October 28^th • Early Evening  •  Chicago Illinois

Lucy held her hat tight to her head to keep from having the early autumn winds take it off as she disembarked the private plane with briefcase in hand.  She ran across the tarmac, her bodyguards keeping pace. 

A dark sedan was running on the runway awaiting her.  The sun was setting over Chicago and Lucy had finally finished her long journey which had been elongated by a rerouted flight from Vegas to Denver and back to LA before coming home. Apparently, California did get bad weather from time to time as it turned out.

Just over thirteen hours on flights and several hours in each location hunting informants and breaking knees for information; it was a long bloody day and it was likely just the prelude to something worse.  She had no idea which unlucky son of a bitch her boss was hunting – he’d asked for information on too many people … some who had done nothing to earn his ire, of that she was sure.  It was impossible to know for who the dead man was based on his questions and it wasn’t her place to ask, not yet… but soon.  Very soon.

 “Welcome home.”  Don Varys said as his bodyguards held the door open for her to jump inside.

“Thank you.”  Wearily she handed the briefcase over. 

He entered the combination and opened it without any prelude.  He began flipping through the papers, nodding and eventually smiling. 

“Knowledge,” He said putting the papers back.  “Is my trade, Mrs. Dicaprio, but even I can admit this is impressive.  You’ve earned your place at my side, to be certain.”

“I’m honored, Don Varys, thank you for putting your trust in me.  I know we worked with each other only a short while under Godfather Tobias.  I will not soon forget how you took a chance on me.”

“Chance would imply that I hadn’t done my homework on you, Lucy.”  He smiled.  “And I pride myself on knowing who is worthy of my friendship and who is not.”  He paused a moment to pour himself a glass of some manner of alcohol which was kept in a crystal decanter here in the back of his luxury vehicle. 

He continued, “Anyone who inspires priests and whores equally… is worth listening to.”  Then he smiled a smile that sent a chill down her spine.  She considered his words as she always did.  Each Don she’d ever served spoke differently and one could tell a lot about a person by the way they chose to speak and act. 

Pollution was pure emotion… mostly rage… and he could hide nothing from his subordinates or family.  This scared many people, but for Lucy it made her feel incredibly safe.  You always knew where you stood with Pollution.  There was no manipulation or guile.  Just truth – even if that truth twisted and danced a fine dance in his mind from time to time. 

Vivian was passion and fire and had she been with her longer she might have greatly enjoyed that term of service. 

Arya was motherly, protective, but perhaps a touch naive at times expecting honor in the world when there was truly none.  In dying she’d shown Lucy the only bit of real nobility she’d never seen in this world.  Her last acts for Lucy were ones of sisterly love and affection and to this very hour, it continued to pain Lucy she couldn’t do more to save her… but survival was the only real way to win in this world.  And Lucy wasn’t one to roll over and give up.

Tyrion Lannister valued money above much else, or so it was said – she barely knew him before he was killed.  She supposed that his ambition, like that Greek story with the boy who made wings, burnt him too fast. 

Tobias had all the power in the world for a time but the irony seemed to be that he wanted people to respect him… NO.  He needed it.  He needed it so desperately that for those who learned the right way … as she had made a point to do … gaining his approval and his support was no harder than the right words at the right moment.  In fairness, however, that was true of most people.  Tobias, like many great tacticians, simply had a weakness when it came to the social arts.  It was a shock that his downfall wasn’t by the hands of a traitor inside of his own operation, rather than how it happened.

But Varys… he was different than all the other Dons she’d served before.  He was closer to who she truly was than any person she’d worked for yet, and that unnerved her utterly.  It suggested he knew what made her tick and he knew all her best tricks to not only survive… but to come out on top.  It suggested that she knew how dark he could really be – & how ruthless she would be if it was necessary – and worst of all it implied how utterly honest he’d be on the day he decided that her time had come.

She blinked away the image of Varys executing her from her mind’s eye.  That wasn’t going to happen.  Healthy caution was wise.  Paranoia was what lead one to become like Godfather Disorder.  A great man, but one who had become so hard he killed a fair number of people in more than questionable circumstances… killing men and women who were tools and resources was foolish if you could, instead, bring them to work for you rather than against. 

If Varys was indicating he knew about her past with his comment about Priests and Whores, she would never push him for the truth of it.  She had to assume he did.  Always best to assume everyone around you knew everything about you… that way you weren’t ever to be surprised in a bad way. 

Assume he knows everything… and never EVER lie; because trust would NOT be reclaimed with this one, once lost.  That was the only way for a Wolf to handle the Bird of Prey.  Just like in the wild they would live together – protecting and feeding each other’s needs… or die as one.  She’d not told Frank this… but she suspected that Varys was he last boss she’d ever kiss the ring of.  For good or ill – their fates were now entwined and the ropes of destiny might as easily be a noose, as a ladder raising them to glory.

As such, her only response was a smile.

“We’re at war.”  He said flatly.

“Who?”  She asked in a voice barely above a whisper.

“LA and Las Vegas.”

Lucy realized she was holding her breath.  She forced herself to breath.

“Go home.  Get some rest.” Varys continued. “I’ll call you in a few hours when you can be of help to us again.  By tomorrow – no later than 48 hours from now I suppose – you will be the Right Hand of the Entire City of Chicago.”  He tapped his window again and her door opened.

Lucy wanted to speak but she’d been dismissed.  She swallowed.  What could say?  Varys knew.  Varys had to know.  And if he knew… this was a measured action.  He’d sent her to gather the names and locations of biggest names in these families, including her own husband, because she was who she was – and Frank was who he was.  If she fled to alert Frank, she was a traitor. 

If she could make Frank turn traitor and shoot his own family, then Varys would have a new gun… but one he’d always know could and would turn on him if given the right motivation because his word meant so little to him that he’d turn on it for his wife and child. 

If she did nothing – if she said nothing – she would prove her loyalty to him and maintain her strength as an equal, but Frank would surely die.  She would be a widow and Katy would have no father.  Her standing as a mobster would end with her first word… she’d be little better than a trinket on Varys’ desk… not a real boss, but in name only.  She’d be an extension of him.  There would be no partnership, only servitude.

This, not the gathering of names and locations, was her real test and it conveniently allowed him to know whether her loyalty or ambition meant more to her.  It let him know to whom she was most loyal and to what.  In action showed disloyalty to blood.  Begging put her and Frank not as his capable soldiers but in his debt – forever. 

“You must become a wolf, if you’re going to survive, Lucy.” 

Lucy swallowed hard.  “Good Hunting.”  She said, forcing a smile and looking up to the private planes loading with faces she knew all too well… faces from The Kid’s crew, faces from Blu’s Crew, faces from Cesare’s crew and The Little Birds.  Many of them looked back to her and in their eyes, she could see something she’d never seen before.  Not just worry – though some had that – pity.  They must be realizing that she was just learning, that she’d been sent across the US today, to provide them with names and locations and one of them had Frank Dicaprio on his or her list.  One of them was leaving right now to make her a widow and they all knew it.

Lucy exhaled a jagged breath as the bodyguard closed the door and Varys car began driving away.  She lifted her chin.  Ice cold rain fell from the dark sky, slow at first and then in a torrent.  One by one the planes took to the sky and Lucy didn’t move or speak until the last had pulled away from the earth’s surface.

“Lucy?”  Giuseppe finally spoke.

“This either makes me the most trusted Right Hand in History or…”  She wiped the rain from her face which she told herself was most certainly not mixed with tears.  “… Varys is going to kill me before we’re done.”

“What do you want me to do?”

Lucy looked to Giuseppe and trembling from cold and fear she gave the order, “I need you an Vito to fly to Las Vegas and kidnap Consigliere Frank Dicaprio and bring him back to Chicago as my prisoner of war… a gift, my gift… to the new Godfather.”

“Kidnap Frank?”

Lucy nodded.  “I can’t ask that he’s spared and we can only hope my friends care for me too much to hunt him down first… Frank can’t turn traitor or he’d never be forgiven or trusted again.  That leaves us only one option.  We take him as prisoner and I give him to Varys to show my loyalty is above question… that I’d even hand over my husband to him if it was necessary.  The rest will be up to Frank.  I have to trust that he’s as good as I know he is.  He’ll convince Varys he’s more useful alive than dead, once the war is done… but you have to find him first Giuseppe.”

Lucy put a hand on the giant Sicilian’s chest, just above his heart.  “Get close.  He’ll trust I sent you to help him get out.  Let him think that…”

Giuseppe nodded.

“Make sure you have Vito on board.  He must know and accept the plan too or this doesn’t work and we’re all dead this time tomorrow.  Frank likes you but he trusts Vito.  Vito is his blood.  Make Vito understand that this isn’t about just saving him… it’s about making sure when it’s done that Frank stands on his own as a man of integrity.  His integrity means the world to him and I won’t let my husband be broken by this.  I won’t.”

Giuseppe leaned down and kissed Lucy’s forehead in a fatherly gesture.  “I’ll bring him back to you or I’ll die at his side.  I promise.”  He pulled her into his arms and held her tightly.

October 28^th •  Late Night  •  Alderly Estate Riverside, Illinois

The door bell ringing woke Lucy from her sleep on the sofa.  Across her lap lay the unconscious body of six-year-old Katy, her daughter.  The girl was dressed in pajamas and had chocolate stains across her mouth.  Lucy had given in and given her the two sweets her father normally gave to her at bedtime… and a few more to apologize for his absence. 

Her eyes were red and sore from weeping after the girl had dozed off.  Lucy had left her there, thinking to take her to bed once Frank came home. 

If he comes home.

Angela came into the room.  “You have a guest Mrs. Dicaprio.  I’ll take Katy to her bed if you like?”

Lucy nodded and kissed Katy’s sleepy brow before allowing her Nanny to whisk her limp body away.

Turning to the door, she was shocked to see the face of MasqCharlie in entering the room.

Charlie was weary from a very long day and an even longer night.  Capazzo and she had just gotten back to his place when he received his summons.  With a quick kiss goodbye, a promise to stay safe, and a moment to grab his gun; he had been out the door.  He was barely gone when she herself received a summons from her RHM.  Upon reporting to headquarters she was informed that Chicago was at war with LA and Las Vegas.  She had barely a moment to think before Sandberg was ordering her onto a plane and sending her to LA to assist with the war effort.

On the way out there she had been able to kept her concerns and fears at bay, by focusing on her mission.  However, the plane ride back was a different matter.  The whole time she was going there and coming back she had little to no information on how the war was proceeding. She did not even know where Capazzo was, except that he was not out in LA.  

When she got back she found out that Chicago and New York were winning it pretty handily.  They had taken them completely by surprise.  With every aspect of the war being covered by others, she was able to sneak out to Alderly Estates to check on Lucy.  She had not heard if Frank was alive or dead.  It was a certainty that he would have been on the hit list.  She had seen him in action.  As she knocked on the door to the house she prepared herself for the worse just in case.  Either way Lucy needed someone to be with her right now and after what Frank and she had done for her with the Bees Knees she had to come.

She was shown in and when she saw Lucy's puffy red eyes, she feared the worse.  "Lucy... are you okay?"  She reached out with both hands to take hold of Lucy's hands and gave them a squeeze.  "I came as soon as I could."

Lucy let's her take her hands and then slides past them to hug the woman.  "Do ... have you ... have you heard anything?"  Lucy managed to eek out.  "No one has called.  Not a word.  I mean, I didn't expect he'd call.  But..."

Lucy sighed.  But what?  She didn't know what she meant.  "Varys said he'd call in a few hours when I could be of help again but... I think he won't call until tomorrow when it's done.  No one has called or come by..."  She pulled back to look in Charlie's eyes.  "Give it to me straight.  Do you know if he's... if he's...?"

She couldn't finish that statement.  She swallowed the lump in her throat.  "How's the war going?  Have you heard from Capazzo or Wrench or Finn?"  She didn't ask about The Kid.  She suspected he had stayed home while others went out in his place.  He was valued greatly here in Chicago and was a high value target for the enemy.

Charlie shook her head.  "I have not heard much of anything myself.  I don't even know where Capazzo is.  All I know is that we caught them completely off guard."  She hesitated a bit before adding, "Chicago and New York are winning this war, but it has come at a price.  We lost -Osiris-."

She wrapped her arm around Lucy's shoulder and lead her back to the couch.  "Was Frank in Las Vegas when it broke out?"

Of course a fixer like Charlie hadn't been assigned a target.  She wouldn't know.  She was assuming Lucy had been in communication with Frank earlier in the day and who wouldn't have thought that?

Lucy sat down.

"I left early today.  Frank was called to Vegas, but that was before ..."  She sighed.  "He was in Vegas earlier today when I was there.  My contacts had a bead on what might have been Donna Swan's HQ.  I assumed that Don Varys was after a specific target and was being particularly exacting in covering his tracks by asking me to locate multiple high value targets across multiple cities and multiple crews.  Had I gone to one city I would have assumed war... but... looking into so many people across so many cities..."  She shook her head.

"Frank... his location was in the notes I gave to Don Varys."  Her eyes began to well up with tears.  "How will I look his mother in the eye if..."  She bit her lip to cut off the words and her unmade sob.  She covered her mouth with her hand and spoke into it.  "I may have just sent someone to kill my husband."

The facade of calm she was trying to maintain was slowly cracking like a mirror under a slowly tightening vice grip.

Charlie took Lucy's closes hand and held it.  Lucy was going through what she had often feared since getting involved with Cap -- caught between loyalty and love.

"You did not send anyone.  You were ordered to do a job and you did it.  If you had not, you probably would be swimming with the fishes and Frank would be, as well.  Then who would have been here for Katy?"

Reaching into her pocket she pulled out a handkerchief to offer the woman.  "The way it stands, there is hope.  Powerful loyalty often begets powerful rewards in this thing of ours.  After all, loyalty is earned as much as it is given.  Godfather Varys would be a fool not to see what he has in you, and he doesn't strike me as a fool.  Hang on to hope."

Lucy took the handkerchief.  "Thank you."  She dabbed her eyes and squeezed the other woman's hand.  "Shall we have a drink?"  Lucy stood up and walked over to the bar and pulled out a decorative glass decanter.  She poured herself a drink and offered one to Charlie.

"Frank has been trying to get me pregnant since the wedding..."  She shook her head with a smile.  "It's not likely.  There were problems with Katy when she was born.  Doctors tell me not to get our hopes up - to be honest," She exhales.  "Nights like tonight are why I'm thankful it hasn't happened."

She stares blankly holding her glass.  She appears to be slipping back into a state of numb as she talks - perhaps too freely - about all that comes into her mind.  "Godfather Diogenisis invited me and Frank to dinner in Las Vegas.  We were going to bring Katy with us.  I had it in my head I could make peace a lasting thing... I was going to propose to Frank that we ask his Godfather to be Katy's Godfather.  You know... try to build real blood relations between the cities so that we'd ... we'd have peace and never have to have a night like tonight where I didn't know if Frank would come home or not."

She sipped her drink and whispered, "Guess I'm glad we didn't take that trip."

The night the lights went out in Vegas for Frank

Frank arrived in Vegas a day early, as he wanted to catch up with old friends and check up on his holdings.  It was a busy day from start to finish as he was shaking hands and kissing babies so to speak.  He met with several family member’s laughing and joking and killing time with memories of their younger days.  He knew that the next day he would meet with his capo to play catch up on his activities on the east coast and his time in Detroit and Chicago.  

The next morning Frank woke up reaching for his gun as the sound of gunfire rang out and continued as if a shot out was happening.  Frank forgot that there would be a celebration across America it was as if Mardi Gras was happening all over the country.  Fireworks were going off in the streets as he drug himself out of his bed.  Toting his 1911 with him to the bathroom and placing his pistol in a folded towel to keep it from getting wet.  He placed the towel on the vanity so that if he needed it the business end was already pointing at the door. Frank then splashes water on his face and looks in the mirror.  

He was still tired and wanted to break from the noise as he ran his right hand over his hair from front to back Frank realized he need to make calls and  see how the family was planning on participating in on the festivities.  Frank continued to looking at himself with his conceded mind; wondering how lucky he really was to have Lucy.  Stripping down into his birthday suit and turning on the hot water and adjusting the cold to ensure that the water at his desired temperature.

As the water hit his chest and he revolved around and the water messaged his back Frank melted from the comfort. It became a long warm shower before Frank had the strength to step out and dry off.  Looking at the steam that was escaping the bathroom and floating into the bedroom Frank thought of his wife and daughter and knew that before the day was over he had to call them.  Fully dressed in a suit and ready to see his Capo Frank called the office but no one picked up.  He called everyone still no answers.  

Frank then call his Don but no answer it was still early so he thought they were celebrating like everyone else.  Hours passed and Frank called home Angela Katy nanny answered the phone and said Ms. Dicaprio was out and Katy was sleeping.    Frank smiled as he thought that Lucy was always working and it had paid off for her and her family and for the Family.   Still more hours passed and Frank closed his eyes as now the sound of fireworks blinded in with all the other background noise.   He closed his eye’s and just as he was dozing off a knock came from his hotel room door.  He slowly stood pulling out his pistol and moved quietly towards the door.  The door swung toward the left as you face it from inside the room so he stood on the right encase the person on the other side decided to kick it out.  Frank asked who was it and recognized the voice.  Frank slowly opened the door and Vito and Guiseppe both walked in with smiles as they knew Frank would be holding a gun.  Frank asked them.

What are you two doing out here in Vegas?

Vito replied

Your wife sent us to bring back the love of her life when we couldn’t figure out what that was we decided to come get you boss.  

They all chuckled then Giuseppe said.

Yeah we need you to come back with us Lucy just

Frank asked why and Giuseppe face showed that something wasn’t right and Vito shrugged his shoulders as he was not really sure.  Frank refocused on Giuseppe and said.

You got a story to tell me so get to  telling it.  

Giuseppe knew that Frank was no dumb schmuck and he would have question that can’t be answered without telling him the truth.   Giuseppe try to follow Lucy’s request by getting Vito to help kidnap Frank but Vito laughed at Giuseppe thinking he was joking.   Vito even said that Frank would kill one of them if not both before he would allow anyone to take him hostage.  Giuseppe had another Idea of telling Frank Lucy was pregnant  but then Frank would kill him for playing with his emotions. So Giuseppe went with the truth and said.

Vito can you give us a few I need to tell Frank something thats for his ears only.

Vito nodded and went outside to smoke a cigarette.  Giuseppe spilled the beans.

Lucy wanted us to bring you back, your endanger Frank.  She loves you and is worried sick about you and the things that are set emotion that she has no control over.  We gotta get you back to Chicago where you’ll be safe.

Frank looked at Giuseppe with anger in his eyes and asked

Back to Chicago where I’ll be safe?  I’m in my city and no one would dare F*** with me here.  Unless a war broke out?  

Giuseppe silence let Frank know that a war was or has already broken out.  Frank stood looking at Giuseppe and walked to the phone and called his Capo and received no answer then his Don and no answer then the underboss and nothing then he call the Family’s Consigliere and still nothing he call other crew Capo’s and none of them picked up.   Each call he became worried and then he asked Giuseppe.  My family?  Gone?  Giuseppe buried his head and simply nodded.  

Going back to Chicago for what?  When did you find out and why didn’t She call me?  Who is at war with Vegas?  

Giuseppe said nothing then Frank fear turned to anger as he yelled

LA? Detroit? Chicago? New York? Why? we were working together I built friends with every city, my wife is the underboss for Don Varys.  Let me guess she got me a pass to spare my life.  What did she have to give up for that?

Giuseppe never said a word then reality hit Frank.  Lucy knew so why save me now.  Again Frank asked

Did she ask to have me spared?  

Giuseppe never said a word but his eyes told the truth for him and Frank was a broken man he thought to himself.  My family is dead and I don’t know where to turn.  

Okay Giuseppe, I’ll go back and see your Don.

After arriving back Frank sat with Don Varys.  Don Varys took Frank into his family and was granted a home as an associate of the family.  Frank know that in time and hard work that he would rise in stature.  It was days later that Frank discovered that Lucy never asked for Frank.   Her friends did that for her.  His  heart was broken, the woman he loved never said or asked if Frank would be or could be spared. What if her friends never said a word would the Don have given him his life or sent him away like those in Vegas that didn't see it coming.    The scars that Frank wears and the pride that he held now has diminished.  A wife and child to love that would love him back was what he worked hard for building and environment that they would be cared for and in return love him back but not so, not so in Frank's life and with the truth in front of him he felt nothing not even pain.  

Frank had avoided Lucy for days.  He was clearly pissed off that she had sent bodyguards to kidnap him.  She could understand how mad he must be.  So she gave him space. 

Days went by and not a word was spoken between them... because if Frank had actually allowed Lucy to talk at any point during those days... she would have told him about why she did what she did and how this was suppose to alive him of feeling like he had abandoned his crew.  Yes, he would have been mad at her for it - she knew as much... but at least he could have held his head up high knowing that if he could have done something for them, he would have. 

Sadly, he'd chosen to come to Vegas and barter with Varys for his life instead.  Fortunately Varys was a good man, and one who probably realized having a hitter like Frank in his debt would be a good thing; even if true trust was going to be hard won.

She could only imagine how her husband's manly ego had been shattered by having to come to Varys on his own to ask for his life - as opposed to having been honorably taken during a war.   She wondered at how bitter he must be with her for not playing the weak and helpless Sicilian wife who would have cast aside her delusions of being a true mobster to cry at the feet of the local mafia don to beg for her husband's life.

Lucy picked up her phone to make some phone calls that were long over due.  When and if her husband wanted to talk and work through this issue, she knew he'd come find her.  Until then, between raising their child - taking care of their home - and managing an entire fucking city, she had other shit than needed doing.

At least, thank God, he was alive.  Even if every other part of her plan had failed utterly... that part had still worked out.  As she waited for the line to pick up she made a note to herself to look for a new right hand to replace Giuseppe.  If going to your target's door and knocking was really his best plan for kidnapping someone as dangerous as Frank, it was time for him to retire to the countryside.  After all this time, he'd earned it.

Frank came home to take a shower and change clothes he knew Lucy would be at her office with Don's Varys.  He stood in front of the mirror again and slapped on a shaving lather an then pulled out his straight razor and shaved off his 5 O'clock shadow.  Then he stepped into the hot shower as the water soothed his muscles his back towards the water with his head down he thought of many things.  The bathroom was full of steam from the shower.  Finally turning off the water and stepping out to dry himself off. 

After his shower he pull on his suit and then started to leave as he was walking down the stairs the front door opened and Katy walked in with Nery and Angela.  Katy looked up and saw her father and ran to him hugging him with a tightest hug a six year old young lady could.  She told him how she missed him and was glad he was home.  Frank was stumped and didn't have the heart to tell her he was going back out.  He hadn't seen her since he left for Vegas. 

Frank looked at the nanny and Angela informed Frank that she hasn't been herself since he left she hasn't shown this much excitement since Halloween.  Frank nodded and then picked up his daughter and told Katy how much he missed her.  He carried her on his back to the Kitchen and they had a tea party which was Katy favorite thing to do.  They spoke as they drunk apple juice and eat little sandwiches made by the nanny just the way Katy liked them.  Her little face beamed with happiness just as Franks did.  Then they played matching cards and Frank was surprised at how much Katy improved in the game since they last played. 

Frank wasn't aware that Lucy walked into the house and watched them play until Katy stood up and said

Look mommy I found daddy.  We had a tea party and eat sand micthes.  We are playing match em and I'm winning for real daddy's not letting me. 

Katy looked at Lucy then back at Frank as he stood she could see something wasn't right then the bright child spoke words of wisdom.

Mommy you and daddy need to talk and play.  I'm going to play with Nery and I'll play with you later daddy.

She hugged him and smiled as she looked him in the eyes.  Frank was shocked that someone so young could be so wise.  Frank stood back up and tried to hide his pain and anger as he looked at his wife nodding that he agreed with Katy they needed to talk. 

Lucy kissed Katy on the forehead and watched as she departed the room with the Nanny.  Once the girl was gone she turned to Frank and began to explain,  "I got a call from the guards when they saw Katy come home from school early."  She doesn't say anything for a moment.

"I'm ... I'm glad your okay."  She manages, clearly not sure where to begin.

Frank nodded as he took a seat on the couch.

I wasn't expecting to see either of you myself.  Katy caught me just before I was heading out.  She got to me with her love and tender words.  here we are following orders of a six year old.

Frank didn't know what else to say at the moment so he leaded forward and looked at his hands wondering if Lucy even wanted to talk.

"Stop sleeping on the streets, Frank."  She says with a kind voice.  "We have a huge house.  If you need to be mad at me for a while, at least do it at home.  If you need to be further from me than that... we can... we can figure out something with the Bodyguards house.  I could sleep out there or you can, but it's reckless for you to be on the streets.  We have enemies all over and... and Katy misses you so badly."

Lucy played with her wedding set on her finger, spinning the rings around.  "I wish I could tell you I was sorry.  Not that it would make things better I suppose, but... I did the only thing I thought I could Frank."  She waited to see his reaction verbal or non-verbal.  She was testing the waters cautiously.

Frank was puzzled by her words as he wondered if she was being truthful with him or misleading him so he decided to hear her out.  He spoke in his quite and confident voice,

I'm not sleeping on the streets, I'm out late and I normally catch a nap here after you both are out.  I don't want an apology I want to know why you sent Vito and Giuseppe to kidnap me so to speak?  I want to know why you could pick up the phone and tell me to come home or to keep my head down?  Why you didn't speak for me?  What was your plan? To kill me or deliver my to your boss Don V?    What did I do that you couldn't trust me or am I just a stepping stone for your vengeance?

Lucy couldn't look at Frank, "I do trust you, but if I called you to ask you to come home, I would have warning an enemy."  She hated calling him that, but the moment her Don went to war with Vegas, that's exactly what he had become.  "I had to find a way to be a loyal wife and a loyal Right-Hand Man.  I knew if I had the guys take you by force I could do both."  She sighed.

"Varys - he's not the monster you must think.  I saw the proof Frank.  Bella wanted to wipe us out... to kill me Frank."  She shook her head.  "Varys had no issue with you personally.  I figured if I could deliver you to him after the war was over then he'd offer you a place in our operation if only so he didn't make possible enemy out of me."  She shrugged.

"And... I hoped to aleve you of the horrible decision between gunning down my friends and family, and keeping your loyalty to yours."  She shook her head.  "Fuck maybe I was afraid you'd be too good... that you'd kill people I love and I'd have to live with that too."  She got tears in her eyes.

Frank listen to her words and realized that she was stuck between a rock and a hard place.  Think on the facts that Lucy had to live to care for Katy and sending Vito was smart.  Frank trusted Vito above everyone.  

I don't know what's what with Bella and Vary's which is neither here nor there now.  I'm in Chicago and here is where I'll be.  

Frank stands and walks over to the mini bar and pours himself a brandy.  With his back towards her still speaking quitely.

Don't ever send any one to kidnap me.  I would have killed them both if they came into my room expectantly.   Giuseppe wasn't wrong he listened to what Vito said and knew that neither Vito or Tony would have agreed to approach me that way.  Giuseppe is still in town waiting to return to work.  If you don't want him here then I'll give him steady work with Frankie Vale and Johnny Boy Scalise. 

Turning to face her he didn't ask why she didn't speak up for him.  As he looked at her the tears where touching enough and he wanted to reach out and grab her to pull her into his arms.  Her Sicilian skills showed in the war but even still Frank was still hurting over the event and wondered if he was ordered to attack would he have shot his newly acquired friends.  He wondered if Vegas lost trust in him or never trusted him since he married Lucy. 

Katy came in to ask

Mommy why are you caring?  Are you happy daddy's home?  You have to make up and we have to eat dinner Angie is making dinner and we are going to have it together okay daddy.

Frank shook his head and knelt down to hug Katy

Sweetheart you amaze me and your mommy.  Yes daddy will eat dinner with you if your mommy will let me. 

Katy smiled and said

Mommy was missing you to daddy she was caring at night while you were gone.  Tell him mommy that he tappose to eat with us.

They both look at Lucy

Lucy dried her eyes as soon as she realized that Katy had snuck up on her.  Angela would learn to keep her child out of adult conversations which potentially could have been about dangerous or frightening topics, or she'd end up swimming with the fishes and be replaced by one of a hundred other qualified Nanny's that Lucy had already interviewed.

Lucy knelt down to Katy.  "Of course your father is staying.  Don't be silly sweetie - it's just as I said before, I was only crying because I missed your Daddy very much and I hate when business takes him away from us.  But, he's home now, so here is where he will stay and where he will eat.  Now, run along to Angela I want to give your Daddy kisses like mommy's and daddy's sometime do."

Katy giggled and ran out of the room.  This time Lucy walked to the office and held it open for Frank to join her so she could shut themselves into a space where their voices would not carry. 

Lucy turned back to Frank after locking the door.  "You did exactly what I expected of you.  You were brave, you made a difficult choice, one that I wanted to avoid having you make... but... when the tough call had to be made; you did exactly what I would hope my husband would do.  I can not, however, say the same thing for our staff.  OUR staff."

She shakes her head.  "Giuseppe is retiring.  I won't hear another word about it - I love that man, but he's slipping in his tactics and apparently I can't trust him to follow orders which means he's a liability.  What happens if they rethink plans when someone's life is on the line?  Fuck Frank YOUR life was on the damn line and the best those half-wits could come up with was knock on your door and ask you to come with them?  Clearly Giuseppe did not comprehend my instructions.  If he thought Vito and Tony wouldn't do it - he should have left them out and or come to me to handle it.  He failed me and could have cost you your life - it's done.  He's earned this and if he were any other man I'd have him thrown off the back of a bass boat in Lake Michigan with cement shoes for risking your life like that."

"As for Tony and Vito - if they think they know so much better than I do what's appropriate for this family; then I will not have them left with me again.  Keep them as you like... but I won't have insubordinate men on my watch.  They should have told me they found issue with my orders.  It guts me because I owe Tony my life and Vito is your blood... but what they did is beyond the pale Frank.  Beyond.  They made choices they weren't in a position to make - unless you believe they rank above my word in this house?"

Frank looked at Lucy his voice was quite but his words were sincere yet firm.

No you don't toss your father away because he was stuck in the same dam hard spot you were.  He did the best he could he got me here didn't he?  You said you trusted him and loved him like a father.  Men Like Giuseppe die when they retire that's a death sentence your giving him.   Think on that for at least a few days.  Tony and Vito are stone cold loyal men and they are my cousins you know that Decaprio's will die for each other or did you not see that in Sicily?  Their job is to protect you.  I gave them that task and Giuseppe had that before we became husband and wife.  

They are blood this is about blood they stay.  My death will be on me your death will be on them.  Giuseppe loves you like a daughter and everyone that has ever met him knows that even your Grandfather that will be visiting in a few weeks. 

Frank finished his brandy as he stood in front of the window looking at the golden leaves on the trees in the yard.

I love you Lucy we put this to bed and we move forward with them.  We will speak with them and they will understand what is needed from them going forward.  If you ever trusted me then hear me and if they fail you then I'll send Tony and Vito away and Giuseppe can retire hopefully he'll find a wife. 

Frank smiles at the thought of Gip having a wife.

Lucy lifted her chin as if she were a queen.  Perhaps Frank thought she'd come back screaming.  It had been her way, for a good part of their relationship - it was who she was... as fiery as the hair upon her crown.  Instead she muttered, "I won't trust any of them the way I did before." 

She shook her head with barely held in anger and ... was that more heartbreak?  "It's very easy for fathers and husbands to insist that their deaths are their own, and that somehow it's no one else's fault.  That no matter who was with them when they died - that it have been prevented; but it's their wives who are left with the job of burying them ... and their children.  It's us who has get up the next day and keep on going when Daddy isn't there anymore,"  tears pool in her eyes shimmering with pain and rage.  Frank might realize that some of her pain has less to do with him and more to do with memories of another man in her life she'd lost to a war between families - her own father.  

"The children who have to make sure all the debts are repaid and some how they have to find a way to keep going when all I wanted to do was lay down and die.  So you can pretend that your death will somehow be noble and of your own making when it finally comes Frank... but you remember this while you're laying in some gutter choking on your blood; it's me who decides what to do with everyone who has failed you on the day after I bury you.  I will give them no more forgiveness than I have ever spared for myself.  While I acquiesce to my husband's desires because I am a good wife... know that with their actions in Las Vegas... they've all proven that none of them are fit to stand in your shadow and I owe them nothing that they do not earn for themselves."

"I could forgive any of them for losing you if it was only me Frank... I could.  I swear it, but it's isn't just me anymore.  And I can't have them changing my orders.  What if they changed my orders when they were protecting our daughter... or our..." Lucy's pained look of rage melted into amusement and joy she couldn't keep in a second longer.  She looked down at her belly and folded both her hand - fingers interlaced - over her lower abdomin gently.  She laughed as she caressed her dress above the area of her womb, as if she might break what lay beneath her hands with only a touch.

"They have to listen to me, Frank, not just because I'm the Right Hand Man of the whole fucking city... but because I'm your wife... and I'm mother of your children."  She sobbed, tears in rivers down her cheeks as she spoke the words with a smile plastered onto her face, sniffling back snot in a completely undignified way.

Frank turned and looked at Lucy he was confused by her words.  Then as he was looking at her holding her womb and the words mother of our children echoed over and over.  He was speechless as he moved slowly towards her. 

You said children as in?  Are you with? are you sure?

He didn't wait for her to answer as he pulled his wife towards him looking into her emerald eyes he became as a kid with a smile. 

Sit down tell me when did you find out?  Are you sure?  Do you want anything?