2 Years Later

Small hands stretch out to Lord Fenghuang who happily scoops him in his arms. Gentle arms under his nephew's neck and body to support him. Tiny brown eyes look at his uncle while sucking on his pacifier. Jian gently brushes the chubby cheeks while Jia and Raven smile with glee.

"Hai zhizi. Wo shi ni shusu Jian (Hi, nephew. I'm your uncle Jian)."

His index finger is caught in the 4-month-old's super grip.

"Oh, you are hurting me, Chang. You will be really strong one day. Just don't join any gangs for my sake."

"We will make sure of that," Jia jests. She tickles her baby's stomach. "He's one of the best things that we inherited in our lives."

"I will spoil our son with all the good things in life," Raven adds.

"Not before I spoil him first," Jian argues with a competitive smile. "I might even give him a henna tattoo."

Jia playfully slaps him on the shoulder. "Don't do that!"

"How long do you have before you head back?"

"I would say a week. Fu is keeping me in contact while I'm away."

Jia jumps with joy. "How about some pictures?"

The Triad boss agrees to several family photos. After dinner, he naps with his nephew on his chest. Jia sneaks some photos of the cute moments for keepsakes. The week flies by faster than she thinks. Jian gives them warm embraces and promises to squeeze some time in for them.

"Don't grow too fast, nephew. I don't want to be so old," he laughs with a smile.

Jia clings onto him. "You better come see us."

Her twin hugs her tighter before drifting away into his rental car. Flying back to NY on his jet, he cracks his knuckles before taking care of some work on his laptop. Checking the accounting of the organization based on what his subordinate said. Since the acquisition of Orchidea's cocaine and his efforts, the Triad has been digging itself out of debt.

Within 5 years, we will be masters of our own debt. That will get the other Board to take proper attention of us.

......

Buzz. Buzz.

Luis Romano checks his phone after the recent board meeting. He smiles from ear to ear that his former boss has been updating him. Promos for Positivity Plus play on his phone. He couldn't ignore the smiles on Bianca and Miguel's faces. Finally content with their new lives. Especially with two adopted daughters.

{Great job, boss. I knew you would still take the world by storm}

{I'm not your boss anymore, silly}

{What can I say? It's a force of habit haha}

{I will let it slide just this once. Be safe, Signor Romano}

{You as well]

"Hey. Is that Bianca?" Seamus asks while trying to sneak a peek at his phone. 

Luis playfully shoves him back. "She's married, you pervert. And so are you."

The Irishman laughs. "I know. I gladly purchased some clothes for de wife. Especially, the lingerie line," he waggles his gray eyebrows.

"Things never change," Vladimir pinches the bridge of his nose.

"All I can say is that she and Miguel are living their best lives."

"That's good," Jian comments while closing his briefcase. "They deserve the best."

"And so do us," Lord Kelpie reminds him.

"How about drinks on me tonight?" Luis offers in which no one said no.

The four leaders that rule NY walk out of the building as friendly rivals. Always keeping tabs on the other while influencing their communities for prosperity.

----

Bianca Petali looks out on the hotel balcony of her family's origins. Buildings of yellow, pink, and blue paint the hillside as the far as the eye can see. A turquoise blanket shimmers from the daylight dancing upon it. Her nostrils take in the fresh sea air while she extends her olive-skin arms to the sun.

Her dark blue t-shirt flutters from the calm winds. Loving, caramel arms wrap around her waist.

"Isn't this beautiful?"

"Only second to you," before kissing her cheek.

She pulls him down for a proper kiss. "I am so spoiled."

His dark chocolate eyes melt into her emeralds. "You deserve it. Mi amor's business is taking off and Isabella graduated. It's time to celebrate."

She grabs the back of his pants to squeeze his glutes. "Keep talking like that."

He grabs her cakes in her painted-on jeans for a little payback before scooping her away from view. He tosses her on the inviting bed of their master suite. Their lips reunite while he slides her t-shirt up and up--

"Mom, Pops! Let's get going!"

Sabrina's demanding tone carries from the doorway of the hall that connects their rooms. Miguel playfully winks at his wife.

She got it from watching you.

Bianca laughs from his insinuation. "Coming, dear!"

Miguel and Bianca walk hand in hand to reunite with their children. Sofia sketches the landscape from a window. Taking in the colors and sounds of people walking below them. Isabella tells her about the wonderful food that awaits them.

The descriptions make her stop drawing.

Isabella smirks. "And you can sketch more while we're out."

"Yes!"

Sabrina taps her foot on the marble floor while calling to the next room. "Uncle Diego? Are you guys ready or not?!"

He chuckles. "Sorry. We will be right there."

"How soon?"

"Okay. 1 minute."

"Good," before she hangs up.

Miguel and Bianca can't help but laugh. "Alright. Let's get going!"

"Finally!"

Sabrina goes to open the entrance door, but Miguel stops her.

"What are the two rules?"

"Buddy system with Isabella or an adult and call if we get lost," she exhales.

He lets her open the door from the correct answers. Tommy is followed by Diego and Maria who's wearing a scarf.

"Tia Maria, why are you wearing that? It's warm outside."

She stops her face from blushing while glancing at her husband. "I feel a bit of a cold, but I'm okay. Just took some medicine."

Bianca and Miguel stifle their laughter, knowing the real reason why. With an accompanied tour guide, they explore the best the city has to offer. They visit the Ovo Castle, a seafront castle rumored to have a magical egg placed by the poet Virgil. If the egg ever cracked, it would spell disaster for Naples.

Sofia sketches the famous castle while walking with the group. The artwork acts like muses to her creative soul. Sabrina keeps herself patient for the next part of the tour where they will make their own pasta from scratch. Tommy's stomach grumbles in anticipation.

The authentic cooking class is hosted by an old man and his wife who owned their restaurant for over 20 years. The kids enjoy throwing flour at the dough that's being put through a pasta maker. Some of it lands on their faces as they work as a team.

Isabella leads her mom and Maria while Miguel works with Diego. Despite the close friendship, Isabella's pasta won the competition by taste and texture.

"That's my baker!" Bianca compliments.

"That's our sister!"

"I accept defeat, mija," Miguel tells her with a defeated smile.

Isabella smirks. "You just can't beat the real deal."

"Why not just keep rubbing it in?"

Isabella's pasta is used to create Spaghetti Pomodoro for the winning team. The losing teams get refined spaghetti noodles with plenty of sauce and sausage to enjoy. Tommy wipes his mouth after consuming the entire bowl.

Sofia covers her mouth to trap a burp. Sabrina sits back to let it settle in. Miguel and Bianca's forks fight over the last morsel on his plate.

"Oh, no. Not this time," before securing his victory.

"I let you have it," his wife huffs before kissing him.

Sabrina's face cringes with disgust as they keep kissing. "Ewww!"

Miguel laughs from their daughter's reaction. He looks around to find a group of boys playing football on the street. The wall acts like a goal post with a chalked outline.

"Why don't you ask to play with them? Just stay where we can see you."

Sabrina and Tommy jump out of their chairs to play while Sofia follows to watch. They run over to the group where the one holding the ball also has a widow's peak.

"Ciao! Possiamo  giocare con te? (Hi! Can we play with you?)"

Sabrina's Italian impresses the boys enough that they accept them both in. Tommy smiles with delight that they are on opposite teams. The ball dribbles from one player to another before Sabrina steals it. One swift kick connects the ball to the wall.

"GOOOOOAAAA-"

A harsh shove connects her body with the cobblestone street. She scrambles back up with anger and pain in her eyes. Blood runs down her arms and legs.

"Non e ancora finita (It's not over yet)", the boy with the widow's peak taunts. Before she can retaliate, Sofia storms over and kicks the preteen in the balls.

Pain shoots up his nervous system. He bends forward from the sensation. His friends try to fight her, but Tommy pushes some away while Sabrina punches another.

Bianca, Miguel, Maria, Isabella, Diego, and the father of the boy separate them all. Bianca assumes control of the situation while keeping her daughters behind her.

"Ho vistto tutto (I saw it all!)!"

The man yells that it was just a love tap. That her kid should be more careful and that he's ready to sue-

The freezing emeralds halt his next words. Her tone sends shivers down her spine. Fortunately, the children have no idea the kinds of threats she had told him. Isabella backs her mother up by telling the man and his son to leave this alone.

The Italian man's eyes widen in horror from realizing her identity. The terrible Orchidea is right in front of him.

The milk chocolate eyes of her "brother" asks him if he prefers Heaven or Hell. The near black eyes of her husband threaten that choice of an afterlife. An empty prison where no light can escape.

"S-S-Signora, forgive me," he blubbers out. Apologize, Ignacio!"

"I'm sorry," he mutters.

His father slaps him on the backside of his head. "Louder and mean it!"

"I'm sorry!"

They leave right away.

"Good," she closes her eyes before looking at Sabrina. "Are you alright?"

"Just a scrape. Ow!"

"Can you walk?"

"Ow! It hurts."

Miguel scoops her up to the pharmacy for ointment and bandages. The others follow along.

Sofia shuffles her feet from what she did. "I'm sorry, dad. He did-"

"Don't apologize for defending her, mija," he tells her without shame. "In fact, I'm proud of you. Good technique."

He bends forward as if he was the boy. Laughter escapes their mouths to subside the pain.

"I was going to throat punch him, but I like yours better," Sabrina laughs. After some rest, she embraces her sister for getting involved.

"I was so worried," Sofia tells her.

Her confident sister pats her back. "It will take more than a stupid boy to hurt me. Thank you and Tommy for the backup! Let's keep exploring and eating!"

A question later haunts her mind. Why did that man cower before mom? And I felt something from dad that scares me.

Glancing at her sister, she feels the same way.

Pink and orange streaks complement the sky over Naples. The families settle back into their hotel rooms with ordered pizzas from room service. Cheese strings along with each bite. The twins fall asleep on the couch after a long day. Diego, Tommy, and Maria retire for the night.

Miguel and Bianca scoop their daughters up and tuck them into their beds while Isabella readies for bed.

They stir from their actions.

Sabrina sits up. "Mom, dad. I have an important question."

"What is it?"

The twins look at each other and pull the trigger. Their parents sit on the bed and come clean about their pasts. Their brown eyes widen as it isn't what they expected. Their dad, a former hit man who worked for their mom, a mafia boss.

Miguel and Bianca hold hands while telling a bit of their painful histories. They assure them those lives are far behind them.

"We both did things that we weren't proud of, but we are only focused on legitimate matters. Work and the family," Miguel finishes.

The twins let their words dig in their minds. They finally settle before embracing their parents.

"We have such cool parents!" Sabrina exclaims.

"Just don't tell everyone. In Naples, it's an open secret about me. They don't know your father's identity."

"We promise!" The twins shout in unison.

The former mafia queen and hitman breathe sighs of relief that the conversation went well. They leave the room where Isabella stood outside.

"And you knew!" Sabrina accuses her older sister with an index finger.

"Snitches get to sleep with the fishes," she chuckles before getting serious. "They were gonna tell you when you were older, but this works. They love us with all of their hearts. Now, come here."

She pulls her little sisters into a squeezing hug. Laughter fills up the room to their parents' delight.

"Good night!" Miguel yells.

"Good night!"

Before he can turn, Bianca yanks on his red tie towards their bedroom.

He devilishly smiles while locking the door. "I love the control you have over me."

"Shhh. Take care of my flower...."

Bianca muffles his grunts with her breasts. He traps her moans with his mouth. A long murmur excites him to keep going until they collapse into each other's arms. After collecting herself, Bianca laughs.

Miguel is amused. "What's so funny?"

"I'm glad that I walked into that flower shop. When we first talked, I wanted to ride you against the peonies."

"We can make that happen when the shop is closed. Hmmm."

"What?"

"Why haven't we done that before?"

She laughs from his silliness. "We did have a lot going on."

"Just take me by surprise when that happens."

"I promise."

He kisses her sweaty cheek. "Bianca, thank you for entering my life. I wouldn't change a thing about that."

She kisses his forehead. "And thank you for opening my heart again."

Their eyes look out the window for a wonderful sight. The full moon bathes them with its light. Peace for all that they suffered through. They think back to the day they met.

An unexpected love that started with a mafia queen and a florist. A story that they wouldn't change one bit.

***Congratulations and thank you for finishing the story! Let me know what you think of the ending. What were your favorite character moments? What didn't you see coming? Who's your favorite and least favorite characters?

Appreciate the feedback :)