CHAPTER 35
Rebecca rolled over rubbing her sleepy eyes her vision blurred, "Hey, your up early," She spoke in a graveled voice, "Hmmm, lots to do today, are you going to lay there all morning?" She finished pulling her hair back into a tight ponytail and then placed a pair of dangling earrings in her earlobes. Rebecca slung off the covers retreating to the shower, "I know your dressed, care to join me?" She questioned in a joking manner. Marlene sighed with a laugh, "Not this morning," Rebecca rolled her eyes, "Suit your self," She closed the door as Marlene finished buttoning her shirt and then slipped on her coat. "I'll see you at the office, I have to stop by the jobsite and talk to dad, I won't have time for breakfast as I'm already running late," She quickly exited the orangery without a response from Rebecca.
Rebecca towel dried her wet hair she sat on the bed and picked up the brochure from the nightstand she thumbed through it and began reading she fantasized about a little girl one with frills and curls, one who loved fashion as much as she did. "Names," She spoke out loud, "We haven't even discussed names," She laid the brochure back down and finished dressing.
Marlene walked the course of the smooth concrete that was the main floor of the house she quietly leaned against a bare stud watching her father barking orders to the workers. "Good morning you're at it early," She sparked with a smile. Thomas looked around, "Contractors, they're all alike," He exclaimed loudly motioning for them to set the lumber down. "I just hope the weather cooperates today its slowed things down and we aren't making as much headway as I'd like," He continued to grumble. "Good morning," Rebecca's voice called out from behind them, Thomas looked at her sternly and then with a chuckle he hugged her tightly, "I haven't seen much of my daughter in law," He versed, "Or my daughter," He eyed them both. "I must apologize Thomas we've been busy at work," He touched his index finger to his chin, "Not to worry, I've been very busy here as you can see," They began to walk around the shell of a house that would be their small but quaint castle.
Thomas guided them around the studded walls pointing out where various things would be placed he seemed excited and happy for the opportunity to build something of such proportion. "By the way Biggi would like for you both to join us for dinner Sunday evening," Rebecca looked at him and answered quickly, "We will be there, Marlene and I have something very important to discuss with you both." He looked oddly at them, "I hope that everything is alright," His concern heightened Marlene's curiosity, "Everything is fine," She assured him with a touch of her hand to his shoulder. "I know this is probably a pointless question but do you have a projected finish date?" Rebecca asked changing the subject. Thomas chuckled, "With the way things are going," He suddenly threw up his hands in the air, "I don't know, early spring," He continued rambling under his breath. Marlene and Rebecca looked at each other unable to keep a straight face they giggled loudly. "We have to go to work now dad," Marlene grasped Rebecca's hand. Thomas nodded as he continued working his crew.
Marlene took off her coat and laid it across the chair in front of her desk. She looked at the folder that was left sitting near her computer. She picked it up opening it with a sigh and a roll of her eyes. "Hey," Kim spoke slinging the door open, "Do you have a minute?" She asked, Marlene moved her coat offering her a sit with the motion of her hand, "What's up," She asked closing the folder and placing it to the side. "Dinner at dad's Sunday, Emilio and I plan to attend are you and Rebecca?" Her smile radiated calmness to Marlene, "Yes we will be there," She replied. "Good we may be a little late, I leave tomorrow for Dublin for a few days and Emilio is planning a short visit to Spain to see his mother." Marlene nodded, "I've got a lot on my mind, the house, the end of the year fashion show," Kim quickly interrupted, "You just need sometime to relax, it's hard being away for a month and then returning to a workload that doesn't stop while your gone," Marlene placed her elbows on her desk, "Rebecca and I have some news to share with you all at dinner," Kim's eyes lightened up, "Hmmm, I guess you won't share will you?" She knew her question was moot. "No," Her answer short and to the point, "I have some reading to do before I leave tomorrow, we will catch up on Sunday," She hugged her sister, "I'll see you later and safe travels," She mentioned as Kim closed the door.
Marlene picked the folder back up and read the contents once again, "Abby," She grimaced in a dull tone. Marlene walked to the elevator and took it up to Abby's office. Marlene knocked hard, "Yes come in," Abby spoke sharply, Marlene entered as Abby was hanging up her phone. "Good morning it's always so nice to see you," Abby related seeing the folder that Marlene held tightly in her hand. "I see you got the budget update, I had to change some figures and as I'm sure you're aware its reflected in the paperwork." Marlene gritted her teeth, "I need more than just this small amount for new props and there are other miscellaneous items to be considered this fashion show is a major undertaking with a new designer being introduced." Marlene grumbled tossing the folder to Abby's desk. "Have you even begun to start the art drafts?" Abby inquired meekly. "No because we don't have a theme yet and Tanja will start to push for one and we still have models to consider, does Tanja know about this?" She questioned giving her an angered look. "Yes, we discussed it just the other day and she approved it as I explained to her we had to have some funding for models but new props were never discussed in the original budget," Abby's expression became sullen, "Katherine leaving didn't help, the budget was built around her and her assistant. "She confirmed leaving Marlene with an opened mouth. "I see, well there was always the possibility that she would accept another job and she did." Marlene corrected her. Abby folded her hands laying them across her desk, "Your gripe should be with Tanja and not me, Marlene we worked on your budget together you never mentioned a thing about props, models yes, props no." She insisted. Marlene bit her lip picking up the folder and turning towards the door.
Abby quickly bounded from behind the desk grasping Marlene's elbow and turning her to face her, "Please don't be angry with me, I had to leave that report on your desk, I can't help it if that's the way things are," She stared at her for a moment, "I miss you, us, don't you think of me at all?" Her tone became a plea. Marlene's lips trembled, "I never meant to hurt you, really you have to believe me," She pulled her elbow away from her hand. "But you did, you hurt me more than you realized you allowed yourself to get sucked into Rebecca's web." Marlene became cross but kept her voice even and in control, "I'm in love with her, I married her because she's who I've wanted to spend my life with forever and you have to get past this Abby, I never loved you and you've known all along about my feelings for her." Marlene opened the door not looking back at her she bowed her head closing it behind her. Abby wept touching her hands to her face, "You think Rebecca has won Marlene, well your sadly mistaken," She murmured as she began to pace her thoughts of resentment for Rebecca were well defined.
Rebecca sat at her desk studying the many resumes of assistants who had come calling for a job. "Great," She thought out loud rubbing her temples from the stress of trying to make a decision. She chose three and began calling to set up interviews. Marlene quietly crept in and took a seat listening to Rebecca's arrangements for interviews. "Well I've chosen three and have set up interviews starting at ten o'clock in the morning," She rehearsed hanging the phone up. "Doing anything at ten tomorrow?" She questioned with a laugh, "The sooner you get someone the better, I expect Tanja will start needling us about the winter fashion show, Christmas will be here soon and we have so much already to think about," Marlene began rifling through the resumes Rebecca had tossed aside. "True, I have Emily working on some outfits, we've design several dresses and the seamstress has brought them over," She sighed looking at Marlene, "We really need to make a decision about the baby, do we want to go ahead now or wait, I mean we will be working long hours trying to get this fashion show put on."
Marlene grinned, "I don't want to wait, I have an appointment with Dr. Hess first thing Friday morning for a physical and then the following Tuesday with the OBGYN," She answered directly. Rebecca shook her head, "You amaze me, you know what you want and you don't let this job stand in your way," Marlene felt gratified starting a family was a priority over anything else. "When will you start traveling?" She quickly changed the subject. Rebecca took in a deep breath, "Next week, I have a trip set up for Rome," Marlene grinned, "What day?" Rebecca pulled out her itinerary, "Wednesday, noon and I'll be back Friday evening, names, we should discuss names," She voiced in excitement Marlene took her hands and rubbed the sides of her arms, "We will, tonight, what if I pick up some sushi and we meet at home for an early dinner in bed and discuss names?" She made the offer tempting to Rebecca kissing her lips. "Hmmm, Mrs. Von Lahnstein I like your thinking she pushed her against the wall of her office locking her hands gently around her neck, "I love you, I love you so much," Her gazed turned to tears, "Rebecca," Marlene wiped a tear from her cheek with her thumb, "What is it?" Rebecca felt sentimental, "You're here and with me, I sometimes have to catch myself to realize that all my life I've been waiting for you and then I lost you my life was a black hole and filled with what if's," She confessed removing her hands from Marlene's neck and placing them to her side.
"I'm here, we are married and in love and life is new and young, don't cry, when I said my vows, I told you, you should never have any doubts, I don't have any doubts, I set myself free and gave you all of me, I want a child, children with you, I love you Rebecca," They took each other in arms. "I guess the stress of the new job, me traveling and the idea of having a baby has just overwhelmed me," She remarked laying her head on Marlene's shoulder. She caressed the back of Rebecca's head, "Shh now, don't fret, I have work to do and so do you, remember we have interviews in the morning." Marlene pinched her cheek lightly in hopes of changing her thoughts. "Your right," Rebecca picked up the resumes and began to study them again.
Rebecca left work early heading home and settling for a hot shower. She toweled off and dried her hair climbing into bed and awaiting her wife. Marlene entered carrying the take out she and Rebecca would share, she quickly undressed and slipped into her night gown, they fed each other sushi until they were both full, "You should learn to cook," Rebecca chimed tickling Marlene's side, "Me!" She exclaimed giggling, "I guess it would be me since you can't even boil water," Rebecca frowned sticking her lip out, "Marlene," She winced rolling her over and laying on top of her, "Names," Rebecca mused. She rolled Rebecca off her and they lay side by side, "I'm hoping for a girl," Rebecca continued, "I could teach her fashion," She smiled, "I'm hoping for ten fingers and ten toes, healthy," Marlene quickly added, "But what if it's a boy?" She questioned with honesty. "Think a girl," Rebecca caressed the side of her face, "I would like to name her Madeline after my mother," She awaited Marlene's response, "I understand, you never really got to know your mother as I did, unfortunate the way life turns out having siblings to hold your hand during the roughest of times isn't always the same as your mom but you are lucky to have them." Marlene versed.
"Am I selfish for wanting to honor her, honor her in a way that somehow she'll know?" Rebecca asked in a serious tone, "I think we should honor both of our mothers, how about if it's a girl, Madeline Viktoria?" They agreed softly kissing each other. "My grandfather's name was Matthew and I remember as a child spending summers with him, my grandmother died when I was just a baby and he never remarried he was brave and strong and I loved him dearly," Marlene had tears in her eyes thinking of him as she reminisced, "I think if it's a boy I would like to name him Matthew Ludwig." Rebecca smiled widely her cheeks became red with delightfulness, "I love you," She whispered, "My father would be over the moon knowing his grandchild was named after him," They embraced each other tightly, "So we've decided for sure," Rebecca asked to be certain. "Yes," Marlene cooed, "Now get some sleep we have a busy day tomorrow." Rebecca rolled over and turned off the lamp as Marlene drew her closer into her arms resting her head on Rebecca's shoulder.