One Hundred Thirty-two

Izabella couldn’t help but feel something was going on. Bram was basically keeping her a prisoner in their apartment. Whenever she wanted to go out and check on the kids, he would call Scarlet to bring them in, instead of letting her leave. When he went with Devon and Tom to see his father, Scarlet would show up with some excuse, like teatime, to keep her in. At first, she had thought it was just Bram not wanting to be left alone, or his excuse for them to be alone. Now that it had been a few days though, she was beginning to realize it was more than that. Even now, she was sitting the room, reading the kids a book, waiting for Bram and Devon to return from visiting his father again. It was getting late, and she was about ready to put them down for bed.

Nearly halfway through a chapter, the door burst open and Bram came in. Loudly. Clapping his hands, his voice rang out. “Okay everyone. This is not a drill. It’s happening right now. Go get dress and meet us in the designated area. Now. Go. Go. Go.”

Izabella jumped just before glaring at him. “Can I at least finish this chapter?” She wasn’t sure why she even asked. The kids were already running for the door.

“Nope. You have to get ready too. Get your dress on, then stay in the room. Someone will be by shorty to escort you to the meeting place.” He smiled, “Mom will come to help you with your hair and makeup.” He said, hanging out near the door with his arms folded over his barrel chest.

“I don’t have any makeup.” Izabella narrowed her eyes at him. “What are you up to, Mr. Stoker?”

Closing the space between them slowly, he pulled her up from her chair, wrapping his arms around her. “Just trust me, my love. It’s a surprise, and I really, truly, hope you think it’s the best surprise ever.” The excitement and joy she saw reflected in his eyes was touching. As his thumb caressed her lips, tickling them, he looked like he was ready to devour her. It sent erotic thoughts flashing through her mind. He truly was turning her into a deviant.

“Does this have to do with all your secrecy since we got here?”

“It does.” He admitted. “This is the center of all of it, actually. Hopefully it was worth the wait.” Lifting her chin, he kissed her with unbridled passion. “I love you, so, so much. Now get ready, please, and be patient with me. I have to go. Get dressed, mom will be here soon.” He crossed back through the room and was opening the door, turning back just as he crossed the threshold. “Izabella.” She watched him with curiosity. “I really do love you, babe. I hope you know that.”

“I know baby. I’ll do what you asked. Run along. I’ll get dressed and wait for Scarlet.” Izabella blew him a kiss, and the smile he gave her made her weak in the knees. Izabella didn’t think she’d ever seen him this excited about anything before, so she would follow his lead and listen.

Dressed and waiting, Scarlet blew into the room a little later and started to really work her over. Starting with her hair, she brushed it out, braiding it into a few little braids and then twirling it into a side bun. Soon, Scarlet was pushing fresh flowers into her hair. “Um, Scarlet, aren’t fresh flowers a little much?”

“No, sweety. We want you to look your best, and this is important enough to call for fresh flowers. They look beautiful on you. You really bring out their beauty.” Izabella was amazed at the how good her hair looked.

As Scarlet started to work on her makeup, she asked. “Do you know what this is all about? Because I’m very curious.” Scarlet clicked her tongue at Izabella, shaking her head. Silence washed over them, but Izabella didn’t bother asking again.

A while later, Scarlet cleared her throat. “I have my duties. I just need to get you ready. Someone else will escort you where you’re going. Once I have you ready, I have to go check on everything else. Now sit back and relax and let me work my magic.” Izabella did. And within the hour, Scarlet swept out of the room, leaving Izabella alone. Her heels clicking on the stone floor as she paced back and forth.

“Izzy?” She heard a familiar voice from a corner of the room. When she looked over, it was darker than usual, and red eyes glowed in through the shadows. It made Izabella jump, since she hadn’t been expecting to see Eudom here at all.

“Eudom?” She asked in surprise. “I didn’t think you would come here.”

“Bram fixed it for now. Eudom won’t come often, but today was a day we couldn’t miss.” He moved out of the corner, and the room darkened all around him as he moved.

“Can you tell me what’s happening, Eudom? No one will.” She wrung her hands together.

“Bram has a surprise for our Izzy. Don’t worry, Izzy doesn’t need to be scared. It is a happy surprise. Otherwise Eudom wouldn’t help.” Eudom held his arm out, “Take our arm, we’ll go now.” Linking their elbows together, Izabella let Eudom lead her through the castle. As they turned down the hall heading toward the garden, red and white decorations decked the halls. Large white flowers and red roses were everywhere.

“Are we celebrating something?” She asked, stopping to run her fingers over the soft petals.

“Yes. Izzy shall see. Come. Come.” Curtains covered any windows that looked out over the garden, which was weird, since none of them had curtains the last time she was here. Her heart thrummed anxiously as Eudom stopped before the closed doors. “Are you ready, Izzy?” His too wide smile was growing on her, it made her uncomfortable before, but now it was nothing but endearing.

“As ready as I’ll ever be, I suppose.” She pat their hand, which was resting in the crook of her elbow.

When the doors opened soft music started to play. A harp was set up to the side, and a woman in a flowing dress was picking at the long strings. Scarlet, Vlad, and Jen, were all close by, watching her as she entered. An isle had been created with a collection of different large flowers in pots, and Bram was standing at the end of it. Tyler beside him. Tom was standing at a little pedestal just behind Bram. Gavin was smiling from the other side. Izabella’s hands shook as they covered her mouth. The smile that spread over Bram’s face was huge. Sarah bounced up to her, holding a large bouquet of the same flowers which had decorated the hall. Everyone was dressed in red, white, and black. Sarah held a basket, and started to slowly walk down the isle spreading petals as she did.

Devon stepped up, taking her hand in his, and smiled up at her. She could already feel the tears springing to her eyes. “Am I dreaming?”

“No.” Devon said simply. “But dad thought this would make you happy.” All she could do was nod as her two escorts started to walk her down the isle. Tears streaming down her face as they deposited her in front of Bram, who was holding his hands out to her. She was shaking as she took them in her own.

“Hey.” He smiled down at her. His hair was slicked back, and the deep burgundy of his vest and tie matched her dress perfectly.

“Hey.” She whispered, her voice cracking. His thumbs smoothed her cheeks, rubbing the tears dry. “I-I d-don’t understand…” He leaned in, kissing her forehead.

“Shhh, It’s okay love. Missy?” He turned, and little Missy was there, a little pillow held a ring on it. He let her hands go long enough to untie the little knot securing the band. He struggled getting down on one knee, and Izabella started to argue, but Gavin’s whispers in her ear stopped her. Bram reached back up, taking one of her hands in his, holding up the most beautiful ring she’d ever seen. A ruby was nestled in between two little diamonds. It wasn’t large, the band was slim, and it sparkled like stars in a midnight sky. “Izabella, I have a question for you.” Covering her mouth, she started to sob, and Bram waited patiently for it to pass, smiling the entire time. “The day I met you, was, honestly, one of the scariest days of my entire, very long, life.” She started to giggle through her tears. Devon laughed too. “I can’t tell you what it’s like living a life in the midst of the horrible storm I knew, but when you entered, the sun broke through and I felt warmth like never before. What I can tell you, is that I don’t want this to end. I know, that with you by my side, we can weather any storm. So, my love, my life, Ms. Izabella Corvino, you would make me, the biggest jerk you’ve ever met, the happiest man in the world, if you would be willing to become, Mrs. Izabella Stoker. Please, Iz, I’ll beg if I have to, become my cherished wife?”

Izabella dropped to her knees, throwing her arms around Bram as she pressed her face into his shoulder. She couldn’t stop crying! It was frustrating, but she couldn’t help it. Bram held her close, remaining silent as he held her. “I’m so sorry, Iz. I didn’t mean to overwhelm you. If this is too much…” his voice was starting to faulter, and she pressed her lips against his. She didn’t want him apologizing for this. It was beautiful. Sure, it was overwhelming, but it really showed how much he cared for her.

“No… no, it’s beautiful Bram. Thank you so much for doing this. It means the world to me. Nothing would make me happier than knowing I get to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you, so, so, so much.” She kept placing kisses over his face; his cheeks, his eyes, his nose, and his lips. “Wasn’t this a little over the top for just asking me to marry you though? It looks like an entire wedding.”

“Well, actually, I’m just impatient. I was hoping that we could get married, right now.” Izabella looked around in shock as he slid the ring on her finger. Everyone was cheering and smiling.

“Is Gavin my maid-of-honor?” She turned, looking at him over her shoulder.

Putting his arms out, he grinned, “I figured if you’re not so picky as to marry that guy there, you wouldn’t mind me as your maid-of-honor? Let’s be honest, I’m the only one here, other than maybe Jen, who could pull it off.” He winked at her. Bram started to struggle to stand, so Tyler offered him a hand, Izabella next. She hugged Tyler and the Gavin and smiled over at Tom.

“You’re really okay if he officiates the wedding?” She asked, looking back. Bram only smiled and nodded.

Tom leaned over the pedestal with a smile, “Okay, are we ready to start?”


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**It finally happened! I'm so excited to share this chapter! I really wish you all happy reading!!**