The Senator's Hispanic Bride (12 page)

Isabella smiled and lowered her eyes just a little. “I think that just this time, we will let that be the story. It’s not the whole truth, but it isn’t a lie and it will probably save your election if we go with that. I bet the voters will sympathize with us since they love us so much.”

Michael nodded and smiled her. “Alright then, I guess that’s what we will do when we get back to New York. When do you want to go back?”

She sighed happily and stretched out next to him on her towel. “Could we please spend a couple of more days here and then go back to the madness?”

“I love that idea. Let’s do it.” He stretched out next to her and kissed her softly. “I can’t wait for the wedding, and I can’t wait for the honeymoon afterward, when we can let the whole wide world go away and have no one around but the two of us.”

The Final Chapter

Two days later they were on their way back to Manhattan, and one day after that, they gave an exclusive interview to one of the news stations in the city. All of the other stations broadcast it as well and the newspapers and magazines were quick to run it in their next publications. The story was spread quickest on social media, as they had expected, and the photographs from the dress shop resurfaced almost immediately.

They talked to a renowned woman reporter at the television station who had done interviews with them just prior to their engagement party and who was beyond thrilled to do a follow-up interview with them about the scandal. They narrowly avoided saying that it wasn’t true by stating that they were getting married because they were in love and Kelsey had tried more than once to break them up, and having been unsuccessful in her first attempt, she had gone for the jugular and spread rumors to facilitate a critical break between them. Questions arose about Glenn Todd having been let go over the scandal and they kept his name clean for him in return for his silence, telling the reporters he had chosen to leave to pursue other personal objectives that were important to him. He agreed he’d rather have that story out than the story of him sleeping with Kelsey, and that’s what was broadcast to the public.

The public was anxious to hear what Michael and Isabella had to say about their marriage and the ugly scandal that had plagued them over the prior week. When the couple responded with reassurances they were solidly committed to each other, very much in love and were not marrying as a publicity ploy, the public happily believed it. Support for the couple and their marriage, as well as the election, doubled and though Kelsey tried to combat the response published by Michael and Isabella, she had no proof, so almost no one believed her. Her efforts had the opposite effect than what she was hoping for by reinforcing support for Isabella and Michael’s wedding and the election.

Isabella and Michael were welcomed warmly by her family; particularly, because of what Marisol had told them and because Michael had gone all the way to Florida to win Isabella back and bring her back to Manhattan. She had been waiting to get to New York to talk to her sister in person. She got her chance when they went to the restaurant after the interview. Marisol was one of the first people to rush to see them when they came in the front door.

“You’re back!” she exclaimed in excitement, throwing her arms around her sister.

Isabella hugged her tightly and then let her go and stood back, looking at her with a disapproving smirk. “You told my secret.”

Marisol’s eyes grew big and she laughed. “I had to! I was helping you!”

Isabella shook her head at her sister with an incredulous smile. “What in the world changed your mind about Michael? I thought you couldn’t trust him, you didn’t like him, you weren’t happy I was marrying him… and just when I finally agree with you because you were
right
, you go and take his side and sell me out to him!” Isabella laughed a little in her amazement.

Marisol pulled her sister close to her and said in a low voice, “Well, Isabella, there were a few things. First, he actually came to me. He knew I couldn’t stand him and yet he still came to me. That’s either stupidity or ultimate bravery, and he’s no fool. He was courageous coming to me, and it showed me just how serious he was about finding you, because he put you before himself, and that is love. Second, when he spoke about what happened, he told me everything, and I could see that he wasn’t lying to me. I could see that at first it was a plan, and then it was the truth. He really does love you now. He really does want to spend the rest of his life with you, and I know how much you love him, so I told him where you were because I want a love like that for you.”

Isabella grinned and looked at her sister with a sidelong gaze. “Was that everything?”

The corner of Marisol’s mouth twitched in a smile. “No.” She winked at her sister. “I also threatened him within an inch of his life if he ever hurts you again; he was terrified, but he didn’t move. He stayed right there with me, waiting for me to help him find you. So I did, and look at the two of you now. So in love, so happy, getting married, and it’s all because I sold you out for true love. Isn’t that great?” Her grin widened and she hugged Isabella’s shoulders.

Isabella hugged her back and kissed her cheek. “Thank you, Marisol, and thank you again for decking that trash bag Kelsey for me. I don’t think I will ever forget that as long as I live.” She sighed happily as the corners of her mouth turned up.

“Actually,” Marisol said with raised eyebrows, “I should be thanking you. I’m a new celebrity now. Everyone loves me for doing that to her. I have followers on the social media sites now! It’s kind of crazy. News teams want to interview me and I keep getting calls to go on shows and talk about what happened. I haven’t said yes to anyone yet, I wanted to wait to talk to you and Michael about it before I spoke to anyone.”

Isabella nodded. “Thank you for waiting. You’ve seen the response we’ve given out to everyone, it’s not the whole truth, but the parts that we did share are the real facts, so as long as you stick to that and to what the shop girls said about her coming in and harassing us and you acting in self defense we should all be alright. Nobody likes her anyway.” Isabella laughed a little at the end.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Marisol said quietly. “I’m just glad that you are back and that things are alright for you both. I will tell you this, Isabella, I am glad now that you are going to marry him and that he will be in this family. He’s a good man, and he really loves you. There isn’t much more that I could wish for you than that.”

“Thank you, sister,” Isabella said, hugging Marisol tightly and kissing her cheek. “I love you, too.” Then she looked over at the family table where everyone was gathered, talking, eating, waving their arms and laughing.

“We’d better get over there, it looks like the cousins are all having fun without us!” They headed over and when they got there, Isabella saw that Michael was sitting right beside her Papa, and their arms were around each other’s shoulders.

Her Papa looked at her with pure happiness on his face. “My children! My children, I am so glad that you are together again and that everything is alright.” He looked at them with pride and joy. “I’m also happy,” he said, pointing his finger around the restaurant, “that this place can barely keep up with all the business that has been coming through the door since you had your special event here. We had to hire new staff and change the hours to stay open longer just to accommodate everyone! Mama wants to open another restaurant closer to the middle of the city now!” He laughed heartily and the family cheered and clapped.

***

In the remaining weeks that led up to the wedding, Michael and Isabella found themselves in the center of a huge swarm of chaos and celebration, and they did what they could to help prepare, but they discovered that most of what needed to be done was handled by the people closest to them. Her grandparents flew in from Florida to help them prepare in the last two weeks, arrangements were finalized, fittings were done, tastings were had for everything that would be served, everything was double checked from the musicians to the candles and finally, the day arrived.

Isabella’s mother, grandmother, cousins and sister stayed the night with her at her house to help her get ready in the morning. Some of them cooked, some of them handled flowers and details, and Mama and Marisol helped Isabella to bathe and dress, brushing on her makeup, adorning her with jewelry, pulling her hair up into a stunning array of curls, blossoms and diamonds, and then they helped her into her dress and before too long, it was time to go.

Two limousines pulled up in front of the house for the family to ride to the cathedral in, but at the head of the limousines was a huge old-fashioned white wooden carriage drawn by four white horses, and Isabella and Marisol rode in the carriage to the church. They were both surprised to discover people had lined the streets for five blocks leading to the church, and as they passed in their arrival to the cathedral, they were greeted with cheers and applause, whistles and blown kisses. The ladies both waved happily to everyone they passed. News crews were set up at the steps of the church and caught every moment of the beautiful bride and her sister as they climbed the steps of the cathedral and walked into the front doors.

Not long after their arrival, when everyone had taken their place, the musicians in the balcony over the door of the church began to play their music and Isabella followed Marisol down the aisle toward Michael with her father at her side, holding her hand tightly as they walked.

He watched her coming toward him and his heart overflowed with joy and happiness, and with wonder at the luck and love in his life. She watched him and felt just the same as butterflies flurried through her and every step was like striking a chord of bliss throughout her soul. She reached the altar, her father gave her hand to Michael, and Michael lifted her veil to look in awe at the woman he was going to spend the rest of his life with.

“You look beautiful,” he whispered with a smile. She smiled back and they turned to face the pastor to speak their vows and promises to each other. When their words were spoken, their rings exchanged, and candles lit, the pastor turned them toward their guests and announced them as husband and wife, and applause and cheers erupted.

They walked back down the aisle together, followed by their guests, and as they emerged into the bright warm sunlight, Isabella was sure that she was in a daydream, sure that her heart could not have composed a more beautiful experience on a more beautiful day than what she was living in at that moment. As they passed through the doors of the cathedral to descend the steps into the waiting world, cameras flashed and a huge crowd of people who had been waiting for them cheered and applauded, calling out well wishes and congratulations.

Michael helped Isabella into the carriage that had brought her to the ceremony, and they rode away with the limousines with their family following behind them. While the newspapers, television stations and social media sites were all in a flurry about the ceremony, Isabella and Michael were rejoicing with their family at a lavish reception in one of the grand hotels in Manhattan. Hours wiled away as they all danced, ate, celebrated, cut wedding cake and finished out with all of the traditional activities that people like to do at their weddings.

As the afternoon waned and evening began to color the sky, they bid their guests farewell and slipped into a limousine in front of the hotel, as hugs and kisses were given, camera flashes blinked all around them, and cheers erupted when they drove away.

Michael and Isabella both breathed an enormous sigh and almost collapsed against the seat in the limo. They held hands and smiled at each other and he touched her cheek. “You are mine, now and always. I love you,” he said with complete happiness. He raised their hands to his lips and kissed her fingers.

Isabella touched his cheek and leaned toward him to kiss his mouth for the hundredth time that day, and then she laid her head on his shoulder. “Well, it’s official now. It’s you and I forever. I’m so glad we did it.” She sighed happily.

The car took them to the airport where they boarded a plane and a while later, they were stepping off the plane onto the island of Bermuda. They were so exhausted from their day and their flight that they fell asleep as soon as they reached the house they had rented.

When morning light broke over them, Michael opened his eyes and looked around, smiling to himself in utter happiness as he watched his wife sleep beside him. She stirred slightly, and he could not make himself wait any longer. He leaned over and ran his lips softly across her cheek to her mouth, where he kissed her gently, waking her moment by moment with his love.

She opened her eyes and smiled at him, grinning and wrapping her arms around his neck. “Good morning, Mr. Bradley,” she whispered to him.

“Good morning, Mrs. Bradley.” He kissed her again and she kissed him back. “I’m glad you’re finally awake,” he whispered as he slowly peeled the sheet away from her body, his hand canvassing her skin as he did so.

She giggled at him. “Why is that?” she asked innocently.

He looked at her with the smile of a scamp and winked. “Because I couldn’t wait another minute to make love with you.” He leaned toward her and closed his mouth over hers, tenderly kissing her and pulling her close to him. “I have wanted this for so long with you, Isabella. It’s different now, making love with you as my wife, as my partner for the rest of forever. It could never be better than this with you.”

Michael wrapped his arms around her snugly and his mouth moved from hers to the hollow of her neck, and from there, to the swell of her rounded breasts as she kissed him in return, holding tightly to his hard shoulders, and tasting his skin with her hungry lovers’ mouth.

He traced his fingers over her body, exploring the lines and curves of it that he knew so well, and that he would want to know over and over again every time he touched her for the rest of their lives. His lips and tongue followed his fingers, and everywhere that they moved, he left trails of heat that burned into her caramel skin and drew need from her belly to the surface of her body.

Her breath grew shallow and as his mouth found its way from the softness of her breasts to the valley of her thighs, her heart began to race and her head grew dizzy with pleasure. He kissed her softly, touching her gently until his need grew great, and his attentions to her grew ever more urgent. His tongue slipped from the outside of her to hidden places within her, making her gasp and sigh in rapture as he drew the fires from her belly to his tongue and she could not hold back the flood of ecstasy she felt, as he brought her to an orgasm. The enormity of the release she felt only served to fuel his ravenous need for her and he worked his mouth in between her thighs more fervently, until at long last she came again, and his ache for her was at its peak.