In The Darkest Hour

Part Two - Chapter Twenty-Two: A Lazy Morning

Gerard smiled waking up next to Isla, he still couldn't believe that she was here in Manchester with him after everything that had happened; he wanted things to get better for them after what had happened. 

Gerard moved closer to his girlfriend and kissed her softly, he couldn't imagine what he would have done without her and he hoped that he would never find out; he watched her closely seeing the twitch of her lips as he kissed her bare shoulder. 

"You look beautiful," Gerard murmured to Isla, he doubted that he would ever see a more beautiful sight then when they were alone like this; the world outside couldn't hurt them here, they could be them without anyone watching them.

Isla snorted opening her blue eyes to stare at Gerard, she didn't quite believe him and she wondered why he was awake this early; he didn't have training until that afternoon and he had gotten home late from a match the day before. 

Gerard smiled ducking down to kiss Isla again, he felt content having her and Milan here with him and it took his mind off the problems that were happening back in Barcelona that didn't seem to be going away. 

Isla wrapped her arms around Gerard's neck as they kissed, her black 3/4 sleeved nightdress had bunched up around her hips during the night allowing Gerard to settle between her legs. 

"Milan won't be up for another couple of hours," Gerard murmured between kisses, he wanted to enjoy their morning together while they had the chance; he didn't know how things would play out during their time in Manchester but he hoped that things would get better. 

Isla smiled into the kiss, she had a feeling that she knew what Gerard had planned and she couldn't deny it was an appealing idea since it was rare that they had mornings like this.

***

Isla brushed her fingers through Gerard's hair as he kissed her neck softly, she closed her eyes content with how things were; she could only imagine when they would next get a morning like this. 

"I love you," Gerard murmured kissing the inside of her left wrist, his blue eyes watching Isla closely knowing that he had never imagined that he would be this happy; he couldn't imagine never meeting her or her not being his life in some way. 

Isla smiled opening her eyes and looking at Gerard, she could see that there was something on his mind and she hoped that there wasn't something wrong; she brushed her fingers through his hair watching him. 

"I love you too," Isla replied softly, the couple stared at one another enjoying their moment, things were going to take time to settle down but it would all be worth it in the end. 

Gerard took a deep breath as he ducked down and kissed Isla on the lips, he closed his eyes knowing that Tracy was still trying to break them apart and he hated that she just couldn't let go of the past. 

Gerard was at least grateful that Theodore hadn't spoken to the press, the man refused to do so and it was a sign that not everyone hated Gerard for what he had done; he was making Isla happy and that was what mattered. 

"There's something I have to do," Gerard said making a decision, he slowly moved away from Isla and climbed out of bed; he moved to search through a draw for something making Isla watch him confused. 

Gerard didn't look up as he continued his search, there was something that he needed to do and he could only hope that it went well. 

"Now... Geri can't it wait," Isla asked holding the bed sheet to her chest as she watched Gerard wondering what he was looking for; she was sure that whatever it was could wait.

Gerard smiled finding what he was looking for, he kept a tight hold of it as he moved back onto the bed and handed it carefully to Isla; he chuckled at the confused look on her face as she took the small box. 

"Gerard?" Isla asked confused staring down at the box, she had no idea what it could be and she was a little nervous; she slowly opened the box and gasped at the sight of the vanilla gold chocolate diamond cluster engagement ring that lay inside. 

"Marry me?" Gerard murmured watching Isla closely, they hadn't really talked about taking the next step and he knew that they would be fine; he wanted nothing more than to take this next step with her. 

Isla opened and closed her mouth while she tried to wrap her head around what was happening, she hadn't thought that Gerard would want to take this step so soon. 

"I know this is a surprise but I want to marry you Isla," Gerard murmured watching her, he was sure that she would say yes and he knew that things were still tense when it came to her parents. 

Isla looked at Gerard for a moment, she didn't know what to say and she feared that Gerard was only asking her because he was frightened of things changing between them. 

They had only just settled into Manchester and they both had no idea what would happen when the season was over; there was a large chance that Barcelona weren't going to want him back with everything that Tracy was saying. 

"I want us to take the next step, everything is going so well for us and I want to spend the rest of my life with you," Gerard said so sure of himself, he could see the doubt in her eyes and he wanted to take that away; he wasn't going to rush her for a decision when it was a big step. 

The couple had only been together for seven months and Gerard knew that they had been far from easy, they were stronger than any problems that had come their way.

"Gerard..." Isla whispered opening her mouth to give him her answer, she found it really sweet that he was rambling like this about them getting married; she couldn't imagine what he would be like when she gave him her answer. 

"I get that we haven't really talked about marriage but I want to spend the rest of my life with you," Gerard rambled not stopping, he was starting to get the feeling that she was going to decline and he wasn't sure that he was ready for that. 

Gerard would much rather that Isla told him that she would think about it, he wanted to marry her and he didn't want to lose another woman that he loved with all his heart. 

"Gerard," Isla tried again but there was no stopping Gerard from talking, she had never seen him like this before and he looked so cute and she guessed that he had done a lot of thinking before he had popped the question. 

Isla sighed reaching over to cover Gerard's mouth with her hand, she smiled at him as he stared at her confused for a moment before she slowly moved to remove her hand; she was hoping that she wouldn't come to regret her decision. 

Gerard blinked watching Isla as she smiled at him, he suddenly felt so nervous that he wished that he could take back what he had said; he was sure there was no way that she could say yes to him. 

"Yes," Isla whispered biting her lip as she watched the word slowly sink in to Gerard's mind, he was quick to pull her into a kiss and slowly slip the ring onto her finger; the couple were so wrapped up in their own little world that nothing else mattered to them. 

Gerard pulled Isla close, he was so happy that she had said yes and he knew that it would take them some time to put a wedding together.