Sorry it took me so long to update. The muse and I couldn't agree on anything. Hope you enjoy!

Not mine.


I woke up the next morning refreshed and ready to go. Today was my wedding day.

"Good morning, Stephanie." My mother said when I managed to come downstairs.

"Morning." I replied. I kissed my father on the head and hugged grandma.

"You're in a good mood." Grandma said.

"Hmm." Was all I said.

"Is it because you're marrying the best package in Trenton?" She asked, wiggling her eyebrows. My mother crossed herself. I didn't reply and picked up the paper. That was one of the reasons I was so giddy today. I was marrying Ricardo Carlos Manoso, man of mystery, Batman, my hero through and through. I wanted to jump up and down.

The other was that I was one day closer to telling Carlos that we were pregnant.

I knew how I was going to do it and the best part was that he'd never suspect it. Mary Lou was already trying to make plans for a baby shower.

I can't wait to see the look on my mother's face when I tell her that I got pregnant before I got married.

At least it's not why Carlos is marrying me.

"We're leaving for the church at noon. Do you think you can be ready by then?" My mother asked as she placed breakfast in front of me.

"Sure," I replied. It was already nine. Dad and Grandma had fought for the bathroom and now it was scot free for me to get prepared.

After breakfast and my shower, I went back upstairs and found a white rose with a note on my pillow.

To my Babe-

Today is our wedding day and the happiest day of my life. I still can't believe that you chose me to be your partner, your lover, the father of your children, and your best friend for the rest of our lives. I know you were burned in the past by your ex-husband, but trust me when I say that I will not be making that mistake. You are the only one for me, Stephanie, and I plan on making sure you're worshiped every minute of every day of every year that God gives us together. I love you and I can't wait to see you walk down the aisle at one o'clock today.

Love, Carlos

I wiped the few tears that had escaped with the back of my hand and picked up my phone.

"Yo." The voice said.

"Hey," I replied.

"Babe? What's wrong?" He sounded panicked.

"Nothing," I soothed. "I just read your note and I wanted to thank you."

He paused for a moment. "I meant every word, Stephanie."

"I know. I trust you."

"I just don't want you to get cold feet on me because you're afraid I'll turn into Dickie."

I was silent for a moment.

"I won't, Stephanie. He was too stupid to realize the great woman that he had in front of him the entire time. The only people I want on our dining room table are you and me."

"You don't understand how much it means to me that you're saying this. And don't worry, Batman, my feet are so far from cold that if I was wearing wool socks, they'd be sweating."

He chuckled. "Glad to hear it, Babe. I love you."

"I love you."

"Bye, babe."

"I'm sorry, what?" I looked at my phone in confusion.

He chuckled. "Yes Steph, I'm capable of saying goodbye."

"Who are you and what have you done with my Carlos?"

"I like the sound of that." He said huskily. "Being your Carlos."

"As long as I'm your Stephanie."

"Always. Bye, Babe."

"Bye Carlos."

Whenever Joe called me his, I bristled. Maybe it was because I knew that he was never mine. But with Carlos, I just know I have all of him.

My smile grew over the course of the day.


"Oh, Stephanie, you look so beautiful!" Mary Lou said, tears in her eyes.

"Thanks, Mare."

"Yeah, white girl, you clean up real good. I just hope you don't get thrown into a dumpster or something."

"Uh, thanks, I think." I put the last of my mascara on (only two coats of courage instead of the usual five or six) and stood up. "Veil me." I said.

Connie came up and placed the veil on my head. My mother started to cry.

"Oh Stephanie, I'm so happy that you're getting married again."

Sheesh, she'd been happier if I'd marry Joe three years ago.

"You love him." She said.

"Yeah, I do."

"More than Joe."

I nodded.

"I'm sorry I pushed him on you so much."

Aw, my mother was apologizing. I wish I had my camera. "It's okay, mom. You were only doing what you thought was best. I hope I can be half the mother you are." At least not the crazy ironing part…I could do the tippling.

I hugged my mother and then each of the girls.

"Are you ready to be married?"

"So ready." I replied. We all giggled.

"Mm, this is my favorite part." Carlos said, nuzzling my neck.

"Trying to get into my pants is always your favorite part." I replied, taking a bite of my third piece of cake.

"Babe, you keep eating all the cake and we won't have enough to share on our anniversary."

"Shut up. There's enough left to do this all again tomorrow and still have a piece for our anniversary."

He looked at me seriously. "I'd do it all over again."

I smiled at him. "Me too." I kissed him gently.

"Mm, you taste like cake." He wolf grinned at me. "Can I lick it off of you?"

"Later, Batman."

"I'm going to hold that to you."

I smiled my wolf smile at him.

The wedding and reception went without a hitch. Even Grandma behaved herself. Of course, I think that Carlos bribed her to be good, but I'm sure the guys appreciated not having their butts pinched.

"Here you go, Ranger." Carl said.

"Thanks." He stuffed the envelope into his jacket pocket.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Nothing." Carlos and Carl said together.

I could feel the rhino making an appearance.

Carlos smiled, looking all proud of himself. "I made the cops a bet."

"What?"

"I bet them that you would walk down the aisle and the party would go without a hitch."

"Yeah," Carl said. "Cleaned us all out."

"I'll make you another deal." Carlos started, seeing I was seething more and more. "I'll donate the money back to you as long as you stop betting on my Babe."

"Done." Carl said. "We could use the new Kevlar vests."

"And to give you an incentive, RangeMan will double it. Every month."

"Christ, you got a death wish?"

"No," he said looking at me. "I'm making amends."

The rhino started to go back into the pen. "Amends for what?"

"I should've stopped the betting a long time ago."

I kissed him on the cheek. "It's okay. You're stopping it now."

He smiled all two hundred watts at me. "Thanks, babe."

"What are wives for?"

Carlos's eyes got black.

Oh boy!