A Few DAY!s In Italy (DAY! Series Book 2.67)

For six long weeks, Chris had been a front-row spectator to Colin’s emotional rollercoaster, and it wasn’t the kind of ride to find at a theme park. Ever since that pesky tablet surfaced, revealing Leyla’s involvement in offing Colin’s better half, the man had been about as lively as a sloth on a Sunday afternoon.

Even his children couldn’t seem to snap him out of his funk. Colin would plaster on a smile and play the doting dad, but the moment the kiddos were out of sight, the facade crumbled. More than once, Chris had stumbled upon him in the basement, alone and weeping like a willow tree in a rainstorm, utterly bewildered by the cruel twist of fate that had befallen his beloved wife and why he hadn’t seen the writing on the wall sooner.

In Chris’ opinion, this had been running for far too long, and it was only a matter of time before Colin went completely off the rails. Especially since he... well... the basement had become ground zero for some seriously bizarre behavior that would make even the quirkiest killer raise an eyebrow.

Fearing that his friend might soon need a straightjacket and a padded room, Chris hatched a plan with Thommy and Belle. They all agreed that Colin needed a temporary escape from reality – a few days of pure, unadulterated relaxation and indulgence. And what better place to find such respite than the land of pizza, pasta, and perpetual la dolce vita? Yes, Italy! Pronto, amici!

Kentheimer’s inheritance was more than any of them could have ever imagined, even in their wildest dreams. Thommy and Belle were practically drowning in a sea of documents, with new accounts popping up like whack-a-moles at a carnival game, making their fortune grow further. But these two weren’t about to let all that dough go to their heads. They’d hired a lawyer to help them navigate the legal labyrinth.

In the meantime, they were already putting some of those assets up for sale, including a few houses, a couple of yachts, and even two of the three private jets. And these two generous souls planned to donate a whopping 90% of their newfound riches to schools, orphanages, and libraries. They also set up a foundation to help those kids in the foster care system who often get overlooked because every child deserves a voice and a chance at a brighter future.

They still had a veritable treasure trove of properties at their disposal, including a positively palatial mansion, a 14-bedroom, 6-bathroom, 2-kitchen, 4-living-room behemoth, complete with its very own private beach, all just a stone’s throw away from the eternal city of Rome itself. It was the perfect setting for a good old-fashioned family vacation.

With the subtlety of a covert ops team, they hatched a plan so devious, so daring, that even the most seasoned spy would tip their hat in admiration. Since Colin would have canceled, they decided to plan every last detail of the Italian escapade without his knowledge. And then, in a move straight out of a heist movie, they would simply kidnap the poor sap! They’d whisk him away to the airport, where the truth would finally be revealed, and Colin would have no choice but to embrace the sweet, sweet freedom of la dolce vita.

Of course, little LeighAnn was far too young to be trusted with such a top-secret mission. That girl couldn’t keep a secret if her life depended on it. So, for the time being, she was left out of the loop, blissfully unaware of the shenanigans her family was about to unleash.

And so, the grand Italian getaway plan was officially a go on that sunny Tuesday morning. As soon as Colin left the house, unsuspecting of the scheme afoot, Belle roused little LeighAnn from her slumber. Meanwhile, Henry and Thommy channeled their inner movers and shakers, lugging the already secretly packed suitcases to the waiting vehicle. And right on cue, Chris and Willow rolled up like the cavalry, their timely arrival signaling that the covert operation was proceeding smoothly.

“Hey,” Chris greeted as he stepped out of the car, a mischievous glint in his eye as he loaded his and Willow’s suitcases into Thommy’s ride.

Later, under some clever pretext, Chris and Willow would swing by the hotel and scoop up Colin, whisking him away on a supposed trip to Juneau to buy a new bed. But little would he suspect that their true destination lay far beyond the Alaskan wilderness – a private jet awaited, its engines primed and ready to take them to the sun-drenched shores of Italy.

Thommy glanced up from his task, squinting against the bright morning sun. “Good morning.” He lend Chris a hand with the suitcases. “Ready?”

“Yep.”

“Uncle Chriiiiiiiiiiiis!” The high-pitched squeal pierced the air, shattering the conspiratorial silence that had fallen over the group. LeighAnn came barreling towards him with all her unbridled enthusiasm.

With a gleam of pure, childlike delight in his eyes, he scooped up the whirlwind of energy, spinning her around twice in a dizzying whirl of giggles and squeals. “Hey, Crumbs!” he greeted her with a warm chuckle and pressed a tender kiss atop her tousled head. “Are you excited? Summer, sun, beach, ice cream, AND PIZZA!”

Her laughter filled the air like the tinkling of tiny bells, her whole being alight with the kind of infectious joy that only a child could radiate. “Yes, I’m going to buy swimsuits with the squad in a moment,” she declared, her cherubic features scrunched up in utter seriousness.

For the past few days, the precocious little one had taken to referring to her siblings and Thommy as ‘the squad,’ a phrase that seemed to have materialized out of thin air yet rolled off her tongue with all the natural ease of a seasoned trendsetter. Nobody quite knew where she had picked up the expression, but every time those precious words tumbled from her lips, it was enough to melt everyone’s hearts.

“Do that, crumbs,” Chris replied as he pressed two more doting kisses to LeighAnn’s forehead. With a gentle motion, he set the giggling bundle of energy back down on the floor, her little feet barely touching the ground before she was ready to flit off on her next whimsical adventure. Turning his attention to Belle, hr arched an inquisitive eyebrow. “You have his passport?”

“Yep, got his passport right here,” Belle assured him, patting her bag with a wink. “And you got your girlfriend?” Her smile widened, taking on a distinctly mischievous quality. “You really like her, don’t you?”

Chris followed Belle’s gaze, his eyes landing on Willow, who was still seated in the car, offering a warm wave and a smile that seemed to illuminate her entire being. In that instant, any attempt at feigned nonchalance melted away, replaced by an expression of pure, unabashed adoration. “Fuck, yes,” he laughed, the sound rumbling up from the very depths of his soul, rich and full of life. There was no use in denying it any longer – the smitten look on his face said it all.

“You idiot, you have to turn right!” Colin’s exasperated voice rang out from the backseat, cutting through the comfortable silence that had settled over the car. “Moron!”

Chris, ever the picture of calm and collected nonchalance, merely quirked an eyebrow in the rearview mirror. Beside him, Willow stifled a giggle, her hand flying up to cover her mouth as she fought to maintain her composure.

“CHRIS! You motherfucker!” Colin continued, his arms flailing about like a windmill caught in a hurricane. “What’s wrong with you? Why don’t you ever listen?”

“Sorry,” Chris muttered as he fought to suppress the laughter that threatened to bubble up from deep within his belly. “I can’t think straight when Willow is there,” he added, shooting his girlfriend a sidelong glance that was equal parts love and mischief. “She’s just driving me... crazy.”

On the passenger seat, Willow smiled as Chris reached over and took her hand in his, gently pressing a tender kiss against her knuckles. “I’m sorry, Colin,” she chuckled. “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve driven in circles with him because we missed a turn.”

Colin rolled his eyes so hard, he was surprised they didn’t get stuck in the back of his head as soon as Willow turned away. Peace and silence – these two things he craved more than oxygen itself when he was stuck in this metal box on wheels with people. If only he could teleport to his office, where the only noise was the soothing hum of his computer and the occasional tapping of his keyboard.

For weeks, he had been spending more and more time alone, which was just how he liked it. The simmering hatred inside him was becoming increasingly difficult to suppress, and many poor girls had to suffer the consequences in Chamber 9. He had become colder, more merciless, and about as predictable as a tornado in a trailer park. Most members now gave this part of the basement a wide berth, treating it like a radioactive wasteland.

But killing was the only thing that could somehow take the edge off the tension he was under at the moment. Paxton just couldn’t seem to make any progress, and the days had turned into weeks. On top of all that, he was endlessly worried that the perpetrator could attack his children, after all, the villain had threatened to take everything Colin loved. And that list included Belle, Henry, LeighAnn, Thommy, Chris, and probably even Willow at this point.

“We’re here!” Chris parked the car with all the grace and finesse of a drunk elephant trying to squeeze into a clown car.

Astonished, Colin sat up straight. “Why are you parking at the airport?” he asked, his brow furrowing deeper than the Mariana Trench. “That’s way too far. Do you want to walk all the way? We can...” His words trailed off abruptly when he suddenly spotted his little daughter, bouncing up and down, waving at him excitedly. “What in the goddamn fuck is going on here?” he added with a cold voice.

Willow gave Chris’ arm a reassuring squeeze before making her exit. Left alone with Colin, Chris spun around, ready to lay down some real talk. “Alright, listen up, buddy,” he began. “We love you, man. We ALL love you – even the neighbors’ dogs and that squirrely squirrel that keeps raiding the bird feeder. But it’s your kids who really take the cake when it comes to loving you. So... we’re gonna fly to Italy. Now. All together. Family vacation. It’ll do you a world of good, my friend – or at least, that’s the hope.”

“Fuck you!”

“See? My best friend Colin would be over the moon about an offer like that, probably shedding tears of joy. But you, the dark version of my best friend, well... you’re still stuck in that fucking hole.”

“FUCK! YOU!”

“Colin, I love you!” Chris looked at him with a death stare while he left the car. “Your children love you. And now swing your fucking ass out of my fucking car, march over there, and you’re gonna show them some fucking happiness for doing this for you!”

“I just want... peace and silence, Chris.”

“Yes, you get that at the beach. But you’re so tense, you can’t do it anymore. So, let’s go on vacation.” Chris started walking but turned around again. “And if you’re grumbling at your kids now, then I swear I’ll kick you out of the fucking plane as soon as we reach cruising altitude.”

Arriving in Italy, two rental cars awaited the small group, ready to whisk them away on their adventure. In a mere hour, 37 minutes, and 46 seconds, they found themselves standing before the imposing gate that guarded Kentheimer’s estate.

Thommy stepped aside, engaging in a lively conversation with Flavio, a man who had been caring for the property for nearly two decades. And Flavio had also prepped everything for the arrival of the group.

“Kentheimer was really rich,” Willow whispered to Chris, her back leaning against his chest.

He pressed a kiss on her hair. “Yep. That motherfucker certainly was.”

Thommy motioned for the group to pile back into the cars, like a seasoned conductor ushering his orchestra onto the stage. As Flavio had deftly opened the gate, he slipped into the back of Chris’ car, no doubt prepared to regale them with tales of Kentheimer’s exploits during the mile-long journey to the house.

When they finally emerged from their vehicles again, Chris let out a low whistle of appreciation, the kind reserved for particularly impressive sights. And impressive it was – a gigantic mansion loomed before them, surrounded by a verdant embrace of trees, with the sparkling ocean serving as a majestic backdrop.

Flavio nodded kindly at the group, his face split by a grin so wide it threatened to eclipse the sun itself. As they began to follow him towards the mansion, Henry voiced the question on everyone’s mind, “Why is he grinning like that?”

Thommy scoffed. “Told him he gets the house once we leave. As a thank you.”

Colin and the others stopped abruptly in their tracks, their jaws practically hitting the ground at this nonchalant revelation. “You gift him the mansion?” he sputtered.

“Yes, what else am I supposed to do with all these things?” Thommy shrugged his shoulders. “The man worked here for twenty years. And I bet my... father was not exactly friendly to him. Giving him the mansion is the least I can do. That way, he can-”

“I love you, Thommy Day,” Belle interrupted. “I LOVE YOU!” She flung her arms around his neck and planted a soft kiss on his lips.

At the mention of his new name, Thommy’s eyes flashed like a pair of strobe lights at a disco party. He still hadn’t quite adjusted to the fact that his name had changed, and this was the first time he’d heard it uttered aloud. And yet, strangely enough, he was rather smitten with the new identity.

“I love you more, Belle Day,” he whispered. He then planted another kiss on her lips, simultaneously twisting them both around like a pair of uncoordinated dancers, ensuring his back was turned towards Colin. Because even though they were now lawfully wedded, the mere thought of the Blood Baron still made him quiver in fear whenever he came too close to Belle.

The sleeping situation was quickly clarified, with all the efficiency of a military operation. Thommy and Belle made a beeline for the master bedroom in the east wing, no doubt eager to put that bed to good use. Willow and Chris were accommodated in a large room on the left. Henry got one on the right side, far enough away from both couples to avoid any awkward noises. And a little further on, Colin and LeighAnn had two rooms connected by a door. All bedrooms were incredibly large and housed a huge king-sized bed and all of them had their own balcony and bathroom.

Flavio was embraced by all, receiving praise and adulation. The poor man basked in the warm glow of appreciation like a sun-starved lizard finally emerging from hibernation, soaking up those compliments. Thommy was probably right – Kentheimer had likely treated the guy with all the warmth and kindness of a hungry wolf. But then again, maybe it was the prospect of inheriting a multi-million dollar mansion in just two short weeks that had Flavio laying on that charm. Either way, the man was practically oozing friendliness from every pore.

After a brief respite that was just long enough for everyone to catch their second wind, the whole crew migrated down to the private beach. While Henry, LeighAnn, and Willow took to the water, Thommy and Belle opted for a romantic stroll along the shoreline. Their departure left Colin and Chris alone under the sunshade.

“It’s not that bad, is it?” Chris asked as he watched Colin erupt into a fit of laughter. LeighAnn was squealing with delight, bouncing through the water with all the grace of a drunk dolphin, her bright orange swimsuit practically glowing like a radioactive beacon against the backdrop of the ocean.

“No. I’m sorry.”

“All good, you idiot.” Chris let out a chuckle, shaking his head in amusement. He stretched out on his bath towel, clad in a pair of knee-length, checkered swimming shorts. His gaze was firmly fixed on Willow, who was frolicking in the waves like a mermaid. That sunny yellow bikini looked more than sexy, hugging her curves in all the right places and making Chris question whether he was dreaming or had somehow stumbled into a Sports Illustrated swimsuit photoshoot. Sometimes, he still couldn’t quite wrap his head around the fact that this gorgeous creature was actually his girlfriend.

The two lovebirds had spent the last few weeks practically attached at the hip. Most of their time was spent at Chris’ place, mainly because Willow’s living situation involved sharing her house with her landlady, Mrs. Chou, who had a curiosity level that would put a cat to shame.

Their days were a whirlwind of domestic bliss, filled with cooking together, movie marathons, and even the occasional literary foray, courtesy of Willow’s insistence on broadening Chris’ horizons beyond the confines of the comic book realm. Meanwhile, more and more books were steadily piling up in his humble abode, transforming it from a mere dwelling into an actual home – a fact that was further solidified by the decorative touches they’d added together.

His kitchen was now a fully-equipped culinary battle station and Willow had even taken it upon herself to start a garden, presenting him with a puny tomato plant that she regarded with all the pride of a mother showing off her firstborn. And Chris was almost as proud as she was, because in that moment, that tiny sprout represented the blossoming of their new life together – a life filled with cuddling, kissing...

“Chris?”

“Yes?”

“Are you thinking of Willow?”

“Yes, why?” Chris shot his friend an irritated look. Colin, however, remained unfazed, simply pointing a finger towards Chris’ crotch area with a smirk. Chris followed the trajectory of that incriminating digit, only to let out a loud guffaw as he realized the source of his friend’s amusement. With a nonchalant shrug, he briefly rearranged the contents of his shorts, ensuring that everything was properly tucked away and accounted for, before leaning back once more. “She’s just driving me crazy,” he explained, letting out a deep, wistful sigh that told Colin everything he needed to know.

“Still not?”

Chris sighed. “Nope.”

“Chris, I love you, and I’m going to ask you a question now, okay?” Colin’s eyes were fixed on his children. Without even waiting for a response, he plowed ahead. “YOU are the one who hesitates, aren’t you?”

“How...” Chris sat up abruptly, his mouth agape. But then, his eyes narrowed into slits, and he tilted his head slightly, regarding the Blood Baron with a mixture of suspicion and begrudging respect. “I’m scared, man,” he admitted. “What if... what if I fail?”

“Seriously?” He turned to face his friend. “You bed, what? A hundred girls? Two hundred? If not more? And YOU are afraid of it?”

Chris nodded. “This is different with Willow. She’s... perfect. And I’m at a certain age. Erectile dysfunction is certainly not a walk in the park. What if I CAN’T? What if I finish early? What if she doesn’t finish at all? OH GOD, WHAT IF I CAN’T SATISFY HER? She will leave me!”

“You for real?”

“YES!”

Colin took a deep breath, his expression shifting from one of amusement to a more pensive, almost paternal demeanor. “Listen. My first time having sex with Wanda... I lasted about 27 seconds,” he began. “But I was young and a virgin, so you could say I was a bit overexcited. The second time, I didn’t finish at all. Just couldn’t.” He shrugged his shoulders. “Also the third and fourth time. After that, it was under a minute again a few times. And then... THEN it slowly got better.” Since Chris regarded him with an expression of utter confusion, Colin laughed and continued. “What I want to say is if she’s the right one, she won’t give a fuck. You will find your rhythm. She’s here with you, Chris. Here in Italy. Because she wants to be here with YOU. And when the first time isn’t perfect, you laugh it off and do it again.”

“Not everyone is an Energizer Bunny. I’m more of a quality over quantity kind of guy,” Chris countered. But then, his gaze drifted towards Willow, and his expression softened into a dreamy smile. “I’m just so fucking scared of losing her!”

Colin couldn’t have been prouder. It was as if he were witnessing the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, except instead of sprouting wings, Chris had undergone a profound transformation of the heart – one that had left the former playboy completely in love.

The man had made a 180-degree turn in a matter of weeks, going from a carefree bachelor to a lovesick puppy, all thanks to the enigmatic charms of Willow. It was a sight to behold, really, and Colin understood the fear that gripped Chris’ heart better than most. After all, love was a treacherous terrain, fraught with insecurities and self-doubt, where even the most confident of souls could find themselves reduced to a quivering mess of anxieties and worst-case scenarios.

But still, Colin felt a swell of paternal pride at witnessing his friend’s journey. “It’s okay, buddy,” he reassured his friend, stretching out lengthwise on the towel, basking in the sun’s warm embrace. “I have the feeling that it doesn’t matter how it turns out. Whether ten seconds, ten minutes, or ten hours. Willow likes you, Chris. Amazing, but it’s true.”

Chris’ response was as swift as it was unexpected. In a move that could only be described as a flagrant violation of beach towel etiquette, he snatched up the terrycloth fabric and delivered a resounding thwack to Colin’s midsection, accompanied by a gruff, “Idiot.”

“Seriously.” Colin sighed, his laughter subsiding into a warm, reassuring smile. “She likes you. We are here in Italy. Go out for a nice dinner with her. Have a romantic evening in Rome and then you make loooooove under the stars.”

Still transfixed by the vision of Willow, Chris smiled as she playfully waved in his direction. “Maybe I will,” he murmured, the words barely audible over the gentle crash of the surf.

Colin’s gaze was suddenly hijacked by a familiar scene - Belle and Thommy strolling hand-in-hand along the beach. Their silhouettes against the glistening waves made for a picture straight out of a cheesy romance novel, complete with the obligatory sunset.

As he watched, the couple came to an abrupt halt, and Belle tilted her head back, her face lit up. In a move that defied both physics and common sense, she suddenly launched herself into Thommy’s arms like a human cannonball. To his credit, Thommy caught her with the grace of a seasoned circus performer, spinning her in a dizzying circle.

“Colin?”

“Yes?” He gazed back at his friend.

“I gotta ask you a question. A very important one. Really important.”

“Shoot.”

“Have you jerked off in the meantime?” Chris waggled his eyebrows.

Colin rolled his eyes and gave his friend the finger. “Fuck you, Chris Thielmann.”

“I’ll take that as a no?”

“FUCK YOU!”

“Okay.”

With a sudden burst of energy, Chris sprang to his feet, his movements punctuated by a hasty tug at the waistband of his swimming trunks – a not-so-subtle attempt to conceal certain... hard facts. He shot Colin an impish wink and was off like a shot, his feet kicking up a flurry of sand in his wake as he charged toward the water.

Colin watched his best friend who swept Willow into a passionate embrace from behind. Without warning, Chris let himself fall backward, pulling Willow along with him in a graceless tumble that sent a cascade of water erupting around them. For a brief moment, they disappeared beneath the waves, only to reemerge seconds later in a tangle of limbs and laughter.

Willow wrapped her arms around Chris’ neck and pulled him in for a kiss that could have set the very ocean ablaze with its intensity. Colin couldn’t help but grin at the display. But just as quickly as the kiss had begun, it ended, with Willow breaking away and regarding Chris with a look of dawning realization. Her head tilted ever so slightly, and Colin could already guess what she had noticed – the unmistakable evidence of Chris’ arousal.

In the distance, the cheerful squeals of his little daughter reached his ears, sounding suspiciously like she was attempting to recreate the mating call of a particularly amorous whale.

And there at that little private beach, for the first time in weeks, he felt a genuine sense of relaxation wash over him. Secure in the knowledge that his children were safe, he allowed his eyes to drift shut.

Days turned into weeks, still no progress,

Colin is slowly drowning in stress.

The question unanswered, the killer out there,

The death of his wife - still so unfair.

But there’s a glimmer of hope - and that is Chris

Who is tired of watching his friend like this.

He snatched up a plan - and instantly

They’re on a plane to Italy.

The sun, the beach, the ocean, the peace,

Pasta and pizza (with lots of cheese).

Will that help Colin? Will he relax?

Will Willow and Chris eventually have sex?

Two weeks vacation. Oh, so much fun,

And I’m spoiling now - Colin will meet someone

Who will change everything, and make his world sway,

While he still mourns his beloved Wanda Day.