CHAPTER 1
Something old something new something borrowed something blue
The warmth of a June summer breeze blew amongst the trees that lined the entrance of Town Square Park. White linin tablecloths ruffled in the breeze as the clinging of dishes and the familiar sounds of talk in the air noted a celebration, "You looked beautiful today," A soft voice called from behind Marlene Wolf, she quickly turned around to see her best friend standing there, "Silly you," She giggled continuing, "Grace," Marlene sauntered around her, her hand touching her shoulder with a smile, "I didn't get a chance to tell you before the wedding," Grace voiced with a gleam in her eye. Marlene stared into the dark green eyes of Grace Brandon, her best friend since her move to New Haven Connecticut ten years earlier, "You helped me pick the dress out," She calmly added in laughter, "Grace if it wasn't for you," Marlene revealed in continuance the curve of her lips gave way to a grin of happiness her blue eyes twinkle in the sunlight, "I'm surprised you didn't want a much grander wedding," Grace teased causing Marlene to stir, "You know I've been married before and I had a traditional wedding," She remarked, "I don't think Mark really cares," Grace reminder her as they picked up a glass of champagne from the table, "Let's walk," Marlene voiced, "You know when David and I married all those years ago, we just wanted to run away, elope," Grace smiled sipping her champagne, "But, my parents had other ideas," She chuckled the strands of her shoulder length black hair glistened in the light that traveled through the branches of the tree they were standing under. Marlene quickly turned her attention to her newly wedded husband, "I've never really thanked you for introducing me to such a wonderful man," She spoke with a glow on her face.
Grace briefly studied Marlene's expression, "There is no need to thank me Marlene, Mark is a gifted and talented young man who deserved to find happiness," She spoke clutching her by the arm they looked to him as he conversed with a fellow colleague, Dr. Mark Blair was a tall well built man with dusty blond hair, his jaw square but rugged his eyes of gray reflected a kind and intelligent soul. Marlene thought momentarily, "I am lucky," She stared at him getting his attention, "Hey," He walked over to her bending down and kissing her, "I think your father is a little tired," He mentioned, Marlene looked to him, "I'll check on him, if you will excuse me Grace," She started towards him, "Dad," She reached out, "Oh Marlene," He chuckled, "Mark seems to think your tired," Her voice was of concern. "I am a little," He answered looking around at the crowd, "Why don't you let us take you back to the apartment you could relax." She grabbed the base of his necktie, "And take this off," They both had a laugh, "My daughter," He began, "I'm so very proud of you, you've managed to make a career and marry a fine young man," Marlene blushed, "I'm the happiest I've ever been, living here, my schooling, meeting Mark," She remarked in agreement. Thomas looked at her with a furrowed brow his lips pursed, "Marlene I somehow don't think that was always the case," Her heart raced in anxiety. "Dad, I've put my past away and I've done something I've needed to do for a very long time, find happiness, I have," Thomas gazed at her she reminded him so much of Victoria.
"Mingle awhile longer," He ordered with a grin, "This is your wedding day," His hand brushed the side of her face. "Are you sure?" She questioned, "I think I'll have another glass of champagne and sit on that bench over there," He quickly pointed, Marlene lowered her shoulders, "We won't be long, I promise," She smiled leaving him in thoughts of their conversation. Marlene walked over to Mark, "Excuse me," He voiced to the guests he was conversing with, "Is Thomas alright," He had a look of concern.
"Traveling from Germany is long and tiring, he just arrived yesterday morning and I think he'd like to unwind, visit with his daughter," Marlene mildly advised, Mark rubbed the side of her arm, "Why don't you take him home, relax a little, visit," His smile strong and encouraging he looked at his wristwatch, "The clean up crew will be here shortly and Grace can help me attend to the guests," Marlene reached up kissing him squarely on the lips, "I love you," She added. "Go," He whispered rushing her off. "Marlene it's not necessary to leave your wedding," Thomas argued getting into the car, Marlene drove them back to the apartment they quickly changed, Marlene fixed them a glass of wine they sat out on the terrace, "Its lovely here, I can see why you've made this your home," Thomas smiled grasping his daughter's hand, "I do love it here but there are times I miss home," She blushed with a grin, "Dana and Hagen are doing well?" She questioned taking a sip of wine, "They are the farm keeps them busy and I have enjoyed visiting Hannover," He nodded, "Dana really wanted to come but with two foals due and work on the barn about to begin, well," He laughed, "I spoke to Kim last week," Marlene offered, "It seems Emilio's restaurant is doing well and Spain agrees with them both," She added laying her head on her father's shoulder. Thomas clutched her, "Does Mark, know how lucky he is?" He began to laugh, "I think he does," Marlene answered twisting her wedding ring with her thumb. "Do you think you'll ever return home, I mean even for a visit?" He hesitated, she sighed, "As I said I do miss home very much but there were a lot of bad memories for me there," She honestly answered breaking away from him she stood up staring out over the terrace, "Marlene," Thomas began, "I have to ask if you've shared with Mark your past?" She turned back facing her father with a dismal look, "Bits and pieces," She replied he lowered his head.
Thomas could see the distant look in his daughter's eyes, "I don't want to over step my boundaries," Marlene quickly interjected, "I told him I was married to Hagen that I was raped and I had some really rough times," She answered sternly. "Does he know about," Marlene once again interrupted her father, "Please dad, I, I haven't mentioned Rebecca to him, I would rather forget that hurt and pain," She became guarded, "Marlene, he needs to know the truth that's not something you keep from your husband, are you ashamed?" He asked with a furrowed brow. "Ashamed?" She echoed his words, "I loved her and we had our time, our chance but that's been years ago and I'm over her and I'm happy, why should I dredge up a past full of soured memories," Thomas stood up beside her, "You told him about Hagen, your rape are you afraid he would have left you if he discovered you were in love with another woman?" He asked her face, to face she began to weep. "I had a very difficult time after our break up, I often wondered if I made the right decisions, was I to forward with the moves I made? Coming here and settling, meeting new friends and Mark have changed my life for the better, Rebecca is just a distant memory," She remarked wiping the tears from her face. "I will have to tell Mark in good time, I will, I promise but right now I need to focus on this marriage, my career," She worded feeling at ease, she lowered her shoulders, "How are the Lahnstein's, really?" She questioned with angst, Thomas shrugged his shoulders, "I've been retired three years now, I don't hear much from them, except Elisabeth on occasion but she doesn't have very much to offer other than how are you and its good to see you," He chuckled lightly, "Oh, I guess things have changed a lot in ten years," Marlene grunted, "I spend most of my time in Hannover or Barcelona, Biggi and I visit occasionally," His smiled reflected a much milder man, "I know Dana and Kim enjoy having you," She reflected embracing him.
"Maxi has grown into a fine young man, he's very good at school and loves horses, when I return, I will spend most of the summer there helping them add on to the barn, I really enjoy my time with them and since Dana has adopted Maxi she has changed a great deal, very doting," He smiled widely. Marlene sighed and then raised her head, "I want Mark and I to visit soon, I'd like to take him to the places that were important to me as a child, I want to share our culture with him and I'd love nothing better than to visit my sisters," She began to feel a twinge of home sickness, "I've kept the apartment and you may use it anytime you'd like," He cupped his hand to her face, "Thanks dad," She replied as the door opened to the apartment, "Oh, hey," She hurried to Mark embracing and kissing him. "Have you had a good visit?" He reached forward shaking Thomas's hand, "I have but I'm very tired and need some sleep, do you mind?" He asked, Marlene followed him to the spare bedroom, "I'll wake you up when its time for dinner," She noted and then closed the door. "Well, how is he really?" Mark asked touching Marlene's face with his finger tips, "Very tired but happy for us," She smiled locking her arms around his waist, "I wish I could take you somewhere special," He grinned, "But I'm working on that," He teased, "Working on what? I know that getting married now was difficult with the case load you've had lately," She remarked, "I know but I didn't want to wait, you understand," He touched his lips to her, "Mark I know the sacrifices you've made to be the best orthopedic surgeon New Haven has ever seen," She slapped her hands to her sides, "Your too much," He pulled her closer and kissed her romantically.
Marlene took his hand and led him to the bedroom she untied his necktie and unbuttoned his shirt he groaned passionately. "Hmmm, my new husband, I love you and I want you," He began to remove her clothing slowly until she was naked they fell into bed making love until the late evening. "It's hard to believe we are finally married," He spoke rolling over and facing her, "I'm glad you convinced me," She chuckled caressing his face with the back of her hand, "I wanted to talk to you about something very important to me," He worded staring at her, "Ok, you have my undivided attention," She giggle kissing him, "I know our lives are busy," He began, "Very busy," Marlene agreed firmly her fingertip tracing his lower lip, "I want to have a child with you," Marlene felt awkward, "A child," She sighed, "You sound disappointed," He raised up on his elbow and frowned, "I'm not disappointed but rather shocked, I've just started my new job and I can't wait to work with you," She pleaded quietly, "You have worked hard and I think physical therapy is your niche, honestly but you would have plenty of time for that," He groaned, "Mark, I'm thirty five and I just don't know if having a child," He suddenly cut her off, "Marlene please don't rule it out, I know its asking a lot but I want children," She swallowed hard as she grimaced, "I need a little time to think about it," She spoke under her breath, "What's stopping us? I mean we're married," Marlene sat up on the side of the bed running her fingers through her hair she excused herself to the bathroom. "Marlene are you all right," Mark, asked her from the other side of the door.
Marlene quietly opened the medicine cabinet and removed a package of birth control pills and quickly took one, "Marlene?" Mark asked again as he knocked on the door. "I'm fine, just a minute," She was hesitant closing the cabinet slowly. "Hey," He grasped her in an embrace, "I didn't mean to upset you and I guess I was a little forward," He cleared his throat, "I should have discussed this with you earlier, I'm sorry," He apologized. "It caught me off guard that's all," She answered her jaw rigid her heart thumbing fast at his revelation, "Mark, I love you with all my heart, really I do but," She stared at him, "Shh, I understand but please," He grasped a lock of her hair, "Please just give it some thought." His eyes showed sadness, "I will," He embraced her she lay her head across his shoulder and bit her lower lip in thought. "We should dress its getting late and dad is probably ready for dinner," She order with a grin easing his worried conscience.
"Good morning," Grace met Marlene in the hallway, "Busy today," Marlene spoke moving past her, "Hey," Grace grabbed her by the arm, "How's your work load?" She asked concerned, "Mr. Bender is waiting," She answered, "Marlene," Grace stopped her again they stood in the foyer of the physical therapy room, Marlene peered through the glass window, "Did you and Mark fight, you seem on edge?" She questioned, Marlene stared briefly, "Mark, has it in his mind he wants to have a baby," She shrugged with a curt answer, Grace stood speechless, "I don't know, I didn't expect that from him, I mean we've never discussed having a child, ever," She seemed miffed to Grace, "Hmmm," She voiced in a whisper, "Did you talk to him about it?" She asked feeling her out, "I tried but he doesn't want me to rule it out, I've worked hard at getting this position and working along side of him was a dream come true," She began to tear up, "Marlene, it doesn't mean it has to happen right away," Grace tried to be the voice of reason, "Grace, I'm thirty five!" She exclaimed loudly. "Calm down Marlene," She grabbed her by the shoulders easing her tensions, "Mr. Bender is waiting, we will talk later," They parted ways.
"Dr. Blair, please come in and have a seat," Mark sat down, "Dr. Garrison," He nodded extending his hand over the desk and shaking it, "Have you made a decision?" He raised his brow as he quizzed, "I have, I've decided on the fellowship to Düsseldorf Germany," He answered, Marlene was in the back of his mind, "Ah, good choice, I'll contact Dr. Bruno Kessler and let him know you've accepted, I hate to lose good talent like you but Saint Vincent's is in need of someone with your skills and new techniques," He smiled sitting back in his chair, "Its only for two years," Mark assured him, "Have you told your lovely new wife," He asked signing the paperwork for the fellowship, "I haven't, I wanted to surprise her, we haven't even had a honeymoon yet and I think this will be perfect, "Will you have her working along side you?" He inquired handing him the travel documents, "Yes it will be good experience for her and she'll be amongst the people she knows and loves," He voiced, "I think you need to share with her," Dr. Garrison smiled walking him to the door. Mark found his way to the physical therapy room where Marlene was finishing up with her last patient, "Hey," He surprised her as she walked through the door, "Can we talk? Its important," He pulled her off to the side, "Sure, what's up?" She still felt discomfort from their earlier conversation, "I will just get to the point," He took in a deep breath gazing into her eyes, "I have decided to accept a two year fellowship," He began she stood listening, "We will be moving to Düsseldorf," He smiled widely hoping for a good response from her, "What?" She seemed shocked and in dismay, "My skills are needed and with the new techniques I've been working on this is a real chance for me to share my talents and you'll be working along side of me," He crossed his arms and leaned against the door. "I wish I would've known about this before hand," Her eyes began to water, "Don't you want to share the news with your father I'm sure he'll be elated," He embraced her tightly, "And we should pack we will be leaving next week," He brushed his lips against hers.