It hadn't been too long since Calimero had made his way from Chicago over to Detroit after Godmother Marie gave her blessing for his transfer in order to work for Don Isabella Luciano. Although he had been sad to leave his childhood friend back in Chicago, he was quite happy for the new challenge of stepping up and working so closely with a leader in Detroit which he had come to know. For Calimero it felt like time was passing quickly and work was continuous, but he felt the need to show his appreciation for the home he was given here in Detroit. 

So after some conversations with Stephen, the recently appointed Left Hand of Isabella the plans were set in motion. They would plan a secret party surprise for Isabella here at the Ivory Tower. It would take some masterful deceptions, distractions, and hard work in order to fool her into thinking nothing was happening. Calimero believed that they were all up to the task of doing so. 

"Okay, Stephen you get word out to our members. We will be trying to get this party organized quickly and without any complications. Hopefully, Isabella will not pick up on what we are doing. I want you to also just hint that bringing gifts of appreciation are a good idea." He winked at Stephen and he watched him head on his way to start spreading the word. 

Now it was up to him in order to place some phone calls to get all the necessary things sent to the HQ. First off he needed to call his butcher shop to make sure they began to fill an order of food that would be cooked by a Master Chef that he was bringing in.

"Yes, it's me. I need you men to quickly put together an order for me. I want the best steaks, ham, ribs, and just anything you can cut up and ship out in a timely manner to the Ivory Tower headquarters. The even will be tomorrow evening." The man acknowledged on the other end of the line and hung up to begin working on the order.

Then he decided to call his dear friend Teodoro who ran a flower shop in Detroit, "Hello Teodoro, I need you to put together a multitude of flower arrangements. Nothing specific, no. Just whatever you can come up with that will be stunning and pleasing to the eye. I need them put together and shipped to the Ivory Tower headquarters as soon as possible. I've already sent a couple of my men there to help you out. They will do whatever you need of them. Ideally I want all of this done for tomorrow evening."

Finally, he placed a call with a catering company, "Hello? Yes, my name is Calimero DiGrazia. I need your company for tomorrow night. I will pay whatever the costs are for such short notice along with the usual costs. Money is not a problem. I need pastas, salads, finger foods, desserts, and just about anything that your company can come up with that doesn't involve the meat side of things. I've got that covered already."

Now that all those calls were placed, he would have plenty of food for a buffet style service. There would be flowers everywhere giving off beautiful aromas as well as making the place look quite nice. He looked down upon his check list of things to get done and what he had already taken care of...

Isabella's Party:

Flower Arrangements

Butcher Shop Order

Call the Catering Company 

Extra tables, chairs, and table cloths.

Music?

Suit?

So all that was left was the sitting arrangements, music services, and making himself look nice for the occasion. That was all easy enough...

First thing he did was find one of his bodyguards who was standing nearby, "Okay, Angelo I need you to go get a truck and pick up some tables, chairs, and table cloths so that we can set up a nice sitting area for people to eat and mingle with one another. We won't have an insane amount of people here....well not that I know of. So plan on a smaller group, but with the chance that word spreads of the festivities causing others to show up."

The man nodded and Calimero crossed another thing off his list. This was easier than he thought, the final two things involved just a couple of phone calls to be placed similar to the beginning of the list. He quickly arranged a band to come tomorrow night in order to play some music. They told him they could play an array of music whether it was for dancing or to set the mood of a room as people mingled. 

There was nothing left on his list except making himself look presentable for tomorrow evening. So, he put in a call with his tailor.

"Hello, Albert I need you to put together a fine suit for me. You have my measurements. It is a casual event that may have a bit of dancing so do what you think will look best. Just avoid anything too bright or too dark. You know how I enjoy a nice grey or blue." The tailor chuckled and accepted the late notice order.

Now it was just time to wait and hope everything went as planned.....

Tomorrow Evening.... 

Calimero had run right into a bit of luck as Isabella was going to be busy all afternoon the day of the party. She would have no clue what was going to happen there that evening. So the Chef, catering company, band, and guests would have no problem getting to the building without her noticing since she was going to be miles away. 

He quickly made sure that his bodyguards got to work early that afternoon setting up the stage for the band as well as the sitting area. It was all taking place outside the HQ as he didn't want to crowd people inside on such a beautiful day. The Chef would work inside using their magnificent kitchen while the staff would bring out the food to the buffet style tables set up near the sitting area. 

Once the stage was set up, the band quickly got all of their equipment into place. They even had some recorded music ready for whenever they needed a break from playing whether to eat or rest. Everything was going perfectly.

"Oh! Stephen I'm glad you got here a bit early. I assume that we will have a good showing tonight after you spread the word a bit. I'm sure we may even have a few party crashers." The two laughed together.

"So, you think my new suit is good for the occasion? It isn't often I get dressed up, but I figured tonight would be a good time to do so." He looked up and down at his new suit. It was a light grey with black buttons. His shoes were black and he had a white handkerchief in his breast pocket. 

Now all he needed to do was wait for the guests to start arriving. This was all for Isabella so that she could have a good time and feel appreciated by those who followed her and knew her....

Stephen had come to Detroit in search of a home with his late friend Elias, Elias had introduced him Don Isabella Luciano, Stephen grew very fond of Isabella, but recent events he had seen a change in her, concerned he got together with Calimero and they had come up with this great plan to throw a Ivory Tower party for her, this waws not going to be easy they would need to use the art of deception to make sure the Don did not catch wind on what they are doing.

"Leave the inviting with me Calimero, i will gather the members and get the word out about the part with are throwing i will also distract Isabella." 

Stephen raced off time was of the essence and while Calimero was setting up the HQ and Isabella was out, Stephen had to get word out to the members, Stephen gathered his bodyguards he was going to need help with this The Ivory Tower family were all out doing there daily jobs he needed to try and get word spread to several location, he turned to his Bodyguards.

"I need you to get this note to the other family members as quickly as possible, it is very important, i will tell you there locations but you must make sure this note gets to them.

Stephen handed them all a piece a paper and on it said...

Ivory Tower Surprise Party.

 

There is a surprise party for Don Isabella at the Ivory Tower HQ tonight. I hope to see you all there.

PS Dont Tell Isabella!

PS PS Please bring gifts for the Don we wish to spoil her.

Stephen x

Stephen watched his bodyguards head off with the notes and just hoped they would reach everyone in time. Stephen returned back at the HQ and let himself in, he looked around Calimero had done an awesome job, he caught up with him in the Kitchen.

"Man, you have done a seriously good job here, i hope Isabella will like it, i managed to get the notes out the the family members we just have to hope they are all able to attended.

Stephen looks at Calimero, he is in a a light grey suit and looking sharp, he looks at himself...

"Shit, i need to get myself ready! i knew i forgot something, ill be back soon, hopefully while i am getting ready some guest will arrive."

Stephen rushes off to go make him self look smart and leaves Calimero to downstairs to greet any guest that may arrive in his absents.

A knock was heard at my door, strange as I was not expecting anyone. I went to the door, with my gun of course, ready to shoot whoever was on the other side of this door, if need be. It looked to be a bg of sorts, he handed me what looked like an invitation, to a party I assumed. I  thanked him, and he left. I rushed to get ready for said party.

I giggled a little bit, with a dress that was classy, but danceable in, is that a word, I did not know, but I was using it, take that Webster!. I entered the party, a very classy party this would be. I thought to myself, do not drink too much, you do not want the fourth to happen all over again.

A bodyguard had arrived at Vela’s doorstep, and she was confused as to why anyone would come at this time in the evening. She was already dressed in her comfortable clothes, ready to call it a day on the couch. Her mind quickly changed when the bodyguard handed her an invitation card. “Uh…” She looked at the bodyguard first with a suspicious face, raising an eyebrow before carefully inspecting the note written in fancy letters. Vela gasped, her eyes widening as she realised what this was.

“Oh my gosh. You look so scary I thought I was in trouble or something. Stephen sent you, didn’t he?” Vela grinned, excitement bubbling in her mind as she thought of what she was going to wear to the tower bash.

“Thank you!” She closed the door on the bodyguard after thanking him, and rushed to the spacious walk-in closet that she shared with her younger sister, Aquila. Vela figured she should also warn her about tonight’s event. “Aquila! There’s an invitation on the kitchen counter top! You should read it!” Vela called out as her hands moved over sparkly dresses and evening gowns. She wanted her choice of outfit to stand out, but at the same time, blend in with the crowd because she didn’t really like taking the spotlight. She just wanted to look presentable that’s all. 

When all was said and done, she looked at herself again in the mirror. The simplicity of her outfit was divine, a silk black evening gown that was off shoulder. Vela paired it with a dazzling necklace, and she pinned her long black hair up with a pretty clip. She didn’t like to wear too much makeup, but she made sure to use her powder puff on the more oilier areas of her face. “Okay Aquila, I’m heading out now. I’ll just meet you at the place!” She called out again, pleased that she was in no rush…

~

Vela made an entrance to the party, her hands behind her back as she surveyed the surroundings. She almost had to catch her breath as the scene was undeniably beautiful and obviously well put together. She took notice of Calimero, and her face immediately flushed. “Now you look absolutely great tonight, Cali. Also everything’s really coming along. I’m so excited to see the boss’ reaction. She deserves to feel like a queen tonight. All the ladies here do.” Vela also saw Jewel walk in, her beauty radiating each more when Vela caught sight of her. “Jewel, over here!” She waved her hands, hoping she would notice her. It had been quite a while since they actually got to chat to each other without distractions, as life in The Ivory Tower headquarters had been so busy lately. 

Going from thr lodge to the training business, working hard, he ended up going to the The Tower Lodge office ,  he sat down, and started to hold the bridge of his nose, he was soo tired , he needed a break, and as he started to relax , he heard a knock on the office door. 

"Yes ?...Come in ...." Tenkai said , thinking it was probrably , one of the boss's hands sent someone yo talk .

"Here , I was told to give you this , make sure you are back at the HQ, so if you have time now, i can drive you back , unless you took one of the cars as usual ..." The man said , Tenkai read the note and started getting ready .

"No , I walked , so I will take that ride , besides I'm free ....." He said , as he finished getting ready, following the man to the car. 

As the drove off , arriving at the Tower, getting out , he could hear people making aa commotion so he went to find one of the guys in charge , and see where he was needed to help , Tenkai always tried to help ,where ever he was needed, as he found both men we're standing , talking amongst themselves, he walked over to them , with his shouldshoulder office back hanging around , his hair in a half bun pony tail , he look a little way too casual , but he would change later .

"Hey , I love what you did with the place , looks nice ...uhm do you need any help ?...if not then I can go to my room and get changed ." he said , as he smile a little , seeing as how he was different from them, he only smiled with his lips closed .

Sotiris is chelling...it has not been a long time ago since Jack Diamond and John Reese were alive and good,and sotiris was living at chicago...

~~Bell Rings~~

Sotiris looks at the door and whispers himself...

--Who is gonna be?I am not expecting visitors...

takes his gun out and walks to the door...opens it and points the gun quickly to the bodyguard

--WHO ARE YOU!?

--Mr.Strange sent me to give you an party invitation.

Sotiris stops pointing at the bodyguard with the gun.

--Oh ok!Sry for that but I wasnt expecting anyone

Bodyguard gives to Sotiris the invitation

Sotiris--Thank you are sorry again,goodbye.

BG--Nothing,have a nice day.

Bodyguard leaves and Sotiris opens the invitation

--Oh!It's a party for Don.Isabella!

Sotiris Reads the invitation,and thinks..."Oh,I have to buy an new classy full tuxedo for tonight"

Sotiris goes to an clothing store and buyes the most expensive full tuxedo that it was available and comes back home.

Sotiris Wears the Tuxedo and thinks "Better leave my gun here...since there is no chance for something bad to happen"

Sotiris leaves gun in house,takes a gift with him,gets our from house,locks the door,and starts walking to the Ivory Tower HQ...

After the slamming of the door was heard, signalling Vela had escaped their threshold, her younger sister Aquila darted out of the study, discarding what papers she had been fiddling through to investigate the note on the table. Aquila’s doe eyes scanned the invitation her sister had left resting on the counter, enticed by the words she was consuming. Her lips opened in a soft ‘o’ as she finished the note, delicately placing it back on the bench with a hum. The event sounded like an endearing event, one that would make the Don not only feel special, but perhaps feel more relaxed.

With a soft hum Aquila pocketed the invitation and wandered to powder her face and find an appropriate dress- which turned out to be a delicate baby blue piece that she aided with a fur shawl. Aquila suspected she didn’t have long, and as such quickly tugged her hair into a few presentable curls before grabbing a fur purse and slipping out of her comforting abode. Tonight would be hopefully wonderful.

With tender grace Aquila found herself at the party, her hands clasped at her chest as she eyeballed the vicinity. A sudden thrill of nervousness pooled in Aquila’s mind, social situations not best suiting her, however she’d brave it out, all to make the Don have a fantastical night. Watching the interaction Aquila rested herself against the banister, folding her hands neatly in front of her and trying to gauze how she should brave such a fancy and momentous occasion. 

Calimero watched as some of the guests arrived, there were more to come he was sure of it. He had decided he would send his man to make a few phone calls yesterday to different people who might be interested in coming on over to Detroit for the fun tonight. Tenkai walked up to where he was standing asking about helping or having time to go get prepared....

"Oh no worries, we have it all under control. You still have some time to go get ready and be back down here when Isabella arrives. I just wouldn't take too long. All the good food might start to disappear." He chuckled as he motioned for Tenkai to head on inside to get ready.

It was all just about set up. They were just going to have to wait for the Don to finally get back with Stephen to begin truly having some fun that night.....

About an hour later and there she was, exiting a vehicle with a bit of a surprised look on her face......Isabella-Luciano.

Tenkai nodded as he ran into the tower shaking his head at himself, he then entered the tower, running padt everyone, he quickly showered, and then went to grab hos casual dress clothes.

He grabbed a pair of black leather pants, putting them on, and he then found a nice shirt, that was of his own making, it was white, with a baby blue, a low v neck, showing off hid chest, he left his hair down, and quickly put on hid shirt, he finished quickly getting ready.

As he finished, he grabbed his long kimono light jacket, leaving it open, it was of the same colors of the party, and just as he stood next to Vela, and the others, he looked to see the boss getting out of the car he bowed, smiling respectfully, feeling proud he was apart of the familg

The trip home from New York had been done mostly in silence.  Isabella didn't know how to begin the conversation between her and William and so the extent of their talk really surrounded him being happy she'd gotten him out alive and how he couldn't let her travel without her bodyguards who were... well, God alone knew where!

So, she held his arm to guide him... and for her own comfort.  The man would have been walking into things if she hadn't and she felt terrible about what she was SURE was a concussion.  She honestly was relieved he woke up at all.  She'd heard a story or two about men who went to sleep after a fight, only to never wake.  She wouldn't have liked explaining that to Don JackMezzo.

Isabella exited her car to see the HUGE party on her HQ front lawn!!!!  

She was dressed in slacks and a button down shirt that was missing a button and had some sweat stains.  Her bottom lip was MASSIVE with a still healing cut evident.  Her hair was carelessly done in a bun atop her head... she had CLEARLY seen better days... and her bodyguards didn't get out of the car with her, instead, she reached back inside to help William_Bowden out.

William didn't look better.  In fact, he looked WORSE.  MUCH worse.  His face was a mess of cuts and one fully black and swollen eye.  His shirt was odd fitting as if it belonged to someone else.  It was very clear they'd been in a bit of a fight, but with who or why couldn't be known without them speaking on the matter.

"Just be cool."  She said to William in a whisper, the tone suggested strongly she had NO IDEA she was coming home to this.

Isabella's neutral face then erupted into a bright smile that touched her doe-eyes.  Her tone morphed into that of a happy girl finding a surprise party of a lifetime.  She might not look the part, but she was going to verbally make sure her friends didn't feel their efforts were thrown away on someone in a deep deep depression.

At least she didn't see her father Salvatore_Luciano here or Marie_Lucania ... that was one small miracle.  She did look through the crowd for Eleonora_Luciano ... had she been invited too?

"Oh my God!  You guys!  This is ... this is too much?  What's the occasion?"  She took William's arm again, as if he were her date to her own party.  Truthfully she just wanted to make sure the poor guy didn't walk into a banquet table!

Stephen scrambled around in his office trying to find something to wear, he put on a pair of red suit trousers and a light grey shirt, he was buttoning it up when he heard a car pull up, looking out his office window he saw it was Isabella.

"Shit." He said to himself, no time to waste he did not want to miss her arrival he quickly ran down stairs, shit half buttoned and half un touched, he glanced quickly in the mirror quickly pushed his hair to one side and went outside to greet Isabella-Luciano.

"I do apologise for my appearance, it have been a very busy day, with everything that has happened around here lately we wanted to help cheer you up, and show you how much we appreciate everything you do for us."

Stephen looked at her noticed her cut lip and torn clothes and laughed, he greeted William_Bowden with a handshake who also looked like he had seen better days.  "Why don't both of you go clean yourselves up the party is only just beginning, and guests are still arriving you have plenty of time." Stephen took a second to finish doing up the buttons on his shirt, how embarrassing that he stood in front of The Don, with half his shirt unbuttoned, he folded down his collar, he went back inside to take one last look that everything was in order, he flicked on the music box as he went past and entered the kitchen to find the stash of drinks.

The day had started in a soupy confusion that had never quite dissipated. Somehow, he had gone from a hopeless fight to waking up in a soft, warm bed and Isabella had been reticent about everything in between. In fact, she was holding back about everything that had happened the day before. He had insisted on coming along partly out of concern that she would try something crazy again and partly because he wasn't sure he could walk on his own. As a bonus, he'd also hoped he might figure out what the hell was actually going on.

Now he found himself trying to straighten out his shirt despite it being a half size small and looking over a bunch of people dressed to the nines for a party and knew that things were going to get a lot more confusing before they got better. A man he didn't recognize, even when he squinted his one good eye through the haze over his world, had said they wanted to make Isabella feel better with this party. Her people weren't completely clueless then, but a party isn't the way to handle what she had going on. It was at least something to remind her what she had though and maybe that would be enough for now. He'd just try not to cause her any more problems by being here.

Giving a smile that looked like the wrong end of a car accident to the people nearby he leaned towards Isabella and whispered, "Looks like you have a lot of good folks that care about you. I'll give you some space with them if you want. Just help me find somewhere to sit down and maybe a drink to knock down the aches. Unless you'd rather I stick with you of course."

“Let’s go change.  I have something’s that should fit you... at worst they’ll be a touch loose.”  She  walked William through the crowd towards the headquarters which was a large house on the shores the Detroit River.   Inside she proceeded to go up the stairs to the bedroom which was decked out in all nautical decorations.   There were very few personal photos and fix one on her bedside was of her and a very Bernie looking man with a large thick beard.

 She opened her closet and pulled out a party dress herself and a suit from the other side from amongst a large collection of men’s clothes.  “ I always liked this one.”   She said she laid on the bed in front of William.   With that she went to the bathroom to change this time feeling bad Steve is probably more appropriate.  “ let me know when you’re decent come out to join you.”

The picture on the stand and suit lying on the bed in front of him started to bring everything into focus. A big, strong guy that didn't seem to be around anymore. One that had shared this home with her. If all his clothes were still here he hadn't just left. That's what she meant when she said it was all her fault. The guy must be...dead.

"Well fuck me." William muttered to himself. He couldn't believe that a day earlier he'd been making a pass at a casino bar and ogling her like any other woman he'd meet on the street. Then he'd hit her on top of that. Twice. She'd lost what looked for all the world like a husband and here was big dumb Billy about to walk around in the dead man's clothes after all of that. William felt like a monster as it all dawned on him, but somehow he couldn't quite wish he hadn't been there. She'd have died if he hadn't come with her. He'd have died too if it weren't for her getting him out though, and at times this concussion made him wonder if he'd have been better off. Right now it was all too much to think through with his aches and pains and this damn dizziness competing with each other.

Realizing he didn't have much choice at this point he resolved to get dressed and try to make as little fuss as possible at the party. He undressed slowly and carefully, forcing his limbs through the motions in spite of the stiffness and aches across his whole body. He just about thought that he would manage until he bent forward to pull on the pants and the world started to spin. He reached out to steady himself but his hand only found the jacket of the suit and with a lurch he tumbled to the floor with a loud thud in a tumble of clothes with his pants halfway up his legs and the jacket tumbled across his torso. The impact drove spikes of red hot agony through his forehead and the various bumps and bruises all over him causing a quick, sharp shout of pain.

He took a moment to breathe and still the spinning before he started to extricate himself from the mess he'd made only to realize, to his embarrassment, that the bathroom door had begun to swing open.

Isabella opened get bathroom door when she heard the thud and came trotting out in a black evening gown.  "Good Lord, Will..."  She squatted down beside the half dressed boxer.  

"You have no business attending a party in this state.  I should have taken you home to Philly - we could have dodged this whole ..."  She tried to prop him up against the end of her bed.  "Forget it.  Look, I can bring you up a plate of food and let you rest.  Maybe some aspirin for the pain too.  Or something stronger if you like - I've got some pills I picked up to help me get through the bad days.  They should take the edge off... or we could call a doctor?"

She tried to look in his eyes and upon seeing the odd state of his pupils she said,  "You really are in a state."  With her left hand she reached out and brushed his cheek. 

"I'm sorry."  She said, genuinely regretful she'd gotten him into such a mess.  Outside and downstairs she could hear the party in full swing.  She wanted to sit with him but she knew she had to go back, she had to pretend she was okay even though she wasn't.  She didn't know if she ever would be again. 

"I hope you can forgive me?"

William couldn't stand it. Isabella had been going out of her way to care for his injuries all day even at the expense of putting her own aside and even now she was worried about him while her family were celebrating outside. He couldn't help but say something.

"You're kidding right? After the way I acted towards you yesterday? My temper did as much as anything to get us both hurt and if not for you it would've killed me. Everything I did was by my own choice, not yours, so I'm the one that ought to apologize considering..." He had started to raise his hand to point to the picture next to the bed but caught himself halfway. Instead he braced himself on the bed frame and winced as he pushed up off the floor. He kept his hold on the frame until he was steady enough to stand under his own power again.

"I won't turn down some aspirin, but a little pain'll be a good reminder to be careful next time. You need to get back to your family, angel, and I'm not gonna lose a chance to see some people I've been missing. If that means I take a few more bumps and bruises then I'll take that trade."

Isabella took a moment to look at him finally realizing that he was standing there almost as naked as the day he was born.  Feet into the legs of pants which now hung around his ankles, his hand gripping the bedpost which was attacked to bare arms and chest.  Elias' suit jacket... no... not Elias' anymore... well, whatever, it was covering his vital areas.

She smiled and blushed ever so slightly.  "You didn't fall did you?"  She chuckled.  "Is this payback for the backseat?"

She shook her head as he began to stammer some sort of response.  Knowing that bending over would cause more issues for him, she dropped down into a squat.  She picked up his waist band and rose upwards in one fluid motion and began to fasten the button and zip the fly as she spoke.  Will went silent. "In another life, a gal like me might fall hard for a gangster like you."

When she finished, she went down again, this time for the shirt.  Will just watched her work, perhaps out of sheer shock or maybe because his head wound kept him unsteady.  Carefully, she put his arm into one sleeve and then the other.  Elias' clothing didn't fit him perfect (he'd paid to have this suit custom tailored after all) but it was close.  Both men had a large amount of body mass.  Will would be a lot more comfortable in this.

One by one she fastened his buttons.  Sliding each tiny pearl colored circle through the slit.  Occasionally looking into his eyes as she worked wordlessly.  Once she reached the top she reached over to his right hand that gripped the suit jacket.  Instead of taking the jacket, she took his hand.  "I'm sorry we met like this."  She said, with a hint of pain in her voice.  "I'm going to do everything I can to make sure you don't regret ever meeting me.  I promise."

She let her hand slide off his and take hold of the jacket fabric. "Let's get this on you."  She wanted to say more.  She wanted to tell him Durden was a filthy liar and that Elyan was her friend.  She wanted to tell him that she never killed a single man in LA and that she was bait to keep her own step-mother alive... bait that had paid in blood for her part in things.  She would never have children as her price for the dead of LA that night and now, for the dead in Las Vegas... she'd give up Elias too.  The war had cost them all dearly, but she couldn't make herself speak the words.  All she wanted to do was crawl into the bed and forget this party.  Better still, crawl into it with Will and ask him to hold her.  She hadn't dreamed of Elias's pain and suffering last night, and she wanted that again more than she wanted money or power.

"You look good."  She said smoothing out the jacket.  "You'll stay with me tonight... during the party.  You'll pretend to be my date so I can keep you from falling over and you can keep me from losing my fake smile.  Deal?"

"Deal. Thanks for your help. I'd have hated to drop again and make a bigger fool of myself." William swallowed his pride about having to have someone dress him like that, and found it was easier than he'd expected it to be. Something about the intimacy of the moment had dropped his guard, especially after her comment about falling for someone like him...but this was neither the time nor the place to think about that. They both had a lot of things ahead of them. He still hadn't even begun to figure out how he'd explain to Jack Mezzo that he ended up in Detroit with the daughter of their Godfather.

He watched her go to fetch the aspirin from the bathroom and finish getting ready while thinking about the people waiting for them outside and how much she had done for some of his old pack from LA. Regardless of anything Durden had told him, he knew that she held no ill will towards any of them and he didn't blame her for what happened. He'd tell her that someday, but first she needed a chance to get through the troubles she was facing. He would do anything he could to help her do that in the meantime.

Isabella returned and he held out his arm for her to take just as she had coming out of the car. She wrapped her arm in his and they walked back out of the house and into the party, each wearing a smile that was more from determination than any sort of joy. Before the inevitable mingling William turned and quietly said, "At least this'll be a better date than the one last night." For a moment he place his free hand over the one holding his arm and squeezed before letting go and turning to see who might run into them first.

As I noticed Don Isabella returning dressed for the occasion of complete and total fun! I sorta looked  guy on her arm, and had forgotten his name..bugger! I walked up to Don Isabella, and gave each cheek a kiss as she had done many times already. I tried not to look like I had forgotten his name already, hoping I was doing a good job masking that idea. I complimented the Don on her choice of clothing, and how simply beautiful she looked tonight, and I  hoped she would enjoy herself tonight, she so deserved it.

I smiled thinking that Cali and Stephen really did pull this off, and it seemed, Don Isabella was none the wiser, and a good surprise for her. Note to self Don Isabella seemed to like surprises. (you do not want to surprise someone who does not like surprises, right?) I also had wondered who else was coming.(Was GF Sal and Don Marie coming? I did not know) Everything looks so well put together. This for sure will be a night to remember for all of us. We all need a night to um what is it called? Get down and boogie? No that was not it. It will come to me. Learning English, I have found is difficult, having to know the meaning of things that are not what  you think they may be. Sometimes the language has me scratching my head wondering, what were they thinking.

Calimero watched as Isabella-Luciano and William_Bowden made there way about the party and decided he would go chat with their Don and her guest...

"Hello, I hope you two are going to be enjoying the festivities tonight. Plenty of food and dancing to be had of course. It is nice to meet you William, I have heard only good things" He glanced a bit oddly at the two, he felt that something was off.

He reached into his pocket and then slyly handed an envelope full of cash to Isabella while whispering, "Questo è dalla famiglia"

She smiled and stuffed it away in her purse. There was just something very off about them and he just could not put his finger on it. Maybe it was just their outfits, perhaps they were overly tired for some reason, or possibly something happened that he was unaware of.

"You two are okay? Anything crazy happen while you were away Isabella?" He looked back and forth from William to Isabella.