Love In Troubled Waters

by S. J. Wilcox

  Barely remembering to put her car in park, she opened her door and ran to him, the reality of the not so distant past disappearing for the moment. “What are you doing here?!” She wrapped her arms around his neck. Her heart was beating so fast she almost couldn’t catch her breath. “I can’t believe you’re here,” she said, feeling his strong arms for the first time in months. “How did this happen? What’s going on? Are you back for good?”

  “Woah, slow down,” he told her with a chuckle, pulling back to look at her face. Her long hair was in a ponytail, and she had taken to wearing long sleeves at work to cover her tattoos in case there were children at the photoshoots. She probably looked a little different at least, and thinner for sure. Recovering from her setback hadn’t been easy. “Why don’t we go inside, so we can talk about it.”

  Isabelle nodded, following him into the house to find that it had been decked out in rose petals and soft lighting. A candlelit table with a large feast sat in the middle of the living room. There was a fire burning in the fireplace, and Holly was nowhere to be seen.

  “I didn’t have time to cook a meal, but I ordered one. I hope you don’t mind,” he told her, squeezing her hand as he led her to the chair he swiftly pulled out for her to sit in. Isabelle had almost forgotten about all the things that made being in the moment with Liam the best part of her life. She felt drunk as she looked around her and then back at the man who had saved her life in more ways than one.

  “This is beautiful,” she told him, mesmerized by all he had done. “I still don’t understand how you’re here or why, but I like it.” She grinned excitedly.

  “Well, Thanksgiving is in just a few days, so I decided to take my holiday leave a little early,” he explained, watching her as she looked down at the delectable food. It was an entire Thanksgiving meal for two set before them. “I just couldn’t stand another minute without seeing you and holding you. And I have a crazy question to ask you.”

  “A question to ask me? Hmmm. Okay. What is it? But wait, can we eat first,” she suggested, not able to resist the smell any longer. “I’m starving.”

  Liam chuckled but agreed, changing the conversation to small talk and lighter subjects like how Holly was and how Key West had been for him. It was nice to be with him once again and have a real connection in person as they ate one of the best meals Isabelle had tasted in ages. Wherever he had ordered from even rivaled her mother’s cooking. She could tell that he had gone to great lengths to make this a special evening for the two of them.

  As the meal wound down with sips of wine and a shared dessert, Isabelle waited to hear what Liam had to say.

  In the back of her mind, she began to think about the life she had finally begun to build since she’d been taken to the hospital and her sister had taken her home to live with her. Her apartment sat empty, its lease quickly running out while Isabelle had won her contract at the magazine and started a routine that kept her out of trouble. She had blocked most of her old contacts on Facebook, including Bradley, and started going to as many support groups as she could find in the area, including a small church group. She was feeling strong and brave. She felt like she was healing and gaining a little bit of normalcy. Could her life handle a shake-up just yet? She wasn’t so sure.

  “I came here, Isabelle because I want to ask you to consider coming back with me. I’ll find you a place to live and I can pay for it until you find a job. I have money saved and a few investments so that won’t be a problem. I want to help you heal and keep you safe, and we could finally be together. It’d make me the happiest man alive if you would agree and say yes.” As he said the words, Isabelle’s heart sank. She didn’t feel ready. She had learned her lesson about being spontaneous and leaving behind good, solid things, even if her heart told her to.

  “Oh my goodness, Liam. You have no idea how badly I want to say yes to you. I want to, I really do. I miss you so much. I’d love to be a part of your daily life.” She was trying to find the right words. “But I can’t risk falling back into an unstable lifestyle. I have to learn to protect myself. It’s not your job.” She could see his face dropping. “I love you, Liam. God knows that I love you. But I can’t expect you love me until I’m a whole person. I think that I’m doing a pretty good job of becoming that person here. I have a contract with a magazine that I cannot afford to up and leave, and I’m mending things with my family. Plus, I’d only distract you from your calling.” Isabelle’s heart hurt and she knew that she was talking too much. Liam sat silently. She could see, in his body language, that for the first time since she had known him, was shutting himself off from her. It broke her heart in that very moment, but she didn’t know what else to do. She had to put herself first right now, for her own health; it was the only thing Bradley had ever told her that was the truth. She needed to be strong on her own first… didn’t she? “I’m just trying to do what’s right.” She reached out for him.

  Liam pulled back and sat up stiffly. He nodded solemnly. “I’ll try to understand, Isabelle. I love you too.” He grabbed something out of his pocket, a replica of the necklace that Bradley had taken from her to sell for drugs. Then, he stood up, kissed her on the forehead and walked out the door, leaving Isabelle to sulk in her regret over the bad timing. Would it always be just that when it came to Liam?

  Chapter 10

  Isabelle admired the Christmas tree that took up the entire window and then some in Holly’s den. Her family was already gathered at the table where all of the food had been laid out. They were just waiting for her to join them. Isabelle knew she should be overjoyed that her parents were coming back into her life and were there for Christmas and that Holly had found a man, a single father who was there with his two little girls. It was a house full of love, but she couldn’t help but feel like something was missing.

  Isabelle felt a hand around her shoulder and saw that Holly had joined her. Together, they looked up at the star at the very top of the tree. They always had to use a ladder to get up there. “You know, I love this time of year. Things always seem to come together at the last minute and you remember just why you do all the crazy things you do throughout the year,” Holly said with a happy sigh. “I just wish I could just see you happy today, though. It would make everything complete for me.”

  Isabelle looked at her sister strangely. “I am happy,” she insisted, though she knew just what Holly meant. She wasn’t sad, but it was somewhat of an empty happiness now.

  “You know what I mean, Isabelle,” Holly said, giving her the same look their mother often had when the two were younger.

  “We’ve already talked about this, Holly. I chose the family and sanity over the whirlwind that might have never worked with Liam. Who do I know in Florida to keep me in check?” she asked, shaking her head at the idea of her making it that far from the family she was just now beginning to rebuild again.

  “Liam, Isabelle. You know Liam. I have never met a man so strong and so perfect for you. All of this will still be here every year for you to come back to. But your destiny isn’t taking pictures for a B magazine, Izzy. You belong with him, where there’s love and passion for you. Don’t you see that? Don’t you see that you will always have his heart? He only wants you, Isabelle.”

  Isabelle looked Holly up and down and realized she had morphed into a person she didn’t rightly recognize. Holly had always been the sensible person, but she had been slowly transforming into a loving and emotional person too, as the man she was with reshaped her views on many things, including what family could mean. It was beautiful to watch, but Isabelle wanted to feel that way too, and she did… with Liam. If her sister was giving her blessing, she knew she should consider it good advice.

  “But what if he’s mad at me?” She started questioning everything again.

  “Don’t second guess yourself. You’re the only one for him, Izzy.

  “Will you take me to the airport?” Isabelle asked without waiting for an answer. She proceeded to run upstairs to pack a small
bag in haste. She looked at her phone and was determined to be on the first flight to Key West no matter what she might find on the other side. Liam was worth it, and so was what she had with him so long ago. He was worth it, and so was she. She was worth it. It was a mantra she had practiced in the mirror every morning since Bradley had been removed from her life, but had she actually been living it yet?

  “Of course! I’ll just tell Mom and Dad,” Holly shouted after her as she frantically scrambled to get her sister into the car, and off on the trip of her life. She hoped Liam would be pleasantly surprised.

  The two women hurried, giving apologies as they left in the middle of the Christmas festivities. Isabelle didn’t expect her parents to understand, but hopefully, Holly would be able to explain and do damage control. The fact that Liam was a Navy man had certainly piqued their interest.

  It was the longest ride of her life to the airport, and just as she reached the terminal, she pulled out her phone to send a message that she hoped would reach the man who just might have her future in his strong hands.

  If you get this, and you still have any feelings for me, meet me at the Key West airport in the morning.

  With that, her phone was silenced and tucked away as she hugged Holly goodbye. “Thank you for everything, sis,” she said with tears in her eyes. But this time, the tears were of thanks, joy, and gratitude. She was finally on the clearest path she could ever pave for herself.

  ***

  Isabelle exited the plane, feeling wobbly and exhausted. She had never been much for planes because they made her queasy and nervous. She was glad to finally be on solid ground. The air around her was warm even though it was winter now, and the airport had Christmas decorations everywhere. It wasn’t as crowded as she expected, probably because everyone had arrived days earlier to see their families for the holiday. She was hopeful that Liam would show and that he would be easy to spot.

  Isabelle reached to check that the necklace he had replaced (before she utterly rejected him) was still hanging down over her heart.

  Dragging her only luggage behind her, she began to search frantically for a man in a Navy uniform with blue eyes and a smile to die for, but she became more and more disappointed as time wore on. Maybe he was done being played for a fool? Maybe he didn’t get her message? Feeling the sting of rejection herself, she found a place to sit until she could get her bearings and decide what her next move would be. Probably to turn around and go home… back to her family and her contract job with the magazine.

  Sighing, she pulled out her phone and began to look through the few pictures she had of her time with Liam back in Jersey and found that tears began streaming down her face. How foolish she was to be in the airport on Christmas day without anyone she knew, all for a man she had hurt too many times.

  As she started gathering her things she heard a voice, one that was familiar to her and that always made her heart skip a beat. “Thank goodness. I was afraid I was too late,” he said, pulling her out of her disappointment. Her eyes landed on him, towering above her with a look of relief on his face. He was panting like he had been running to try and make it there on time.

  “Dry your eyes, pretty girl.” He tenderly wiped her face with his fingers. “What are you doing here? Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, everything is great.” She breathed out relieved.

  “Well, I’m glad to hear that at least!” He hugged her. “I don’t have much time away from the base since I took Thanksgiving to come see you, but I had to come and see why you were here. I came as fast as I could. I’m sorry I took so long.”

  Isabelle stood up, rendered speechless by his sudden presence. He smelled of that musky scent she loved so much, and she wrapped her arms around him tightly with no intent on letting him go until she convinced him they were meant to be together for good this time.

  “No, I’m sorry I took so long,” she replied quietly as he wrapped his arms around her in return. “I should have known from the beginning that you were the one for me. I was just too blind and stubborn to let it happen. Can you ever forgive me?” she asked, pulling away from him just enough to look into his face. She could read nothing there, but his words were all the comfort she needed.

  “I was never angry with you, to begin with. But, what does this mean? How long are you here?” he asked, and Isabelle saw the light shining in his eyes again, just the way she loved, as he clung to hope that she was willing to stay with him now, no matter what it took.

  “If you’ll have me, I’d like to stay here, with you, indefinitely. I just don’t think my life is complete without you anymore, Liam, and I am hoping that you feel the same way. I’m sorry it took me so long to realize.”

  Liam’s eyes shined with the love and passion she remembered. A joy so perfect she wished she could bottle it up and pull it out whenever she needed. But maybe she wouldn’t need to, now that she could have the real thing.

  “I would really like that, Isabelle.” He kissed her lightly. “I’ve been hoping and praying that you would finally allow me to love you the way you deserve to be loved.” His warm mouth opened, inviting hers to do the same as they shared a deep and loving kiss. “I know it’s a big change, but I think we are better together than apart.”

  “I agree.” She played with the short hair at the nape of his neck. “I should have just gone with it in the beginning. I was trying to use logic, though. What would others think? And would we be moving too fast? I was going against what my intuition was telling me. That you’re the one. And look where that got me? You feel so right, Liam.”

  “I know it’s crazy, Isabelle, but I feel like it’s you I’ve held in my heart my whole life, and that’s rare,” he told her, fingering the necklace he had given her. “This is the original one, you know? I was able to have my friends track it down and buy it back from the pawn shop that man sold it to.”

  “Oh, my goodness.” Isabelle gasped, looking down at the necklace with new wonder. “How did I get so lucky? I love you so much, Liam,” she told him, plain and simple before picking up her bag.

  “I’m the lucky one. I love you too and right now I can’t wait to get you alone and show you just how much.” He winked at her, took her hand and lead her out of the airport.

  Thank you for reading my books. I appreciate it! Would you please consider leaving online reviews, for my books, because they help so much? Reviews help more than you know, and do not have to be long; a few sentences will do. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I am sincerely grateful.

  Wishing many blessings to you and yours,

  ~ S. J. Wilcox

  About the Author

  S. J. Wilcox is a certified energy healer and teacher who enjoys traveling and giving advice to clients, friends, and family on healing, love, and relationships. S.J. also enjoys studying human behavior, reading, writing, being outdoors, and enhancing relationships with others.

  S.J. enjoys growing closer to the Divine Source and has discovered, the more we learn the Word the better life becomes.

  S.J. is a hopeless romantic and strives to help others fall madly in love with everything about their lives! There's no room for boring in life. S.J. likes to spice life up in every way! In S.J.'s words: "We can learn so much from each other. Here's to growing & learning, one step at a time. Let's manifest well-being, love, and unity! Let's get passionate!"

  Please follow Sage on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/sagewilcoxbooks/

  Other books by Sage Wilcox:

  Romance:

  Until We Fall

  Under the Covers

  Photo Finish

  U-Turn

  Solitary Heart (With Heart Series #1)

  Awakened Heart (With Heart Series #2)

  Hopeful Heart (With Heart Series #3)

  Nonfiction:

  Love Letters from Exes: Proof That Life Goes on After a Break Up and Love Is What You Make It

  Get It Up: 101 Ways to Raise Your Vibration, Reduce Stress, Depression,
& Anxiety, Increase Joy, Peace, & Happiness and Attract Abundance Automatically!

  The 2-Hour Vacation: Let Go and Relax, Reduce Stress & Anxiety, Gain Inner Peace, and Happiness

  The Importance of Doing It: How to Utilize Discipline to Get Out of Bed, and Make Your Dreams Come True! A Guide to Taking Action to Create Successful Habits…

  Less Is Best: Declutter, Organize, & Simplify to Reach Minimalism; Get More Time, Money, & Energy

  You Had Me at Re: Hello: The Ultimate Guide to Online Dating, Including Tips and Testimonies

  Neuroplasticity and the Default Mind: How to Shape Your Plastic Brain by Forming New Connections to Automatically Get Positive Results, Success and Prosperity

  Adjust: How to Conquer and Accept Change and Adversity Swiftly; Stop Putting off the Love, Money, Peace, Success, and Happiness You Deserve Now

  Born New: How to See the Familiar with New Eyes, Embrace the Magic of the Present Moment, Experience Satisfaction and Joy like Never Before

  Level Up: How to Man Up and Excel When Society and Role Models Have Let You Down

  Disclaimer

  The purpose of this book is for entertainment purposes only. This book is designed to provide information and motivation to our readers. The content is the sole expression and opinion of its author, and not necessarily that of the publisher. This is a work of fiction, and names, characters, businesses, places, and incidents are either the products of the authors’ imaginations or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, locales, or actual events is entirely coincidental. The author and publisher are not engaged in rendering, psychological, legal, or any other professional services. If medical, psychological or other expert assistance is required, please talk to your physician and locate the services of a competent professional. The author and publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused, or alleged to have been caused, directly or indirectly, by the information contained in this book. Neither the publisher nor the individual author(s) shall be liable for any physical, psychological, emotional, financial, or commercial damages, including, but not limited to, special, incidental, consequential or other damages. Our views and rights are the same: You are responsible for your own choices, actions, and results. If you do not wish to be bound by the above, you may return this book along with a copy of the receipt to the publisher for a full refund. Thank you.