Disclaimer: Don't own anything but the plot and Annie. Even the title is borrowed from Van Morrison.

Italics - Spanish

Some bad words, some violence, and fade into black sex-scenes, nothing too graphic.

x x x

A big THANK YOU to those who have read and/or reviewed my very first fanfiction-story! Just a short epilogue left. For those who want to read more from this Alternate Universe I have a short fluffy story, 8 chapters, with Bobby Brown I will continue to publish after this. It's called 'Breathe a Sigh', and I will post every second day, starting this Wednesday.

DOUBLE POST TODAY. DO NOT MISS CHAPTER 28.

Epilogue

The weather in Miami was a definite improvement to Trenton´s, Annie thought to herself. The last week they had had cold weather and quite a lot of rain, but Miami had sunshine, balmy winds and even a nice temperature in the water. Not that they had had the time to go swimming yet, but she had packed two swimsuits. One for bathing and one for teasing Tank, if she was honest with herself. The plane had just landed, and they were about to get into the cars that Rangeman had sent over to pick them up.

Annie smiled when Tank said that they were staying at a small hotel, the others in the company were in a bigger more fancy one, but the one Tank had picked was more romantic. They got into a car of their own, after waving good bye to Ella, Luis, Hector, Bobby, Mary Lou and her family, plus Dougie, Mooner and Sally Sweet.

Valerie and her family were not coming for the christening. Instead the whole family would come for a mini vacation two weeks later. The sisters had tried to mend their relationship, and it seemed to be working when they were away from Helen Plum´s toxic influence.

"I must say I´m happy to be on our own," Annie said. "I like the guys, and Mary Lou and her family were really nice, but I'm looking forward to be just us. Even though I think that going out with Sally Sweet could be fun."

"We're not that far away from their hotel, if you want to get together it´ll be easy."

"Decisions, decisions… Romantic time with you or partying with Sally Sweet." Annie gave him a quick kiss. "You'll win every time."

"We're invited over to Casa Mañoso for brunch tomorrow. It will be just us plus Bobby and Hector. The rest of the invited guests will come over a couple of hours later."

"Sounds good. It's strange, I´ve never met Stephanie, but she feels like an old friend."

They ate at a romantic restaurant, tried out the bed and shower, and declared that the ones at Tank´s house were better for extracurricular activities, but the view from the windows were much better here. The hotel´s bed and shower were not in any way in a bad condition, they just didn´t seem as sturdy as Tank preferred. They even took the time for a midnight stroll at the beach before they went to sleep.

The next morning they dressed, Tank in khaki trousers and a red shirt, Annie in a blue sundress, before they got into the car and drove over to Casa Mañoso. Annie and Stephanie hit it off from the start. The brunch was delicious, and Annie got to hear a trademark Stephanie moan when she ate a doughnut. Of course they got to know Tank´s goddaughter, six weeks old Stella, as well as one can know a six week old. She looked tiny in Tank´s big hands.

Frank Plum seemed to flourish in the warmer weather away from his soon to be ex-wife. Helen had signed the divorce papers, and Frank had changed his phone number. He was still thinking of driving across the country, but had decided to stay in Miami for a while. He had his own apartment over the garage, and didn´t feel like he intruded too much on his daughter and son-in-law. He said that Joe Juniak had called. He was still trying to get everything together at the City hall and was also involved in some things at the police department. As Juniak said, he may have been blackmailed to help Morelli, but compared to some of the people in the police department he was a shining example. He hoped to be finished with everything in a month or two, and had already sold his big house. Now he was considering what to do in the future. He had enough to live comfortably for the rest of his life, so he didn´t really need a new job.

Annie excused herself and went to the restroom, and on her way back to the others she took a detour to the balcony and looked at the view over the ocean.

"Beautiful!" someone said and gave her a hug from behind. "I can't believe you had a baby just a few weeks ago! You look great!"

"That might be because she didn´t," Tank said. "Hi Lester. If you let her go you can be introduced to Annie."

Lester immediately let go of Annie, who couldn´t help but laugh.

"I sure am grateful that I don´t look like I had a baby just a few weeks ago. That said, Stephanie definitely doesn't look like she recently gave birth."

Lester blushed and for once didn´t know what to say. Tank stepped in.

"Annie, this is Lester Santos. The fourth partner in Rangeman, and the manager of the Boston office. Lester, this is Annie Morrison, Stephanie- look-a-like from behind, and my girlfriend."

Annie held out her hand, and Lester finally composed himself.

"Hello," Annie said. "Nice to finally meet you, I've heard a lot about you."

"Hello. Nice to meet you too. I´ve heard about you as well."

"Bobby is a gossip," Tank said in an aside to Annie.

"Lester!" Steph came out on the balcony and hugged him tightly.

"Beautiful! You look great!"

Annie and Tank couldn´t help their laughs, and excused themselves for the moment.

The rest of the guests arrived shortly afterwards, and they had an afternoon full of laughter and good food.

The next day Stella Maria Mañoso was baptized. Godparents were Tank and Carlos sister Celia.

x x x

In a prison cell far away from Miami Joe Morelli woke up with a start. A huge Latino with two teardrop tattoos was standing just inside the cell.

"Hi Cupcake. I have a message for you," were the last words he remembered before he woke up in the medical ward.