Well here's the final chapter. I'm still on the fence about writing an epilogue. I hope everybody enjoyed.

Chapter 19

Steph POV:

I sat bouncing my foot. We were in the first row behind Robinson waiting for Morelli, the judge, and the jury to file in. Carlos's hand found my knee, pausing the bouncing. I smiled weakly at him, and he squeezed my knee to comfort me.

Morelli was escorted in by the bailiff, eyes locking with mine across the courtroom. He shot me a nasty grin that had Carlos's hackles going up. He went to stand, and I pushed him back into his seat, taking his hand in mine.

"It's not worth it," I told him softly. He clenched his jaw but sat back in his seat.

It wasn't long before the judge filed in, and a few minutes later, the jury. "In the Case of Joseph Morelli how does the jury rule?" the judge asked, turning to the jury.

Jury member number one stood, envelope in hand. He made a show of opening the envelope to read the paper inside. He glanced up at the judge and then around the courtroom, eyes flickering over us nervously as he licked his lips.

"We the Jury find Joseph Anthony Morelli," he paused seemingly for dramatic effect. "Guilty of the following charges…"

I sat frozen, not hearing what the juror was saying. They'd convicted Joe. He was going to jail. At the same time, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders and a stone settled heavy in my heart. Once upon a time, there was a good chance that I would have married Joe. Settled down and lived the burg life with him. Right now, the part of my heart that loved his younger self was mourning the loss of him, while the rest of my body felt like a weight had been lifted, one that had been dragging me down for so long.

I was slow to realize Joe standing and turning towards me. "You Bitch! This is your fault!" he growled, lunging over the divider towards me. The Rangemen around me shot into action. Carlos shielded me with his body as Rage and Tank pushed Morelli back. I saw Morelli's fist connect with Rage's jaw; Carlos turned me away as a spark of violence flashed through Rage's eyes.

He herded me towards the back of the room, hand on the small of my back, glancing over his shoulder. "Are you okay Babe?" he asked.

I nodded. Morelli was drug out of the courtroom as the judge announced sentencing would be at a later date. I felt Carlos's hand at the small of my back, rubbing gently. "It's over," I said softly.

He nodded, looking down at me to study me. "How are you feeling?" he asked, walking out of the courtroom.

"Part of me misses the better side of him, but I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Joe and I weren't good together, I see that now. It was toxic. We were pushed together by the burg, not because we loved each other. I'll always love the soft side of him, but that person is not him anymore."

My husband nodded, wrapping his arm around my shoulder and kissing the top of my head. "I know. You always deserved better than the cop even if I kept sending you back to him. That was something I will always regret."

"I've got better now." I smiled up at him as we reached the front doors. He smiled softly, leaning down to kiss me softly.

XXXXXX

Two months later

I sat in the passenger seat as Carlos drove. His hand was on my thigh. If he moved his hand slightly, he could touch my stomach. I was officially two days overdue, and I was wanting this baby out of me.

We were on the way to his parents' house on my insistence, after his mother had mentioned the family get together. Normally Carlos would have taken the chance to drive his Turbo, but with how pregnant I was there was no way I was getting into that low slung of a car.

"How's the baby?" Carlos asked.

"Calm." I sighed. He smiled.

"Maybe he finally decided to give you a rest." He chuckled and I laughed softly.

I felt the ache in my back worsen and a tightness grow in my stomach. When it had started two months ago, Carlos had almost rushed me to the hospital thinking my pain was premature labor. It had taken me, Bobby, and Tank to talk him down from making a useless trip to the emergency room.

"Are you okay, Babe?" Carlos asked me, shooting me a concerned look.

I nodded, holding my belly. "Just another Braxton Hicks."

He nodded, turning back to the road. That was when I felt it, the gush of water from between my legs, soaking the Cayanne's leather seat and my dress.

Carlos looked at me wide eyed. "That's not Braxton Hicks," he said, breathlessly. A panicked look fluttered across his face.

"No, it's not." I shook my head as I took a deep breath as the contraction got worse. It faded and I pulled out my phone dialing Tank.

"Steph's what's up?"

"My water broke." I said calmly, glancing at Carlos he was white knuckling the steering wheel. Surprisingly, I was calmer than him.

"Ten four," he said with a grin in his voice. "We'll meet you at the hospital."

Carlos managed a U-turn when he got the chance, glancing at me every few seconds. "Calm down." I smiled gently at him. "Both the baby and I will be fine."

He nodded; I saw him relax slightly. It didn't take long for us to arrive at the hospital with the way he was driving. I rolled my eyes when I realized he had beat the guys here, and the building was closer than we had been.

He helped me out of the car, throwing the bag over his shoulder. "Do you want me to carry you?" he asked.

"Carlos, I'm in labor, not dying."

He shot me a look. "I thought you would have been more stressed about this."

"Right now, I'm just happy our son decided to make his appearance."

He grinned before frowning as I felt another contraction hit. He picked me up this time and carried me towards the door. It was a private birthing facility, something we had decided on because of everything going on with my mother and Morelli.

It didn't take long to get everything situated. I was soon in a bed, dilated to 6 CM. "Doesn't seem like your baby has any of your patience," I told Carlos.

He chuckled and squeezed my hand. "I can't wait to meet him."

Another contraction interrupted my smile. "He returns the sentiment!" I ground out.

In the end it was worth it, holding our son in my arms. All the pain faded away. His skin tone was just as rich as his father's, thick black hair already showing a slight curl. I already felt sorry for him. The biggest shock had come when he opened his eyes. Familiar blue ones looked up at me, and I smiled. Carlos kissed my temple, sweeping his hand over his son's hair.

"We did good, Babe," he whispered softly.

"We did," I agreed.