"The Ivory Tower once stood for the education of the young. Omerta and Respect.  The ways of this thing of ours." Salvatore said taking the book out of Marie's hand.  Isabella can see that the embossed leather cover reads simply 'Journal.'

"It was originally founded by a gangster named Lucky Lucy in Chicago and she left huge shoes for her predecessor to fill."

"Ones that ultimately she did not."  Salvatore says darkly.  "A cautionary tale.  Icarus and all that..."

"Well, that's one way to tell the story of my cousin Frankie Messina," a very pregnant Godmother Marie said.  "... but we're not here about Frankie or what she did or didn't do."

"Why are we here?"  Isabella asked, finally breaking her silence.

"The Tower was burnt to ashes in Seattle, the ghosts of her crew ... many of them, haunt that place still.  And I think it's time that changes.  I want to launch the Tower in Detroit."  Salvatore put his arm around Isabella and began to walk with her.  "This is important and I think we're in a place where we can do this now, finally, and none would stand against it.  Under the right leadership, the stain is lifted, the dead rest in peace, and the Tower goes forward anew."

"But... what about the family name you've built, it's who we are.  You can't turn your back on our family name even for something like this... can you?"

Salvatore smiled.  "No.  I won't, but there are very few people I trust in this fucking thing... some of them already have their hands full," He looks to Marie.  "And some of them they'd end up strangling some of these poor fucks the first time they did something completely stupid and then where would the next generation be?" Isabella chuckled.

He handed the journal to her.  "But you... you could do this."

"I'm... I'm too young.  Who would respect a Don as young as me?"

"Are you refusing me?"  There was a dark tone to his voice which set her hair on end, but Salvatore's eyes gave her all she really needed to know about his intentions.

"No."  She said, swallowing back her instinctive fear of her father's temper.

"That's my girl." he quipped with a smile.  He patted her back and walked her towards the door. "You brought yourself up in this world and you did that without my or any other man's help.  Never forget that Isabella, and don't doubt yourself in my presence again or you might make me doubt too."

Isabella runs her fingers along the silver edged pages and flips casually through it.  A thin feminine script fills page after page in blue and black inks.  She never stops to read any of it but occasionally the name 'Lucy' is scrawled in large letters at the bottom of a page and is impossible to miss.

"I'll make you proud."

"I know you will.  Now... let's go raise a glass with our friends."

"Wait?!?"  Isabella looked surprised.  "What friends?"

Marie laughed.  "Your father's doing... I told him not to spring a party on you."

Salvatore opened the door to a room full of mobsters already drinking, smoking and having one hell of a time.  A waitress brought a tray of drinks for all of them to take from.  Salvatore snatched a wine glass without missing a beat.  As the two Godfathers came to the edge of the steps leading down to the large open dance floor a hush fell over the crowd.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN ... RAISE A GLASS AND COME TO WELCOME THE FIRST PART OF SO MUCH JOY IN THIS LIFE, MY ELDEST CHILD!"  He raised his glass.  "DON ISABELLA OF THE IVORY TOWER, DETROIT!"

Draven smiles at Isabella and then hands her friend a single white rose for friendship. 

"Isabella I have known you all my life and we have grown up together. I am glad to see that your father has given you this oppurtunity here in Detroit. Even though your leaving the safety of the nest your just around the corner and while we all will miss you in hallways daily, we know that this is a wonderful chance for you and for Detroit as a whole. 

Congrats!"

*Raises a glass*  The Tower still stands.

The party was booming, people drinking, talking, laughing.  Today was a day fit for a celebration of the most joyous kind.  It was the coming of a new age and the rising of a new Leader.  Excitement coursed through the younger Luciano daughter as she milled about among the Mobsters in attendance laughing and chatting, just having a great time.  She knew exactly why they'd been invited, and it was a topic that gave her quite a bit of joy as well as a tiny bit of apprehension.  This party was for her beloved sister.  A family member that had before been her closest friend.  New information had been brought into the light and she was thrilled to know the results of it.  

Dressed in a lovely navy blue gown complete with beautiful sequins that caught the light just beautifully, and her long blonde hair swept up into a lovely little knot at the back of her head, bangs cascading down to frame her pretty face and intense eyes.  Ellie was here and eager to enjoy this night and congratulate her sister.  Soon the doors opened and there stood her father and the beautiful Marie leading her sister in.  She grinned as her eyes darted about while people lifted their glasses and called their congratulations.  Young Ellie didn't even miss a beat.  Heels clicked quickly upon the floor as she weaved through the people and without missing a step, moved right up to her sister, wrapping her arms tightly around the young woman before her.  "Congratulations Isabella...  I just know you'll do amazing things."  She spoke for her ears only before drawing back and holding her at arms length as she looked her over quickly.  Pride and excitement shone in her eyes as well as that little spark that was all Ellie.  There was also a slight sadness.  They had such fun when they were girls...  Isabella had looked after her well, and even now she did.  But with new responsibilities and a new place in this world of theirs, how would that change the relationship the two now enjoyed?  

Well either way, the track was set and Isabella was on it.  Eleonora too was on another track of this life but the two intersected and entwined in a beautiful manner.  Who knew what the world had in store for these two sisters in this thing of theirs?  Eleonora also casted a warm grin in the direction of her father and Marie, dipping her head graciously in greeting to them as well before stepping back and letting other well wishers forward, not monopolizing her sister too long.

John raises his glass of tonic water in the air - 14 days sober mind you

“Third times the charm, right?” 

“Congratulations Isabella, here’s to us and the future of the Ivory Tower!”

Roger couldn't help but smile as a familiar name cropped up into the world around them...

"The Tower Still Stands. Gotta say, that's makes me happy to hear."

He tipped his fedora to Isabella-Luciano and winked.

"Auguri, doll. Buona fortuna."

He smirked. "You're gonna do great things, amica. I know it. I'll be rootin' for ya's."

 Not one for social gatherings, Chun-Li strolled up the walkway enjoying the slight breeze as it ruffled her dark hair..Isabella Luciano deserved this she mused. Chun wouldn't admit this out loud, but to her self she could admit she'd miss coming home to Bella's wild antics and pranks..Coming up to the door, Chun pulled it open and stepped inside..Many looked at her in surprise, but she just shrugged as her dark eyes scanned the room for her friend Isabella. Finding her amid a crowd of people, Chun strolled toward her, grabbing a beer on the way..Reaching her friend, Chun gave her a warm hug and toasted her friends good fortune.

Congrats Isabella!! You're a hard worker and can accomplish anything you put your mind to. I know you'll be a success..Cheers my friend.

As she walked into a room full of people partying and having a good time.. It made me think back this Tower thing....Maybe I should be part of this, like family was before me. I mean there was a lot of people here I was knowing already anyways. I looked for a perfect time to greet her personally, Isabella her name, as beautiful as her name . 

Greetings, Don Isabella, I was here congratuating Don Salvatore, your father the other night...I was not sure if ou remembered. Congradulations on this new honor bestowec upon you. I handed her a pink rose with some glitter on the petals, my signature jeweled rose. Please accept this as a token of great congratualtory respect. I do hope I can be of service to you, if at any time, please let me know.

Calimero was a bit late to the announcement of Isabella-Luciano taking over the reigns of her own crew that would be dubbed The Ivory Tower as others had built before in the past. He smiled and walked up to her with his arms out to each side...

"Congratulazioni, sono così orgoglioso e felice di vederti realizzare questo." He paused for a moment and chuckled realizing he was slipping into his native tongue, "What I want to say is congratulations. Looking through my journals I read only good things about The Ivory Tower and what it has worked to accomplish. We've had a few conversations together and I know that you will do whatever you can to be successful in your pursuits to strengthen the criminal underworld."

He shook Isabella's hand and bowed his head slightly.

"If you are ever in need of anything, I would always be happy to assist as I know how close you are with Marie." He smiled and took his leave.

Tara sipped her glass of wine as she watched the crowd, particularly Isabella-Luciano. Honored to receive an invitation, Tara nevertheless had no intention of interrupting one of her business associates when she was surrounded by friends and family. She'd send a note to Miss Luciano to congratulate her. There were very few in this society who could move through a business district like Isabella, and Tara was thrilled to see her get a golden opportunity.