Gavin smirked as he tucked into his breakfast.

"I wouldn't exactly call us fragile. We've taken a lot of hits over the years. But yea, glad you and Stella are getting along."

One moment, Bella was checking her hair in the mirror... seemingly in the next moment the food was gone and Gavin was wiping his mouth.

"Well, time to go then."

Striding outside with Bella, Gavin couldn't help but appreciate the beautiful countryside.

"So, what do you think Stella has planned for us today? And you wanted to visit somewhere, yes?"

"Yeah, I need to stop by the DiCaprio vineyards."  Her walk slowed a bit.  "I need to pay my respects to the family and close out some business I still have with them." 

Bella is quiet as they walk finally stopping, "I didn't have Charlie deliver something to them... I had him deliver someONE to them." 

It wasn't the sort of declaration which Bella made often.  She wasn't into human trafficking or something so, hearing her discuss having made Charlie Pavanno take a human to Sicily was more than a little odd.  This, however, wasn't why she was uncomfortable.

"He's a boy... a young man really."  Bella's face fell a little, worried at Gavin's possible reaction to her secrecy.  "His name is Santino DiCaprio, Sonny.  And about a decade ago I found him on board a ship in the harbor at Race Street - a shipment that was coming to me as Don of the Ivory Tower which... should have been my first clue as to who the boy was, but I was pretty distracted back then with my own bullshit."

She sighed. 

"When I met you, he was living with my crew at the Lighthouse.  He was my errand boy.  Handled small shit and I was looking out for him - teaching him the ins and outs of surviving this thing of ours since he was so utterly committed to becoming a part of it." 

"When I moved to Philly, the boy was still refusing to tell me who he was... I didn't know how to tell you that I had this boy I was looking out for.  I know it was cowardly, but ... that's the truth of it.  I was scared and I did wrong by the kid."

She shook her head

"Since he was older than many young men on the streets, when we split ways I told myself that it was for the best."  She shook her head.  "I was very wrong about that and I came to realize that over time and so I hired Pavanno to find the boy and bring him back to me.  During that time, I finally got an answer to who he was and that's why I sent him to Sicily rather than introducing him to you."

She looked into Gavin's eyes, "He's the son of Lucy DiCaprio, the first Don of the Ivory Tower.  The boy came to the US looking for me and answers about his past and to flee something here... I haven't been able to get anyone to tell me what's happened to Lucy and Frank's family and every bit I learn only creates more questions.  So... I'm here to check on how he's doing and to let him have the last of the businesses and holdings that rightfully belong to him - his parents legacy.  And, well, that's about it.  In short ... I'm here to satisfy curiosity, to see if the boy forgives me - if he needs help, and to make sure he has finally has what belongs to him so maybe the ghosts of his parents can rest in peace."

Gavin nodded, taking everything in stride.

"Sounds good. I'll come with you, of course, if you'd like. If you'd rather do it alone, I understand."

Bella smiled.

"I want you there... to meet him.  Santino will be head of his family one day and a very rich man back in the states if he comes back.  Assuming all is as it should be, I thought maybe I'd ask them to return the favor that the Luciano family did for them.  I'd like them to make sure that our children have distant family to fall back on, should they need allies one day and we're not there for them.  After all, in hard times you can't have too many friends and places to lay low.  All of that, of course, presumes nothing is amiss with them and Santino's business is settled.  Hence my curiosity."

Gavin nodded.

"Seems wise. Will Stella be coming with us as well, or should the two of us go off to handle that before we return? If the family is powerful, it could be good for Stella to have a connection there."

"I'd love to have Stella along with us.  Couldn't hurt for her to help her make her own connections to them a little stronger.  I understand she's familiar with the matriarch of the family.  It's going to be so weird to go see this place and meet these people that Lucy wrote so intimately about - to say nothing about seeing the boy again."

Bella made her way with Gavin up to the main house and the two of them entered, looking for Stella.

The door to the study was closed, as it had been for nearly an hour. A well-dressed man was posted outside the door, a slight grin on his face as he heard the muffled, angry voice of his employer shouting in Italian from the other side of the thick door.

"I gave you three chances, Gio. That's two chances more than I am ever inclined to give anyone. I had truly hoped that my good business sense would influence you to make smarter decisions, but that was clearly a fart in the wind."

The man in the office seemed to babble almost incoherently.

"Signoria, please, you have me all wrong. Your investment is perfectly safe. In three weeks time, you'll see."

Stella burst out laughing.

"Three weeks? Do you think I am stupid, Giorgio? No. You took advantage of my good nature and trust, and now you've made the most foolish move yet. You have lied to me about it."

There was an uncomfortable moment of silence. He knew he was caught.

"Ah, there it is. You know that I know. Our business is done. I want you out of my house, and I want your prick on a platter- but for the sake of my stomach, I'll just have you out of my house. Antony! Bring the car and take Mr. Marconi...home."

The guard at the door set quickly into motion, walking away as Paul opened the door to the study. He had a firm hand on the unfortunate businessman's shoulder. A thin sheen of sweat glistened on the man's pale forehead. He nervously chuckled at Paul.

"No need to trouble yourself. I have my car..."

Paul shook his head, smiling a bit.

"No, you don't."

He led the man outside, nodding politely to Gavin and Bella as they passed him in the foyer. 

Stella sighed and sat back in her chair. The money could be recovered- that wasn't what burned her up.  It was the act of using her that angered her the most. She picked up a file and tossed it into the trashcan under her desk.  Looking up, she saw Gavin and Bella approach the study door. Her expression immediately lightened and she pushed herself up to stand, grabbing the cane from it's place hanging from her desk.

"There they are! You both already look much more relaxed! Fantastico! Gavin, how was your breakfast? I hope they sent enough food.  Come, come- sit and tell me about what you'd like to do today. My world is your oyster."

Gavin yawned, as if the memory of sleep prompted him. He'd slept for hours and eaten enough for a lion, and he felt more rested than he had in a long time. 

"They almost sent enough food... if your goal was to kill me with bacon. As for our plans today... well, my only plan is to enjoy my trip. I'd be happy to handle Bella's business first, though."

Smiling, he glanced at his wife.

"Well, let's grab a car and make a drive over to the DiCaprio family home.  No time like the present to get some pleasantries out of the way and get back to our hedonistic Old World tour."  Bella winked at her husband.  

A knock on the door interrupted any further discussion of 'hedonism' and Paul entered.  "Sorry to interrupt, but a telegram adjust arrived from Messina."

As Stella reaches for it he turns to Gavin, "Actually, it's addressed to Don Gavin Byrne."

Bella's eyebrow climbed up into her hairline.  "Tara?"  She asked confused as to who would be contacting him here.

Paul passes the object to Gavin, it reads...

POST OFFICE TELEGRAM

Don Gavin Byrne

Greetings from Don Conti and myself, the mother of the late Godmother Marie_Lucania.  We bid you warm wishes and invite you to dine with us before your return to the new world.  The Don and I would love to hear news of our grand daughter and we would very much like to discuss with you Aurora’s future inheritance.  

Sincerest Regards,

Sophia Conti

Paul excused himself leaving the three alone once again. 

Bella watched her husband reading, silent and curious.

Gavin's face hardened as he read the telegram and handed it back to Bella.

"How do you want to play it? We could all go to see the DiCaprios and then you and I could sit down with the Contis... or I could go see them alone, figure out what they want while you handle this DiCaprio stuff. What do you think?"

Bella read the telegram, her mouth hung open for a few minutes, unsure of how to reply.  

"This is ... I mean, I knew she had family here, but after all this time I just assumed they would never reach out."  Bella lowered herself onto the chair putting the telegram down on the desk, allowing Stella to see it.  

Deep furrows formed in her brow, she narrowed her eyes.

"I'm not addressed in the letter.  It could be they think like many do... invite the man and the wife is automatically included in the invite.  It's also possible that seeing someone of the Luciano bloodline might be hard for them, considering what happened.  Maybe they're hoping you'll come alone?  Just because they might want some connection to their daughter's only child, doesn't mean they're ready to forgive my father of his sins,  Here, in this country, the sins of the father follow their children for centuries.  Even with being Aurora's mother, I'm doubtful they're eager to welcome me as kin."

Bella shook her head trying to dismiss her worries. 

"It's possible this meeting is just want to be friendly with us.  Maybe it's to help them to keep an open door between our families so that they have some hope of being part of Aurora's life in the future?  Maybe they want to write her into a will?  I don't know if they had no other sons or daughters.  I mean, Marie never mentioned having siblings.  If she had them, I would have thought they might have contacted us after her death..."

She drew a deep breath and then looked at her husband, really looked at him.

"I loved Marie, but I can't expect them to know that... regardless, Aurora is my daughter and anything they have to say about her future, I think I have a right to hear it.  Still ... these are people who could really help Aurora in times of need in her future...  I don't want to burn bridges she might need to cross one day.  I'm sure they will forget who Aurora's father is, but they're not likely to separate me from my bloodline.  I don't think they'd try to hurt us... but I don't know that I can expect kindness from them either."

She sighed.

"I'm inclined to think I should be there with you.  United Byrne front... plus you don't speak Italian.  Might be good to have me along if they get all native."  She forced a smile to try and reassure her husband, putting a hand on his leg.

"What do you think?"

Stella nodded thoughtfully.

"I'd be happy to come along- I haven't seen Tina in a few weeks. I actually have something for her. As for the other matter, three heads are always better than one.  If you'd like, I'd like to be there- if for nothing else than moral support."

Standing, she took the cane that Gavin and Bella had gifted her and took a few steps from around her desk.

"I will have a small envoy accompany us. All of my men are native and extremely familiar with the country and all of its big players; I insist on it, really. Anyway, I tend to operate out of an abundance of caution, as you can understand. Let me hobble upstairs and change and get the gift for Tina, and I'll have Giada RSVP for you to the Contis."

Bella stood up out of the chair and looked to Stella. "I'm going to change too.  If we're seeing Marie's family tonight we'll have to keep our visit with the DiCaprio family from becoming an into the evening sort of affair.  The afternoon with them and then straight on to Messina.  We don't need to cris-cross the whole of the map twice in one day."

Bella put a hand on Stella's arm, "Thank you for thinking of our safety on this trip.  Godmother Tara will be exceedingly grateful to you for it... as are we."

She turned and kissed Gavin's cheek, "I'll only be a few minutes."  

And with that, she and Stella went about the task of preparing to leave.  True to their words, a short while later, they were in the car and headed down the road.  

Bella wore a simple dress, much more conservative in nature than the one she'd been wearing earlier.  She'd packed only one outfit for 'work' on the off chance something of this nature might come up.  She wouldn't have worn it to meet the DiCaprio family who she felt she knew already, even if she'd never set foot in Sicily before... but Marie's family, she could not take chances with.  Silently, Bella wondered which guns Gavin was wearing today.  Would he literally be carrying the instrument of Marie's demise under his jacket?  

'Protect our family.'

The words had been written, but sometimes ... she was sure she'd heard her father actually say it.

She starred out the window watching the fields of amber rushing past them as they cut a path through the countryside, a few short miles and suddenly, a vineyard came into sight - a sea of grapevines as far as she could see on either side of the road and in rows an army of men working.

It was in these vines that Katy DiCaprio stole her first kiss.  Frankie and Tony raced each other to the stream just beyond that group of trees.  And as the home appeared before her, she laid eyes on the place that had tied them all together with a love story that defied all logic... the impossible tale of Lucia Fazzone and Frank DiCaprio. 

The house wasn't as big as she imagined it from Lucy's journal, but it did create within her a feeling that was undeniable, an atmosphere Lucy had described as being throughout each weather-worn stone, vine, and tree on the grounds.  In a word: Home.

Stepping out of the car, the warm sun shone down on her and she closed her eyes, taking in the feel and scents of this place she knew... and yet had never seen.  She prepared to meet people she knew as well as her own family, in some cases better than the people who had been her own blood, people she'd never spoken to in her whole life.

"Stella!"  An older woman's voice pulled Bella from the place in her mind and when she opened her eyes she knew instantly who it was she was about to meet.  Her face broke into a grin as Tina came forward and welcomed Stella as family kissing her cheeks and hugging her before turning to ask - "And who have you brought with you today?"

"ISABELLA!"

Bella turned towards the new voice, a young man, nearing twenty much faster than she wished.  The boy was wearing a simple white t-shirt and pants, held up by suspenders and a peaky brim cap which flew off his head revealing a thick mop of black hair.  Genuine happiness erupted from Bella's every pore as she saw no hesitation or anger that had been so much a part of their last meeting.  She opened her arms wide to receive him, but it was Bella who was caught up by the young man.

Santino spun Bella around in an embrace, the way only young men can.  Bella laughed and as she was put back down she kissed both of his cheeks and receive a welcome kiss in return.

"Santino."  She said patting his cheeks looking him up and down as if she expected some great change, but all she found was a bit of hair on his upper lip which she touched and smirked.

He pulled back as if embarrassed by his still growing mustache.  

"Still a scrub."  She said with mirth.  "Though another summer or two and they're going to need to hide you away from every woman in all Catania."

Sonny blushed.

"We already have to, it's why he's mucking stables today."  Tina inserted.  "You're Dona Isabella Byrne."  

Bella turned to Tina.  "Consigliere."  She corrected.  "And you're Dona Tina DiCaprio."

"It seems we both misunderstand who the other is... please, it's just Tina.  We're not so progressive here as you are in America and... these many years my only husband has been the soil we're standing upon."  She smiled.  "But it keeps me quite busy... as do all my nephews and cousins."

The two women regarded each other for a moment before embracing as the distant family they were.

Bella then motioned to Gavin and said, "My husband... Don Gavin Byrne."  She didn't normally introduce Gavin with his title, but today and with these families, she felt she should.  He'd more than earned the right to be recognized, so many times over even if his sister often got all the attention.  Gavin was as deadly as any three other men on these grounds, she was sure of it.  It was best everyone just assumed that and titles usually did the trick of warning people off any foolish notions they might have.

Tina greeted Gavin as one would a visiting dignitary, a Don, and then as a member of her family.  "Welcome to our home, Don Byrne.  Come... let's have something to drink and sit on the veranda a while."  Tina walked over to Stella and took her arm, patting it as they walked, talking with their heads close together about a variety of local gossip, the weather, and crops.  Sonny followed behind, reluctant for only a moment or two before inserting himself alongside Gavin and offering his hand to the older man.

"It's an honor to finally meet you Don Byrne.  Your reputation proceeds you... not just from Isabella either." 

Bella smiled at Gavin, giving him an 'I'm impressed' look as the boy rattled on about a few of Gavin's more well-known exploits.  Nothing sensitive really, but the sort of thing a man who is hired for his skills allows to get out about himself.  The sort of things a boy in his late teens would find terribly exciting and awe-inspiring.  No doubt the man before him looked every bit the legend that the tales made him out to be, and Bella's look of pride couldn't have been hidden if she had tried.  Which, she didn't.

The group of them settled into comfortable chairs overlooking the great vineyard from which she'd gotten almost all of her wine these many years.  It was interesting to see the place from which the instrument of many happy and sad nights of her past had come.  To hear Tina speak of the DiCaprio holdings here in Italy was a wonder, it was then Bella put her bag on the table and brought up the reason for their visit.

"I think," She said with a smile, "That it's time these finally came home." 

One at a time she passed into Tina's hands the deed to the Cotton Club in New York, the home in Riverside, the loft in Chicago, Brennan's Cellars in Vegas, the Green Mill in Chicago and a dozen others across the United States... and lastly a lighthouse in Chicago, a lighthouse in desert outside Vegas, a rebuilt lighthouse in Seattle, and lastly the deed to her own lighthouse on the shores of Lake Huron in Michigan.

With each one that passed into her hands, the emotion on Tina's face became more apparent.  "When Katy was lost to use assumed..."

Bella shook her head no.

"Marie_Lucania was her Don."  The name didn't seem to ring a bell for Tina who was so far removed from the families of the United States.  "Conti."  She added.

Tina's eyes lit up making the connection.  "But how did you end up with them?"

"Marie_Lucania was my step-mother and when my father named me Don of The Ivory Tower these and a collection of journals were passed into my possession."  She glanced to Sonny.  "I gave Santino his mother's journal.  The others were destroyed to protect the interests of the people who wrote them... there was nothing anyone wanted to read out of them, nothing that wouldn't have put family at risk at least."

"You're just giving these back to us?"  Tina asked.

"To Santino, specifically.  They represent all his mother and father amassed in their lives and I'm sure, seeing the man he's become, they would want him to have it.  When, of course, you feel he's ready to go back."

"Thank you, Isabella."  Santino inclined his head respectfully.

"I made you a promise and it would seem that you've done as I've asked... so, I'm doing what I said I would.  However..."  she added, "I was hoping you might consider doing Gavin and I a similar kindness?"

"How so?"  Tina asked.

Santino smiled, seeming to understand.

Bella passed another pile of papers to Tina.  "I have a daughter... and God-Willing another child soon.  I want to make sure that if the worst happens,"  She glanced to Gavin and smiled at him before looking back to Tina, "WHEN my husband & I find our luck has finally run out... that someone is waiting in the wings to pass off to Aurora her own legacy.  Gifts from us.  Things that will make her life easier in the wake of... well, whatever becomes of us."

Tina flipped through the papers, making note of what each item was.  "This is a great deal of trust to place in us."

"You're not the only ones... but I suspect I can trust you more than the lawyers and accountants I've employed to handle my legal affairs once we're gone.  I mean... hell, they lie and cheat for us... I can't trust them not to lie and cheat to line their own pockets once I'm gone.  You... however, are family, and by fate and blood I've already done the same for you and yours.  If we set this precedent now, perhaps we will establish something that will protect our children's interests for generations to come."

"Imagine it... three, four, five generations from now, children sitting right where we are exchanging kind words about the dead and wine.  They could be passing on gifts that will assure there is a future for those who bear our names and blood & that our pasts and shared stories are never lost.  They will say these things to each other, just as I'm saying them to you now... and the best of us will never die.  We'll always be with them... in some small way."

"Do you have a journal?"  Santino asked.

Bella turned towards him.  She didn't immediately answer.

"You said... that the ones who succeeded they deserved to be remembered."

"I did."  She admitted.

"You can't not give your kids a journal.  My mother's words, the stories about her life and my father... it's changed everything for me.  Isabella, please reconsider keeping a journal."

"Everything Aurora is..." Bella glanced to Gavin and took hold of his hand, then looked back to Sonny, "Is our legacy.  She's not young like Katy was.  She'll remember us."

"You said you were trying to have another child... what about that one?"

Bella took her hand and patted the young man's cheek.  "You're a good man Santino DiCaprio and if you would keep such a thing for me... I'll write a letter to my children.  But, no, I have no great wisdom to pass on as your mother did.  At every turn, I've tried to avoid leading as my father, JackMezzo, and now my Sister Tara leads."

"I'm proud to serve great men and women... but my adventures, my great achievements, are far simpler than needs be put down in a journal.  My greatest joy in this whole world is the family which Gavin and I have built.  If you wish... share with our children Lucy's story.  Perhaps they will be able to take it and learn something useful from it, as I did.  Perhaps it will lead them to the same great joys in life that it brought to me."

She looked to Gavin, smiling, clearly, she thought of Gavin as part of what Lucy's lessons had given to her.  The young man seemed to accept this, though reluctantly.  Bella could feel it now more than ever, the way he looked at her, the way he spoke to her... he truly did see her as a mother-figure.  Charlie had been right.  She was so glad she didn't have to admit that to the dead cat, may he rest in peace.

Sonny took Gavin and Bella for a tour of the estate while Stella and Tina talked.  Bella listened enrapt as the boy pointed out places from the journal, a shared story - and past they both could appreciate.  Gavin, as he often did, kept his own counsel.  She wondered if he was already focusing on the dinner party to come in just a few short hours, but she didn't want Sonny to know the details of that troubling invitation. 

The boy was so elated to finally be able to impart the story of his arrival in America.  Of the death of Guiseppe and his escape from the men who had discovered his true identity as Frank & Lucy's son.  He told her about stowing away on the ship which he knew was going to the Don of the Ivory Tower and how part of him hoped to find his Sister leading it.  He also told her about visiting the graves of Frank, Lucy, and Katy in Chicago - and how he hoped to be laid to rest there one day as well.

"You might find a life here suits you."  she said as they made their way back towards the house and the cars which would take them to Don Conti very soon.

"I want to dance to swing music in my father's club in New York."  he smiled.  "I want to taste the Irish whiskey in my mother's bar ... so much of who I am is in that place.  As much as Sicily is really."

Bella nodded.  "I get that.  Just... don't rush to make a choice, Kid.  America is the land of dreams, but it's also been a land of nightmares for a lot of our family too.  Your mother would want you to be where you're most happy... and safe."  

Sonny smiled and looked at the ground.  "Yeah.  I guess so.  Tina needs me here too..."

"She does."  Bella said watching Stella and Tina walking towards them.  "You're the man of the DiCaprio family, Santino.  You could be Don.  Your family could be restored to its old glory.  You could marry and have dozens of sons and daughters... bring life back to this old place.  It's not a bad adventure.  Trust me on that one.  It has it's perks too, and no shortage of respect."

She stopped outside of the car and when Tina and Stella reached them, she gave hugs and kisses to Tina before giving her farewell to Santino.  "I'll send you the letter after I get to the States."

"I'll be watching for it, Dona Isabella."  The boy picked up her hand and kissed it and defiantly said, "The Tower still stands."

She looked at the boy fondly and, not for the first time, silently prayed that God would grant she and Gavin a son.  With emotion filling her eyes she kissed his cheek one last time and go into the car.  Once Gavin and Stella were inside, the cars began to pull away and make their way towards Messina and the home of Don Conti and his wife - the parents of Marie Lucania and Grandparents of Aurora Byrne.

The car ride was quiet. Bella had reached out and laced her fingers into Gavin's hand, but no words passed between them. He was happy for his wife... happy that she'd been able to accomplish this goal of visiting the DiCaprios, which he knew was important for her. In the coming days, no doubt, there would be more of an opportunity for her to return and spend more time there before they had to leave. For now, though, his focus was on the present- and his family. 

He was wary, like an animal walking through unfamiliar woods. The Contis could be wonderful people determined only to see their granddaughter. Or they could be wonderful people determined to retrieve their granddaughter. Gavin could hear Tara's voice as clearly as if she was whispering in his ear.

"Smile- but not too much. Be friendly- but not too friendly. Be respectful, but no deferential. Earn their respect, and find out what they want... their own desires and deportment will determine your response..."

Gavin nodded as if his sister had spoken the words, and he glanced out the window. Bella and Stella were making small talk about the wine business. The gun in his shoulder holster felt heavy, weighing him down. There were two M1911s with ivory handles that had belonged to Salvatore Luciano... and one of them was used to kill his wife, Marie Lucania. There was no way to know for sure which gun had done that infamous deed... but Gavin strongly suspected it was the one he carried. There was just something about the feel of it. Like it had been stained with blood that had never quite washed away.

It made him slightly uncomfortable, if he was being honest with himself. He'd always liked Marie. They'd had a rocky start; Marie's disapproval was clear. It was only after that Gavin understood why. When Marie looked at Gavin, perhaps she saw an echo of Sal. And being married to him... she must have known he was the sort of man who'd pull the trigger on his own wife, regardless of his other qualities. 

Frowning, Gavin got out of the car and stretched as they approached the estate of the Contis. Wealthy, it seemed. The villa was located in the countryside, although close enough to the city where it wouldn't be inconvenient for business. Large gates led them up to the villa, which was in the shape of a square- no doubt with a small courtyard in the small. A few auxiliary buildings surrounded the main house.

Gavin unbuckled his suit jacket as he approached the door with Bella and Stella. Knocking on the door, he wondered what would be waiting for them.

The door was quickly opened by a young soldato of medium build and raven black hair.  He wore a white shirt, tan trousers that were held up by a couple of brown suspenders, and a shoulder hostel that held a Brown GP 35. His eyes first took in Gavin and he did an obvious quick assessment of him.  Then when his eyes moved to take in the women he smiled warmly.  He greeted all three in rich Sicilian hospitality, speaking to them in Italian as he invited them in to the foyer.  In rough broken English he offered to take coats and purses and puts them in a closet next to the door.  Also leaning against the door frame of the entrance are two Lebel model 1886 rifles with shoulder straps attached to make it easier to carry.  

Just as the young man finished closing the closet door, the trio heard the voice of an elderly matron coming from what appears to be the kitchen.  She spoke in English, and while her command of the language was much better than the soldato's, it required an attentive ear to hear past her thick accent.    Greeting them, she welcomed them into her home as she approached.  The soldato gave the guests a simple introduction by sweeping a gesture towards the woman and announcing, "Donna Contis," and bowed slightly before stepping back.  The Donna wore a blue dress with yellow flowers embroidered on it.  It is obvious where Marie got her simplistic taste in clothing.

Stepping up to the three she seemed to hesitate as if not certain how to properly welcome them.  Finally she decided on a nod to Gavin and Stella and a kiss on each check for Isabella though it lacked the intimacy and was more formal than what was usually associated with such greeting.   

"Come.  Let us go to the sitting room while the dinner preparations are being finished.  The Don should be arriving shortly."  Gesturing towards a room to the left of the foyer, she leads them to a formal sitting room.  "Would you care for something to drink?  Coffee or wine, perhaps?"  She sends a young serving woman to fetch the requested drinks before sitting down herself in a elegant high-back chair with white cushions.  There are a variety of seating available, other high back chairs and a sofa.  The Donna gestured for them to join her in sitting down.

"I am so happy that you choose to accept my invitation.  I was uncertain if you would or not.  I know we have never met, but Marie wrote many wonderful things about you, Isabella.  She loved you very much."  The old woman's face clouds up with emotion as she spoke of her daughter and her eyes moistened.

Bella had mirrored the other woman's reserve, seeming committed to showing exactly what she was given in turn.  She knew it wouldn't be easy, walking in the house and talking to this woman who had been so hurt by her father's actions...

"Coffee would be nice.  Thank you."  She said politely, taking the seat offered.

What would she do to the daughter of a man who killed Aurora?  Could she sit down and offer her coffee in this way?  Probably not.  Bella admired her strength of character, it was clear where Marie found her own power.

"I met Marie only days after burying my own mother.  She, my mother, raised me on her own so ... as you can imagine, her loss cut deep." 

She sighed.  Talking about her beloved mother and her beloved Step-Mother while staring into the tear-filled eyes of a grieving mother was far harder than she expected.  Emotions she herself had and kept locked away rose up in her voice.  Had it been a mistake to come here?  Should she have let Gavin come alone?  Kept this all business?

"Marie was a great comfort to me in the days that followed.  I saw my mother's strength in her eyes... and heard my mother's wisdom in her words.  She was much more than a mentor and leader to me ... she was..."

Was it right to call her this?  Bella didn't know what was right or wrong in such a situation.  Who had ever lived through something so complicated and socially perilous as this?

"A mother and I loved her dearly."

She accepted the coffee cup that was passed into her hands.

"Thank you for your invitation to your lovely home, it's an honor to finally sit down and talk with you." 

She reached into her purse. 

"I brought some photos of Aurora with me... if you'd like to see them?"

Like all mothers who could afford them, Bella had more than a few photos of her child.  From the age she'd come into her and Gavin's life... just shy of her first birthday all the way up to the present, some six years later.  The eight photos told a story of a growing child who was a dark-haired beauty already... one that liked fancy dresses and ballet.  Two photos were more casual in nature, showing a growing tom-boy who played as hard as any boy she'd ever met.  

She offered them to Sofia to look through.  

"My God, it is uncanny,"  she said, passing the photo to Gavin. 

"Mare was a lovely woman.  Seeing this, their similarities, I have no doubt that Aurora will grow to have all her best qualities."

As Gavin took the photo, she looked back to Sofia.

"Aurora is quite brilliant.  Her marks in school are very high and she has a truly kind heart - why just this past Christmas after a boy tried to ruin Father Christmas for her, she helped make sure the other children of our neighborhood had a happy Christmas.  I'm constantly blown away by her."

Bella had forgotten her caution in that moment, diving deep into the role of a proud mother talking about her daughter whom she loved dearly.  She beamed as she went on and on about Aurora's fine qualities.  "As you can see there, she's been dancing now for three years almost?"

She looked to Gavin as if to get his confirmation that she was right about how long Aurora had been dancing.

"She's the most graceful in her class by far.  She danced a solo this past season and there wasn't a parent in the room who didn't come to us to say how proud we must be of her.  I'm actually thinking about hiring a private teacher for her.  I don't know if she will become a dancer when she grows up but she certainly has the talent for it.  But..."  she chuckled realizing she was rambling.  "Of course that would be her choice.  Gavin and I have let her try a wide variety of activities.  We really want to find what she enjoys most."

Bella picked up her coffee to sip it, preventing herself from dominating the discussion.

Gavin had stayed mostly quiet, politely smiling or chiming in briefly after introductions were made. He observed, trying to read the situation before reacting. Marie's mother reminded him of Marie: the same strength... but Gavin also trusted his gut when it came to recognizing goodness- perhaps because he'd seen much more evil than most. He wasn't always right in his assessment of people, but he was right much more often than not. 

"Thank you for your invitation here today... Marie was a... wonderful woman. I wasn't as close with her as Isabella was, of course, but I like to think we had a lot of mutual respect for each other. My wife and I both know the importance of family, and we're happy to be here with you today. If you wanted to meet Aurora... well, that's something we can arrange."

I'll have about 200 armed guards around, just to be safe. But it seems like the right thing to do.