7
"Elizabeth, are the gifts ready?" William asked as he looked at his watch.
William Lockwood wasted no time in getting expensive gifts, jewels, fruits chocolates and whatever else took his fance, to be taken to the Carter House to ask for their daughter's hand in marriage.
From what little he heard from Alessandro Carter, he understood they are not out for Lockwood fortune unlike Eleanor's in laws. That makes their daughter a good bride for his precious son.
"Yes. But aren't we going a little overboard William. We are going just to ask for their daughter's hand in marraige. Not to fix the wedding. What if they rejected the proposal?" Elizabeth asked, not sure about taking the gifts along. William is over doing it.
"Reject? Why would they reject the Lockwood heir? Would they get a better son in law than our son, Elizabeth. He is handsome. He is responsible. He is well settled. And he is humble and compassionate, unlike some spoiled brats in our social circle. Above all that, he is not a bloody playboy. What more could they ask for in a groom from their daughter? He is perfect" William asked in disbelief.
Benjamin walked into the living room and stopped dead on tracks seeing the amount of gifts arranged in front of him.
"Dad? Mom?" He looked at his parents in absolute horror.
"Everything is set Benjamin. Let's go?" William said
"Dad! Are you crazy? They would definitely think we are crazy if we walk into their home with all these" Benjamin said in horror
"What is wrong with you two. Why would they think such a thing? This has been a tradition in Lockwood marriage fixing for centuries, Ben. We are not going to change that now" William said waving his hand, dismissing his wife's and son's worries as if they are silly things.
"But we are going to ask for their daughter's hand in marriage. We are not going for to fix the wedding" Benjamin said, trying to put some sense into his father's head
"I don't believe in wasting time Benjamin. As soon as they agree, we can proceed further" William said with a casual shrug of his shoulders
"Dad. Listen-" Benjamin tried to speak, but William wasn't having any of it
"No you listen, Ben. Let's not waste time. Come on, let's go" William said and walked out instructing the maids to carry the gifts to the car.
Benjamin and Elizabeth shared a helpless look with each other
"Benji?" came the sweet voice
Benjamin looked down to see Sapphire grinning at him ,with something held tightly in both her chubby little fists.
He picked her up in his arms and tickled her making her a giggling mess.
"What have you got there?" He asked looking at her tightly held fists
Sapphire grinned and hid her hands behind her making Ben more curious.
"Hiding from Uncle? Show me what it is!" Benjamin said and took her small hands in his
He pried open her fists and saw one Hershey kisses chocolate in one fist and a dry fruit in another.
"Where did you get this from?" He asked chuckling
"Sapphy" she said adamantly, telling him that it's hers.
"Okay. But where did you get them from" he asked again and then it clicked
"You bad girl. You stole it from the gifts" Benjamin asked teasingly
"Sapphy no bad" she said adamantly, with an adorable angry pout on her face.
"Sapphy bad. Sapphy stole chocolates" Benjamin said in a baby voice, enjoying riling up the toddler
Sapphire's lips curled down in an angry pout
Benjamin chuckled as he took the chocolate from her hand and peeled open the aluminium foil.
"Who wants to each chocolate?" Benjamin asked loudly looking around
"Sapphyyy" Sapphire screamed wanting to her get uncle's attention back on her
"Aww. Sapphy wants chocolate? Then give uncle a kissie" Benjamin asked pointing his cheeks
Sapphire planted a loud slobbery kiss on his stubbled cheeks and giggled as his whiskers tickled her skin.
Benjamin rubbed his cheeks against hers earning another bout of giggle
"Okay. Open you mouth" Benjamin ordered and Sapphire followed
"Now let's go meet Isabella" Benjamin said
cheerily
"Bell-Bell??" Sapphire asked with a squeal
"Yes. Let's go meet your Bell-Bell"
****
"We have to get the child." Lillian Thompson seethed at her elder son.
"Eleanor has specified it in her will that the child should be looked after by the Lockwoods, Mom" Peter Thompson said.
He is tired of his mother's machinations and manipulations. She ruined his brother's life. If he let him, she will ruin his too.
What is the point in making an enemy out of rich and powerful Lockwoods. He is far out of their league. And he wouldn't be able to fight them even if he wants to.
"The Lockwooda never once visited Eleanor or her child during last three years. They don't deserve to raise her" Lillian argued.
"Lillian, I think it is better to let the child grow up with her maternal family" Allison, Peter's wife said
"You don't get to decide that" Lillian snapped at her daughter in law and walked out of Peter's house angrily.
Peter let out a sigh and sat next to Allison.
"Your mother is going to ruin everything. She ruined John and Eleanor's life. If she hadn't interfered, manipulating John at every point of his life, they would have had a happy life" Allison said
"What's the point in worrying over it now" Peter said
"If I even had a slight idea on how your mother is, I wouldn't have married you and come into this family" Allison said
"Ally."
"I am scared for our kids Peter. I'm scared that she will ruin them. By making enemies out of the Lockwoods, she will ruin our life too" Allison said
"We won't let her ruin our life. Let's move away from here" Peter said and Allison was only too happy to get away from her evil mother in law.
8."Momma. Can I go to Zia Francessa's house. Chiara has come home for weekend" Isabella asked her mother extra sweetly, wanting to go meet her childhood friend Chiara, who had recently gotten married and shifted to a different place."There is no need for that. Shut up and sit there. God knows what new problems you would create" Rosetta said ,as she made snacks for the evening tea.Isabella stared at her mother furiously, who in turn ignored her Isabella stomped her foot and stared at her mother, who still ignored her. "You are over reacting momma. You refused to let me go to the office. I accepted that. But how can you keep me locked inside the house. That's hardly fair. This is twenty first century for God's sake. I have every right to live my life as I wish" Isabella protested at her mother's high handed behaviour. "Over reacting? You won't understand our worries now Izzy. You will understand this only when you become a mother. Because of your impulsive act, you ruined your re
9."I can't believe they said no" William said, sighing, for the umpteenth time Benjamin rolled his eyes again "A good wake up call, wasn't it dad?" Benjamin asked sarcastically "Cut the sarcasm Ben" "It was expected" Elizabeth said "I actually liked them" William said and Benjamin raised an eyebrow at that William Lockwood is a man pretty hard to please. To know that he liked the family after a half an hour visit is quite surprising. "What? Don't look at me like that. I'm actually a pretty good judge of character. And they all seem very humble and honest people." "Well. It was not meant to be" Elizabeth said "The girl is really very pretty. She would have looked perfect with Ben" William said wistfully Benjamin closed his eyes and leaned back on the couch with a sigh The picture his father just painted is actually quiet beautiful. He knows he is a good looking man. He had been told that many times. And Isabella is a very beautiful girl. He was too busy with the court
"We are married now. And she is my wife. Now she is not Isabella Carter. She is Isabella Benjamin Lockwood. Benjamin Singh Lockwood's wife. Lockwood family's only daughter in law. And I will not hear a single word against my wife." Benjamin said coldly"Just because you married her doesn't change the fact that she is a girl with loose morals. And she took advantage of you when you were at your lowest point, being heartbroken and all. I heard the whole story okay. About how you two missed your train and spent a night together. Don't think you can pull wool over everyones eyes" Sofia said and Benjamin saw a teenager frowning in confusion listening to the storyBenjamin smirked "Mrs Rossi, you should have atleast changed the plot a little. Then maybe it would have looked legit" Benjamin said making Sofia frown Benjamin turned to look at the teenage girl nearby "You heard the story the woman just said right? Have you heard of that anywhere before?" Benjamin asked The girl nodded "
"What next?" Rosetta asked the question that was on everyone's tongue. "What else? We are taking Izzy home and we will forget this ever happened" Alessandro said with a shrug "Alessandro . They got married. In a church, in front of Lord Christ and St Raphael. You can't take it lightly. Izzy is Benjamin's wife now. They had taken the sacred vows in a sacred place." Rosetta said "So what are you saying? We leave Izzy here with him? The most impulsive man in the world" Alessandro asked and Benjamin frowned feeling offended "You are judging me by my one single action?" Benjamin asked "You introduced Izzy as your fiance impulsively. You married her today impulsively." Alessandro pointed out Benjamin took in a deep breath and looked at Isabella 's family "I know what I did was impulsive. You all have every right to be angry with me. But I promise you, I will keep Isabella happy." Benjamin said earnestly Rosetta and Zakariah nodded as they have no choice but to believe in his wor
"Ben, you sly dog. You have been hiding her from us?" Came a voice from behind them Benjamin looked up to see Julian and Elena coming towards them "Isabella . This is my best friend Julian and his wife Elena. And guys, this is Isabella ." Benjamin made the introductions "And who is Isabella ?" Elena asked with a teasing smirk "Isabella Benjamin Lockwood. My wife" Benjamin said as he placed an arm around Isabella's shoulder Isabella's eyes widened at the gesture and she looked up at him with the same expression.Benjamin grinned seeing the look on Isabella's face. Her face is so expressive. Especially her eyes. Her beautiful hazel coloured eyes. Benjamin stared into those eyes, a feeling of drowning suddenly enveloping him Julian coughed and Benjamin snapped out of his dream land. "Uh well" "So tell us about your story Isabella. He kept you a secret from us. We never knew Ben was in a relationship" Elena said "Oh no. We were not in a relationship. Its a long story. Tell
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 shoc
14"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 Isabella wriggled her hands to get them out of his grip, only for him to tighten them "Benjamin, please leave my hands. Someone will come" Isabella said glancing at the door, making sure no one is coming."Let them come. You are my wife. Let me see who has a problem with me holding my wife's hand" Benjamin said cheekily wanting to see her blush more. Much to his satisfaction, Isabella turned a darker shade of red "If you turn anymore redder Bella, Sapphire will think that you are an apple" Benjamin said with a soft laugh earning a scowl from Isabella She stood up from the love seat and walked around the room taking in all the nooks and corner She noticed the dual photo stand on the bedside table. There were two photos. One she recognized as Sapphire's mother Eleanor. The other one was of a
15."Where is Isabella and Rosetta?" Zakariah Carter asked as he came back to the living room with William Lockwood"They are in the guest room with Mom. The designer just left" Benjamin said pointing towards the bedroom where his mother had taken Isabella into."Oh. I think it's time we left. We need to go home and make preparations for your welcome. Also there will be people talking. We just need to get it under control soon" Zak said and Benjamin nodded his head in understanding. "I will go get them" Benjamin said politely and walked towards the guest room to get his wife and mother in law.On the way he saw his mother, Elizabeth coming out of her bedroom "Mom? You here? Where is Isabella and Momma?" Benjamin asked "They are in the guest room. Sapphire was getting cranky. I just put her to sleep" Elizabeth said pointing towards her bedroom. They hadn't gotten her to sleep in the nursery yet. She always sleeps, either with the elder Lockwood couple or with Benjamin."Oh. I will g