Carlos' POV

We arrived in Newark three days ago, and tonight is our big reception in Trenton. Stephanie is a nervous wreck, not sure how her parents are going to behave. I keep telling her to relax, but she's not listening. I guess it's easy to relax when your parents are fully supportive of you. My mother was a little miffed that I didn't want her at our wedding, but she was pleased that Abuela and Lester were at least there to witness it. Stephanie and I spoke, and we decided to ask my family priest if he would marry us a second time at the reception. Technically, Roman Catholic priests are not supposed to marry anyone outside of a church. Still, since we are both military and already married, he decided to make an exception for us. He feels military couples need all the blessings they can get. The second ceremony will go a long way in appeasing my family, especially my mother and my Tia Celia.

Stephanie found a beautiful pale blue dress to wear after we make our debut in our uniforms. Right before Father Cruz marries us, we'll change. Steph into the dress, and me into a black suit with a blue shirt to compliment Steph. Her dress has a fitted bodice with a halter top, a skirt that ends just below mid-thigh, which moves as she does. It looks great on her and will be good for dancing. Tia Celia rented the Polish National Hall, which is apparently "the" place to have an affair in the Burg. Steph and I will arrive with Lester.

It is now 1730 and time for us to leave. Steph walks down with her hair tied back in a bun, typically for how she wears it with her uniform. I know she's planning on taking out the bun when she changes her dress. She hasn't seen her family in several years. I can see the nerves in her eyes. "Babe, I am here for you. I love you, and I support you. My family will make sure that everything goes well tonight. We all have your back. There is absolutely nothing that your family can do to change the way I feel about you or the way my family, now your family, feels about you."

"I know that, Carlos. I know that I have the support of Mama and Papa, and Tia Celia and Uncle Paul, but it isn't enough sometimes. I don't understand why the thought of being in the same room as my mother causes me such anxiety."

"It's because your mother abused you, mentally and emotionally for sixteen years, until we were able to save you. From what you and Lester told me, almost every conversation with your mother ended with how someone else was a far more superior daughter than you. You call your sister 'Saint Valerie,' which means that you were constantly being compared to her. In your mind, being around your mother makes you feel inferior, weak, and inept. But, I'm here to tell you none of that is true. You are a great soldier, one of the best at gathering intel. I am honored to be able to call you my wife. Now, give me a kiss so we can leave."

"Thank you, Carlos. I love you so much. Please, always be here to support me."

"Whenever I can, Babe, I'll be by your side."

I take Steph's hand, leading her outside to my "new" car, an eight-year-old Porsche SUV. It's silver, with leather seats and a sunroof. My Jeep finally died when we reached Virginia, so I decided to invest in a better car. I know that this car will be safe for Steph, and the child, my Abuela, insists that she's carrying. I guess we'll find out soon enough. We stand next to my car, waiting for Lester to emerge. About five minutes later, he's out of the house in his dress uniform, as we are. We climb into the car, taking off for our unofficial reception.

When we arrive, it's apparent that almost the entire Burg is here, by the onslaught of American made cars. I also see the cars from the Manoso-Rizzi clan. There must be over 300 people here. As we step out, I see Steph pale, her shoulders slump, and her confidence disappears. Lester sees it as well.

"Beautiful, stop that. You are not the Burg. You are not a loser, a waste of space, or a disgrace. You are a beautiful, confident, sassy, intelligent, and loving woman. Our entire family loves you for you. Don't revert back to who you were before Miami.

"Babe, Lester's right. I don't want to be with this timid girl. I want my strong, confident wife back. Please, Babe, stop worrying."

I watch as some of her fear, some of her insecurity leaves, and I watch as her spine straightens and the soldier within come out. This is my wife. I'm so proud of her. "Okay, I'm ready. I'm Lieutenant Stephanie Plum-Manoso, United States Army. I can take on the bad guys overseas, I can take on the Burg."

A genuine smile graces her face, warming my heart immensely. We walk into the hall. We are the last to arrive, as planned. The family immediately surrounds us. We asked my parents, Tia Celia, Uncle Paul, and Abuela, to keep our marriage a secret. Steph and I aren't wearing our wedding bands, but that is because of the ceremony we're going to have later. We will exchange vows and rings a second time. I can tell that most of the Burg don't recognize Steph yet, as everyone is concentrating on Lester. I guess seeing her in uniform with her curly hair secured in a tight bun is a good disguise. Several of the young men of the Burg approach Lester, and I see the moment they recognize Steph.

"Stephanie Plum? You're an officer? Holy shit! Congratulations." Eddie said. Eddie married Steph's cousin Shirley. Therefore, I was able to recognize him. Eddie, along with the rest of Steph's old friends, hug and kiss on the cheek. After they praise Steph for her hard work, I have a newfound respect for them. I see that they really do care about Stephanie.

"Hi Carl, hi, Brian. Yes, I graduated last year from West Point and from Military Intelligence school a few months back. I'm a First Lieutenant, as is Carlos," she says as she points to me, "and Lester. They both completed Ranger school a few weeks ago."

"Wow, that's amazing. I heard that Morelli went to SEAL school and failed. He was responsible for someone on his team getting injured in the last test because he failed to have their back. Rumor is that he's planning on applying for TPD." Carl informed us.

"I'm not looking forward to having to work alongside him. I don't trust him, and I never will. But he has that damned Morelli charm, so I'm sure he'll rise quickly. I mean, around here, he can't do no wrong. He's the golden boy of the Burg." Eddie said with bitterness.

"Well, he was always able to get away with everything. I'm not worried about Joe, though. I actually should thank him. If it weren't for Morelli's actions, I would have spent my summer in Point Pleasant. I never would have been asked to go to Miami, and I would never have met Carlos. However, he should watch his back, because if he tries to fuck with me, he will pay." Steph said.

Her sentiments were the same as Lester and me. Neither of us could wait to get our hands on that pig. Huh, and now he'll be a cop. Figures. It was at that moment that we heard the shrill voice of Steph's incubator.

"Stephanie Michelle Plum, what are you doing dressed like that? How will you ever find a husband and settle down to have babies? You know, if you would just dress like a normal woman, Dickie Orr or Joe Morelli might be willing to marry you."

"It's Lieutenant Stephanie Michelle Plum. I worked hard for the title, please use it. I see you haven't changed at all since Valerie's wedding. I'm fine, by the way. Now, if you'll excuse me, I want to go talk with Lester's cousins."

Steph walked away from her mother, who stood there with her mouth wide open, catching flies. I quickly followed, needing to make sure she was alright. When we finally got to a private location, she exploded.

"Why does she seem to think that she still has a say in how I live my life? Doesn't she get the fucking hint that I want nothing to do with her? I mean, I haven't spoken to her since Val's wedding. This is so ridiculous. Carlos, can we find the priest so we can get married again now? I don't want to want another second."

"Yeah, Babe, I'll get him. Are you sure this is the right time?"

"Yes. I only want to change into my dress. I love you, Carlos, and I'm ready to declare my love for you in front of the bigoted, small-minded Burg. Maybe now they'll finally understand that Stephanie Plum is not a Burg woman."

Steph entered the small conference room that was doubling as our changing room. I went in search of Father Cruz. I bumped into Lester, telling him we were moving up our surprise. He knew where Father Cruz was, promising to get him for us, as well as informing the DJ so we can have the floor. I walk into the room to change, seeing Stephanie already in her dress. I paused inside the door and just stared at my wife. Standing before me was a vision, the vision of an angel looking beautiful, stunning, sexy, and perfect. Dios, I want her right now. She looked at me over her shoulder.

"Like what you see, Lt. Manoso?"

"Like isn't the word, Lt. Manoso. Love is more like it."

Now I know that she's using her maiden name for work, and is officially Lt. Plum, but I can't help using my last name whenever I can. I love the sound of 'Stephanie Manoso.'

"I have to fix my hair. By the time you change, I'll be ready." I followed her advice and got changed quickly. True to her word, her hair was hanging in soft curls around her face. She was perfect, as usual. I offered her my arm, which she gladly took. We started to walk to the hall when I saw Lester. He nodded, letting me know that he would get the room's attention and that everything was set for us. We waited for Lester's cue.

"Good evening, everyone," Lester said to the room from the mic the DJ handed him. "I want to thank you for coming to celebrate my graduation from the US Army Ranger school. I am honored that so many people wanted to be here. However, I have a surprise for everyone. Two people, who mean the world to me, are here and would like to get married. So, Father Cruz, can you please come to the stage."

We waited, hearing the murmur of voices wondering who was getting married while, we assumed, Father Cruz was walking up to the stage. "Miguel?" Lester said to the DJ, who began to play the wedding march. That was our cue to enter. When we reached Father Cruz, I took a moment to glance around the room, seeing mostly shocked faces. But I quickly forgot about them and only thought about the woman who was about to marry me for a second time.

Father Cruz went through the ceremony quickly and conveniently forgot to ask if anyone had any objections. It was twenty minutes after he started that he pronounced Stephanie and me 'husband and wife.' I took full advantage of the moment and kissed my beautiful bride deeply.

By the time our kiss was finished, we were surrounded by my family, thrilled to have Stephanie, an official member of the Manoso clan. Mama was in tears, grateful that she was able to see me marry Steph, even if it was the second time and only done for the show. However, when I saw Mrs. Plum walking in our direction, I knew that all hell was about to break loose.