Maria sat at he window and watched the rain beating on her window again. Her great grandmother's words repeating themselves over in her mind as a harsh reminder of what she and Isaac were to face if they decided that they wanted to love each other. That is, if he decides he wants to love me. She added to herself.

An hour later she heard her aunt call her from downstairs.

Slowly Maria slipped off her bed and went down the stairs. She no longer bothered with her cloak. She was free of it now, but still trapped by a curse and by difference.

"Yes, Aunt Tearsa?" She asked as she followed the noises into the kitchen.

Isaac, Taylor, Zac, and their parents were sitting around the table with her uncle and two other men whom she did not know, while her aunt was busy putting food together and beverages.

Isaac smiled happily at her and lost interest in everyone else in the room when he saw Maria enter.

Maria smiled shyly at him and looked at her aunt. "What is happening?" She asked quietly.

Tearsa just smiled and nodded her head towards the table. Motioning for her to sit down.

Carefully and slowly Maria started walking towards the table. She Isaac nudge Taylor's arm and Taylor stood up quickly. He grinned at her and offered his seat.

Blushing ever so lightly Maria gratefully took the seat and thanked him. When she sat down Isaac automatically took her hand and gave it a small reassuring squeeze. It's all right. He mouthed.

What is? She asked him.

Being around so many people all at once and without the safety of her cloak made her nervous. She started to squirm uncomfortably in her chair and Isaac wrapped his arm around her shoulder.

"Relax." He murmured in her ear.

Maria looked up at him questioningly. How was she supposed to relax?

Finally after a few moments one of the two men whom she still did not know introduced himself and the other man.

"I'm Chris. These guys' manager." He said giving her a friendly smile and a gentle handshake.

Maria simply nodded her head. Not knowing what she was supposed to say to that.

"And this man is one of their many bodyguards at the moment." Chris said as he pointed to the burly man next to him. "This is Jeff."

"Hello ma'am." He said simply as he shook her hand a bit roughly.

Maria nodded her head again. "Hello." She said softly. She looked around the table. When her gaze landed on Isaac, she finally asked a question. "What is all this for?"

Isaac's smile widened. "I want you to know, that they are all helping us with the fans dealing with the fact that I am in love." He said it gently and slowly so that she could take it all in.

Maria was no longer in her seat when she finally realized what he had said. She was bending over and hugging him tightly around his neck. She was about to start hugging everyone, but Isaac wouldn't release his hold on her.

"Of course I want to love you." At first Maria didn't know if she imagined the words being spoken, but when she was able to pull back and look at Isaac she knew he had said them. And she could only repeat them to him.