The long flight to Rome was silent. Maximus slept little and Sophia stirred and shifted in her seat often.

He tugged her close and whispered. "Relax, my love. Sleep." Her luscious long black curls spread across his shoulder as she snuggled close and nodded, but moments later, she was again restless.

He too was restless, unsure of what they would be facing. When she called her father to inform him that they would arrive that day, the conversation was short and curt. Sophia was assured that a car would be at the airport to pick them up. But both Max and Sophia had been cautious, having packed nothing that did not fit within their carryon baggage and prepared to only stay for a day or two.

When she sighed deeply and wiped tears from her eyes, Max groaned and straightened his seat. "Sophia, you must see this for what it is. Your father is your father. He will always be your father and always hold over you the power he had when you where his child. But you are no longer a child and you must begin to interact with him in the correct manner. Otherwise, he will continue to control you. This does not require defiance or disrespect, only maturity, my dear."

"Right. You are right, Max. I love you, I truly do. For the first time in my life I feel alive and I can have this, can I not? He must begin to see me as a woman. A woman who has chosen her path. I choose my path beside you, Max."

"And I choose to live my life beside you. When your father sees that my intentions toward you are noble, he will soften."

"Ha!" Sophia grunted. "Max, I warn you. We are in for a hard few days."

He hugged her close. "You are worth a few hard days," he grinned.

They managed a few hours of restful sleep and Sophia excused herself to 'touch up her face', but Max was sure that she needed a few moments before landing to gather her courage. Such a difficult dimension, a father and daughter, and his mind slowly imagined how he would feel should his own daughter appear with a stranger proclaiming eternal love. Perhaps he too must gather his courage.

They deplaned and walked calmly to the baggage claim where her chauffer would be awaiting them. But near the door, Sophia stopped dead.

Walking toward them was a bear of a man, shorter than Maximus but his stride held determination and purpose. Immediately, his hand grasped Sophia's elbow.

"Come," he said.

"Papa," she stood strong. "This is Max Meridius."

"I care not who this man is," he leaned toward her and hissed. "You will come with me…alone. Send that man home to where ever he belongs." Again he tugged and again she stood her ground.

"Father, may I be clear? This is Max Meridius…the man I love."

"Rubbish! Leave him and come with me now!" A second man, most likely the chauffer reached for Sophia's other elbow but caught the tilted, treacherous expression on Max's face and backed off.

"I will not. Father please, come and meet Max."

"Sophia…if you walk to that man…it is my oath that you will be cut off. Do you hear me?"

Now several travelers had stopped in their tracks to watch. Max stood firm, wondered what Sophia would do.

"Papa," she said softly, aware of the growing audience. "I do not need your money. I only wish your blessing."

"Do you know what I am saying, Bella?" the old man nearly choked on the term of endearment. "You will be cut off. I will never, ever speak to you again. Your mother will be forbidden to speak to you. Your brother will never speak to you again. You will be cut off! Disowned! Forever! Now. Walk out of here with me, or walk to him…and choose wisely Sophia!"

Max's heart broke, watching the painful decision Sophia was forced to make in a public place. He could not attempt to influence her. She must choose him of her own accord. When she raised her arms to hug her father, he was sure he'd lost her. His head dropped and he looked off beyond the crowd. He thought of purchasing his return flight home, of preparing to leave Vermont for the vineyard, of life…without Sophia.

But suddenly he felt the warmth of her hand as it snaked into his. Together they watched her father charge from the airport.

"Are you all right?"

"I am with you. I will always be all right." She smiled through tears and Max wondered how much of the loss would affect their future. How he could someday heal the wound between father and daughter. If the opportunity would ever present itself. But for now, Sophia was his. He led her along the concourse.

"Max," she said.

"Yes my love?"

"From now on, when in Rome…I suggest we run the other way."

He hugged her tight and laughed aloud. "It has always been my philosophy, Sophia."