In case you wondered how things turned out for the young couple, here's a rather fast paced epilogue. Enjoy.

46. Epilogue - Surviving Loss Makes You Stronger

Despite missing Carlos so much that it hurt at times, I did manage to get used to his absence. We talked via email almost daily and on the phone once a week. Carlos sounded happy and I was glad for that. My classes were challenging, and that kept me busy. That was a good thing.

Mary Lou's wedding and bachelorette party were a lot of fun. Despite my mother's efforts, Joe was nowhere to be seen at the wedding. I managed to spend an entire weekend in Trenton and not run into him once. My mother was polite to Ricardo, but I don't think she really understood why he was there in the first place. When my father and Ricardo started talking, my mother took the opportunity to mingle with the gossipers, unhindered by my father.

I think she was asked about my date a lot. I didn't know, nor did I care one iota what she told them. It was none of their business. All that mattered to me was that Mary Lou and Lennie had a great day, and from what I could see, they did.

After the wedding, school got a bit more hectic, but I always made time for dinner on Sundays at the Manosos. Carlos appreciated my presence as he was only allowed one call, as did his parents. It would be hard for Carlos not to talk to his family if I wasn't able to join them on week. On the other hand, he'd miss speaking to me if I wasn't there.

The FBI came to me with 3 cases before the Christmas break. All 3 were simple enough, and I dragged them out long enough so they didn't get used to a speedy solve. Between the FBI work and my class work, I rarely had an evening off.

Carlos surprised me when he came home for 3 days at Thanksgiving. He was done his basic training and was about to deploy overseas. The location was classified, but that was pretty typical. I was just so happy to see him. I took him to lunch at my parents and then we went to dinner at his parents. We spent every other second together. Luckily, I didn't have too much homework to do that weekend.

My mother gave up harassing me, especially when my father took my side. She was too caught up in my sister's pregnancy. In fact, at Christmas, we were all going to California to meet my new niece. I had hoped that Carlos might make it home, but he had emailed me to let me know that was not possible.

In the early New Year, I spoke with Agent Stewart and discussed options for going to post secondary school. I wasn't really sure what I wanted to do, but I knew that I wasn't finished with my education. Agent Steward suggested the Forensic Accounting department at Georgetown. I would also be able to work with the FBI while I was there on active cases, rather than the piecemeal cases I get. My fees would remain the same.

I enrolled and was quickly accepted to the Autumn programme at Georgetown. I figured that Agent Steward has something to do with that, but my grades in college were pretty good, so that would help as well.

Carlos' communication became a little more sporadic after he went overseas. He emailed regularly, but not consistently. Sometimes it was just a few words. Other times he wrote what would equal pages of text. He was not able to telephone us at all. Even though there were no more Sunday evening calls, I still went to the Manoso's for dinner every other Sunday. I alternated weeks with my family and just plain old studying.

Jimmy went in for his surgery in March. He came through it fine, and he made us all laugh when we went to see him in recovery by proposing to Molly. Of course she accepted and we were all really happy for the two of them.

When classes ended for the year, I asked Ricardo if I could work for him again. He agreed and I would commute from New Brunswick. It wasn't really that far. My graduation ceremony was approaching. I mentioned it in passing to the Manosos. I didn't really expect them to go, but I thought Ricardo needed to know because I would have to miss work that day.

On the day of my graduation, I met my parents for breakfast and then we separated. My parents went to find a seat and I went to meet up with the other graduates. We marched in along with the usual pomp and circumstance. Once we were all seated, there was a bit of a disturbance at the back of the room. I couldn't see anything but I did catch sight of my parents.

My father was grinning and my mother looked rather upset. I had no idea what that was all about, but wasn't really in a position to investigate. Instead, I focused on the ceremony and speeches. They weren't all that bad, really. All this time, I had a funny tingling sensation down the back of my neck. It was weird, but it was familiar. I couldn't place it, but was able to ignore it.

Next, we got our diplomas, going in alphabetical order. When my name was called, I expected some loud clapping from my dad. I did not expect the reaction I received. There were cat calls, screams of congratulations, and most of all, a single word that stood out from the rest. That word was 'Babe.'

My head whipped around and I immediately made eye contact with Carlos. He was there and he was in his uniform. He was even more handsome than I remembered. Standing beside him were Tom, Bobby, Lester, Vince, and the rest of the Manoso family. A clearing of a throat beside me made me turn back around to find my Accounting Professor laughing at me.

"Miss Plum, just shake my hand, take your diploma and go greet your young man. You've worked so hard this year while he has been serving our country. I'm sure you're excited to see him again."

I smiled and nodded, and then followed his instructions. I turned with my diploma and in hand and grinned at the crowd. Instead of following the rest of my fellow graduates off to the side of the stage, I ran towards the bleachers at the back of the room. Carlos was on his feet and we met ½ way. Before I could even take a breath, Carlos' arms were around me and I was kissing him like he was oxygen.

The next three days were bliss. Carlos came home because his commander gave him some time off to make a decision. He and his friends were offered an opportunity to train with the Rangers with Carlos as their leader. If they were successful, they would enter the formal Rangers training after a year. He came home to discuss this with me because it could affect our plans.

I told Carlos that if he wanted this, I'd support him. We would figure it out together. It did mean that Carlos would spend a lot more time in the US for the time being. The Rangers trained in the US, and then he and his team would be deployed as needed. Rangers teams don't tend to be deployed as long as regular army members.

After Carlos left, I had to go to D.C. to meet up with Agent Steward. I would still work cases for them like I did the previous year, at the same pay rate, but now I'd have to do it at the FBI offices in D.C. To aid in this, he suggested a few apartments in the vicinity that were secure and close to the Georgetown campus.

I applied for one of the apartments and Agent Steward attached a letter of recommendation that almost guaranteed me the apartment. I was renting rather than buying because I already owned an apartment in New Jersey. Speaking of that apartment, Molly and Jimmy were going to live there. Christie was moving to New York. She had a low-level job at a top marketing firm. We didn't get to see each other much.

My PHD classes and FBI work kept me busy. I also did some behavioural analysis training with the FBI on slow weeks. It was really interesting and I really enjoyed the training. My Masters and PHD were going really well. Normally you do them in succession, but I was given permission to do them simultaneously because I was able to convince the FBI to use a case I had solved the previous year as my case study. A lot of the details were redacted for security reasons, but the fundamental information was still available. I knew the case well and it lent itself to a very interesting thesis.

I met with my advisor regularly and she was very impressed with the work I'd done so far. Not many people can get as far through their thesis as I had in such a short time. It was the end of my first year, and most people have only started to get an idea fleshed out into a basic plan. I had my thesis written in rough form already. I guess I was motivated and eager to get on with things. The fact that I was so far ahead meant that I had quite a lot of time to dedicate to my training at the FBI.

Up to this point, I was still not an employee of the FBI. I was a consultant. They contracted me on a case-by-case basis and I was able to take advantage of their various training programs. Director Steward asked me to teach a class and lead the training at the FBI for forensic accounting once I had my PHD. I was honoured, but not sure if that was the right thing for me to do. We came to a compromise that meant that I could train now, take cases, and once I graduated, I'd revisit the suggestion. I had a feeling that they expected me to work for them, but I wasn't sure if that was right for me, especially because I had no idea where I'd be once Carlos and I were married.

By the time I was half way through my second year, I agreed to work cases for the FBI and consult as an instructor once I had my PHD. The training sounded like a lot of fun and I was looking forward to it. The only issue would be how to schedule it once we got married and Carlos was back home.

Speaking of getting married, Carlos called the other day to confirm his dates for leave. He had 6 weeks leave after he returned from his training overseas with the Rangers. After that, he and his friends would do formal Ranger training at Fort Benning. Carlos would be given a house on base and I would be able to join him. I should be done my PHD by then, so the only thing to worry about was Agent Steward and his reaction to this news.

I needn't have worried. Agent Steward knew that Carlos was going to be a Ranger and made a very acceptable suggestion. When Carlos was stateside, I could work from a satellite office near the base. I could work on cases and travel as necessary. When Carlos was deployed, I could come back to D.C. or go to Quantico and run the training programme. They would work around my schedule.

I explained this to Carlos and he thought that it would be a great idea. We made arrangements for a wedding the following spring. I hadn't seen Carlos much since my graduation 1.5 years ago. I did see him at Easter last year and then again for New Year this year. We emailed almost every day and spoke on the phone whenever possible. I missed him a lot, but I was pretty busy with my life to let it get me down too much. When it did get to me, it was in the quiet hours of the morning or when I was in a long journey in the car. Basically when my mind wasn't focussed on anything in particular and was able to dwell on the reality that the love of my life was far away and most likely in danger. Luckily, Ricardo, Maria and Rosa are only a phone call away. They have been wonderful to me. I don't get to see them all that much now that I live in D.C., but I go up at least every other month to visit with them and my family.

Molly and Jimmy got married in November. None of the guys were able to make it, but they did send a huge gift. They sent an entire nursery set for the baby that Molly was expecting. They planned the wedding long before Molly got pregnant. She was only a couple of months along for her big day, but it did make people gossip that the wedding was a necessity because of the baby. Molly didn't care. She and Jimmy loved each other and that's all that mattered to them. It was a lovely wedding and it made me excited for my own wedding that would be in 6 months. I missed Carlos, but knowing that I'd see him soon was enough to hold the tears at bay until I was away from the happy couple.

Christie was doing really well in New York. One of her sketches was seen by one of the big wigs and he insisted that she be moved onto his team. She excelled and brought in fresh ideas that seemed to be very popular. She even met a guy. He was a lawyer who worked in the same office building. I met him at Molly's wedding and he seemed like a really nice guy. He treated Christie well, so that made him a good guy in my eyes.

Christmas and New Years Eve went by with little fanfare. I spent Christmas with my family and then I went to Newark for New Years Eve. I had a surprise phone call just before midnight and we all had a brief chat with Carlos. He called to with us a happy new year and to let me know that his leave for our wedding and honeymoon in May and June has been fully processed and approved.

Maria, my mother and I had already planned everything. My mother has finally resigned herself to the fact that she has no say in my life. She didn't really have a choice. I told her last year that if she didn't approve of Carlos, she should stay out of my life altogether. I think my father helped there.

Another thing that calmed my mother down was when her prize stallion, Joe Morelli, accidentally knocked up the town whore. He and Joyce Barnhart got married 6 months ago and then welcomed the ugliest baby I'd ever seen into the world. I'm so glad I only saw pictures because I would not have been able to suppress a grimace in person.

I fast-tracked my MBA and PHD in forensic accounting, and defended my thesis two days before Carlos was due home. Carlos came home on a Wednesday and our wedding was that Saturday. Somehow, my mother managed to get our church booked, but the reception was going to be on the roof garden at my apartment in New Brunswick. We had the roof all set up, and the apartment as a fall-back in case the weather doesn't hold. Molly and Jimmy just bought a house, so they weren't there any longer, so it was not an inconvenience to them.

Rosa was staying in the apartment. Between her, Maria, my mother and Grandma Mazur, the food would be self catered and most likely delicious. The cake was the only thing that wasn't being made by a member of the families. I asked a friend who works at the bakery in Trenton to make the cake. My father would transport it in his taxi on the day of the wedding.

I met Carlos at the airport when he arrived. We hugged for about 15 minutes before finally leaving the airport. We were going to stay at my apartment in New Brunswick, but we wanted to stop off at the Manosos on the way. Rosa was there and explained that she would be staying in Newark until after we left. She loved my apartment and I was fine with her living there. I also appreciated that she would not be there before or after our wedding.

The big day arrived. All of the guys made it back in time. All of Carlos' family from Miami made it up, as did my sister and her family. She was currently pregnant with her second. I think my mother spent most of the time leading up to the wedding catering to my sister. She pretty much ignored me, which was fine by me. I didn't need her judging me. I was marrying the man of my dreams.

Speaking of the man of my dreams, did you get a look at him? Somehow, just under 3 years in the army has turned a handsome young man into the hottest thing I've ever seen. He's still the same guy at heart though, and he loves me just as much as I love him.

We stood in front of friends, family and God and declared our love for each other. We had a great party afterwards, followed by the most amazing honeymoon in Jamaica. After the honeymoon, Carlos attended my graduation ceremony and I attended a promotion ceremony of his. We were now Captain and Doctor Manoso.

We moved into a house on the base at Fort Benning. It was a nice house and the neighbours were all wonderful. Carlos did his training and I worked as an FBI consultant. We were happy, and even though I didn't get to see Carlos on a daily basis, I did see him more than before we were married.

You know that old saying, "Patience will make the heart grow fonder." Well, I can confirm that it is indeed true. I love Carlos now, more than I ever did before. If you take anything from my story, it should be that happiness is there for you to grab hold of, but only if you're brave enough to fight for it.

Well, there you have it. Initially, I was going to write 2 epilogue chapters, but I like how this one ended and think I'll leave it there. It's a happily ever after story that can go any number of ways. I will let you all use your imagination to finish the story.

I'll come back with a new story at some point, but I want to have the story 100% complete before publishing chapters. I find that much less stressful and more fun. See you all in my next story.

Cheers,
L.