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Father. Journalist. Passionate writer. {1x1 account}

[journalistcharles]

Court Issues

[journalistcharles]

“It will be okay,” she said kissing them both back on the cheek and walked inside.  Charles and Isabella had extensive conversations about the outcome of the situation.  He didn’t care if he had to “pay” for his divorce because he committed adultery, and he knew that he would eventually get caught.  The issue for him was Annabeth. Marion wanted full custody with supervised visitations, and he was not okay with that.  The judge asked Isabella to sit down and he said he knew this was unusual but there was a lot of money at stake and family connections involved.  “So who’s pulling the favors, Charles or Marion?”  The judge set back with a laugh when he heard her ask the question and said she was bold, just like her relationship with Charles.  “I have no problem answer you questions, but I will not have my name ran through the mud because Marion wants to stick it to Charles.  Annabeth was a way for her to guarantee her connection to his family and importantly to his money.  She will ship her off to boarding school the first chance she gets, while spending Charles money.”  She was going to continue but stopped when he said I couldn’t agree with you more.  “So, why…what’s going on here,” Isabella said sitting back in the chair and her mouth dropped open when he said he’s Charles grandfather.  “Does she know this? Did Annabeth recognize you?”  He said that he was the one who set Charles and Marion up together, and since the relationship has gone south for a while Charles doesn’t talk to him any more. It was sort of an arranged marriage if you will.  “Those things exist,” Isabella said dumbfounded.  “So Charles doesn’t know that you stepped in and Marion thinks you’re on her side. It’s kind of perfect in a way.  You get to see the truth in the little girl’s eyes and you get to wonder if I’m the real deal or some whore.  Got it.”  The judge laughed at Isabella’s bluntness, but she wasn’t in the mood to deal with the bullshit.  “Look, I didn’t intend to fall in love with Charles, but I did.  I won’t even tell him until this is all over and he’s divorced.  I want him to be able to walk away at any time if he wants too.  He doesn’t.  We don’t care about the money, just let him have Annabeth and let us live our lives.”  Charles grandfather said there is no adultery clause in the prenup, but he has to give her something at least money wise. “I think you can come up with something that doesn’t break the bank and send her on her way.  Plus, we have to take of Annabeth and a plus one,” she said rubbing her stomach.

The judge was taken back when Isabella rubbed her stomach. It was clear that the man regretted involving Marion and Charles and how it effected his relationship with his grandson and great granddaughter. He saw there an opportunity to make things right. “So I’ll be a great grandfather again… Those are thrilling news.” He noted with a small nod, before looking down to his paper. He wrote down some things for a few moments before he finally looked up to Isabella. “Thank you for your statement, Miss Drake. It’s been very helpful, you’re good to go. I’ll be communicating my decision soon.” He said very politely, but there was something in his smile that showed her how they had won that one. Charles was impatient on the outside. With Beth in his arms, he only stopped moving around when she finally snuggled and slept there, peaceful and quiet. If both assured his heart and made it speed up in worry. He didn’t want to think of them being apart, but seeing her so beautiful and so calm made that energy travel to him like magic. When Bella finally came out, he went straight to her, pecking her lips in a greet. “How was it? You alright? Do you need anything, water maybe?” His hand rubbing her arm was soft and slow, very caring. He was worried about the outcome, but he was more preoccupied with her well being, if she had been stressed out or anything. He had to stop himself not to caress her stomach in an caring attempt, stopping it on her side instead. “Do you want to seat down?” He asked in a final breath and sighed. “I’m sorry, too many questions."

[journalistcharles]

Court Issues

[journalistcharles]

“No shit,” she said stretching and yawning.  “I’m sorry, baby brain.  I forget you can hear me when I talk out loud and can respond.”  Since her belly started to get a little bigger she felt this need to talk to the baby.  “What I mean is, don’t worry. I’m not worried. Yes, you were still married when we first got together, but the moment you realized you couldn’t do this any more, you asked for the divorce. It wasn’t like you had a wondering eye all the time, you started this because you hadn’t had sex in a year, not even birthday sex…not even a birthday blowjob, that’s a problem.” She went over to caress his arms.  “You went to couples therapy and she didn’t want to try.  You found her looking for boarding schools in Switzerland for Annabeth.  She basically wanted to stay married to you because you paid for her lifestyle and kept her name respectable in the right circles.  You said you are willing to pay because you did, technically cheat, so we’re okay with that.  So we fight for Annabeth, we can do that.  All I have to do is answer some questions for the lawyers.  It’s going to be fine, just a small court room with a few people.”  They both got ready to head to court with Annabeth in the middle holding their hands. Marion stiffened up when she saw them walk towards her.  Isabella swore she could see a smirk on her face and she hated that.  Marion had equal part in having this marriage fall apart because she wasn’t giving her family the attention they needed.  The judge said he wanted to talk to Annabeth alone and Charles told her it was okay and to be honest.  Isabella saw Annabeth look at her mom and there was this exchange that she was almost terrified.  “Be brave, Annabeth,” she said holding her hand.  “Just answer the questions and whatever happens, happens.  Just be brave.”  Annabeth jumped into her arms and started crying while hugging her. Social Services had to explain to Annabeth that she just has to talk to the judge and will come right back.  “It’s okay, honey. It’s okay.”  Charles was doing his best to get her to go with them and she finally said okay.  Isabella pulled Charles away when she asked Marion did she do to her.  “Don’t, just wait until she goes into the room with the judge. You’ll look like a crazy person, while she’s just standing there looking calm.”

He knew she was right, but it didn’t make Charles less frustrated or nervous. “I know, Bells...” He nodded, pecking the tip of her nose. Her attempt to calm and cheer him was always appreciated though. “Thank you.” Charles told her and then they both slipped out of bed to get ready. He was so tense he couldn’t get his tie done. Charles was happy when both of his ladies came to help him. He made them breakfast and once everyone was ready to go, Charles drove them to the court. Everything seemed to be going fine, even with Marion’s remarks with her eyes. But then he couldn’t help when he saw Beth running towards Bella crying. She probably did something to his little girl so she’d act this way. He was trying to hold himself but it was an impossibility don’t explode. He was truly glad to have Bella there to hold him back. “This woman is crazy! Beth is her daughter, how come a mother treat her child like this?” He was truly outraged and sighed deeply shaking his head in disbelief. “I just really want this all to be over, Bella. I can’t deal with her anymore, she’s absolutely ridiculous.” They stood together all the time, far from Marion and when Beth came out, she ran straight to hug Bella’s legs and hide from her mother. The judge called Bella to be heard alone and Charles had to lower down to Beth’s level to talk to her. “It’s Bells’ turn baby, come with daddy, okay? You’ll be fine.” It took her a bit but she gave in, sliding into her father’s arms and hugging him tight. He stood up to look at Bella. “Good luck in there.” When he said that, Charles leaned in to peck her lips. They were out in the world and he wasn’t afraid to be by her side and to give her support. Beth added a good luck too and grinned when she also received a kiss from Bella. 

[journalistcharles]

Court Issues

Sometimes Charles felt like life got way too messed up and confusing for understanding. It seemed like everything was happening. The moving, the divorce, the baby. As much as the moving and the baby had been the most thrilling and happy parts of it all, Charles was getting no rest between all those and managing a redecoration in the house and also work. Generally, when he got home all stressed out from his day, he got happy though. Because he had Beth and he had Bella, truly they were his world and he understood the meaning of caring so badly and loving when he was with them. In the past two weeks, stress had been installed at home as well, when he got a notice that both his beloved ladies would have to go to court. It was outrageous that a seven-year-older and a woman that had nothing to do with the divorce had to participate of a trial. He had been doing his best to be calm about it, constantly telling them that didn’t matter what, to always tell the truth once they were in court, regardless if the truth didn’t look so great in front of a jury. He was scared, Charles was about to panic, truly. It was all Marion’s fault. They didn’t have proof, yet, but he was almost certain she had released the pictures of him and Isabella. She was trying to turn the table around, but Charles wasn’t letting it happen. The day of the court, he barely slept. Early in the morning he made coffee and breakfast, woke up Beth and got her ready. Bella was still in bed and he rolled over to wake her up, but stood there for a moment, head buried in her neck curve, looking for comfort. “I’m worried.” He whispered when she moved to wrap him in her arms, knowing she was awake now.

[belladrake]

Test of Love

[journalistcharles]

“I’m ready when you are. I guess, for me at least, I feel like people either like me or they don’t.  My drug problem has been thrown into the paper, so this doesn’t feel any different for me. I just want you and Annabeth to be okay.  That’s what I care about it.  I can handle it and my worst fear was D&G and having a baby, but they’re already designing close for it and they don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl.”  She laughed a little as she rubbed her tiny belly. “I just don’t want any details out there for the public.  That we are together and we happy, really happy…over the moon with joy.  We can say that right?”   She was glad when he smiled and kissed her lips.  They left D&G office and decided to pick up Annabeth from day camp together and go out to dinner at her favorite place.  That’s when they told her news about the new house and were they were moving too.  Her first thought were her friends and they said they could come over anytime.  Isabella took out her phone and showed her pictures of the yard and where she could play, but what won her over was the indoor pool.   She was excited that she could swim even in the middle of winter.  “Of course you can, and we are going to make up your room however you want it, plus a play room too.  However you want it to be, you get to design it.  How does that sound?”  Isabella looked over at Charles to see his sigh of relief that she was excited too.  “Of course, you can have sleep overs and you can come into the city whenever you want.  It’s going to be great, plus I’m sure you’ll make new friends too.  You’ll just have lots of friends that will adore you.  Just like me.”  She leaned over to tickle her and watched her giggle and squirm.  “You still have some time in the city but I’m sure we will get you in time for school,” looking at Charles for confirmation.

Annabeth was a puddle of excitement when they announced the dinner together, she suggested a billion places she loved and they ended up in an option that pleased the three of them. Charles liked this, getting some time off the whole chaos around them, time off work, to just seat with his girls. He never got that with Marion, maybe that’s why he avoided home, because it only brought him more stress and headache when he headed there. With Isabella everything was different. He was happy Beth seemed excited with the house and that she didn’t pout over it or showed herself to be unhappy. Instead, she just was truly interested and excited, it was a real relief to the father. “Yes, you’ll start in the new school when classes start and your friends can always come visit, okay?” He caressed Beth’s head when she nodded so beautifully. When she asked if they could have a dog, Charles laughed and glanced at Bella. “We’ll think about it, okay?” He was glad she just nodded with a happy grin, but he knew she’d bring that up again eventually, and probably soon. “How do you want your room to be, baby?” Beth’s eyes sparkled with the question and she went through dinner saying how she wanted a castle inside it and a princess stylish bedroom but also with plenty toys and stuffed animals and her barbies—that she made sure to add that looked just like Bella, even though she said her Bells was way prettier. “She really is.” Charles agreed, sending a kiss to Bella over the table. They had dinner and talked about the new house until it was time to go. Beth asked if they’d slept at grandma’s of Bella’s. “Whatever you want, boo.” He was holding her snuggled in his arms as they entered the car and she just said she wanted to go to Bella’s house. “Bella’s it is.” He glanced over at his girlfriend after putting Beth in the backseat, buckled up, and smiled. “Is it okay?” She looked at him like it was obviously fine and Charles laughed a little, nodding. He opened the car door for her and once they were all hopped in, he started the car to go to their city apartment. “We could start packing on the weekend and I can settle the moving truck for the end of next week, the house is already available for us to move since I made the transfer of the money. Once our things are there, we can move. Meantime we can meet with the designers and talk about the rooms…” He was talking and when he looked in the mirror Beth had dozed off and Bella’s eyes were heavy too. He chuckled softly and caressed her leg as he drove. “But let’s talk about it tomorrow, you look tired."

[journalistcharles]

THE DREAM HOUSE

↪ Indoors; Charles' office, children's playroom, Isabella's office/closet, family's living room and inside pool.

[journalistcharles]

THE DREAM HOUSE

↪ Indoors; Master suite, guests bedroom and bathroom, Annabeth's room and the twins' nursery.

[journalistcharles]

THE DREAM HOUSE

↪ Indoors; Hall, kitchen, movie room, dining room and living room.

[journalistcharles]

THE BRICE-DRAKE'S DREAM HOUSE

↪ External area; garden, lake and outside pool.

[belladrake]

Test of Love

[belladrake]

Isabella sighed as she felt like she put him in harms way for the divorce proceedings because she was trying to take half and custody of Annabeth.  Charles was right when he said that bitch because that’s what she was being at this moment.  “Are you sure you want to see me in public, it will just confirm everything that this magazine is saying.  Maybe you should just meet me, I don’t know where at this point. We should keep our distance until the lawyer knows how to spend this in your favor.” He said he didn’t care that the story was out because it wasn’t a lie.  “I know, but I don’t want you to sacrifice your money for me, just because you love me. I know that sounds so unromantic but you know what I mean.  It’s your family’s money and I want to help protect that.”  Isabella had to give up her argument because they were waiting for her to make some more decisions.  “I have to go but see you in a couple of hours to discuss what we’re going to do.”  Before she even said hello to D&G they said they knew something was going to happen between her and Charles.  “I thought you guys didn’t read the tabloids. We are still working on how to handle this but please do not talk to the press.”  They said of course and reviewed her schedule for the next couple of months and the fall fashion show.  They said they could put her in coats to hide her belly if she wanted to still keep her pregnancy a private thing.  “I do at least for now.  Ask me in couple of months when I’m huge.”  Charles had arrived early so he sat in on the meeting but didn’t say a word but he was busy texting.  After kissing his cheek, she sad thanked him for coming and he said he was talking to his lawyer about a statement.  “What do you want to say?  Do you want to say that we are happy together and we are trying to live our lives in peace.  Eat, shit and die?  I mean that’s how I feel about the whole thing.  None of your business ,can we add that into our statement?”

[journalistcharles]

Charles was glad when he saw that sharp tone coming from her when she asked about the statement. He pulled her gently close to place a peck on her lips and nodded after. “I’d like to add that, but pretty sure they’ll recommend that we don’t.” In an affectionate gesture, he reached out for her hand, caressing it softly with his thumb. “My lawyer suggested we stated we’re indeed together but it’s not directly involved with the divorce, even if it is. She suggested we kept this between us and added we should be honest that we’re together because of how we feel about each other and not because of any superficial reason.” D&G intervened to say they supported the two deeply for how found they were of Charles and how much they adored Isabella. They said the two looked lovely together and could count on the company for whatever was needed. “Thank you very much.” Charles greeted them with a brief hug and they left to settle some business and said they could use the business room if they needed to still love anything, then excused themselves. “I think we shouldn’t tell much to the press. I’m afraid it could be bad during the trial. But I also don’t want to be kept away from you anymore. If it’s out, then so be it. I want to be able to kiss you or hold your hand when we go out, take you to nice romantic dinners, that stuff.” He shook his head a bit. The whole thing still made him very frustrated, But in an overall, all Charles knew for certain was the steps he wanted to take with Bella by his side. “I feel we’re ready to face the lions, together."

[belladrake]

Test of Love

Isabella didn’t realize her summer was going to be this busy with signing her name to a house with Charles, setting up doctor appointments for the baby and developing her own fragrance.  When D&G said that she was going to be the lead on this project, she had no idea what it would involved.  At least once a week she was meeting with chemist to discuss what she liked and didn’t like about the scents they were developing.  Today was the day they were giving her three scents for her to wear for a couple of weeks to see what she liked the best.  While she was at the laboratory, her phone went off and it was her manager.  “Hey, I’m at the lab and than I have to head to meet D&G to talk about my schedule and working around the baby.”   She was going to continue on all the things that were on her plate when she said it was out.  “What’s out,” she said while pointing to the staff she was going out into the hallway.  Her manager managed to read to her an article in OK Magazine detailing the love of affair of Isabella and Charles.  “I mean he’s getting a divorce and they aren’t living together, so….”  As she heard more about the article it gives more detail about their courtship before the declaration of divorce was made.  “Who in the hell, go on what else does it say.”  She listened to some things and would inject when it was a lie but for the most part it was true, and than she mentioned how there was a photo of them at a cafe but it doesn’t look like it was in the city.  Isabella said she would call her back and got on her phone to look up the story which was catch wildfire on the internet.  When she found the pictures that were being posted, they weren’t even in the city.  These photos were near the town that their new home was in and she realized they may have been followed.    Texting Charles, she asked if he could talk because their relationship is hitting the internet with photos.  

[journalistcharles]

Charles was in a business meeting that had been lasting for at least three hours. He was stressed and tired, and starving. His boss was already going through another endless point when he received the text from Bella. It made him instantly frown in worry. He excused from the meeting room, already dialing her number. She picked up instantly, making Charles breath in relief. “What happened? Is everything okay?” When Bella said it wasn’t okay, he worried even more. She explained there was an article of them being together even before his divorce and that they had pictures of them in a cafe nearby the town and the area they were leaving, so it was probably someone that had been following them. “I know you have paparazzi, but someone has to have lead them on doing it.” Charles sighed deeply and shook his head. “How are you doing?” Bella's said she was preoccupied and he nodded in agreement. “So am I. I mean, fuck it, it’s nobody’s damn business. I’d have just rolled my eyes at it, but the divorce... Damn.” He ran his hands through his hair, clearly mad. When Bella apologized, he realized Charles might have been too mad. “Hey, hey. It’s not your fault, ever. Don’t think that.” He said more softly. “I’ll excuse from the meeting and I’ll head there. Where are you at?” Charles wrote down the address of the lab as she explained she had to go meet D&G. “I’ll take you there, we can go together if anything.” He said then, his mind was a mess of thoughts and he just sighed a bit longer. “It’ll be alright. We’ll manage this through, don’t worry. I’ll be right there, okay?” Charles promised sweetly. “I’ll see you soon. Love you. Bye.” He waited her goodbye before turning off the call. Charles went back into the room and apologized for something that came up before leaving. On the car, he called his lawyer and talked to her about the possibilities and she said it looked bad to Charles, but he responded she loved Bella and he didn’t care, he just didn’t want things to get messy. The lawyer said she’d hunt down who was taking pictures of them and see if Reed, or Marion, had anything do to with it. When they turned up, that stuck in his mind. Reed had nothing to gain from it, but Marion could get so much from that. He didn’t think she could go so low and it drove him so mad to even think about it. “That bitch.” He cursed under his breath while he drove to meet Bella.

[journalistcharles]

Positive possibilities

[belladrake]

“Only you have seen this closet.  Not even Rick has seen the entire thing, he just chalked it up to the fact that I was a model and needed my space.  No clue.  So we are serious, this is serious business.”  She watched him walk around the room and flip through some of her dresses that she had hanging up.  When he picked up the lavender dress, he mentioned that she wore that the first time they met.  “I did.  God knows if I will ever where that again after having our baby. That was definitely tight that night, but I guess I was on a mission to find me some trouble,” she chuckled a little.  “Okay, the clothes you would want to get in Paris probably fit in the top drawer on the right.”  Isabella laughed when he opened it up and let out a low whistle, holding up a see-through black bra.  As he started to dig through her lingerie he wondered why he hasn’t seen any of these things.  Isabella stood up and wrapped her arms around him and rested her head on the his back.  “I have lot of pieces, and we have our entire life time to go through my collection.  I might be old and saggy but I’ll always wear something sexy for you. Come on, we have to go and pick Annabeth up from day camp.  I know that I’m happy about all this but I worried that we are moving to fast.  I don’t want her to feel lost and overwhelmed in all this.  She’s still your special girl and i was wanter her to feel that way.  That’s why I like about you, the way you are with her.  Daddy Charles kind of makes you sexy.”  He thought her being pregnant made her a little horny.  “Maybe, what are you going to do about it?”

[journalistcharles]

He was honored only he had seen her special place, it wasn’t just a closet after all, it was the place it made her feel special. It said a lot about her and he loved being able to share that with the woman he loved. “Only me. I’m honored.” He smiled, entertained on lurking and discovering her closet. “I don’t think she’s feeling any less special, Bella.” Although it did concern Charles about Annabeth’s reaction towards the baby, he knew she was a good girl and would eventually get used and excited about it. He knew his daughter and for that he feared her jealousy, but that was something he was always willingly to work with her. He always believed children were all about what you taught them. “The yesterday when I was putting her to bed, she told me she was so happy she got a stepmother that loved her so much and wasn’t evil.” He paused remembering his conversation with Beth, smiling then. “She asked me if she could call you mom too. I told it was better not near her mother, but she should also ask you about that. She was so happy.” He said sweetly, arm wrapped tight around Isabella. When she said he was a sexy daddy, Charles laughed, shaking his head slightly. “Well, I could certainly think of a couple of ideas to help you with this horniness of yours.” He leaned over and nibbled on her earlobe whilst whispering profanities in her ear, making her ticklish and giggling. Charles only pulled her closer, if that was even possible, to smash her lips with his in a breathtaking kiss. He then pulled away just to teasingly glance at her. “We’ll be late. Let’s pick Annabeth.” Charles laughed with her frustrated glance that he had just interrupted their delicious kiss so abruptly and leaned over to mumble in her ear again. “Later. I’ll show you all those pleasuring things.”

[journalistcharles]

Positive possibilities

[belladrake]

Isabella walked out of the house with Charles and drove back to the city with the realtor.  They discussed what would happened next and hopefully they could close everything in a couple of weeks.  “Oh this is perfect, Charles.  We have so much to do but it’s wonderful.  We have to map out all the rooms and see what changes we have to make.  I have to called Sarah and Tom so they can get started on all the changes we want.”  He asked who Sarah and Tom where.  “Oh they are the best designers in town, Charles.  I actually met them in college before I became a model.  They went to the New School for Design here in New York.  We were such good friends and they finally got married and build their dream empire.”  She encouraged him to get out his phone and look them up.  “Google Hoffman Design,” and she watched him look at all the stuff he did and said he had some concern.  “Oh, no they cater to taste, if you want over the top they can do it.  You know my apartment, they did the entire thing and you love it.  Sarah is the ideas and Tom is the builder.  They even built my office.”  Charles said he did really like her office.  “Oh, honey, I think it’s time you saw the entire office.”  They made it back to her apartment and she went straight to her bedroom. “Now, promise me you want freak out.  Remember I’m a model and I have to have space for clothes, shoes, place for my glam squad to work for when I do award shows.  I have to be organized and have everything cataloged.”  Charles finally told him, it’s time he saw this.   She opened the door and it was your basic walk in closet but it had double doors at the end.  “This is like my daywear stuff.  You know jeans and t-shirt kind of stuff and work out clothes…sneakers.”  He said that she was stalling and pointed to the double door.  “Alright,” she said opening the doors and going over to a electronic pad that turned the lights.  Inside were just rows of clothes, shelves filled with shoes and purses.  It was organized by color and occasion.  “This is my closet.  Everyone is on a computer here and over here is my vanity for hair and make up.  What else…this is the 360 mirror area and this window is for natural light and photos.  Yeah this is it.”  She just watched when Charles just looked around at everything with his mouth open.  “Oh….say something…I broke you.”

[journalistcharles]

“Holy shit.” Charles shot when she told him to say something. He knew women had an inner need and passion for clothing, he had started understanding it since his mother and had passed the point of not accepting that. But Isabella had possibly the largest closet Charles had ever seen in his entire life. She could literally open a fashion blog and just talk about all the clothes she had in there. “Good God!” He exclaimed and finally laughed, coming back from his lapse and looking at her. “We’ll surely have a lot to pack... And here I thought Beth had too many clothes.” Charles chuckled and took another look around. “And you have a whole computer system, it’s a pretty organized operation!” He pulled her by the hand and wrapped an arm across her waist. “The room you’ll have in the house is bigger than this, so I supposed you won’t have problem filling it in with new items, isn’t it right?” He laughed when she nodded saying that’d be piece of cake and leaned over to kiss her lips. “Next trip to Paris I’ll help out filling some of that new open spots.” Charles said and remembered the designs idea. “I think we’ll surely need your designs, if you’re used to deal with them and they such a great operation here. I think they can do what we need in the house. We can spend between three-hindered thousands and half a million in all the rooms, you think that’ll be enough to do the nursery, your closet and Beth’s room?”

[journalistcharles]

Positive possibilities

[belladrake]

Isabella squealed a little when she said they could get it, “Really?  Because I really do love it and I think it’s going to be big enough for the dog and the cat.”  She threw her arms around him and gave him a hug.  “Besides it’s not like I can’t help either, I just didn’t want you to think I wanted more, but I just want to make sure we have enough room. I don’t know why but I’m  just worried about room.  Maybe it’s the motherly instinct that’s taking over already, so fast.”  The realtor came back and said they would take 3.5 million, but Isbella wasn’t having that.  “Offer them 2.5,” she said walking around the room while on her phone.  “The school rating is a little low which means we might have to send Annabeth to a private school when she is older, and I see the crown molding is a little suspect in one of the rooms.”  Even though Isabella is a model, she learned the art of negotiating through her career.  “Also we are going to have to do some construction for my office and other things we need to our liking.  This house has been on the market for a while, they want to get rid of it,” she said looking at the realtor and watched her walk into the another room to make the call.  Charles was about to scold her a little.  “We want to pay what like three million for it,  we just have to go back and forth a bit.  Did you see the pool inside, it’s going to look amazing when there’s water in it.  Can you see our kids swimming in it and saying look daddy, look at what I can do.”  She smiled when Charles grinned at the idea.  “I’m going to make you so happy with my insanity.”  The realtor came back and said they would take 3.2 and she laughed when they both said in unison, 3.

[journalistcharles]

Charles was always impressed by her, the ways she could manage lots of things with perfection. “What would I be without you...” He said with a laugh, as she made comments on the house and told the realtor about their negotiating price. He didn’t really think those things through. He’d usually just agree and if he liked, he’d buy it. But he enjoyed that they were thinking that through and not doing it in a reckless way. It was also joyful to see her so engaged to the task and so excited about the house. It needed some changing to receive Annabeth and the baby, but besides it, Charles had liked every bits of it.  When the realtor left again to negotiate the second suggested price, Charles wrapped his arms tighter around her and smiled. “I can see the kids in that pool and playing in the backyard with the dog. You said something about a cat. Do you want one too? I’m completely fine with all times of animals.” He said, caressing her back. “I’m glad you liked this one, I mean, I can see us living here. And having room is important, if we want to keep the fabric open in the future.” He rubbed her stomach and shrugged with a grin, the possibility of a big family always enchanted him. “But that’s a conversation for later.” Charles leaned over and pecked her lips. “I think we can do a big change in that room next to the office, to fit yours next to mine. I liked that mini library and the office as it is. Beth liked to stick around when I’m working so you can two can lurk at the couch, watch TV, or play dress up in the room next door.” He was picturing it all and he loved. When the realtor came back, he said they’d accept it at 3 million so it was a deal and congratulated them on that. “I guess we can start organizing our moving.” He said with a cheerful smile and kissed her again. “I’ll love to sleep with you every night from now on.” Not that they weren’t doing it, but now indeed officially.

[journalistcharles]

Positive possibilities

[belladrake]

“But you still haven’t seen my office, a.k.a my closet.  You might not want to have a sharing office with me.”  She was glad when he laughed and said she could have three rooms for her closet. “Oh you do love me,” she said giving him a hug and a sweet kiss.  As they were enjoying their embrace they heard a little voice say daddy, I’m hungry.  Isabella let Charles scoop her up and set her on the counter and said could she wait for pizza, but she said no.  She pulled an apple out of her fruit basket and cut it up for her to snack on.  “So Annabeth, how would you feel if I lived with you and daddy all the time?  Would you be okay with that?” Annabeth’s eyes lid up and she started to wake up any more and asked her when.  “Well, we still need to find a house first but I thought maybe I would be around more, but only if you would be okay with that.”  She doubled over laughing when Annabeth told her dad he had to find a house tomorrow so they could move.  “She’s a little diva. How about we try and find the house as fast as we can, and move in.”  Finally dinner came and they enjoyed pizza and movie together before heading to bed.  The next day, Charles decide to call off of work so they could look at the houses.  Isabella looked around at the first house and it was nice but it didn’t feel big enough and than the second one was big but didn’t feel like them. “I mean the houses are fine but I think I want more trees, more…i don’t know they all look so cookie cutter.  I want something more quaint but with lots of space.  I think I want something more rural, something different then the apartment in the city.  The realtor said he knew of a neighborhood but it’s more than what Charles wanted to spend.  “Can we see it?  I just want to take a look,” she gave Charles a look, “I promise to show you my boobs later.”

[journalistcharles]

Charles face lit up with that last statement of hers and he smirked almost instantly. “Let’s see this other house.” He nodded purposefully. The other house was just a couple of miles far away from the other two and it was absolutely perfect. Vintage in some ways, country looking with some wooden and rock walls in a few rooms and absolutely space full and large, for a family like them. The garden was full of trees and the pool was quite large too. “We’re about to become a countryside couple, are you ready for this?” He asked and when he looked Isabella, her excitement for the house was clearly showing. “Do you like it?” When she nodded so eagerly, Charles chuckled. But then she started saying it was too expensive and they maybe should look else where, but he shook his head no and smiled at her. “You like it and I do too. I want a good place to live you and the kids, I don’t mind spending a bit more. It has the room for the kids and ours is dreamy and then there’s the spare ones for our offices and the guest room too, so it’s really what we were looking for. And the garden has the trees you wanted and the pool I wanted, so I think that’s the one.” He leaned over and pecked her lips then, smiling. He looked at the realtor then. “So. Can we close the deal?”

[journalistcharles]

Positive possibilities

[belladrake]

Isabella snuggled into his arms and smiled.  Hearing him say that made her so happy. “I’ll always be your goodnight, if you’re mine.”  She smiled when he kissed softly and it went a little deeper but she pulled away because she didn’t want to get too wild with Annabeth sleeping on the other couch. “So since we are talking and being honest with each other about what we want.  Why are we doing this dance?  Why don’t we just move in together?  I mean I would like to keep this place so we have a place to stay in the city.  You know if you have to work late or if I have to work late.  That way we don’t have to pretend to leave anything behind. Let’s just do it.”  Even thought he just meant all of these wonderful things to her, there was still this knot in her throat after she asked him.  Her stomach had butterflies in dancing inside of her and she was pretty sure it wasn’t the baby.  “I know that we are being low key because of the divorce but I’m ready to make a room for Annabeth here.  I better place for you here.  I don’t want you sleeping at your mom’s any more.  I want you next to me as much as possible.” She back on the couch to let it all sink in.  “I wish I could blame everything I said on alcohol or being high because I think I just scared myself to death.  Can I blame it on the baby?  Can it make me not think before I just talk?” Isabella need space so she went into the kitchen to get some water and think about shoving something in her mouth.  Was this easy to just move out of the city and just visit for work, and than there was work.  What was she going to tell them?  ‘You know I’m pregnant so your ideas for your campaign maybe awkward at best or would they drop her?  It was always a possibility.   He asked if she was okay and she told him there was nothing in the house to eat.  Oh god, she doesn’t even know how to keep a house on her own and now she had more people to think about.  

[journalistcharles]

She had that ability, to surprise him like this. Charles was silent for a few moments, listening to everything she had to say about the houses and her idea of them moving in. Internally, he was already cheering before she even started. But then she was so worried about everything she said that Charles thought she might have regret it. He realized it be a different uncertainty. The time they had spent together, Charles had already realized Isabella was sometimes insecure. It was hard understanding a beautiful woman like her to be like this, but then again he thought it was a charm and it made her a humble woman after all. He stood up going to her encounter, back in the kitchen. Charles was worried and when she mentioned food, he nodded. “I’ll order us pizza, sounds good?” He asked with a smile and she nodded. He picked up his phone and dialed their favorite one, choosing her favorite flavors. “It should be here soon.” Charles assured her and pulled her softly towards him by the hand. “Now, we were talking about houses.” He caressed her waist and smiled. “I don’t want us to dance around either. I didn’t ask before because I didn’t want you to think I was rushing anything, I want to take things on your pace.” He was being careful with his words, but also very clearly honest. “I’d like that you moved in with us to the house and we also kept the apartment here too. I’d love Beth to have her room and I to have a workspace. Also, I’d like that you went with me and we picked up the house together. I was already separating two where you can have a room to be your closet and that’s connected to the room that’ll be my office so we can leave the door division when we want to work together.” Charles paused to caress her cheek. “The houses also have two more rooms for the children, one to each and an extra one to our guests. A spadeful garden for a dog and a pool. I have two on the line all we have to do is choose, together. And if you don’t like any, we can look for more. Together.” Charles smiled and cupped both her cheeks. “I don’t want you to be scared that we’re doing this. If we both want it and want to be together, there’s nothing to be scared about. We’ll eventually go out publicly and they’ll have to get over it, because you’re everything to me and nothing will stop us from taking all the steps we want in this relationship, get it?"

[journalistcharles]

Positive possibilities

[belladrake]

“I know…I know,” she chuckled.  “I’m not opposed to anything. I’m not.  I just…this is all so new to me, I mean you have done this at least once.  I’ve lived with a man before but I never thought about a family and all this.  It’s all so.”  She had to pause for a moment because she wasn’t sure if she was expressing herself correctly.  “I never thought I wanted these things and I realize I want them with you, not just with anyone but you.  So I guess, I don’t want to fuck it up.  You’re taking such a huge step by doing this again and…I don’t know.  I have all of these questions and thoughts in my head.  You know what I feel like, Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz.”  Isabella did smile when he started to rub her stomach and loved the smile on his face.  If things were going to work out between them, they had to be open with each other. She didn’t want to be afraid to ask him anything or talk to him.  “Don’t get mad at me, I mean I don’t think you will be, but I mean you loved Marion at point.  So what went wrong?  How did it start and why did it go so wrong? I’m not trying to assign blame. I think that woman is totally evil, but what did you see in her. I’m nothing like her, so did she turn into that monster?  How do you know I’m not going to turn into that monster?”  Isabella had to frown because it felt like what she was saying was all wrong, but she just wanted to know why her in some way.  She was feeling special and that was kind of hard for her to take.  “I just want to do all the right things to make you happy.   You do all the right things for me and I want to make sure it’s reciprocated. I want it to be a two way street.” She laughed, “I suck at serious conversations. I think I need a nap like Annabeth.”

[journalistcharles]

“There’s no reason to get mad with your concern, Dorothy, and you’re doing good at those conversations..” He played with her previous mention, fixing a lock of hair behind her ear. Charles had thought about it before and he wondered why Bella never brought that up. So now that she did, he was completely aware it was a very plausible question. ”Marion used to wear a mask, figuratively. What i’m about to tell you, nobody really knows… But I trust you fully. Her family was going on failure. They lost a lot of money in an investment and they had practically nothing. Marion and I, well we used to fool around. My friends never liked her because she was clearly taking advantage of me, but I was in a moment i didn’t care about much. The sex wasn’t even that great… But it was something. I don’t think I ever loved her, but our marriage was convenient. I didn’t want to be alone and she needed someone to sustain her way of living. There was never a romantic ‘Do you want to marry me?’ request, we just did an engagement party with family and friends to make it official. I was willing to provide that if she stood there. The problem is that she was never really there.” He shrugged softly, thinking back he realized how dumb that had been. “I never felt more alone than when I was with her. I think that’s why I’m so attached to Beth. We never planned her, but when she was born, she changed me. It’s silly, but it’s like she gave me a purpose to live, I was only surviving through before she came to my life.” He cleared and glanced her. “I know you won’t turn into that monster because you’re not one. Marion always was, she just showed her claws after…” Charles said caressing her cheek softly. “I want to do the right thing this time, with you. Because you already make me happy. But all you have to do to keep me happy is be yourself and be present. I don’t mind you having to travel around the globe, as long as we can be each other’s goodnight call in the end of the night. It’s childish, but I don’t like being alone."

[journalistcharles]

Positive possibilities

[belladrake]

“We just hung out around my place, that’s all.  Just wanted to spend some time together but we missed you.  I’m glad you had a lot of fun.”  She wasn’t ready to tell Annabeth just yet.  So much was changing for her and she wasn’t sure if adding one more thing would be okay.  It was time they start planning for their future if they were going to have a baby together.  She didn’t want to force Charles to marry her but they had to start thinking about being parents together.    “I really want to hear about your adventures.”  Annabeth had no problem talking about all the things they did and how she got to fish this time, but didn’t catching anything.  She really did hope that Isabella and her dad could go next time.  “I’ll think about it.  Is there, maybe, a Holiday Inn near by,” she asked Charles which caused him to chuckle.  “I have never camped in my life, I’m sure it’s…fun…I guess.”  Annabeth described all the wonderful things about camping but to be honest it made Isabella itchy all over.  Charles decided to put her in her pajamas even though it was in the middle of the day.  His explanation was she usually wears out and will end up sleeping in random places.  Isabella didn’t believe him at first until she found her sleeping at the dinning room table when she was trying to eat a snack.  Charles asked if she wanted to talk about when they were going to tell Annabeth.  “I know, I know but things are changing so fast for her.  I mean when you find a house and the divorce is final. Those things need to happen first and than we can tell her about the baby.  I’m only about five week out, at least that’s what my doctor told me.  From what you told me, Marion is just holding out on a few things but it should be in a couple of weeks. So that means the house.”

[journalistcharles]

“Yes, it should be soon now… I’m between two houses now, after I’ve seen some more. The house may come first actually.” He explained to her, nodding as she asked if it was nice. “It is. I’ll take you to see both my options this week, before I make an actual decision.” Charles took Beth from the table and placed her in the living room couch, smiling when he watched her curl against the cushion. “But I understand your point, we’ll wait to tell her then. Whenever you prefer.” He said, leaning over and pecking her lips. “I was thinking about something… We should think some things through. I mean, I haven’t bought the house yet but I will. And I want your approval because soon it can become ours.” He sat on the other couch, next to the one Beth was napping, and motioned Bella to come join him. They sat side by side for a moment and he pulled her into his arms, lying her back against the armchair. His hand instantly caressed her stomach. “I don’t want to rush anything, but we already practically sleep together every night now. I think you could keep your apartment for as long as you want, but you could also have some clothes there and your toothbrush and your constant presence, you know.” He teased even though his tone and previous mentions had been quite sincere and serious. “If you want to wait longer it’s okay, but I was hoping I could witness every small develop of this that’s happening inside you.” He preferably didn’t say the word, since they were agreeing to wait and Annabeth was just next to them, even if apparently asleep. “So if you wanted, the house doors will always open to you. If you don’t, then I suppose you’ll have to handle me visiting more often than I already am.” He said tenderly, kissing her cheek to prove his point.