Bentley, Murray and Penelope were shocked to hear Sly's news about the engagement. Actually they were shocked to hear from Sly at all and even more shocked, though delighted, to hear that Carmelita wanted them as part of her new family. The new couple decided that it would be best to visit both their 'families' so that both Sly and Carmelita could get to know their respective 'in-laws'.

"The only thing we need to decide…' Sly said, going over the plans for their first 'vacation' together to both the States and Spain (though visiting one another's families for the first time wouldn't necessarily be considered a vacation), "is who we should visit first: your family, Bentley and Penelope or Murray?"

"Murray!" they both agreed, deciding to opt with the easiest visit first.

--------------------------------

The M-man's last known address took the pair to a mechanic's shop in mid Florida. The couple was looking around the shop for a moment, until Murray spotted them and brought them to his small bachelor's apartment above the shop. The worst the two of them had to endure from Murray were his rib-crushing hugs when they first arrived. Murray was extremely happy to see his old friend again and he was glad to see Carmelita under friendlier circumstances. He had always liked the policewoman, though it took Murray a few moments to get to used to calling his new 'sister' Carmelita instead of Inspector Fox, but after that it was a rather pleasant visit.

"So how did Bentley react to our news? I figure you guys still talk?" Sly asked his buddy.

"Oh yeah Sly, Bentley and I keep in regular contact," Sly hung his head a little at that moment since he still felt guilty for what he felt was abandoning them for so long. Murray noticed and tried to make him feel better.

"Don't worry Sly. I know you would have contacted us if you could, but now you can make up for missed times."

"You got that right buddy. So back on topic, what about Bentley?"

"Well, he told me that he figured something like this would happen the last time he saw you," Murray blushed a little and Sly smirked as they both remembered the aforementioned incident.

"Wait. What last time he saw you?" Carmelita asked a little defensively.

"Nothing to worry about querera," Sly said putting an arm around her shoulder in order to calm his lady, "Do you remember the night of our first official bust?"

"Of course I do."

"Well, do you remember before the bust that there was a moment on the balcony of your apartment when I looked behind me and you asked if there was something wrong and I said 'No'? Well, I had gotten a feeling of being watched and when I turned around, I spotted Bentley a few buildings away, probably checking up on me and I just gave him a wink to let him know that everything was fine with me."

"I knew that there was something up with you that night!" Carmelita said triumphantly.

"Observant as always, it's one of the things I love about you, querera," Sly said as he kissed her on the cheek.

The pair enjoyed the rest of their time with Murray and even got to see him race one evening (he won naturally) before heading up to Boston.

------------------------------------------------

When Sly and Carmelita arrived at the large Victorian house in one of the Boston suburbs, the raccoon laughed to himself as he realized that two of the smallest members of his gang were living in such a large house, while one of the largest members was right at home in a tiny apartment.

They knocked on the door, and when it opened, Sly was almost knocked over as a white blur came out of the house and hugged him around his middle.

"Sly! It's so good to see you again!"

"It's good to see you again too Penelope. How have you been?" Sly answered, returning her hug- it was good to see her again!

"Oh, can't complain, keepin' busy as always."

The mouse went over and gave Carmelita an equally large hug.

"Nice to finally meet you. So, the great Inspector Fox finally captured our Sly's heart huh?"

Carmelita felt extremely welcomed but was a little embarrassed at the mouse's last comment.

"Geez Penelope, enough with the corny lines, give her some time to breathe. Now, where's that boyfriend of yours?" Sly said as he looked around anxiously for his friend.

"I'm right here," Bentley answered as he wheeled himself onto the porch.

The two friends just looked at each other for a minute before large smiles appeared on both their faces and Sly said, "Come here buddy!" and gave his friend a big hug.

Carmelita came up next to Sly, "Hey there Bentley," and tentatively gave the turtle a hug.

"I'm glad you both could visit. Come on in and make yourselves at home," Bentley replied, leading everyone inside the nicely furnished house. Remnants of multiple projects the pair had been working on were scattered around the house. Sly also recognized many mementos of past capers decorating the house: Bentley never being one to part with anything 'You never know when something might come in handy again,' Bentley would always reply when Sly would comment on the sometimes cluttered state of their old hideout.

'Bless his turtle heart, it looks like he kept the entire contents of the Safehouse when he moved to the States,' Sly thought to himself.

Sly was a little caught up in his thoughts and in reminiscing as he looked at some of Bentley's possessions that he partly missed the awkwardness that seemed to creep in between Carmelita and Bentley. Though the two were being polite to each other, one could tell that they both had a lot on their minds that they needed to get out in the open. Sly did notice that Bentley seemed to give Penelope a glance that she answered with a small nod: he realized that the two of them must have planned out what to do in such a situation and laughed at himself for not realizing that out of every member of his gang, that those two would be prepared for any situation that would occur- even awkward social ones like now.

"Well, let me go and get some snacks. I need a strong, able guy to help me, so it looks like it's you, Sly," Penelope said as she got up to leave the room.

"Naturally," Sly responded cockily, realizing what Bentley and Penelope were up to and convincingly playing his part.

"Ha ha, very funny you two. Though, we'd better be careful Carmelita, Penelope had a huge crush on Sly, so who knows what'll happen with those two going off alone?" Bentley joked.

"Puuulease, that was only when I first joined up with you guys. Besides, I prefer smart guys, over svelte guys," Penelope teased as she kissed her boyfriend on the forehead.

After Penelope and Sly had left the room, Bentley got a little more serious.

"I'm sorry," Bentley told Carmelita.

"For what?" Carmelita was taken back by his comment that seemed to come out of the blue, "I'm the one that made your friend stay away from you for over a year."

"First of all, I'm sorry for making you feel so uncomfortable right now. Inspector Fox…. Carmelita, I never hated you. I might have thought Sly was crazy for trying to get to know you so many times, even though you kept trying to arrest him, but that's it. It's not a reflection on you. I mean hey, I even went through a labyrinth of swirling blades of death with an acid battery strapped to my back in order to help you escape from that witch, the Contessa,"

"I didn't know, thanks," Carmelita said, humbled that the turtle went through so much trouble to help her.

"Well, yeah, that's past news, but that brings me to my second point. Part of the reason I went through that maze of death was to make sure Sly didn't do anything rash that night. When he saw you captured by the Contessa, he wanted to break down the gates and save you right then and there, without even thinking anything through. You didn't make Sly do anything that he didn't want to do. He gave up his past life because he wanted to and he let us know that. Sure, it was sad to see our friend go, but it was a choice that he made. You of all people should know better after chasing after him for so long. No matter what the odds, if Sly Cooper wants something, nothing will stop him. At first, I thought that his flirting with you was just a way for him to fluster you and not get caught. As time went on, I felt that it was just a harmless crush. After I met Penelope though, I realized what should have been obvious to me from the beginning: he has real feelings for you. Sly has always wanted to be with you and both Murray and I knew that and were happy for him when we found out that he went after what he wanted. So don't go blaming yourself for anything: Sly's a big boy and he knew what he was giving up when he went with you. Besides, what kind of friend would I have been if I didn't check up on him? And from what I saw, you two looked pretty content together."

"Yeah, Murray let me know about that," Carmelita answered sheepishly, which made the turtle chuckle a little.

"Carmelita, you're part of Sly's family now, which means both Penelope and I are part of your family. You know, in a way, you're now a member of the Cooper Gang," Bentley smirked at that comment, "Though I must also congratulate Inspector Fox, for finally getting her man…"

"Yeah, but it was through a ring instead of a pair of bracelets," they both laughed at Carmelita's joke.

"So are things okay between us now?" Bentley asked hesitantly.

"Of course, hermano, though there was something else I was hoping I could get from you?"

"Oh?" Bentley raised an eyebrow at this. Carmelita became a little flustered about what she was about to ask: she wasn't even sure if he had what she wanted and she definitely wasn't sure if it was right of her to ask about it.

"I was just wondering if you still have any of Sly's things. I mean, he left everything when he decided to come with me and I feel guilty that he has nothing to remember his family by. He left his cane back on that island and I also remember there being a family book that was really important to him. I was hoping that maybe you had them. I wanted to give them to him, kind of like a wedding present… and to show him that I trust him completely."

"Ever since I met him, Sly has had some kind of intuition about things. I never really trusted it too much, especially when it came to his opinion of you, Inspector, but I'm humbled to say that I was wrong about it when it came to you. You've really changed him for the better. Sly's always been a pretty upbeat guy, but he hasn't stopped beaming since the two of you showed up. I can see why: you're a remarkable woman inspector. Of course, you can have his things."

Carmelita was speechless, she was touched by what he said and gave him a really big hug.

"Thank you," she said quietly.

"Though we do have the problem of getting you these items without Sly being the wiser. I mean it would look kind of suspicious if you left here with Sly's things."

Carmelita thought for a moment, "You could send me the items, but instead of your address, you could put my parents' just in case Sly saw. Hopefully he would just see their address and not look at the Boston postmark and then not touch it since it was for me. I mean he's too much of a gentleman to open a package addressed to me from my parents."

"True, for a former thief, Sly's always been too honest for his own good," they both laughed at that.

-------------------------------

That conversation helped break the tension between the two of them and both Bentley and Carmelita had the chance to get to know each other better over the next few days. In fact, the two of them seemed to get along real well. They found out they had a few things in common, one being their love for the game of chess, and for a second time (the first being Penelope of course), Bentley found an equal in one of his interests.

"Carmelita, I knew you were clever enough to keep up with us over the years, but I didn't know the tactical genius that you really are."

"Well, yeah, it comes from having to track certain brainy individuals across the globe. Besides, it's just nice to have someone who's focused enough to play a few games with."

"Too true, Sly may have a sharp mind, but he tends to loose focus too quickly."

"I've noticed that on some of our missions," the vixen added, smirking at her fiancé.

"Are you two almost finished bonding over Sly bashing? I can't believe how chummy the two of you have gotten over the past few days," Sly remarked as he looked over Carmelita's shoulder while she was playing.

"Well, it just looks like the two of us have more in common than we thought," Carmelita said as she turned and kissed her raccoon on the cheek.

"Yeah, I forgot that the both of you totally enjoy nagging me to death. Maybe it would have been better if I continued to pretend not to know who I was."

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As always when one is having a good time, the time passed quickly and soon Sly and Carmelita had to head back to Europe.

As the two couples were saying their goodbyes, Bentley and Carmelita had one final conversation.

"I know that you and Penelope will be doing what's right. If sometimes that means breaking the law, then I'm sure you're smart enough to make sure Sly and I don't know anything and aren't involved, that way no one can get in trouble. We're family now, that's what family does," Carmelita said as she hugged her new brother goodbye.

"Hmmm. Cooper Family, sounds a lot better than Cooper Gang, doesn't it?"

"I think so. Besides, weren't you guys always hoping for families since you were kids? Now you have a really great one," Carmelita replied as she smiled at the turtle.

Bentley returned the smile, "You're a good woman Carmelita and a good friend to both to Sly and I. I'm so thankful everything worked out for the best."

"You and me both turtle boy."

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Sly got more and more anxious as the time to visit the Fox family drew nearer. Sly was as antsy as he had been during one of his heists when they arrived in Madrid and made their way toward the Fox family home just outside the capitol. His nerves still weren't calmed when they arrived at the hacienda and Carmelita knocked on the door.

"I think I was more calm when I took on Ruby's undead army than I am now, querera."

"Stop exaggerating, you'll be fine."

"Who's exaggerating?"

"Maybe this will take your mind off of things for a moment," Carmelita said as she deftly grabbed her fiancé's behind.

"If that's how you're going to be, maybe we should visit your parents more often," Sly told her with a coy smile.

The door opened and the couple was greeted by the Fox family: Carmelita's parents, Emilio and Alma and her sister Carmen and her husband, Carlos.

Sly was warmly welcomed by the whole family and was extremely glad that he worked for Interpol. Being a cop seemed to be the only thing he had in common with Carmelita's family: he stuck out like sore thumb, the sole gray raccoon in a room of red foxes.

Sly was more reserved than normal during the conversation. His awkwardness must of have been obvious to Carmelita's parents.

"Girls, why don't you go in the kitchen and fix some drinks for everyone?"

"Sure madre," they said and left the room.

Carlos also took the hint. "Let me help you girls. We could always use a snack too," he said as he left.

Now it was just Sly and his future in-laws. He felt uneasy, though when he looked at Carmelita's parents, he saw that they both were smiling at him.

"It's okay Sly, we're a close family. Our Lita told us everything after you proposed: there's nothing to worry about now. Besides, Lita told us about the warm reception your 'family' gave her, and we want to be as equally accepting of you hijo," Alma said as she placed a reassuring hand on his knee.

Sly still wasn't sure about the situation: boy did he hate not being in control. He looked to Carmelita's dad to see how he felt.

"Yes, we know about your past, hijo. I've studied your file many times trying to see why you were giving Lita so much trouble. I've also seen your current file from Interpol: it helps being a senior officer here in Madrid. I know you've had a questionable past, but you seem to have reformed yourself."

Sly couldn't keep it in anymore and expressed what he was feeling.

"Yeah, but once a thief, always a thief, no?" Sly said with dead seriousness.

Emilio chuckled a bit to himself and then mused out loud.

"Yes, Lita did get her sense of the law from me, but it also seems that like me, she's gotten help to soften that harsh view of the world, no?" Emilio asked as he smiled at his wife and gently held her hand.

Sly just couldn't believe what he was hearing. He expected to get chewed out, at least a little. What he didn't expect was the understanding that he just received.

"From your confused look, I assume that you expected me to be bit more harsh, no?"

"Not to be rude, but, well, yeah."

Emilio chuckled to himself again. "I must say that I did tense up a bit when I first heard the news that our daughter was engaged, and to her old nemesis nonetheless. But as I just told you, I'm a more mature man than I was when Lita was growing up. A black and white understanding of the law may work when one's younger, but life is too complicated to hold onto that view for too long, no amor?" he asked his wife.

"Si, I remember trying to teach you that for many years," Alma replied.

"Si, I have a thick head, no? I'm glad you kept teaching me until I finally learned," Emilio kissed his wife tenderly on the head.

"I'm glad that you helped our Lita realize that, and a lot sooner than I did. It seems that you're good for our daughter, and I suspect that she has been good for you, no?"

Sly had decided that this wasn't the time to be polite, but to bear his true feelings.

"Si, your daughter has helped me realize what is important in life. If it weren't for her taking the chance on me that she did, I would have still had an empty life. I was too stubborn to realize that I had what I needed all along and that I needed to shelf my pride in order to get it. Carmelita helped me do that. I always thought I was fearless, but she had the courage to do what I probably never would have done. I don't think I could ever repay her for the gift she gave me."

"You could start by being a loving husband, no?" Emilio told him, smiling.

"Si!" Sly responded with a big smile on his face.

"Well then, Bienvenidos a la familia!"

Sly realized what his words meant. He was accepted, this reformed thief was accepted as a member of one of the most renown police families.

"Gracias," Sly said humbly.

"Dios mio! Now that the formalities are over, can we now see the lively Sly Cooper that our daughter has gushed about for months?!" Alma said practically exasperated.

"Si." Sly said with a laugh and hugged his new parents.

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With Emilio and Alma's approval, the visit was much more enjoyable for everyone. Sly was happy that things were going well and thought that he would get through the visit unscathed. That is until the second to last night they were at the hacienda, when Emilio had stood up in front of the family.

"Since we will soon have a new officer in the family," he smiled at Sly, "I think we should break him in the traditional Fox family way."

"Papa, no!" Carmen gasped. Carlos also looked a little worried.

"Emilio, maybe you're getting a little ahead of yourself?" Alma cautioned him.

"No, I would like to do this. I do want to be a full fledged member of the Fox family," Sly said, walking over to Emilio.

"Sly, I don't think you know what you're getting yourself into," Carmelita warned him.

"Nonsense! Like the boy said, he's family now! So the two of us will go out and we'll see everyone tomorrow," Emilio said as he clapped his new son on the back and led him outside to his car.

When they left, the family worriedly looked at each other. Then Carlos broke the tension.

"I hope your new esposo likes to drink."

"He gets buzzed after one. He's not much of a drinker, though he's also not one to back down from a challenge," Carmelita explained.

"You better start making the coffee now, hermana," Carmen teased her sister.

They all started to laugh at the thought of the state the raccoon would be in come morning…

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"He's a fine cop and a good man, but that boy cannot hold his liquor," Emilio told his wife as he carried in the passed out Sly Cooper, "I must say that he gave it a good shot, but este hijo is just a featherweight," he continued as he put Sly down on the couch.

"It seems that only the Foxes have a decent tolerance to alcohol mi amor. I do remember a similar situation when Carlos married our Carmen," Alma teased her husband as she placed a blanket over her sleeping son.

"I guess you're right. I remember Lita was the only one who I had a hard time keeping up with!"

"Dios mio! You know I don't approve of this ritual of yours."

"Yo se, mi amor. But it did show me how much este hijo wants to be part of our family."

"It's because he deeply loves our daughter. Carlos put up with the same hangover Sly is going to have for Carmen."

"Si, it's good to know our daughters found such good men who love them so much."

"So much as to put up with the antics of their padre loco?"

"Si mi amor," Emilio laughed as he kissed his wife.

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It was true: Sly had to take most of the day to get over his colossal hangover. Carmelita took care of him, well, mostly.

"I told you that going along with my father's 'ritual' was a bad idea."

"Yeah, but I think we had a good time. I know I did, at least until I passed out."

"Poor ringtail, you know, I was the only one who was able to keep up with the old man," Carmelita said as she stroked her fiancé's cheek.

"I believe that, querera," Sly said weakly, before he fell asleep again.

Luckily, Sly felt much better that night, since it was their last night with Carmelita's family. Naturally, they had a big dinner in honor of the new couple. There was a lot of excitement and discussion of the upcoming nuptials and plans for the Fox women to get together in Pairs and start planning for the wedding.

-------------------------------------------

"Thank you all for your hospitality and for accepting me as part of your family," Sly said as he and Carmelita said goodbye to her family before their trip home.

"Hey, if you passed Carmelita's standards then you can't be all bad hermano," Carmen teased the couple as she gave them a final hug.

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"Well, I guess the visits went better than I though they would, wouldn't you agree, Lita?" Sly said as the couple drove towards the airport, flinching as the remark was met with a poke in his side.

"Only my parents can call me that, ringtail."

"Oh, come on, I think it's cute. Besides, you have so many pet names for me, why can't I have one for you?"

"Who said they were ever pet names?" Carmelita smartly retorted, as the two of them laughed at the joke.