Flack Meets His Dream
Chapter 14
The next day, Flack took some lost time and went to visit with Father Tom. A much younger Father Tom had baptized Don, took his first reconciliation, given him his first communion, taught him to be a stellar altar boy and had in general been a very positive influence on his life. Now, the much older Father Tom would marry Don and Isabella in the Queen's Catholic Parish Church. Isabella and Don had briefly considered other Catholic churches, including the Cathedral, but quickly dismissed the idea. This church was beautiful and simple, which was perfect for their beautiful and simple wedding. Only family and close friends would be invited. They were still discussing various levels of management within the police department, Inspectors and the Chief of Police being under discussion. Both Don and Isabella did not want this to be a political event, but because of Isabella's connections it was a fine line to tread. Under the circumstances, Father Tom agreed to waive the pre-nuptial counseling and set a date for a Saturday evening a month out which was perfect. Don thanked him graciously and left to let Isabella know.
Isabella quickly called Jess and asked her to dinner, just the two of them. Now that they had a date, and it was coming up fast, they needed to get their wedding party and arrangements set. They had a lovely dinner at a small Italian family run restaurant. Isabella finally broached the subject of Maid of Honor.
"Jess, would you be my Maid of Honor? I can't think of anyone I would rather have at my side on the big day."
Jess was surprised and pleased, but couldn't help but tease Isabella. "Had to move that date up pretty quick huh? Before I say yes or no, are you going to make me wear purple or teal or some other terrible color?"
Isabella laughed. "Have you ever seen me in anything less than tasteful? I would not dream of placing my bridesmaids in anything less. You will look stunning in whatever we choose. And it will be a 'we.' We only have a month, so I am hiring a wedding planner, plus I want to enlist your help, Lindsay's, Trisha's and Paula's of course. I'm so tired these days I practically fall asleep standing up."
"And you hardly eat I've noticed." Jess' voice held more than a hint on concern.
"Yeah, as long as I don't eat, I don't throw up. The doctor's have given me something for the nausea, but I am definitely losing weight not gaining. Even some smells are too much for me."
"Does that impact the baby at all?"
Isabella sighed. "Apparently not. The baby will take whatever it needs from its mother and the mother will ultimately replenish. It's like a little parasite. Baby Boo, the parasite."
They both laughed as they stood after paying the bill. The two beautiful women, who could almost be sisters, left for their respective cars, hugged, and parted ways for the evening.
Wasting no time, the next morning Isabella called Mac, surprisingly reaching him in his office.
"Hey Mac. It's Bella. Is this a good time?"
"I always have time for you, no matter how brief. What's up?"
Isabella licked her dry lips nervously, asking "Mac, can I take you to lunch today? A real lunch, not the vending machine, or hot dog in the park. I have a table for us at the Four Seasons anticipating your acceptance."
Mac's voice held a laugh and a smile she could hear through the phone line. "A beautiful woman wants to take me to lunch at the Four Seasons? How could I say no?"
"Good. I'll see you there at noon. The reservations are under Atherton."
"Can I ask what this is about?" Mac asked curiously.
"It's an attempt at seduction, Lt. Taylor. I have a room booked in the Penthouse as well. Better cross off your afternoon." Her voice was teasing, but she also allowed some of her sultry voice to weave through.
Mac cleared his throat. "Bella, I doubt you have to work very hard at seduction, but I'm pretty much unable to be seduced, especially by soon to be wives of friends." He was thoroughly enjoying their teasing banter.
"Ah, such a disappointment. My one last fling before tying the knot shot down in flames." She laughed easily. "See you at noon Lt. Taylor."
"Yes, m'am."
Don had entered Mac's office at the tail end of the conversation.
Don looked at Mac's laughing face, watching him shake his head at the phone. "Let me guess, Bella."
"Yeah. You've got your hands full."
"Yes, sir. And I wouldn't have it any other way." Don smiled secretly.
"I'm hopeful you aren't here to talk about wedding plans. That seems to be the only thing that is getting done around here." Mac said good naturedly.
"Nah, I got some real info for you."
"Is this going to interfere with my lunch with your soon to be wife?"
"No way, Mac. I'd be sleeping on the couch for a week if I screwed that up. And that is NOT where I wanna be sleeping."
Mac looked at him, smiling again. "No I suppose not. What do you have for me?"
Mac met Isabella at the Four Seasons and was shown to their quiet table in the back. If he didn't know better, and if they were seen by anyone they knew, this looked quite a bit like a rendezvous. He greeted Bella with a kiss on her cheek and took the offered menu. They quickly placed their orders and Mac went straight into task mode.
"Are you and the baby ok? Is something wrong?"
"No Mac nothing is wrong. Everything is perfect. Maybe too perfect, I keep waiting for the other shoe to fall. I have never been this much in love before, I'm pregnant with my first child, I have found a family that has unexpectedly welcomed me with open arms. Things are just too perfect. But for now, I'll go with it."
Mac was a very wise man and saw through a lot of stuff. "You have lived most of your life alone, haven't you Bella? Your parents?"
Isabella nervously picked at her fine linen napkin in her lap, finally looking up at Mac with a glimmer of tears in her eyes. "I had a family once. I was away at boarding school in Switzerland. My father was Ambassador to the UK, my mother every bit the socialite. My younger brother stayed with them until he could be sent to boarding school as well. Their car was blown up leaving Kensington palace by an IRA bomb. In between our heartbeats, several dying and one left living, the family fortune and duties fell to me at 16. I have been alone ever since. I have excellent advisors who have been with the family for decades. They protect me and my fortune. Money does not buy happiness, no matter what people think. I try to fly under the radar as much as possible. Small wedding, family and friends only, non-disclosure agreements with all contractors, under the radar and off the grid, Mac."
"You are very wise Isabella. Don is lucky to have you. And you are lucky to have Don."
"Thank you, Mac. I asked you here not to discuss my poor-little-girl-upbringing, but something of more importance to today."
"I would do anything for you, Bella."
"I appreciate that. This is really important to me. Would you walk me down the aisle at my wedding? Don wants you to be part of his wedding party too, so if you agreed, you would walk me down the aisle, hand me off to Flack, and then join the other men standing beside him."
"Bella, this is an honor to even be considered. I would be proud to escort you on your wedding day. Are we wearing police blues, military, tuxes?"
"How so Mac Taylor, straight to the details. I think all the guys will be in their police blues. You are free to wear whatever you would like." She took his hand across the table and held it while her emerald eyes held his brown ones. "Thank you Mac. This means more than you could ever know."
His eyes teared slightly and he cleared his throat as he squeezed her tiny hand. A moment passed between them neither would ever forget. Mac sighed and released her hand, motioned for the bill and paid it, while she protested.
"Nonsense, Bella. I am paying. Don't argue with me. Even you won't win that."
"I argue as well as I play pool Mac. I wouldn't place any sucker bets. I will capitulate this time, but don't expect that every time." She snickered at him as they left the restaurant, her hand wrapped in the crook of his very powerful arm. The two friends walked casually back to the precinct where once again her Mercedes was waiting.
Isabella looked up at him, respect and real tenderness and feeling in her eyes. "Thank you Mac. Be safe." Her voice was slightly above a whisper, emotion clogging her throat.
He smiled at her, shielding his feelings mostly, but kissed her forehead gently. "You take care of you and Boo." He opened the car door, nodded to Bobby, and closed it again without ever taking his eyes off of her. Bobby pulled into traffic while Mac stood and watched her car disappear out of sight.