Arranged Mafia Marriage

Epilogue

EPILOGUE

Felicity

I bounce Susie on my hip as I scan the busy dance studio, which I have officially owned for almost a year now, having bought out Ramona, the previous owner, so she could retire in Boca. The toddler giggles, her chubby fingers grasping at my hair. Two years have passed since I married Kiril, and our lives have settled into an unusual rhythm of domesticity and mafia business.

“Mama, dance.” Susie squeals, pointing at the group of children twirling across the polished floor.

I kiss her forehead. “Soon, baby. You’ll be old enough to join the class next year.”

The door opens, and Kiril strides in, his presence commanding attention even in this innocuous setting. He gives me a small smile before he looks at our daughter. “There’s my little princess,” he says, reaching for Susie. “Ready for lunch with me while Mama works?”

She squeals with delight as he lifts her high. “Papa.”

I watch them, my heart swelling with joy and happiness until it might burst from my chest. It’s moments like these that make me forget the darker aspects of our life, but reality is never far away. The rest of the day passes in a blur of dance classes and paperwork. As evening approaches, I head home in time to see Kiril hand off Susie to our trusted nanny, Maria.

“Be good for Maria while we have date night, okay?” I say, kissing Susie’s cheek.

She nods solemnly. “Yes, Mama.”

I run upstairs to change into a sleek black dress, suitable for both a business meeting and potential combat, or dinner at an upscale casual place for our date night, which we try to have every Thursday. The small pistol strapped to my thigh is a reminder of the life I’ve chosen.

Kiril meets me at the door, gazing appreciatively at me. “Ready?”

“And eager,” I say with a flirtatious grin.

We have a fabulous date, but when we return home, I’m ready to be there. Together, we tiptoe into Susie’s room to check on her, finding her sleeping comfortably. Kiril puts his arms around me from behind, holding me against him.

I close my eyes, letting his warmth comfort me. This is our life now. a constant dance between family, love, and the dangerous world we navigate, but as long as we have each other, and Susie, I wouldn’t change anything.

A few days later, I’m watching as Santino bounces Susie on his knee, her giggles filling the sun-drenched living room of our penthouse. It’s still strange to see my father like this, doting, gentle, and a far cry from the fearsome mafia boss I imagine he once was, before the stroke changed him.

“Look at you,” he says, tickling Susie’s belly. “You’re getting so big.”

I rest a hand on my barely swollen belly, feeling the kicks of our second child. So far, I’m the only one who can feel him or her, but that’ll change in a matter of a few weeks. Kiril wraps an arm around my waist, his touch warm and reassuring as his hands cup my slight protrusion.

“She loves her grandpa,” I say, somewhat surprised by the lack of bitterness in my voice. I no longer begrudge her having a close bond with the man who fathered me. Santino and I have gotten closer, and we’re friends. We’re family too, but we’ll probably never have the classic father and daughter bond that Kiril and Susie already share.

Santino looks up. There’s a flicker of regret and longing. “I wish I could have been there for you like this, Felicity.”

I swallow hard, unsure how to respond. Our relationship has improved over the past two years, but there’s still a chasm between us, years of absence and secrets that can’t be easily bridged.

“You’re here now,” I finally say, offering a small smile. “That’s what matters.”

Santino nods, blinking rapidly. He turns his attention back to Susie, but his shoulders sag for a moment, until Susie makes him smile again.

Kiril squeezes my hand. “Why don’t we have lunch on the terrace? It’s a beautiful day.”

As we settle around the table, Susie perched on Santino’s lap, I marvel at how much has changed. My father, once a distant figure shrouded in mystery, now sits across from me, coaxing my daughter to eat her vegetables.

“So, have you thought of names for the new bambino ?” asks Santino, wiping Susie’s face with a napkin.

I exchange a glance with Kiril. “We have a few ideas, but we’re keeping them to ourselves for now.”

Santino nods, a hint of disappointment in his eyes. I know he’s trying, the weekly visits, the gifts for Susie, and his attempts to involve himself in our lives, but trust is a delicate thing, easily broken and painstakingly rebuilt.

As lunch progresses, I manage to relax, drawn into the easy conversation. Santino shares stories from his youth in Sicily, carefully edited for Susie’s ears. For a moment, I can almost forget the complexities of our world, the dangers that lurk just beyond our peaceful afternoon, and I cling to the fragile bond I share with the man who fathered me.

Slowly, it’s healing and becoming something important as I move past old hurts. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen. Someday, I might even feel ready to call him Papa instead of Santino, but not today.

The children twirl and leap across the polished wooden floor of my dance studio. The sound of classical music fills the air, punctuated by giggles and excited chatter. It’s been two years since we established this neutral ground, and the transformation is remarkable.

Siobhan, now fifteen, leads a group of younger girls through a series of graceful movements. Her red hair, tied back in a neat bun, gleams under the studio lights. Beside her, Tony attempts to mimic her steps with less finesse but equal enthusiasm.

“Excellent form, Siobhan,” I call out, smiling as she beams with pride. “Tony, remember to keep your back straight. That’s it.”

As I move through the studio, offering guidance and encouragement, I catch sight of Viktor standing by the door. His presence is a constant reminder of the world that exists beyond these walls. He nods at me but continues scanning the room with practiced vigilance.

“Ms. Moore?” I look down to see Lev, one of Kiril’s captains’ sons, tugging at my leotard. “Can you show me the jump again?”

I kneel beside him, demonstrating the move slowly due to my belly as much as the need to keep it simple for him. “Like this. Remember, it’s all in the preparation. Take a deep breath, bend your knees, and then... push.”

He nods solemnly, his little face scrunched in concentration as he attempts the jump. I clap as he lands, wobbling slightly but grinning from ear to ear.

“Well done.” I squeeze his shoulder. “Keep practicing, and you’ll be soaring across the stage in no time.”

As the class winds down, parents begin to arrive. I watch as children from different families, once bitter enemies, chat and laugh together as they gather their belongings. It’s a sight that still amazes me.

Sean O’Malley strides in, his imposing frame filling the doorway. Siobhan runs to him, throwing her arms around his waist. “Dad. Did you see my pirouette? Miss Felicity said it was perfect.”

Sean’s face softens as he looks at his daughter. “I’m sure it was. You’re becoming quite the dancer.”

I approach them, smiling. “Siobhan’s progressing wonderfully, Mr. O’Malley. She’s a natural leader in the class.”

Sean nods with pride. “Thank you for everything you’re doing here, Felicity. It’s good to see the kids like this.”

I understand the full meaning behind his words. This studio represents more than just dance lessons. It’s a glimpse of a different life free from the violence and rivalries that have defined the underworld for so long.

“It’s my pleasure,” I say sincerely. “They’re all wonderful children.”

As Sean and Siobhan leave, Isabella enters the studio, pushing Carmella in her stroller. Tony runs to her, chattering excitedly about the day’s lesson to his mother and his baby sister. Isabella and I lock gazes and exchange smiles.

“Tony, why don’t you go change?” I say as I approach. “I’d like to speak with your mother for a moment.”

Tony scampers off, and she asks, “How is he doing?”

“He’s improving every day. He wants it so badly, and his enthusiasm is infectious. The other children adore him.”

She grins. “Thank you, Felicity. This means more than you know. To see him happy, to see him just being a child, and living with Damiano...” The overhead light glints off her diamond- encrusted wedding band. “Before you and Kiril, he was too afraid for us to let us fully into his life. Now…” She trails off with a happy sigh as Carmella tosses her pacifier. Fortunately, it’s clipped to her shirt, which makes her grunt with annoyance. We trade a laugh at the infant’s antics.

I place a hand on her arm, understanding the emotions behind her words. “That’s what this place is for. Here, they’re not heirs or pawns or bargaining chips. They’re just kids.”

She nods as Tony returns. “Ready to go?”

As they leave, I begin tidying up the studio. Viktor approaches. “Kiril called. He wants to know if you’ll be home for dinner.”

I glance at the clock, surprised by how late it’s gotten. “Yes, tell him I’ll be there soon. Just need to finish up here.”

Viktor nods and steps outside to make the call. I continue straightening the room, lost in thought. The studio has become more than I ever imagined. Not just a gathering place, but a place of hope. The world outside these walls is still fraught with danger and complex alliances, but inside, the kids can be just kids for as long as we can shelter them.

As I gather my things and prepare to leave, I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror. The woman staring back at me is a far cry from the na?ve dance teacher I once was. I’m a wife, a mother, and a mediator between powerful and dangerous men. Here, in this studio, I’m still just Felicity, the woman who believes in the power of music and movement to bring people together.

I switch off the lights and lock up, nodding to Viktor as we make our way to the waiting car. As we drive through the city streets, my mind is already on the evening ahead. Dinner with Kiril, tucking Susie into bed, and perhaps a late-night discussion about business matters I once would have shied away from, followed by intense lovemaking with the man I love. Life doesn’t vary much, but I love it exactly as it is.

The End.