Chapter Text
Reluctantly, Joe went with Nicky and Elena. As they walked down the streets, Joe walked behind Nicky and Elena, still feeling like the biggest jerk in the world.
"Joe?" Nicky asked. "Where are we going?"
Nicky turned around so he could look at Joe.
"Right, I think," Joe replied as he looked around. "Sorry, I think we should have turned a corner a bit back."
Nicky smiled.
"He is hopeless when it comes to finding the way, Mama, but it does result in some fun adventures," Nicky said. "Last weekend, we ended up at a windmill instead of a cafe."
Elena laughed.
"Maybe Joe likes windmills," Elena said. "There are plenty of them in Holland."
"That's true," Nicky replied. "Do you like windmills, Joe?"
Joe shook his head.
"Sorry," Joe said. "I know what you're both trying to do, but it doesn't help with that I feel like a big idiot for what happened earlier."
Nicky kissed Joe on the cheek.
"You're my idiot," Nicky said. "No, my silly idiot. And I love you as you're."
That made Joe smile a bit.
"Good, now that Joe is smiling again," Elena said. "Maybe he can show us the way to the place he talked about."
Ten minutes later, they sat at a cafe next to the canal.
"Mama?" Nicky asked. "Could you tell Joe the story about what Papa did during your first Christmas?"
"I know what you're trying to do, Nicky," Elena replied. "And I think it's a good idea."
Elena smiled.
"I had only dated Carlo for less than three months when I found out I was pregnant with our first child," Elena said. "At the same moment, I shared the news with Carlo; his Mother called and said she would be there five minutes later. Carlo went into a sheer panic because he hadn't told his Mother about me, and he knew he would be in big trouble with her for getting me pregnant before introducing me to his family,"
Elena still smiled.
"So I ended up in the broom closet before I could say anything, just seconds before Carlo's Mother showed up without any explanations and was asked to wait there," Emilia said. "A minute later, the broom closet was open again, and this time, it was Carlo's Mother, who had found out her son had gotten me pregnant because she found the pregnancy test on the table and was searching for a broom to hit her son with."
Elena laughed.
"Carlo's Mother forgot all about the broom when she saw me because she remembered that she was about to become a Grandmother," Elena said. "To this day, Carlo is still grateful that he got me pregnant because it saved him from his Mother and the broom."
Elena placed a hand on Joe's hand.
"Back then, Carlo didn't believe me when I said we would laugh one day about what happened that day, but now we do it," Elena said. "So trust me when I say this: one day, we'll laugh over our first meeting."
Elena squeezed Joe's hand.
"I won't say I can imagine what you're feeling right now, Joe, but what I can tell you is this: the way you look upon my son makes me very happy because it's clear to me you love him," Elena said. "And that makes me happy."
The food was placed on the table.
"Thanks," Joe said. "And sorry for before. My Mother did raise me better."
Nicky looked at Joe.
"Are you sure about that?" Nicky asked. It made Joe look at Nicky. "Didn't you tell me that your Mother had a hard time getting you into your clothes as a child because you..."
Joe kissed Nicky.
"That's a story for another time," Joe said. "Let's eat. I'm hungry."
They exchanged a smile.
"Tell me, Joe," Elena said. "How did you two meet, and when?"
"Ten days ago," Nicky replied. "And it all started with some kettlebells and broken windows."
A couple of hours later, Joe and Nicky were walking down the streets after saying goodbye to Elena.
"So, that went well," Nicky said. "Or what do you think?"
Joe rubbed his neck with a sheepish smile.
"More or less," Joe replied. "Because there is still one thing I wish I could do differently."
Nicky gently elbowed Joe.
"Are we talking about the kettlebells?" Nicky asked. "Or you not wearing pants in front of my Mother?"
Joe stopped walking.
"You think you're so funny," Joe said. "Better start running before I catch and tickle you."
Joe gave Nicky two seconds headstart before he ran after him. When Joe caught Nicky, he tickled him, enjoying the laughter coming from Nicky.
"Joe, please stop," Nicky begged. "I promise to behave for now."
"Better do it again," Joe replied. "Just to be sure."
After tickling Nicky again, they kissed.
"You know what, Joe?" Nicky asked while scratching Joe's beard. "I wouldn't change one thing about those last ten days. To me, they have been everything I could ever dream of."
Joe smiled before kissing Nicky.
"You're also everything I have ever dreamt of," Joe said. "And you're perfect."
"So are you," Nicky replied. "My silly boyfriend."
"That's me," Joe replied. "Which means you're stuck with me for a very long time."
"I can live with that," Nicky replied. "As long as you remember to put pants on around my family."
Before Joe could say or stop Nicky, he was gone and was running down the street. It only took a second before Joe ran after Nicky. When Joe caught up with Nicky, they kissed while laughing, feeling so lucky to have found each other and being so in love with each other.