Chapter 99 - HEIRESS'S SECOND CHANCE BILLIONAIRE

Chapter Ninety-Nine “Love me Like You Do.”

Isabella Kingston.

My feet carried me on their own accord, my breathing frantic as everything blurred in the background. Christian’s name slipping past Grace’s lips being the only thing that registered in my mind, and nothing else seeming to make any sense apart. The look on Grace’s face was enough to have me sprinting in the direction of the VIP room where he is staying.

I heard footsteps follow behind me, no doubt belonging to she and Anderson but I could not care less about them. The one thing in my mind being Christian, and wanting to see the condition he is in.

I managed to reach the room in record time. Pushing the door open, the sight I was met with had me stopping by the door, lips parted and tears welling in my eyes. My hand went to cover my mouth, as I watched Gloria lean down to embrace Christian whom was now in a sitting position, albeit still looking weak but awake.

He is awake. Christian is awake. He is fine.

Louis, Grace’s husband and Little Allie were the next ones he conversed with. Carter stood by the side as well, and Mr. Kingston—his father, a man I had learned to be of a few words and stoic character still seemed to care for his child stood by Grace’s side, offering Christian the faintest of smiles but it is the most can get out of him.

From behind, I could hear Grace and Anderson step in further into the room as well but I could not bring myself to move from my position, seemingly stuck there. Then, as if he could feel my presence or my gaze on him, he turned around and I could swear I nearly broke out right then and there.

His brows knit together, a familiar frown etched on his face before he parted his lips, to give an answer in response to the light tease he got from Louis and Carter. “Alright, that’s enough.” He grumbled out. “Let me speak with my woman.” His soft gaze landed on me again, his hand extended out, “Baby, come here.”

I did not hesitate. Those words from him seemed to be the reality check I needed that proved this is all real, and that I was not imagining it like I have been doing these past few weeks, thinking I have seen his finger shift or his eyes fluttering.

My feet moved off the floor, and what started as a few steps eventually became a mini sprint and in just a couple of steps, I found myself beside him. Settling on the space beside him on the bed, I wrapped my arms around him just in time his wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him.

And the moment I had my face buried in the crook of his neck, inhaling that familiar woody and musk scent of his—albeit with a touch of hospital sterilizers and all, I broke down completely.

My resolve cracked entirely, and I found myself crying in his arms. Christian held me close with one hand, the other patting the back of my head as he tried to soothe me with sweet words. “It is fine, everything is alright now. I am here with you, I am safe.”

I shook my head, then pulled back to look at him. I noticed then that they had all somehow slipped out, leaving us alone. Nevertheless, my voice clogged as I whispered out. “It is my fault,” I cried harder, “It is my fault you are in this situation. I am so sorry Christian, I am sorry I didn’t believe you. I should have had more faith in you and I did not. I--”

“Shhh,” He shushed me, his tone warm and soothing. “It is all in the past now. Nothing else matters but you and I being here together,” He reached out to wipe my tears. “It is my fault for hiding it from you as well. But, it is alright now. We’re safe, everything is over…thanks to you.” He tried to offer me a small smile, but I could tell it was taking a lot of strength from him to do so.

I wanted to argue further and beat myself up, but I knew he was in no condition for that. So, I did not. He is right. None of that matters. All that matters now is that we are safe, he and I, in this moment. That is all that matters.

So, I nodded instead and he guided me into his arms again so his back was leaned against the pillow and I, on his uninjured arm. Sniffing, I whispered. “I missed you so much,” I confessed. “So damn much you have no idea.”

I could feel him smile, as he rested his head on mine. “I missed you so much as well, my Isabella.” He whispered back. “From now on, it is just us. You and I.”

I hummed, but did not comment on it. One step at a time, I decided.

***

“There you are. I have been looking for you.” I heard Christian’s voice come from behind me, his tone soft and flowing along with the night from which I drew peace.

The silence that came from the night was exactly that which I needed, and his newfound presence is not so unwelcomed either.

His steps got closer, and once he was close enough, his arms went around me from behind, his face burying in the crook of my neck almost immediately. “Why did you leave the bed?” He mumbled, in a sleepy tone. “You weren’t there when I reached out for you.”

I hummed, then threw my head back slightly as his nose trailed the skin of my neck. “I could not sleep,” I confessed. “So, I decided to step out here.”

This time around, it was his turn to hum, as his hand moved downwards from my waist slowly. “Well, I could think of so many other ways to exhaust you enough to need sleep.”

I chuckled, halting him midway. “Stop. I can’t keep up with you at the point.”

He chuckled deeply, the sound making heat pool down there as if I am not sore already from how many rounds? I have lost count. “Sure you can,” He teased. “Just let me show you.”

“You are beast,” I joked, as I held his hands in mine to stop him, else we really would end up going for another round which truthfully I am not so much against but we need to stop, for his sake even. “The doctor said you cannot exhaust yourself. You still aren’t fully healed.”

I could hear him groan, and I can imagine the sulking look that must have took over his features. “Goodness woman. I have been out of the hospital for two weeks already. And I have my beautiful woman taking care of me, I am pretty much healed already.”

I simply hummed, an action that silently spoke the words I did not vocalize.

Christian sighed, giving up on his conquest. Then, he rested his head on my shoulder, staring at the same thing I was, before his voice came, sounding serious this time around. “I wanted to gift you that, you know.” He started. “I could not understand why you wanted it so much at the bidding, but I bought the painting for you. Now, I understand why.”

A small, humorless smile made its way on my face. “It a painting of hers,” I confessed. “The one thing she truly values in this world, unfortunately.” I rolled my eyes, still staring at the painting Christian outbid me to buy at Grace’s Gallery.

I did not realize it before, but he had hung it in our home back in America, and it was only after we had returned from England that I realized it. I won’t lie, I can’t say I hate it entirely, but I do not like it as well.

I continued. “I thought perhaps if I stared long enough, then I would understand why she choose it over I, and my father,” I then shook my head, as I turned around to look at Christian. “I still do not get it.”

“You miss her,” He states, for it was not a question.

I shrugged. “All kids miss their parents, no matter how shitty.” I swallowed thickly. “When she came for Dad’s funeral, I thought she was finally back, but turns out she only came back to ensure her shares are in order before she left again. It was a foolish thought on my mind.”

“It is not,” He comforted me, “And I know it can never compare, but you do know Gloria is always here for you as well, don’t you? She considers you her own child.”

The mention of her had my lips slanting into a genuine smile. “I know.” She has never failed to show me that she cares, and I finally understood what a motherly love is. “I aspire to be like her.”

“You will,” He sounded so certain. “You will be a good mother to our kids. I just know that.”

I offered him a smile of gratitude, then sighed as another crossed my mind. “I feel as though a chapter of my life is ending.” I confessed. “Everything seems to be changing slowly.”

Christian gave me a knowing look. “Is this about Amy’s resignation?” Judging from his tone, he must have realized it has been on my mind since she told me of it.

I nodded, “Yes,” I answered truthfully. “She has been with me all these years. I do not feel at ease that she is suddenly resigning out of the blue, especially now when I need her the most.”

“I thought her grandmother is sick?”

“Yes, Nana’s sickness has gotten worse apparently.” My lips slanted into a frown. “She won’t allow me to fund her treatments, and insisted on moving back to take care of her. I am more worried about her really. I feel as though there is something she is not telling me.” It is not about having an assistant—Anderson has filled in that spot for aside from here, there is no better option than him for me.

He worked with my father, he is the best guide for me as I take over Montague Groups.

Still, Amy seems to have a story of her own, and I am dying to know what—if she will simply open up.

“Don’t bother your pretty head about it. When she is ready, I am sure she will share it with you.” Christian comforted, as he wrapped his arms around me, and pulled me closer to him. Then, his lips slanted into that sultry and seductive grin I know oh so well. “Enough of that, how about testing that conversation of ours earlier?” He arched a brow.

I narrowed my eyes at him playfully. “And what is that?”

“Us being parents?” He asked cheekily. “How about I put a baby in that womb of yours, hmm? If you’d let me. I want a mini you and I.”

I folded my lips in as I tried to hold back my smile. “I mean that sounds good but…”

His fell slightly. “It is okay if you don’t want kids now. We can always wait till you are ready.” He said earnestly.

I chuckled. He is so cute. Wrapping my arms around him, “What I wanted to say is,” I started, making him listen attentively, “We can try but…you cannot make a baby over another.” I whispered, my lips slanting upwards into a wide grin.

Christian seemed confused for a beat or two. “I am pretty sure we can have twins probably…” Oh, he can be dumb sometimes too it appears. “…my family has a line of twins somewhere. We might have one too.”

I gave him a deadpanned look, then rolled my eyes. “I am not talking about twins, Christian,” Taking one of his hands in mine, I guided it to my belly, “Say hi to mini Isabella or Christian.”

It still took him a few seconds to realize it, and when he did, his eyes widened and his lips fell apart. “Wait,” He moved his gaze from my face to my belly where his hand is. “Wait, you are pregnant?”

I nodded, sporting a wide grin. “Yes, eight weeks along.” It has been a hassle hiding it from him, but thankfully my first trimester is not as exhausting as others have it. I found out while Christian was in a coma, and the only one aware so far is Gloria, haven’t told anyone else.

Christian’s grin was contagious as he let out a scream, “YES! I’M GOING TO BE A FATHER!” He leaned down and swooped me in his arms bridal style, rushing in the direction of our bedroom.

My laughter merged along with him. “Christian what are you doing?”

He did not respond, he simply walked straight to our bedroom before sitting me down gently on our bed. Then, he moved to the closet, and returned a beat later. I eyed him, wondering what he is doing.

“I was waiting for the perfect chance to do this, but there is no better time than now,” Christian got on one knee in front of me, and then brought out a box. My eyes widened, lips falling apart as he opened box, still all grins. “Isabella Vivien Montague, I have fallen in love with your strength, wisdom and charisma from the moment I saw you at the ball. And when you kissed me, I knew I wanted a lifetime of it. I know we are already married and you are my legal wife but I don’t want us to be bonded over a contract whatsoever. I want to ask you myself, as I get on one knee, and plead with you to take me, and agree to be mine forever. I cannot think of a better woman to spend my life, and now be a mother of my kids other than you. So, will you do me greatest honor, and be my wife the second time? Be mine, Isabella.”

I grinned widely, then nodded. “Yes, Christian. I will marry you.” Tears slid down my face as Christian took the ring out of the box and slipped it right into my ring. Getting up, he pulled me along with him, then leaned down to capture my lips in his.

When he pulled back, he whispered against my lips. “I love you so fucking much, Isabella Vivien Montague.”

I whispered back. “I love you, Christian Ian Kingston. Now and always.”

“Forever, and the days after.”

THE END.