Chapter 67

RPOV

I walked Steph over to meet with Lucia and then left in the car to head into the nearest town. I'd known Lucia for a few years now, having spent some time here in the past, before moving to Trenton. She was married to an old CO of mine, so they knew how I'd needed peace and quiet. Cabo San Lucas wasn't a large town, but I knew someone who was a friend of Lucia's who would have sourced out two rings for me.

Yeah, I know, I acted on an impulse when I saw where we were flying to and that Cabo Sans Lucas wasn't that far away by air. I spoke with Lucia about my idea and listened as she took over the conversation of all the preparations she could make. In fact by the time I had finished speaking with her I had the contacts for everyone I would need to meet with for this marriage to happen. Lucia would take care of everything else. It never entered my head that Steph would say no. The conversation back at the beach house had me more nervous than I had ever been. That she hadn't spent time thinking about her answer gave me hope and her questions lifted my heart because I knew it could be done. When she answered yes, I felt relieved, no more than that. I felt so much love for her that really marriage was just an acknowledgement of it. Promises said to each that would bind our souls for all eternity.

Lucia had organized for a variety of dresses and other clothes to be delivered to her home and that was what Steph would be looking at now. I'd described the style that I knew would suit her so felt sure she would find one that she liked. Lucia's husband Eric was organizing the marriage certificate as a personal friend of his was a magistrate. I had copies of the paperwork in my iCloud account so simply forwarded the necessary ones to Eric. The application forms and travel visas were easy to acquire, I had access to Steph's employee record which provided me with her passport, birth certificate and divorce papers. Her medical record that Bobby kept up to date had chest X rays and blood tests.

All I needed now were the rings and something suitable to wear. It was late afternoon when I drove back to the beach house with Eric in the passenger seat. The paperwork had been accepted and everything was arranged to start at sunset. I left Eric at his house and went in search of Steph only to find the beach house empty. I panicked, had she changed her mind? I was so was relieved to find a note from Lucia to say that Steph would stay with her to get ready and would be meeting me on the beach at 1830hrs. I'd bought a number of things that I thought we would need so headed for the bathroom to shower and shave.

Once dry I dressed in the white cotton trousers and shirt, the white Guayabera was a traditional shirt as I didn't want to be wearing black, plus I knew Steph would love seeing me in white. I wouldn't be wearing shoes as the sand would be cool and soft under my feet. I placed the rings in the top pocket of the shirt and seeing it was nearly time made my way down the steps to the beach. Eric met me along with a man I assumed was the magistrate and introduced us as we walked toward an archway covered in honey suckle rings were passed over to the man in front of me, rings that would symbolize what we were to each other. I was told to stand sideways with Eric next to me and watched as Lucia lit torches that led from her home down the beach.

I sensed Steph was near and looked up the path. I was overcome with how beautiful she looked as she started to walk toward me. Her dress was a pale cream that hugged her waist and hips falling to just above her ankles and bare feet. A silver bracelet adorned one ankle and was matched with one on her wrist. The neckline was a simple halter neck, revealing the shape of her breasts underneath and the smooth white skin of her shoulders and neck. Her hair was piled up on top of her head with flowers intermingled in it and a few strands of curls framing her face.

It was the sight of her face and eyes that truly took my breath away. She was looking at me so intently, her eyes so full of emotion. Her smile was contagious, and I ended up smiling back at her. As she approached, I reached my hand out for hers and turned us to face the magistrate. He smiled warmly at each of us before beginning what would be a simple and short ceremony. The words were spoken in Spanish but I wasn't really listening to him, I was watching Steph as she watched me. When asked to repeat the vows I translated them into English as I looked into her eyes.

"I call upon these persons here present, to witness that I Carlos do take thee Stephanie to be my lawful wedded wife, to be loving, faithful and loyal to thee in living our married life together"

I listened as the magistrate said a similar passage for Steph to say and was surprised as she repeated the words back to me as I had said them to her. Eric stepped forward then and gave each of us a ring. I was the kind of man who would wear the symbol of my love for Steph. Again, I listened as the magistrate said the words I was to repeat and spoke them to Steph as I placed the ring on her finger.

"Because this ring has no end or beginning, it signifies the continuation of the true love I feel for you"

I smiled as Lucia gave a nod to Steph and not waiting for the magistrate to continue, she spoke the words that would signify her acceptance.

"I will forever wear this ring as a sign of my commitment and the desire of my heart."

Never one to leave a moment silent Steph took my hand and placed her ring onto my finger before the magistrate had a chance to say what was next.

"Because this ring has no end or beginning, it signifies the continuation of the true love I feel for you"

As she slid the ring onto my finger, I responded to her repeating the words the words she'd said when accepting my ring.

"I will forever wear this ring as a sign of my commitment and the desire of my heart."

"I now say to you all, Mr and Mrs. Manoso. Welcome them"

I was surprised as Lucia tied a red ribbon adorned with flowers around both our necks, so I took the opportunity to kiss my Babe lovingly being aware that we had witnesses and that tonight couldn't come soon enough.

Lucia's arms came around us both and she removed the lasso from around my neck but leaving it on Steph. As we turned to move back up the beach between the torches you could say I was shocked at the people who were sat watching. Zeph was there with Tank and Santos. They all came up to us and whilst hugging me threw out various comments.

"I had to be here to make sure it was true"

"Nah, I got photos"

"Santos"
"No problem Primo, I'll send them to you and delete them from my phone. Beautiful you look absolutely radiant"
He then proceeded to spin her off her feet and tipped her backwards to kiss her cheek. I wasn't going to rise to his bait, she was mine now and no one would ever take her away from me.

"Les how are you even here?"
"Zeph, he figured it out. He had us flying out to Houston saying there'd been a problem with the meeting and then flew us down here"

He backed away as Tank picked Steph up and whispered something to her before kissing her on her head and putting her back down. With his arm around her they walked over to me.

"Carlos I'm so dam damn happy for you both"
I expected him to say more but he just grinned at me.

"Yeah, I know I'm speechless"

"Stephanie, Carlos. Your meal is ready"

We followed Lucia into an area behind her home. A table was set out full of food, all sorts of things that would normally be served at a traditional Mexican wedding. Well almost, sat in the center of the table was a beautifully decorated cake, that I am sure was especially for Steph.

Each person helped themselves to food and then we sat at a large round table, eating, talking and on occasion trying to ignore the sounds coming from Steph. The food consisted of chicken served with warm, fresh tortillas. Side dishes consisted of enchiladas, beans, hot and spicy rice enhanced with peppers and tomatoes. Whilst the flavors of cilantro and lime infused each dish. As we finished and the plates were moved away Lucia placed the cake between us and handed me a large cutting knife. Together, Steph and I cut into the cake as Santos continued to acquire photographs. I was pleased that Steph didn't force me to eat any cake, probably because she ate mine as well.

"Where are you guys staying?"
"Zeph organized us rooms at a hotel in town. He's flying us back to Houston then we'll head back home"

"How did it go after we left?"
"Hector stayed behind to watch, he wanted to know what those men were up to. Dempsey went into the church and came out shouting at them, as far as we know he never did work out how to get past the portrait"

"I wonder what made him go there?"
"Don't know. Santos got out but Gannon insisted on taking the box, you know pulling his rank. As far as I know it's mission successful"

I was glad to hear that but there were still some things that didn't quite add up and maybe they never would. For now though, I needed to have Steph all to myself. As I stood, I took her hand in mine.

"I'd like to say a big thank you to Lucia and Eric, they made this day a very special day. A thank you to our friends for sharing our day. My wife and I wish to bid you goodnight and we'll see you back home"

We walked away from the table to hoots and whistles and seeing how embarrassed Steph was, I pulled her to me.

"We're married Babe"
"I know it just feels awkward"
"Then let me make you feel something else, for the rest of the night"