Work Text:
“Stephanie Michelle Plum,” came her mother’s shrill voice. “What are you doing? You’re going to get dirty.” Her mother tssked. “You’re seven years old, you know better.”
“But it’s the park.” Stephanie whined. Her mother gave her a disapproving look and Stephanie shut-up.
“Look at Valerie.” Stephanie’s mother instructed, her head gesturing towards Stephanie’s sister. “She doesn’t have dirt all over her dress.”
Stephanie’s mother wiped the dirt off, and Stephanie tried not to wince at the vigor.
“Now go play, and stay clean.” Her mother gave her a little shove.
Stephanie ambled off, head down. How exactly was she supposed to do that?
“Stop dragging your feet.” Her mother called after her. “You’ll scuff your shoes.”
Stephanie sighed and headed towards the swings. She couldn’t really play on the slide or the jungle gym with her stupid dress. The Morelli boys would be sneaking a peek at her underwear if she did that. Taunting her and calling her names, trying to play choo choo again. Stephanie’s mother had warned her about the Morelli boys, and Stephanie knew she’d be the one in trouble if her mother caught her near them again.
Stephanie glanced over at Valerie. She was playing dolls with two other little girls. They were pretending to feed and change them. Stephanie just rolled her eyes, and hoped her mother was wrong and they wouldn’t get stuck that way. Why anyone would want a doll that peed on you, she had no idea.
Stephanie eyed the swings glumly and sat down, rocking gently. She didn’t want to push off and scuff her shoes. Her mother was talking to two other women and sipping from her special thermos. Stephanie narrowed her eyes a little. Apparently, all the moms had one.
“Want me to push you?” Came a voice that yanked Stephanie’s head up.
A little boy with dark hair and dark eyes was assessing her. He had a suit on, and kept tugging at the collar of his shirt.
“I’m supposed to try and stay clean.” He said by way of explanation.
“Yeah, me too. If I let you push me, are you going to try and peek up my dress?” She asked warily.
The little boy wrinkled his nose. “Why would I do that?”
Stephanie just shrugged.
“Sure.” She finally said. “I’m Stephanie.”
“I’m Carlos.”
Carlos got behind her and gave a gentle shove to get the swing started.
“Don’t push me too high.” Stephanie instructed.
“Why? Don’t you want to fly?” Carlos asked, clearly baffled.
Stephanie let out a sigh. “Yes, but my mother doesn’t.”
“OK,” came his dubious reply.
A couple of minutes went by. “Why do you have to stay clean?” Carlos enquired.
Stephanie turned her head and looked at him like he might not be too bright. “Because I’m not supposed to get my clothes dirty.” She told him in her best hoity tone.
“It’s the park.” Carlos clearly thought she was the one that might not be too bright.
He stopped pushing her. “Do you want to play hot wheels?”
Stephanie hopped off the swing. “Sure.”
“Here, you can even play with my favorite." Carlos handed her a little shiny black car.
“That’s not a real car.” Stephanie declared. It was too sleek, too perfect, too beautiful for someone to really drive.
“It’s a Porsche 911. One day I’m going to have one.” His voice rang with certainty.
Stephanie was about to tell Carlos that was silly, until she saw the look of determination on his face. Instead, she just nodded sagely like she believed him. She thought if anyone could, it was probably him.
They ‘drove’ the cars over the slide and along the merry-go-round like it was a cross-country racetrack.
Stephanie couldn’t help but laugh at the focus on his face as he moved his chosen car over the terrain with precision.
“Where do you live?” Stephanie blurted out. Maybe she could play with Carlos again sometime.
“Miami.”
Stephanie thought that sounded exotic and exciting, and really far away. “I’ve never been to Miami.” She whispered.
“My abuela lives here. My grandmother he corrected himself to English.”
“So why do you have to stay clean?” Stephanie finally asked between peals of laughter as her car overtook his and he graciously conceded defeat.
“My cousin is getting married.” Carlos shrugged.
They both wrinkled their noses at the thought.
“I’ve never been to a wedding.” Stephanie stated. Lots of funerals, but no weddings. “What do they do.”
Carlos tilted a shoulder up. “I have to hold the rings.”
“They can’t hold their own?” Stephanie gave him a questioning look.
Carlos tugged her over to the swing set. “I had to practice all of it last night.” He told her solemnly.
“They stand at the altar with a priest and hold hands.” Carlos took her hands in his. “Then they give each other sappy looks.”
Stephanie giggled.
“The priest makes them repeat after him.” She and Carlos gave each other a look that said his cousin must be a little slow if he had to repeat after the priest. “Then I give them the rings, and they put them on.”
“Then what?” Stephanie asked enthralled.
Carlos wrinkled his nose. “Then they kiss each other.” He said conspiratorially.
They both said ewwwww at the same time and giggled.
“Carlos, mi hijo” a woman called. “It’s time to go.”
Carlos gave her a smile. “Here you can keep this.” He handed her his Porsche.
“But it’s your favorite.” Stephanie whispered.
Carlos just shrugged. “I don’t need it. Someday I’m going to have a real one.”
A woman with dark hair and kind eyes approached.
“You stayed clean.” She beamed at him. “I’m so proud of you.” She gave Carlos’ cheek an affectionate squeeze, and turned to Stephanie and gave her a smile. “Thanks for keeping my Carlos out of trouble.”
Stephanie gave her a shy smile, basking in the unexpected praise.
The woman turned and headed back up the hill and Carlos turned to Stephanie.
“Someday, I think I’ll marry you.” He gave her a wide grin.
“And someday I might say yes.” Stephanie retorted and grinned back.
With that he turned and ran off, catching up with his mother.
Stephanie never saw the little dark-haired boy again. She looked for him every time she went to the park, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. The days turned into months and the months into years, but she never forgot him. That fun, magical day stayed with her along with the little hot wheels car he had gifted her. She’d kept it through college and countless moves. It sat on a little shelf in her living room, and she often wondered if Carlos had ever gotten a real one. Somehow, she figured he had.
“He’s on his way.” Connie’s voice cut through her thoughts.
“Who’s on his way?” Stephanie asked absently.
“Ranger. The guy I told you about. Vinnie’s primo bounty hunter. He’s agreed to show you the ropes.”
“Oh, right.” Stephanie said distracted, as a shiny black Porsche 911 Turbo rolled up to the curb.
Stephanie’s lips parted and a little gasp escaped as she saw the man that slid out of the car with one fluid, graceful movement. He was dressed all in black. Black t-shirt, black cargo pants. His skin was flawless, his hair was soft and sexy, his body was all hard muscle and masculine perfection. She kind of thought the car might fit the man, and she felt that little flutter low in her belly.
He locked eyes with her as he entered the office, and awareness pulsed through her. The air around them seemed to crackle with recognition and pure unadulterated heat. She searched his face looking for a spark or a clue, but his dark eyes were unreadable. Something about him felt familiar, like maybe she’d been waiting for him for a long time. She heard herself softly exhale. Stephanie was pretty sure she had been holding her breath waiting for him her whole life, or at least since she was seven.