The window of opportunity to really appreciate something had a lifespan. Sure, you could look back on an event and decide now was the time to really enjoy the fruit. But there really was nothing like eating it right as it was picked. You really couldn't enjoy the photo of an apple in the same way you could by tasting it. Life was like that to Joe. It was short, yet also very fleeting. One day you were here, the next, who knows. So to hold off on things for a time that may not come, that no longer made sense to him.

Ever since Midas got its wings in the air Joe had been another schmo entirely. A dream had hit him like a ton of bricks. He had experienced death first hand, at the end of his sleeves. But never to the degree he'd dreamed it. He saw how much he meant to two of the most important people in his life, and it shook him to his core.

So, there was no longer any future for the once womanizer. It was all about the moment and living it to the fullest. If he were to go out, and he would at some point, he'd want to have lived and loved every minute of it. Before, he was all about making money and building a reputation. Now, he was about enjoying the moments and the people in them.

The pool parlor had been closed. Two of Joe's men stood outside the entrance, letting patrons know they could return when the sun arose again. Inside, the place was different. All the curtains were pulled right back, letting the Pier's ambience join the occasion, as it too had a part to play in this. Everyone was gone. No staff. Not even Angel was here. It was just Joe, seated at the same booth he and Ilaria had shared when she first truly caught his attention.

Candles ran along the top of the bar which was just off to the side of the booth. There also a large one in the center of the table itself. With the soft waxy glow splashed throughout the pool hall, and with the three sixty views of the pier, the place looked exactly how Joe felt as he waited. His mind flicked over nothing in particular, his hands clasped together on the surface in front of him. He felt serene, and it was just the mood he was going for.

---

Del Rossi was a live wire in the car, no doubt about it. The love he had for metal horses, you couldn't question it nor find another who had more of it. He was a romantic in his own way, yet every time Joe would argue the fact he'd be having none of it. It was a common theme between the two, as Del Rossi had known Adonis since his first moments in Philly. He knew him better than anyone. He knew his temperament. His balls to the wall, foot planted, ride or die till the wheels come off attitude. And he saw this as Joe's greatest strength.

So every time Del Rossi saw him acting differently, his eyes told the story. The man never talked. But they knew each other so well, they didn't need to share words. A look, and the kind of look and how long it lingered, that was how Del Rossi spoke. When he picked him up that morning from the Dockside Inn as was the usual routine, he saw the look.

"Come on. Don't look at me like that."

It's how they always started.

"Del, you know how it is now. I've already told you this."

He'd told him a million times.

"She's it. You just gotta get use to that."

Del Rossi's eyes lingered. He wasn't going to get use to it. Not now. He liked Joe's unruly mess of a personality. It made him feel sane, as he had a tendency to stick out like a soar thumb himself. Maybe even more so. He could relate to him when he was on week long benders, banging a different broad every other night in the back of the taxi. He could see himself in his aggressive fits of rage as he watched him pulverize other men's faces to an unrecognizable mess. He knew him. Since meeting Ilaria though, he was a changed man.

"Just pick her up later and drop her off at Hot Shots."

He'd do it. He always did as asked. But, he quietly didn't like it.

---

Del Rossi was waiting outside the clinic as per Joe's instructions. He'd also moments earlier knocked, walked inside and handed her a new dress and some new jewelry. The shop Joe'd just opened was a goldmine for showering Ilaria with what he believed added to her already beautiful appearance. There was just something about the stones that called to him.

Ilaria had just hung the last of her newly framed treasures on the wall of her office. They were prominently displayed above her desk; the M.D. degree in the center with her two specialists certifications flanking it on either side. Though it had been several days since she'd received them, Ilaria found herself looking up at the calligraphic lettering and smiling from ear to ear. She had daydreamed about it plenty of times, but it was so much more satisfying to be able to introduce herself as Doctor Santoro. 

A familiar knock came from the back door, a rapid, staccato pattern that Ilaria easily recognized as Del Rossi's. Glancing at the clock, she realized he was a good bit earlier than she'd expected. When she opened the door, however, the reason for his early arrival made itself clear in the large garment box he handed her. A grin spread across Ilaria's face. She took the box and nodded appreciatively at Del Rossi, who turned and headed back to wait in the car. 

Upstairs, Ilaria lifted the top of the box and pulled the carefully placed tissue aside, then lightly gasped as she lifted it out. The dress was one that she'd had her eye on for some time. It was a very modern design; royal blue as the Midas logo, a fitted bodice with ruched sides and a gently full calf length skirt. From the top of the bust to the scooped neck, the blue fabric was lacy and sheer. The dress was supremely elegant. Also in the box sat a stunning string of pearls, with matching earrings and bracelet. 

Ilaria adored Joe for these gifts. Not because of the beautiful dresses and expensive jewelry, but because she knew the outward adornments were his way of showing her what she was to him; and this gift, like the others, made her feel no less than purely cherished. 

Within ten minutes, she was dressed and locking the door of the clinic behind her. Leo was at Joe's, and she'd see her handsome pup prince later. Feeling as graceful as a queen, Ilaria ducked into the car. As usual, Del Rossi was quiet on the drive. She often wondered if he didn't like her, or felt that she was an intrusion between he and his friend and employer. Or, perhaps he was just the quiet type. 

Ilaria was surprised to see two guards out front at Hot Shots. Was there a VIP in the building? The two imposing men nodded respectfully to her as she approached and opened the doors. 

Immediately, Ilaria sensed something different. The usual clinking of glasses and low hum of voices was gone. There was simply a serene silence. The dim lighting gave an almost ethereal glow from a number of candles on the empty bar. Her eyes instinctively drew toward the back booth where they'd spent so much time just being together. 

And there he was. Seated in the booth in front of a single, large candle; a sweet and contented smile on his face. Ilaria grinned softly and stepped towards him, the dress moving gracefully around her with each step. 

He heard the doors open and knew instantly she'd arrived. No-one else was asked to enter. Unless the Godfather of South Philly, or Philly were here, it meant his date had arrived. He took a moment to gather himself before standing. Not for any reason other than he was just relaxed and enjoying the atmosphere. He didn't feel in a rush. The usual clatter of the pool hall was off duty.

Feeling her presence near, he finally decided to stand to greet her. He wasn't taken aback by how beautiful she looked. She always did. He'd gotten use to it now. It was her glow that resonated the most with him. The more time he spent with her, the more he saw it. And tonight was no different.

Stepping forward to meet her just a few feet from the booth, Joe took her hands in his, then stepped back a little to take a good look at the dress and accessories. He nodded his approval a few times with a smirk, then raised her hand in the air to give her a twirl with a flick of the wrist before stepping in and hugging her close to his body.

"You look to die for." Joe said with a soft gaze as he looked deeply into Ilaria's eyes.

Compared to how he was presented right now, she look like a Goddess. He was in nothing more than a button down white shirt and dark blue slacks. He did have an undone bow tie clutching the collar of the shirt though, a late decision to undo it due to the very relaxed nature of the pool hall getting the better of his flashy dress sense.

For all of her elegance, and all the time they had spent together, Ilaria was just as enchanted by him. Those beautiful eyes that always had a glint of mischief; the relaxed way he stood and observed life with his hands in his pockets and a cocky little grin. She fell in love with him all over again, every time she saw him.

"You look to die for."

Ilaria met his gaze and kissed him, grinning a little. 

"Thank you, but please don't. I'd rather have you here. But, I love the dress, and the pearls. You really do spoil me."

She glanced around again, really taking a moment to appreciate the ambiance of the room. 

"What's the occasion?" 

"Do I need an occasion to spend time with the women I love?"

Joe's eyes spoke of a relaxed confidence. He wasn't his fiery self. Maybe it was the nature of the venue he'd had set up. Or the development of his overall personality. He wasn't as reckless these days. Wasn't as fight or flight, which usually turned into fight. He never did understand why people backed down from a confrontation. It was an opportunity to ride the waves of emotion, and not just that, but to sit atop them and be in control all the while feeling the flames beneath. It was an oddly satisfying, almost sought out experience. But, those days were slowly fading.

Things had changed. For himself and those around him. Tonight was about another change, and one that was taking way too long to acknowledge, he felt, as he let the silence linger between them a little while as he took in Ilaria's beauty. She was like a sweet scent to him. The term stopping to smell the roses was apt, whenever she walked into a room he was in or just in her general company. He'd never met someone that held his attention quite like she did.

Pulling himself away from her, he let their hands keep contact as he moved them towards the booth. With guidance, he sat her down. Still, no words, then made his way over to the bar, entering it from the opening at the side. He seemed to have something prepared already, as within seconds he was walking back out and towards the booth again, the low light of the atmosphere making for a somewhat intriguing, almost alluring feel.

A flick of the wrists and two champagne glasses were upturned, one in front of Ilaria, the other to where he'd be seated in a second. Then, with a careful pour he lifted each glass and edged it sideways a little to catch the flow of the sparkling wine on the inside as it then ran down and into the long skinny glass, filling it. He'd done a little training with Killian at East Cat in his early days, and this method of pouring bubbly was one of the last things he learned.

He didn't realize it then, but he actually liked this better than whisky on occasion. Mainly due to it being a shared experience when a bottle was popped open, compared to the quiet time the single malt or blended scotch offered him. But the taste too, it had an elegant kind if regal feel about it. Like when the bubbles hit the taste buds, they danced and danced and danced their way into your comfort zone.

Joe eventually took his seat across from Ilaria.

Her eyes followed him, the smile on her face as soft and sweet as the glow from the many candles surrounding them. Joe had done so many thoughtful, romantic things for her since they'd met, but this was a surprise and it delighted her how much effort he seemed to put into it. Simply for her.

For a moment, as he smoothly poured the champagne, Ilaria recalled the night they met. She remembered first looking into his eyes just before the blood loss from his shoulder sent him to an involuntary sleep. She remembered sharing coffee that night as he recovered in her clinic. It was a memorable night for many reasons, and the barely visible scar on his shoulder was a reminder to her of their first meeting, and she would often kiss it when they were having intimate moments. 

To hear him say that he loved her was a moment she never took lightly. She knew, before he'd come around to saying it to her since time ago, that the feelings were there; but she also know that something in his past made it hard to come to. When he finally did, she felt her heart burst with joy, and the feeling never changed as the weeks and months went on. Those words meant more than just a sentiment.

He placed the glass in front of her and took his seat. Ilaria reached out and took his hand across the table. 

"I haven't had a chance to thank you for everything you've done in the last months. I know how busy you've been with the airline and the new product routes, not to mention the every day business of running a crew--yet somehow you managed to find time to keep me from starving myself while studying, and keep me sharp and confident for my tests. I wouldn't have that degree without you, Joe. Thank you...for everything. My life, this dream of mine, it's nothing without you."

Her way with words always brought a smile out of him. He could see it on her face, the genuine appreciation she had for his efforts. And what made it all the more heart felt, was that he wasn't doing it consciously. He wanted to spend as much time with her as possible. Even when he was half way across the country, his thoughts didn't deviate from her for too long.

So, he knew that what she was being thankful for was ultimately who he was at his core, and not for what he did or tried to do.

"My life, this dream of mine, it's nothing without you."

The candle light, the champagne, the beauty of the night peering in through the windows, it all added to what was to come. He reached out and took her other hand. Holding them both, it was time to let her know.

"And my life, nothing without you. As much trouble as you are, you bring even more comfort. You make me feel like I don't need to fight the world. Like it's all okay."

Letting her right hand go, he slipped his into his trouser pocket. Removing a small jewelry box, he slid it across the table.

"Getting your doctorate made me realize just how far you've come. And now with Leo growing, and the business growing, it's time for us to grow too."

Her eyes dropped to the tiny box, then back up to Joe with a curious arched eyebrow and a little grin. She took the box in one hand and carefully opened it with the other.

Inside, sitting on a pillow of white velvet, sat a small gold key. She looked up to Joe again.

"What's this, love?" 

She lifted it from the box, still grinning from the excitement of the mystery. 

"The key to my heart." He replied with a squinted grin.

In some ways it was, as he was practically giving his unyielding commitment to her. If their near death experiences were anything to go by, he already had. In the social framework though, this was as close as he'd get without the jewelry box containing a smaller, more rounded token.

"We'll check it out tomorrow."

Joe took the glass of champagne in hand and raised it in the air.

"But first, I want to say congratulations on passing your tests and becoming a doctor. I know how much it's meant to you. I couldn't be any prouder and happier for you."

Raising her glass, she tipped it forward until it delicately clinked against his. The rush she got hearing doctor associated with her own name hadn't gotten old, and she doubted it ever would.

But, that was nothing compared to the feeling that washed over her when she realized that Joe had just given her a key to something far more than a door. He had opened himself to her in a whole new way. A sacrifice of something she knew he treasured; his autonomy. Well, the essence of it, anyway. 

As she held his hand and gazed into his eyes, she realized she couldn't imagine her life without him. He'd single-handedly brought her from an awkward, simple nurse to a savvy and adventurous first lady of a multi-million dollar company.

Her grin grew wider.

"Thank you. And I want you to know that I can't think of anything that could make me happier than starting and ending every day with you."

Unable to take his eyes off of Ilaria, Joe took a sip of his champagne. It was a big step, he imagined for both of them. But he felt content. It was the right time in his mind. He'd done away with a lot of the shit that came with being a gangster. He'd moved up beyond the reaches even he desired. All he wanted was to be known the country over for his escapades. He couldn't have imagined they'd be with someone, something so beautiful.

She looked a diamond treasure. The kind he'd be happy to spend the rest of his days with, curled up in a bed in the winter months, or laying in the sun in the vineyards of Italy. They could practically take a step back and let the business run itself at some point and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Many were rising the ranks of Midas and taking on more responsibility. It wouldn't be hard, it might even be a natural next step.

But he also knew they had much more to their story. Adontoro wasn't finished yet. Midas was just teething. Their adventures were in that sense, just changing gears. So in his eyes, this was the opening of another chapter. Being able to share their space together more intimately would allow them to share their energies more freely. And because they worked so well together, it meant to Joe that they would create even more to share with the world. More adventures, more whispers on the streets, and whatever other Guaio seemed to follow them.

"Me too, Ilaria. Me too."