Sal finishes up dinner with Uncle Joe at Moretti's Steakhouse. The two of them were there for more than just to meet for a meal however. As they both finish the waiters come out to clear the dishes and bring Sals finest cigars from his private office. Opening the box he Sal hand one to Joe. Both men smell the cigars and the waiter lights them for both men. The topic of discussion at this meal was expanding the city of Chicago even further than they already had. 

Leaning back in his chair Joe asks Sal...

"So Sally boy do you think she is ready to start up her own operation along side you in the South Side?"

Sal smiles while puffing away on his cigar...and answers

"Listen Joe I dont have to tell you the type of person Marie is. We both worked with her back in the day in your family. What is there to say? She is an incredibly reliable individual. There is no doubt in my mind that she is not only capable of running her own crew over here in the south with me, but she will thrive doing so. I would love to give her the nod. It would be a great honor for me to do so."

Joe also now smiling ponders it for a moment and responds...

"Well Sal it seems like we have made a decision for your first auth over in the South Side then!"

Sal smiles and pours the two men a drink. Sal then asks the waiter if he can go grab another glass. Sal stands up excusing himself from Joe for a moment. He walks to his office to dial Marie, asking her to come down to the steakhouse but not telling her what about. 

Marie enters the Steakhouse and sees Uncle Joe and Sal sitting at a table sharing some drinks, cigars, and laughs. When Sal sees Marie he signals to Joe and both men become serious. Sal as well as Joe stand to great Marie. Sal pulls out a chair for her to sit. After shes sat both men take their seats. 

Sal motions to a waiter to come over to get Marie a drink. 

Looking at Joe Sal then looks to Marie.

"So, Marie Im sure that you are wondering why we called you down here. Joe and I have been going over our operations and figured it is time to expand things a little bit over on the South Side. I first meet you over with The Ligambi Crime family, I could immediately tell you were you were a great asset to have on our side. You then served as my right hand and helped me greatly with getting my crew up and running. Now I have asked you here tonight to ask you if you would like to set up your own operations along side mine? You've earned it and I believe you deserve the nod. What do you say?"

Marie gets the call from Sal and immediately makes her way to his place.  Such calls were not out of the ordinary so she thought nothing of it.  Getting into her car she quickly made her way.  Nodding to the staff who all knew her, she walked back to where she knew Sal would be.  She was someone surprised, however, that Joseph Ligambi was there.  At first she smiled brightly at his presence, but when she took note of their of the change in mood she became serious herself.

As Sal began to explain things to her her heart leap for joy and she could hardly contain her excitement.  She had worked hard for the family and for Chicago, but never had she actually sought out this position that Sal was now giving her.  She wanted to do right by him... right by Joseph.  They had done so much for her and had taught her so much.

"I would be honored, sir.  Thank you!"  She looked to Joe, "Thank you both for everything.  I will put that some drive and determination I have shown you to this point into making this crew a successful venture that will continue to work towards our goals in the city and in Southside."

After excusing herself from Joe and Sal, Marie stepped outside and instructed her men to put out the invitation to gather at Moretii's Steakhouse.  The invitation would go out to all crew leaders, hands, friends, allies, and all mafioso in Chicago.  The she went back inside to begin to plan and think about the future and what she would say.

------------------ Later --------------------

When all had arrived at the steakhouse and was now awaiting the purpose of the invitation, Marie joined the gathering and made her way to a place where all could see her.  She had never been good at public speaking and so many eyes on her was un-nerving.  She hoped she did not fall flat on her face or anything.

Accepting a glass of Champagne from a waiter, Marie held it as she addressed the crowd.  

"I would like to thank each of you who took the time to come to this little gathering.  I know your time is valuable and I appreciate the gesture.  Not long ago, Don Sal Moretti gave me the nod to set up shop along side him in Southside.  I do humble accept the honor and the trust he has placed in me.  I can not thank him enough for all he has done for me.  I also would like to thank Don Joseph Ligambi who took me into his fold upon my arrival here in Chicago and who now gives me his blessing in this endeavor, as well.  Let it be known that I consider it a great honor to work with all the crews in Chicago and in this nation to grow and expand out profits and in this thing of ours."

She held up her glass smiling.  "Cheers, this round is on me!"

Salvatore raises his glass to the newest crew leader in Chicago. He was very proud of her and truly looked forward to working with her to rebuild the city. 

After the toast, he walks over to Marie and kisses her on both cheeks. 

"Congratulations on this wonderful promotion. It was well deserved and I know you will do great things." He says to her smiling.

"I can not believe we both have made it to this point. This is only the beginning for us and the city of Chicago."

After receiving an invitation to meet Marie at Sal's Steakhouse, Rum makes herself presentable and sets out. She barely makes it in time, nearly missing the beginning of the speech, so she quietly shuffles to the side, bumping into Luca as she does so. With a somewhat apologetic shrug, she grins at him and turns her attention back to Marie who, not long before inviting her here, had asked for Rum to be her RHW. Rum had only just gotten set up with Luca and her husband Road, but Luca urged her to go. It was a hard decision, leaving her husband all alone with the madman that Luca was, but if she could do anything to help Marie build and prosper in their great city, she had to take the opportunity. Once Marie finishes her speech, and Luca moves out of her way, Rum makes her way over to her new Bosslady and hugs her.

Thank you so much for the trust you put in me, having me by your side through this. I can't tell you how much it means. I will do everything I can to prove your faith is not misplaced in me. 

She lifts up a glass of champagne she had snatched from a waiter passing by and smiles.

To you, Bosslady MarieCosta!

A large, fairly non-descript Italian man approached the table carrying a gift box wrapped in paper and a red ribbon bow.  He removed his cap upon reaching the new Don at the front of the room.

"I am Clemenza and I work for Ms. Frankie Messina who is a woman serving within the Nightingales operation out of Las Vegas."  He offered the box and from within his coat jacket a note."  After it's taken Clemenza will nod and step aside allowing others to greet the new Don.

The note within reads...
 

.
.

Tony was making his way around Chicago when he heard the news about Marie Costa taking over her own crew. He put out his cigarette and removed his hat....

I am glad to see Chicago continue to grow as a city. It is and always will be a welcome sight to see this thing of ours expanding. From my minor encounters with you Don Marie Costa, I am sure that you will do great things. You are a great addition to the leadership we see spreading out all around us.

I wish you the best of luck and if you ever need anything while in Las Vegas do not hesitate to ask!

He puts his hat back on his head and begins to head down the street to continue with his business...

Sully stepped up and offered a rose to Marie. "A flower befitting of a female leader of this thing of ours. The petals that are beautiful, much like yourself... And the thorns that remind us to tread carefully, because you are equally as dangerous. I wish you well on your journey, Marie Costa. You've already proven to me that you are one hell of a driver. I have no doubt that you can steer your crew as well as your car."

He smiled and took her hand, kissing it lightly before leaving the rose and it's thorny stem with her. With that done, Sully nodded to her and released her hand, spinning and walking away.

Olivia was late, but she figured late was better than not showing up at all, right? The blonde woman arrived at the restaurant and moved to the back of the room where the celebration was being held, trying to blend into the crowd so as to make it less obvious just how late she was.

Many people were there to congratulate Marie, so Olivia waited until the time was right before she approached the other woman. She smiled wide and gave the woman a hug.

“Oh Marie! I’m so happy for the opportunity you’ve been given. You’ve been such an inspiration to me and you’ve taught me so much, I’m so excited for this new adventure! I know South Side will only grow stronger with you running your own crew there.”

Olivia gave the woman another hug before moving on to give the next person a chance to say their congratulations.

Stamping the last of his cigarette under his foot with a practiced movement, Lucky had been running a slightly late. Perhaps it was the hustle and bustle of the streets, or the fact that the drug dealer had taken far too long to come through with their half of the deal. It annoyed him greatly, but what else could he do but wait around for the man to come through for him. Lucky folded down his collar, looking presentable as he walked into the steakhouse with a polite smile on his face. 

Lucky had waited for his opportunity, seeing a couple of familiar faces among the sea of people. He stepped forward, his smile growing ever so slightly - for he had gotten acquainted with Marie over the course of his life within organised crime. Extending his hand, Lucky removed his hat. "Congratulations, Ms. Costa! I'm sure you're goin' to go far with ya new crew."