Stephanie's POV
"What is the meaning of this? I can't believe that you would do this to me. Why me? Why do you insist on embarrassing us like this? Marrying this…this…this, well, he isn't a Burg man. If you only would have kept your legs closed back when you worked at the Tasty Pastry, you could have found a good Burg man. Now, you are a disgrace. Marrying someone who isn't like you. I don't know where I went wrong."
I feel the rage building up in me. I can't believe my mother still thinks that I'm to blame for being raped by Joseph Morelli. I was raised not to air dirty laundry, but this is an accusation that I can no longer let slide without addressing. I grew up into a strong woman, one who doesn't get pushed around. It's time to stand up to my mother and all her idiotic ideas once and for all. I only wish it didn't have to be so public. But, since she screeched at the top of her lungs, and the entire room is watching us, I guess I have no choice. I take a deep, fortifying breath and feel Carlos squeeze my hand, silently giving me support.
"Mother, you have done nothing but put me down, telling me how I'm a screw-up, a waste of space, a mistake. Yes, Mother, after I broke my arm at the age of eight, you told me that you wish you never had me, that you didn't want another daughter, as you already had a perfect daughter in Valerie that you wanted a son. You said how you should have thrown yourself down the stairs once you knew that you weren't having a boy. Then, you could have tried again to become the perfect family. Instead, your Catholic guilt stopped you from killing your own child. You made me feel worthless, insignificant, and unloved. When I started playing soccer in high school, you tried to stop me, banning me from going to practices and games. It was only when the coach came to the house, threatening to call a Social Worker, did you allow me, begrudgingly, to play.
"However, the icing on the cake was when Joseph Morelli stole my virginity from me, then wrote those disgusting poems around town. He raped me. He forced himself on me. He took from me something I didn't want to give up. When you found out, you called me a slut, a whore. You told me I asked for it, that I wanted him to rape me, that I was looking for someone to spread my legs for, that I got what I deserved. I was then punished for the summer. Thank God for Tia Celia and Uncle Paul, because if they didn't offer to take me to Miami, my life would be so much different.
"In Miami, for the first time in my life, I knew what it felt like to be loved. I was reunited with my brother, not by blood, but by heart, Lester. I also met my soulmate, the person who is now my husband, Carlos. Tia Celia and Abuela Rosa showed me how a mother is supposed to act, how a mother is supposed to love and support her daughter. They gave me unconditional love, emotional support, and most of all, they accepted me for who I am. I wasn't expected to fit a mold to be someone I'm not. I was told I had possibilities that I could be whatever I wanted to be. If I chose to be a housewife and mother, like you, that was great. If I chose to have a career and a family down the line, that was also fine. I wasn't pushed into being a teacher, a nurse, or a line worker at a factory somewhere. While there is nothing wrong with those jobs, I was allowed to find something I loved that I had a passion for.
"I decided to go to West Point. I knew you and Dad wouldn't pay for me to go to school. Even though I had been offered a full ride to three different schools, I didn't know what I wanted to do. But I didn't want to be alone. West Point seemed like the perfect opportunity. School year-round, no tuition, and I got to be with Carlos. There I met some great people and some of my closest friends. I found that I was strong and capable. I decided to venture into a pathway that would keep me stateside, but where my strengths were being used. I am excelling, and I love my job. Everything that I am today is due to the love and support I received from my new family, from the Manoso and Rizzi clans. I have been their daughter, granddaughter, and niece since I was sixteen, and now I will forever be in their family. I no longer need or want your approval or your support. I will not be seeking you out. Please forget that I exist. You have your wish. I am no longer your daughter, and therefore, no longer your problem."
Ellen Plum was clearly mortified. Her embarrassment only increased ten-fold when those in the room started to applaud. I never realized how despised my mother was in the Burg until this moment. I, on the other hand, was on the verge of tears. Tears over the loss of my birth family, of realizing that regardless of all I accomplished, I'm still inadequate in the eyes of my mother and father. I know I shouldn't care, but I do. It hurts. Carlos can sense that I'm on the verge of an emotional breakdown that I don't want to have here, in front of Trenton. He nods to the DJ, indicating that he should play a song.
Suddenly, the opening stands of "My Baby You" by Marc Anthony is heard, and Carlos is leading me onto the dance floor. "It's time for our first dance as husband and wife, Babe."
I smile, feeling his love envelop me, making me relaxed, at ease. We move together in a practiced routine, one that was perfected during our relationship. No, we never took dance lessons, nor did we choreograph our first dance, but we know each other well, we anticipate each other. It has always been that way, and I can feel the eyes of Trenton on us, watching us. I see Tia Celia and Mama Manoso with tissues in their hands, dabbing their eyes. I see Abuela Rosa with the smile that she gave to Carlos. Those three women are over the moon that Carlos and I are now married.
"Babe, I'm proud of you for finally standing up to your mother and the Burg. I am proud to call you my wife. Te quiero, para siempre."
"I love you too, Carlos, until I take my dying breath, I will love you. You have my heart, guard it, and protect it."
"With my life. You know you have my heart as well."
"I know. I will protect it with everything I am." The song is ending, and Carlos dips me. As he pulls me, he crashes his lips against mine, and we kiss. This is a kiss that is a promise of the life we have vowed to each other, of the love we feel and is awaking needs that we both have, and always have, for each other.
"I can't wait to get you home, Babe. Let's go away for three days. We need a honeymoon. You don't have to report until Wednesday. Let's go somewhere."
"Where?"
"Point Pleasant, Seabright, you name the place. I would prefer to travel somewhere exotic, but it's not something we can afford right now."
"Point Pleasant. But where are we going to stay?"
"My parents have a house there. They go there on the weekends."
"Since when?"
"Since we started at West Point. When they realized that they didn't have to pay for my school, they offered me the money they saved for me to buy a house or to save. I told them to keep it, that I would get housing from the government, and would be earning money to support myself. They decided to get the summer house they always wanted. The house is mine, my name is on the deed with theirs. It's ours, Babe. So, you want to go to the beach?"
"Yes, Carlos. How soon can we leave?"
"I think Tia and Mama will have a conniption if we leave before the end of the party, but how about right after?"
"That's perfect."
We move to a table where Lester already has a dish made for me, filled with my favorites. I move to sit in my own chair, but Carlos pulls me into his lap. "We're now married twice, we don't have to hide our love anymore."
Carlos has always been demonstrative of his feelings for me, especially when we were alone. When we were at West Point, the idea of two cadets dating was frowned upon, though not forbidden. We learned to be more subtle in public. Once we graduated, becoming soldiers officially, it was okay to date, if we were the same rank. When I graduated before Carlos, it was technically a forbidden relationship. However, all the higher-ups knew that we were engaged, that we've been dating for so long. They turned a blind eye to us. Then again, it could be that because Carlos and I both had exceptional skills, they decided to overlook our relationship to keep us working for the government. Whatever the reason, no one gave us a hard time.
Carlos starts to feed me, and I can't help but moan as the tastes explode on my tongue. I know that Carlos is affected by my eating, as I can feel the effect I'm having on his body. It only makes me want to moan more. I know, teasing Carlos is never a good idea, but I enjoy everything he does to my body. There is time for more dancing once we've finished eating. The DJ finally plays the Spanish songs that the Manosos prefer. Carlos and I hit the dance floor in perfect sync. Our bodies are perfectly in time, and we can rumba, salsa, tango, bachata, and cha-cha with the best. I dance with Lester, Papa Manoso, Carlos's brother Javier, and Bobby. Tank looks on, clearly unfamiliar with these dances. I'm proud to know that those Burg dance lessons actually paid off.
The Plums stayed until the end of the event, as is Burg appropriate. They wouldn't want people to talk about how they were rude and left before the end of the event. The acceptable reasons to leave an event early are if your child is having a baby, you are having a baby, you're an emergency responder and need to report to an emergency, or you need to go to the hospital. Otherwise, you stay until after the coffee and dessert are served. As the evening is winding down, I notice the Morelli clan is missing.
"Tia Celia, where are the Morellis? Not that I'm upset that they didn't come, but I am surprised they're not here. Isn't Mrs. Morelli and Grandma Bella still queen bees?"
"They are, querida, but rumor has it that Joe was injured. It seems some woman he slept with while at SEAL school was furious with him over something he did to her and she hit him with her car. He broke his leg in two places. She claims that she accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the break. She wasn't charged. The Morelli matriarchs had to rush to be by poor Joseph's side, to nurse him back to health."
"Good for her. Too bad, she didn't break a different appendage."
Shortly after that, we were finally able to leave. My homecoming was well-received by most. Of course, there are those Burg few who hold on to tradition with every fiber of their being. For them, I'll never measure up, but I couldn't care less. When Carlos and I returned to our hotel room, we made love yet again, before falling asleep in each other's arms.
The next few days went by in a whirl. The house in Point Pleasant is beautiful. I'm glad we have an escape there. I've always loved Point Pleasant. While the New Jersey beaches will never be as beautiful as the Miami beaches, they do have their own allure, especially for this Jersey girl.
We arrive in Virginia, heading straight to our house. Lester arrived on Tuesday, receiving our furniture while setting up his room. He'll crash with us between missions, not wanting to set-up his own space that will be vacant for months, if not years, on end. We also know that there will be times when Lester will be stateside while Carlos is off on a mission. That way, I won't be alone for long periods. I was dismayed to discover that Captain Carter was living across the street. Somehow, he pulled some strings and got his reassignment moved up almost two months. Thank goodness our bedroom is at the back of the house. I don't know why, but Captain Carter is setting off my intuition or spidey sense. At least, that's what my colleagues in Arizona called it.
We arrived at 1700, just enough time to unpack and wash up for dinner, which Lester prepared for us. Thanks to Abuela Rosa, we are all competent in the kitchen. We eat an easy meal of grilled chicken, asparagus spears sautéed in garlic and olive oil, with wild rice. Carlos and I clean up. Les and Carlos decided to go on a run to scope out the neighborhood. I decided to take a look around the outside of the house. I want to have a nice flower garden in the front, filled with different plants that will bloom from March to October. I look at the existing bed, trying to determine how to make my dream come true.
"Lieutenant Plum, I didn't know this was your house."
"Captain Carter, nice to see you again. Yes, Carlos and I live here. Lester Santos will also be staying with us when he's home."
"That's a very unusual arrangement for newlyweds."
"It may be, but Lester is my brother, as far as we are concerned, and he's Carlos' cousin. We've lived in the same house for two years. We're used to each other."
"So, you went through with your marriage. You married Ranger."
"No, I married Carlos. You may know him as Ranger, but to me, he will always be Carlos. While Ranger is a part of him, it's only one aspect of his persona. It's his game face, his Army self. Behind closed doors, Ranger doesn't exist."
"Well, when Ranger is away, if you ever need anything, feel free to stop on over. I'd be more than happy to help you around the house with whatever you may need."
I wasn't born yesterday. This Jersey girl has been around the block a time or two. I can read between the lines, knowing that he's offering to be my lover while my husband is risking his life for our country. It is confirmed, Captain Carter is scum. "Thank you for the offer, but I'm sure I'll be fine. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a few things I need to attend to. Good night, Captain."
I reluctantly reenter the house, not wanting to be near him any longer. Now, I can't take my measurements or draw my sketch. I am not looking forward to informing Carlos about Carter. He needs to know. Something is not sitting right in my gut. I will get to the bottom of it sooner or later.
