Last chapter. I hope you like it. I'm not sure about it myself, so tell me what you think. Thanks for sticking with me! :)

Disclaimer: JE owns most of these characters. Anyone that you cannot recognize from the books is mine.

Enjoy!

Chapter 14

One Month Later

Steph's POV

"Congrats Beautiful," Les says as we dance across the floor. Carlos and I eloped but decided to have a small reception.

"Thank you," I say. "You seem to be doing pretty good yourself." My eyes cut over to Connie who's currently dancing with Joe. Les and Connie have been seeing each other for a couple months now and Les is thinking about popping the question. Tank has already asked Lula and I'm scheduled to be a bridesmaid next week. It's a merry marrying of merry men. Try saying that three times fast. Bobby also seemed to be doing well in that department too, by the looks of my glowing old college roomie/lawyer. Things seemed to be going well all around. Joe got married last month to a girl from Philly who transferred to the hospital. They're expecting twins in September. Even Grandma Mazur found someone. She moved into the old folks home with him. My parents have never been happier. Carlos cuts in and takes me from Les. I lay my head on his shoulder.

"I love you Babe," he says tilting his head back to look me in the eyes. I smile.

"I love you too Batman," I murmur leaning back into my great smelling safe haven. I love this man with all my heart. I close my eyes and listen to his heartbeat.

One Year Later

Ranger's POV

I grab the newspaper on the way inside after my morning run. I scan the front as I head into the kitchen. On the side is a marriage announcement and the name catches my eye. I flip to the page and stare incredulously. In big bold letters is Jeanne Ellen Burrow and Richard Orr. Jeanne getting married. It's almost laughable, but people change...I guess. I lay the paper down on the table and go over to Steph and Alex. They're making pancakes and it reminds me of a scene one year ago, when I decided I wanted to marry her. I walk over and put an arm around her. Leaving my hand on her stomach. I lean down and give a kiss to my unborn child. I then plant one on her.

"Smells good, what kind are we having this morning?" I ask, knowing that they can come up with some funky pancakes. They both smile.

"Cinnamon and banana," Alex tells me. I grin. Those are the family favorite. Steph smiles at me and my breathing stops for a moment. This scene right here is what I never knew I was waiting for. They finish making the pancakes and we're about to sit down when the door opens and Santos walks in. Alex's face lights up.

"Uncle Lester!" he says with a grin. It's funny how Les was his uncle before I was even in the picture. He's related to us, but he's not exactly Alex's uncle, but that doesn't really matter.

Eighteen Years Later

"Congratulations Ari," I say wrapping my daughter in a hug. She's graduating high school. I can't believe it's been so long. It went by so fast. Alex is already married to a girl from his college. It's crazy. I never would have thought I'd be standing here. With a daughter or a son, for that matter.

"Thanks Dad," she says with a smile that is so much like her mother's. She walks off to go talk to someone when I feel someone slip their arms around my waist. I smile.

"She's grown up so fast," Steph murmurs as she leans her head against my shoulder.

"I know. How am I supposed to keep the boys away from her when she's going to college?" I ask. Steph rolls her eyes.

"That won't help anything, you know," she tells me. "Besides, you do that well enough already." Damien Morelli walks up to my daughter and starts talking to her.

"Not well enough," I mutter slightly angry that he'd have the nerve. He's almost two years older than her. Steph puts a hand on my arm.

"You don't want to upset your daughter, or she might never visit," she tells me. I watch the exchange and he puts his hand on her arm.

"Dad, are you seeing this?" Alex asks coming up to my right. He's talking about Ari. I nod stiffly.

"Shall I go intervene?" he questions. Steph huffs.

"Honestly! She's an adult now," my wife says. Angie, Alex's wife, comes up.

"What's going on?" she asks her eyes going between all of us. Then she focuses on Ari and rolls her eyes.

"You guys aren't honestly thinking about going to break that up, are you?" she questions with a raised eyebrow. Alex shrugs sheepishly and plants a kiss on her forehead.

"'Course not, sweetie pie," he says with a grin. She just shakes her head. She was a good choice. Doesn't put up with his bullshit. Steph grins.

Steph's POV

Ari's graduating already. Blows my mind how quickly time can pass. Seems like only yesterday we had just found out I was pregnant. Ariana Ellen Manoso. Now she's on her way to college. I'm pretty sure she's in love too. With Joe Morelli's son, of all people. Damien may be two years older, but what does that really matter? Carlos is almost two years older. I've seen couples with larger age differences. She's happy talking to him. I can't believe the nerve of my son and husband. Trying to scare the boy off. Ari comes back over to us.

"I can't believe I graduated. I'm going to Rutger's in the fall," she says with a smile. It is hard to believe. I give her a hug.

"I'm so proud of you," I say a tear leaking out of my eye. I wipe it away and pull back.

"You should go talk to Grandma and Grandpa," I say ushering her over to my parents. Before she gets there her Uncle Lester butts in.

"Ari! Congratulations! Party at my house!" he says like the goofball he is. She just grins and thanks him. Alex comes up beside him and claps him on the back.

"I think you just embarrassed her!" he says with a grin. "Good job." Carlos puts his arm around me and I lean into his chest. These last twenty years have been some of the best in my life. It's like the missing piece of the puzzle finally fell into place making everything perfect.

Eight Years Later

Ari's POV

Growing up in the Manoso household was an experience. With a protective older brother and father. Not to mention all the guys at RangeMan. I knew I was loved all the time. My mom, she's amazing, really. How she ever got anything done working there, I'll never know. They were always surrounding her. And, my dad, he has some serious issues. Sometimes he just needs to back off. I love him too. It's just how he showed his love. Other than reading me bedtime stories he never let me get a second date. Unless you count Damien. Damien was persistent to say the least, but he wasn't scared away by my father. If, he had been scared, I think I might still be single today. I look over at my husband who's driving down to Trenton for Christmas. We'll be seeing both of our families. We live in upstate New York. He ended up getting a job offer and it was hard to refuse. That was a year after we got married. So, I went with him. I found a teaching position that I really like. There's nothing like coming home though. Damien grabs my hand and just holds it. He's still so sweet, even after four years of marriage. What he doesn't know though, is that we have a baby on the way. It's his Christmas present. I know he'll be super excited. We park in the driveway and head up to the house. I see Mom convinced Dad to put up the outside lights. We walk inside and Bobbi runs to greet us. Sometime after I graduated high school Mom got my dad to get a dog for the house. Damien grabs my bag and heads up to my old room, where we'll be staying. I can hear the Christmas music playing from the kitchen.

"Carlos, the kids will be here soon," I hear my mom say with a giggle. Oh, no.

"Relax babe," his voice sounds. I open the kitchen door and see them kissing.

"Get a room you two! Jeez," I say going to get a yogurt from the fridge. Mom blushes but Dad just grins.

"Not a bad idea," he says moving his eyebrows up and down. I know they do it, but I don't want proof.

"Ew! Just ugh...stop it!" I say. "When is Alex coming over?" Mom leans into Dad's chest as we chat.

"He'll be here around six as well as the Morelli's," she says. "Karen's making pot roast. I'm in charge of the potatoes and I believe Angie is making a vegetable dish," she informs me. I nod. I can't wait to see my little niece and nephew. They were born two months ago. Twins. James Lester and Marie Michelle Manoso. Damien comes down and wraps his arm around me. I know how Mom and Dad feel because it's exactly what I'm feeling. Completeness. The feeling of being home.

My brother and his family arrive a little later. I head straight for the two adorable babies. Angie is holding Marie while I hold little Jamie. Soon enough Damien and I will have a little one. I look at my husband who is laughing at something my brother said. I hand Jamie over to Damien and give my big brother a hug.

"Welcome home Sis," he greets with a smile. He looks so much like Dad, it's crazy.

"Thanks bro, how's being a daddy?" I ask as he looks at his two kids. He grins.

"Well, if they would sleep through the night, it might be better," he says. "But, I can't remember what life without them was like." My in laws arrive shortly after my brother. I give Joe and Karen hugs. It's funny to think that everything could have turned out different and Mom and Joe would be married. I'm glad Alex nipped that in the bud, otherwise I might not be here. We all sit down for dinner and I can't help thinking that this is how it should be. If, someone looked in our window right now, they'd see a perfectly happy family. Sure, there are bumps along the way, but when we love each other, anything can be accomplished. Tomorrow is going to be chaos- the Manoso way. Everyone shows up then. Even Dad's parents are scheduled to come up. I know Alex is looking forward to seeing Uncle Les and our cousins.

Christmas Day

Steph's POV

Our house is full with family. Carlos' family and mine. There's kids and grandchildren and great grandchildren. It's funny to think that years ago I never would have thought any of this possible. I take a look at my husband. He has gray in his once all black hair and more lines on his face. He aged well though. With Christmas music playing softly in the background everyone is opening presents. It's an exclamation from Damien that has us all interested.

"Oh my God," he says loudly looking at the opened package in his hand. He looks up at everybody. "I'm going to be a Daddy!" He grins before scooping Ari into his arms. I smile and look at Carlos. Now we'll have another grandchild to spoil.

Once everything is winding down Carlos and I are standing on the porch, saying goodbye. His arm, as always, around my waist. I rest my head on his chest. We wave goodbye to the retreating cars. We move inside and as our front door closes Carlos tells me, "I love you Babe." I smile.

"I love you too Batman."

The End