Page 39 of Our Darling Isabelle

I yank on the tie again, annoyed that it’s so tight on my throat. Markus laughs, clapping me on the shoulder while looking at us in the mirror. I glared at him before yanking his tie off and holding it up.

“A clip on?” I ask incredulously. He winks, snatching it back and clipping it back on.

“Don’t be pissy because you didn’t think of it first, man. Snitch to Isabelle and I’ll cock block for an entire month.” He threatens me, straightening as Isabelle rushes in, frowning at my now lopsided tie.

“Baby, we need to leave. Aden is going to flip if we are late.” She hurries in, pulling and twisting my tie until it’s perfectly in place and I can breathe freely. She groans, bracing a hand on her back and leaning on the windowsill. I rub my hands along her stomach, trying to ease some of the tension the baby has been putting on her body.

“They’re just trying to make room, that’s all.” She says, smiling at me. A few tense moments pass until she straightens up with a groan and fans her face. Markus steps up behind her, rubbing her shoulders and kissing her neck.

“If you start this, then we will be late.” She groans, her voice breathy as she leans into him while I pinch her nipples through the sheer material of her dress. Just enough to tease her. A taste of what’s coming tonight. I stop the torment, looping her arm through mine, and Markus does the same on the other side as we walk out to take our places on the stage of the church. Isabelle goes to stand on the bride’s side, and we join the groom where he is nervously messing with the cuffs of his dress shirt.

“Relax, Aden. When she walks down that aisle, everything else will fall away.” Markus says, winking at Isabelle. She bites her lip, smiling at both of us.

“I am relaxed. You were a mess on your wedding day, Markus. Weddings are a big deal, okay?” Aden grumbles.

“The life you have together afterwards is where the real fun starts.” I say softly, brushing my thumb over my wedding band. The first chimes of music come through the speakers and Isabelle gives a squeak, making my brows pinch as I watch her. Her eyes get round and she drops her bouquet just as the flower girls start their slow walk down the aisle.

“Belle?” Markus says, hesitating for a moment until her pained face looks up at us and she clutches her swollen belly.

“Oh shit.” She sways before her body sags. Markus and I rush to help her. I swipe my arms under her knees and behind her back to carry her and he grabs the keys out of his pocket.

“Just like you said, we like to make an entrance. Guess our kid takes after their daddies.” Markus calls over his shoulder to Aden, whose eyes are bulging and terrified.

“You’ll do great!” Isabelle calls, before curling up and moaning in my arms.

“Markus.” I call, looking down to see Isabelle’s horrified expression as a warm wetness spread over my arm, under her legs and the front of my shirt.

“Shit.” Isabelle says, before yanking on my tie for dear life.

Markus

Isabelle had just started snoring softly when a small squeal from the little bundle in the clear box made her eyes fly open. She shot up, yawning and looking around the room in a daze. I scoop up the tiny pink bundle, grinning down at our little girl with the rosiest cheeks and hair so dark it’s almost black.

“Okay princess, time to let mommy rest. You’re stuck with Dada.” I coo, brushing my thumb over the tiny fingers peeking over the top of the blanket. Alec walks in with a bottle of apple juice, twisting the lid off and hands it to Isabelle, who chugs it down in record time. She sets the empty bottle down with a tiny burp and lays back against the pillows, smiling over at us as we both sit on the bed on each side of her.

“How are you feeling?” I ask Isabelle as she yawns again.

“Pretty good for pushing out your guy’s big-headed baby.” She teases, stretching her arms and looking at our daughter with so much love. Alec reaches across to take her, carefully tucking her against his chest.

“Papa needs some baby time, too,” Alec says, pressing his nose to her head, kissing her temple with so much tenderness that I catch Isabelle wiping her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Alec asks, concern in his tone as he cups her cheek.

“I never wanted to be a mom, because of the one who raised me, and until a year ago, I didn’t have a father. Amelia will never have to doubt her worth in this world, never doubt her parents’ love.” Isabelle’s voice cracks and I pull her to me, wrapping an arm around her shoulder while Alec squeezes one of her hands in his.

“I also finally picked a middle name. Amelia Cassidy Barone.” Isabelle whispers, biting her lip while looking at us. I suck in a breath, and Alec’s eyes slide closed as he puts his forehead to hers.

“Thank you.” He whispers.

“It’s perfect.” My voice breaks as I bury my face in her hair, breathing in the most comforting thing in the world. Our daughter coos in Alec’s arms, her little yawn matching Isabelle’s makes us all smile.

My perfect little family.

We knew the true meaning of family.

All because of her.

Our Darling Isabelle.

THE END