Please Love Me Back Chapter 8

Chapter 8

Who doesn't have an ugly past?

Who doesn't have hideous secrets to hide?

Who's lucky enough to forget?

Who's brave enough to to remember, to learn, to move on, to let go, to embrace the new life and smile?

And maybe it's better for things to stay this way, for everyone's best interest.

The generous and kind people of Trenton decide as they soon choose side. It's not that they don't feel sorry for Angie Morelli. They all know life has never been easy for poor Angie. They all know how much she needs and relies on her younger son. It's just that they have all grown bored and tired. All those arm flapping, cursing, and yelling. All those hooking a finger into her collar to take a peek at her breasts. All those breakups and getting back together. It was almost like watching Jersey Shore LIVE, Sweet Jesus save us, please. And most of them don't want to have the old Joe Morelli back. He may—or should they say "might"—be a good, hard-working police detective, but he can also be annoyingly aggressive, arrogant, and demanding at times. Besides, the fact that he has slept with most of the town and been proud of it doesn't help. Trenton is not exactly a huge city. Everyone does have sisters, cousins, daughters, mothers and aunts. Sometimes it simply doesn't do to say "Well, I am a different man now" instead of "Gee, I am so sorry".

And they all kind of want to see Stephanie Plum have a Happy Ever After, truth be told. She has been beaten up, shot at, threatened, kidnapped and stalked for too many times, and was almost killed on several occasions. They really, really have had enough of the noises of the sirens and the poisoned smoke of all the creepy blown-up cars. They really, really have had enough of the terrible smell coming off Stephanie when someone finally digs her out of the dumpster. All they want is for Stephanie to stay safe and away from danger so that they finally have some peace and quiet. And let's be honest, Joe Morelli has never been able or willing to help Stephanie out. He didn't even let her borrow his car. Ranger, on the other hand, is a totally different story. Everyone knows he's most willing and capable to look after Stephanie. Criminals and crazies run like Hell at the sight of him. All of them actually feel safer and sleep sweeter when he or his men is following Stephanie around the city. These men are highly trained professionals. They know what they are doing. The sight and smell of a burning Porsche is far more fascinating. And the almost smile on Ranger's face when he looks at Stephanie and says "It's but a car, babe" is simply heart stopping.

So they cast their sympathetic eyes upon a silently weeping Angie Morelli. So they nod their heads vigorously in agreement when Helen Plum stops her accusing. They can't say they don't see Angie's point. They can't say what Helen said is wrong. Hell, they can't even say they don't feel a little sorry for crazy Emily and her unanswered love for her Joseph. Maybe Emily can forget about her obsession with Joseph and finally find some peace in her prison cell. Maybe Joe can start anew and one day find his own happiness. Maybe the Plums and the Morelli will then focus on living their separate lives, stop starting a fight inside the church and making everyone feel uncomfortable and uneasy.

And maybe Joe really deserves it. Pulling his gun on Stephanie while Ranger was there? Even stupidity has its limit. Geez.

Please Love Me Back Chapter 7

Chapter 7

"How dare you, Angie Morelli." Helen Plum hisses and narrows her pale blue eyes. "How dare you."

If you look close enough, you will find the striking resemblance between Helen and her two daughters. And, believe it or not, this always mild and polite woman does have a temper—not the violent, eruptive and sometimes destructive temper many of the Plums have, but the cold, quiet yet furious temper that runs in the Mazurs' blood. The church falls silent. People around Helen Plum and Angie Morelli hastily take a step back. No, you don't have to be Albert Einstein to detect the rising tension or the raging anger. And thank God Caroline Hasting, crazy Emily's poor sweet mother, has been dead for over eighteen years. The nice and kind people of Trenton worriedly look on and dazedly think to themselves. Yes, they have all been waiting for this moment to arrive. The inevitable show down between the two good Catholic mothers has been the topic of the town for months. But somehow they didn't feel the usual excitement and anticipation. They don't really want to witness two of their good friends and neighbors exchanging accusations and screaming at each other. They do have their limit.

"Stephanie owes Joseph that much." Angie Morelli takes a deep breath and stubbornly insists. "None of this would have happened had she not cheated on him with that Ranger."

Helen Plum pales. The on-lookers gasp. Bella Morelli keeps on murmuring to herself and remains oblivious to the rest of the world. Both Joe Morelli's sister and sister-in-law wince and once again try to pull Angie away before it's too late. All the people inside the church are grateful Edna Mazur and Frank Plum haven't yet arrived. They sensed trouble coming when Angie, with iron determination in her dense brown eyes, went to request for Stephanie's help. And now they all have a bad feeling about where this conversation is heading.

"None of this would have happened had your precious son not molested my daughter in your husband's garage." Helen's soft composed voice shatters the awkward, uncomfortable silence and sends cold shiver down everyone's spine.

"None of this would have happened had your precious son not taken my child's virginity and written about it on bathroom walls." Helen leans slightly forward into Angie Morelli's suddenly bloodless face and clenches her fists.

"None of this would have happened had your precious son not tried to kill Stephanie in front of Carlos." Helen holds Angie prisoner with her steely gaze.

"None of this would have happened had you been a more competent mother and done a much better job raising your darling Joseph." Helen slowly spits out the hurtful words and tries hard not to feel ashamed as burning tears fall down Angie Morelli's thin hollow cheeks. She may have been a simple housewife for almost forty years, but she's never stupid or ignorant. She knows she's not the world's best mother. She knows Stephanie is far from perfect. She knows Stephanie has made a lot of bad choices and shameful, embarrassing mistakes. She knows she will be lying if she declares what Angie said is untrue.

But she is Stephanie's mother.

And Stephanie was almost shot to death right in front of Frank's eyes.

The terrified look on Frank's face broke her heart.

Stephanie's timid, shaky, brave little smile shattered and mended her soul.

So she, too, has every right to play the blaming game.

She won't allow Stephanie to visit Joseph. She doesn't want Joseph to remember what he has forgotten. She wants him to let go of the past and embrace his new future. A future without ugly memories. A future without bad habits. A future without her daughter. For the very first time in her life, Stephanie has found a man who truly loves and cares for her, and Helen will do everything and anything to make sure of Stephanie's happiness.

What has to be done must be done.

Even if that means she has to be harsh and selfish.

Even if that means she has to hurt other people.

That, is Helen Plum's duty as a mother.

Please Love Me Back Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Joe Morelli has lost his memory? Wow. It's just like the world's funniest and cruelest joke. Men raise their brows and drop their jaws. Women twist their lips, narrow their eyes or frowns. How convenient. He has no trouble reading. He has no trouble writing. He knows how to use knife and fork. He knows what toilet paper and shower curtain are for. He knows how to speak English. He knows when to say "Yes", "No" and "Please". He knows green hospital jello is world-famously gross. He's thinner, paler but still furry and good-looking. He just can't remember his damn name or his mother's face. And he remembers nothing of his past. Nothing.

He stares at his reflection in the mirror marveling at the scar on his brow and the tattoo on his chest. He can't be sure if the name "Stephanie" sounds familiar. He can't decide if "Cupcake" means somehting special. He furrows his brows in confusion when one of the female nurses asks him if "lizard tongue" ring a bell. His whole family comes to visit. They bring with them his dog(with his doctor's approval, of course), his family photo albums and all kinds of his favorite homemade dishes and desserts. But sadly their hope crashes as all their attempts fail. Nothing triggers anything in Joe's brain. His grandmother's presence and mystical stare(aka the Eye) don't help. His dog's big wet smelly kiss doesn't work. His godmother's lasagna makes him burp. The sting of his cousin's slap on the back of his head makes him course. His friends come with wicked stoiries of their wild, wild past and go home crestfallen hours later. Then one by one barmaids, waitresses, several thirty-something divorcée, and a tall curvy cold-eyed blonde woman drop in and pay him a visit. He happily and almost shyly gives them his most charming smile as they kiss him on his cheek and hold his hand. But still he remembers nothing. Nothing at all.

A constant stream of doctors, specialists, and shrinks come to examine him every day and shrug and go away. His aunts and grandmother light candles for him and weep and frantically pray. His dog chews his cousin's shoes and socks and couch and wonders when his human will be back. His mother holds her head in her hands and closes her eyes. Her tears have run dry. She has done whatever she could and now she's tired. There's only one way left. She has to go talk to Stephanie Plum. She has to persuade Stephanie to visit Joseph. She hopes and wishes and prays that the sight of her son's on-and-off ex-girlfriend will be the magical cure-it-all. She needs to have her Joseph back.

And she won't take "No" for an answer.

Please Love Me Back Chapter 5

Chapter 5

It is late afternoon when Joe Morelli finally wakes up. He's all alone inside his private ward. His mother has gone home to prepare dinner and his elder brother has not yet arrived. He opens his eyes and blinks twice. He feels weak and tired but eerily calm. He slowly moves his fingers and toes. He takes a deeper breath and immediately knows where he is. He's inside a hospital. Joe Morelli smiles. He's no stranger to hospitals, cuts and bruises. He can recognize the unique smell anywhere, and all the nurses—young and aging, married or divorced—like him. He looks around and wonders what happened to him. His head is dizzy, his mouth is dry, but other than that he seems to be okay. He's not in pain, and he doesn't have any broken rib or limb. He listens to the vague voices and sounds coming from outside the door and tries to concentrate and think. Why is he here? How long has he been hospitalized? But tries as he might, his mind stubbornly remains a complete blank. He's a little annoyed that he can't remember anything. Not even his dream. And now he's also hungry. He never likes feeling hungry.

A tall sturdy male nurse comes into the door and raises his brows upon finding his patient awake. He goes out to call the doctor right away and didn't waste any time smiling his trained pleasant smile. Soon the doctor comes to check the vital signs of the patient and ask a few questions. She then frowns at the answers and tells the nurse to page another doctor. Modern medicine still has its limits. She wishes one day she can know more about head traumas. And the legendary patient looks even cuter when he's calm and awake. The doctor thinks secretly to herself and gives Joe Morelli a small encouraging smile. She is always intrigued by strong, handsome men's sad vulnerability, and she has fallen in love with his permanent 5 o'clock shadow and lean sleeping face. Even if she has issues with his dense body hair.

Anthony Morelli parks his brother's car and whistles a happy song. He's not exactly a loving elder brother but he does care about Joe. They have been through a lot together, and he wants to be there when his younger brother wakes up this time. His life has never been easy. His kids are having problems in school. Both his boss and his wife are way too demanding. His seemingly strong mother is falling apart under too much stress and pressure. And he's going to be a father AGAIN in less than 8 and a half months. Anthony steps into the elevator and blows out a sigh. He sometimes wishes he could change place with Joe. It's not that he doesn't love his sweet but not little family. It's just that sometimes he can't help wanting to run away from all the responsibilities and duties of being a father and husband and be himself again. Now he can understand why Joe never proposes to Stephanie. It's not about love. It's not about trust. It's not about companionship or friendship. It's about sacrifice, commitment and courage. And it's too much and too heavy to bear if you are not 100 percent sure and ready.

Joe Morelli starts to feel panic. He doesn't know why he can't be sure of anything. He hopes he knows why he can't remember things more clearly. They say his name is Joseph Morelli. They say he is a Trenton police detective. They say he has been in a coma for more than 7 months until this morning. They say he had suffered from a severe concussion. They say he had several fractured bones. They say he may have memory loss. And they ask him if "Cupcake" means something, anything special to him.

But he can't remember anything.

He can't remember his name. He can't remember his birthday. He can't remember if he has a pet. He can't remember who the president is. He can't remember his mother's face. He can't remember who Stephanie is. All he knows is he's hungry and thirsty and in a panic. And somewhere deep, deep down inside his being, he knows he has forgotten something. Something warm. Something soft. Something precious. Something essential. Something sweet. Something very, very special to him. He knows he needs that something. He knows he has to find that something. But he simply can't remember what that "something" is. A drop of tear falls down Joe Morelli's face.

And it scares the Hell out of him.

Please Love Me Back Chapter 4

Chapter 4 

Angie Morelli dabs at her eyes with a small handkerchief. She has always been a strong and tough woman. She never cried when her handsome, brutal yet extremely charming husband beat her, cheated on her or gambled his salary away. She didn't shed a tear when she was in labor. Her eyes remained dry during her husband's funeral. But right now she simply can't stop her tears. She's too tired, too worried and too afraid. And she has trouble suppressing her raging anger. She's mad at the world. She's mad at herself. She's mad at her son. She's also mad at both Emily Hasting and Stephanie Plum.

She has sworn to herself that she will never ever bake, buy or eat another cupcake again for the rest of her life. She has no idea why Joseph has to nicknamed his girlfriend "Cupcake". She has no idea why that Hasting woman wants to be Joseph's "Cupcake" so badly. She has no idea why Stephanie Plum could not settle down with Joseph and start their own family. She has no idea why Stephanie Plum and Joseph kept breaking up and getting back together. She has no idea why her life is always so complicated and never easy. The only thing she knows is that she is sick of cupcakes. Soft. Sweet. Fluffy. Shallow. Gooey. Easy. Cheap. And empty. Just like her dead husband's sexy smile and all his sugar-coated promises. Just like her illusion of a happy family. Beautiful and attractive on the outside but hollow inside. Pretty, but sadly worthless.

Her mother-in-law is slipping further away from reality. Her elder son is once again kicked out by his wife. Her daughter is filing for a divorce. She herself is sitting in a cheap uncomfortable hospital chair waiting for her younger son, the pride and joy of her life, to wake up from his drug induced slumber. The doctors have finally warned her that Joseph may suffer from amnesia or other kinds of head traumas. The district attorney hasn't decided if she is going to file any charges against him. Stephanie Plum and that Ranger have moved in together and moved on with their lives. Angie lets out a harsh, ragged laugh. And somehow she can't help feeling a little bit happy for Stephanie. Angie closes her eyes and feels ashamed and guilty. She thinks of the little girl who followed Joseph into his father's garage many years ago. She thinks of the young girl who became the town's laughing stock when Joseph left home to join the Navy. She thinks of all the rumours and gossips concerning Stephanie and Joseph. At least one of them has found true love. At least one of them is having a happy life. She grasps hold of her sleeping son's hand and tells herself.

And maybe Joseph can find his own happiness when he wakes up and restarts his life. A life without his Cupcake, his Stephanie Plum.

Please Love Me Back Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Stephanie Plum tries not to feel worried.

She knows she's not the world's most beautiful woman or smartest person. She knows she has made too many bad mistakes and stupid decisions. She knows all kinds of rumours are still running wild. She knows people are still whispering behind her back. She's grateful none of her family and friends has come forward and asked her about what happened that day. Curiosity must be killing them, she's sure of that. But she just wants to put all the sad, unpleasant, humiliating memories behind and start living and enjoying her life. Her new life. A life without constantly feeling uncomfortable, frustrated or guilty for whatever happened in the past.

She simply doesn't want to think or talk about Joe Morelii. She didn't and still doesn't want to go to the hospital to visit him. She has tried all she could to forget the ugly entangled history between them. She has tried all she could to rein in the anger that suddenly surfaced as the initial shock and sorrow slowly ebbed away. She still remembers that day. The blaze of the sun. The smell of the burning car. The worries and disgust in the pit of her stomach. The enigmatic look in Ranger's deep beautiful eyes. The gentle touch of his perfect lips. And the sound of his fast ferocious punch. The dull thudding sound. The one simple merciless punch. Sometimes when she rests her head on Ranger's bare muscular chest, she can still hear it in her ears. And then she will marvel at his power, his strength, and his determination and ability to protect her at all costs. Who could have thought "No price" is the highest and dearest price? Who could have thought the man who once told her that Batcave is forever will accept her love and love her back?

She also vaguely remembers the cracking sound of Joe Morelli's head smashing against the ground. The sight of Morelli's gun and his unmoving form. The blood coming out from his nose and mouth. The sirens of the ambulance. The tears falling down her father's old worried face. The look of concern in her cop friends' eyes. The warmth and safety of Ranger's embrace. And the happy smile of relief on her mother's tear-stricken face.

And now after seven months, seven days and seven hours, Joe Morelli has finally woken up from his coma. And somehow the only response the doctors and nurses could get from him is "Cupcake"...

Stephanie Plum tries hard not to feel sick or afraid. It's gonna be alright. She takes a deep breath, squares her shoulders and firmly tells herself. She's with Ranger now. She loves him and he loves her back. And she's also a different woman now. She has changed. She has become better. She's braver and smarter and stronger. She won't make the same mistakes. She won't make decisions out of guilt. She knows what she needs and whom she loves. She's happy with her life and herself. She will deal with whatever trouble Joe Morelli is going to cause.

Now matter what.

Please Love Me Back Chapter 2

Chapter 2

"Cupcake..."

The tall thin pale darkish man blinks slowly and half whispers, half croaks. His mind is a blur. His throat is raw. He doesn't know where he is. He doesn't know why he's here. He doesn't know the time. He doesn't know the date. He feels tired and strangely frustrated. He feels like he forgets something. Something important. Something precious. Something essential. Something sweet. Something soft. Something tasty. Something warm. He knows he has to remember that something. He knows he has to find that something. He frowns and tries hard to think. But somehow he can not think straight.

He takes a deep breath and closes his eyes. He knows he needs to concentrate. He knows he has to try harder. He needs to remember that something. He needs that something. He wants that something. He can't live without that something. He wants to taste its tender sweetness. He wants to embrace its fluffy softness. He wants to feel its gooey warmth. He wants to...he wants to...he wants to find it...he wants to claim it...he...

Joseph...

Joseph...

Dear Joseph...

He opens and widens his eyes upon recalling the voice. He knows that voice. The voice in his cold lonely scary dream. The sweet gentle voice. The beautiful enchanting voice. The pleading desperate voice. The familiar yet unfamiliar voice. A smile breaks on his face as he suddenly realizes what that "something" really is. He needs to find the owner of that divine voice. He needs to hold her in his arms. He needs to have her in his life. She will light up his days. She will enrich his nights. She will be the meaning of his world. She will be the anchor of his universe. She will be the core of his galaxy. She will want him. She will need him. She will love him. She will adore him. She will worship him. She will be his destiny. She will be his fate. She will make him whole. She will give him power. She will give him strength. She will give him faith. She will be his courage. She will be the key to his happiness. She will be his Cupcake. His one and only Cupcake. His soft tender sweet fluffy tasty unresisting Cupcake.

Joseph...

Dear Joseph...

Please love me back.

Please.

"Cupcake..." He half sighs and half whispers. Yes, he will find her. Yes, he will love her. Yes, he will cherish her. Yes, he will wrap her in his arms. Yes, he will place a kiss on her lips. Yes, he will make her his. He looks up and looks around. He sees a lot of strange faces. He vaguely hears a lot of noises. He pays them no attention. He needs to leave this place. He needs to find his Cupcake. He has to find his Cupcake. He will find his Cupcake. He knows he will find his happiness the moment he finds her. And then they will share a life and live happily ever after. He tries to get out of his narrow hospital bed. He waves his arms and kicks his legs when hands coming out of nowhere grab hold of him. He tries to break away from the merciless restraints. He tries to growl. He tries to yell. He tries to shout. He tries to scream. He tries to bite. He tries to claw. He tries his best. But still he fails. He feels a needle piercing his skin.

"Cupcake..." He moans.

"Cupcake..." He groans.

Soon he loses his battle and closes his eyes as once again he falls soundly asleep. The doctors and the nurses let out a collective sigh of relief. Mr. Joe Morelli paid no attention to their questions. Mr. Joe Morelli gave them no answer. Mr. Joe Morelli did not respond to his own name. However, Mr. Joe Morelli's behaviors and lack of reaction are not exactly unexpected. Patients waking up from a coma are sometimes confused at first. They will soon calm down and learn to cope in due time. It doesn't necessarily mean they have amnesia or any other kind of severe head traumas. Besides, both his MRI and CT reports showed that everything was perfectly fine. They quickly set to work like the highly trained professionals that they are. They are truly glad none of Mr. Morelli's families and friends was present and witnessed the scene. Because they also know that head injuries can be tricky and unpredictable at times. And the golden rule of medicine is never say never...