PART 7

Isabel woke feeling refreshed and better than she had ever felt. She knew it was thanks to Max's 'treatment'. She got out of bed and wandered down the hall quietly. There were pictures of the six of them everywhere. One was taken in the quad; one was of graduation. Then the rest were without her. The last few were of Isabel and Alex. She felt tears brimming her eyes. She missed those times so much.

She made her way to the den, taking in the spacious apartment. She found Maria sitting on the couch, her feet propped up. She was watching TV. Isabel smiled at the site of a pregnant Maria, but her smile faltered when she thought about the father. It hurt to think about it.

 What did you think? That he'd wait for you? She asked herself. For God sake, you're married! Let him get on with his life Isabel!

"Hey!" Maria said, shaking her from her mental scolding. "You're awake."

Isabel gave Maria a half-smile and sat down next to her. "How far along are you?" Isabel asked.

"Seven months!" Maria said proudly, patting her stomach.

Just then, Alex came in from the kitchen carrying a plate of sandwich and juice. "Here you are!" Alex said placing it in front of Maria. "Peanut butter and jelly, laced with Tabasco! And Juice!" he exclaimed. He noticed Isabel and gave her a warm smile. "You want anything? You must be hungry."

Isabel shook her head. "No thanks. I'm fine." Then she asked him hesitantly. "Why would Maria crave for Tabasco sauce?" she asked. "I mean neither you nor Maria are…Czechoslovakians." 

Alex first looked confused then let out a peal of laughter in which Maria also joined in. "You think Alex and me?" She laughed harder. Isabel just stared at her confused.

"So you aren't…?" She asked.

"Oh no! I prefer Spaceboy!" Maria told her, with an amused grin.

"Hey! I'm not good enough?" Alex asked pretending to be hurt.

"A matter of choice Alex! How could I marry my brother?" she asked, making a face.

Isabel swallowed this piece of news. "So you and Michael are married! Wow! I always thought that it would be Max and Liz first!"

"I know! It came as a shock to find that Deluca-" A whack from Maria made him hastily say, "Sorry, Guerin, here managed to bind him."

"I'm happy for you!" Isabel exclaimed giving the girl a hug.

"Why did you think me and Alex were married?" Maria asked.

Isabel bit her lip, feeling silly. "Well, I saw Maria here last night, or was that two nights ago… and assumed…" she trailed off.

"Oh!"

"It's nothing like that!" Alex cleared up. "Maria was here because Michael was away from NY on business and right now Michael just dropped her here as I usually work from home, so I can watch her."

"He's watching me now, but soon he'll be watching my kids too!" Maria laughed.

Isabel smiled truly for the first time. 

Maria took a deep breath. This time was as good as any. "Tell me about yourself Izzy.  What you've been doing? Tell me about Richard."

Isabel's smile faltered but she caught it quickly, pasting it back on. "He's a great guy."

Her eyes had a vacant look as if she wasn't even sure about what she was talking about. Isabel remembered Max telling her that Richard was coming to meet her here today. She swallowed the lump of fear in her mouth as she thought about tonight. She wasn't sure how Richard would react. She didn't want the others to know about her life.

She looked over at Maria and Alex. They had a concerned look on their faces. She put on a bright smile to put them at ease. "How long have you been together?" Maria asked.

Isabel threw her a fake smile. "Two wonderful years." She winced inwardly when she saw Alex's eyes cloud over. She hated doing this to him but she was married now. He had to understand that.

"How did you meet him?" Maria persisted.

Okay breathe Isabel! Isabel commanded herself. This is just Maria asking questions, because she's curious. And she's always been this way. Somehow that sounded hollow to herself. She knew Maria was prying. "We met at a diner." Isabel suddenly stood up. "You know what, I'm still very tired. I think I'll go to get some rest before Richard comes." She turned to Alex. "What time did you say he was coming?"

"Umm Six." Alex said, frowning a bit.

"Okay." She sighed. "Six."

Then she went back to the guest room and shut her door.

***** 

"It was weird Lizzie." Maria told Liz later that hour. Maria had gone over to Max and Liz's apartment and was now recalling the day's events. "She didn't seem to want to talk about it. She seemed nervous, as if she shouldn't be talking about it or something."

Liz shook her head. "Why hasn't she left before? I mean why does she put up with him?" Liz asked.

"She doesn't want to be seen as a failure." Max spoke up. Both girls and Michael turned to look at him. He continued. "I mean, Is has always hated failing at something. So if she walked out, she would think that she failed at having a happy married life."

"But Maxwell, he hurts her! Did you see the bruises and that cut?" Michael told him. Wait till I get my hands on this guy! Michael thought furiously.

"We can't do anything until we meet this guy Michael!" Max told him. "And we need Isabel's support in this."

"So you're saying that we just sit and wait?" Maria asked in disbelief.

Liz nodded sadly. "That's all we can do right now."