A/N: Thank you to all those who requested a final chapter to this story. I agree; it needed closure. Oh, and of course, don't own Janet Evanovich's characters just like to play with them, especially Ranger. Sadly, I'm not making any money. Please let me know what you think. Di
WHAT ABOUT TOMORROW?
By
Dimaris
Chapter 5: Denouement
SPOV
I awoke to a large hand stroking my belly moving lower and lower still. Another large hand attached to the muscled arm that served as my pillow held my left hand playing with the ring on my finger. My sleep clouded brain finally focused on the culmination of last night's events. Carlos asked me to be his wife, brought me to his apartment on seven at RangeMan and proceeded to ruin me for all other men again and again and again. Our one night long ago was about passion, need and release. Last night had been about love and our commitment to each other.
Turning to look over my shoulder into the warm eyes of my fiancé I whispered "thank you." He knew I meant not only the ring but his declaration and willingness to show his true feelings for me. Both of us had wasted so much time being too afraid to voice how we felt and what we wanted from each other. I kissed his shoulder and mumbled the word "bathroom." Carlos kissed my neck and released me to answer nature's call.
I returned to the bedroom and watched Carlos smile while patting the bed in front of him; I smiled back knowing exactly what the pat and look really meant. Oh boy! Then, my cell phone spit out the theme from the Exorcist. Crap! The Burg grapevine had done its evil work and my mother would now demand an explanation of the happenings at Rossini's. Double crap! I guess it was "tomorrow" and I needed to face down my mom once and for all. At least I hoped it was once and for all.
I let it go to voicemail but grabbed the offensive phone and crawled into Carlos' arms. Sighing I told him, "Guess it's time to listen to ranting family and 'friends'. As much as I would like to ignore it, I don't want to have this hanging over my head. So, here goes nothing." I pushed the button to retrieve my messages—all 48 of them. Damn! I hate living in a fishbowl, my actions scrutinized by the entire tri-state population!
The anger spewed out of the cell in 21 messages from my mother, 15 messages from Joe, 7 messages from my sister and one message each from my friends Mary Lou, Connie, Lula, Grandma Mazur and my dad. The last few were over the top excited rather than furious, well, except my dad—his was encouraging. So I decided to return the happy ones and leave the rest for later. Although I wished it could be much later I knew they had to be handled today. Otherwise, Carlos and I would have no peace.
Mary Lou yelled into my ear, "Is it true? Did Ranger propose? Did you say 'yes'? When's the wedding?" I answered with a huge grin on my face, "Yes, it's true, Carlos proposed, I happily said 'yes' and no we've not discussed the wedding. So unless you tell everyone we've eloped, you won't be too far from the truth." Lou asked, "So when are you coming by to show me the ring? I want all the details!" My smile died as I told her it would have to be tomorrow or the next day because I needed to do some serious damage control with my mother and Joe.
I had similar conversations with Connie and Lula—lots of screaming and demands for details. My grandma was just ecstatic and wanted Carlos to find her a stud muffin with a 'package' like his. Dad, on the other hand, was supportive; he told me he knew that Carlos was the right man for me. Apparently, Carlos had called my dad to ask for his blessing before dinner last night. It seems my fiancé has great manners as well as good breeding. Who knew?
My wonderful man pulled me into his arms in a tight embrace, began to nuzzle my neck and murmured in my ear, "Querida, what do you want to do about your mother and Joe?"
"I want to face them and do what I should have done long ago, but I was too afraid. I want to tell them to leave me alone, respect my decisions and let me live my own life!"
"Then that's what we'll do; but first I think we really need a shower, amante."
Yippee! I was out of bed and in the shower in a matter of seconds. From our night long ago I remembered how good, or rather excellent, Carlos was in the shower. Today he did not disappoint—a lot.
RPOV
We arrived at the Plum house a little before lunch time. Steph had not called her mother to announce our visit so her mother, and I use that term loosely, wasn't waiting on the stoop with her arms crossed over her chest and a scowl on her face. Instead, we found her parents, her grandma and her sister's brood, uh family, all inside. Terrific, it looks like one confrontation will do for all. Now, if Morelli was here this could be tied up quickly and we could go to Newark to tell my family assuming the gossip mongers, also known as Bobby, Lester and Tank (or BLT as Steph called them), hadn't taken care of that chore for us. I might have to kill them and, frankly, that would be a shame since I'll need their help to run RangeMan while Babe and I are on our honeymoon.
Grandma Mazur and Frank Plum grabbed both Steph and me in congratulatory hugs. I didn't know Mr. Plum could speak and laugh and hug. After all the commotion I noticed Mrs. Plum and Valerie, Steph's sister, in a stiff stance glowering at Steph. I put my arm around my Babe's waist to support her because the war was on.
Mrs. Plum's strident voice could be heard above the din as she addressed my Babe. "Stephanie, what do you think you were doing making a spectacle of yourself at Rossini's with this…man?" Somehow, I think the word 'man' was her second choice. She grabbed Babe's left hand, jerked it up and tried to remove the ring while yelling, "Give him back this ring right this minute! This nonsense has gone on long enough. I will not have you disrespecting Joseph and your family this way! You know Joseph wants to marry you. What are you thinking? What will people say?"
Straightening her spine Stephanie glared at her mother and began to speak in a firm, clear voice. "Mother, I'm 'thinking' that I am honored to marry the love of my life. I 'think' we are going to be very happy. I 'think' I never want marriage and family with Joe Morelli who, frankly, is an insufferable pig. I 'think' it's none of 'people's' business what I do and who I decide to make a life with. I 'think' you have no concern for the happiness of your thirty-year-old daughter. I 'think' you're a bitter, controlling, abusive old woman. And, mostly, I 'think' I've had enough of your attitude and interference. Therefore, from now on I will spend my time making me happy with people who love and support me. So, that means you and Valerie won't be burdened with our presence until such time as you choose to join the supporters and I expect an apology from you both. Until that happens don't bother phoning me because your calls will not be answered."
Steph turned on her heel, pulled me by the hand, kissed her dad and grandma, waved at her nieces and walked out the door. Damn, I'm so proud of her. After we shut the front door and turned toward the car, there stood Joe Morelli in his classic pissed off cop pose with his arms folded across his chest.
SPOV
Just perfect, Joe was standing in front of us with a smug look on his face. I hate that look. He opened his sneering mouth to yell, "Cupcake, what the hell…" and I had had enough! Responding in a calm and quiet voice I looked him straight in the eye and said, "Morelli, call me 'cupcake' one more time and I'll shoot you in the 'boys.' I don't give a damn if you're a cop. Maybe you don't remember what happened when I hit you with my Buick years ago. Trust me that experience will pale in comparison to what I will do to you if you keep up this bullshit. Just so you know I have already had this conversation with my mother so you no longer have an ally in you game of 'Let's Persecute Stephanie.' Now, I don't like to repeat myself so I won't discuss life and relationships with you. I don't want to hear it now or anytime in the future."
I grabbed Carlos' hand and moved toward the Porsche only to find the stupid idiot standing in my path and ranting, "Cupcake, don't you dare tell me you plan on marrying this…" Dropping Carlos' hand, I reached behind my back, pulled out my 38 S&W and shot Morelli in the thigh. As I lowered the gun, I adopted a confused expression and turned to my fiancé. "Oops! Darn, looks like my gun misfired. I didn't know that could happen with revolvers." I heard clapping behind us and turned to see my dad and grandma grinning like the Cheshire cat in Alice in Wonderland.
Dad called to me, "Pumpkin, you might want to check that weapon out. Maybe an automatic might be more your speed. Oh, don't you and Carlos worry about a thing. Edna and I will take care of reporting this little incident." Then I got the shock of my life when he turned, patted Grandma Mazur on the shoulder and escorted her into the house. Wow!
So with my dad's words and obvious approval, my future husband handed me into the Turbo and we drove away. With his support I could handle anything even old fears and uncertainties. Life is good.
RPOV
Two days ago I was terrified that my Babe didn't want the same life I did. Now, as we move forward, all my fears are gone and we have a limitless future. Sure, there will be trials—hopefully none involving shooting a cop—but we can deal with those and anything else as long as we're together. What about tomorrow? I'm pretty sure it's going to be filled with excitement, challenge and laughter but, most of all, love.
Finis