Chapter 13 - 13

13.

"So? That's it. I have noted down all the details. Don't worry Ben and Isabella. I will make sure your big day is going to be memorable" Elena vowed

"When Elena Locason promises something, she will never fail to deliver it" William said as he walked towards the living room with Elizabeth and the elder Carter couple.

"You are spot on uncle" Elena grinned at William

"And Isabella, the designer will be coming for the measurements in the evening. She will show you the catalogue too. Tell her your wishes. She will design accordingly" Elena said

"I will. Thank you Elena" Isabella said with a smile

"No sorry and no Thankyou in friendship. You are Ben's wife. So you are our friend now" Elena said

"Now nothing can save you Isabella. Elena is going to be a pain. If she starts talking, she will never stop. Even if you beg" Julian said in a loud conspiratorial whisper earning a wack from Elena.

Rosetta laughed

"That's because you don't know my daughter. She hasn't come out of the shock yet. That's why she is so silent now." Rosetta said

"That's right. As far as I know, Isabella has made friends with the entire floor in the office." Benjamin said

"Izzy is perfectly capable of holding a conversation herself without much input from the other party" Alessandro added jokingly earning a scowl from his sister

"Oh God! Ben? You too have the same fate?" Julian asked in mock pity

"What to do Julian? If that is what destiny planned for me, I will have to live with it right?" Benjamin played up his part

Isabella placed her hands on her hips and turned to Benjamin with a scowl

"Did I ask you to introduce me as your fiance? Did I ask you to marry me? Did I ask you to play knight in shining armor out of blue. No!! I didn't. It was all you. Do you hear me. It was all YOU" Isabella said poking Benjamin's chest with her index finger

"Woah. Calm down tigress. We were joking" Benjamin said and he held her angry finger in his fist

"See. This is what I told you? Don't fall for that innocent face" Rosetta added in a teasing tone.

She felt good seeing Isabella back to her form.

Isabella was behaving unnaturally silent all along. And Isabella was never silent.

Isabella huffed in annoyance

"Have fun at my expense. I'm not the only one who got married today. Then why am I the only target." Isabella complained

"That's because Ben is shameless. We wouldn't get this reaction out of him, if we tease him" Julian said earning an eye roll from Benjamin

"Mrs Lockwood.., I mean Mom. Please tell me some embarrassing things about Benjamin too. I'm sure my momma wouldn't stop once she opens the pandora box" Isabella said making a face at her mother

"Definitely Isabella. We will have a girls night and I will tell you all the details" Elizabeth agreed earning a look of horror from her son

"Okay everyone. We need to get going. I have two parties to plan" Elena said

"Two?" William asked in confusion

"Yes Dad. A cocktail party for the Lockwood group employees two days after the reception" Benjamin said and William nodded

"We will take your leave now" Julian said and walked towards the kids who were happily playing with each other

"Okay darling. Its time to go home" Julian said and picked up Juliana in his arms

Juliana let out an ear splitting wail in protest and Sapphire followed suit

The Lockwood Mansion was filled with the angry cries of the two kids

Benjamin bent down and picked up a wailing Sapphire

"Jules nooo" Sapphire cried

Julian frowned

"Who is she calling Jules? Me or my daughter?" Julian asked as Benjamin had mentioned Sapphire's penchant for calling everyone by their name

"Does it matter now?" Benjamin asked with a glare trying to quieten the crying child

"We will come tomorrow. Then you can play together" Julian offered trying to pacify his daughter who twisted and thrashed in his arms in her attempt to get down and play

"Julian. Just walk out. She will forget once we are out" Elena said knowing the attention span of toddlers

"Okay. Bye everyone. Will call you" Julian walked out with the crying toddler and Benjamin held onto the other crying child

"To think that they have been fighting for toys when they first met" Sandro said shaking his head remembering the kids fight on toys

Elizabeth soon distracted little Sapphire with a teddy bear.

"Ben, show Isabella around the house" Elizabeth said urging them to spend time together

Benjamin held Isabella's arms and took her around.

The two set of parents watched them with worry. Hoping that the marriage will work out and their children would be happy

"Are we taking Izzy home momma? The reception is a week away right?" Alessandro asked

He had always known that at some point, his sister would get married and leave the house. But this happened all of a sudden and be couldn't come to terms with the fact that Isabella wouldn't be at home for him to fight with or irritate.

"We can't Sandro. The news of her marriage must have been spread all around our housing area by now. What would they think if they take her home now?" Zakariah asked

Alessandro nodded in understanding

"And we should maintain the story of the marriage proposal. If anybody asks anything, keep up with the story that they have been unofficially engaged and we were planning the official ceremony when all this happened" William said and the others nodded

Benjamin showed Isabella around the house and Isabella stared in awe

She had been born in a middle class family and she had lived the twenty three years of her life that way.

All of a sudden she is going to live in a house which looks nothing less than a palace.

"This is our room" Benjamin said opening the bedroom door.

Isabella felt the color rising up on her cheeks at the mention of our room.

Isabella came in and saw that there was a king sized bed in the middle. A work table in one corner. Two love seats in the other corner near the windows, which opens to the backyard. There was a door leading to the balcony facing the beautiful garden they walked through earlier.

"Your room is very beautiful Benjamin" Isabella said

"Our room. Its our room Bella. From today, there won't be anything as mine or yours. It will be ours" Benjamin said earning a sweet smile from Isabella

Benjamin led Isabella towards the love seats and they sat opposite each other.

"Bella, we both are new to this married life. We will make mistakes. But we will learn together. Are you ready to join me in this Isabella?" Benjamin asked

"I have never thought much about marriage before Benjamin. It has always been on the periphery. I knew I had to marry someone one day. Someone my parents choose. So I never bothered about it. It happened all of a sudden and I'm a little overwhelmed. And your house, it's just so different from what I grew up with. It will take time for me to adjust to your lifestyle." Isabella said

"I understand Bella. Our relationship will grow according to the pace you are comfortable with. You tell me when you are uncomfortable with anything that happens here. I can't read minds Bella. So you will have to tell me what you think, what you feel. I will do that same" Benjamin said

Isabella nodded in agreement

"And Bella. I want you to know that I like you. I like you very much" Benjamin said and Isabella looked at him in surprise

"I didn't give it much thought before. I liked your company in the office. You were easy to talk to. But I was pre occupied with the custody battle. I didn't understand how much I actually liked you until your father rejected the proposal. I'm telling you all this, because I don't want you to think that this is all about Sapphire. Yes, it started for her, but now I want you for you" Benjamin said as he held Isabella's both hands in his

Isabella felt her heart would burst out in happiness.

"Benjamin I..." she trailed off not knowing how to respond

"You don't have to say anything now Bella.. I don't expect you to reciprocate the feelings so quick. I will wait for you" Benjamin said and brought her hands towards his making her blush