Thank you to everyone that reviewed and left me a comment. I love hearing from you and was thrilled at how many of you went back to this story after such a long hiatus. A big welcome to those new readers at there I loved hearing from you. It's great to get new Cupcake fans.

And last but certainly not least a HUGE thank you to Gina for her awesome help and the great addition to this chapter that just made my morning.

This story would not be what it is without you.

Chapter 7

We arrived at Newark just before eleven that morning. Mooch was our first call (a) because we missed Bob & Rex and (b) everyone was still at church. Joe told Mooch we would be by within the hour. As he hung up I turned to look at him and asked "So any ideas how to tell everyone?" and I raised my hand to wiggle my rings.

"Well we have two options. The less favorable being two stops two separate stories, and then who do we tell first? I think the more favorable option is to call everyone to our house."

"OK that sounds like a plan." I confirmed as we parked outside of Mooch's house.

Bob rushed out overjoyed to see us. He gave both of us big, slobbery kisses. I guess we were not the only ones anxious for the reunion. Rex was in the kitchen, asleep in his can and didn't seem to notice we were there. Tapping on Rex's glass the sun hit my diamond and caught Moochs' eye. "Wow nice rock Stephanie and yes there is a band on the finger as well" Mooch noticed. "Joe?"

"Keep it quiet man, Ma will kill me if she thinks anyone found out before her" Joe told him.

"Congratulations guys it's about time, but it would have been fun to throw a bachelor party for you man."

"It was spur of the moment" Joe told him before adding "I don't need a bachelor party I gave up those days a long time ago."

"Speaking of those days, Our 20 year high school reunion is coming up I got my invite last week. I'm sure yours is waiting for you."

"So" Joe said as I walked into the room.

"You don't want to go?" I asked.

"Why wouldn't you go?" Mooch followed and came to stand next to me. We were a united front, and then Mooch added," Besides whom am I going to cause trouble with if you don't go?"

Joe answered " Lenny, Stan, Bucky".

I looked at Mooch as Joe keep naming names "I'm his wife I can accept for us, don't worry Mooch he'll be there."

Joe stopped in mid name "Ton… Say what I'm pretty sure I'll be on call that night." I gave him my eye roll and that was the end of that conversation.

Shirley and the kids got back from church. Joe reminded Mooch that loose lips sink ships and we left.

Upon getting home we both called our mothers and asked them to come over. Within the hour our house was full. My mother, father and Grandma Mazur, Mrs Morelli and Grandma Bella arrived right after my folks. Bob rounded out our group since he decided he wasn't letting Joe and me out of his sight.

My father sat down and started watching the Mets game that Joe had turned on earlier. The mothers went to the kitchen where I overheard them exclaiming, "They have nothing to eat!" I rolled my eyes, but Joe while walking through stated, "We just got back from a week in Mexico, we were not home to eat." He then continued into the living room to watch the game with my dad. The grandmothers were sitting at the table on opposite ends just staring at each other.

Bella tapped her eye and pointed to Grandma. Before Grandma could retaliate, I said"Everyone to the living room." No point in trying to move my dad. After everyone was seated Joe turned the TV off, which got my father's attention.

"We have some news", I stated not really sure how to do this.

"I knew it I told you Angie she's knocked up"

"No Bella she is not" Joe confirmed. "While we were on vacation Stephanie and I got married."

This news was better received than the thought of me "knocked up".

My mother squealed jumped up, hugging Joe and I. Then it was Angie Morelli's turn, followed by my father who gave me a big hug, shook Joe's hand, patted him on the back while mumbling something that sounded like "It's about time" and turned the TV back on.

I heard the mothers making plans about getting the church and renting the hall. "Whoa, whoa, whoa"! I stopped them. "We already got married," showing them my rings and lifting Joe's hand to show his matching band. "We don't need the church or to worry about some big reception hall."

"Well Stephanie that's just not the way it's done" my mother said.

"Well it's the way we did it" I told her.

Joe stepped in trying to keep the peace and offered "Maybe we could just have a small reception."

"Well I guess that will be fine," my mother conceded and turned back to Mrs. Morelli and started talking about a reception. Relieved that Joe averted a war, I left it in their hands. I really didn't care what they did as long as there was cake. Joe had promised me cake.

The mothers and grandmothers went into planning mode in the kitchen, not noticing I wasn't there. My father and Joe returned to the game. Male bonding was in progress and Bob decided that was where he belonged. I went to our bedroom and started to unpack. Unpacking made me sleepy so I lay down and took a nap. When I woke up the game was in the top of the ninth and the Mets were ahead by five. The mothers were still in the kitchen minus Bella. Joe mouthed to me "vision", so I guess Bella decided to rest in the guest bedroom. I walked into the kitchen on my way down to do laundry and asked "How's it going?"

"Good Stephanie I'm glad you decided to show up we ran this all by Joseph in your absence."

Great I thought no telling what he agreed to "We decided on August 1st at the American Legion Hall. We already called and reserved it. Joe said you wanted a cake. Can you go by Tasty Pastry and order it yourself? That way you can get it exactly the way you want it." "I think I can manage." Okay so maybe I was missed.

"Too bad we didn't have a bachorlette party, do you think we could still get a stripper?" Grandma asked.

"I don't think so," I told her, "Maybe for your next birthday."

My mother looked in Joe's cabinet for a bottle, and then realized she wasn't in her kitchen. I guess the idea of a birthday stripper on top of our news was more than she could handle. Lucky for her, the game was over and my dad was ready to go.

"Heavens look at the time. I'll never get dinner on the table by six."

"Why don't we take everyone out?" Joe suggested to a chorus of that's not necessary. "Ma go get Bella we are all going out" Joe insisted.

A few minutes later Bella was downstairs and we had decided on Pino's. Joe and I were regulars there and my mom could get a drink. Pino's also a cop hangout so when we walked in we were greeted with "Nice to have you back and "Welcome home" from the crowd that was there. We slid into one of the big booths in the back and ordered a couple of pizzas.

Joe had his arm around me and I was sitting on the end when Constanza and Big Dog walked over. Carl was making polite conversation with the mothers when Big Dog noticed the band on Joe's finger.

"Hey Steph?"

"Yeah Big Dog" I looked up at him

"You know Morelli, there got married?"

I smiled. "Yeah Big Dog I know something about that thanks for pointing it out."

"Damn… I mean dang, "Carl corrected for the mothers. "Did you two get married?"

Joe laughed "No wondered you never made detective Constanza." Joe looked across the table to the mothers. "No need for that party now Constanza will make sure everyone knows."

"Well that is very thoughtful of you Carl, but since I didn't get to have or even be at the wedding I will get to throw the reception." My mother stated and that was the end of that.

"Of course Mrs. Plum. I would never spoil your party. I hope I'm invited too. I have a great toast I would love to give at the reception." Then he winked at me. The rat. He better not give a speech about that time we swiped communion wine in third grade.