Chapter 4
After dancing to the required bridal party wedding songs, and the cake got cut, Stephanie had excused herself for the night. Joe tried to give her a ride home, but she refused, catching a ride back with Jace and her grandparents.
"Uncle Jace, can we go home tonight?" Stephanie asked.
"What about brunch with the family tomorrow morning?" Jace asked.
"Valerie said the bridal party would be there. I have zero interest in having Morelli grope me for another second," she replied.
"Morelli's a putz," Edna said.
"I heard mom and Angie planning a wedding for Joe and me," Stephanie added.
"We can go home tonight," Jace said. "I'll help Belinda pack."
"What about grandpa and grandma Plum?" she asked.
"Your grandfather and I will retire in our hotel tonight. We'll drive to Jace's home tomorrow. Cal and Hal, your friends, are on leave for a couple of weeks. Would you like them to visit you in Newark?" Philomena asked.
"Jay and I would love to see them again," Stephanie replied.
"We have a spare room if they'd like to stay," Jace stated. Stephanie nodded in appreciation. She hoped her friends would stay to visit. They wrote often, but she hadn't seen Hal since he dropped by to visit on route to the Navy.
Stephanie hugged her grandparents and said, "I'll see you tomorrow. Drive safe." Frank Sr. kissed Stephanie's curls. Her hair got piled on top of her head in relaxed curls, matching the style of the other bridesmaids.
After dancing and sweating, her curls tightened into a frizzy mess. Stephanie was about to leave with Jace when Morelli grabbed her arm. She reflectively twisted her body before shoving her knee into his crotch. "Don't. You. Ever. Touch. Me. Again!" Stephanie snapped.
She turned on her heel and walked away with Jace. He grinned as he escorted Stephanie from the reception hall. "That's my granddaughter," Edna said.
"I'm sorry for making you leave early, grandma," Stephanie said.
"It's getting too late for us, Stephie. Harry and I don't mind leaving," she stated. It wouldn't surprise Edna if Stephanie left tonight. She didn't appreciate Helen trying to get the putz together with her youngest granddaughter.
Stephanie collected Jayden's clothes, toys, diapers and food. She haphazardly shoved everything into the diaper bag. After changing out of her hideous bridesmaid's dress, she hung it in the closet and packed her belongings. Stephanie quickly checked around the room. She didn't want to forget anything.
Jace drove them back to Newark. Stephanie carried Jayden into the house while Belinda and Jace handled their luggage. "What happened, Steph?" Belinda asked.
"My mom rearranged the bridal party, placing me beside Joseph Morelli. The pig couldn't keep his paws to himself. He kept placing his slimy hands on my ass when we danced. I didn't want to do anything to upset Valerie. But it really pissed me off," Stephanie replied.
"Your mom shouldn't push you towards that man. I heard a lot about his father and brother over the years. He may not be like his father yet, but I've heard his brother, Anthony, already has a mistress," Belinda said.
"How did you hear all of this?" Stephanie wondered.
"I have some friends in town. They keep me informed," Belinda said, laughing.
"Jay's tired. I'm going to put him into bed. Thanks for having my back, Uncle Jace," Stephanie said. She kissed her uncle on the cheek and hugged her aunt.
"Momma," Jay groaned.
"Okay, baby. I'll get you to bed. Say goodnight, Jay."
"Night, Jay," Jayden replied. Jace and Belinda smiled as they watched Stephanie take her son to the bed.
"She's a great mother despite her role model," Belinda said.
"Steph had Philomena," Jace reminded his wife.
Stephanie laid her son on his bed and tucked him into the blankets. "I love you, baby," she whispered and kissed his curls. She waited a few minutes to make sure Jay was sleeping before slipping from the room. When she climbed into her bed, she sighed, thankful that the night was over.
In the morning, Helen prepared brunch for the family. After they ate, Valerie and Steve would open wedding gifts before travelling to Niagara Falls for their honeymoon. Helen had invited Joseph Morelli, hoping Stephanie would eventually date the man. Having a Morelli in the family was favourable for Helen. She couldn't marry the man because he had knocked up Angie.
"Mother, have you seen Stephanie this morning?" Helen asked when Edna and Harry entered the house. She was placing serving dishes of eggs and sausage on the table.
"Nope. She packed up in the night and left. Never said goodbye," Edna replied. Edna stopped short when she saw Morelli sitting at the table. "Why is he here?"
"He's family," Helen replied. Helen returned to the kitchen to grab the pancakes and bacon.
"That man is not family, Helen," Edna said, following Helen into the kitchen. "He's a Morelli. Why would you wish a lifetime of infidelity and abuse on your daughter?"
"Joseph isn't like his father. He's a good boy. If you don't believe me, ask Angie," Helen replied. "Who else would marry a single mother?"
Edna rolled her eyes but stood her ground. "I will not accept a Morelli into my home. Stephanie deserves better than what a Morelli man could offer," Edna stated. "I hope my granddaughter marries her son's father."
Helen gasped as she covered her mouth. "Well, I'll never," Helen started to say before Edna cut her off.
"Stephanie gets to decide who she marries, Helen. Back off," Edna snapped. Pasting a smile on her face, Edna grabbed the serving dish of pancakes and left the kitchen. Helen carried the bacon and pitcher of juice.
Frank managed to move out of the way before the kitchen door swung open. He took a closer look at Morelli when he sat at the table. "I heard you applied for a job at the TPD," Frank said to Morelli as he served a large helping of eggs onto his plate.
"Yes, sir. I have to serve another year in the Navy. When I complete the terms of my contract, I could work as an officer at the TPD without attending police college," Joe replied. Joe passed Frank the sausages and accepted the scrambled eggs.
"Sounds like a solid plan," Frank said before scooping pancakes onto his plate. Joe knew the conversation was over when Frank started to eat.
Frank kept an eye on Joe. He didn't like how Joe was staring at the sausage on his plate. "Don't even think about it," Frank said as he pulled his gun from the back of his pants. Joe quickly retreated his fork.
Valerie and Steve sat with their mouths wide open and the forks halfway to their faces. "Frank, put your gun away. I thought I asked you to get rid of it," Helen snapped.
"It's my service weapon," Frank mumbled. "Not giving it up." He ate the last sausage of his plate and leaned back to watch the others at the table.
Helen was drinking more than just orange juice. Frank noticed she had excused herself to get a new drink. She had opened the refrigerator to pour fresh juice. He heard the pantry cupboard open. His wife was adding something extra to her OJ.
Valerie and her new husband were feeding each other food off their plates. Frank rolled his eyes. Kids these days broach boundaries like they never did when he was young. He wondered why Joseph Morelli was sitting at the table. "Why are you here?" Frank decided to ask.
"Mrs. Plum invited me. She said Stephanie requested my company," Joe replied.
Frank laughed. "I think we both know that was bullshit."
"Joseph, you're welcome to join our table anytime," Helen said.
"Over my dead body," Harry snapped. "Morelli, leave now." Frank was never a fan of his father-in-law until that moment. Edna grinned at her husband.
Joe thanked Helen for brunch and congratulated the newlyweds. He got escorted to the door by Harry and Edna. Harry waited until Joe climbed into his car and drove away. He closed the door and locked it.
"Wow. Mom, did you see what Stephanie gave us?" Valerie asked. She had opened all the gifts, saving Stephanie's for last.
Valerie handed the gift to her mom. "It wasn't from Stephanie alone. The card has Jace, Belinda and your father's parents' signatures on it too. Stephanie probably added her name to the card to get out of buying you a gift," Helen snidely stated.
Helen passed the airline tickets and card back to Valerie as a note fell from the folder. Valerie unfolded the page to read the letter Stephanie included.
Valerie,
I purchased the open-ended tickets for you and Steve to honeymoon in Hawaii. Grandma and grandpa paid for your accommodations. Uncle Jace and aunt Belinda gave you the prepaid credit card with the 1500 available. It should be enough to cover your meals.
We would have added vouchers for various activities, but it's your honeymoon. Grandpa said you guys would spend most of your time in bed. I blushed bright red when he said that.
The scholarship I received for college was more than I was required to pay for my tuition and textbooks. I probably should have saved the rest for a rainy day, but I wanted to do this for you. Have fun in Hawaii, Val.
Love Stephanie.
Valerie hugged the letter to her chest before folding it neatly and tucked it into her purse. "When do you start work, honey?" Valerie asked Steve.
"In a few weeks. We could stay in Hawaii until a few days before I start work. My parents could set up our apartment in LA," Steve replied.
"Okay. We should call the airline to find out when the next flight leaves for Hawaii," Valerie suggested.
Helen grabbed the phone and the directory to call the airport. Valerie spoke to a woman at the ticket desk to learn the next flight left in four hours. They would fly from Newark airport to San Diego and transfer to Hawaii. Valerie ended the call and quickly ran up the stairs to pack her bags. Frank loaded the luggage into the trunk.
Steve packed his duffle when Frank stopped by his parents' home. It didn't take long for Steve to return to his wife's side. Frank rolled his eyes and mumbled while the newlyweds canoodled in the back seat. He was relieved when they exited the car at the airport terminal.
Instead of driving home, he travelled to Jace's house to visit Stephanie and Jayden. When he arrived, Stephanie was feeding Jay goldfish crackers. "Hi, daddy," Stephanie said in greeting.
"How's my grandson, pumpkin?" he asked.
"Okay, I guess. All Jay does is eat, sleep and poop," Stephanie joked. "Seriously, Jay gets into everything."
"The same as all toddlers," Frank stated. He studied his daughter for a few minutes.
Stephanie smiled when she saw an amused look pass across his face. "What are you thinking?" Stephanie asked.
"You're a great mom and a generous sister," he replied. "The open-ended airline tickets to Hawaii that you gave Val was an expensive gift."
"I had more than enough scholarship money and bursaries to pay for tuition. If I didn't pitch money towards the honeymoon, they would've gone to Niagara Falls. Valerie had always wanted to visit Hawaii," Stephanie said. "Grandpa and Grandma should be here soon. They're dropping off the car so Uncle Jace could drive them to the airport."
"I can drive them. It would be nice to visit with my parents a bit longer," Frank said. The doorbell rang, causing Jayden to fuss a little. He wanted to run to the door. "I'll get the door."
Frank opened the door to his parents. "I was hoping that was your car in the driveway," Philomena said to her son. "We didn't get a chance to talk much at the wedding."
Helen had monopolized Philomena's time. She bragged about all the arrangements she had made and the money Frank spent on the wedding. Philomena felt Helen wanted accolades for her hard work. "I'm staying for dinner, then I'll drive you to the airport," Frank stated.
Jay lost interest in his snack when his great-grandparents entered the room. He climbed off the couch and walked towards Philomena. "Hi, Jay. Are you a good boy?" she asked.
"Na Na," Jay replied and held up his little arms. Philomena lifted the child, allowing him to slobber-kiss her chin.
"He's an affectionate boy," Philomena said, laughing. Jayden sat with his great-grandma for a while before moving to his great-grandpa. After he got his fill of great-grandpa cuddles, he climbed onto Frank Jr's lap and settled until Belinda called them for dinner.
Stephanie and Philomena arranged to visit before Stephanie returned to school. She would fly to Chicago with Jayden and stay for a few weeks. They waved as Frank Jr drove away.
On Monday, Cal and Hal arrived bright and early. Stephanie opened the door and launched herself into Cal's arms. "Hey, big guy. I missed you," she said before kissing him. "I missed you too, Hal." Stephanie squirmed out of Cal's arms to hug Hal. "You grew."
"A little," Hal replied. He blushed when Stephanie kissed his cheek. She took a closer look at her friends and noticed Cal had dramatically changed his appearance.
"Did you lose a bet?" Stephanie asked.
Cal blushed, causing his flaming skull tattoo to shine brighter. "Too much alcohol and it was a dare," Cal confessed.
"Jayden, your uncles are here," Stephanie called into the house. Jay ran from the living room towards his mother. He raised his arms, silently asking Stephanie to pick him up.
"That can't be Jay. He's getting big," Cal said.
Jay grinned at his uncles. Stephanie was worried he'd make strange and shy away from the big men, but Jay welcomed their attention. "Hi," Jay said. He reached for Hal to hold him.
"Oh. I'm sorry. Where are my manners? Please come in. Uncle Jace will show you to the guest room. Jace, the man with the tattoo, is Cal. The other man is Hal."
"Hello, sir," Cal said, shaking Jace's hand. Jace looked at the tall blond with the tattoo. His blue eyes shone as he looked at Stephanie and Jayden. He could tell the man loved his niece.
Hal had blond hair slightly darker than Cal's colour. He also had blue eyes. Jace noticed his expression was more of affection than love.
"Welcome to my home. Cal, do you mind grabbing your bag? I'll take Hal's and show you to the room," Jace said. He guided Cal through the kitchen to the basement stairs. "The guest room has a queen bed. There's a sofa that pulls out for a sofa bed. I have an extra foam mattress to add to the top for comfort."
"Great. Thanks, sir," Cal said.
"Call me Jace, please," he replied.
Stephanie, Cal, Hal and Jayden had a lot of fun during their week together. They took Jay to the zoo and park. When it was time for her friends to leave, Stephanie was sad. "Visit soon, okay?" Stephanie asked.
"Absolutely. I love you, Hermana," Cal said. He kissed Stephanie lightly on the lips.
"I love you too, Hermano," Stephanie reciprocated. "And you too, Hal, mi Hermano."
"I love you, Steph," Hal said before kissing Stephanie on the forehead.
Jay hugged his uncles and waved goodbye at the door.