Two years later
"You've been having nightmares again."
I stopped brushing my hair and turned to look over my shoulder and at my older brother, Tristan. It had been two long years since the horrible incident at Jurassic World—Our family's company having to pay millions upon millions of dollars in settlements to those affected. Uncle had been working tirelessly in righting every wrong that had happened. He was determined to make it impossible to re-make such a horrible beast ever again.
He had shut down the park and had constant security around the island—thieves had attempted to steal the dinosaurs left alive in the disaster left by the Indominus Rex. Uncle Simon frequented the island though I was unsure why. It wasn't until a few days ago that Uncle Simon dropped a huge bomb—Isla Nublar's volcano was beginning to show signs of waking. The dinosaurs were in danger and things looked bleak for the creatures.
My mind was plagued with constant worries for Gruff and Blue and all the other dinosaurs that managed to survive on their own. Today was important because Uncle Simon was summoning the family and important people to come up with a plan to save the dinosaurs or to save as many as we could before the volcano erupted.
"Is it that noticeable?" I gave a teasing smile though it didn't feel sincere.
Tristan waltzed into my room and plopped beside me, "I would've guessed wedding jitters but the wedding isn't until next year." My older punk brother smirked and I blushed—my heart soaring at the reminder. My eyes sought out the ring nestled on my finger and a sudden rush of love and warmth rushed through me.
"Indominus Rex?" Tristan questioned seeing that I was in a better mood.
I felt a bit better and nodded, "With everything going on, I guess it just triggered the nightmares again." I sighed softly.
"You still have your medication, don't you? You didn't particularly like taking it so I assume you still have some left." Tristan questioned with a curious gaze.
"I hate taking medicine." I grumbled trying to tame my lion's mane. I had cut my hair short not too long ago but the damn lion's mane was still a hassle to mess with. "I thought you were supposed to be with Uncle and Father?" I asked remembering that Tristan was meant to be figuring out a plan with the Masrani men.
"I wanted to check on you. Mother has been worried about you, you know." Tristan had a look of concern over his face now, "You haven't been the same since…"
I gave a humorless, dry chuckle, "No one's been the same since the incident but we're all trying to move on. I'm trying to move on and focus on saving Gruff—she saved my life twice now so I owe it to her to save hers even if others think her life isn't worth saving."
News stations all around the world had their own opinions on the matter—to save the dinosaurs or let mother nature take them back into extinction? The Government even had debacles if dinosaurs should be given the same protection rights as other endangered species but ultimately it was left up to the Masrani clan.
"All living creatures are worth saving." Tristan agreed quietly, "Anyway, I have another reason why I came up here," A grin was on his face now and I was on alert because my brother was a prankster despite being so well-behaved.
"I have faced a killer dinosaur, I fear little." I warned him with amusement.
"Even an angry Gray?" Tristan smirks now.
I paled, "W-Why would he be mad at me?" I demanded with a slight stutter.
"Because you've been neglecting me for months!" Gray's voice had gotten a bit deeper and he was taller—loosing some of his baby face in the years after the incident but my heart sang happily at the sound of his voice. I dropped my brush and rushed over to shower his face with kisses and he laughed—his usual bubbly laughter that could make my bad days disappear.
"I can't believe you're here!" I said happily—I hadn't been able to visit Gray in a long time due to the chaos that was surrounding the Masrani clan but I was so surprised that he was here in the family estate. "What are you doing here?" I asked him with a shit-eating grin.
Gray tried to look like he wasn't enjoying my attention but he was grinning, "Your Uncle flew us here! He said he wanted the entire family here!"
"Us?" My heart thumped loudly and Gray giggled at my reaction.
"Yeah, my mom and dad are here."
"Your mom is going to give me an earful for not calling or visiting as often." I sighed before smiling and ruffling his still crazy curly hair.
"I also have another surprise." My brother says darkly.
"A better surprise then Gray?" I asked with a snort.
"Should I get back on the plane then?"
I whirled around at the sound of Zach's voice and everything kinda faded. It had only been a few days since Zach had left to go visit his family but god, it made me miss him so badly. Tears began to well in the corner of my eyes as I threw myself at him—he laughed and caught me easily. He was used to my tackling hugs especially when he was gone for a while. Being apart from Zach was horrible…I was always in a state of constant anxiety, like, not having him by my side was suffocating.
Zach and I had been inseparable since the incident—joined at the hip and madly in love. He recently turned twenty-one but had already made a prominent impact in the Masrani clan—Zach was intelligent in technology and my Uncle had hired Zach into his private team and was constantly working on bettering Masrani tech. Uncle was also feeding into Gray's education and sending him secret information for the young teenager's input.
I felt like I was finally able to breathe now.
Zach's strong arms were wrapped around me tightly as I clung onto him—Gray laughing. "I missed you." I whispered as I felt Zach place a tender kiss on the top of my head.
"I missed you a lot, baby." Zach murmured into my ear and pulled away to look at my face with a smile, "Being away from you is awful." He admits with a sigh.
"I wish my wife was that happy to see when I come back from my travels." Tristan mutters from behind us, "If I had a wife." He adds making Gray laugh again.
"You're ruining our moment." I sighed pulling away from Zach fully but our hands remained intertwined tightly. "Besides mother has given up the idea of you giving her grandchildren because of the lack of girlfriends you bring around," I pointed out.
"I can't find the right one to bring home," Tristan shrugged as he got up from his spot, "I'm patient though." He ruffles Gray's hair to which the young teen whines, "Come on, Gray, let's give these lovebirds some privacy. I have something I want to show you." Tristan sends us a small smirk.
"Does it have something to do with dinosaurs?" Gray asked excitedly.
"You know that's the only thing our family talks about," Tristan snorts, "Uncle Simon wants your opinion on something." I watched my big brother leave with my soon to be brother in law. I smiled watching them leave and Zach takes advantage to place a deeper kiss on my lips. His hands were gently wandering over the curves of my body before they settled on my hips. A hum of approval left his lips and I couldn't help but to smile.
"How is my future wife feeling today?" Zach murmured with a genuine smile on his face.
I blushed as memories of the day he proposed flashed before my eyes, "Better now." I answered staying close to him, "A lot better." I sighed softly.
"When I left, you were telling me about your nightmares…are you still having them?" Zach asked as he gently led me to my bed, "I bet you are…especially since I left for so long." Zach mumbled without me having to answer. I smiled and I was reminded again at how…tentative Zach was towards me and my needs.
"They'll have to stop eventually, it's no big deal." I said dismissively as we cuddled together in the bed—I was eager to feel his familiar warmth and to just be close with him. Zach smiled as I curled up next to him.
"It's a big deal when you wake up crying in the middle of the night, Izzy." Zach mumbled softly as his hand traced mindless patterns on my bare arm, "I know you hated taking the medication but it would help you sleep easier at night, baby." Zach suggested quietly.
I scowled, "It feels silly needing to take medication just to help me sleep." I told him but he already knew my stance on sleeping medication. I could sleep just fine…it was the nightmares I wanted to get away from. The medication helped because when I took the medicine, all I dreamy was blackness.
"It's not silly," Zach patiently said, "It's not silly if it'll help you get some rest from these nightmares." He pointed out.
I pouted, "I'll…think about it." I relented.
Zach smirked and kissed my forehead before getting settled on our bed, "I missed our bed. Sleeping feels so strange when you're not beside me or snoring."
I gasped and sat up, "I do not snore!"
"It's more like breathing loudly." Zach nodded as he corrected himself.
I scowled at him but it softened as I saw him smiling, "You're a punk." I muttered as I settled back down into his side. Zach chuckled lightly and pressed me more firmly into his side and I laid my head on his chest. "You know…this meeting will most likely end up with us having to go back to Isla Nublar." I whispered with wide eyes.
"No one else shares an incredible bond with a Tyrannosaurs Rex." Zach said softly with amusement, "Is it going to be hard for you…going back?" Zach asked me with concern. I smiled at him lovingly.
"No, I think I'm more eager than anything else." I mumbled feeling excited to finally see Gruff after two years. I wonder how Blue was doing since she was mainly on her own…she was the last of her kind and I couldn't help to feel sad for the Raptor because she was all alone.
"I've heard reports from your Uncle…the dinosaurs managed to thrive on their own. If it wasn't for the volcano, we would've left them there to enjoy their lives in peace." Zach says quietly as his fingers play with my hair.
"I didn't even know Isla Nublar had a volcano." I grumbled quietly.
"It's been dormant for centuries according to the locals." Zach pointed out.
"I guess we should freshen up," I moaned feeling lazy and just wanting to lay in bed with Zach all day and watch anime or something, "This is the wrong day to be busy on." I complained as I sat up and began to go through our drawers for fresh clothes. Zach moved in about a year ago when Uncle Simon offered him a job here in our estate.
Zach chuckled lazily, "We'll have time after the meeting to catch up on things." When I looked over at him, Zach was smirking and it was obvious what he meant by his words. I just shook my head with a slight giggle.
"You're a brute, you know that?" I accused playfully.
Zach got up and shrugged, "I like having sex with you, and can you blame me?"
I blushed and muttered, "I should wash your mouth out with soap. So bold." Zach laughed and wrapped his arms around me and kissed my neck gently, "A quick shower, okay? We're going to be late if you decide to take longer." I grumbled to him.
Zach rolled his eyes, "Yes, ma'am." He mocked.
I playfully nudged him before we entered our restroom to freshen up.
We entered my Uncle's and Father's office to find it full of people—Tristan, my mother, Gray, Zach's anxious looking parents, a few known close associates of the Masrani clan, and the last two people I expected to be here—Claire and Owen.
"Owen!" I gasped when I caught sight of him.
"Aunt Claire?" Zach looked surprised.
I ran up to Owen and hugged him tightly before pulling away and punching his arm, "Ow!"
"Isabella!" My mother gasped mortified by my actions.
"You asshole! You never bothered to call or text or visit or even write me a fucking letter!" I accused pointing a finger at his chest, "We almost died by getting eaten by some abomination dinosaur and you just ignore me for the next two years?" I demanded angrily as Claire, who looked much happier now, smiled in amusement. Owen tried to deflect my finger pokes to his body as he defended himself.
"Isabella." I cringed as my father spoke my name with some firmness, "Kick his ass later." He adds smoothly with amusement.
I smirked at Owen, "This isn't over!" I hissed at him.
Owen grumbled, "Zach, control your spit fire."
Zach gently pried me away from Owen, "You should've at least called." Zach shrugged before our attention turned to my Uncle and my Father. They spoke about preparations they were currently making to ensure the animals would be secure in their cages on a massive vessel. It would take multiple trips to at least get most of the animals off of the island. It wasn't something that could be done in a day.
"Have we looked into places suitable for the animals yet?" Tristan asked.
"Claire and Owen have been going around looking for an island larger enough and remote enough that would act as the animals' new home," Simon responded to my brother, "Claire, anything to report on this matter?" I wasn't even aware that Owen and Claire were being employed by my Uncle—last I heard about Claire was from Zach and that she was fighting for the Dinosaur's rights to protection as endangered species.
"We found several but one has proven perfect as a sanctuary," Claire turned to Owen and Owen took out his laptop and plugged it up to the projector in the room, "It have several reef barriers that would be perfect in keeping our only aquatic dinosaur from breaking out into the open ocean and the island is perfectly sustainable." Claire addressed in her usual professional voice though she looked laidback.
Owen clicked away on the laptop before pictures of the island came up, "It's the largest island we managed to find. You can see the barriers," Claire pointed out the three barriers, "Most of the island is hills and plains but there is a forest perfect for our carnivores." Claire stated proudly of her work.
I looked at the pictures—the aerial views and it looked good for the dinosaurs to spend the rest of their lives on. "Is it owned?" Simon asked.
"Yes, but it is for sale." Owen answered.
"I see there is a small island here," My father pointed out a small island that was probably only ten arches large, "This will be a perfect island to set up security to ensure thieves do not attempt to steal our precious animals."
"We will also buy that island then." Simon agreed looking more then pleased.
"When is the soonest we can attempt to rescue these animals?" My mother asked with concern, "Who knows how long it'll be for the volcano to start erupting."
"The volcano is still in its earliest age of waking and erupting," Simon responded easily, "We have been given a window of time and it is expected that the volcano will start to erupt sometime next year—which is about eight months."
"That's more then enough time considering we're in our final stages of our preparations." I spoke up with a serious look, "We should rescue the largest predators first—our aquatic friend is going to be a problem because I heard she's grown despite almost going without food for nearly a year."
"She's our first concern—that preparation is taking longer but we are working on it." My father reassured.
"There will be about another month or so of preparations before we will be able to attempt rescuing these animals. I will send Tristan to buy the islands and then I will have a small team scout the new island to prep it for the new arrivals. That will take a few weeks at most. We have our work cut out for us and we have the eyes of the world on our family right now," My father sighed deeply, "But it'll be a few months before we send our special team to collect our two most important animals." My father fixed his gaze on Owen and I.
Everyone else followed.
I looked at Owen with a smirk, "Ready to wrangle the world's top predators?" I asked him with excitement.
"You know it, kid." Owen chuckled, "Blue will be trickier but at least Gruff won't be a massive problem."
I nodded, "What about the breeding problems?" I asked my mother since she was in charge in breeding the creatures on the island.
"We have a plan in place as we relocate the animals into their new home. We'll let them breed freely for the first few years before we begin to fix them. Overpopulation can get easily out of control as we can see on Isla Nublar. We left them on their own for two years and they've tripled their numbers." My mother responded smoothly.
"We're expected to smooth out any other details tonight and finalize our plans." Simon responded with an easy smile, "Soon our dinosaurs will be settling into their new homes but let us hope that our God is on our side and everything goes smoothly."
"I expect their will be an increase in attempts from thieves these incoming months." My father added in gravely, "We have a small set up on Isla Nublar that is keeping watch over the island."
The important meeting went on for another hour or so before we were allowed to leave. Owen and Claire and Tristan lingered behind to finalize some plans. My mother and Zach's mother were already heading to the kitchen to gossip about wedding plans. Zach's father opted to take a nap in his guest room due to the jet lag.
Gray was excitedly talking about the rescue mission "Isn't it amazing how they survived on their own?" Gray asked in awe, "I bet Gruff will be happy to see you, Izzy! I mean, we owe her our life, right?" Gray grins knowingly and I give him a funny glare. "Your uncle was talking to me about potentially creating a partner for Blue…so she isn't alone." Gray adds in softly.
Zach and I looked at each other with surprise, "Does Owen know about this?" I asked curiously.
Gray nods, "Owen agrees with our plan because Blue is alone. Raptors are pack hunters and pack orientated. If Blue is left without a pack to run, it could be disastrous." Gray mumbled quietly.
"Well, as long as we don't breed Gruff…" I cringed at the thought of another T-Rex running about and one that wouldn't share the bond I have with Gruff.
"Now, that's a scary though." Zach pointed out with a cringe.
"So, have you guys picked out a wedding date yet?" Gray asked changing the subject onto something less scary.
I smiled at Zach and he kissed my forehead, "We have it set on the day we met." Zach stated softly.
"Awesome! Do you think we can invite Gruff?" Gray laughs.
I smiled, "She can be my maid of honor." I joked.
Don't worry, Gruff, we're coming to save you! I thought as Gray wanted to show us his journals full of new information and dinosaurs that were on the island now.
So, hello. I obviously saw JW Fallen Kingdom and it gave me my inspiration to update again. No spoilers but I decided against following Fallen Kingdom because it's really centered on Claire, Owen, and Blue and not only really focused on much else, lol. No spoilers here tho! I loved the movie but I opted in a different direction considering that I kept Simon Masrani and added Izzy and her bond with Gruff. I figured it would be too complicated to follow the movie.
Anyway, I'm going into a different direction that's sorta my own plot but kinda has some plot from Fallen Kingdom. I do apologize if this chapter seems rushed but I was just so excited to get a new chapter out! I will do better in the next chapter, hehe. I am really motivated to update and finish this story. Just a side note: the story will probably end after they rescue the dinosaurs, I might add a few more chapters containing major fluff between Zach and Izzy but for the most part, this story is nearly over.
I have no interest in adding another part considering the direction Fallen Kingdom took and the obvious route the next movie is going to take. It's all too much and I thought it was going to end with Fallen Kingdom but I was sadly mistaken, lol.
Anyway,
I hope you all liked this chapter and I apologize for never updating. I did promise to update before a year, lmao. I was just waiting for Fallen Kingdom to come out to give me ideas, so, more updates but don't expect like an update every week or something.
Love you all!