"You May Kiss the Bride"
Just as the doors opened to the courtroom, everyone heard the words they had been waiting a lifetime for ... all the men of Trenton Rangeman were wearing their personal clothing, after all, they had the day off for this monumental day.
Judge Matthew blessed the union of the couple he'd known longer than most folks who passed through his courtroom.
What was unexpected were the two people witnessing the kiss, not invited at all.
Interlopers ... you might say.
Joe Morelli and Helen Plum were unintentionally in the wrong courtroom, having misread the number on the door, completely unaware and fully engrossed in the criminal case for which Helen was a witness and Joe the arresting officer.
Instead, what they beheld was Stephanie Plum being swept up into her husband's arms, as they were giving and receiving their first kiss as husband and wife thus sealing the sacred matrimonial vows just exchanged.
Helen was shocked into silence, witnessing the glow coming from her youngest daughter, the one who never came back to her childhood home after she objected to the living arrangements of the couple standing before her.
She noticed just who all was present at the wedding.
There was Mary Lou, standing up for Stephanie.
The man called Tank was beside his best friend.
What made it shocking was the fact that Ella Guzman and her own Mother, Edna, were dressed in what could only be described as 'Mother of the bride' attire.
And then, there was her own husband, in the first row, beaming with pride at his daughter's nuptials.
Frank always supported anything Stephanie wanted in her life. Between Ranger and Frank, life was pretty good for the trio. There was no secrecy as they met up for dinners once a week around town or on the 7th floor penthouse.
Having been usurped in her role, she reflected back on her own wedding to Frank Plum, realizing the players were just the same, only with different names. It was Frank's own mother who found out later on about their wedding, and clearly let her displeasure be known to all.
Joe Morelli had nothing to say either, since he was married to the Cupcake of his dreams, and had no right at all to make a scene.
That he was shocked and surprised went without saying.
It was the very same Judge Matthew who married them, Joe and his Cupcake, in the first place, Joe to the waitress from Pino's who was now pregnant with his own child.
Well, there was one thing she could do as the couple came down the aisle followed by their friends ... Stepping out from the last row of seats, she went to her youngest daughter and said, "You look lovely, Stephanie. I can only hope in time you can forgive my words. Of course, you both know you're always welcome in our home."
Shock was on both the Newlywed Manoso's faces at hearing the Olive branch being extended to them so unexpectedly. But the shock also incorporated stunned surprise, which the newlyweds hid well, but there was an underlying element of suspicion with this sudden about face and apparent change of heart.
"We'll see Mrs. Plum. After all, while it seems like you're changing your tune now that you have seen with your own eyes our marriage, I'll still be keeping a close eye on you as to how you treat my wife," Ranger said, his voice low and menacing.
Turning to a red faced Morelli, Ranger said to him, "Here's hoping you and your new wife are as happy as Stephanie and I are."
Giving a nod to the comment Joe's lips thinned and held back what he really wanted to say.
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A/N. Happy Birthday to ShellSueD...this was the nicest I could make Helen and Joe for your big day...short as it is, nothing more needed to be said don't you think?
:)
not mine...Judge Matt is his own man...damnit. Thanks Ms. Kim for once again making this story more readable for all.