Lucky got into the car with Marie and they headed to the airport. He still had not told her about the business venture they were going there to discuss or who they would be discussing it with. The truth was simple it was about a hotel and casino that was being built on the beach. They were meeting with local officials as well as senators from the united states.

Lucky had come through Cuba on his way back to the states and spent some time there recovering. He had made local contacts, with the help of Marie's father, and set the deal up all he needed was to introduce Marie and get her to give the go ahead. Not only would they be part owners of the hotel but he had set up contacts to help import goods from Cuba as well as from other places around the world. Getting drugs in and out of Cuba was easy with the politicians there only need a cut to keep things running smoothly. 

But he had another reason for the trip a surprise that Marie had no idea about. 

They got on the plane and took their seats in first class.  

Marie was wearing a dress she had bought in New York with some of the money Lucky had given her for the trip.  It was a unadorned and modest sky blue dress.  She had also bought a diamond-ruby necklace that she now wore around her neck.  Taking her seat, she asked the stewardess for glass of wine and then she turned her attention to Lucky.  "So.  Details.  What is the business deal you have going?  And don't think I won't pay off the pilot to hold this plane on the ground until you do.  I packed extra cash just for this trip."

Lucky laughs

"HAHA, you don't have to do that. We are going to meet some people on a hotel and Casino as well as set up and import-export thing through Cuba" he said to her chuckling. 

He knew Marie would have this plane sit right here on the runway till he gave in. He took a min, after he stopped laughing, to admire how beautiful she looked. 

"But I do have one surprise for you on this trip and you can hold this plane until next Christmas and I still won't tell you... I can play this game to you know."

Marie smiled.  "Alright you can keep your little surprise for now. 

When her drink arrived she thank the woman and took a sip.  "Surprisingly enough I have never been to Cuba before.  I wonder what it is going to be like?  I packed a swimming suit just in case there is time to hit the beaches there."  Suddenly Marie got a concerned look on her face.  "What if we run into more of Pisa's men?"  She turned around to see if anyone on the plane seemed suspicious. 

Lucky couldn't help but picture Marie in a bathing suit and now he had to make sure they had time for some swimming. 

Shaking that thought from his head he saw Marie get concerned. 

"We will be safe. Not one of his men left the states... well not alive anyway. so none of them knew of the trip. As far as I could tell they had just gotten to New York when I was spotted. I think it was just bad timing. Maybe I am not so lucky." he said to her. 

The flight was long with a short stop in Miami before heading to Cuba. Which gave them plenty of time to talk. 

"Look I know things have been difficult as of late with me returning from the dead and all," he said with a smirk

"But let's try and relax and have a good time on this trip. We have business to do but doesn't mean we cant relax as well." 

Marie knew what he was doing.  Roman had taken her on a trip to New York.  Now Lucky was taking her to Cuba. 

Well she was wanting to explore what her feelings were for Lucky and this trip would free them from distractions and allow the to spend some time together.  She hated leaving her crew once again, but Dub had things well in hand and the war effort was progressing nicely.  Soon they would have a cleaned out city to call their own.  

Sighing she laid her head back against the headrest and reached down to take hold of Lucky's hand.  After a moment she stated quietly.  "To be honest, I am concerned about sending you mixed messages."

Lucky holds Marie's hand. 

"I know the situation and I can handle whatever happens," he says to her. 

"You know this trip is just as much me getting you to myself for a bit as it is about business," he says giving her a smile. 

"You are in control here. Things go where and how you want. sound fair?" he asks her. 

Marie smiled.  "Thank you.  Now since I am apparently in control I am going to take a nap.  I am exhausted."  She really had not been getting much sleep for the past week and with all the traveling and wine... she barely could keep her eyes open.

They both slept on the plane it had been a long couple of days and they both needed the rest. Once they landed in Cuba they took a private car to the hotel they would be staying and took their stuff up to their rooms. They each had their own suite but they where adjoining rooms so they could move between rooms if they needed or wanted too. 

They took some time to get cleaned up and got ready to go to dinner. 

Lucky knocked on Marie's door to see if she was ready. 

Marie opened her door wearing an elegant black dress.  She showed it off a bit.  "Do you like?  You bought me this one too.  Thank you!"  She smiled as she got the expected reaction from him.  "It is not to formal for dinner here is it?"  She moved back into her room to look at herself in the mirror again, leaving the door open for Lucky to join her.

Lucky stands in the doorway with his mouth open stunned. He continues to stand there for a few seconds after she walks back into the room before he realizes he has to look like an idiot and needs to say something. 

"Wow you look amazing," he says to her after he gets his brain to start working again. 

Lucky walks in and stands behind Marie looking at her in the mirror over her shoulder. 

"Well I can tell you what every woman there will be jealous of you and every man will want to be me," he said smiling at her 

He wanted to put his arms around her and hold her but he placed his hands on her shoulders instead after awkwardly trying to find a place to put them for a min. He told her she was in control and he was going to keep to his word. 

She looked at him in the mirror.  There eyes meet.  Reaching up, she took hold of his hands and pulled them down and around her as she leaned back into him and allowed him hold her.  She closed her eyes allowing herself to feel the experience.  "Thank you for this trip and what you are doing."

Lucky felt her move his hands and hold her and he pulls her into him. 

"anything for you" he whispers to her before pulling her a little tighter

"I could stand here and do this all night," he says to her with a smile

"we will miss our reservation if we don't get down there," he tells her. 

She smiled and nodded.  "Let's go then.  We don't want to miss our reservation."  She reached to take hold of his hand and walked with him down to the formal dining room.  They gave their name and was soon walked back to a slightly secluded table for two.  The tables were draped with white linen and in the center was a candle  and a long stemmed rose in a vase.  

Marie sat down and her napkin was placed in her lap for her.  When they were settled Lucky asked Marie what her choose in wine was tonight.  She asked for a merlot and they were left alone while their waiter went to get their drinks.

"Do you have any idea what kind of food is good here?"  She picked up a menu to look at it.

Lucky looked over the menu and then at Marie. 

"I have no idea. I was in pretty bad shape when i was here so I was left eating bland basic foods," he says to her before having an idea. 

"want to get advernturous?" he asks her

"Sure what do you have in mind?" she says with a puzzled look

Lucky turns to the waiter and tells him to have the chef surprise them and explains that it's their first time here and want to have something special. 

The waiter nods before walking off. 

Marie's face clouds over when he mentions having the chef prepare something special for them.  That was what Luca always did.  It had caught her off guard when Lucky did it and reminded her of him.

Lucky watches as Marie's expression changed and wonders what could be going on. 

"Whats wrong?" he asks with concern

She grimaced a bit.  "I am sorry... it's just that Luca always did that.  Let the chef decide for us."

Lucky reached over and held her hand. 

"its ok to think of him and to miss him, I do," he tells her

"I knew he did that come to think of it he taught me about doing that. I just did it because we would be guessing anyway so I figured what the hell." 

Lucky thinks back to Luca and all the man had taught him. 

"You know I am always here for you if you need to talk."  

Marie smiled and squeezed his hand.  "Thank you Lucky.  I really do appreciate that." 

It wasn't long until the wine had been poured and the dinner was served.  Marie had no idea what it was that she was eating, but she thought it was goat and to be honest it tasted amazing.  Marie began to talk about the plans she had for Southside and the businesses she wanted to open.  Lucky let her go on for a bit, but then he gave her "the look."  It was the look he always gave her when he knew she was avoiding something.   Marie's mouth twists in displeasure.   Mostly displeasure at herself, but also at Lucky for calling her out on it. 

She sighed.  No more business talk.  She thought about what they could talk about or what they could do when suddenly she had an idea.  I am so full I could not eat dessert too.  Why don't we go out to the beach and watch the sun set from there?  I think I would like that."