Stephanie looks in the mirror, watching Faith pull her curls into a pile on top of her head before securing it with an elastic. "How are you feeling?" Faith asks. She grabs some bobby pins, using her teeth to spread them before tucking them into Stephanie's hair.
"I'm a little nervous. Not for the ceremony, but moving so close to Trenton for school," Stephanie confesses. "You know how weird Helen gets. She's angry I refused to visit after she doused Carlos and me with ice water at Valerie's wedding reception."
"Sweetie, that incident happened last year, and she's still your mother," Faith reminds Stephanie.
"Biologically, Helen is my mother. You're the mom that counts," Stephanie replies. Faith hugs Stephanie and kisses the back of her head before returning to the task of doing Stephanie's hair.
"Are you going to forgive Helen for her actions, at least?"
Stephanie sighs. "I already have. There isn't any reason to hold onto that anger. It's in the past and doesn't impact my future."
"You don't have to get married right away," Faith adds. She points to the makeup bag on the counter. Stephanie removes the lip gloss and applies it to her lips. She can hardly wait to marry her best friend.
"Mom, Carlos and I want to get married before living together. Besides, I think Dad's happy Carlos and I aren't going to live in sin," Stephanie replies. "Have I ever thanked you for talking to me the morning after the wedding?"
"Many times, Steph," Faith laughs. "Everything you felt and thought was perfectly normal. Did the therapist help you?"
"Yes. She was wonderful. I don't know why I felt guilty for having sex with Carlos," Stephanie says, shaking her head.
"It's because of what that Morelli boy did to you," Faith reasons. Stephanie knows her stepmother isn't wrong. It's the same thing the therapist told her.
The morning after Valerie's wedding, news of Joseph Morelli's death circulated through the Burg. Joe died in a bar fight like his father had four years earlier. The woman claimed Joe attacked her, and another bar patron jumped to her defence. Joe Morelli died from a stab wound to his right kidney.
Angie tried to sue the man responsible for her son's death, but Joe Juniak provided the evidence from Stephanie's attack to the prosecution. They decided to dismiss the charges since the woman's injuries matched those found on Stephanie's body.
"Carlos was supportive and didn't get angry," Stephanie sighs.
"He loves you unconditionally."
"I feel the same way about him," Stephanie replies. She smiles at her stepmom's reflection. "Thank you for doing my hair. I love it."
"It was my pleasure, sweetie. You look beautiful."
"Thank you. Do you think this dress is okay? Grandma Gia redesigned her wedding gown," Stephanie asks, brushing down the delicate lace covering the bodice. She looks into Faith's eyes in the mirror.
"It's perfect, Stephanie. Carlos isn't going to care about your dress." Faith giggles when her watch alarm sounds. "Come on, sweet daughter, your groom awaits."
Stephanie slips into her flip-flops. She meets her father at the patio door. He slides it open, letting Faith exit before them. Music plays through the speakers in the backyard. Stephanie hums as her father walks her through the yard to the beach, where Carlos and the priest wait with the wedding guests. Before stepping onto the warm sand, Stephanie kicks off her flip-flops.
The Manosos are sitting on benches facing the beach. There aren't sides for the bride and groom. Everyone mixes together according to their wishes. Stephanie smiles at her guests as she walks across the beach toward Carlos, who returns her smile.
She can't wait to become Mrs. Carlos Manoso. Stephanie's blue eyes never leave Carlos' warm brown. They repeat the words as the priest speaks. The priest reminds them to attend mass on Sunday for a blessing. Stephanie and Carlos agree before they exchange vows.
Carlos takes Stephanie's hand. He gazes into Stephanie's beautiful eyes, "Stephanie, you are my best friend and my one true love. I vow to love you faithfully and unconditionally through difficult and easy times. Whatever may come, I promise to always be there with love as I have given my life to you. This ring is my symbol of my unending love and devotion." Carlos slips the ring on Stephanie's finger.
Still holding his hand, Stephanie accepts the ring from the priest. "Carlos, you are my best friend and my one true love. I vow to love you faithfully and unconditionally through difficult and easy times," Stephanie says, repeating the beginning of his vows. "I promise to continue our dance of love through the difficult and easy times. I promise to be there with love. I give you this ring as my symbol of unending love and devotion to prove I have given my life to you." Stephanie slips the ring onto Carlos' finger.
Carlos cups Stephanie's cheek and brushes away the tear slipping from her eye. Stephanie giggles and leans into his touch. "You may now kiss your bride," the priest says, interrupting their intimate moment. Carlos kisses Stephanie without taking it too far.
Everyone jumps to their feet to celebrate the union of Stephanie and Carlos. "Thank you for performing our wedding ceremony on the beach," Stephanie says to the priest.
"It was my pleasure. Remember to attend church on Sunday to get this union convalidated." Father Gary chuckles when Stephanie furrows her brows. He explains, "A convalidation ceremony is a religious ceremony for a Catholic couple to be legally wed under Canon law."
"That makes sense," Stephanie replies.
"We'll see you on Sunday," Carlos says. Father Gary has to leave and prepare for mass that night. Stephanie and Carlos sign the paperwork before Father Gary goes.
"I'll file the certificate with the registry on Monday," Father Gary promises.
Stephanie and Carlos escort Father Gary to the street. They wave goodbye before returning to their guests.
Faith and Maria have tables and chairs in the backyard for everyone to sit and eat. They woke early to prepare the feast for the wedding. Rosa and Ella made the desserts. "When do you think Carlos and Stephanie will have children?" Maria asks, setting the ropa vieja on the food table. Everyone will grab a plate to serve themselves buffet style.
"Carlos wants to wait until they graduate from college," Faith replies. "Maria, they will have children when it's right for them, not when you want them to."
"I can't stop imagining my grandchildren with Carlos' skin tone and Stephanie's gorgeous blue eyes," Maria sighs—the imagery firmly embedded in her mind. Maria has kept dreaming about her potential grandchildren from Carlos and Stephanie, since they were children.
"I'm glad they got married before living together in sin," Rosa adds.
Faith giggles, "That's what Frank said. I'm sure he would have relaxed his stance if Stephanie and Carlos didn't get married today."
"How will they support themselves?" Maria suddenly asks. The thought had never entered her mind until now.
"Frank and I set money aside for the children to attend college. Stephanie had a part-time job and saved her earnings," Faith replies. She organizes the food before running into the house for dishes and cutlery.
Rosa waits for Faith to return before adding her input, "Carlos worked odd jobs, too. He saved every penny for school."
"I heard Carlos received a scholarship for playing soccer," Faith says.
"He did. Carlos mentioned Stephanie received one for dance despite registering for Business Administration. I'm surprised she didn't apply to Juilliard."
"Stephanie didn't want to live in New York. She wants to open her own studio, not work for the dance companies," Faith explains. "Stephanie volunteered to teach the junior dance group at the school." The women continue chatting as the guests make their way into the backyard.
"Mom, Abuela, we need photos with you," Stephanie shouts.
"You too," Carlos says to his mom.
It doesn't take long for the photographer to take the pictures of Stephanie and Carlos. Stephanie wants to change her clothes before sitting at the table to eat. She doesn't want to soil her grandmother's gown. Carlos follows Stephanie to her bedroom to change from the rental tux. "I can't wait to make love to you," Stephanie whispers.
"Me neither," Carlos replies. "I'd make love to you now, but you're not quiet." Carlos and Stephanie took their time to explore each other's bodies and found ways to seek pleasure. Every encounter was better than the one before.
"You, my love, aren't exactly silent," Stephanie teases. She pulled her sundress over her head. It falls to her knees.
Stephanie smiles as she watches Carlos' sexy show of pulling on his black shorts and olive shirt. The colour looks fantastic on him. She wonders if he still plans to join the Army. "Babe, what's on your mind?" he asks, pulling Stephanie from her thoughts.
"Oh. Are you going to enlist once you graduate?"
Carlos wraps his arms around Stephanie, pulling her into a tight hug. He kisses her nose and lips before replying, "Yes, Stephanie. That's the plan. Lester, Bobby and Tank are enlisting when I do."
Stephanie remembers meeting Carlos' friends. They were somewhere outside with the wedding guests. She knew the boys were trying to hook up with the available women. Stephanie's sisters-in-law were off-limits. "Hey, Babe, are you alright with the plan?" Carlos asks.
"I'll support whatever you decide," Stephanie replies. "You know Dad is active. He's planning to continue up the ranks until he becomes a General."
Chuckling, Carlos replies, "He might have mentioned that to me. We have two years to discuss everything. For now, I want to enjoy my status as your husband."
"I'm proud to be your wife," Stephanie says. Carlos helps Stephanie slip the sandals on her feet, carefully tying the ribbons around her ankles. She giggles when he kisses her foot.
Stephanie and Carlos join the party in the backyard. The music isn't too loud, which pleases the neighbours. Faith passes Stephanie and Carlos plates containing servings of various Cuban foods. Stephanie sits at the table when the doorbell rings.
"I'll get it," Frank announces. He kisses Faith before entering the house. Frank returns a few minutes later with Valerie and Helen.
"Figures Valerie would bring the Burg troll," Stephanie mumbles. Carlos snorts, alerting Stephanie that she spoke aloud.
"Why me?" Helen laments. "Why can't my daughter marry a nice Burg man in Trenton?"
"Helen, I am not a Burg woman. I have hopes and dreams," Stephanie replies. She's upset with Valerie for bringing their mother. Stephanie doesn't want Helen at her wedding reception. Helen isn't supposed to be here.
"Mom said she lost her invitation," Valerie explains. She shifts Angie to her opposite shoulder. Angie fusses from needing a diaper change. "Oh. I have to change Angie."
"Do you mind if I change her?" Faith offers. Valerie tells Faith she left the diaper bag in the main floor bedroom.
Stephanie pinches the bridge of her nose. She takes many deep, calming breaths before speaking to Valerie, "Mom lied. She never received an invitation to my wedding because I didn't want her here. Don't you remember what she did at your ceremony and reception?"
"You changed the dress without discussing it with me," Helen snaps. Stephanie ignores her mother.
"Valerie, Mom threw water on Carlos and me. She had to pay a few thousand dollars to replace the floor from the damage she caused by the servers dropping the tray of dishes on the hardwood when she slipped on an ice cube," Stephanie reminds her.
"Mom said you spilled the water," Valerie gasps. It takes a few seconds for Valerie to realize Helen isn't telling the truth. "Oh. Mom lied."
"Yes, Valerie. Mom lied about the invitation to my wedding and the water she threw at Carlos and me for dancing," Stephanie exasperatedly says. She shakes her head and takes Carlos' hand. They walk through the house to the front door.
"Leave her alone, Helen," Frank yells. Cal and Cody stare at their dad in shock. It was the second time they heard Frank raise his voice. The first time was at Valerie's wedding. Frank prevents Helen from following Stephanie and Carlos. He knew they would leave for Newark immediately.
Lester, Bobby and Tank leave with Carlos and Stephanie after collecting the house keys from Carlos' Tio Luis. They have two vans to drive to New Brunswick, NJ. The men plan to travel through the night until they arrive at the home Frank and their parents found for them to rent during the school year.
Ella and Luis Guzman own the house. They are relocating to Miami to stay with Ella's mother, Rosa Manoso, who is Carlos' grandmother. Rosa doesn't need anyone living with her, but Luis found a maintenance job in Miami. Selling their home in New Brunswick isn't an option until Luis finds a permanent position.
Carlos and Stephanie insist on paying their aunt rent for using the house. They will also cover the utility bills while living there. Ella and Luis left their furniture behind for Carlos and the others to use. Luis made sturdy bed frames for Tank, Bobby and Lester.
Frank glares at Helen. He isn't sure how to handle his ex-wife. She needs to leave Miami. "Helen, why are you here?" Frank demands.
"Valerie mentioned Stephanie's marriage. I'm her mother and have a right to be here," Helen says. Her rant is cut short by the ringing telephone in the living room.
Cal answers the call. He listens briefly before hollering, "Dad, it's for you." Joe Juniak told Cal not to announce his name.
Releasing a frustrated breath, Frank takes the phone. "Hello," he answers.
"Frank, is Helen there? She missed her court appearance for destroying property charges from the community centre," Joe Juniak replies. "Helen's officially an FTA."
"Yes, she's here," Frank snarls, staring at Helen.
"Don't say anything. I have someone contacting MDPD to arrest Helen," Joe explains. Frank patiently waits until Joe says, "Five minutes out. They have someone patrolling in the area."
Frank ends the call without saying goodbye. Turning to Helen and Valerie, who is standing beside her mother. "There's plenty of food to go around. It's mainly Cuban, but we have some Italian dishes," Frank offers without giving away the plan.
Helen sighs with noticeable relief. Frank gently guides Helen to the backyard. Faith smiles and offers the guests a plate to serve themselves. Reading Frank's expression, Faith asks her sons to carry the leftovers into the kitchen. The Manosos quickly assist as they move their grandchildren into the house.
All the children were safely inside the house when the police arrived to arrest Helen Mazur for skipping bail. Valerie stares at her mother in shock. She didn't know Helen had court earlier that day. "Mom?" Valerie asks.
"Why me? I did nothing wrong. It's all Stephanie's fault," Helen laments. Frank shakes his head as the officer reads Helen her rights. "I need a lawyer, Frank."
"A US Marshall will accompany you to Trenton," the officer announces. Helen hangs her head in defeat. She knows there isn't anything she can do to make things easier for herself.
"What about my car?" she asks.
"I'll have someone return it to Trenton," Frank replies. Ricardo's other son, Alejandro, motions that he will drive the car home. Frank ensures Alejandro has the paperwork to return the vehicle to Trenton. He doesn't want an officer with the State Highway Patrol to arrest Alex for theft.
Faith, Maria, Ella and Rosa store the leftovers in plastic containers and wash the dishes. They enjoy a glass of wine as they speak in Spanish. Valerie feels left out, but Celia and Mariela take pity on her. Arianna and Olivia are too young for adult conversations but old enough to watch the younger children. Valerie smiles when Angie falls asleep while Olivia sings her a Spanish lullaby.