Chapter Ten

Ranger and I were married that day in a civil ceremony. A week later we had our wedding in Miami.

Ranger had contacted Roberto, the wedding planner and government snitch, we both knew and loved. We had met Roberto about three years earlier when I had pretended to be Ranger's fiancée. Ranger was trying to gain intel on an international arms dealer and we had posed as an engaged couple in Miami for our destination wedding. Roberto had been the wedding planner for the arms dealer and pretended to be ours as well. He had brokered the introduction.

Ranger had planned the most perfect fake wedding for us, right down the wedding gown he had designed for me. It had been crazy and overwhelming, and when I look back on it the beginning of our relationship. Well, as least the out-as-a-couple part of our relationship. The truth was Ranger and I had been in a relationship for years, we had just been too stubborn to admit it.

This time instead of an international arms dealer and her boyfriend, we had our friends and family around us and the wedding was real, but it was no less perfect.

I wore the beautiful dress that Ranger had designed. It was a silk cowl-neck column dress that dipped low in the back with a chapel train. It was beautiful then and now it was perfect because this time Ranger and I were married for real. It had been a long time coming.

Roberto was fussing over the orchids in my hair when Reyes came in. Roberto flushed and started fanning himself. I could relate. Reyes cleaned up well. I asked Roberto to go check on the guests.

Reyes grinned at me. "You look beautiful."

"Thank you, and thank you for doing this." My life had changed a lot the last few years, and I had changed. Mostly for the good I thought. I could have had my sister Valerie or one of my friends Mary Lou, Connie, or Lula from Trenton be my Maid of Honor, but it just didn't feel right.

No, the person I wanted to stand-up with me on this day, that knew me so well, the person that knew and kept all my secrets, and never once judged me was Reyes. He had graciously agreed to be my Man of Honor.

"Of course, it is my honor. Stephanie, you are the best friend a man could have." He gave me a quick hug.

"What is up with your granny, I swear she keeps trying to grab my butt, and I'm not really comfortable with the way she keeps looking you know…" His voice trailed off and he looked pained. "At my other parts."

I burst out laughing. "Yep, that is my Grandma."

"There are some scary women in your family Plum. I'm not sure how you turned out so normal." Reyes was shaking his head.

Funny how Reyes thought that I was the normal one and it was my family that was weird. This is why Reyes was my Man of Honor.

"Here" I said. "Help me with my necklace." I turned my back to him so he could fasten it.

"And what's with the Italian Stallion out there. Is that the asshat ex-boyfriend?" He asked.

I snorted. "Yep."

"Well at least he's kind of hot, I guess. I'm sure he had some redeeming feature" Reyes said it with just the right amount of sarcasm. I swear I could feel him rolling his eyes. I gave him a little elbow to the ribs. He gave a little grunt and whoosh of air.

"Not funny" I said in the sternest voice I could muster. But, of course, we both knew it was, and burst into giggles.

I turned around to face him, and he gently grasp me by my shoulders. "You know there is still time to change your mind and run away with me. I can drive the get-away car." His voice was low and soft.

I laughed. "I think I am finally ready." I mostly thought he was joking about the running away together part.

"Ok, well if you are sure let's go. Your Dad is waiting to walk you down the aisle, and I'm pretty sure Ranger is related to half of Miami and they seem to be getting restless."

I thought Reyes was probably right. Half of Miami just might be here. Ranger had a huge extended family, and I was pretty sure they were all here. I think they too had been holding their breath waiting on us to finally get down the aisle. They were all so warm and welcoming. I realized how lucky I was to be marrying into such a tight knit group that has accepted me without batting an eyelash. I realized I wasn't conventional, but then again neither was Ranger.

Reyes leaned down and lightly brushed a kiss across my lips. "I love you Stephanie Plum." He offered his arm to me "Now let's go get you married." I took Reyes' arm and walked out onto the beach.

The sun was low on the horizon and the entire beach was bathed in an elfin glow. Ranger waited for me under an arbor of palm fronds, calla lilies and orchids. He was dressed in a beige linen suit and wore a 1000-watt smile. Roman and Tank were his groomsmen. They both looked dashing. I couldn't imagine a more perfect picture.

Reyes and Angela stood up with me. I turned and looked out over the crowd. My parents, my grandma, and sister were there along with Mary Lou, Connie, Lula, Morelli, and my RangeMan family. I did a quick check to make sure Hector hadn't added any new teardrop tattoos and gave a quick sigh of relief.

It was a perfect blending of past and present. I realized some part of me would always be that carefree, impulsive girl from Jersey. I hoped I had brought the best parts with her to my new life.

Ranger and I took each other's hands and exchanged our vows. Ranger's eyes never once left my face. When I slipped the wedding band on Ranger's finger there were tears in my eyes. My dream had finally come true. The perfect wedding to the perfect man.

We were declared husband and wife and Ranger gave me a soul searing kiss. The Catholic part of me was glad we weren't in a church, because that kiss could have blistered paint. Cheers went up and I'm pretty sure I was blushing.

We did a champagne toast and filed out to the reception. I looked out across all my friends and family. It was such a perfect day. Even my Mother was happy, well sort of. While she thought Reyes was an odd choice, I think she appreciated the view. Actually, in all fairness, my Mother told me how happy she was for me. Then she dropped a big hint that the button factory was hiring. I just grinned and told her I would keep that in mind.

Reyes caught my eye and mouthed 'help' as he caught Grandma's hands and pulled them away from his body. I just smiled and waved.

I felt Ranger behind me and stepped back into his warm embrace. He leaned down and kissed my neck. "Someone should probably go help him" I said. Ranger chuckled.

"Ok, but it will cost you." His voice was a breath in my ear and I shivered. This was the kind of price I did like.

"Promise" I said. Ranger gave me his wolf grin and went off to help Reyes.

I looked up and saw Montero. "You came" I said. I was actually surprised.

"Of course, I did. You are my friend and I wouldn't have missed it for the world." He gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "You may be the most beautiful bride I have ever seen. I'm really happy for you both."

"Thank you. You being here means everything" I said. And, I meant it. I was pretty sure Montero and I would be friends this time around, and that made me happy. What needed to be said was said, and this time we had both made a choice about what we wanted.

I heard "hey boss" and turned around and it was Les. I practically launched myself into his arms and squealed with delight. "I missed you."

He hugged me tight. "I missed you too. I'm sorry I haven't been around, but that is going to change. Ric asked me to run a new team in DC."

Les called Ranger Ric. He was the only one that had ever done that. To the rest of us he was Ranger, Carlos or Manoso. I realized he was a different person to all of us, and I realized I loved all of them. Ranger was a complex guy, but at the heart of it he was simply a good man. His different personas gave us each what we needed. I think that was Ranger's real super power.

I pulled back and looked at him. Les had a black eye. "What happened?" I asked suspiciously.

"Eh, you know. Training accident" Les said. My eyes cut to Ranger and Les just grinned.

"So, you are really coming home?" I asked.

"Yes ma'am, I'll be there next week." I couldn't wait to have my friend back. I realized I'd been resentful of the fact that one stupid night had cost us so much. OK, so if I was honest it was a seriously hot night, but still it had only been one night that was a product of grief and loneliness, not of betrayal.

I had missed Les so much. I missed his humor and I missed his counsel. He had been my rock, and I was glad to have him back. I wasn't naïve enough to think everything was going to be sunshine and bunnies from here on out. Ranger and I led complicated, and sometimes dangerous lives. I had learned that having a support system around us made it bearable. That and the occasional bowl of ice cream with a healthy dose of forgiveness and acceptance.

Tank came up and he and Les did some complicated handshake thing. Tank gave me a quick hug. "About time you got your head out of your ass." He said and grinned at me.

I smiled back. "Yes, it was."

I felt a slight disturbance in the energy around me, and I turned around. I had to stifle a surprised scream. Roman was right behind me. The man moved like a ghost and he still scared the bejesus out of me. "Dance with me" he commanded and held out his arms. I stepped into his embrace, mostly because I was powerless not to. Roman had an almost hypnotic quality to him. I felt a little bit like a moth to a flame. His touch was light and his hand was warm on my back. He was a graceful dancer. His movements were smooth and beautiful, and I relaxed into him following his lead.

He leaned down near my ear. His voice was like velvet, but I still got goosebumps when he spoke. "I'm really happy for you both. I want you to know, my loyalty lies with both of you, equally. I would never lie to you again. I hope someday you will finally forgive me" he said.

I wasn't so sure I bought the loyalty in equal parts or the no lying story. Probably what he meant was he would just omit the truth next time, but there was no reason to point it out. I was glad Roman was on Ranger's side. We all need people to have our backs, and keep our secrets. A lesson I had learned well over the last three years.

I stepped back so I could look him in the eye. "Roman, I already have." He smiled and kissed me on the forehead. I heard a noise and looked away for just a second, and when I turned back, he was gone like a ghost in the darkness. A little involuntary shiver went up my spine.

I saw Reyes and Lillian talking. Lillian reached out and touched his arm. He said something to her and she laughed and they moved out onto the dance floor. She went into his arms and laid her head on his shoulder. Interesting. I hoped that might turn into something. They were both good people.

Morelli, Sandy and their daughter Victoria were all at the wedding. Sandy was pregnant with their second child. They both looked happy and very much in love. I was glad for them.

Morelli sauntered up to me and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "Congratulations cupcake. You look beautiful."

"Thank you. It was really nice of you to come." I didn't really know what else to say. Given our complicated history, I was a little surprised he had come. On the other hand, given our complicated history I couldn't imagine he wouldn't have come.

"You were never cut out to be a Burg housewife." My eyebrows went up and I could feel my anger start to rise. Morelli held up his hand. "That came out wrong. I'm really screwing this up, but what I mean is you were never meant to be a Burg housewife, because you were always meant to be so much more. You were always meant to have a much bigger life."

He took my hand in his. "There is something you need to know. I am sorry about a lot of things." He gave me a rueful grin. "But mostly I'm sorry that I acted like and ass about your job. Truth is, I think I was jealous. It all came so natural to you. I always knew you were destined for something more than a Trenton cop could give you. I'm happy for you."

I was gobsmacked. "Thank you."

Just then little Victoria came running up hands sticky with something. Morelli quickly grabbed her into his arms before she could put her dirty hands on my dress. "Let's not get Aunt Stephanie's dress dirty" he told her. She giggled and hid her face as he made smacking kissing noises. She was adorable and I smiled at them both.

"I should probably go clean her up." Morelli ambled off.

I looked up and saw Ranger watching me intently. He was doing that thing where he measures your heartrate and looks inside your soul. He walked over and put his arm around me.

He gestured at Morelli and Victoria with is head. "What do you think? You want one? Do you want to try for another baby?"

I thought about Victoria. She was a beautiful child with her dark curls and dark hair. She had infectious laughter and unbridled energy.

"Hamster" I said. "I'm thinking a hamster."

Ranger smiled. "How about we compromise and get a puppy. See how that works and then go from there?"

I smiled back at him and brushed my lips across his. "That I can do."