A/N: I'm sure you're all shocked...another chapter so close to the last one. :) My muse was on a role as I had a few extra days off of work. I also figured you all deserve this after the long wait. Thank you for all the favorites, follows, and of course the reviews! Please let me know what you think. Please drop a review tell me how you'd like to see this progress...also what you thought about the reunion. Enjoy!

Show Me Love by Alicia Keys and Miguel

"I heat up the seconds, times and reasons for your love

This is not the season for nobody else but us

I always get wrapped up in you, baby, I'm in love

We gon' get this love, yeah, like we never done it

Baby, I'm in love

Go 'head, show me love, like we never done it

...Show me love…"

Defining Moments

Chapter 21: Al Fin (At Last)

Steph's POV

My apartment is warm with the laughter of good friends. The giggling could be due to the champagne being consumed. Sally has done a wonderful job with all of our makeup. Mary Lou, Lula, and Connie all look stunning. Sally really should go into the makeup artist business! I also feel gorgeous in the natural look he did for me. My eyes pop beautifully but everything is subtle. We're now working on getting dressed. Connie has a beautiful olive green dress on. Mary Lou is wearing a pretty pink dress. Lula, of course, is wearing a skin-tight leopard print dress.

"Steph, we picked something up for you to wear," Mary Lou says with a smile before handing me a bag. I quickly open it and pull out a beautiful deep blue halter dress. It has a deep v-neck. I hug each lady before going to slip this on. I admire myself in the mirror. The dress fits my curves nicely and ends a modest length past my butt. The deep v cuts down below my breasts meaning a bra is not doable. The fabric lays nicely against me so I don't have to worry about one of the girls slipping out of the dress. A little fashion tape ensures that no embarrassing slips will occur. My body is more toned and I look hot! I slip on a pair of dangerous-looking black FMPs. I smile and wink at myself before rejoining the group in the living room. They hoot and holler.

"White girl gon' get lucky toniiiight," Lula sings as she sways with a glass of champagne in hand.

"We're all getting lucky tonight," I say with a laugh. At that moment a knock sounds on the door. I look through the peephole and see Lester and Quinn standing outside the door. I open the door wide.

"Ladies," Lester greets with his green eyes sparkling, "your chauffeurs have arrived." We giggle. Lula and Connie finish off their glasses of champagne. Sally, Lula, and I grab our purses. We all file out and I lock up. Quinn offers his elbow for me. Usually, I'd be taking the stairs, but we pile into the elevator. No need to risk our necks taking the stairs in our heels.

We step outside, and I'm floored to see a large Hummer limo waiting for us. Of course, it's black. Les turns and grins at me.

"Bomber needs to ride in style," he says opening the back door for me. Inside I see Xandra along with Bobby, Hector, Tank, and Manny. I smile and they help me up into the vehicle. We all pile in. More champagne is passed around.

"First stop, dinner, second stop, dancing!" Les shouts before wiggling his eyebrows. We all chat as we ride away. I'm already feeling a bit tipsy so I make a mental note to slow down a bit.

Before I realize, we're outside of a rather fancy Italian (of course) restaurant. It's large with columns in the front, and I can see a terrace in the back. The Hummer stops and the driver gets out and opens the back door. Tank is the first one out and he helps all of us ladies pile out. After we manage to get out of the vehicle with no disasters, the rest of the men hop out. We head inside.

It's beautiful and modeled after the architecture and style of Italy. It's a large restaurant with dim lighting and candles lit on each table. I see a sign at the very front that states on Fridays and Saturdays after 10 pm it turns into a dance floor. Les catches my eye and grins. We're shown out to the back terrace where we all pile around the table. I notice there's one extra seat than there are people. The night is cool without being cold. It's around 7 pm so the sun has already set but the sky is a brilliant pink-orange hue. It's beautiful. I'm in between Quinn and Mary Lou. Lester is sitting across from me. Tank and Lula are side by side. Bobby and Xandra are looking quite cozy together as they go over a shared menu. Hector is next to Bobby and Manny. Connie is on the other side of Manny and beside Sally. My big family. Not the most likely crew. We chat as we sit around the candlelight. Our waiter comes out and more champagne is ordered after we place our food orders. Thankfully, they brought out some breadsticks. All of us females dig in. We had a small meal at the spa but that was hours ago! Combine the hunger with the bubbly and you've got some ravenous and giggly ladies. The bread and butter taste so good as it hits my gurgling stomach. I can't help the moan which then prompts laughs from all around the table. I open my eyes to glare.

"Hey, blame the alcohol!" I say indignantly. Les lets out a huge laugh.

"Please, beautiful, we all know you sound worse when you're sober," Les replies cheekily. I glare and stick out my tongue.

"You don't know," I mumble tearing into the bread some more. Quinn pats me on the shoulder but can't keep the smirk off of his face. Our food arrives and smells absolutely heavenly. I dig into my chicken alfredo with gusto. Thankfully, everyone is equally distracted by their food. Everyone is busy eating so not much conversation occurs until 30 minutes later. I sit back in my chair and pat my content stomach. I feel good knowing that I ate the whole dish, and I still look good in this dress. The waiter comes and has help in clearing all of the dishes. I see Les whisper something in the man's ear. I narrow my eyes. I doubt it will be anything good.

"I can't wait to get out on the dance floor!" Xandra exclaims as we look inside the restaurant. They are already starting to clear the tables. A few people are left eating or chatting, but the whole middle of the restaurant is being moved. My eyes are drawn to the stage I didn't realize was at the back wall. I'm excited to cut loose as well. We continue watching them transform the restaurant when several waiters arrive at our table. One of them is carrying a cake which they set right in front of me. The words "Congratulations Bombshell" are written in elegant icing. I smile at all of my friends. I can't help but feel the ache for the one man I wish was here with us tonight.

"Now, before we cut the cake," the waiter says, "a refreshment." The other two waiters start passing out shot glasses with lime wedges on the edge. I glare at Lester. He puts his hands up in innocence.

"Tequila! Te-qui-la! To-kill-ya!" Quinn chants with a mischievous smile. I glare.

"To our very own Stephanie Plum-Bombshell the Bounty Hunter, Special Agent Plum-the baddest badass of us all," Tank says in an unexpected little speech. Well, I can't be upset now.

"'Pa bajo," Hector begins, moving his glass down, "'Pa'rriba, pa' centro, pa' dentro." We all follow his movements. Glass down, glass up, glass to the middle and then we all down it together. I make a face and quickly bite the lime. I shake my head as I clench my jaw. Woo! Tequila.

"Now, let's wash this down with some cake!" I exclaim as the waiters collect the empty shot glasses. The one who handed me the cake picks it up, and then sets it on another table before expertly slicing it. One of the waiters starts passing around the plates of cake. I notice a few of the Merry Men don't partake in the cake, but they do order more drinks. The cake is divine. Each bite is like heaven in my mouth. Quinn squeezes my leg and Mary Lou smacks my arm. I look at each one and blush. What can I say? I enjoy my sweets and alcohol takes the filter completely off.

By the time we've all finished our dessert and drinks, it's past ten. We stand and head to an outdoor seating area around a nice fire pit. As it's gotten later, it has gotten cooler, thankfully it's not freezing. The doors to the restaurant are open allowing the dance floor to spill out onto the terrace. Our seating is in the perfect location to hear the music and still be able to get to the dance floor. A DJ is on stage playing music and the building is filling up. Manny goes up to the bar and gets everyone another round of drinks. Besides the tequila, I'm sticking with the champagne. No need to mix and get over the top sick. Several of our group have made their way to the dance floor. A cute Italian man even asked Hector to dance. Lester catches my eye and holds out his hand. I take it and we head to the dance floor. We sway to the music together.

"Thank you for everything, Lester," I say, my head resting on his chest, "you're the best friend a girl could ask for." He smiles down at me with his green eyes twinkling.

"Nah, beautiful, you're the best friend a guy could ask for," he replies before pressing a kiss on my forehead. "Now if you and my primo would just get together."

"I've put my cards on the table, Les," I inform him with a shrug, "it's his move." The music speeds up and Les twirls me and gives me a wink.

"Well if he's not moving fast enough, just let me know." As the song is coming to an end, the back of my neck begins tingling. Les and I are going to continue dancing, but my gaze is drawn to the man walking towards us. He looks gorgeous in black slacks and a dark blue v-neck sweater. His hair, of course, is tied back at the nape of his neck. His sleeves are rolled halfway up his mocha latte colored forearms. One diamond glitters in his right ear lobe. His dark eyes are focused on me. My breath hitches and my heart stutters. In a couple of quick strides, he's standing right in front of me.

"I couldn't help staring at such a beautiful woman," he says using the same line as the gala, "My name is Carlos Mañoso, and you are?" By this time, he's caressing my hand with his thumb. I realize Lester has vacated the vicinity.

"Stephanie Plum," I reply, slightly dazed. He gives me his 100-watt grin as his brown eyes sparkle. I can't help the smile that covers my face in reply. He presses a kiss to the palm of my hand.

"May I have this dance, Babe?" he asks in a low voice that goes straight to me. I feel my panties dampen. Holy hot flash Batman! The way my body reacts to this man. The song changes and I recognize it as the style Bachata. Thank you, Lester, for teaching me this dance! I'm able to follow Carlos easily on the dance floor. We're pressed pelvis to pelvis, one of his legs pressed in between mine. He bends down and nuzzles the crook of my neck. He takes a deep inhale before placing a light kiss on my collarbone. Goosebumps break out across my flesh and I'm pretty sure I let out a small gasp. He lets out a rumbly chuckle that I can feel reverberate through his chest. He leans back up and we stare into each other's eyes. I can see the love and tenderness in his.

"Ranger I-" He cuts me off with a finger to my lips.

"Carlos, Babe, call Carlos. I'm done with my contract, and I want you to start to know the man behind the mask," he says, not moving his finger from my lips. He moves his hand so his thumb caresses my bottom lip. I open my mouth to say something but he shakes his head imperceptibly.

"Stephanie, I have been the biggest fool," he begins seriously, "I've kept you at arm's length, spewed bullshit about relationships when we've been in a relationship since the first day in the diner. I was scared. Hell, I'm still terrified. Terrified something will happen to you because of me. Terrified that you'll see the tarnished man that I am. But I love you, and I can't imagine not having you in my life. I want a real relationship with you. Please tell me, do I still have a chance?" He has one hand on my waist and the other hand is at my neck. He's stroking my neck with his thumb. I realize we've come to a standstill at a corner of the dance floor. Thankfully, no one is paying attention to us. I realize I'm taking too long to respond. I smile.

"Yes," I say softly, "yes, you still have a chance. You still have my whole heart." He grins at me again. His arm snakes all the way around my waist and crushes me to him. His other hand moves up and tangles in my hair as he tilts my head to the side. His lips move over mine and my eyes flutter closed. His lips are warm. I relish the taste of him. His tongue probes my lips, and I grant him access. Our tongues tangle together, and he presses me closer to his body. I moan into his mouth, and my body moves on its own accord. I move my hips against his body, and I feel his reaction to me. He breaks the kiss but the space between our bodies doesn't change. We're plastered to each other.

"Dios, Babe, what you do to me," he whispers, his eyes pitch black with desire, "I love you." I smile softly and reach up to touch his face. I rest my hand on his cheek and happy tears fill my eyes.

"I love you too," I reply knowing I mean it with every fiber of my being. He grins again before reclaiming my lips.