Joe's POV

It's been thirty-six weeks, five days, twenty-one hours, and fourteen minutes since I lost my Cupcake to Manoso. I kept true to my word and stayed away. Who am I kidding, it's not like a had a choice. About three weeks after that night, Manoso had to go away to Boston, some problem with a client that only wanted to talk to him. I figured that since he was away, I'd take the opportunity to try and talk to Steph, to convince her that she was better off with me. I managed to "bump" into her outside the Tasty Pastry, and I attempted to talk to her, but she ignored me and got into an SUV with one of those thugs. That night, I had a visitor. Let me tell you, waking up to a gang banger in your bedroom watching him sharpen his knives is not something I recommend.

I got home from an unsuccessful day. It started off promising, with the Chief asking me to take the Seargent's exam. Then, I got word that Stephanie was at the bakery. I got there in time to see her, but she brushed me off the minute I asked her to go to lunch with me. Instead, she ran into one of those shiny, probably stolen, SUVs with one of those thugs. I went into the bakery and got a few donuts. Then, the promising lead I had on my case went to shit. When I arrived home, I found Bob had chewed through my new sneakers. I was stupid enough not to put them in the closet. I had a couple of beers and went to bed after I saw the Mets get creamed by the Phillies. Now I owe Big Dog lunch.

I fell asleep quickly, only to wake up in the middle of the night to a noise that I couldn't place. I reached on my nightstand for my gun, only to find that it wasn't there.

"You looking for this, pendejo?"

I looked in the direction of the voice and saw that gang banger that associated with Ranger standing in my bedroom. "What are you doing here? All I have to do is call the station and have you arrested for B & E, and trespassing. I don't think your boss would like that."

"You make no call. You got no phone."

I reached for my cellphone, which I keep on the other nightstand to find it gone. Shit.

"I told you to stay away from Estefania, but you no listen. I should cut off your boys, but Estefania made me promise not to hurt you. I warn you one last time. The next time you try to corner mi angelita and ask her to marry you, you will lose your boys. For a cop, you security is shit. Tu perro is a pussy cat. Keep your weapon under your pillow along with your phone. Next time, you be dead before you know I here."

With that, Hector disappeared from my room. The entire time he was standing there, he was sharpening his knives. I waited five minutes, then went downstairs to find all my windows locked, and my doors locked. I check my upstairs windows and they too were secured. How the fuck did he get in here?

The next day I called a locksmith to have the locks changed on my doors. I figured that Cupcake gave him the key since I never asked her for her key back. I mean, that's the only way he could have gotten into my house. Then, about two weeks later, I tried to talk to Stephanie again. That night, I had another visit. I woke up to find Hector holding a knife to my pride and joy. I have no idea how he got in, or how he got me undressed, but I have never been more frightened. It was so bad that I actually pissed on myself. Fortunately, that made Hector happy. He left without removing any body parts. From that day on, I stayed away from my Cupcake, resigned to the fact that I lost her to Manoso.

In fact, I stopped going to Pino's for three months to avoid the possibility of bumping into her. It was only after I got wind that she was pregnant did I stage a meeting. Big Dog texted to inform me that Steph was in Pino's with a couple of guys from Rangeman. Since it was my lunch hour, I went over there for a meatball sub. I called it in to take it to go, hopefully making it less suspicious. When I arrived, I saw her sitting next to the guy with a flaming skull tattooed on his head and the gang banger with the two teardrops. I sigh, knowing that I no longer have a say in who she chooses to associate with.

I said hi to her and confirmed her pregnancy. I knew that the baby wasn't mine. Even though we were technically dating at the time of my failed proposal, we hadn't been intimate in about a month. That should have been an indication to me that Stephanie wasn't in love with me. But no, I didn't see the signs that were staring me in the eye. We shared a little small talk before I was saved by Mr. Pino himself, who informed me that my hero was ready. Then, a month later, I heard that she and Manoso tied the knot in a small, intimate ceremony on the beach in Miami. Apparently, at their estate. God, my life sucks. Thankfully, that interaction didn't piss off Hector.

Now, I just got off the phone with my mother. She told me that she just heard that Stephanie gave birth to a baby boy this morning. She and her husband were over the moon with happiness. I could hear the disappointment oozing through the phone. After hearing how about five different Burg men have already provided their mothers with grandchildren, I was able to finally hang up. It's not like I'm not trying here, but seriously, do you see the available women? They are either two hundred pounds, or they have a mustache, or they are going gray. I know I shouldn't be so picky at my age, but is it asking too much for there to be at least one attractive Burg woman in her mid-thirties who wants to be married and have a family? Hopefully, someday soon, I'll find my perfect woman, but Stephanie's shoes are going to be hard to fill. The one lesson I have learned, though, is that the next woman I date, I will fight for her honor. I know that's where I went wrong with Stephanie, and I will not make that same mistake again.

A/N: Thank you for coming on this journey with me and sharing your opinions and thoughts. I appreciate all your reviews and comments, please keep them coming. Thank you to Susan, my wonderful beta for her critical eye. I hope to finish something else soon...either Spring Break or Decision, but I have to see where my muse takes me. Until next time.