FOUR.
Blood and water
Ansgar slowly strolled down the hall to the great room admiring the stately art that still hung on the walls of Königsbrunn. "Good morning," Elisabeth called from behind him he suddenly turned around, "Good morning Elisabeth," He replied perching his hands behind his back, "Coffee, breakfast won't be for a while?" She quizzed. "Yes," He sat down wiping the sleep from his eyes, "Sleep difficulties?" She inquired, Justus brought them coffee, "I guess it will take a few days, Monique was up half the night again and she's sleeping peacefully now, I didn't want to disturb her," He chuckled. "Some anticipation about Carla arriving I would assume?" She further questioned. Ansgar sighed, "I haven't been a very good brother, I wasn't there when Stella passed, we talked by phone and message but I know she struggled and was lonely and in a lot of pain," He grimaced in answer. "It will be good to have her back, her success and knowledge will be put to good use," Elisabeth assured him. "Working again," He spoke, "She hasn't had to in several years," He thought about her dedication to the job she did. "She doesn't now but has decided returning home and taking on a new position is what she needs," She remarked. Ansgar stood and straightened his necktie. "Breakfast should be about ready," He escorted her to the dinning room.
Carla Von Lahnstein existed the cab that brought her to the huge front doors that opened their way to Königsbrunn. She tipped the cab drive after he unloaded her luggage she took in the fresh air of early spring exhaling slowly. "It's so good to be home," She looked to the cab driver, Justus approached her, "Countess, welcome home," They laughed he extended his arms embracing her, "The family is at the breakfast table, surely you're hungry," He began to pick her luggage up. "A hot cup of coffee would do the trick, early flight," She told Justus. Carla entered the castle hearing the sounds of dishes clinking together. Justus rushed passed her setting part of her baggage by the foot of the staircase, "Everyone," He lead Carla into the dinning room. Ansgar laid his napkin on the table quickly getting up and embracing his sister, "So glad you're home," He managed a wide smile, Carla was surrounded by her family, they sat and visited over breakfast, "You must be tired," Elisabeth voiced, "How about some tea in the study?" Carla asked with a wink. Ansgar cleared his throat, "I have a golf date with Martin," He relayed, "I'll go up and check on Monique and change, dinner later?" He asked her, "Absolutely, I can't wait to meet Monique, hear all about your adventures in Canada," He kissed her cheek Elisabeth escorted her to the study.
"It's so good to be home," She looked out the window of the study and down on the grounds, "Things haven't changed much in all these years," She turned back around to face Elisabeth, Justus brought a tray with tea, "Maybe not but the people have," Elisabeth chuckled in answer. "I haven't seen or heard from most of the family," She rubbed her arms as if she were chilled. "Thank you Elisabeth for keeping me updated and I think I'm ready for a challenge again," She giggled pouring tea in her cup, "Well, I'm glad your home, back where you belong," She answered with warmness in her tone. "Tristan has good business sense, retaining Martin to do the books has been a great help and I think you will like working along side the both of them." She worded with frankness. Carla sighed, "Some time to relax first reacquaint myself to this grand old place," She noted, Elisabeth lifted the, teacup from the saucer, "The orangery is available if you'd like," She remarked.
Carla thought briefly, "I think that's perfect," She replied, "I'll have Justus put your things there," She smiled gazing at her, "And if you would like a little later we could walk the grounds, it's going to be a beautiful afternoon," Elisabeth voiced sipping her tea. "Sounds like a plan and I'd love to hear more about the family our dealings, what's going on with LCL," Her mind became cluttered with all kinds of thoughts and wonderment. "I believe we can do that," Elisabeth laughed staring into Carla's light green eyes the tight curls of her blonde hair shined in the sunlight that peeked through the windows. "But for now, I'd like to lie down, get a little rest," She added finishing her tea. "I will see you after while then," Elisabeth replied. Carla strolled down the hall touching the stones in the castle walls with her fingertips, "How, I miss you," She thought back to the time when she first met Stella. The tears began to stream down her face she walked a little further opening the door to the orangery she felt at home once again.
Elisabeth buttoned up her sweater, Carla met her out on the terrace they began their walk, "I miss this old place," Carla worded, "Living in the south of France must have been wonderful," Elisabeth broached. "It was but I was ready for a change, I needed it when I first lost Stella, leaving London," She hesitated briefly, "It just wasn't the same without her," She bowed her head. "Feel like talking about it?" Elisabeth eased herself into the question, "Stella was taken too soon," She started to converse, "I spent a lot of time nursing her, taking care of her, the one person I've met in my life that really made sense," She chuckled slightly. "I'm sorry, I worried for you, being here, not being as supportive as I could have been," She remarked feeling some shame. "It just happened so quickly, Stella denied it but I think she knew for sometime that she was sick and she just couldn't face it, me," She crossed her arms stopping. "I know it was a great loss for you," Elisabeth eased her mind. "Not any worse than the rest of my family, father, uncle Ludwig," She shook her head. "We are past it now and I decided long ago that I wouldn't remarry, I've ran this family for the last ten years but I'm ready now for a more relaxed and restful life," She admonished as they walked through the rose garden.
"I miss the summers here, horseback riding amid the forest," Elisabeth chuckled, "Hagen will return in June an addition to the stables has been planned, you'll enjoy being a part of that, we've talked and he can't wait for his return here, rekindling his life with his family," Carla arched her brow, "I haven't seen Hagen in years and I look forward to working with him, getting reacquainted," She smiled things were beginning to fall into place. They began to walk a little further, "The beautiful gray stone house," Carla spoke pointing to it in the distance, "Elisabeth grinned, "Your cousin, Rebecca," Her cell phone began to ring. "Excuse me, I need to take this in the study, enjoy," She nodded watching Elisabeth walk away from her she headed towards the beautiful house that bordered the creek and stone wall to the side entrance of Königsbrunn. Carla gazed through the tree branches at the stately house when she saw a small boy being followed by an older woman to the play set in the back of the property, "Rebecca," She spoke under her breath, "And with a child," She giggled turning back towards the castle.
Marlene buttoned the top of Wolfgang shirt in preparation for an early evening dinner at Königsbrunn. "Mommy it's too tight," He cried out, "Be still," She kissed his cheek he took his little hand tugging at the top of his shirt. "Wolfgang be still," She told him again as she brushed his bangs out of his eyes, "All of you need haircuts, Nicholas be sure to tie your shoes," She voiced as he ran in the room, "Where is Brandon and Matthew?" She questioned Nicholas, "Brandon is under the bed and Matthew is bouncing his soccer ball off the wall," Marlene groaned, "Go down stairs with your brother and wait in the den," She shook her index finger. Marlene opened the door to Brandon's bedroom she peered down to the side of the bed seeing two small legs hanging out from under it, "Brandon," She shrilled, "What are you doing?" He inched out from under the bed with a toy in his hand, "I was looking for my dinosaur mom," She rolled her eyes pulling him up, "Downstairs and in the den with your brothers please," She directed firmly, "And leave the dinosaur," He tossed it to the bed running out, "Tuck in your shirt," She followed him down the hallway.
Marlene tapped on the door of Matthew's room, "Are you ready," She waited a second turning the knob, Mathew put his soccer ball in the closet, "Ready mom," She smiled rolling her eyes, "Your brothers are in the den waiting," They walked down the stairs together, "Mommy, is mommy coming?" Wolfgang giggled loudly, "She will try," Marlene looked at her wristwatch, "We should go soon but I want you boys to listen, there will be company, family members, so I want each of you to be on your best behavior, no loud talking, keep your hands and fingers off of things and don't interrupt grandma or uncle Tristan while they're talking," She mildly warned. "Yes mom," They all chimed. Marlene straightened each of them up pulling their bangs out of their eyes and tugging at their shirts until they were straight. The walk up to the castle was swift, "Justus," Marlene grasped his hand, "Countess, everyone is in the great room, boys," He pinched Matthew's cheek. "Mommy can we play with Mr. Justus?" Wolfgang asked with a serious look on his face, Justus chuckled covering his mouth with his fist.
Marlene grabbed Wolfgang, "Maybe later, we have family to meet," She unbuttoned her sweater. Justus took their jackets and sweater nodding his head. Marlene could her the noises of idle talk and drink glasses clinking as she entered the arched doors of the room, "Oh. Marlene," Elisabeth called to her, "Boys," Marlene motioned for them. Matthew found his uncle Tristan tugging at the hem on his jacket, "Drink?" Helena offered, "I could use one," She grimaced, Helena looked at the boys, "I'm sure you could," She left her and Elisabeth to get her a drink. "My grandsons look so handsome, nicely dressed," Elisabeth winked, Ansgar sauntered over, to her "Marlene," He acknowledged her, "Ansgar, welcome home," She uttered unsure of his demeanor. "It's good to be back," He clutched Monique by the elbow, "Monique, Marlene," They shook hands, "And you are from Canada?" She questioned her, Monique brushed her long black hair away from her face exposing her dark brown eyes, "French Quebec," She seemed proud as she answered. Marlene accepted the lukewarm glass of wine from her, "Thank you," She squinted her eyes scanning the room, "You did mention something about Carla," Helena grinned, "She's on her way from the orangery," Marlene looked up to see an attractive woman staring at the crowd from the doorway.
Carla was dressed in a starched black business suit outlined by a satin burgundy shirt that showed off the fine line of her cleavage, "Carla," Ansgar escorted her into the room, "Everyone, my lovely sister Carla Von Lahnstein," She bowed her head taking a drink from the maid's tray, "You look beautiful," Monique offered kissing her cheek in a form of welcome. "Mommy," Wolfgang, Screeched the room became quite catching Carla's attention she looked up to see Marlene standing there, "Hello," She walked towards her extending her hand out, "Carla," Her smile radiated looking into the beautiful blue eyes of Marlene Von Lahnstein, "Marlene, welcome home to Königsbrunn," Her smile charming as she spoke to her. "Mommy," He grabbed her waist, "Boys," She called them over to her "Remember the family I told you about?" All four shook their heads. Marlene gave them the cue to introduce themselves, Matthew stepped out first, "I'm Matthew and I'm eight years old and I'm going to play soccer this summer," Everyone chuckled listening to him, "I'm Brandon and I'm Nicholas and we're the twins," They gathered behind Matthew, "Wolfgang moved himself to the middle of the room, "I'm Wolfgang Gregor," He smiled deeply putting out his little hand and making the number four with his fingers, "And I'm four," He squealed causing everyone to stir. Justus entered the room clearing his throat, "Dinner is about to be served," They followed him into the dining room.
Elisabeth raised her glass in a toast, "May this year bring us, health and prosperity, welcome home, Ansgar and Monique, Carla how fortunate we are to have you back in the fold, let us hope this year will be as good as the last," They all raised their glasses in a toast. Carla swigged her drink giving an artful eye to the blonde that sat across the table from her. "Dinner was as good as Mrs. Lentz has always made it," Carla noted tapping Sebastian's shoulder, "I know she'll retire soon," He added," They entered the great room for coffee and after dinner drinks, "Mommy can we go play with Zoey?" Wolfgang asked while Brandon and Nicholas waited for a word from her, "I'll take them," Emily offered, "Behave, no rowdiness," She ordered, "Thank you Emily," Marlene walked over to Tanja, "You've been awfully quiet tonight," She nudged her with her elbow. "Tired, fashion show woes and Emily needs to finish summer heat," She grimaced swirling the champagne in her glass, "Rebecca spoke with her," Marlene answered shrugging her shoulders, "Hopefully she'll come around," Tanja sighed rudely, "I'll be taking a few days off, I'm going to take Emma to Paris, we are looking at an art school there," She seemed more at ease once she spoke of her daughter.
"So she's decided on an art career?" Tanja gave an impish grin, "She's sixteen and knows everything," She teased, "When will you leave?" Marlene asked. "I have a few things to line out in the morning, so early Tuesday," She groaned answering. Helena approached them, "Helena, its been a while," Marlene touched her sleeve with a grin, "I'm through in Italy, at least for the summer," She replied. "I was hoping to spend some time with the boys," She relayed, "That would be wonderful and they would love to be with you," Marlene, added, "If you'll excuse me, I think I'll find my niece and nephews" She walked away from them. "Tanja," Sebastian called to her, "He calls," Tanja giggled leaving Marlene she leaned against the mantle of the fireplace watching the family as they conversed. "Marlene," Carla approached her, "Four boys," She started to say chuckling, "It must be a handful," She tipped her glass to Marlene, "More than you know" She stated, "Care to join me on the terrace?" She coaxed her. Marlene followed her out, "Are you alright? You look a little piqued," Marlene surmised. "Crowds, sometimes they make me nervous," Carla leaned against the railing, "So how do you manage?" She began her question again, "Manage what?" Marlene resounded. "To raise four boys," She chuckled gazing into her eyes. "We do manage, its not easy and as you can see they're into everything," She replied with an upbeat tone.
Carla took another drink of wine from her glass, "So which one of my handsome cousins are you married to?" Marlene grinned, "I'm not, I'm married to your cousin Rebecca," She answered, "Oh forgive me for assuming, I didn't realize Rebecca was a lesbian," Carla swallowed hard, "I didn't exactly mean it that way," She squinted her eyes in slight embarrassment, "It's quite alright, Rebecca and I aren't much for labels, hard to believe but we've been married for nine years," Marlene added with pride. "Wow," Carla grimaced her heartbeat quicken, "What about you?" Marlene fished, "I was married to my wife Stella, she died two years ago," She lowered her head in grief. "I'm sorry, I remember Elisabeth mentioning something about you a while back and your loss," Carla arched her brow, "I've been living in the south of France for the last couple of years, I had to leave London, life just wasn't the same," Marlene gave her look of sadness. "But you're starting a new career," Marlene perked up changing the subject, "Yes, I am, I'll be working with Tristan," She voiced, "So banking, hmmm" Marlene chuckled, they both laughed, there was pause, "I hope I've found a friend in you," Carla stated. "You have," Marlene answered, "Now if you'll excuse me, it's getting late and I have four boys who have school in the morning," She parted from Carla leaving her on the terrace, "Enchanting," Carla whispered under her breath as she watched her walk away.