Floriana sat in her living room, perched on the back of the chair that was waiting anxiously for Siegfried to arrive. Signs of this included her chewing on her bottom lip, furiously shoving hair out of her face, and wringing her hands incessantly. It also included jumping whenever a car or pedestrian passed by the house. A flurry of questions flew through her head. She was a little humble about her house. It was a standard two story, four bedroom house in the area of the city where all the ex-mob/mafia families lived. Even the grandmas in this area had guns. That's not to say it wasn't a good area to live in, just that the people around here were usually quite paranoid, especially when it came to people dating their daughters, no matter how old.

That's probably half the reason both Floriana's mother and father, as well as her sister and nephew had come for dinner. Cecilia, her sister, had tried to bring along Nico, her husband, but Floriana had put her foot down. Nico was great with family and friends, but when it came to intimidation of possible 'brothers', he was not very subtle. He was probably moping at home right now, wondering how to get the sitch on this guy his sister-in-law was bringing home.

"Il mio fiore, come away from that window. I want to see this man of yours before you have time to change him," said her father, Alberto sternly. He was an aging man, with salt and pepper hair. He was large, and still looked relatively heathy, save for the minor gut that he now had as a result of too much desert.

"Yes, I want to know this man. You have told us nothing about him! How am I supposed to decide what to call my grandchildren if you will not even give us a name?" complained her mother, Bianca, setting out the plates on the table. She rubbed her hands on the apron she always wore when cooking.

"Is he built like wrestler, zia?" asked Nozanio, coming to sit beside her. He stared up with her with curiosity that only a five year old could manage.

"Uh..." Floriana didn't know what to say. It was true that Siegfried was tall, but wrestler? She pictured him on WWE. She wrinkled her nose. "You'll just have to wait and see quello piccolo." There was a knock at the door, and Floriana rushed past her family who seemed to be trying to get to it before she did. Giving them all a glare, she opened the door.

And behind that door was a very surprised Siegfried. He couldn't stop blinking over the speed at which the door was open, plus he'd heard the scuffling competition for greeting rights. It certainly wasn't something he was accustomed to. "Uh, that was fast..... Mind if I come in?"

Siegfried was wearing a suit he'd carefully picked out, hoping it was Italian in appearence, that he took a liking to. A nice, smooth thread that seemed to shine like gold made up the slacks and the jacket of the suit while a black, silk shirt went under the jacket. Regardless as to whether or not he pulled off the Italian look, he certainly seemed fancy tonight, possibly even like a gangster himself to the untrained eye. Another surprising thing, if Floriana thought he was good looking before then she'd be getting hit by the secnd wave as he looked more normal and less scary, thus improving any attractiveness he may have had. He also had a little present behind his back, which he carefully presented to Floriana while he still had the chance, and hopefully a bit of surprise on his side. This present was a bouquet of roses.

( http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Flats/3954/subaru02.jpg Him....but he's not smoking and as you know, he's blonde.)

"Hi," said Floriana breathlessly, smiling up at him. Her eyes lit up as he produced the bouquet of roses from behind his back. Accepting them gratefully, she ignored her sisters Italian comment from behind her. "Floriana si è trovato un uomo attraente con gusto costoso! Se non avessi mio Nico, lo daterei!" And her mother's sushings, "Cecilia, non dice tali cose! Non intorno all'ospite, in ogni modo. Non conoscete mai che conclusioni la gente farà, particolarmente uomini!"

Ignoring all these comments, she stepped onto her tiptoes and was about to give him a kiss on the mouth when she felt the watchful gaze of her family, she moved it to her cheek. Taking Siegfried's arm in her own, she turned around. "Mama, Papa, Cecilia, Nazario, this is Siegfried. He is the man I invited for dinner."

"He is not Italiano," remarked her father, crossing his arms. "I thought you were bringing home nice Italian man." His Italian accent was thick.

"Papa!" cried, Floriana, aghast. She turned to Siegfried. "I'm sorry. He's biased to Italians."

Alberto brought himself to his full height. "I am not. I simply thought that if you were to bring home a man, he would be Italian. This - This Siegfried is a nice, fellow, I'm sure, eh?" He turned to his family, who all nodded their consent. "So I welcome him into my home... Unless he thinks he is too good for Italians, in which case I bite my thumb at him, and get my gun."

His wife moved to his side. "Now now, even if he is not Italian, that does not matter. Come, inside our house!" She hit her family that was in the way with a dishcloth, making room for their guest. "Come come! Do not stand outside like a hungry goose."

Floriana raised an eyebrow. Her mother often got her sayings mixed up, but this was one she had never heard. Giving a nervous chuckle, she pulled her date inside and shut the door. As she was doing this, she saw Nazario approach Siegfied and look up at him with a look of superior knowledge. "I bet you are a wrestler. Papa says only pansy men are wrestlers, because they wear tights and enjoy jumping on other men. I think you are a Pansy Man."

"Nazario!" scolded Floriana. The five year old ran away, and the Italian woman decided that she was going to kill Nico. Turning to Siegfried, she said, "Maybe this was a bad idea. You sure you wouldn't rather do something else?"

"Why would he?" yelled Alberto from the living room. "Unless he doesn't think us Italians are good enough for him!"

Floriana slapped her forehead.

"Too good for Italians? I assure you that is not the case. I already know Floriana to be Italian and still I was glad to accept her invitation. I only hope I can prove myself worthy enough for her tonight."

Walking in when the mother urged him to, or rather being pulled in, Siegfried looked around the home with much curiousity, rather liking the strong family vibe the home gave off. That was until the young child Nico came up to him and started talking about wrestlers and pansy men, even going so far as to say Siegfried looked like one. Though he would not react with anger or annoyance but instead keep his cool. "So that's how I appear? Hmm, I'd hoped this suit would make me seem more Italian in nature. I wish to impress the family after all."

Hearing what Floriana's father had said, Siegfried chuckled slightly. "As I said, I have no problem with Italians. floriana could be anything and still I'd wish to be with her. It's a little choppy but Mi preoccupo per il suo più della vita in se. Did I say that right? I've been trying to learn Italian so that it'd be as though our hearts are almost as one. And Floriana, do not be so pessimistic for there are no problems. This is really nothing considering the fact I'd walk through fire wearing gasoline boxers for you."

Smiling a bit sheepishly, hoping the lighthearted comment wouldn't be seen as offensive, Siegfried looked around the room he was in now. "Um, may I ask what we will be eating this evening? I've heard many great things about Italian food but have not been lucky enough to have any."

The mutterings of Alberto could be heard from the other room. "Yes, you have to prove yourself worthy to date Il mio fiore... Not Italian! Bah!"

"You look fine," said Floriana, smiling at him and patting his arm. One of these days, she was going to kill her family dead. Yes. Maybe she'd drop them in the middle of the ocean. That sounded appealing. She really needed to talk to Nico about what he was teaching his children. Pansy men! For God's sakes! "His father, Nico, isn't exactly the most tactful man on the planet... far from it."

Cecilia appeared out of the hallway. "Tact? That's saying untrue stuff, right?" Giving a laugh, the older woman moved in between Floriana and Siegfried, putting arms around each. Come, let us go eat the fabulous spaghetti and meatball dinner, eh? Mama worked especially hard." She gave a wink at Siegfried. "Even if you're not Italian, you are quite a catch. Do not mind what my parents say. They're old."

"Ai! Cecila Marissa Ramirez!" came their mother's voice from the dinning room.

"Spiacente, mama!"

"Welcome to my family," said Floriana over Cecilia's head. She gave him a weak smile, as they came to the dinner area. She pulled Siegfried over to sit next to her, with her in between her date and her father, who was currently glaring suspiciously at her date. She gave an overly cheerful smile. "Isn't this fun."

Biana came in carrying that largest pot in the household. She gave overly generous portions to everyone, added sauce, and placed at least five pieces of garlic toast on Siegfrieds plate. "Now, eat it, you hear me? It's good. Italian food makes your heart strong like ox!"

As everyone took their first bites. "So, Siegfried, where is your place of occupation?" asked Alberto, twirling his spaghetti around his fork. The man tried to make it sound casual, but there was the underlying tone that was wondering if he was good enough for his daughter.

Siegfried took it all in stride, not really bothered by all that was happening. "He's still a child and children tend to repeat the things they're told. It's not really his fault so I'm not going to make a big deal out of it."

Though he did kind of get nervous when Floriana's siter got in between the two. At least he was popular with one family member, even if the popularity in mind was of questionable nature. "Uh, thank you for the compliment but you really shouldn't speak of your parents that way. They're quite precious but the saying must be true, you don't know how good something is till it's gone."

Siegfried smiled as he looked at Floriana now that they were seated, momentarily forgetting everything else around him. Of course that was until her mother came in with her giant pot of spaghetti. He was noticeably surprised by the amount presented to him, and how much garlic bread he'd recieved. "Now Floriana, your family is very charming and Mrs. Ramirez, your spaghetti looks fabulous. You really didn't have to go all out like this just because I was coming over." He turned to face the father when he asked about what Siegfried did and he gave the same answer he gave Floriana. "I'm an art dealer. Buy, sell, and trade various paintings and sculptures from different time periods. It's not the most glamourous job but it lets me stay at home and I make a decent amount of money."

Bianca waved his comments away. "Charming? Alberto! I have not been called that by anyone save you in a very long time!" She gave a chuckle. "As for the spaghetti, think nothing of it. I half made it for Floriana. Who knows what she eats at home? Look at her! Having a man's job and not even eating properly." Floriana opened her mouth to protest. "And a sandwhich for dinner is not eating properly!"

Floriana pouted, but continued to eat the oh so yummie spaghetti. Her father decided it was time to interupt this conversation with a response for Siegfried. "I've heard that art dealers are fronts for dealings of other kinds." Floriana choked and her father leaned in closer. "If I find out that you're doing something you're not supposed to, you'll be in big trouble." He leaned back. "If you've decided that you are to stay with my daughter, then you can spend some money on new clothes for her."

"Papa!" complained Floriana. "Must you bring this up everytime I come over? My clothes are fine, and besides, I'm the cop, not you!" Alberto grumbled into his mouthful of food.

Cecilia looked between her sister, Siegfried, her mother and her father. "Soooo," she said, drawing out the word long. "How did you two meet?" She slirped up some of her spaghetti, looking between the two of them curiously. She looked to her side to check on her son, only to notice he wasn't there.

"Nazario Potestio! Come here right now!" she yelled, defeaning her family.

The little boy bounded into view in a spiderman costume. He had the head of a mop over his head, and some of the grey strands had been painted with yellow magic marker to resemble blond hair. Then he began to sing to the tune of the old Spiderman show. "Pansy man, Pansy man, does whatever a pansy can! Is he gay? Yes indeed! He's got homosexual tendencies! Look out! Here comes the pansy man!"

"Nazario!!" cried Floriana, jumping out her her chair and grabbing the child. "Apologize!" She looked at Siegfried. "I'm so sorry."

Alberto grinned. "I knew he was my favourite grandchild."

"Well, cops aren't well known for their salaries. I think in some places they make even less money than the school teachers and that's pretty bad. I wouldn't be surprised if a sandwhich was all a cop could afford. So if you wanna blame anyone you should blame her supervisor for not giving her a raise." He started to eat the food set before him and found himself to be quite fond. Given his current situation, it was no surprise that he didn't eat food like this very often so he was rather enjoying it. He had just bitten into some garlic bread when her father started up again, prompting an amused chuckle. "That's funny, your daughter asked me the exact same question when I first told her what my job was. Though as I told her, I am completely legit and in no way involved in illegal activities. If anything bad has been smuggled then I was not aware of it. I don't pry into the personal lives of my clients. As for getting Floriana clothes, she hasn't asked me for anything yet. If she wants something then she need only ask."

Siegfried got a little hesitant when the topic of just how he met Floriana came up. He decided he'd keep it simple, which would prove disasterous of course. "Well, I was walking through the park under the full moon when I'd overheard Floriana commenting on me acting like some brooding loner. We ended up exchanging a few words and she ended up following me into the shadows. A few moments later we were doing some heavy kissing, heavy enough for Floriana to almost pass out. Because of this I took her to my place where we eventually started kissing again and it all ended with the two of us sleeping together."

He didn't really see a problem with saying what he said, of course he knew no sex actually took place but had no better way to describe the night. Then the child came out in his little getup and sang his song. Siegfried at first just stared at the boy in a WTF? kind of way but rather then get upset, he actually started to laugh. He knew it was meant to be an insult but the sight of it all was just too funny. "Hahaha, that's hilarious. This kid has to be a genius to come up with something like this. He even did a good parody of the classic Spiderman song. Heh, don't even apologize. Just like him, I was quite the hellraiser at that age."

Sitting next to her nephew on the floor, Floriana looked on in horror as she heard Siegfried's encounter of their first meeting. She stared at him like he'd grown another head, and she wanted to whack it off with a blunt spoon. Idly, she heard her mother drop her glass of wine, completely oblivious to the fact that the wine was staining the tablecloth. "Siegfried!" Floriana all but shrieked. "That's not what happened." She jumped up, looking nervously at her family.

Cecilia gave out a low whistle as a grin grew on her face. "Whoa baby sister, I didn't know you had it in you! I never knew you were such a wild cat!" As she said this, Nazario danced around singing, "Wild cat, wild cat!" at the top of his lungs.

There was an odd twitch under Alberto's eye. "You did what to my daughter?"

"My daughter had sex and she's not even legally married!" wailed Biana, stealing her daughter's glass and taking a large swig. "Oh! What will the ladies at the hair salon think?"

"Papa! Mama! We didn't have sex, we just slept together!" cried Floriana. This was getting way out of hand.

"Oh, is that what they're calling it these days?" glowered Alberto. He turned to Siegfied. "You have impuned my daughter's innocence. Are your intentions true? If they aren't, I believe I would like you to meet my brother, Paolo. He would simply love you." There was an undertone in his voice that suggested that Alberto wouldn't mind being the one to decapitate the blond man.

"Papa!"

Siegfried was looking just as shocked as the family when he heard the way in which they were reacting to his story. He'd made a terrible mistake in his wording of the finale by being literal in his description. He immediately held up his hands defensively and went about denying the charges put against him. "No! We didn't have sex! When I said we slept together I was speaking literally. I didn't take her innocence, I swear! If I had I would have said we made love, not said we slept together. When I say that I mean just that, we slept in each other's arms but remained fully clothed. I wouldn't just use someone like that when I had already begun caring for them. It may be sudden but I already know I love her. Though I should ask why it would matter if we did have sex? It would have been what she wanted anyways. I came here tonight seeking your approval but Floriana's happiness takes precedence. If I have to be an enemy to this family then so be it. As long as I can make Floriana happy it won't matter."

This intense level of committment would more than likely come as a shock to everyone present but such behavior was normal for Siegfried since he still held certain values from the period he grew up in. Falling in love by mere chance encounters and other such things were commonplace so why shouldn't he still behave in such a way? Of course some people might find this to be something he has to change, as well as his brutally honest and literal wordings for his stories.

Floriana was the first one to snap out of the stupor that Siegfried's words seemed to have instilled upon her family (except Nazario, who was still singing 'Wild cat, wild cat' while twirling around the room). There were a few tears in her eyes, and she felt weak for having them. Wrapping her arms around her date's neck, she gave him a little peck on the cheek. "That's the sweetest thing that anyone's ever said to me."

"Forget just her, that's the sweetest thing anyone's ever said in my vicinity," said Cecilia, her eyebrows high on her head. She hit her fork on the table. "Okay, I approve. Go marry her, have babies, name one after me, and buy me expensive presents." She only grinned when Floriana glared at her.

Bianca set down the glass and just stared at Siegfried for a moment too. "Well," she said quietly, "He won't replace Rory in my mind, but you have to get over him. He has my approval too." There was a serene demeanor about her.

The man of the house stared at everyone. "Has this entire house gone mad?" He looked at his youngest daughter who was looking at him from beside Siegfried. Alberto's shoulders slumped. "Alright, alright. You can date her, but I find out this was just a bunch of baloney, and you get deader than dead, capise?" He picked up his fork. "Let's eat."

"Well... that wasn't too bad," murmured Floriana.

Siegfried smiled sheepishly when Floriana put her arms around him and kissed his cheek. He may have been able to say his little speech without embarassment, even if it scared him a whole lot more than the gangsters, but that little display of affection in front of her family made him blush. Of course Cecilia's words were the most embarassing of them all, even making him sputter some. "Uh, well, I'll try. Things go well it can be considered a promise, sis."

It felt interesting calling someone 'sis'. Being an only child with a long dead family, that simple gesture was extremely comforting for him. He sat down, holding Floriana's hand, and took a bite of food before speaking up again. "Thank you very much for all of your consent. I'm glad I have your support in this as I would hate to be responsible for a family feud. Uh, but, who is this Rory person?"

Floriana's fork clattered onto the table. There was a heavy silence on the table. The entire Ramirez family seemed to find their plates the most interesting things in the world. Occasionally, one of the three family members shot a worried glance at Floriana. For her part, the detective was trying to maintain a calm exterior. Taking a deep breath, she turned to Siegfried with a forced smile on her face.

"Rory was a friend of mine... My finacé. We were out one night when he was gunned down randomly in a drive by shooting. He jumped in front of me." She gave a bitter chuckle. "He's the reason I became a cop. I wanted to help other people. It's that simple."

(OOC: Short. X|)

Siegfried noticeably stiffened and cursed his own stupidity. This would also explain why Floriana had gotten so upset during the gang incident in which he used his own body to shield her. It was a painful reminder of what happened to Rory even if it was knives and clubs and not bullets. Siegfried looked down as he spoke softly. "I'm sorry for bringing up painful memories. I hadn't realized... and a few days ago... I could have been a second Rory to you. Now I know why that had upset you. I'm sorry Floriana. At least you had your family close at hand to comfort you." Even in this situation, where Siegfried felt like he would be seen as some kind of enemy in a few moments for asking about Rory, Siegfried wondered when his own family would be mentioned and dreaded it. He'd hate to make everyone feel more upset.

She smiled at him, genuinely touched by his words. "Yes, I was very lucky to have my family." She looked at her family around her, and as much as the embarassed her, loved them completely. Even her father who seemed determined to dislike Siegfried. She knew that the German would grow on her father sooner or later, hopefully sooner. She took his hand in hers under the table. "You'll have to make it up to me," she teased, winking.

Calming down, they all started to eat.

((OOC: I'm sorry, but my brain has failed me on this topic. Completely. I'd rather that it be over than have me making such half-assed replies. I'm sorry. ><))

Siegfried gently squeezed Floriana's hand and was relieved to find that things were finally settled down. He was glad none of them had gotten upset with him and he was also glad his own family hadn't come up since he'd probally only be willing to talk about it with Floriana right now. After he had finished eating, Siegfried kissed Floriana goodbye, thanked her family, and left for his own home.

(Ack, short but it gives me closure... sorta.)