Costanzo was walking back slowly to the manor after being given his brother's final decision. He knew well enough when to stop pushing Francesco. The fact that Francesco had let him walk away with no consequence was a miracle itself. He did not know why he even bothered going to his brother but he was the only one he counted on throughout all his life. When he thought about it, his brother was the only one who was always there for him. He always looked out for him when their father was not. Francesco was always the one protecting him even from a distance. But after all this time he still was in need of saving and he had even gone to Francesco even though Francesco hated Elize with a passion.

Costanzo was feeling defeated. It was not just the pain of helplessness in saving Elize that hurt him. It was the pain of hearing the truth. It was the pain of his brother's true intentions. His brother had forbidden him to get close to any one with ties to senators, governors, FBI, police or anyone that had high potential to turn against the family. Now he could see why his brother did what he did. His brother had tried to prevent him from suffering the broken heart of witnessing the death of someone he cared for when they committed treachery or moved against the Rosarios. Now he knew how his brother was so desperately trying to protect him and prevent this day from coming. But it was too late. He knew Elize. It didn't matter they both had moved on. He knew her. He had dinner dates with her. He had played tennis with her. He had gone horse riding with her. He knew her. That was what Francesco was trying to prevent so he didn't fall to pieces if the woman potentially went against his family. He felt pain. All this time he hadn't appreciated what Francesco was trying to do. He had despised his actions but now he respected him more than he did before. Francesco's words were out of concern. His brother loved him. He truly did.

As he was deep in though, he heard a voice behind him. He turned around and saw Antonio walking out of one of the heavily guarded guest houses. He ran to Costanzo and spoke "What happened? What did Francesco say?"

Costanzo shrugged and walked away as Antonio walked alongside him "What do you think he said? He said he warned me what would happen. He said I should watch happens and learn my lesson. The worst part is that I feel .... he has been right all along. He tried to protect me and I did not see it..."

Antonio asked hopefully "So, does this mean you are letting it all go. I did not expect to hear it but miracles do happen. I felt guilty letting you go by yourself to talk to Francesco but I can't risk rocking the boat with Francesco. You know he wants to hurt my father. I can see it in his eyes. I can't afford to be in his bad books."

Costanzo spoke "I won't let it go."

Antonio spoke "Come again.."

Costanzo turned to his cousin "I won't let it go. I won't let her die."

Antonio spoke "Are you crazy? You do not have any chances of success unless Francesco backs you up. You can't do this. I can't do this. No one can but Francesco. You can't take on the Don. He would crush you to pieces." Antonio was looking around hoping no one was at ear shot. They were a good distance from any guest house building. They were a short walk away from the main manor still. Antonio knew they couldn't discuss anything so openly and kept watch.

Costanzo sighed as he whispered "Don't you think I know that. I know its suicide but I am going to get her out in the next few days. You heard the Don. Since its celebration time they won't do anything to the prisoners for another week since Mama Adriana wouldn't like her husband being out of the house for business when guests like her estranged grandsons are staying here. So Elize has a lifeline for a few days."

Antonio spoke "No. You can't do this Costanzo. Are you crazy? Think of Amaranta.."

That made Costanzo stop walking. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath "I will protect both."

Antonio laughed bitterly "Have you lost your mind? You can't. The only reason Francesco is not attacking the Voltolinis alongside Agostinis and Marcianos is because of you. He stopped a war for you. He compromised with the Voltolinis. He stopped Arturo and the Marcianos from attacking the Voltolinis by agreeing with the peaceful option that O'Neil suggested. You will marry Amaranta and Ambrogio will marry Portia Agostini, Arturo's cousin. Then Alessio will marry Alicia. If you back out, then Alessio, Amaranta and Ambrogio are dead. Alicia would lose Alessio forever. Is that what you are prepared to do? Portia would lose a chance with the guy she has been on and off with for so long but cares for. Are you ready for having that on your conscious? If you go through with this, Amaranta may end up dead."

Costanzo now opened his eyes and whispered as he turned to his cousin "I do not have a choice. I have to do something. I will save them both...."

Antonio spoke "Think about it Costanzo. You can not save both Elize and Amaranta.....You might by some miracle save Elize but you will be punished unless you run away with her. In either scenarios, Amaranta would end up dead. If you leave with Elize then that peace treaty is broken because Francesco doesn't have another brother to give to Amaranta to marry and I certainly won't marry her for you. You are needed because if you marry Amaranta then Ambrogio wouldn't be allowed to come after Adele since after their marriage, Amaranta and Adele become sisters. Coming after Adele for Ambrogio would mean coming after his sister which is very frowned upon and he wouldn't dare do that to risk every family shunning him and attacking him for such unholy act......"

Costanzo breathed "I would save Elize and would save Amaranta. I will find a way. I don't have any other options.... I have to do something...."

Antonio spoke " You must think of all scenarios. If you get caught, what then? Huh?... You haven't thought this through. Have you? You have enough men you can call up from California who follow you. They work for you. They die for you... But what if you are caught and they get caught too. You lose some of your most loyal men all for what exactly ..... and you lose the woman you are meant to protect.... If you are caught which I think is the likely scenario, then Amaranta is also dead. You getting caught with Elize means you are a traitor and you hold no affections for Amaranta. Francesco would be the one in charge of your punishment since he is your boss. But do you really think he won't punish Amaranta to teach you a lesson?"

Costanzo spoke "I would ask him to hurt me instead..."

Antonio laughed bitterly "I can't see him killing you. You are his blood. But he has to show the Don he means business and he would kill Amaranta to punish you. All he has to do is to make one phone call to Arturo and tell him that the agreements are off and he can do whatever he wants with Voltolinis. Francesco's deal is like a shield between the Voltolini family and Agostini-Marciano alliance. I can see Francesco giving that order to drop that shield. I can see him removing his protection from Amaranta by announcing you will no longer wish to marry her. It is not too hard to imagine. It has happened before. A brother does not kill a brother in this family. So it leaves the closest person to you...."

Costanzo shook his head "I will find a way to save both..."

Antonio spoke "You can't. You don't have the power. Only Francesco has the power. Why do you want to save both. You only need one woman in your life. Choose one and forget the other one. Which one is it then? Who will you save? You need to think about who you love more. You want to save both but you can't. You have to choose. Which one of these women you love the most? Can you answer that?....."

Suddenly they stopped talking as they noticed the approaching figure of Pitro. He came out of the house. He was looking at his watch. He shouted "I suggest you wear some descent clothing. This is dinner time. We dress more formally than this. You hardly have ten minutes."

Antonio and Costanzo nodded and separated to go to guest houses they were meant to be sleeping in to get changed.

Pietro watched them with a scowl on his face. He turned around and saw his wife Sofia at the porch near the railings "What is wrong with this new generation? They haven't even gotten changed from their travelling clothes. Don't they have any respect for the dinner table. I will bring up our kid to have manners..." He then touched Sofia's stomach gently "Are you ok darling?"

Sofia smiled "I am fine.... Oh.."

Pitro chuckled "The baby just kicked... Recently whenever I have touch your tummy, I feel the baby kick. I think this baby just wants to come out and give papa a hug."

Sofia spoke "Everyone is trying to guess what we are going to name this baby. They know how undecided you are."

Pietro spoke "I have made up my mind. If its a boy I will name him Vitale Vittorino after my grandfather and if we have a girl you name her after your grandmother. Is this a compromise?"

Sofia nodded "Good. At least I can give them a final answer. Its good you are making up your mind because I can feel it that this baby is due very soon. The due date is within days. I am getting abit anxious now. You making your mind up about the baby put my mind at ease."

Pietro spoke " Don't worry. I am going to reduce your stress. You will deliver the baby amongst family. You won't have to go to Town's Doctor. Anna is on her way."

Sofia raised an eyebrow "Really? Your cousin."

Pietro spoke "Yes. The Don just made a phone call to Arturo Augustini and invited him over to come with whoever Francesco needs to meet with in Milan. The Don is trying to keep Francesco longer than intended by doing everything he can...... Arturo said enthusiastically that he was going to come over soon either way even if he was not invited today. He said he was intending to come to ask the Don for final permission to take Anna away now that Anna has finally said yes to his marriage proposal by the looks of it. Apparently she said yes to him today." He then laughed ".... Arturo does not know the interrogation that awaits him. My papa will grill him inside out. Anna is the only granddaughter. Women are precious gifts from the Lord in every family. Papa would question him for hours. I can't wait to see him answer to my father."

Sofia laughed "You don't like him very much. Do you? When are they coming?"

Pietro spoke " He is taking away a Rosario woman from the family. Why should I like him. I think they are arriving tomorrow."

Sofia sighed in relief "I am so happy they are coming."

Pietro spoke ". Indeed. They are on their way. You will have a good midwife. Adele's brother Angelo is also coming since he is now O'Neil's doctor temporarily. O'Neil's wife is also trying to have a baby. Apparently O'Neil has to come here too and is one of the people Francesco needed to see. He is bringing Amaranta and Alessio too. Papa would not like that but not as much as he is not so happy with O'Neil coming over..... I swear Arturo must have been smiling ear to ear when he mentioned O'Neil to Papa over the phone. That Irish will just turn this place upside down when he comes over. I know he will. But his wife is an honourable Italian as you know..."