In The Darkest Hour

Part Two - Chapter Nine: Being in Love

“You’re going to have to tell them sooner or later,” Dev whispered linking arms with Isla as he nodded in greeting at several guests, he forced a smile knowing that Isla couldn’t hide her new relationship forever.

It had been nearly two weeks since the former couple had ended things and nearly a week since Isla had started to date Gerard; things were going nice and Isla knew it wouldn’t last when her parents found out.

Isla had already extended her stay in Barcelona by another two weeks, she wanted to spend more time with Gerard and it worked out well since her parents were going away to L'Albereta, Italy for a couple of weeks.

“I know,” Isla whispered back, she wasn’t in any rush to tell her parents that she was not only dating Gerard now but she was moving back to the city that had nearly caused her to end her life.

Isla wanted to come back and start afresh, she knew it wasn’t going to be easy and there was no way that her parents were going to supportive of her decisions; they would want to ship her off back to Sydney like they had done the first time.

Dev peeked at Isla, he knew that her parents wouldn’t react well to her decisions but she was twenty-eight and they should respect them; she was truly happy with Gerard and that was what mattered.

“I just don’t want to fight with anyone today,” Isla murmured looking at Dev as they moved to take their seats in the church, she was sure that her news could wait a little while before she informed anyone else about her plans.

Kieran had been happy for his older sister when she had told him that she was moving back to Barcelona, he didn’t know why she was so worried when she had never done anything wrong and she could go back to her life now.

“It’ll be okay you know,” Dev said watching Isla, he was sure that in time her parents would come around to the idea of Isla being with Gerard and moving back.

Isla snorted and shook her head as she looked at her ex-boyfriend, she wondered if he had learnt anything in the last eighteen months; her parents would never accept this not while they still blamed Gerard for what had happened.

Dev opened his mouth to say something before he spotted Theodore, he stopped knowing that he wasn’t going to reveal her secret; it wasn’t his place to get involved and he wanted Isla to be happy even if they weren’t dating anymore.

“I’m gonna tell them we broke up tomorrow,” Isla whispered looking at her father, she would wait a month or two before she told them that she was now dating Gerard; she could imagine how pleased her parents would be at that piece of news.

Dev nodded glad that she was at least going to tell her parents something, he couldn’t take anymore hints from her mother about asking Isla to marry him; he was looking forward to leaving Barcelona behind as quickly as possible.

The two were silent as Tracy walked down the aisle, she looked beautiful in her ivory dress and she had the biggest smile on her face as she walked towards Theodore.

Everyone was silent as they watched Tracy, she and Theodore had wanted a simple ceremony to renew their vows and they had wanted their family there to watch.

Isla watched her parents with a small smile, they still looked so in love and she wondered one day if she would be doing that with Gerard; she could really only see herself marrying the footballer that had claimed her heart from the start.

Isla couldn’t deny that in the past week, she had done a lot of thinking about her future; she couldn’t stop imagining how it would be to be married to Gerard and have a couple of children with him.

***

“Someone is here to see you,” Kieran whispered pulling Isla away from one of their cousins, he flashed them a smile before he walked away with his sister knowing that she wouldn’t want anyone else to find out.

Isla looked at her younger brother confused as he lead her out of the hotel ballroom where the reception was taking place; she had no idea what her brother was doing and she was a little curious.

“You have five minutes before the speeches,” Kieran said gently pushing his sister into the empty room that was down the hall from the reception, he flashed a smile at her knowing that she was doing the right thing not telling their parents yet.

Kieran could only imagine the fit that their parents would throw when they discovered what was going on; he didn’t want to be around for that and he hoped Isla was prepared for what might happen.

Isla blinked surprised as she stared at Gerard, he looked handsome in his suit and she wondered what he was doing here; they had agreed to wait to tell her parents that they were now dating.

“You look beautiful,” Gerard whispered slowly approaching Isla, his blue eyes admiring the purple A-line cowl knee-length bridesmaid dress paired with black satin sling back heels that she was wearing.

Gerard hadn’t been able to stay away especially knowing that Isla was spending the day with Dev, he knew the two were still friends but he didn’t like the idea of them being alone for too long especially in a room full of people that still thought they were dating.

“Geri… what are you doing here?” Isla whispered walking over to her boyfriend, she couldn’t believe that he was here and she hoped that no one had seen him; she now understood why her brother had lead her here.

Gerard shook his head and wrapped his arms around Isla, he had wanted to come and see her; he had barely been able to stop staring at the clock knowing that she was busy.

It hurt even more to know that he couldn’t be out there with her, Isla’s parents weren’t going to make any of this easy on them and Gerard feared what they might do when they found out that they were dating.

“I couldn’t stay away,” Gerard murmured ducking down to kiss Isla, he wished that he could show Isla off but that wasn’t possible; he hated that he was forced to hide away but he knew that it was for the best.

Isla smiled wrapping her arms around his neck, she hated that they were forced to hide away but she would make it up for him; she wasn’t ready to go public and Gerard respected that.

“I love you,” Isla reassured knowing that it was her closeness with Dev that had set him on edge, she didn’t blame him and she was going to tell her parents tomorrow that things had ended with Dev and she was moving back.

Isla only wanted one person and that was Gerard, she would keep things quiet for a while before she told her parents that they were dating; she wanted things to get settled before she opened that can of worms.

“I love you too,” Gerard replied smiling, he brushed his fingers through Isla’s hair; he was looking forward to having her to himself for a couple of weeks.

Gerard had already invited Isla, Kieran and Dev to Barcelona’s opening match of the season; he wanted his girlfriend there and he knew that they were planning to attend the match anyway.

Isla kissed Gerard, she would have to head back soon before someone noticed that she was missing; she hated that she couldn’t take Gerard in with her but it would ruin her parents day and they would never forgive her for that.

Gerard was what Isla wanted and she would have to find some way for her parents to see that she was happy with her life.