****I don't own them and am not making any money off of them. So, I am back from vacation and have several more chapter ideas. This chapter is titled "The Wedding". Some chapters that are coming soon are "The Call", "An Old friend", "The Honeymoon", and "Bobby's Distraction". There may be other chapters thrown in there. I never know when a subject will take me off on a tangent. Thanks for all the reviews – I really appreciate them and they are an encouragement to me. Some of you that are reading this may not know that I originally posted this story back in March. However, I could never actually find it posted anywhere so I gave up on it. Then one day, voila, I stumbled across it and read some of your reviews. The reviews are what made me continue the story – so many thanks.
"When we marry, it won't be just my house. It would be difficult to have a normal married life to you if I couldn't allow you to have friends and family in your own home. Besides, I no longer feel the need to hide from the world and….I am very confident in my security measures." He smirked at his last statement since the security system was his and linked to RangeMan. "Babe, the only thing that worries me if whether or not you will be happy with all the security measures that life with me will require." It was my turn to smirk, "Oh, yeah, I get Batman. How could I not be happy?"
Chapter 26
"The Wedding"
I bolted upright in bed in a panic. I'm getting married in two days and there was somebody that I needed to see before word got out about it. 'Joe' I have to tell him before the "Burg" grapevine gets wind of my wedding. I threw the covers back and started running around pulling out clothes from the drawers and closet. Sometime during my blind panic, Ranger came in to witness my torrent. "Babe?" I turned in time to see panic briefly pass his features. I am sure that my face looked similar but probably for different reasons.
"Ranger, I have to see Joe." Ranger froze and his blank face slammed down. "No, you don't understand. I have to tell him before somebody else does. I can't hurt him on purpose." Ranger relaxed somewhat, "Babe, I agree. However, I am not letting you go alone." My Jersey girl hackles rose slightly and it was my turn to freeze. "Not letting me?" I asked incredulously. Ranger seemed to look mildly amused, "What I meant to say was..um..I think it would be better if we went together. Morelli may have understood about us dating and I hope that the same will be true about us getting married. However, there is the possibility that he will not take the news well. I would like to be there for you if that is the case."
Ranger seemed to look apologetic for his mis-wording. He was probably right. It would be easier for me, at least, if Ranger was with me. Although, I also knew that allowing Ranger to go was taking the coward's way out. I had to face Joe and it wasn't going to be easy. "Ok, Ranger, you can go, but please, let me handle this." Ranger looked like he was going to interrupt, but I needed him to know that this was important to me.
I held my hand up, "Ranger, just hear me out. You know that I love you. I love you like I have never loved anybody else. Not only are you my fantasy, but also my hero and best friend. But Joe has always been in my life in some form or fashion. He deserves to hear it from me and he deserves to be a little bit angry. I can take his anger because in some ways, I deserve it. I continued to go back to him time and again even though I knew that I was in love with you. You can go if you promise that you will only interfere if Joe's anger gets out of hand. However, I don't really think that will happen. This will not be easy for me and I would like you to be my moral support. Do you think you can live with that?"
Ranger just nodded his head, "Now go get dressed, Ella is here to help with the wedding plans and she has breakfast ready." I leaned in and kissed him soundly on the mouth, "I hope she is a miracle worker, because I honestly don't know how we're going to pull this off in two days." "Babe, if you have enough money and the right help, anything is possible. Fortunately, I have both." He had that confident smirk on that I love to see. "Ok, Batman, I will leave everything to you. I'm taking a shower because it looks like our vacation is officially over."
While taking a shower, I had an epiphany. I knew how we could keep this wedding simple without any interference from outside sources…and without the entire Burg descending upon us. He, he. This was going to be good. I hurried up with my shower and getting dressed so that I could tell Ranger and Ella…and of course eat some of Ella's wonderful cooking.
Ranger and Ella were already seated at the table when I arrived with a huge smile on my face. "Good morning dear," Ella said cheerfully. "Stephanie, I am so delighted that you and Ranger are getting married. I am also thrilled to help with the plans." I smiled warmly at her, "Thank you so much Ella. Will you adopt me?" Ranger laughed at my usual request. "Well, that must have been some shower. Your attitude has taken a complete 180," Ranger said as he rose and kissed me on the forehead. I gave him a brief hugged and leaned back to look smugly at his face. "That's because I figured out how we're going to do this in two days." Ranger raised an eyebrow at me. I knew that he meant for me to proceed. "K-I-S-S"
Ranger's furrowed his eyebrows. Clearly he had never heard of the acronym. "Keep it simple stupid. We aren't going to tell anybody that we are going to get married. We are going to invite everybody over here for a party. Oh, we will invite our parents an hour early so that we can tell them first. We will both dress casually as will everybody else. We will keep the drapes closed to the patio until everybody arrives. Then when the time is right, our parent's can make the announcement. Everyone will assume that we are announcing our engagement and won't have time to inform the Burg!!" Ranger looked amazed, "Babe, you never disappoint."
Satisfied, we ate breakfast while we discussed decorations and food. Ella and her sister were going to take care of the cake and food so that nobody would know. Ranger was going to go with me to Philadelphia. I would go to find a dress and something for him to wear while he went to a rental store to get decorations and chairs. Telling a few of the Merry Men would be unavoidable since Ranger would need help preparing the gazebo and pool area. However, Ranger assured me that they wouldn't tell anyone. I insisted that he not use Tank though. Maybe that would keep him out of the doghouse with Lula. She would definitely go in Rhino mode if she thought Tank knew and didn't tell her.
With that settled, Ranger and I headed out to Joe's house. I had called him earlier and asked if I could see him at his house. Fortunately, he wasn't working this morning. Ranger and I made the trip in silence. Ranger was in his usual zone. I, however, was dreading talking to Joe and was twisting nervously in my seat. If Ranger noticed, he didn't comment. When we pulled up to the curb, Ranger took my hand in his and squeezed lightly. Joe was at the door waiting as we got out of the car. Ranger placed his hand at the small of my back in a show of support.
"Cupcake, Manoso," Joe said grimly. I don't know what he was expecting, but clearly he understood that this visit wasn't going to be pleasant. We all sat down apprehensively. Ranger rested our hands on his leg as I began, "Joe, I have something that I need to tell you. I wanted you to hear it from me first. Ranger and I are getting married. I'm sorry Joe if this hurts you in anyway." Joe slumped back in his chair and rubbed his hand wearily over his face. Then he looked accusingly at Ranger, "Boy, you sure work fast. Couldn't wait to tie her to your dangerous lifestyle, could you?" His tone was anything but pleasant.
I squeezed Ranger's hand to silence him, "Joe that is not really fair. Yours and mine lifestyles are equally dangerous. We are getting married on Friday, and I didn't want you to hear about it from somebody else." Joe looked outraged, "Friday," he yelled as he stood up and clenched his fists. "What's the hurry Cupcake? Are you pregnant? And if you are, how do you know it's not mine?" He all but sneered his words. "Joe, I am not pregnant. The hurry is because Ranger has to be out of town for awhile and …." I didn't really know how to continue.
Ranger cleared his throat, "Joe, I promised I would let Stephanie handle this on her own, but she is hesitating because she is trying to protect my privacy. You are not aware that I am currently contracted by the government and must be gone for a job. It was my decision to rush our wedding along so that Steph would have the protection of my name in the event that the mission goes badly." Tears filled my eyes as he made his speech. I tried desperately to not show how terrified I was at his words.
As a few tears managed to make their way down my face, I glanced up to find Joe offering me a Kleenex. I took it as I saw understanding dawn on his face. I turned to Ranger to let him know that I needed to take it from here. He leaned over and kissed me above my ear as he made his exit. Before he made it out the door, Joe stopped him with a question, "Do you love her as much as she loves you?" Ranger paused with his hand on the door, turned and looked directly into Joe's eyes, "Never doubt it for a minute," he answered quietly.
When Ranger closed the door behind him, Joe came back and slumped in his chair in defeat. "Joe, I am so sorry. I know that sounds lame, but I truly am. I never wanted to hurt you." Joe smiled sourly, "I know. I just always thought it would be you and me." "Joe, you know that I love you, just not the right way. I hope that you can forgive me and that we can still be friends." Joe shrugged his shoulder, "Can't imagine not being friends with you. Anyway, I have been assigned an undercover job in Maryland, so at least I will have some time away to get used to the idea."
I froze up for a minute, "Joe, promise me you will be careful. I couldn't handle it if anything happened to you." "Relax, Cupcake, I am going undercover in a school. I don't think that there will be much danger involved." I laughed at the thought of Joe teaching. Joe must have understood my train of thought because he laughed too. "Yeah, scary isn't it?"
He got up and came to sit by me putting his arm casually around my shoulder. "Do you truly love him?" "Yes," I replied past the lump in my throat. "Enough to commit to a lifetime?" he questioned. I nodded solemnly. "Ok, then I will try to be happy for you. Steph, I want you to know that I will always be here for you." I looked at the face I loved and knew that I had to release him. "I know you will, but Joe, I want you to get on with your life. I want you to find somebody that can make you happy."
Joe sighed heavily, "Yeah, but you know Cupcake, you're a hard act to follow. You were my first love and I was hoping you would be my last." My eyes filled with unshed tears at his words. We hugged tightly for a while. When I finally got control of my emotions, I pulled from his embrace and got up to leave. "Oh, by the way Joe, we are not telling anybody that we are getting married. So, I would really appreciate it if you didn't tell anyone." Joe smiled at this, "What, you don't want your wedding to turn into a three-ring circus?" "Nope, not going to happen," I replied cheekily. "Sure, Steph, I'm leaving in the morning anyway. So, I will keep your secret. Thanks for coming and telling me personally. I leaned in and kissed him on the cheek, "Thanks Joe." He must have been resigned because he didn't even try to turn into the kiss and make more out of the gesture. Joe followed me out, opening my door for me. He then made his way over to Ranger's window. "Manoso, I want your word that you will take care of her." Ranger answered with his blank face in place, "You have it." Joe nodded and then added on a growl, "And don't think for a minute that if you screw it up that I won't be waiting in the wings to pick up the pieces. That is after I hunt you down and kill you." Ranger just nodded at this comment. I think that he realized that Joe's threat was made from the heart, so he didn't take offense. Joe stepped back to the curb as we made our way down the street.
I cut my eyes to Ranger, trying to gauge his mood. He turned on the radio, brought my hand to his lips and asked, "You ok?" "Yeah, it was hard, but I managed." Ranger just nodded and went to his zone for the drive to Philadelphia. I took out a notebook and started making a list of people that I wanted to invite. Once, I added all my friends and family, Ranger gave me the names of who he wanted to invite. The drive there and back was long enough for me to call the people on my part of the list. Ranger would make his calls on the way back while I drove. I smiled as I thought how each and every person tried to get me to tell them what the occasion was for the party. I just simply told them that we wanted to have a party as a couple. Boy, won't they be surprised.
Friday came so fast that I could hardly believe all that Ranger and I had accomplished, with Ella and a few Merry Men of course. I heard the bell ring and rushed to greet our parents. Ranger greeted his parents with a hug and they in turn embraced me. My parents and grandmother arrived shortly after. After Ella served everyone wine, Ranger cleared his throat to make his announcement. Everyone, with the exception of my father, jumped up excitedly to hug Ranger and me. My father cleared his throat, "Ranger, may I speak to you privately?" Ranger nodded and led my father to his study. I was a bit nervous about their conversation, but mom just patted my knee and gave me an assuring look. I guess it was a father thing. I took everyone outside to see the wedding set-up.
White chairs lined the pathway to the gazebo and were decorated with bows and flowers. The gazebo was lit up with white lights that hung delicately and there were lit candles on every available surface. The ambience screamed romance and simplicity. Flowers of every shade of blue imaginable completed the simple beauty of the decorations. My mother stood with her mouth hanging open and Ranger's mom had tears in her eyes.
I saw Ranger and my dad coming out the doors with smiles on their faces. Guess it was a good talk. Ranger came over to pull me into his arms, "Babe, I think it is time for you to get ready." I nodded and started to pull away when Ranger pulled me back in for a bone-melting kiss. "See, you in a little while, bride." His tone was so tender that I had to catch myself from melting on the spot.
In mine and Ranger's bedroom, I fixed my hair and applied make-up lightly. With my curls piled loosely on top of my head, I pulled on my dress. There was a knock on the door and my mom entered. "Oh, my," she said with a hand on her heart. "You are beautiful and I love your dress." I looked down at the dress I had chosen. It was beautiful and I knew the minute that I saw it that it was perfect. The dress itself was cream, but it had iridescent bluish-silver threads running throughout the chiffon material. The hem came down in jagged peaks. The top came up in a halter with thick ropes of the same mixture of blue, silver and cream.
"Stephanie, are you sure you're not rushing this?" my mom asked seriously. I smiled, "Mom, you have been hounding me forever to get married, and now that I am you are questioning my decision." My mom hesitated before answering, "It's not that I question whether or not you love Ranger. It's just that….. I don't know, this is so sudden." I understood her worry. "Mom, I have never been more sure of anything in my entire life." She seemed satisfied with my answer and started worrying with my dress. Guess it's a mom thing. It wasn't long before my dad came in and my mom left. I sat on the bed to put on my silver 4" FMP's looking at my dad and waiting for his speech.
When he didn't say anything, I asked, "What no lecture about knowing what I am doing?" My tone was teasing but I seriously thought he would have something to say. My dad smiled broadly, "Nope. I got all the answers I needed from Ranger and…..from the look of utter happiness on your face." With that he offered me his arm and we descended the stairs. As we walked out the French doors, my breath caught at the sight of Carlos. And for sure, tonight he was Carlos, not Ranger.
He was dressed in navy blue slacks and shoes. His silk shirt was the same cream color as my dress and was open slightly at the top. The color accentuated is dark coloring and his faced beamed with pleasure at my dress. My dad placed my hand in Rangers and we faced the Justice of the Peace. We had decided to write our own vows and my stomach fluttered with nerves at sharing my feelings out loud. When the J.P gave us leave to state our vows, Ranger began.
"Stephanie Michelle Plum, I have been spellbound by you since the day I met you in the diner. Over time, I realized that I not only loved you, but that I was in love with you. You have become my best friend and my everything. You are my love, my life, my Babe. I promise to protect you with everything I have and to love you until my dying day. You are mine and I am yours.
Tears slid silently down my face at his beautiful words and at how similar they were to mine.
"Ricardo Carlos Manoso, I have been awestruck by you since our first meeting at the diner. The day that I thought I lost you was the day that I realized that I was in love with you. You are my best friend and everything that I need. You are my love, my life, my Ranger. I promise to always be there for you and to love you until my last breath. You are mine and I am yours.
I could hear sobbing in the crowd, but I only had eyes for Carlos. I didn't even hear another word that the J.P. said until he was clearing his throat. Carlos and I looked expectantly at him. He leaned in and whispered, "I said you may now kiss the bride." Carlos and I looked sheepishly at being caught not paying him any attention because we only had eyes for each other. Carlos cupped my cheek and drew me in for a tender kiss. It quickly turned passionate until the J.P. was clearing his throat again. We laughed as we pulled away and turned to the crowd.
"I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Manoso," the J.P. announced clearly. The rest of the evening went by in a haze. I was so deliriously happy and Carlos never left my side. He even ate cake!!! As the night dwindled, Carlos and I saw our guests out and I reflected at how amazingly easy it had all been. My reflection didn't last long as Carlos turned to me with his molten chocolate eyes. He held his hand to me and pulled me into his embrace, "Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?" I laughed lightly, "Only about a hundred times, but one more time won't hurt."
I giggled as Ranger scooped me up in his arms and headed toward the stairs. I started to struggle to get down, "Carlos, don't you think we should help Ella clean up?" As he ascended the stairs toward our bedroom, he responded huskily, "No, a cleaning service is coming in the morning. Right now, I need to ravish my wife." He gave me his wolf grin as he slammed the door shut with his foot. Oh Boy.