Chapter 25: Saint Hedwig Church 872 Brunswick Ave Trenton New Jersey The 1st Saturday in June

Joseph Morelli and Dr. Denise Hadden stood before the white marble alter that featured a relief of Leonardo da Vinci's last supper in the base. They turned to each other to say their vows. The groom was devastatingly handsome in the black tuxedo but the bride was dressed in Justin Alexander Delia- with a Sabrina neckline, the fit and flare gown featured beaded floral appliqués as cap sleeves and illusion cutouts that contoured her waistline and a cathedral length train with godets at the sides of the skirt – in it, Denise was stunning. Anthony, the oldest of the Morelli sons, served as best man, and Denise had her sister Sandra as her Matron of Honor.

The bride's Scottish/Polish family sat to the left and the groom's Italian family was seated to the right in the church where Denise had been baptized. Everyone in attendance was delighted with the match. Angie Morelli was dressed in a lavender mother of the bride dress that wasn't matronly in the least. They filled all but the last few rows, which held Joe's friends, all the Trenton PD officers who were off, as well as the friends and colleagues of the bride. There wasn't an empty seat and many were standing along the sides of the church under the ornate stations of the cross.

Carlos and I sat beside the newly engaged Bob Almonte and Maggie Watson. At present, Bob was holding his namesake, who annoyingly never cried when Uncle Bob was holding him. My son was colicky and slept poorly unless in the arms of one of the men in his life. My purpose was nourishment and little else.

I wiped a tear from my eye as the vows finished, so happy for Joe. And Denise. And for this normal day. I no longer took normal days for granted. Carlos handed me his handkerchief. I had become a real weeper lately. Wicked Hormones!

"They are perfect for each other." Carlos stated as the bride and groom passed us as they retreated down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Morelli… Or was it Dr. and Mr. Hadden-Morelli… There had been discussions but I don't know what was decided.

In the receiving line, Joe scooped my son up and gazed at him. "Well done, Stephanie! He is such a good-looking kid." To Carlos he said, "You look better each time I see you. Are you back to work yet?"

"Not full time." Carlos took back the baby. "Soon"

Meanwhile Denise was thanking me again and again for the gift of a month at the Malibu house.

"Don't mention it. After all you and Joe did for us, this is nothing, I…" My tears welled up unbidden and Denise wrapped me in her arms. I managed to squeak out, "You and Joe were meant for each other." Then Carlos led us to our table for the reception. We sat with Eddie and Shirley as well as Bob and Maggie and Michael and Julie Grizolli.

Michael had pulled some strings for Bob and got him an internship at UCLA and he and Maggie were going to be out there starting on July 1st. I offered to have them stay at my Malibu house but it was too far from the hospital. Luckily, the Grizolli family holdings were extensive and a one-bedroom condo had been made available to the couple, rent free. In addition, my brother-in-law managed to have "Jose Almonte's" severance paid to Bob… the real Jose Almonte. He was also entitled to the 401K money automatically banked for all RangeMan employees. A not insubstantial amount of money.

It was the least he deserved for having all that time robbed from him.

Dinner was fabulous, and as dessert was being brought out, Carlos headed home with the baby. The music was fantastic and but I did not lack for dance partners. When Joe and Denise made their way to our table, she took Bob out on the dancefloor and Joe held out his hand to me.

"For old time's sake?"

We waltzed and talked about some of the crazy adventures we had together, how much he loved Denise, how good things were getting for me and Carlos, how little my son chose to sleep… At the end of the dance, Joe kissed my forehead.

"I still can't believe you leased Denise the building downtown so she could set her own lab here in Trenton." Joe spoke quietly as we made our way back to my table. "And so far below market rates."

"Well, we couldn't let Roberto's Godparents live so far away." I looked up at Joe. "You both saved my husband, my family." Tears again. Another man's hanky put into my hands.

"Stephanie Michelle Manoso, you gave me the love of my life. I call us even."

I smiled at Joe. "No price."

"No price."

And we all lived happily ever after…