Page 50 of Hello Goodbye Amore

“Yes. Italy does not have marriage for people like us. It is similar, but not the same. So we get married in the US, so it is legal there. Then we register here in Italy to make sure we aresafe. Then we celebrate.” He grinned, and his eyes filled with happiness that carried Chase right along with it.

“Perfect.” He bit his lower lip.

“Then what is bothering you? Is it me?”

Chase had been trying to hide it.

“No. I’m just on edge because Smithson hasn’t yet told me what their plans are and if they’ll let me stay here. I like my job.” He turned to Tio. “While I appreciate that you and your father would make room for me in the company, I’d really like to have my own job and make my own way. Do you understand?”

Tio held him tighter. “My father is going to respect you more for that, and I only want you to be happy. Though know that the offer is still open if you need it. Either way, we hope that you will help us. Because of the deal with Smithson, we are getting more business in the United States, and we are looking to increase it even more.”

“Of course I’d help. We’re all going to be a family.”

Tio ran his fingers through his hair, cradling Chase’s head. “Yes, we are. And I was thinking that while your mother is here, we should all go down to the villa in Rome for a few days.”

Damn, his life was going to be so much different from what he was used to. “You’re going to spoil us, you know that?”

“Yay,” Ricky called from behind him, and Chase jumped slightly. “I’m going to get my bathing suit.”

“Ricky, we aren’t leaving right now,” Chase said and began to laugh. Their lives were going to be different, but as much as that might have worried Chase once, now it only filled him with warmth. “I’d better go see what he’s up to. He might be packing already.”

Tio chuckled warmly, and Chase reluctantly slipped out of his embrace to see what his son was up to.

DINNER WASamazing, as usual. Isabella really outdid herself. Maybe she was trying to butter up Paolo and Gemma, but from what Chase could see, they didn’t need it. Paolo and Gemma really seemed to have hit it off. The way Paolo couldn’t seem to pull his gaze away told them he was definitely more than a little smitten.

“Ricky, it’s almost time for us to go home,” Chase said.

“Do we have to?” Ricky asked.

Chase nodded. “Ten more minutes.” Ricky sighed like the weight of the world had just descended on his shoulders. Still, he didn’t argue, just went back to playing whatever ball game he and Isabella’s boys had made up.

“We are glad you are staying,” Isabella said as she cleared away the dessert dishes. Chase helped her and got a good case of side-eye for doing it, but she didn’t scold him.

“I’m glad to be staying too.” He turned to Tio and shared a smile before following Isabella inside. “I’m happy here.”

“This is a nice place to live, and you and Tio will be good together. I can tell. He is… how you say… I don’t have the words in English.”

“He’s settled in his skin. He knows who he is and can be content with it.”

“Exactly. And you make him that way.” She set down the dishes and took Chase’s hands, giving him an unexpected hard stare. “But if you hurt him I will fillet you like one of my fishes.”

“Understood.” Chase chuckled and could have sworn that she gave him the evil eye. “I love Tio and have since we were in college, though I never had the guts to tell him until now.”

“He was not ready then,” Isabella said. “Tio was not settled in his skin, like you say. He had to take the wrong path before he was ready for the right one. And in the end, Tio’s path brought both of you to Ricky, and then back to each other.”

She shooed him out of her kitchen, and Chase returned to the table and sat next to Tio, who carded their fingers together.

Paolo and Gemma were lost in each other’s eyes, sipping prosecco. Chase lifted his own glass, holding it up, and Tio did the same. “To love,” Chase whispered. “And to the twisty road that brought us back together.”

Tio tapped his glass, the soft tink sound filling the small square surrounded by buildings that had been there since the Renaissance. “To love.Mylove,” Tio added, and then kissed him as the shadows that had witnessed centuries of lovers purpled over them.

Epilogue

CHASE WASall smiles as he stood next to Tio while everyone milled around the lawn of the Boboli Gardens. They made their way inside and sat at their places at the head table, with Paolo next to Tio, and Dave, who had come over with his family for the wedding, on the other side of Chase. Ricky sat at the table right in front between his Grammy and Nonno as he’d specifically requested.

“I expected there to be a number of people who sent their regrets,” Tio said as they looked out at the very full gathering. “Very few people did.”

“I’m glad.” Chase figured that made things much easier for Contessina, who had been warming over the past year. Chase had figured out that she was very much concerned with what others, especially those in her social circle, thought of her. The celebration of their life partnership had made things much easier for her to accept. Well, that and the fact that their relationship included her only grandson, who she was coming to adore.

A light tinking sound silenced the crowd, and Tio’s father stood near their table, welcoming everyone and thanking them for coming. Then he sat, and the food was served. And what a meal it was. The courses came and went, with the meal taking almost two hours, followed by Paolo’s speech and then one by Tio’s father. Then music filled the night with magic.

“I think they’re waiting for us,” Tio whispered, and Chase let him lead him to the floor before they began their first dance. It was magical, and after a few minutes, Tio motioned to his parents to join them. Soon the floor was filled with couples, including Ricky dancing with Chase’s mother.

“Are you happy?” Tio asked softly.

“More than I ever thought possible.” He closed his arms around Tio’s neck and rested against him, letting the music carry him away. They had decided on a delayed honeymoon, given their recent trip to the States. Both of them had plenty to do, with Chase beginning a new project for Smithson. They had found that having someone in Europe was immensely beneficial. Instead of running his own initiatives, he spent most of his time facilitating other projects, looking to source components from Glorioso. He loved his job and the flexibility he had to work from anywhere, which meant they spent as much time at the villa outside Rome as they did in Florence.

Ricky came over, and Chase lifted him into his arms, the three of them dancing together. “Smile, Daddy. You too, Papa.” They turned to where the photographer stood, and all three of them smiled. Their first official family picture. “You gotta kiss,” Ricky giggled, and Chase and Tio each kissed one of Ricky’s cheeks. The photographer captured Ricky mid giggle. “Not me,” Ricky clarified, and Chase leaned in and kissed Tio gently as Ricky grinned. Chase knew that not everything would be easy, but for now, it was perfect.