It had been just a few short hours since Renata's world had been turned upside down. Her mother had been gunned down, lost to a shot intended to save her life, and Renata had cried hard for her loss. The tears were still etched on Renata's young face as she took to the streets, determined that she would carry out her mothers final wishes.

"My name is Renata, daughter of Maria, the now deceased Don of Mano di Morte, acting head of North Side, Chicago. Some time ago, my mother instructed me upon her death to find the letter that she kept hidden in her safe, and to bring it out to the streets to read it for all to hear. I am pleased to carry out that last wish now."

Renata removed from her pocket a white envelope, with the words, "To be read only on the occasion of my death" written across it, in Maria's distinctive script. With her grief written plainly across her face, Renata opened the envelope, producing a folded up letter. She opened it out, took a deep breath and began to read from it.

"If you are hearing this, I have passed from this life. It would have been remiss of me, however, to allow myself to pass from this world without ensuring that certain thank yous were said, to the people who made my life worth living. The hardest part, for me, of considering my death is thinking of those that I will leave behind.

I will begin at the very start, with Godfather Chairman DoctorBoom. I don't know where I can begin in thanking you, my dear. You gave me the world. You gave me the chance to avenge my mothers death, you gave me the chance to build Mano di Morte and then North Side into something wonderful, and you stood by me every single step of the way. There was nothing that you were not willing to do to defend me and mine, and nothing you were not willing to do to lighten my load the times that you knew I was struggling. I know that the love and respect that I hold for you will transcend generations, and I can only hope that my children and my childrens children will have the opportunity to work with your line. Thank you for giving me a bite of greatness. You will always be my #1 tyrant.

I know that The Loop will go from strength to strength with you at the helm, and with LucaRossi, Kawir and Shogun by your side. They are great men, and I must thank them equally for the time that I enjoyed working with them. They are professionals in every sense of the word and I am sure they will go far, as those around you so often do.

To Don Pine, I also must express my love and gratitude. Nothing would have made me happier than to claim the rank of Godfather with you, but alas, it was not meant to be. I know that you will be one of the greatest Godfathers our world has ever seen, and I know our world will be lucky to have you. Thank you, so much, for your patience, you kindness and your concern for me over this lifetime of mine. As with DoctorBoom, I know that my love and respect for you will transcend generation and I hope my kin are fortunate enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with you as I have been. Much love, my friend, always.

To the gorgeous Don Crystalize. I hope they have brownies like yours in whatever afterlife I wind up in. Go out and be amazing love.

At this juncture, I will also mention OwenHart. Mostly because he will be very upset if I miss him out, but also because he's pretty fabulous too and my life has been richer for him being in it. Richer? See what I did there?!?!

Finally, last and by no means least, to my beloved family in North Side.

These are the words that hurt the most to write, because I cannot help but feel as though my death lets you all down immeasurably. I'm so very sorry, my loves.

Thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for joining North Side, Chicago. Thank you all, truly and deeply, for your loyalty, your hard work, your patience, your understanding and your general wonderfulness. Thank you for some of the best times that my line will ever enjoy, with some of the best people. I owe you all so very much and it breaks my heart to think that the time has now come where I cannot give you all that you deserve.

But, I know that you will be in the best of hands, hands that will lead you and guide you in a way that will make me so very proud.

To Don Dexter, firstly. My first auth. My partner in crime. One of my oldest friends in this world. Be strong, as I know you always are, and let your mind run free. You are one of the smartest and most talented minds that I have been around, and it has been a true honor to have you beside me. My love, always.

And to my favourite Russian, VladimirLenin. Step away from the sheep and into greatness, my love. My line has worked with yours for many generations now, and it breaks my heart that I will not be here to see you finally reach the rank of Godfather. You deserve it so very much, and have so very many times. I'm sad that I couldn't be the one to give it to you, but I know you will be truly excellent when you finally get there. Again, my love, always.

To my long suffering and so very patient hands, Piglet and Isorin, I have to extend an infinite amount of love and gratitude. You guys were the best hands I could have ever asked for, and you did so very much for our district and for Mano di Morte. I'm sorry to leave you the way I have and I'm sorry I couldn't give you both everything that you both deserved so very much.

I cannot name every name in North Side that I love, that I will miss, and that I wish I could thank. I'm not sure I have enough paper left in my apartment to even try to do so - I'm so very sorry for that. But please know that I do thank you, with every single part of my being, for everything you have done for myself, for Dexter, for Vlad and for Chicago. I love you all so very much, and I always will.

I do not know what kind of afterlife awaits for me; only God has the power to judge my actions and assign me to Heaven or Hell. Please know that if I make it to Heaven, I will do all I can to come back as some kind of tyrant queen Guardian Angel to you all. And please know that if Hell is where I land, I'll be down there making it 100 degrees hotter and getting one hell of a party started while I wait for you all.

Chicago; I love you always.

Thank you and goodnight,

Maria

<3"

More tears fell down Renata's face, which she wiped quickly. She folded the letter back up, and placed it carefully into her pocket; it was the last small piece of her mothers heart that she could hold on to. She leaned back against the wall, breathing in the night air, carefully composing herself.

Hello Renata, I worked for your mother, she was wonderful.  My world is better having known her.  I will miss her dearly and I hope to get to know you.

Thank you for these last words from my beautiful Dona Maria.

Sincerely,

RichieCalen.

Peralta slowly took in a deep breath then exhaled, sadden with the news of the death of Don Maria, a beautiful aspect of Chicago; which was lost forever but never forgotten.

"Dear Renata, I have seen your mother before and we talked a little bit here and there. These kind words make me raise my hopes greatly and are inspiring. I thank you for these words of memory which will be remembered for times to come; hopefully you will be the light in her absence."

LucaRossi heard the loving letter from Renata. The tragic loss of her mother was deep enough to hit Chicago at it's core. Don Maria was a great leader who helped bring not only experience to the table, but humor and a great time. Luca wanted to make sure her next of kin knew that...

"Renata, the loss of your mother was a tragic one. She was one of the core leaders in Chicago. It is because of her efforts that Chicago is what it is today, an empire. Without her help it obviously wouldn't have been the same Chicago. But its much more than that... Your mother was such a passionate woman, it showed in her ability to lead."

Luca took out his lucky flask of bourbon and opened it.

"Here is to your mother, young Renata."

Luca took a swig of his home brewed bourbon in the honor of his friend.