Christmas Day, 1943
Hans had taken the day off in order to spend time with his family. The twins were getting larger by the day while little Alfred had begun to notice every single detail about every single person. Hans had invited Oskar and Sophie's family in order to bring them closer together. The Landas had set up a dining table in the living room in order to accommodate all of their guests. The Christmas decorations were carefully placed in order to avoid any accidents with the newly walking twins.
Sophie had Alfred in a baby sling as she maneuvered around the house, getting everything ready. The child slept most of the time and he was a very good baby. Sophie was pleased at the fact that Hans was home and that he seemed to be more attentive and loving towards her these days. The rumors of his extramarital affairs had disappeared and he was always home at a decent hour. Hans had become a good husband and a good father to Sophie's children. He still had his duties to the government, but he causally rearranged everything in order to suit the needs of his family.
News of further butchering kept finding its way to Hans; the photos of the gruesome deaths that were caused by the Basterds made Hans uncomfortable. He had been in contact with everybody in the region in order to maintain peace and keep the violence away from his family. Hans knew that Hugo Stiglitz was still out there and Hans knew that the man would try his best to claim Sophie if he could. He watched his wife as she set up the household for their major holiday party and it made him smile that she was a good mother to their children. Alfred seemed to be taken by his beautiful mother and would only stay calm once she was around him.
Ana and Ernst were hot and cold with Sophie. Ana preferred to be in the presence of Hans while Ernst preferred his mother; it was a simple reasoning of course, but the boy grew jealous, at times, of the new baby. The twins were sitting by the tree, entertained by the giant lights that were surrounding them. The Hellstroms had taken residence in the countryside so that Dieter could be closer to the investigations outside of the Parisian lines. Sophie was lonely without Inga, but she managed to keep herself busy with her young children and she also was tasked with training the new servants that Hans had brought in from the Southern part of France.
As Sophie delegated further tasks to her new maid, the doorbell rang.
"Darling, could you answer that? I need to finish the table arrangements with Greta."
Hans smiled and nodded at his wife. He walked towards the door and was happy to open it to an excited Oskar Schindler and Aurelie DuBois. Hans let out a happy cheer as he gave his father-in-law and mother-in-law a hearty embrace.
"Come in, please! Gertrude, where are you?" Hans called out for the other servant in the household.
The maid rushed away from her duties to stand by Hans. With a smile, she collected the coats from Oskar and Aurelie before taking Aurelie's purse in order to put it away. Hans allowed for his guests to enter; Sophie looked up from her duties and smiled at her parents.
"Hello and welcome!"
Hans had escorted his in-laws into the foyer; the other children grew excited at the sight of their grandparents. The managed to set themselves upon their little feet and started to make their way over. Sophie exhausted from her trials and tribulations this morning, made her way over and gave her family an overdue embrace and kiss. Alfred fidgeted before being picked up by Oskar Schindler. Oskar inspected the chubby child before giving him a small kiss on his bald little head. Aurelie's eyes never left Oskar's presence. She beamed with pride as her grandson and lover bonded over small actions.
Sophie handed her mother the sling and excused herself to her bedroom. She slipped out of her grey pantsuit and got into her decorative red dress. It had been a long time since Hans had seen her in the dress that he had purchased for her, but she was able to get back down to the size when he had first met her. She then made her way over towards the jewelry box and opened it. With a smile, she found the sapphire and diamond collar that Hans had given to her on her wedding day. Fastening the clasp, Sophie heard a gentle knock coming from her bedroom door.
Before she could answer, Hans stepped into their room, his eyes widening at the sight of his wife. Her evening gown hugged her body, squeezing her breasts together, causing Hans to keep his eyes focused on her patterned breathing. Her hair was fashioned into the latest bun; her lips were stained with the same red color as her dress. In a word, she was perfect. His eyes traveled to her neck where he smiled at her. The collar he had purchased her lay against her milk white skin. Sophie looked almost perfect. Hans was speechless before he smirked and handed his wife a small, red velvet box.
Sophie bit her lip before she took the box into her delicate hands. She looked at Hans who was giving her his signature, side grin. His eyebrows were raised with excitement as he watched her open the box. Sophie let out a gasp as she looked up at Hans.
"How did you get these?"
Hans held up his hand and chuckled "You don't need to know, but I have heard you talk about Inga's. I went to the Cartier shop personally and picked them up for you. They're the gold-winged earrings that you've wanted for a long time."
Sophie felt emotional; her eyes welled up with tears. With shaking hands, she took each earring out of the box and fastened them onto her ears. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled.
"I love them, Hans."
"And I, you, Sophie. We have been through so much, but I plan on making it up to you."
Hans took a few steps closer towards her and wrapped his arms around her waist. He pulled in for a hug while pressing his lips against her neck. Sophie let out a sigh and placed her hands over his. He rocked his body back and forth, eyes closed the entire time. Hans gave her one last kiss on the cheek before he pulled away from her. Sophie felt that something was off and turned around to face him. He was always such a wonder to look at.
His suits were always clean; his dress shirts well starched and crisp. Today he wore his dark green suit with his tan dress shirt. He had his brown, winged-tipped oxford loafers that were shiny as always. Sophie raised a brow as she straightened his tie knot.
"You're not staying with us today, are you?"
Sophie looked up at him, catching his eyes with her own. Her bright, green orbs proved to be angry and annoyed. Hans sighed and placed his hands on her shoulders. He gave them a gentle squeeze before breaking away from her.
"I will be here until after dinner and then I need to go back to the office."
"Hans…don't do this. It's Christmas Day. Our family…"
Hans looked away from her and chuckled "Our family? Don't you mean your family? My family is Alfred."
Sophie turned red and took a step back. Hans slipped his hands in his pockets and glared at Sophie.
"So you don't deny your infidelity?"
Sophie straightened up and inhaled. Catching her breath in her chest, she exhaled through her nose.
"Hans, you are embarrassing me." Her face started to grow pink.
Hans stood there and chuckled. He ticked his tongue and shook his head.
"Sophie, you're the one who's been embarrassing me. You are raising another man's children under my roof. If I were a monster, I would send the three of you away to be disposed of. Instead, I have learned to love those results of your affair just as I've learned to re-love you."
Sophie felt her heart shatter underneath her chest. His words, true as they may be, stung her and she felt as if her world were at an end. She looked down, red with rage and chagrin, before meeting his eyes with her own.
"Now what, Hans? Are you going to hurt us?"
Hans pinched the bridge of his nose with his fingers before he whistled. He shook his head, his own face turning beet red before Sophie.
"How can you even dare to think that I would hurt those children? How could you think that I would ever hurt you? You and those children have been my life from the moment you all entered into my life. My job is demanding; my heart is broken, but I am moving along. One day, Sophie, you will see. I will be the reason that the Reich falls and we will rise into power."
"Hans, you're speaking of treason."
"No, darling wife, I speak the truth. Hitler no longer knows how to control his people. I have worked day and night to ensure the safety of his empire, but he knows not how to maintain it. The man will lead us all to our deaths. When that happens, you and I will need to be protected."
"How do you plan on protecting us, Hans?"
Hans looked into Sophie's eyes and let out a heavy sigh.
"If things get worse, I am willing to strike a deal and surrender you and the children to the Basterds. They'll take you to America and you will all be safe. You would have to testify against me and Dieter, but at least you will be safe and well-protected."
Sophie bit her lip, tears welled in her eyes. "What will happen to you?"
"They would probably execute me and take everything under my name away. They won't be able to touch your trust or the children's trusts."
Sophie let out a teary sigh and chuckled. She then shook her head, walked towards him, and slapped him hard across the face. Hans, feeling enraged by the slap, refused to act. She had the right to be angry but did not have the right to hit him. Before he could act, she then pulled his head in for a deep, passionate kiss. As they pulled apart from each other Sophie bit his lower lip, drawing blood. Hans let out a small whimper of pain before resting his forehead against his wife's.
"Hans, wherever you go…we go together. Our lives are one; we cannot separate if things get worse. Do you understand me?"
He stayed silent, sucking on his lip. She pulled his head and yanked him down again.
"Do we have an understanding?"
Hans then chuckled and nodded. "Yes, Madame Landa."
