Among mixed feelings 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 really couldn't say.

All she knew was that something had changed within her.


It was already eight months after Gabriel's mysterious death. No one really 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.

Isabella took a deep sigh and looked around the quiet place with headstones and neat grasses giving her eyes something to feast on. In her hand was a piece of paper which contained the most exciting news she had ever had. But no one was around yet for her to share the good news with.

So, strangely, after realizing how boring it would be to stay in the hotel in anticipation of Charles's arrival, she chose to wander. And her reckless legs took her into a cemetary. Not that she minded anyway. She needed the peace and quiet.


And she definitely needed the recklessness. Sometimes, it is good to just sail in the wrong direction.

Settling into the buttock soothing grass, Isabella began to review her life so far. She could definitely not neglect how changed everything was. Her company was finally wearing a new look and some concepts had already been changed thanks to an advice from Charles's assistant. Her and Charles moved back to the States and even though, Charles has still not had the time for house hunting, the hotel they stay in was already sort of home to Isabella.


A small smile on the woman's face developed to a larger one when she recalled their efforts so far in trying for a child. It just made her glad.

What made her even happier was the fact that Charles continues to be with her just like he had stuck with her when he met her again. Almost insanely, Isabella disturbed the atmosphere with her loud laugh.

She remembered the moment Charles seemed to be blackmailing her. Or perhaps he was actually blackmailing her, she pondered, her forehead wearing a little crease. Regardless what it was, Isabella was more than glad that he didn't back away when he saw her situation. She was glad he stayed. Because of his little act, 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.

Charles indeed was her saviour.

Isabella was about to get up and get going as she noticed the clouds turning a shade darker when her phone's ringtone disturbed the peace again. On seeing her husband's ID, she wore a grin and picked his call.

'Jesus Christ, Isabella, where in earth are you?'

"So, I might have walked around a bit..."

'Walked around?' He sighed tiredly and she could tell he was about to give her one of those speeches again. 'What did the doctor tell you about stressing yourself? Isabella, this is not the time to be so eager about walking about.'

"But I am trying to get pregnant, I am not terminally sick or something. Anyway Charles..." She cut short whatever retort he might have had 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 was any signs or landmarks around. "I am not so sure... I wasn't exactly aware of where I was going."

'Oh Lord!' Isabella could totally see him slapping his palm onto his face. 'Just tell where you are exactly.'

"I'm at the cemetery."

'Where your dad is?'

"No. Just a random one." The man sighed again and Isabella felt bad. He must be so tired and having to worry about where she was would definitely not be good for him. "I'll just find my way back, don't worry."

'You don't even know how you got there,' he said 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 always aroused something within her and for a second, after she ended the call, she imagined them going into each other right where she was.

Isabella quickly shook off the idea, it would be nothing but absolute disrespect if it ever happens right in the cemetery.

But of course, it could happen in the car, Isabella reasoned even further. And she sat down back, she wore a smile to cover the need she had already woken up.

~

A very exhausted Charled who was currently following the red dot on his GPS sighed for the umpteenth time. He was not against Isabella walking here and there if she wished to, but he was worried. For some reason, he could not shake off the idea that Gabriel could be lurking around somewhere, waiting to take her back.

Even though he was proven dead.

That thought was actually what prompted him to gift her 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 woman who had her back facing him.

Even though tired, Charles could not help a small smile as he felt something lift inside him at the thought that he has has Isabella by his side for months. Every moment was bliss. Even the times they strongly disagreed on things to the point of not speaking to each other for hours. 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." Charles totally forgot that he was supposed to be angry at her.

"Here." He extended the juice to her and the smile she wore made him shiver with relief. That smile really was his lucky charm and stress breaker. "It's quiet here," the man observed as he took a look around. "We should come here often."

He felt her eyes land on him with a bit of question beneath them. When he looked towards her side, she said, "But this is a cemetary Charles. What can we possibly do here?"

He shrugged. " 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 different expression. "What do you have there?"

He motioned at the piece of paper in her hand. Isabella handed it to him and the man read through the content. When his eyes fell on the important part, he felt like he had grown wings.

Looking towards his wife, he said, "Is this for real?" She nodded. "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. He fears my womb may not be a safe area. That saddened me but I really don't mind. As long as I am able to hold your child in my arms, I am fine with it."

Charles looked ahead and smiled sadly. He knew how much it would mean to her if she could have the baby grow inside her even if she says otherwise. He truthfully had nothing to say about it that could make her feel better, but he offered what he could and that was his assurance of better days ahead.

"Have you heard from your mother?"

"No." Ever since she blurted out that she sent Daphne, she never showed up in front of him nor did he try to contact her.

"We should get going. The clouds are getting darker."

He looked up. " But that doesn't mean it will fall."

"Well, it might fall."

Charles shrugged, feeling playful already. " If it falls, we can enjoy getting wet for sometime." As if harmonized, they both looked at each other at the same time and Isabella broke into a bigger smile. "Let's talk about something Isabella while we wait for the rain. Anything."

"Hmm." She wore a reasoning look. " Mr. Oxford, I have a question for you."

" Hit me."

"Do you think you have what it takes to be a father?"

"Of course," the man instantly replied 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-"

He cut her short with a quick kiss. For some reason, he found her irresistible as she rambled on.

Charles's hand went to her waist as he recaptured her lips gently and caressed the soft flesh as lovingly as possible, in a way that would ensure her to melt into his arms like she has always done.

As Isabella sighed with relief, Charles broke the kiss but didn't ruin the close distance. His voice thicker, he 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 a huge gulp before she asked, her voice a bit raspy, "What is that?"

His hand left her waist and cupped the side of his face immediately. When her slender hand fell on his, he replied, "How lucky I am to have you. And when our baby comes to complete us, I assure you, I'll 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."

Looking cautious already, she said almost whispering, " We are not going to do it here right?"

" Do what?" He leaned closer and groaned as she ducked.

"We can't have sex here Charles!" Charles could not help but burst into a loud laughter. Why on earth would she think that such could happen? Definitely not in the cemetery, it would be creepy.

"Should we do it in the car then?" he asked jokingly. And as she nodded, he didn't bother to discourage the idea. The idea actually roused him.

So, soon they were on their way to the car, kisses occasionally invading their steps and slowing them down and Charles knew within his heart that he had found her again for good and he was going to ensure that nothing ruins the happiness he obtained out of the blue.

He was going to keep his bride glued to his side for as long as possible.

No matter what anyone might later say.

Or do.

THE END