A Love Beyond Compare by Sandra Bondelier

A Love Beyond Compare:
Chapter 1 Her Spirit Calling

It was supposed to be one of the happiest days of his life, the day of his engagement party to a lovely woman who had finally captured his restless heart and filled his empty soul. There had been several other women in the past five years, but none like Isabella Toscano. She was special and he loved her deeply and yet.... today he had been unconsciously feeling the call of his old love, the love of a woman who was still in his heart and soul five years after he had watched a small plane go down with her aboard. He mourned that loss for so long; he literally ached for her at first, wishing he could join her in heaven. If it hadn't been for the children, he might very well have taken his life shortly after she died, for he was dead inside, almost completely empty without her; he was still so uncertain of himself and lacked so much of his memory. Today, there had been several strange occurances, the phone call from a woman wanting to speak with Captain Brady, the failed meeting with someone at the restaurant, and just some feeling he couldn't name that left him with the sense that she was calling to him. All day long, he kept trying to convince himself he was being silly, she was long gone, it wasn't possible. Still...he was compelled to know what it was he was experiencing. Roman investigated, but found nothing concrete and it was time to be going home, there was a houseful of people waiting for him.

Having convinced himself he was wrong, he went home and was enjoying himself for quite some time. He stared into the loving eyes of his fiance, remembering how they had slowly fallen for each other, how he finally let her have his heart. "I love you Isabella Toscano, and I'm so glad you said yes to me."

"Well, I'm pretty happy about that myself Commander Brady. I can't wait until we're married, I never thought I would be this happy," she said joyfully, relishing the feeling of his strong arms around her.

"I didn't think I would find happiness again myself. I thought I had my one and only shot at it." Somewhat sadly he said, "When Marlena died, I really thought that was over forever, but then I found you, lady." He was looking forward to settling down into married life again and Isabella was great with the kids. They had missed having a woman's touch and responded so well to her, they loved her very much and Roman believed it wouldn't be long before they called her mommy.

"We found each other Roman. From the way you described her, Marlena would want you to be happy again, she wouldn't want you and the children to be alone," she said, wanting to snap him out of the strange mood that had descended on him on what should be a joyous occasion.

Roman nodded and agreed, saying with a smile on his face, "You're right she wouldn't. She would have wanted me to find new love and for the children to have a mother figure to love and nurture them. You're great with them Izzy B," he said, feeling more enthusiastic about the whole situation. Roman kissed her warmly and held her close, allowing himself to absorb the love she was sending out to him. He had gradually begun to relax into the party and let go of the past that seemed to be haunting him, when the strange sensation returned. Instinctively he looked out the window, thinking he saw movement, his spirit wondering, could it be.... Roman quietly slipped out the front door and looked all around the house, but found nothing once again. He was chasing a ghost. "Come on Roman, this is ridiculous, if she were alive she would have come home long before now, she's dead." Taking a last glimpse around the house and down the block, he turned and walked slowly back inside the house, but he still couldn't shake that feeling deep within his being, he sensed her presence somehow. She was out there somewhere waiting for him to find her.

So, as he stood there in the company of friends and family, knowing he should be focusing on the woman he loved and the party they were having for him, his mind, his heart and soul were drawn to the Pier. He simply had to go and put the feelings to rest or.....find her there. In his conscious mind he asked himself, 'What are you doing Roman? she's been dead for five years and you have to let her go so you can be happy with Isabella. It's okay for you to be happy again, she didn't want you to mourn her forever. She said she wanted you to move on and find love again.' Still, he had to know for sure. After making some quick excuses about following an important lead on a case, Roman went out while the party to celebrate his engagement continued without him.

Isabella knew that these little interruptions were all part of the package, so she thought nothing of it and enjoyed herself. She was engaged to the most wonderful man in the world, life couldn't get any better for her. Soon they would be married and settle down to a nice quiet life. She was going to love living in this warm inviting house with Roman Brady and his children. Sami and Eric were sweet adorable 7 year old twins, whom she loved as if they were her own children. They were already much like a family, playing together at the park, the kids playing soccer and softball, Roman and Isabella looking on with pride. Even Carrie had been making noises about returning to Salem to live with them. Although she wouldn't come out and say it, it seemed that living with her mother in Europe was not the wonderfully glamorous situation the young teen had thought it would be. It appeared that Carrie missed her father terribly, he had been much more loving and attentive than Anna seemed capable and Isabella could tell from the sound of Carrie's voice that she was homesick and needed the nurturing and structure her father provided. Yes, her life was finally moving in the direction she had always dreamed and Isabella was planning on enjoying every minute of it. 'In just a few months, Roman and I will be married and we will have our happy ending,' she thought. She had no idea that her life was about to be turned completely upside down, none of them did./

to be continued
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