AN: So sorry for the long wait guys. School's started back up, so I have even less time than usual. But I will try. I am going to finish this fic. Soon, hopefully, the writing will be done and then all that'll be left is posting. Think I can do it? Enjoy!

The Greatest Joy
Sequel to Ribbons and Bo's

Chapter Three: Making Dreams Happen

Prosper walked down the streets, searching for something precise. At last, he found it: a flower stand. He needed yellow tulips, Caterina's favorite. He bought a dozen and began to walk towards the Grand Canal, not stopping until the hotel Caterina worked at was looming before him. He stepped inside, tulips in hand.

"Hello, Prop. Anything I can do for you?" the girl at the desk asked him. Prosper was quite familiar with all of the employees, as he hung around the hotel quite a bit. "Do you want to see Caterina?"

"No, no. But do you think you could do me a favor, Angelina?" Prosper whispered.

"Sure."

He grabbed a piece of hotel stationery and a pen, scribbling a note. He folded the paper and stuck it in the bouquet. "Could you make sure she gets this?"

Angelina smiled, taking the bouquet. "Of course. She'll be delighted."

"Thanks." Prosper then immediately retreated, walking toward the exit.

Next stop: jewelry store.

-_-_-_-_-

Caterina's phone buzzed in her pocket. It was Angelina. Caterina rolled her eyes and answered. "Hello?"

"Caterina? Could you come down for a moment?"

"Why? Is something wrong?"

"No, no, no. But you do have a delivery."

"Really? Who from?"

"Your boyfriend."

"Prop? He was here?"

"Yes."

"Well, why didn't you call sooner?"

"He looked to be in a rush. Said he didn't want to see you."

"What?!"

"Look, just come on down. He wrote a note, too."

"Fine, Angelina. I'll be down in a sec."

Caterina flipped her phone shut and walked to the nearest elevator. What could it mean? Prop had been at the hotel, but he hadn't wanted to see her. Was something wrong? Was he trying to tell her something? Was he…was he going to…

No. Caterina wouldn't allow herself to even consider it. That was an impossibility now, with how far they'd gotten.

But maybe that's what Prosper had thought three years ago, when she'd left.

Stop it, Caterina! she shouted at herself. Do not think of it!

The elevator doors opened and she walked through the lobby, over to Angelina's desk. Beside her was a bouquet of yellow tulips.

"What is it?" Caterina asked.

Angelina looked up. "Oh, he wanted me to give you these. There's a note inside." She handed over the flowers.

Curious, Caterina didn't bother to sit. She sniffed the flowers, her favorite, and plucked out the note. It read, in Prosper's handwriting:

Caterina,

It would so please me

If you could join me tonight

For dinner

On the lagoon

At eight o'clock.

All the love in the world,

Prosper.

She let out a deep sigh of relief. He wanted to go out for dinner. But why hadn't he wanted to see her? She still didn't understand that part.

"What's going on?" Angelina asked, trying to peer over at the note.

Caterina folded it up. "Guess I'll find out at eight o'clock." But she was really thinking: Guess he'll find out at eight o'clock.

AN: But what will he find out at eight o'clock? REVIEW if you want to find out. :) Please and thanks.