Isabelle (House of Jensen Series book 5)

Chapter 38

We spent the next two weeks doing everything from whale watching to bike riding. As honeymoons go it was amazing and Isabelle got very comfortable wearing lingerie around me. We return to Italy refreshed and rearing to go. Which was a good thing because we were going to do our first engagement as a "engaged" couple before she returned to Denmark.

We were in the car waiting to go to the retirement home when I felt a hand on my knee. Isabelle look up at me, "It's our coming out so to speak."

"The people's first glimpse of their soon to be crown princess."

She giggles and opens her car door I watch her walk confidently towards my car door and wait for me. I emerge from the car and give the waiting press and spectators a wave. I guide my hand to her back and make my way towards the receiving line.

Isabelle's POV

In the past

Isabelle was free it was the day after her grandmother's funeral. She stood and look at herself in her bathroom mirror. Nothing had change about her except her hair was longer. You couldn't tell how anxious she was but she was jittery.

She spent months sticking to a routine now she was free and unsure what to do with herself.

She calls her bestie Andrea but gets no answer. She walks downstairs to see Bianca and her aunt Maria having an animated conversation. She smiles and walk over to them, "Hi guys."

Her aunt hugs her, "Hey sweetie.  How are you feeling?"

"I miss grandma."

"We all do but she did an amazing thing for the country."

"Yes she did. Bianca congratulations again on the baby."

"Thanks Izz."

Present Day

I just finish my very first Italian royal engagement and it went well. I was leaving for Denmark in the morning. I was looking forward to seeing my family again as well as an old friend.

"Isabelle you're glowing that honeymoon did you good."

I hug her, "Thanks mum." I look around the room at my extended family and smile. Then my eyes fall on my nephew.

"Can I hold him?"

"Of course." Bianca places him in my arms.

I wanted one of my own I didn't want one straight away. But I knew then and there. As soon as the second wedding happens Freddie and I would be trying for kids. I was please my period was back too and there was no issues with my fertility.

An hour later I look at the address on my phone and knock at the front door I was standing in front of again. I was about to walk away when the door is open, "Isabelle."

I turn and smile at Amanda, "Can I come in?"

"Of course."

She moves out the way so I could enter her home. My brother had her hiding in a very secure gated development till the press died down. Or she felt she could face the world.

I walk into the sparse living room, despite living here for ten months she put no photos up or decorated.

She sits on the only sofa in the room, "How are you and your parents doing?"

She sighs, "It's hard getting mum and dad to break their routine of staying in their room all the time. I put a tv in their room so they're not staring at four walls anymore."

I understood the prisoner mindset, "How are you doing Amanda?"

"You know me your royal highness I always bounce back."

I sit next to her, "It's been months and you've barely left this house."

"Your brother provides a housekeeper I don't need to."

I hug her, "Bits of my memory is missing but I remember you took very good care of me."

"Is that why you're finally here."

"You and I both know I came here many times but you wouldn't let me in Amanda."

"Why did you keep coming back?" I sees the tears in Amanda's eyes.

"I miss my most important friend in the world."

"I mean that much to you?"

"Yes you do and I bought you something."

She wipes her eyes on her sleeve, "What?"

I give her an envelope, "Go ahead open it. I figured if I needed to get away from Denmark to find my peace. Maybe you and your parents needed to do the same thing. I spoke to Freddie's parents they would love to get to know your mum and dad. They are the same age. They and all the family would love to get to know you. I want to buy you a place in Italy for you and your parents. A chateau maybe or a penthouse in Rome your choice."

"Your royal highness I can't accept that."

"It's Isabelle to you in private not Your Royal Highness or your majesty. Go on open the envelope."

She does and drops the content on the floor. I pick the check up for fifty million euros I gave her.

"I can't except this."

"Yes Amanda you can I remember the tampon incident."

"Are you starting to get your memories back?"

"I've remembered some things. Why don't I tell you what and you fill in the blanks for me."

"Okay."

So I tell her what I remember and she tells me about our time together. And as she tells me I started remembering things.

"You gave me a bible no the old testimony and Damian gave me the new version."

She starts crying, "Isabelle you remember everything now."

"Except where they took me for three days and the surgery."

"It was three weeks not days."

I was floored, "Andrea said she followed James to a hosptial for three days straight."

"Maybe she's lying to you or something else happened that we don't know about. It could be he was there during your last three days at the hosptial."

I didn't know what or who to believe anymore except I knew Amanda wasn't lying to me.