Disclaimer: The character belong to J.E.
The song is I Honestly Love You sung by Olivia Newton John
This is a song-fic that takes place several years after The Talk
Joe Morelli walked into Pino's and glanced around. There she was in the back. He smiled and made his way over. "Hey cupcake. How's it going?"
Stephanie Plum smiled widely and replied, "It's going great Joe. Have a seat."
He sat down, his eyes never leaving hers.
Maybe I hang around here
A little more than I should
We both know I got somewhere
else to go
But I got something to tell
you
That I never thought I
would
But I believe you really
ought to know
I love you,
I honestly love you
His gaze raked over her. She carried her age well. Hard to believe the changes the past ten years had wrought. She was just as lovely as ever and every time he saw her his heart took a direct hit. He still loved her after all these years.
You don't have to answer
I see it in your eyes
Maybe it was better left
unsaid
But this is pure and simple
And you must realize
That it's coming from my
heart and not my head
I love you,
I honestly love you
She'd finally quit the bonds business and taken a full time job. Unfortunately, the job was with Rangeman. He had to admit she excelled at the job. He was happy for her and yet sad that she hadn't quit for him when he'd wanted her to.
I'm not trying to make you feel
uncomfortable
I'm not trying to make you
anything at all
But this feeling doesn't come along
every day
And you shouldn't blow the chance
When you have the chance
to say, I love you
"I love you"
I honestly love you
She'd gotten married to Manoso three years after she'd finally broken it off with me. No one was more shocked than I was. From what Steph said, Manoso said he didn't do marriage. There'd been a close call though when she'd been shot by a skip and she wasn't expected to pull through. Manoso lived at the damn hospital and was inconsolable. When she'd come through he'd dropped to his knees and told her he loved her more than life and wanted her to marry him. She'd refused at first saying she would never ask that of him because she knew it wasn't what he wanted. She'd led him on a merry chase for nearly 4 months before Manoso convinced her he was serious.
If we both were born
In another place and time
This moment might be
ending in a kiss
But there you are with yours
And here I am with
mine
So I guess we'll just be
leaving it at this
I love you,
I honestly love you
I honestly love you
We talked for quite a while as we ate. Finally, I knew our time was over. I looked over to Manoso and nodded. "Thanks for coming."
He nodded, "Stephanie loves Pino's pizza. I like to indulge her when I can."
I laughed because I knew it was expected of me. I let my gaze roam over their three children, two boys and a girl. The girl was the spitting image of her mother with a darker café late complexion. The girl was watching my own son Danny as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. My wife and daughter were setting up our next supper date with Steph. These meetings were a double edged sword. I had to see her, my love for her demanded it. Yet it still hurt to see her happy with someone else. Finally, we all stood and I wrapped my arms around her and whispered, "I honestly love you cupcake." She froze like she did every time I ended our night like this and stepped back. Her eyes uneasy as her hand reached for Manoso's.
"I enjoyed seeing all of you again Joe. Be happy."
With that we all made our way to the door. I couldn't help but hear Manoso ask her, "You okay Babe?"
"Yeah Batman. He's still hurting though and it makes me sad to see that."
"He should be happy with his own family."
Manoso was right. I did love my wife, but it wasn't the same as the love I still felt for Stephanie. I was greatful my wife let me keep in contact with Steph, and I truly adored my two kids. Maybe someday the pain would stop but for now I embraced it. Hell, it meant I was still alive.