Holy Matrimony, Batman! Chapter 36, a janet evanovich fanfic

They don't belong to me. I am just borrowing them for a while. A sequel to Christmas Eve Visitor and Starting Our Life Together. This story is fiction, any people, places or events that happen are not actually real or factual. Enjoy and please review.

Holy Matrimony, Batman!
By JayCee08

Chapter 36
The Wedding

A female version of Ranger came racing into the room. "Hi, Steph." Julie cried.

"Please tell me your dad is here."

"Yep, he's here. We stopped at the hotel first so we could take a quick shower." She said. She grabbed her dress. I noticed her hair was damp. I gave her the necklace and earrings.

"Thanks, Steph." She said.

"I have the slippers for you to wear at the reception. I'll keep them with mine."

There was a knock on the door again. Connie went and checked to see who it was. She opened the door to let whoever it was in.

"Hi Stephanie. I hope I am not intruding."

"Rachel?" I said shocked.

"Yeah. Ron and I drove Carlos and Julie up here. I hope you don't mind if we crash your wedding?"

"No, not at all. Thank you. I've been on pins and needles all day."

"I am sure you were. Carlos wasn't much better. I don't think I have ever seen him this nervous." Rachel said as she helped Julie get dressed.

"Carlos? Nervous?" I asked.

"Oh, yeah. I don't know how many times he checked the time. He checked the clock in the SUV. He checked his phone. He even called to get the time." Julie said.

"Oh, forgive me. Rachel, I'd like you to meet my mother, Helen Plum. Mom, this is Rachel, Julie's mom." I didn't want to say Ranger's ex wife. "Over there are Lula, Mary Lou and Connie. And this is Ricky." I said as I hefted Ricky on my hip.

"Pleased to meet all of you. I'm glad I can put faces to the names. Julie has mentioned all of you. And I am glad to finally meet Ricky. Can I hold him?" Rachel asked.

"Sure." I said as I handed Ricky to her.

"Aren't you the little man all decked out in your little tux? You're a miniature version of your daddy." She said to Ricky. "He looks a lot like Carlos. I love his curls." She said to me. "You look absolutely stunning, Stephanie. Carlos is a lucky man."

"I'm the lucky one." I said. "Can you do me a quick favor?"

"Sure, what is it?" She asked.

"Can you see if the guys are ready?"

"Of course." She said as she handed Ricky back to me. "Is he going to escort you down the aisle?" She asked.

"No. My dad is going to do it."

"I'll be right back." She slipped out the door.

"See we told you Batman would make it." Lula said. Just then there was another knock on the door. Lula answered it. It was Val.

"Wow, Steph. You look wonderful. Julie, I see you made it. I hope that means the groom is here too." Val said.

"Yes, he is finally here." I said.

"Well, good. The guests are starting to get restless. I came to get Ricky." She picked him up. "Give Mommy a kiss. You'll see her shortly."

I gave my little boy a kiss. "Mumum." Ricky said. Val opened the door and my dad was standing there with his fist up ready to knock.

"Pumpkin." My dad said at a loss for words. I smiled at him. "Carlos is ready. Are you ready to get married?"

"Yes, Daddy. Julie are you all set?"

"Yeah, Steph. Let's go and get married."

"Stephanie. I can see that Carlos truly loves you. And you love him. I wish you nothing but happiness." My mom said.

I was totally shocked. This was coming from the woman who just last night said the Joe wouldn't have left me standing at the altar. "Thanks Mom. You better go. You need to get seated before the rest of us can go down the aisle."

"Right." She said and she walked out. We grabbed our bouquets and checked to make sure we had everything.

"Ready?" My dad said.

I nodded my head.

_______________

Ranger's POV

We got to the New Jersey border. Time seemed to slow down. It seemed to take forever to get there. I've never been this antsy before. Maybe because I wasn't driving. I wasn't in control.

We stopped at the hotel. I went to get a quick shower. Rachel and Ron and their kids quickly changed into something more suitable for a wedding then the shorts and T-shirts they were wearing. Julie, I assume, was getting dressed at the church like I was.

We arrived at the church. Julie jumped out and quickly ran into the church. I was next. Bobby and Lester were talking with Hal and Junior when I walked in.

"Damn, I was hoping you wouldn't show so I could marry Bombshell." Lester said smiling.

"Watch it, Santos." I growled. I nodded to my men and went to the door that Bobby had indicated was where the men were getting ready. I rushed in.

"'Bout time, Boss." Tank said. He indicated the tux that was hanging on a hook. I immediately pulled my shirt off and started to get dressed. "Hey, they can't start without you. So take your time." Tank said.

"You got the rings?" I asked.

Tank patted his pocket. "Right here."

"Did Steph bring the marriage license?"

"She gave it to Father John last night."

"What about security?"

"Got a man at each entrance. They are dressed in tuxes so they blend in."

I nodded my head.

"It was Steph's idea."

I smiled. My Babe.

"She also picked your niece, Cara, and nephew, Roberto, to act as ushers for the guests. Melissa and Rebecca are in charge of the guest book. And Mary Alice and Angie are handing out the programs."

"Programs? I didn't know that this was a show."

"It's so everyone can follow along. Steph made them up. It has the names of the songs. The prayers are written out. The bible verses that are being read. The names of everybody participating. That sort of thing."

I couldn't get my tie tied. Tank came over to assist. He was laughing.

"Shut up." I said.

"I didn't say a word."

Bobby walked in followed by Lester. "All set Boss?" Bobby asked. I put on my jacket and buttoned the button.

"The girls are all set to go." Lester said.

"I want to thank you guys." I began. "Thank you for watching over Steph and Ricky. I'm sure she was a basket case the last couple of days."

"She held it together. Last night was hard. And Ernesto didn't help matters." Tank said.

I stiffened at the thought of what he did or said to my Babe.

"Bombshell, was quite deflated with you not here and after her run in with Ernesto. But then she saw you on the news. She was glad that you were able to save those two boys. She came to the realization that if you hadn't been there, they probably wouldn't be alive today. You are a hero in her eyes." Bobby said.

I nodded my head. My Babe has always looked at me as a hero. "Thanks. I also want to thank you for being my friends. I don't know how I would have gotten RangeMan to where it is today without all of you. I can't think of three men I would rather have stand beside me as I marry the love of my life."

"Hey, we got your back." Lester said.

"And don't worry about Ernesto. He won't be here today. He's sportin' a broken nose and two black eyes from what I hear. And Shantel is filing for divorce on Monday."

Tank said. "We'll fill you in later, but right now you need to get your ass in the sanctuary."

Rachel popped her head in. "Steph asked me to see if you are ready."

"You can tell her that we are." I said. She left.

"Come on Ranger. Bombshell is waiting for you." Tank said.

We slapped each other on the backs as we hugged. Tank and I headed to the door we were going to enter through. Bobby and Lester went to escort the mothers to their pews.

The music started to play. Tank and I walked into the sanctuary with Father John. The sanctuary was to be lit with candles. Candelabras lined the aisle. They were spaced every fourth pew. The candelabras where wrought iron and had flowers attached with white bows. The pews that didn't have the candle at the end had bows in black and white. Cara and Roberto were lighting them as we entered.

Tank and I took our place. Ricky was sitting with Val. He saw me and started calling. "Dada. Dada.". I went and took him from Val and went back over to Tank. It had been two weeks since I saw him. Steph had said he was calling for me. I held Ricky and talked to him as the door opened and Bobby and my mom followed by my dad made their way to the front of the church. I pointed them out to Ricky. He said 'Abla' and 'Ablo'. They walked down the aisle and up to the altar where they lit my family candle. Then Bobby escorted them to their pew and joined us standing in front.

The door opened again and Lester and Mrs. Plum walked in. I pointed her out to Ricky. He said 'Gamma'. Lester escorted Mrs. Plum up to the altar. She lit the family candle for Steph. Then Lester escorted her to her pew and joined us.

The music changed and the doors opened. Connie was first to walk down the aisle. She was then followed by Mary Lou. Lula was next. When they took their places they smiled at me holding Ricky. I told Ricky who they were. Mary Lou was 'Lu', Connie was 'Nee', Lula was 'Lulu'.

The doors opened again and Julie walked down the aisle. Ricky called out 'Lee'. I told him he had to be quiet. He looked at me and pointed 'Lee' he said again. I told him "Yes that's Julie."

The music changed again. And everyone stood up. I handed Ricky to my mom as I got ready to meet my bride. The doors opened and there she was. She took my breath away. She stood there with her dad for a beat and then they preceded down the aisle. I could see tears sliding quietly down her beautiful face. When she got to me, I stepped over to her and I cupped her face in my hands and brushed the tears off her face with my thumbs. "I'm here, Babe." And I brushed her lips softly with mine. "Let's get married." I whispered. I took her hand and gave it a squeeze of encouragement. Ricky called to her 'Mumum'. Steph stop and touched his nose with her finger and gave him a smile. She handed her bouquet to Lula. I took her hand and gave it a squeeze of encouragement and we continued to the altar.

"Dearly beloved. We are gathered here this day to witness in joy, the union of Carlos and Stephanie." Father John began.

The ceremony continued. Mary Lou got up to give the first reading from I Corinthians 13:4-8. "Love is patient, Love is kind; it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, Love is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, love does not keep a record of wrongs; love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. Love never fails." Mary Lou returned to her place.

Then the choir sang the first song, Everything I Do, I Do It For You. I squeezed Steph's hand. The song said everything. How I felt about her and how I would do anything for her.

Look into my eyes you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart search your soul
And when you find me there you'll search no more
Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for
You know it's true
Everything I do I do it for you

I told her to stop listening to the Burg and listen to her heart.

Look into your heart you will find
There's nothin' there to hide
Take me as I am take my life
I would give it all I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
Ya know it's true
Everything I do I do it for you

She accepted me as I am. I would sacrifice anything for her. I told her that there was no price.

There's no love like your love
And no other could give more love
There's nowhere unless you're there
All the time all the way

Oh you can't tell me it's not worth tryin' for
I can't help it there's nothin' I want more
I would fight for you I'd lie for you
Walk the wire for you Ya I'd die for you
Ya know it's true
Everything I do I do it for you

I've fought for her. I've lied for her. I'd die for her. Everything I did and will do, I do it for her.

Connie got up to give the next reading from Genesis 2:18,21-24. "God said, 'It is not good for man to live alone. I will make a suitable companion to help him.'. . .Then the Lord God made the man fall into a deep sleep, and while he was sleeping, he took out one of the man's ribs and closed up the flesh. He formed a woman out of the rib and brought her to him. Then the man said, 'At last, here is one of my own kind–Bone taken from my bone, and flesh from my flesh. Woman is her name because she was taken out of man.' That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife and they become one." Connie concluded, and returned to her place.

Then the choir sang All I Ask Of You. During the song, Steph and I went to light our candle. Again the words were fitting.

No more talk of darkness,
forget these wide-eyed fears;
I'm here, nothing can harm you,
my words will warm and calm you.

She took away my darkness. I would let nothing harm her or Ricky.

Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears;
I'm here, with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you.

I would be there to calm her and dry her tears.

Say you'll love me ev'ry waking moment;
turn my head with talk of summertime.
Say you need me with you now and always;
promise me that all you say is true,
that's all I ask of you.

I love her and need her now and always.

Let me be your shelter,
let me be your light;
you're safe, no one will find you,
your fears are far behind you.

I would always be her shelter and will keep her safe. She will always be my light.

All I want is freedom,
a world with no more night;
and you, always beside me,
to hold me and to hide me.

I will not confine her. I will always be beside, to hold her.

Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime;
let me lead you from your solitude.
Say you need me with you, here beside you,
anywhere you go, let me go too,
that's all I ask of you.

She is my one love and I will gladly share one lifetime with her. She took me from my lonely life. Anywhere I go she will be with me.

Say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime.
Say the word and I will follow you.
Share each day with me, each night, each morning.
Say you love me...
You know I do.
Love me, that's all I ask of you.
Anywhere you go let me go too
Love me...
that's all I ask of you.

Then it was time for the vows.

"Carlos, will you take Stephanie as your wife. Will you share with her, be open and honest with her, comfort her, support her, and give her strength?" Father John said.

"I will." I said.

"Stephanie, will you take Carlos as your husband. Will you share with him, be open and honest with him, comfort him, support him, and give him strength?"

"I will." She said.

Father John asked for the rings. He blessed them. "Stephanie and Carlos have written their own vows."

"Stephanie, there was darkness for a long time and then there was light, and that light was you. As our journey begins today, I pledge before our family and friends to be your faithful loving husband. Let us make our two lives one. To live together side by side, work together side by side, love each other side by side. I love you today, tomorrow and always. Please take this ring as a symbol of my undying love." I said. I took the ring and placed it on her finger. A tear slipped down Steph's face. I brushed it away.

"Carlos, I never thought I would ever find someone as wonderful as you to love me. Your love has given me wings and lets me fly. Today I am marrying my best friend, my mentor, my protector, my confidant, my hero and my lover. I give myself to you today as your wife. I promise you my love, support and care. My love is forever. I hope you will accept this ring as a symbol of my love." Steph said with a shaky voice. She placed the ring on my finger.

"In as much as Stephanie and Carlos have declared their love to each other before family and friends and before God. They have now joined together as one and are now husband and wife. You may kiss."

I took her in my arms and kissed her. I poured all my love into that kiss and I didn't care that we were in church. We had been separated for two weeks. I missed her and I knew that she needed the reassurance. We finally broke apart. Steph smiled at me. I took her hand and we turned to face our family and friends.

"Let me be the first to present to you, Carlos and Stephanie Manoso." Father John ended. The music started and we stopped at a small table where we picked up two red roses. Steph went over and presented the rose to my mother, who then gave her a hug and kiss and I went over and presented the rose to Mrs. Plum. I kissed her on the cheek. We stopped to get her bouquet from Lula and we walked up the aisle. Julie fell in behind us and she took Ricky from his grandparents and held his hand and they walked behind us.

We got to the back of the church. I pulled my wife into a small alcove, we held hands, our foreheads touching, our eyes closed. Just the two of us, savoring the moment. We were joined together, our hearts, our minds, our souls and our bodies. Julie and Ricky came over to us. I hugged Julie and picked Ricky up. I put my arm around Steph and pulled her close. She laid her head on my shoulder. She put her arm around Julie and pulled her in close. We just stood there, looking at each other. Here we were together, a family. Soon the bridal party had made their way out of the sanctuary. We went to form the receiving line.

________________

Steph's POV

My dad and I went to take our place waiting for our turn to walk down the aisle. I could see a little from my vantage point, but no one could see me. When the door opened, I saw Ranger, he was holding Ricky. He was talking to him and pointing to his parents. I could see Ricky pointing back and saying something. It filled my heart to see father and son together like that. I saw that Ranger did the same thing when my mom was escorted down to the front. He must be telling Ricky who everyone was and Ricky was responding back.

When the door closed after Julie made her way down the aisle, I heard Ricky shout 'Lee'. I was glad that he remembered who she was. I heard the chuckles from the guests. Then it was our turn. I smoothed out my dress. Cara made sure that the train was straight and that the ties of the sash were perfect. Then she and Roberto went to the doors and opened them.

The minute the doors opened, I had tears flowing down my face. I still had a smile on my face. I saw Ranger hand Ricky to his mom and he got ready to meet me. When I got up to him, he cupped my face in his hands and brushed the tears away with his thumbs. "I'm here, Babe." He said. And he gave me a soft kiss. "Let's get married." He whispered. I heard Ricky say 'Mumum'. I turned to Ricky and I touched his nose with my finger and I smiled at him. I handed my bouquet to Lula. Ranger took my hand and gave it a squeeze of encouragement and we continued to the altar.

"Dearly beloved. We are gathered here this day to witness in joy the union of Stephanie and Carlos." Father John began.

Mary Lou got up to give the first reading from I Corinthians 13:4-8. One of the songs that we picked out was Everything I Do, I Do It For You. I listened to the words and the song said everything. Ranger squeezed my hand. He felt it too.

Look into my eyes you will see
What you mean to me
Search your heart search your soul. . .

I stopped listening to the Burg and listened to my heart and searched my soul. I knew he was the one for me.

. . .Take me as I am take my life
I would give it all I would sacrifice
Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for. . .

I accepted him as he was. He wasn't going to change me and I wasn't going to change him. He made sacrifices for me. He even killed for me. I know that he would do everything in his power to keep Ricky and me from harm.

He was worth fighting for, and I too, would do everything for him. I think I would even die for him.

The next reading from Genesis 2:18,21-24 and Connie walked up to give the reading. Ranger and I went to light our candle. The song we chose was All I Ask Of You. Again the words were fitting.

No more talk of darkness,
forget these wide-eyed fears;
I'm here, nothing can harm you,
my words will warm and calm you.

I know he wouldn't let nothing harm us.

Let me be your freedom,
let daylight dry your tears;
I'm here, with you, beside you,
to guard you and to guide you.

He was always there to calm me and dry my tears.

Let me be your shelter,
let me be your light;
you're safe, no one will find you,
your fears are far behind you.

He always was and will always be my shelter and will keep me safe.

All I want is freedom,
a world with no more night;
and you, always beside me,
to hold me and to hide me. . .

He will let me fly and have my freedom, even while keeping me safe.

. . . Then say you'll share with me one love, one lifetime;
let me lead you from your solitude.
Say you need me with you, here beside you,
anywhere you go, let me go too,
that's all I ask of you.

He was my one true love. He will always be beside me. Anywhere he goes, I will be with him. We will live one lifetime together.

When the song was over, Father John stood up. "Carlos, will you take Stephanie as your wife. Will you share with her, be open and honest with her, comfort her, support her, and give her strength?"

"I will." He said.

"Stephanie, will you take Carlos as your husband. Will you share with him, be open and honest with him, comfort him, support him, and give him strength?"

"I will." I said.

Father John asked for the rings. He blessed them. "Stephanie and Carlos have written their own vows."

"Stephanie, there was darkness for a long time and then there was light, and that light was you. As our journey begins today, I pledge before our family and friends to be your faithful loving husband. Let us make our two lives one. To live together side by side, work together side by side, love each other side by side. I love you today, tomorrow and always. Please take this ring as a symbol of my undying love." He said. He took the ring and placed it on my finger. A tear slipped down my face and he brushed it away. I smiled at him. He was always there for me. I know I will always be there for him.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. "Carlos, I never thought I would ever find someone as wonderful as you to love me. Your love has given me wings and lets me fly. Today I am marrying my best friend, my mentor, my protector, my confidant, my hero and my lover. I give myself to you today as your wife. I promise you my love, support and care. My love is forever. I hope you will accept this ring as a symbol of my love." I said. My voice was shaky. I placed the ring on his finger. I clasped his hand in mine to stop mine from shaking.

"In as much as Stephanie and Carlos have declared their love to each other before family and friends and before God. They have now joined together as one and are now husband and wife. You may kiss."

He took me in his arms and kissed me. He poured all his love into that kiss and I kissed him back with all my love. I didn't want it to end. We finally broke apart. I smiled at him. He took my hand and we turned to face our family and friends.

"Let me be the first to present to you, Carlos and Stephanie Manoso." Father John ended. The music started and Ranger and I picked up the red roses that were on the table. Then he helped me down the steps. I went over to his mom and handed her the rose. She gave me a huge hug and a kiss. Ranger went over to my mom and gave her the rose and a kiss on the cheek. We stopped to get my bouquet from Lula and we walked up the aisle. Julie fell in behind us and she took Ricky from Ranger's mom and held his hand and they walked behind us.

We got to the back of the church. Ranger pulled me into a small alcove with a stained-glass window, we held hands, our foreheads touching, our eyes closed. I was at peace. He was here. My hero. My Batman. We were joined together, our hearts, our minds, our souls and our bodies. Julie and Ricky came over to us. He hugged Julie and picked Ricky up. He put his arm around me and pulled me close. I laid my head on his shoulder. I put my arm around Julie and pulled her in close. We just stood there, looking at each other. Here we were together, a family. Not a traditional family, but a family just the same. There was a husband and a wife, a father and a mother, a son and a daughter and a brother and a sister. Soon the bridal party had made their way out of the sanctuary. We went to form the receiving line.

Joe stepped up to me when it was his turn. "I see he made it back. I heard that he got stuck with the hurricane and that he was a hero saving two boys."

"Yes."

"You look truly happy, Steph. I wish you the best."

I was stunned. "Thank you. I hope you find your happy ever after."

"I thought I did." He said as he walked away.

After the guests made it through the line, we went back inside the sanctuary. We had pictures that needed to be taken. We couldn't do it earlier like we had planned because Ranger wasn't there.

TBC Chapter 37 - The Reception (The Finale)

NOTE: Songs: Everything I Do, I Do It For You, music by Michael Kamen, lyrics by Bryan Adams from Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves movie. All I Ask Of You, music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, lyrics by Charles Hart from The Phantom Of The Opera musical.