Turning twenty one was a big milestone in a person's life, and today was no small celebration of the event in Serafina's life.  The Ligambi family was present and accounted for in abundance.  Her mother had returned back from her trip around the world vacation just a month ago, and had been gone since her father had passed away two years ago.  Rachele Ligambi knew she didn't want to miss her daughter's big day, and was happy to be back as well.  Serafina had declined to travel with her mother back then, feeling the need to stay close to her home.

Uncle Joe as well as her other uncles were gathered round the grill out back.  Family and guests loitered inside and outside enjoying the somewhat warm weather for the occasion.  It was still noon time, and the temperature was holding out at around 75 degrees.  A little chilly for Serafina to stay outdoors the entire time, so she floated about greeting everyone, and thanking them for attending.  Her uncles suddenly burst into boisterous laughter. 

Serafina peeked around the patio door, leading directly to where they all stood about so rowdy and loud.  Uncle Joe was at his usual spot by the grill.  She proceeded to walk out there to the lounge chairs close to where they were gathered, took a seat on the nearest one to the group then sprawled out comfortably.  Sera adjusted the sunglasses then smiled as Uncle Joe glanced over to the birthday girl with an arched eyebrow. The smile on her face was full of mischief as she told him in an amused tone.

"Just making sure I get that promised steak dinner."

Sera waved her hand towards Uncle Joe then shook her hand pointing her index finger towards him.

"You think I'm gonna forget that time you promised a steak dinner then disappeared?  Hah."

The smile on her face had grown as she leaned back feigning to sunbathe on the lounge chair while her uncles began teasing Uncle Joe about this and that.  He shook the tongs at Sera, gave her a look then smirked as he fought off his younger brothers' teasing.  They spent about a half hour verbally sparring each other while finishing the steaks, sausages and burgers.  The men began carrying the platters of meats to the table, amidst the other foods already adorning the table.

She sat there peering out over the table, the scrumptious steak dinner on her plate, decked all out for the small celebration, all that reminding her of many other celebrations together as a family.  How she missed that feeling.  Serafina recalled the good times in her family, and hearing how some things came to fruition.  She still insists on story telling from time to time from her favorite uncle, Uncle Joe, regarding her father.  No one knew him better than Uncle Joe, and that was one of many reasons Sera decided to move closer to and be a part of Uncle Joe's family business. 

He'd always tell her different stories of their childhood, what it was like growing up, but her favorite story yet was how he realized he was grooming a daughter instead of a son.  Philip Ligambi didn't realize it though, but that's exactly what he did.  For as much as he tried to shield his daughter from the lifestyle he chose to be in, it was just as much a desire for Sera now to learn all about it, and for her to know what drew her father into it all.  Learning more and more day by day, fueled her interest, creating a strong bond to her father.  Much stronger it seemed at times than when he was alive.

Despite being several years younger than his brother Joseph, Philip Ligambi was as close to his brother in all aspects.  Family and business alike, the two brothers along with their other Ligambi siblings had some sort of foothold in Cosa Nostra.  Once Philip had come of age, he sought out working alongside Joseph to gain a better understanding of things, and had high expectations of being the head of his own family one day. 

Philip had proven himself time and time again, but hadn't gotten his chance to branch out into New Jersey like he wanted until he came across a small hotel chain with potential.  Philip remained a faithful and dedicated subordinate of the Ligambi family in South Philly until he uprooted his newly expanding family to Jersey.  Hoping to begin a legacy for his unborn child. 

His wife, Rachele, had blessed Philip Ligambi with a daughter, but sadly no sons to carry on his legacy as he had imagined.  All his dreams seemed to have vanished in that moment, knowing how difficult this pregnancy even was on his wife, it appeared his legacy for the Ligambi family was to fall on his brothers.  Hearing the news of a daughter, had caused a slight frown in the waiting room that day until he walked into the room where his wife was.  The moment the nurse brought in his daughter to the room, that was it.  He knew his heart was lost at the sight of her baby blue eyes, and dark strands of hair atop her head.

Philip spent his life wishing for a son to work alongside him in the family business, but heaven help anyone who dragged his precious daughter into the life.  He kept her sheltered from anything and everything.  Private tutors to ensure the best education, not to mention less gossip or harassment at schools over her surname.  Did he do the right thing keeping her sheltered he wondered time and time again, but with each hit and miss escapade him and his brothers managed to get into cahoots together, Philip felt he had made the best decision for his daughter.

Philip Ligambi would keep his business side separate from his family life as much as humanly possible.  Eventually Philip knew he would have to face the day when Serafina inquired about the type of business the Ligambi's were into, but he postponed that for as long as possible.  Til the day of her 14th birthday he showed up late to the celebrations due to a slight business disagreement with one of the local police officers who didn't think his cut in the deal was making it anymore, and oddly enough Serafina didn't have the childlike wonder and inquiries of any other normal teenager when their father suddenly had more 'friends' hanging about the house.

Philip showed up a half hour late to the party, heading outside to the area where the family had gathered together.  He introduced the men as friends and coworkers, Lorenzo, Marco and Rodolfo.  Serafina shrugged it off as she delved into the birthday cake.  One man in particular stood out during the introductions, Lorenzo.  He became Serafina's newly acquired friend, always shadowing her whereever she went.  It took some getting used to, but Sera never complained to her mother or father about the sudden influx of men in suits loitering about the property.

Even her Uncle Joe visited quite often, with a new crew of friends.  They called them 'friends', but Serafina was a straight A student, and no fool.  Her father in his attempts to shelter her from the outside danger, neglected to always keep tabs on newspapers laying about the house, or when she'd sneak off with a radio into the gardens.  Philip even got a new driver it seemed, but he was younger than most of the coworkers about the grounds, and her father took him under his wing it seemed. 

Philip had returned home the other day with his new driver, Raymond, just days before her 14th birthday.  He was close in age to Serafina, but she found out he had already graduated high school, whereas she was just about to begin those dreadful years.  Serafina met him days prior to her birthday party, but hadn't really had the chance to interact with him much.  The day of the party she had looked out across the patio and tables to where Raymond was seated offering him a smile.  He returned the gesture, and the two became very close friends. 

Uncle Joe was at the grill that day making her favorite food, steaks and baked potatoes.  Uncle Joe often teased Sera about not being full blooded Italian and having such a fascination for steaks over pasta dishes.  Later that evening she overheard her father telling her uncle about the two youngsters getting acquainted, and it seemed no one was objecting to their budding friendship.

Raymond never would discuss the duties he did for her father, but the pair found many a things to talk about on long walks around the gardens. She felt he had pity for her at times, being she didn't go out much or have many friends over other than family.  Other times he would stare in disbelief at her sassy attitude and comebacks, and every now and then see a flash of her stubborn independent side. 

Anjelica struggled with those qualities as well when issuing homework and assignments to Serafina.  It was a great childhood in her mind though, as the years drew on through the tough years of high school, up until the night her world crashed.  Almost eighteen years old, and in her final year of high school, but nothing in her school books could prepare her for that fateful night.  No one could really console Serafina when there was a knock on the door.  

Sera had peered downstairs to see it was her uncle, and had excitedly skipped down the stairs to greet him.  She was stopped short in her path when as she neared the bottom of the stairs, Uncle Joe was hugging her crying mother.  Sera knew something was gravely wrong the moment Uncle Joe glanced over to meet her gaze.  Sera crumpled down to sit in a heap, clinging to the banister as she softly said the word...'Father?" Uncle Joe shook his head with a deep frown, her mother burst into another fit of tears.