A/N: After reading a comment left, I realized that my idea of Ranger graduation was incorrect, so I corrected it in this chapter. With that being said, there were a few minor inconsistencies in Chapter 34, which I fixed. So, if you read something that doesn't follow with what you read, it's because I had to adjust the last chapter. All in all, I changed about 10 words, so no biggie. I couldn't find out any info. about the ACTUAL ceremony beyond the demonstration, so if I'm not accurate, I'm sorry. If anyone has first-hand knowledge, please pass it along and I'll modify my work. Thanks, Babes.

Abuela Rosa's POV

I watched as Carlito and Estefania approach us. They were together, in the Biblical sense. I always knew when Carlito and Estefania did the act because Estefania glows with such happiness. I knew the first time. It was Estefania's birthday. She was seventeen. I remember going to bed that night, praying that my Carlito had enough sense to use a condom. I'm glad that he has covered up, because I didn't want him to have a child yet, nor Estefania. However, they will be married tomorrow, so I no longer need to worry. As they come closer, and I get a better look at Estefania, I see that her glow is a little different. She's with a child. I know she doesn't know it, neither does Carlito, but those two made a baby last night. I'll keep my knowledge to myself, not like anyone would believe me anyway.

I've always been able to tell when any of my girls were pregnant. I knew the moment that Celia came to tell me she was expecting Lester, and I knew when Julianna told me she was expecting her first, Celia. I also knew she was pregnant with the twins before she did. When I told her she was expecting again, she told me I was crazy. There was no way that she was pregnant, as she and Ricardo were practicing safe sex. Four kids were enough. Well, the joke was on her when her doctor confirmed her pregnancy two months later.

I am excited that Carlito is graduating today. This was his dream, for such a long time, to become an Army Ranger. I can tell that he has changed, so has Lester and Estefania, but my Carlito has changed the most. I can see that he's always on guard, looking around, making sure that there are no threats. He's a born soldier. He was always more observant than the rest of us, always able to sense danger. I truly believe that Carlito wanted to get caught that night. I don't think he wanted to stay in the gang. He was always able to evade, but that night, he drove right past a cop. When I said that to Ricardo, he didn't believe me. He said that Carlito had no regard for what's right or wrong, that he had fallen in with the bad crowd and was embarrassing him and Julianna. That's when I decided to step in. I know that my son loves Carlito, but he didn't know how to handle him. When Carlito came to me, he was sullen, moody, angry, and scared. He was still a little boy in the body of a brooding teenager. When I finally got him to talk to me, he told me how he was often bullied as a kid because of his accent; because of his small stature because of his long, straight hair.

When he would tell Ricardo, my dear son, would tell him to "man-up" to stop being such a "baby." Eventually, Carlito learned to fight back, and that's when the trouble started. Then, he found a protector, one of the gang leaders who would take wayward and lost boys to bring them in young. By giving Carlito his protection, Carlito had to help him, and in turn, help the gang. Carlito told me about his first time having sex, how it was expected that he complete the act, and complete it well. He was lucky he had a girl who talked him through what to do. Even though he was the one doing most of the work, in reality, it was a form of rape. He didn't have a choice. If he didn't have sex with that girl, then the gang would beat him to a pulp. If he did, and she wasn't satisfied, he'd be ridiculed. So, he did what he had to do, and fortunately for him, did a good enough job. The second time wasn't quite as bad since Carlito was more willing, but still, it wasn't his choice. It's no wonder that he and Estefania bonded so quickly.

Now, things haven't always been perfect with Carlito and Estefania. There were a few times I thought they were over for good. Both are so stubborn and pig-headed sometimes. After 9/11, poor Estefania was overwhelmed. She was regretting her choices and thought she made a mistake. Fortunately, she talked to someone who believed in her, in her skills and her abilities. She found someone who offered her an option, which allowed her to continue on the path she had chosen. That person helped to further rebuild Estefania's self-esteem after her parents, and the Burg tore her down. Having a virtual outsider tell her she was great at something gave her the courage to move forward. Then, when she and Carlito were first separated, after getting engaged, Carlito tried to break up with Estefania, saying it wasn't fair that they were so far away from each other, that he couldn't be there with her. She deserved to be loved, and if he couldn't love her every day, she needed someone who could. When Estefania called me in tears, heartbroken, I immediately called my Carlito and told him to get his head out of his ass, and to support his woman. I told him that she was his from when they first met. He didn't need to be with her to love her, he just needed to support her, and she needed his support and love. He eventually saw reason, especially after Lester beat some sense into him. He got an emergency leave and flew to Arizona to apologize to Estefania, groveling for her to take him back. She did, of course, but she made him sweat.

Now my Lester, my poor Lester. That boy is secretly in love with Estefania, though I don't think he realizes it. He doesn't see that the only women he dates, for more than a week, are those who resemble Estefania in some way. Now, I don't think he actually wants her, at least not as his girlfriend, because they really are like brother and sister, but I think he likes the idea of her. She is his ideal woman. He wants the connection that she and Carlito have. I hope, for his sake, that he finds his own Estefania someday because he will make a woman very happy. Fortunately, his condom lesson has also stuck.

A lot has changed in these last six-plus years. Three years ago, mi nieta Celia got married. She gave birth a year ago to my first great-grandson, Matteo Cruz. Rosa married a man named Tom Higgins. Even though he's not Hispanic, he fits into our family beautifully. They are expecting their first child, a girl they plan on naming Rosa in September. I think I am the only one, aside from Lester, who knew that Carlito and Estefania were planning on getting married after Carlito's Ranger graduation until a month ago. Though I am disappointed that they will not have a church service, I understand why. Poor Estefania will not have any of her family there, and to both of them, the Army is their life. A military ceremony will be fitting. Mi hija Celia is a devious woman, though, and is planning the perfect Burg bash to celebrate their nuptials, with Ricardo's and Julianna's blessing. She wants to rub it in the face of the Plums that Estefania is now, officially, part of our family, that she is a successful married woman, but not a Burg woman. Estefania's grandmother, Edna, has been a big help in making sure that all the appropriate Burg people are invited and going. It's billed as a party to celebrate the graduation of Lester Santos and his cousin from Ranger school. Only after everyone is there will it be announced that Carlito and Estefania are married. From what I've heard, Mrs. Plum's "why me" speech should be epic. I can't wait.

"Abuela, thank you for always supporting me and making me the man I am today. If you didn't help me all those years ago, I might not even be alive right now. Te amo," My Carlito tells me, as he hugs me, kissing me on my cheek.

"You should be saving your energy for tomorrow night, your wedding night. Though I don't think you need to worry about condoms anymore."

"Steph and I don't want to have kids right now, Abuela. In fact, we're not even sure we ever want to have kids."

"Carlito, you know you can't always control those things. Unless you or Steph have a procedure, every time you make love, you risk making a baby. Will you be okay with an unexpected pregnancy? If Estefania were to be pregnant, what would you do? Would you have the child, would you abort the child, or would you give up the child? You will be a married couple. You will be leaving your wife behind while you are fighting in some unknown part of the world. Make sure she's not worried, upset, or panicked about your reaction. Plan for the unexpected, always, querido."

"Okay, Abuela, we'll discuss the possibility. Only, please, don't repeat what you just said to Steph. She'll freak out."

"I won't."

I turn to Lester and hug him as well. "Les, don't go chasing an idea. Look for someone who makes you complete. Don't try to duplicate what someone else has. It would never be the same between you and Estefania as it is with Carlos. If you keep trying to find "your Estefania," you'll miss out on your life partner."

"Abuela, I'm not looking to find another 'Stephanie.' She's my sister, if not by blood, then my mind. I choose her to be my family. I'm not trying to find her."

"Lester, you are. Everyone woman you have seriously dated has a name that begins with an "S," they have brown hair, curly hair, or some combination. If they are Hispanic, they are a lighter-skinned Latina. They typically have blue eyes. You are subconsciously trying to date Estefania. I don't want you to be alone forever, Lester. Open your heart to someone other than Estefania."

"But I never wanted Steph that way, Abuela, you know that."

"I know, carino, but you want what she and Carlito have. You will find that, but not by trying to duplicate her."

I watch as Lester takes in my words. My daughter often says that I'm a witch, that I have a sixth sense. I'm neither, I'm just very observant. I watch what happens, I read body language, I listen to what is said and what isn't said. Lester is right, he never wanted to date Estefania, but he does want a girl just like her. He wants a girl with her spunk, her fire, and her sass. He's trying to find one who looks like her, not realizing that girls like Steph come in all sorts of packages. He'll find his woman when he least expects it.

Finally, my Estefania comes to me. "Hi, Abuela, I'm so glad you were able to make it. Carlos really wanted you here, even if he won't admit it to you."

"I know, mi amor. Are you ready for tomorrow?"

"Yes, I'm so excited I can hardly wait. I've dreamed of marrying Carlos for so long, for it to finally be happening is beyond everything I thought it would be. I only wish that my family would be happy with my choice, but I've come to terms with their stupidity long ago. I know you and the rest of the family wish we were having a church wedding, but we didn't want that, it's not us."

"I understand, no need to explain. It doesn't matter where the vows are said if when you say them, you are saying them from your heart. It matters that you always honor those vows, until the day you die."

"Thank you, Abuela, for always understanding me and accepting me. I love you."

"I love you, too, and I'm so glad that I will officially be your Abuela tomorrow."

After everyone says hello to everyone else, Carlito and Lester go to join the rest of the graduates. They both look so dapper in their fatigues. One of the higher-ups, not sure who comes over to us.

"Lieutenant, you are requested to join us up-front. You are rank, and though not a Ranger, deserve to be honored as such. Besides, your reputation precedes you. You will have bars before long if you continue on your path."

I watch as Steph straightens up and salutes, honoring her vow to her country, and respecting her superior officer. "General, while I would be honored, I would like to be with my family."

"Ma'am, I understand your sentiment, but it is not a request."

"I understand." She replies before turning to me. "See you in a while."

"Go, Estefania, be proud of who you are. Be proud of your achievements and be honored."

"Gracias, Abuela."

She walks with the General to the front, where she takes a seat in the second row. I guess, based on their decorations on their uniforms, they are sitting by rank. The first part of the ceremony begins, which is a tactical demonstration. We see men propelling up and down a huge wall, higher than the stadium we're sitting in, we watch as they jump out of helicopters, fly over water on a rope from the same helicopter, and participate in demolition and hand-to-hand demonstrations. I'm in awe at the things my Carlito and Lester can now accomplish. After that part of the ceremony, which takes about an hour, the official graduation ceremony begins. The ceremony is filled with much pomp and circumstance, and Carlos is given an award for breaking every Ranger school record. He is top of the class, and I see the pride in Estefania. Lester is the number two graduate. It seems that their two friends, Robert Brown and Pierre DuPont, are numbers three and four. I predict that these four men will be receiving the toughest assignments, and I know, in my bones, that Estefania will be the one giving them what they need to succeed. After a couple of speeches by some higher-ups, the ceremony is finally over, and my boys come back to the family, along with Estefania.

Now that the ceremony is over, the boys have attained the rank of First Lieutenant, like Estefania. I see their interaction change, now that they are the same rank, from what it was when Carlito and Estefania first arrived. I hope they don't need to keep up these pretenses once they are husband and wife.