Surprise Visitings

Who: Isabella and Marlowe
When: 7:45pmish
Where: Marlowe's

After talking with Brian and Mya, and spending a few hours in front of her books, Isabella had grown restless. Knowing that it wasn't really in her best interest to drive over to Brian's just yet, she had found it difficult to stay inside, seeing as how she couldn't quite concentrate. And the longer she stayed inside thinking of Hunt doing magic, the harder it was to resist ignoring Brian's advice and going to see him.

There were still a few people in town she hadn't seen since returning. Marlowe was one of them. So in an effort to distract her thoughts, Isabella had climbed into her car and driven to the young woman's house, hoping that she was home. Pulling up to the curb in front of the house, she turned off her car, grabbed her cell and headed up to the door. She rang the doorbell, slipping her cell and car keys into her bag as she waited.

Marlowe had just been at the back door letting her boys out when she suddenly found herself walking through the house toward the front with a bit of puzzlement. It was too soon for Lucius to have returned from the food run, and she hadn't been expecting any visitors, so naturally she dared a quick peek out the door's window. Hopefully if it were a solicitor or something she'd be able to peek out without notice.

"Isa!" Marlowe beamed with a bright smile when she swung the door open wide. The woman's appearance at her door had been quite unexpected, though in no way was it unwelcomed. How long had it been since she had last seen the older woman. Too long between visits in Marlowe's opinion.

"In the flesh," Isabella replied with an equally bright smile. She stepped forward to hug Marlowe tightly. Despite all of the horrible things happening in town, it still couldn't dull her happiness at seeing her friends. She hadn't realized how much she missed them while she was gone. "How are you? You look fantastic."

Marlowe returned the hug with as much affection with which it had been given. "I'm doing good. Come in, come in." She stammered out, with a motion of her hand to invite her visitor inside, when it occurred to the red head that she was being a bit on the rude side for making to her friend remain standing on the porch. "How have you been?"

Isabella stepped inside, her eyes already wandering around the room. "I've been good! Getting used to small town life again, which I have to say has been quite a readjustment. But I missed everyone, so I'm glad to be back." Isabella set her purse down on the couch and turned to face Marlowe. "So, tell me everything. What have I missed?"

Ok, she wasn't going to delve into all the darkness and death that had happened within her life the past couple of months, so the only thing she had worth sharing with Isa was Lucius. "Nothing much really." She lied closing the door once Isabella stepped inside. "I've met someone." She said finally a bit more casually then she had intended. There was nothing casual about what she found with Lucius, even at the beginning.

Nothing much had to be a lie. With Brian having an eighteen year old boyfriend, Hunt performing magic and Mya having a man in her life too, Isabella simply refused nothing much has been happening in Marlowe's life. So when the younger woman admitted she met someone, Isabella's face lit up and she motioned for Marlowe to come sit next to her. She only prayed that this man was somewhat normal. Given the ways things have been going lately, she had to be cautious and brace herself in case Marlowe admitted he was fifty years old, or hell - a woman. "Wonderful. That's the kind of news I prefer. Tell me about him."

"He's amazing." She told Isa as she settled on the couch next to her, legs curling to fit comfortably beneath her. "He's name is Lucius, he works at Burke's Garage, and did I happen to mention he's an amazing guy." She grinned. She could go on endlessly about the guy, but Marlowe wasn't about to hog the whole conversation, she was more interested in hearing what Isabella had been up to. "What have you been up to while you've been away from town?" She queried.

Lucius. That was an interesting name - and not one Isabella came across very often. She pictured guys named Lucius as a bit rough around the edges, a devilish grin with a mischievous streak bordering on mean. Then again, that was just the writer in her developing a mental image. Could be the guy was pale, skinny and wore glasses with a goofy smile. "I was restricted to nothing but work," Isabella explained, waving her hand. "Which isn't interesting to talk about at all. When did you meet Lucius?" She wasn't about to let Marlowe off the hook that easily. She wanted to know what was so amazing about this guy.

"About a week ago." Marlowe replied. "He came into the diner, which wasn't anywhere near monumental as he just seemed to be another customer I happened to serve. Though our run in at the laundry-mat was quite the different thing." She said.

"A week," Isabella repeated, lifting both eyebrows. "So you're still in that glowing, beginning stage. How much do you actually know of him?" At least she wasn't telling her that she was moving in with the man. Brian was already living with his boyfriend, who, if she remembered correctly, had only been around a few months.

"I know enough about him." She answered. "It's not like all we do is just sit around staring at each other." Marlowe grinned softly. And maybe they were moving at lightning speed, but everything felt right and real. They certainly had that communication thing going, probably knew more about each other then most couples did at such an early stage of a relationship.

Isabella's eyes flickered with skepticism, but she kept her voice light. "Marlowe, you've been with him for a week. You don't know enough about him. You should never, ever know enough this early." Because once you knew enough, once there were no more surprises, once everything settled comfortably - where was the passion and excitement in that? "Tell me what you know about him."

"He's from North Carolina. Been on his own since he was 18. He's 22 now, and currently living at Beacon House." Of course Marlowe wasn't about to let Isabella in on the fact that he was staying with her until the business with the shadow things was over and done with. "He doesn't know a thing about doing laundry, and can't cook to save his life. He's mother died when he was young," And again another omission regarding Lucius was made. She really didn't think Lucius would want her sharing any specifics about the accident that had taken his mother's life, and had left him with visible scars to carry the rest of his life. "And he's great at truth and dare." The red head giving a little chuckle there, thinking about how he had a knack for winning their version of the game.

"Seems to me like you know most of the basic stuff," Isabella concluded. "I suppose that's pretty typical for a week long relationship. Don't get me wrong, I'm not doubting the connection, or attraction. I'm glad you found someone. I'm eager to see how it works out the more you get to know one another." The deeper secrets, the darker aspects of personality, rarely ever shine through so early in a relationship, and she simply didn't want Marlowe to fall hard, so quickly, and get hurt. "When do I get to meet him?"

"Soon?" It wasn't that she didn't want Lucius to meet any of her friends, or vice versa, but now really wasn't the time, especially with the shadow things roaming around and attacking. Though if his trip into town took less time then they both had been thinking, Isabella very well could meet him. "He had to go run a few errands." She added after a few seconds hesitation at whether she should even mention it.

Arching a delicate eyebrow, Isabella studied Marlowe's face. She nearly asked if Lucius was living with Marlowe already, but decided against it. She remembered what it was like, back when she actually had relationships. The excitement, the passion, wanting to spend every waking moment together. Of course it always passed. Of course it always crashed and burned. But that was more Isabella's doing than anyone else's. "Well, if he's not back before I have to leave, I really hope to meet him soon. It will give me something to look forward to."

"I'm sure you will." She smiled softly. "I really think you will like him Isabella." Like Brian, Marlowe kind of felt Isabella had reservations about Lucius. They both seemed to think she was in a relationship with a guy that was moving to quickly, maybe it was, but Marlowe couldn't help, or deny, the feelings that swelled inside her whenever Lucius was around. It all had her diving head first into things.

Just like Brian thought she would like Domino? Not that she disliked Domino, but to Isabella, certain requirements went into a relationship. A twenty two year age difference was not one of them. "I'm sure I'll like him," Isabella agreed with a smile. "And I'm glad you've found someone. I hope he's prepared for the onslaught of your brothers once they all find out."

"A, yeah. About them." Marlowe sighed, a hand run lightly through her hair, with the thought of what had happened within the past month. She had wanted this to be a nice, pleasant reunion, but with Isabella making mention of her many brothers, well it might be better, though no where easier, to tell her now then wait. "Eldon and Dalton are dead."

That was a bit of a shock to hear. Dead? That was certainly a blunt statement. Isabella merely stared at Marlowe for a moment, blinking dumbly as if she didn't quite understand. Finally she managed to push a few words through her dry throat. "What happened?"

"I don't know if you heard about the vampires that hit town. They hit Munising first, Dalton, Sara and Connor were among their casualties there. After they finished there the targeted Marquette. Bastards got Eldon on our way back from Munising after trying to get the remains of Dalton and his family." Marlowe sighed again, the red head felt her throat go dry.

Isabella frowned deeply, reaching out to touch Marlowe's hand. "I'm sorry, honey. That's just... horrible. How are you coping?" She wanted to ask about Brody, but she figured if something had happened to him, Marlowe would have told her. Then again, maybe she was sparing Isabella's feelings and keeping it to herself.

"I'm coping." She answered with a faint smile. Things weren't as bad as the first had been directly following the whole vampire incident. Though the nightmares had seemed to cease invading her dreams, the ache she felt for her deceased brothers was still felt, more clearly at certain times then others. And she still had that slight ping of guilt that Eldon had been killed while she survived. She'd give anything to be able to trade places with her eldest brother.

Isabella nodded in understanding, though a frown still marred her features. "If you, or your family, need anything, you know I'll always be willing to help you." She paused, almost hesitate before deciding to ask. "And Brody? He's all right?"

"Brody's doing good. Still living in Chicago with Gail and the twins. Their expecting their third in March." Marlowe told her. She had always hoped Isa and Brody would have gotten together more permanently, not that she disliked Gail, they got along quite well in fact. It was just that Isa had been the only one of a short line of women Brody had dated that she actually liked. Aside from her brother's present wife that is.

"That's wonderful," Isabella stated with a smile. Her heart ached, but only a little. Sure, sometimes her mind wandered and she played the "what if" game. What if she was living in Chicago with him, expecting her third child. But life was what it was, and she'd chosen her path, and she was content with it. "Next time you speak to him, tell him I said hi, would you?" She glanced at her watch. "I feel like I just got here, but I have a few more errands to run. Are you going to be okay on your own until Lucius gets back?"

"I will." Marlowe replied with a smile.

"I'll be fine." She told her. Marlowe unfurling her legs from underneath herself to get up from the couch. "Maybe we can get together again real soon." She said with more then a slight touch of hopefulness to her voice. Sure she had Brian to talk to, and Dom on occasion. And of course she had Lucius, but it was always nice to have another woman around to talk to. Marlowe was hoping Isa would be sticking around town for awhile.

"Of course we can." Isabella stood from the couch and picked up her things. "Perhaps when all of this chaos has calmed down. Maybe you'll bring your man along and let me meet him."

"That sounds like a plan." Marlowe beamed brightly. She was wanting Lucius to meet her friends, but with all that seemed to be happening in town that really hadn't been anywhere near a possibility. Maybe when all the shadow crap died down, like Isa had mentioned, she could start doing that. As much as she was wanting Lucius to meet the people she knew it also worked in the opposite direction, she wanted her friends to meet Lucius as well.

Isabella moved forward to hug Marlowe. "I'll give you a call, and we'll have dinner soon. Stay safe and be careful." And she meant that more for her relationship than she did with the strange things happening around town.

"Sure thing." Marlowe hugging Isa back with a smile. It was going to be nice having the other woman back in town, even if it might be for a short length of time. "You do the same." She countered as she accompanied Isabella to the door. She wasn't sure if Isa had had any encounters with the shadow creatures. She was really, really hoping not.