Second Chances (83 page)

He held her hands.  “First, I think you don’t cry,” he whispered.  “Now, I think all I do is make you cry.”  He wiped her eyes and she kissed his fingers.

“It’s Andrea Boccelli,” she whispered back, gaping at the man who now held a place of honor on the altar.  “I can’t believe that he’s here.”

“I pulled some strings because I knew you loved his music.  I wanted today to be memorable.”

“Every day with you is memorable,” Isabella replied laughing.

They might have continued in their own private conversation for some time, utterly unaware of those present at Gabriel’s request, but the minister cleared his throat to signal the beginning of the ceremony.  They blushed.  The time arrived for them to say their vows.  Isabella turned to Gabriel in a panic.  “I didn’t prepare anything.”

“Neither did I,” Gabriel murmured, trying to ease her fear.  “I thought we would simply speak from the heart.”

Gabriel spoke first.  “My darling Bella,” he began without faltering.  “I never knew I could love until I met you.  I had many meaningless girlfriends, but no real attachments.  You were a challenge, and well worth it.  You rescued me.  You make me better than I am.  If I seem selfless and giving, it is because you make me want to do everything for you and Rebecca and Kyle.”  He glanced down at the children who were standing in between them and gazing up at him lovingly.  “If I seem honorable, it is because you make me want to make you proud.  If I seem ambitious, it is because you have given me something to work for.  All that I am is because of you and for you.  You are my life, and soon my wife.  My heart belongs only to you forever.”  He squeezed her hands and smiled at her through teary eyes.

“Gabriel,” Isabella addressed him, so enamored by his words that she found herself once again virtually unaware of her audience.  “You say I rescued you, but you rescued me, too.  You are my dream come true.  You are my knight in shining armor, my prince charming, a second father to my children, a best friend to me, a true soul mate.  You are all I have ever hoped for and more.  All I want from this day forward is to live each day to make you as happy as you’ve made me.  There is nothing more that I can imagine wanting in this life because of the love of my children and our love.  At last I am complete.  You have healed me.  I will always love you.”  She squeezed his hands, looking at him with such love and admiration that he blinked back tears and could barely speak moments later when they exchanged rings.

The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur.  At some point she vaguely remembered kissing, and the warmth that immersed her from head to toe the instant their lips touched. Then they walked back down the aisle, arm in arm.  As they sauntered through the crowds of people eager to talk to them during the reception, one face in particular that she didn’t see the previous night stood out.

“Dr. Pam,” Isabella called out warmly, pulling away from Gabriel to speak with her.

“Hello, dear,” she said lovingly when Isabella reached her side.  “I think you may have found your inspiration, your passion, huh?”  She winked at Isabella conspiratorially.  Then she added, “I’m sorry I didn’t bring a gift.  I wasn’t sure why I was coming here until I arrived.  Gabriel sent for me, you know?”

“Dr. Pam,” Isabella responded, “don’t you think Gabriel is gift enough?  I think you knew exactly what you were doing all along.”  She gave her professor a knowing look.

“Well, I admit,” she confirmed nodding, “sometimes I see things that need fixing so I feel compelled to correct them.  In those situations I simply give a little nudge.  There’s no harm in that now, right?”  Dr. Pam tilted her head, watching Isabella for a reaction, then she grasped Isabella’s hand in hers, “Well, maybe just one more thing?”  She looked intensely into Isabella eyes.  “Don’t ever stop dreaming.  Just dream bigger now.”

Her words were an electric current through Isabella’s entire being, who smiled dreamily, then nodded and walked toward her new husband.  He was talking to Angelica, who couldn’t stop touching his arm.  He looked uncomfortable, then spotted Isabella strolling toward them and sighed in relief, knowing she would remedy the situation for him somehow.

“Angelica,” she feigned friendliness, “so good of you to join us, although you seem to have forgotten the central point of our Halloween conversation.”  She paused as her eyes darted conspicuously to Angelica’s hand on Gabriel’s arm.  Quickly, Angelica’s arm dropped.  She looked nervous in a way Isabella had never been able to affect her before, yet still tried desperately to keep her cool.

“I’m glad I finally have an opportunity to thank you, sister,” Isabella added.  “If it weren’t for you...well, I’d still be miserable.  As you can see,” she gestured around her, “I’ve never been happier.  I can’t help but think I owe some of my good fortune to you.  So thank you.”  She pulled Gabriel towards her and he turned to give his wife a warm embrace and a tender kiss.  Then they moved on to visit more guests when Isabella spotted Jessie walking purposefully towards them with Christopher at her side.  He had been recording the event for posterity and had a pocket full of spent rolls to prove it.

“I know how you feel about being photographed, Isabella, but how about just one for the annals?”  She bit her lip nervously as though she feared her idea would be rejected.

Isabella hesitated for a moment, then nodded happily.  “Well, in that case, we must do this right,” Gabriel exclaimed.  “Rebecca!  Kyle!  Come here, please!”

Isabella’s eyes watered.  This would be her first family portrait in every way imaginable.  Jessie smiled as Christopher snapped a few shots.  The kids scattered, and  Isabella simply looked up at her husband and whispered, “Thank you.”  He hugged her closer and kissed her forehead lovingly.

Everyone who had meant anything to them had come to Italy.  Ava stood near Mr. Charmant and often caught Isabella’s eye to smile or nod.  Mr. Charmant had come over, given his congratulations, and wished them well.  He seemed to be entirely over his previous disapproval of Isabella and even lavished attention on the children.  Isabella’s mother had been standing apart from her all day, but at least she and Angelica had had each other to keep themselves company.

Ben was concerned that Isabella’s family might not be enjoying themselves and offered to go over and speak with them.  But once Isabella realized that he might be interested in Angelica, she warned against it.  “Have Sebastian go speak with them,” Isabella suggested.  “I think they would be much better matched.”  She winked at Ben, who looked mildly disappointed as he moved on to speak with Sebastian.

Gabriel and Isabella mingled with the guests as they danced, and dined on the terrace by Pauline Borghese, the hotel’s restaurant.  Later, the group adjourned to the piano bar, La Pomme.  All the while, the newlyweds exchanged obvious looks of love and thinly veiled ones of longing until all but two of the guests headed upstairs to their rooms and suites.

Gabriel and Isabella stared intently at Sebastian and Ben.  “Well,” Gabriel began slowly, hoping they would take the hint.

Ben smiled and rose from his seat in the circular booth.  He stared down at Sebastian, who was still seated and showing no signs of moving in the near future.  So now he gave Sebastian a less than subtle nudge.

Sebastian looked up lazily.  “Oh, I know,” he said sardonically.  “I thought they’d never leave!”  He cast a wry smile toward the anxious couple. 

All three continued to stare at him.  Gabriel began to shift angrily.

“What?” Sebastian asked, slyly.  “Am I keeping you from something?”  He studied them for a moment, then let out a smug laugh.  “Oh my God!  Don’t tell me tonight is your first time?”  He laughed again while rising from the booth.  “Well, it’s my first time, too.  I’ll be meeting Angelica in my room...”  He glanced at his watch.  “Oh, I’d say in about ten minutes.”

He began to walk toward the elevator, but not before clapping Gabriel on the shoulders and making one more parting remark.  “Enjoy!  I know I will.  Maybe we can compare sister notes later.”  He winked over one shoulder and strode quickly from the room.

Gabriel’s face reddened and his fists were clenched.  “Don’t mind him,” Ben urged.  “He only wants to ruin your night.” 

Isabella took his face in her hands, then pulled him toward her.  They kissed tenderly, Isabella maintaining contact until she felt all the anger and hostility drain away.  “There,” she said soothingly, as she stepped back.

Smiling, Gabriel led her upstairs to The Royal Suite.  As they exited the elevator, he quickly bent and prepared to carry her over the thresh hold.  Isabella giggled.  Upon entering the living room, he set her gently back on her feet.  They walked into Rebecca and Kyle’s bedroom.  The two were half asleep.  They eagerly lavished more kisses on the children before they returned to the hall. 

Holding hands they made their way to the door of the master suite.  Again, Gabriel carried her over the thresh hold.  This time, however, he deposited her on the bed, which was now covered in rose petals.  Candles were lit everywhere, on the dresser, on tall wrought iron holders around the room, on the night stands, every inch of space had been covered in rose petals and scented candles.  A silver tray of chocolate covered strawberries had been positioned beside a bottle of chilled champagne.

Gabriel walked over to her and handed her a medium sized champagne foil gift bag.  “Open it,” he murmured into her cheek as he brushed his lips against her face. 

Isabella did as he suggested only to discover an exquisite ivory silk night gown with matching panties.  She inhaled excitedly, then wrapped her arms around his neck.  “Thank you.  You spoil me.”

“Get used to it,” he responded happily.  “Why don’t you get ready for bed, while I pour the champagne?”

She nodded and wandered dreamily into the bathroom, shutting the door on him for the first time in months.  Tonight, she didn’t want him watching the process.  Tonight, she wanted him overcome by the results.  She undressed quickly, pulled her hair up in a messy bun, then hopped into the shower.  She wanted to be fresh as a daisy for him.  She removed all of her makeup, her old perfume, and any hint of the smoky piano bar from her body. 

Towel drying rapidly, she then moved on to moisturizing every nook and cranny.  A hint of perfume was sprayed on her throat, the back of her neck, behind her knees, inside her elbows, and lastly her wrists.  She brushed her teeth, moisturized her face, and applied a thin layer of gloss on her lips.  She pulled the gown over her head, pondered the panties, but smiled as she decided to leave them in the bag.

She glided over to the door, pulled it open and lingered there momentarily, searching the room for her husband, unsure of what to expect.  She found the balcony doors open, the filmy curtains blowing in the gentle warm breeze.  Gabriel had a champagne flute in his hand as he stared out over the city.  He turned upon hearing her feet padding softly toward him.  Isabella parted the curtains, and they were instantly face to face.  She could feel her face growing pink.  They had been together so many nights.  Now, suddenly she felt shy around him. 

Reading her mind, Gabriel gently pulled her to his chest.  “You look amazing, darling.  I love you so much that I have to keep looking down at the ring to believe we are finally one,” he said quietly.  She smiled up at him.  “Please don’t be nervous, Bella.  I saw it in your face.  Tonight will be amazing no matter what.  Just relax and let me know what you like.  I simply want to please you.” 

Chills ran up and down her spine at his words.  He pulled her hand and led her toward the rattan love seat behind her.  They collapsed onto it, Isabella giggling nervously.  Gabriel wrapped an arm around her affectionately.  Isabella snuggled in mildly surprised that he wasn’t leading her to the bed.

“We still have all the time in the world, Bella,” he commented quietly.  He lifted her chin so that they were looking each other directly in the eyes.  “I’m in no hurry.”  Then he kissed her tenderly on the lips.  Her lips melted against his.  And as he lazily broke their kiss, he grazed her cheek with his lips, trailing soft kisses to her temple.

They spent a few moments in silence, Isabella pressed against his side while he stroked her shoulder, his cheek on her head, gazing at the moonlit sky when Gabriel said suddenly, “Remember our balcony in Aruba?”

“Mmmm,” she responded.  “We’ve spent some of our best times on balconies, haven’t we?”  Isabella gave him a quick squeeze around the middle.

“Yes, we have,” he sighed contentedly.