By mid-afternoon, Charles and Monica found themselves at Kelly's Diner for coffee and pie.
"I didn't realize how late it was," Monica said, "I guess it's time to think about getting home."
"I enjoyed spending the day with you," Charles said.
"I'd like to do this again," Monica said, taking Charles hand.
"I think that could be arranged," Charles said.
Monica thought for a moment.
"If you wanted to, you could come over for dinner," Monica said, "Olivia texted to let me know Jason and Kellie won't be picking up the kids until tomorrow. I"m sure they'd enjoy seeing you. But if it's too much, too soon, I'd understand."
"I'd like to join you, the grandkids, and the rest of the Quartermaines for dinner," Charles said, "Only if you're sure."
"I'm sure," Monica said.
Once Monica and Charles left the diner, they ran into Sonny outside.
"Charles, I'm glad I ran into you," Sonny said, "Maybe you could help with me something. Have you spoken to Kellie yesterday or today?"
Charles considered his answer for a moment.
"Is there a reason that would concern you?" Charles asked.
"I need to talk to her about something," Sonny said, "But Kellie really hasn't been receptive to anything I've had to say. I'm thinking maybe you could talk to Kellie for me."
"Does this have anything to do with Carly's SEC case?" Charles asked.
"I think Carly needs to cut a deal with the feds to give them Jason and myself to stay out of prison," Sonny said.
"Which to my understanding, neither Carly nor Jason have any interest in," Charles said.
"That's what they say, but…." Sonny said, "I think if I can talk to Kellie, get her to understand, maybe she can help bring Jason around."
"Sonny," Charles started to say, shaking his head.
"Kellie's barely spoken to me for months," Sonny continued, "She respects you. She'll listen to you if tell her…."
"Have you ever actually stopped to consider why that is?" Charles interrupted, heatedly, "Why you've barely spoken to your own daughter and need to have someone act as an intermediary to talk to her. Have you ever given that any meaningful thought at all?"
"Kellie and I clash, it's what we've always done," Sonny replied, defensively, "She never wants to listen to me no matter what I say."
"Has it never once occurred to you take some responsibility in how awful your relationship with Kellie is," Charles said, "I have seen Kellie turn herself inside out for years trying to make some kind of relationship work with you. Nearly every time she ends up disappointed or heartbroken when you can't get out of your own way. My god, Sonny, how much is Kellie supposed to put up with?"
"You don't know what you're talking about," Sonny replied, "I set up Kellie with the island and casino, the protection she's needed from her enemies."
"Providing financial security for your kid is something all parents want to strive to do," Charles said, "There's been multiple occasions where your protection has been tenuous at best."
"Like you could do any better," Sonny said, "Weren't you the one coming to me begging me to let Alcazar off the hook for trying to help the feds take me down for Kellie's protection or how about relying on your half-brother for her protection?"
"I'd say overall those worked fairly well for her," Charles said, "Honestly, Sonny, if Kellie had been protected adequately by you, she never would have been in a position to have ever headed up your organization years ago. Don't get me started on how often you or another member of your family got hurt because you didn't think you needed guards. One time led to her having a breakdown and nearly ending her marriage to Tyler. And now after she almost had to take over your organization again, you want me to ask her to convince Jason to turn his back on their marriage and daughter to go to prison so someone else doesn't have to. Even I know the kind of mob chaos that would ensue from that. Did you consider the fallout from this idea of yours at all?"
Sonny got up in Charles face.
"Don't pretend you understand my business or the decisions I have to make," Sonny said, "Kellie understands better than any of my kids the risks, the sacrifices that come with the business."
"But Carly's SEC case isn't business is it?" Charles said, "How is Kellie supposed to understand that? But it wouldn't be the first time you sacrificed your kid for a wife, ex-wife, or girlfriend is it?"
Sonny twitched and started to lunge, but Yuri came out of nowhere and yanked Sonny away from Charles. Frank approached cautiously determining if he needed to intervene on Sonny's behalf. Charles's guard was also nearby.
"I believe Mr. Scott said no to your request," Yuri said as "Your business with him is included."
Yuri let go of Sonny and backed away from him. He stayed between Sonny and Charles and Monica.
"How dare you put your hands on me?" Sonny yelled.
"Is there a problem here?" Taggert asked approaching the group, having heard the commotion.
Everyone glanced at each other.
"Just a difference of opinion," Charles said.
"Right," Taggert said, not believing him.
"Come on, we should go," Monica said, nudging Charles.
"You're right, Monica," Charles said, "There's nothing more to say."
"Nothing more to say," Sonny sputtered as Yuri ushered Monica and Charles towards the cars. Charles's guard followed.
"Boss," Frank said, shaking his head and nodding at Taggert.
"Try to stay out of trouble, Corinthos," Taggert said, "You should probably thank Yuri for stopping you and preventing me from having the pleasure of arresting you and hauling you to the PCPD."
"You're not PCPD," Sonny smirked.
"I'm still law enforcement," Taggert replied and walked off.
At the cars, Charles paced outside frustrated with himself.
"Monica, I am so sorry," Charles said, "I don't know what came over me. I know better than to engage Sonny like that."
"Sonny does have that effect on people," Monica said, gently grabbing Charles's arm to get him to stop pacing, "If you hadn't have told Sonny off, I would have. The gall of that man to expect Jason to agree to go to prison. It's not like the feds wouldn't be willing to make Carly deal if she gave them just Sonny. It certainly doesn't need to involve Jason."
"Still, it wasn't appropriate to contribute to a scene like that," Charles said, "Or lose my temper that way."
"Look, I know that what happened isn't what you'd expect of yourself," Monica said, "I suspect that it was about more than just Sonny asking you to be the go between with Kellie and what he was asking of you."
Charles looked chagrined as Yuri interrupted them.
"The car is ready," Yuri said, opening the door, "I spoke to your guard, Mr. Scott. He will follow if you'd both like to ride in the same car."
"I probably should reconsider," Charles said.
"You will do no such thing," Monica said, "We'll ride in the same car."
"Are you certain you still want me to come for dinner?" Charles said, "I really can't say I'd be good company after that."
"You don't have to be," Monica said, "And if you don't feel like joining the Quartermaine mayhem, we can have dinner privately. Even enter the house through a side entrance and avoid the family when we get there if you want."
Charles looked like he wanted to accept Monica's offer but still hesitated.
Yuri gestured at Charles to get in the car.
"You're outnumbered," Monica said.
"I do still really want to join you for dinner," Charles said, "And to see the grandkids."
Yuri visibly but silently cheered. Then remembered himself.
"Please Dr. Quartermaine, Mr. Scott," Yuri said.
Charles let Monica enter the car first. Then he stopped to speak to Yuri before he got in the car.
"Thank you for intervening back there before I did something I might have regretted," Charles said.
"No thanks necessary," Yuri said, "Just keeping make Dr. Quartermaine happy."