Epilogue
SOFIA
“Put that lamp over there,” I instruct the movers. They’re actually Frankie’s men, but I’m treating them like professional movers. They rented a van and everything to help Frankie and me move into our new apartment.
It’s a place downtown, in the heart of the city, where the nightlife is strong. I can’t wait to sit out on our balcony and watch all the partygoers fill the streets on Friday night. I’ve already set up two comfortable chairs across from a stylish table that will hold our beers.
Inside the apartment, it’s much more spacious than my last place.
It’s even bigger than Frankie’s rooms, where we’ve been living for months since the attack.
We’re getting a whole new set of furniture that was purchased by a design consultant.
I want the place to be a tranquil oasis, somewhere Frankie and I can retreat from the world and indulge ourselves privately.
To that end, there are abstract wall paintings and hand-picked flowers. The movers are almost finished. They just need another load or two before they call it quits for the day.
Frankie comes out of the bedroom, buttoning the cuffs on a new shirt.
He’s officially a lawyer now, and so we’re going to celebrate tonight this new phase in our lives.
Our new loft is right around the corner from some of the most expensive restaurants in town.
I’m looking forward to dining out and then walking home, something I’ve never been able to do before.
I walk over to kiss him, ignoring all the random men in our apartment.
This is one of the best days of my life, and I can’t wait to get started on our cohabitation.
We’ve been living together for months, but this is the first time we’ll be away from Francisco Corello’s home.
Not that I didn’t appreciate the fact that he welcomed me into his house, but still.
Frankie and I are starting a life together, and we need a bit of space to call our own.
“What do you think?” Frankie asks, holding me tight.
“I love it,” I assure him.
“It’s a bit expensive, but worth it,” he muses.
“We have that extra room for when my parents come to visit,” I tease.
“I can’t wait,” he says, not giving me the satisfaction of seeing him squirm.
I took him to meet my parents a few weeks ago, and it went about as well as could be expected. They were pissed that I decided to ‘playhouse’ with a gangster, but I’m hoping they’ll come around. At least we’re speaking to each other again.
Of course, I couldn’t tell them that I got revenge for Danny’s death. But my mom at least understands that the danger has passed, and that I’m no longer afraid for their lives. It was an awkward, yet normal family reunion, and I made sure to tell them that they’re welcome at my new place anytime.
I follow Frankie back into the bedroom to help him select a tie.
We’re going out on the town tonight, and he wants to look his best. There’s an odd assortment of ties that he’s collected over the years.
Some of them are plain-colored, others have busy patterns.
I’m thinking something blue for the evening, and he follows my lead without complaint.
I loop the tie around his neck, feeling incredibly domestic. The movers continue depositing boxes in the living room, finishing the last of the deliveries. My phone beeps, and I quickly tie Frankie’s knot. Making sure it looks perfect, I take a moment to check my texts.
It’s Marlena. She’s texted me a picture of her baby.
The little boy is perfect, and Marlena can’t get enough of him.
She texts me pictures every day, in all sorts of situations.
This is one of the baby sleeping, but I’ve got tons of the baby in different outfits, in a stroller, in Francisco’s arms, and taking a bath in the sink.
“Marlena?” Frankie guesses.
I show him the latest photo.
He grins, tugging me into his arms to kiss me. “We should all be so lucky.”
“Maybe we will be,” I muse. Marlena’s enthusiasm for her newborn is contagious.
I find myself wondering what it would be like to become a mother.
It’s not entirely crazy, considering that I’ve found the right man.
Maybe in time, we’ll be as happy as Frankie’s parents are. I can only hope that’s the case.
Frankie is officially his father’s Junior Consigliere.
I don’t know what that means, and Frankie’s a bit vague on some of the details, but that’s okay.
Marlena explained that sometimes being kept in the dark is best all around.
What I do know is that Frankie will one day take over for his father, and I can either stand at his side or live a life without him.
Now that I’ve gotten to know the real him, I know I could never be without him.
I love him, and he loves me. I’ve accepted who he is, and he accepts me as I am.
I used to think all Mafia men were the same, evil people who killed without remorse and had no feelings, but Frankie, his father, and Uncle Gio have taught me differently.
They are good men who sometimes do bad things and would do anything to protect those they love.
I would be a hypocrite to continue to hate them when they were the ones who came to our rescue and have accepted and forgiven me for lying to them.
“Thanks for the help,” Frankie says to his workers.
He gives them a tip and shows them out the door.
I check my phone for the time and see that our reservation is right around the corner.
I’ve got to get dressed, or we’re going to be late.
I give Frankie a kiss before hurrying into our bedroom to find something to wear.
But before I can try on any of my new dresses, there’s a loud knock on the apartment door.
I poke my head out of the primary bedroom, surprised by the sound. “Are you expecting someone?” I ask suspiciously.
“No,” Frankie admits.
He reaches into one of the dressers that has just been delivered and removes a gun. I don’t approve, but I don’t say anything either. I know that Frankie’s just trying to keep us safe, and that his job involves a lot of shady characters that I wouldn’t want to meet in a dark alley.
He tucks the gun into the back of his pants where he can get at it easily. Then he readjusts his shirt so that it’s no longer visible. Glancing at me cautiously, he opens the door. I half expect it to be one of our new neighbors, but that’s not likely, considering Frankie’s reaction.
He steps back to reveal a man who looks like he’s seen better days. “Brandon!” Frankie says. He opens his arms and catches the man, helping him over to a seat.
Brandon collapses, his clothing wrinkled and his hair standing up in the back.
He looks like someone who’s been on a weeklong bender, and he smells about the same.
I’m surprised and a little bit disappointed.
I think the arrival of Marlena’s brother signals the end of the romantic dinner I had planned.
“Get him a glass of water,” Frankie suggests.
I nod in agreement, closing the door before going into the kitchen.
I can’t help but wonder if this is the start of a whole new adventure.
Hopefully, whatever happens next won’t be nearly as exciting as the roller coaster we’ve just disembarked from.
But then again, my struggles with Harlan and Andretti are what brought Frankie and me together, so I guess they weren’t all bad.
I pour a glass of water from the tap and return to the living room.
Frankie and Brandon are talking in hushed tones, apparently trying to protect me from whatever is going on.
I hand over the water and go back to the bedroom.
There’s no sense in getting all dressed up if we’re just going to be hanging out at home all night.
The word ‘home’ has a nice ring to it. I gaze out the window on the street below and thank my lucky stars I’ve arrived.
THE END