Chapter Fifteen
Marco felt like he was twisting in the wind with Dylan's wanting to move in but not wanting to move in only part time. He needed someone to talk to about it. He knew just the person.
"Scott, how's it going? Can you come over? I really need someone to talk to about something."
Scott arrived about 30 minutes later. "Hey, Marco. What's so urgent?"
"Dylan wants to move in but I'm not sure if he's serious enough about this relationship."
Scott smacked Marco upside the head, "He loves you more than he's ever loved anyone. He's seriously committed to you. But if you aren't ready to have him here fulltime, wait. It has to feel right for the both of you."
Marco rubbed the back of his head, "Okay, that hurt. I know he loves me but will we last?"
Scott rolled his eyes, "Who's to say who will last? You need to live for the moment. It's really the only guarantee in this world. Remember, I lost the love of my life a long time ago. I hope I have a second chance at true love with William."
Marco smiled sadly, "I'm still so sorry about that. I keep forgetting."
Scott shrugged, "It's okay."
Marco leaned over and hugged Scott. "I hope William is the right one for you. You deserve happiness as much as anyone."
Scott's phone rang right about then, "Oh, look…it's your boyfriend. He's texting me. It seems that he, too, needs to see me…asap. Wow! This must really be important."
Marco laughed, "Go find out what he wants or he'll keep pestering you until you cave. I thank you greatly for your advice."
Scott hugged Marco again, "Take care and I'll see you soon. William should be here in two weeks."
Marco smiled, "I can't wait to meet him."
Scott left and Marco turned on his internet. He saw his best friend's screen name and smiled.
BaddaBoom: Hey. How's things in Degrassi?
NoLabels: Kinda boring without you. How's life in Boston?
BaddaBoom: It's okay. Dylan asked if he could move in with me.
NoLabels: He did what? And you said what?
BaddaBoom: I told him I had to think about it. He's coming to Italy with me for Spring Break. Catalina is getting her First Communion.
NoLabels: That is so sweet. He's going to face your family to be with you again. What do you mean you had to think about it?
BaddaBoom: It's been difficult to know if we're going to last considering our recent history. How's the new wonder guy?
NoLabels: Nice try, Del Rossi. Diversion tactics aren't going to work this time. He's good though. I hope you come to your senses soon.
BaddaBoom: We'll see.
NoLabels: I've got to go. I'll call you later this week.
BaddaBoom: Okay, El. I love you.
NoLabels: I love you too.
Marco signed off after Ellie did. He now had two people telling him that Dylan should move in. He knew Paige and Chad's votes if he decided to call them.
Scott met Dylan at his apartment. "Okay, second urgent phone call of the day…what's up?"
Dylan let him in and grinned widely, "I'm proposing to Marco while we are in Italy."
Scott looked shocked, "Excuse me? I think I misheard."
Dylan smiled, "I am proposing to Marco, after I ask his parents for their permission."
Scott sat down, "Oh wow that is…umm…damn…I can't even think about this."
Dylan laughed lightly, "Just imagine how Marco's going to react…"
Scott chuckled, "This is likely to kill him. At least cause a coronary. Especially if you manage to get his parents' approval."
Dylan grinned, "I know. Now, all I have to do is find a ring. Yes, I know I have the one from before but I can't give him that one again. Oh, and I've got to figure out the perfect spot in Roma to propose."
Scott shook his head, "True sign that the man is totally gone. He's trying to find the perfect ring and the spot that will make him look the best."
Dylan shrugged, "I love him, Scott. I don't want to miss a day, hell a minute of him. I guess I always knew it but the feeling scared the hell out of me."
Scott smiled sadly, "As the former ex-boyfriend, I'll over look the comment. As the friend, I'm choosing to be happy for you both."
Dylan smiled, "Thanks, Scott. Now, can you help me pick out a ring? I bought him one in high school but I can't propose with that one again. It would be tacky."
Scott laughed, "Okay, William is getting ready to call. I've got to be home to get the call. We can go shopping later."
Scott left Dylan alone. Dylan flopped down on his couch and started flipping through channels. He landed on an old hockey game.
Marco was sitting at his desk, typing a student article for the paper when his phone rang.
"Hello?" he asked in a distracted voice.
"Hey, love. Is it a bad time to call?" asked the voice on the other end.
"For you, it's never a bad time."
"Are you flirting with me?"
"If you have to ask, then I'm obviously not doing a good job of it," Marco responded.
The other person laughed richly, "Well, maybe I'm just not as receptive as I used to be, Mr. Del Rossi."
"A happy relationship can do that to a person, Ms. Nash. So, what do I owe the pleasure of this particular phone call?" inquired Marco.
Ellie laughed again, "Like you don't know. I couldn't let you get away that quickly today. Dylan asked to move in and you said no. What in the hell is your problem?"
Marco smiled at the phone, he loved it when Ellie got protective. "I just wasn't sure if he's ready for this type of relationship. This is a huge step. How can I be sure it's me he really wants?"
"You can never be sure about love Marco. That's what makes it fun and scary." Ellie explained.
Marco agreed with her and then got off the phone. He had an article to finish.
Meanwhile, back in Degrassi, Ellie went to The Dot to meet with Paige and Chad. They were supposed to be doing something for school. Why Chad was there was really anyone's guess.
"Hey Paige. Hey Chad."
"Hey El. How's things?"
"Good. Just got off the phone with Marco. He's having trouble deciding whether or not to let Dylan move in."
At Paige's shocked expression, Ellie gasped, "Oh my God. Please tell me you already knew. If this was supposed to be a secret, Marco never told me."
Paige shook her head, "I haven't talked to Dylan in over a week. What do you mean that Marco isn't sure about letting Dylan move in? Who said anything about moving in?"
Ellie closed her eyes, "Dylan asked Marco if they could co-habitate. Marco said he needed time to think about it."
Paige grimaced and Chad started to laugh.
Paige smacked him on the shoulder, "This is not funny. Marco's not sure about Dylan's love. He won't let him move in…this is not a laughing matter."
Chad tried to calm his laughter down, "Hun, yes this is. I mean I don't blame Marco at all. Look at what Dylan put him through. I'd be a little concerned myself if something like that happened to me."
Paige stood up abruptly, "I've got to call Dylan. He must be heart broken."
Chad pulled her back into her seat, "I don't think that's a wise idea, love. He's probably not too bad off. Marco said he'd think about it. It's a big step for them. It does require some serious consideration."
Paige looked at him, "Fine, I understand that point but I have to call him anyway. He's my brother. I need to know he's okay."
Paige got up and walked outside. She dialed Dylan's cell phone from hers.
Dylan was still watching the sports channel when his phone rang.
"Hey, Paige. What's up?"
"Are you okay? I heard about the Marco saying no to you moving in thing."
"Who told you he said no?"
"Ellie said he's thinking about it…which is about as good as a no."
Dylan laughed humorlessly, "Well squirt, Marco is thinking about it. He hasn't given me a definite answer yet. So it's not a no but it's not a yes either. However, I think I'm going to do something else so he knows that I'm very serious."
"What are you going to do?" Paige inquired, getting interested.
"You've got to promise you won't tell anyone."
"I promise."
Dylan
knew it was a false promise but he chose to tell her anyway. He
divulged his plan to propose after asking the Del Rossi's for
permission.
Paige squealed so loud it brought Ellie to her side in a moment. Ellie knew Paige was talking to Dylan, so squealing meant big news that involved her best friend.
Paige hung up the phone after saying good night to Dylan.
Ellie looked at Paige, "What was with the squeal that we could hear inside?"
Paige's eyes glowed with a mixture of mischief and happiness. "Oh, I can't tell but I've got to tell someone. Dylan's proposing to Marco in Italy over Spring Break."
Ellie jumped back in shock, "What?"
Paige just nodded. The girls hugged each other.
Ellie released Paige, "Oh man. Did I just hug you? I really need to get in touch with some of my goth friends again. You are having way too much influence on me."
Paige just laughed, "As if that could be a bad thing."
Ellie just rolled her eyes.
Later that night, Dylan was playing on the internet. Chatting with a few friends from high school and some he'd met since when he got a instant message from Ellie.
NoLabels: Hey Dylan.
Idylan: Hey Ellie. What do I owe the honor?
NoLabels: Well, Paige told me your plan.
Idylan: She did what? I made her promise she wouldn't tell.
NoLabels: I won't tell Marco. However, I'm offering my assistance.
Idylan: Will I need your assistance?
NoLabels: I think you will. Do you know where to take him in Italy? Do you know how to let him know his parents are okay with it? If in fact they are okay with it?
Idylan: No, I hadn't gotten that far.
NoLabels: Do you want my help then?
Idylan: Yeah, it could prove to be useful. Thanks.
NoLabels: No problem. I just want to make sure he says yes this time.
Dylan called and fought with Paige about telling Ellie. She explained her point on it. Apologized profusely about it and then begged his forgiveness. Dylan did finally forgive her but he still wasn't happy.
Ellie called Rosa about helping with Dylan's plan. She agreed at once to help. She gave Ellie a list of places to take Marco. Ellie thanked her greatly and then emailed the list to Dylan.
As Dylan read over the list of places, with a map of Roma pulled up next to it, he was so grateful to Ellie. He'd have never found anything like this on his own.
The next day Dylan and Scott went shopping for rings.
Scott took Dylan to the mall. He didn't know what Dylan was looking for but he figured the mall was a good place to start.
Scott was wandering through Copely Mall with Dylan in tow. They were entering every jewelry store they came across. Dylan was being extremely finicky about the ring he wanted to purchase. Scott's patience were beginning to wear a little thin.
Finally, the last jewelry store in the mall, Scott snapped. Dylan was being stubborn about even entering since he hadn't found what he wanted in the first six jewelry stores he'd perused. "Look, it can't hurt to look in one more store. I mean, come on, you've had me through here in an hour. Besides, if you find something in here, it's an Italian jewelry store. That's got to be worth some major bonus points with him." Scott supplied the last bit of info with hopes it would sway Dylan's decision.
Dylan glanced up at the sign that read 'Bocelli's" and sighed. He entered and began glancing in the displays until he found the one he wanted.
A saleswoman approaches Scott who's looking at chains and charms at the other end of the store. "Is there anything I can help you find today?"
Scott smiles at her and reads her name tag, "No, Marie. I'm not looking for anything. He is…" Scott points at Dylan. "He's looking for engagement rings."
Marie smiles politely as she addresses Dylan, "Well, sir. We have a fine selection of diamond engagement rings in the case over here."
Scott choked back a laugh, "No, he's in the right section. His boyfriend would look a little funny wearing a woman's engagement ring."
The elegant woman quickly recovered from her gasp of shock. "Then by all means, what are you interested in?" She asked Dylan. Clearly she was still a little put off by the news but wasn't about to let if affect her sale.
Dylan chuckled lightly at her unease. He pointed to the only three white gold rings in the case.
Marie laid the rings on a velvet backer. She watched as he carefully looked at each ring without touching them.
"How much were you thinking of spending?" inquired Marie.
Dylan, still not glancing up from the rings, responded, "Enough to make him say yes this time."
Scott's head popped up, "Wait, I thought you were joking about having a ring from before. You really did propose and he turned you down? Now you're about to do it again? Do you have a death wish?"
Dylan waved his hand in Scott's general direction, "Yeah, he made some sense saying he needed to graduate high school first. We don't have to worry about that now."
Scott nodded but was still a little worried about this outcome.
Dylan dismissed two of the rings and picked up the third. He examined it from every conceivable angle. "Tell me about this ring…" Dylan prompted Marie.
Marie flushed a little, "Excellent choice. This is one of the best. It's a flawless white diamond, one carat. Set in a simple band of 14 carat white gold. The simplicity of the setting is what brings out the exquisiteness of the diamond."
Dylan continued staring at the ring. He knew instantly that this was the ring, "How much?" inquired Dylan, not that it mattered. He had to have this ring. Dylan started to slide his wallet out of his back pocket.
Marie picked up the ring after Dylan put it back on the velvet. She checked the tag and then the guide, "It's 2835 after tax."
Scott gasped as Dylan slid a credit card out of the wallet.
"I'll be paying it off for the next year but it is well worth it," Dylan stated simply as he handed over the card.
Scott's jaw had hit the floor when she announced the price and firmly stayed planted there as Dylan handed over the credit card.
Dylan turned and looked at him. He laughed, "Thank god for ten thousand dollar credit limits. You might want to close your mouth."
Scott shook himself out of his trance and picked his jaw up off the floor. "Marco would be stupid not to love that ring."
Ring firmly in hand, another form of debt looming over Dylan's head and a still rather shocked Scott in tow, Dylan headed for the parking lot in a terrific mood.
Now all he had to do was convince Marco it was a good idea to get married. Well, after convincing Mr. and Mrs. Del Rossi to consent to the marriage.
Easy, right?
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