We arrive in New York around noon and decide to eat lunch. Nostalgia hits me as we pull in to the little cafe, Dolce Vitta, that I used to frequent with my dad-Dominic. The familiar decor and scents of the dining area, send memories rushing back to me.

"Are you happy to be back home?" Lucy states as she takes a bite of a panini she ordered.

"Yeah, I am, but it's also little hard. Things are so different now." I pick up my Italian club sandwich and take a big bite.

"Can we go into the city?" Miles asks me through a mouthful of Shrimp Tortellini he shoved in his mouth.

"We can tomorrow," I sip my water. "Rio wants us to meet with the big boss later today to go over the schedule and check out the venue. I don't want to be late, trying to find the address, afterwards."

"Where are you guys staying?" I ask Enzo. He tells me Cristian has property in New York and they are staying in one of his condos in the city.

"This new Don, extended an invitation for Cristian and us, to stay in his villa. Rocco and Mateo will be coming later, too. We'll head there tonight, after we grab Annalisa and Sam first." Topo tells me as he sips his coffee.

"You can come with us to see Anna and Sam." Joey tells me.

"Sure, we're staying in the city too, since that's where I'll be working."

"So what's your plan, are you permanently staying in Miami?" Enzo asks me.

I glance over at the kids who are watching me and listening. I shrug, "I'm not sure, we've been traveling so much that it would be nice to stay settled and Miami is nice. We've liked being there." I smile at Lucy, Kai and Miles.

"We go where you go, mom." Lucy drapes her arm around my shoulders, smiling.

"Yup." Kai and Miles say in unison, then glare at each other.

After lunch, we drive to the Condo where Annalisa and Sam are and I'm overcome with nervous, excited energy. I can't wait to see them. Enzo places his hand over mine, "They're just as excited and nervous to see you, too."

Kai blows a low whistle when we walk into the lobby of the condominium, taking in its fancy features and decor. We cram into the elevator and descend up until we reach the penthouse of the building. Of course that's what Cristian would own.

A couple of guards stands outside the door and nods at the guys. My heart is beating rapidly in anticipation, while Topo pulls out a key and unlocks the door. Another guard is standing in the entry way. The entry itself is sleek, yet spacious and leads into a study type room but on the opposite side there is a set of doors, leading out to a large terrace, overlooking the city.

We're led further into the beautifully decorated living room,  with warm masculine grey colors. The kitchen sits off to the side, with a dining nook, tucked in a corner.

"Anna!" Joey calls out. I turn when I hear the sound of heels clicking on the floor. Annalisa runs at Joey, embracing him then kisses him. "Why didn't you call me?" She pulls away and then notices the twins and smiles at them. Then our eyes meet.

Annalisa has always been beautiful. There's no denying what she went through took a toll on her in every way, physically, mentally and emotionally. Her beauty was overshadowed by the shame she felt and constant pain she was in.

But now, she's glowing and I'm so happy to see her as the vibrant, warm friend, I remember from when we were younger. Her hair has grown just past her shoulders and she's back to her original dirty blonde hair. Her warm brown eyes, shine with tears as she stares back at me. We rush to each other and hug one another, sobbing.

We keep hugging and crying for quite a while, until I hear a familiar throaty voice. "What am I chop liver?" We pull away and pull in Sam in with us.

We are laughing and crying when we step back. Annalisa gasps again when she sees Lucy.

"Oh, my gosh Lucy!" Anna rushes towards her and pulls her into a tight hug. She pulls back and keeps her hands on her shoulders. "Look at you, you're just gorgeous!" She cupps Lucy's face. Lucy, blushes, looking down.

"You look great, too, Annalisa. I like your hair like this." Lucy smiles.

Annalisa laughs, "Well believe it or not, this is my original color, not what you remember me in."

"You're all grown up, Lucy." Sam pulls her into a hug, too. 

I turn to Kai and Miles, grabbing each of their hands and tugging them with me. "Anna, Sam I'd like you to meet Kai and Miles Kameāloha."

"Aloha. We've heard a lot about you from Moms, it feels like we know you." Miles tells them, smiling. Kai also smiles and nods. Anna and Sam both smile looking at me, a little thrown by Miles' usage of mom for me, but they don't question it.

"Well, I'm happy to meet you both," Anna tells them, and she and Samantha hug each of them. "I'm jealous you've had Stella all to yourselves, this whole time. There's no one like her."

"She saved us." Kai and Miles say at the same time.

"Stop it." Again together.

"I mean it." Once again in unison. They scowl at each other while we all laugh.

"That's gotta be the cutest thing!" Annalisa gushes as she laughs.

"It is pretty hilarious," Lucy grins at Kai and Miles. "But they're right. Stella saved us all and gave us something we all needed." She turns to me and her eyes shine with tears.

"A family," she holds my hand, "so it's nice to see her finally be with her family, now, too."

I wipe at my eyes and Sam engulfs me in a hug again. "Well, shit." She says wiping her tears, "You gave me a family, too, girl. If it wasn't for you, who know's where I'd be now."

"These guys took me in," She nods at Annalisa, Topo and Joey and Enzo, "because you did, no questions asked. And I can never thank you enough for it." And the tears keep falling.

<><><><>

We spend the rest of the rest of the afternoon catching up. Annalisa and Joey tell me that Vince and Mia are having their second child due in a few months.

Samantha got her GED with Anna's help and is enrolled in cosmetology school. "She's been giving all the guys haircuts and is the one who got my hair back to it's original color." Annalisa tells me.

"Good, maybe you can cut, these' guys hair." I look over at Miles and Kai who are playing a game with Topo and Joey on the Playstation.

"Naw, moms." Miles says while still focused on the TV screen. "The ladies love the long hair."

"You wish, Miles. You don't even have a girlfriend, lolo." Lucy teases.

"I'm a man who likes to keep my options open." He responds, his tongue sticking out the side of his mouth as he focuses on the game.

"That's smart, man." Joey says and Annalisa smacks the back of his head as she walks by.

"Ow! I meant for him, not me. I'm all yours, sweetcheeks." He leans back and she bends down to kiss him. She tugs on his hair, "and don't you forget it, Salvatore."

I'm so happy to see them so in love. It gives me a sense of normalcy despite the craziness that's happened less than 24 hours ago.

I grab Annalisa's hand again looking at her beautiful engagement ring. She tells me he surprised her for her birthday this past January. Both of their families are excited, even her mother.

She's also started to delve into some philanthropy projects and was actually asked to join the meeting with the new Don later tonight.

"Wow, so he's interested in charity work?" I ask.

"Not much is known about him, to be honest." Annalisa shrugs. "Joey tells me, he's mega rich and is wanting to broaden his network in the philanthropy sector of things. He was in some kind of accident, about a month or two back, and is still having some lingering affects from it. 

I overheard Joey and Enzo talking and Cristian is worried that he's another Gio because he's also building a reputation of being ruthless, even vengeful if you double cross him. Like he legit hunts them down, Stella."

"Yeah but Gio was more ruthless in an evil kind of way, there was no sense or logic to his ruthlessness. He hurt people out of pleasure, not that hurting people is ever okay, but then again who am I to talk." I laugh humorlessly.

Annalisa smiles at me, "You're not like them, though. I mean, you defend the people you love, and like you said people like Gio do it more out of pleasure because they can."

"Joey told me about Alfonso. How are you doing after seeing him, again?" She asks, worry in her eyes.

"Honesty, I was more worried for Lucy and our friends that were with us, but he's gone. Enzo made sure of it." He looks over at me and winks.

I ask about her and Joey's plans. "Joey graduated this last semester, in construction management." Annalisa says proudly. "So he's just putting out his resume and looking into signing with some construction company's."

"That's great, Anna. I'm really so happy for you both." My phone rings and I look down seeing it's Rio.

I excuse myself and answer the call. "Stella, are you here, in New York?"

"Yeah, I got here a few hours ago. I've just been catching up with family." I tell him.

"Good, I was just making sure you were actually here and didn't bail on me, considering what you went through yesterday." He tells me. 

"I'm sending you Johnny Santiago's address. He's invited us for dinner this evening, around eight. But first, his assistant will be giving us a tour of the venue. I'll send you the address for that as well. We need to be there by six. But come dressed for the dinner since we'll head there, directly afterwards."

"Alright, I'll leave and get ready to head out there." I tell him.

"And Raven..." He stops me, from hanging up, "Johnny Santiago is not someone you disrespect, entiendes?"

I roll my eyes, "Got it. Anything else?"

"I'm serious."

"I heard you, see you there." My tone is clipped, annoyed at his demands before I hang up.

I turn back. "We've gotta go, I need to get changed and ready to head to the club, restaurant, wherever this place is," I say distractedly as my phone chimes. Seeing Rio sent the address to the Club, followed by a residential address.

"Aw man, can't we just stay for a little longer?" Miles complains.

"There are plenty of rooms, if you want to stay here. We'll be leaving later anyway for that Villa and will be there for a few days at least, maybe longer. And you know Cristian won't mind." Enzo tells me.

"Yes, please!" This time Lucy and Miles say together, pleading with me. I smile, giving in as I call the hotel, cancelling our reservation.

I then hurry and get dressed and ready to head out to the club. I finish applying my red lipstick and stand back, checking my reflection. The black chiffon halter jumpsuit I'm wearing has a plunging neckline just below my rib cage. I glance up and see Annalisa standing at the door way of the bedroom, I'm staying in.

"I love how long your hair has grown. And I love that it's curly now too. You look amazing. I don't think I told you that." She smiles as she walks closer to me.

"You're still you but different," She says. "There's this confidence in you now. I don't think you realize you have a commanding presence." She laughs quietly, "I never would have thought you'd get a nose ring, but it fits you. You're going to have to show me all of your new tattoos, later."

She picks up my left hand and runs a finger over JP's initials on my ring finger. A look of sadness passes over her features. "I still can't believe he's gone, or Carmela, Tobias...all of them." I don't say anything, afraid I'll lose control.

"He would have wanted you to move on, Stella. To be happy." She squeezes my hand. I nod, blinking back tears.

"I know...I just miss him so much..." I begin, "but...there is someone...it's still pretty new..."

She pulls me to the bed quickly, "What? Who? Tell me everything!"

I tell her about running into Sean again after thinking he was dead, only to find out he had just faked his own death. Then I tell her how things just kind of progressed with us.

"Wow, this is crazy. We need to meet him! But I'm happy for you, Stella. He sounds great!" She hugs me tightly.

"He is great. I need to call him, and let him know I'm here. He's in Jersey with his family. They think they've got an idea of where Jimmy is." She tells me she hopes they do find him and put an end to Jimmy, once and for all.

"Stella mia, you look beautiful." Enzo says when I walk out with Annalisa. I smile at him and Topo asks if I'm ready. He's taking me to the Car Rental place where I reserved to pick up a car.

"Okay, guys, this isn't your place, so clean up after yourselves. And don't stay up too late, especially if you want to go out tomorrow, to sight see." I remind them.

"Yes, mom" A chorus rings out from Lucy, Kai and Miles. 

~~~~

Happy Reunions are the best!!!

But the reunions aren't done yet..... one more chapter to go!

Don't forget to comment and vote please! =)