Chapter 9 The Last Goodbye?
Chris's Private Island - The Next Day
Mother nature had stirred up quite a storm. Chris and Isabella were stuck on Chris's island for another day.
Isabella comes upon Chris in his study.
"I still can't believe this wild story. If I wouldn't have seen you kill those guys, I don't think I would believe this whole mess", Isabella says.
"I'm sorry that you had to see it. Now you've realized what kind of man that you married", Chris says.
"Why didn't you tell me the truth?" Isabella says.
"I wasn't supposed to tell you anything. If they find out, they'll kill me", Chris says.
"That's a really lovely organization that you used to work for".
"I wish I never would have heard of MI5", he says.
"When I broke your heart, I broke mine, too. I've been shot and tortured, but nothing compared to the pain that I felt when I had to break your heart and mine. I'm so very sorry", Chris says.
"I understand why you did it. If the situation had been reversed, I would have done anything to protect you", Isabella says.
"Zak and I can move to this island. Zak can grow up here. No one will ever have to know that you're alive", Isabella suggests.
"I can't let you do that. I won't let you leave your family. Zak deserves to grow up with his family around him. He needs to have friends and a life. That's not an option", Chris says.
"I guess you're right that wouldn't be fair to Zak", Isabella says.
"Hey, Chris, the director wants to talk to you about something", Chris says.
"Okay Chris", Chris and Chris leave Isabella in the study. They go to a secure room under the house.
Chris's Secret Room
Chris and Chris have finished talking with the director of MI5.
"Chris, you know it's a suicide mission", Tina says.
"Yes, I know but if he'll protect Isabella for the rest of her life, I'll do it. If I survive it, maybe I can get my family back", Chris says.
"I think he wants you dead", Chris says.
"Well, I do know where the skeletons are buried", Chris says as they exit the secret room.
Chris's Study
"What was that about?", Isabella asks.
"The director has offered me a deal. If I complete a mission for him, he'll have MI5 protect you for the rest of your life", Chris says.
"Is it dangerous?" Isabella asks.
"Yes, I'm expendable", Chris says.
"Well, I don't want you to die for me", Isabella says.
"If I do this mission and if I survive it, will you give me another chance?", Chris asks her.
"Yes", Isabella says.
"I'd rather die than live here on this island without you and Zak", Chris tells her.
"Are you going to do this thing without my permission?" Isabella asks.
"No, I'd like your blessing. I still haven't forgotten the last time I manipulated you and had to pay for it", Chris says as he rubs his nose (she had given him a bloody nose the other day).
"Alright, you crazy, foolish man. I have one condition for you", Isabella says.
"What is it?"
"Come back to Zak and I alive", Isabella says.
"I'll do my very best", Chris says.
"When do you leave?" Isabella asks.
"If the storm clears out, it'll be in the morning", Chris says.
"Well, since we have all afternoon and all night, we'd better get busy", Isabella says as she grabs Chris's hand and leads him upstairs.
"Where are you taking me?" Chris asks her.
"Love, if you don't know you're really dense! To bed." Isabella says.
Isabella's Bedroom - Early the next morning
"Love, that better not be the last time that we ever make love", Isabella says.
"Well, with any luck, it won't be. I've been working out, so I'm in much better shape than I was a couple of weeks ago", Chris says.
"When I do come back, the whole world is going to have to believe that I cheated on you. You can't tell Jean or anyone else the truth. I'm sorry about the humiliation."
"I don't care - as long as I have you and you love me, I can handle it", Isabella says.
"You really owe me. You broke my heart and now it's your responsibility to heal it. Since you put me through hell for all those months, you owe me at least 2 years of wedded bliss. While you're off doing your mission, I'm going to be thinking of all the ways you're going to pay off your debt to me", Isabella tells him.
"I can hardly wait to begin my penance", Chris says as he kisses her.
"Come on lazy, let's get out of bed. I'm going to go with you and Tina", Chris tells her.
"Where are you off to?" Isabella asks.
"I can't tell you", Chris says.
"How will I know if you're still alive or if something happens to you?" Isabella says.
"If I'm not back by our anniversary, then I may not be coming back. You'll be informed of my demise", Chris says.
Chris, Tina, and Isabella take the dingy out to the yacht. Chris captains the yacht back to the main coast of Italy.
"Isabella, can you make it back to Rome by yourself?" Tina asks her.
"Sure. Where are you going?" Isabella asks her.
"I'm going with him. He'll never be able to survive without some help", Tina says.
"Thank-you Tina. Good luck", Isabella says as she hugs Chris goodbye.
"Well, this is it", Chris says as he hands her two envelopes.
"What are these?", Isabella asks.
"If I don't come back, they're for you and Zak", Chris says.
"Oh, love, you're going to come back to us", Isabella says as she wraps her arms around him.
"A long time ago, I promised you that I'd never leave you. I intend to keep that promise to you", Chris says as he kisses her passionately.
"By the way, buy something sexy for our anniversary", he says as he turns to leave her.
Isabella makes her way back to Rome and back to Paris. On her trip, she gets a terrible foreboding that she'll never see Chris again...