Abba finally gets to go on a date ^_^ Just a little fluff before everything goes to hell (mwah-ha)

Chapter Five

Abbacchio felt ridiculous heading to Carmen's apartment in his expensive suit, and the huge bundle of flowers, but he fought that back as he reached her floor, took a deep breath, and knocked.

He heard some shuffling and a tired sigh from inside before the door opened a crack.

"Yes?—oh!"

Carmen's eyes flew open as she saw him, pulling the door open a little more—that at least was encouraging.

"Hi," Abbacchio got out, already kicking himself.

"Signore Abbacchio, what are you doing here?" Carmen asked warily, folding her arms over her chest. The sound of the baby starting to fuss had her turning her head.

Abbacchio swallowed hard. "I came to ask you out to dinner."

Carmen just stared at him. "Dinner."

Abbacchio nodded. "Yes."

Carmen looked away and down. "I'm not working tonight, you know," she said, sounding hurt. "I don't…"

"No," Abbacchio said quickly, his voice more firm than before. "I'm not paying for your time, Carmen. I want to take you out to dinner, that's all. You don't have to come if you don't want to, it's your choice, but I…I thought it might be nice. I thought you deserved a night out."

Her shoulders sagged slightly as she became less defensive. "Look, I would, but…the baby…"

"I know," Abbacchio said. "She has a babysitter waiting. Between Signora Bucciarati and the others, she will be well looked after tonight."

Carmen's eyes widened again, her mouth moving. "I…I don't have anything fancy to wear, just…"

Abbacchio shuffled the roses and the box and handed that to her. "This is for you—if you want it. If you don't want to go out, keep it anyway."

Carmen hesitantly opened the lid and looked up at him in shock as she saw the dress inside.

"You know I told you to stop bringing me things," she said, without a lot of conviction, stroking the material.

"I had help picking it out, I hope you like it," he said hesitantly, face heating slightly. "The roses are for you too, of course."

Carmen's face softened finally and she slumped. "Okay—yes. I'd like to go out to dinner with you."

Abbacchio felt something unclench inside of him, making it a lot easier to breathe. Carmen stepped back to allow him inside. "Come in, I'll have to get ready."

Abbacchio stepped inside and set the roses onto the small table as Carmen first went to the baby, reaching down and picking her up so that she stopped crying.

"Could you hold her for me?" she asked.

Abbacchio nervously took the baby in his arms, both terrified and in awe of the tiny life. He rocked her gently.

"I've been thinking," Carmen told him as she started to gather a few baby things together. "Of a name for her."

Abbacchio raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

Carmen nodded. "I thought that, if I'm going to keep her, I have to call her something besides bambina. So, I was thinking of Rose." She blushed slightly as she looked at the huge bundle of roses Abbacchio had brought. "Kind of ironic, huh? So…what do you think?"

Abbacchio watched a tiny hand grasp a lock of his hair and smiled. "I like it. I think it suits her."

Carmen smiled, setting the bag of baby things on the table before picking up the dress again. "I won't be too long," she promised and hurried into the bathroom.

Abbacchio rocked the baby who was already falling asleep again as he waited, and finally looked up as Carmen returned, now wearing the dress. His lips parted slightly.

"Well?" Carmen asked with an awkward little twirl. "What do you think?"

He had been right, Carmen looked amazing in the dress. Her natural curves were accentuated by the simplicity, the fitted waist, and nicely draped skirt that fell just below the knee were accented by the sheer sleeves and sharp v-neck. She'd also done her hair up so that only a few tendrils were framing her face and had added dark red lipstick and smoky eyeshadow which gave an alluring look.

"Beautiful," Abbacchio told her honestly.

Carmen smiled a bit shyly, but looked him up and down for the first time. "You're not too bad yourself."

Abbacchio opened his mouth to say something when Carmen came over to retrieve the baby—Rose—from his arms and grabbed the bag of things. "Well, Signore? Are you taking me to dinner now?"

"Leone," he said suddenly. "It's Leone."

A smile touched Carmen's lips. "Okay then, Leone."

He smiled back and ushered her out of the tiny apartment and down to the car.

Carmen cradled the baby against her as they drove back to the mansion. Carmen's eyes widened as she saw it.

"This is your house?"

Abbacchio snorted in amusement. "No, it belongs to Passione. My whole team lives here. Rooming with five teenagers is not as luxurious as you think."

The door opened and Maria and Trish came out, hurrying down the path as Abbacchio got out and opened the door for Carmen.

"And here's your babysitting team tonight," he told her with some amusement.

"Hello Carmen, it's nice to finally meet you!" Maria said with a smile as she took the bag of baby things Abbacchio handed to her. "I'm Maria Bucciarati."

Carmen smiled a little shyly. "It's good to meet you too, Signora Bucciarati. I…I can't thank you enough for all the things you sent."

"Call me Maria, cara, and I was glad to be able to," Maria told her warmly. "Now, let me take the little one from you so you can get off to dinner."

"Her name is Rose," Carmen said quietly as she handed the bundle over.

"She's adorable!" Trish gushed, leaning over Maria's shoulder to better see the baby.

"We'll make sure she's well taken care of," Maria assured Carmen. "Have a nice time!" She caught Abbacchio's eye before he turned with a flash of a smile that looked almost proud before she and Trish retreated to the house.

"That was very sweet of her," Carmen said, still sounding slightly embarrassed. "I still don't see why you're all so nice to me…"

"None of that tonight," Abbacchio told her suddenly, turning to meet her eyes, the warm gold accentuated by the streetlights. "Tonight, you're my date, and you'll be treated as such."

Carmen still looked a little uncertain, but Abbacchio offered her what he hoped was a soft smile and gestured for her to get back in the car before shutting the door carefully behind her.

He drove to the restaurant Bucciarati had found for him. He'd never been there, but it looked quite fancy. He left the car with the valet, and offered Carmen his arm before heading inside.

She blushed slightly with a smile as she took it and they entered the restaurant.

Abbacchio had much the same reaction as Carmen when he saw it. Bruno really had gone all out with his choice. There was live classical music being played softly in a corner by a string quartet, and the waiting staff was in full formal uniform.

"This is…wow," Carmen said, then blushed further. "Sorry, it's just I've never been to a place so fancy."

Abbacchio chuckled. "I haven't either actually. At least not when I'm not working."

Carmen glanced up at him with surprise, but Abbacchio was already moving toward the host.

"Good evening, Signore, you have a reservation?"

Abbacchio cleared his throat. "Two under Abbacchio."

They were shown to a quiet table in the back of the restaurant, which Abbacchio appreciated heavily. He pulled Carmen's seat out for her and then sat across from her.

They had barely sat down before the menus were handed to them, and the sommelier appeared with a bottle of wine.

"The choice wine tonight, Signore," he said and gave a spiel about the flavors before he poured two glasses. Abbacchio thanked him as Carmen reached for her glass. Abbacchio put his aside after one small sip.

"This is…amazing," she said, glancing across the table at him. "You don't like it?"

Abbacchio glanced at the mostly full glass. "I just don't drink much wine anymore."

Carmen looked suddenly apologetic, putting her glass down. "Oh, I'm sorry, I don't have to drink if you don't—"

"No, it's fine," Abbacchio assured her quickly with a small smile. "I enjoy a glass with dinner. I just try not to drink it any other time. This one is pretty good, though."

Carmen nodded, a certain understanding in her eyes as she turned to the menu. "I'm honestly not even sure what half of this stuff is," she admitted.

Abbacchio chuckled. "Neither am I. Though any kind of pasta is probably safe."

Carmen giggled, leaning across the table toward him. "You look so uncomfortable! You didn't have to go all out to impress me, you know."

Abbacchio felt his cheeks heating slightly. "I…I just wanted to take you somewhere nice. This place was recommended to me. And it's under Passione's ownership so we'll be sure to get good service."

Carmen set the menu down. "You don't get out much, do you?"

Abbacchio gave a wry chuckle. "Not really, no. I'm usually too busy doing jobs for Bucciarati, and after that, too tired to do much more than relax. It's…been a while since I went on a date, so, I'm sorry if I'm bad at it."

Carmen gave him a sympathetic look. "You're doing perfectly fine," she assured him.

The waiter came over and they ordered something they hoped would be good.

Carmen picked up her glass and took another sip of wine. "Do you mind if I ask you why you wanted to take me out, Leone?"

Abbacchio fidgeted with his own glass, tapping it carefully. "I don't know, I'm still trying to figure that out, honestly," he said quietly. "I just…know that I feel something about you and I am trying to figure out what it is."

Carmen's cheeks tinted pink and she glanced down. "Look at you, making someone like me blush," she murmured, playing with the edge of her sleeve. "Maybe it would be better if I just tried to convince you that I'm not worth the time of figuring it out?"

"Too bad I don't listen very well, and am impossibly stubborn," Abbacchio replied.

Carmen met his eyes briefly before glancing back down, hiding her gaze under her lashes. Abbacchio felt his stomach twist with an uncommon sensation.

The waiter came back with their food, presenting two artfully decorated plates that smelled delicious. Or would have if Abbacchio's stomach wasn't already in knots. God, why was he so bad at this?

Abbacchio put a bite in his mouth and found that it was actually really good.

"This is delicious," Carmen commented.

"Yeah," Abbacchio agreed. "At least the food is good for all the ceremony." Though he didn't think Bruno would recommend a place that didn't serve good food. He and Maria had gone here a couple months back when one of the capos had taken it over.

"I guess I don't get to complain then," Carmen teased. "You do know how to wine and dine a girl. You've actually managed to impress me."

"Well, at least I can still manage that," Abbacchio said.

"Well, to be fair, the men I usually associate with don't leave much to be desired, so I might just have low standards," she smirked playfully.

Abbacchio narrowed his eyes, but couldn't stop the upturn of his lips. "Unfortunately, I'm afraid you might be right, since you did agree to go to dinner with me."

She laughed and her eyes sparkled. It was the first time Abbacchio had seen any light in them at all, and it made his stomach flip again.

Oh hell.

He didn't think he was quite as indecisive about his intentions anymore. He just didn't know if that was a problem or not.

They chatted more easily as they finished their meal though, and Abbacchio's insides finally loosened enough for him to relax and eat. Carmen was incredibly charming when she wanted to be. It was a side to her he was surprised, but pleased to see.

The musicians started up again, this time with slower music and Abbacchio watched as couples started to get up and head to the floor in front of them, beginning to dance.

Carmen's eyes fell on the scene before she turned back to Abbacchio. "Well, Leone, you've impressed me so far, but I have to ask; do you dance?"

Abbacchio's eyes widened, stuttering. "I…I mean, I can, but…"

"Well, come on, then," Carmen said, reaching across the table to take his hand. "Aren't you going to ask me to dance?"

"I'm just going to step on your feet," Abbacchio warned her.

"I don't believe that for a minute, I think you're just embarrassed. Come on!"

She pulled him out of his seat and toward the dance floor. At least it was just a waltz, Abbacchio thought he still remembered how to waltz from when he had learned for Bruno and Maria's wedding.

He turned to Carmen and took her hand more firmly, settling his other on her waist, as she rested hers on his shoulder. "Sorry in advance," he muttered.

Carmen smiled up at him, and he took a breath, shifting them in among the other dancers. He fumbled a couple times at first but got into the rhythm soon enough. Or thought he had, until Carmen wriggled her fingers in his.

"Relax," she told him gently.

Abbacchio realized he was practically rigid, clutching Carmen to him. He cursed under his breath, flattening his hand around her waist, smoothing her dress slightly, and loosening his grip on her hand. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes briefly, concentrating on the music and finally smoothed out his movements.

Carmen followed easily, a lot more graceful than he was. But Abbacchio was getting there. And now he could finally appreciate the woman in his arms. Carmen flowed easily along to the music, and never missed a step, even if Abbacchio faltered slightly. He wondered how she had learned how to dance.

When the waltz ended, a couple other musicians joined the quartet, and started to set up to play some jazz lounge type stuff. The dancing couples closed the space between them and began to slow-dance to the sedate tune.

Abbacchio pulled Carmen close and swayed to the music. This made it a lot easier to appreciate the moment since he didn't have to remember steps. Carmen relaxed against him and laid her cheek against his chest. He looked down as strands of her dark hair tickled his chest where his shirt was open and unconsciously pulled her closer, exhaling in both contentment and surrender. His feelings were becoming less and less confused as the night went on.

"You're quiet," Carmen said.

"Are you supposed to talk when you're dancing?" Abbacchio asked.

"That's what they do in all those Austen movies," Carmen smirked.

"You like that crap?" Abbacchio asked, amused.

Carmen smiled up at him. "Yeah, maybe a little."

He smirked. "So, you're a romantic then?"

She raised an eyebrow. "Me? No. I like the idea of it, sure, but I know how the world really is. It's no place for romantics."

"I used to think that," Abbacchio said truthfully. "And then I saw Bruno and Maria and started to rethink my ideas."

"So, Leone, are you a romantic?" She smirked, looking up at him from under her long lashes.

He snorted. "Hell no."

She gave him a look, eyes narrowed teasingly. "I don't know. You showing up to my place with a huge bouquet of roses says differently. I would have expected them to at least be black or something."

Abbacchio felt his face heating slightly and he looked away. "We didn't have any black ones," he muttered.

Carmen laughed and leaned into him again as they finished the dance.

Abbacchio led her back over to the table. "Dessert?"

Carmen smiled. "I don't know about you but I think I'd rather have gelato than whatever they have here."

Abbacchio smiled and nodded. "I think that sounds like a reasonable idea."

He left the car with the valet as he and Carmen walked down the street, her hand tucked firmly into his elbow. Thanks to the kids, he knew where pretty much every gelato shop was in city, so it was easy to locate the closest one. They got their dessert before walking out into the nearby piazza, where they sat down on the edge of a fountain.

"This is delicious," Carmen said. "It's been a long time since I had any gelato."

Abbacchio smiled at her as he took a spoonful of the mocha he had gotten. "It's good, but I always think it's too sweet."

"That's why you get the fruity ones," Carmen told him and took another spoonful, extending it toward him. "Here, taste."

Abbacchio hesitated a second before he leaned over to let her feed him the ice cream, the fresh taste of raspberry bursting over his tongue, sweet, but also tart. He raised an eyebrow. "You're right, that is good."

Carmen smiled and went back to eating. "Thank you, Leone. Really. I had a good night. I just…"

She hesitated and he turned toward her, putting aside his empty cup. "Just what?"

She sighed, looking away. "I don't know what your intentions are, but you probably shouldn't get involved with me. Not just because of my…job, but, because I'm not really a good person. Not the kind anyone should want to associate with."

Abbacchio snorted. "And you think I am?"

Carmen took a shaky breath. "I'm just afraid that…I might grow too fond of you, Leone."

She stood up and Abbacchio was on his feet as well, glancing down at her as she folded her arms over her chest.

"Is that a bad thing?" he asked, feeling all too reckless all of a sudden.

Carmen didn't reply. She just shivered in the night breeze, and Abbacchio sighed as he slipped his coat off, tucking it around her shoulders. Carmen stiffened slightly, but pulled the warm garment further around herself.

Still feeling reckless, Abbacchio reached out to brush some hair away from her cheek. "Thing is, Carmen, I think I'm starting to figure out some things. About how I feel. For you."

She looked up and met his eyes hesitantly. "Yeah?"

"Yeah," Abbacchio sighed. "Like I know I want to protect you and the baby and I know I want to get to know you better, because I think we're a lot alike, and you shouldn't worry about your faults or your past because none of that is going to bother me."

"Leone," she whispered and looked away. Abbacchio reached out to cup her chin and gently turn her face back toward him.

"You don't have to be anything to me, but at least let me help you if you need it," Abbacchio told her. "That's all I really ask."

Carmen met his eyes again and the streetlights shining in them looked like stars. Her lips parted slightly, and he couldn't help himself. He leaned in, a little hesitant, but when Carmen didn't pull away, he pressed his lips gently to hers…

"Hey, putanna, what are you doing so far from your usual haunt?"

Carmen stiffened and Abbacchio pulled back, swinging around toward the two men who were passing by. He recognized them as a couple of toughs who worked for one of the other capos. They backed up slightly when they saw him.

"Oops, sorry, Signore, it's none of my business where you decide to take a tart, though I personally wouldn't waste your time on that one."

Abbacchio snapped, inserting himself between the men and Carmen. "You watch your tongue, cazzo. I think you've mistaken the signorina for someone else."

The men scoffed. "Come on, Abbacchio, you have to know. She might have dressed up nice, but a whore is a—"

"I said, you mistook her and you had better apologize before I kick your ass!" Abbacchio snarled, feeling Moody Blues ripple beneath his skin. Not that these men would know, since they were just low level toughs and not Stand users.

Still, they took a step back, bowing slightly.

"Apologies, signorina," they mumbled before hurrying away on whatever duty they had been on that night, if any.

Abbacchio took a deep breath to calm himself and unclenched his hand. He turned back to Carmen who was shaking slightly.

"See?" she said matter-of-factly but not without some bitterness in her voice. "You're only going to be disrespected if you're seen with me. You shouldn't waste your time. Someone of your standing really should aim a little higher."

She started to walk back in the direction of the restaurant, and Abbacchio hurried to catch up to her, stopping her.

"You think that would change anything?" he asked, voice slightly bitter. "Outside my team, I hardly get any respect from the rest of Passione. Because I used to be a cop. I've never earned their trust. In their eyes, I'm no better than a snitch or whatever. So, you get it right? It's not you, it's the disgraced cop who took bribes and got his partner killed."

Carmen looked up at him, shock on her face. Abbacchio pressed his lips together.

"Yeah, that's me," he said. "Pretty bad, huh? Anyone else would look like a saint. So maybe it's me you don't want to associate with."

Carmen surprised him by taking his hand, squeezing. "I'm sorry, I didn't know. Maybe we are both just as screwed up as the other."

"Probably," Abbacchio said, relaxing as the tension defused and they started walking again, back toward the car. "Maybe we should stick together after all."

"Maybe we should," Carmen said quietly and Abbacchio felt a flip in his stomach, squeezing her hand more firmly.

They got to the car and Abbacchio drove back to the house first so they could pick up Rose.

Maria handed a fast-asleep baby back to Carmen when they got there and Abbacchio smiled at the tiny thing as he drove the two back to Carmen's apartment.

He was almost reluctant to leave her alone as Carmen got out, and slung the bag of baby things over her shoulder.

"Thank you, Leone, I had a really good time tonight. I mean it," she said with a soft smile.

Abbacchio smiled back. "Well, I wouldn't mind doing it again some time."

Carmen's cheeks flushed, but she nodded. "I wouldn't either."

There was a brief pause, Carmen stayed put, almost expectantly, and Abbacchio impulsively leaned down, cupping the back of her head to tilt her face upward before pressing his mouth to hers.

Carmen inhaled slightly, lips parting and deepened the kiss. It was a couple seconds before Abbacchio pulled back as Carmen's eyes slowly reopened.

"Good night," he said softly and headed back out toward the car.

Carmen smiled and headed inside.

Abbacchio felt lighter than he had in…he didn't know how long, as he drove back home and parked the car out front, wondering if it would stay or randomly disappear as quickly as it appeared like some kind of fairy tale carriage.

The house was quiet when Abbacchio got inside, and it was late, so he figured the kids were in bed. That would keep him from having to answer questions about his oh-so-interesting date until tomorrow at least.

However, Bruno and Maria were not asleep, instead cuddling on the couch in the living room under a blanket with some old movie on low.

"Leone, did you have a good time?" Bruno called as he saw him pass the doorway.

Abbacchio got the distinct picture of being a teenager and coming home late to his parents wondering what he had been doing.

"Yeah," he muttered. Maria giggled, and he rolled his eyes, knowing he was going to at least owe her answers tomorrow.

"I expect your report on my desk in the morning," Maria called to him, answering his question as she and Bruno laughed.

Abbacchio glowered at both of them. "You haven't even been married a year and you're already too much like him," Abbacchio chided.

Maria smiled sweetly and cuddled closer to Bruno. "I think she's a sweet girl, Leone."

Abbacchio softened. "Yeah, she is."

He escaped before they could grill him further and headed to his room, changing out of his fancy clothes and climbing into bed.

He would be lying if he said he didn't dream of Carmen that night.

Carmen watched Leone leave and then hurried up to her apartment, surprised Rose was still actually asleep. The impression of Leone's lips was still on hers, warm, firm and tinted purple. There was just…something about him. Carmen didn't want to think too much about it, because she felt it would be very hard to stop once she did.

She bit her lip and fumbled for her key.

"Carmen! There you are!"

She looked over to see Danielle, rushing down the hallway toward her. She stopped as she saw her dress.

"Where the heck did you get that? It's gorgeous!"

Carmen blushed, and pushed the door open, heading inside. Danielle followed as Carmen carefully laid Rose down.

"Where were you? I know you weren't working tonight. I came by earlier to tell you I could watch Rose tomorrow, but you weren't here. I got a little worried." Her eyes landed on the huge bouquet of roses that were still sitting on the table. Carmen went over to pick it up.

"I…had a date," she said simply, burying her nose in the roses. The purple ones were the exact shade of lipstick Leone had been wearing that night, and she felt a little thrill again at the thought of his lips.

"A date, like, an actual date?" Danielle demanded. "Wait…with that hot goth mafioso?"

"Leone," Carmen supplied.

Danielle pressed her lips together into a thin line. "Carmen, you really think that's a good idea to get involved with a Passione man?"

"If he's a bad idea, then he's still better than any of the others I've had," Carmen replied wryly as she looked for something to put the roses in.

Danielle sighed. "Just be careful, okay? Not only could he be dangerous, but if he keeps coming around, Lucien will probably be pissed."

Carmen frowned. "What do you mean coming around?"

Danielle raised her eyebrows. "You didn't hear? Him and some capo came around to the lounge asking Lucien about you a couple days ago. I heard one of the guys talking about it."

Carmen felt a flare of unease rush through her. "What was he asking?"

Danielle shrugged. "Don't know."

Carmen looked at the roses again. "It was probably just mafia business."

"About you?"

"I don't know, Danielle," Carmen sighed tiredly. "Look, I had a really good night, can't I just be allowed to be happy once in a while? Whatever he talked about with Lucien, I think Leone actually cares about me, and Rose."

"He's still a mafioso, Carmen. He's dangerous."

Carmen sighed, turning toward her friend. "That might not be a bad thing."

Danielle paled slightly, but finally nodded. "Just be careful, please. I don't want to lose you."

Carmen smiled and gave her friend a hug. "You won't. Now go get some sleep, okay?"

Danielle sighed and looked over Carmen's dress again. "Okay. But if this Leone knows any more hot, rich mafia men, then tell him to send them my way."

Carmen snorted and ushered her friend out. She then dressed for bed, hanging the dress up on the outside of her closet so she could look at it while she fell asleep, dreaming of the feel of Leone's mouth against hers, the way he had tasted, the feel of his hands guiding her firmly as they danced, his strong, muscled body pressed against hers—his protective stance when those men had heckled her… It all made her very hot and bothered.

It was probably too late to deny it now, that she was genuinely growing feelings for Leone Abbacchio, and frankly didn't care.