CHAPTER 50
I take you as my wedded wife
Rebecca ripped the seam along the pattern she had cut out for Marlene's wedding dress. "Hey," Marlene called out as she entered the door her tone melancholy, "Up here," Rebecca answered threading a needle and looking back towards the staircase. "Your home early, is everything alright?" Marlene grasped her and kissed her cheek, "Oh that color is lovely," She smiled ignoring Rebecca's question, "Its an off white Marlene," She cut an eye to her, Marlene sighed walking over to the small portal window and staring out at the waves batting the shore, "Tracey, I guess?" Rebecca grumbled laying her work to the side and joining Marlene at the window, "I think I've insulted and angered Grace," She slapped her hand to her side, "Grace?" Rebecca questioned with a furrowed brow, "I told her I couldn't work with Tracey, that it made things difficult and she, well she told me I should deal with it and grow up," Marlene looked at her with despair, "And?" She shrugged her shoulders, "Tracey has it in her mind that she will fight for me and that I'm making a mistake, that I really just feel sorry for you because you were so ill and might have died," Rebecca felt angst, "She hasn't a clue about you and I and I'm sure you've told her some things," Rebecca awaited her answer, "Yes, she just doesn't know everything, I never really had the opportunity to elaborate," She replied honestly. "Maybe you should have a one on one talk privately with her Marlene," Rebecca mildly advised, grasping her around the waist.
"What should I tell her?" She began to plead, "I love you, she's heard that enough I think, she knows some of the struggles we went through, I did tell her about my disappointment and my need to move on," She raised her brow to Rebecca, "Even though it was a mistake," Her smiled warmed Rebecca as she said those words she kissed the nape of Marlene's neck, "I wish others besides our family knew just what heartbreaks we went through to be together and the difficulties we were really faced with," Rebecca rambled remembering. "Can we not talk about this, Grace was very adamant that we pick a date," Rebecca flipped through the things piled on her sewing machine pulling out a calendar, "October, hmmm," She smiled and pointed to a date, "How about Saturday the twenty fifth," She remarked, Marlene slightly rolled her eyes, "Depends on the weather," She barked. "Well its only two weeks, lets look," They both seemed eager, "Well the weather seems promising," Rebecca flipped the television off, Marlene chuckled, "I'd marry you even if its stormy weather," She added grabbing Rebecca in a tickle they fell to the sofa kissing, "I should go tell Grace she'll be happy and relieved," She inserted running the tip of her index finger along Rebecca's bottom lip. Marlene stood up, "Want to go," She looked at her watch thinking Grace might be at home, "Actually, I have some things to finish up on that dress you go on and I'll see you in a bit," Rebecca had Tracey on her mind.
Rebecca slowly walked up to the door of Tracey's cottage she could see the light in the kitchen on through the shear curtain on the door she quickly knocked. "Who is it?" Tracey's voice rang from the other side of the door, "Rebecca," She answered her sharply. Tracey opened the door, "Does Marlene know your here?" She motioned her inside, Rebecca accepted walking in Tracey closed the door behind her. "No she doesn't, however its time you and I talk," Tracey leaned against the door, "Can I fix you something?" Rebecca shook her head no, "Thank you but we really need to talk about Marlene," Tracey sat to the sofa Rebecca joined her. "Marlene seems to think you will fight for her, that this with me is just a phase," Tracey swallowed hard as she stared into Rebecca's eyes, "I love her and I feel she loves me, its simple, we had a life before you showed up," Rebecca grinned, "I see and my returning caused this breakup?" Tracey sighed deliberately, "Yes, I guess you could say that," Rebecca grunted, "I'm sure she's told you of our history," She quickly cut in. "Somewhat but what's the point? Her life was beginning to start over with me and had you not gotten sick I can assure you the outcome would be much different," She spoke with confidence, "Marlene will never love anyone but me Tracey rest assured she may have feelings for you but when it comes to me," She hung on her word Tracey grumbled. "Why did you decide to come here and toy with her life, huh?" Rebecca frowned, "She belongs to me, I'm perfectly fine now, I'm over my sickness she could just simply walk away," She asserted with a sharp tongue.
Tracey didn't know how to respond she felt unguarded and angered, "Do you know what kind of fight we went through to be together? Do you really know about the months of turmoil and strife the stress of being in love with your own brother's fiancé? Her guilt knowing that she was in love with you and at a time there wasn't a thing you could do about it because it would tear both families apart? Marlene left my brother at the alter, their wedding day was a revelation for her he nearly lost his mind and forbid us to see one another," She stood up from the sofa her hand touching her forehead as she vividly relived it all, Tracey remained silent. "My brother tried to kill us, he ruined Marlene's singing career and he tried to ruin my life as well," She cut an eye to Tracey, "We lived our lives winning the battle but so many things came into play causing us to part and I really understand Marlene's decision to walk away from what we had, she was lonely and insecure about herself she needed an out, to find herself again, did I help matters?" Rebecca questioned her own self Tracey had a tear trickling down her cheek, "No, I made them worse, I worked constantly trying to get ahead of the game, I left her sitting and wondering, I cheated and I lied about it, I threw everything I wanted in my life out the door and I see differently now, how I let her get away without another chance, how I just waved the white flag surrendering myself to defeat knowing there would never be another like her so no I'm not about to give up on us, I'm beyond all that she's my destiny, my fate and she's what truly makes me happy," Rebecca became quiet. "Wow," Tracey summed it up, "So you blame yourself for everything?" Rebecca lowered her head, "Yes, that's the way I see it, she only ever loved me unconditionally," Tracey stood up walking towards the door and opening it.
"Its obvious you have a lot to make up for, Marlene is a wonderful woman who only deserves the best, are you sure you won't fall back into your old ways? Just so you know, I'll be waiting for you to slip up," Tracey stated in a convincing tone she showed her out, Rebecca felt elated but dejected had she gotten her points across to Tracey she wondered finding her way back to her cottage and relaxing on the sofa. "Rebecca," Marlene shook her shoulder awakening her, "Hey, I must of fallen asleep, what time is it?" She looked around the room in a haze, "Seven, are you hungry?" Marlene asked, Rebecca rolled her hand around on her belly, "I would say she is," They both chuckled, "She you say?" Marlene sat beside her placing her hand across Rebecca's small but noticeable lump, "I'm hoping for a girl," She dreamed out loud, "As long as its healthy," Marlene beg to differ before continuing, "Two o'clock sounds good to you?" She smiled as she asked, "That's fine," Marlene stood up, "Come lets enjoy dinner out this evening," Rebecca took her hand, "How about a walk along the beach first, the moon is bright," She gazed out the window, Marlene nodded they walked in slow pace hand in hand the moonlight lit their way, "Cool out this evening," Rebecca stated wrapping Marlene in her arms, "Grace wants to be in charge of the food, flowers, hmmm, everything," Marlene spoke placing her lips to Rebecca's, "I would say let her, I'll finish your dress tomorrow and you can try it on," Marlene stared deeply into Rebecca's eyes, "Pinch me," She giggled, "Why," Rebecca asked suspiciously, "I want to make sure this is really happening, that finally after all these years we are going to be together, united as one, in love, living our lives out as we always should have," Rebecca grinned. "Its true and you know what?" She voiced, "I'm in love with you Marlene," She mused they kissed romantically.
Marlene and Rebecca found their way to town walking hand in hand and into a small café they took a seat by the window that looked out onto the harbor, "I have to tell you something," Rebecca raised her brow looking over the menu she had Marlene's attention, "What is it?" She smiled, "I, uh, I went to see Tracey," She stuttered clearing her throat Marlene froze in a stare, "You did what?" She spoke under her breath, "Please don't be angry, I felt I had to Marlene, I just feel there's unrest and I want clarity before we marry," She spoke sternly, "God Rebecca," Marlene clinched her jaw tightly, "What did you say?" There was a rift in her tone, "I told her of our hardships that we had a history and that we had always been in love and meant to be together that I ruined things between us and how you loved me unconditionally," She commanded her words in certainty and sureness. "Well," Marlene thought for a second, "You, you, weren't," She hesitated, Rebecca cut in, "I wasn't mean or ugly, I was just truthful, I told her that you would never love anyone but me," She searched her mind, "I've told her that before, I ran into her at the hospital and we talked awhile back she wanted me to leave you alone," Marlene groaned, "I wish you wouldn't have but there is nothing I can do about it now she's hurt and angry and she knows that we had something special she's not going to let it go I'm afraid," Rebecca grasped her hand, "Marlene I think she knows that we won't be happy without one another that know matter what you may have had its not the same thing as what you and I have," She squeezed her hand tightly gazing into her blue eyes.
Marlene walked the sandy path down to the beach on Thomas's arm Rebecca waited under a rose covered arbor a slight breeze blew the ribbons on the wooden cladded beach chairs that seated the guest, Tristan along with Elisabeth stood by Rebecca, the day beautiful and sunny the sounds of the waves lapping at the shore was soothing, Marlene approached Rebecca, Thomas sweetly kissed her lips unlocking his arm from hers Rebecca clutched her hand with a grin, they faced the Justice of the peace. Dana flanked Kim as they turned towards Marlene, "Who gives this woman in matrimony?" The Justice asked with a kind smile, "I do," Thomas spoke happily and then took a seat, "Today is a very special occasion for Marlene Wolf and Rebecca Von Lahnstein, they have decided to give the gift of love, life and unity becoming one, Rebecca would like to share some very special words, Rebecca," He spoke looking at her and nodding his head, "Marlene, thank you," She began, "Thank you for loving me, trusting me and for giving your life to me, I love you with all my heart and soul," She looked briefly to her abdomen and then back up at her, "And for wanting to start a family with me, I'm honored to be your wife," Marlene grasped Rebecca's hands tighter, "Finally our destiny Rebecca our love how its suppose to be, as one, I love you more today than I ever have you are the thread that binds our lives together the fabric of our being, I take you as my wife," Marlene and Rebecca looked at the Justice, "Do you Marlene take Rebecca as your lawfully wedded wife, to have an to hold from this day forth, for better and for worse, in sickness and in health for the rest of your life?" Smiling she responded, "I do," The Justice asked of Rebecca the same, "I do," She remarked with a wide grin, "Your rings," He commanded, each took a band of gold, Rebecca from Tristan and Marlene from Dana.
"Marlene," He eyed her, "With this ring I thee wed," She slipped it on Rebecca's finger slightly turning it and grinning, "Rebecca," He nodded she began, "With this ring I thee wed" She placed it on Marlene's finger they held each others hands, "Then by the powers vested in me I now pronounce you married in unity, as one, you may kiss," They took each other in their arms and sweetly kissed the guests stood and clapped as they made their way up the path and towards the house. "Champagne everyone," Grace chimed as David helped pour the glasses, "Rebecca," He handed her a separate glass.
They toasted to love, life and happiness, Tristan with a keen eye pulled Rebecca to the side, "Walk," He motioned with a nod of his head towards the path, "Excuse us," She quickly kissed Marlene's lips, "Ok," She answered, "Somehow I nor Elisabeth really knows what's going on with you," He started to speak, Rebecca raised her hand, "I'm pregnant," She awaited his answer he had a look of shock on his face, "Pregnant? I don't understand," She quickly explained they walked back to the reception, "I should talk to Elisabeth we really haven't told anyone else in our family," She mentioned Tristan grasped her hand and squeezed it, "I'm going to be an uncle, again," He chuckled boldly, Rebecca and Elisabeth strolled off to the side she revealed to her what had happened with Eric and the baby. Tristan approached Marlene sitting his glass down, "May I have this dance?" She nodded, "Yes," He took her hand, "Well here we are," He started, "Rebecca is lucky to have you," He gazed into her eyes, "She told me of the pregnancy," He calmly added, "It was hard at first," Marlene winced, "I bet," He lightly smirked with a smile, "But I love her Tristan, I always have and we have the chance to have a real family," She answered, "I know," He smiled, "I know how great your love is for her and nothing or no one could ever stand in the way of it," Rebecca casually cut in. "May I?" Tristan broke away from them, "Well my family knows, it's time to tell yours," She rubbed her nose against Marlene's they swayed slowly to the music, "We will but right now we should celebrate," Marlene wheeled her around.
The guest sat down to a feast filled with wine, champagne and lobster bisque, "Does anyone have anything to say?" David asked, raising a glass of champagne to the two of them, Grace stood, "Where shall I begin?" She briefly questioned herself, "Marlene you are the greatest friend anyone could have and you taught me something, something very important that love is the strongest presence on earth and when you love someone enough nothing can stand in your way, I've seen that very love between you and Rebecca, the need, the will and the fight, I wish you both nothing but happiness," Marlene smiled, "Thank you Grace." Tristan cleared his throat, "My little sister," He broached his smile impish, "I never knew how someone could love another so deeply until the two of you fell in love, Marlene you are Rebecca's greatest love, a challenge I might add," He raised his glass a little higher causing the guests to giggle, "But in the end a challenge you've managed to tame, Rebecca take care of her, teach her how to be a Lahnstein, love is the greatest gift you could ever bestow on one another, never lose it," He sat down, Thomas and Elisabeth both arose standing side by side, "My daughter, when you first told me you were in love with Rebecca and you wanted to spend you life with her," He grunted lowly, "I was uncertain but in my heart I've known it all along that no one but Rebecca could ever make you happy, my wish is that you remain together and grow as a family," Elisabeth looked at him and then to Rebecca, "My dear sweet Rebecca, finally happiness, don't let anything stand in your way and above all have the courage and strength to admit to one another that nothing but love will rule your lives," A toast was made the clinging of champagne glasses filled the evening air.
Rebecca took Marlene in her arms a special love song was played as they danced alone on the open space of the patio, "Are we really here? Or is this a dream?" Marlene begged to question Rebecca, "I'm your wife, it's real," She remarked sweetly, "I can't wait to find out what our child will be, we have so much to look forward to our lives are complete Rebecca," She kissed her. "Marlene," Rebecca pulled slightly back from her, "Its time to tell your family of our news," She took her by the hand and as they approached Thomas, Dana and Kim they looked at one another, "I love you," Marlene whispered, "I love you too," Rebecca answered life has now begun.
