The lunch was delivered to the cabin. Dino and Pietro had lunch at a dining table facing the lake.

"Are we going to ride the boat after lunch?" Dino asked.

"Let's have a nap first," Pietro said.

"I don't want to nap. Can I walk in the woods?" Dino asked.

"No, Dino, no. Don't go alone there," Pietro said. He didn't want Dino to go because he always got into trouble.

"Why not?" Dino asked. Pietro sighed.

"Because you always get into trouble. One trouble a month is enough, Dino. Don't try to give me a heart attack," Pietro said.

"Hmm... okay," Dino said.

"Why don't you read some books instead?" Pietro suggested, and Dino thought it was a good idea too because he liked to read. "Or, just have a nap. Don't you feel a little tired?" Pietro asked.

"Not much," Dino said.

After Pietro went to take a nap, Dino felt lonely. He took some more photos. He went outside but didn't go into the woods. He tried to look at the other cabins to see who was there, but he didn't see anyone properly. Then he came back to the room, picked up a book, and went to bed.

—-

"Dino, Dino...," Dino woke up feeling a little shake. He had fallen asleep without knowing. He saw Pietro looking at him.

"Papa," Dino said in a sleepy voice, rubbing his eyes.

"Do you want to go ride the boats? If you don't want to, that's fine. We can stay," Pietro said.

"No, I want to go. But I need to drink something hot first," Dino said, and Pietro made him a hot chocolate.

"Thanks, Papa," Dino said gratefully. "Mmm... this tastes good," Dino added.

"It's just a chocolate drink," Pietro said.

"But it tastes good. Maybe because you made it," Dino said, and Pietro laughed.

They headed down to the small dock where a sleek, wooden boat waited, gently bobbing with the movement of the water. Pietro climbed in first and reached out his hand to help Dino, who hesitated for a moment, unsure about stepping into the unsteady boat.

"Don't worry," Pietro said reassuringly. "It's safe. You'll get your sea legs in no time."

Dino grabbed his father's hand and carefully stepped in, wobbling slightly as he found his balance. "Whoa, okay, this feels weird," Dino laughed, sitting down quickly on the cushioned bench at the front of the boat.

Pietro started the motor, and with a low hum, the boat glided smoothly away from the dock, cutting through the calm, clear waters of the lake. Dino leaned back, feeling the cool breeze on his face and the gentle spray of water. The peacefulness of the moment made him relax more, the earlier awkwardness fading away.

"This is amazing," Dino said, looking out at the wide-open lake.

As they cruised along, the boat cutting a clean path through the shimmering lake, Pietro couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion. He glanced over at Dino, who was grinning like he didn't have a care in the world, and it hit him again how much he wanted to make up for all the time they hadn't spent together.

Suddenly, Dino leaned over the side of the boat, excitedly pointing. "Look, Papa! There's a huge fish! Can we try to catch it?"

Pietro laughed. "Maybe tomorrow. Let's enjoy the ride today. Besides, I think you've caught enough fish for one day, don't you?"

"It was just five small fish. And three of them were caught by you," Dino said, smiling.

They continued their ride, the boat weaving through small inlets and around tiny islands dotted with trees. At one point, Pietro slowed the boat, letting them drift peacefully near the center of the lake. The sun sparkled on the water like a thousand diamonds, and the stillness felt almost magical.

Pietro looked over at Dino, who was quietly taking in the view.

"You know what, it's good to have someone to share my moments with. Someone of my own," Pietro said, looking at Dino.

"Yeah, it's good," Dino agreed.

"I didn't have a girlfriend for a long time after I had to break up with your mother. Then I had a few for fun because I was angry and frustrated. I thought it would fix me, but it made things worse. As time passed, I was able to forget your mom. But I still didn't find the right one. Even Caterina didn't seem like the right one. But Papa wanted me to marry her because I was single. Well, that didn't work either," Pietro said. He just needed to say it to someone.

"Caterina left you because of me," Dino said.

"No, it wasn't because of you," Pietro said, looking far away with an empty expression. Dino realized that Pietro's life was lonely. He felt sad for his father.

"I'll find you a girlfriend," Dino said, and Pietro glanced at him and smiled.

"How about focusing on your studies and rugby instead of matchmaking," Pietro said.

"Oh, don't mention rugby. I still hate it. I hate doing sports," Dino said.

"But it's good for you. Look at you now. You're getting handsome. I'm pretty sure that's why that girl likes you," Pietro said.

"Do you think I'll be as handsome as you?" Dino asked.

"Well, not as much as me. But you'll be almost as handsome as me," Pietro joked, and they both laughed.

After the peaceful boat ride, Pietro steered the boat back toward the dock, cutting the engine as they glided to a stop. Dino stretched and hopped out of the boat, his energy fully back.

"So, what's next? Swimming?" Dino asked, looking at the sparkling lake, already imagining diving into the cool water.

Pietro smiled, grabbing some towels from the boat. "You read my mind. It's perfect weather for a swim. You ready?"

"Yes!" Dino said excitedly.

They made their way to the small beach area by the lake, where the water looked especially inviting. Pietro kicked off his shoes and tossed his shirt onto a rock, revealing a fit, athletic build that showed his dedication to staying in shape despite his busy life. His toned muscles and broad shoulders caught the sunlight as he stretched, looking effortlessly strong and youthful. Dino followed suit, tossing his T-shirt aside and sprinting toward the lake, eager to dive into the cool water.

Pietro called after him, "Hey, don't dive in too fast! Make sure the water's safe and shallow enough."

Dino paused at the water's edge, dipping his toes in first before stepping further in. "It's cold!" he shouted, laughing, but that didn't stop him. A moment later, he was waist-deep and splashing around.

Pietro waded in after him, smiling at how carefree Dino looked. "Feels good, right?"

Dino nodded, fully dunking himself under the water before coming up with a gasp. "Okay, this is awesome! Way better than a pool."

They swam around for a while, splashing each other playfully and floating on their backs to look up at the clear sky. The tranquility of the lake, combined with their laughter, made the moment feel perfect. Dino, though hesitant at first, started to feel more confident swimming alongside his dad, who seemed to have years of experience in outdoor activities.

As they swam in the lake, Dino couldn't resist playing a little prank on his dad. While they were both floating comfortably in the water, Dino suddenly gasped and went under, disappearing beneath the surface. Pietro looked around, his heart skipping a beat.

"Dino?" Pietro called, scanning the water, his tone shifting to concern.

There was no sign of Dino for a moment, and panic flashed through Pietro's mind. Just as he was about to dive in to search for him, Dino popped up from behind with a huge grin, splashing water all over his dad.

"Gotcha!" Dino laughed, eyes twinkling with mischief.

Pietro froze for a second, his heart still racing. "Dino!" he exclaimed, half relieved and half irritated. "Don't do that! I thought something happened!"

Dino, still laughing, swam away quickly, calling out, "C'mon, Dad! You really thought I drowned in here? I'm fine!"

Pietro shook his head, a mix of frustration and amusement on his face. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!" he said, though he couldn't stay mad. He swam after Dino, a mock stern look on his face. "You're lucky I don't toss you back into the lake for real!"

Dino giggled.