I was thinking - isn't it interesting that in GFII, when FFC reflects on the Vito's beginnings in NY-we get insight on what roles the children will have when adults? For instance when they return to Sicily and are having dinner outside, we see Santino fighting, being a hot head - back in NY in the apartment, it's Fredo who is weak as he has pneumona - we also see Michael, seems like a fine baby whose father loves him very much. Vito loved all his children very much, but it's interesting how these scenes were thought up. ?

Very interesting indeed, also notice when Vito and his family ride off with the train from the Corleone railway station, Vito says "Micheal, say goodbye". In the next scene Mama Corleone has passed away. It's just like Vito is present when mama dies, to stand by Micheal.

Good point, Sophia. And since the scenes you cited followed GF, you can see where FFC and Puzo engineered the scenes to support the adult characteristics we saw in the earlier film. The scene where Vito dandles baby Michael on his knee and says, "Michael, your father loves you very much," tries to show the constrast in Vito's personality: murderer who's also a loving father. But you could also say that he's trying hard for Michael's affection and loyalty, which was made explicit in a deleted scene from GF where the family visits the dying Genco just after Connie's wedding.

Good catch. I never made that connection.