I be made at you?" I asked softly. She buried her face into my stomach and started to sob again. I looked up to see John and Adrian in the doorway watching us. "Sweetheart, it's okay to tell me, I'm not mad at you. I love you Isa."

It took a little while for her to calm down again, but when she finally did she spoke again, "You won't want me once the baby comes. You'll send us away, and we won't be with you any more. He'll be your son." She explained as thick tears spilled down her face. She held on to me tighter and buried her face in my stomach again. I looked up to see the sadness in John and the worry on Adrian's face and then looked back down at Isa.

"Oh no, Sweetheart, nothing will change the fact that you and John are here with us. We all love you and will protect and take care of both of you for as long as you want to be here." I said hugging her too me.

"But you,,,,, won't,,,, want me,,,,,, to call,,, you,,, Mom." She got out through gasps of breath.

"Isa, look at me please." I tipped her chin up to look at me. I had tears in my eyes for this little girl's pain. "You can call me anything you want to. You can call me Mom, if that makes you comfortable, or you can call me Steph. It's up to you. I would be honored if you called me mom, but I won't push you. You have to be okay with it. Your mom was a wonderful woman, and I can only hope to be half the mom that she was to you." I looked up to see John with tears in his eyes. I waived him over as well and Adrian came in the room and sat down as well.

"You are all a part of this family now Isa." Adrian explained. "We won't be sending you anywhere. The baby coming will only add to our growing family. No one could take your place in our hearts. It doesn't matter that you are not related to us by blood." He took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze smiling at her.

She only nodded her head, and then turned back to me. "But, what about John? Can he call you Mom?" I saw John stiffen out of the corner of my eye.

I looked at John and smiled, "That's up to John. He can call me whatever he wants to. There is no pressure for either of you." I paused and watched him slowly relax. "I want you both to understand that we will never let you forget your mother. Anytime you want to talk about her come find me, if you need to talk to someone else feel free. Miguel or Rico, can talk to you as well. Rico's wife would be a good person to talk to as well. I have them looking through pictures to see if we can come up with more for you than the few you do have." I paused again and looked at Isa, "I will not let you forget your mother, and she was a wonderful woman and protected you with her life."

It had taken us a while to comfort Isa that day. She had not left my side the rest of the day, while John put some distance between the two of us. Adrian had watched him closely but gave him his space. Ranger had not been exactly happy that he had missed that conversation, but there was nothing he could do about it. I think he was more upset that Adrian had been there instead.

I was pulled from my mussing by hands massaging my neck and shoulders gently and kisses on my earlobe and just below my ear. Moaning at the sensations that he was creating I relaxed into the ministrations. I closed my eyes and just let the sensations wash over me along with the scent of Bulgari. As he moved his hands down my arms his lips made their way down my neck and across my collar bone to my shoulder. Thankful for the boat neck blouse that I was wearing today, since nothing was impeding his progress. His warm lips were sending shivers to my core and I felt a rush of wetness between my legs. Oh what this man could do to me.

I found myself being picked up and walked into the house, up the stairs and into our bedroom, not once had his lips left my skin. The door to our room closed gently and the lock was thrown before he moved his way to the bed. Placing me down gently on the edge and laying me back, he slowly began to peel my clothes away, and as each article was removed he would kiss every inch of skin available to him. My blouse was the first to go, and his hands trailed down my front with his lips following not far behind. Each kiss was reverent, soft and full of love and desire. The man knew just how to work my body. He left my bra in place and worked his way down toward my pants, unbuttoning them, then laying me down and lifting my hips to peel them off as well, yet leaving my thong. He work his way down my right leg, massaging the muscles, licking and nipping down to my ankle, then massaging my foot, before he moved on to the other leg. Repeating the treatment on my left leg only in reverse, the fire inside me was almost overwhelming at this point and I was writhing on the bed for him. As he got closer to my core he looked up at me with the blackest of eyes I had ever seen on him. No words were spoken, but then again no words were needed. He skipped my core and traced my belly button with his tongue, making sure that I was watching him dip his tongue in a few times before he moved on to my sides and working his way up.

As soon as his lower half was within my reach, I was able to get his pants undone and open enough that I grabbed a hold of his shaft and worked it in my hand. He was hard as a rock before I even touched him. The silky smoothness of his skin sent me over the edge for the first time, and he hadn't even touched me in the important areas yet. He smiled against my skin never loosing eye contact with me as he watched me go over, neither of us making a sound. Once he made sure I was coming down he continued his torture. This time on my arms, starting at my shoulder and down my arm, once he reached my hand, he massaged the palm, sucked on each finger, making sure to roll his tongue around each individual digit, then kiss the inside of my wrist. He moved my hand down to his shaft and switch so he could have access to the other arm, repeating the entire process on that arm but in reverse. The only sound in the room was our heavy breathing and the rustle of fabric. As he moved back to my neck and released my arm I moved to remove his t-shirt with my free hand, and still grabbing his shaft with the other I increased the pressure, with steady deep strokes. There was a hitch in his breath as my fingers first grazed his sack before moving away again, and then repeating the motion. He removed his shirt in one swift motion, and then returned to his ministrations. He moved to my breast, removing my bra slowly, to which he laved and fondled almost whisper soft. He rocked his hips with the motion of my hand and I felt him shiver above me. I knew he was as close as I was, but he was able to hold himself back.

Once he had gain control of himself he dove south, removing himself from my hands, ripping off my thong and attached his mouth to my clit, biting and immediately making me cum. My body was so on fire that only a gasp escaped my lips, my legs immediately squeezed his head in place, still holding his gaze, as he watched me go over for the second time he then thrust his tongue deep within me and lapped up the juices that he had caused to gush yet again, working his magic bringing me up to peak and over the crest again just moments later. Panting and shaking, I knew I needed to get my hands on this man, and NOW! I sat bolt upright, surprising him, grabbing his head and pulling him to my mouth. Kissing him with everything I had in me, tasting myself on him, my hands moving to his waist to push his pants off his hips. After toeing off his shoes and removing his pants, he gently laid me back down on the bed hovering over me, but I had other ideas. I hooked my leg behind his knee and was able to reverse our positions. I straddled his hips and sank down on his shaft in one motion not wanting to delay any further. I just couldn't wait any longer, I needed him.

The groan that came from his chest and the feel of him deep within me had me on edge yet again. I was moving slowly, only allowing him to escape an inch at a time. Pinning his hands at his side, taking control, I began to kiss anywhere I could reach with my mouth, while not once stopping the motion of my hips. He rocked his hips to meet me with every downward motion I made, driving deeper and deeper into me. Releasing his hands I moved to tweak his nipples and caress his abs, enjoying the ribbon like feel of his skin under my hands. In the distance there was a slight muffled buzzing noise, but neither one of us wanted to stop.

Taking our time with each other, we had finally driven ourselves mad with need and began speeding up the pace, our hips thrusting to meet each other, the slap of skin meeting skin, and heavy breathing sounds filling the room. He reversed our positions and drove into me like there was no tomorrow, his mouth crashing down on mine as we both came, swallowing each others screams of pleasure while continuing to move together, never wanting it to end.

As our bodies and breathing calmed down, the kiss continued turning from mad passion to loving and affectionate. Pulling back from his mouth I looked up into his eye and saw all of the love that had been there the past months, but there was something else, fear. He lowered his forehead to meet mine and rested it there. I clung to him, knowing exactly what he was feeling. Rubbing my hands up and down his back I heard the buzzing sounds again but ignored it. This was our time.

I lifted his head with my hands to make him look me in the eyes again waiting until he met my gaze and stated, "I love you." I kissed him without waiting for a response to let him know everything would be okay. After a few moments he rolled off me but pulled me on top of him. We were still joined and I laid my head on his chest just listening to his heart beating, enjoying this moment.

It was pounding at our door and yelling from the other side that all of a sudden broke our embrace. I heard him sigh and roll his head on the pillow and then kiss the top of my head. I listened to the yelling and was able to hear my name, and it sounded like Adrian. Ranger let me roll off and away from him and I stood to get my robe from the end of the bed to cover myself before I opened the door. Looking back at Ranger as I stepped up to the door I gave him a smile, which in turn I received a half smile from him.

Opening the door, there stood Adrian, looking a bit frantic. "You weren't answering your phone. We need to go, it's time. The baby is coming. We have to get to the hospital." His eyes were glowing with excitement and a smile so bright that it could have lit Rockefeller Center alone.

I returned his excitement, "Okay, give me 20 minutes. I'll be right down." and closed the door turning around to see the sad look that crossed Ranger's face. I walked over to him grabbing his hand giving it a tug. "Come on we need to get cleaned up and get to the hospital." I said excitedly.

Receiving another half smile in return, a slight nod, "Come on let's get cleaned up. You need to get going." He replied in response.

I stopped moving and looked at him. "I want you there too." I said.

"You need to be there with Adrian. I'll bring the kids by after he's here." Ranger said pulling me into the bathroom.

"But I want you there too. The kids can come by later. I need you there Ranger." I replied. "I love you. This affects you just as much as it does me." I needed to make sure he understood just how much I meant by that. I tried to will him to understand me.

"I love you too Babe, with everything that I am, but this is a time for you and Adrian. As much as I hate to admit it, I'd be in the way." He said with resignation.

I paused a moment, "Ranger, you will never be in the way, at least not with me. Please." I asked. He looked in my eyes for a moment, and must have seen what I was trying to convey to him there, and nodded his head without saying anything further.

XXXXXX

(Ranger's POV)

I knew this day would be here before I was ready for it. This day would test everything that Steph and I had been working at together. My stomach had felt like it was in knots for the last two weeks and I had this feeling that today was going to be the day. When I arrived back at the house I knew I needed to have one last afternoon with Steph before the baby came, because things would never be the same again. The pounding at the door had made my heart sink, I knew what was coming, and I knew she understood how I felt. Fear gripped my heart like it had never done before when she closed it after talking with Adrian. The excitement in her face made my heart almost stop right then and there. I might lose her today.

A short while later, here I sit in the waiting room on the maternity floor of a private hospital in New Jersey with Alexander. The man was bouncing in his seat with excitement, and his feelings were justified. He was adding a new member to his family. I on the other hand may possibly be pushed out of the very same family by the new edition. I know it was selfish of me to feel this way, but after everything that I had been through and all the stupid mistakes that I had made, I was finally happy. It would only serve me right to lose it now.

Adrian came into the waiting room a few times to give us updates as the afternoon and evening passed, while Steph stayed with their surrogate. Things were progressing well, at least as far as Adrian knew and they were going to begin pushing fairly soon. The knot in my stomach was growing bigger and bigger as time passed. He kept telling us how excited he and Steph were for the arrival of their son, and how she was just glowing in there. As I looked out the window of the waiting room that overlooked a beautiful garden, I could imagine exactly what he was saying. The sparkle in her eyes, the slight pink tint to her cheeks, the huge smile plastered on that beautiful face of hers. I could only wish I was the one that put it there, that it was my child that was being born and not Adrian's.

I was brought out of my thoughts by Alexander's voice from across the room, "She loves you more than anything. You know that, as well as I do Ranger. She will love that child with everything in her as well. As much as I wish she and Adrian would get married, I know that her heart belongs to you. Adrian knows this as well. He always has."

I let me shoulders sag a bit and turn to look at him, a bit of the knot releasing. "She tells me that as well, but a child between two people, two people that love each other, can be a strong pull."

"And neither of them will do anything that will be detrimental to the child. The child's needs will come first, but this baby will be luckier than most, because it has more than just two loving parents. You can never give a child too much love, unless your version of love is to control." Alexander explained.

I nodded my head in agreement. As I turned around I saw Adrian coming down the hallway and took a deep breath. It had been over two hours since his last check in with us.

With so much wonderment in his voice, "He's here. Come meet him. He's beautiful. I don't think I've seen a more beautiful child in my life." Adrian was looking at Alexander.

As he started to turn around and walk away Alexander came up to me and slapped a hand on my back, "Let's meet the newest member of the family shall we?" He asked with a smile.

I gave him a half smile back and followed him down the hall. As we approached the door I saw that it was slightly open and was able to see Steph holding a blue blanket cradled close to her chest and the biggest smile on her face that I had ever seen before. Adrian was right, she was absolutely glowing. Alexander walked over to the door and pushed it open further. Steph never raised her head to see who entered, her attention completely on the baby. As I watched from the hallway, I saw her swaying back and forth, and watched her talk to him. Adrian moved directly behind her and placed his arm around her waist, causing my fists to clench at my sides. My body involuntarily took the steps necessary to be in the room. She must have sensed my arrival, because she looked up at me and smiled, melting some of the tension from my heart and stomach. I could see the love shining for me through her eyes as she held the baby. A tear leaked down her cheek and she turned her head back towards the baby in her arms.

She turned to Adrian and placed the baby in his arms and then walked over to me and enveloped me in her arms. "Thank you for being here. I know this is hard for you. But, I have someone that I want you to meet." She looked up at me, kissed me lightly on the lips and then pulled me over to where Adrian and the baby were. Adrian looked up at me, eyes full of pride, and a smile that wouldn't quit and then placed the baby in my arms. I was stunned to say the least. As I looked down at the little boy in my arms, he looked right back at me and held my gaze. I could tell he had his mother's eyes and mouth. The pouty lips were a dead give away. He had Adrian's nose, and light colored hair, along with a light olive complexion that he got from both parents. He was absolutely gorgeous. The more I looked at him the more I knew that I would love and protect this child with everything I had. Alexander's words from earlier washed over me, 'but this baby will be luckier than most, because it has more than just two loving parents. You can never give a child too much love, unless your version of love is to control.' He was right.

Placing one arm around my waist and the other running the back of her finger down his cheek, Steph said to me, "Ranger, I would like you to meet the newest addition to the family, Ian Alexander Ramos." I looked up at her and saw the tears in her eyes and the questions that were behind them.

I smiled back at her and then looked back down at Ian. "Welcome to the family Ian." I said placing a kiss to his head. "He's beautiful Babe." I said never taking my eyes from him. I heard her sigh a bit and then wrap both arms around my waist again.

After a few minutes I looked up to see Adrian standing a few feet from us, stepping out of Steph's embrace I walked over handing him back his son. "I'm sure you would like to introduce your son to Alexander. I wouldn't want to take that honor from you. He's a precious gift." I saw him slightly relax and the smile that graced his face as he looked at his small son grew and he walked over to present his son to Alexander. I turned back to my Babe and saw the tears in her eyes as she stepped back over to me and I kissed her.

"I love you Babe, now and forever. Nothing will change that. I'm not going anywhere." I whispered in her ear.

"Thank you Ranger. I love you too. With everything I am. Never forget that and we can get through anything together." She whispered back. We turned to watch Adrian and Alexander with Ian and laughed at the scene Alexander was making over his great-grand-son. The man may be the head of a gun running family, but he had a heart of gold and loved his family.

XXXXXX

(Steph's POV)

Ian had been home for about a week and we were all still adjusting to his schedule. Adrian, Ranger and I were getting up and performing the feedings at this point, we didn't want to introduce any nannies just yet. I watched as Adrian was walking Ian around the room trying to burp him after his feeding when my phone rang. Business had been put on hold this past week and everyone had understood so far after we made the announcement of his birth, at least nothing too terribly serious had come up so far. I had heard from Paul, and Helen had been pretty badly beaten in her first encounter as an escort, but her injuries weren't too serious from what he said. She had agreed she would be willing and ready for another date in about two weeks. Honestly I don't know who was more surprised there, Paul or I. Only time would tell how long she would last. I had heard from both Rico and Miguel that something was going on down in Columbia that would need my attention in the next month or so, but they needed to find out more about what was taking place before I could do much. Apparently someone had been working to reestablish the child sex slave ring, but they were unable to find out exactly who it was at this point, and it had only been rumored. So far, no children had been reported missing.

Answering my phone I watched Adrian bouncing Ian and pace and patting his back to no avail, while Ranger sat on the couch with a smirk on his face. "Yo."

"I have information for you, do you have a second?" the voice asked.

"Yeah, I have a few. What do you have?" I asked.

"We know who bailed out Helen Plum, and we also found out that if Morelli had been offered bail he would have been bailed out as well. This person was pretty pissed when he was denied bail." The voice replied.

"Really, well, considering he was planning a murder and was caught on tape it wasn't surprising that a cop was denied bail." I replied.

"Yeah, that's the way we're hearing it." The voice replied.

"So, who was it?" I asked.

TBC in another story.

So there you have it the end of It's the Past. I hope you enjoyed. Sorry this one took longer to get out. I had so many ideas of where I wanted this to go that it took a while to get it all to fit together. The next edition to the series will e started probably in February or March. I know what will be taking place I just need to get the details on how to get there together. I hope you'll read along with me again.

Thank you to everyone who has commented and followed this story. It has been a lot of fun to write and I truly appreciate all of the comments and suggestions. I hope everyone has a Wonderful Holiday Season.