TWO.

Sparks fly

Rebecca entered upstairs to find the designing area quiet and without workers she looked around when a tall, thin dark skinned woman came from the storage room, a roll of material tucked under her arm. "May I help you," She looked Rebecca sternly in the face, "No actually, I'm fine," She commented not giving a hint as to who she was, "Are you part of the new designing team? Emily isn't here and," Rebecca quickly interjected, "No, no not part of the design team," She smiled. Rebecca walked over and viewed the drawing on her sketchpad, "Lovely, I like the thought you have given to the crisscross on the back of the dress," She answered. "Who are you?" She became curt running her hand through her long black hair her almond shaped eyes danced with uncertainty. "We haven't met," Rebecca extended her hand out, "Rebecca, Rebecca Von Lahnstein," She grasped her hand with sudden anxiety, "I feel foolish," She quivered looking her in the eyes, "Laura Navarrone, it's a pleasure," She answered perplexed.

"Not to worry, you didn't know," Rebecca smiled. Laura flipped her sketchpad open showing Rebecca some of the designs she had been working on, "Welcome to the team, I'm sure your designs will become part of our line up," She assured her. "Thank you Rebecca it means the world to me that you like what you see in me," Laura began to smile, "Your welcome," She replied, "Mommy," Wolfgang breeched the top of the stairs with Aaron right behind him, "Oh, how cute," Laura made note looking at Rebecca, "Hi, I'm Wolfgang," He stuck his small hand out to Laura looking up to her with his bright and shiny brown eyes, "Hello, I'm Laura, nice to meet such a handsome lad," Her smile warmed him, "Come Wolfie," Aaron clasped his shoulder, "Let your mom finish with Laura," He winked at her taking him back downstairs, "Handsome," Laura giggled, "Quite the outspoken one," Rebecca chuckled. "Tanja has me working on the Fall evening wear," She sat down to the drawing table, Rebecca moved closer, " Tanja told me that Emily is finishing up the swimwear line," She made mention sitting next to her.

Laura lowered her head, "Yes," She hesitated, "Emily is excellent at swimwear but slow at other things, I know she has the talent but at times she seems distracted," She was honest with Rebecca. "Emily is a wonderful designer but yes, I think she puts too much into things and it causes distraction, I'll talk to her, now that I'm back for a few days I will have a word with her, I support what your doing but Emily has been here for a long time and is a part of the Lahnstein family," Rebecca was truthful. "I understand, I just want to design, make it great in the world," Rebecca looked at her the shape of her face the twinkle in her eye reminder her of Katherine the determination to be the best caught her attention. "You will be," She pursed her lips, "Is something wrong?" Laura asked, "You remind me of someone," She shook her regaining her composure. "I hope that person is a good person," She sounded. "She is, she works for our Berlin store," Rebecca grinned thinking of Katherine. "Well, I have a busy day," She added, Laura stood up with her, "Thank you Rebecca," She relayed, Rebecca nodded leaving her.

"Marlene sighing walked in the front door she laid her keys on the foyer end table. "Ruth," She called out, no answer, "Ruth," She called again looking at her watch. Rebecca entered with Wolfgang, "Hey," She spoke, Marlene turned around, "Mommy," Wolfgang rang out, "Looks like you two had a good day," Rebecca could see the tension in her face, "Rough day?" She asked, Wolfgang turned loose from her running into the den, "Actually, I've a headache, I have to hire an assistant and my mind has been on shuffling through all the paperwork, I didn't get a thing else done," She extended her hand behind Rebecca's neck drawing her closer they kissed, "Where's Ruth and the boys?" Rebecca quizzed they walked to the den looking out of the French doors that led out to the terrace and yard, they both chuckled. "Seems Matthew has Ruth's undivided attention," Rebecca noted crossing her arms as she watched Matthew kick the soccer ball back and forth to her. "Nicholas and Brandon love that play set dad built for them," Marlene added as she watched them playing on it. "You miss him don't you?" Rebecca nudged her with her fist, "Ireland isn't that far but he and Biggie are enjoying travelling and they've found happiness there," She furrowed her brow, "I'll be glad when they visit," She versed.

"I know you're lonely for them and I'm sure Kim too," She tugged at her sleeve, "Spain agrees with them, a real chance for Emilio in his family's business and maybe one day if he's successful enough as a chef they can return here," She surmised rubbing a tear from her eye. "Dana and Hagen returning this summer is a real plus, I know it must be difficult leaving Maxie," Marlene looked at her, "I am excited, June can't get here fast enough, Dana is really excited about the new addition to the barn and I think the adoption of the baby girl from Croatia will take place in May sometime," She told Rebecca. Rebecca gazed at her, "Are you alright?" She embraced her, "I hope the adoption doesn't have any stumbling blocks, Dana can't go through anymore heartbreaks," She answered. "Mommy," Brandon ran into the house not closing the door, "Brandon go and shut the door," Rebecca pointed they had a laugh as Marlene shook her head.

"I'm going up stairs, soak in a hot tub and turn in early, I'm beat and I've had this nagging headache all day," Marlene relayed to Rebecca, "I'll make sure the boys eat dinner and get their baths, you go on up and I'll bring you a little something later," Rebecca told her giving her a wink. Marlene made her way up the stairs to a night of relaxation. "Mom, when are we going to grandma's?" Nicholas chimed, "Yes mommy when?" Wolfgang squealed, Brandon grabbed him by the hand, "Stop talking Wolfie before you get us in trouble," Rebecca grinned looking at her sons, "We will see grandma soon," She answered. "Mommy where's mommy?" Wolfgang questioned, Ruth began to clear the dishes form the table, "She wasn't feeling well," Rebecca told them, "Mom, I start soccer in June," Matthew who had remained quiet spoke up, "Yes, I know and I look forward to watching you," She smiled grabbing the spoon from Nicholas's hand, "Stop hitting the spoon on the bowl Nicholas," She kindly ordered. "Can we go outside and play?" Brandon asked with a hard stare, "It's late, have you done your homework?" Ruth chuckled clearing the rest of the table.

"Mom, uncle Tristan says he can teach me some soccer moves," Matthew added to the conversation, "Uncle Tristan doesn't know a thing about playing soccer," She rolled her eyes in a chuckle telling him, "Let's start getting our baths and homework done," She versed, Brandon frowned, "Can't we play outside some more?" He became fussy, "No, it's a school night and you've already been out long enough, baths and homework," She pointed her index finger to the table tapping it. There was unhappiness, Rebecca could hear the words of dismay under their breaths she followed them upstairs. "Mommy, I don't have any homework," Wolfgang seemed sad as Rebecca buttoned the top of his pajamas, "Little man you will soon enough," She helped him with his tooth brush, "Goodnight mommy," She tucked him in, "Goodnight, I love you," She waved from the door closing it. Rebecca opened the door to the twins room, "Brandon," She got his attention, "Have you finished your assignments?" She crossed her arms leaning against the doorjamb, Nicholas climbed into his bed. "Yes mom," He slipped quickly under the covers, Rebecca tucked them both in pulling the covers up around their chins, "Love you both," She turned the light out.

Matthew sat in his bed with a book opened and tossing his soccer ball in the air, "In the closet," Rebecca ordered, "Is that an assignment from school?" She inquired, "Yes it is, I'm doing a book report and I'm finishing the last page," He picked the book up, "Finish and lights out," Rebecca mildly scolded, "I love you," She added closing the door and heading into the bedroom. "Those boys are a handful," She giggled sitting on the edge of the bed and taking her shoes off, Marlene stirred, "They're at that age," She replied, "Wolfgang is a funny little man and Brandon just likes to be full of dirt, you should've seen his finger nails," She rolled her eyes. "I'm going to shower, I have an early meeting with Elisabeth," She pulled her shirt over her head. Marlene didn't move or speak, Rebecca lay across the bed touching her brow and caressing it with her thumb, "I'm the luckiest person on earth, healthy boys and a beautiful wife," She whispered and then headed to the shower.

"Good morning everyone," Rebecca sat to the dinning table at Königsbrunn and spoke, "New York was a good trip?" Sebastian chirped looking over the top of the newspaper, "Finally, fashion days was fabulous as always and Sophia has started some changes to the whirlwind line," She shifted an eye to Tanja. Emily cleared her throat, "Tanja tells me you stopped by yesterday," She seemed eager to Rebecca, "I did, I met Laura and we visited, I think Tanja has made a good choice, I looked at some of her sketches and I was impressed," She replied honestly. Tristan stumbled into the room he tapped Rebecca's shoulder, "Glad you're back," He sat next to Emily, "Thank you, how is your mother feeling?" She directed her question to Emily. "Not any better but she's holding her own," Her answer solemn. "Rebecca let's meet in the study after breakfast," Elisabeth worded. They finished breakfast. "Emily, can you stop by the house on your way out this morning, I'll meet with Elisabeth and then be along," She smiled, "Fine, I have to get Zoey dressed, it will be a bit," She left the room, Rebecca made her way to the study.

Elisabeth sipped her tea, "Oh, Rebecca please have seat," She motioned with her hand, Rebecca obliged. "It's so good to be home," She placed her hands atop her knees in anticipation of what Elisabeth wanted to talk about. "Marlene and of course the boys have missed you, I'm sure," Elisabeth mentioned continuing, "The persuasion line seems to be a big hit," Rebecca lowered her shoulders relaxing, "It has had a tremendous response, Tristan has been working on the books with Abby," Rebecca cut her an eye, "I'm pleased," She changed her demeanor. "Is something wrong? You were rather quiet at breakfast," Elisabeth noted. "Tired and a little worried about Marlene," She stated openly, "Is there a problem? I know she's thinking about accepting the position at the university has she changed her mind?" Rebecca shook her head, "No, no, I just think with me gone a lot as of late she has a lot to deal with," Rebecca furrowed her brow, "Four boys is a little overwhelming," She solemnly spoke. Elisabeth chuckled, "I can understand, they are at that age, questions, curiosity, dirt," Rebecca put her hand over her mouth laughing.

"Ruth is not enough help?" Elisabeth asked folding her hands together on top of the desk. "I don't think it's that so much as it is, they are growing, Matthew desperately wants to play soccer, Brandon is extremely inquisitive, Wolfgang worries about school, Nicholas is just Nicholas," She smiled. "No one said raising a family would be easy, take the summer off as you planned, work from home," Rebecca stood up and looked out the window, "I'm afraid Marlene won't be satisfied with four boys, I think she'll start talking about trying for a girl," She grasped the curtain pulling it back staring at the sun beaming down on the terrace. "What will you do?" Elisabeth asked walking towards her, "When I agreed to carry Wolfgang, I so hoped he would be a girl, what a surprise when we discovered it would be a boy," She grimaced. "You know Marlene can't carry another child, have you thought about adoption?" Elisabeth touched her sleeve in concern. "I just don't see it," She sighed deeply, "She'll depend on me to carry another child," Rebecca cried out honestly. "Is that what you want?" You just said it, four boys is a lot to deal with and at this young age," There was a brief moment of hesitation, "Having a infant in the house," She stopped talking sitting back down.

Rebecca crossed her arms and turned to face her, "Having another child at this point would be difficult, she's tired and I don't think she's happy with the long excursions I've had in the last year, I have to travel to Berlin and then Barcelona, I'll come home after that and prepare for the summer fashion show," She placed her hand to her forehead, "And with her taking on this new position she will be in the spotlight, a lot of focus, entertaining," Rebecca mused calmly. "Hmmm, you should take some time this summer and think hard about what it is you and of course she wants, Rebecca you've been in the spotlight, don't you think its her time to shine?" Elisabeth pleaded. "It's all I've thought about since my return from New York, Marlene is hard working and deserving," She agreed. "Well on to some other news I haven't been able to share with you," Rebecca sat back down lending her an ear of curiosity.

"The sale of the Canadian forestry services has been completed, Ansgar and his new wife, Monique will return on the fifteenth, your cousin Carla has accepted a position at the bank with Tristan and will be here on the seventeenth," She remarked. "I see, so the castle will be full of family members bickering and arguing amongst each other just like in the past," Rebecca stated strongly. Elisabeth took in a deep breath, "You haven't seen your cousin Carla in years, she's been living in the south of France and the need to come home has been nagging at her, I know that you'll make her feel welcomed, Ansgar seems to have straighten his life out his new wife appears to be simple but very strong willed where Ansgar is concerned, we shall see, I never said the road would be paved with gold, I'm wanting to hand the reins over when Hagen and Dana return this summer, everyone is under consideration," She added, Rebecca grinned, "I assume you are meaning to retire?" Elisabeth nodded her head in a positive way, "It's time and I can't say that I blame you, there will be a lot of strong arming to run the family," She surmised standing up, "I've a meeting with Emily," She embraced Elisabeth, "Dinner next Sunday," She called out, Rebecca nodded leaving.