Naughty 19 Kiss 41

Not many people know this, but Pino's actually serves very good salads. Joyce Barnhardt closes her eyes and almost moans in pleasure as she enjoys the taste of the greenish golden extra virgin olive oil. She likes extra virgin olive oils. She likes ripe tomatoes and crunchy lettuces. She likes the wonderful sweetness of the mango. And now she also likes her life. She has money and cars and real estates. She has Apple stocks. And she doesn't hate Stephanie Plum any more. She wishes Stephanie has a good life and lives happily ever after with Ranger. Joyce spears a piece of fried potato with her fork and smiles a merciless smile. Oh yes, she wishes pain and jealousy stab through Joe Morelli's heart whenever he sees Stephanie and Ranger together. She wishes Joe Morelli lives in regrets and loneliness and dies in agony and sorrow.

She's no longer the lonely frightened heartbroken 13-year-old girl, but she still hates the now 35-year-old man who took her virginity and tossed her away. Joyce takes a sip of her iced tea and calms herself. She's a smart woman. She always gets what she wants. And now she wants her revenge. She wants Joe Morelli to pay for what he did to her 20 years ago. She wants him to suffer. She wants him to have a taste of her pain, her fear, and her humiliation. And she will let go and move on when justice is served. Or when she has had enough fun...Joyce feels a presence at her back and turns her head. She narrows her eyes at a nervously smiling Joe Morelli and frowns at the smell of sweat and cheap cologne.

Joe Morelli looks at the red-haired woman he has known almost all his life with longing and fear. He has never ever felt this way toward a woman, any woman. Not even Terry. Not even Stephanie. He always has his way with women of all ages and backgrounds, but now he's sudden unsure. There's something different with Joyce, he notices. She's no longer the man-eater who always, ALWAYS flashes a seductive smile and licks her blood-red lips upon seeing him. She seems colder and much more distant. But he likes the change in her. It makes him want to be with her and to know about her. The real her. The woman hides inside the notorious Joyce Barnhardt.

His smile becomes braver as he remembers he's her first. Women can't get over their first. Look at Terry. Look at Carol. Look at Amy. Look at Jamie. Look at Maria. Look at Kim...Look at Stephanie—well, it did take her years to break away from their unhealthy on-and-off relationship and move in with Ranger, did it not? Maybe he can help her recall the memory and rekindle whatever he had between them...

"Fuck off, Muffin."

People inside Pino's stare and gawk. Joe Morelli starts to twitch and froth and drop top the floor. Joyce Barnhardt puts her taser back into her Grace Kelly Bag and pays her bill. And for the very first time in her life, she leaves the waitress a huge tip.

~End of Kiss 41: Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart~

Naughty 19 Kiss 40

Joyce Barnhardt walks into Pino's and comes face to face with Stephanie Plum. She never ever likes Stephanie Plum. They have been sworn enemies ever since they were both little girls. And she flat-out hates those wild crazy curls. She almost died of jealousy upon hearing the news of Stephanie's marriage to Dickie Orr, a smart and sly budding lawyer with a bright future. So she intervened and smashed Stephanie's happiness—or saved her from a life worse than Hell, depending on your point of view, she guesses—right on the beautiful dining table(oh yes, by the way, it's actually the wedding present from Mr. and Mrs. Plum). Joyce thinks of all the grudges between them and smiles to herself as Stephanie frowns. She raises her eyebrow and looks straight into those narrowed blue-eyes, and for the very first time in a long long while feels nothing. Nothing at all.

No adversary. No resentment. No dislike. No jealousy. No nothing.

Joyce can't help feeling a little bit surprised. Maybe she has finally moved on. Maybe she has finally grown up. The woman whom she has spent so much time to hate is right in front of her eyes, and somehow all of a sudden it doesn't matter anymore. The smile on her face widens into a grin. She grabs hold of Stephanie's free hand and shakes it, and then walks into the dining area to find herself a table.

Stephanie gapes. The diners and the waitresses gawk. And Joyce smiles while studying the menu and remains oblivious to the world. Weird things do happen everyday, everyone soon decides and moves on with their busy life. 22 minutes later, a deflated and red-eyed Joe Morelli walks in and sits down at his usual table with his shoulders slumped. He orders his usual large pizza with extra garlic and cheese and his usual beer in a quiet and still shaky voice. He nods to his co-workers and acquaintances but doesn't speak much. He looks up to see if his late lunch is ready and sees Joyce. She's eating alone. She looks happy and eerily beautiful under the bright light.

And at that moment, Joseph A. Morelli falls in love.

~End of Kiss 40: The Look Of Love~

Happily Ever After Chapter Four To Twelve

Chapter Four

Mirror Mirror

Stephanie wakes up when the plane is about to land and yawns.  The both familiar and unfamiliar weight on her ring finger catches her attention. She becomes nervous and a bit uneasy. She's looking forward to starting a new life with Ranger, but now the fact that she has failed once in marriage feels too much like an unremovable stain all of a sudden. She's not a good cook or baker. She's never a great housekeeper. They are going to live in the Batcave(Yay!!!)and that means Ella won't be there to help her. And nope, there's no way she's going to let her tall dark handsome perfect muscular husband live on whatever food prepared by another woman(or takeouts, TV dinners, olive and peanut butter sandwiches and leftovers from her mother's dinner table). She wants to be able to cook something hot, healthy and delicious for her Batman once in a long, long while. She never likes feeling incapable. And she does have her pride, you know. She's now officially Mrs. Carlos Manoso. She won't allow anyone look at her dinner table, shake their head and say "Poor Ranger". She's Helen the Marvelous Chef and Great Pâtissière Plum's daughter, after all... 

 

The red-eyes sorceress looks into the ancient crystal mirror and in boiling rage bares her fangs. This is not what she has planned for Stephanie Plum. The silly wild-haired blue-eyed woman is supposed to be with the bad-tempered selfish hairy Italian and marry him when she accidentally get herself pregnant and live a ordinary life full of endless fights and quarrels. She's not supposed to marry the great grandchild of the Wizard. The angry sorceress snaps her fingers and summons her servants. She'll find out whoever are behind this and kill them all. She's impatient and merciless. She's powerful and evil. And she always gets what she wants. She's going to make things right. She narrows her eyes as the tall dark man holds Stephanie Plum's hand to his lips and kisses it. 

No! No! No! This is all wrong! This is not allowed! The sorceress hisses in resentment, clenches her fists and swears to herself. She'll make things right. She will tear them apart. She will send that woman to the place where she belongs. She'll make her become Stephanie Morelli.

For there will be no happily ever after for Stephanie Plum. Never!     

Chapter Five

A Red Red Rose

The moment the red-eyed sorceress clenches her fists in fury and snarl, the tall dark silent Sentry tilts his head a fraction and almost smiles. He and his siblings are the guardians of MAGIC. And they know this bitter cruel ugly old creature well. She was born under the Lucky Star and has a slight trace of magic in her blood. But unfortunately she's neither bright or dark enough, and thus doesn't have the true strength and talent needed to achieve greatness and cleverness. And she's allergic to true love and happiness. The Sentry closes his shining gold eyes and feels the menace in the sorceress voice as she barks out commands to her foul servants. Around him his equally tall, powerful and ferocious siblings look into the silver mirror and silently smile. They are brave, loyal and invincible. They are always ready for war. And now once again they will see to it that Fate and Love prevail.    

The fully-fenced 2-story 4-bedroom house is located in a small newly-developed upscale neighborhood 9 minutes' drive from the RangeMan building. Just like the serene 7-floor penthouse apartment, everything is sleek, simple, functional and tastefully designed. The well-equipped spotless kitchen is spacious and bright. The large German refrigerator is pack with fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked food. A vase of ruby red roses stands on the bedside table in the master bedroom. The king-size bed looks luxurious and comfortable. And outside in the living room on a table by the window, a chubby little hamster presses against the wall of his brand new hamster palace and waits in great excitement. He twitches his cute little tail happily and lets out a cheer as the heavy door opens. 

Stephanie and Ranger have come home. And now the three of them are going to live happily ever after together...Rex rolls his eyes and gives himself a mental slap. With one or two or three or even four beautiful little babies, of course.

---

Chapter 5: A Red Red Rose

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Chapter Five

A Red Red Rose

The moment the red-eyed sorceress clenches her fists in fury and snarl, the tall dark silent Sentry tilts his head a fraction and almost smiles. He and his siblings are the guardians of MAGIC. And they know this bitter cruel ugly old creature well. She was born under the Lucky Star and has a slight trace of magic in her blood. But unfortunately she's neither bright or dark enough, and thus doesn't have the true strength and talent needed to achieve greatness and cleverness. And she's allergic to true love and happiness. The Sentry closes his shining gold eyes and feels the menace in the sorceress voice as she barks out commands to her foul servants. Around him his equally tall, powerful and ferocious siblings look into the silver mirror and silently smile. They are brave, loyal and invincible. They are always ready for war. And now once again they will see to it that Fate and Love prevail.

The fully-fenced 2-story 4-bedroom house is located in a small newly-developed upscale neighborhood 9 minutes' drive from the RangeMan building. Just like the serene 7-floor penthouse apartment, everything is sleek, simple, functional and tastefully designed. The well-equipped spotless kitchen is spacious and bright. The large German refrigerator is pack with fresh fruits, vegetables and cooked food. A vase of ruby red roses stands on the bedside table in the master bedroom. The king-size bed looks luxurious and comfortable. And outside in the living room on a table by the window, a chubby little hamster presses against the wall of his brand new hamster palace and waits in great excitement. He twitches his cute little tail happily and lets out a cheer as the heavy door opens.

Stephanie and Ranger have come home. And now the three of them are going to live happily ever after together...Rex rolls his eyes and gives himself a mental slap. With one or two or three or even four beautiful little babies, of course.

---

Chapter 6: 50 Shades Of Green

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Chapter Six

50 Shades Of Green

Bob the Dog has always been a happy and friendly dog. He was fixed at a very young age, and thus will always have a 5-month-old puppy's mentality. He likes pizzas, meatball subs, pastas, cupcakes, doughnuts, ice cream and real dog food. He loves the taste of wood furniture, smelly sneakers, unclean underwear and days-old socks. He's too playful to listen to orders. He is never trained to obey commands. He can still vaguely remember his mother's and siblings' scents and faces. He still has nightmares about the lonely, scary days and nights he spent in the dog pound. He doesn't know what happened to his long bushy tail. He misses Granny Bella and all her delicious doggie treats, sad little stories and Italian songs. He has great respect for the ever so calm and clever Doc the Duck. He, like a lot of dogs, doesn't always think straight, and still can't read, write, use a gun or drive a car. But now he has learned how to use an iPad. Bob smiles a happy smile. He loves his black iPad. And he's still thrilled that Doc actually patted him on the head and said, "Proud of you, Bob."

Bob doesn't know why, but sometimes he will wake up in the middle of his afternoon nap and doubt the meaning of his existence. He will then feel the urge and sense the longing. He wants to make contributions. He wants to make a difference. He wants to be like Jerry Lee. He wants to be like Lassie. He wants to be like Benji. He wants to be able to do something, anything. He's part Labrador, part Golden Retriever, and part mastiff. He has the strength. He has the power. He's not just a lazy uneducated pet dog who knows nothing but sleeping eating and pooping.

And now the chance has finally come to him.

Bob knows he's here for a reason. He's on a secret mission. He's brave and determined, and he can be really, really smart and fierce if he tries hard enough. He is a loyal dog. He will try all he can to protect and defend Stephanie. His loyalty will be his ultimate weapon. And that overweight snobby hamster can never call him a stupid drooling dog again. Ever!

---

Chapter 7: Material Girl

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Chapter Seven

Material Girl

The red-eyed sorceress's foul servants creep into this city in the dead of the night and silently move toward different directions. Like dark shadows they sneak into houses and apartments. They crawl into people's bedrooms and onto their beds. They whisper and murmur in people's ears. They slither into people's mind and invade their dreams. They roar and growl and chant and summon all kinds of coldest and scariest nightmares. They snigger and float out of people's mind just before dawn comes. They slowly disappear in the thin air but leave trails of angst and sorrow behind. They have done what they came here to do. Their scheming heartless Mistress will be very pleased. And maybe, maybe this time she will finally keep her word and award them...

The chosen people toss and turn and wake up from their nightmares when the first ray of sunlight finally arrives. They feel eerily tired and dazed. They get out of bed, get dressed, and immediately reach for their phones. They forget to brush their teeth. They skip their morning showers. They ignore their growling stomachs. They dial their phones and start to speak. They have to spread the rumours, the stories, the implications, the suggestions, the fabrications and the lies. They stare into emptiness. They feel numb and exhausted. They don't pay attention to their surroundings. They can't see or hear or feel a thing. They just keep on talking, and talking, and talking. They do as they were told in their nightmares. They have a lot of friends and families. They all love gossips. They are the sorceress's chosen tools. They are her senseless puppets.

Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli belong together.

Stephanie Plum and Joe Morelli are a match made in Heaven.

Stephanie Plum cheated on Joe Morelli and dumped him for a reason.

Stephanie Plum is a shameless greedy woman.

Stephanie Plum is nothing but a gold digger.

Stephanie Plum married Carlos Manoso not for love but for his money.

Stephanie Plum will leave Carlos Manoso when she sucks him dry.

Stephanie Plum will then go back to Joe Morelli.

Stephanie Plum will give birth to half a dozen cute adorable little Cupcakes.

Stephanie Morelli and Joe Morelli will live happily ever after.

Stephanie Morelli and Joe Morelli belong to each other.

Stephanie Morelli will always, always love Joe Morelli because he is her first.

No woman can ever forget her first.

Ever.

Vicious rumours and venomous lies fly through the city. The red-eyed sorceress laughs her evil laughter. Love is no match to doubts and jealousy. Soon her plan will work. Soon Stephanie Manoso and her husband will be torn apart. Soon!

---

Chapter 8: Scary, Scary Women

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Chapter Eight

Scary, Scary Women

Valerie Kloughn lets out a loud and not so polite snort and the whispering around her abruptly stops. She narrows her eyes and stares coldly at every single one of the stunned and blushing women inside the bakery. They are of all ages and backgrounds, and she knows them all. She has always been nice and pleasant to them for she, just like her mother, firmly believes it's essential to be friendly to one's acquaintances and neighbors no matter how rude and nosy they are. It's not her habit to stand on the moral high ground and look down on people. She knows perfectly well that the people of this city can't live without gossips and rumours. She herself loves gossips and rumours, mind you, but she does have her limits. It's one thing to exaggerate and overstate. It's totally another to bad mouth and slander. And she is, after all, Stephanie's elder sister. She won't tolerate people telling and spreading vicious lies about Stephanie. Even if she sometimes thinks her sister is more than a little different and strange and maybe a bit crazy.

She never ever understands what other people see in Joe Morelli. Yes, she admits Morelli is indeed very good-looking and has a really nice body. But she never feels comfortable around him or finds him attractive. He knew how to molest little girls when he was only 8 for God's sake. At the age of 13(or is it 12?), he started sweet-talking girls out of their panties and bragging about it all over town. She almost died of shame and shock when she learned that Stephanie had twice fallen victim to Joe Morelli's serpent tongue. TWICE! Valerie feels the now familiar anger and frustration boiling up inside her. She herself has always remembered her mother's warning and was always very careful around boys. Now she's the mother of 4 lovely little girls. She constantly give her two elder daughters warnings and keeps her watchful eyes wide open all the time. And the mere thought of the words "child molester" and "sex predator" makes her sick and nauseous. There's nothing sweet or innocent about a 8-year-old boy fingering a 6-year-old girl. There's nothing cute or romantic about an 18-year-old young man taking a 16-year-old girl's virginity and then writing about it on public bathroom walls. Such behaviors are wrong and disturbing and disgusting. No woman or girl should be treated this way. No mother or elder sister will want her child or younger sister to be treated this way.

So why should Stephanie belong with the man who has taken advantage of her sexually when she was but a stupid little girl?

Why should Stephanie leave her tall dark handsome sexy caring husband who helps and protects and loves her for the man who molested and humiliated her just because that jerk is her first?

What's so wrong with all these stupid women?

Do they not have brains or common sense?

What the Hell do they see in Joe Morelli?

How can any sane woman buy that "He's a changed man" crap and fall for a man who's as furry and horny as a chimp?

All he ever has is a handsome face and a wandering dick, for Christ's sake.

Valerie Kloughn snaps from her thoughts and blinks upon hearing the gasp. She frowns slightly as all the gossiping women hurry out of the door of the bakery with thinned lips and angry glances and widens her eyes as realization slowly dawns. She lets out a sigh and turns to the snickering woman—who happens to be one of her highschool girl friends—behind the doughnut counter.

"I said that out loud, didn't I?" Valerie puts a hand over her twitching eyes.

"Oh yeah, loud and clear" Her friend giggles like a teenage girl.

The tall dark silent Sentry smiles as the red-eyed sorceress's evil spell quickly dissolves into nothing around the city of Trenton. Valerie Plum Kloughn does have more in common with her trouble maker of a younger sister than she knows.

---

Chapter 9: Awakening

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Chapter Nine

Awakening

Well, it's actually none of our business. The honest and hard-working people of the city suddenly blink, frown, and start to think.

Valerie Klough is right.

Why should Stephanie belong with Joe Morelli?

Why do we care so much about Joe's happiness?

Why can't we just let go and step aside now that Stephanie has made her choice?

She and Ranger do look perfect together.

And we all know that Joe is, well, after all, a Morelli.

None of the Morelli women has ever obtained happiness.

Why should Stephanie be the only exception?

Haven't we learned enough from all the arm-flapping, yelling, and the notorious never-ending on-again-off-again twisted abnormal unhealthy relationship?

Let's just keep our mouths shut and hearts open for once and be truly happy for Stephanie.

And wish Joe all the luck on his journey to find the right Cupcake.

All is fair in love and war. There's no point complaining, really. And let's be honest, who wouldn't want to have a son-in-law like Ranger? He's tall, dark, handsome, capable, and polite, and he has his own company. You are going to have healthy, beautiful grandbabies, and your daughter will be happy, safe, and rich. What more can parents ask for their 30-something divorced child who's too good at blowing up things? So the kind, nice, and practical people of Trenton give their heads a firm nod and smile a happy smile, then move on with their everyday lives.

The ancient crystal mirror shatters into a million pieces. The red-eyed sorceress's foul servants scream in terror and tremble in pain. Their Mistress's rage is ferocious and cruel. One by one they get tortured and demolished. But the red-eyed sorceress's fury is not yet spent. She wants to cause chaos and hurt. She swears to alter the happy ending for Stephanie Plum. With hatred and contempt she thinks of all the fairy tale princesses who received help from Fairy Godmothers and Magical Beings. Snow White. Cinderella. Sleeping Beauty. Rapunzel. The hideously stupid girls who kept making incredibly wrong choices and terribly foolish mistakes. None of them truly deserved a Happily Ever After. None of them were truly worthy of their princes' love. The red-eyed sorceress is not powerful enough to change the past, but she's evil and treacherous enough to ruin Stephanie's life. Then she can finally reach out her claws to grab hold of the Wizard's great grandchild and make him hers.

And together they shall rule the Magic Land, as Queen and King...

---

Chapter 10: A Prophecy?

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Chapter Ten

A Prophecy?

The red-eyed sorceress keeps on chanting as she cuts her her wrist and uses the blood to complete the evil and powerful summoning spell. In a blink of an eye the pair of her most trusted and servants appear in the blood-red mist. The hairy blonde giant of a man goes down on his knee and bows, while the pale handsome black-haired man stands there staring at the sorceress with cold unblinking eyes. The order she gives them is simple and straightforward: tear Stephanie Plum and he great grandchild of the Wizard apart no matter what.

The two magical men disappear in the mist without a sound. The sorceress breathes with difficulty as she seals her wound. This is her last resort. Casting this spell has cost her her a lot of power. It will take her up to 13 months to return to her normal form and regain her power. And controlling both her servants at the same time will be a tricky task. Now that the ancient crystal mirror is broken, she had no choice but to use the Prying Eye spell to spy on the stupid worthless hairy man. But somehow all she could see was a blurred mixture of raging emotions, confusion, and peaceful happiness. Maybe the loss of love has made him hollow and driven him mad. She had hoped to use him as a pawn to get to Stephanie Plum. Jealousy and despair are two of the most powerful weapons of all time. His reckless nature and single-mindedness would be of great help. And he's always so good at manipulating her guilt. But since both his brain and soul are totally messed up now, she has to rely solely on herself. And doing all the work and minding all the trifles and details all alone have begun to drain her power...

In the tidy, spotless living room of Joe Morelli's nice cozy 2-story house, Doc the Duck and Sean the Sheep blow out a long held breath. Together they have successfully blocked the evil witch's foul magic. Bob the Dog is busy playing a game on his iPad in Joe's Morelli couch. Mr. Joseph A. Morelli is snoring like a train while dreaming of pizza, meatball sub, and baseball games in Grandma Bella's arms. The witch is not clever enough to see through their Magic Screen. But bigger and more vicious threats are heading this way. And they are aiming at Stephanie. The two Magical Beings close their eyes and sense the vibes in the air. They nod their heads and smile. The Guardians are coming this way, too.

Stephanie Manoso floats happily in her dream and suddenly hears voices. Sweet little voices. Laughing. Giggling. Talking. Screaming. Yelling. In both English and Spanish. She turns around, widens her eyes, and sees those beautiful dark brown eyes. Serious little faces. Little boys. All four of them. Looking at her. Smiling. Speaking. Crying. Frowning. The three older ones have silky smooth straight almost black hair. The youngest one looks so cute in wild wavy curls. She reaches out a hand, trying to wipe away his crystal tears, and wakes up with her hand on Ranger's face. She smiles happily as Ranger gathers her into his arms with his eyes closed. Their babies. She has just dreamed of their babies. All four of them...

FOUR? She starts to hyperventilate. FOUR?

"Babe?" Ranger opens his eyes and places his large, warm hand on the back of her neck. "Deep breath."

Stephanie wraps her arm tightly around him and slowly calms down. Her heart is still thumping a little bit fast. Her eyes are still as wild and wide as a startled deer's. It's just a dream. She keeps telling herself. Just a dream...Four little boys? Nah, it's just a dream...Just a dream...

---

Chapter 11: The Candy House

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Chapter Eleven

The Candy House

No one can be sure when The Old Cupcake Place opened on this street. It seems that the bakery and café simply appears out of nowhere overnight, and nobody knows what happened to the old bookstore that was originally there. One by one people push the door open and walk in out of curiosity. The decoration is fancy. The staffs are all young, polite and good-looking. The cupcakes are reasonably priced and mouth-wateringly delicious. The coffee and tea here are really, really good. And the huge blonde owner's wide smile is most friendly and charming. Within 3 days The Old Cupcake Place becomes a popular spot for the locals. Every kids wants to have cupcakes for breakfast and lunch. Every mom wants to get her hands on those buy-1-get-1-free Strawberry Delight and Cherry Cheesecake cupcakes before they are sold out. Even the officers from TPD have decided to replace their doughnuts with the cupcakes here. Everybody loves their cupcakes. Only a rare few of the customers notice that there's something odd and foreboding about this place. And Helen Plum happens to be one of them.

Helen doesn't finish her coffee and the two cupcakes. The texture and moisture of the cupcakes are next to perfect, Helen admits, and they are neither too sweet nor too airy. But the colors are too bright. The fragrance is too strong. And somehow they just don't taste right. Besides, the docile and almost numb smile on the staff's faces makes her feel uncomfortable and uneasy, while the somewhat cold and strange gleam in the owner's sharp blue eyes sends chills down her spine every time he turns to smile at her. So she gives her coupons to her friends and leaves the bakery empty-handed. She will stop on the way home at one of her trusted bakeries and get something for Frank and her mother. There's no way she's going to feed her family with something imperfect and probably unhealthy.

William "D" Northman looks out of the window of his bakery as Helen Plum drives away. He feels surprised and disappointed that the woman didn't fall for his magical cupcakes. But he's not worried. His magic will find a way to get to Stephanie Plum. Sooner or later one the townspeople will offer her a free cupcake. One tiny bite and she will be dead. His serpent-like smile deepens. His Mistress, the Great Sorceress, will be pleased. And he will be free to go back to his cave on top of the Swiss mountain to enjoy the youthful bodies of his young polite pretty obedient slaves.

---

Chapter 12: Evil Eye

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Chapter Twelve

Evil Eye

The pale handsome black-haired man stands under the bright Miami morning sun gazing the family of 5 and almost smiles. Yes, it will be easy. Maybe so easy that it's no fun at all. Just a little intimidation and show of power, and then the fear he triggers will do the job. Will the pinkish-white skinned mother scream when he leaves his signature eye-shaped burn mark on her arm? Will her 2 younger children cry and cringe in terror when their mother pass out and drop to the ground? The man named Erich thinks to himself and licks his lips. He loves it when women scream and faint from the shock and pain he gave them. He often laughs when men's eyes bulge and mouths fall open the brief moment before they die in his hand. How will the sandy-blonde haired father react then? He wonders. People's first instinct is to protect their own flesh and blood no matter the cost. No one with sanity will sacrifice their children for someone else's brat. Besides, every man is a coward deep down inside. Once they realize they are facing an invincible unbeatable opponent, they will do everything to save their own lives. Ron Martine may be a loving adopted father, but there's no way he will refuse to surrender the dark-brown eyed and caramel-skinned girl to Erik. For there's no such thing as unconditional love. Everything comes with a price. And when the price becomes too high, people will automatically make right decisions and smart choices. This is the way of life. Only the smart and clever ones get to survive and thrive.

Erich laughs under his cinnamon and butterscotch scented breath. Maybe he will emphasize his point by burning the little boy's arm in front of Ron Martine's eyes. After all, all fathers favor their sons. What kind of father won't break down and give in when their beloved child is terrified and suffering great pain? Yes, his plan is perfect and lots of fun. Everyone's attention is on the girl. Everyone is trying their best to protect her from suspicious strangers. When they finally know that there is a traitor among them, it will be too late. And once he has Julie Martine in his hand, he will use her as bait to trap and then kill her father. Erich's handsome face contorts with disgust and anger. He shouldn't have trusted such an important task to Edward Scrog, the delusional imbecile. This time he will kill Carlos Manoso once and for all. He will go back to the red-eyed sorceress and present her with Manoso's severed head on a silver plate. He will then use all his power to burn a hole in her heart, put an end to her unreasonably long and miserable life, and claim her magic as his own. He will be nobody's servant. He will become the ruler of the Magic Land. He will—

Erich Wulfsberg looks down at the silver blade protruding from his chest. Very slowly he turns around and comes face to face with the most beautiful creature he has ever seen in his 201 years of life. Raven black hair. Forest green eyes. Blood red lips. Ivory porcelain-like skin. Beautiful. Soundless. Powerful. Ferocious. The Guardians. He suddenly realizes. He thought they only existed in myth. He thought the Pact between the Wizard and the Magical Beings wasn't real. How wrong was he. What a fool he has been. His power drains. His heart stops. His body dissolves into thousands of shades of murky dense darkness. He ceases to exist.

Julie Martines looks up from her breakfast as a strange sensation hits her in the back of her neck. All of a sudden she feels warm and safe. All of a sudden she feels loved and protected. All of a sudden she thinks of her father. The moment he opened his eyes and looked at her in the hospital. The moment he wrapped her in his arms and hugged her briefly before he left that following Christmas Eve. Julie smiles at her parents and siblings and goes back to her passion fruit juice and mango muffin. She's glad that now Ranger's no longer alone.

She's also glad that she told him "I love you, Daddy" that cool December evening.

---

Chapter 13: Brave

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Chapter Thirteen

Brave

There was nothing special about the weather the day Stephanie Plum did the bravest thing she has ever done in her life.
She woke up around 8, took a quick shower, and went to her parents' to mooch a free breakfast. Business had been slow for the last couple weeks. She was low on money. She knew her mother always had some left over in the refrigerator, and maybe she could even take a huge chunk of cake home with her if she was lucky. Her mother and Grandma Mazur were talking and laughing about something when she let herself in. Stephanie sat down at the table, gobbled down several pancakes, and started really paying attention to the conversation. Someone's son was getting married. Someone's daughter had just given birth to yet another baby. Someone and her third husband went to Hawaii for honeymoon. Someone died last week and there would probably be an open casket viewing. Angie and Mary Alice were doing great in school. Hopefully Valerie wouldn't get pregnant again anytime soon. All of a sudden Stephanie lost her appetite and felt sad and lonely. She put down her half empty coffee mug and stared into nothing. She would be 35 this coming December. She didn't have a house of her own. She had no food in her kitchen. She was driving yet another sleek Rangeman car. She was currently in the off stage of her unhealthy off-and-on relationship with Morelli. And now thinking of Ranger not only made her hot and bothered, but also made her heart contract with longings and something much, much more powerful. And she knew that something was spelled beginning with "l".

Stephanie tried not to sigh. Yes, she loved Ranger. But she was afraid to tell him. He was always so rational and so calm. He had chosen to step aside and let another man become his daughter's father. For years he had been bleeding blood and money to help Stephanie out and keep her safe. Just because "It's the right thing to do, babe". And what if one day he decided it was the right thing to walk out of her life and move on without her? He'd read her mind that day and let her go back to Morelli. He'd known she'd needed to repair her relationship with Morelli. Could she survive without him? Could she accept his decision with grace and ease? Could she live with herself if she just stood there and watched him leave? Did she want to spend the rest of her life without him, her friend, her mentor, her Batman, her Man of Mystery?

"Stephanie? Are you alright?" Her mother's worried voice shook her out of her foreboding gloomy thoughts. "What happened? Are you feeling ill? Why are you crying? Is there something wrong?"

Stephanie raised her hand to her face, felt the wetness of her tears and widened her eyes. She had no idea she'd been crying silently. She looked into her mother's eyes and saw her worries and concern. "No, I'm fine." She wiped away her tears with a napkin and blew her nose. "Something must have gotten into my eyes." She finally said in a shaky voice. Her mother looked unconvinced. Grandma raised her brows but said not a word. "I've got to go."

She stood up and quickly left, pineapple upside down cake, leftover pot roast and mashed potatoes forgotten. She got in her car, started the engine, and drove away with no specific destination in mind. No. She was lying. She knew crystal clear where she wanted to go. She just didn't have the courage to admit it. She just wasn't brave enough to go after what she really wanted. She drove and drove and drove. She didn't really know what she was thinking. She could sense her fear, her worries, and uncertainty. She stopped the car and looked across the street. The family 7-floored building was right there. She sat behind the wheel watching. She knew he was inside his 5th-floor office. She always loved his serene penthouse apartment. She always loved his heavenly king size bed. She always loved his shower gel. She always loved his almost smile. She always loved his beautiful eyes. She always loved the smoothness of his skin. She always loved the touch of his soft perfect lips. She always...always loved him. Carpe Diem. Take the risk. Live your life. Grasp the chance. Seize the day. Life is too short and too precious to live in regret or dream away. Her cell phone rang. She fished it out of her messy bag. She didn't looked at the screen. She didn't need to.

"Babe," Ranger smiled.

She took a breath. She closed her eyes. She listened to her heartbeat. She felt her sad loneliness. "Will you marry me?" She timidly asked. She believed she still had 1 or 2 bullets somewhere in a drawer. She could always put an end to her misery should she have the courage. Yes, she knew what his answer would be. But she needed to ask. She needed to know. She couldn't just sit around and do nothing. Not any more...And his silence was killing her...

"Sure." He casually said.

"Huh?" She opened her eyes and, in sudden confusion, frowned. The weather was not too hot or too cold. The wind was not too strong or too light. And somehow she felt like she had just woken up in Alice's Wonderland. Everything was so unreal. Someone unlocked and opened the passenger door and got inside. She turned to look at him. Could she trust her ear? Did he mean what he said? Was this but a dream? Life was so complicated. She was so confused. He cupped her face in one large hand and kissed her on the lips. He smelled like heaven. His kiss was pure magic. He held her captive with his gaze and then raised his brow a tiny little fraction.

"Where's my ring?"

She gaped.

He laughed.

And 5 weeks later, they got married.

Crazy Summer Chapter 6~8

A Matter Of Love

Helen casts yet another indulgent glance at the huge grin on Frank's face as he looks at the baby in his arms. The both of them had wanted very much to have a grandson for years. Now that their dream has finally and so suddenly came true, they are not only overjoyed but also stunned and a little overwhelmed. The child is undoubtedly the most beautiful baby they have ever seen, and Helen still feels happy and dizzy whenever she holds him in her arms.  Bright brown eyes. Long eyelashes. Soft perfect lips. And creamy light milk-caramel skin. Helen smiles and lets out a sigh. She has never ever thought one day she will have a darker-skinned grandchild, though. 

No, please don't get her wrong. The little boy is most precious and adorable. He looks exactly like his mother when he cries and frowns.And Helen loves him with all her heart and all her life.  It's not that she's bothered by her first ever grandson's skin color. She has no racial issues, mind you. She's never one of those narrow-minded arrogant stupid persons who choose to ignore a man's achievement simply because they don't like his accent or skin color. It's just that she has yet to be fully recovered from the shock Stephanie gave her two years ago. Helen grimaces a little as she recalls the night her younger daughter came over for dinner. With Ranger. And a wedding ring around her finger.

It was a miracle Helen didn't pass out in a dead faint on the spot. Her brain turned totally blank. All she could hear was her own voice screaming "Oh My God, she's pregnant!" nonstop in her mind's ears. Yes, she knew all along there was something very special between Stephanie and Ranger. But Stephanie was still with Joe Morelli at that time—well, at least that was what everyone in Trenton had thought, and it turned out that they couldn't be more wrong. Helen can't help doing a small eye roll at herself. She never understood the strange relationship between Stephanie and Morelli. She never understood why Stephanie decided to start dating the man who had put her through Hell at the very beginning. She never understood the choices Stephanie made. She never understood the things Stephanie did. She sometimes can't help thinking that she will never ever really understands Stephanie—her child, her own flesh and blood.

But it's never too late to start learning about those who you love and care about. She firmly tells herself as little Carlos's tiny fist grabs hold of her finger. And Stephanie is happy now. That's what truly matters for Helen Plum, the always worrying and nagging mom(who has once run over a man in a rabbit suit to save her child)of the Bounty Hunter From Hell.

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Chapter 7: Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer's Day?

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Shall I Compare Thee To A Summer's Day?

Connie Rosolli sits down and orders a Coke. She enjoys living alone on her own, and keeps a cautious distance from her family. Her mother and aunts sigh upon the sight of her. Her father and uncles don't know what to say to her. And she's only grateful that not every one of her siblings and cousins thinks she's weird or mentally unwell. She and her ex-husband(who's also her high school sweetheart) divorced not because he cheated, but because one day she woke up and realized she didn't want to have any kids. He tried all he could to ask and beg and threaten her to change her mind, but she wouldn't budge. And things got ugly pretty fast after that. A heartbroken, angry and frustrated Tony got remarried 18 months after their brutal divorce, and is now the happy and proud father of a 9-month-old girl. The former Mrs. DiNozzo is still a single lady who's just not a big fan of children.

She takes another sip of her lemon Coke. She's happy for Tony and his new family. She sometimes dreams of their high school days and honeymoon trip to the Niagara Falls, and she usually feels a little sad and depressed when she wakes up the next day. But she never regrets her decision. She's happy with her life. She has a house, a car, a job, money in the bank, good neighbors and friends. She's not that afraid of loneliness, and she's never the kind of woman who needs to have a husband and give birth to a child to feel whole and complete. And even if Santa Claus drops a Mr. Right down the chimney one day, she knows she will still be her own woman.

But sometime she can't help having doubts. Connie smiles brightly and waves at Stephanie and Lula as her two best friends enter the restaurant. Especially when the moment she placed a hand on Stephanie's belly and felt the Batbaby kicking, and felt that powerful unfamiliar longing in her heart...

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Chapter 8: The Batbabies

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The Batbabies

Julie Martine looks at the beautiful, serious face of the little boy, and marvels at the resemblance between them. Both Michelle and Roy, Julie's two other half-siblings, have Rachel's pinkish white skin and greenish brown eyes, as well as Ron's sandy wild blonde hair. And that's partly the reason why Julie sometimes feels like a stranger. She stands out in the family photos. She's unique and too different. They don't have the same color of skin. They don't have the same color of eyes. They don't have the same long eyelashes and almost black hair. Though they do have the same family name, she always remembers she's the girl who has two fathers. On the special occasions when Ranger is invited to visit, she sometimes feels like asking him the long suppressed questions:

Am I a mistake?

Am I an accident?

Am I an inconvenience?

Am I a burden?

She'd like to hear Ranger's answers. She'd like to see if Ranger will feel any regret, pain, guilt or sorrow. But she never asks. What's the point torturing yourself or someone you actually care about with the past? What was done cannot be undone. Not to mention that her rudeness will only upset her parents. And, besides, no matter what the answers are, there's no doubt that Ranger loves her. In his own way. He never fails to pay child support. He never forgets her birthday or Christmas gifts. And he's willing to die for her. How much more can you ask of your bio-father? Sometimes marriage fails. Sometime people are just not meant to be together. And nobody can say Dad—Ron—is not a loving, caring and responsible father.

Well, Julie blows out a sigh and smiles as she shakes hands with her 3-year-old half-brother. Sometimes life is just too complicated. At least everybody involved is now happy. At least he's not a girl. Her raises her brow when little Carlos opens his arms for a hug. I don't know why, but I will definitely have trouble coping if he was a girl. She picks him up and holds him tight in her arms. She's here in Jersey for a visit. She will return home to Miami next week. She will turn 16 coming September, and she knows she's going to miss Grandma Rosa, her grandparents, and the rest of her family. She's really, really glad both she and her baby brother look like their father.

And she's surprised that the chubby little hamster Rex is still alive, to be honest.

Moonlight Shadow Chapter 8

 Chapter 8

~Some Love Is Just A Lie Of The Soul~

Stephanie breathes in the fresh morning air. The rain has stopped in the middle of the night. The streets are quiet at this early hour. She takes a step toward her car, stops, and turns around to look back at the now empty 2-story house. For a last time. The house is already sold to a nice couple from Korea, and they are all happy with the price. She will start her journey now. Her first stop is Philadelphia. She's looking forward to meeting Lula and her happy little family. 

She gets in and starts her brand new silver Audi. It's a present for herself(thankfully Joe knew the importance of saving money. She has also donated some money to a local No-Kill animal shelter. She misses Bob and Rex terribly and is not yet ready for a new pet). She has already said goodbye to her family and friends. Somehow she's not as sad as she thought and instead feels happy and greatly relieved. The memories are too heavy to carry, so she has chosen to leave them behind. 

She's now Stephanie Plum again. She sold her diamond wedding ring last week and has also lost some weight. However, nobody knows where Joe's wedding ring is. He took it off his finger sometime long before his death. Maybe he sold it. Maybe he lost it. She didn't care then. She doesn't care now. And she didn't even bother to ask when she first noticed its absence. They both knew their marriage was doomed. Stephanie turns on the radio and sings along with Billy Joel's Say Goodbye to Hollywood—She always loves his songs and voice—and stops singing and falls silent when Bryan Adams's Heaven starts to play.  

It's such a beautiful day. Just perfect for her brand new start. She doesn't want anything to ruin it. She doesn't want to feel any regret. She stops at a small café to have some breakfast. The coffee is good. The food reminds her of her mother. She smiles at the little kid at the next table and gives him a small finger wave. She sits for a long time at the window-side table and leaves the tired-looking 50-something waitress a handsome tip.  She starts the car and doesn't turn on the radio. But the song keeps singing in her head. All the way to the City of Brotherly Love. 

Once in your life you find someone 

Who will turn your world around

Bring you up when you're feelin' down

She keeps her eyes on the road, refusing to let her tears fall. But somehow she just can't stop thinking of what she has lost. She's Stephanie Plum, a 41-year-old widow. And she has lost the man she truly loves a long long time ago.

~The End~

  

Moonlight Shadow

Moonlight Shadow
The complete story of Silent Spring. Stephanie Plum chose to become Mrs. Joe Morelli but found that there was no HEA in Cupcake Land. Ranger moved on and met someone else. Theme Songs: Desert Moon by Dennis DeYoung and Moonlight Shadow by Mike Oldfield.

 

 

 

Genre: Drama/Romance
Published: 04-29-12, Updated: 06-11-12
Chapters: 8, Words: 4,808

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 Prologue: Desert Moon

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Prologue

~Desert Moon~

The smile froze on Stephanie Morelli's face as she stood by her husband's side and right in front of the man she had once or maybe still loved. 4 years. She hadn't seen or heard from Ranger for more than 4 long years. Ever since the moment she put Ranger's keys inside an envelope and FedEx it back to him, and then jumped on a plane heading to Las Vegas to get married to Joe Morelli. Ranger looked just as perfect as ever. Stephanie secretly sighed. She had never thought or wanted to meet Ranger again like this. Both she and Joe—whose hair had already started graying and thinning—had gained more than a few pounds, and she was fairly certain she had lost a considerable portion of her charm.

She knew she should say something. A polite "I haven't seen you in ages". A warm "How have you been?". Or a surprised "Oh my God, you look just the same". People around them, close friends and almost strangers alike, were now nudging each other and discreetly tilting their heads toward the three of them. People were watching and waiting for something, anything, to happen. People would be listening in to their conversation. People were holding their breath for the awkward moment. Yes, awkward. Meeting like this after all these years was plain and simple awkward—or even embrassing—for Stephanie. She didn't want Ranger to see her double chin. She didn't want Ranger to see her fattened waist. She didn't want Ranger to see the lines around her eyes and the more and more apparent wrinkles on her forehead and cheeks. She didn't want him to see her imperfection. She wanted Ranger to remember her as she once was. Young, sexy, cute, attractive, and fit...

A sick feeling started building inside the pit of Stephanie's stomach the moment she caught sight of the smug look on her husband's face. All of a sudden she became ashamed. Joe was doing this on purpose. He'd spotted Ranger in the crowd and decided to drag her all the way across the party hall just to brag. He wanted to show the whole fucking world he was the true and real winner of their never-ending cat and mouse game. She was the grand prize and trophy. The rose gold and diamond wedding ring on her finger would serve as the solid living proof of his ultimate victory. And Ranger, the man who had never ever hesitated to help and protect her in the past, was the loser who'd had to walk away empty-handed. She so wanted to shout at the top of her voice and tell Joe Morelli to stop being so childish and immatured right now and grow up. She so wanted to tell him life was so NOT high school musical. But she was just too afraid to make a scene in front of all these people. It was no secret that she and Joe were never exactly the prince and princess in fairy tales. And she'd already had plenty of problems in her life right now.

She longed to look straight into Ranger's eyes to see what he felt about her. Did he still consider her as a friend? Did he still...love her in his own way? She was dying to know the answer. She couldn't dare to know the answer. Yes, she knew she stll loved Ranger. But now he was so close yet so far away. And he no longer smelled like Bvlgari...Stephanie's heart sank into a cold dark abyss as she saw the simple elegant platinum ring around Ranger's ring finger. Hot burning tears threatened to flood down her face the moment a breathtakingly beautiful young woman with enchanting green eyes and wavy long blonde hair appeared out of nowhere and slipped her arm through Ranger's. And there on her slender hand around her ring finger was a ring—a simple elegant platinum ring exactly the same as Ranger's. And her baby bump was showing.

Ranger had moved on. Ranger had met someone else. Ranger had become family material. Ranger's love now came with a ring. Ranger now did ordinary things like marriage and babies. And she was so perfect...she was so pretty...she was just like a princess fresh out of a fairy tale...

Stephanie Morelli smiled her pleasant but forlorn smile. She politely nodded and exchanged greetings with Ranger and his wife. She didn't try to pull away when Joe tightened his hold of her, made a sudden excuse and turned to leave with a soured look on his contorted face. They didn't speak on the drive back home. They didn't speak when they went upstairs to bed. They didn't have sex that night. They didn't fall asleep till a couple hours before dawn. And when she finally woke up late in the morning Joe was long gone.

She was all alone.

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Chapter 1: They Said First Love Never Runs Dry

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Chapter One

~They Said First Love Never Runs Dry~

Stephanie swallows her sorrow, dries her tears and restarts the car to go to work. And for the first time of her life, the heavenly aroma inside Tasty Bakery fails to make her smile. She quickly changes into her uniform and takes her position behind the counter. None of her co-workers or the customers asks about her puffy eyes and reddened nose. Everyone knows about all the unpleasant details of her daily life. Nobody wants to get involved. They are friends, distant relatives or neighbors to both sides. They want to stay neutral. Though they all know Joe has been cheating on her for nearly two years. With lots of different blonde women. And this time he seems to be serious. Rumour has it that he's going to ask for a divorce sometime within this week. The young barmaid from some redneck state wants a diamond on her finger before popping out little Morellis. They feel sorry for Stephanie, but are only too relieved that she keeps it all to herself. They all have their own lives and troubles to worry about. And some of them secretly think that Stephanie has it coming. Joe may have a shining police badge, but he's still a Morelli. And life is a really mean bitch for those who foolish enough to marry a Morelli man.

Stephanie tries to concentrate on her work. She knows perfectly what people say and think about her joke of a marriage. It doesn't bother her too much—or at all. Because she actually agrees with them: It was all her fault. She made a stupid mistake. A wrong decision. She has no one but herself to blame. And whether she likes it or not, now it's time to pay the price. She forces herself to smile, and greets and chats with the customers. She can't afford to lose this job. She also needs to find another part-time job and a place to live as soon as possible. She knows Joe won't give the house to her, and the amount of the alimony won't be handsome. The ever so kind-hearted Albert has promised to represent her free-of-charge and offers her a room in their house, but she can't stay with them forever. She'll have to learn to stand on her own from now on. She really has no other choice.

She feels more exhausted than ever when her shift is over. She tried too hard to smile and to be cheerful. She drives past Pino's on her way home but doesn't stop. She misses their meatball sub so much. But she needs to save every penny from now on. She unlocks the front door and turns on the light in the living room. Bob is peacefully asleep in his bed. Her mother-in-law left her a large plate of homemade lasagna and half a coffee cake. Angie Morelli is feeling guilty about her son's behavior. But both she and Bella have been dreaming for a little Joseph for so long. They can't help praying that Betsy—yes, everybody in the Morelli family knows the 26-year-old natural blonde woman from Alabama pretty well right now— can give Joe a child.

Stephanie turns of the TV and starts eating her dinner. She stares at the screen, listening to Michael Kay and Al Leiter discuss the Yankees pitching staff, but the calm soft familiar voice that has been haunting her just keeps on sounding in her head.

"Look at me, Babe. I'm carrying two guns and a knife. At this point in my life, I'm not exactly family material."

Does Ranger call her Babe? Stephanie keeps on chewing.

Does she feel the same tingle on the back of her neck whenever Ranger is near? Stephanie 

looks at Derek Jeter's smiling face.

Does she call him Ranger? A-Rod hits into another double play.

Does she call him Carlos? God. The Yankees suck.

When did Ranger reach the point when he officially became family material? The coffee cake is really yummy.

Does he...does he still carry two guns and a knife? A drop of tear escapes.

Another one soon follows.

She hates feeling regret...

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Chapter 2: Whisper Of The Summer Night

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Chapter Two

~Whisper Of The Summer Night~

He steps into the empty 7th floor apartment and quietly locks the door behind him. He will spend the night here though he wishes to return to his family. He drops his keys onto the silver plate and heads for the bedroom. He has an early meeting tomorrow morning. Everything is clean and orderly and in its place, as always. Including the new couch and the new bed Ella chose for him 6 years ago. He found it necessary to mark the end of a period. Stephanie made her decision. He respected that. And he almost smiled when he opened the envelope and found his keys inside. Typical Stephanie Plum. Never a big fan of any kind of confrontation. And creative. Too bad Morelli will never truly appreciate her. But that's a problem they two of them have to solve together, as husband and wife. It's no more—and shouldn't be—his concern. Everybody has to live with their own decisions, he always believes. But still he can't help feeling sorry and worried for her from time to time. Old habits die hard, indeed.

Ranger takes off his clothes and heads for the shower. It's being a long day and he's tired. Business is good and steadily growing. Tank and the senior staff have been doing a great job. The new hires are hardworking and quick learners. And being a father of two little twin boys is fun and more challenging than he imagined. He turns off the water and dries himself. He never thought he would one day again be a father. He always and still feels guilty for messing up Julie's life. He never thought about starting a serious relationship. He never thought he would want to have a family. But sometimes things happen and change. You met someone and fell in love. She gave up everything to love you back. Though you still loved your freedom and wanted no burden, though you still couldn't afford and didn't need to have something, anything, to hold you back, you didn't hesitate to grasp hold of her hand and take the chance. And 3 months later she looked up at you with those beautiful green eyes and dazedly whispered, "I'm pregnant."

The world spinning around you and stood still. You tried to find your voice but failed. You knelt down before her. You held her hands in yours. You sensed all her worries, all her fear, all her amazement and wonder. Because you felt just the same. You were happy. You were grateful. You were a just little frightened and maybe a bit scared. But deep down somewhere within you knew you were ready and prepared. So you smiled your rare full on 1000 Watt smile as you felt the Bvlgari wedding ring on her finger and said, "Babe." And you knew your life was now finally complete the moment you looked into her eyes and saw that she loved you more than her own life.

Ranger picks up the phone and dials home. He wants to hear his loved ones' voices before goes to sleep. He's no Batman. He's juts human. He does have feelings and can be hurt deeply. He's smart, brave and clever. He's the proud and discreet owner of an extremely successful security company. And now he's also a loving father, as well as a loyal husband. Yes, people do change, and move forward.

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Chapter 3: Dreamer, Only Dreamers

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Chapter Three

~Dreamer, Only Dreamers~

Joe Morelli doesn't want to leave this small shabby apartment. He wants to stay with the woman he's in love with as long as possible. He knows he needs to go home. He needs to tell Stephanie he wants a divorce. And he knows for a fact that she will not object. They are both too tired and too exhausted. 6 long years of marriage. A lot of sex. Endless fights and quarrels. But sadly no kids. He loves children. He always wants to be a father. And now he can hear the invisible clock ticking every minute of the day and night. He will turn 44 in a couple months. He can't afford to wait any longer. He's more than sure that Betsy, the healthy energetic and sexy as Hell beautiful woman from Birmingham, will have no problem giving him a bunch of little Morellis. Don't ask him why. He just knows it. He empties the glass of vodka in one gulp and smiles to himself. Cheers, he's gonna be a daddy. Both he and Betsy agree that it will be fun to have 5 or 6, or maybe 7 kids. And they will live happily ever after as a happy big family. With a new puppy...

Thinking of Bob brings tears to Morelli's eyes. He wants to hold his loyal pet tightly in his arms and pray for a miracle, but he knows the big orange dog's time is up. He simply can't bear the sight of his sick old pal dragging on day after day waiting for death to come. He doesn't wants to remember the goofy playful friendly beast like this. And he has never felt so relieved when Stephanie told him in the flat emotionless voice of hers that she will take care of...everything. He reluctantly stands up from the comfy brand new couch he bought Betsy as a surprise gift, kisses her goodbye and leaves for home.

He has not a clue when his love and obsession for Stephanie grew cold. He doesn't even remember when he stopped calling her Cupcake. And he's really not that interested in the answers. It doesn't matter now. Not anymore. Sometimes love just dies or gets lost in everyday life, and there's no need to ask why. Now he's ready to move on and start a new life with someone else. What's the point wasting his time asking meaningless questions? He knows Stephanie still loves Ranger. He knows Stephanie still wants Ranger. He knows Stephanie was still silently crying her heart out when he finally fell asleep that fatal night 2 years ago. And truth be told, he felt like weeping himself. Once again he lost to Ranger. In front of everybody. In front of Stephanie...

He fought hard to get back in shape. He went to see a doctor about the bald spot on top of his head. He practiced his charming smile. He made the most of his melted chocolate bedroom eyes. Finally he met Betsy one night in the bar where she worked, and then everything fell into place nicely. He can tell both Grandma Bella and his mother really like Betsy. The divorce lawyer recommended by one of his drinking buddies is a shark. He's about to get a pay raise and promotion. And, no, he doesn't feel guilty or sorry about his actions. He's a man. He has needs. It's not his fault Stephanie can't bear him children. And what's so wrong wanting a dream life that comes with a new beginning? And who knows, maybe Ranger will divorce his wife and take Stephanie back.

Joe Morelli lets out a bark of breathless raspy laughter and unconsciously steps harder on the gas. His brand new cherry-red Ford Fiesta flies through a red light and slams into a speeding 18 wheeler.

And he dies on the way to hospital.

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Chapter 4: Words We Longed To Hear

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Chapter Four

~Words We Longed To Hear~

Stephanie falls asleep on the couch. She's dreaming of her mother and Rex when the ringing of the phone tears through the night and wakes her up. It takes her a while to be fully awake and answer the phone. And she doesn't cry. For she can't find any tears. She sits there listening to the person on the other end of the line telling her how sorry he is. Accident. Car crash. An 18 wheeler. Joe is dead. On the way to St. Francis. She's a widow now. They, the whole TPD, will take care of things and help her through the best they can. She keeps on listening and remains silent. She doesn't know what to say. She can't find her voice. And she doesn't feel sad. She's not numb. She's not shocked. She's not happy. She's not thrilled. She's just not sad. She doesn't feel like crying. She doesn't feel like asking questions. She doesn't feel like feeling anything. She knows it's real. She knows it's not a is still breathing. Bob is still sleeping. But Joe is already dead. How weird.

She looks toward the front door of the 2-story house and almost smiles. She doesn't have to move out now. He won't unlock the door and come in to tell her he wants a divorce. Betsy Singleton is not going to become the new Mrs. Joe Morelli. And Stephanie doesn't...no, she may still have to find a second part-time job. She's going to have plenty of spare time on her hands from now on. Stephanie Morelli closes her eyes and once again forces herself to feel. And instead of sadness, she feels relieved. She stopped cooking her husband dinner a long time ago. She never cooked the spaghetti right. She always forgot to put in extra garlic and fresh basil. And he didn't like her favorite brand of olive oil. Then one day he ran out of excuses and simply stopped coming home for dinner. She knew he was having an affair. But she was too tired to care. They had been together for so long that whatever they once had between them became too thin, too pale, and too cliché. And no matter what the doctors said, Joe still believed it was all her fault that they had no children of their own. And Stephanie couldn't help resenting him for that.

And thus life went on. He still wanted to be a father. She started doubting if she really wanted to be a mother. He spent his nights with pretty young women. She ate her dinner in front of the TV while listening to Bob's breathing. They didn't mean to stop talking. But there was nothing left to say between them. So they drifted apart. Just like that. Stephanie blows a sigh. She will have to call Joe's elder brother. Angie will break apart and maybe even faint. And she doesn't have the heart and courage to think of Bella's reaction. She turns off the TV and dials. She doesn't have the strength to wipe away her sudden tears.

She's a widow now. She's free. Finally.

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Chapter 5: Dreams We Lost Or Given Up

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Chapter Five

~Dreams We Lost Or Given Up~

Stephanie calmly sits there in the front row with not a drop of tear in her eyes. The funeral is not grand or small, but quiet and awkward. Just as expected. Nobody knows what to say to her. Everyone knows Joe was not exactly a good and loyal husband, but they have all kept their silence for too long and now they find it embarrassing to hug her and say things like "I feel for you" or "I'm sorry for your loss". Stephanie doesn't care that much, though. She still doesn't feel a thing. About Joe's death. She knows she's supposed to be sad and maybe devastated, but she doesn't feel like pretending anymore. This neighborhood, this city, has heard so many rumours that it now has the ability to see through lies. And she's sure people, especially her in-laws, will understand why she doesn't shed a tear.

She listens half-heartedly to the whispers around her and thinks of Betsy Singleton. Instead of a fatherless baby, the younger woman is left with some cheap jewelry and several pieces of furniture Joe bought her. Stephanie is truly glad of that. Children can be a blessing and a burden at the same time. It will be much easier for the both of them to move on and restart their lives.

The weather is lovely today, she notices, perfect for an occasion like this. She looks at Joe's photo and thinks of Bob and her father's new love interest. She hears Angie's heartbroken sobbing and thinks of her conversation with Connie over the phone last week. Lula has wanted to come, but her 9-year-old stepson Derek is down with flu and she can't leave the boy's side. Stephanie smiles upon recalling the worry in her old sidekick's voice. She feels happy for her friends. She really does. But sometimes she can't help feeling a bit jealous and lonely.

Maybe she should sell the house and move somewhere else. Somewhere always warm and sunny. Somewhere strange and exotic. Somewhere she can sleep under the moon and dream under the stars. Somewhere she won't wake up everyday and think of all the mistakes she has ever made in her messed-up life. She clasps her hands together and closes her eyes. She's suddenly tired. And afraid. She wishes she knows what tomorrow will bring. She wishes Bob doesn't have to die. She misses her mother. She misses Rex. And she misses...she misses...

The white orchids sent by RangeMan is so beautiful. She almost burst into tears the moment she picked up the phone and heard Tank's voice. "Don't hesitate to call me if you need help." Tank said. And just like Ranger, he didn't say goodbye. Stephanie tries not to cry. She knows why Ranger decided to let Tank make the call. She knows it's too late now. He has a family. He belongs to someone else. But still she misses his voice. She misses his smile. She misses him. Stephanie blinks back her tears.

There is no return now.

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Chapter 6: Carried Away By The Moonlight Shadow

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Chapter Six

~Carried Away By The Moonlight Shadow~

Stephanie leaves the vet clinic and stops at a new doughnut place on the way home. She holds her coffee with both hands and stares out of the window. All around her people are talking or laughing, but what she hears is a deafening silence. Bob is gone. He will no longer suffer. That's the only thing that matters. Once again she tells herself. She's no stranger to loneliness, death and sorrow. She knows how to get on with her life. But the rapidly growing hole within her heart refuses to be ignored. She misses the sound of Bob's breathing. She misses Bob's goofy smile. She misses his warmth and trusting eyes. She hopes there was more she could do. She prays she didn't make a wrong decision. She hates feeling this helpless. And she doesn't want to go home alone.

Home?

She almost smiles. The 2-story house has already stopped feeling like a home to her. It has a lot of memories, too much memories, as a matter of fact. And now, without Bob, it'll be nothing but the place where she lives. For now.

Yes, she's going to sell the house and finds herself a new home. Probably in a new town, a new city, where she knows no one and no one knows her. She needs a brand new start. She wants to forget about the past, about those who she hates, and those who she loves but can not have...

Maybe she will pay Connie a visit. Maybe she will then go to Seattle to watch Ichiro rob someone of a homerun. Maybe she will take a trip to Alaska or Canada. Maybe she will learn to live on her own. Maybe she will meet someone else. Maybe she can finally let go and move on.

She takes a sip of the lukewarm coffee and starts eating the chocolate-caramel doughnut. She didn't cry when Bob stopped breathing. She didn't want her big orange dog to worry about her. She nodded and answered the vet's questions and made the necessary arrangements afterward but she wasn't really listening or paying attention. She keeps on chewing the sweet pastry. She tries not to think of her life. She tries not to think of the vast emptiness that's going to greet her the moment she unlocks the front door. She finishes her coffee and wonders if Bob has already made friends in Doggie Heaven.

She stands up and makes her decision. She's going to go home and call the realtors. There's nothing for her here. Not any more.

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Chapter 7: Man In The Rain

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Chapter Seven

~Man In The Rain~

She watches him playing with their twin sons and smiles. Why does he love her? She sometimes wonders. Even though she already knows the answer. She's glad the boys have his hair and eyes. She never likes being blonde. She never likes how she looks. And she flat-out hates being judged by her appearance.

She's not sweet. She's not naïve. She does have a temper and she was never into marriage or children. She loved her solitude. She enjoyed her freedom. She wanted no burden. She wanted no obligation. She wanted to be free with no strings attached. She'd never thought one day she would fall in love and change the course of her life for the man she loves. And now here she is. A mother of two and a loving wife. Ready to sacrifice for the man and the boys she treasures more than her own life.

A ray of sunlight catches the ring around his finger. Her eyes fall upon his hand. Large. Steady. Warm. And firm. He sometimes reminds her of a cat. A big, feral cat that is no stranger to danger and is always alert and prepared to react and fight. Silent. Patient. Independent. Practical. And smart. He takes what he needs and knows what he wants. He never shrinks from his duty or a necessary fight. He pays attention. He focuses on the details as well as the big picture. He may not always agree but he always listens. He says so little but cares so much. And he never lies to her.

She thinks of the night they first met. She thinks of the morning she woke up to realize her love for him. She thinks of the emotion she saw in his eyes. He looks up and gives her a smile. She wraps her arms around him and kisses him back. She's always true with her feelings. She's always honest with him and herself.

And sometimes she just can't help feeling sorry for him and Stephanie Plum.