I don't own the characters, I'm not making any money, yadda yadda yadda…

53

So this chapter is Morelli's Story. We come back to Steph and Ranger next chapter.

Steph is Seven months Pregnant

Morelli's POV

Three months. Three fucking months it had taken me to get reinstated back into the Trenton Police force. And I had to fucking work my way back up to detective! I was lucky the chief had let me start back as an investigator. Thank God I didn't have to go back to patrol.

Damn Stephanie Plum and Carlos Manoso.

But if this whole course of events had taught me one thing, it was that I was over that woman.

While I'd always pictured her as my wife, the woman who I grew old with, the woman who had my children…I'd realized over these past months, she wasn't the woman for me. She wasn't the one I really wanted and she would never change herself to become that person. I loved her, sure, in some way, but not the right way. I hadn't loved her enough to stay committed to only her…hadn't loved her enough to compromise on the things she wanted…hadn't loved her enough to let her go peacefully.

But I had not wanted fucking Manoso to win. And I had fought their relationship, to the teeth. I had fought it ridiculously hard…I hated admitting defeat, that was the long and the short of it. I didn't really want Steph anymore; I just didn't want that bastard to win. But he had won. He had won it all. He'd won the girl, made her his wife and got her pregnant with their child. Most importantly, he'd won her love. All of her love. I had never had all of Stephanie Plum's love. But then again, she hadn't had all of mine either.

It had taken me awhile to come to the conclusion that the way I had treated Steph after her and Manoso had gotten together was: one, because they had both bruised my ego…my manly pride, and two, because it would piss Manoso the fuck off. And shit, did I push him too far or what?! Getting drunk and shooting at them had been a low point…possibly the lowest… in my life…I had needed help, had need a break, had needed to get away from Trenton. And I had fucking Manoso to thank for helping me out. He had set my life back on track, inadvertently or not. He had given me focus. I now knew what I wanted. I wanted a wife, a wife I was madly in love with, who was madly in love with me…who wanted to settle down with me, who wanted to have my children. I wanted the whole kit and caboodle.

And I can't believe I encouraged Stephanie's mother! God! What the bloody hell was I thinking?! I disliked that woman almost as much as she disliked Steph. I must have been completely off my rocker! Shit.

Earlier in the day I had run into Steph and Manoso. I had stopped in at Pino's for a quick lunch and there they were. Sitting in a back booth, snuggled together, with Steph sporting a huge pregnant belly.

My eyes met Manoso's and one of his hands moved protectively over Stephanie's stomach, his other moving to his hip, where I knew he had a gun.

I watched as she glanced up at him quizzically, before following his line of sight. Her face said it all. Her emotions ranged from angry and pissed to sad and frightened. Fuck, is this what it came down to? I scared and hurt women…pregnant women, at that?

I held up my hands in a non threatening gesture but slowly made my way towards them. I didn't want Manoso to shoot me before I had a chance to speak…although I was sure his ego didn't need any of the boost I was about to give him. I could feel the eyes of every patron in the building on me as I dodged scattered tables. I struggled not to turn and glare at them all; I kept my eye contact with Manoso. No-one had the right to judge me, just as I didn't have the right to judge anyone else.

I carefully slid into the bench seat opposite them and laid my hands on the table. Manoso inclined his head at me before sweeping an aggressive glance around the restaurant. The noise level instantly picked back up as everyone returned, or pretended to return, to whatever they were doing before I started the show.

"So" Manoso started, his hand tracing small circles on Steph very pregnant belly…I really couldn't get over how big she was…I never thought I'd see the day honestly.

"I want to say a few things and I would appreciate it if you both would hear me out" I started, my voice calm, my demeanor relaxed. I wanted Manoso to understand that I was no longer a threat, in any way, to him or Steph.

"Up to you Babe?" He diverted to Stephanie. She hesitated.

"I'll try to make it short" I supplied. I really needed to get some shit off my chest, and I knew they'd never opt for a private meeting; this was probably my only chance.

"Go ahead then. You have five minutes" Steph sighed, leaning heavily into Manoso's side and tensing, as if preparing for a fight.

"First off, I want to say I'm sorry." Steph's jaw dropped and she blinked. Manoso gently closed it for her "I'm sorry for a lot of things" I continued. "I'm sorry for how I disrespected you Steph, by cheating on you, by pursuing you after I knew that you were his, for trying to mentally break you. I'm also sorry for egging your mother on; I really shouldn't have done that. You're much better off without her; she was strangling you worse than I was. I know we never would have worked out Steph, it just took me a while understand where that left me. I always just assumed that I'd settle down with you, but you're not the woman for me, and I'm certainly not the man for you." I paused to take a breath and realized I had captured both their attention.

"Continue" Manoso prompted. I cleared my throat, frowning slightly. I did not take directions from him, even if I owed him my life and my sanity.

"But Manoso is the man for you…I respect him as a man and I am happy that you found someone to love, that loves you back completely." I switched direction, moving my eyes to meet Manoso's. "Manoso, I'm sorry for a lot of things regarding you. I felt like it was always a competition between us, and that the prize was Stephanie. It's taken me a long few months to realize that Stephanie isn't a prize to be one, she's a person who has wants, needs and dreams. I'm sorry for pushing you and for hurting Stephanie. I'm sorry for threatening you, your wife, and your unborn child. I have no excuse. I should not have done it, and I am sorry." Another deep breath; now comes the hard part.

"Joe…" Stephanie started off; I stopped her by holding up a hand.

"I'm not finished quite yet… Manoso…I also wanted to say thank you" I watched as his jaw twitched, like it was going to drop open in shock, but I was disappointed. He raised an eyebrow at me instead. "Thank you for giving me a reality check, for getting my life back on track, for teaching me a well earned lesson…I needed a kick in the ass. You have helped me get focus on where I want my life to go, helped me close a chapter of my life and given me purpose, whether you intended to or not. Now I don't expect any of us to become friends, again…but I would appreciate it if we could agree to be polite acquaintances. I've turned over a new leaf so to speak, I swear on my life that I am no longer any threat to your new family Manoso. I understand if it takes a while for you both to come to terms with this, but it is the truth. I'm not the man I used to be; I hit a low point, but I've adapted and overcome. That's all I wanted to say, I appreciate that you listened to me" I stood up slowly and made my way out of the seat.

"Morelli…thank you. How about we try just being civil to each other first? As you said yourself, it's going to take a while for me to accept this" Manoso nodded at me, something, if I wasn't mistaken, similar to respect gleaming in his eyes.

"Thank you Joe, for apologizing…but I don't know if we'll ever be friends again…I can try to be acquaintances though" I nodded and smiled tightly at Steph.

"See you both around…oh; would you mind getting rid of the restraining order?" I requested, waiting, hoping the answer was yes. I wouldn't be able to get my detective badge again till it was gone.

"I'll talk with the chief later and we'll work something out" Manoso answered noncommittally.

"Thanks" I waved goodbye and left without even grabbing any food. I was surprised by how well it all had gone.

I had just finished my shift and I was on my way to a new restaurant I had taken to eating at, at night. The food was as good as Pino's but it came without the eavesdropping and pain in the ass sideways glances. I was thinking I wanted to sell my house and move out of the burg. Stephanie had had the right idea after all. I was sick of the nosiness, the busybodies, and the crap that was associated with belonging in the Burg. I wanted out, and I wanted out soon.

Changing my shirt to a button down in the car, I stood and ambled to the entrance. The bouncer, Juan, waved me through and I pushed open the door and was stopped dead in my tracks by the most gorgeous woman I had ever laid eyes on. Her beauty was breathtaking, her smile amazing, and her eyes full of depth…and her body…toned but still curvaceous. I felt pulled to her; it was like nothing I had ever felt before. Electricity was zinging between our two bodies. And even though I found her body absolutely tempting…I wanted to know everything about her, and not just in the physical sense. Play it cool Morelli.

I made my way up to the host's stand in the entrance hall that was tonight manned by the owner. I smiled at Diego. I had gotten to know the man over the past couple months. He knew my life story (the key players names I had omitted, in case he had know either Manoso or Steph), and I liked his food. He and I were now good friends.

"Hey Joe, still haven't found your lovely mystery woman yet?" I smirked at his teasing.

"Not yet Diego, I won't give up looking though" I threw a charming smile in the beautiful woman's direction.

"Oh! This is my sister in law Alicia, Alicia, Joseph Morelli" I took her outstretched hand and brought it to my lips. Alicia. She had a beautiful name.

"It's always a pleasure to meet a beautiful woman" I smiled again, quickly releasing her hand, so as to not make her uncomfortable. I'm sure she was surrounded by creeps all the time; the only drawback of looking so amazing.

"I suppose you want your usual table in the back Joe?" I sighed and turned back to Diego.

"If it's free, sure. Thanks" He called forward a waiter I hadn't yet met before.

"This is my son Pedro, he and Alicia have just returned from a six month military camp. Pedro will assist you with anything you need. Alicia? If you wanted some company, I'm sure Joe wouldn't be opposed to you joining him for dinner?" I watched her eyes travel my body and smile, pleased with what they saw.

"I'd be delighted" She replied sweetly. I held out my arm, which she placed a delicate but strong hand on. Pedro led the precession to my usual table. I seated Alicia before choosing a seat across from her. She thanked me for helping her and glanced up at me from beneath her lashes.

I promised myself right there and then that I would get to know this beautiful woman before falling into bed with her. It had never worked out the other way around, and I definitely wanted it to work out this time. I felt like she was my one.

MmMmMmMmMmMmMmM

A little over two months later (after birth of Steph and Carlos' baby)

Morelli'sPOV

"C'mon Joe! It's just a family thing at my parent's house. My sister in law and my brother finally had their baby. It's so adorable! My family will love you just as much as I do" I smiled down at my woman and drew her to me, gently kissing her on the lips, keeping it low key; no tongue. I prayed her family would like me. I was in love with Alicia, more in love with her than I had ever been with Steph. And I was going to marry her. We were having almost daily dates at the moment, still getting to know each other, building a solid foundation for our relationship.

"You know I can't say no to you kitten. I love you" I murmured. "When is it?" I wondered, glancing around at the houses we were passing. I had no idea where we were.

"Today. Here we are" She put the car into park and jumped out of the vehicle. I climbed out, staring at a Porsche that looked very similar to Manoso's. God help me if she was related to him.

"Hey honey?" I caught her hand in mine and pulled her to me once again. "You've never told me your last name" I smiled.

"Manoso, why?" My heart stopped. Fuck. Ranger was gonna kill me. Lucky I hadn't slept with her yet. Thank God for small mercies.

"And you were born in 1983 right? Making you twenty six?" I brushed my lips against hers, hoping it wasn't the last time I was ever going to kiss her.

"Twenty Six, yeah" She mumbled, giggling as I hugged her briefly. Shit. I was dating Ranger's baby sister who happened to be nine years younger than me. Fuck, I was dead.

"Promise me, no matter what he says, you'll still love me" I begged, rubbing my nose against hers.

"It should be me asking you that" She raised an eyebrow at me as she rang the doorbell. Shit, how come I hadn't noticed her resemblance to him before?! "Is that why haven't had sex with me yet? Because I'm related to Carlos?!" She asked, loudly I might add, as the door opened to reveal the devil himself.

"You might just get to live to see another day Morelli" I took a deep breath and entered the lion's den.

I was either going to die a long, slow and painful death, or I was going to marry into the Manoso family…I couldn't decide which was the worst fate at the moment…although the second would have the benefit of having the love of my life by my side, which was my ultimate goal.

"You know my brother?" Alicia hissed in my ear. I wrapped my arm around her waist and held her firmly to my side.

"Yeah kitten, I know you're brother, I'm not exactly his favorite person" Although things had pretty much reached the polite acquaintance stage between us. Guess that was all shot to hell now.

"How come you're not running the other way then?" She wondered, just loud enough probably for Manoso to hear.

"Because I love you and I'd do anything for you." I assured her, glancing down so our eyes met and she saw the truth in my words.

"I think I've been waiting for you my whole life" She whispered, a small smile playing on her soft lips.

"I thought the same thing the moment I met you" I returned, smiling as a blush darkened her cheeks. It was in that moment I realized I would do anything to make sure she stayed by my side, even face off against Manoso…because love conquers all.

TBC