Second Chances

by Nicole Andrews Moore

  As he saw her glide through the French doors, he lifted the lid of the silver platter to reveal her breakfast, which consisted of chocolate filled croissants and Eggs Benedict. Just behind the plate, propped up against a long stemmed white rose sat a black velvet box. Isabella froze in her place and put a hand to her chest as she inhaled sharply. She had never had much luck with velvet boxes and this one had come way too quickly. She paused, unsure of what to do first.

  Gabriel walked over to her, and led her to the table. “Don’t be afraid, my Bella,” Gabriel urged. “Open it. I just wanted you to have a memento of our trip.”

  “I have mementos,” Isabella argued. “You have more than doubled my pajama wardrobe, bought me dresses and the jewelry I wore last night...” She threw her hands up, unable to say more.

  “I know,” Gabriel said gently. “I wanted you to have those things, just as I now want you to have this.” He passed her the velvet box.

  She felt the weight of it in her hand for a moment as she struggled to find the courage to open it. Isabella glanced up to see that Gabriel merely stood there patiently, waiting for her to reveal his gift. Gradually, she pushed the lid back until it popped completely open, gift exposed.

  To her relief, the box contained a beautiful diamond pendant necklace set in platinum. Gabriel stood behind her now. He took the necklace from the box, and competently worked the clasp to secure it around her neck, sealing the act with a kiss on her exposed shoulder. Isabella turned around, locked her arms behind his head, and kissed him appreciatively.

  “I’m sorry I was so scared.” She looked down for a moment to cover her embarrassment, then back up at his adoring face. “It’s just...well, I just want you to know that I love this. It’s perfect. Just like you.” She kept her arms around his neck and freely offered him more kisses.

  “Whew,” he exclaimed laughing, “Had I known you would respond like this, I would have bought you diamonds sooner.”

  Isabella scrunched up her face. “It isn’t the diamonds...” She felt incapable of explaining.

  “It’s okay,” Gabriel said tenderly. “I know. You don’t have to say anything. I already know.”

  She looked into his eyes and knew that he meant it, knew that it was true. He knew her. He wanted to know her. And more importantly, he seemed to like what he knew. Isabella buried her head in his chest, listening to his heart for a few moments before she looked up at him and challenged, “Race you to the beach.”

  She won, probably because he wanted to watch her robe fall to the sand. She let it loose at the last possible moment, not feeling as daring as she had in the safety of the dark night sky. The clear blue-green water washed over them, and they clung together with the waves rushing around them until the time arrived for them to prepare for the journey home.

  The flight home stretched on intolerably. At least it seemed that way to Isabella. She always loved to travel, but when the time arrived for her departure, she always found herself more than ready for home and wanted to be there instantly. The same held true on this occasion, even though she had Gabriel beside her. She shifted impatiently in her seat. She couldn’t seem to settle into her novel. She flipped constantly through magazine after magazine, not truly reading or seeing anything within the glossy pages. She twitched and turned, expecting she annoyed him terribly, yet Gabriel sat patiently, watching her. At one point, in an effort to settle her, he grasped her hand, although he seemed to be smirking as he did so.

  “I think you are laughing at me,” Isabella accused.

  “Moi?” Gabriel questioned innocently. “Never.” Still, he emitted a laugh as Isabella pretended to glare at him.

  After what seemed like forever, they landed, made a dash for the luggage, and eventually emerged from Mirabelle Airport in Montreal. As they reached the curb, Isabella recognized the same car and driver that had so graciously deposited them there only ten days prior. She tried to be as friendly as possible, but everyone and everything around her seemed to be moving in slow motion.

  And at the present time, Isabella had one mission: see the kids. The driver placed their luggage in the trunk then finally moved to open the door for Isabella. He, too, seemed to be laughing at her, as if he played a role in some grand prank. As the door to the back seat opened, everything became clear to her. Bouncing around inside with the same restless energy that had consumed their mother during the plane ride were Rebecca and Kyle. Instantly, Isabella and her children were a tangle of hugs and kisses. Gabriel had worked his magic once again. She turned to him and showed the appreciation he deserved by grabbing him around the waist and squealing, “Oh, thank you, Gabriel. Thank you!”

  “My surprise isn’t over yet, my darling,” he said smiling broadly, eyes twinkling. “I thought that Rebecca and Kyle needed a real vacation before going back to school.” He looked down at her children warmly. “First grade can be tough. Right, Rebecca?” In response, Rebecca nodded vigorously. Then he turned to Kyle. “And Kyle might like a break before his return to day care. Don’t you agree, Kyle?” With a little coaching from Rebecca, he too, nodded enthusiastically.

  “Where are you going with this?” Isabella questioned suspiciously, after watching this well rehearsed drama unfold before her. It hadn’t taken her long to pick up on when Gabriel had some surprise planned.

  “Tonight,” he began slowly, but with much ardor, “We leave for Disney!” He seemed so pleased with himself that he didn’t even notice the fearful look creeping over Isabella’s face.

  How could she possibly explain her phobia? It would probably seem ridiculous to him anyway, since it had happened so long ago. Yet, since it involved one of the few remaining memories she had of her father, Disney had become a festering wound. Disney was their first and last vacation, not just as a family, ever. Her father had scrimped and saved to make it possible. It was Isabella’s first time on a plane, first time staying in a hotel, first time swimming in a pool, and she was filled with hope. She realized only later why her father was so desperate to get away with the family. Apparently this was their last ditch effort to save their marriage.

  Somehow, Isabella had been blissfully unaware of the signs, much like in her own marriage years later. She hadn’t noticed her mother shrugging his arm off her shoulder when he tried to walk with her, or her refusal to hold his hand, or even share the same bed. Isabella had always believed that it really was too hot to be that close or that the couch was better for her mother’s back.

  It was only after studying her Disney album, the first album she had ever made, that she was able to see what she had missed. Her parents were miserable. And Disney wasn’t magical. And if it was magical, it had selfishly chosen to withhold its gift from her family. And she had avoided all things Disney ever since.

  Once, as an adult, she had almost given up her Disney fear as irrational. That was until she had given in and gone with Jack on their honeymoon. Everything in their relationship had gone downhill from that point on. Soon after their return, while they were still organizing their love nest, before the ink had even dried on the thank you notes, rumors of Jack’s infidelities had begun to reach Isabella’s ears. Maybe it was more than a phobia. For her, it was a curse.

  Puffing out her chest, Isabella resolved to make the most out of their remaining time together. She had been foolish to think that they had a future anyway. Their worlds were light years apart. She would merely decide to enjoy the trip. So what if it would signal the end of their relationship? At least she would walk away with colorful memories.

  Apprehensive about letting Gabriel spend any more money on her, she happily discovered that they really were not lacking much. Gabriel made sure the kids had arrived with their duffle bag of clean clothes. And prior to leaving Aruba, he had requested that the maid do all of their laundry as well, despite Isabella’s objections. Reflecting, she realized that she should have suspected something was amiss then.

  As the four of them toured Montreal before departure, they seemed like a family. A
really good-looking family, apparently, as numerous people turned or stopped to admire them. Smiling to herself, Isabella realized in this moment she had what she had always wanted: a man to spend time with her and her children. The day passed too swiftly, and the time to return to the airport arrived.

  Their flight landed in Orlando past the kids’ bedtime, but they were pleasant and well-mannered despite their exhaustion. A man holding a sign for ‘The Charmant Family’ gave Isabella a start. It did have a nice sound to it. She looked up at Gabriel questioningly.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” he explained, “I told them to put that on the sign.” Isabella looked surprised. “That is how I think of us, you know?” He drew her close to his side as they watched their luggage being loaded.

  A million thoughts assaulted Isabella. Who was this man? Wasn’t it entirely too soon for him to begin claiming them as his own? And why was she fighting it?

  The car pulled up to The Villa of the Grand Cypress. “This is actually an impressive golf resort,” Gabriel began as they entered their two bedroom villa. “I stayed here once with my father and loved the place so much that I vowed to come back with my own family one day.” He paused as though he had said too much. “Umm, well, you know what I mean.” No, Isabella thought, I’m actually more confused than ever.

  After putting the kids to sleep in their room, Isabella met Gabriel out on the terrace. “I hope you don’t mind,” Gabriel said, reaching for her hand. “I wanted one with a water view.” He pulled her onto his lap. “So, how do you like our room?”

  “It’s amazing,” Isabella said sincerely.

  She had taken a walk through the villa before joining him on the patio off of the sunken living room. Tasteful and elegant decor greeted her in every room. There were patios off of the bedrooms. Each bedroom had its own sitting room, bathroom, and a king sized bed. The Jacuzzi bathtubs were sunken into the floor. They also had a kitchen, dining room, and laundry facilities. The conveniences this villa provided were tremendous. Gabriel had obviously thought this through.

  She had read the brochure on the nightstand and found that they could be busy horseback riding, swimming, biking, and hiking, in addition to the golf this resort had to offer. Isabella grew exhausted just thinking about it, and wondered for a moment how the kids would hold up, and how Gabriel would respond to their needs. She already knew how he responded to hers.

  “Would you mind if I turn in early?” Isabella asked Gabriel. “I’m just beat from all the traveling.”

  “Would you mind if I join you?” Gabriel responded. “I can make us a bath before we crash.” He remained eager to please.

  “Us?” She asked weakly.

  “Just let me hold you in the tub,” he pleaded into her hair.

  Unable to resist his charm, and trusting his virtuous intentions, Isabella acquiesced. Within minutes they had watched each other undress and were climbing into the bubbling tub. She slowly grew accustomed to feeling all of him surrounding her. She even welcomed it, but at the same time, she pondered how long this sexless intimacy could persist. Then she chided herself. This is what you wanted, to be comfortable and naked together.

  And they were comfortable. Isabella grew used to him seeing her naked in varying forms of light. She no longer jumped every time he touched her. He respected her, behaving cautiously to avoid any erogenous zones when caressing her. He had not even so much as grazed a nipple, cupped a breast, or rubbed between her thighs since she disrobed what seemed like forever ago, even though it was only yesterday.

  “We have this place for a week,” Gabriel said quietly, as he broke her reverie by bending her forward to scrub her back with a loofah.

  “Okay,” Isabella acknowledged quietly.

  “What is wrong, my Bella?” Gabriel murmured in her ear. He slid lower in the water so that she might twist to the side and curl up in his sudsy arms.

  “Just tired, I guess,” she mumbled into his chest.

  Wordlessly, Gabriel pushed her forward then climbed out of the tub. He offered her his hands to do the same. She reached up and held them for a moment before rising. Something in her wanted to savor every moment, every touch, as though it might be the last. She stood there silently as he wrapped a towel briskly around his waist, then opened one to wrap around her. Isabella lifted her arms, cherishing the care and attention she received. He carefully tucked the towel just over her left breast, then bent slightly, picked her up effortlessly, and carried her to the bed.

  Pulling back the bedding, he planted her gently upon the mattress. Within seconds he had joined her beneath the sheets. She lay there motionless, waiting. She felt drained. She lifted her face to his only to find him gazing at her intensely. Propped on his side, he caressed her face with his hand, traced down her neck, over her shoulder, down her arm, until their hands were interlocked. Isabella’s breath slowed. Her eyelids drooped as Gabriel buried his face in her neck then slowly lowered his head to rest on her breasts.

  “I can hear your heart,” he whispered. Then he glanced up in time to catch her trying desperately not to drift off to sleep. Moving upward again, burying his face in her hair, he murmured, “No, darling. Rest. Let me watch over you.”

  Her eyes shot open for a moment. Then, as the words sank in, as their meaning hit home, she settled into him. “Yes, Gabriel,” she mumbled almost inaudibly. “Yes, please do.”

  The next morning, Isabella awakened, greeted by the sound of her children shushing each other in the living room. Smiling to herself, she rolled over. Gabriel lay there, still sleeping. This time, Isabella had the opportunity to study him. His face looked so peaceful she found herself almost afraid to touch him. Then, she guiltily realized that Gabriel almost always initiated physical contact.

  What did she fear? She knew that Gabriel wouldn’t push her away. Pausing to analyze her feelings she recognized her hesitation. If she reached out first, she admitted she wanted the contact, and she made herself vulnerable. That explained why she would rather sit back, crave it, and wait for it, than set herself up for hurt and rejection later.

  Before she could decide upon the course of action to take, Gabriel opened his eyes and saw her leaning over him. “Deep in thought already I see,” Gabriel joked. “Well, good morning to you anyway.” He tousled her hair in an affectionate manner. “There will be no more thinking today, or for the rest of the week for that matter. We have too much planned.”

  She smiled quietly, racked with worry. “The kids are young,” she began hesitantly, “I just hope you know that they may have trouble keeping up, or they may get grumpy and overtired...”

  Gabriel sat up now. “Don’t you have any faith in me?” he asked. “I think I have this all worked out. If not, we play it by ear. Deal?”

  Isabella thought for a moment about how amazing, sensitive, kind, and intuitive Gabriel had shown himself to be. How could she doubt him? “Deal,” she said resolutely.

  They decided to start the day slowly, and practically. They went out for breakfast, as the cupboards were bare. Their IHOP breakfast unfolded with the kids chattering animatedly about how cool Orlando was, and all the attractions they hoped to see, since Gabriel asked. He chuckled at their energy level, reached out a hand to Isabella and said, “You are worried about them getting overtired? They are wearing me out!”

  To this Isabella forced a smile, as one of her concerns became exposed. Her children must come first in her life. No man, no matter how charming, could challenge that. And she and Gabriel would have no future if he tired of them. She wanted a man who would love them, all of them, no matter how exhausting they might be.

  At the grocery store, the next stop of the day, Isabella pushed the cart, struggling to keep up with Gabriel and the kids. They were selecting snack foods and cereals, but Isabella was accustomed to being more practical. She started to go for peanut butter and jelly, bread, and the like.

  Gabriel stopped her. “What are you doing?” He asked in a tone of pure confusion.

  “Fo
r lunch,” Isabella explained weakly.

  He reached into the cart, removed the items and put them back. Isabella stood there in wonder. “Too much work,” he explained. “This is a vacation.” He took over the cart, and steered it down the dairy aisle, pausing in front of the Lunchables. “Watch,” he whispered to Isabella. “Kyle, Rebecca,” he called softly. They appeared at his side instantly. “Pick four each,” he suggested, gesturing at the wide, varied selection.

  The kids rushed to begin making their selections. Gabriel stood beside Isabella. He rested his head on top of hers. “You should only ever have to cook when you truly want to. I’ll see to that.”

  This trip had an entirely different tone from that of Aruba. There, they were carefree and selfish. They stayed up as late as they wanted, and woke up when they desired. They were constantly at play, focused only on each other. Here, however, the kids were the top priority.