A/N: Since I have been so neglectful in my updating, I figured I would go ahead & get out this chapter, which is pretty much a fluffy, filler chapter, but it is at least something. Life has been quite busy & stressful, but my husband is showing lots of improvement, so I'm not running on 2 hours of sleep per night anymore. ;) Thanks for all the sweet messages, and reviews- please keep them coming. They definitely get me in the writing mood. The next chapter will be our little Bachelor/Bachelorette parties, and all the last minute drama that leads up to a wedding. Thanks again, Babes- you are the best!

xoxo-Brit*

*Characters are the property of Janet Evanovich, I make no money from this- all mistakes are mine*

My days, and even weeks are flying by in a flurry of juggling work, homework with Jules, family time, and wedding planning. It's like I sat down at my desk today to work on a new proposal, and looked down at the calendar only to be shocked into realizing that I am getting married in about 2 weeks. A complete, and total mind-screw if you will.

I have been present, and completely active for all the decisions, fittings, tastings (especially those...) but it is a little crazy to realize that your dreams will come true in 15 days. I have the dress, a gorgeous lace fitted dress that is semi-low cut, and goes a shade ahead of indecent in the back, with a gold sash, and Grandma Mazur's antique diamond broach attached to the sash as my something borrowed. It is a gorgeous cluster of diamonds, and comes straight from Debrecen, Hungary where her grandmother received it from her Grandmother. I couldn't be more honored to wear it.

My veil is trimmed in lace flowers, and in the center of each flower is a delicate speck of gold. I have never been one for gold, but with our wedding being an outside, fall wedding- it just seemed to be perfect when I tried it on. More than perfect- I am beyond excited for Carlos' reaction.

Our wedding party is just the three of us. We are in our 30's, and this is a second wedding for both of us. This isn't about show, it is about our love, and devotion as a family. This is the moment that the 3 of us will all be Manoso's. As a family, it really means a lot to us.

I have let Julie do her own thing with a lot, with the supervision of either myself, or Ella. I want her to feel like she has something to do with this, not just some placeholder to smile in a picture. Her Mother, and Father are getting married, and I want her just as happy as Carlos, and I am with it all.

I am pretty blessed with a rational, logical child who doesn't go completely overboard when given a little freedom, other than her loft that is. That is a different story...

She chose a high/low dress in brown with an orange sash across the waistline. It is age, and occasion appropriate, and I'm just glad she didn't cry for hot pink, or green hair. Parenting a teen kind of scares the shit out of me.

All the details are coming together, and my last order of business is my little surprise for Carlos' "bachelor night." We decided we really didn't want something disgusting like strippers, this whole thing needs to be family oriented in our eyes. I do think it will be nice for Carlos to have a night just to him, and his friends to unwind before the wedding, so I have been working with Ella for a bit of a surprise.

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Since the wedding is very small, and intimate, there will be very few guests. Carlos lost his Mother, and Father at a young age, and his Abuela Rosa is too feeble to travel, so he doesn't have much family contact. His sister Celia has been to the house a few times, and I absolutely love her, so she will be there with her husband David, and daughter Arabella, and his brother Miguel who is a lifelong bachelor with no plans of anything otherwise. Of course my Angel Ella is his aunt, Luis, his Uncle, and Lester his cousin with obviously be there.

As far as my family? Even though I will be walking alone down the isle per my request (nothing against my Dad, but I am an adult woman with her own family, and it isn't my first wedding. He is very okay with the situation.) My Dad, Grandma Mazur, Val, possibly Albert depending on the state of their marriage that day, which is anyone's guess at this point, Angie, Mary-Alice, and Lisa, and Eddie, and Shirley who have secured a babysitter so that they can enjoy a night out without their demon spawn trying to set someone or something on fire.

Our other guests are obviously several of the RangeMen- Tank, Les, Bobby, Cal, Hal, Ram, Hector, and Silvio, and his wife are flying in from Miami so that Jules can see her half-sister. Mary-Lou, and Lenny with their kids, Connie, Lula, Carl, and Big Dog who have defended me since this drama began, and few other mutual friends scattered about.

The invitations have been sent, R.S.V.P's are coming in, and I am ready to be a married woman. It doesn't hurt that he is in charge of the honeymoon, and we will be gone wherever we are going for an entire week with no interruptions for the first time since we started this wild, and crazy journey.

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In lieu of a bridal shower, we decided to have a list of charities in the envelope with the invitation, so that they can pick what they want to donate to instead of purchasing a gift. We literally have everything we ever wanted, and would much rather someone else benefit from a gift or money than us. We live a very comfortable life, and need for nothing.

Carlos explained it to me like this: "I lived a very dangerous life for many years. I was tortured, starved, saw, and did things that would ruin most peoples lives. I missed the beginning of my daughters life. I almost missed out on having a life with the love of my life. I was paid more than generously for my work, and now that I am retired from that aspect, I plan on using it for good. We make multi-millions per year in the security business, and with the multi-millions I have saved from my military work, I just want to live my life with the two girls that I almost lost forever, and hopefully a few more little ones one day. You deserve this money as much as I do. Your presence in my head saved me many times over. Use the money!"

So... I have been using the money. Julie is well-dressed, has an amazing college fund, and I have made our new home my dream home. Our wedding is exactly what I want, and for the first time in my life, I didn't pay attention to the dollars, and cents. I still feel guilty, but plan on doing lots of Military charity work when things settle down after the wedding, and the Holidays. I want the Manoso's to make a difference.

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I haven't seen, or heard much for Morelli, or Helen lately- probably because we have lots of very good security, and the town has pretty much shamed them to the point of needing to go to witness protection.

I have still been feeling a bit of unease about Rachel, and Ron. When I left there, they were so strung out, sometimes I have nightmares about what they could pull if they were desperate enough.

There has been no indication that they will try anything, and we have had people on them since day 1, I just worry as a mother what someone who is desperate, or crazy enough could do to the people I love most in this world.

For their sake, I hope Rachel, and Ron realize this, I would hate to be them if they try to pull one over on Stephanie (soon to be) Manoso.