Trapped : The Island of Torment

Chapter 33 : A Grandfather's Worry (2)

Reducing speed Uriah pulled up to a nearby road curb, killing the engine and getting off the bike. Taking off the motorcycle helmet Uriah lets the chilly autumn wind brush against his face as he hears the swaying of the trees as a result of the same wind blowing in the atmosphere. He finds the sounds of swaying trees enjoyable and relaxing. 

When he thought that things were going well with Isabella, having been unexpectedly placed in the Reagan Cabinet as Secretary of State, which was shocking for Uriah, as no one in the family had yet broken into this field, that fate reunited her and Bruce Wayne. But it was a happy ending for them, as unbeknownst to Isabella due to her being in a coma after the accident Bruce had finally arrested his former lover Selina Kyle and had her locked up. The advantage of time and space allowed them to fully communicate with themselves and their respective families as their mutual love for each other was blossoming before her departure, when Bruce's attempt to move on from Selina Kyle ended with Uriah's granddaughter nearly dying in the car crash. 

Uriah, although knowing that Bruce Wayne is Batman, thanks to his investigation coupled with his nephew Roland Churchill's investigation, disapproves of how he treats Selina Kyle, even though she is a criminal, who does not seem to change her ways. He had prepared to stop their romance should it be necessary, but after the event in Russia where they get to discuss their feelings in private and without his jealous former lover around, Isabella made her feelings for Bruce known. Bruce took the first step, kissing her after they both declared their love for one another. Their love only truly blossoms from this point on, as when they return from Russia, Bruce moves in with Isabella in her condo in downtown Gotham, to begin living together. 

Giving his blessing in a tepid fashion Uriah was amazed to see Bruce's commitment towards Isabella, their relationship developing steadily despite her heavy workload and sometimes having to travel abroad. He was fine with Isabella having to go on long trips, which he would often join as well, for them to spend time together, due to their desire to keep their relationship a private matter. Things changed three years later, as Bruce broke away from his playboy bachelor life by proposing marriage to Isabella. Uriah puts him through the wringer before handing his granddaughter to him, as he can be a difficult in-law when any of his family is mistreated. 

The wedding went on despite Isabella's wedding jewellery being stolen by Selina Kyle before any marriage took place. Uriah was relieved that Isabella had found her happiness, even though it was not Samuel, who died years ago, and it was someone that he had disapproved of.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, prompting him to retrieve it and see who it was on the line. It was his wife Kassandra, also worrying about her two granddaughter's safety on that island filled with dangerous people. "Uriah?" she called out to him.

"Yes my love." he said. "I am here." 

"Are you alright? You seemed... troubled." she asked. Uriah didn't respond for a few minutes, a long sigh being his verbal answer. "I know now my love, you have been worrying over Elizabeth since her miscarriage." 

"You know how much that I do not want to burden you with my worries."

"But it had never been your burden as well." she said. "What they did to our granddaughter was horrible, regardless of Bruce's warning to them." 

"Placing your trust in a criminal is a serious lack of judgement on their part, no matter how close their relationship might be." Uriah said. "Until now, I am still grappling with the consequences of what they have done, even though it was Isabella who was hit the hardest." 

"Bruce was devastated as well when she lost their children to miscarriage." Kassandra said. "You could have seen their reaction to the losses."

"He was always by her bedside during her stay in the hospital following the miscarriage." 

"You know how much we have distrusted him at first, but he proved us wrong." Kassandra said. "I'll admit, what his adopted children did was wrong, but Bruce stood firm in his love and devotion towards Isabella." 

"Unlike the unhealthy back-and-forth he had with that woman, Selina Kyle." Uriah said. "She deserves not a pinch of forgiveness from us after what she did to Isabella."

"Her jealousy puts our granddaughter in a coma for days. I will not forgive her." Kassandra said. 

"It is done Kassandra." he said. "She had paid for what she has done, locked away in the maximum security facility." 

"That I am aware of." she said, before ending the call. Putting the phone down Uriah lets out another long sigh and leans on the motorcycle, hearing as the wind blows. 

Bruce's love for Isabella was in no doubt as they began their married life together, and their first child was born surprisingly late, three years later that is. Just as their marriage progressed the devastating news reached Isabella first, Bruce later on. Isabella miscarried, due to the unwanted news that contributed to her sadness when her biological father died. Her grief and sadness was visible for all to see, including her husband. This is one event that Uriah and Kassandra can tolerate no more, as it indicates to them that no matter the kindness Isabella had tried to show towards her husband's adopted children, it can be easily dismissed because they were swayed by Selina Kyle's lies to defame Isabella. 

A month after her miscarriage Uriah and Kassandra arranged a meeting with Isabella and Bruce, in which they announced that both of them had decided to disown them due to their actions, formally breaking any ties and treating them as average people rather than members of Bruce's family. Isabella disagreed and pleaded with her grandparents not to make the situation worse, but knowing her grandparents, her pleading fell on deaf ears. Bruce, caught in the middle, initially did not say a word, but he voiced up later on, declaring his disappointment in his adopted children's actions as it was still his adopted children, he refused to disown them.

Isabella, heartbroken by her loss and devastated by the sudden lack of faith in her by Bruce's adopted children, had decided to leave the team of vigilantes Bruce had assembled through his career as the vigilante Batman, as she did not find herself to be a part of the team anymore due to the lack of trust. Despite this Bruce still wanted her to stay, but Isabella's decision was final. 

In trusting Selina Kyle's words over Bruce's or Isabella's, the adopted children had lost the faith and trust that Isabella and her family had placed in them when she became a part of the family. And, there is little to no chance that the trust Isabella and her family placed in them can be regained, no matter how hard they tried.