A Year Later (End)

You lay on the soft blanket, your eyes closed. You hear the wind through the pines and the warm sun on your naked body.

"That's it...ohhhhh yeah...mmmmm..."

You open your eyes to watch the love of your life ride you. The sapphire blue sky and white puffy clouds framing her perfect body. You reach down to feel her smooth belly, the first signs of pregnancy just starting to show.

"What if someone sees us?" You whisper again.

Looking around at the secluded coniferous valley, the rugged Land Rover parked nearby, she laughs. "Like who...the bears? And who cares anyways? Stop worrying." She continues her rhythm.

"Ohhhh...." You moan. "It's just...what if your father finds us...I don't think he likes me."

"You're fine." She smiles. "Father's are just protective of their daughters." A pang of guilt shoots through your heart. "And can you blame him for worrying after Vincent? Now shut up and fuck me you handsome fool."

You grin and do as you're told.

The past year had been absolutely wonderful. Your life with Natali really was that little slice of heaven Murray spoke of, and you thanked the fates every day for her. She was everything to you. You're lover, best friend, and soul mate.

You had been in Russia since you left the States a year ago but were readying plans to move to Spain. New identities were painstakingly established and paid for, it would be a truly clean break. A brand new life. After the incident with Melanie you cut a deal with Louis for him to take over the business but in return he had to let you go and live in peace. A nice easy bloodless transition. He grabbed the deal with both hands, eager for the chance at real power. His time at the top didn't last though, he just didn't have it in him to run the whole show.

It took some doing but you and Louis were eventually able to root out and quash the contract on your life. It was a labyrinthine set up that must have taken real skill and planning. Melanie truly was a Calabrese, as shrewd and intelligent as her old man.

The mob, being good at what they did, made Melanie "disappear". You put up a grave in her memory with just the words "Laney. Be at peace." engraved into it. You hoped someday in the distant future to visit it once more. You thought about your would be daughter a lot and wondered what might have been had you made a different decision in the gym that morning.

You never saw anyone else from your days in the mansion after that. You made sure Soo-yin got her cut then she and Caitlin vanished without a trace. You left a nice little sum for Mama Raeni and gave Ben the Lamborghini. A cool million was left as a wedding present for Joey and Rosa, you encouraged him to find another line of work. You hoped it would work out for the best.

As you lie there, making love to the woman of your dreams, thinking of your growing family and the new life waiting for you in Spain, you think back to that fateful day a year ago. That moment that changed everything and the twists and turns that followed. It was extraordinary.

You couldn't believe that this had all happened due to a simple case of mistaken identity.