Detroit Daily Times 06/25/52

Almost the entire front page is a picture of the St. Lazarus Serbian Orthodox Cathedral in Detroit. The picture shows the groom Babs and the bride Limits, and above the picture in big letters " MAFIA WEDDING OF THE DECADE "

Havana, Cuba

A few months ago.

Babs, along with several of his associates who were on his crew Limits @Flumineo Dallas had reached a conclusion and arranged several important deals for the Ligambi family. After several days of negotiations, various business lunches and meetings, they all decided to go out one evening and simply enjoy themselves and have a good time the Cuban way.

Hotel Habana Riviera

A summer cocktail bar with live music. A beautiful Cuban summer night, the sky filled with so many stars as if someone had turned on a light. At one of the tables was Babs and his crew. They ordered the first round of cocktails, and slowly talked about the various things that make up the life of a completely ordinary person. They looked like ordinary tourists who had come here for a good time, not like some of the most powerful people in Detroit. With Cuban music and a few rounds of cocktails, they became more and more relaxed and cheerful, only laughter and happiness could be seen on their faces. At one point, Limits stood up and invited Flumine to join her on the dance floor and dance together. Flumine gladly accepted the invitation, and together they headed towards the dance floor. Babs stayed with Dallas at the table and they continued their conversation about the sport they were playing. After a while, Babs looked towards the dance floor and saw the stunning and beautiful Limits, who was enjoying every movement of her dance, and every beat of the music. As he watched, he felt something deep inside him, something he couldn't explain, but he hadn't felt in many years. Limits was the epitome of beauty, her body sculpted like a figure from ancient Greece. Dallas noticed that Babs was staring and deep in thought, and gently placing his hand on his shoulder, he asked him..

Dallas- "Boss, are you okay?"

Babs started at that moment, and answered in the affirmative.

Babs- "yes yes, I'm fine, I was just thinking about something"

Then got up from the table and headed towards the band that created a hellish atmosphere in the bar where almost everyone was playing. He approached and asked that the next melody be something light that he could dance to. The singer answered in the affirmative, and conveyed Babs' wish to his colleagues. After a few minutes, the band really started with slow beats, and the melody was perfect for dancing.

Babs headed towards Limits, extended his hand and asked her to dance.

Limits accepted, and they started with a slow dance. After a few moments

Babs-  “How do you like it here, are you enjoying it?”

Limits first smiled and answered in the affirmative

Limits- “Yes, it's beautiful here, I really enjoy it here. This is a real paradise.”

Babs-  “Yes, you're right. This is a real little paradise, we could come here more often to enjoy it.”

Limits-  “Yes, that would be really great.”

Babs- "I think this will be my destination when it's time to retire.."

Limits- "Really? Then we have to come here often to visit you"

A moment of silence…..

Limits "I could imagine myself in a place like this one day."

It was enough of a sign for Babs that now is the right time to realize his thoughts that were running through his head during the evening.

Babs-“Marry me?”

Limits was visibly shocked by the question, that at one point she stopped dancing and they fell out of rhythm.

Babs- “Marry me? I've been watching you for a long time, I have been watching you for a long time, you are a beautiful, smart and very capable woman. I know how valuable you are and what you do for me and  family. I want to spend the rest of my life with a woman like that.… Of course under one condition, and that is if you agree?”

Limits was still in shock, and she didn't know how to react.

Limits- “B.. Bo… Boss, I don't know what to say, I'm taken aback.”

Babs- “Please don't call me boss, Babs is quite enough.”

Limits- “Babs, I really don't.. Don’t know what to say.”

Babs- “Think about it, you don't have to answer right away. You know who I am and what I do, there are no secrets.. We do the same job, that's the life we ​​chose.”

At that very moment the dance music ended, and Babs moved away from the podium, returned to the table, finished his drinks and headed for his hotel room. When he got to his room, he poured himself a double whiskey and lit a Cuban cigar. While he was sitting on the terrace of his room in complete silence, observing the same sky filled with stars, he wondered if he had done the right thing? How will it affect their relationship if she doesn't agree, will she have to move to another family, go to another city...

*Knock knock

The thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door. Babs headed towards the door of his room, when he opened it he saw Limits..

Babs- “Limits,hey”

They stood in silence for a few moments, not a word, just looks.

Limits- Yes, I will marry you..

And at that moment she rushed to Babs in a hug that ended with a passionate kiss..

^{The Night Of The Proposal}

Fulmineo had heard the whispering, some grumblings, and even some rumors, but there was no way he could have predicted that their trip semi-business trip to Cuba would have resulted in a marriage proposal. But when the time was right, it was right. And what was that old saying? 

"A chance is like a picture, it'd be nice if you just take it." And if one were planning on taking a major swing like how his boss just did, where better to take that swing than Havana Cuba? If she said yes, then there were plenty of beautiful beaches and hidden alcoves to  host a wedding. And if she said no, there were plenty of beautiful women around to nurse a broken heart back to full health.

Luckily, Limits had said yes and now that meant they would be partying in Havana for a few more days. 

Fulmineo hadn't witnessed the proposal himself, though it had happened right after his dance with Limits. He had been uh, otherwise occupied at the time. One of the locals, a dark haired, lithe beauty who'd caught his attention that night had found herself in dire need of some company, and Fulmineo was never one to leave a lady in distress. It was only after he had awakened after a long and pleasant night with his newest friend that he learned of the impending nuptials. Then a feeling of cold fear had shot down his spine...did that mean he had danced with his boss' lady last night?

But the fear quickly receded when he remembered it was Limits who'd made the offer and if Babs was upset, he would have never woke up this morning. Diagnosis: A severe and sudden onset of lead poisoning.

But now, a new feeling of dread tied his stomach into knots. His tailor was in high demand and many guys from The Family also used his services. How in the world would he ever get a new tuxedo ready in time for the wedding?