“So, time for a house party?” TK asked flopping onto the couch he and Jimmy had just moved for Zoe. Jimmy sat at the other end as TK put his feet up on the coffee table.

“Hey! Get your feet off,” Vee said slapping at the back of TK’s head.

“Thanks Vee,” Zoe said as TK sat up and put his feet on the floor.

The elf smiled. “You’re welcome and I enjoy tormenting TK.”

“TK does have a point. You need to host a housewarming party,” Terr said from the barstool he sat on at the kitchen counter.

“I like the way you guys think,” Jimmy said. He gestured to himself and the others. “Cousin, a party would be a good way to reward those that have helped you move.”

“You’ll find we’re full of good thinkers,” Newt said as she came in from outside. She smiled at Jimmy. “The upper deck would be perfect for a grill and a small picnic table.”

“Good idea!” Vee chimed in. “It would also give Zoe enough space to layout in along with room to invite a friend or two to join her.”

“It seems you guys are starting to make a lot of plans for my little place,” Zoe said.

“Come here Zoe,” Aunt Anne said. She had been sitting in one of the two chairs in the living room space.

“What is it?”

“Come here, I want to show you something,” Anne said. Zoe walked to her. Anne stood and turned Zoe to face the outside wall. The shutters were open so everyone could see the city’s skyline. “You see that?”

“Yeah,” Zoe answered and nodded her head.

“It’s a great view,” TK said.

“It’s even better from the roof deck,” Zoe admitted.

“That’s true,” Newt agreed.

“You also have a good view of the Hudson and Jersey if you want to look that far away,” Terr said pointing to the other wall.

“This place is also quiet and rather relaxing. It’ll be a good place to just hang out at with close friends,” Vee said. “If I had known it was like this in the marina, I would have looked into renting a houseboat instead of my apartment.”

“So, can you blame your friends?” Aunt Anne asked.

“Guess not,” Zoe replied.

“Good,” Jimmy said. “Hope you don’t mind me joining you guys from time to time either.”

“Maybe,” TK replied grinning at Jimmy.

“Zoe, what are you doing?” Newt asked.

“Shopping for grills and picnic tables.”

“That’s my girl,” Terr said. Zoe gazed at the orc and shrugged.

“You guys will probably have to bring your own steak, beer, or whatever. I’ll probably be pinching pennies after buying everything I’ve bought. I need to start budgeting so I can pay my loan back while living on my own.”

“At least you won’t have to buy everything,” Anne replied. “Part of housewarming parties are giving gifts.”

“Does the marina have any restrictions on parties and gatherings?” TK suddenly asked. The others looked at him. “I just thought about that.”

“I’ll check,” Zoe replied letting her Allegro’s search function query her rental agreement. “Gatherings are capped at 20 people and the noise must be kept to a minimum.”

“That’s fine,” Vee said. “A more intimate gathering will probably be better anyway.”

“Just make sure to invite Cee and Henri,” Newt added. Zoe nodded in agreement.

“Hey Tommy. I’m helping Zoe move,” Jimmy said answering his phone. Zoe frowned. She didn’t like Tommy and really didn’t want him knowing she was living on her own.

“Jimmy,” Anne quietly said and shook her head when her son looked her way. Jimmy nodded in understanding.

“Thank you,” Zoe said before hugging her aunt. She wasn’t sure how the older woman knew how she felt, but it was appreciated all the same.

“You’re welcome sweetie. Tommy Romano doesn’t have the best of reputations,” Anne replied.

“Tommy, I need to run. I’ll call you when I’m done,” Jimmy said.

“If that is the Tommy Romano I’m thinking about, no, he doesn’t,” Newt agreed walking over to Vee.

“And if he’s the one I’m thinking of, he doesn’t look favorable on those of us that have been modified,” Vee added. Newt gave her hand a squeeze.

“I only know of one Tommy Romano, and yeah, he’s not a good dude,” Terr said.

“Ma, the boss needs me,” Jimmy announced. “Do you want to stay, or do you want me to drop you off at home?”

“I’ll go with you,” Anne replied. She hugged Zoe one more time. “Let us know when you’re going to have your party.”

“I will,” Zoe promised before her family walked out.

“We should let you get settled,” Newt said.

“You guys don’t have to go,” Zoe replied.

“I have a date,” Terr said with a huge grin on his face.

“I’m going to play cards with some friends,” TK said. “And get hammered while doing so.”

“Want to meet for breakfast tomorrow?” Vee asked.

“Why don’t you guys come over?” Zoe asked. “I’ll cook if the groceries I ordered arrive in time.”

“You cook?” TK asked.

“I grew up on a farm. Of course, I cook,” Zoe answered. “I just haven’t had much of a chance to since coming to the city.”

“Why is that?” Terr asked.

“Aunt Anne doesn’t like to share her kitchen.”

“Ha. Are you the same way?” Newt asked.

“I can be.”

“Figures. Most cooks are like that,” Vee said. The others gave her a questioning look. “What? I’ve dated a few cooks before.”

“Anyway. Have fun getting settled in and we’ll call you in the morning about nine or so,” Newt said.

The foursome filed out leaving Zoe alone in her new home.

*

“Hey Tony. You won’t believe what I just heard.”

“What is it, Tommy?” the underboss asked.

“Zoe Blanco has moved into a place of her own,” Tommy answered.

“So?”

“She owes us a lot of credits and she’s spending money she should be paying us,” Tommy replied.

“You got a point,” Tony conceded. “Hang on and let me run this by Nucky.”

“Ok,” Tommy replied.

“Nucky wants you to remind her who she owes,” Tony informed his subordinate a few minutes later.

“I can do that,” Tommy replied with a huge grin on his face.

“Tommy, do not hurt the girl.”

“I won’t do any permanent damage.”

“Tommy, your pecker better stay in your pants too,” Tony warned his underling. “If it doesn’t, you’ll be learning to pee sitting down if you live.”

“Sure Tony. I understand.”