The man's response- both in words and in body language- took Sofia's guard completely down. Whoever he was, he clearly wasn't here for business.  But he obviously had known Regina...very well, it seemed.  

Sofia's eyes softened at his compliment, and she suddenly felt a little sad that she would have to tell this person that Regina was gone.

"I...well, thank you; that means a lot."

She started to consider how to break the news to him- then something clicked in her mind.  Stories.  Memories that Regina had shared with her from Regina's life in Chicago.  La Cucina, her restaurant; friends and loved ones; a young Irishman- who Regina had called "angelo custode-" her guardian angel.  Sofia looked deeply into the eyes of the man standing in front of her- then her mouth went dry.

"My god... you're Connor...."

For the first time in almost a year, Sofia felt her eyes tingle.  It was never easy telling people- Regina had been loved by so many.  Still, she took the offered seat and waited for him to sit as well.  Really, she could hardly take her eyes off him.  It was as if a storybook character from her favorite bedtime story had come to life and was talking to her.  The bartender appeared, having brought Sofia a glass of wine.  Sofia was grateful- not even having to ask- and she took a sip before she began.

"There is a hill- on the far side of the Viacelli Vineyards in Catania.  It's situated perfectly to the east, facing the sea.  That's where we buried her, because she used to love to watch the sun rise."

She put the glass down and sighed softly."

"She passed away about two years ago, Connor.  She was 67.  Time hadn't been kind to her body.  She worked so hard and it just wore her down.  She was in a wheelchair for the last three years.  Oh, she hated it, but tried to make the best of it."

Sofia paused, hoping her answer hadn't been too hard.

Sofia could almost see his heart break; and it broke hers, too.  She wanted to offer him some kind of comfort.  When he put down his glass, she reached over and put her hand on his.

"Regina loved you, Connor.  You were family.  You are family.  I actually tried to reach you when she passed away, but I had no clue where you were, and Regina didn't have a good address.  But, she spoke of you often- so fondly."

A small smile curled the edges of her lips.

"I'm so happy to get to meet you."

Sofia listened to him speak.  She could hear in his voice that he had been through far more than he was letting on- but there would be time for that later; at least, she hoped so.  Connor had been such a significant part of her aunt's life, and Sofia found herself wanting to know him, well.

She smiled and took the wine glass in her hand again.

"Regina was happy, yes.  There was a time, after Gabe and Dante died, that she tried to stay in Chicago and be happy; but in her heart she wanted to go back to Sicily.  When she did, I think she kind of made me her "pet project."  I was just barely out of high school and working as a press operator in the winery.  She said "No, you are far too pretty to be smashing grapes."  And, with that, she sent me to New York to go to college, and then taught me everything about the business."

She paused, smiling a bit slyly.

"ALL of the business."

Sofia swirled her dark, red wine in the glass slowly, smiling.

Zia Regina enjoyed everything in life, I think.  She savored every day like...well...a fine wine.

As she took her sip, she found herself growing ever more curious about Connor.  Sofia sat back in her chair and crossed her legs, smoothing her dress over her knees.

Now, Connor, I want to know about you.  I still can't believe I'm face to face with you- I feel like i know you from Regina's stories, but what you said made me curious- that bit about not wanting to be found. 

There were several things that Sofia had picked up from Regina; she called it a "natural sense of curiosity," but it was more like sheer Sicilian nosiness with not a care.  

Sofia nodded gently.

If there's one thing this life can guarantee, it is that nothing is guaranteed.  Regina never thought she had anything to forgive you for.  She only worried about you.  She'd wonder aloud now and then where you might be and what you might be doing.  Toward the end, she asked for some of her pictures to be placed by her bed, so she could see them.  There were two in the group of you.  One of you smiling at the camera while moving that old grand piano, and another of you and Taryn just after you two found out about the twi...

She stopped herself short.  Surely that was a difficult memory for him, and she didn't want to bring up any more pain tonight.

She was beautiful, Connor.  I'm sorry.

Sofia just wanted to hug him.  Then, she had a thought.  Her face brightened up a bit.

Connor...come with me.  I want to show you something.

She stood, leaving her glass on the table.  Still smiling, she stepped away from her seat and took a step toward him, nodding encouragingly.

Sofia grinned- no one had seen what was in the large crate in the back.  A few had wondered, but Sofia was waiting for Will and Via to return from a business trip.  However, this seemed much more appropriate.

She led him through the swinging door and down a few stairs to the store room.  There, in the center of the room, was a massive wooden crate.  There were stamps on it from Sicily, France, New York, and Detroit.  Sofia looked around and spied a crowbar and grabbed it.  Smiling, she gently tossed it to Connor- who caught it with quite an amazing reflex.

Go ahead- crack it open.

Connor raised his eyebrows curiously, but shrugged and dug the flat end of the crowbar into a spot between the walls of the crate.  He was very strong, Sofia noted to herself, and had no trouble at all popping the nails that held the crate together.  Two walls fell away.  Sofia watched, waiting to see the reaction when Connor's eyes fell on a beautiful, glossy black, baby grand piano.

There was a moment there- where the past and the future fused between them.  The two had never met before this night, but their paths had one very important element in common; and in that moment it was embodied in an old baby grand piano- restored to its former glory and ready for a whole new life in a new place.

Sofia squeezed his hand, too.  Until that moment, she didn't even realize there were tears in her eyes.  She smiled and looked at the piano, and then at Connor.  

I cannot tell you what it means to me that you are here; and that I have finally gotten to meet you. 

Sofia felt like she was looking into that picture.

It sat on the table beside Regina's bed, and Sofia would find herself looking at it quite often.  She loved it when Regina would talk about Connor and tell stories, and she could see him in the picture with the piano.  Such a bright smile, and energetic eyes- he looked like he was on the verge of laughing.  She wanted to see that again; only this time face to face.

Her eyes closed briefly as his hand brushed her cheek, then she reached up and caught his hand with her own and looked into his eyes.

I don't know what brought you here, Connor, but....I don't want you to leave.