The Rockefeller Center was still bustling with workers right up until dark, now it was lit only with a large tree that had been brought in to brighten the spirits of construction workers during the holidays.  Tony-DiCaprio made a point of taking Frankie to see it after their time at The Cotton Club.  Truly it was a spectacle.  

The two enjoyed a drive past the harbor where the Statue of Liberty could be seen illuminating the dark frigid waters for all who would come to this place - it hadn't been so long since Frankie had put feet on Ellis Island, but seeing all of it from this position was a wholly different experience.

On the way back to her apartment in the Bronx it began snowing the largest snow flakes Frankie could ever imagine.  She opened her mouth and caught several on her tongue to Tony's amusement.  And, he taught her how to make snowballs - something she was not so amused with when she got hit in the face with one.  She'd never gotten to play in snow like this though, she'd only ever seen it in pictures and distantly atop Mount Etna; so, she quickly forgave him and gave him as good as she got.  

By the time they reached her place she was freezing and ran up the steps as fast as she could, Tony walking slowly behind - watching her.  She unlocked the door and was greeted by the glow of candle light and the scent of warm food!  She blinked at the sight of a Sicilian nativity scene illuminated with small tea candles and in the fireplace a log was well and truly burning.  Before it lay a mountain of pillows and a handmade quilt.  On the table in the kitchenette and across the counter was a FEAST fit for a king.  Abbacchio Al Forno Con Patate, buccellati, dried fruits, pistachios, cassata AND cannoli!  And in the middle of it, a bottle of wine on ice - from home.  Frankie blinked in disbelief, "This is some crazy country."  She said with amusement in her tone.  "Normally when people break into your home back in Sicily - they take things, not leave them!"

She looked at Tony and slapped him playfully, "You paid someone to break into my apartment and set all this up!?!  Tony DiCaprio this must have cost a fortune!"

Tony faked innocence, "It wasn't me!  I suppose it was Father Christmas - he's a well known expert at breaking and entering to leave gifts.  We should be glad you weren't a Mafioso this year... or we might not have gotten to enjoy all this."  He took off her coat for her.

Frankie laughed.  "Father Christmas, eh?  I don't know about that - he hasn't visited me in a lot of years now.  The last time I think he came by was before I started hanging out with you - eh.  I guess this may be the last year he ever comes."

"I'm going to change out of this dancing get up... why don't you set us up some plates?  God it smells sooo good!  It's like my Grandfather's home brought straight here to us - I can not wait!"  She kept talking from her room through the door which she did not fully close so they could hear each other.

"How long did you have to search before finding a Sicilian woman who could make a proper Abbacchio Al Forno Con Patate?"

Smiling as she seemed to enjoy the surprise he placed another log in the fireplace and then went into the kitchenette to retrieve two plates and two glasses to include silverware.  He looked over the place as he was still smiling at the sound of her joy.  It was like a dream come true a dream he has had since the first Christmas he had after they met. 

This is New York Frankie its filled with immigrants from Italy, Sicily, Germany, France and Ireland.  Any place that had gangs or ghetto's landed in front of that tall green lady. 

He opened the bottle of wine and filled both glasses then looked as Frankie came back in a beautiful silver dress.  He stood there looking and wondered why he can't remember seeing her in dresses when she was younger.  He could see her shape in that dress and he was amazed at how she filled that dress so dam perfectly. 

Wow Frankie your not that skinny kid from the old country anymore.  Your a full grown woman and that dress looks like flowing water off your body. 

Tony lost focus on what he was doing as he continued to look at her standing there with her shapely body.   She moved as if she was a movie star.  He pulled her chair out so she could sit.  He played the role of waiter and her made her and himself a plate.    He filled the plate with Abbacchio Al Forno Con Patate, buccellati, dried fruit and on the side pistachios, cassata and a cannoli.   He sat down in front of her and sipped his wine. 

So sweet lady what else would you like for Christmas? 

She smirked and rolled her eyes and quickly came up with an answer.

How about a mink coat and a necklace.

Tony laughed at her request.

You mean like you always wanted when we were kids?  Let me see if I remember the mink needed to be all white and the necklace was supposed to be diamond studded. 

She nodded and Tony laughed. 

You missed that big white box on the side of you bed?   

She looked at him then back at her room then looking back at him as if she needed permission to go back and check.  Tony smiled as he nodded and she moved like a cheetah and screamed as she put the coat on and as she looked at the necklace he was standing their asking if she needed help putting it on.  She simply nodded yes and he did as she wished.

Yeah Frankie I remembered everything we used to dream about as kids.  I plan to bring as many of those dreams to reality. 

She turned and looked at him.  

Tony slid the mink coat onto her right and then left arm.  It was impossibly soft and warm.  "It's too much, Tony - too much so fast.  I feel terrible I didn't get you a gift at all." 

She could feel his body against her backside, he leaned down by her left ear and whispered, "Lift your hair."  His warm breath sent chills racing down her body.  She reached up with her hands and did as he asked.  He brought the necklace around her front and then wrapped it about her neck, carefully affixing the clasp before letting the weight of it fall upon her.

She watched their reflection in the darkened window.  It was like something out of a motion picture.  He was so handsome, and gentle with her, and she was brilliantly fashionable in her expensive coat and diamonds.  Her Grandfather had money to spoil her in this way, but he never lavished such gifts upon her.  

The reflection of herself smiled back at them.  She could see Tony's eyes watching as well and she felt as his arms encircled her - pulling her body tight to his.  The snow fell silent, laying a thick blanket upon the city which slept so peacefully tonight... all except one dark form she could see across the street on top of Widow Rossi's roof.

"What the...???"  Frankie ran to the window and threw up the sash.  

The moon on the breast of the soot grey snow, gave a luster of polished gunmetal to the objects below.  When what to Frankie's wandering eye should appear, but two masked prowlers and an auburn speedster - with a little ole driver, who looked so lively and quick - she knew in a moment it sure as hell wasn't St. Nick!

More rapid than eagles, to her weapons she came; as she whistled to her boyfriend and shouted his name, "Come on Tony! Let us away, Widow Rossi's home is being invaded, and theft is surly their game!"

"Who's she?"  He asked grabbing his own coat.

"The nice old lady who's made sure I've had food to eat every day since I got off the boat.  I can't let those jerks steal from her!"

"You don't even know who they are..."  Tony made a good point.  

"If they're aren't part of Don Dovahkiin's family then they shouldn't be stealing from folks in this neighborhood..."

"And if they are part of her family?"  Tony asked as they raced towards the door.

Frankie hesitated a moment and then admitted, "I haven't figured that part out yet - but I will.  Let's go!"

As leaves before the wild hurricane fly - when they meet with an obstacle, they mount up to the sky!  So, Tony and Frankie began to climb Widow Rossi's fire escape.  Up to the top of the brownstone they both flew, with knives and some guns, and a new set of lock picks too!  

And then, in a twinkling, they heard on the roof - the sneaking and creeping of two dirty thieves on the hoof!  And drawing her knife, as Frankie came around, down the first thief fell right to the ground!

The other was dressed in the widows furs from his head to his foot, after seeing his pal die - he wouldn't stay put!  With a bundle of valuables he had flung on his back; no doubt he'd find it hard to attack!  His eyes were like saucers, he must have thought Tony real scary!  He'd clearly done coke earlier, his nose was a cherry!  The thief's droll little mouth, Tony smashed up real well - one punch, two punches it must have hurt him like hell!

A scream for help, caught behind grit teeth; a spray of blood came out of his mouth in the shape of a wreath!  The thief had a broad face and a round little belly, it shuddered each time Tony punched him like a bowl full of jelly!  He was chubby and plump, a dopey little chump and Frankie laughed when she saw him, in spite of herself.  With a wink of Tony's eye and a nod of his head; gave Frankie to know she had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word, but finished up his bloody Christmas Eve work; ringing the final thief's bell and spitting on the unconscious jerk.  Wiping a finger to clean the spray of blood from his nose - Tony then helped Frankie pick up the jewels and the clothes.  

They sprang to the rooftop entry, and snuck quietly inside; Frankie hoped to not find her - she so hated to lie!  One by one they put her things away, and smiled as they saw her grandkids sleeping alongside where their grandmother undisturbed where she lay.

Back up on the roof, they meant to clean up the proof - but instead found no dead bodies; no evidence to disembody!  Back and forth they searched for a hint, and found it when they noticed a glint - eight sets of reindeer hoof left behind in the snow as prints!  Tony pointed up to the sky, as the impossible flew by the moon's light, a distant voice laughing, "To all a good night!"