The steel tip of a pocket knife scraped expertly just under the extended middle finger's nail, careful to not pierce the nail bed even as her vehicle moved at a hurried pace down Fifth street.  The yellowed halo of lights illuminating the interior of her car only for a moment allowed her to see that the blood that wasn't yet gone despite her efforts. 

Isabella's head turned hard to the left, moving with the force of the soon-to-be-dead-man's blow.  Linval was already grabbing the punk and giving him the beating of his life, but the damage was done.  Her lip would be swollen for sure!  She hoped she could get it back to normal before the wedding photos.

Blood under fingernails was the worst in Isabella's opinion.  No matter how you scrubbed, picked, scraped... there always seemed to be just a little more you missed.  It was insistent, blood, always demanding to be seen whether it was someone else's or your own.  At the thought of her own blood, her tongue darted out instinctively to her split lip again.  It was a small cut, but the bitter taste of her own blood told her that it wasn't yet closed.  

"Fuck."  She cursed.

Isabella grabbed a fist full of hair and half-dragged the man towards the edge of the curb.  He cried out for mercy, but she showed no sign of relenting.  "I really wish you wouldn't make me do things like this Ralphie..."

Her car parked just in front of the building.  The doorman came out and opened her car door.  Paul was a good man, a former New York police officer she'd known in her youth... she was glad she was able to give him a chance to get out of such a poorly paid profession and into one that would risk his life so much less and pay so much more.

"Ms. Luciano!"  He exclaimed at the sight of her.  "Do you need me to get you some ice for that?"

Isabella put her fingers onto her lip, it was swollen.  "Is it bruised?"  She asked.

Paul shook his head 'no.'  

"I'll be fine then."  She said looking at her fingers noting that the cut wasn't bleeding bad at all.  Thankfully.

"Is that it for the night?"  Linval asked from the driver side door.  Patches was in the front passenger seat but she didn't get out.  She strongly suspected the two of them had plans tonight, but she hadn't called them out on the fraternization... so long as they kept it all business when she needed them focused, that was all the mattered really.

"Yeah.  Have a nice night you two."  She waved a hand dismissively and turned to walk briskly up to the door.  She moved so fast, in fact, that Paul had to dash to get ahead of her.  Isabella was eager to dip into tonight's dinner... the roast, if she'd followed Martina Giovanni's instructions right, should be about done and ready to be pulled out of the oven.  

"Have a nice night, Ms. Luciano."  Paul said as he opened the door and behind her she could hear her car pull away.

"You too Paul." she said heading inside.  With any luck at all, Gavin would be home at a decent hour and he could enjoy the roast with her instead of cold from the refrigerator.  With her mind set utterly on a relaxing evening to come, Isabella proceeded towards the elevator doors humming 'Dream a Little Dream of Me.'  

Brown eyes met blue.

"I mean, France? What am I even going to eat?"

"Whatever Isabella does, I suppose. She seems like she has good taste. In food, at least. Perhaps not men..."

Musical laughter echoed in the room as Gavin looked pained. 

"Hey, I'm better than I used to be."

"You are. You really are."

"I'm taking most of the credit, obviously. But I can't deny she finished my work."

"I'm not that different."

More laughter- which ceased immediately as Isabella walked into the room and both twins glanced up at her. Gavin and Tara sat opposite each other, Gavin leaned back on the couch as Tara sat with her legs crossed on the chair opposite him. As they saw her split lip, Tara's brow furrowed in concern as Gavin simultaneously smirked. The male Byrne spoke first.

"... boxing?"

"Nope.  Just some light debt collecting for the Godfather."  She said chuckling.  "Unfortunately, I'm apparently just too pretty for my own good.  Some guys can't resist putting their hands all over me."  She winked, clearly joking.  "It's a mistake he won't make twice."  

Isabella kicked off her shoes.  "Good to see you Tara. I hope you're hungry and planning to stay for dinner?  I've had that roast in the oven all day and my butcher assures me that its the secret to making sure I win every argument with Gavin that we ever have." 

She crossed the room, pausing to give Gavin a quick kiss.  "I'm sure that must mean that it will taste good.  Plus, I have enough here to feed a small army ... even if one of those soldiers is your brother.  AND... I might be convinced to open a bottle of wine if we have a guest joining us."

Gavin felt his lip and looked at the tiny drop of blood on his finger.

"What? You wouldn't open up the wine just for me?"

Tara had already returned from the kitchen with ice, which she handed to Isabella.

"I can stay for dinner, as long as you're sure I'm not imposing. Wouldn't want to intrude on the two of you."

Isabella smirked and shook her head as Gavin looked at the blood.  She accepted the ice.  "Thank you." 

She put it on her lip for a moment and walked towards the kitchen.  Only to pull it off briefly and say, "Family always has a seat at the dinner table - with or without an invite.  Gavin?  Can you help me get this beast out of the oven?  Be careful the pan is full of drippings and vegetables.  It weighs a ton."

Isabella went for the dishes while she left Gavin to pull dinner out of the oven.  She gave the plates to Tara to take over to the counter and for a moment she took in the sight of the three of them.  It wasn't anything she'd ever envisioned, not seriously at least, while she'd been seeing Gavin early on.  Of course, back then, she'd never have guessed he had a bone in his body that wanted a life like this.

"So, what have you two been up to today?"  She asked around the small bundle of ice.  "Planning Gavin's bachelor party?"  She chuckled.

Gavin sighed as he was pressed into manual labor, glaring at the oven mitts before depositing the plate on top of the stove. Sighing again, he poured himself a glass of whisky and sat down.

Tara laughed at the question of the bachelor party.

"He's the last man who needs a bachelor party. He had a whole decade of a bachelor party..."

Gavin winked, drinking.

"No, we'll find something fun for Gavin. Mostly I wanted to check in the conclusion of his South Philly business. There are also some business dealings with... old acquaintances of Gavin's that I needed to discuss."

"That's almost disappointing,"  she said chuckling.  "And here I was wondering what sort of party you might have thrown together when pressed to do it.  I figured Gavin was going to force the issue just to get you out of the office."  

She walked over and put down her ice on the counter and began to cut up the roast, but not before pouring a drink for herself.  "Well, it's probably just as well.  Knowing Elie I'm going to end up with a tea party and puppies for a bachelorette party... so... I guess we'll have to have our own private party sweetie."  She gave Gavin a wink as she put a big slab of meat onto his plate.

She dished up each person's plate and passed them out before returning to the table with her ice and touching it to her lips again with a question, "So... I don't want to put my nose where it doesn't belong, but since you bring it up... are these business dealings something I could be of help with?"

Tara shot a querying look at her brother and received a nod and a shrug in response.

"One of Gavin's former... friends... is going to be opening up a bar in Chicago. She's rather interesting. Threatened to kill him multiple times, but she eventually settled for some funding. I also have some business dealings with another friend in New York, and I wanted to make Gavin aware of it. Gavin stands to inherit just about everything I own, but this would be separate from him."

Gavin kept his eyes down, eating in silence. 

Isabella took in Tara's hesitation to talk about such a basic thing, then Gavin's reactions and combined it all together with the remarks about how the woman from Chicago had threatened to kill Gavin on several occasions before she smirked.

"Oh." She said simply and then she picked up her knife and began cutting her meat.  "Well, don't worry about sugar coating discussions about Gavin's former lovers.  I know about them in some limited capacity... unfortunately he's had to endure knowing a lot more about my past relationships than I've had to know about his - but hearing about them doesn't bother me.  I knew who Gavin was when we began dating and at the end of the day it's not about who he danced with at the party - it's all about who he chose to go home with."

She waited to catch Gavin's gaze and winked at him reassuringly. 

"I think it makes all the sense in the world that any business partnership you might have with one of his ex-lovers wouldn't transfer to him in the event of anything happening to you.  Trust me when I say I know how very difficult that can be to navigate."  She put a piece of meat into her mouth and chewed it up before speaking again.

"So, the lady from Chicago isn't going to show up at my wedding with a knife or something... right?"  She chuckled.  "Cause I would hate to have to kill anyone on the happiest day of my life.  I might ruin my dress and I made certain that my father spent a king's ransom on it."

Gavin laughed.

"If the wedding was in the States, you might have to worry about her. But I figure if we launch the bar right around the ceremony, she won't be an issue. She's just... very attached."

He sighed.

"She's actually a lot of fun. I'd say you should meet Evelyn, but she's got a wild streak that leads to lots of... knives. Better to play it safe."

Tara adroitly changed the subject.

"So tell me, Isabella? How has your time in Philly been thusfar? Get to know any other members of Race Street yet? Or has Gavin been keeping you too busy?"

She was still 'attached'? 

Isabella arched an eyebrow.

She had a 'wild streak' that 'lead to knives' ... better to 'play it safe.'  What the hell was that suppose to mean exactly?  Did he think she needed protection from this woman?  This... Evelyn?  Isabella began to open her mouth to remark, but Tara inserted herself quickly.

"So tell me, Isabella? How has your time in Philly been thusfar? Get to know any other members of Race Street yet? Or has Gavin been keeping you too busy?"

Isabella closed her mouth, silently wondering how many women named Evelyn were living in Chicago with a criminal record - perhaps she could narrow down that number by finding those who had assault records?  Maybe she could narrow the scope further by asking for only women named Evelyn in Chicago who had assaulted someone using knives in particular.  She smirked wickedly for the briefest of seconds before deciding it was best to leave the topic of 'attached', 'wild', knife-loving Evelyn alone for the time being.  Isabella put another bite of food in her mouth and chewed it up before choosing to respond to Tara.

"Truthfully, Gavin and I have been living rather separate daily lives despite our living conditions.  It has suited me well because it's a nice change of pace from constantly having a crew or an army of bodyguards up my backside.  Here I can just be me.  So no, I wouldn't say he's gotten in the way of me getting to know other people at all.  To the contrary, when we are together we usually go out and I find he's a great way to get introduced to people I haven't yet become acquainted with."

"Admittedly I have kept to myself a bit only doing a handful of odd jobs with others,"  She took a drink of wine.  "What with the wedding planning and cleaning up some of the punks here on Fifth Street I've kept quite busy.  Thank you for your help with that by the way.  Jack's people have made dealing with the local police officers are lot easier, for certain.  I've just got this one small thing left to handle and after that, I'm fairly confident the people around town will be well aware that 5th Street's residents are watched over by me."  She glanced towards Gavin meaningfully as she added, "And there's not a knife or gun yet made that can protect the person who fucks with something I've chosen to love."

She looked back to her plate, picks up her knife and begins sawing away at her roast.  "I don't suppose Gavin has told you much yet about the wedding since he's left the planning in my hands.  So, I'll just let you know the colors are red and gold.  You can choose a nice black dress if you like, Gavin suggested it and I do believe he's right in that you'd look smashing.  And I was going to pick a small group of bridesmaids and he did have a list of groomsmen for me... but in truth, I think maybe a smaller wedding party is for the best.  I've asked my sister Eleonora to stand up with us and I'm going to leave it at that.  I may have my bodyguard's daughter, Ciri, serve as our flower girl ... but that's probably it.  My father, of course, will give me away."

She put a bit of roast into her mouth giving Tara a chance to ask questions or remark on her wedding plans thus far.  Under the table, she put her foot alongside Gavin's, touching him, but not moving.  

Gavin's smirk faded as Isabella mentioned their "rather separate daily lives". It wasn't what he wanted- and it certainly wasn't what he planned with Bella moving to Philly- but it seemed like circumstances were making the current state of things inevitable. Gavin, however, had no intention of letting this become permanent. For the moment, though, his hands were tied.

Tara listened intently to Isabella as she began eating.

"Just being yourself sounds rather lovely, actually. I hope the planning is going well... red and gold sound like inspired choices. Hopefully the countryside will match you. I've been trying to get details out of my brother, but he mostly shrugs... as you know."

She grinned.

"I'd be curious to hear the details, beyond the idea of 'it'll be a fancy French place'."

Gavin matched Tara's grin as he pressed his foot lightly against Bella's under the table.

“Well, before we leave for France, I’ve planned a brief visit to New York.  I want to show Gavin some of my old haunts and take him to pay respects to my mother’s grave.  Honestly, much of what leads up to the wedding and many of the small details honor her, since she is no longer here.”

”The location of the wedding is really all about her.  It’s a homage to a romantic story she told me when I was younger.  While I love my father and Marie, they will never replace the true family I had with her.  I find myself missing her a lot lately.”  Isabella paused.  

“The wedding chapel is a Roman catholic church in Paris. And I am having it decorated in white flowers all native to Newfoundland in honor of your mother.  Since I know Gavin was fond of bringing her flowers, it seemed like a nice way to have her be a part of our day too.”   She hadn’t yet told Gavin about this touch and she hoped that he wasn’t bothered by her decision to include one of his parents in their special day, but it had occurred to her at some point that so much of the wedding was all about her and there was very little of Gavin involved anywhee.  So, she went out of her way to make certain they were a few key points that were special and significant to him and who he was. 

“My father rented out a kings summer home in the countryside of France, just outside of Paris.  It has massive gardens, fountains, game to hunt and a castle with a moat!  My father even paid for fireworks to be brought in from the orient which will be set off late in the evening after the dinner party enjoys a massive feast in the great hall. It truly is something out of a fairytale and I am dying to see this location because the photos leave me breathless. I am confident that my father has spent every single penny and then some of my brides price on this wedding.”

”Speaking of the dinner I have decided that we are going to have roast venison with all the trimmings as the main course, there is an alternative option of a Canadian River Trout for those who want it but honestly I can’t imagine a single person not wanting this venison it’s going to be made by one of the worlds best chefs who dad is flying in for the occasion.”

”Of course I’ve contracted Alexander Knight for the music.   He is doing gratis but only because I told him about the tradition that godfathers have on the day of their daughter’s wedding ...   between what he’ll be able to get out of my father and all the other people who will be exposed to his music, Alexander hopes to make a real splash.  Of course the only thing I’m really concerned about when it comes to Alexander is that every woman in the world is absolutely utterly jealous that he’ll be serenading me all night, he has an absolutely amazing his voice!”

”Let’s see what else is there to tell ... oh yes of course the honeymoon ...  I admit that originally I had considered just staying in Paris and enjoying Paris for a few days I mean with my father paying for us to go there it would almost be like getting a free honeymoon, but I’ve decided against it.  When we fly back we will be taking a flight into Montreal where Gavin and I will be staying for a week together...  we will be camping for single night and the rest of the time we have a hotel room that Gavin should be somewhat familiar with.”  Isabellas smirked. She knew that all of these details were as much news to Gavin as they were too Tara.

“Of course I have some other small surprises along the way the benefit of Gavin letting me do all the planning means I get to make some of this and adventure for him just as he has occasionally created small adventures for me. I think I’m going to greatly enjoy turning the tables on him for once. At least being able to do so when the situation is not life and death will be a nice change bit of pace for us.  Not that we don’t do life and death well, in fact we seem to have a knack for it, but occasionally I do like a slower pace. And this trip to Montreal won’t require us racing back for any good reason unless of course the boss needs us for something.”

Tara did her best to balance respectful listening and respectful eating as Isabella spoke about the details, especially those involving both of their mothers. Isabella certainly was a sensitive woman; most people wouldn't have done so much for Gavin and Tara's mother beyond a few sympathetic words to the twins. Tara noticed Gavin sit up a bit in his seat as he heard the detail of the white flowers as well.

Tara mock-glared at her brother.

"Really. After everything the two of us have been though you're the one who gets the fairytale wedding?"

She laughed as she raised her glass to her lips.

And Alex... Tara had been meaning to see him. She missed him. Things had just been too damn busy. Gavin seemed like the cat who'd caught the canary, though, as he heard about Montreal- and these "small surprises".

"Well... certainly sounds thorough. You've got your work cut out for you, Gavin."

"You know me. I like surprises."

"I hope so."  She said, the tip of her shoe now moving to slide up and down Gavin's ankle at a slow, purposefully rhythmic pace. 

She looked back to Tara.  "Will you have a date for the wedding?  If not I'd be happy to put you at a table with your choice of eligible gentlemen... maybe Mr. Knight?  Don Bowden?  Don Adonis, perhaps?  Or maybe someone from another city?  I'm acquainted with a few quality gentlemen from around the seven cities, though none good as the men of Philidelphia, I must say.  Truly you do have the pick of the liter around here."

She chuckled.  "Or why bother picking at all!  If you don't have a date I'll put you as the only woman at a table full of them and we'll let them fight it out for spaces on your dance card.  You are LITERALLY the most eligible catch on this side of the ocean, one of the most beautiful and influential women I know... and your brother is right about your work ethic... it goes way beyond dedication.  So... for this night, as a gift to Gavin and I, please agree to let your hair down and have a good time.  Please?  No work.  Just fun.  Lots of alcohol, handsome men, and fun..."

She took a drink of wine before adding,  "Hell, it's almost tradition that the best man at a wedding goes home with someone."

Tara smirked.

"I don't think I'll have a formal date, no. I don't want any distractions, whether it's from William, Alex, or anyone else..."

"No, for this particular occasion I'd like to keep the focus on the two of you. If, when you're back from your honeymoon, you'd like to lock me into closets and push me out in boats with eligible men, I wouldn't complain."

She winked.

"But yes. I definitely plan on having fun."

"BAH.  What is there to worry about.  I'm paying a HUGE team to make this thing go off without a hitch!  And my father has a LITERAL army of men protecting the grounds.  What could POSSIBLY go wrong at our wedding?  Tara, it's a party!  If you can't enjoy a party on the day your brother is arguably selling his soul to the matrimonial devil... when can you party?"

She laughed and drank her wine deeply. 

"We're going to be at one of the most romantic places on the planet, you're going to be clothed in a beautiful gown, surrounded by single men who are grateful not to stuck in Gavin's position and maybe even a few who are lamenting they aren't Gavin.  If there was EVER a night to shamelessly put yourself in front a gentleman of your choosing... that would be a perfect time and while I can't make a horse drink I sure as hell can lead him to water.  So... let me a few names and I'll make sure they are seated close enough to you to appreciate whatever dress we pick out for you.  If you don't take him home with you, at least you'll have given him a memory that you'll want him to recall when you call on him later."

She looked to Gavin, "Just ask Gavin here the power of the right dress..."  She winked at her fiancee and looked back to Tara.  "In the right dress, at the right moment, a man will be willing leaping off cliffsides and out of airplanes for you."

"I'm going to party, and I'm not ruling anything out. I just don't want to turn your wedding into some sort of elaborate dating game. I'm quite capable of handling myself, thank you very much."

She laughed as she finished her dinner; Gavin had already finished and was leaning back in his chair, content.

"And I don't need any man to jump out of airplanes for me, thank you very much. I get enough of that at work."

Isabella nodded.  "I hear you, but... between us girls and the wall,"  she looked briefly to Gavin, "I wouldn't trade having someone who can keep up with me for anything in all the world."

She looked back to Tara, "But... to each their own.  You know the day you want my meddling, you don't even have to ask for it.  I will be there with bells on."

Isabella leaned back in her chair, done with dinner, "So... not to bring things back around to business... but what's the odds that we might get dig up some personal information on a cop who walks a beat here in the Fifth Street neighborhood?  A guy by the name of Adams?"