Page 26 of Hello Goodbye Amore

“Go back to your coloring. We have a little while yet.” The truth was the journey was passing quickly, and ten minutes later, they began slowing before pulling into the station on time. Chase put Ricky’s things away and got their bags while Antonello got his and held Ricky’s hand. Ricky chattered away about almost everything as they exited the station and got into a taxi.

“What’s that?” became his favorite question as they rode through the city.

“That’s the Coliseum,” Chase said reverently as they passed the ancient stadium. Chase ran out of answers, but Antonello didn’t, explaining about Trajan’s column and the arches of the ancient ruins before they left the city center behind, ending up in a quieter area on a ridge with an amazing view of the rest of Rome.

“We’re here,” Antonello said, and Chase got out, admiring the manicured grounds and the palazzo that graced it.

“Let me get this straight. You have this and you just use it on weekends?”

“My great-grandmother on my father’s side lived here in Rome, and she left it to my father when she passed away. He prefers to live in Florence, so it isn’t used as much as it should be. I telephoned ahead to make sure everything was opened up and ready for us.” He strode toward the front door like the princeling he was and went inside.

“You have to promise me that you won’t touch anything. Okay?” All Chase could think about was Ricky breaking some priceless Etruscan vase or something.

“What are you waiting for?” Antonello called. “Come on in.”

He held the door, and they went inside. Cool air surrounded them as they entered a foyer with a small fountain and pond in the middle, the water bubbling away. Antonello led them up a marble staircase and down a hall.

“Is this my room?” Ricky asked as he stepped into every child’s fantasy. The walls were frescoed with dancing and jugging animals.

“Was this for you?” Chase asked.

“These are three hundred years old. They were done for children who grew up long ago.” He lifted Ricky and spun him around. “And yes, you get to sleep in here.” He put him back on his feet. “Your daddy and I will be sleeping at the end of the hall.” Once again those eyes grew dark, drawing Chase in, making him forget everything but Antonello and the way he felt next to him on crisp sheets.

Ricky climbed onto the bed, grinning. “When do we eat?”

“The kitchen is stocked, so why don’t you put on your bathing suits? The pool is out back, and I’ll meet you there with dinner.” He carried out the bags, and Chase got out Ricky’s suit before leaving him to change.

“Antonello,” he said softly, and he appeared in the doorway straight ahead.

“I have you in here.” He tilted his head to the next door, and Chase went inside. Antonello closed his door before opening the one connecting the two. “I hope this is okay.”

“It’s lovely.” He set his bag on the bed he had no intention of using. “But I need to get my suit on, and you do too, because Ricky is going to be down here as soon as he’s ready.”

“Daddy!” Ricky called.

“See?” He kissed Antonello and closed the connecting door, because if they got changed together, it was likely that Ricky would never get to swim at all.

“YOU TWOgo in the pool,” Antonello said as he stood to the side in his square-cut bathing suit. “I’ll be right back.” He went inside, and Chase got in, the salt water embracing him.

“Is it cold?” Ricky asked with water wings on his arms.

“No. It’s really nice.” He smiled as Ricky jumped in the water. He came up grinning before swimming away like the fishy he was. He went to the other end before coming back, kicking hard to propel himself through the water.

He came right up to Chase, and Chase lifted him out of the water. “Catch me?” he asked, climbing out of the pool. Chase held up his arms, and Ricky jumped. He caught his son to laughter and plenty of splashes.

“I brought something to eat and drink when you’re ready,” Antonello said as he set a tray on the table. Then he tugged off his shirt, giving Chase a great view, then dove into the pool, making almost no splash. He surfaced right near them, giving Ricky a little splash and getting one in return.

Ricky swam away.

“He’s a little fish, I swear, and he has no fear of the water.” Sometimes Chase wished Ricky wasn’t so bold. But then his eagerness also meant he didn’t have to worry about getting him to take swimming lessons. He wanted to learn.

“Are there pool toys?” Ricky asked.

“I don’t know, but when we go back into the city, we can find some.” Antonello stretched at the edge of the pool, the water coming just above his waist. Damn, he was more handsome now than he had been back in college, and that was saying something.

“Mr. Nello, come swim with me.”

Antonello glided away from the wall like he was born for the water. He lifted Ricky right out, then splashed him back in. Ricky came up laughing, and soon the game evolved around how far Antonello could lift him. After a while, Antonello got out of the water, and Chase joined him at the table. Antonello poured glasses of wine and set out plates of cheese, meats, bread, and olives.

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