Frankie was a leaf clinging to a branch in a hurricane force wind, her hands holding the pistol grip white-knuckle tight.  "Are you sure?"  She asked again.  "Can't you just run?  Or maybe hide somewhere else?  Fuck we... we can put you on a boat out of the country!"

Her companion shook his head, "No."

"You're made.  If someone finds out that I ..."  Frankie insisted.

"I won't tell anyone."  He said to Frankie in his most reassuring voice.  

"You could die!"  Frankie's voice cracked as she said the thing they were both thinking.  Frankie could see that her words caused discomfort - a small bit of fear even; but it was gone as fast as it had appeared.

"If you don't shoot me and get me to a hospital under protections... I will die.  Far better we should take this chance, than do nothing at all."

Frankie closed her eyes and drew a steadying breath.  THIS wasn't what she thought being mafioso was going to be like.  Nothing about today or anything she'd done since she woke up had made sense or was part of her plan.  The world had gone mad in the middle of the night... or perhaps she was still in bed, sleeping, and this was a terrible nightmare. 

God, please, let this be a nightmare!

She whispered through unshed tears, "Christ, have mercy on us sinners..."  

Frankie pulled the trigger.

.:: Four Hours Earlier ::.

*RING! RING!*

Frankie blinked and looked to the alarm clock on her new nightstand.  The clock read 1am.  She scrubbed her eyes and stretched across her full size bed with a yawn she could feel in her toes.  

*RING! RING!*

Frankie couldn't imagine who the hell would be calling at this hour.  Suddenly she realized that if it was 1am here, it was early morning in Sicily.  Hopping up she threw on a robe and slippers.  If Tony was getting a call from back home, it could only mean trouble of the worst sort.  But surly it was Sicily... no one made calls at this hour unless they were from another time zone.

Frankie crossed the large bedroom and opened the door peaking out into the living room where she could see Tony's outline in the yellow street lights drifting in through the windows that faced the front of his apartment building.  He was in pajama bottoms, no shirt, a thin sheen of sweat upon him - as if he'd been too hot in his bed or maybe having nightmares.  Frankie wondered which.

She'd moved in with him less than a week ago - he'd been kind enough to give her the master suite and he'd been nothing but respectful of her wishes to keep their relationship platonic, despite the history and chemistry between them.  So if she was going to find out about his sleeping habits, and the reason for his night sweats, she'd have to find a way to do it that didn't seem like flirting.

Tony picked up a pencil and scratched something down on a slip of paper near the phone.  "I understand."  He said in English, not Sicilian.  Frankie realized then that he wasn't talking to someone from home, if he was, they'd surly be speaking in their native tongue.  Upon realizing this, she made her way into the room.

"I'll handle it."  Tony said in a way that made Frankie's blood run cold.  The call was business and it ended as abruptly as it began, with no pleasantries.  

"Tony?"  She said softly, curious and hopeful he was going to share the word on the street with her.

"I've got some things to handle for the Don.  You should go back to bed and get some sleep.  I'll be back before lunch."  Tony walked to her quickly and gave her a peck on the forehead.  It was a set of instructions and gesture of farewell she was all too familiar with and Tony was going through the motions quickly - as if he hoped to just rip the band aid off without much fuss.

"I'm awake now.  And whatever it is ... I can help."  She followed him as he crossed the space back towards his room.

"Not this time."  He went into his room and shut the door behind him.

Frankie grit her teeth, for a moment she hesitated - but only a moment.  Frankie turned the knob and burst into Tony's room catching sight of the full moon.  Tony scrambled to pull up his sleepwear shouting at her, "FOR GOD'S SAKE FRANCESCA!"

"I refuse to be the little girl left behind any longer Tony!"

"WOMAN CAN'T YOU SEE I'M GETTING DRESSED!"

"You don't get to ask me into your life as an equal and leave me behind when you get a real job!"

Tony threw his hands in the air.  "Non c'è vita con te quando sei così!"

"Tipo cosa?!? Mi aspetto che tu mi onori! Rispettami! È troppo chiedere?!?"  She screamed her response.

"Che del tuo rispetto per me! Questo è il mio lavoro! Questo è ciò che ci si aspetta da me - NON US!"  He raised his voice at her and she could tell he immediately regretted it as she clamped her mouth shut, tears in her eyes.  Tony rushed to her and took her hands into his own, dropping to a knee looking up to her pleadingly, "I have shed blood for my family."  He pressed his lips hard to her hands.  "Understand that makes us different as much as you wish that it did not and soon... far too soon... you may be asked to shed blood too.  Please understand I can not take you with me.  I can tell you nothing of what I do tonight - not because I do not love you because, Francesca, I do!"

She glared down at him.  It was hard not to to let her anger abate, but she wanted to be angry at him right now.  She was so tired of being treated as though she could not do all that he could - she was every bit as good as he was with her guns and in her estimation her loyalty knew no equal.  So why should he get this chance to prove himself to Don Dovahkiin and she was given nothing?

She sighed and squeezed his hands in silent reply that she forgave him, though her face was bent into a perpetual pout of a spoiled mafia princess who was clearly displeased by the whole damn situation.  Tony kissed her hands again.  "Now," He asked.  "May I get dressed please?  I have a flight to catch."

Frankie nodded and walked back out of his room and closed the door behind her.  "Is it dangerous?"  She asked through the door.

There was a long pause before the reply, "Yes."  Nothing more.  No explanation of how or why, though she could hear him checking his guns behind the door.  She knew then, he was being sent to kill someone.

She ran a hand into her hair.  Her head was pounding from having shouted so loud, from the stress, and from lack of sleep.  Walking out to the kitchen she decide to make herself busy cooking the one thing she knew she couldn't screw up.  Toast and coffee so Tony wouldn't be going on an empty stomach - where ever he was going.

Tony hated leaving and what was worse is not telling Francesca what he was doing and where he had to go.  It took him back to Sicily when his uncles put him on a boat to America.  Tony wondered was this  a set up because Frank needed him or because his life was really in danger.  He felt sick to his stomach then and he felt sick to his stomach now.  He wanted to stay with her and be her husband.  He left Frankie that night with fear and anger buried deep inside his heart.  He wanted to get word to her but  for days he tried but to no avail.  That hurt him and cost him greatly he had lost his first love for over three years.  If he could have gotten word to her or left with her they would have been married and He would have never dealt with Lucy.  They would not have lost time between them and he would not have to slow anything down she would have been Ms. Dicaprio already. 

Tony checked his matching 45's he loved the mate black color on them.   He never respected the guys with the chrome plated pistols they were for show.  Tony grabbed a overnight bag after loaded four extra clips sand ticking them in his over night bag.  He also stuffed a box of ammo and four shirts and two pairs of pants in the bag also and his toiletries.  He went in a safe in the back of his closet and opened it pulling out cash. He took out enough to get him there and back plus meals for week and a bit extra in case he needed medical attention and bribe money.  Then he took out twenty grand for Frankie.  Frankie he thought how can I just leave her when she just came back to me.  She just moved in with me. 

Tony tucked both pistols in his pants and then grabbed the overnight bag with his cash then he picked up the money for Frankie.  Walking out to her he paused as her eyes were red not from anger but tears.  He melted immediately and then walked towards here.  He wanted to say so many things to her about how she made him feel, how she was his morning sun shine.  He wanted to tell her that since she has come back to him the pain of loss has started fading and joy smiles on him each time he looks into her eyes. 

He sat next to her and placed both hands on her shoulders looking into her eyes.  His voice was soft as he told her.

Devo fare questo lavoro, ma non voglio lasciarti.  Ti amo la mia fidanzata!

Tony then kissed her forehead then smiled as she looked into his eyes she knew that he was planning or thinking hard on something.  She stared back into his eyes then he dropped to one knee looking up at her she felt nervous then she became calm as she saw peace in Tony eyes a joy of some magnitude.  Then he blurted out.

Quando tornerò ho intenzione di Merry you.   Francesca ritornerò e tu sarai mia moglie.   Tu sei tutto ciò che è giusto nella mia vita da quando ti ho incontrato.  Tu sei tutto quello che ho ogni ricercato.  Ritornerò la mia bella signora.

Tony stood up and kissed her lips softly and then smiled as he handed her a stack of cash.

Here is some spending money have fun while I am away and remember that I am all in of that Indy deal.  Keep the place tidy let the maid in please.  She works for you and me so let her do her job.  Also she is a good cook let her make you a few meals you will like them.  She is Italian after all so she knows the dishes you might what her to make.  

Tony turned then turned back towards her.   

I will return and you will be my bride. 

It happened in a flurry of motion and sound and then a kiss that caused the air to fill her lungs infinitely.  Frankie felt as though she might float up out of his arms and away to the heavens - a moment of pure non-reasoning bliss.  She'd loved Tony since she was still in pigtails and catching frogs in the stream.  She'd waited for him to propose to her her whole life it seemed - her whole family had - and when his family had to smuggle him out of Sicily to protect him from the DiSalvo clan; she'd given up hope on that ever coming to pass.

For as much as she'd wanted to be a Made Man, to have honor and respect in the eyes of her Grandfather, she'd secretly wanted this too.  Tony.  A life with him.  She'd protested and complained and made every effort to show she was above pretty dresses and girly things - but only so that she could be seen as something more than a pretty bride and future mother.  Frankie had always feared if anyone knew that some part of her wished she was better at cooking or that she'd dreamed of a big beautiful wedding... that she'd never be allowed to show who she truly was.

Here, in Tony's arms at long last, she could almost forget all the masks she'd worn in her life.  She could conceive of a life where she was all the things her Grandfather wanted her to be - and leave behind the childhood notions of becoming something she was not.  And as their lips parted, and she found herself able to exhale again, she knew that the thought passed as quickly as the moment.  THIS was who she was meant to be.  She wanted to be Frankie Messina, Mafioso... not just Mrs. DiCaprio.  

As he put the money into her hand she didn't protest, she listened to his instructions and nodded, seeming to accept all that he'd said without complaint.  As he turned away from her and stated flatly that he intended to make her his bride, a small part of her wanted to ask him where he got off with such arrogance. Maybe she wouldn't marry him.  Maybe she wanted to remain single.  Who was he to presume she'd marry him! 

As he walked towards the door, all the angry words stuck hard in her throat until she'd all but choked upon them and their bitterness.  Tony had walked out of her life once before and she thought she'd never see him again... it had destroyed her then - losing him now after hateful words, she was sure it would do worse to her now. 

Not knowing where he was going, or why, or when he'd be back... only that he acknowledged it to be dangerous... left Frankie with the strangest desire to the exact opposite of fight him on these things.  And so, in a moment inspired by emotion or stupidity (perhaps both) she dashed forward to stop him. 

Taking his face between her hands, rising up onto her toes, she kissed him again, and once more for good measure.  She'd have kissed him all night if he had allowed it - the way they use to back home as teens.  But he did stop her.  Tony rolled his face across hers to break his lips from the embrace which hers continued to claim his within until their cheeks rested upon one another.  "I have to go."  He whispered into her hair, his left arm holding her body tight to his.  

Frankie nodded silently and stepped away to allow him to pass out the door, and down the long hall to the stairwell.  Only after he disappeared did she allow herself to slip back inside and pray for his safety and for their future.  For God alone could take the stupid things which men said in dark times and turn them into pure gold.

.:: The Present ::.

A darkened room. 

The smell of food. A feast worthy of kings in a time when men starved in the streets.  

Francesca Danielle Messina was dressed in a black dress worth more money than she'd ever been given command of in her entire life.  Likely worth more than one month's rent in the apartment she'd been staying in.

Cold steel rest beneath each of her hands.  One covered a .45 and the other a ceremonial knife called a dagger by some.  It had been days since she'd seen Tony and despite knowing someone in this room likely knew where he was - what he was doing - or if he was alive... she said asked for none of those details. Frankie stood silent before a group consisting of American Mafioso and Cosa Nostra alike.

A stemmed glass was filled with deep red wine in front of her - covering the shades that had been added to it earlier.  "You have shed blood in the name of protecting my family."  Dovahkiin said.  "And so have earned your place among us."

The woman within the midnight colored cowl, touched the top of her right hand, "We live by the gun," and then her left, "and blade..."  her hands were like ice!  "And so, too, do we die by them.  If this is the life you would choose for yourself, Francesca Danielle Messina - the path of the Nightingale, take up the dagger and add your blood to our own."

Don Dovakiin took her hands off of Francesca's and, at long last, the moment she'd waited her whole life for was finally here.  She looked around the room at a sea of faces that she'd come to know since arriving here in the United States, but so few were from the family of her birth.  They were strangers she was choosing to become a part of in the hopes that a dead woman would keep her word from beyond the grave... that somehow Don Lucia would lead her to her her father. 

Frankie drew a deep breath and looked down at the ornate dagger.  She touched it with her finger tips, cautiously - as if measuring the importance of the actions she was about to take.  There was no going back from this.  Sangue dentro. Sangue fuori.  Closing her hand around the hilt she picked it up, the small bit of flickering candle light in the room shimmering across the flat as it moved through the air.  

"Il mio sangue, è tuo. Il tuo sangue è mio."  She intoned the words in her native tongue, words she'd once heard spoken on a dark night such as this in her grandfather's wine cellar when her cousin Ambrogino had been Made.  

As she lay the sharp edge against her flesh she heard the door open.  Several of the Nightingales looked to the back of the room, as did Frankie.  Tony slipped in, straightening his tie, and gave a sheepish grin.  Frankie pulled herself up straighter, her chest puffing out ever so slightly, as she finished her oath, "Possa il diavolo prendere la mia anima se mai dovrei tradire la mia famiglia."

Turning her attention back to the blade she broke through her skin, and a ribbon of crimson came forth with enthusiasm.  Quickly she put her hand over the cup and added her blood.  One of the Nightingale's offered to her then a cloth to wrap her palm with and then she took the first sip, passing it on to each person in the room until every Made Made man within the Nightingale's operation had taken in some of their own life's blood mixed with that of their family's.  Each one of them now possessing a bit of the blood of all the others - changed forever by choice, not an accident of birth.  Not just willing and able to live and die for each other ... but promised to do so.

Dovahkiin took her into her arms and embraced her.  For a moment a chill ran down Frankie's spine - as if she'd lived through this moment once before... as if somehow, this wasn't new, but very old and come again.  It left her with a sick feeling in the very bottom of her guts, and yet, that was silly.  How could this experience be old to her?  

One by one her new family welcomed her until at last she came to Tony.  He was not yet made as a Nightingale, but had gotten his button from Cosa Nostra long ago as a young man - his button from Don Dovahkiin would, no doubt, come in time.  

"You made it."  She said to him.

"So did you."  He said nodding to her wound.

She hugged him and whispered into his ear, "Dinner and celebration - let them welcome me properly - then we can go home."  She longed to talk to him away from all these ears and eyes - to tell him all that was on her mind and heart; but she also longed to see the instructions in Don Lucia's next letter.

For now... they would celebrate!

Tony was on the train head out to his desired location for the family.  Tony was thinking of Frankie how when they were teenagers and they would sit under a fig tree and talk.  They would hold each other and at times kiss.  They talked about everything under the sun.  He looked at the houses and trees flying pass in the window.  Tony wanted to go back to Francesca and take her into his arms and never leave her again.

Tony knew that she is what was best for him that leaving this time hurt even more even though he knows that he will be seeing her again.  He was at a point in his life that he was ready and if she would have him he would love her forever more.  Tony couldn't sleep, he kept seeing Francesca and it pleased him as he thought of her strong qualities. 

Tony closed his eyes to hear her voice, and picture her face.  Smiling as he could feel her lips on his and smell her perfume.  It confirmed his thoughts on how he felt about her.  Tony looked out the windows again and saw fields and trees and cows as he was now longer in NY or east coast.  He was uncomfortable in the chair and he wanted to get this this job done and over with so he could see his woman again.  She was his all an all.

Three days later

Tony was packed and then realized that he was going home.  He needed something before he returned.  He went to a jewelry store to purchase an engagement ring.  He looked for the best quality and he wanted one that she would be proud to ware.  He went to three different stores and finally found one.  It was a oval shaped diamond with four tear drop diamonds surrounding it setting on 24 karat gold.  He made the purchase and had in placed in a black ring box.  Tony placed the box in his inter jacket pocket and made sure he had it with him the whole ride back. 

Tony returned back to New York as soon as he exited the train he saw a few members of the family members and they gave him word that Francesca was a made woman in the family.  Tony smiled and nodded at the great news, she reached the dream of what she always wanted.  Tony saw his apartment and smiled hoping she was home to cuddle and kiss but as he entered the apartment she wasn't present.  Tony took his bag into his room and sat on the bed.  He wasn't hungry but he was missing Francesca. 

Tony unpacked and placed his guns back into their cases.  He looked at the room and then went into the Kitchen and grabbed an apple and sat at the table looking at the current news paper.  He laughed at the funnies and then turned to sporting pages.  He wanted to place a few bets so he selected his horses and yet he still checked to see if he had his ring ready.  Tony started smiling as he imagined them in Sicily as husband and wife. 

The door opened and Tony jumped up only to see it was the maid he nodded as she greeted him.  They talked for a moment as Tony heard that Francesca over the last few days was happy but when she is ready for bed she becomes sad.  Ms. Francesca wears his shirts at night and slept in his bed.  He then sat back with a warm fuzzy feeling.  Then he asked the maid to cook a steak dinner with scallop potatoes and diced carrots and green peas.  Buttered rolls and cheese with red wine.  He wanted to make a presentation..   

The party seemed like it would go on forever, in fact, her family continued to celebrate even after she pleaded she needed to to get going and catch up with Tony who had left ahead of her.  She suspected they'd use her addition to the family as a reason to drink clear into the next day.  And while she was a woman who loved to laugh and dance and drink with the best of them - she'd was aching to get back to the apartment.

The cab let her out in front of the building, her hand still wrapped the doorman asked her if she needed a bandage, but she insisted it was a very small scratch and she'd be fine.  Up the stairs and to the door, she went as fast as she could in heels.  She could smell dinner even before she opened the door.  How strange, she thought to herself, that it was her coming back from meeting with The Family to find a warm dinner and her lover waiting and not the other way around.  Was this what he felt coming home to her?  Or her father felt coming home to her mother all those years ago?  Had Lucky Lucy felt this way coming home to Frank before they passed?

"Tony!"  She called out as she entered.  "God that smells fantastic - I can smell it clear down the hall.  You're making the neighbor's jealous!"  She hung up her coat and without a thought to getting a proper bandage for her hand went straight for Tony.  She didn't speak another word, just kissed him.

"I wanted to come back to the apartment right away - but I had to stay a while.  It would have been rude.  It was my party after all!"  She laughed and then hugged him.  "God I'm so glad you're okay.  Let me look at you."  She released him and stepped back to examine him.  "Not a scratch..."  She sighed.  

"You had me worried you were off doing something dangerous and look at you - all safe and in one piece.  I had nothing to worry about, did I?"  She smiled.  She knew that wasn't true - he was probably in constant danger, but she wanted him to believe that she had faith in him and his abilities.

"So... what's for dinner?"

Tony heard the key sliding into the lock with the tumblers turning causing the door to open.  She was asking about food and smiling.  Tony watched as Frankie walked in calling his name.  He immediately moved towards her and to his surprised she kissed him.  Holding her close to him he was home it felt so natural as they stood there kissing.  Then she stepped back looking him over and then asked what was for dinner.

Tony smiled and then said.

Steak, scallop potatoes, peas and diced carrots, sweet buttered rolls and red wine with cheese.  Oh and this.

Tony dropped to a knee and pulled out a black box. 

Vuoi sposarmi. 

He looked up at her and smiled hoping she would say yes. 

Frankie looked at the ring with eyes wide.  It was like a star; something that belonged on the finger of a queen not a woman who was, just a few days ago, lucky to be standing in a soup line.  She smiled, knowing that what she would say next was probably the stupidest thing she could ever think of saying, especially on a day like today ... a day when she'd sworn to die, most likely quite young and tragically. 

And yet - could she say anything else?  How could she face life going forward - knowing that this was her new truth?  It would be so easy to run from happiness, from love and joy for the fear of losing it and the pain that would surly follow.  Some would say that denying love was far better than to suffer in the wake of it's destruction... but Frankie was sure that those people were wrong.

If life was not about these things... what was it about?  What was an ocean of alcohol worth if not a drop was spent in celebration of or trying to win love?  What was all the money for if not to spend upon those you cared about - and trying to win the hearts of those you wanted to be with?  Family was at the very heart of EVERYTHING a mafioso did!  Why without love, without family there would be NO REASON for mafia!  

No, it wasn't stupid to utter this word - in fact - in speaking it she dedicated herself completely to what her forefathers had done for generations.  In speaking this word, more than in spilling her blood today, she gave herself completely to Cosa Nostra.  And only now, in this moment, could she understand what her grandfather had been trying to tell her most of her young life. 

"Sì Anthony, sì, sarò tua moglie."  Frankie held out her left hand allowing Tony to put the ring onto her hand.  

Tony heart was beating in slow motion until he heard her say in Sicilian

Yes Anthony I will be your wife. 

Tony's smile grow and his joy was like a ten year old kid getting everything he wanted for Christmas plus more.  He stood and kissed his bride to be and held her in his arms whispering terms of endearment.   He looked into her eyes as he realized that this was really happening.  This time no one was sending him anywhere until she becomes his wife.  She was going to be Ms. Francesca Dicaprio.  She was made now so she can now inform her Grandfather that she is a woman to be respected. 

Tony was never going to be without her again.  She was going to receive what he wanted to provide to her since they met.  She would know and understand his love and that was his joy.  She would never wonder if he loved her he would tell her daily.  He looked at her with such pleasure and she was the reason for all the good in his life.  He walked her to the table and pulled her chair out for her.  Then he scooted her chair forward to the table as the maid placed the two plates on the dinner table.  The wine was Italian and so was the bread and cheese. 

You have made me the happiest man alive.