Isabel woke up to find that she was no longer in Alex's arms. She blinked a few times, trying to adjust her eyes to the darkness. She looked around for Alex, but instead she found herself surrounded by glowing candles.
"I was beginning to wonder when you would wake up. I was so tempted to play Prince Charming to your Sleeping Beauty,"Alex smiled, stepping around the candles and sitting down next to her.
"Alex, how did you do all this?" Isabel asked him, still trying to comprehend her surroundings. She was still sitting on the blanket, but now she was joined by at least thirty candles and two plates of food. Alex saw the bewildered expression on her face so he started to explain.
"When you came to my window this morning and we, well we…"
"Got back together," Isabel finished for him.
"Right, when we got back together. I told you I wanted to do it right, to take you out on a date. Well this is where I planned on taking you. I was hoping that it meant as much to you as it does to me," he told her shyly.
"Alex," She cupped his face in her palm and gave him a sweet gentle kiss. "I hope you know the answer to that."
"I do," he replied, kissing her again.
"Alex, I still have one question," Isabel said, gently pulling herself away from his embrace to look into his sparkling green eyes.
"Anything Isabel,"
"Well how did you get all the candles and the food?" She asked him, feeling a little hurt he would heave her out here all by herself. He must have seen the hurt flash in her eyes, because he gently took her hand and kissed it.
"I know what you're thinking Izzy, and trust me, I didn't leave you out here alone," he smiled at her reassuringly.
""Well then how did you do all this?" Confusion etched across her face.
" Well I do have a cell phone. Did you know Senor Chow's delivers? Well for the right price they do. Anyway, I persuaded the delivery boy to gather up all the extra candles they had and bring them with him," he laughed. "I have expected him to get lost in the woods!" He brought his emerald eyes up to meet his chocolate ones. He saw tears glistening in her eyes, the candlelight dancing off them like fireflies. "Izzy, what's the matter?" he asked, concern filling his voice.
"Nothing, everything is perfect!" She smiled at him as he caressed the tears away. She pulled him closer and laid down next to him, again snuggling up on his chest. Alex wrapped his arm around her, pulling her lips to his once again. Isabel intensified the kiss, darting her tongue out to meet his. Their tongues danced together passionately before Alex pulled away
. "I think maybe we should eat first. Neither of us has eaten all day," Isabel gave a small pout before grabbing her plate of food.
"So what all do we have here?" She asked, carefully trying to decipher the food in front of her.
"Well I think that's a burrito there," he replied pointing to a strange looking wrap. "And that there is fried ice cream, I think,"
"Ok, and what is this?" Isabel asked mischievously. Alex blushed as she lifted the bottle of what appeared to be champagne.
"Don't worry Isabel, its non-alcoholic grape juice. I know you Czechs can't hold your liquor," She playfully smacked him on the arm before raising her glass.
"I want to make a toast. To new beginnings,"
"To new beginnings," Alex echoed, clinking their glasses together. "Ok, lets dig in, I'm famished!"
"You're always hungry!" Isabel laughed as he started to much away.
"Am not!" He protested, his mouth half full of burrito. Isabel sighed contently before taking a bit of her own food.
****************
After dinner Alex and Isabel curled up on the blanket and gazed up at the stars. Isabel rested her head against his chest and listened to the rhythmic beat of his heart, in sync with her own. She couldn't remember ever feeling so happy and content.
"It feels like forever since we did this," Alex sighed, lightly kissing the top of her head.
"Too long, and it's all my fault," Isabel whispered, her muscles tensing in Alex's arms.
"Isabel. Izzy, look at me," Alex gently turned her face to meet his eyes. She hesitantly brought her eyes up to meet his emerald ones. Alex stroked a few errant tears away from her cheek. "Izzy, please don't cry, it breaks my heart to see you cry. Listen to me Isabel. The past is just that, the past. Why dwell on things we can't change. All that matters is that we are here, now, together." She gave him a small smile before he continued. "If it meant having to go through all those things to be here with you now, at this moment, I wouldn't change a thing,"
"Alex, how did I ever get so lucky?" Isabel whispered to him, staring intently into his soft, caring eyes.
"I'm the lucky one," he replied, gently taking her hand and pressing his lips to her palm. He gazed into her eyes, more unshed tears threatening to fall. He smiled, trying to reassure her. "Ok, I think we better get you home. It's getting really late, I don't want your parents or Max to think I kidnapped you," he said only half kidding. He wasn't too sure what Max would do to him when he brought Isabel home after midnight.
"Alex you don't have to worry about my parents, they're visiting some friends of theirs in Houston. Max and I have been home alone all week," She said giving him a playful pout. "But maybe you're right, Max is probably having a heart attack wondering where I am," Alex laughed as he helped her up and gathered the blankets and candles off the ground. They walked hand in hand to their cars. "Well I guess this is goodnight," Isabel said reluctantly.
"Oh no, I'm not letting you drive home all the way home alone from way out here, much less at this hour. I can bring you back to get the Jeep in the morning," He told her, making sure she knew he would not back down about this. She gave him a resigned look that told him she was not going to protest. She walked over and climbed in the passenger seat of his dad's car. Alex shook off the surprised look on his face as he started the car and headed back to town.
When Alex finally pulled into the Evans' driveway at 1 o' clock he noticed there weren't any lights on. He thought for sure Max would be up, pacing a hole in the carpet, wondering what had happened to Isabel. Alex looked at Isabel and saw the same confused expression on her face.
"That's odd, I thought for sure Max would be home," She said, voicing the question that Alex had asked himself.
"How do you know for sure he isn't?"
"Because my Mom's car is gone. My parents took my Dad's car to Houston and left my Mom's car here. Since I had the Jeep he must have taken hers," Isabel explained to him, a small crease of worry furrowing her brow. Alex saw the concerned expression on her face.
"Well why don't you go and see if he left a note?"
"Yeah, maybe he did. I'll be right back Alex" She hopped out of the car and quickly crossed the yard. She unlocked the front door with her powers. There sure enough, was a note on the dining room table.
Isabel,
Liz called and said she had something important to tell me. I'm heading over there now. If something is wrong I'll let you know. And don't wait up, if it gets too late I'll stay at Michael's.
Max
Isabel walked back out to the car to show Alex, but she was pleasantly surprised when she found him sitting on her front step. She walked up behind him and put her arms around his shoulders. He didn't even jump, instead he linked his hands with hers.
"Max got a call from Liz, so he left. He said not to wait up, that he was going to stay at Michael's," Isabel told Alex, trying to subtly hint that she wanted him to stay. Unfortunately, Alex didn't get the hint.
"Well then, I guess I better go. Are you sure you'll be alright alone tonight?" He asked, concern filling his handsome features.
"Alex, you do realize who you're talking to?" Isabel asked, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She loved the way he worried about her.
"I know, I know, but I just worry that's all," he replied bashfully.
"I know you do, and you'll never know how much that means to me, but I promise, I'll be fine," she finished and pulled him into a fiery embrace to convince him. She reluctantly pulled away and looked him in the eyes. "I had a great time tonight Alex"
"So did I, probably the best night of my life," he replied shyly. He gazed into her warm brown arms, coming to a decision he had been wrestling with all night. "Isabel, I need to tell you something,"
"You know you can tell me anything Alex" She smiled up at him. Alex sighed, preparing himself for what he was about to tell her.
"I love you Isabel," he said barely above a whisper. He rushed on before she could interrupt him. He had to get this out now, because he didn't know if he could do it again. "I know you probably don't feel the same way, but I wanted to tell you. Just so you know that there is someone out there that loves you, loves you more than life itself," he managed to finish. Isabel ran her hand down his cheek and turned his head to meet her eyes. As soon as the words had left his mouth she had made up her mind. She had been struggling with the thought for the last two hours, but when he said those three heart-melting words, that instant she knew it was right.
"I know you love me Alex. I've known ever since I saw your dream," She smiled at him, that smile reserved only for him. She leaned in, initiating a soft kiss between them. She lightly pulled him into the house, kicking the door closed behind them. She led him up the stairs and into her bedroom, never breaking contact with his lips. As they started to fall back onto the bed, Alex pulled away.
"Isabel, we can't do this."
"Alex, yes we can," she replied seductively, once again pulling him to her.
"Isabel, we aren't ready for this," he again backed away from her advances.
"Alex, I've never been more ready for anything in my entire life. I want to be with you. And I'm not going to change my mind about that, never. We're connected in so many ways, Alex. The only way left is physically," Alex searched her eyes, seeing the sincerity etched across her gorgeous features. He sat down next to her on the bed and cupped her face in his hands.
"It's not that I don't want to, God Izzy, I want to so much you'll never know. But I don't want you to regret this," he said, his voice filled with concern and uncertainty. Isabel kissed his palm and smiled.
"I could never regret it, not with you," That was all he needed to hear. He softly pulled her into a kiss as they fell back onto the bed.
******************
Isabel woke up with Alex's arms wrapped protectively around her. She sleepily looked up and saw that he was wide-awake, gazing adoringly at her.
"Sleeping Beauty wakes," he whispered, leaning down and gently bringing his lips to meet hers.
"I think you have a Sleeping Beauty complex Alex," She laughed, returning the embrace. Alex pulled away and propped himself up on his elbows, a serious gleam in his eyes.
"Isabel, about last night. I……"
"Alex, last night was the best night of my life, all of it. I've never felt so happy, so safe, so loved," she finished. Isabel searched his face for any signs of regret, but she found none. Instead he pulled her into him and kissed her again. After what seemed like only minutes to Isabel, Alex released her and started to get up. Isabel gave him a small pout as he put on his sneakers. He leaned over to her and kissed her cheek.
"I better go, before Max gets home and sees the car parked out front," he whispered to her. She kissed him again as he tried to pull away, not wanting to let him go. He sensed her reluctance and tried to reassure her. "Izzy, I'm just gonna go home and get a shower and make sure my parents didn't realize I had their car all night long. Then I'll be right back to take you to get the Jeep,"
"Ok, but come right back," She couldn't help it, she didn't want to be separated from him for even a minute.
"I promise," He quickly kissed her and silently crept out of the house. After Isabel heard the car start she got out of bed to make herself breakfast. As her pot of coffee was brewing, the doorbell rang. She rushed to answer it, sure that it was Alex. She flung the door open, ready to grab Alex and pull him for a fiery kiss. But it wasn't Alex, it was Grant. Isabel fought the urge to slam the door in his face.
"Grant, what are you doing here? I thought I made it perfectly clear, that what ever we were doing, its over," Isabel didn't even attempt to hide the annoyance in her voice.
"Yeah you did Izzy," he started.
"DON'T EVER CALL ME THAT!" Isabel yelled, angry that he would use that nickname. Only Alex was allowed to call her that. It annoyed her to no end whenever someone called her Izzy, except Alex. When Alex called her that she felt cherished, loved.
"Whatever. Anyway, I got to thinking. Why would you not want to be with a guy like me? So I thought I'd come over here and give you one last chance," he finished, not being anything but dead serious. Isabel gave him a disbelieving look before breaking into a fit of laughter.
"Grant, that is just so funny! How come you were never funny when we dated?" Again she broke into another laughing fit. Grant started to become very uncomfortable and began to fidget around. That's when Isabel saw him. Alex had his eyes locked on Isabel, who for all intents and purposes, appeared to be flirting with Grant. Isabel froze in her place, unable to tear her eyes away from Alex's hurt, piercing gaze. In one fluid motion he turned around and headed back down the driveway, dropping the bouquet of sterling roses he had been carrying, before getting in his car and speeding away. Isabel pushed past Grant and rushed after him. But she was too late, his car was already out of site. She gently leaned down and picked up the roses from the pavement and lightly inhaled their sweet scent. A strong feeling suddenly swept over her. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she could have sworn it was déjà vu. She quickly shrugged it off and rushed back into the house, slamming the door in Grant's face. She swiftly changed out of her pajamas and grabbed her car keys. As she was halfway down the driveway she remembered that the Jeep was still in the Frasier Woods parking lot. She silently cursed and turned back into the house. Then she saw that her Mom's car was in the garage. 'Max must have come home after all' she thought. She rushed back into the house and grabbed the keys. As she was pulling into the street she heard the distant sound of sirens. She paid no attention to them, instead heading straight for Alex's. As she came around a corner she was met by a blizzard of flashing lights. As she approached the scene she saw a car wrapped around a utility pole, Alex's car. "Oh God!" she cried out loud, slamming her foot on the brakes and rushing over to the mangled wreck. A policeman grabbed a hold of her and pulled her back.
"Miss, you cannot go over there," She pounded on his arms to let her go, but it was no use, his grip was too tight.
"Alex! Alex! NO!!!!!" She wailed, sobbing uncontrollably into the officer's shoulder.
"Miss, do you know who the victim is?" the officer gently asked her, not wanting to upset her anymore than she already was.
"Victim? You mean he's, he's…………….."She couldn't bring herself to say the word.
"I'm sorry Miss, but he was killed instantly," he gently told her.
"Oh god, NO! ALEX!!!!!" She wailed, pain washing over her in waves. She would have collapsed had the policeman not been holding her up. Her insides felt like they would disintegrate. "Alex! Oh God!"
"Shhh, it will be ok," The officer tried to comfort her.
"No, it won't be ok, It never will be again! God, he died not knowing that I loved him!" She broke into another fit of heaving sobs. The officer held her tight, trying desperately to comfort her.
"Isabel!"
A familiar voice called to her. She lifted her head off the officer's shoulder to follow the voice. She saw Alex running towards her, fear radiating off of him in waves. She blinked her eyes, convinced that she was hallucinating in her grief. The officer turned around to look in Alex's direction.
"Alex?" She questioned in no more than a whisper. Alex jogged up to meet her.
"Isabel!?" Isabel, are you all right? I saw all the lights on my way home, and then I saw your Mom's car. I was so scared! I thought something had happened to you," Isabel just stared at him in awe as he spoke, cupping her cheek in his hand. "Isabel, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Oh god, you're not hurt are you?" he looked over to the officer, fear etched in his eyes. The officer had a complete look of bewilderment on his face. "She's not hurt is she?" The panic was again rising up in his voice.
"Alex?" Isabel cautiously whispered. She looked back and forth between him and the mangled wreck around the pole.
"Of course it's me Isabel, are you ok?" He asked her, worry evident in his voice. He followed her gaze, his eyes locking on the wrecked car. "That looks just like my car," he said flippantly. Then the realization hit him, she had thought that was HIS car. "Oh god Izzy, you thought that was me?" She gently shook her head yes, more fresh tears streaking their way down her cheeks. Alex grabbed her and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Oh Isabel, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have stormed off like that. It's just when I saw Grant there, the jealous caveman in me sorta went a little crazy,"
"Alex, about that," Isabel started, trying to regain her composure.
"It doesn't matter, not anymore. Izzy, when I saw your car and I thought that I might have lost you, oh God, I've never felt so scared and helpless," he whispered, tears forming in his own eyes. For the first time since he had found her here, she smiled. She reached a hand up and stroked his face, flicking away the few rebel tears that had begun to fall.
"Trust me, I know the feeling," She whispered, more of her own tears threatening to fall. Alex pulled her to him and walked them over to his father's car.
"Come on, get in."
"Where are we going?" She asked, confused.
"You'll see," He smiled, starting the car. Fifteen minutes later they pulled into the Frasier Woods parking lot. Alex walked around the car and opened the door for her. He led her down the trail to their place. He sat down on the rock and pulled her into his lap. "You know, I don't care why Grant was at your house this morning. I trust you, completely. I don't want you thinking I don't. Like I said, my Neanderthal tendencies just got the best of me," he laughed, kissing her neck and hugging her closer to him. Isabel turned around and met his green eyes.
"I know it looked like I was flirting. But I wasn't, I was laughing AT him. He said he came over to give ME another chance with him! I thought that was so funny. Then I saw you," A pained expression crossed her face. "I tried to run after you, but you were already gone. I ran back into the house and got dressed. I headed over to your house, but then I came around the corner and saw the car. I thought it was your car, I thought it was YOU!" she whispered, another tear streaking its way down her moist cheeks. He held her tighter, feeling the pain flowing off of her. She brought her hand up to his face and continued. "Alex, when I saw that car, I thought I had lost you. It was like I couldn't breathe, like my insides were falling apart. I felt like I would die myself,"
"Izzy, I'm fine. Please don't cry, I hate to see you cry," He stroked a few more tears away.
"Alex, I should have told you this last night. I don't know why I didn't. Alex, I love you. I've loved you ever since that night we sat here under the stars," Alex smiled, cupping her face in his hands and giving her a passionate kiss.
"I love you too Isabel. Always." He told her, brushing the last few tears away. Isabel smiled at him, the smile she reserved only for him, her 'Alex only' smile.
"I know," she teased. He brought his lips to hers once again. The broke the embrace and snuggled into each other's arms, content in the knowledge that they were finally with their soulmate.
THE END
"I was beginning to wonder when you would wake up. I was so tempted to play Prince Charming to your Sleeping Beauty,"Alex smiled, stepping around the candles and sitting down next to her.
"Alex, how did you do all this?" Isabel asked him, still trying to comprehend her surroundings. She was still sitting on the blanket, but now she was joined by at least thirty candles and two plates of food. Alex saw the bewildered expression on her face so he started to explain.
"When you came to my window this morning and we, well we…"
"Got back together," Isabel finished for him.
"Right, when we got back together. I told you I wanted to do it right, to take you out on a date. Well this is where I planned on taking you. I was hoping that it meant as much to you as it does to me," he told her shyly.
"Alex," She cupped his face in her palm and gave him a sweet gentle kiss. "I hope you know the answer to that."
"I do," he replied, kissing her again.
"Alex, I still have one question," Isabel said, gently pulling herself away from his embrace to look into his sparkling green eyes.
"Anything Isabel,"
"Well how did you get all the candles and the food?" She asked him, feeling a little hurt he would heave her out here all by herself. He must have seen the hurt flash in her eyes, because he gently took her hand and kissed it.
"I know what you're thinking Izzy, and trust me, I didn't leave you out here alone," he smiled at her reassuringly.
""Well then how did you do all this?" Confusion etched across her face.
" Well I do have a cell phone. Did you know Senor Chow's delivers? Well for the right price they do. Anyway, I persuaded the delivery boy to gather up all the extra candles they had and bring them with him," he laughed. "I have expected him to get lost in the woods!" He brought his emerald eyes up to meet his chocolate ones. He saw tears glistening in her eyes, the candlelight dancing off them like fireflies. "Izzy, what's the matter?" he asked, concern filling his voice.
"Nothing, everything is perfect!" She smiled at him as he caressed the tears away. She pulled him closer and laid down next to him, again snuggling up on his chest. Alex wrapped his arm around her, pulling her lips to his once again. Isabel intensified the kiss, darting her tongue out to meet his. Their tongues danced together passionately before Alex pulled away
. "I think maybe we should eat first. Neither of us has eaten all day," Isabel gave a small pout before grabbing her plate of food.
"So what all do we have here?" She asked, carefully trying to decipher the food in front of her.
"Well I think that's a burrito there," he replied pointing to a strange looking wrap. "And that there is fried ice cream, I think,"
"Ok, and what is this?" Isabel asked mischievously. Alex blushed as she lifted the bottle of what appeared to be champagne.
"Don't worry Isabel, its non-alcoholic grape juice. I know you Czechs can't hold your liquor," She playfully smacked him on the arm before raising her glass.
"I want to make a toast. To new beginnings,"
"To new beginnings," Alex echoed, clinking their glasses together. "Ok, lets dig in, I'm famished!"
"You're always hungry!" Isabel laughed as he started to much away.
"Am not!" He protested, his mouth half full of burrito. Isabel sighed contently before taking a bit of her own food.
****************
After dinner Alex and Isabel curled up on the blanket and gazed up at the stars. Isabel rested her head against his chest and listened to the rhythmic beat of his heart, in sync with her own. She couldn't remember ever feeling so happy and content.
"It feels like forever since we did this," Alex sighed, lightly kissing the top of her head.
"Too long, and it's all my fault," Isabel whispered, her muscles tensing in Alex's arms.
"Isabel. Izzy, look at me," Alex gently turned her face to meet his eyes. She hesitantly brought her eyes up to meet his emerald ones. Alex stroked a few errant tears away from her cheek. "Izzy, please don't cry, it breaks my heart to see you cry. Listen to me Isabel. The past is just that, the past. Why dwell on things we can't change. All that matters is that we are here, now, together." She gave him a small smile before he continued. "If it meant having to go through all those things to be here with you now, at this moment, I wouldn't change a thing,"
"Alex, how did I ever get so lucky?" Isabel whispered to him, staring intently into his soft, caring eyes.
"I'm the lucky one," he replied, gently taking her hand and pressing his lips to her palm. He gazed into her eyes, more unshed tears threatening to fall. He smiled, trying to reassure her. "Ok, I think we better get you home. It's getting really late, I don't want your parents or Max to think I kidnapped you," he said only half kidding. He wasn't too sure what Max would do to him when he brought Isabel home after midnight.
"Alex you don't have to worry about my parents, they're visiting some friends of theirs in Houston. Max and I have been home alone all week," She said giving him a playful pout. "But maybe you're right, Max is probably having a heart attack wondering where I am," Alex laughed as he helped her up and gathered the blankets and candles off the ground. They walked hand in hand to their cars. "Well I guess this is goodnight," Isabel said reluctantly.
"Oh no, I'm not letting you drive home all the way home alone from way out here, much less at this hour. I can bring you back to get the Jeep in the morning," He told her, making sure she knew he would not back down about this. She gave him a resigned look that told him she was not going to protest. She walked over and climbed in the passenger seat of his dad's car. Alex shook off the surprised look on his face as he started the car and headed back to town.
When Alex finally pulled into the Evans' driveway at 1 o' clock he noticed there weren't any lights on. He thought for sure Max would be up, pacing a hole in the carpet, wondering what had happened to Isabel. Alex looked at Isabel and saw the same confused expression on her face.
"That's odd, I thought for sure Max would be home," She said, voicing the question that Alex had asked himself.
"How do you know for sure he isn't?"
"Because my Mom's car is gone. My parents took my Dad's car to Houston and left my Mom's car here. Since I had the Jeep he must have taken hers," Isabel explained to him, a small crease of worry furrowing her brow. Alex saw the concerned expression on her face.
"Well why don't you go and see if he left a note?"
"Yeah, maybe he did. I'll be right back Alex" She hopped out of the car and quickly crossed the yard. She unlocked the front door with her powers. There sure enough, was a note on the dining room table.
Isabel,
Liz called and said she had something important to tell me. I'm heading over there now. If something is wrong I'll let you know. And don't wait up, if it gets too late I'll stay at Michael's.
Max
Isabel walked back out to the car to show Alex, but she was pleasantly surprised when she found him sitting on her front step. She walked up behind him and put her arms around his shoulders. He didn't even jump, instead he linked his hands with hers.
"Max got a call from Liz, so he left. He said not to wait up, that he was going to stay at Michael's," Isabel told Alex, trying to subtly hint that she wanted him to stay. Unfortunately, Alex didn't get the hint.
"Well then, I guess I better go. Are you sure you'll be alright alone tonight?" He asked, concern filling his handsome features.
"Alex, you do realize who you're talking to?" Isabel asked, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. She loved the way he worried about her.
"I know, I know, but I just worry that's all," he replied bashfully.
"I know you do, and you'll never know how much that means to me, but I promise, I'll be fine," she finished and pulled him into a fiery embrace to convince him. She reluctantly pulled away and looked him in the eyes. "I had a great time tonight Alex"
"So did I, probably the best night of my life," he replied shyly. He gazed into her warm brown arms, coming to a decision he had been wrestling with all night. "Isabel, I need to tell you something,"
"You know you can tell me anything Alex" She smiled up at him. Alex sighed, preparing himself for what he was about to tell her.
"I love you Isabel," he said barely above a whisper. He rushed on before she could interrupt him. He had to get this out now, because he didn't know if he could do it again. "I know you probably don't feel the same way, but I wanted to tell you. Just so you know that there is someone out there that loves you, loves you more than life itself," he managed to finish. Isabel ran her hand down his cheek and turned his head to meet her eyes. As soon as the words had left his mouth she had made up her mind. She had been struggling with the thought for the last two hours, but when he said those three heart-melting words, that instant she knew it was right.
"I know you love me Alex. I've known ever since I saw your dream," She smiled at him, that smile reserved only for him. She leaned in, initiating a soft kiss between them. She lightly pulled him into the house, kicking the door closed behind them. She led him up the stairs and into her bedroom, never breaking contact with his lips. As they started to fall back onto the bed, Alex pulled away.
"Isabel, we can't do this."
"Alex, yes we can," she replied seductively, once again pulling him to her.
"Isabel, we aren't ready for this," he again backed away from her advances.
"Alex, I've never been more ready for anything in my entire life. I want to be with you. And I'm not going to change my mind about that, never. We're connected in so many ways, Alex. The only way left is physically," Alex searched her eyes, seeing the sincerity etched across her gorgeous features. He sat down next to her on the bed and cupped her face in his hands.
"It's not that I don't want to, God Izzy, I want to so much you'll never know. But I don't want you to regret this," he said, his voice filled with concern and uncertainty. Isabel kissed his palm and smiled.
"I could never regret it, not with you," That was all he needed to hear. He softly pulled her into a kiss as they fell back onto the bed.
******************
Isabel woke up with Alex's arms wrapped protectively around her. She sleepily looked up and saw that he was wide-awake, gazing adoringly at her.
"Sleeping Beauty wakes," he whispered, leaning down and gently bringing his lips to meet hers.
"I think you have a Sleeping Beauty complex Alex," She laughed, returning the embrace. Alex pulled away and propped himself up on his elbows, a serious gleam in his eyes.
"Isabel, about last night. I……"
"Alex, last night was the best night of my life, all of it. I've never felt so happy, so safe, so loved," she finished. Isabel searched his face for any signs of regret, but she found none. Instead he pulled her into him and kissed her again. After what seemed like only minutes to Isabel, Alex released her and started to get up. Isabel gave him a small pout as he put on his sneakers. He leaned over to her and kissed her cheek.
"I better go, before Max gets home and sees the car parked out front," he whispered to her. She kissed him again as he tried to pull away, not wanting to let him go. He sensed her reluctance and tried to reassure her. "Izzy, I'm just gonna go home and get a shower and make sure my parents didn't realize I had their car all night long. Then I'll be right back to take you to get the Jeep,"
"Ok, but come right back," She couldn't help it, she didn't want to be separated from him for even a minute.
"I promise," He quickly kissed her and silently crept out of the house. After Isabel heard the car start she got out of bed to make herself breakfast. As her pot of coffee was brewing, the doorbell rang. She rushed to answer it, sure that it was Alex. She flung the door open, ready to grab Alex and pull him for a fiery kiss. But it wasn't Alex, it was Grant. Isabel fought the urge to slam the door in his face.
"Grant, what are you doing here? I thought I made it perfectly clear, that what ever we were doing, its over," Isabel didn't even attempt to hide the annoyance in her voice.
"Yeah you did Izzy," he started.
"DON'T EVER CALL ME THAT!" Isabel yelled, angry that he would use that nickname. Only Alex was allowed to call her that. It annoyed her to no end whenever someone called her Izzy, except Alex. When Alex called her that she felt cherished, loved.
"Whatever. Anyway, I got to thinking. Why would you not want to be with a guy like me? So I thought I'd come over here and give you one last chance," he finished, not being anything but dead serious. Isabel gave him a disbelieving look before breaking into a fit of laughter.
"Grant, that is just so funny! How come you were never funny when we dated?" Again she broke into another laughing fit. Grant started to become very uncomfortable and began to fidget around. That's when Isabel saw him. Alex had his eyes locked on Isabel, who for all intents and purposes, appeared to be flirting with Grant. Isabel froze in her place, unable to tear her eyes away from Alex's hurt, piercing gaze. In one fluid motion he turned around and headed back down the driveway, dropping the bouquet of sterling roses he had been carrying, before getting in his car and speeding away. Isabel pushed past Grant and rushed after him. But she was too late, his car was already out of site. She gently leaned down and picked up the roses from the pavement and lightly inhaled their sweet scent. A strong feeling suddenly swept over her. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she could have sworn it was déjà vu. She quickly shrugged it off and rushed back into the house, slamming the door in Grant's face. She swiftly changed out of her pajamas and grabbed her car keys. As she was halfway down the driveway she remembered that the Jeep was still in the Frasier Woods parking lot. She silently cursed and turned back into the house. Then she saw that her Mom's car was in the garage. 'Max must have come home after all' she thought. She rushed back into the house and grabbed the keys. As she was pulling into the street she heard the distant sound of sirens. She paid no attention to them, instead heading straight for Alex's. As she came around a corner she was met by a blizzard of flashing lights. As she approached the scene she saw a car wrapped around a utility pole, Alex's car. "Oh God!" she cried out loud, slamming her foot on the brakes and rushing over to the mangled wreck. A policeman grabbed a hold of her and pulled her back.
"Miss, you cannot go over there," She pounded on his arms to let her go, but it was no use, his grip was too tight.
"Alex! Alex! NO!!!!!" She wailed, sobbing uncontrollably into the officer's shoulder.
"Miss, do you know who the victim is?" the officer gently asked her, not wanting to upset her anymore than she already was.
"Victim? You mean he's, he's…………….."She couldn't bring herself to say the word.
"I'm sorry Miss, but he was killed instantly," he gently told her.
"Oh god, NO! ALEX!!!!!" She wailed, pain washing over her in waves. She would have collapsed had the policeman not been holding her up. Her insides felt like they would disintegrate. "Alex! Oh God!"
"Shhh, it will be ok," The officer tried to comfort her.
"No, it won't be ok, It never will be again! God, he died not knowing that I loved him!" She broke into another fit of heaving sobs. The officer held her tight, trying desperately to comfort her.
"Isabel!"
A familiar voice called to her. She lifted her head off the officer's shoulder to follow the voice. She saw Alex running towards her, fear radiating off of him in waves. She blinked her eyes, convinced that she was hallucinating in her grief. The officer turned around to look in Alex's direction.
"Alex?" She questioned in no more than a whisper. Alex jogged up to meet her.
"Isabel!?" Isabel, are you all right? I saw all the lights on my way home, and then I saw your Mom's car. I was so scared! I thought something had happened to you," Isabel just stared at him in awe as he spoke, cupping her cheek in his hand. "Isabel, what's wrong? Why are you crying? Oh god, you're not hurt are you?" he looked over to the officer, fear etched in his eyes. The officer had a complete look of bewilderment on his face. "She's not hurt is she?" The panic was again rising up in his voice.
"Alex?" Isabel cautiously whispered. She looked back and forth between him and the mangled wreck around the pole.
"Of course it's me Isabel, are you ok?" He asked her, worry evident in his voice. He followed her gaze, his eyes locking on the wrecked car. "That looks just like my car," he said flippantly. Then the realization hit him, she had thought that was HIS car. "Oh god Izzy, you thought that was me?" She gently shook her head yes, more fresh tears streaking their way down her cheeks. Alex grabbed her and pulled her into a tight embrace. "Oh Isabel, I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have stormed off like that. It's just when I saw Grant there, the jealous caveman in me sorta went a little crazy,"
"Alex, about that," Isabel started, trying to regain her composure.
"It doesn't matter, not anymore. Izzy, when I saw your car and I thought that I might have lost you, oh God, I've never felt so scared and helpless," he whispered, tears forming in his own eyes. For the first time since he had found her here, she smiled. She reached a hand up and stroked his face, flicking away the few rebel tears that had begun to fall.
"Trust me, I know the feeling," She whispered, more of her own tears threatening to fall. Alex pulled her to him and walked them over to his father's car.
"Come on, get in."
"Where are we going?" She asked, confused.
"You'll see," He smiled, starting the car. Fifteen minutes later they pulled into the Frasier Woods parking lot. Alex walked around the car and opened the door for her. He led her down the trail to their place. He sat down on the rock and pulled her into his lap. "You know, I don't care why Grant was at your house this morning. I trust you, completely. I don't want you thinking I don't. Like I said, my Neanderthal tendencies just got the best of me," he laughed, kissing her neck and hugging her closer to him. Isabel turned around and met his green eyes.
"I know it looked like I was flirting. But I wasn't, I was laughing AT him. He said he came over to give ME another chance with him! I thought that was so funny. Then I saw you," A pained expression crossed her face. "I tried to run after you, but you were already gone. I ran back into the house and got dressed. I headed over to your house, but then I came around the corner and saw the car. I thought it was your car, I thought it was YOU!" she whispered, another tear streaking its way down her moist cheeks. He held her tighter, feeling the pain flowing off of her. She brought her hand up to his face and continued. "Alex, when I saw that car, I thought I had lost you. It was like I couldn't breathe, like my insides were falling apart. I felt like I would die myself,"
"Izzy, I'm fine. Please don't cry, I hate to see you cry," He stroked a few more tears away.
"Alex, I should have told you this last night. I don't know why I didn't. Alex, I love you. I've loved you ever since that night we sat here under the stars," Alex smiled, cupping her face in his hands and giving her a passionate kiss.
"I love you too Isabel. Always." He told her, brushing the last few tears away. Isabel smiled at him, the smile she reserved only for him, her 'Alex only' smile.
"I know," she teased. He brought his lips to hers once again. The broke the embrace and snuggled into each other's arms, content in the knowledge that they were finally with their soulmate.
THE END