( Having released twenty-three years of disappointment and misguided decisions he would call guidance, the father he recognizes slumps back against the chair. Sunglasses slide back, hiding his momentary sincerity. He picks and chooses his moments with his son. Maybe because he's incapable of being this person forever. Every second. He was once told parenting is about moments. Thinking back, that was probably horrible advice, or someone was trying not to scare him away from parenting.

For Stefano, parenting came when he was able. And how. Most of Stefano's parenting (and Katherine's, for that matter) is done from afar. In hushed words and board rooms. Over cigars and scotch and hired hands.

They let their only son make his mistakes. Though the older he gets, he is much better at covering his tracks. Or maybe his parents have gotten better at letting go. Things didn't get less complicated, but more, between their businesses. Every dinner had a flourish. Every encounter between father and his disgraced sons, electric.

So he's over course-corrected. Maybe he won't always have this chance. )

I'd never willingly leave you alone to your mother.

( If it came down to it, he'd fight. And he'd - make a lot of missteps if he ever was granted time. That is his life. Missteps. Grand gestures. Like Guiseppe, Stefano has always been a man of grand gestures or stunning disappointments. And he's never been appreciated for either. But, men don't need to be appreciated.

Finally, he shoves the hors d'ouerves he grabbed before his big speech into his mouth, shutting himself up as he chews his confection. He washes it down with his newly refilled martini. Coffee on chocolate, the way God intended.

While he'd been amused at his son's first reaction, he shouldn't be surprised at his second. But, his parents aren't that obsessed. If anybody has pulled strings with his son's people, it's his dear, wronged, absent mother.

Stefano may end up sacrificing half his family's livelihood (to his family, but still) to protect his son and keep his mother from setting anything up.

He sets his glass down again, some martini sloshing over the side because of his angle. When all is said and done, and father and son have retired for their afternoon laze, someone will clean this table off. )

Teo, I have far more important things to do than to set your incontrare carini. But, I do have eyes. ( Coming back from setting out on the terrace with the other moguls, catching his son's chance encounter. Recognizing his unmistakeable smile. ) And your mother has... ( her way of keeping track. On that same night, locking eyes with her, he remembers seeing a few things. Disdain, because she's unable to publicly give a shit about their first born, but intrigue. Calculation. He can't guarantee his mother hasn't meddled.

Now would he do his best to secure his son the best life he deserves? Definitely. But, as important as love is, security, self-reliance, self-control, there are more important disciplines.

He lets that sentiment die on the vine. )

Even we have minimal control over the guest list.

( Hawkins Fuller arrived on his own and pursued - is pursuing? their son on his own. )

That isn't to say, I'm not flattered at the time you think we have to do such things. I won't drag out sentimentality and say I'd care enough to.

( More and more, his son is becoming his own man. Even if there are days he doesn't recognize him. Days all he can see behind his eyes is disappointment. Days he sees his father. )

Will there be another date?

( "meet cutes"> )