Lucky nods in agreement the two of them get up and head outside. Once outside Marie took his hand, which made him happy, and they headed down the beach. The sun was just starting to set and the sky was lit up in blues, pinks, and oranges and the sound of the ocean waves hitting the shore was in time with the music that was being played in one of the outside establishments that sat higher up on the beach. 

The breeze off the ocean was cooling and Lucky took off his jacket and draped it over Marie's shoulders as they walked. As the sun started to get lower in the sky they stopped and Lucky stood behind Maire and wrapped his arms around her as they watched the sunset over the Horizon. This was the first "move" he made on his own and was a little concerned because he did it without thinking or realizing what he was doing. But when Marie leaned back into him, he smiled and knew everything was perfect. 

Marie hugs his arms and lays her head back against his shoulder.  It felt good to be there and she allowed herself to relax and just enjoy the moment with him.  "This is very nice.  Thank you for bringing me here.  I do believe it is the most beautiful sight I have ever seen."

She rubbed his arm softly and just listened and watched.  There was no awkwardness for her in this silence and it was a very nice change.   

Lucky squeezed her and held her close as they watched the sunset. After it was down and the night took over for the day he knew it was time to head back. He took her hand and they started to head back to the hotel. He did not want this night to end but he knew they had a long day tomorrow and they both needed some rest. They entered the hotel laughing and smiling as they headed up to their rooms for the night. 

When they had arrive at her door she turned to him and took both his hands in hers.  "It was a very lovely night.  Thank you again."  She looked into his eyes.  She knew that he would not kiss her, so she took a step into him and leaned in for a kiss.  Lucky let go of her hands and slipped his arms around her and pulled her slightly against him.  The kiss lingered until Marie pulled away.  She smiled at him.  "Goodnight."

"Good night," he said to her as he watched her turn and enter her room. 

Lucky was both surprised and happy by the way the night had ended. Everything had gone way beyond anything he had expected and ended in a kiss he did not see coming. Lucky turned and went to his room with a smile on his face. The next day would be mostly business and he had to get up early to check in with Chicago. 

Lucky awoke early and called Dub back in Chicago to see how things were going. He also let Dub know that they would be gone for a few more days but he would check in as he knew Marie would be worried how things were going. Dub told him that the Loop was cleared and that the SouthSide should be clear by the time they got back. 

Lucky left a note for Marie to join him for coffee downstairs when she was ready which he slipped under her door.

Marie could not remember when she had slept as good as she had last night.  She had literally been on the go for well over a week with almost no sleep at all.  Exhaustion combined with zero distraction resulted in a sleep that rivaled that of the dead.  When she woke up she took a quick shower and as she was coming out of the bathroom she noticed the note on the floor.  She picked it up and smiled.  Carrying it with her she laid the note on the dresser.

Looking through her closet, she chose a plain black dress and she put on the jewelry that she had bought in New York. Then she blow dried her hair, put on some makeup and was out the door to go meet Lucky.  Supposedly their day was to be packed full of business meetings.   

Lucky stood as Marie came down and they had coffee and a quick bite to eat. Before heading off to their first meeting of the day. On the way to a government building, Lucky filled her in on what was happening in Chicago. She was glad to hear everything was going well and seemed to relax a little too. 

There was several meeting to happen that day with government officials of Cuba and securing the land and the ability to build as well as with local businessmen who were helping finance the operation. Marie was being brought in for her expertise in running the LA casino. After that, they headed back to the hotel to meet with US senators. These senators served two purposes they were apart of the foreign affairs committee's and would help make sure that the business with Cuba, both legal and illegal, would go unmolested by government officials but Lucky also knew Marie needed her own political influence and power. When they met with these men Lucky gave them envelopes for "campaign" donations to ensure they were on Marie's side.

After a long and exhausting day, they headed back and sat in the restaurant for dinner and a few drinks to unwide and recap the day. Lucky went and called Dub to check in and then joined Marie. 

Marie inquired about things in Chicago.  She had no doubts that Dub was doing a great job of running things, but still... it was her crew and her district.  She was starting to get antsy and wanted to get back home to her responsibilities.  Still this day had been necessary.  Her coffers needed expanding if she was going to re-build her district.  Lucky informed her that the city was nearly clean.  By tonight, South Side would belong to her lock, stock, and barrel.

She tried to push thoughts of home out of her mind.  Tonight she wanted to just unwind.  It had been painful at times to listen to those Cuban government officials who wanted to play at being more important than they really were.  Then she had to deal with the US senators.  They were even worse.  After they had concluded business with each of them, she would have her men follow them.  Most of them would end up with a woman of the night or two and a few pictures of the escapades would not hurt to have in her possession.

As Lucky sat down to join her, the waiter brought the food she had ordered for them -- sandwiches, salads, and a nice soup.   "I hope this is okay?"  She smiled at him.

Lucky looked at the food and then at Marie. 

 "This is perfect." He told her

"What a day I swore I thought some of those guys would never shut up" he told her with a smile. 

<font color="#D7D7D7">He started to eat and they talked about coordinating all this from Chicago. Lucky thought it would be a great excuse to get her to himself from time to time but quickly pushed that out of his head. "not the time for that" he thought to himself. </font>

"well, we have two days left here. I know you want to get back to Chicago but the tomorrows meeting is late and we won't be able to leave till the next day," he tells her. 

"So the meeting tomorrow evening.  Who is it with?"  She began to eat her soup while it was still hot.  It was a kind of potato soup that was a bit more spicy than she was use too.  Still it tasted good and she ate all of it.  Apparently she more hungry than she had realized.  She had not eaten most of the day which was not unusual for her when she had wheeling and dealing to do.  

He was in the middle of eating his sandwich when she asked who the meeting was with. He knew he had to tell her but bringing up Luca's old contacts was not something he was looking forward to. 

"Well it's with the Gonzalas brothers," he said and watching her face as she tried to place where she heard that name before. 

"They are Luca's old contacts. The ones that ran his operations for him here," he told her. 

"They have been looking for new contacts in the states since the ones that replaced Luca have pretty much all but abandoned them," he explained to her. 

Marie nodded as she chewed and swallowed some of her salad.  "Oh Enrico and Jose!  It will be good to see them.  Last time I saw them Luca and I were still living in Miami.  If I remember correctly.  Luca said they were top notch fellas."  If the mention of Luca bothered Marie she showed no signs of it as she finished off her sandwich.  "What are we going to do earlier in the day tomorrow?"

Lucky was happy to see it did not upset her but he wondered if she was just trying to hide it. 

"Yes they are top notch and will help us get anything we want from here and into the states," he told her 

"I figured tomorrow would be a relax and beach day," he said trying not to smile too big. 

"I know we have been working a lot and the move and I know you need to just be able to relax."

"Mmmhmm.  You just want to see me in my bathing suit.  I know you Lucky Luciano.   She winked at him playfully as she reached for her wine glass.  She had drank a bit more wine with dinner than she usually did and that did not count all the drinks she had had through out the day.  She was actually feeling very good.  As light as a cloud.  She giggled and poured herself some more.

Lucky smiled and winked at Marie's comment. 

"Yes very true I am a warm-blooded male and you are a beautiful woman. But my other reasons were just as valid" he said to her. 

He was feeling pretty good. Not much to eat all day but there was plenty of drinks to be had. He ordered another round of drinks for the two of them. 

Marie drank the rest of the wine that was left in the bottle and then the next round of drinks that Lucky had ordered for her.  How much had she drank.  She couldn't really remember.   Her head was all fuzzy and she giggled at the sensation of being disconnected from her body.  "Luckyyyyy."  She loved how that sounded.  "Luckyyyyyyyy"  Laughing she jabbed him in the chest and said loudly, "You are Luckyyyyyy, Luckyyyyyy.  You get it?  Luckyyyyy Luckyyyy." She giggled and began to sway to the music that was in her head. 

Lucky couldn't help but smile as he saw that Marie had really cut loose and actually gotten drunk. The only other time she was drunk around him was after Luca passed but now she was a happy drunk. Lucky finished his drink and order another round but told the waiter to give them a few minutes before bringing the drinks to the table. 

Lucky stands up and offers his hand to Marie 

"Shall we dance?" he said to her noticing she was already swaying to the music. 

Continuing to speak much louder than was necessary she exclaimed, "Yes!"  She took his hand and stood up.  "Whoooaaaaa."  The room began to spin and she stumbled into his arms laughing.  "Who is spinning the oom... oom..."  She giggled hanging onto Lucky for support.  "I can't say oom."  Suddenly she looked at Lucky all serious.  "Am I uck?  I think I am uck."

"Yes you are drunk," he says smiling at her. 

"How about we go out and get some fresh air," he tells her

Lucky grabs the bottle of wine the waiter brought over and a couple of glasses and guides Marie out on the beach. They walk down a ways where they can still hear the music in the background. He takes his jacket off and lays it in the sand taking the glasses and the bottle and placing them on it. 

Then he takes her in his arms and starts to dance with her. 

Wrapping her arms around Lucky she leaned against him heavily and laid her head on his shoulder.  She couldn't think as much as she tried.  No thoughts would form and she realized how much she liked that feeling.  She always thought to much.  Looking at Lucky she noticed his lips.  Her attention became fixated on them.    "Mmmm.... kiss me.