TWENTYONE

New Arrivals

"Rebecca could you please finish dressing Wolfgang," She shouted up the stairs looking at her wristwatch, "We don't want to be late," She added but didn't get an immediate answer. "Rebecca," She resounded and looked up to see the two of them coming down the stairs hand in hand, Marlene grinned, "I like the bowtie," She spoke to Wolfgang. "Where are the other boys? We don't want them dirty before we arrive to the castle," She handed Wolfgang to Marlene. "They're in the den," She pointed moving towards the front door, Rebecca retrieved them, "Are we walking to the grandmother's mom?" Nicholas questioned loudly. "Yes, single file and when we arrive, please be on your best behavior," She mildly scolded, "Is Zoey there?" Wolfgang became curious, "I'm sure she is," Marlene told him. "Justus," Wolfgang screeched as he opened the front doors of the castle for them, "Countess he nodded to both Marlene and Rebecca and then extended his hand out to Wolfgang. "Boys," He rang out as all of them clamored around him, Brandon tugging at this coat tails. "Hagen and Dana's flight is on time, they are being picked up as we speak," Elisabeth told them meeting them in the foyer they walked to the great room and took a seat, "Boys gather around," Rebecca ordered, "Grandma, is Zoey here?" Wolfgang chimed in, Elisabeth chuckled, "Yes and as soon as Emily has her ready, she'll be down," Wolfgang nodded with a smile.

"May I fix anyone a refreshment?" Justus entered. "I'll have red wine," Monique replied, "Countess?" Justus turned to Elisabeth and asked, "Tea," Marlene and Rebecca declined. "Ansgar," Justus further spoke, "I believe I'll have a brandy," He grinned taking a seat next to Monique. "Rebecca, Marlene, you have a lovely family," Monique began the conversation, "Thank you Monique," Rebecca spoke. Justus re entered the room Helena, Tanja and Sebastian strolled in as the room became filled with chatter. Emily entered with Zoey in hand. "Zoey," Wolfgang screeched loudly they embraced. Hagen walked quickly around the car and opened the door for Dana he smiled widely helping her with their infant daughter he tipped the cab driver and asked him to leave the luggage by the door. With child in hand and their arms lock into one another's they entered the castle. "Dana!" Marlene exclaimed so happy to see her sister they held each other tightly, Marlene looked at the sleeping baby girl in her arms, "Have you named her?" She pulled the blanket back from her face, "We have," She looked at Hagen, Rebecca locked her arm around her brother's waist awaiting to hear, "Victoria," She answered, "After mom," Marlene had a tear in her eye. "I wanted to tell you but I wasn't sure how you would take it," She looked at her sister uncertain of her feelings.

Marlene took the baby from her and held her staring into her face, "She's beautiful," She looked back up to Dana, "Its fine, really beside had Rebecca and I had a girl her first name would have been Madeline," Dana breathed in a sigh of relief. Marlene and Dana sat down on the sofa Ansgar introduced Monique as Hagen visited with his sisters and brother, "I've missed you so much," Dana confided in Marlene. "And I you, funny how our lives are so busy that we don't find the time to get away," Marlene echoed, Dana looked at Marlene's sons, "My god the boys have grown so much," She winced in a chuckle and continued, "Dad is coming next week," Dana reminded her, "Yes, Elisabeth and Carla are hoping he will temporarily take over the forestry service until they can hire someone," She answered. "Wouldn't it be nice if dad moved back, I mean now with his grandchildren here," Dana stated wishing he would consider it. "I'm not sure Biggie would want to return, besides the apartment has been sublet for another year," Marlene told her. Victoria began to wiggle and cry, "I think she needs changing and its time for a feeding, want to help?" She looked at her sister who smiled and nodded yes, they excused themselves from the gathering. "Rebecca," Marlene tapped her shoulder on the way out of the room, "I'm going to help Dana with the baby, could you watch the boys?" She asked. "Yes," She answered.

"Quite a large family," Hagen noted standing across from his youngest sister. "And a hand full, especially the twins," She replied with a grin, "How do you and Marlene manage?" He further inquired. "It wasn't easy at first, Matthew was young when the twins came along, Marlene had struggles and was on bed rest for quite some time, I was relieved when we got past it all but she desperately wanted a girl and the doctor told her she couldn't carry another child so I did," Justus brought her a glass of red wine, "Countess," He bowed his head handing it to her. "It was heartbreaking when we found out we would be having another boy," Hagen interjected, "You don't love him any less," Rebecca sighed, "I wouldn't trade any of my boys," She giggled and then became serious, "But if I know Marlene she'll want to try for a girl, I just don't know if I'm up to it, four boys and their needs are enough," She mused. "Dana wanted a girl, we tried you know, we saw so many different doctors," He rolled his eyes a look of worry crossed his face. "Well you've managed to adopt a very beautiful girl," Rebecca touched his sleeve, "Marlene won't adopt, I've tried to discuss it with her she wants the child to be ours," She told him the truth. Hagen grimaced, "Maxie has gotten so big, eleven now and full of himself," He seemed proud to Rebecca, "It must have been difficult leaving him," She surmised. "Actually he's doing well we've found a fabulous doctor for his asthma and its under control, he may even grow out of the allergy," He claimed happily.

Jessica and Ricardo must like living in Hannover," Rebecca guessed, "Ricardo does like the hospital he's at and is chief of staff," Hagen chuckled fingering his mustache, "Wow what an accomplishment," Rebecca noted, "Mommy," Brandon interrupted "What is it?" She asked bending down to him, "Can we go outside?" He had a look of boredom on his little face, "Not now, meet your uncle Hagen," Brandon looked at him with his dark brown eyes, "Hello uncle Hagen," He gripped his hand causing Hagen to laugh, "Hello my fine nephew," He remarked and then looked back up to Rebecca, "It is so good to be home," Brandon broke away from them, "And it's good to have you back, Marlene is so happy her sister is home and with a baby," She added taking another glass of wine from Justus. "Jessica would like to return to Düsseldorf, I would like it too, my son close by, Ricardo, I'm not so sure about, Maxie is good as far as his medical condition and I'm hoping a change will come," He relayed. "I know Hannover doesn't seem far but when your busy with work, family and other things that intervene in our lives it makes the task of getting away more difficult," Rebecca uttered, Dana called to Hagen, "I'd like to put Victoria down for her nap, she's asleep," Carla entered the room, "Sorry I'm late, something came up," She embraced Hagen, he introduced Dana to her, "If you'll excuse, I'm going to go up and stay with her," Hagen escorted her to the stairs, "I'll be up in a while," He told her.

Carla found her way to Marlene, "Good afternoon and how are you," She nodded with a smile, "Hello, I'm good, you've been working hard I see," She grinned, "Not much time as of late to horseback ride," Marlene giggled, "Rebecca has asked you for dinner one night," She leaned against the fireplace mantel crossing her arms as she told Carla, "Yes, actually Sunday night sounds like fun," She took a sip of the brandy in her glass. "Yes, but perhaps another night also," There was a tiny moment of silence their eyes met, Carla could feel the heat rise up in her throat, "Does Rebecca know how lucky she is?" She questioned, Marlene looked at her strangely, "What do you mean?" She asked. Carla broke her stare catching herself, "Just that, well, just that she's lucky to have a brilliant, talented and beautiful woman by her side," Rebecca looked over from talking to Elisabeth as Carla's hand ran down the length of Marlene's arm and briefly to her hand. "I wouldn't say I'm all those things," Marlene answered a little shocked by Carla's revelation. Carla's hand quickly dropped back to her side she flexed her fingers self worry about her reactions to Marlene began to bother her. "Don't take me wrong, please," She finally spoke, "I just," She stared as she stopped talking. Marlene thought for a moment, "I can understand your lonely, all you've been through the pain of losing your loved one," Carla smiled feeling at little more at ease.

"Rebecca," Elisabeth grasped her shoulder, "Uh, yes," She turned her head back to face her, "Is everything alright you look a little piqued?" She expressed, "Uh no, I'm fine," She swallowed hard, her mind began to reel, Carla's gaze at Marlene, "Elisabeth," Hagen took her hand, "Excuse us Rebecca," Hagen spoke with a wink of the eye, "Yeah sure," She walked towards Marlene, "Carla how are you today?" She began. "Oh Rebecca, I'm fine and yourself?" She inquired her heart raced as the corner of her eye wondered back to Marlene. "I'm great, I have a beautiful wife and four handsome sons," She responded locking her arm within Marlene's, "Yes you do, I was just telling Marlene how lucky you were, nice family, if you'll excuse me, I need to talk to Ansgar for a bit," She remarked leaving them. "What was that about?" Marlene questioned in hast, "She's flirting with you Marlene, be serious," She answered firmly. "No she was not she was actually paying me a complement she's a friend and nothing more," She expressed in slight anger, "Obviously you don't know my cousin like I do she's sly and a womanizer," Her words blunt. "We are friends is this going to be a problem?" She questioned with an arch in her brow. "I can't stop you from being friends and we are family, yes I know she's been through a lot but sometimes people are so lonely and desperate that they get caught up in the moment," She rehearsed with kindness. "She needs not only my support but yours and the family she's devastated over her loss Rebecca," Rebecca looked Marlene in the eyes, "And she'll take advantage of that loneliness," Rebecca warned walking away from her.

Hagen put a clean diaper on Victoria, Dana stood in front of the mirror drying her hair with a towel, "Are you ready to shower?" She asked as he laid the baby in the crib, "Yes," He walked towards her and began to remove his clothing, "I'm tired so is Victoria, I hope our guest understood," Hagen smiled embracing her, "You worry too much, everything is just fine and tomorrow we will tour the barn and look at the plans for the remodel and add on, I promise you a new office and even a place where you can have Victoria," He kissed her forehead. "I'll feel better once the other horses have arrived, I know we will need to plan a trip to Kentucky next year," She spoke following him to the shower door, Hagen let the heat of the water pelt him and relax his muscles, "Yes a trip to Kentucky but that depends on Victoria and how well the barn is coming along," He truthfully spoke. Dana sat to the vanity combing out her hair, Hagen with a towel wrapped around his waist clutched her from behind, "I love you," He kissed the top of her head, "Victoria's quiet care to," He rolled his eyes, Dana stood up and untied the towel that held steadily to his lean frame, "Race you to the bed," She teased.

Marlene removed the make up from her face, Rebecca entered the bedroom, "Wolfgang was not sleepy and couldn't stop talking about Zoey, I don't know what we will do if they have another girl," She asserted removing her shirt and hanging it back on the hanger, "You surprised me this evening," Marlene turned from the mirror to face her, Rebecca groaned, "I'm just making a point Marlene," She answered slipping into her nightgown, "Carla is nice and in need of a friend, why are you making it something its not?" She quizzed climbing into bed next to her, "Carla has a notorious past, getting involved with married women, straight women," She answered reaching over and turning out the lamp," There was a second of silence, "Kind of like you did?" She sarcastically remarked. "Yes just like me," She didn't hold back, "I enjoy her company," Rebecca listened thinking back to the comment Carla had made about their lunch date. "You cooked lunch for her?" Rebecca, raised up on her elbows, "I did while you were in Paris we rode the forest, talked and I invited her over that Sunday, Ollie had the boys and I felt like cooking," She answered straight forward and without hesitation. "And why didn't you tell me?" She moved closer to Marlene her tone changed. "Do I have to tell you every time I want to have a friend over?" She smirked, "Besides you weren't here, you were in Paris chasing ghosts," Marlene blurted referring to the situation with Angelo and LCL.

A steady drizzle fell, Carla looked out the window at the gloominess she dressed when she heard a knock to the door, it startled her from her thoughts, "Justus," She mildly exclaimed, "Countess," He nodded, "Will you be joining the family for breakfast?" He asked setting some clean and folded linens on the table, "Yes, as soon as I finish dressing," She answered, "Very well, Clara will be in shortly to tidy up," His smiled widely leaving her. Carla slowly closed the door behind him she began to think of the conversation between her and Marlene the evening before her voice echoed through her head the text on her phone chimed, it was Abby, "Care to have lunch today?" The text read, she immediately answered back, "Sure, what did you have in mind?" She grinned asking the question, "A little bistro on Braun Street," She replied, a date was made. Carla rummaged through her purse locating her wallet and re securing it before leaving for the dinning room. "Good morning Helena," She placed her hand on her shoulder, "Good morning," She replied, "You're up early and dressed," Helena smiled, "I have a friend I'm picking up from the airport this afternoon, a colleague I met while in Laos and I would like to get a few things done before we meet," She shared her story. "Wonderful, I look forward to meeting him," She answered her Elisabeth strolled in and sat down picking up the newspaper from the corner of the table. "Good morning, it is going to be a very busy summer the castle will be filled with guests," She commented, "Has your friend decided to stay on for a few days?" She eyed Helena as she asked her.

Helena lay her napkin across her lap, clearing her throat, "He has, I left the invitation open, we have so much to discuss," Elisabeth smiled, "There's always room, not to worry," She eased her concerns. "Good morning Ansgar, Monique," They took their places at the table, "Good morning, rather dreary outside," Ansgar commented, "Yes a good day to relax with a good book," Monique offered. "When will your son arrive?" Elisabeth questioned the staff began to sit breakfast on the table, Justus poured coffee from the urn. "Tomorrow evening, Ansgar and I will pick him up, we'd like to show him around a bit before we return to the castle," Ansgar slightly rolled his eyes catching Carla's attention. "I see and his name is?" She further questioned her, "Marcus but we call him Mark," She happily responded. "I think we will have dinner out tomorrow evening, Monique would like some alone time before we return to the castle," Ansgar stated. Elisabeth turned her head with a nod, "I can understand, we will have his room prepared and it will be across the hall from you," She voiced, "Thank you Elisabeth, I hated to spring this on you at such a late time, I mean with all the guests you already have," Elisabeth sat her coffee cup down, "Nonsense, we welcome your family," She made Monique feel comfortable, Ansgar felt the heat rise under his collar. "Well if you will all excuse me, I have work to do," Carla slipped on her suit jacket smiling at her brother who was experiencing angst.