A/N: Sorry it's been so long to get the second chapter up :/ It's a break this weekend, and with the storm I keep getting sent home early from work. And I hope to have a productive week coming up so will see if I can't crank out a few more chapters ;) I'm having a lot of fun writing this and I hope you all are enjoying it! Drop me a review- it will make a poor college student happy :')
The course of true love never did run smooth.
~William Shakespeare
Chapter Two - A Happy Occasion
Portia was saying something, most likely blathering about whatever quaint, useless things women found interesting. Bassanio appeared intensely interested, but someone who had known him since he was a boy would have been able to spot that unfocused look in his eyes. Antonio stood at the top of the grand stairwell, looking down upon his guests as they waited in the foyer. They did look happy…
Antonio suppressed a sigh and started down the stairs. His steps were silent until the seventh stair down, the one that always creaked. The stair that had gotten him and Bassanio caught oh so many times when they were children as they tried to sneak out in the middle of the night.
Bassanio whirled around and looked up at Antonio, his blond hair swinging at the nape of his neck. A wide smile lit up his face and made his wide blue eyes shine. "You look well, old friend!"
A smile slowly grew on Antonio's face despite his leaden heart. "As do you, Bassanio." As he reached the bottom of the stairs the two young men clasped arms, sharing a smile that communicated more than words could. Antonio noticed that his friend seemed in an especially good mood. Most likely he was just anticipating the evening's festivities.
Antonio carefully kept his smile as he bowed and pressed his lips briefly to Portia's gloved hand. "Welcome, Lady Portia. You look especially lovely today."
"Many thanks, my lord," Portia replied politely, and then flashed an excited smile at Bassanio.
"My lord Bassanio!" Gratiano cried from his position at the top of the stairs.
"I have the most dreadful news!"
"Gratiano…" Antonio's icy glare matched his tone.
Bassanio, who was only too familiar with Gratiano's antics, frowned in mock concern. "Oh, do tell us immediately then."
"I do believe Antonio's heart of stone has cracked!" Gratiano announced as if he were heralding the end times.
Bassanio's smile widened. "Oh my, that is dreadful news. Now who shall we tease about forever being a bachelor?" The young man winked at his best friend and Antonio felt a smile tug at his lips despite his irritation.
"Who is the lucky lady?" Portia pressed.
"Why, only the fairest lady in the land," Antonio replied in a completely serious tone. "Lady Clarice of house Palaver." Gratiano flushed red at the mention of his mother. Portia hid a smile behind one delicate hand while Bassanio laughed out loud.
"Mess with the bull and you will get the horns, my friend," Bassanio grinned, clapping Gratiano on the shoulder.
With a highly offended sniff, Gratiano offered his arm to Portia. "My lady, allow me to take you away from these vulgar fellows."
"There's tea in the parlor," Antonio said, grateful for the chance to talk to his friend without Portia at his side. This was an increasingly rare occurrence these days.
"Insult my mother again, sir, and I will be forced to challenge you," Gratiano threatened, giving Antonio a meaningful look.
"To a sword duel?" Bassanio scoffed. He knew Gratiano was only kidding (or at least he hoped the fool wasn't stupid enough to challenge Antonio to a duel). "My friend, you wouldn't last ten seconds!"
Gratiano left with Portia before his pride could be injured further.
"That man cannot take a jest," Bassanio grinned, "although he is proficient at handing them out."
"Oh, he more than deserved it," Antonio sighed, leading his friend out onto the terrace. Next to Antonio's broad frame, Bassanio looked almost delicate. For a boy who had once been a hardworking servant, he was surprisingly slight.
The final preparations for the evening's festivities were being made. The Romano's grounds were covered by impressive hedges and immaculately groomed gardens. The gardens were dotted with tables and the group of musicians Antonio had hired were stringing and tuning their instruments in the gazebo at the center of the terrace. The entertainers would be arriving shortly and the cooks were busy in the kitchens making the final touches on the food. Everything had gone exactly as planned. The weather was warm and the sky was clear. It would be an evening to remember…
"Any news from your father?" Bassanio inquired.
"None," Antonio murmured. He did nothing to hide the worry in his face now. Around Bassanio he didn't need to be strong all the time.
"I heard Sullivan's company lost another ship in the Caribbean," Bassanio said gravely.
"My father is a very capable captain," Antonio repeated the sentiment he had expressed to Gratiano. "He will be fine."
Bassanio clapped him on the arm. "Say what you will, I know how close you are to your father. But tonight is not the night to be somber, my friend! Tonight is a night to be merry!"
"And will you finally tell me why you had me host this party?" Antonio asked, unable to hide his smile. Bassanio had asked him a fortnight ago if Antonio would do him a favor (as if Bassanio didn't already owe his life in favors to Antonio) and host a party at the manor. He would not say the occasion but, like every time before, Antonio obliged. He hoped his parents would not make a fuss; Bassanio seemed to have little care for the expense of anything, but parties were not cheap.
Bassanio grabbed his friend's wrist and pulled him down so their faces were inches apart. Antonio's heart hammered in his chest and suddenly it was hard to breathe. Bassanio's blue eyes were wide with excitement. One soft blond curl fell in his face and Antonio was tempted to tuck it behind his friend's ear. A huge smile lit up Bassanio's face; the boy always seemed to smile with his entire soul when he smiled. It was…
"Tonight I am going to ask Portia for her hand," he whispered. His slender hands trembled as he removed a ring set with an emerald from his pocket. Antonio leaned back; the momentary relief he had felt from his heavy-heartedness was over. The day dream, the hope- that was all over now. This was it.
"It's beautiful," Antonio mumbled. How far in debt did it put you this time? Antonio forced a smile and shook his friend's hand. "I offer you my congratulations. She would be a foolish woman to refuse you. I wish you both the best." Each sentiment tasted like poison as it rolled off his tongue.
If Bassanio noticed his friend's displeasure, he made no comment on it. "Many thanks. You are like a brother to me, Antonio; your blessing means as much to me as her father's."
Like a brother…
"Then he has given you his blessing?"
Bassanio nodded, shaking more of his curls loose. "Just last week, yes."
"Wonderful." Antonio tried to sound like he meant it sincerely.
Bassanio laughed like his body simply couldn't contain the joy he felt. "Five gold pieces says Portia and I have our first child before you have occasion to buy such a ring."
"Such a small bet for such certain odds?" Antonio joked, but his heart wasn't in it.
"Did Gratiano speak the truth? Has a local beauty caught your eye?"
"Gratiano thinks himself an expert on me…" Antonio muttered irritably.
Bassanio laughed again. "Foolish man! You are as mysterious as the stars and as unreadable as stone!"
