CHAPTER 10
UNION
By the time Jo came downstairs for breakfast the next morning, Isabella seemed to be settling into her vampire roll quite well. She sat at the table with Marcus and Ian, chatting like her old non-vampire self, with a blood filled wine bottle in front of her.
“Hey Jo,” Isabella said striding a little too quickly towards her.
Jo flinched and stretched an arm out in front of her, stopping Isabella in her tracks.
“I’m not going to hurt you Jo, I just want to thank you.”
“Thank me for what?” Jo said lowering her hand.
“For the blood, of course,” Isabella said taking her seat again and looking slightly put out.
Marcus looked up from the table, “Thanks to your bit of hocus pocus, Isabella’s transition is going much more smoothly than any of us thought possible,” he smiled at Jo in appreciation.
“I’m glad I could help.”
Ian rose from the table and went over to Jo, “How did you sleep?” he asked.
He had the feeling that she had been trying to block her feelings from him since last night. Ian usually picked up on Jo’s moods and feelings thanks to their connection, but after Mia’s visit he hadn’t been able sense anything. Jo had fallen asleep so quickly and he spent the majority of the night watching her toss and turn.
“Fine,” Jo said a little preoccupied. “What’s the matter?” Ian asked, noticing her uneasiness.
Jo shook her head slightly indicating that she did not want to discuss it in front of Marcus and Isabella. “I was thinking about going to see Lena, will you come with me?” She eyed him meaningfully.
“Do you think she’ll let me in?” Ian asked.
Jo lowered her voice; “I really want you with me today.”
Ian noticed that Jo was shaking slightly and when he opened his mouth to question her she shook her head again.
Ian thought that if he had any chance of getting information out of Jo, she needed to be in the place she felt the most comfortable, somewhere her defenses would be down. He decided to take advantage of her preoccupation during the drive, and changed direction to Jo’s house instead of Lena’s shop.
The jolt of the car being put into park seemed to wake Jo from her trance. “Why are we here?” She asked him.
“Because we need some privacy so you can tell me what’s bothering you,” Ian said as he opened his door.
Once they were inside he led Jo to the couch and sat her down, then he sat next to her and turned so they were face to face. He noticed that she was still shaking and tears were rolling down her face.
“Jo what’s the matter?” He said pleadingly, wrapping his arms around her.
“Ian, I’m so scared,” she sobbed in his chest. At that very moment, she let down the barrier she had been holding on to since the previous evening, and Ian felt the magnitude of fear and apprehension that she was feeling wash over him in a sudden rush.
He pulled back so he could look at her, “Why were you trying to hide all of this from me?”
“I just wanted to help Isabella. I didn’t want you to be distracted worrying about me.”
“Isabella is fine thanks to you. You’ve done a great thing for us all, you should be very proud of yourself.”
“Proud of myself? I’m terrified of myself!” Jo said. “I’m scared of what I’m becoming and what I’m going to have to do. I almost killed Dean without even touching him and now I can turn wine into blood, that’s not normal Ian!”
“Hey, you are becoming what you are meant to be, a great witch. Dean was trying to hurt me Jo, you were just protecting me, and as far as Isabella is concerned, you did more for all of us than you even realize. Do you have any idea what it would have been like if Isabella had run out of blood? You did an amazing thing.”
“I don’t feel so amazing. I’m supposed to be the one to stop Mia and I’m terrified, I don’t have a clue what I’m supposed to do. I saw how effortlessly she attacked Isabella, and that could very easily have been me.”
“I’m not going to let her hurt you.”
“I’m sure Marcus has said the same thing to Isabella, and that didn’t help her last night.”
“We’ll figure it out, don’t worry, as long as we stick together everything will be fine.” Ian held her close to him and kissed her on the forehead. “I think you need to take your mind off of all this.”
“What?”
“Let’s do something different today, let’s have some fun.”
“Ian I really don’t think…”
“I’m not taking no for an answer. We’re going to forget about all of this for one day and enjoy ourselves.”
“I really wanted to touch base with Lena,” Jo said.
Ian looked at his watch, “It’s ten o’clock,” he said, “I’ll give you until twelve and then you’re mine for the rest of the day, no arguments.”
Ian took Jo to Lena’s and as Jo did not want him to leave her side, he joined them in the back room. The three of them sat around the large wooden table before Lena spoke.
“Something’s happened hasn’t it?”
“Mia was at the house last night,” Ian said, to save Jo from having to speak, “she turned Isabella.”
“She attacked Isabella,” Jo corrected him, “she nearly ripped open her throat and then she snapped her neck.”
“Oh dear,” Lena’s eye were wide, “poor Isabella. How is she doing? What about Marcus, how is he taking this?”
“They’re both fine thanks to Jo,” Ian said.
“Jo?” Lena questioned, “What do you mean?”
“Jo managed to turn wine into blood, so Isabella is having a smooth transition, so they are both very grateful to Jo.”
“Neither Marcus or Isabella were happy last night,” Jo said, “Marcus was obviously upset that Isabella had been bitten, and Isabella herself told me how unhappy she was.”
“That was last night. You saw them this morning and they were both very happy. They thought that Isabella being bitten was going to be an incredible adjustment, but thanks to you they’ve accepted her change whole-heartedly. Marcus is thrilled that he still has her, and now Isabella doesn’t have to worry Marcus outliving her,” Ian told Jo.
“But…” Jo started.
“You turned wine into blood?” Lena interrupted holding up a hand.
“Yes, I did.”
“Real blood? And Isabella is drinking it?” Lena asked.
“Yes, Ian tried it first to make sure it was blood before we gave it to her.”
Lena’s thoughts drifted off for a minute, “That’s incredible,” she said, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a witch turning wine into blood for a vampire.”
“Witches are not usually so quick to help vampires are they?” Ian said eyeing Lena.
“No they’re not and usually with good cause,” Lena eyed him back.
“But look how much trouble Jo has saved everyone. A new vampire’s thirst is hard to quench, which is not just an inconvenience for the vampire, but for all within the vicinity,” Ian said.
“You’re leaving out one critical point,” Jo said interrupting, “I had Ian’s help.”
“Ian helped you?”
“Yes, I needed his presence to perform the spell,” Jo said looking at Lena.
“Apparently you can’t change wine into blood without some darkness,” Ian said.
“That’s true, but how did you know that?” Lena asked Jo.
“I don’t really know. I just knew.”
“So you have heard of this before?” Ian asked, “I thought you said that you never heard of a witch turning wine into blood.”
“I said I’d never heard of a witch turning wine into blood for a vampire, not that it’s never been done. The fact that you knew that you needed Ian’s presence without anyone telling you is extraordinary,” Lena said ignoring Ian and now speaking directly to Jo. “You have great intuition, greater than I think yo
u realize.”
“That’s what I keep telling her,” Ian said.
Lean stood up and walked over to the expanse of wall that led back to the shop, and placed her hand on it chanting. When the door opened she looked at Ian. “Can you give Jo and I a minute alone?”
“Why?” Jo asked.
“I would like to speak to you without any interruptions. Don’t worry, Ian doesn’t have to leave he can wait in the shop, “Lena said.
Jo nodded slowly, “Okay.”
“Don’t I have a say?” Ian asked.
“No,” Lena said, “this is not about you, this is about Jo. And don’t bother trying to listen you can’t hear through the wall.”
Ian looked at his watch as he got to his feet, “You have twenty minutes,” he said looking intently at Lena and then stepped through the door.
Lena took a seat next to Jo, it was obvious that Jo was upset and the feeling seemed to magnify out of her, filling the room. Lena sat silently for a few minutes before turning to face her.
“I don’t think I want to hear what you have to say,” Jo said, her eyes brimming with tears.
“Probably not,” Lean said, “but I’m going to keep telling you until you understand. You have an extraordinary gift and with it you have an extraordinary amount of power. There is almost no limitation to what you can do, and if you didn’t believe it before, I’m sure that you do now. Am I correct?”
Jo’s tears raced down her cheeks as she nodded, “Yes, and it scares the life out of me. I didn’t know how to help Isabella, and then it just occurred to me, it seemed so obvious, turn wine into blood and I knew I would need Ian’s help. It was so effortless. When I saw Mia attack Isabella and then turn to me, I felt such terror but I still stopped her. I was determined that she wasn’t going to hurt any one else. I’m so scared Lena, I can’t stop shaking. I can feel this power growing inside of me and I don’t know what to do with it. Now Ian wants to take me out to have fun. How can he even think about having fun when I’m terrified I might explode and kill someone?”
Lena patted Jo’s hand, “You’re not going to hurt anyone Jo, you just have to focus your energy where it’s needed, like you did last night. Ian’s right, you did a great thing and although he is not my favorite person, I do know that he cares about you very much. He’s just worried, let him take you out and have some fun.”
“I don’t know if I can,” Jo said looking down at the floor.
Lena lifted Jo’s gaze to her own, “Focus your energy where it’s needed. It’s not a curse Jo, it’s a gift.”
“A gift I didn’t ask for.”
“Yet you were lucky enough to receive it,” Lena told her.
Ian’s idea of fun turned out to be quite different than what Jo had expected. He started off by taking Jo to a park with a hiking trail, and she became very apprehensive when she noticed that Ian was carrying a backpack stuffed to the bursting point.
“This is your idea of fun?” Jo asked as she tripped on a rock.
Ian caught her by the arm, “I thought this would be good for you to release some energy and focus your attention elsewhere.”
It turned out that Ian was right; Jo had to concentrate hard so she wouldn’t trip on all of the rocks and fallen branches, and she had to focus all of her energy getting up the steep inclines, that her mind had no room to wonder. By the time they reached the end of the trail she was exhausted and all she could think of was taking a hot shower and going to bed. Ian took of his pack and opened it.
“When did you have time to pack a bag?” Jo asked suspiciously.
“While you were talking to Lena,” he smirked, “you didn’t even know I was gone.”
Jo looked around her. They were in a clearing and not a soul was in sight. The trees were so high that they cast emerald shadows down on them, and only a few streams of sunlight seemed to be getting through the thick foliage. It was a warm day and after the long hike Jo was especially hot so she took off her jacket. Ian was busying himself unpacking all sorts of things from his bag.
“You packed a picnic?” Jo asked.
“Aren’t you hungry?”
“I’m starving,” Jo said, “but don’t you think you’re being just a little romantic. You’re going to ruin your reputation.”
“If you tell anyone, I’ll deny it,” Ian said, as he laid out a large blanket.
They sat and ate uninterrupted, enjoying the warmth of the day. Ian pulled out two glasses and a small bottle of wine, he handed Jo a glass and smiled as he poured the wine.
“Its wine, don’t worry,” he told Jo, as she sniffed it for reassurance before taking a sip.
“You were right,” Jo said, “this is just what I needed.”
She moved closer to Ian who had his back against a large tree and snuggled into him. She was feeling so relaxed, being away from everyone and everything that had clouded her mind over the past few weeks, put things back into perspective. They sat quietly together and finished the wine enjoying their surroundings. When they were done, Ian packed up while Jo sat under the large tree watching him. She caught his arm and pulled in down next to her.
“Thank you,” she said, nuzzling her nose into his neck.
“I just want you to be happy,” Ian said holding her tightly.
“I’m always happy when we’re together,” Jo said, as she looked up and kissed him. “Can you feel that?” She said closing her eyes.
“Yes,” Ian said, feeling her contentment.
“See, nothing to worry about,” she said, kissing him more intensely.
“Good,” Ian said standing and putting his hand out to her, “because we’re not finished yet.”
Jo groaned knowing that they had to go back the way they came, and taking Ian’s hand, she stood and wiped herself off.
They hiked back down the trail and to the car. Jo laid her head against the window and gazed at the scenery passing by, until she noticed that they were back at her house.
“What are we doing here?”
“We need to get cleaned up,” Ian said, “and you don’t have any clothes at my house.”
“But you don’t have any clothes here,” Jo noted.
“I brought some,” Ian said holding up the backpack.
Jo shook her head, “I should have known.”
The first thing Jo did when they went inside, was call Clair. Not a day went by since Clair had been at her father’s that Jo did not speak to her. It seemed that Dean had grown accustom to having Clair’s company, since he no longer had Dana to care for him. Clair did not mind but Jo worried that it was too much responsibility for her. School would be out soon and Jo did not want her to be a full time nanny to her father.
Jo told Clair that Marie had phoned inviting her to spend some time with them over the summer, then made a mental note to call Marie and ask if Clair could stay with them for a few weeks. Although Jo missed Clair terribly, she took solace in the fact that she was not in the middle of everything that was going on in her life at the moment. Jo had decided that when everything was settled with Mia she would tell Clair what she was and about everything that had happened.
Jo and Ian made their way upstairs. Jo sat at her vanity and brushed out her hair and Ian sat on the bed watching her.
“Are you going to tell me where we’re going so I’ll know what to wear?” Jo asked setting down her brush.
“Something nice, but comfortable,” Ian suggested as he stood and took out his usual going out attire of dark jeans and a button down top.
Jo went into the adjoining bathroom and started the shower, when she turned to close the door Ian was behind her. He helped her slip out of her sweaty clothes and she obligingly returned the favor. It never seemed to amaze Jo how perfectly compatible they were. Maybe it had to do with the fact that Ian could easily pick up on her feelings, but he had a way of being there when she needed him or backing off when she needed space. Whatever the reason, she never hesitated in giving herself over completely t
o him.
When they were clean and refreshed, Jo picked out a simple short grey dress with matching low-heeled shoes and decided on leaving her hair down. She sat on the bed watching Ian dress as she slipped on her shoes.
“Have you seen my belt?” He asked.
Jo stood up started to look around, and then stopped, she turned to Ian and closed her eyes. She reached into her consciousness, cleared her mind and concentrated her energy on Ian’s belt. When she opened her eyes he was staring back at her, belt in hand.
“You’re getting very good at this, aren’t you?”
“Well Lena told me that my powers are a gift not a curse and that I should practice focusing them where needed, and you needed a belt,” Jo smiled at him slyly.
“I’m not sure that’s what she meant, but thank you anyway,” he said, sliding the belt through the loops of his pants.
“Can I get you anything else?” she said motioning around the room.
“Actually I left my cologne in the bag,” Ian began.
And before he knew it the bottle was in his hand.
Ian took Jo to a quaint little restaurant, it was a quiet place and very few people were scattered within it. Music played softly in the background as the host led them to a seat in the back corner, at Ian’s request. Ian held a chair out for Jo and the host promptly sent a waiter over with a bottle of their best wine and two large menus.
“Have you been here before?” Jo asked.
“A few times, it’s a great place if you’re looking for someplace quiet.”
“You always know what I’m thinking, I wasn’t in the mood for crowds.”
“I had a feeling,” Ian said winking at her.
“Do you know what you’re having?”
“You could just do a little magic over this bottle and I would be content,” Ian said, smirking at her.
“That’s not funny,” she said, “besides it would look awkward if I was the only one eating.”
Jo turned her attention back to the menu and Ian continued staring at her.
“What?” She asked looking up
“Nothing, you just look stunning,” he told her.
“Don’t start,” she said, “you know what will happen if you start flirting with me.”
The waiter came over and took their orders. Jo ordered the seafood linguini and Ian settled on a rare steak.
“Let’s dance,” Ian said, standing and holding his hand out to her.
“Ian, I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“We’re supposed to be having fun,” he reminded her, as he took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
He pulled her close to him and brushed her hair off of her face, as he so often did. They swayed slowly together in the dim atmosphere of the room, not taking their eyes off of each other. Ian smiled at her sweetly and his face looked as if he were searching for words.
“Can I ask you something?” He finally said.
“Of course you can.”
“I know I wanted you to get your mind off of everything, but I just need to know something,” he said hesitantly.
“What is it?”
“Well after all that’s happened, I just wondered if your feelings are still the same? For me I mean,” he finished quickly.
“How can you even ask me that? I feel closer to you than I ever have to anyone.”
“Really?” Ian had stopped swaying and just stood still in the middle of the dance floor holding Jo close. “I thought maybe…”
Jo reached up and held Ian’s face in her hands, “I love you Ian, nothing’s going to change that.” She kissed him softly for a long moment, and then wrapped her arms back around him.
He kissed the top of her head, “I love you too Jo, more than I can say.”
They stayed on the dance floor just swaying slowly in each other’s arms, until Ian heard Jo’s stomach growl, and insisted she eat before everything got cold.
Jo found it strange that the waiter never appeared at their table unless Ian beckoned him over.
“Is he avoiding us?” Jo asked.
Ian let out a low laugh, “I asked that we not be disturbed, I didn’t want to be interrupted.”
Ian had cleared his plate much quicker that Jo had.
“I can’t eat another bite,” Jo said, as she pushed her plate away.
“Then we should dance,” Ian said holding his hand out for hers once again.
“I didn’t realize that you enjoyed dancing so much,” Jo said standing.
“It’s really just an excuse to get close to you,” he whispered in her ear.
“I hardly think you need an excuse.”
Ian pulled her to him and they danced without speaking for a long time. Jo was content just being in his arms, she was at ease when they were together. She smiled to herself and took a deep breath taking in his scent. It was a perfect day; she hardly believed that she had woken up that same morning feeling so unsettled. She was lost in thought and did not notice the lights flickering.
“Jo?” Ian whispered, “Is that you?”
She seemed to wake from a dream, “Huh?” she said.
“The lights…are you doing that?”
“Oh shoot, sorry,” she said stifling a yawn.
“I think it’s time I get you home and tuck you in,” Ian said, “its been a long day.”
Ian insisted Jo spend the night at his house, which puzzled her because he usually liked to avoid Marcus and Isabella whenever he could, but as she had no one to go home to, she readily agreed.
“Where’s Marcus?” Ian asked, as they came in and saw Isabella sitting by herself on the couch. There were empty wine bottles littering the floor and she had one clutched in her hands.
“He’s gone to buy more wine,” she said shaking her head, “he’s afraid I won’t have enough.”
“He left you here alone?” Ian asked, sitting down.
“I don’t need a babysitter, I’m fine. Marcus is just being overcautious.”
Jo walked around the couch and sat next to Isabella, “How are you feeling?”
“I feel great. Thanks to you, I have all the blood that I need and I’m really not as thirsty as I was yesterday.”
“It will get easier every day,” Ian assured her.
Jo rubbed Isabella’s back, “I’m just happy you’re all right.”
Marcus came in with a case of wine, “Oh good you’re here, I need you to change these for Isabella.”
“Not tonight Marcus, Jo needs some rest. Isabella has enough for now,” Ian said indicating the bottles left in the case on the floor.
Jo stood up, “I’ll do it first thing in the morning, I promise.” She took Ian’s waiting hand and followed him to the stairs.
“Oh by the way,” Marcus began, “you had a delivery, what did you need all of those...” he stopped mid sentence as Ian threw him a warning look and shook his head indicating that he did not want Jo to hear anything about a delivery, and he hurried her up the stairs.
When Jo walked into Ian’s bedroom she thought that she had walked into the wrong room. She had to look around twice to make sure that it was indeed Ian’s bedroom, it looked more like a flower shop the day before Valentines Day. There were vases upon vases of red roses everywhere; she could hardly take a step without almost knocking one over. She stood in the room gaping, not quite understanding why there were so many flowers everywhere.
“I know they’re your favorite,” Ian said approaching her.
“They are, but why…”
“I thought that I should do something romantic,” he said, taking her face in his hands and kissing her sweetly.
“Ian, how did you have time?”
“Never mind, it’s not important,” he said as he kissed her again. “I bought you something.” He went over to the bed and picked up a box with red ribbon and handed it to her.
“Ian.”
“Just open it.”
Jo sat on the bed and carefully untied the ribbon, then rem
oved the lid from the box. She pulled out a beautiful white lace nightgown.
“You don’t have anything here to sleep in,” Ian said looking slightly embarrassed.
“I usually don’t need anything,” Jo said smiling, “I’ll go try it on.”
Ian paced for a few minutes and then sat down on the bed and waited for Jo to return. When she walked back in the room, his jaw dropped.
“You look beautiful,” he said gaping at her, “do you like it?”
“It’s absolutely gorgeous Ian, thank you,” she said, as she looked in the full-length mirror.
Ian came up behind her and pulled his arms around her waist, looking at their reflection.
“That looks perfect,” he said smiling to himself and kissing the back of her head. Jo had the strangest feeling that he was not talking about the nightgown.
He turned her to him and kissed her passionately. Jo unbuttoned his shirt and let it drop to the floor then ran her hands slowly up his chest. He scooped her up in his arms and lay her softly down on the bed. She pulled him close to her but Ian pulled back.
“What’s the matter?” Jo asked
Ian seemed to be hesitating, “I don’t really know how to say this,” he began.
“What is it Ian?” Jo’s eyes were wide with apprehension.
He looked at her fixedly, “I’m sorry I’m just not very good at this.”
“Ian please,” Jo pleaded, “what’s the matter?” Her heart was racing now.
He took a deep breath and looked at her, “Jo before I met you I can’t even begin to tell you what my life was like.” He ran his finger down her cheek. “You know what I am and the things that I’ve done. I was so empty and reckless it was as if I had been lost. When I saw you that day at the café, something changed I can’t explain it, I felt as if things were going to be different. That first night we spent together I knew right then and there that I could never be with anyone else ever again.”
Jo’s expression softened, “Ian…”
“Let me finish, I need to say this,” he said. “You have saved me from so much you don’t even know, and I can’t imagine a day without you. Because of you I know what it feels like to be loved for who I am,” he reached into his pocket and pulled out the most beautiful solitaire diamond ring Jo had ever seen. “Jo Alexis Montgomery, I love you more than I have ever loved anyone in my entire existence, and I would be ecstatic if you would be my wife for the rest of our days.”
Jo sat open jawed, gaping at him. Of all the things she had expected, this was not one of them. She was stunned, her mouth was open to speak, but the words would not come out. She knew she must look ridiculous sitting there speechless as Ian waited for her to say something. She tried again to get the words out but her throat was constricted and no sound escaped her.
Ian looked down, “I thought it might be too soon.”
Jo put a finger to his lips and stopped him. She swallowed to rid herself of the lump in her throat and closed her eyes momentarily to compose herself. She then looked Ian directly in the eyes and spoke.
“Ian Channing Marcellus, you have been embedded in my heart since the moment you walked into my café. I can’t remember ever being as happy as I am with you. It’s you who saved me. You’ve brought me back to life and showed me what it is to be truly loved. I would be honored to call myself your wife.” Tears fell from her eyes but for the first time in months they were tears of joy.
Ian was absolutely overcome with excitement; he took Jo’s hand in his and slowly slipped the ring onto her finger. When the ring was in place Jo placed her left palm against his. She was so utterly blissful that her contentment filled the room. She closed her eyes in complete euphoria and Ian’s hand seemed to be one with hers. Jo felt that she would explode with overwhelming happiness. She focused all of her energy; it was just her and Ian here together in this moment. Her feelings overtook her, and as Ian watched her in complete amazement, a glow seemed to begin emanating from her. At first it was very faint and then it increased in intensity until she glowed from head to toe.
Jo opened her eyes and looked at Ian. He could feel her happiness and his emotions mimicked hers, but still they did not move. The glow around Jo brightened and concentrated itself in front of her and then slowly began to move. It wrapped around their hands, that they still held together between them, it wrapped around their wrists and fingers binding them together. The glow held their hands together for a minute and then sparked so brilliantly, that the whole room was illuminated with light, and then it dispersed itself into tiny fragments and disappeared.
The two of them sat stationary for a moment and then slowly pulled their hands apart noticing the bright gold bands that now encircled their fingers.
Ian stared at the band on his own finger. He turned his hand over and back again, not quite understanding what had just taken place.
“Does this mean…”
“Yes,” Jo said definitely, staring at her own golden band, which sat on top of her newly placed diamond ring.
“It looks like we just skipped our whole engagement,” Ian said.
“Yes we did,” Jo was still stunned.
Ian lifted her face to his and kissed her for what seemed an eternity. “I should at least get to kiss the bride.”
Jo looked at him with her eyes streaming, “I…” she stumbled on her words, “I love you Ian.”
“And I love you Jo.”
The next morning Jo woke to find Ian had already gone downstairs. It was unlike her to sleep so late but she had not slept well. She remembered having terrible dreams all night, which struck her as very odd, seeing as she had the most wonderful night of her life. Despite the disturbing dreams she was extremely happy, so she shook off the uneasy feeling in her gut and got out of bed.
Many of the vases lay upturned on the floor and flowers scattered her path as she looked for the new nightgown Ian had given her. After a few minutes of searching she gave up and put on one of Ian’s button down shirts then made her way downstairs.
When she entered the kitchen Ian was at the stove making breakfast and Marcus and Isabella sat at the counter across from him already eating. Jo walked up behind Ian and wrapped her arms around him.
“Good morning Mr. Marcellus.”
Ian turned to face Jo and kissed her passionately full on the mouth, “Good morning Mrs. Marcellus,” he said holding her gaze.
Isabella’s fork clattered to the floor and Marcus fell completely off of his seat.