A/N: I know that I've been MIA for far too long! "/ But life has been chaotic. We moved just recently into our new place. Packing && unpacking has been a huge pain in the ass LOL! Did I mention working? "/ Oh && my damn sister screwed up my laptop. So yeah . . . CHAOS!

But I'm back && with a new chapter. I seriously haven't been able to write anything new but I'm hoping to get back into the groove once again :)) I do apologize for the long wait && also in advance. Thank you all soooo much for reading! You are the BEST!

Without further adieu . . .

I do not claim the rights to any of the characters from the Southern Vampire Mysteries or True Blood. Read, review, && enjoy! ^_^*

"Lets start again." I said softly as I gazed up at him. "I'm Isabelle."

His lips curved upward. "Gabrielus."

Simultaneously, we reached for each other at that moment, letting our awakened sexual desire take over our bodies. Our mouths clashed onto one another as he gripped my hips, molding my naked body to his. I reached up, gripping his blood stained hair as I hungered for more of him.

I need to feel him.

"Take me home. Now." I moaned in his mouth.

Without a word, without releasing me, without even skipping a beat, he picked me up and carried me out of the palace.

"You came for me. For us…" I whispered against his chest as I laid in his arms. "How did you know?"

He smiled down at me, "I didn't. I just knew that nothing good comes from being anywhere near that woman. So I trailed behind, watching, waiting."

I sat up quickly, bringing my legs up and under me. "Thank you." I whispered, grabbing his hands as I placed them over our unborn child. "As many times as I say thank you, it will never be enough to express how grateful I am to know that you were there."

He sat up slowly, laying a soft kiss on my lips. "I kept my promise…" he whispered. "Now what about yours?"

It took a moment before I realized what he was saying. I blushed immediately, looking down into my lap.

"I had to go back to you. I had to try to at least change…that." I said, embarrassed. "I didn't know you did all of that to protect me."

I felt his large hand caress my cheek. "And if I could, I would do it all differently." he said. "I chose you."

I looked up at him and smiled. "I think I already knew that centuries ago." I chuckled. "And I think that you know now that I already chose you too."

And not Dominic.

He cocked his head to the side as he smiled at me with his signature smile. "Now that I think about it…" he said slyly as he pulled me down, onto him. "That explains why you went back, you wanted to salvage what we had."

"Maybe." I said coyly. "So what happens now?" I asked almost immediately. "I know I'm not suppose to know much about-"

He gritted his teeth as he watched me. "I don't know if you can call me an angel anymore after what I've done, after whom I sacrificed." he said softly. "And as loyal as I am, I wish that I could stay with you and our daughter and help you raise the girls together."

"But you cant." I said softly, inwardly disappointed. Wait…angel? "So you've seen God?"

"Its not hard to explain." he shrugged. "I hear his voice…"

I rolled onto my back and looked up at the ceiling. "What do you do exactly?"

"I'm a warrior angel. I fight against the fallen and his minions."

"Minions as in demons?"

Like Cristiano?

"It's a little more complicated than that but, in a way, yes." he said. "It's a war and I've been chosen."

I turned towards him, "Then why aren't you there instead of being here with me?"

"I was sent back to protect you, to watch over you, to help guide you." he said. "I was sent from above because our daughter that you are carrying has to be born."

"So this…" I paused, bringing my hands up to my face. "…this thing that we have was never meant to last because you no longer belong here."

Great.

Gabrielus sat up immediately, turning towards me. "I don't want to go back. I want to stay with you." he pleaded. "I wish that I could give you five, ten, even twenty years together. But I don't know my fate anymore, I just don't know." he said, gripping my hand. "Just like you told me once, all I have is now. It may not be much, but that is all I have to offer you." he said softly, leaning in. "Marry me." he whispered so close to my lips.

What?! I mentally screamed. He just told me that all we have is now & he wants me to marry him?

My eyes wondered from his eyes, down to his mouth. I wasn't sure that I heard him correctly. But if I did, I wasn't even positive that its even legal.

"Gabrielus…" I whispered as he helped me sit up.

"Marry me Isabelle." he said. "I don't know how much time I have left to spend with you but I know for certain that I want to spend the rest of this time as your husband."

Could I do this?

Could I marry Gabrielus? Could I really settle with him, even if its for a week, a month, or years. However long we are given…

Could I spend it with him as his wife?

I knew that I couldn't just jump into things without thinking this through. I mean, this would mean bringing him into my home. He wouldn't only be in my life but in my children's lives as well.

And for how long?

Could I deal with him being gone for long periods at a time? Never really knowing when he would return? If he would return?

As much as he deserved an answer, I knew I couldn't give him one.

Not right away at least.

I knew I needed time to think things through. I've been one to rush into things only for it to backfire. And as much as I wanted to be with him, I didn't want to ruin what we had.

But he might not have that much time left.

After a nights rest, I went to Dominic. He had a right to know my decision before hearing it from someone else.

Not that my mind has been set.

I walked up the porch steps to his front door and rung his doorbell. I took a step back and waited.

Wouldn't it be easier if I simply chose him though? I mean things would be less complicated. I thought to myself. But of course this thing that we call love isn't always simple…

"Isabelle." he said, clearly surprised to see me here. "Do you want to come in?" he asked immediately.

No. Being outside would allow a cleaner getaway if things begin to go south.

I smiled at him as I shook my head gently. "I think its better if I didn't." I said.

"Listen, about the other-" he began, stepping out, closing the door behind him.

I put my hand up as I took a step back, "Gabrielus told me everything."

"Oh…" he said softly, obviously hiding the hurt that was written all over his face. Maybe he already knew. "Did you hear? Catalina was behind it from the very beginning?" Nick asked me as he leaned against the side of his house. "She was the one who had placed a hit on you. She was the one who hired the Fae to assassinate you and all those other women."

"Yeah, I heard about it." I said. "But do you know why? I mean, I never met her until that moment when she showed up at my flat." I asked, taking a seat on his porch steps.

I didn't want to test Gabrielus' loyalty, but I had to be certain that before I make that final decision to marry him or not, that what he told me was the truth. I had a right to know what I was getting myself into if I chose to go through with it.

Yes, we started over. But that was before he decided to take this to another level.

I debated with myself.

Its alright to be cautious.

"Gabrielus told me that she had captured a seer who fed her visions." he said as he watched me. "She didn't know what you looked like. All she knew was that you were a young woman, a descendent of the banished."

So far, so good…

"And she was determined to terminate my very existence." I added, turning my body to face him.

He sighed heavily, "She was determined because the seer told her that it was you who would have my heart." he said with a shake of his head. Oh no. "It wasn't until she came to my home, presenting your case to me, that she realized that you might be the one that she's been looking for all along."

"Vengeful creature, isn't she?" I scoffed. "What a psycho bitch." I groaned, trying to play it off like I didn't hear that first part.

"But it doesn't end there. She also thought that by getting you to fall in love with a vampire, that would destroy any hope for us because of my history with them." he said, running his hand through his hair. "The death of her sister changed us all…"

Stop.

I couldn't help but feel like I was being torn in two. I didn't want to choose one brother over the other. I hate having to be the one to break someone's heart. I mean, Gabrielus poured his heart and soul out before me so many times within the last few days. And here is Dominic beginning to do the same.

Who do I choose? I mentally asked myself. How do I choose?

Dominic and I have history. Not only that, we already have a daughter together. He's been there for me and after everything that has happened, he continues to be here.

I know that he loves me. I thought. But so does Gabrielus.

I glanced down at my growing bump, running a hand over it. "I'm sorry." Tears filled my eyes, "No matter how it plays, in my eyes, I met you first. That's all that matters."

He nodded, shoving his hands in his pockets. "I'll never be sorry." he said, smiling at me. "You gave me Elena."

"Yes…I know." I whispered, taking a deep breath. "He wants to marry me." I blurted.

Dominic straightened up immediately. "And what did you say?"

I shrugged, "What can I say?" I sighed. "Months before him, Eric did the same." I admitted, hoping that I could lighten the tension that was building between us. "Although his proposal wasn't very heartfelt…"

"Do you love him?" he asked through gritted teeth.

"Eric?" I scoffed.

"Him." he growled.

Fudge.

I bit my lip as I glanced down at my hands in my lap. "I'm at a standstill." I said softly. "I know that I don't want to choose Eric, for so many reasons that I'm sure I don't need to mention." I said with a half smile. "And I know that I should choose you. We've been through a lot, you much more than me. We have crazy history together. We share an amazing daughter. And you hold this special place in my heart." I said. "My mind is telling me to be with you because it's the right thing to do, because it's the most logical thing to do…"

"But you want him." he said lowly. "You love him."

I turned to him, holding his gaze. "I don't know what I want." I admitted. "But would it have been different if you both weren't brothers?" I asked him. "Would-could you accept it then?"

He closed his eyes, pressing his lips together. "I wont stand in your way."

Double fudge.

After filling Amy and Sookie in about everything, I sat and waited for their reaction.

Of course, as expected, Amy went first.

"Both." she said with a straight face. "Choose them both." she said with a sure nod. "I mean, its obvious that both brothers love you. Gabrielus technically loved you far longer. Just saying." she said with that matter of fact expression. "And I know that you love both. Although I'm sure you love one more than the other but haven't realized it or just wont admit it out loud. Whatever." she sighed. "But by choosing both, well, you break no ones heart darling."

Sookie scoffed as she shook her head. "Most of what Amy said is true. But you cant choose both. Not only is that wrong, that's just plain selfish." she said, disapprovingly. "You may or may not know it, but you do love one more than the other and by sitting here seeking advice from us, well…its just prolonging this pickle you got yourself into. Either way, someone's heart will break and you probably know who it is but cant find the courage do it." she said.

She's right. I'll end up breaking one of their hearts but I just don't know how.

I ran my hands over my face. "I wish that I could rewind everything to the very beginning before all of this crap started. Maybe then the choices that I make will be far less complicating." I said. "Sometimes I feel like my entire life up until this point has been all a dream…" I said. "Or more like a nightmare, one that I could wake up from any moment now."

Amy blew out a breath. "Well, if this is a dream, it must go on." she said bluntly. "You have to choose."

Or do I?

I received a visit from Eric that night.

"You know, this bond can be useful when the time is right but being overwhelmed by your emotions is starting to be a pain." he said with a huge smile across his face.

Before saying a thing, I embraced him immediately.

I'm never admitting this out loud, but I'm truly happy to see him.

"I wasn't sure whether or not you were alive after that night." I whispered against his chest.

"I'm sure you were torn up inside not knowing the answer." he said sarcastically as he wrapped his arms around me. "So what is this that I hear? You not choosing either?" he said after a minute.

I don't even want to know how he got his information so I'm not even going to ask.

I nodded as I looked up at him. "I cant do it."

"I know." he said. "But I also know how you truly feel towards both. With you being discontent inside-"

I released him just as quick. "I am not discontent."

"Really?" He cocked a brow to me. "I may not be able to read your mind but I know a conflicted person when I see one. Did you forget that I can feel what you feel? Its beginning to be quite nauseating." he groaned. "You not choosing the other because you obviously cant stand to break his heart has only left you quite miserable." he said. "You know who you want, you know that you love him, and yet you choose to remain like this?"

"Its not as easy as you make it sound. The battle itself is within me with my head telling me one thing but my heart is saying different. Having to choose what I know is best for me over how I feel-" I rolled my eyes at him. "Wait, why are you telling me this anyways? Shouldn't you be doing the opposite? Telling me to choose you?"

He licked his lips as he grinned at me. "Then choose me." he said. "My offer still stands."

I immediately shoved him. "Don't do that!" I groaned. "I hate it when you make things even harder for me. I'm already struggling as it is. And now this?"

"To be fair, I asked you first." he said with a raise of his brow. "You had me waiting around for months but you never gave me your answer."

I bit my lip. "You know why."

Do I really need to say it?

He watched me carefully. "He wont be around for long." he said after a dramatic pause.

"You don't think I know that?" I said softly. "I'm trying to be strong here. I'm trying to make the right choices, especially for my kids. I know what to do and who to be with. But it isn't as easy as falling in love." I said to him. "I want to be with Gabe so badly but I cant bear to break Nick's heart. Blessing or not." I paused. "You said that you knew who I wanted. You knew who I want to choose…"

He stepped closer as he whispered. "Yes."

"What you obviously don't know is how much I want you too." I admitted softly. "But I'm scared. I'm afraid of opening up again only to be hurt by you." I quickly said before he could respond. "Its so easy to fall in love for the first time. Everything is fresh and new. No lies, no betrayals, just a clean slate. And that's what its like with Gabrielus. There was no evil intent. Everything that he has done up until now, he did it to protect me, to protect us." I said, running a hand over my stomach. "And with you…we have so much history. I've been to the moon and back with you. And I've even forgiven you after all that has happened between us…" I said. "But I cant get myself to let my guard down with you because I'm afraid of getting hurt again. I'm afraid that you will betray me. I'm afraid of the past repeating itself and I don't think I can live through that again because each time I give you a part of me…I lose a little bit of myself too."

He leaned forward. "Then marry him." he growled just before running off with vampire speed.

Damn it Eric.

I felt so miserable. I cried myself to sleep like as if someone had just died. I hated feeling like this. I hated feeling so out of my element, lost, confused.

So not me…

I want to be with Gabrielus because I know that we will be good together. He's a good man, great with my girls.

I know he will be a great father.

I didn't know it then, but I know it now. I loved him enough to try to change the past unknowingly securing my present. He has protected us all these years. He even put me above all the rest.

But I'm afraid of losing him.

I'm afraid that the time that we have wont be long enough to spend together. I'm afraid that if I let him into our lives, one day I will wake up and he will be gone forever.

I cant bear to see my girls cry that way again.

And with Nick, its already too late for us. Even though I feel as if he is the smarter choice, its not one that I could live with. The feelings I once had for him slowly faded over time. Its clear that we were never meant to be together. Now all we have is our daughter.

But I cant break his heart either.

Now Eric, he has nothing but time. If I chose (which I wouldn't) but if I did choose to become vampire, I could be with him forever. The only thing holding me back is my fear of being betrayed by him once again. I know that it will linger in the back of my mind every time I see him.

Will he screw my enemy like he did before? Will he leave me when things get too rough?

The thought alone scares me…

The next morning I woke up, jumping out of bed with an idea. It was a juvenile thing to do, I know.

But how else can I decide?

I grabbed a pad and pen from my nightstand and began making three columns. I list in each column the reasons why I should choose them on the top half and the reasons why I shouldn't on the lower half. Seeing the pros and cons on paper has painted a clear picture for me. And although I knew what I should do, I decided to spin the bottle just to see what fate decides.

I placed each candle in a perfect triangle and lit the wick. Then I grabbed the empty True Blood bottle from the recycle bin and spun the bottle.

It spun around quickly several times before coming to a slow stop. At that moment, I knew what I had to do.