Debra sighed happily gazing out the window as Ray drove. She was so happy for Amy and for Robert. She knew they would make great parents. They were already a terrific aunt and uncle to Ally and the twins. She turned her head towards Ray. "This has been quite a night hasn't it?" She stated.

"Yeah it sure has." agreed Ray. "Robert and Amy having a baby...my mother actually apologizing...who would have thought that"

"I know." nodded Debra. She then spotted Marco's on the other side of the street. "Ray, can you stop at Marco's? I'm a little thirsty. I want to get a soda"

"Sure okay." said Ray pulling over to the side of the street. They then got out and walked into the restaurant.

"Ray...Debra." smiled Marco as he saw them. "Come in...this happy occasion"

"Well..I know that we are your favorite customers...you don't have to make a big deal..." joked Ray.

Debra playfully smacked his arm. "Stop.." She laughed. "What's going on Marco"

"My daughter...Stefania...she get engaged!" He beamed happily.

"What?" said an astonished Debra. "That's wonderful. I'm so happy." She smiled.

Ray turned and saw Gianni and Stefania over by the jukebox dancing in eachother's arms to Tony Bennett.

"Hey..." He said walking over to them.

"Hey Big Nose." greeted Gianni in his usual way.

"Marco just told us the news. Congratulations."

"Thanks man." smiled Gianni.

Debra walked over to Stefania. "I'm so happy for you. Congratulations."

"Thank you Debra." replied Stefania with a big smile. "I hope we are as uh happy as you and Raymond are. And Roberto and Amy."

"I'm sure you will be." assured Debra. "Speaking of Robert and Amy...I want to tell you...Amy had her baby tonight. Grace Kelly Barone."

"Ohh.." said Stefania placing her hand on her chest. "That's wonderful. I can't wait to see pictures. What does she look like?"

"Not like Robert I hope." joked Gianni with a grin.

Debra rolled her eyes and shook her head. . "Stop it. She's adorable. Robert and Amy are very excited."

"I so happy for them." smiled Stefania. "Amy's a nice lady. I know she'll make a good mama."

"Yes she will." agreed Debra. "Hey I'm going to get a soda...want come with me"

Debra and Stefania went over to the counter and Ray and Gianni were left by the jukebox.

"Soo." said Ray. "You're finally getting married"

"Yeah yeah I know..you never thought I would"

"Hey I'm happy for you...really. I think it's great. Stefania...she's great"

"Yeah and not bad to look at either." grinned Gianni.

"I guess if you like that type..." joked Ray. "Of course...my Debra...I think she puts her to shame..."

"You're dreaming." quipped Gianni. "Listen...I have to ask you something."

"Sure what is it"

"I was wondering...you want to be my best man"

"Me?" "Yeah...what do you say"

"Sure...that'd be nice. I'd love to"

"Thanks man." said Gianni patting his arm.

Debra and Stefania were sitting at the counter talking and Debra was admiring Stefania's ring.

"Wow...that's gorgeous"

"Thank you Debra." beamed Stefania.

"So..how did he propose"

"We were at a fancy dinner at my father's other restaurant."

"Oh that one he just opened up last month? Little Italy"

"Yes. That one." replied Stefania. "We were having dinner and I order dessert. Strawberry cheesecake. The waiter brings out cherry cheesecake. I say...No I order strawberry. He says that they are all out of strawberry..I say I no care...I want strawberry...take back the cherry...The waiter...he start arguing with me...Gianni then says to me "Are you sure you really want strawberry?" I say "Yes I love strawberry." He say "Just take a bite of the cherry." I say but I don't like cherry. He insists that I take a bite. So I take my fork and go to break piece off and there is something hard in the cheesecake..something shiny in the cherry topping...I pick it up with my fork and it's a ring! I am speechless. Gianni he take the ring and he cleans it off. He takes my hand in his and says.."Stefania...my Steffy...you are most beautiful woman I have ever met. I would be honored if you would agree to be my wife." I was so stunned I couldn't believe it...before I knew it I said yes! Yes I marry you"

Debra smiled. "That's so sweet...so romantic"

"It was." said Stefania happily. "Gianni wonderful man. I love him so much. Ever since day he come to fix oven in restaurant. I knew he was the one. Did you know that about Ray when you meet him"

"Yes I did." Debra said smiling at the memory. "He and Gianni were delivering my futon...and I don't know...when I saw him...I just knew."

"How did Ray propose?" asked Stefania.

"Oh it was quite romantic...He put it in his column."

"Ohhh that so sweet." Stefania said in awe.

"I still have it...He put write in his column Debra will you marry me"

"You very lucky woman"

Debra looked over at Ray who was still talking with Gianni. "Yeah I AM lucky"

A few minutes later Ray went over to get a pitcher of beer to share with Gianni while they sat at in a booth when he ran into someone who just came into the pizza place. "Oh I'm sorry..." He looked and saw who it was. Peggy. Miss High and Mighty Peggy. "Sorry." He said again. "Peggy"

"Ally's dad." She remarked in her usual snooty way. "I should have known. Watch where you are going."

"I'm sorry." He said trying to remain polite. "I didn't see you there"

"Just be more carefull next time Ally's dad"

Debra got up from her chair at the counter and marched over to where they were. "His name is Ray. Not Ally's dad." She snapped.

"Sorry." said Peggy not really meaning it.

"You know you could try being a little more polite." Debra said menacing towards the other woman. "Maybe people would like you better. And by the way...you can keep your damn hands OFF my husband. Don't think I don't know all about how you touched him while he was trying to set up that tent. You do that again you will be very sorry. The ONLY one who touches him is ME."

"It was no big deal." said Peggy rolling her eyes.

"It was to ME." Debra said forcefully. "I love him. He's MY husband and I don't want you touching him EVER. I don't know what your problem is with him and frankly I don't care. You just have this need to act like you are so superior. YOU AREN'T. You are the one who is threatened by him"

"Excuse me?"

"No one else would have dared to challenge you. You taking the best spot to sell cookies and giving everyone else crummy locations. You couldn't be fair about the cookie selling locations. No you just go and give YOURSELF the best location. Ray wasn't going to take your crap. You couldn't handle it. So you tried to get into a scuffle with him. You weren't counting on me were you? Things are going to change. You are going to treat him with RESPECT. You got that? If you don't you will have to answer to ME."

Ray stood there astonished at what Debra just said to Peggy. He never heard her talk like that before.

Peggy just frowned and stormed out of the pizza parlor. Ray turned to his wife. "What was that"

"Well I've told you that you need to stick up for me more with your parents...well mostly with your mother and you did that. I think that I should stick up for YOU more...when it comes to people like Peggy and...even Bill Parker."

"Parker. I hate that guy." mumbled Ray.

Debra smiled. "Yeah be honest I don't really think he's all that great either."

"I love you Debra."

"I love you too Ray." she said kissing her husband.

Ray looked over at the jukebox. He let go of Debra and walked over to it. Looking over the songs..he made a selection. Walking back over to his wife he took her hand. "I know that I don't like to do this but...would you like to dance"
"I'd love to.." smiled Debra.

Ray took Debra in his arms as the music started...

Wise men say only fools rush in
but I can't help falling in love with you
Shall I stay would it be a sin
If I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes some things are meant to be
take my hand, take my whole life too
for I can't help falling in love with you

Like a river flows surely to the sea
Darling so it goes some things are meant to be
take my hand, take my whole life too for
I can't help falling in love with you for I can't help falling in love with you