I couldn't remember the last time I had felt this happy.

I was surrounded by my soon-to-be extended family and best friends who were all fussing over my baby girl.

I had to admit, I was nervous about meeting Ranger's family. My sister's experiences with her former in-laws didn't give a positive example. Even when I had been married, I hardly saw my ex's relatives- which was a good thing.

But Adora and Atilo, my future-folks-in-law, were the kindest people I had ever met. They held me in bone crushing hugs and went on about how they were happy to finally meet me.

The same went for Ranger's sisters; Celia, Rosita, Valentia and Fidelia who all treated me better than Valerie did. Their brother, Pepe, was like Ranger in looks and character, but when he held his baby niece he was a total sweetheart.

Abuela Rosa was the perfect grandmother. She was kind, gentle and caring. I had to have someone translate for me whenever she spoke, but she sent warm smiles my way and doted on her great new born granddaughter.

Then there was Julie; my teenaged- almost-step- daughter. She hadn't stopped smiling when she met her half-sister for the first time.

My side of the family hadn't arrived yet. Only my parents and grandmother were coming but I was almost sure my mother was capable of starting World War 3.

I was more than thankful that Connie, Lula and Mary Lou were here as well as the Manoso clan.

Connie and Lula had supplied everything several weeks before my due date. Even the Rangemen (with thanks to Lula's big mouth) contributed to the growing pile.

The apartment was overflowing with baby clothes, blankets, stuffed animals, teething rings, pacifiers, teeny tiny bowls, bottles and a stroller.

The gifts added from Ranger's family had taken up an entire corner of the living room. Most of them were handmade blankets and woollen sweaters and booties from Adora and Rosa.

Yet 4 month old Ricarda Michelina Manoso was oblivious to it.

We called her Rici for short. Julie came up with it and from then on it had stuck.

Rici had her father's beautiful mocha skin and black hair that curled around her ears and the nape of her neck. I expected her to have his brown eyes too but when they opened for the first time, I nearly cried. They were bright clear blue. Just like mine.

But everyone wasn't just here for Rici.

I looked at the ring on my finger; smiling as the tourmaline and peridots glistened in the light. Our wedding was in 2 weeks and everything was ready.

I had chosen my dress. Connie, Lula, Valerie and Mary-Lou were my bridesmaids. Julie, Rici and my nieces: Mary Alice, Angie and Lisa, were the flower girls. Tank was going to be Ranger's best man and every employee at Rangeman would be attending.

Adora had a hold of Rici and was planting kisses on every inch of her face, making her gurgle with delight. It was heart-warming watching the pair of them, but I couldn't help but feel guilty about Rici not meeting her other grandparents yet.

Ranger and I stuck to his plan. We didn't tell either of our families I was pregnant until Rici was born but told them we were engaged first before he left for Russia.

The plan had worked but I think my mother was still in a state of shock after I told them on the phone. My Grandma, however, sounded as though she was doing cartwheels. My father made a noise that sounded something between a grunt and a chuckle so he was happy…I think….

Ranger threaded his fingers through mine and gave my hand a squeeze. "Babe, breathe." He whispered.

I let out a shaky breath of air I hadn't realised I had been holding. "I can't help it…my mother could start a war…"

He made a soft laugh. "With my mother and grandmother here I doubt she'll get the chance, Babe."

That made me smile. I had been told I came from a long line of scary women but Adora and Rosa could give my side a run for our money.

The front door opened and the room fell silent.

My mother stood in the doorway; looking straight at me, her face blank.

I froze, unsure of what to do. Should I go up to her? Say hi to her? Hug her?

"Outta my way! I wanna see my new great granddaughter!" Grandma Mazur pushed her way through the door, breaking our eye contact. She looked around at us with a growing grin and laughed a high pitch giggle when her eyes landed on Rici. "Is that her?"

Adora, who had quickly recovered from grandma's dramatic entrance, returned the grin and held up Rici to her.

I glanced at the door when I noticed my dad enter the room. Mom looked like she was in a catatonic state.

Grandma took Rici and held her close before looking at me and Ranger. "Don't tell Valerie this, but I always knew you'd end up with a hot and successful man from a good looking family, Stephanie. I'm buzzing that I finally have a beautiful great grandchild; and a gorgeous great-step-granddaughter too" She beamed at Julie and kissed Rici on the top of her head.

Grandma looked at my parents. "C'mon you two! Come meet your new born granddaughter while she's still a baby!"

My dad came over and grandma passed Rici to him. "For once, I agree with you Edna. I'm just happy we don't have a grandkid that is bred from the lawyer or the Morelli boy. They both gave me heartburn." Dad said before smiling at me. "Pumpkin, you have no idea how happy I am that you learned from your previous relationships and that you prevented them from breeding into the family."

"Thanks, Dad." I smiled back.

Mom suddenly snapped out of her state of trauma and strode into the room.

"I can't hold it back anymore!" She looked directly at me. "I tried to raise my daughters to be good Christians; I understood when you and your sister both divorced but to have a child out of wedlock?!"

She took a moment to take in a few deep breaths.

"I have thanked God day and night that the neighbours never found out, but what hurts me the most is that you didn't speak to any of us for months…I am your mother…I would do anything to help you…why didn't you tell me?"

Connie and Lula came to stand behind me during mom's melodramatic monologue. Probably ready to argue that they had taken better care of me than she would have.

"No offence Mrs. Plum, but you never gave Stephanie the impression that she could come to you for anything." Connie said coolly.

"Uh-huh," Agreed Lula. "As far as we could see, you were always embarrassed and worried what the neighbours would think. Didn't you know about all the people Stephanie helped since she became a bounty hunter? I'm one of them! If I never met her, I'd still be…Erm…"

She gave a glance to Julie and Rici.

"A Mary Magdalene, but today, I have a good job, great friends and a heck of a better life thanks to her." She smiled down at me and patted my shoulder.

Mom stared at them and then to me. "Of course I knew." She whispered, she took both my hands and pulled me to my feet to envelope me in a tight hug. "It's my job as your mother to worry about you no matter how old you are, no matter what."

She turned towards my dad who held Rici out to her. For what looked like the first time in years, Mom smiled a genuine bright and happy smile as she took her into her arms.

"A child is a blessing."

Rici reached out a tiny hand and made a small gurgle.

Today was the day.

My wedding day had finally arrived.

I stood in front of the mirror as my bridesmaids and mother made sure everything was perfect with eagled eyes.

My gown was gathered off the shoulder with long sleeves and a blue jewel in the centre of the neckline with a matching sash over an A-line skirt.

My hair was pulled back from my face and fell in natural curls. My veil was attached to a white diamond tiara as a pearl necklace hung around my neck with matching earrings.

Everyone was ready and we were all waiting for our cue.

My bridesmaids all wore strapless gold and white giraffe printed princess gowns with black shawls. I had specially chosen the dresses to gratify both Connie and Lula for all they had done for me

My flower girls were in white satin dresses with red roses around the neck and waistline with matching headbands.

Julie would be carrying Rici as my nieces scattered rose petals down the aisle.

"Steph, you look gorgeous!" Connie said looking teary-eyed.

"Yeah," Lula said, fanning herself. "I told myself not to cry. I can't cry! I've just done my make up!"

Mary Lou wrapped an arm around me and squeezed me to her. "Carlos is a lucky man. Didn't I tell you that you'd have Dickie eating his words?"

I grinned. "I remember: 'You'll never end up with a guy like me!' Turns out, he was right."

Everyone laughed except for Valerie who was forcing a grimace. I could tell my tall, handsome and successful husband-to-be was killing her because her second husband looked as though he was approaching puberty and the wedding photos of them would like their junior prom.

Mom smiled as she adjusted my tiara and veil for the umpteenth time. "I'm so happy you decided to marry again. I have a feeling this marriage will last."

I looked at her. "You mean that?" I asked, feeling the water works starting.

Her smile widened as she hugged me tight. "Of course, I do."

There was a knock on the door and Dad came in. "Everything is ready. We better get going."

My bridesmaids and flower girls went out the room. Mom tutted and shook her head before straightening Dad's tie.

"It's your daughter's wedding! I thought you'd know to fasten your tie properly."

I held back a giggle as Dad rolled his eyes. Somethings would never change.

He shooed her out the door once she had done before turning to me with a warm and bright smile. It was strange seeing my dad showing some sort of emotion.

"I'm really glad you decided to get married again because I always wanted to redo the father-daughter pre-wedding talk."

I laughed. "You mean 'you could do worst' wasn't all you could come up with when I married Dickie?"

Dad grinned. "Wait until you hear what I've got for his funeral."

He enveloped me in to his arms and held me close before looking back at me. "Don't tell anyone else this but before he left for Russia, Carlos asked me for my permission to propose to you."

I felt my mouth hit the floor as my eyes popped out of my head. "You…You knew?!"

He chuckled lightly. "I told him if he made sure he got home to you, you'd both have my blessing."

I blinked back the tears. "Really?"

Dad nodded. "Pumpkin, despite what your mother says, I always knew you'd be the daughter who'd make the right choices and learn from her mistakes. And I always knew you had better taste than Valerie, thank God I have at least one son-in-law who doesn't look like he could be my grandson!

"When I was still in the army, my commanding officer told us: you can always trust a soldier who looks out for and respects both his men and his woman. From that I know I can always trust Carlos to take care of my little girl."

My bottom lip trembled as I tried to hold back the tears. "Aw Daddy…"

I hugged him tighter to me.

We stayed like that for several heartbeats before he cleared his throat and pulled away. "We better get going. We can't keep the groom waiting."

I grinned, pulled down my veil and picked up my bouquet of red and yellow roses as we both left the room.

"You ready, Pumpkin?" Dad asked.

I took a deep breath and nodded. "Yeah, Daddy, I'm more than ready."

He grinned as he held out his arm to me. "Then let's get this wedding started."

I took his arm before we made our way in to the nave. As soon as we stepped through, the music began to play and all our friends and family stood from the pews.

I could see Ranger waiting for me at the altar as dad and I started to walk. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black prestige suit and tie while his hair was tied back in a neat low pony tail.

Dad's arm being linked with mine was what stopping me from sprinting down the aisle.

We had finally reached the altar and Dad placed my hand in Ranger's before going to take his seat next to Mom and Grandma.

Ranger lifted my veil and grinned at me. "Babe," He whispered. "You look beautiful."

I felt the colour rush to my cheeks. "Thank you."

"You may be seated."The priest said, nodding to the guests. "Ladies and gentlemen, family and friends, we are gathered here today to witness and celebrate the joining of Ricardo Carlos Manoso and Stephanie Michelle Plum in marriage. With love and commitment, have decided to live their lives together as husband and wife.

"True marriage is more than joining the bonds of marriage of two persons; it is the union of two hearts. It lives on the love you give each other and never grows old, but thrives on the joy of each new day. Marriage is love. May you always be able to talk things over, to confide in each other, to laugh with each other, to enjoy life together, and to share moments when the day is done. May you both be blessed with a lifetime of happiness and a home of warmth and understanding."

Wow…I could feel the water works starting again.

"Ricardo Carlos Manoso, do you take Stephanie for your lawful wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

Ranger's smile widened, filling his eyes with tender warmth. It made my heart hurt just to look at him.

"I do." He answered.

"Stephanie Michelle Plum, do you take Carlos for your lawful husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

I swallowed back the ache in my throat as I whispered, "I do."

"May we please have the rings?" The priest said.

I turned to Valerie. She held out the gold band to me which I exchanged for my bouquet. Ranger took my hands again after Tank had handed the ring to him.

Ranger slid it onto my finger. "This ring is a token of my love. I marry you with this ring, with all that I have and all that I am."

I took another breath at the sincerity he spoke with as I slipped the ring I had for him on to his finger. "This ring is a token of my love…I marry you with this ring, with all that I have…and all that I am."

"And now, by the power vested in me, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife." The priest smiled and addressed Ranger. "You may kiss your bride."

It took everything I had not to throw myself on to him as Ranger cupped my face in his hands before lowering his lips onto mine.

The moment our faces touched, a burst of applause echoed throughout the church.

We parted to see the all the Merry Men, and my grandma, whooping and cheering as some of the other guests wiped their eyes or clapped their hands together.

Just over a year ago, Ranger and I were given our someday. Not only that, we were given a beautiful baby girl who was a part of us both and our future was sealed to this day.

We had it all planned out.

Author's note: credit to for help with the opening, reading, vows and ring exchange scripts.

You can also see the wedding dress on my tumblr .com (slash) designsandstuff . (I really like designing)