AN: Sorry for the long wait. I wasn't too sure how to get this chapter across, but summer's boredom gets to you, needless to say. So far, this has been one fanfic-ful summer for me. I've posted like three stories already, and have another one pending. Anyway, enjoy!

The Greatest Joy
Sequel to Ribbons and Bo's

Chapter Two: The Best Day

"Morning, Prop. Do you mind helping me?" Mosca greeted as Prosper walked into the shop. He was attempting to move one of the many gigantic shelves that held the little shop's merchandise.

"Of course, Mosca." After they had put the shelf in the desired place, Prosper asked, "Where's Riccio?"

"Called me this morning. Said he would be late. Didn't actually give a reason."

"Probably found something better to do than hang around this shop all day, doing nothing of any real importance."

"That's for sure. Now me, I'd like to find myself a nice girl and settle down. I know Riccio's still looking for a decent college that will accept him, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind a girl, like you and Scipio."

Prosper smiled at his friend. "Scipio's the only one who's actually settled. After he married Carabella last year, I don't think he's ever been happier. And just imagine if he was still our age! He would never have had a chance with her, his own wife!"

"I know! If he was still our age, he'd probably be buzzing around here, too, rather than being out and about, solving tiny little mysteries and being paid a decent sum."

"I sometimes wonder where we'd all be if we had all chosen the same as Scip."

"Well, let's see. Bo would be out of high school already. Riccio would've gone to college. I probably would've found some better way to support myself. And you and Hornet would probably have married each other by now."

"What do you mean, 'by now'?"

"Well you wouldn't have broken up three years back because you wouldn't have had to worry about Bo because he would've been older and would've handled things better. And it probably would never have been a secret because she wouldn't have had to worry about her long lost mum."

"I guess I see your point."

The bell above the shop door rang, announcing the arrival of either Riccio or a customer.

It was the latter.

The pair of curious tourists wandered through the shop, looking at all the different little trinkets. Some of them were still complete junk while others were quite nice, in appearance and quality. None of it was stolen merchandise.

"Scusi, signor. Uh, do you speak English?" the woman asked Prosper and Mosca.

"A bit."

"A fair amount."

"Could you tell me how much this costs?"

"Certainly. Let me see, it is…about twenty five American dollars," replied Mosca upon inspection.

"Alright. I'll take it."

"Very well, signora. Have a nice day," said Mosca as Prosper took the woman's money and she and her companion walked out.

"You know, I think we should have an Italian-English dictionary handy, in case we have no idea what they're talking about."

"A good idea, Prop. Or we could just learn the language."

Prosper crinkled his nose. "I'd rather not, actually. I've heard it's one of the hardest to learn, besides Chinese and Arabic."

"At least we wouldn't have to worry about German tourists."

Prosper smiled. "Yes. Aren't glad I managed to learn Italian? If I hadn't then you guys would've had to learn German."

The two friends were still chuckling when someone else walked into the shop. The man seemed quite content without their interference and they continued their conversation.

"Just imagine Riccio speaking German, or trying to anyway. And Hornet! That'd be quite a laugh. Soon she'd want to read in German as well and get one of those language teaching books or something."

"And, if you guys had been learning German and learned something hilariously wrong, I probably wouldn't have stopped you from making a fool of yourselves in front of someone else who understood it."

"You mean if something got lost in the translation?"

"Or added. Either way, it'd be a riot."

"Scusi? I'd like to purchase this for my wife. Our anniversary is coming up and she has souvenir from all around the world, everywhere!, except for Venice."

"But of course, signor," Mosca said with a warm smile. Prosper rang it up and handed the man his change.

"Enjoy your evening," Prosper told him.

The man tipped his hat to them. "Thank you very much, gentlemen.

As the man left, Prosper wondered if he and Caterina would ever have a wedding anniversary. And the rest of his actions afterward were quite rash. Riccio walked into the shop then, apologizing profusely for being late. Prosper ignored him.

"Mosca, do you have any money I can borrow by any chance?"

Mosca reached into his pocket and pulled out a couple of bills. "It's not much, but knowing you, it's for a noble cause."

"It is indeed. Riccio, what about you?"

Riccio took off his coat and got out his wallet. "Here you go, mate. Like Mosc said, it's probably going to a good cause."

"Alright. Thanks, guys. I'm not sure when I'll be back, or if I'll be back today at all." Prosper put his coat back on, though he had scarcely been there twenty minutes.

"Prop, where you going?"

He looked back at his friends' questioning faces. "I'm going to make this the best day of my life," was all he responded before walking outside.

The bells rang cheerily as he exited.

AN: REVIEWS are appreciated, as always. Plus, I'm sure you guys can't wait for what happens next. :)