Chapter 10: Valentine's Day

February the 14th started as a calm, cloudless morning. It was a lovely day, if a tad colder, but that wouldn't stop anyone from enjoying the fact that it was Valentine's Day. For Dom Drago, this was the best day of the year. It was his anniversary, after all. The kids had been sent to school, and Lorelei felt some arms wrap around her waist from behind, and a pair of lips touch the top of her head. "Morning, sweetheart."

"Morning…"

"And how's the best little secretary in the world?" Dom twirled her around and kissed her softly, grinning. "She's doing just fine...how about you, Dom?"

"Fine, fine...close up another case yesterday, some grocery store robbery…" He pulled some money from his pocket. "I was thinkin' I could find someone to hold the fort and we could go out?"

"Oh, Dom, it's just too late to find someone to watch kids…"

"I thought about that. Found someone a while ago." He winked and smiled, kissing her again, brushing her cheek with his thumb. She smirked. "You thought ahead, huh?"

"I always think ahead." He sat at the kitchen table and looked out the window. She walked over to him. "Dom...can I be frank?"

"Hmm?"

"I dunno if you should go after this Slim fellow." Dom sighed. "Sweetie, I been after plenty of folks before, it's no dif-"

"You had to get a whole posse to just chase him, Dom! How is it supposed to be safe?" She sat across from him. "How do I know you're gonna come back?"

"Because I always come back. Whether or not I'm in one piece is different."

"Dom, you have children now. They can't see you walking in here clutching your chest and keeling over." He shook his head and held Lorelei's hands. "They won't see that. It won't happen."

"Says who?"

"Says the iron I bring with me everywhere, that's who." He gripped her hand. "Lorelei." he looked her in the eye. "I'm not gonna get hurt. Not when I have you and the kids...I'll be more careful than anything."

"...honest?"

He kissed her gently. "Honest."

"Honestly, Calvin, this is just what I was afraid of!" Ivy crossed her arms and looked at Calvin, then rushed over to her desk. "I don't want you getting hurt! All the time with you and getting hurt...last time you got shot, the time before that some maniac with a hammer, it's too much! I'm gonna run out of bandages!" Calvin sighed. "Look, Ivy, Mordecai plans to tell Asa where I live...I used all his stuff last time, remember?" He sat down on her bed. "I have to do this or I'll Die." Ivy sat next to him and put her hand on his. "Well...as long as you promise to hang back behind a heavy object."

"I was planning on it, make no mistake." She winked. "Good. Glad we're in agreement!" She stood and clasped her hands together. "Oh! Heavens, I almost forgot. I got you something!" She went over to her closet and revealed an off white, Bainin Aran cardigan "Happy Valentine's day! You'll be needing it outside today, it's a little chilly!" He took it and smiled, fighting it on and blushing. "Aww...thanks, it fits perfectly...how'd you figure that out?" Ivy winked. "It's a secret! And by that I mean your mother."

"Oh…" Ivy smiled, but cocked her head to one side. "You look troubled?"

"Oh? Well, I...the trouble is, I…" He sat down, looking defeated. "Truth is, I couldn't afford much for you." He presented something from his pocket. "I told a friend of mine ages ago that I'd never write poems, but...I wrote one. It's not about you as much as it is about love in general...and it's a tad graphic near the end." She laughed. "Aww, sweetie, you didn't have to go and do all that!"

"You got me an imported sweater!" He said. "Well, I'm from rich folks." She took the piece of paper over to her desk. "Besides, you not dying and promising to sit behind a tree or something next time you go out is gift enough."

"I...suppose." He laid back on the bed, and looked at her at her desk. She read.

Blue Hours of Twilight

Calvin McMurray

There is a special time of day

the blue, soft hours of twilight.

a time where secrets are kept from us

by lack of light and loss of faces

and noisy bugs in swampy places.

There is a special time of day

the blue, few hours of sun light's decay.

There is a special time of day,

the blue, short hours of twilight.

A time of love, as lovers know

that no matter what the blue may hide

the fire lights the way inside,

And no mere blemish could lead astray

the passion near the end of day.

There is a special time of day ,

The soft, lush hours of twilight.

The hour when, as lovers do,

two lovers make a sunset tryst

where every inch of one is kissed

and 'round their bodys swing and sway,

Until the very break of day.

Ivy blushed at the last few lines. "Wow, uh...golly. I never thought I'd see you write any of that." He looked down. "Too much?"

"Oh, please, I've read worse in my English courses. It's just strange coming from the devout catholic guy!" He chuckled. "I'm not that devout." He straightened his tie and stood up, putting his hand in hers. "Any classes today?"

"None that I feel like going to." She winked. He rolled his eyes and smiled. "Well, I figure we'll have to go on a walk."

"A walk? With you? Oh, lackaday, how will I make it through that?" She kissed him and stood, and they both walked out the door...and Ivy hoped nobody would come across that poem.

Across town, Mordecai was brought into a garage, and was staring at the oddest thing he'd ever seen. It was a car...but a home made one. It sat at least 6, had a fresh coat of black paint, and oddly enough, sat level.

"You...bought me a car, Viktor?"

"Made. Made car." He lifted the hood. "Old engine, but good. Fixed myself." He opened the doors. "Inside from Rolls Royce. Is very nice. Outside from...eh...many car. Painted by Calvin boy." Mordecai crossed his arms. "You've out done yourself. I just got you an assortment of watches...can't drive a watch."

"I enjoy watches."

"Do you? Really?"

"No. Only wanted to see you for Valentine's Day." Viktor was still looking at the car. "...quite." Mordecai got into the car. "How does she drive?"

"Handles vell. Corners are very good." Mordecai started it up and got going, driving a few blocks. "Not bad...it may prove useful soon."

"Useful?" Mordecai nodded. "I'm part of a posse to go and kill someone. A lot of folks." Viktor nodded. "Am I invited?"

"I suppose, if you'd like to be." He got to where he was living, or rather, where he would have to park the car. They walked to his place and he actually smiled. "The car runs very well, Viktor, you should be very pleased with yourself."

"Only best for lover." He smiled and sat down. Mordecai sighed and sat next to him, his head finding a place on Viktor's shoulder. Typically, they were much icier, even towards each other. But not today. Not Valentine's day. Mordecai looked up. "Viktor?"

"Ja?" Mordecai kissed him tenderly, his hand finding Viktor's cheek. "I love you very much."

Viktor smiled and purred. "Ja. I love you too."

Just when Dom had gotten everything on him and ready to go out, he heard the phone in his office ring. "Hello? I'll only be here for a moment."

"Mister Drago! It's me, Rocky...from the gang?"

"Ah, Rocky...everything alright?"

"Yeah, I'm wondering, is there anyone in the group who's a bachelor?" Dom audibly laughed. "I..beg your pardon? I'm not exactly ready to play matchma-"

"I just wanna get some preliminary work done on the job is all...figure a bachelor wouldn't have plans today. At least, I don't!"

"Right...I think Randall's a bachelor. He told me he had today off." He said. Rocky was silent for a minute. "He...does...what's his number?"

"Just call for him, tell the operator you want...Elizabeth Jones. She's his mother." Rocky smiled. "Thanks, Dom...I'll be ringing him up." As the rest of the world was falling in love, or thanking god for already being in love...Rocky had a plan to do something entirely the opposite.

Rocky had some surveillance to do, and Randall was gonna help.