I started to argue but knew he was right. He settled me in bed and brushed a soft kiss across my lips. Sleep, Babe, mi amori. I will wake you when Mason wakes up. I was almost asleep when I heard Ranger in the dark. I love you Stephanie. You are my love, my life. I sighed into sleep and the bliss of my amazing life.

Epilogue

Joes POV 25 years later

I couldnt believe it when she called me and wanted to meet. I felt my heart trip at the sound of that not forgotten voice. Her image swam before my eyes and I felt stirrings that I thought had been buried deep. I wondered at her reason and my interest was definitely piqued. Two years ago, I had seen her at my Melissas funeral. I wasnt surprised that she had come. She had always been so giving that it had been just like her. I had been so caught in my grief that I didnt notice many that were there, but I noticed her. How could I not? She had been my first love.

I loved my wife faithfully until her dying days, but the stirrings and feelings that I had for my Cupcake had never really died. I puzzled again on the reason for our meeting. I had moved back to Trenton last month to take the position of police chief and had only seen her in passing. I had been busy moving back into my old house and hadnt thought much about anything. My cell buzzed and I read the incoming text. Daddy, breezed through mid-terms. See you in Trenton.

Melissa and I had had one daughter, Chloe, before the cancer struck the first time. Since then, she had battled it off and on until it finally took her. Our daughter was the spitting image of me with straight auburn hair that felt like silk. She was going to college to be a lawyer and I was very proud of her. I saw the black car in the distance and ambled to our bench to await her.

I didnt want to watch her gaited approach because she still stirred the hormones. I felt her as she approached and smiled as the memories flooded me. At my first look of her, my mouth went dry. After all these years, she was still the most beautiful woman that I had ever seen. As she sat, we smiled and studied the effects of age. For her, age had been kind that was for sure.

"Hey, Cupcake." I leaned in for the embrace of long ago lovers. Until I touched her, I hadnt realized how much I had missed her. Her smell engorged my senses and my body remembered her. "Joe, how have you been?" Her smile was easy, but I could tell that she was slightly nervous about meeting me. "I'm good. Trying to get settled back in. Its a little strange being back after all this time."

Where was her husband? Why was she here meeting me at the bench where we had parted as lovers? I was waiting her out. This was her meeting, so I would wait to see this through. She fidgeted, "Joe, I know this is kinda strangeme asking to meet you here, but I needed to see you." I tugged a stray curl, "Whats up Cupcake? You didnt call me here to watch the ducks. I know you arent too fond of them anyway."

That got a smirk out of her and she rolled her eyes. She looked past her shoulder and we both watched as a young man strolled toward her. Holy Cow! I knew him before he was upon us. His skin the same tone and built like a man that spent many hours in a gym. The only difference was the hair. His was short and a single curl fell rakishly on his forehead. Stephanie got up to hug and kiss her son.

Joe, I would like you to meet my son, Mason." He stuck out his hand and I shook it. "Mr. Morelli, my mom and dad have told me a lot about you. Its nice to finally meet you." I was truly puzzled now. Stephanie seemed hesitant to tell me the purpose of this meeting. She cleared her throat, "Mason, I asked you to wait in the car." He gave her a patronizing look.

"Mom, I also promised dad that I would do this the right way. I was thoroughly confused now. I had to ask, "And where is the illustrious Manoso?" Stephanie looked pained. "Joe, hes in Boston getting the office ready for Mason to take over." She put a restraining arm on Mason and gave him a look. From her firm look, Mason shrugged and moved a little distance away.

She inclined her head and we walked toward the water. I still couldnt figure out what the hell was going on. With a nervous laugh she began, "Funny story really. Mason came home last weekend to introduce us to his fiance. They are going to move to Boston where Mason is going to run that branch. Ranger and I are retiring and going to travel." My heart went cold with the realization that this meeting didnt hold the purpose that I had hoped for. After all these years, I had never let go of the hope that she would come back to me.

"Cupcake, tell me what the hell is going on?" She shook her head and laughed, "Imagine my surprise, when Mason introduced me..oh, hell, couldnt they wait?" I was so absorbed that I hadnt registered the excited squeal and embrace of lovers. I did now though. I turned and watched as her son embraced a petite redhead. Their bodies melded in an intimate caress. When they turned to approach, I thought that I was going to lose my lunch.

"Fuck." That was all I could say. Was it not enough? Was the torture of losing her to him and then my wife to cancer not enough? I could tell that I had already lost this battle too. He held her hand reverently as they walked toward us. "Hiya Daddy." She let go of his hand to jump into my arms. I was rage and fury, but hugged her with love.

"Mr. Morelli, Chloe and I met by chance several years ago. I have asked her to marry me. She accepted and we are hoping for your blessing." I saw the glistening of tears in my daughters eyes and it was mirrored in Stephanies. "This is fucking great."

I threw up my hands and stalked away. I saw the hurt in Chloes eyes, but it couldnt be avoided. This was too much for me to handle. Here I thought that maybe after all this time that maybe there had been some kind of hope for Stephanie and me. Instead, I was going to lose my daughter to a Manoso just like I had lost my Cupcake to one. By the time Stephanie caught up to me, I could see the irony. My daughter and her son.

"Joe, Im sorry if this upsets you. I am sure that it is not an easy thing to see your daughter with my son." She was always perceptive of my feelings. I turned to watch the two lovers and my stomach clenched. Life had a funny way of coming full circle. I looked down at my shoes and thought about the number of times that I had done this in Stephanies presence. Trying to quell my Italian temper had always been a chore.

I couldnt help it, I lashed out a bit even as I knew it would embarrass both of us. "Hell, no. I gave you my blessing, but I am not giving him my blessing. I will not lose another woman in my life to a Manoso." I started to stalk off and tell him that he didnt have my blessing, but her soft touch stopped me.

"Joe, look at them, really look at them." I did and what I saw made me want to scream. It was the first time that I had seen my daughter happy since her mother died. Melissa had been a great mom and had doted on our only daughter. I watched as he brought his hand up tuck her hair behind her ear. She had her hands on his chest as was lost in his eyes. From here, you could feel the electric current that sparked between them.

With hands on my hips, I looked toward the blue sky and asked for divine intervention. I guess my hope was that when I looked again that I wouldnt see the bond that they shared. However, that wasnt the case. What I saw was a bond that I had seen before. It was the bond that I had recognized and fought many years before. This time, I wouldnt....no, couldnt fight because it wasnt my fight. They were adults and were in love. If I fought this, my daughter would never forgive me.

When she turned her cat green eyes on me, I felt them pierce my heart with her determination. I let out a long sigh. "Cmon Cupcake. Looks like I have to go get to know my future son-in-law." She laughed with relief and gave me a friendly hug. When she pulled back, I saw only friendship. We walked beside each other and I knew that for her, the attraction had died a long time ago. For me, it would never die.

The End!!!

****Whew, it has been a long journey, but I think that in the end that the circle was complete. Maybe, someday I will return to this story and tell the tale of Mason and Chloe, but until all lived happily ever after, even Joe. He lived vicariously through his grand-children and finally came to terms with the love that was shared by not only Stephanie and Ranger but also his daughter Chloe and son-in-law Mason. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it. Until the next journey!!!