Isabelle (House of Jensen Series book 5)

Chapter 18

Federico's POV

In the past

Isabelle has been missing for a month with no leads. Federico returns to Italy and his duties as a prince. Although he leaves several people in Denmark. Their sole job was to try to find Isabelle and to watch Lord James.

"I know you want to be in Denmark son but you're the country's future king. Your place is here."

"Dad it's Isabelle I can't leave it. She told me she loves me and wants us to be together forever."

His father looks at him sadly, "Her brother is determined to find her and I believe he will. Have faith son she will come back to you. Your mother and I are worried about you. You need to still live I know it's hard but you have to do your job."

"I'll dad, Hey dad do you think James has something to do with her disappearance?"

"I wondered that myself but it's more likely a bodyguard than James. That's not to say I trust him because there's something very off about him. I just don't know what it is yet."

The present day

As I buckle Izzy's seatbelt I look at the hospital building. I never wanted to see it again.

"Any pain?"

She looks at her left hand which now had a cast on it. "None I'm just glad it's not my dominant hard that's in a cast. How long are we staying with my parents before we move to the winter palace?"

"A few weeks I know you and Bianca are close."

"We are but she has Zoe and my mum. Uncle Alexander's wife is pregnant again she will be fine without me."

"I thought you would want to spent as much time with them as possible before we leave for Italy."

"I do Freddie but Jay has his family now both his heir and his spares. Noah will soon be doing royal engagements. I want to start my married life with you in Italy. After two weeks at the winter palace I want to move to Italy permanently. I know you have to leave me and go back and forth between Denmark and Italy. I appreciate it and I'll be okay."

I was surprise I just assumed she would want to be with her family as much as possible. "Then that's what we will do."

I watch as Izzy's family hug her and welcomes her home. The doctor wanted her to rest. I was going to make sure she did just that. As we eat and drink I notice she kept stealing glances at me and touching me. She rest her hand on my thigh as she answers a question from her mum. Then turns to me to see if I agree with her about something she said. I miss this Isabelle the carefree Isabelle of old.

"That Italian soap opera you love has new episodes you still need to watch," I tell her.

"I can't wait to binge watch it with you. Has Audrey found out that Antony is cheating on her yet?"

"I was waiting on you to watch the episodes with me."

Everyone had engagements or prior appointments to go to. So it was just me, Bianca and Isabelle in the castle. Her head was resting on my shoulder as we watch the show she got me into. "This is nice us being here like this."

"It really is."

"I want to go back to the bakery and get some more of their wonderful pastry. I also want people to see the cast on my hand I don't want James to think he's won."

"Darling he will never be a royal and he's not going to inherit anything trust me he's lost. There's something I have to tell you."

"She still hasn't called don't worry I don't care."

"I have someone watching James. Andrea was seen coming out of his house with some of her clothes in her hands."

To her credit the news didn't bother her, "I figured they were seeing each other behind my back. Why else would she have what she did in her handbag. It's a shame someone I knew all my life turns out to be such a snake."

I put my arm around her and she helps herself to some m&ms. I can see now Denmark isn't the best place for her. She needs a clean break from everyone who hurt her. I was glad when they check Noah nothing was found on any X-rays and scans.

"Where are you going?" She ask. I point to my room.

"We are married now let's share my room."

Wait did Izzy just say that, "I'll move some things into yours tonight then tomorrow move in properly.  I would help but," she raises her left hand. 

I walk into her bedroom to see she changed into the pink pyjamas I bought her the other day.

"The colour suits you pink is definitely your colour."

She does several poses and I take some pictures of her. While I'm taking photo number four. I remember the photos of Isabelle I saw on that man's phone. I haven't told her about it but her brother knows. I had to talk him out of beating James up and having him killed.

I rest an elbow on a pillow and look around the room. There was no personal photos. No little touches that I expected Isabelle to add to the room. She already said goodbye to the palace in her mind.

She lies down and face me, "I'm a crown princess."

I caress her face, "You're a married woman who's a future queen. Crown or no crown you'll always be a princess to me."

She touches my arm I'm not too manly to say I got goosebumps. She counties to trace her way up my arm to my mouth. I playfully bite her fingers,"

"This feels so familiar to me and I don't remember ever doing this with James."

I wanted to tell her but the doctor said not to overload her let her heal.  Her lost memories should return on their own.

"You're always touching me of course it feels familiar."

"You make me feel like it's okay to be me,  just Isabelle. Not a princess performing or someone putting on a show for people. I like that you see and like Isabelle not princess Isabelle, just Isabelle."

"You never have to be anything but yourself with me. I will always love you and when we're eighty and need help with your walker. I'll be there helping you up the stairs."

She grins, "I'll help you cut up your food and remember where your dentures are." She suddenly becomes very serious. "I'll help you when your crying your eyes out when you give our daughter away at her wedding. Or our son tells us we're going to be grandparents."

"You thought that far ahead?"

"When you're being wheeled into theatre you would be surprised at the things that pops into your head. I'm glad I choose you I didn't settled for you. I choose you always remember that."

"You were going to marry James."

"When I woke up in hospital my first thought for some reason was James. I felt nothing for him it was like where did the feelings go. I thought I was madly in love with him."

"He hurt you and you saw the monster. That monster took with him anything good you ever thought of James."

She kiss me, "I saw your face when I said my first thought was him. I was confused I never meant to hurt you."

I caress her jaw, "Whoever said you did?"

"The anger on your face did."