A/N – The next night of the series! This series is such a breath of fresh air to write, so I'm hoping that it is to read as well! I have loved all the comments I've gotten so far and I hope they continue!

Chapter 1 – Progress

Johnny glanced around the empty warehouse nervously. Meeting with Jason always made him nervous because if they were seen together their entire plan could go to hell. Jason had asked to meet because he wanted an update on Johnny's progress in obtaining full control of the Zacchara organization.

"Hey," Jason breathed, walking up quickly. "Sorry I'm late."

"It's fine," Johnny replied. "What all do you want to know?"

"How much control have you gained?" Jason wondered.

"About sixty percent," Johnny answered. "I'm coordinating all of the shipments and have gained support from most of the South American partners."

"Wow," Jason breathed. "That's better progress than I expected for only three months of work."

"I wish it was over," Johnny shook his head. "I'm ready to be free."

"You're doing a great job though," Jason smiled. "I know you want out of the business, but you really are naturally talented. I would love to have you be a part of my organization."

"No way," Johnny laughed. "I just want to be free to be with Lulu."

"How's that going?" Jason asked.

"Great," Johnny replied. "I am so lucky to be with her. Every day that I wake up next to her, I feel so blessed."

"I'm glad that you're happy," Jason said softly. "I have to be honest, I never thought you two would make it. I knew that Lulu cared about you, but I didn't think it would last. Not until the night we met."

"I didn't think it would last either," Johnny mused. "I wanted it to, but I never dreamed that she would be willing to stick it out. She's just amazing that way."

"You talk like you're in love with her or something," Jason said sarcastically.

"See, I'm not cut out for the mob," Johnny joked. "I'm way too soft."

"The offer will always be there," Jason said seriously.

"I appreciate it," Johnny replied. "But it's not what I want for my life. For my life with Lulu and our family."

"You-your family?" Jason asked in shock. "Is Lulu pregnant?"

"No," Johnny answered, shaking his head. "I mean our future family."

"You two already talked about having kids?" Jason questioned and Johnny nodded. "You really are serious about each other."

"Yeah," Johnny smiled. "I can't wait to start our life together outside of the mob."

"What if this plan doesn't work out?" Jason asked quietly. "All these plans you have, they're all made under the assumption that you can get out of the mob."

"Do you not think the plan will work?" Johnny wondered.

"I do, but I don't want you to put all your hopes and dreams into it," Jason replied. "Because it's not a guarantee."

"It has to be a guarantee, Jason," Johnny said firmly. "Lulu deserves better than this. I have to give her better than this."

"I think she's made it clear she's with you no matter what," Jason responded.

"I know she is," Johnny smiled sadly. "But what if something happened to her? I wouldn't survive that."

"You'll protect her," Jason assured him. "And I will too. So will her brothers and her father and anyone else in this town. Nothing is going to happen to Lulu. Okay?"

"Okay," Johnny nodded. "I should go. I don't want to risk us being seen together."

"Right," Jason agreed. "I'll be in touch."

Johnny nodded again and left the warehouse, checking to make sure no one saw him. He had another meeting before he could go see Lulu. This one was much worse than his meeting with Jason. He took a deep breath as he got into his car and drove off to see his father.

"Aunt Lulu!" Cameron yelled as soon as Lulu walked through the door.

Lulu had agreed to babysit Cameron for the evening while Lucky had to work. Jake was with Elizabeth's grandmother, but Cameron had asked to spend the time with Lulu and she just couldn't refuse him.

"How's my favorite little man?" Lulu asked, giving Cameron a hug.

"Excited to play," Cameron squealed.

"Me too," Lulu replied.

"Lu, you know what to do," Lucky said, grabbing his keys. "I'm only working a half shift so I will be done by around ten."

"Okay," Lulu smiled. "Say goodbye to daddy, Cam."

"Bye," Cameron said, hugging Lucky.

"Bye, Cam," Lucky responded. "Bye, Lulu."

"Bye," Lulu called as Cameron pulled her up to his room. "So what do you want to do first?"

"Play with my trains," Cameron answered.

"Okay," Lulu agreed.

Cameron showed Lulu all of his favorite trains and she was impressed by his knowledge of them. She loved spending time with him and she had been too busy working lately to see him that often. He laughed as she chased him down the stairs and through the house. She finally caught him and lifted him into her arms, tickling his sides.

"Stop," Cameron begged, breathlessly.

"Okay," Lulu laughed, finally letting up.

"Aunt Lulu," Cameron said softly.

"What?" Lulu asked.

"When do we get to see Uncle Johnny?" Cameron wondered.

"I don't know," Lulu replied. "I think he's working right now."

"What does he do?" Cameron asked innocently and Lulu's eyes widened. How did she answer that?

"He does a lot of things," Lulu dodged.

"Well, when is he coming over?" Cameron asked again.

"I don't know," Lulu smiled. "I'll have to call him and find out."

Johnny pulled up to the prison and sighed. This was his least favorite thing to do. In his few encounters with his father since the shooting, Anthony had apologized repeatedly and Johnny just didn't want to hear it. He would never forgive his father for trying to kill Lulu. He smiled as he thought of his life with Lulu since his father went to prison. As if on cue, his phone rang and Lulu's name came up on the caller ID.

"Hey, beautiful," Johnny said, answering the phone.

"Hey," Lulu replied. "What are you doing?"

"I'm about to visit my father," Johnny answered. "Why?"

"I'm with Cam and he was wanting to see you," Lulu explained. "I'll tell him we'll have to do it another time."

"How long are you keeping him for?" Johnny wondered.

"Another couple of hours," Lulu responded.

"Well I won't be here long," Johnny said. "Why don't I meet you two at Kelly's in about an hour?"

"Are you sure?" Lulu asked. "I don't want to get in the way of anything."

"You know you come first," Johnny said with a smile. "Plus, I want to see Cam, too. It's been too long since we've hung out."

"Okay, we'll see you in about an hour then," Lulu replied. "Good luck with your meeting."

"Thanks," Johnny breathed. "I love you."

"Love you, too," Lulu whispered. "Bye."

"Bye," Johnny said, hanging up.

He closed his phone and reluctantly got out of his car. He passed through security and the guard led him back into the visitation room where his father was already waiting. Anthony smiled widely and Johnny felt sick. He wanted all of this over as soon as possible.

"So how is business?" Anthony asked.

"It's fine," Johnny sighed.

"That's it?" Anthony questioned. "Fine isn't good enough, John. You have to be perfect. Especially with Corinthos snooping around, which I'm sure he is."

"I haven't heard from or seen Sonny," Johnny replied. "I said the business is fine and it is."

"I want details," Anthony said firmly.

"That's too damn bad," Johnny responded, raising his voice.

"You don't talk to me that way," Anthony yelled. "You show me respect."

"You need to show me respect," Johnny countered. "I'm running your business and I'm doing a good job. If you wanted details, you shouldn't have shot me and landed yourself in prison."

"I wasn't trying to shoot you," Anthony said. "We've been over this."

"Yes, we have," Johnny muttered. "And yet you still don't understand that trying to shoot Lulu is no better than trying to shoot me."

"That girl is no good for you," Anthony replied. "You would be better off if I had succeeded."

"What do you have against her?" Johnny asked.

"She took you away from me," Anthony said sadly.

"I'm sitting right here," Johnny said in disbelief. "I'm running your business. How did she take me away?"

"You're not who you used to be, John," Anthony responded.

Johnny just stared at his father. This time he was right. Johnny was not who he used to be. Lulu had changed him and he was thankful every day for her coming into his tent, dripping wet.

"No, I'm not," Johnny whispered. "I'm better and I don't want to go back."

Johnny called for the guard and left the room without even glancing at his father. Anthony might have been the most lethal and respected mob boss for a time and there may have been a period in his life when Johnny was destined to be like him, but those times were no more. And what Johnny had said was true: he refused to go back. Lulu had shown him that he could be a good man and he would never allow himself to be anything less. The thought of Lulu, again, brought a smile to his face as he got in his car and rushed off to see her.