Mixed feelings among other things, after the news of Gabriel's death, Isabella found something new.
Something indescribable.
Perhaps it was relief or better put, the peace she had so much yearned for, she couldn't say.
All Isabella knew was that something had changed within her.
It had been eight months since Gabriel's mysterious death.
No one knew what happened and nothing could be concluded except for the fact that he was severely roasted and ridiculously, the investigators think he did it to himself.
Thoughts about Gabriel were now foreign to Isabella who took a deep sigh and feasted her eyes on the many headstones and the neat grasses.
The quietude that came with that area soothed her as well.
In her hand was a piece of paper that contained the most exciting news.
But Charles, who she wanted to desperately share the news with, was not around when she found her way to their hotel room.
So, strangely, after realizing how boring it would be to stay in the hotel in anticipation of Charles's arrival, Isabella chose to wander.
And her reckless legs led her into a cemetery.
Not that she minded anyway
She needed the peace and quiet.
And she definitely needed the recklessness.
Sometimes, carelessly sailing in the wrong direction could be a good thing. One gets to see new things one didn't expect to see.
Settling into the buttock-soothing grass, Isabella began to think about her life.
There was no doubt that things had changed... They changed for the better.
Her company was finally wearing a new look. Thanks to the pieces of advice from Charles and his new assistant, some concepts were revised and things were gradually picking up for Shades and Cloaks.
She and Charles relocated to the States. And even though Charles was yet to have the time for house hunting, the hotel they were staying in was already home to Isabella.
The small smile perched on Isabella's face developed to a larger one when she recalled their efforts so far in trying for a child.
What made her even happier was the fact that Charles continued to be with her just as he stuck with her when they met again.
Her heart fluttering with great joy, almost insanely, Isabella disturbed the atmosphere with her loud laugh.
She had recalled the moment Charles was seemingly blackmailing her. Or perhaps he was actually blackmailing her, she pondered, her forehead wearing a little crease.
Regardless of what it was, Isabella was more than glad that Charles didn't back away when he knew about her situation.
She was glad he stayed.
Because of him, she found strength again. And she became more than ready to try out the idea of leaving Gabriel again.
And thanks to the man she loved with everything she had, the plan which failed so many times in the past worked out and she finally found that freedom she craved.
Charles indeed was her saviour.
Isabella was about to delve deeper into her gladdening thoughts when she noticed that the gathering clouds were turning a shade darker. She was about to get up and get going when her phone's ringtone raided the peace in the atmosphere.
On seeing her husband's ID on the screen, Isabella wore a grin and picked up his call.
'Jesus Christ, Isabella, where on earth are you?' his stern voice greeted.
"So, I might have walked around a bit..."
'Walked around?' The sigh he released told Isabella that he was tired and she could tell he was about to give her one of his speeches. 'What did the doctor tell you about stressing yourself? Isabella, this is not the time to be so eager about walking about.'
"I am trying to get pregnant, I am not terminally sick. Anyway Charles..." She cut short whatever retort he might have to give. "I have something to tell you."
'Where are you, Isabella?' the man impatiently asked.
"Well..." Isabella trained her eyes ahead to see if there were any signs or landmarks around. "I am not so sure... I wasn't exactly aware of where I was going."
'Oh, Lord!' Isabella could picture Charles slapping his palm onto his face. 'Just tell me where you are exactly.'
"I'm at the cemetery."
'Where your father is?'
"No. Just a random one."
Charles sighed again and Isabella felt bad. He was already weary. Having to worry about her would be disadvantageous to his existing stress.
So, she said, "Charles, I'll find my way back, don't worry."
'You don't even know how you got there,' he replied almost dryly. 'Just stay where you are, I'll find you.'
"But-"
'Stay where you are, Bella. Don't move an inch.'
It was not what he said that made her obey, but the way his voice sounded.
The huskiness in his tone always aroused something within her and for a second, after she ended the call, she imagined them doing something sensual at that very spot.
Isabella quickly shook off the idea
It would be nothing but absolute disrespect if something like that happens in the cemetery.
But of course, it could happen in the car, Isabella reasoned even further.
As she had her seat again, Isabella planted a smile on her face and she chose to temporarily ignore the need between her legs which she had woken up with her thoughts.
~
A very exhausted Charles who was currently following the red dot on his GPS sighed for the umpteenth time.
He was not against Isabella taking a walk if she wished to, but he was worried.
For some reason, he could not shake off the thought that Gabriel could be lurking around, waiting to snatch Isabella from him.
Even though Gabriel Manifold was proven dead... Charles could not help but be scared.
That thought was what prompted him to gift his wife a simple necklace with a tracker in it.
He wanted her to be safe at all times.
As the device announced his arrival at his destination, Charles grabbed the cup of strawberry juice he had gotten for her on his way.
Soon, he was walking towards the familiar woman who had her back facing him.
As he walked, it occurred to him that Isabella had been by his side for months. That thought turned his weariness into something insignificant and his heart jumped with happiness.
So far, every moment with Isabella was bliss. Even the times they strongly disagreed on things to the point of not speaking to each other for hours were dear to him.
Charles cherished the moments like a mother would love her child.
"Bella," his earlier intended reprimanding voice got replaced with a gentle one as he sat beside her.
"Hey, baby."
The beautiful grin that exposed a great deal of her teeth made Charles forget that he was supposed to be angry at her.
"Here." He extended the juice to her and with an appreciative twinkle in her eyes, she accepted it. "It's quiet here," Charles noted as he took a look around. "We should come here often."
When he faced Isabella, she said, "But this is a cemetery, Charles. What can we possibly do here?"
He shrugged. " We could just sit down and talk. Or maybe we could just say nothing and enjoy the nice breeze. Trust me, you'll love doing that with me." Her eyes reprimanded his partial cockiness and her lips wore a pout. It was then that Charles noticed the paper in her hand. "What do you have there?"
Isabella handed it to him and the man read through the content. When his eyes fell on the most important part, he felt like he had grown wings.
Looking toward his wife, he asked, "Is this for real?" Her nod showed her excitement. "We are going to become parents?"
"Yes." Isabella leaned closer and placed her head on his shoulder. "The doctor said we might have to consider developing the baby in the lab at some point. He fears my womb may not be a safe area. That saddened me but I don't mind. As long as I am able to hold your child in my arms, I am fine with it."
Charles looked ahead to hide the expression that befell his face.
Despite saying that she didn't mind, Charles knew how much it would mean to Isabella if the baby could grow inside her.
Charles actually knew of nothing that he could say to make her feel better. But he was going to offer all that he could. He was going to continuously assure her that better days were on their way.
"Have you heard from your mother?" Isabella asked.
"No."
Ever since his mother confessed that she sent Daphne to ruin his marriage, she never showed up in front of him nor did he try to contact her.
Charles wondered if Isabella was about to talk him into searching for his mother.
He was about to stop her from doing such, but she beat him to it when she said, "We should get going. The clouds are getting darker."
He looked up. " But that doesn't mean rain will fall."
"Well, it might fall."
Charles shrugged, feeling playful already.
"If it falls, we can enjoy getting drenched," he said. As though harmonised, they both faced each other at the same time and Isabella broke into a bigger smile. "Isabella, let's talk about something while we wait for the rain. Anything."
"Hmm." She took a few seconds to think. "Mr. Oxford, I have a question for you."
"Hit me with it."
"Do you think you have what it takes to be a father?"
"Of course," the man hurriedly replied to the question he considered silly.
"Are you sure you are up to the task?" Isabella insisted.
"I am. How hard could it be?"
"When the baby finally comes into our lives, you'll have to change diapers and bathe the little one. You'll also have to go through sleepless nights filled with cries and-"
Charles cut Isabella short with a quick kiss.
While she rambled on, he found her irresistible.
While he gently recaptured her lips, his tongue caressing the soft flesh, Charles's arm circled her waist. He held her in a way that would ensure that Isabella would melt into his hold.
When Charles broke the heart-racing kiss, Isabella sighed in relief. Without ruining their closeness, his voice thicker, Charles said, "Trust me Bella, when the baby comes into our lives, I won't care about the mess or cries or disheveled state of my house. All that will keep ringing in my head is the one statement that my mind repeats when my eyes fall on you."
Visibly affected by his whole aura, Isabella's throat showed signs of her taking a huge gulp before she asked, "What is that?"
His arm left her waist and he cupped the side of her face.
When her slender fingers rested on his, he replied, "How lucky I am to have you. And when our baby comes to complete us, I will wonder even more how lucky I am to have you and our child."
Their eyes searched each other's and silence took a quick slide through their moment before Isabella said, with every kind of emotion in her eyes and voice, "I think you'll be a good father. And I..." He captured her lips again and she pushed him away, giggling. " I was about to say something."
"You were about to tell me how much you love me, I know. Just kiss me and show how much you mean it."
Eyes quickly filled with caution, her tone a worried whisper, she asked, "We are not going to do it here right?"
" Do what?" Charles leaned closer and when she ducked, he groaned.
"Charles, We can't have sex here!"
Charles could not help but burst into loud laughter. Why on earth would she think that such could happen? It would be somewhat creepy if they decide to do anything in the cemetery.
"Should we do it in the car then?" Charles asked jokingly.
And when she nodded, he didn't bother to discourage the idea.
The idea actually roused him.
Soon, they were on their way to the car, kisses occasionally slowing down their
As their intimacy grew, Charles knew within his heart that he had found Isabella again for good and he was going to ensure that nothing ruins the happiness he obtained when he least expected.
He was going to make sure that both he and Isabella spend years and many years of their lives together. They would build a family and share beautiful and ugly memories...
No matter what anyone might later say...
Or do...
~
THE END
~
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