A/N…..many thanks to a few folks, Beautifulbabeforever who started on this journey in Daddy I said No, to Deanna who worked tirelessly in editing and her own version of babe HEA; taking over when life got to be to hectic. Cindy and Jo Ann for helping us by reading ahead, and Jennifer and Ms. Em for letting me shamelessly borrow your names and thoughts. I feel like justice was served to jomo for all he did to Stephanie and of course to Christibabe, who pushed for a trial in the first place. Once again, not ours, but our playground.

HUGS, Margaret Fowler.

Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this little story of ours. I have had a blast helping.

Hugs, Deanna

Happenings

Over the next few weeks things started happening, not too much more was needed to push Morelli over the edge, and while that was going on, Helen continued on, lost in the world of being married to a Morelli. Never to Frank Plum, how about that?

Her hospital was co-ed (and is in real life folks) but here interactions were limited between the sexes, just a fleeting glimpse was all they saw of each other. Each day found Helen looking in vain for Anthony to 'come home' to her.

Her medicine had been increased to 10mg of valium and it was noted in her chart that she became more agitated during the noon meal as well as at dinnertime. After all, 'Anthony' wasn't home. Where was he? Never mind he was buried six feet under in the Trenton Cemetery, in an unmarked grave. No one wanted to pay for a headstone. Why bother for such a horrific man?

Prisoner # 678945 had been introduced to his new psychiatric doctor, Ms. Em. Who after the thirteenth time of looking over at her 'cupcake' prisoner (as well as his very own special cell) decided he needed a break as well, his mind had checked out over hearing and feeling things.

Morelli had aged all of a sudden.

HE SAW A GLIMPSE OF HIMSELF IN THE BATHROOM MIRROR. HE LOOKED JUST LIKE HIS DADDY.

With no visitors, no mail. What did he have left?

He started to pace and look around. Becoming paranoid as the days and nights ran together. Hearing Stephanie's voice say 'no no I said no, please stop, NO,' it was too much for him to bear anymore. Then just as sudden, her voice would stop and the quiet would wash over him.

Voices from the other cells still came through to his hearing at night. Screams of other men having their own nightmares, but he never heard that much. That was when, in his cell, 'cupcake' was being played each and every night right along with 'no, no, please stop' sometimes it was mixed in with 'I hope you go to prison and become someone's bitch'….cause he was someone's all right. He was HECTOR'S play toy.

It finally happened; Morelli had papers transferring him to the lunatic asylum ASAP, where he would remain for the remainder his sentence or unless Jennifer Brown could bring him back. In conjunction with Ms. Em, plans were formed.

Jennifer told her about Helen's fascination with her own patient's father. Each had photos of Anthony Sr. Why he looked exactly like prisoner #678945. Morelli had aged that much.

From the worry lines on his face, to the fact that he had started his father's eye twitch. It seemed like that was passed down in the family, some habits are hard to break after all.

Both women were hoping that Helen would have peace when she saw him 'her Anthony' would have finally come home, for good.

Binkie and Manny were so glad this had ended. They were more than ready to get out and have a life again. Instead of behind the walls of the prison, never mind their actual meals had been catered or that they weren't on duty all the time. Being cooped up next to Morelli was hard to take sometimes, especially listening to his screams when Hector had him in the shower. One time Joe was bent over the sink in the shower room, Hector's face watching Joe's eyes in the mirror, pretty soon the guys could hear Hector crooning 'come with me and be my love cupcake'and at that moment of hearing the word 'CUPCAKE,' Morelli moaned, then screamed in pain and frustration.

Hector was the one who didn't want it to end with Morelli. He was sad to say goodbye, but all good things must end. Right?

Manny led prisoner #678945 out to the van, transporting a whimpering, broken man; total opposite of when he was in court, the arrogant person who thought getting up on the stand was enough.

He thought he would be set free at that time; instead, he woke to a nightmare of epic proportions. Now he knew exactly how Stephanie Michelle Plum felt when he violated her repeatedly, hearing that word, 'CUPCAKE' he had taken his freedom for granted, now he was locked up in a different prison, one, which his mind couldn't escape.

Being led out of the van, into his wing of the hospital, something made him look up at the same time Helen was in line, coming out of her wing both Jennifer and Ms. Em were watching this eye contact very closely indeed. They set it up perfectly. The timing was right and just a glimpse of each other at first.

Helen saw her 'Anthony' coming home from work. Finally!

Morelli saw his 'cupcake,' close enough to his version of her, who cares if wasn't really her, just someone who looked like her.

She gave a nod.

He nodded back.

They weren't allowed to talk. Opposite sexes couldn't mingle or communicate. They each had their own wings, but remarkably, both Helen and Joe settled down. In their own minds, both were happy.

Helen still called herself Mrs. Anthony Morelli to Jennifer/Stephanie

What happened to Morelli?

Why he was happy his 'cupcake' was nearby, after all he did become his father.

Unrequited love happened of all places.

Even at the 'Lunatic Asylum for Trenton' Aka 'Trenton psychiatric hospital'

5 years later:

Carlos and Stephanie were getting ready to get married in the backyard of their home. The weather was cooperating, it was perfect. Carlos was standing in the garden, waiting for Stephanie to appear. Tank, beside him.

He thought back to the first time they made love. It happened about 3 years ago, neither was expecting it. That had made it even more special. He had taken her back to that little Cuban restaurant. After dinner, he took her home, went for their walk that they had done every night. Since they had first met.

It was their time to connect and just be by themselves. Stephanie had learned to let Carlos take the lead at times, now it was a give and take relationship. She had learned to trust Carlos and in herself the most.

All thanks to Ella, who she still saw for therapy.

The kiss he gave her that night, set feelings and emotions loose that had been buried for a long time. His kisses always made her melt, but that night, something else had come into play. One thing led to another and before either knew what had happened, they were in bed. She froze for a second; Carlos noticed and told her they could wait. She said 'NO,' she didn't wait to put her life on hold any longer.

Carlos was gentle and loving. Stephanie went with feeling the moment. After lying there, they talked about it. She said, 'you were right, I would know when the moment was right, I just hope I didn't disappoint you.' 'You could never disappoint me Babe' he said, laying a gentle kiss on her lips. They both said 'I love you' and went to sleep in each other's arms.

Carlos came out of his thoughts as he had seen Stephanie on her daddy's arms coming towards him.

She was wearing a Simple white gown, which showed off her figure. (All that self-defense training had toned her.) Her hair was in a simple French braid. She took his breath away.

When she got to him, he turned to Frank and said, 'thank you sir for allowing me to take care of 'Babe'.' Frank knew Carlos would take very good care of 'his baby girl'; he just nodded, went and sat down tears running down his cheeks and a lump in his throat. Stephanie turned to her dad, gave him a small smile, and blew him a kiss.

As the priest started talking about obeying, they both looked at each other and almost started laughing. (As if that was going to happen, they both thought) They continued listening to the priest talk about love, patience, (they had an abundance of that) and understanding.

Carlos had learned that Stephanie had a stubborn streak and at times, it was funny when she decided to put her foot down. The one that came to mind the most was trying to learn to cook. He wanted her to at least try, she was adamant not to. He finally agreed with her after she almost set their new kitchen on fire.

As the priest told the people gathered, that Carlos and Stephanie wanted to say their own vows, she started.

'Carlos, since the day I met you. We have had a connection. You and I both felt it. You have supported me and I love you more than ever for that. You have been more than patient with me and for that I love you. I used to think that dreams do not come true, but this quickly changed the moment I laid my eyes on you. I promise to love you, support you, as you have with me. Accept this ring, with all my love and devotion, for as long as you'll have me.' Slipping the ring on his finger.

Carlos grinning at Stephanie and said, 'Babe' (meaning you'll never get rid of me), started his vows. 'Babe,' since I first saw your picture, I felt as if I knew you. When we met, I knew we had a connection that would last us a lifetime. I admire you, for what you went through and came out on the other side, stronger than any of us thought you could. Before I met you, I never knew what it was like, to look at someone and smile for no reason. Accept this ring as a token of my love, support and devotion, for as long as you'll have me. Slipping the ring on her finger, they grinned at each other.

The priest finished and announced, 'I am pleased to present, Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Manoso,' to the small crowd that was gathered.

They had a small reception, just like the wedding. Stephanie was still scared leaving the house, but she did occasionally. Always with a guard though.

Hector had installed computers in their new house that had search programs, for Stephanie's research. All linked to Rangeman.

She loved working for Carlos' Company. Business was booming so much that Carlos and Tank had to hire some new guys. They had opened a new Bond Enforcement division. Stephanie had started doing the searches for them. If after reading the file for the first time, she didn't want to do it, she passed it onto Lester.

Joe and Ella Juniak was there, they had now been married 3 years. She had opened a Crisis center named "Hope" for victims of violent crimes.

Lester and Melissa got married last year; their engagement was almost as long as Carlos' and Stephanie's. Her practice was booming unfortunately due to an upswing in domestic crimes. She won all the cases though. Her record was still undefeated in Court.

Judge Sharpton had stepped down after serving a term in Trenton. He wanted to retire and spend some quality time with family and friends he had in the area.

Helen did come out of her being 'Mrs Morelli', only for brief periods. She was always asking Jennifer/Stephanie to bring the baby for a visit and when Jennifer said 'no.' Helen went after her as she had done to Stephanie for years.

Jennifer Brown and Ms. Em had read about Stephanie and Carlos' upcoming marriage and contacted Melissa. Seems Helen and Joe had a moment of clarity the day it was in the paper.

They had to sedate both, as they tried to destroy the wings they lived in.

Joe Morelli was filling his sentence out at the Hospital; no one really thought he would ever be released from there anyway, as a matter of fact, every Dr. that had seen him, walked away shaking their heads and asking themselves, 'How can anyone think that taking a girl like he did is right?' He still thought that what he did that night to Stephanie was the right thing to do. He still called her 'cupcake' every day, but it was Helen not Stephanie that he saw and said that to for brief moments each day.

Hector still missed 'his cupcake' but since they did the security at the hospital, he would see Joe and he would turn running, mumbling words that no one could understand.

Carlos was taking Stephanie on a 2-week honeymoon to Hawaii. He found a secluded beach and bungalow, where they would have privacy and be out of the public's eye. Stephanie was scared; she had been honest with herself and everyone else. However, as in anything that is important to help the healing process. This would be just another step in that direction. She couldn't wait to be alone with Carlos.

She found out that she would never forget what had happened. Nevertheless, with time and the support of Carlos and her family, she would move on. Albeit a bit slowly.

Again, thanks for reading and reviewing, hope it brought closure to this journey of Stephanie for you.