Second Chances

by Nicole Andrews Moore

  “I want to believe you,” Isabella whispered slowly, “but...”

  Gabriel placed his finger to her lips. “No buts. Let me prove it to you.” He walked over to the other side of the bed where he had placed the remote. The television flashed on, the DVD began. He kicked off his slip on sandals and rested back on the layers of pillows on the bed. Wordlessly, he opened his arms to her. A smile crept across Isabella’s face. She crawled lazily across the bed, hesitated a moment before she shyly rested in his arms.

  The ceiling fan whirred over head as “Like Water for Chocolate,” an amazing tale of enduring love, and food, began. Isabella watched Gabriel carefully for his reaction to the nudity and sex, but he treated all of those scenes as though they were perfectly natural, not dirty or erotic. Again, Isabella grew impressed with his character, this time with his maturity. And before long, she realized that she had allowed herself to completely relax in his arms.

  That, of course, would be when the credits began to roll, and Isabella felt a new wave of fear wind through her. To this point, there had been one distraction or another, but now, with the movie completed, they had nothing to keep them from going to bed. What would happen next?

  Isabella turned to Gabriel, but before she could speak he began. “Bella, it is late. We should get some rest.” He hugged her close for a moment. “I would like to stay up here with you, but if it will make you too uncomfortable or prevent you from getting your rest, I will be more than happy to go downstairs and simply greet you again at breakfast.”

  Studying his face, Isabella discovered that he spoke the truth. His eyes were gazing at her in earnest. He reached out to brush the hair back from her cheek, sending another ripple down her spine. And Isabella found herself caught up in the desire to have him close to her, but not wanting to appear too eager, she said simply, “Let me think about it for a moment?”

  He nodded and watched as she slid off the bed, and wandered over to her dresser. She opened the drawer quickly and surveyed the contents. What to wear? The bed clothes couldn’t be too sexy, or too granny-like, or too hot, or...suddenly she wondered if she had anything appropriate at all. Scraping the bottom of the drawer she unearthed a two piece set of red shorts with a white camisole with a built in bra. Perfect. Everything would be covered, yet without causing her to be too hot. After all, Isabella had been unaccustomed to wearing anything more than panties to bed in the summer.

  She could feel him watching her as she walked into the bathroom to clean her face. She left the door open so that she could catch glimpses of him in the mirror. At the last possible moment, Isabella closed the door to disrobe. Finally, she emerged and awaited his reaction from the doorway. If he demonstrated even a hint of being a wolf waiting to pounce, then he would have sealed his fate and been sent to the couch.

  Gabriel lay propped on his side, betraying no emotions. He simply asked, “Have you decided yet?” He acted as though seeing her in her pajamas was perfectly natural. Or maybe, Isabella feared, he doesn’t find me at all attractive. Maybe it has nothing to do with self-control.

  “You can stay up here, if you would like,” she said quietly, unsure of whether she was disappointed by his reaction or impressed.

  Gabriel walked over to his bag, pulled out a pair of shorts, and seemed to contemplate whether or not to change where he stood, then walked to the bathroom, pausing momentarily next to Isabella. He leaned over and murmured in her ear, “I’ll meet you in bed, beautiful one. Tonight, I really get to tuck you in.” Smiling, Isabella prepared the bed and headed downstairs to check on the kids. When she returned, she found Gabriel lying there under the sheets, wearing only shorts. She froze beside the bed for a moment, the reality of the situation hitting her. What was she thinking? How could she let another man share the same bed when she wasn’t even divorced from her husband? She was not that kind of woman. What must he think of her?

  Gabriel pulled back the sheet, patted the bed, and beckoned her join him. She climbed in timidly. The queen size bed would leave them each plenty of personal space. She knew this with certainty since for years she and Jack never touched. She blew out the last candle on the night stand as Gabriel spoke.

  “I just want to hold you tonight. Will you give me permission?” He asked so tenderly, so sincerely that she simply couldn’t imagine denying his request.

  Without a word, Isabella rolled onto her side and pulled his arm around her. He snuggled closer, spooning her. She could feel every muscle in his legs against the backs of hers. The warmth of his body penetrated her flimsy top. For the first time in a long time, Isabella wanted to trust a man. She wanted to believe everything he said without question. She wanted to remain like this, safe in his arms forever.

  Gabriel exhaled easily. What was that saying about the hardest won prize? Bella wasn’t an easy conquest. In the past, the player in him would have given up and moved on to easier game. Instead, he found her completely enthralling. He knew that she wasn’t someone who gave herself easily. She was a lioness when it came to her children. And the idea that she was inexperienced in so many areas that he took for granted might have put him off in the past, but now endeared her to him all the more. He was getting the chance to experience everything anew through her. She was so much more complex than any other woman he had ever known.

  Isabella was changing him. The thought should have struck fear in his heart, but instead it warmed him through and through. He wanted his life to be different. He had tired long ago of the constant partying and work. He longed for meaningful relationships and friendships and after careful examination discovered that he had few of those. Ben was the one friend he could truly confide in. And Isabella was the one person he could entrust with his heart. He inhaled sharply at the thought. No, his heart would be safe with her…forever.

  Sun was streaming through the gauzy curtains when Isabella finally decided to open her eyes. She had been swept away in a deep, dreamless, restful sleep. And why would she have to dream last night? She was living her dream. Gabriel stayed with her and was a perfect gentleman. True to his word, he simply held her close. Isabella reached behind her expectantly, searching for Gabriel. He wasn’t there. Maybe he had gone to the bathroom? No, the bathroom door stood wide open revealing a bathroom that was dark and empty. Isabella sat upright in the bed. He wouldn’t have left without saying goodbye. As proof, his bag laid where he left it. Then she heard voices from down below, footsteps mounting the stairs, and the aroma of bacon and eggs wafting towards her.

  She saw Gabriel first. He stepped onto the third floor carrying two plates, Rebecca carried a container of juice, and Kyle proudly bore an envelope with a red bow. Isabella barely had time to register surprise at the touching scene before her. Gabriel whispered in Kyle’s ear. Kyle nodded then deposited the present on the pillow next to Isabella. She smiled widely as the kids came and gave her kisses and hugs, then turned around and traipsed back down the stairs.

  “Good morning, Bella,” Gabriel murmured as he kissed her cheek. “Did you sleep well?” He organized their plates and poured juice into the two flutes he pulled from his back pocket.

  “Too well,” Isabella said. “I never heard you get up.”

  “I didn’t want to wake you. You had this enchanting smile on your face. You seemed so...peaceful.” He handed her a glass. “Are you surprised?”

  “Very,” Isabella admitted. She tried desperately to ignore the package next to her and concentrate on eating, but somehow was caught eyeing it nervously.

  Gabriel picked up the envelope with his eyes twinkling. “I can see this,” he said waving the present before her, “is an issue for you. Open it so we can enjoy our breakfast.” He smiled proudly.

  Hesitating at first, Isabella eyed him as she held the envelope, which felt relatively heavy, and stiff. She untied the bow and pried open the glued down end, revealing two airline tickets to Aruba. Their departure was scheduled for the following day. She gasped. “I can’t just pick up and leave. What about the kids? Wha
t about my job?” She blustered, trying to explain all of her very real objections to the short notice, unable to see how she could possibly take this trip.

  Gabriel interrupted. “Oh look at the time! You better hurry up, shower, and get dressed. I’m not finished yet,” he warned her. He spoke so insistently that Isabella felt compelled to follow his wishes. She felt too anxious to finish eating now anyway.

  The entire time Isabella was showering and dressing, she worried about what these other surprises were that Gabriel claimed to have in store for her. She didn’t have to wait long. By the time she reached the kitchen, she found Jack sitting at the table with Gabriel looking annoyed. She could scarcely conceal her shock.

  Gabriel stood to greet her, walked over and helped her into the nearest chair. He leaned over and gave her a light kiss on the neck to try and calm her down. With Jack scowling, she began to enjoy the drama that enfolded around her.

  “I called Jack yesterday,” Gabriel began, interrupting Isabella’s reverie. “I wanted to surprise you, so I thought of everything that would prevent you from going away with me and dealt with one issue at a time. I wanted this to be as painless and as enjoyable an experience as possible.” He paused to look at Jack for a moment. “We had a nice conversation. Jack was kind enough to agree to watch the kids so that we could go away on our trip. And I, in turn, agreed to hire someone to help out on the nights he works. Everyone’s happy, right?” He looked at Isabella expectantly, obviously hoping for a positive reaction of some kind, some pat on the back for a job well done. She stared at him blankly, but opened her mouth as though to speak. “Oh. Your job, right?” She nodded. “I know Christopher. I called in some favors. He gave us his blessing. He said everything was under control.” He smiled warmly at her. “Oh, and he said to pack your camera.”

  “Well,” Isabella began with a hint of surprise, “I guess you thought of everything.” She looked to Jack, noticed that he seemed to be trying desperately to hide his displeasure, and said, “Thank you for agreeing to take care of the kids. Need help packing them?”

  Gabriel interjected. “No need,” he said, motioning towards the door. There on the floor lay a huge bulging duffle bag Isabella didn’t recognize. She looked at Gabriel questioningly. “I wasn’t sure how much luggage you had so I bought the kids a bag. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Are the clothes theirs or did you bring those, too?” She asked sarcastically. She couldn’t believe the amount of thought he put into this plan. And if she were to be honest she would admit that the entire situation had her extremely unhinged.

  Laughing, Gabriel threw an arm around her as they walked Jack and the children to the door. They stood on the porch and waved as the kids departed, then turned and rushed through the door and up the stairs to pack Isabella.

  “Okay,” Isabella exclaimed throwing her hands up in the air, “I have no idea what to pack. Tell me about the weather, the expected attire, anything to give me a hint about what I need.”

  “We could use this as an excuse to go shopping,” Gabriel countered.

  “No,” Isabella said adamantly, “I’m not going to have you spend any more money on me. I can scrape up some clothes.”

  So, Gabriel settled himself onto the bed and described what he had planned for them and what she could expect in Aruba. His family had a house there. The servants were preparing it for them even as they spoke. His father was more than willing to allow him free reign over the beach house, under one condition: he had to meet Isabella before they left. This meant that they would be dining with him at the family estate in Montreal and spending the night there before the plane left the runway the next morning.

  “Since I have to meet your father,” Isabella began thoughtfully, “can we do one little thing for me first?” She tilted her head to one side imploringly and watched as his smile answered her request.

  Gabriel smiled. How could this woman not know what a hold she had over him? She could ask him for the moon and stars and he would rush off like a puppy dog to contact NASA and try to make it happen. Not that she ever would. And that was just one more aspect of her personality that he liked. Isabella never made unreasonable requests, never treated him like an ATM. She probably would have been just as happy with him if he were middle class, maybe more so. And with that realization, they were on the road.

  The ride to Jessie’s house usually seemed so long, since her friend lived on the other side of town in the country, but today in the Beemer, settled into the soft leather seats with Gabriel at the wheel, the road rushed by. Isabella had called in advance to let Jessie know she was about to arrive and needed to borrow a few items.

  She and Jessie had been doubling their wardrobe for as long as she could remember. As they aged, they couldn’t share nearly as much as they used to due to the changes in their developed bodies. Jessie grew willowy, with slight hips and an even slighter bosom. Isabella was more curvaceous, everywhere. Two entirely different beautiful packages full of personality.

  The need to borrow a few articles of clothing masked only part of the reason Isabella eagerly traveled to see her friend. At the moment, Isabella needed a consultation. She needed to see her oldest and dearest friend and find out if she was making the right decision, and of course, to take a moment to gloat over her trip. Their friendship had endured every heartache and shared every thrill. How could she leave without telling her best friend her change of plans?

  “Dying to tell Jessie?” Gabriel asked after observing her grinning while she basked in her own little world.

  “Am I that transparent?” Isabella laughed.

  “No, I just think I am beginning to know you and your relationship with Jessie. She was there the night we met, remember?” He reached out to her and grasped her hand.

  “I remember.” Isabella groaned. “She wasn’t exactly subtle about trying to get us together.”

  Jessie burst out of the door of her two story home as soon as the car pulled into the driveway. Jeff must have had the day off since he followed her out, and they were soon joined on the porch by Steven. Isabella found herself giggling before she even exited the vehicle.

  “Come on,” she urged, “you have to meet them some time.”

  “With pleasure,” Gabriel remarked, striding from the car, hand outstretched to greet Jeff. He then turned and kissed Jessie on both cheeks. She blushed slightly and looked to Jeff to see if he noticed. One arched eyebrow suggested he had.

  Jessie grabbed Isabella’s arm and dragged her into the house. At the last moment, Isabella turned to smile at him. “I’ll be quick, Gabriel,” she promised while being dragged into the house.

  “Here,” Jessie said, gesturing to the bed laden with potential clothes for Isabella’s trip, “but I can’t believe you don’t have enough for a weekend in Montreal.”

  “Oh,” Isabella began slowly as she walked toward the bed. She selected her words carefully for maximum effect. “We’re not going to be in Montreal for the weekend.” She turned to face her friend who wore bulging, anticipatory eyes. “We’re going to Aruba for ten days.”

  They grabbed each other, and danced around the room squealing. Outside, the men were getting to know each other. Gabriel looked alarmed at the noise, ready to bolt inside and see what had caused the commotion. Jeff reached out and patted him on the shoulder to restrain him. “They’re all right. You’ll get used to this.” He laughed while Gabriel merely shook his head in amusement.

  By nearly one o’clock they were finally ready to be on the road to Montreal, and they were both starving. “Well,” Gabriel began slowly, “where shall we eat?”

  Isabella knew just the place. They had enjoyed all the haut cuisine Plattsburgh had to offer, she wanted to introduce him to the homier side. They pulled into McSweeney’s and a car hop ran to greet them. Isabella motioned that they would eat inside and they climbed from the car.

  The chill of the air conditioning and the spicy aroma of the red hots lingered in the restaurant as they enter. Isabella
instructed him on what he needed to try and ordered her usual. One red hot without, an order of homemade fries, and a chocolate shake. Gabriel ordered the same, but questioned her, “What is a red hot?” She explained the hot dog with spicy meat sauce concept and the ways that onions could be served on it.

  Gabriel watched Isabella. She sat across from him visibly happy, alive, bubbly, and with an intoxicating personality. And suddenly one thought struck him. Would ten days alone with her be enough? He knew instinctively as he basked in the warmth of her presence that it wasn’t a sensation he wanted to forgo…maybe ever.

  The remainder of the ride to Montreal found Isabella wriggling in her seat, unable to contain her excitement. “Isn’t there anything I can do to relax you?” Gabriel wondered.

  Isabella inhaled deeply then reached into her purse. “Well, there may be one thing.” She pulled a out a CD. “Would you mind playing this?” She handed it to him to examine.

  “Andrea Boccelli,” he murmured, “Romanza.” He pushed it into the CD player and listened intently as the first strains of “Con te Partiro” wafted from the speakers.