First of all I have to apologize to all you beautiful Babes for taking so long to update this story. Thank you for sticking with me. Real Life has sucked beyond anything for me and it's been really hard to try to write. I have made myself a promise though that I am going to finish this story no matter what! I may only update once a week but I will try to do better. I hope you will forgive me and keep reading and reviewing! Hugs, Lauri
Chapter 14
By the time we made our way out of the bathroom it was almost noon. That left us about 40 minutes to get ready and leave for my parent's house. Normally I'd be freakin out about this but for the first time in, well ever, I didn't feel the panicky feeling that normally comes over me at the though of facing my mother.
I went into our dressing room and picked out a cute sundress that was loose fitting and comfy to travel in. It had a built in bra so I just picked out a sheer, pink thong to wear with it.
I pulled it over my head and saw my fiancée's eyes darken in appreciation of my outfit. I picked out a pair of 3" strappy sandals and brushed past him as I went out saying "I remembered what you said earlier about dressing comfy for the plane ride. Is this comfortable enough for our club induction?" I asked him seductively over my shoulder with a sexy smile.
I heard him laugh as I left the bedroom and headed for the kitchen to get us some bottled water. Despite our extended shower, I was feeling a bit dehydrated.
I walked into the living room with our water and stopped when I saw the file folder Tank had brought Carlos lying on the table. I stood there staring at it and felt myself begin to tremble.
Carlos walked up behind me and took the water bottles from me before wrapping his arms around me tightly.
"Babe what's the matter? You're shaking" he asked me in a low voice.
"I'm really pissed Carlos at the thought that some dick in Washington can dictate how we live our lives. I just feel like marching into his office and kickin his bureaucratic ass up between his ears. I'm freakin tired of people messin with my happily ever after damnit! We have worked to damn hard to get to this point to let someone else try to screw it up" I said breathing heavily by the time my rant was over.
Carlos could tell I was very close to losing it so he gathered me up in his arms and sat us down on the couch. I was in his lap with my head on his shoulder, totally spent.
"I love you my Bad Ass Babe. I love your fiercely protective nature, I love the fact that you have my back no matter what. I love how you are so protective of my men and my daughter. I promise you babe this will be over soon and we will have our happily ever after you were talking about. I'm proud of you Babe. I don't want you to be this upset. Try not to let it get you rattled. I'm going to need your help with this so channel that anger and lets get this show on the road" he said as he stood up and slid me to my feet, then kissing me senseless.
I was trembling again but for a very different reason. "I love you my Bad Ass Bounty Hunter" I told him with a silly smile on my face.
"Love you too Babe. Let's grab our stuff & get going." He said heading into our bedroom grabbing our bags as he went.
I grabbed my overnight bag that had our toiletries in it and headed for the front door. Carlos stopped in the foyer and put our bags down.
"Just leave it here Babe. Tank and Les will get our stuff and take it to the plane. I'll give them a call when we leave my parents house so they can get ready for wheels up. I've had them file 3 different flight plans just in case anyone is checking out our destination."
We walked out to the elevator and made our way down to the garage. He steered me over to the Cayenne and put me in the passenger seat. He kissed me hotly while buckling me in. Yum I could REALLY get used to this kind of treatment.
As we drove towards my parent's house he laced out fingers together and pulled my hand up and kissed it.
"What was that for?" I asked him while smiling warmly at him.
"Just because Babe. I love holding your hand, kissing you, just having the luxury of showing my love to you. For so long I couldn't express my love for you and now I want to shout it to the world. I feel like we have to be in physical contact anytime I'm near you. Better get used to it Babe cause I don't intent to ever quit touching you or kissing you" he smiled as he kissed my hand again.
He turned back towards the road and drove us into the Burg. We arrived at my parent's house at 12:56pm. Carlos came around and helped me out of the Cayenne. He held my hand as we walked up the sidewalk to the front door. My mother was waiting for us, holding the door open for us to enter.
"Good afternoon Stephanie, Mr. Manoso" my mother greeted us stiffly.
"Mother I've told you his name is Carlos or you can call him Ranger, but cut the Mr. Manoso crap" I told her while giving her my best Burg eye roll.
"Stephanie can I get you to help me in the kitchen please?" she said in a silted voice.
"Actually mom I'd like to see you and daddy in the living room before we eat" I told her while pulling Carlos towards the living room.
"Hi daddy" I said kissing the top of his head. "Hi pumpkin, hi Carlos, how are you doing" he asked as he looked at our clasped hands and smiled.
"We're doing good sir" Carlos told him as my mom walked in. "What is so important we have to hold lunch" my mother asked in a petulant voice.
"Be quiet Helen and maybe she'll tell us" my dad said in an exasperated voice.
"Actually mom Carlos and I have some news. He's asked me to marry him and I said yes" I told her grinning at Carlos. He leaned down and gave me a tender kiss.
Wow right in front of my mom and dad. Speaking of my dad "congratulations pumpkin, I'm so happy for you. Let's see the ring" he said with glee.
I held my hand up and heard my mother gasp when she saw it. "But what about Joseph" she asked weakly.
Before I could open my mouth Carlos squeezed my hand and turned to my mother and said "Helen, may I call you Helen?" at her nod he continued.
"I understand you had your heart set on Stephanie and Joe getting married, but since they broke up almost a year ago and she's now wearing MY engagement ring I think it's time to give the 'what about Joe' thing a proper burial. I love Stephanie with every fiber of my being and she loves me so do you think for once in her life you can be happy with the choice your daughter has made? I'm sure it would make Steph's day for you to be happy for her" Carlos kept his voice calm but I could see the tension around his eyes.
I squeezed his hand to calk him down. My mother was doing a great fish imitation. My father was openly laughing at my mother. I looked at him and he winked at me. Wow. Bless my father's heart he said "Helen I think you need to get lunch on the table don't you?"
Her Burg training kicked in and she turned and headed into the kitchen as my father walked towards the dining room.
I pulled Carlos into my arms and said "you are my hero. Thank you." Then I kissed him with all the love and passion I could. I wanted to show him exactly how much I appreciated him having my back.
His tongue and hands let me know I was very welcome. Yum I can't wait to get on that plane. As my thoughts began to wonder into dangerous territory my stomach began to growl.
We pulled apart laughing. "Babe lets feed the beast so we can get out of here. I want to let everyone know you've agreed to make me the happiest man alive" he said as he pulled me into the dining room.
Lunch was quiet. We left soon afterwards with my mother stiffly hugging me and offering her congratulations. I took it for what it was worth. My father's reaction more than made up for it. He hugged me tight and said "be happy pumpkin, he's a great man. You deserve to be happy and so does he."
I assured him we were very happy and waved to him as we left. Carlos held my hand as we drove to the Bond's office. I saw Lula's red Firebird parked out front as we pulled up.
Good they were both here so we could get in and out then head to Newark to tell Carlos' parents. I was a bit nervous about that conversation.