Niff in Italy

They eventually left Venice with a heavy heart, but the train that they caught took them in just over two hours to the city of Florence, and their hearts were immediately lifted again. To walk out of the busy railway station to be confronted at once by the Santa Maria Novella was quite breathtaking, as once again the history of the city was all around them from the moment they arrived. Nick had chosen a hotel close to the station, so once more, after they had checked in and freshened up after the journey, they were back out and exploring the city within half an hour. Their route took them towards the River Arno, and a first view of one of the city's best known sights, the Ponte Vecchio. The bridge, lined with shops and houses, had been the only one in the city that had survived in the aftermath of the Second World War; Nick thought that might have been because no-one would have been willing to have ordered the destruction of something so unique and beautiful. He was more than happy to just stand and admire the view as Jeff made a sketch from the neighbouring bridge; he took his own pictures of the bridge and of the city's skyline as he waited.

Eventually they crossed the bridge itself, and headed into the heart of the city. Nick had done his homework and had discovered that the Uffizi Gallery had extended hours that evening. Thus it was much to Jeff's delight that they made their way inside the building that all of the guidebooks described as Italy's greatest art gallery. They wandered slowly from room to room, past paintings by artists whose names Jeff whispered with reverence and awe; Titian, Botticelli, Michelangelo and Caravaggio. He would stop from time to time and just stare at a particular painting and Nick would join him, appreciating the skill of the artists nearly five centuries ago; artists whose work had stood the test of time and still had the power to make people stop and stare. Nick was convinced that they were the last people to leave the gallery that night, sharing the task of carrying the plethora of books that Jeff had chosen. He would look through them at dinner that evening, so absorbed that Nick had to from time to time remind him to eat…

The following day saw them both up early again, and heading this time for the Duomo and the neighbouring Baptistry, which rose high above the heart of the city; both were decorated in a style that left them speechless. They explored the buildings, climbing up to the top of the dome to marvel at the view across the city in the morning sunshine, Nick's camera once more taking scores of pictures at his husband's request. Then it was time to head on to the Galleria dell'Accademia to see for themselves what was probably the best known sculpture in the world; Michelangelo's David. It was every bit as impressive as they had expected it to be, and Nick found himself standing beside it as Jeff made a quick sketch.

It was as they were heading out of that gallery that they almost collided with a couple heading into the room, talking quietly in English. It took both Nick and Jeff seconds to recognise the man; they had only seen him once before outside the Spotlight Diner on New Year's Eve, but they both recognised Albert Montgomery… There was a moment that he looked back at them, and both of them thought for a second that there was recognition in his eyes. Then it was past, and the woman that he was with was making profuse apologies on their behalf, saying how sorry she was that they had not been looking where they were going.

Nick immediately did the same in return, his manners as well schooled as ever. Of course, his American accent was recognised at once, and as always happens when two pairs of Americans meet abroad, as with any nationality, there was an immediate round of questions about where they came from, and what they did. That they were married brought big smiles from both Albert and his companion, but then two things happened that altered everything….The question "So where did you two meet?" was asked, in all innocence, by Albert's companion Celia….

"We met at school in Ohio," Jeff replied happily. "Nicky walked into the room at the start of my sophomore year at Dalton Academy, and as far as I was concerned, that was it. I knew he was my soulmate!" Nick said nothing at that point, but he noticed that at the mention of the school, the look on Albert's face changed. "Nick took a little bit longer to finally conclude that he was in love with me, but we got there in the end, and just over a year after we graduated, he made me Mr Sterling-Duval…"

"Wait, are you the Jeff Sterling-Duval? The artist that drew The Judging Angel? We've seen images of your work online, and when we did, my boss here at the gallery said that you had to be one of the most talented artists of a generation! Would you mind if I went to fetch her as she would be thrilled to meet you?" Before Jeff could respond, Celia was off, nearly running back in the direction that she had just come from.

"You're Niff." The two husbands turned back to Albert, whose voice was low. He stood with his eyes downcast, and carried on, "Wes used to mention you all the time when he was at home, how the two of you needed to get your act together and admit how much you were in love… Celia doesn't know that I am certain that The Judging Angel is a portrait of my late nephew… It is, isn't it?"

"Yes, when I decided to create it I did have Wes on my mind," said Jeff.

"We also know what you did for his sake; how you punished the others in your family for what they had done to him over the years, and what they had done to you for that matter," added Nick. "Would I be right in surmising that Celia was the girl that Randall drove away when you were at college?"

Albert shook his head, and chuckled. "Michelle told you guys everything then, or Thad for that matter… Yeah, Celia is that girl, and next month she will become my wife. It will be a very quiet affair, as her family don't approve of it, given my family history, and the only other person that knows I am here is Michelle. None of my other family members would be available to come anyway. I have invited her over, but she hasn't replied yet, not that I blame her… Look, could you do me a favour, and let her know that you met me, that I'm okay, and that I am about to become not just a husband, but a dad…"

"Wow, that's something! If Wes was still here, he would be so excited about the fact that he was getting a little cousin," Jeff blurted out.

Albert nodded, then in a whisper said "I still think that he is here; I'd swear that I have seen him sometimes, out of the corner of my eye. He is always the same, standing there, smiling at me. It's as if he is just watching over me… I never used to believe all that stuff about an afterlife, or angels, but now… I think that Wes would certainly be an angel, if they do exist. Anyway, I can hear Celia and her boss coming back. Don't tell her that you know all about me and my past, please. I don't know how she would handle that…"

The next ten minutes were spent with Jeff literally being fangirled, much to the amusement of Nick; Celia's boss had made a few phone calls before coming, and other staff from the gallery kept arriving, all of them anxious to meet the talented young American artist. Jeff found himself getting more embarrassed by the second as he posed for selfies with them, and even signed some autographs. For one of them he actually signed on the back of one of the postcards from the Met of his own work, which made him grin. Nick then asked if it would be possible for someone to take a picture of the two of them with Albert and Celia. The young lady's boss was only too happy to oblige, and just like that there was a record of the encounter for posterity.

Then it was all over. Celia had to hurry off and start work, but Albert hung back for a few more minutes. "It was nice to finally meet another couple of my nephew's boys; my only regret is that he was not here to make the introductions himself. What happened to him that day in Harvard was a tragedy; it should have been someone like Randall that died that way, not one of the good guys…"

"It was the day after our wedding, you know.. It broke us all for a while, but we ended up bouncing back, which was just what he would have wanted us to do," said Nick. "There will always be a Wes shaped hole in our hearts, especially for Thad and David, but we all know that we will see him again one day…"

"Wielding a gavel, with red and blue tipped wings?" said Albert with a smile. "I guess that you might, but as for me…"

"I wouldn't doubt that you will," replied Jeff. "You've done a lot to make amends for all the mistakes that you made under duress, and I know that if Wes has anything to do with it, you will see him again. The first thing he will do on that day is tell you just how proud he is of all that you've done for him in death."

Albert nodded, and then he blinked rapidly. He was sure that he had just seen Wes standing by the statue of David, and if he didn't have those darn wings like in the drawing…

At that point though he had to get on with his plans for the day, so after receiving the best wishes for the future from Nick and Jeff, Albert hurried off. Once he was out of sight, the two husbands just stood quietly and waited for what they knew was about to happen. "He was looking well," said the voice that they had expected to hear.

"Yes, he does seem to be a lot happier than he was when we glimpsed him as he walked out of the Spotlight on New Year's Eve," replied Nick quietly. "I guess that is what love can do to you…"

"It certainly always makes me happy," remarked Jeff, taking Nick's hand in his own as he spoke, and getting himself a smile that was a mirror of his own in return.

"He thinks that he sees you from time to time you know," whispered Nick, conscious that they were in a busy public place, where people nearby might overhear. "I mean, I take it that it is you, Wes, and he is not just witnessing the appearance of some random stranger?"

"It is, but he and I will never be able to converse with each other as the three of us are just now; nor will he ever be able to catch more than a fleeting glimpse of me. I will be attending his wedding next month though, and I will make sure that he catches sight of me as he leaves the building, having been made husband and wife with Celia. I am so pleased for him, as this is what he should have had years ago. I curse Randy for what he did to him. That is what fear does to you, it makes you miserable. Being a father, well I think that he will struggle with that at first, but I am confident that his daughter will want for nothing…" Nick and Jeff grinned at each other as they realised that Wes had inadvertently given away just how closely he had been watching over his brother and his future wife. "In any case, speaking of children, I want it put on record that although you are both still so young, I think that you will make excellent parents. As for your choice of surrogate, I think you have chosen well; but I think you should ask her sooner, rather than later to perform the role for you…"

After a chat with Wes, Nick and Jeff wandered on, leaving the gallery to stroll through the streets. Jeff knew of course that the gallery that they had just visited was part of the world's oldest art school, which had been welcoming students through its doors for over 450 years, but at the moment it was quiet as the students took their summer break. The fact that his drawing had been noticed by the people that worked here made him blush furiously, and yet he felt so proud at the same time…

They left the San Marco area behind, heading back past the Duomo as they walked in the direction of the Uffuzi once more. They stopped to have lunch at a café in the Piazza del Signoria, staying there long enough for Jeff to be able to sketch the juxtaposition of the buildings, and all the various statues in the square, which included a copy of the statue that they had just viewed in the gallery. Then, to Nick's surprise, Jeff eschewed another visit to the Uffuzi, instead grabbing his husband's guidebook and suggesting that they cross the Ponte Vecchio once more, and head instead to the Palazzo Pitti, which was full of yet more of the city's treasures. Nick was only too happy to oblige, and soon they were once again stood in a gallery, examining more paintings from a golden era of art. After that, they paused in the Boboli Gardens, where Jeff was happy to sketch the Oceanus Fountain, as Nick caught up with his Facebook page. He forwarded the picture of himself and Jeff with Albert and Celia to Michelle and Thad in private. He wondered how they would both react to that chance meeting…

The following day they made an excursion to another city that was just a short train ride away. Nick did not tell Jeff exactly where they were going until they arrived, and then there was only one place that he wanted to go. They made the climb to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, then headed back down to the piazza below, to allow Jeff to make a sketch of one of the most iconic buildings in the world. It had been a strange experience to stand on the floor of a building that sloped down towards the earth, as the walls did the same, but it was one neither would have missed.

On their arrival back in Florence in the late afternoon, they headed to the Cappella Brancacci, to view the glorious frescoes which had been created some 600 years earlier. Jeff was instantly in awe of the artistry, whilst Nick felt humbled that he was able to view something so beautiful first hand. They returned to the hotel eventually to pack, and then head out for dinner once more. They found a small restaurant at which they could take an outside seat, and thus see so much of the history all around them as they ate.

"If they ever asked you to come over here and lecture at the art school, I think that I could quite happily live here with you," mused Nick over dessert. "I mean, Paris is wonderful and Venice is marvellous, but this city manages to outshine them both in its own way."

"That isn't very likely to happen, Nicky," replied Jeff, "but your sentiments are appreciated as always. Of course, if they did happen to ask right now, I would have to decline in any case, as we need stability for our unborn child. Wes was right, as always; we do need to ask her, and soon. Maybe as soon as we get home…"

"It might be an idea to wait until after Mercedes' concert and Julian's wedding are over, but maybe the following day. We have to think though about what we do if she says no…"

"Then we move on to Plan B, although her partner is far more ferocious…"

Nick laughed, although now he couldn't help but wonder how their chosen surrogate's partner would react. Then he shook the thought from his head, and instead thought about the following day, and their journey to the place where all roads were supposed to lead - Rome.

Their journey to the Eternal City the following day on the train from Florence was a smooth and comfortable one, taking them swiftly southward through the sun drenched landscape. It seemed hard to think as they journeyed along that in just a few days time they would be boarding a plane that would take them back to New York. They had seen so much in the last few days, so much that had left Jeff inspired and Nick in sheer awe at the beauty of the world that had been created here. Now they were on their way to the city that had once been the capital of one of the greatest empires that the world had ever seen, and was still the centre point for a large proportion of the Christian faith. As the train drew into the station, Nick reminded Jeff as he had done before that he needed to look out for the traffic. He had heard that the drivers in Rome made those in Paris appear first rate, and worse still, this was a city that was teeming with motorbikes and mopeds too.

They took a taxi to their hotel, a journey which seemed to confirm everything that they had been told. Jeff emerged from the taxi at the hotel too shaken from the journey to even notice what was more or less across the street from their venue; it was only as he opened the shutters on the windows of their room that he let out a gasp, and turned to his husband, his face aglow. "That's the Colosseum! We are so close to it…" Nick nodded, and went to join his husband in staring out the window at the remains of a building that was almost two millennia old. The painting from the 15th Century had been impressive, but before them now was something so historic that it made your head hurt to think about all that those stones had witnessed.

It was long before they were in the remains themselves, exploring every inch of the Colosseum, marvelling at its scale and just how much it resembled the great sporting stadiums of the current day; it reminded them of the times they had gone with Sebastian to watch Dave play in so many ways, but they knew that here there had been no ball games; instead, man had been pitched against man, or animal for that matter, in a battle to the death. That bloody part of its history did nothing to detract from the grandeur of the place.

They then carried on to explore the two neighbouring areas where so much of the history of Rome had been preserved; the Forum and the Palatine. They strolled amongst the buildings, some of them in ruins, but others so miraculously well preserved given just when they had been constructed. From the paintings in the private quarters of the House of Livia, via the frescos in the House of Augustus, to the walls decorated with elaborate stucco in the Cryptoporticus, the Palatine showed that it had been home to the wealthiest of the citizens of ancient Rome; the seat of the Emperors.

The Forum of course was much more for show; a patchwork of ruined temples, arches and basilicas, all of which lead them to wonder just how grand it had been when the city had been in its heyday. Jeff paused to sketch the Arch of Septimus Severus, built in the relatively recent 203AD, whilst Nick took the chance to more closely examine the marble panels which depicted the military triumphs of the Imperial Army. He did not realise that Jeff was sketching him in the archway as he did so, with the intention of redrawing it on a larger scale when he returned home, with his husband suitably clad as a centurion or gladiator. Then they headed on to visit the House of the Vestal Virgins, thinking of the fate of the poor young women involved, some of whom were commemorated in the statues that still lined the central courtyard.

Their steps would finally lead them up the Capitoline Hill, passing the Temple of Jupiter, to stand in the Piazza del Campidoglio, on the geometric pavement that had been designed by Michelangelo himself. It was after 6pm now, but the museums were still open; Jeff chose to enter the Palazzo dei Conservatore, heading straight up to the art galleries on the second floor, where he was once again soon standing in silent awe in a gallery of paintings by Titian, Van Dyck and Caravaggio. They were left with very little time to explore the sculpture gallery down below, but managed to see some that made them smile and pause. One in particular, a sculpture in bronze of a boy trying to remove a thorn from his foot held Nick's attention for some reason; he stared at the Spinario, marvelling at the fact that it was from the 1st Century BC, and still looked so new and fresh. For once, it was Jeff's turn to drag his husband out of a closing gallery, apologising to the guards as he did so.

They headed back to the hotel after that, pausing at a restaurant to eat dinner, a feast of pasta with fresh meatballs, which tasted so much better than any they had every had back home. The restaurant also sold a huge range of dried pasta that could be taken away, and they paused to look at all the varieties. It was Jeff that spotted the label first, and pointed it out to Nick. He laughed, and thought the same thing as his husband at once. They purchased three packs of ziti, known as bridegroom's pasta due to its shape. They decided that Santana would howl with laughter when she saw it, but that it would also be an unusual gift to give to Julian Smythe on the evening of his wedding…

The following day saw them embark on a trip to the Panthenon, the best preserved of all of the ancient buildings in the city. Nick was once more in silent awe of a building that dated back to the 1st Century AD, appreciative of the fact that generations of people had stood in the spot that he was in now, from the Imperial Romans onwards. It had of course been altered since then internally, but the great temple that had been dedicated to all of the Gods was still a fascinating place to visit. They moved on, and their route took them past the Trevi Fountain, and suddenly in his head, Nick heard the tune from the old film; he began to hum it as Jeff admired the elaborate design and stopped to sketch it. Eventually he paused to just stare at his husband as he hummed increasingly loudly, getting smiles from passers by that recognised it for what it was. People did stop to throw a coin in the fountain as they stood there, and in the end, once he had finished his sketch, Jeff dug into his own pocket and threw three Euro coins into the waters.

"You only have to throw in one, you know," remarked Nick.

"I know," replied Jeff, "but as I have already found my true love, doing that was only for show…."

Their steps then brought them to the Piazza di Spagna, and the foot of the Spanish Steps, which they climbed up to eventually turn at the top and take in the vista across the city from outside the Trinità dei Monti church. From there they could see across the river to the place that they would be spending their afternoon. Nick paused to take photos whilst Jeff just drank it all in, knowing he could draw it from those pictures later.

The stopped for a spot of lunch at Babington's Tea Rooms, somewhere that was so quintessentially English inside that they thought for a moment that they had managed to find a hole in space and time and step right back to the United Kingdom. The food served there was not in the least Italian, but the English muffins were delicious, and just the thing that they both needed for a light lunch. This done, it was off again, across the Tevere to visit the city within the city, and probably the smallest sovereign state in the world, The Vatican City.

To cross the expanse of the Piazza San Pietro was a strange experience; whilst neither of them were very religious, they had both seen those brief news clips of the Pope celebrating Christmas by making an address to the faithful people that had assembled in the exact place they were now walking, from a balcony only feet away. As a result, it felt almost like they were walking through a church; the number of clergymen and nuns strolling around adding to that whole sensation.

Their first port of call once they had entered the galleries was the Raphael Rooms, a suite in which the frescos had been created in the 16th Century. Each of the four rooms had Jeff spellbound as he admired the paintings that had been executed five centuries before; images which still looked so fresh and vibrant. He knew that the great artist himself had died before the work had been completed, the task having been completed by his assistants. He did not envy them at all in the magnitude of the task that had confronted them. From those rooms it was only a short walk to the most well known of the rooms, and that which Jeff had been anticipating the most - The Sistine Chapel.

Afterwards, both of them would say that seeing the single room so elaborately decorated by Michelangelo had left both of them struck dumb from the moment that they stepped through the door. The richness of the décor had them both staring in awe, overwhelmed by the place. They stood side by side, open-mouthed, causing a minor obstruction, but the curators had seen it all before. As one of them remarked, the Pope himself could have walked up to those two and they would never have noticed. They certainly did not notice the draught from those angelic wings as they were joined by first Wes, then Kurt, Blaine and finally Finn. The latter had come under protest, but in the end he was the most reluctant of them all to leave. If Wes noticed that Nick was praying silently under his breath, he said nothing about it; he was in fact praying too, knowing that the prayers that he was saying would be required in the immediate future by some of his friends…

That evening, Nick and Jeff enjoyed a leisurely dinner, before just strolling through the streets, arm in arm, just taking in the atmosphere. They could see why people said 'See Rome and die', although Nick was quick to point out that technically it was Naples that the phrase had originally named. They still had one more day in the city, and a list of museums and churches that they still wished to see, but both were in total agreement about one thing; coming to see Italy had been the most excellent of ideas. Jeff had seen so many artistic treasures that he felt inspired like he never had before, and his sketch pad was full of drawings that he would develop once he was back in his studio in the West Village. More importantly, it had given them the chance to discuss the question of who to choose as a surrogate, and on that they were now decided. All that they could pray for now was that the lady in question would be willing to accept the role…