Chapter 6
Belle groaned as she rolled onto her back and stared at the ceiling for what seemed like the millionth time in an hour. After the kiss on the couch, she had retreated to her bedroom, mainly to hide from what she had done. Being bold wasn’t something she had ever really been known for, so she didn’t understand why she had even made the move in the first place. “Why did I kiss him?” She asked out loud to the peeling paint above her. “What have I done?”
“Nothing.” Shawn said from the doorway of Belle’s bedroom. He had been pacing around the living room when he’d heard her mumble to herself. He couldn’t help but move closer to the door to hear more, and had known that he had to tell her she hadn’t done anything wrong anyway. “You didn’t do anything Belle. We can either deem what happened on the couch as a mistake, or our hormones getting the best of us, or even a mutual attraction.”
“Shawn, come in here and sit down.” Belle said sitting up and pulling her covers up to cover her. She had never been one for wearing much to bed, and the slinky night gown she wore tangled around her legs in the movement. “Don’t stand there in the door.” She cringed as her heart raced at the movement of the mattress when he sat down. “I’m sorry for the kiss. You left your home to come here with me. You brought me out of Europe, got a marriage license for us and spent thousands of dollars.”
“But I wanted to do those things Belle.” Shawn said taking her hands into his own and holding them in a gently but firm grip. Her hands were so small in his, almost like those of a small child. He touched them gently, afraid that if he squeezed too hard, they would shatter like glass. “I wanted to bring you here because I felt the need to help you. It was as if I was being called to do it. I knew I was going to do something useful before I even got to your house, that’s why I went to the party in the first place.”
“You said your father made you.” Belle said in astonishment. She wasn’t a fan of liars, even if they were extremely good looking and sitting on her bed. “You said that your father made you!”
“I know, I didn’t want to scare you.” Shawn said holding her hands tightly so she couldn’t get away. He hadn’t wanted to lie to her, but if he had told her that he was there to protect her that night, she would have panicked and run away. “I didn’t know how to tell you what I was feeling, I had just met you. But when you poured your heart out to me, I knew I had to do something to help you. That’s when it hit me that I had already known that.”
“You…” Belle said shaking her head as tears welled up in her eyes. “You lied, but I don’t think I can be mad at you. You saved me from death and for that I can’t get angry. But Shawn, I don’t like liars. Not at all.”
“I know Belle, I don’t either.” Shawn said kissing her head gently. Her smooth skin set his body on fire and he squeezed his eyes closed in an attempt to block his feelings. “And I’ll never lie to you again, I promise. I mean, if we’re going to be married we should at least get along right?”
“Sure.” Belle said smiling up at him. His brown eyes were warm and she settled into the comfort of their gaze. It was as if they had know each other for years, they just clicked. “I just wish that this place had two bedrooms, I feel bad making you sleep on the couch. I mean, the cat must drive you crazy at night.”
“She and I get along perfectly.” Shawn said noticing the softness of the mattress that he was sitting on. Sure the futon wasn’t as soft, and the living room tended to be cooler than the rest of the house at night, but he had Abi to keep him warm. “Don’t worry about me. You just get some sleep and we’ll go look for more furniture in the morning. Maybe even a new apartment.”
Belle felt panic spread through her body as Shawn began to stand up. Her lungs felt like they were being squeezed by a vice and she grabbed a hold of his arms. “Don’t go.” She kept a firm hold on him and looked up at his face. “Please don’t leave me here.”
“Belle I have to.” Shawn said carefully extracting his hands from her grip. No matter how much his heart and body wanted to stay with her, he knew that it would risk them sharing a long lasting friendship. “I don’t want to risk our friendship right now.”
“No please.” Belle pleased as tears welled up in her eyes. She had no idea what was causing her to act so desperate, but she knew that the feeling was getting worse as he tried to retreat from her room. “Please Shawn.”
“Belle what’s wrong?” Shawn asked moving to sit down next to her. The fear and panic on her face and in her voice made him uneasy. He wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. “Belle, why are you acting this way. It doesn’t seem like this is how you’d act when left alone.”
“It’s not.” Belle said as frustrated tears slid down her cheeks. Growing up as royalty meant you learned how to care for yourself. But when you felt like your chest is in a vice, you forget what you’ve been taught and do what you think it right. “I don’t know what’s going on. I feel like I’m dying.” Her breaths came out in gasps and her face began to pale.
Shawn recognized Belle’s symptoms immediately. His mother had suffered from anxiety attacks for as long as he remembered. One had caused her to go unconscious and spend a week in hospital. “Belle, you need to look at me and take some deep breaths ok?” He said moving so he was in front of her. A blush tint had come over her face and he knew she wasn’t getting any oxygen. “Belle, you need to calm down, ok?”
Belle struggled to do what he asked. Focusing on his face, she took two long slow breaths, but after the second one, the short gasps returned. “I can’t Shawn, I can’t breathe!”
“Belle, you’re having an anxiety attack.” Shawn said taking her face in his hands and making her look at him. His mother had always told him that by taking her mind off the attack, it was easier to relax and get the air she needed. He had mastered it quite quickly, but the memory of her first one would always stay with him. “You need to do what I tell you and take the deep breaths. Don’t think about taking them, think about something you like.”
Belle nodded and tried again to get the much needed air into her system. Her lungs were screaming and her vision was flashing in and out. But her attempts were failing and she was becoming more and more desperate to do something. “Shawn.” She choked reaching out for him.
Shawn watched as Belle fainted into his arms. A strong feeling of relief passed over him as her body went limp in his arms, and a deep breath filled her lungs, expanding her chest. “Belle, you’re already causing trouble aren’t you?” He carefully lay her on the bed and moved to the phone. Dialing emergency, he spoke to the hospital. Within a minute it had been decided that Belle would be ok with some sleep and would only require attention if she didn’t regain consciousness or if the attacks became frequent.
Shawn quickly worked on rousing Belle. She woke after a few shakes and he helped her get into a pair of shorts and a T shirt, a much better sleeping wardrobe than the tangled night gown, then get under the covers. She protested when he tried to leave her to sleep, insisting that she was scared to be alone now. After going to get his clothes changed, he reluctantly climbed in next to her. “Good night Cinderella.” He whispered as she slipped into his arms and snuggled into his chest. ‘God I hope this doesn’t ruin everything.’
***
Belle slowly opened her eyes as the morning sun shone into her eyes. She blinked at the brightness of the sun and groaned. Her head was throbbing and her chest hurt. Remembering what had happened the night before she closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths.
Shawn woke as soon as Belle stirred. He’d slept on edge all night and had woken every time she moved. Her groan was a good sign, that meant that she was awake and was able to communicate. Nightmares of her dying had plagued what little sleep he did get, and he felt completely exhausted. Opening his eyes slightly he watched the back of her head until she rolled over, eyes still closed. Making a quick decision, Shawn rolled over and snuggled against her side, kissing her cheek softly.
“Mmmm… what a way to wake up.” Belle mumbled as a smile crept across her lips. “Shawn, I’m sorry about last night. I don’t know what came over me.” She winced as a coughing fit gripped her and her chest ached.
“I’ll be right back.” Shawn said climbing from the bed and walking into the bathroom. He returned with a hot pack which he placed on Belle’s chest and held it there. “This will help with the sore muscles. And don’t apologize for what happened. Panic attacks are common. My mom suffered from them, I knew what I was doing.”
“Thank you.” Belle said as a smile spread across her lips. The heat from the pack eased the pain immediately and her breaths came easier. “I was so scared when you got up to leave, but I don’t know why.”
“You’re thousands of miles from home, and you’re with a stranger.” Shawn said climbing back in and getting close to her. She drew him in like a magnet, and unlike the night before, he didn’t feel like resisting it. “It’s ok to be scared. But from now on you can remember that I’m here if you need me.”
Belle snuggled in against him, feeling his warm body next to hers gave her a sense of comfort that she’d never known before. “I’m glad you’re here.” She said kissing his jaw line. “How did we get to this? Yesterday we were total strangers who fled their European home to come to the States. Today we wake up in bed together. I know nothing happened, but it’s strange.”
“Are you regretting it?” Shawn asked propping himself up on his elbow and looking down at her. “I mean, do you wish that we weren’t getting so close to each other?” He silently prayed that she wasn’t having second thoughts, he was enjoying the freedom they had.
“No I’m not regretting it.” Belle said moving the pack to a different place on her chest. Her whole body ached and she silently cursed the attack that had left her so sore. “I was only commenting on it because it’s something I’ve never experienced before. I had barely spoken to a guy before you offered me my freedom, and here I am, sleeping in the same bed as you are. I like it.”
“You’re definitely turning into a girl now.” Shawn said sitting up and stretching. It was nice to wake up with out sore muscles screaming at him, and he wondered if he would be able to continue sleeping in the soft bed with her. “Now, I’m going to go and get some of that muscle rub that you picked up yesterday and put it on you. No objections, find a top that shows your back and we’ll make sure that you don’t get any worse before you get better.”
Chapter 7
“Have you had any news on Isabella?” Marlena asked as she entered her husbands study. She’d gone off to Paris to stay with her sick aunt, and it had been 5 months since she left. Of course she had stayed away for as long as she could, but she didn’t want the people talking about why the queen wasn’t around when her daughter was missing. She picked up her abandoned needle point and sat in her usual chair by the fire place. “Has she contacted you?”
“There has been no news on her.” John replied with out lifting his eyes from the papers he was reading. He’d been scouring local and foreign newspapers for news of his daughter, but in the six months since she left there had been nothing. “I’m not sure how an 18 year old girl just disappears into thin air.”
“I don’t understand either.” Marlena said keeping her eye on her work. Her needle work had been her escape over the years she had been queen, allowing her to take her mind of what she should be doing. But she had to admit that she hadn’t picked it up the entire time she was gone, because she hadn’t needed to escape. “But Isabella is a bright child, she knows how to take care of herself, and that is to our disadvantage.”
“We’re not the only ones who have misplaced a child.” John said tossing one paper aside and picking up another. Piles of them were situated on his desk, and he was determined to read them every night. “It seems Bo and Hope Brady have lost their youngest as well. He disappeared the same night as Isabella. His dog is gone too, they think he ran away.”
Marlena’s head snapped up at the mention of the name Brady. “Do you mean Shawn Douglas Brady?” She asked setting her fabric down on her lap and staring at her husband. Something was off and she could feel it, but she couldn’t exactly place it.
“Yes, their 20 year old boy.” John said as he quickly read through the French paper in his hands. Luckily he didn’t have to rely on waiting for a translated paper to arrive, there wasn’t an European language that he couldn’t read and speak fluently. Of course he had hummed and hawed over it growing up, but it had all been worth it in the end. “Shame since their eldest was killed in that car accident, now they have no heir at all.”
“John, Isabella was with Shawn the night of the ball.” Marlena said setting her work aside and striding up to his desk. She pushed his newspaper down onto the desk so she would look up at her. “They were dancing all night, and he was the one who persuaded her to come down stairs. You don’t think that she ran off with him do you?”
“I forbid Isabella to see him, she wouldn’t go against my orders.” John said waving her comments aside. Nothing bothered him more than when a woman tried to solve problems that were out of their league. He wished that were was a legal way to shut them up completely.
“Mrs. Black, a letter just arrived for you.” Jeeves the butler said entering the study with an express post letter on a silver platter.
Marlena grabbed the letter and quickly opened it. “It’s from Isabella.” She said breathlessly. Opening the inner envelope she read the note inside, clearly written in Isabella’s neat handwriting.
Dearest Parents
As you can see, I have left the country. No make that I’ve left the continent and I have no intentions of returning. I refuse to marry Rex Dimera and because of your poor choice in a husband, you will not have an heir to the throne and a king will be elected for you. I hope that it is the youngest son of the poorest family.
I will not tell you where I am, I don’t want you to find me. I am happy and healthy. I have enrolled in a University and so far am at the top of my class. I drained my trust fund, but I assume you already knew that, and am living comfortably. You won’t be able to search for me, I have changed my name, after all it’s custom for a bride to take her husbands’ last name.
Mother, I miss you. Be smart and do what’s right, only then will I come home. You know what I mean, so I won’t explain anymore. I love you Mom.
Isabella
“She’s married?” John asked grabbing the letter and reading it for himself. “No this cannot be, the crown must stay in the family. I will make sure of it.” He crumpled the paper and tossed it on the floor.
“How can you make sure of it?” Marlena asked as her heart ached for her daughter. Isabella knew the crown secret and wanted it revealed, that would be what she meant by doing what’s right. But there was no way to do it, with out risking everyone’s lives.
“Go to my bedroom, I will be up in a few minutes.” John said reaching for his phone. He wanted to get someone searching for Isabella in Canada and the United States immediately. He wasn’t sure why he hadn’t thought of it before now. “If Isabella won’t be heir to the throne, we’ll have another child who will.”
***
Belle groaned as she read her history homework. So much of it was different than what she had been taught, and it was hard to remember the correct facts. “Shawn, why do they teach the children the wrong information at home?” She called out to him. She hadn’t expected things to be completely different than what she learned in Langal, the only subject that was 100% correct was Math.
“Because that way they can keep them in the country.” Shawn called back to her. He knew that she was struggling with her history course and that she was getting stressed out because of the lies they had been taught in their schools back home. “But you can change that someday you know. You can change a whole lot of things. But why don’t you come in here and have something to eat, that way you can think straight for your test tomorrow?”
“Fine.” Belle said slamming her textbook closed and standing up from her desk. She was preparing to take her first set of final exams and they were difficult for her. She wasn’t used to having to work so hard for grades, they had come easy to her in high school. “I’d like to go home and force my father to read that book. I can’t believe the lies I was taught!”
“Don’t worry about it.” Shawn said setting two plates of chicken and pasta down on the table and helping her sit down in one of the chairs. Since she was a full time student and he was already done his schooling, he had taken to doing the cooking for them, and he wa loving every second of it. “Just think, maybe you’ll go back someday, take over the throne and then you can change things to what they should be.”
“I don’t even want to go back.” Belle said digging into her food. Shawn had been a dream since they’d arrived, making her life as easy as he could. He had no problem sharing the work around the apartment, or even doing most of it. “Shawn, this is delicious.”
“Thank you.” Shawn said smiling at her. He knew that she was used to eating perfect meals, and he tried hard to keep it up for her. Deep down he felt that he had to try hard to be good enough for her, to live up to the standards that she was used to. “Do you think you’ll be ready for your test?”
“Probably, I’m just stressing out.” Belle replied taking a drink of her water and sighing. “I do that before a test, and I always do good. The thing I have to remember is everything I learned was a lie, so the other answers must be right.”
“That’s a funny way of putting it.” Shawn said smiling at her. She had truly blossomed since leaving Langal. Her eyes were brighter, her cheeks were pink, and she was always smiling. “Look, I have a house viewing set up for this evening. I was hoping you’d be able to stop studying long enough to come and see it with me.”
“If it means we get out of this apartment sooner I’m game.” Belle said finishing up her dinner. They had been living in the one bedroom apartment since they’d arrived, and with the dog and the cat they needed more room. “Shawn, I want to thank you for all you’ve done since we got here. I mean, you’ve been a huge help to me.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Shawn said clearing the table and loading the dishwasher. “Belle, look at where we are now. Living together, not only as friends, but as almost lovers. I’ll go to the ends of the world for you.”
“You’re an angel Shawn Brady.” Belle said moving to give him a light kiss. It was true, they had come close to making love in the past year, but they’d stopped themselves just in time, knowing that it was too soon for them to take that step. “Now, let me get back to my studying, and we’ll head out as soon as it’s time.”
Shawn watched her head back to the living room, a slight pang in his heart. He knew he was falling in love with her, and it scared him. Since they’d started sharing the bed, they had been getting closer and closer to making love, a step they weren’t ready for. He’d always wanted to wait until marriage to lose is virginity, and even though he and Belle had the marriage license, it wasn’t real. Glancing down at the ring on his hand, he sighed. Someday we will be husband and wife, for real.
Chapter 8 - PG14
Belle smiled as she sat in the sunny sun room of her new home. She and Shawn had gotten a lovely house in a small town outside the city she was going to school in. “Shawn, did a letter come for me today?” She called out looking up from her laptop.
“No were you expecting one?” Shawn asked as he walked into the small room, Piglet bounding at his heels. No one knew where they were, and he hoped she hadn’t blown their cover.
“No, it’s just, I figured that since I know my mom got my letter, that they’d have found us.” Belle explained setting her computer down on a nearby end table and patting her lap for the dog to hop up on her. “I mean, it has been over two years since we left.”
“Yes, and we still have one more until you can go back and claim what is yours.” Shawn said sitting down and taking her hand in his. Shawn had discovered that until Belle was 21, the crown could choose her suitor. After that, she could take the throne from her father, and rule as she pleased. “But don’t you worry, even if they do find us, we’ll run.”
“You’re determined to make sure they never stop us aren’t you?” Belle asked as Piglet proceeded to remove her make up with his tongue. “I mean, you’ve made sure that no one can find us, and that I can go to school.”
“I’m doing it for the country for one reason.” Shawn explained taking the dog and placing him on the floor. “And for another reason, I love you.” He kissed her lightly and smiled. “Do you think I’d have been able to keep this up as long as I have if I didn’t have feelings for you?”
“No.” Belle said with a girlish giggle. She wasn’t sure what it was, but Shawn made her feel like a queen. “But it’s nice to know that you feel the same way about me as I do about you.”
“Do you think that we would have done what we did last night if I didn’t love you?” Shawn asked thinking back to the night before where they’d made love for the first time. Belle had cried in pain, then pleasure, but just holding her all night long had made the whole thing perfect. “I mean, would I have intercourse with someone I didn’t love?”
“I’d hope not!” Belle said playfully slapping his chest. She had been amazed with what had happened less than 24 hours before. She hadn’t known that there was something that felt so good. “But I do have to admit, I was scared to death when we decided that it was the right time. I had second thoughts all the way through.”
“If you weren’t ready all you had to do was say so.” Shawn said as she snuggled against her chest. She fit perfectly in the curve of his body, as if she was meant to be there. “I told you that before we started.”
“I know that Shawn, but it’s ok.” Belle said with a yawn. It was only early, but the October sun was draining her energy, making her feel like taking a nap. “Why don’t we go upstairs and take a nice long nap. I’m drained, I think it may be that paper I’ve been writing.”
“Sure thing.” Shawn said standing and helping her up. “After all, I’d be a complete idiot if I didn’t want to crawl into bed with you. Even if we are only going to go to sleep.”
***
“Sir, we’ve located her.” A figure crouching behind a rose bush said into a cell phone. “She has been living in a small town in the United States. She seems to be healthy, living in a good sized home, with a young man. The address is registered to a Mr. and Mrs. Shawn Brady.”
“That’s the Brady boy that disappeared at the same time as Isabella.” John said as he leaned back in his chair and smiled to himself. “But I don’t understand why it’s registered to a Mr. and Mrs., I mean, Isabella is not a Brady.”
“According to her marriage license and wedding ring she is.” The man said dodging out of view of the young couple as they left the large sunroom. “Look Sir, according to the paperwork I was able to obtain, they have been married for two years. I’m assuming that’s how she’s been hiding from us.”
“I can’t believe this!” John said slamming his hand down his desk. “If Isabella is married, I can’t take the throne from her even after the baby is born. She is the rightful heir to the throne, no matter if she’s a woman.”
“Sir, if we move now we can get her back inside the country and have the marriage wiped out.” He said watching as the couple passed an upstairs window. He could tell that they were in love, it was written all over their faces. “And taking her with force, is going to be the only way.”
“Don’t tell me that she’s fallen in love with the idiot?” John asked covering his eyes with his hand and groaning. “Isabella always was too naive.”
“Sir, I have an idea though, that may make her want to come back.” He said looking behind him at the young girl in the car. “Sir, I’ve brought my twin sister with me and I think between the two of us we can get them apart.”
“I don’t want details now.” John said smiling again. “I trust you son. You get her back here, and we’ll get you two married. I can’t count on the baby being a boy, and that means that she needs to be here.”
“I will make sure that things go off with out a hitch.” He said nodding at his sister to let her know that they had the go ahead. “I’m sure Isabella won’t come back with me, so I’ll let her go on her own. Thank you sir, and I’ll see you soon.”
***
“I can’t believe I’m this tired.” Shawn said as he stood at the stove making supper. He had ordered out for lunch, and since he’d eaten he’d started to feel tired and ill feeling. Shutting off the burners he made his way upstairs to lie down. Barely making it to his bed, he collapsed and things went black.
Stepping out of the closet, Cassie Dimera flashed a smile to the air. “Damn you Shawn, you have more muscle than I thought.” Taking a bag out of the closet, she went to work. First she checked Shawn’s vitals. “I don’t need you dying on me Mr. Brady.”
Quickly, she put her plan into action. Shawn would stay unconscious until his body went into a deep sleep. Then he would wake up, to the sense that he could just sleep until awakened. “1 hour until you stop being drugged, and 1 hour and 5 minutes until Belle gets back from school.” She grabbed his belt and grinned, “And 1 hour and 16 minutes until you ruin her life and yours.”
***
“Shawn I’m home!” Belle called as she unlocked the door and stepped into the house. A fragrance filled her nose and she smiled. “Did you make your spaghetti sauce again?” She tossed her keys onto the hall table and made her way into the living room. “Shawn, are you still here?”
Belle poked her head into the kitchen to see if she could spot Shawn slaving over the stove. “Hey you….” She frowned when she noticed that the stove was off and the kitchen bare. ‘This isn’t like Shawn.’ She looked up at the ceiling and smiled, “I’ll bet you got sleepy didn’t you?”
Making her way slowly up the stairs, Belle paused at the top. If Shawn was in bed, he was probably sick. Should she dare going in and risk getting ill. “Give it up Belle, you’ll be in bed with him tonight anyway, if you’re going to get sick you’re going to get sick no matter now hard you try not to.” Shrugging her shoulders she quickly opened the door, and she gasped.
“Shawn what the fuck are you doing?” She screamed as she spotted him, naked in bed, with another woman.
Shawn groaned as Belle’s voice startled him awake. “Why are you yelling?” He asked trying to sit up, but a weight on his chest held him down. Opening his eyes, he was met by Belle’s teary eyes.
“You asshole!” Belle screamed as sobs wracked her body. Never in her life had she imagined that his could happen to them. “How long have you been sleeping with her? How long?” She turned away as the girl opened her eyes and smiled. “Oh God!”
Shawn glanced over and noticed a naked girl on his chest, their bodies sticking together. “What the hell?” He asked jumping up and grabbing the sheet to cover himself. “Who the hell are you?”
“Oh you know who I am Shawn, don’t play games with me.” Cassie said sitting up and allowing the blankets to slip from her body. “Why don’t you come back in here so we can have another go at it?”
“Oh God!” Belle cried out, as nausea flooded her body and she doubled over as if she was in pain. “No, no, no!” She leaned against the window, allowing the cool glass to soothe the heat on her face. This could not be happening to her, what had she done to deserve this?
“Belle, I don’t know what is going on here.” Shawn said holding the sheet and making his way over to her. Confusion and grogginess clouded his mind and he stumbled, nearly falling over. “Belle, come on, you know I wouldn’t do this to you.”
“Do I?” Belle asked turning to face him. She could see the girls’ naked body on the bed and cried harder. “I caught you Shawn, I caught you in bed with another girl!”
“Belle, I…” Shawn said reaching out for her.
“No Shawn, don’t even try.” Belle said moving out of his reach. “I thought you were different! I thought you loved me! But I was wrong. And don’t even try to convince me otherwise!” She moved and grabbed a bag, stuffing it with clothes. “Even Rex wasn’t this low. I hate you Shawn! I’m going home and there is nothing you can say or do to change my mind!”
Chapter 9
Belle sighed as she looked out over the window of the plane, resting her head on her hands. She had caught the first plane back to Paris, and she could see the land now. ‘Shawn, why did you hurt me like that? What did I do to deserve this?’
***
“Belle no wait!” Shawn said grabbing her arms and holding her tightly. He knew that if she walked out of the room, she’d be gone forever and he didn’t know if he’d be able to live with out her. “Belle, you have to listen to me. I don’t know who this girl is. I don’t know what happened.”
“Don’t lie to me Shawn!” Belle cried out as she continued to sob. Never in her life had she felt so hurt and betrayed by one person. Her father may have done horrible things to her, but nothing compared quite to this. “I hate liars, you knew that! And yet you still lied to me!”
“Belle I didn’t lie to you!” Shawn said as emotion clogged his throat. He knew deep in his heart that it was over, she would leave and he would never have a chance at getting her back. “Belle, I don’t know what’s going on! I remember making dinner, then feeling tired and needing to sleep. I don’t even remember coming all the way up here.”
“Don’t make excuses!” Belle said twisting out of his grip and heading out the door, her suitcase gripped tightly in her hand. “There is nothing you can say to make what you did sound any better.” She stormed down the stairs, pausing to look up at him once, tear brimming in her blue eyes. “Just let me go.”
***
“We are soon landing Miss.” A stewardess with a strong French accent said as she crouched next to Belle. The young woman hadn’t said much, and hadn’t eaten the entire flight. “Could you please fasten your seat belt?”
“Sorry.” Belle said quickly following the instructions. Leaning back again, she closed her eyes and fought back tears. For two years she had been on the run from her father, living the life as Shawn’s wife. She’d refused to go back to Langal, she hid in the States with Shawn, someone she thought she had loved. Now, within 5 hours she would be back in her parents home, under her father’s control. ‘This is the right thing. I need to go home, I can’t run on my own.”
***
“She will be landing in a few minutes.” John said to Marlena as they sat in the den with Rex. The plan had gone off perfectly, and with in the next few months, there would be a new king and queen. “As soon as she’s home, I’ll send her to get dressed, then we will announce your engagement to the kingdom.”
“Her annulment is already taken care of?” Rex asked curiously. He and Cassie had talked about what had happened in the bedroom that afternoon, and he had been thrilled that no one suspected anything. Their plan had been perfect, Shawn had lost Isabella. But the best part, the icing on the caked had been, knowing that he hadn’t done anything wrong!
“Yes, turns out, they never got married, but Shawn got them a marriage certificate.” John explained as a page flashed on his computer. “Although it was legal, the witnesses didn’t know them, and it wasn’t Isabella’s signature on the paper.” He smiled at the screen, “She is in the limo, she’ll be here in a few minutes.”
Marlena looked up from where she had been staring at her hands in her lap. She knew that something was going on. John and Rex had been determined to get Isabella home, and wondered how far they had gone to do so. She ran her hand along her bulging stomach, ‘You poor child, oh why do you have to come into this world?’ She smiled as John gave her a strange look, ‘Isabella will make sure you are cared for, she has to.’
***
“Belle you can’t leave me.” Shawn said as he ran along the road between the Black’s home and his own. He had caught the first plane that he could to come after her, and he prayed that he wasn’t too late. “I love you too much to let you go.”
***
“You look lovely Isabella.” John said as Isabella came down the long staircase. The blue dress she had been wearing the day she left, now graced her body again, fitting her perfectly as it had before. She’d returned wearing jeans and a sweater with hair half way down her back and he’d nearly blown up. He had insisted that she cut her long hair back to it’s shorter length and that the clothing she’d brought with her be put in the back of her closet until he was dead.
“Thank you.” Bella said cringing at the use of her full name. Only a few of her professors used that name, and she longed to tell her father to call her Belle. But she knew it would only cause trouble if she said anything. “I wasn’t sure if I’d fit into my dress.”
“Of course you would.” John said looking at his daughter with a smile. She hadn’t changed a bit, except for a small scar that he’d spotted on her shoulder. The wound had recently occurred, and he couldn’t help but wonder where it had come from. “After all, if you gained weight, there would be something wrong with you.”
Belle bit down on her lip as her father spoke. He hadn’t changed a bit since she left, still a jerk and a womanizer. She shivered at the way he was looking at her shoulder, knowing he’d want to know where it came from. Go on Dad, ask. I’d love to tell you right now that I got that scar when Shawn scraped me during his orgasm when we made love the second time. Oh yeah, that would sure make you day wouldn’t it? “Do you have something planned for me today?” She asked sitting down on the stairs and looking over at something on the floor. “I’m exhausted.”
“I want to address the kingdom, they’ve all gathered outside.” John explained as Rex appeared off to one side. “After all, they need to hear the news of your engagement to Rex Dimera.”
Belle felt like a knife had been stabbed into her heart. Her father was still going to have her marry Rex, and she knew that there was no chance of her running again and getting away with it. “Ok.”
“Come my dear.” Rex said offering his arm to Belle. Things had gone off perfectly, and soon he would be the ruler of Langal, with nothing to stop him.
***
Shawn halted when he reached the Black’s home. Thousands of people had gathered around the side balcony, the entire kingdom it appeared. Milling around, trying to look like he belonged, he made his way closer to the front.
“My people!” John called out over the crowd. “Thank you for coming!”
Shawn’s head snapped up at the sound of the mans voice. Contempt for the king filled his body, knowing he had a hand in him losing Belle. He wondered why the whole kingdom was gathered, it wasn’t a holiday as far as he knew.
“I want to announce that my daughter, Isabella, has come home to us!” John called motioning for Isabella to come out and join him. The crowd roared with happiness below them.
Belle tried hard not to cry when she joined her father on the balcony. This isn’t what she wanted, not at all. Nearly running when her father placed his arm around her shoulders, she locked her knees so she couldn’t. She looked down, locking eyes at the reason she was home.
Shawn wanted to cry out when Belle locked eyes with him. Pain and anger coursed through her body, exiting her eyes. ‘Belle, don’t do this, I love you!’ His mind screamed as she smiled and waved at the people. But the next words said caused him to regret coming.
“And I am happy to announce the engagement of my daughter, and Rex Dimera.” John said spotting Shawn in the crown. “Wedding details will be out tomorrow!” He watched Shawn closely as Rex pulled Belle into a passionate kiss, ‘Sorry son, you lose. Your fairy tale ends unhappily ever after.”
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