A/N: I am a horrible person. I am so sorry to have this go on so long without an update. I am trying though. It's been a little chaotic lately. Forgive any mistakes, I didn't proof it before sending.

To Kate and Lucy: Thank you for sticking by me and forgive me for not giving you a preview. I wrote it and posted…that's it.

Feral: I miss you, I haven't heard from you in a while. Hope all is well. Sorry I didn't sent this for a beta but I wanted it up.

Sharon (azure266): Thank you so much for the email. It meant the world to me. I hope you are feeling better. Here is one of the updates for you.

Home Sweet Insanity

Chapter 13

Marco returned to Toronto and dove back into the bar. It was the only way he knew he was going to cope with everything that had happened in Vegas.

Erik came in more frequently and was seen with Marco outside of the bar. It appeared they were getting along rather well and things were looking up for them.

Ellie switched to Toronto University and moved in an apartment in Marco's building. She was adjusting to being back in Canada easily.

Marco stood outside Ellie's door, knocking for what felt like forever. "Come on, El. I know you're in there, get your ass up!"

Ellie wrenched the door open and glared at her friend, "Do you really have to do this every morning?" She stepped aside and let him in. "You know I work until 3 and here you are pounding on my door at 9…are you insane?"

Marco grinned, "Yes, I do believe I am insane."

"Wait, you've never given that answer before, what's changed?" asked Ellie looking very suspicious.

Marco smiled as he set about putting on some coffee, "I agreed to dinner with Dylan tonight. I haven't seen him since Vegas."

"Please tell me you will be in public. I don't want to hear about another encounter. It took three weeks to get you out of your mood swings the last time." Ellie said.

"We will be in public, don't worry. I have to be at the bar at 9 so there won't be time for anything else." Marco explained.

"What's going on with Erik?" asked Ellie accepting the coffee.

Marco sat down with his own mug, "Nothing really. He's a great friend and I love hanging out with him. He met someone the other night while we were out. It looks promising."

Ellie laughed, "He's on a date with you, meets someone else and you're all for it. God you are a doormat."

Marco laughed, "Yeah, I know. Erik deserves someone better than me anyway. I still can't give him what he needs."

"Yes, but what about your needs? What do you need, Marco?" Ellie questioned.

"The same thing you do, darling. I need a good man with his own money, that isn't after mine, and preferably a decent package beneath his Levi's."

Ellie started laughing so hard she had tears rolling down her face. "Brutal honesty really becomes you. But I agree whole heartedly about the stud with a great deal of potential."

Marco left her to shower and change before her first class. He got used to looking after her when she first returned. It was something he enjoyed now, to know there was a reason to see her every morning.

Marco did the rest of his accounting and ledgers for the bar and a few other properties he'd acquired on a whim one day before heading into the bar. He spoke to Mike about a few things and then left again.

Marco hadn't been in the bar the last three or four weeks. He felt trapped, suffocated, even a little disheartened at just being there. His patrons noticed but never said anything about it, each hoping in their own way that he'd just show up again.

Marco spent an increasing amount of time with his mother. The doctors weren't looking hopeful at the diagnosis anymore. She was getting worse and there wasn't anything anyone could do but make her comfortable.

It wasn't the illness, it was her. She had given up. She didn't want to be there anymore. She just didn't seem to care.

Mr. Del Rossi wasn't around, he increased his work load, out until all hours of the night. He even started drinking more and more.

Marco picked up the slack where his father had left off. He knew he shouldn't be making the excuses but he was and didn't have the heart to change it.

Marco had stopped his internal assessment as he stepped out of the shower. He dressed with increasing care and he'd be stupid not to admit that it was due to dinner with Dylan.

He missed his friend. He missed the lover aspect of Dylan and he missed the romance.

Dylan showed up five minutes early for his date with Marco. He'd had an increasingly hard time dressing because he wasn't sure if it was a date or not. He'd honestly hoped but he wan't going to push his luck.

Marco opened the door and felt his heart race. Dylan looked amazing. "You look fantastic."

"As do you," Dylan said entering the apartment. He was grateful for the easy out on the compliment because he wasn't sure if he knew a word to describe the Marco standing before him. His tailored black cotton pants looked like they flowed with him as he moved. His red silk shirt with a mandarin collar made his complexion look extremely exotic.

While Dylan was taking stock of Marco, Marco was indeed doing the same. Dylan's khaki pants with a brilliant midnight blue sweater made Marco's mouth water. The clothes seemed to flow over the hockey player's muscular frame.

They attempted small talk but it wasn't going so well. They both broke into nervous laughter.

"We should be going, I've to get to the bar later." Marco said, standing up.

Dylan followed suit, "It's almost time for our reservations anyway."

Once at dinner, Dylan asked the question he almost dreaded, "Did you get the flowers?"

Marco nodded, "Yes, thank you. They were gorgeous. I'm sorry I haven't called since you moved back but I wasn't sure where we stood. I know the way I left it in Vegas and I still stand by my decision."

Dylan smiled tersely, "How's the bar?"

"I haven't been there much lately but the business is flourishing. How's hockey?"

"Going well, my teammates are great. They know I'm gay and it doesn't seem to bother them. Of course it helps that the team captain and three of the other players are also gay and in some form of weird relationship between the four of them." He paused as Marco chuckled lightly, "I wish I were kidding. I haven't given a full interview about it yet and there have only been speculations so far. I just haven't had the heart to give it if there isn't anyone special in my life."

Marco knew where this discussion was heading and didn't want to go there, not yet anyway. "How's Natalia?"

"She's good. She's getting big and she's cursing me in Italian every chance she gets. Thank you by the way for teaching those to me all those years ago. It really pisses her off that I can translate and retaliate." Dylan said with a small smile.

"How's the baby?"

"She's fine. Yes, we're having a girl. No, we haven't chosen any names yet. She's due in just two short months. I can't believe it's been almost six months since I almost got married." Dylan said with a rueful headshake.

"And now aren't you glad that your sister and I decided to interfere?" inquired Marco.

Dylan nodded sadly, "It would've been nice to have a family again but yes, I'm glad that Natalie and I have a second chance at individual happiness."

As dinner ended, Marco was relaxed and reluctant to see the evening end. "I hate to do this but I need to get to the bar. I promised Mike the night off. His boyfriend is getting a little jealous of the bar."

Dylan smiled, "Can I come with you?"

Marco smiled at him, "Sure, let's go. You can sit in the seat at the end of the bar and keep me company in between the madness. It's Monday so I shouldn't be too slammed."

Please review. I know it's crap because this is a filler. More good stuff to come soon.