Twist of Fate (A/I Mature) Conclusion 5/28/07

[KaraGail]

Conclusion

Isabel decided that staying inside the entry way of the room was the safest place to be for the moment. There was no way she would go back inside and get caught up in the whirlwind that was known as “Hurricane Deluca.”

The sight of Maria frantically moving around a seated Liz as she chattered aloud excitedly brought a smile of amusement to Isabel. They had been at it for almost half an hour and she knew that Liz was getting more antsy be the second.

“I still can’t believe they are going through with it.” A voice from behind startled Isabel from her musings.

Turning to her fellow pod mate, Isabel gave a shrug at the smaller girl’s comment, “I really don’t blame them, Tess. Especially after the year we all have had.”

“But eloping?” Tess asked with disbelief while craning her neck around Isabel to see what was happening inside the room.

Isabel’s attention also drifted to her future sister-in-law and Max’s brash decision to run off and get married after graduation. She knew it came from the fear of being parted, especially when Liz found out that she was accepted to Northwestern.

The couple had assembled the group together and they had all sneaked away to the closest wedding chapel that they could find. Max and Michael had gone off to arrange the ceremony with the justice of the peace, while the girls found a small room to get Liz ready for the upcoming nuptials.

Isabel let out a sigh that was tinged with jealousy, “I just wish it was Alex and I.”

Tess chuckled and shook her head, “What’s the point? You practically live with each other anyway.”

Isabel returned her laugh as she remembered her parents reaction when she took the small apartment after her own graduation nearly a year ago. That reaction, though, had been nothing compared to when they showed up unannounced to find Alex wearing only his boxer shorts.

“Alex and I are both over the legal age, so neither of our parents could say much about our relationship.” She looked back at Liz and Maria, “Liz and Max didn’t have that luxury and now they fear that they will be torn apart.”

Tess nodded in understanding, as they both watched the two girls frantically get ready for the nuptials. Neither one had to mention that Tess had been one of those reasons that Max and Liz had been apart for so long.

A year ago, Isabel had never even dreamed of how things would turn out. She could still remember that night when Alex had showed up at the Crashdown, as she had hoped he would. She’d been disappointed that he had opted to stay at home and study rather than to come out for a night with her.

He had entered the diner while she was sitting in a booth alone and admiring the prom pictures as Michael and Max discussed the pros and cons of some of their favorite movies. Isabel barely restrained herself from jumping out of her seat and into her boyfriend’s arms. She hadn’t seen him since that morning and she felt like she must have been having withdrawals.

The sight of Tess and Kyle entering in behind Alex made her freeze in her spot and a sick feeling spread in the pit of Isabel’s stomach. By the expression on the trios faces, She knew that something had occurred.

Alex called everyone to attention, and for the next hour Tess had confessed to her role in Nasedo’s and Khivar’s plot to capture the royal four. They had all been shocked with disbelief at the links the girl had gone in her quest to do her guardians bidding.

Liz and Maria had been livid with anger when Alex’s role in the plot was revealed. Michael had to physically restrain Maria while Tess sobbed into Kyle’s shoulder as he whispered words of reassurance into her ear.

Isabel, on the other hand, sat quietly in her booth not joining in with the conversation; instead she lost herself into her own thoughts. Even though she heard Tess’ words, all Isabel was able to focus on, at the moment, was Alex.

Hurt and betrayal had settled inside her heart as she slowly realized that he had lied to her earlier in the day. After all of their talk about working together, Alex had gone behind her back and confronted Tess and, in doing so, putting himself in danger.

After everyone had finally begun to calm down and the meeting was over, Alex tried to speak with Isabel but she hadn’t been able to trust herself to speak with him. So she had grabbed her purse and quickly headed for the door in hopes of escaping before she broke down in front of everyone.

Alex followed her out trying to get her attention and apologize for his actions, but Isabel hadn’t wanted to hear anything from him. Instead, she had gone home, grabbed a pint of ice cream from the freezer and retreated to her room for a long crying jag that seemed to last for days.

Coming back to the present, Isabel looked back at Tess, “Have you seen Alex?”

“He was just with Kyle. I think they are planning to do something to Max’s car.” Tess grinned knowingly at what the boys were up too.

Isabel shook her head in amusement knowing that Alex was bound to use his powers to embarrass the newlyweds before they set off for their honeymoon. There had been many times, over the last year, that she had to scold him for using them unconsciously in public places. Even though he continued to promise that he would be careful, she couldn’t stop herself from worrying over him.
As if reading her thoughts, Tess gave Isabel a reassuring smile, “I made sure that Kyle knew not to do anything too drastic.”

She let out a small relieved sigh knowing that Kyle would do anything that Tess asked of him. Ever since that fateful meeting, he had delegated himself as her protector spending every free moment with her. Much to the chagrin of the sheriff, Kyle and Tess finally came out as a couple a few weeks later.

During the time that followed the night at the diner, it seemed everyone had retreated to their own corners. They needed time apart from each other to focus on their relationships that had been so fragile in the last few months.

Alex had spent weeks groveling and apologizing to Isabel in every form imaginable. Flowers, gifts, cards, letters, e-mails, telephone calls, text messages and even a singing telegram hadn’t gotten Isabel to listen to his explanation.

It had been the death of Sean Deluca in a car accident that brought the group back together as they comforted Amy, Maria and Liz on their loss. Alex’s attention shifted to his best friends, leaving Isabel to realize that life was just too short to be angry at the one you loved.

“Stop pulling on my hair ” Liz cried out loud breaking Isabel from her thoughts.

“Stay still then ” Maria growled down at her best friend.

Isabel was startled when she felt arms go around her waist, but quickly relaxed when she recognized them, “What have you been up too?”

Alex chuckled as he lent down to nuzzle her ear, “Kyle and I got the car decked out. How’s everything going here?”

“OUCH Damn it, Maria ”

“I guess that answered my question.” He smiled as he watched his two best friends.

“Tess braved the fire and went in a few seconds ago.” Isabel murmured to him as she slipped her fingers through his and pulled him closer against her back.

“You know, I’ve heard that weddings are like an aphrodisiac to women.” Alex pressed his lips to her bare shoulder, “Do you think it’s true?”

Isabel turned and wrapped her arms around his neck, “I guess you will have to wait and see.”

Alex groaned at the desire that flashed in her eyes. Even after a year together, it still surprised him that Isabel seemed to want him almost as much as he wanted her. Sometimes he felt like he had to be dreaming never truly believing that she was really his.

“Max and the JP are ready.” He cleared his throat getting Liz’s attention, “How about you?”

Liz took a deep calming breath and nodded just as Maria put the final touches on her hair. Rising she made her way to the door and smiled up at her male best friend who was grinning from ear to ear with happiness.

“Alex, would you do me the honor of walking me down the aisle?” Liz asked

Isabel felt his breath hitch at Liz’s request and held him just a little tighter to her. She knew what it meant for him to be given such an honor by his best friend on this special day.

It took him a while to find his voice, but he finally smiled and whispered, “Definitely.”

Alex stepped away from Isabel and wrapped Liz into his arms a few seconds later Maria made it a group hug. The three humans became lost in their world as they laughed and cried over the emotional moment that they were experiencing.

“Hey what’s going on here?” Kyle said as he stood behind Isabel with a frown of confusion on his face, “We still having a wedding?”

Tess’ face seemed to light up at the sight of him and soon she was settled at his side, “Well come on. Let’s get this show on the road.”

A few minutes later, Alex was leading Liz down the short aisle toward her future before taking his place beside Isabel. She slipped her hand into his and held tightly as they listened to the Justice of Peace begin the service.

Silently Isabel gave a small prayer of thanks to the Granolith and the jolt it had figuratively and literally given her and Alex. She felt a shudder pass through her body at the thought of how things could have turned out if Alex had not received her powers leaving him defenseless with Tess and the mind warps.

Alex felt her shudder and looked down at her with worry, but she just gave him a smile and mouthed “I love you.”

He returned her smile and lent forward to brush his lips gently across hers and whispered for her ears only, “I love you, too.”

All else seemed to fade away, as they stood there looking into each other’s eyes. There was only Alex and her and the happiness that they shared just by being together. Isabel knew that by finally letting Alex into her heart and her life she had gained so much and had found herself at last.

The End.

Kara