I have reached the double digits. 10 reviews! That's big for me!

Thank you all who have been keeping up with this story. And reviewing every chapter, I adore you for that. Mélange does indeed have a backstory, I won't let you down on that, don't worry. :)

Now, what better way to follow up that awesomely darker toned chapter than to bring back all the sappy, gushy romance. Yes? Yes! Get ready to hear wedding bells ring folks! And read the title that I have now learned to put in the proper place. Cute little pun, if I do say so myself.

Chapter 12 With This Ring, Sly Thee Weds

In a secluded garden park in Paris, on this particular day, a private wedding ceremony was about to begin.

Very few knew it was being held, but the majority of ones that did were in attendance, celebrating the wonderful long-awaited marriage of one handsome masked thief, and his beautiful foxy partner in crime.

The sunlight broke through the lush tree canopies that held off the more intense rays, allowing the perfect amount of sunshine to illuminate the incredibly romantic setting.

A gentle breeze blew bunches of wisteria and clumps of dogwood blossoms hanging overhead, causing petals to fall and create a magnificent floral fragrance that spread throughout the peaceful hideaway.

Birds sang enchanting melodies and the relaxing sound of a stream could be heard not too far away.

Everything was perfect.

Nearly.

Standing next to the aged badger minister, a sharply dressed Sly stood under the shelter of a small gazebo, waiting for his bride.

To Sly's far right, his two best men, Murray and Bentley, stood and sat respectively, dressed up and looking quite snazzy. It was a first for all of them to be wearing tuxedos, and it not be for some kind of disguise.

Penelope stood near the left edge of the gazebo's platform, smiling at her Bentley. How dashing he looked to her in a tie and boutonniere!

And she herself looked very respectable with her golden hair in a bun, and a flowing pink sundress replacing her grimy overalls.

As a female mink began to play a soft but enthralling version of the Wedding March on an elegant harp, Carmelita appeared from behind a tree.

Sly raised his head to look in awe at the beauty slowly walking towards him.

Her snow white wedding gown was very conservative, as she had tried as best she could to find a dress that would hide her growing midsection well.

Not that it bothered her proud and loving husband-to-be in any way whatsoever.

True, she had been robbed of her ability to have a real reason to wear the white dress symbolizing purity. Sly was quite the master of stealing things, it seemed. First her heart, then her purity.

She was also disappointed to see that her parents did not make the occasion, but she expected that much. They were most likely still in complete shock, and angered that she would marry the last guy they ever hoped she would.

But that didn't stop her from enjoying every single moment of this ceremony, of the life she and Sly shared, and the life they were about to have once they were a true entity.

The sunlight seemed to cast a spotlight on the vixen, and petals fell all around her as she walked, landing on her veil like a florescent halo.

Now standing face to face with the love of his life, Sly smiled warmly and gently lifted the veil, revealing her magnificent face.

The slash marks from Mélange's talons had healed rather swiftly, and her bruises had faded with the memory. And after the visit to the hospital, the parents found that their baby was very much alive and healthy as ever. Everything was right with the world once again.

The vengeful villain's current whereabouts were unknown, and had been for the last few weeks, but neither Sly nor Carmelita were going to worry about him right now.

Sly grasped her gentle hands, and she held his, as they looked tenderly into each other's brown eyes.

The elderly badger smiled, and cleared his throat. "Friends, we are gathered here today to celebrate the bond of indescribable love shared between this raccoon and his lady fox." He gestured to each as he spoke. "There is no greater joy than combining two souls to form one incredible heart. As one once quoted long ago, 'Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction.' And a wise author once said, 'You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep, because reality is finally better than your dreams.'"

Sly gazed at Carmelita, knowing that truer words were never spoken.

"As these two live their lives," the minister continued, "I hope that they grow to love each other a little more with each passing day. Because life is indeed a journey, and love is what makes the journey worthwhile."

Penelope smiled, wiping tears as they trickled down her cheeks.

The minister adjusted his glasses and read a passage from the sacred book of scripture, and then Sly and Carmelita said the traditional vows. Then it was time to exchange rings.

Sly slid the shimmering wedding ring on her finger. "Carmelita, with this ring, I profess to you my undying love. This ring has no beginning and no end; it symbolizes the continuation of our true love. May it always be a reminder that I am always by your side, and that I'll always be a faithful and caring husband to you."

Carmelita then slid the gold wedding band on Sly's ring finger. "Sly," she began in a shaky, broken voice. "I give you this ring as a profession of my undying love for you." Her lower lip trembled. "T-today, I not only give you this ring, but I give you my heart. Totally and completely. And I trust you not to break it…no matter what happens."

"I never will," he whispered.

The minster smiled and closed his book. "I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Cooper. Sly, you may now kiss your bride."

Like he hadn't so many times before.

Sweetly, Carmelita wrapped her arms around his neck, and he leaned down, giving her a kiss that held more meaning than any kiss they'd shared before. As if that was even possible.

Their friends applauded.

And with that, Sly and Carmelita became husband and wife.

The reception was very simple, held in the nearby picnic area. Penelope, Bentley and Murray sat at wooden benches and ate rich slices of cake as they watched Sly and Carmelita slow dance to the melody of the harp.

Penelope rested her hand on one of Bentley's. "It's so wonderful, isn't it?"

"Yea," was all the turtle answered with.

"The cake?" Murray asked. "It's amazing! Best cake I've ever eaten."

The other two chuckled. "I meant the wedding, Murray," Penelope said.

"Oh. Yea, yea it was good too."

Bentley smiled. "I've never seen Sly look so happy."

"Give you any ideas…?" Penelope asked.

Bentley looked at her and smiled. "One day soon, Penelope. I want to at least wait until Murray finds someone too though before we take the matrimonial leap."

Murray scoffed. "Don't worry 'bout me guys. I don't get into that sappy romantic junk. The only love for me is my van." He shoveled another forkful of cake in his mouth.

Bentley looked at him. "Surely you don't mean that, Murray. Just wait until it happens to you."

Penelope nodded in agreement. "It'll change your mind."

He shrugged. "We'll see."

Penelope rested her petite head on her love's shoulder.

Sly and Carmelita were in their own blissful little world as they swayed to the gentle music.

"Sorry you didn't get the elaborate fairy tale wedding you probably wanted," Sly admitted, pulling his wife into a graceful spin.

"This is all the fairytale I need Sly," she answered sincerely. "Getting to spend the rest of my life with you. I don't need lots of guests and fancy decorations to do that."

A furry gray hand reached up and rested on the back of her head, his fingers lost in her silky styled blue curls. "You know," Sly said, smiling down at her, "I think this might be more fun than that tango we shared at Rajan's."

Carmelita grinned adoringly at him. "It's so much better. I'm just hoping you don't run off after the music stops like last time."

Sly encircled his arms around her, his hands now resting on her back. "I will never run away from you again, so long as I live, Mrs. Cooper. I promise."

She chuckled and pecked him on the lips. "It's going to take some getting used to, having that name."

Sly touched his forehead to hers. "You've had to get used to lots of things lately, haven't you? New home…new roommates…new way of life." He grinned at that last part.

"Having a tiny Cooper live inside me and alter my appearance in a not so flattering way," she added, and they both laughed.

"You're still the most stunning vixen that ever walked into my life."

"Guess I'll be in trouble when you run into a prettier vixen then, huh?" she joked.

Sly smirked. "That's ridiculously impossible."

She smiled. "I love you, Sly Cooper."

"And I love you, Mrs. Cooper. I really appreciate you for agreeing to marry me. I know it was just because you didn't wanna say no and hurt my feelings."

She grinned and shook her head. "Oh yes Sly, that's it. It's absolutely not because I'm so madly in love with you and your caring loving character hidden behind that charismatic thief mask."

He laughed warmly as he dipped her. "Well then I didn't fall in love with you because of your sweet demure side that I always knew was there under your fiery policewoman disguise."

She wrinkled her nose. "Not a cop anymore, remember?"

"How could I forget?" he murmured. "I'd be a total fool not to ask to marry the girl who would give it all up for me."

"I didn't give up a thing, Sly. I'm getting more than I ever thought possible."

They kissed and nuzzled each other lovingly as they danced in the setting sun.

"Remember when you said that if I played my cards right, I could get what I requested, since I've been training you?" he asked after a while.

She nodded.

"Have I played them right?"

Carmelita smiled deviously. "Oh yes. You get your wish tonight!"

Later that night, in an incredibly lavish hotel suite in the heart of Paris, heavy panting could be heard from the richly extravagant bedroom.

Dozens of roses decorated the carpet, as well as articles of clothing that had been tossed down hastily in the heat of the moment.

In the afterglow of fervent, passionate love making, Sly and Carmelita held each other tightly on a massive bed. They gasped as they clutched each other.

Sly sighed. "Oh man! Now, that was a honeymoon." He collapsed, his head resting on his pillow in bliss.

Carmelita pushed sweaty clumps of cobalt locks off her face. "Was?" she breathed. "It's not over yet." Her tail swayed ever so slightly.

Sly laughed softly. "You're right. It never has to end. Making love to you is more enjoyable each time mon amour, but this raccoon needs his rest after so many times."

She giggled, snuggling up to him, and he slipped an arm around her. "That's true," she agreed with a yawn. "I am pretty exhausted." She nipped at his nose. "You wear me out, Ringtail."

He laughed weakly and gazed at his vixen wife. It was so crazy that he could actually call her that now.

She rested her head onto his chest and sighed. She put her left hand atop his and stared at the two wedding rings with a smile. "I finally caught you, Cooper," she whispered.

With a chuckle, he stroked her cheek. "Yes, my love, you caught me. After all these years. Game over. Well played. Now slap the cuffs on me."

"Mm, that's not till tomorrow night," she said, hinting at something that had absolutely nothing to do with being arrested or going to jail. He lifted his head to look at her giving him a devilish grin. She giggled and then rested her head on her own fluffy pillow.

He smirked and then inched closer, running a fingertip along her nude body, up her thigh, upon her perspiring chest and back down, finally resting his hand on her belly. "Hope the little guy was ok with what we just did."

A noise that could only be described as one brought on by extreme pleasure came from her lips. "I'm sure the little guy or girl is very happy, seeing how contented Mommy is from it. Besides, that kind of splendor is what created the kit to begin with."

Sly grinned, remembering the ultrasound they'd seen at the hospital after the scare with Mélange. "Can't believe how much it looks like me!"

Carmelita's eyes began to close. "Yes it's only fair that I do all the work, go through all the morning sickness and back pain, and it ends up being a raccoon just like its dad. And now that we're married the baby has your name. Got everything you wanted. Happy now?"

He snickered, propping himself up on one elbow as he looked at her. "Yes. Happier than I ever thought I could be. But ya know, he won't be exactly like me, Carm. Even if he looks like me, I think he'll have your impulsive nature. And your desire for excitement."

"I swear Sly, if you keep calling it a he-"

"You'll what?" he asked playfully. "What will you do?"

She exhaled deeply through her nose, her eyes remaining closed as she lay on her back under the covers. "Don't know. Too tired to think about it."

He caressed her face and said, "Ok, well you can think about it when you wake up."

"Mkay," she mumbled. "I will. Love you."

He embraced her from behind, one hand lightly stroking her rounded stomach. "I love you more. Good night, Mrs. Cooper. Thank you for the best day, and night, of my entire life. And to you, little Cooper. Can't wait 'til you make your appearance."

Soon after, nothing could be heard from the cuddling newlyweds except for even inhaling and exhaling as they slipped into peaceful unconsciousness, knowing they would wake together, and begin life as a married couple.

Why yes, I did end that beautifully romantic chapter with the exhilaration of a friskily ardent post-sex scene! Thanks for noticing. ;)

But it was tasteful, yes?

And you know Sly paid that minister big money to keep his wedding a secret! He is a criminal at large after all.

Anyways, next chapter, Carmelita goes with the gang on a trip to perform their next thrilling heist!

8/23/18: Revising the last scene because in over FIVE YEARS, I did not once catch the massive error I made. Damn...