The Greatest Joy
Sequel to Ribbons and Bo's

Chapter One: What it Looks Like on the Inside

Slowly, just like every other morning, Prosper opened his eyes. And like every other day, he was amazed at the beauty lying beside him on the bed.

Caterina's eyes were closed, still dowsed in sleep. Her lips were parted slightly, permitting the entrance and exit of oxygen. Her hair gently fell over her face, her hands reaching out in front of her, towards Prosper.

Prosper smiled to himself, gently reaching out and tucking her hair behind her ear. Her lips curved into a sleepy grin.

Slowly, so as not to wake Caterina, he rose from the bed to get dressed for the day. As he pulled on his trousers, Caterina began to stir, her eyes fluttering open a few times before she fully awakened.

"Morning, Prop."

"Morning, love."

Caterina smiled, stretching her arms and sitting up in bed.

"What day is it?"

"Monday," Prosper said with a great lack of enthusiasm. He hated Mondays.

Caterina frowned. "Great. That means I have work today." She slowly got out of bed, yawning. Prosper headed over to the kitchen to start breakfast while she showered and dressed.

As the water started running, Caterina jumped in, loving the pure feeling of the hot water against her skin. She sighed, closing her eyes and letting the warmth soak through her body.

The past two years had been utterly amazing for her. She'd found true love again with Prosper. They'd made things work out between them, though it was difficult at times. She'd found a stable job at one of the many hotels on the Canal Grande, while Prosper took over Barbarossa's shop with Riccio and Mosca. Their work hours were always flexible and they always found the time to be together.

But still.

Caterina felt like she wanted more out of her relationship with Prosper. She'd been in love with him for nearly ten years, and they had barely advanced in their romance. Sometimes, she still felt like a little girl.

-_-_-_-_-

Prosper got a frying pan out and cracked three eggs into it. He began to stir the yolks as he lit the stove and placed the pan on top. Caterina always liked scrambled eggs.

As the eggs finished and the toast leaped out of the toaster, Prosper began to feel strange. Lately, he'd been feeling like his life was too repetitive, though he didn't always mind. Wake up. Get dressed. Make breakfast. Kiss Caterina goodbye. Go to the shop. Talk to Mosca and Riccio. Close the shop. Go home. Help make dinner. Eat. Shower. Go to bed. Rinse and repeat.

Why couldn't something exciting happen to him? Had he used up all his exciting moments when he was a boy, finding his way to Venice, Italy, all the way from Hamburg, Germany? Not to mention the months he spent living in the streets of Venice, selling stolen goods to Barbarossa. Or watching Scipio ride the merry-go-round till he was a man. Maybe if his young life had had less excitement, his older life could be less dull.

It was just about then that Prosper got his brilliant idea. He wanted to do something that would bring excitement into his life. He needed that. He thought Caterina would need it, too. But what?

Prosper got a wide grin on his face, just as Caterina walked into the kitchen.

"What're you smiling at?"

His grin disappeared. He didn't want to tell her yet, thinking it would be better as a surprise. "Oh just remembering some stupid face that Riccio made at some customer yesterday. The lady was quite rude, so I don't exactly blame him." He smirked.

Caterina smiled. "Ah, I see." She got down two plates and served their breakfast.

As they ate, with a light conversation, Prosper was distracted. He knew what he wanted to do. Now he just had to find a way to do it.

AN: The stage is set. What ever shall happen next? Review, wait, and see...