Back to the mansion.

You find the Maserati where Natali had parked it and head back toward the house.

You are both trembling from the brush with ****. Though mostly from the newly revealed feelings you had expressed for each other. You glance and wink and smirk and laugh and giggle. You were both making utter fools of yourselves and glorifying in the silliness of it all. You were acting like two teenagers with their first true crush.

You park the car in the garage and just sit together a long time. Smiling stupid grins and laughing at nothing in particular. You honestly couldn't remember a time you were happier.

She finally says. "We make this work. I don't care about anything else. We figure this out and we make this work!"

"Yes." You nod. "Okay. Come on. We can't sit in here all day."

You head back to the house laughing and holding each other along the way. The laughter stops as you reach the front door. Louis was just coming out. There is a tense awkward moment as the three of you look at each other. There is something odd about his expression.

"You two seem happy, considering." He observes. "I just heard about what happened. Glad you're okay boss."

It was hard to miss that he only addressed you in that statement.

"Yeah..thanks." You say. "Any progress on that contract? This is fucked. Every time I step out I think I'm going to get capped. I feel like a goddamned prisoner in my own house."

"Actually, yeah. I think I almost got it. That Jap bitch was real useful." You grit your teeth and let the slight pass by. He continues. "The actual contract is this weird double blind set up. So the employers and the assassins never actually meet. But they left a bread trail. Shouldn't be too long now boss." He smiles, then tips his head and walks off toward a nearby black BMW.

As he gets into the car and pulls away you ask Natali. "Did he know where you were eating lunch today?"

She looks at you with a grim expression. "Everyone knows I go there whenever I am downtown. But...I don't think Louis would..."

"I'm not saying anything just yet. That is just good information to know." The pair of you head into the house.

As you enter the main hall you see Melanie in a loose white karate uniform with a bright purple belt around her waist. Her blonde hair tied up in a bun. She jumps from the third step and hits the floor in a kung fu pose then gives you the jazz hands. "What do you think Daddy? Natali?"

You look at each other, not sure of what to make of it, before you finally answer. "That's great sweetie."

"It's for tomorrow's workout. I thought we'd try some Jiu-Jitsu before going back to yoga. You're not getting out of yoga mind you, but tomorrow we can do something different." She beams. "I even bought you a Gi in your size."

You look her over. The outfit was made of thick white cotton and covered everything up nicely under its voluminous folds. You think that you could probably handle throwing a few punches and kicks and jumping around a bit as a workout.

"Yeah! Sounds good Melanie." You smile. "Maybe Natali would like to join us?"

You see Melanie's face fall, though she tried hard to cover up her disappointment.

Natali laughs. "Oh no! I'm not getting out of bed early just to get all sweaty. You two have your fun."

Melanie jumps in delight. "Okay! This will be so much fun!"

You bow to her. "It will be an honor young grasshopper."

"Grasshopper?" She stares at you blankly.

"Oh never mind." You smile.

"You're silly Daddy!" She giggles and heads off through the house.

You and Natali share a chuckle as you watch her go. The pair of you head into the study. You inform her that the lawyer was beginning to get things moving on some of the stuff you had talked about. She was impressed you did this on your own initiative and that you had pulled off the deception so well.

"If you have Friedman fooled that is a huge advantage for us. He's got the authority to access most of Vincent's assets." You can see her eyes calculating something.

"Okay. So once this contract on my life is figured out things will move fast. I'm pulling the plug all at once." Remembering Murray's advice. "What do you think about taking a trip somewhere?" You smile.

She glances over at you, still thinking. "Not such a bad idea..."

Just then there is a knock on the door. You call for whoever it is to enter. Joey and a pretty young Mexican woman enter the study. They are both practically vibrating with excitement, they stand so close to each other that they are touching.

"Hey...uh...boss. We was just wanting to say...you know...uhhh...." Joey is stammering hopelessly.

Rosa takes over. "Thank you Mr. Calabrese. You just can't know how happy you've made us."

You knew exactly how happy they were right now. You shoot Natali knowing look and a wink.

Joey speaks up once more. "I just wanted to say. If there's anything, I mean fuckin anything you need boss...you just ask me. I'm your man boss. Me and Rosa...we..." He was beginning to babble again.

Rosa takes over once more. This time she hold's her belly as she beams happily. "All three of us owe you so much."

At this point Joey is blubbering, trying his hardest to fight the tears in his eyes. "...y-ya see boss...I..I...I'm gonna a be a Dad..." He is totally losing it.

"Okay, okay. Calm down Joey." You stand to pat his shoulder and shake his hand. You give Rosa a hug and kiss on the cheek, Natali follows suit. "You two just be happy. We're looking forward to the invitation."

The four of you share a joyful moment and a bit more chit chat.

"Like I said boss, ANYTHING. You just let me know." Joey nods, finally collecting himself once more.

"Thank you Joey. Just be my eyes and ears out there, okay?" You say.

"You got it boss."

"Now get out of here you crazy kids. You've got a wedding to plan!" You shoo them away.

They leave, thanking you at least three more times along the way.

Natali looks at you. "You sure do know how to make friends!"