AN: here it is! the sequel to Caterina, and i do hope you enjoy the prologue. so...i'm finally back! afetr my three and a half week absence -smile-. i was in Ecuador and sadly had no internet unless i got lucky at a relatives' house. i'm not gonna be on long because i got home at 1:30 this morning and i'm exhausted. so enjoy this chqpter and sit tight for more!

Love Can Prosper

Prologue: Secrets Kept

"We're back!" came Caterina's voice, echoing through the house. Prosper, who had been holding the door, stepped in after and hung up his coat.

"How did it go? Did you get the job?" Victor's voice replied, sounding from the kitchen.

Caterina winked at Prosper, indicating that he follow her lead. The pair casually strolled into the kitchen, glum looks on their faces.

Hornet frowned deeper when Victor saw her. "Oh no, actually. They rejected us completely, said they didn't want our help."

"Now did they really?" Victor wore a look of genuine shock and belief.

Caterina smiled, letting out a small giggle. "Of course they didn't, don't be silly. We both got the job."

"Well good for you! When do you start?"

"Tomorrow," Prosper answered instead.

"Fantastic!" said Victor, clearly happy for the pair. "Wait till I tell Ida the news..." And with that, Victor rose from the table, tea in hand, and skittered off to break the news to her. Hornet smiled after him, privately enjoying something.

"What's so funny?" Prosper asked, curious.

"Well, the way they talk about it, it sounds like I'm going to have a baby, not a new job." Her smile widened, and Prosper smiled back.

"But I expect they would also be yelling if that was the case," added Prosper.

"Yes, they probably would," Caterina replied as she walked over to the fridge, opening it and bending down to gaze at its contents.

"I don't know about you, but I'm starving. I'm gonna fix some dinner for me." She began to pull out ingredients, contemplating what to make.

Ten minutes later, Prosper and Caterina were sitting down at the small table bowls of hot soup in front of them.

Prosper sniffed some of the steam floating up from his bowl and said, "Mmm, it smells wonderful, Hornet."

"You're only saying that because yours burned," she teased. Prosper frowned and looked pitifully over to the sink, where the pot containing his burned soup sat, still yielding up smoke and steam.

Hornet laughed at his expression. "Whatever. Just eat it, will you!" She took a bite, closing her eyes to indicate that it was delicious.

Prosper smiled at her gratefully and took his own bite. They sat in silence for a few minutes, eating and savoring the rich flavor of the soup. Finally, when half her soup was gone, Hornet spoke up.

"So, you excited about the last day of school?"

"Yeah, I guess I am, but high school went by so fast," Prop answered.

Caterina smiled sympathetically, reaching across the table to grab his hand in hers.

She spoke again, her voice only a whisper, "When do you think we should tell them about..." Caterina gestured lifted their intertwined hands.

Prosper closed his eyes, thinking. He absolutely hated it when they arrived at the particular subject of telling their friends and family about their relationship, which had been kept secret for the past five years. Still considering his answer, he absently brought her hand to his lips. Finally he opened his eyes, having reached a conclusion.

"In two weeks," he said, "on your eighteenth birthday."

Caterina nodded in agreement. "I know you don't really want to, Prop, but we can't keep it a secret forever."

AN: hope you enjoyed it!! the next chapter should be up in a week or so, but until then, REVIEW!!

Gracias a todos!! Thank You!!

-bellla-