In The Darkest Hour

Part Two - Chapter Two: Back in Barcelona

Isla took a deep breath as the plane started to descend, she couldn’t believe that she was coming back to the city that had almost destroyed her eighteen months ago; it seemed unreal that she was back.

Dev sat beside her flicking through his book, they were going to be in Barcelona for two weeks and the couple knew that things would be a little tense; they had no idea what to expected after what had happened.

“Are your parents picking us up?” Dev asked not looking at his girlfriend, he knew that she was nervous and he didn’t blame her; Isla had told him everything about what had happened and he wanted her to be prepared.

Dev doubted that anyone had forgotten the mess that Isla had left behind, it had been a massive story and even if she was innocent people would always remember the time that she had been guilty for a crime that she didn’t commit.

“Yes,” Isla replied nodding her head, she hadn’t been able to relax since they had left Australia behind and she hoped that she would go un-noticed.

Eighteen months had been a long time and she wanted nothing more than to relax a little while she was in Barcelona, it might have been a while since she had been there and Isla was sure that everything was going to be okay.

“It’ll be good to see them again,” Isla mused leaning back in her chair, she hadn’t really seen her parents since Christmas when they had come to Australia to see her; she missed them and things were getting better between them.

Isla knew that her parents had been worried about her and they had wanted to do what was best for her and moving away had been that; however that didn’t mean that she was going to forget that they had ignored her wants and feelings.

Tracy and Theodore hadn’t let Isla do what she needed to do and if it hadn’t been for Kieran then she would have never gotten closure with Gerard before she had left.

***

Tracy smiled spotting her daughter walking out of the terminal with her boyfriend, she was so happy for Isla and she was thrilled that she had been able to move on; she liked Dev and he was good for her daughter.

Tracy knew that Isla had liked, maybe even loved Gerard but it was better if she was with Dev, he wouldn’t hurt her like the footballer had and Tracy could see a bright future for her daughter.

Dev was everything that Tracy and Theodore had ever wanted for Isla, he was the man that they had always saw her marrying; he had the perfect job, he was a gentleman and he clearly loved their daughter.

“Hola,” Tracy squealed excitedly moving to hug Isla, she looked so much better than the last time she had been in Barcelona-El Prat airport; she had missed her daughter and was so happy that she had come back for the renewal ceremony.

Isla hugged her mother back before moving so that Tracy could greet Dev, she was very aware about how much her parents liked him and she worried what would happen if the two ever broke up.

“It’s so nice to see you again,” Tracy said smiling, she couldn’t believe that it had already been a year since the couple had gotten together and it made her wonder if they would one day get married.

Dev smiled politely, he liked Isla’s parents even if he did think that they could have been more supportive of their daughter; they never seemed to truly listen to what she had to say.

“It’s nice to see you too Mrs Cortez,” Dev replied taking Isla’s hand, he wasn’t going to leave her alone during this trip because he knew that she wasn’t ready for that.

Isla was going to have a hard time and she was going to need all the support she could get now they were in Barcelona.

“I’ve told you Dev… call me Tracy,” Tracy insisted, she has a good feeling about the man and she hoped that with enough hints that maybe soon he would be her son-in-law; she wanted that more than anything since he was good to Isla.

Dev forced a smile and nodded his head, he remember the first time that he had met Isla’s parents and he had a feeling that they weren’t going to tone down their opinions of him.

Isla wasn’t just his girlfriend but his best friend and Dev wasn’t about to make her uncomfortable for the sake of making her parents happy.

“Now I hope you don’t mind… but we cancelled your hotel reservations, we have more than enough room in our home,” Tracy started with a smile as they started towards the exit with their bags, she didn’t want to hang about since she didn’t want to risk being seen by a certain someone.

Isla stared at her mother and fought back the groan that she wanted to give, she hadn’t wanted to stay with her parents for a reason and she knew that Dev wouldn’t be comfortable with that.

Dev frowned at Tracy, he had a feeling that there was more to it than that and he hoped that they weren’t planning to do something stupid when they were there.

“Now I insist that we go out for dinner tonight,” Tracy continued smiling, she was thrilled to have one of her children home and she wanted to show Isla off now that she was better; she couldn’t believe how well everything seemed to be going.

Isla came to a complete stop and stared after her mother, the last thing that she wanted was to be seen out and about; she needed to adjust to being back in Barcelona first.

Dev smiled at her reassuringly, he had no idea what Tracy had thought would happen but she was clearly getting ahead of herself and not realising that Isla might not want to.

***

Balancing his two year old son on his hip, Gerard Piqué sighed walking through the airport and tried to focus on what he was doing; he’d just come back from a holiday with his little boy and it had been a long flight.

Milan babbled making Gerard smile, he adored his son and having time with him; he was more focused on the little boy in his arms than anything else in his life.

Milan came first now for Gerard and he had no interest in dating anymore, not since the one woman that he had wanted had walked out of his life.

“Can you see Abuela?” Gerard whispered smiling relieved when he saw his mother waiting for them, he knew that she worried for him especially when he had lost Isla but he was doing his best to move forward.

Milan squealed in excitement making Gerard set him down and allow him to rush over to Montserrat who was waiting for them; he followed after his son wanting nothing more than to relax.

Gerard had spent the past week at Disney World Florida with Milan and he knew how much his son had enjoyed it because it had been just the two of them for once.

“There’s my favourite grandson,” Montserrat cooed moving to pick Milan up, she cuddled the little boy and held him close while she smiled at Gerard; she was so happy that he had pulled himself together.

Montserrat had been so worried when Isla had left Barcelona, she knew her son had loved the brunette but she was proud of him for letting Isla leave so that she could heal; she knew that one day Gerard would have the happiness that he wanted.

It was just a matter of time before that happened and Montserrat had a feeling that everything would change for Gerard soon.