Disclaimer: Yeah, go to the first chapter if you really want to read another one!
A/N: I'm sorry if this chapter sucks but it is a filler chapter that introduces one or two new characters that I might develop...depending on if I get any feedback on them. I don't know what to tell you, other than the fact...cut me some slack on this one. I've been working 60 hours plus a week and still have 4 college classes to deal with too.
SmoothNCreamy: Thank you for your review. I'm so glad you like it. Hope it continues to please you!
Gmlover: New Reviewer! Yay! Thank you for reading and reviewing.
Dexter: So good to see you're still reading. Thank you so much.
Ravyn Jayne: I love Chad and Paige too. M/D's relationship just seems to keep going in my head...seems right.
SkittlezzChika: Hope this was quick enough for you this time. I am sorry about the delay with the last chapter.
BlueBabyBre: I hope this clarifies the whole Grandmother confusion for you. Sorry if it was cryptic before.
Roxie24: Thank you. I loved writing the Valentine's Day scenes.
Wolfie888: I wish there were more like Marco too. But alas, the only I know anymore seems to live in my head.
Man Freakzoid: Thank you for the confidence to continue Vixen's story. It should be up soon...like November 3 or 4...if not sooner.
Kate: My love...I adore your insane ramblings. They make me laugh. You know you love it when I give those evil little cliffhangers. You love it when I'm evil anyway! Thanks once again, love, for the encouragement.
Chapter Twelve
A/N: I'm sorry if this confused anyone but I meant to make clear that Marco's dad's mom died and she's the one that hated him. However, he still has a great relationship with his mom's mom. She's the one that supports him even though he's gay. Sorry I didn't make that clearer.
On with the chapter...
Marco and Dylan sat around trying to figure out the best way to ask permission to fly across an ocean to attend a funeral. His parents might not understand how much Marco might need him once he's there and how much Dylan wants to be there for him.
Marco shrugged finally and said, "Let's just get this over with. I have to fly out after the game tomorrow. I'd like to get our seats tonight...that is if you can go with me."
Dylan nodded and stood, looking at Marco almost fearfully. "Yeah, let's go and ask. Maybe they'll take pity on you and say yes. It's spring break and not like I'm gonna miss any school or anything."
Marco smiled his thanks at even attempting to go with him and stood next to Dylan.
They drove to the Michalchuk home in complete silence; no radio, no talking, nothing except the sound of the thoughts that were running rampant in the boys' heads.
Dylan and Marco entered the house to find Mrs. Michalchuk reading a magazine in the living room and Mr. Michalchuk nowhere in sight.
"Mom, where's Dad?"
"In his study, is something wrong, honey?" Mrs. Michalchuk asked as she looked at the two boys in front of her.
"No, yes, maybe. I need to ask you for a huge favor but it would be better to get it over with once. I'll be right back." Dylan said, the last sentence more to Marco than his mom. He left in search of his father in the study and found him reading a file for work.
"Dad, can you come out to the living room for a minute? I need to talk to you and Mom."
At Dylan's hesitant tone, Mr. Michalchuk looked at his oldest child in confusion, "Sure, Dyl. It must be important if you left Marco."
"He's in the living room with Mom." Dylan said sheepishly.
His dad laughed whole heartedly at the love struck look on his son's face. "Let's go rescue the poor boy then."
Mr. Michalchuk sat next to his wife on the couch and faced his son and his boyfriend. "So, what's going on that is so important?"
"Well, Mom, Dad, I was wondering if you'd let me go to Italy with Marco for spring break."
Marco smacked him on the shoulder, "At least tell them why I'm going."
Mrs. Michalchuk held up a hand for silence as she looked at the boys in front of her curiously. "Okay, Marco. Why don't you tell me exactly what is going on and then we will make our decision. You should know by now that details aren't Dylan's strong suit."
Marco half smiled at the very honest truth. "Mrs. Michalchuk, my grandmother died this morning and I have to attend her funeral. I'm supposed to leave tomorrow after the game but I was hoping that you'd let Dylan come with me so I could have some support while there. You see, my grandmother hated me but I've got to make an appearance for family sake." Marco explained in a rush.
Mrs. Michalchuk looked shocked for a brief second and then started to cry. Mr. Michalchuk hugged her to him gently as she wept.
Marco turned to Dylan, "I didn't mean to make her cry."
Dylan laughed, "She's always like this when someone mentions death. I don't know but I've come to expect it now."
Mrs. Michalchuk quietly composed herself before speaking again. "Dylan, you do realize that spring break starts tomorrow, right? After the game if I'm not mistaken."
"Yes, Mom. I'm well aware when spring break starts. Marco's flying out after the game and returning...wait, when are you returning?" Dylan asked as he turned to Marco.
Marco smiled slightly, "I was hoping to fly home in ten days. We'd be home on Sunday and school would resume that Tuesday."
"See, we'd return before school was back in." Dylan finished for his parents.
"How do you propose that you pay for this one?" Mr. Michalchuk asked.
"Mr. Michalchuk, I'd be picking up the tab on this one. He's doing this as a favor to me." Marco explained.
"Marco, you don't have to do that..."
"Mrs. Michalchuk, I want to and it's the least I can do considering you're letting him go, if you let him go, are you letting him go?"
Mr. and Mrs. Michalchuk looked at each other and then back at the boys. "Let us discuss this for a few minutes and then we'll give you an answer. Go downstairs please." Mr. Michalchuk responded.
Dylan and Marco went downstairs and sat next to each other on the couch. Marco held Dylan's hand and lazily stroked circles on the back of his hand.
"So, is this a good thing or a bad thing that they're discussing it?" Marco asked hesitantly.
"I think it's a good thing. I've never had a favor like this to ask before." Dylan said looking fearful.
The two sat in a companionable, yet mildly tense, silence for the next thirty minutes until Dylan's parents entered the basement.
His parents sat in the chairs on either side of the couch before speaking.
Mrs. Michalchuk spoke first, "Dylan, we want you to know that we've given this a lot of thought. It's not an easy decision to make seeing as it's the first time you've been offered to fly across the ocean to another continent."
"Mom, please cut me a break here and just answer if I can go or not." Dylan pleaded with her.
"Son, of course you can go. I wouldn't deny you an opportunity that I would kill for myself." His father explained.
Marco stared in shock for a minute as Dylan jumped up off the couch.
"You mean I can go? You're letting me go?"
"Yes. You'll need to pack tonight and I have to find your passport." His mother said as she started tearing up again.
"Mom, did you forget the happy pill today? You've been crying a lot."
She threw the pillow from her chair at him and smiled, "Yes I took my happy pill today. I'm crying because I can't believe my baby boy is growing up and leaving me."
Dylan rolled his eyes at her and stood up. He held a hand out to Marco, "Come help me pack, what's Italy like this time of year? What do I wear? What do I take? AGH! Paige!" Dylan ran out of the room dragging a laughing Marco behind him.
Dylan's parents sat down there for a few minutes.
"We did make the right choice, didn't we?" Mr. Michalchuk asked his wife.
"Yes, I think we did. Marco may not show any emotion right now but I think when he gets there, he's going to need someone. Dylan is the right choice for the job, he loves him." Mrs. Michalchuk responded firmly.
His dad nodded his head in agreement.
Upstairs, Paige was standing in the doorway laughing as Dylan freaked out over trying to pack.
Marco kept trying to dodge the clothing that was being thrown from the closet as he was trying to get Dylan to stop and sit down. "Babe, stop! Now! I'll help but you've got to stop throwing things at my head."
Dylan stopped throwing things and turned around to look at him. "I'm sorry. What should I pack? Help me, please."
Marco laughed at the helpless look on his boyfriend's face. "First, it's March and the weather in Roma fluctuates between 45 and 60 degrees. So, jeans, t-shirts, sweaters, a few nice pairs of pants, and a suit for the funeral."
Marco had everything laid out on the bed as he said it.
"How did you do that? Damn, you're good." Dylan told him in amazement.
Paige was laughing even harder and then it dawned on her that her brother was packing and Marco said Roma. "Are you going to Rome?"
Dylan turned to face her, "Yes, squirt. Marco and I leave after the game tomorrow until next Sunday."
"When did this happen and where was I?" Paige asked confusedly.
"About ten minutes ago and you were in your room." Marco responded smiling.
Paige still looked confused and couldn't figure this whole thing out.
"My grandmother died and I've got to go for her funeral. Dylan is going for moral support." Marco explained so she would be up to date on this situation.
Paige nodded and left his room.
Marco left to go home and pack and reserve their tickets for their flight.
The game went well the next day, Degrassi won...of course. The team wanted to celebrate but Dylan and Marco had to pass. They had a flight to catch.
Dylan's parents took them to the airport with a few last reminders to Dylan. "Behave, be polite, etc..."
"Yes, Mom. You've raised me right and I know my manners." Dylan said to appease her.
"Don't worry, Mrs. Michalchuk. I won't let Dylan out of my sight, he'll be fine. I'll take care of him." Marco told her patting her on the back.
"That's what I'm afraid of." Mr. Michalchuk joked.
Marco laughed lightly, "Just remember, Roma was my playground for half my life before moving here. I know it inside out and I'll try and get Dylan to all the cultural sights while we have some down time."
Mrs. Michalchuk smiled, hugged her son and his boyfriend and then turned to leave. Her husband followed suit and also left.
The boys boarded the airplane and settled into their first class seats for the long flight ahead. (Believe me, that long of a flight...it's gotta be first class.)
They slept, watched movies, played a few games, and talked to each other a lot; after all they were in an enclosed area for twelve hours. Good thing they were good friends as well as lovers.
Marco smiled as they started flying over Europe towards Roma. "Let's see, I've got to check with my parents but I think we'll have time for you to see the Vatican, Trevi fountain, and the Colosseum, oh and maybe even the Forum. I know there's more that I'd love to show you but time is of the essence."
"Marco, chill. Your parents might've something more pressing for you besides showing me the town. Do they know I'm coming?" Dylan asked.
"Yes, I told them last night when I booked the flight. They didn't sound thrilled but they said it was fine and we can sleep in my old room." Marco said as he faced him.
"Together? Are you sure you were speaking to your parents?" Dylan asked skeptically.
"Yes. They didn't count on anyone else and that's the only space available. If you'd rather not..."
"You can stop right there...of course I want to be with you. Stupid statement for someone so smart." Dylan said, chuckling lightly.
The plane landed, Marco and Dylan disembarked from it rather stiff limbed and feeling grungy. Marco looked around for a family member but instead found his name on a card.
He walked up to the chauffeur and told him he's Marco Del Rossi. The man in the stiff black suit showed the teens out to a stretch limo and opened the door.
"Excusa me," when the driver faced him questioningly, Marco asked, "Lei e sicuro che questo e pe me?"
"Si signore. Sua madre invia si rammarica che non potrebbe essere qui," the driver responded opening the door.
"Grazie."
"Prego."
Dylan and Marco were headed to the house and Dylan looked confused.
"What's wrong, babe?" Marco questioned.
"Some of us don't speak Italian and I'm lost." Dylan explained.
"Oh, sorry. I'll try and remember to translate for the next week if we forget. I asked him if he was sure this was for me. He said yes and Mom sends her regrets that she couldn't be here. Thank you and You're welcome were said after that.""Oh, okay."
They weren't in the car long but turned off Appia Antica onto a cobblestone drive. Dylan was looking around at the scenery when a huge two story house in a beautiful light burnt orange color.
"Wow! This is gorgeous." Dylan exclaimed.
"This is home. This is where I grew up until moving to Canada. Come on, I want to show you my home." Marco exclaimed excitedly.
Dylan smiled at his lover's exuberance of being there. He hopped out of the limo after Marco and approached the house.
Marco opened the front door to a spacious foyer with marble floors and a view of the humungous backyard area.
Dylan gasped at the size of the house and foyer. As Marco led him from room to room, he realized the entire place had these exquisite marble floors with domed ceilings.
"Overview of the house and grounds, roughly 310,000 square feet of land which includes tennis courts, a swimming pool with a fountain, and lots of green grass. The house has 7 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, and 3 sitting rooms; 2 on the first floor and 1 on the second. We are right outside the city limits of Roma, as you could probably figure out." Marco stopped to take a breath.
"This is amazing. I can't see you as a toddler running around on marble floors with all these antiques." Dylan said in awe.
Marco smiled as he entered the kitchen, where it sounded like everyone in the free world was located.
His mother turned as he entered and squealed with delight at seeing her only son after four months. "Marco, welcome home. Dylan it's so nice to see you again."
"Mrs. Del Rossi, thank you for letting me come. This house is amazing." Dylan said politely while being ogled by 5 other people in the kitchen.
Marco laughed at discomfort. "Let me introduce everyone for you, babe. You know my mom, this is Zia Salva and Zia Sunta," Marco said pointing at two older ladies sitting at the table, "these are my cousins, Maria and Vincenzo. This man sitting with my aunts is Zio Leo. Mi familia, questo e mio ragazzo, Dylan."
His aunts and uncle stared at him in shock. His cousin Maria laughed, "Frocio?"
"Si. Problema?" Marco asked her.
"No problema." Maria and Vincenzo answered together.
It helped that most of his family had already known he's gay, including his aunts and uncles. They tried to keep the information from the younger family members. Seeing Marco with a boyfriend, it made the keeping it quiet harder.
Marco led Dylan up the stairs to his old bedroom. "In case you didn't know, zia is aunt, zio is uncle. I said my family, this is my boyfriend Dylan. Maria asked if I was gay. I said yes and asked if there was a problem..."
"Yeah, I got that last part about the problems." Dylan said sarcastically as he entered a spacious bedroom with a queen sized bed.
The room was painted in a soft butter yellow color with beautiful antique cherry wood furniture. An area rug in front of the fire place in blues and yellows with a couple of chairs.
"I don't see a lot of you in this room." Dylan said looking around.
"It's not really mine anymore. The color is the same and so's the area rug, bed, and furniture but all the rest of the stuff came with me." Marco said shrugging.
Dylan found their bags already in the room and looked at Marco questioningly, "How did those get here?"
"I'd guess the maid brought them up." Marco said with sarcasm.
"You have a maid?"
"Yes, actually four and a cook that never gets used because my mom doesn't like anyone else in the kitchen." Marco explained. "Oh, I'm sure that dinner will be in about forty minutes if you want to take a shower."
"Only if you come with me..." Dylan said with a lecherous grin.
Marco grinned and grabbed his hand, leading him through a doorway next to the armoire. "Private bath for my room...gotta love it."
Dylan found dinner that night a rather loud and boisterous affair despite the fact there was a death in the family so recently. He found the Del Rossi gang excitable, yelling over each other, eating everything in sight, and very inquisitive. He found that most of them also knew English, which relieved him to no end. He was made to divulge his entire life story and to declare his feelings for Marco. The last part was a little weird but he went with it.
Back in their room, Dylan collapsed onto the bed. "I didn't know a family could be that big or that loud. No offense, of course, but I'm exhausted now. What was with the making me declare how I feel for you?"
Marco laughed loudly, "Sorry but your face was priceless on that one. It's a tool every Italian family uses to be sure of your intentions. We are a loving family and if you can't declare it in front of us, then you aren't in for the long haul. You did fine. They love you. It was said more than once but I chose not to translate."
Dylan tossed a decorative pillow at him and laughed, "You aren't supposed to be keeping this from me."
"I told you now. That counts, same day." Marco said as he straddled Dylan's waist. "I love you for doing this for me. I know it doesn't seem like it's much of a sacrifice now but you've only met half of the family now. With the wake and funeral still pending, it's bound to get worse."
Dylan smiled up at him, "It's okay and my pleasure. I am curious as to why they seemed so happy even though someone just died."
"In most Italian families, death is not looked at like a bad thing, we celebrate life. We throw a party, it's not that we're not sad but we choose to show it in different ways. Does that make sense?" Marco said.
"Perfect sense. I'd rather celebrate life than grieve in death." Dylan said.
Marco leaned down and kissed him gently on the lips. "MMM. Jet lag is catching up with me."
"Oh, how cute little cousin...kissing boys in the bedroom," a sardonic female voice came from the doorway.
Marco jumped up off of Dylan and the bed and screeched. "Ohmygod, ohmygod, ohmygod, I was told you weren't coming in until tomorrow." Marco flung himself at the pretty brunette in the door.
She laughed and returned the hug with equal enthusiasm. "So, who's the cute blonde on the bed that you were molesting?"
"The cute blonde on the bed that I'm often found molesting is my boyfriend, Dylan. Dylan, this is my favorite cousin, Rosa. She's been with me through everything."
Dylan was standing beside the bed and smiled at her. "Hi, it's nice to meet you."
"It's more than nice to meet you. You are so cute...shame. At least one of us gets you." Rosa joked with him.
Marco smiled an easy smile at the statement, it signaled she was okay with all of it.
"Okay, where are you sleeping cousin?" Rosa asked.
Marco pointed to the bed in the room.
"And where is the blonde god sleeping?"
Marco once again pointed to the bed in the room.
"That is so not fair. I've never been able to sleep with my boyfriend's at home." Rosa pouted lightly.
"I sprung it on them that he was coming with me. Mom suggested we stay together and I wasn't about to turn it down."
"Never could say you were a dumb one."
Rosa left the boys alone and they got ready for bed.
Dylan and Marco were in bed cuddled up together. Marco with his arms around Dylan's waist with his head resting on his lover's chest. Dylan with his arms wrapped around the younger boy and his head cocked to rest on top of Marco's head. They were content just being with each other.
A knock sounded as the door opened slightly. Marco's mom walked in and looked at her young son in the arms of his boyfriend.
"Am I interrupting something?" Mrs. Del Rossi asked hesitantly.
Marco smiled up at his mama. "No, come on in. Have a seat."
She sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the two boys. "So, tell me about your soccer season? How is school? I would ask how you two are doing but I can see you're fine."
"Mama, slow down. We'll be here for you to grill all week long. Soccer was good. We won all our games. School's great, still at the top of my class. Dylan and I are wonderful," Marco responded, still lying on Dylan's chest. He felt the rumble of laughter coming out of Dylan as he answered the last question.
Marco lifted up off of Dylan to peer down at him. "What's that laugh for?"
"Mrs. Del Rossi..." Dylan started.
"Please, call me Mama. It seems you're going to be here for a while and you make my son happy." Mrs. Del Rossi interrupted.
"Okay, Mama, Marco's making light of what's going on at home. He's the star of the soccer team. We wouldn't have won most of the games if it weren't for his expert ball handling and shooting skills. He's a great player. As for school, thanks to him, my grades are even improving. He's got one heck of a discipline when it comes to studying and doing homework. You should be very proud of him. And he didn't gloss over the fact that we are wonderful. I love your son and I don't plan on going anywhere," Dylan said definitively.
"Good to hear that. Now, I'll say good night. I'm sure you boys are exhausted from the flight." Mrs. Del Rossi got off the bed and started to walk to the door, "You know Marco, I wasn't sure if you'd actually come. I know there's no love loss between you and your grandmother. It means a lot to your father and me that you did come..."
Marco got off the bed and made his way toward his mom. "Mama, if it were just for grandmother, I probably wouldn't be here. I've got the family to think of, they need me here as much as you do." Marco hugged his mother and kissed her on the cheek.
"When did you become so wise? Yesterday, you were a little boy playing with trains and trucks on these marble floors. Today, you are grown and making too much sense." Mrs. Del Rossi shook her head in amazement.
Marco laughed as she exited the room. "Mama...refuses to see that I've grown up until it's almost too late."
"At least she didn't freak when she came in and saw us together." Dylan added hopefully.
Marco nodded as he got back into bed with his lover.
The next afternoon was the wake at the funeral home. To say it was a stressful afternoon would have been an understatement of monumental proportions. All of his grandmother's friends giving Marco dirty looks. Looking at Dylan curiously as he stood by his best friend and lover, just holding his hand for support. A few choice snide comments by distant relatives towards Marco's sexual orientation. It was just a very difficult afternoon for Marco.
Luckily, most comments were made in Italian so Dylan wasn't completely privy to all information that was passed. He knew something wasn't right, however by the tense posture the smaller boy had taken with each passing comment.
The family went back to the house after the first wake was over, only to return in a few hours for the second one.
Marco went upstairs while everyone stayed downstairs to chat and receive visitors. Dylan followed him up and entered the bedroom as Marco sat in one of the chairs in front of the fireplace.
Dylan knelt in front of him and placed his hands on Marco's knees. "Are you okay?"
Marco tore his gaze from the empty hearth and looked at the blonde before him. "No. I shouldn't have come. Everyone knows that my grandmother hated me and that's what most of the comments and whispers were about. Some of the family can't believe I brought my boyfriend and it's just a way to throw my lifestyle in their faces. I know I shouldn't care but I'm here because regardless of her feelings for me, she was my grandmother. If I can't put aside my feelings and differences for a funeral than I'm no better than she was. I am better than that and most of those hypocrites downstairs." Marco spouted angrily.
Dylan looked shocked as he visibly flinched at the force of his lover's words being hurled at him. "Marco, it's okay. I knew something was wrong but I wasn't sure what. You wouldn't translate what seemed to be hateful words so I wasn't going to question. I figured you'd want to keep it to yourself for the time being. I am sorry that they can't accept you for you and I'm extremely sorry they're taking out your grandmother's hatred for you once again on you. It speaks volumes that you flew here to be with your parents and the family that actually speaks to you...like Rosa and your aunts and uncle and cousins that I met the other day." Dylan retorted forcefully but with compassion tracing his speech.
Marco launched himself out of the chair and into his boyfriend's arms. They fell back against the rug and Marco covered Dylan's face with kisses. "I love you. You're right about everything. I came here in spite of my feelings for my grandmother. I'm here for me and for my family, well the part that loves and accepts me. The rest of them can go to hell."
Dylan laughed slightly as Marco continued to kiss him. "If you keep this up, you might consider locking the door. We'd hate to be interrupted by your mom, dad, Rosa...one of the other hundreds of Del Rossi's that seem to be roaming around here."
Marco got up and locked the door. On his way back, he stripped out of his sweater and t-shirt in one move, dropping it to the floor. He stopped to kick of his shoes before reaching his lover again.
Dylan stayed right where he was, watching Marco's progressive strip on the way back. "I see your intentions are clear..."
Marco grinned down at him as he knelt down next to him. He started to help Dylan undress. "Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of time. We've been designated to pick up three more cousins at the airport instead of attending the next wake."
"I've always liked deadlines." Dylan said with a grin as he shucked the rest of his clothes, as Marco did the same.
The boys emerged downstairs about an hour later after an intense round of love making and a joint shower.
Marco's mom looked up as he entered the kitchen. "Were you taking a nap?" Her expression gave away the fact she knew they weren't asleep.
"Yes. I'm still a little jet lagged," Marco said with a smile.
"Did you tell Dylan that you're going to the airport?"
"Yes. Who am I picking up anyway? You told me 3 cousins but forgot to mention which ones."
"I guess that would help wouldn't it? You'll be picking up Antonio, Roberto, and Christopher."
"Chris is coming? Why is he coming?"
"He's your cousin. It's his grandmother too."
"Fine. I guess we'd better go. Who's coming in first?"
"Here's the list. Be careful, you've never actually driven over here." Mama said with a quick his to his cheek.
Marco drove to the airport and parked the SUV in the parking lot. He'd been silent for the entire drive, not that it was long but he still hadn't said a word.
Dylan looked down at the list that was passed to him. "It says that Roberto is coming in first. Then Antonio and followed shortly by Christopher. What's up with Chris? You seemed angry to hear he'd be attending."
"We've got time, I'll fill you in on the story," Marco said as they exited the car. He looked at the screens in the terminal for the flight status of his cousins and then sat on a bench before speaking again, "Chris and I were raised together over here. Then his parents and mine moved to Canada together. He actually only lives about an hour away from us. He wasn't happy when I came out. It made him question his sexuality. He didn't appreciate it. He hasn't spoken to me since."
"That sounds rough. Well, maybe he'll be okay with you now." Dylan said hesitantly.
Just then a gorgeous brunette in tight jeans and a red sweater walked up to them and pulled Marco into a tight hug. Dylan stared at the Italian marble statue come to life in appreciation, 'Wow! Magnificent specimen of man and why is he hugging my boyfriend?'
Marco laughed, "Roberto, it's so wonderful to see you. This is my boyfriend, Dylan. Dylan, this is Roberto, my older cousin."
"Hi, Dylan." Roberto said shaking Dylan's hand.
Dylan nodded. Marco laughed at his boyfriend's dumbstruck look as Roberto went to get his luggage.
"Honey, he's only a man and he's straight. Wipe the drool." Marco added with a laugh.
"He's...wow! What does he do for a living?" asked Dylan.
"He's a corporate bigwig in London with an Italian advertising firm. He works out twice a day to keep his model status in the world." Marco said proudly.
"He's a model, too. Are there anymore surprises you'd like to share before I make a fool out of myself?" Dylan inquired.
Marco smiled, "Antonio is his identical twin brother. He's also a model, but now is the Vice President of a bank in Paris."
"So, what you're telling me is that I'm about to be surrounded by amazingly looking guys for the next week. All with the Italian good looks, olive skin and dark hair that I've become borderline obsessed with since meeting you."
"Yes."
"I hope you have enough lube and condoms to compensate for it." Dylan laughed.
"I do. I'm ready and looking forward to it." Marco said with a huge grin as Roberto returned.
It was a half an hour later when the mirror image of the Adonis sitting next to Dylan walked up.
"Who's this fondling my favorite cousin?" he asked in a beautiful voice with just a trace of an Italian accent.
"This, my wonderful twin, is Dylan, Marco's boyfriend. Isn't he absolutely adorable?" Roberto inquired.
Dylan blushed a deep scarlet color as he was introduced to Antonio.
"So, are we ready to go?" Antonio asked.
Marco looked at Roberto, "He doesn't know?"
"No, we can't go yet. We're waiting for Chris' plane to land."
Antonio looked from his brother to Marco and Dylan and back at Roberto. "Okay, I'll see you at the house. I'm taking a cab."
Roberto grabbed his arm, "Look, Marco came to pick him up and you know what happened between them. Grow up, the least you can do is stay. We might need a referee."
Dylan decided to get more information, "So, I'm going to guess that no one likes Chris."
"He changed his name when he moved to Canada. He no longer wanted to be a Del Rossi. He's abandoned everything that our family stands for and won't speak to any of us. I don't see why he is coming anyway." Antonio spit out in disgust.
"As Mama said, it was his grandmother, too." Marco responded.
The four sat talking, drinking coffee. The brothers were weeding out information about Dylan and Marco's life together. About Dylan, in general and catching up on the news with Marco, it lasted for about an hour.
Chris approached the four from behind Dylan and sneered. "Oh, if it isn't the welcoming committee, however, I don't recall a blonde in our family."
Dylan heard the voice and thought 'no it couldn't be. What would he be doing here?' Dylan turned and saw a blast from the past. His very first crush and once hockey teammate for the junior league, Chris Derose.
"Dylan?" Chris asked.
"Chris. I'd say it's nice to see you again but I really hate to lie." Dylan said.
"Guess the feeling around the table is unanimous then." Antonio said to Marco and Roberto.
Roberto grinned and Marco was looking at his cousin and boyfriend curiously.
"What are you doing here with my family?" asked Chris.
"Well, I'd say you know my boyfriend, Marco. I'm here for him." Dylan responded.
"Trade one Del Rossi for another huh..." Chris started.
"How could that be, you aren't a Del Rossi. If I recall correctly, and I do, there wasn't anything to trade." Dylan said turning to look at Marco. "Honey, can we go now? I think I need to lay down, my headache has returned."
The five got into the SUV and headed for the Del Rossi house. "So, what are the sleeping arrangements?" Antonio asked as they pulled onto the cobblestone drive.
"You and Roberto are going to your parents' house. While Chris is staying at my house in a guest room." Marco said disgustedly.
"And what about you and Dylan?" Chris asked from the back.
"We are staying in my old room, together." Marco retorted with almost glee. He had to find out what happened between Chris and Dylan.
Everyone was greeted and dinner was served. It was a tense affair for Marco, Antonio, Roberto, Dylan and Chris. Rosa tried to get them to lighten up but soon abandoned the task deeming it hopeless.
After dinner, Marco and Dylan took the brothers to their house. On the way home, Marco stopped by a cathedral to ask for the strength to get through the rest of the visit with Chris.
Back in the car, Marco began his inquisition, "So, how exactly do you know Chris?"
Dylan smiled shortly, "It took you long enough to start asking."
"Yeah, well I was waiting until I had a firm hand on my emotions."
"It was nothing. Chris and I knew each other when we were younger. We were on the junior hockey league together. He was exploring his sexuality, I already knew what I was and he pursued it. He was my first kiss. It was horrible really. That must have been around the time you came out. He decided he didn't want to be gay and ran away. Seems to be his escape for a lot of things. I hoped never to see him again." Dylan explained.
"So your first kiss was horrible. I'm sorry to hear that. Mine was wonderful, oh wait...you were there." Marco joked.
Dylan laughed at the odd statement. He never knew what to expect when Marco spoke.
Marco kissed Dylan lightly on the cheek after he pulled into the driveway and parked the car.
"What was that for?"
"For being wonderful."
"That's all I get for being wonderful?"
"No, but it's hardly appropriate to express it here." Marco told him.
Dylan laughed as both of them exited the car.
Marco managed to get up the back stairs without anyone noticing. He wasn't so lucky when they got upstairs. Chris was in the sitting room which they had to pass before getting to Marco's room.
"Marco, can we talk? You too, Dylan?"
"No. We're done. Dylan you can talk to him if you want, I'm going to bed."
"I'll be right there. There are a few things I want to say to your dear cousin, Chris." Dylan said slowly.
Marco continued on his way down the hall.
Dylan entered the sitting room and stared down at Chris from the opposite side of the room. "I don't know what to say to you other than the fact, that I hate being used."
"I didn't start out to use you. I was really interested, I still find myself thinking of you. I am gay. I've always wondered if you still thought of me."
"Funny thing, I hadn't thought of you in years until I heard your voice again. Then the memories came back and guess what, they were all bad." Dylan said snidely.
Chris chuckled lightly, "I was pretty horrible to you."
"Yep, and I thank you for it. If it weren't for you being an ass, I might never have left junior league. Leaving junior league gave me enough time to get picked up by the junior a league." Dylan said.
"You want to get together when we get home?" Chris had the audacity to ask.
"Surely you're kidding. I'm in love with your cousin. This is the end that fits means..." Dylan said walking out of the sitting room. He returned to Marco feeling lighter than he had since first seeing Chris.
The rest of the trip went smoothly. They had the funeral and then five days free to go sightseeing.
They saw the Vatican, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi fountain, the Parthenon, the Colosseum, and a few other sites of interest. Dylan enjoyed the tour immensely.
The final day of the trip, the house got quiet again. Everyone had flown out or driven away or who cares, they left. Leaving Marco, Dylan and his parents in the house together.
Mr. Del Rossi had been mysteriously absent for most of the family gatherings over the week but chose to attend the last dinner with his son.
"Marco, is everything okay at home?"
"Yes, Papa. It's perfect. School's great, soccer was excellent, the house is still standing."
"Okay, good. You've got two more weeks to yourself and then your mother and I will be home."
"I'll be glad to have you back. It gets lonely around the house." Marco responded smoothly.
"How's the car?"
"She's wonderful. I love her." Marco told him.
The next day, Marco and Dylan flew out to go back to Degrassi.
Paige and Chad greeted them at the airport 12 hours later.
"Dylan..." Paige squealed with delight.
"Marco." Chad squealed mimicking Paige.
Marco laughed as Chad launched himself at the shorter boy. Dylan stopped to brace himself for Paige as he watched Chad assault his boyfriend.
Things were back to normal, Dylan thought.
Things were far from normal, he just didn't know it yet.
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