Chapter 22
The day of Joe and Paulina's wedding arrived. They were nervous, not because they were committing to one another, but because they were meeting each other's extended families for the first time.
Father John Juno presided at the wedding. Paulina and Joe decided to walk down the aisle together. Father John was surprised they wanted a less traditional entrance into the sanctuary. During the rehearsal the night before, he asked why they wanted the change from tradition. "It's Joe's first marriage, but my second. I had the traditional wedding," Paulina explained.
Joe added, "Paulina and I are equals. I want our ceremony to start with us together." Paulina wiped the tear from her eye.
"I see it makes your bride-to-be happy," Father John said, his eye twinkling in amusement.
"It truly does," Paulina stated. "Joe and I will be raising my two children together. He's unable to have kids. I want them included in the blessings." Father John agreed.
Angie Morelli entered the church on her son Anthony's arm. He let his cousin Mooch walk Bella up the aisle. They took their seat on the groom's side and patiently waited for the ceremony to begin.
The church wasn't at capacity, but everyone who mattered arrived. "Did you invite the Manoso family?" Paulina whispered in the vestibule.
"I sent the invitation to Rangeman. Mom said not to expect them to attend. She heard that the child protection services agent was visiting them today," Joe whispered.
"Okay. I was hoping to meet Stephanie. Hopefully, everything is alright. Did you see the baby gifts she sent?"
Joe laughed, "Yes. Rangeman and Pennsylvania Police onesies. Stephanie must have got them specially made. Tawny loves her pink Rangeman and officer pyjamas. I love the suit onesie and princess dress Stephanie sent too."
"Which were perfect for the children to wear today. We should send then photos with the thank you note," Paulina suggested. She smoothed her cream-coloured dress to remove the invisible wrinkle.
"I sent pictures of the children wearing the police and Rangeman gear, but not the princess dress and suit," he replied. Paulina straightened Joe's tie. It took a few weeks to convince him to wear a suit. He wasn't kidding when he said it makes him look like a mob boss.
"We'll send those after the ceremony," Paulina suggested.
"Anything you want, Lina."
An usher waved Joe and Paulina to the doors. When Pachelbel's Canon in D played, Joe walked his soon-to-be wife down the aisle. Angie wiped a tear from her eye. She was proud her Joey met a wonderful woman to marry. Paulina's daughter looked like Cathy when she was little. Tawny held her mother's hand while Joe carried Cam as they walked towards the priest.
Paulina dressed Tawny in a pink princess dress. She wore a rhinestone tiara in her brown, wavy hair. Her brown eyes, like her mother's, were bright from happiness. Tawny couldn't wait to call papa Joe daddy. Baby Cameron wore a black and white onesie that resembled a suit which made Angie smile.
Angie thought Paulina looked beautiful with her light brown hair pulled on top of her head. Loose curls fell around Paulina's head like a water fountain. She noticed Paulina's eyes looked damp but happy. Joe placed Cameron into his mother's arms while Tawny sat with her grandma on the other side of the aisle. Tawny waved at her grandma Angie before sitting back to watch her mom marry her new daddy.
Father John welcomed the guests to his church to witness Joseph Morelli and Paulina Scorsone exchange the sacrament of holy matrimony.
"Joseph Anthony Morelli and Paulina Grace Scorsone, have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?" Father John asked.
"I have," they answered.
"Are you prepared, as you follow the path of marriage, to love and honour each other for as long as you both shall live?"
"I am," Joe and Paulina replied.
"Are you prepared to raise the two children lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Chris and his church?"
"I am," they responded.
Isadora Pirelli silently cried as she watched her daughter get married to the half-brother of her late husband. Paulo Pirelli was unsure about Joseph Morelli, but he had seen last night that Joe loved his daughter and grandchildren. Isadora held his hand as the couple at the altar exchanged vows.
"Joseph Anthony Morelli, do you take Paulina Grace Scorsone for your lawful wife, to have and dot hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?" Father John asked.
"I do," Joe replied.
"Paulina Grace Scorsone, do you take Joseph Anthony Morelli for your lawful husband, to have and dot hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"
"I do," Paulina answered.
"Joseph Morelli and Paulina Scorsone declared their consent to be married. Lord, I ask you to bless this couple and the children they shall raise together in love and happiness, Amen. What God joins together, let no one put asunder." He blessed the rings and held them on the prayer book until it was time.
Joe placed the wedding band on Paulina's finger. "Paulina, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." His hand shook as he pushed the ring past her knuckle.
Paulina reciprocated Joe's motion. "Joseph, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
"You may now kiss the bride," Father John announced.
Father John continued the marriage ceremony. He gave the newlyweds communion, asked them to lite the unity candle, then got them to sign their marriage and registration certificates. Joe's brother and Paulina's friend signed as witnesses.
Hector and Lester arrived before the bride and groom walked down the aisle with the children. Lester motioned for Hector to move to the front of the church to record the ceremony. Both men used their phones to capture the wedding. Stephanie would be proud of their thoughtfulness. Lester waited at the back for the bride and groom to retrace their steps back down the aisle.
When Father John announced, "It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you, Mr. and Mrs. Morelli." Everyone clapped as they walked down the aisle. People congratulated them as they passed by.
Joe stopped short when he saw Lester waiting. "Santos? What are you doing here?" Joe asked.
"Congratulations, Joe and Paulina. I have a delivery from Stephanie and Carlos Manoso. Stephanie made me promise to deliver it directly to you," Lester said as he gave Joe an envelope.
He recognized Stephanie's handwriting on the envelope. Joe slowly opened the flap and removed the airline tickets. "Lina, they gave us tickets for a trip to Hawaii. We can take the children and your parents," Joe said as a tear ran down his cheek.
Paulina put her hand against her mouth. "When do we fly?" she asked.
Joe read the tickets. "In two days. That's not all, Lina. We're taking the Rangeman jet from San Diego to Honolulu," Joe said, passing his wife the tickets. "This is too much, Lester. We can't accept the gift."
"Read the note," Lester said before leaving with Hector. "Oh, we got a recording of your ceremony. Hector will email you a digital copy."
"Thank you," Paulina said as she cried.
Joe sat in the last pew to read the note from Stephanie. Paulina sat beside him so they could read the message at the same time.
Joe and Paulina,
Congratulations on your marriage. Carlos and I wanted to give you something special for your wedding gift. We are sorry that we missed the wedding. A critical, last-minute family situation had to get handled.
Joe, I know you think our gift is too extravagant, but we wanted you and Paulina to have a honeymoon. I heard your mom say that you couldn't afford a trip with Paulina on maternity leave. Take your wife to Hawaii and enjoy your time as a married couple.
Paulina, as you already know, I'm glad you and Joe found each other. It makes me happy knowing that you and Joe have the connection I have with my husband. Joe's a good man. I know you secretly want to have fun in the sun. Admit it, Paulina, you want this honeymoon as much as I want you to accept the gift.
We included tickets for the children and your parents, Paulina. I couldn't imagine going away for two weeks without my children, and I didn't want you to get forced to leave them behind. I talked to your mother, Isadora, regarding the trip. She's excited to go on vacation with Paulo and the grandchildren. Don't deny your parents of an all-expenses-paid vacation.
When you arrive at the airport, there will be a rental car waiting for you. Remember, all expenses are covered. Get room service. Go on tours. Most importantly, have fun.
Please accept our gift.
Take lots of pictures.
Love, Steph.
Paulina was crying by the time she finished reading. "She's one special woman, Joe," Paulina said.
"Stephanie is a generous woman. When she worked as a bounty hunter, she bought donuts or lunch for her friends. I remember when Stephanie let her sister, Valerie, live in her apartment. It was difficult for her to give up her independence, but she did it for her sister. I never realized how much she sacrificed until now," Joe explained.
"You finally see the amazing woman that Stephanie has always been," Pauline added. "Did you ever offer to help make her a better bounty hunter?"
"No, I focused on how she made me look to my neighbours in the Burg. I never asked her if she was okay. Moving away from Trenton was the best decision I made," Joe said. "It made me a better man."
Angie heard Joe's words and felt sad. She hoped Joe and his family would move back home after they got married. Bella tugged on Angie's sleeve. "My Joey is happy," Bella said. "He should stay here. The Burg is no place for my favourite grandson."
The reception got held in the Italian Club a few blocks away from the church. Joe and Paulina stayed long enough to fulfil all of the traditions at wedding receptions.
In the Manoso home, Monica DeMarco finished her assessment regarding Julie Martine. Monica recommended that Carlos and Stephanie Manoso have custody. "I heard from my colleague in Miami," Monica stated.
"Mindy?" Julie asked.
"Yes, Mindy Lutz. She told me that your dad and Stephanie bought clothes for your brother and sister. They had the parcels of clothing delivered to your aunt and uncle's home," Monica replied.
"Stephanie asked me what sizes they wore," Julie stated. "Dad and Steph heard that my mom sold all of their clothes before my uncle to pick them up from the house. It broke Stephanie's heart that she could be so mean."
"Your Aunt Celia filed to get Ron's adoption overturned. The court approved the request. How would you feel about Stephanie legally adopting you? I can add it to my recommendation," Monica wondered.
"I would love nothing more. In my heart, Stephanie's my mom. It would be cool if it were legal," she gushed.
Julie twisted her fingers in her lap. Monica stilled her hands. "What's on your mind?" Monica asked.
"I know I shouldn't be asking, but are Ronald and Silvia going to live with Beca and David?" Julie asked.
"For a few more months. I heard Ron Sr. applied for sole custody. He divorced Rachel and bought a townhouse," Monica stated. "Once he gets through the next few months of supervised visits, Mindy and her team would make a recommendation. If your dad, Carlos, wants to keep you with your siblings, they could apply to be foster parents."
"Do you want my honest opinion?" Julie asked.
"Always," she replied.
"I don't think Silvia and Ronald should get taken away from their home to live with strangers. They should be with family. In Miami, they have David, Beca and their grandparents. Here, there's only me, and that's not fair to them," Julie stated.
"You have the right to visit your brother and sister," Monica kindly said.
"When Ronnie and Silvie get settled, maybe I can arrange to visit. Dad has a Rangeman branch in Miami. We could go there so I can see them," Julie added.
"Take care of yourself, Julie. Can you hug your brothers for me?" she asked.
"Of course. Thank you for helping me," Julie replied.
Stephanie entered the living room, carrying Mattie. "Thank you for stopping over today. Carlos and I appreciate everything you've done for Julie."
"Hey, cutie. You are the cutest baby," Monica said. Mattie smiled at the woman. She wanted to hold him, but she couldn't.
"Mattie isn't so cute when he's demanding food at 2 am," Stephanie joked. "But I wouldn't change a single thing."
Monica laughed at the joke. "I have to get back to the office. It was a pleasure working with you and Carlos. Julie is in excellent hands," Monica said, holding her hand out for Stephanie to shake.
"Thank you for helping Julie," Carlos said as he entered the room. He shook her hand.
"I'm recommending that Julie stays here permanently. I'll file the paperwork at the courthouse on Monday morning. Congratulations," Monica said while Carlos and Stephanie escorted her to the door.
"Thank you," Stephanie said again as tears trailed down her cheeks. Julie wrapped her arms around Stephanie's waist and squeezed tight. Stephanie shifted Mattie to wrap her free arm around Julie. "Are you okay, Jules?"
"Great, mom," she replied as her phone rang. "Mom, it's Ron calling. Should I answer?"
"Yes, sweetie. Ron was your dad for over ten years," Stephanie said.
"Hi, Ron," Julie answered. Stephanie gave Julie privacy to talk.
"Hey, Jules. I'm calling to tell you I divorced your mother. I got it finalized today," Ron said, getting to the point.
"I'm sorry it didn't work out for you," Julie said honestly.
"The day I left Rachel, she said some strange things to me. Are your dad and Stephanie available? They need to hear what I have to say," Ron stated.
"Mom, Dad," Julie called.
"Mat, can you take Mattie?" Stephanie asked.
"Sure. You know I can't say no to holding my namesake," Mateo replied. Stephanie rolled her eyes before going to Julie.
Carlos met her in the hallway. They entered the living room and took a seat on either side of Julie. "Okay, Ron. Dad and Steph are here," Julie announced as she placed the call on speakerphone.
"Great. Thank you for taking the time to let me talk. The day I left Rachel, she got drunk and ranted about being in love with Ric. She was not happy that you got married to Stephanie, Ranger. I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to interfere in your marriage," Ron confessed.
Ranger tipped his head back and laughed. "Rachel is truly delusional. Thank you for the intel, Ron," Ranger stated.
"Ranger and Rachel couldn't make it work when they were married. Why would she think it would work now?" Stephanie wondered.
"I have no idea, but I refused to be the consolation prize. Julie, I agreed to have your adoption reversed. Ranger, I met with the other lawyers in my firm. We got the judge to sign the order without your presence. You should receive the documents by courier in the morning," Ron replied.
"Thank you, Ron," Ranger said, feelings of gratitude filling his heart.
"I should be thanking you and your generous wife. Stephanie sent parcels of clothing to David's home for Ronnie and Silvie. It was unnecessary, but I'm grateful."
"Ron, you raised Julie as your child for more than ten years. I was merely repaying your kindness," Stephanie replied. "When the children get settled, we plan to visit in Miami. I would hate for Julie to get cut off from her siblings."
"Silvie and Ronnie would love nothing more. I'll call when I have an update to their status," Ron offered. "I should go. Bye, Jules." Ron ended the car before Julie could say goodbye.