Charlie remembered the last time that he was here and it was with his late girlfriend, Bianca Garcia, one of the most sadistic and nicest people that he could have met. It was one of the nicest dates that he could have had and yet, they had to end, rising tensions and all. It had become too much for the young couple and soon, they had broken it off, but remaining friends. 

All too soon, she had died in the Chicago Takedown and now, here he was. Outside the very restaurant, they had their first date of many. He found it saddening that he could not protect her and yet, he hoped that she found peace somewhere down the line that they all chose in this life. 

"Mr. Pavanno, your booth awaits."

Charlie looked over to Bertram, the ever-loyal driver, and bodyguard of his, he found the man a delight and kept him, as a close companion, knowing that the man would never betray or sway him in the wrong direction, simply for his own personal greed. He nodded his thanks before walking into the establishment, knowing that he was hungry enough.

He felt calm as he heard the pianist playing, he had missed this, yet here he was now. He was guided over to his booth, ordering a glass of scotch whiskey and a starter of bread and some butter. He was going to enjoy, he had rarely ever done so before. Now he had the time, what else was he to do?

"You know, its time like this I wonder why I am working for when I could make the same as you if I did what you did."

Charlie chuckled before allowing his face to become blank. He shook his head to Bertram, motioning in no circumstances did he want this type of life, he was better not knowing and just hearing tidbits, instead of truly knowing and becoming locked with the life, soon enough killing and getting imprisoned. 

"Trust me, this life, it's not what anyone should want. Yet, it's the choices that we made. They led us here and we have to make our beds before we truly rest in them..."

Charlie sighed as he finished, no longer looking to Bertram, but thinking of all his choices, allowing the brilliant pianist to fade from his mind and simply remain there. He would allow a small moment of his thoughts, he needed it. 

Grosso had not been in Detroit for a while now. But business had called him to the motor city. Business had led him away from home towards the city. Back home he had heard people talk highly about a restaurant owned by a Philadelphia native. It was the beginning of the evening and Grosso had skipped lunch and decided he would go out to find the restaurant for an early dinner.

As he reached the restaurant he entered and was greeted by the hostess. The hostess then led him towards an empty table. As he took a seat at the table he noticed the place was pretty full with diners. He could see a few dates going on and some business dinners. He was here alone and did not care much for eating by himself. But then again he had not tried that hard to find a suitable companion. He secretly hoped someone else was going to enter the restaurant looking for a companion for dinner. He looked over a few tables where he saw a familiar face sitting. Charlie__Pavanno was also a Philadelphia native and frequent visitor of establishment in the 7 cities. 

The hostess returned and asked Grosso if he wanted something to drink. As Grosso answered he would like a coca cola the hostess handed him the menu. As she left his table she spoke: "I will be back with your drink shortly, take your time with the menu." Grosso awaited his drink and started to think about recent events in Philadelphia. The choices that he had made and thinking about what laid ahead. 

"Here we are again, been a while, I do wonder if Isabella-Luciano has graced the customers with her presence in a while, god knows that it has been a while since I was last here."

Charlie sat down in a booth of The Blackhawk Resturant with a small smirk, enjoying the pianist that had been playing softly, he still remembered the last time that he had heard a pianist and he had been glared at by Yvette until he had run out of the very Casino until she left, to which he had returned to awkward stares and dead silence, something that Charlie often laughed at now. 

He noticed a waiter had come over, giving him the meal that he had ordered before he motioned for the waiter to stop and gave him a hundred dollars. Although perhaps he should not have, Isabella's businesses clearly earned her some money, which reminded him, he would have to speak with her regarding some of her own business that was still here in Detroit. 

"Thank you, good man, please do give my compliments on the chef that will no doubt be a wonderful meal."

Charlie dug into his meal and soon devoured it whole, leaving people to stare at him with wide eyes, wondering where the man put it all, but knew that asking him could possibly have them six feet under, knowing that Charlie could perceive it as an insult, leaving them with a bullet in their heads and a hollowed-out grave with their names on it. 

Charlie stood up, looking around the establishment before heading to the bar and asking for a bourbon, knowing that he might spend some more time here than usual. He smiled thinly to the bartender who gave him the drink, he sipped slowly, wanting to enjoy his moments here, knowing that he did not have that many good memories besides his moments with Bianca. He sighed, before drinking his drink again, not wanting to be trapped in memories that he would rather forget.

"Leave the bottle bartender, I'll be needing it."

Charlie sighed softly, his arms folded over one another, staring at the bottle with anger shining in his eyes, knowing that there was not much he could do to bring his former love back to him.

Walking in as if he'd just woken from a slumber that had lasted about a hundred years a very hungover Mangler clutches at his briefcase. Approaching the property he nods his head slowly motioning to himself that this is the establishment he'd heard a lot about. Stomach growling, reminding him how hungry he was, he gets escorted over to a table near the front window. 

"No no, that won't do; gimmie' some place at the back." 

The waitress nods, a flush of red etched across her face. In his hungover state Mangler never tends to realise what an arse he can be.

Once his seat has been found, he rests the briefcase under the chair between his two legs seemingly not daring it let it be out of touching distance. Glancing over his left shoulder he looks towards the bar and see's Charlie_Pavanno sitting staring at a bottle on the bar. Mangler thinks back to his own demons and would nod slowly if Charlie was to look over.

He quickly orders some breakfast, waving his hand to dismiss the waitress stating "I 'on really care what it is, jus' get me somethin' before my plane leaves." his attitude clearly hasn't cleared up, but hungover and hungry wasn't Mangler's best combination. Sighing he drinks at the black coffee staring at the front doors as if any moment now they would be blown inwards and the place would be rushed, his paranoia was only developing as he worked in the underworld.

A tall silhouette of a man stood in the door way of the Restaurant cigarette lit in one hand and the other in his pocket.  He took a puff and the orange light showed the quick reflection of a very handsome young man.   He walked into the light of the restaurant heading for a table.  He was dressed to the nines and walked like he was royalty.  He was an up and coming man of honor.  He looked around and the men with him looked like they were business executives.   

They sat at the table and talked quietly in turns as the young man nodded or shook his head in approval or disapproval.  His lips never moved you could tell he was in charge and the rest worked for or wanted to.  They continued an only stopped once the waitress arrived as he raised his hand that alerted them to shut-up.  Frank smiled at the young lady as she handed each person a menu.  Frank got his menu and placed his order.  Then they ordered their meals and selected their wine.  

Their meals arrived and one of the men paid for everyone of them they rest thanked Frank.  He simply nodded and then picked up his knife and fork and began to cut his meat then eat.  He looked at the men at the table and a smirk came across his face.  He looked at his watch as he started eating.  He was there to see an old friend of his father and grandfather.  Detroit's Godfather that he personally called uncle Joe.   Frank was working hard in Chicago and making a name for himself.  He wanted to build a business in Detroit but needed the approval of the Don.    

Detroit was not a place that Louis knew well, came to often or indeed had even ventured much beyond the airport and the jobs he had done.  It seemed a bit dingy in comparison to back home in Philly or where he grew up.  But he had heard of the Blackhawk in passing and figured out he should maybe give it a go.

The waiter showed Louis to a seat.  Most of the tables were occupied with couples but Louis quite liked dining alone.  It gave him an opportunity to people watch; the middle aged lady with the over sized earrings that looked like chandeliers off the side of her tiny head, the young lady chatting way too enthusiastically with the elderly gentleman who did not look like her father, and the young man yawning as he waited for his date to arrive back presumably from the restroom…that date was going well.

The waiter same to collect his drink order.

“A glass of apple cider please.  I’m ready to order my main meal as well while you are here; the breaded pork tenderloin.  No appetiser please.”

The waiter left and Louis got back to people watching.  The date had arrived back but neither of them seemed to be speaking, the lady glanced over and caught Louis looking.  He quickly turned his eyes away.  

Benny Goodman. Ah, his music sure knew how to brighten a girl up. It was an absolutely dismal day out, dark clouds threatening rain, but a night on the town could not be helped. Cecelia tucked her umbrella under her arm as she went to open the door, purse swinging about, but a man in a suit accompanied by a woman- likely his wife- opened it instead. She shot him a grin and sly 'Thank you' with an added wink and glance to the woman. 

The jovial sounds of the band bounced off the walls as she entered, immediately being greeted by a waiter. "Table for one please. I'd like a spot in the corner over there, but with a nice view of the band. Thank you." 

She silently followed the waiter to the table, looking around the room, before she let the man take her coat. "This is lovely, thanks."

Gracefully, she sat down and pulled in her chair before picking up the menu. Scanning it, she decided what she'd like and waited for the waiter once more. When he reappeared, she asked for Long Island Duckling, complete with apple sauce and sweet potatoes in addition to a cup of hot Cocoa.

She gazed longingly over to where the band was playing, resting her chin on her fist, lost in thought. They had played a few songs by the time her food came. She elegantly unfurled her napkin and situated it carefully. She kept her eyes on the band as she enjoyed her meal, delighted by the good food and even better music. 

Dressed in a wine red dress shirt and a black tie, Joseph Pavanno looked himself over, making sure that he was prepared for his date as he put on his black suit jacket, making sure that he looked the part and did not seem like a common thug who dressed himself in fine clothing to seem like he was more than he was. He had already made that promise that he was done with that type of life. 

"It's one date Cain, it's not like I'm asking the girl to marry me, am I?"

He continued to look himself over as he made sure that not a single thing about his attire was out of place or even looked wrong, he had to make sure of that, he did hear the mocking laughter of his business associate, Cain, who shrugged, not wanting to answer. 

"No, you are not asking the girl to marry you but you are acting as if the biggest event of the year, you might want to calm down and just relax, if you let the nerves get to you, it's no better for the either of you."

Joe turned around, looking between Koneko and Cain, he wondered if they did this exact thing with Mael, it seemed like they did by the way they were standing and looking at him like they were proud parents. He did not know what he did to bring about that kind of behavior from them but he did not like it all that much. 

"Right, you both know that I have done this before, correct? This is not my first rodeo, lad, and lass. I am not going to be getting nervous or the odd communication problem that you people are describing. I am going to enjoy myself and see what the night brings."

Joe finished looking himself over, knowing that everything with the attire was as perfect as it could be, otherwise, he would be in a lot of trouble if it was not, he had to present himself correctly. He did not want to be like one of those fakes he had thought about before. 

"Don't wait up, by that, I mean, do not try and follow me down to the Blackhawk Restaurant, got it?"

Joe walked out of the apartment, never noticing the sly grins that were twitching at the lips of his associates as they looked at one another; they had known another Pavanno who had chosen to take his date to the Blackhawk Restaurant, was it common for a Pavanno to bring their date to the staple restaurant of the Motor City?

Joe stepped out of his car, as he held a bouquet of Red Roses in his hand, he had to make sure that he went out to prove that he was going to be wooing her, or he had to make sure that this was nothing but the best. He made his way into the restaurant noticing how different it seemed at night, clearly, he picked the right location for this. He had made sure of it. 

"Mr. Pavanno, we have given you the booth, would you like for me to take the roses and place them in a vase for your Lady Friend?

Joe shook his head, instead of walking over to the both that the waiter had motioned to him before and he strode across the room, heading towards with quick and effective steps as he enjoyed the soft playstyle of the pianist that seemed to give off the peaceful feeling in the restaurant. 

"Well, time to play the waiting game."

Joe stood by the table waiting for his date, Megara_Verratti, the bouquet of Red Roses still in hand and a smile twitching at his lips, he just hoped that she liked it and hopefuly him.

”Meg, you need to be there in 20 minutes!” The voice of her sister sounded in the other part of their apartment. Megara sighed and turned around once again in front of the mirror. Her black dress swirled as she turned but she felt uneasy in it. It was quite showing.

“Marissa, get your ass in here, I need help!” Megara squawked and tried to unzip the dress to find something else but could not manage to reach it. Her sister hurried in and roughly pulled it down, resulting in Megara crying out.

“Watch it dumbass, I said zip it down, not zip my skin down as well!”

Normally Megara would not have talked to her darling sister this way, but she was stressing and was not in the mood for disappointing her date, Joey_Pavanno, by arriving 20 minutes late. She desperately needed a drink to calm down but showing up late and smelling far away of bourbon would probably not help her case. She gave Marissa a faint smile and mumbled sorry, before going on with figuring out what to wear.

Most of the time, Megara was not one to wear anything coloured. She did not want to pursue any more attention than just needed, so looking in her closet, the few coloured pieces of clothing was what caught her attention. She picked up a wine-red backless gown and studied it for a minute, until her sisters yelling brought her back to reality. Carefully she put it on and studied herself in the mirror. The dress was perfect for the occasion, not too bright, not too much, and not too underdressed. She sent the set up of her drinks table a yearning look, but turned her face around, looking and thinking of it would only make the pain worse.

Megara quickly set her shoulder long hair, jumped into her heels and pulled out her jewellery box. In it was a ton of jewellery, stuff she had collected through years and she smiled going through them, connecting each and every one of the to a memory she has had while wearing it.

For tonight she decided to go without a necklace, but her big diamond earrings would make up for the missing sparkle on her. She smiled while putting them on, and even gave herself a wink in the mirror.

“Alright time to go now. I will see you later, young lady! Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.” Megara grabbed her purse and her coat, in case it got chilly outside, sprayed a cloud of perfume in the air and walked through it on her way out the door. Her driver was waiting outside and as she got seated, he left the street in matter of seconds. A short drive after he parked outside of the Blackhawk, and Megara felt a little nervous walking into the restaurant. Immediately when stepping inside, she scanned the room for threats, dangers, and her date. A smile lit up on her face as she saw him, and she wasted no time in heading in his direction.

“Hello, sorry I’m late.” Her face flushed and she looked down, feeling a tad of embarrassment.

Joe did notice the time seemed to be getting a bit late, he looked down at his watch and wondered if he had been stood up, he knew that he had presented the idea of dating as joyful banter but he had been as serious as he could be with her. He found her to be fun and pretty daring, he enjoyed women like that, he knew that it would be some time if he found one like that and somehow, one had been thrust into his lap as if it was a gift from the gods. 

He noticed that some of the men seemed to take some pity on him, obviously believing that he had been stood up and that was something he wanted to believe. Instead, he stayed and waited. He looked over himself and noticed that he looked the same, yet it was the nerves that continued to get to him. Everything was fine except that Meg was not here, just as he was about to call it a day. The rushing of cars and honking horns were heard as the door to the Blackhawk had been pushed open. 

Looking up, Joe finds himself staring wide-eyed, never seeing such a beautiful sight in his life until now. She was dressed perfectly as if he was a common man standing in the presence of royalty, he tried finding some words except she had stepped forward and spoke before he could even get a word in. He was still stunned and found himself continuing to gaze upon her as if she was an exhibit to be praised and showered with compliments. 

"Do not worry about that, you are here now and that is all that matters, you look amazing, truly breathtaking."

He breathed out before looking down at the roses and offering them towards her as he placed a hand under her chin, cautiously lifting her head to gaze into her eyes and not wanting this moment to stop. 

"Here, I bought you roses, I don't know if that is a little forward but I wanted to make the effort at the very least. I hope you like them."

Joe allowed a faint smile to twitch at his lips, continuing to gaze at her as he awaited her first words besides an apology which she did not need to utter again. He found himself forgetting that she was even late.

Before he departed from Detroit for his series of Guest lectures, the man he had recently come to associate with, Louis Mezzo, offered him the address of an establishment financed by a Philadelphia restaurant. He insisted that no visit to the city would be complete without it, especially if one was an enthusiast of the burgeoning American music scene.

Though Heinrich himself was still inclined towards the Austrian and German classical musicians he had been introduced to in his youth, he was eager to expand his palate so to speak. Plus there was the added incentive of familiarising himself with the tastes of the man himself as well as possibly earning the opportunity to interact with the businesswoman capable of constructing and maintaining such a successful establishment in a different city.

Managing to squeeze out some time on a Saturday evening, he asked the concierge at his Hotel to book a cab to the location. Though such high profile visits would have obligated him to dress at his formal best in the German courts, his years of imprisonment and his self-imposed exile after the war coupled with the meagre means of his Professorship had humbled him considerably and he wore a simple brown tweed suit with an inexpensive tie.

Pushing past the doors, his senses were immediately assaulted. His eyes took in the grandeur on display while his ears echoed with the sharp sounds of the clarinets being played. Finding himself in an unfamiliar and yet, loud and relatively crowded surroundings, he felt his hand beginning to tremor in search of his rifle.

Gazing past the gentleman courting an elegantly dressed woman he searched for something that might vaguely resemble a foxhole. Spotting a somewhat isolated location by the bar, he decided to find some alcohol to calm him down. "Entschuldigung." He offered by way of apology as he briefly bumped into the man holding the roses, before dodging his way past the crowd of patrons.

"Barmann! Glass of riesling. Chilled, bitte." He requested sombrely as he sat down.

It seemed that his Date had to leave for some unforeseen circumstances and this had him looking the fool before throwing the roses away, he headed to the bar wanting to drown in his sorrows, wondering what had happened in the space of a couple hours, he was sure that they had a good time. He barely felt it when a man had bumped into him, he did not really care or anything, instead, he sat down at the bar, taking a bottle of bourbon. He gave the barkeep a look before giving him a fifty and sending him on his way as he drunk from the bottle without caution, his eyes becoming unfocused. 

He did not seem to care for appearances as he had instead wanted to drown himself in the booze that called for him like a siren. He had started to lose the sound of the musical stylings that had been played throughout the restaurant, something was not right. Was he getting drunk already? Most likely, he did drink a lot in the space of a couple minutes, he really did not care and instead looked to the man beside him that seemed to be minding his business.

Joe raised the bottle in cheers before drinking once again, wondering if this was the luck that Pavanno's had with women. It seemed to be that way, he laughed a little before taking another sip and he did not allow himself to taste the bourbon, he simply guzzled it down like it was water and in some odd fashion, it was to him. 

"Hey Stranger, what brings you to this staple place of Detroit?"

His words were slurred and alcohol spewed from his mouth as he did so, perhaps he should stop drink, only he did not and finished the remaining bottle of Bourbon before leaving it to sit on the counter knowing that he had already paid a hefty price for such a drink.

Isabella Byrne, resplendent in a long red dress, belly full with child stepped out on to the floor and looked across her establishment with a smile.  Of the twins GavinAndTaraByrne only Gavin was here with her now.  He was talking at the bar with a contact of his about some business or other that they had.

One hand resting on her baby bump and the other akimbo on her hip considered her patrons and the ever-growing profit margins of her perennial top earning business.  This, as it happened, was one of her most legit operations and one of her biggest cash cows.  She uses to spend all her time here when she lived in Detroit but these days it was very hard to get away from home and her duties as a parent and wife.  However, now that Tara was gone and she no longer a hand, she hoped to change all that.

Taking her bloodline in the direction of legitimate business for the sake of her children's future was a hard prospect, she could never leave the Cosa Nostra behind entirely - it was all she knew and it was in her blood - but stepping back was becoming more and more than just a dream.  It was slowly becoming her reality.  And, in truth, she couldn't be happier.  Which was why she was here.  Some of the Tower's final... 'less than legal' operations had to be passed into hands better equipped to deal with them.  The question was... who?

Joe somehow in his inebriated state had noticed Isabella Luciano walk into her very Blackhawk Restaurant, the business must have been booming for her to come personally. He looked away, noticing how she seemed to be looking over the place, he wondered if she would ever need a business partner in such a venture. He knew that he was ambitious but to become partners with someone like Isabella would need a huge amount of money, the business would have to be amazing and show great signs in becoming profitable. 

"Heh, I'll think on it and see if I can't make a buck that might garner her interest."

He smirked as he whispered to himself and taking another sip of the bottle before he put the bottle down, it seemed that he had to make a trip soon, he had to see what made the Philadelphia life so profitable and he would get a look at it soon, first, he had to book a flight and see what he would be doing. Otherwise, he would be a tiny little goldfish in a sea of sharks, he did not like that and knew that he had to get some information on the Philly lifestyle.

"Time to go, eh, I'll take the bottle."

He whispered once more as he passed Isabella, making sure that she did not notice him and instead, he ducked his head down and hailed for a taxi, wanting to forget this night and instead find the comforts elsewhere.

The visit to Detroit was concluding for Louis and the flight back to Philadelphia did not leave for a few hours.  By the time he arrived back in Race Street it would be about nine o’clock in the evening and far too late for having a meal so if he did not eat now he would not be eating again today.

The Blackhawk was on his way to the airport and as he had enjoyed such an enjoyable meal there previously, he asked the cab driver to pull in.  Handing him $10, he encouraged the driver to get something to eat and be back here in an hour or so.

As he walked in and shook the hand of the maître d’, he cast his eyes around the room, nominally looking for friends but mostly surveying for threats.  His eyes were drawn to the back of a bright red dress and instantly recognised Isabella-Luciano standing beside GavinandTaraByrne at the bar.  They were both busy talking to friends so to avoid being drawn in to a fun evening’s entertainment with the pair of them he asked to be placed at a quiet table but asking for their drinks tab to be added to his own.

The waiter returned with a glass of water of Louis and he immediately ordered the same dish as the last time; the breaded pork tenderloin.

He removed a newspaper from his pocket and looked over some of the articles while waiting for his meal.

Isabella smiled at Gavin, as he shook hands with his business contact.  He turned to look at her.  Their eyes connected and as so often happened, they needed no words.  He offered his hand to her and she nodded.  Bella chuckled as he spun her out onto the dance floor.  

"I'm like a bowling ball rolling amidst the pins out here."

Gavin twirled her in towards his body, holding her tight and whispered into her ear.  Bella blushed and playfully swatted him.  "You're terrible."  She said as he held her close and moved through the crowd.  "But you know I love it."

The old Wolf smirked, guiding her direction through the other dances with the barest twitch of his wrist against the small of her back.  They moved with the sort of grace that only dancers who knew each other so well could move.  Anticipating each other as much as feeling.  It wasn't long before space around them began to clear out.

Perhaps because of their skill, but more likely because of who they were and the organizations they & their marriage represented, people stood about watching them as they moved across the dance floor.  Bella looked about the room, stunned, but Gavin never wavered in looking at her... at least until the end of the song.  At which time the band leader spoke into his microphone:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, a round of applause if you will for the owners of the Blackhawk... Mr. & Mrs. Byrne." 

Applause erupted around the room.  Bella blushed and smiled.  Gavin wrapped his arm around his wife and lead her from the dance floor and to their private table.  THIS, Bella decided, was what it must have felt like to have been Salvatore & Marie in the good times.  She kept this unfortunate observation to herself for numerous reasons.  Instead, she settled in and ordered a meal to enjoy with her husband on one of their rare nights out alone.

Frank saw the affection that Gavin and Bella had and it melted his heart.  He was happy to see a husband and wife together.  He wanted to see his business partner and meet her husband but thought that they were out tonight in another city and maybe they wanted to be alone.  Frank sent them a bottle of wine and nodded to Gavin as Isabella-Luciano looked up smile gave a little smile but it looked as if she was trying to place Franks face.  

Frank wondered if she forgot him after all they meet twice face to face and did most of their business over the phone and through associates.  Frank nodded at her and went to the bar to get a drink he was there on business and again his uncle Joe stood him up.  Frank wondered if his uncle was okay they had not seen each other in months and that was a bit unusual.   Frank would stay a few more days in Detroit trying to meet with Don Giuseppe Ligambi however he knew that if he called his grandmother then Ligambi would get a ear full on why he didn't see his own nephew.  

Frank thought about that an laughed to himself Uncle Joe getting in trouble and grounded by his mom.  Then he thought more on it and his uncle would ground him.  That smile faded quick and Frank knew that wasn't going to work either.

When the bottle of wine arrived she looked over and met Frank's eyes. 

Bella leaned over and whispered in Gavin's ear and smiled. 

She then waved at Frank-Cali.  She was glad to see the man again.  It had been some time and she wondered how he'd been holding up in light of all the recent events.  She then told the waiter to return to Frank with word of her appreciation for his lovely gift.  She didn't know if he wanted to be a third wheel at their table but she certainly wouldn't reject any happy company that might join her and her husband on their evening out and about.

The waiter returned to Frank with the message and he smiled thinking this was the time to check on her and see if everything was still smooth with there imports and exports business some people say no news is good news about Frank believe when you don't have news the competition is gaining on you.  He also wanted a chance to meet Gavin he heard a lot about him and hoped that they too would be friends.  

Frank tipped the waiter and then turned towards the loving couple and headed over.  He stopped for a second hoping that they would not ask how he was coping without his Lucia who was killed months ago.  He braced himself just incase he had an answer for that question he been using it for months.  As he got to the table he saw two men looking at him he knew that those guys had to work for Gavin.  He raised his hands and they went to check him but Gavin gave them a simple hand gesture and they sat down just as fast as they stood.  

Hello Mr. Gavin Mrs. Bella thank you for inviting me over.  I wont stay long I know what love looks like and I hate to disturb your fling.  Its great to see married couples acting like newlyweds.  I really wanted to meet you sir.  Mr. Bella has told me so much about you I didn't believe you were real or human.  I also wanted to see if our partnership deals in the import export needed any of my attention?  I haven't heard anything good or bad thus far.    

"Things are going well so far as I know.  I usually take it to mean that things are good when I don't hear any complaints from the people running my operations.  So long as the checks come in on time and clear, I don't find myself needing to get my hands dirty much these days.  All things considered," She put hands on her belly and smiled down at it.  "It's probably good that I haven't had to.  I mean, can you imagine me down at the docks boxing mens ears with this little one growing in me?"

She shook her head. 

"Though I suppose Gavin handles that end of things anymore."  She smiled at her husband.  "He's the strong silent type, like those men in the picture shows, my Wolf." She said taking his hand and leaning into her husband who smiled at her fondly.

"How's Chicago treating you these days?  I hear you're still with Mr. Scofield's operation despite the persistent rumors that something terrible might have happened to him.  Please know he's in my prayers.  Has there been any word on that front?"  She lowered her voice, "Or any word about you getting your own operation in the wake of this?  I mean... I wish nothing ill on your boss, but if you're running things while your Don is a way that's got to speak to your capability.  Elie might be a ferret but she's not an idiot.  I suspect she's noticed all your hard work."

She smiles, "Speaking of... we miss Ellie too.  How's she been?"