Chapter Five: Destiny
On Friday afternoon, Stephanie called Carlos. "Hey, babe, is everything all right?" Carlos questioned when Stephanie sounded sad while answering the phone. He was starting to care for Stephanie.
"Yes, Carlos. Everything is fine. I hate to ask you, but it is Friday night, again, and if you don't want to come to dinner at my parents' house, I will understand." Stephanie thought back to the first time she brought Carlos to meet her family. Everyone loved him except her mom, Helen. She keeps bringing up the fact that Stephanie should marry Joe. Every Friday night, it was the same thing; "Joe this and Joe that. You belong with Joe. I am sure you understand, Carlos. But what would the neighbors think?"
Stephanie, at times, dreaded Friday night dinners. But having Carlos endure the many shared dinners with her family, the meals became more bearable for her.
"I would love to, Babe," Carlos said. "I can pick you up at your apartment, and then we can go to your parents' house. What time should I pick you up?"
"How about 4:30? Nothing special, at all, just wear anything. I will see you later," Stephanie said and then was gone.
Carlos looked at his phone. "I can't believe I have been dating her for almost six months. I guess Tank was right. Not everyone is after money," Carlos said as he shook his head. He went into the glove compartment and removed a small box. He looked at the 2-carat diamond ring, with the two blue sapphire stones on either side of the diamond.
"Sorry, Helen, but you lose. I am not giving up your daughter, not when we have gotten so close. Tonight is the night," he said. Carlos put the box back in the glove compartment.
He drove back to Rangeman and walked into the building. "I will be off gird for the evening," Ranger told everyone.
"Sure, Boss," the men replied. Ranger took the elevator to the penthouse. He changed into black jeans, a blue turtleneck and his boots.
Just then, there was a knock at his door. "Who is it?" Ranger asked.
"It's Tank, Boss," Tank replied. Ranger opened the door to let his right-hand man inside the apartment.
"Come on in," Ranger said.
Tank walked in and looked into his friend's eyes. "Hey, are you going to ask Stephanie to marry you today?" Tank asked. "The team loves her. We will do everything possible to make her safe if you marry her. You have our word."
"Yeah, I know, Tank. And yes, I am going to ask her to marry me. I am praying to god that she will say yes," Ranger replied.
"Boss, everyone has seen her and the way she looks at you. Don't worry, I know she will say yes. I just know," Tank told him.
"Okay, here I go," Ranger grabbed his keys and walked out of his building. He got into his SUV and drove to Stephanie's apartment. Carlos took the small box out of the glove compartment and walked up the stairs to her apartment.
He knocked on the door. Stephanie answered it. "Hi, Batman," Stephanie said. "Please, come in." She opened the door wide enough for him to pass through the doorway.
Carlos walked in, took Stephanie's hand, and walked her into the living room. He gently pushed her onto the couch. Carlos kneeled on the floor in front of her. His hands slightly shook as he prepared to bare his soul to the woman in front of him. "Stephanie, I never thought I could open my heart to anyone again. But you changed all that. Every day you made it easier to open my heart to the endless possibilities you offered. Stephanie Plum, will you please do me the honor and become my wife? Will you marry me?" Carlos shifted onto one knee and opened the small box that held the engagement ring.
"Oh my god, yes, Carlos. I love you, of course, I will marry you," Stephanie told him through tears.
"You said yes?" he asked to confirm.
"Yes, Carlos. A million times, yes," Stephanie replied. Carlos got up and saw Stephanie holding her left hand out. His hand shook as he slipped the engagement ring onto her left-hand ring finger.
He took her into his strong arms and gave her a deep kiss. The two of them looked at each other. Carlos knew Stephanie wanted to be married before they slept together, and he respected her wishes.
"Carlos, let's get married today. I don't want a big fancy wedding. Besides, if we get married today, we will shut my mom up for a while. Granted, she will still give us a hard time, but she won't be able to stop us. Or try something to stop us from getting married," Stephanie explained to him. She wanted to attach herself to Carlos as soon as possible before her mother could intervene.
"Babe, are you sure you want to get married this way? I don't mind waiting a little longer. We could plan for something a little more special," Carlos asked her with a raised eyebrow.
"Please, Carlos. Let's do it now. I am sick of waiting," Stephanie told him.
"Okay, let's get some wedding rings and then get married," Carlos told her softly.
The two of them walked out of Stephanie's apartment and stopped at a jewelry store, where they walked around until Carlos saw the classic wedding ring set in platinum gold. "Babe, what about these?" Carlos asked, pointing to the classic set of wedding rings.
"I love them. They are perfect," Stephanie told him.
"Can I help you?" a salesman asked.
"Yes, can we get fitted for this classic wedding ring set in platinum gold?" Carlos asked him.
"Of course," the salesman replied. He removed a ring sizer to measure their fingers to fit them. Once fitted for the rings, Ranger paid for them. They took each other's wedding band and walked out of the store.
Carlos got on the phone. "Tank, can you meet Babe and me at city hall please?" Carlos asked.
"Sure thing, boss. I am on my way," Tank replied. He walked out of Rangeman smiling.
When Tank arrived at the City hall, he walked into the building. He heard Carlos and Stephanie in the licensing office. Tank walked in and saw Ranger paying the licensing fee. The two of them went to Judge Teagan's office.
Carlos knocked on the Judge's office. "It is open," he called out.
"Judge Teagan," Carlos said, smiling.
"Carlos, what can I do for you?" Teagan asked.
"I want to marry this lovely lady today. Can you help us out?" Carlos asked.
"Of course. Because I owe you, I will waive the three-day waiting period," Judge Teagan told him. "Okay, let's see your marriage license." Carlos handed it over to the Judge.
"Are we really getting married today?" Stephanie asked, shocked that Carlos had called in a favor.
"I will make this short and sweet. Do you, Ricardo Carlos Manoso take Stephanie Michelle Plum to be your wedded wife? To have, to hold, to love, to cherish and all that other stuff?"
"I do," Carlos told him.
"Do you, Stephanie Michelle Plum, take Ricardo Carlos Manoso to be your wedded husband? To have, to hold, to love, to cherish and all that other stuff?"
"I do," she told the Judge.
"Do you two have vows?" Judge Teagan asked.
"Stephanie, you are my heart and soul. You helped me love again, and I love you and always will." Carlos told her. Carlos noticed a tear slip from her eyes. He gently wiped the tear away using his thumb. Stephanie leaned into his touch.
"Carlos, I never thought that I would find that someone special. But the day we met was the best day of my life, next to this one. I love you, Carlos, and I always will," Stephanie told him.
Carlos placed her wedding ring on her left hand. Stephanie took his wedding ring and put it on his left hand.
"If anyone has a reason why they should not be married, speak now?" Judge Teagan asked. "No one? Good. I now pronounce you as husband and wife. You may kiss your bride," Teagan said with a smile on his face.
Carlos cupped Stephanie's face and gave her a deep kiss. "I love you," Carlos whispered against her lips.
"I love you too," Stephanie replied. Stephanie, Carlos, Tank and Teagan's secretary signed the marriage license. Stephanie's eyes widened as she looked at their clothes. "Oh my gosh. We got married with you wearing jeans. What would the neighbors think?"
"I don't give a damn," Carlos replied, making Stephanie grin. Judge Teagan and Tank chuckled.
"I now introduce the new Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Manoso. Now, the both of you get out of here," Judge Teagan said. He handed Carlos a copy of their marriage license to them.
Tank grabbed the document from Carlos for safekeeping. He grinned as he left his friend and bride to explore their night together.
"Carlos?" Stephanie asked.
"Yes, Babe?"
"Do you mind skipping dinner at my parents' tonight?" Stephanie shyly asked. Carlos pulled Stephanie into his arms and kissed her with enough passion, causing her leg to wrap around his waist. He lifted her as he wrapped her other leg around him. Carlos carried Stephanie from the City hall to his car.
"As much as I want to take you home to celebrate our wedding, we should probably go to your parents for dinner," Carlos said. He placed Stephanie into the passenger seat of his car, kissed her chastely, then closed the door.