First a Dream (Dreams Come True #1) (21 page)

Isabella snorted. “You did not.”

He looked at her seriously again. “I guess you’ll never know.”

Normally only a continental breakfast would be provided on the boat, but with Gabriel and his “money is no object” attitude, the chef, who was also owner, returned in the morning to make them blueberry pancakes, ham, hash browns, and scrambled eggs. Isabella and Rebecca drank hot chocolates with mounds of whipped cream. The men decided that they would drink milk. With the hearty breakfast behind them, they departed for a day of sight seeing.

They stopped in at a photo shop first. “It will be quick.” Gabriel motioned for them to enter while he held the door. “I just need a picture of the kids.”

“For what?” Isabella’s eye narrowed.

Gabriel sighed. “For passports. I noticed we need to renew yours and the kids don’t have any.” He frowned for a moment before explaining. “It’s just a precaution. What if I have to go away on business for a long time?  That happens sometimes. I would want you to be able to come visit me, or even go with me, right?”

Isabella’s look softened. “You surprise me, Gabriel.” She buried her head in his chest.

“Why? I like having you around.” He squatted down to speak to the kids. “All of you.” Without a second’s hesitation, the children had piled into his arms and wrapped themselves in his embrace. For a moment, Isabella’s eyes filled with tears.

***

The next morning they awoke to squeals of glee. The kids were putting on...costumes?  “What do you have?” Isabella asked Konnor as he wandered over wearing a black hat accented with a gold buckle.

“It’s a costume.” He bounced around. “Can I wear it?”

Rebecca walked over, fully clad in Puritan garb, even down to the clunky black shoes. “How do I look?” She twirled around for her mother’s approval.

“Like you walked out of
The Crucible
.” Isabella rolled her eyes.

Rebecca accepted that as a compliment, and trotted off to grab some pastries from the tray on the table. Konnor struggled to pull on his pants. Gabriel climbed out of bed to help him. Isabella simply sat there, watching everything happening around her, feeling warm and happy, despite the frost on the windows.

They arrived at Plimoth Plantation in time to tour the exhibits before the New England Thanksgiving Buffet began. The entire experience could’ve been likened to taking a walk through history. Rebecca loved being part of it, asking questions, attracting pleasant looks from other visitors. As expected, she completely tortured the volunteers running the place.

At one of the cabins, the man was cleaning items on a table. As Rebecca walked by, he caught her attention. “I bet you don’t know what this is.”

“Actually, I do. It’s a gourd.” She smiled at him. “Did you know back in the days of slavery, the slaves made up a song about the following the drinking gourd?”

“Actually, I did.” The man tugged at his chin. “Do you know what the gourd was in that song?” He folded his hands across his chest, obviously thinking he had stumped the five year old.

“Of course, I do, silly. It was about the big dipper and following the North Star.”

The man began to look desperate. “Well, I bet you don’t know how they made these clothes so many colors.” He leaned on the table and gestured to the cloth.

“The dyes were made of berries and that kind of thing.” She shrugged as the man pulled at his collar.

Isabella looked over at Gabriel. He beamed with price. “Come on kids, let’s go visit the next exhibit.” She giggled as they walked away.

As he leaned over, Gabriel whispered in her ear. “She’s amazing. Just like her mother.” Then he placed an affectionate kiss on her temple.

When they finally returned to the boat that evening, the kids were exhausted, and happily accepted going to bed. They didn’t argue about having to take off their costumes, since Gabriel had Puritan nightclothes crafted to complete their experience. Giggling, they climbed into bed in their billowing attire.

Isabella and Gabriel sat outside and gazed up at the autumn sky, until he caught her falling asleep on him.

“Come on, darling.” He picked her up and held her in his arms. “Off to bed.”

“Hold me tonight,” she murmured into his neck.

“Don’t I hold you every night?” He drew her closer to his chest.

He helped her a pair of the warm Victoria’s Secret jammies he bought her for this occasion.

“I’m thankful for you.” Her words barely escaped her lips before she fell asleep.

At first, she rested peacefully, then her deepest fears came out to play. It all began when Isabella realized she was completely alone in some unrecognizable forest. The sun had set and though she called out for the kids and Gabriel, they were nowhere to be found. She soon discovered it wasn’t a forest at all, but a deserted island and she was stranded. They sky grew increasingly dark as she stumbled around in bare feet. She had stepped on a sharp stone, blood dripped from the bottoms of her feet, as dirt and debris found its way into the cuts. Gabriel had to be somewhere. She kept grasping, reaching out, and only finding air; emptiness and cold chilly air.

Isabella struggled and thrashed about in their bed. She grappled through that hazy place between wake and sleep, the heavy fog, clouding her better judgment. In her mind, she knew if she could only reach out and touch Gabriel’s reassuring warmth, then she would be fine. Yet, the more she thrashed about, the more alert she became, and the more apparent she really did lay there alone. She sat up in the bed abruptly. The berth was dark, barely illuminated by the moon and some light from the wharf. As her eyes adjusted, she could vaguely see the outlines of her children sleeping peacefully in their bed on the other side of the cabin. Yet, to her dismay, the more her eyes darted wildly around the room, the more evident it became Gabriel wasn’t in it.

Throwing back the covers, she checked the bathroom first, only to find it empty. Close to panicking, she rushed out to the deck. There she found him speaking on his cell phone.

***

Gabriel

He heard her before he saw her standing there in her two piece cotton knit pajamas with the cuffs of the pants dragging on the boards. The evening air had grown somewhat crisp, nothing too frigid for a girl raised in the Adirondacks, but still she stood there shaking almost uncontrollably.

Gabriel quickly rushed from his seat without missing a word of his conversation, gathered her in his arms, and carried her back to bed. He laid beside her, holding her so tightly she could scarcely expand her ribcage enough to take in the deep, soothing breaths she so desperately needed.

“It’s my father. Business.” Gabriel hit the mute button. “I hope you weren’t worried. I didn’t want to wake you.”

Isabella shook her head numbly. “Bad dream.”

“Father, let me call you back before we fly out.” Then he ended the call. “Tell me about it, love.”

Her eyes glistened. “It’s stupid.”

“All the more reason to get it out.” He pulled her against his chest. “Go on. You know I won’t laugh at you.”

“I couldn’t find you. I was all alone. It was terrible.” She hiccupped. “It was terrible.”

“I’ll never leave you, Bella.” He buried his face in her hair.

“How can you say that? Things happen.” She breathed little warm puffs of air onto his chest.

“I know. You can trust me.”

Isabella sighed. “It’s not that I don’t trust you, I’m just more realistic than you are. I’ve had to be grounded in reality my whole life.”

“Let me explain.” He thought for a moment before speaking again.
"See, I've missed you."

Sitting back, Isabella looked at him quizzically. "How can you miss me?  We’ve been together, non-stop for days." She laughed, but as he glanced at her arms, he saw they were covered in goose bumps.

He reached out, took her hands in his, then lifted them and brushed his lips across her knuckles. "You had a bad dream while you slept. Me, I was living one. It took time, but I finally understand. This emptiness inside me, which would at times threaten to consumer me, only you have ever managed to fill it. All these years,
you
are what had been missing from my life. Never again." He shook his head. "We can never be apart again."

Looking down, he saw a flicker of doubt in her eyes, but as he leaned in and kissed her, he could feel it draining away. Finally, Gabriel had given her something to hang onto, something to believe in.

“So you’re telling this is forever?” She murmured the words against his neck, and refused to meet his eyes.

“Exactly.” His arms tightened, but he still couldn’t get her close enough.

Chapter Seventeen

Gabriel

Since Thanksgiving, he’d been carrying the ring around with him while he tried to find the perfect time, perfect way, and perfect day to ask her to be his wife. In that month, they’d gone to the Nutcracker with the kids and his mother in Montreal. They’d had dinner with his father. There was a night at a comedy club with his friends. They went to the movies with Jessie and Jeff. Through it all, there was so much joy and love.

As Christmas and the New Year loomed, he started to feel pressure. Gabriel didn’t want to waste anymore time and he was flat out of ideas. The man who did everything big, finally decided to go little. Isabella had been staying with him all week since the studio closed for two weeks around Christmas and the New Year. The kids were with their father for the first week. They had so much time to themselves, they had no idea what to do with it.

On Christmas Eve, their last night alone together for the holiday, Gabriel drew Isabella a bubble bath at five in the evening. “Let’s relax some before dinner out.” He held up a DVD case. “I picked up a movie on the way home.”

“Where are we doing dinner?” She walked into her closet.

“Darling, you should know by now, Christmas is a time of secrets and surprises.” He winked. “Don’t worry. I’ll have an outfit ready for you when you’re done relaxing.” He helped her undress and get settled in the bathtub. “I’ll be back for you in a little bit.”

“So I have to stay here until you say otherwise?” Isabella eyed him suspiciously.

“Yes. Behave.” He turned on music for her and passed her a magazine. Then after giving her a kiss on the forehead, he murmured, “Relax.”

When he left the bathroom, he pulled the door closed behind him. Then he rushed to the apartment door. “My apologies.” He moved out of the way as a string of florists entered carrying vases of roses. By the time they were done, there were twenty vases each holding a dozen flowers now filling the dining and living rooms. Then they passed him a box of red petals.

“As you requested, sir.” The man smiled. “And congratulations.”

Gabriel nodded. “Thank you.” He was rarely nervous, but somehow tonight seemed so important, he couldn’t help but second-guess everything. Would Bella appreciate his efforts?  Would she agree to marry him? 

Before he could worry too much, there was a light knock on the door. Opening it, he saw their guests had arrived. “Welcome!” He moved people into the kids’ room and his office. Finally, the caterers entered and set up food and drink in the dining room per his request. It was all coming together nicely. Now he could get Bella ready for her big night.

Walking back into their bedroom, he shut the double doors behind him, then took a few breaths to slow his breathing. Finally calm, he opened the bathroom door. “Ready, my love?” Gabriel held out a hand for her.

Isabella smirked. “I don’t know. The water is perfect. The bubbles are a lovely touch. I haven’t had a chance to read a magazine in forever.” She shrugged. “Maybe I’ll stay.”

“Why do you torture me?” He pulled off his shirt, leaned down and lifted her out of the tub.

Isabella giggled. “I only said ‘maybe.’  I was just kidding.”

Gabriel threw her over his shoulder, her perfect ass high on his shoulder, water running down his torso as he prepared to bring her into the bedroom to get dressed. Then he caught a glimpse of her in the mirror. “If you could see what I see. Oh my god.” He ran a hand over her buttocks, then moved to cup her labia. “You’re killing me.”

Apparently, she’d realized how distracted he was because she suddenly pushed off his back, slid down his front and had wrapped her legs around his waist. “Is this better?” She waggled her eyebrows.

The blood rushed to Gabriel’s groin. “Not even a little.” He leaned towards her and gave her a passionate kiss on the lips. When he finished, they both seemed a little lightheaded. “A taste. Until later.”

Isabella began kissing her way up his neck until she could whisper in his ear. “What if we skip everything and go straight to later?”

“Tempting offer, but I’m going to have to decline.” Holding her buttocks in each hand, he backed them into the bedroom.

Undeterred, she started with a similar tactic on the other side of his neck. “Here’s my counter offer. Ready?”

Gabriel nodded weakly, regretting all the people he had hidden in their apartment. “Ready, but I promise I’ll have to decline.
Please
get dressed.” He turned her around so she could see what he’d picked for her.

“Whoa. That’s new. What’s the occasion?” As soon as he set her on her feet, she walked over to pick up the cocktail dress he’d selected for her. The black off the shoulder dress with three quarter length sleeves and a tight short skirt made her squeal with delight. “Thank you! I love it.”

“Come out when you’re done. I’ll get the movie loaded.” He backed out of the room and shut the doors behind him. Gabriel felt nervous about the movie. Ben made it for them. He had a film production company and mostly specialized in documentaries. This was completely out of Ben’s comfort zone, as far as Gabriel was concerned. A second later, Isabella bounded out of the room. “You’re not wearing shoes.” He chuckled.

“That’s the least of my worries. Zip me, please!” She turned to expose her beautiful back.

Slowly, he pulled the zipper up and paused to kiss her neck. “You look amazing.”

She curtseyed. “Thank you. Let’s watch the movie.” Isabella bounced over to the nearest sofa and curled up in the corner of it before patting the spot next to her.

“But you have no shoes.” He pointed at her naked, tiny, perfect feet.

She waved her hand. “I’ll put them on before we leave. Movie. Otherwise, I’m completely ready.” She smiled at him. “See. Lip gloss.”

“What am I going to do with you?” Gabriel shook his head.

“I have plenty of ideas.” She raised her hand as if to start counting them off, but he stopped her. They had an audience she wasn’t aware of.

“You win. Movie.” He quickly pushed play and sat next to her.

It only took a few seconds for him to see he’d made the right choice in trusting this to Ben. He had given his friend all the pictures of their time together from his phone, all the video clips. With it, he had created this incredible montage of their life together. All the moments, they were there. Their trips, the people they loved, the kids, everything had made the cut. Best of all, he’d found the perfect music to set it to starting with Train’s
Marry Me
then onto Bruno Mars’
Marry You
. When Gabriel looked over at Isabella, tears were streaming down her face. She swiped madly, probably to cover up.

“I thought you didn’t cry!” He gathered her into his arms.

“These aren’t tears.” She sniffled. “It’s just happiness leaking out.” She dabbed at her eyes. “And it’s ruining my makeup.”

“My sweet, you’re only wearing lip gloss.” He chuckled.

Isabella fanned her face. “Thank goodness for that.”

“Relax. There’s no way your face is more ruined than my marriage proposal,” he teased.

She inhaled sharply. “Your what?” Then she looked about the room. “Where did all these roses come from?”

“You’re just now noticing them?” Gabriel grinned.

Taking his face in her hands, Isabella cooed. “Haven’t you realized, I only have eyes for you?” Then she planted a long lingering kiss on his lips.

“I do
now
.” He inhaled. “So can I talk to you a moment, see if we can’t get you to say ‘I do’ later?”

Her eyes still glistened with unspent tears as she nodded. Content she would remain quiet, Gabriel dropped to one knee and pulled the velvet box out of his pocket, while holding it still out of sight.

“Thank you.” He winked. “My Bella, there are 240 roses in here, one for every day we’ve known each other.” He took a breath. “I have loved you for very nearly all of them.” Gabriel paused to kiss her palm. “Not long ago, I promised you forever. I intend to keep that promise, as husband and wife. Will you do me the great honor of agreeing to be my bride?”

Isabella nodded repeatedly and finally blurted out a response. “Yes. Of course, yes!”

At last he showed her the box and allowed her to open it, revealing the ring he’d designed for her, the ultimate symbol of their love. Twelve channel set diamonds formed an eternity symbol in the platinum band, and where the never ending line crossed itself, a large circular cut diamond stood in a titanium setting. Everything about the ring screamed forever.

***

Isabella

As much as Isabella wanted to pull out the ring and try it on, she resisted, afraid to break the spell. She knew the true test of the relationship could be found in the fit. If she and Gabriel weren’t meant to be together...she swallowed hard gripped with fear while thinking about it.

Apparently Gabriel could wait no longer. He pulled the ring from the box, and before Isabella could object, slipped it over her finger. Instantly, she realized the ring fit perfectly and gasped. For a moment, they were lost in their kiss. Then the cheering started. When Isabella turned, she realized the room had filled with friends and family. A caterer brought out a tray of champagne flutes and the party began.

“I’d like to propose a toast!” Ben raised his glass. “To the couple who made me believe in true love and that dreams really can come true. May you always live the fairy tale.”

Glasses clinked and Isabella and Gabriel drank while staring into each other’s eyes. He wrapped an arm around her and asked quietly, “Would you like to get your shoes on now?” A smile played at the corners of his mouth.

“Yeah. Maybe I should do that. I feel…underdressed.” She winked at him and disappeared into the bedroom. A second later, she realized she wasn’t alone and turned to see Jessie smiling at her. Their hug turned into a dance punctuated with a squeal.

“You’re getting married. Let me see!” Jessie reached for her left hand to gawk at the ring. “This is serious. Did you know he designed it himself?”

Isabella pulled her hand away and stared at it a moment. “No, I had no idea.” She slipped her shoes on, then looped her arm through her friend’s as they walked back out to the living room. She paused for a moment in the doorway.

“What is it?” Jessie glanced about.

“Look at this. Look at all he did. For me. For us. I’m…awed.”

Hugging her close, her friend laughed. “He loves you.”

“Yeah. I know. It’s all so magical and surreal.”

Suddenly, Matty’s voice piped up. “You two have been engaged for at least five minutes. Is it too soon for me to ask if you’ve set the date?”

“December 31
st
.” Gabriel held an arm out for Isabella to join him.

Smiling, Isabella nodded and walked into his embrace. “Great!  I have a year to plan.”

He looked down at her, and bit his lip a moment before speaking. “Actually, I meant a week from now.”

Eyes wide, her mouth dropped open slightly. “I can’t even.”

“Of course you can, my love. Haven’t you figured that out yet?  With me, anything is possible.” He kissed her temple.

***

Isabella

At eight in the morning, Gabriel woke her with kisses on her shoulder. In response, she held up her left hand and stared at her ring finger for a moment. “It wasn’t a dream.” Immediately, she rolled over and began kissing him. “Merry Christmas, Gabriel.”

“Merry Christmas, my love.” He squeezed her more tightly.

She could feel his erection pressed against her. Impulsively, she reached down and started to stroke it. Slowly, Isabella began to sink below the covers after giving him a devious look.

“What are you doing?” His voice hitched as he spoke. “Please don’t.”

Frozen by his words, Isabella stared at him. “You’re joking, right?  I’m ready. I trust you. You’ve proven we’re forever.” She took a deep breath as she tried to swallow the hurt. “I don’t understand.” She turned her face so he couldn’t look in her wounded eyes.

Flipping her onto her back, Gabriel moved in between her legs and pinned her to the mattress. “Look at me, Bella.”

Pursing her lips, she slowly lifted her chin and met his gaze. “Okay.”

“We’ve waited this long. What’s one more week?” He nuzzled her neck. “Do you have any idea how much I love you, how much I want to be with you in every way?” Gabriel rubbed his nose against hers. “This, what’s between us, is so perfect, so pure.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “I’ve never had that before. I want to do this right. One more week. Actually, six days now.”

As Isabella watched him, she understood. “Wow. Now I feel like such a whore.” She offered a half smile. “I get it. We’ll wait.” She shrugged.

“Don’t ever speak of yourself like that.” He frowned. “You’re the love of my life.” He hugged her tightly. Gabriel glanced at the clock on his nightstand. “Hey, we need to get going. We have to meet the kids at your place.”

“You’re right. God, I love you.” She heaved a sigh of relief.