CHAPTER 50

Rebecca nervously checked into her hotel room. "Madam, may I have room service bring you up something? A bottle of wine for later perhaps?" The concierge asked. "Thank you, I have a busy day ahead and a chilled bottle of red wine would be perfect." She smiled, " I'll have it brought up to your room this evening, may I get you a cab?" He resounded, "Yes please," He hailed her a cab she tipped him entering the cab. It was a cold blustery day but the sun shown brightly down on the tall buildings that lined the avenue they were traveling, "Here," She spoke to the driver as he pulled over in front of LCL Berlin, "Thank you," She paid him quickly closing the door her planner in hand she clutched it tightly as she took in a deep breath her heart pounded in anticipation of the unknown. She entered the store to its warmth it was decorated with the younger generation in mind. There were numerous amounts of coats and jackets hanging from the walls shirts, jeans and casual dresses adorned the display racks. Rebecca ran her hand down the stainless steel pipe that held the displays together. "Wow," She spoke under her breath.

"Rebecca Von Lahnstein," A familiar voice called to her she quickly turned her head to see Anna, Katherine's assistant, they embraced, "Where is everyone?" She quizzed touring the store, "An early lunch we knew you would be coming and Katherine had to check on her mother," She answered following her around the store, "The displays and themes look wonderful," She attributed with a smile, "Well we have Marlene to thank for that," Anna stated, "How are things in Dusseldorf? I do miss being there." She added with a giggle. "Things are good, I miss designing at times but everything is going fine." Rebecca picked up a shirt and unfolded it looking at its quality design the hard work and prestige that was put into the clothing was unmatchable. "Hello Rebecca," Katherine's voice rang suddenly into her ear she turned slowly around the shirt still in her hand. There stood Katherine her dark complexion lit up the fire in her emerald colored eyes she wore her hair pulled back and up in a tight bun on the back of her head. Katherine stared at her as she watched her refold the shirt up the gold band on her finger shimmered in the light. "Katherine how are, you?" She asked plainly, "All is good thank you," She murmured keeping her eyes trained on Rebecca's. "Come let me show you around the store," They walked down the isles of clothing as Katherine pointed out the numerous things she had been designing, "You really have an eye for fashion it looks great what are you working on now?" She asked in a professional tone. Katherine motioned her to the back of the store. "This is our head sales clerk Angela," Rebecca extended her hand out in a friendly gesture, "Rebecca Von Lahnstein," She nodded her head, "I'm pleased to meet you, I've heard so much about you from both Anna and Katherine." Rebecca stared at her in an awkward way.

"Oh, yes well I'm sure they've told you about how much I love fashion," She replied quickly cutting her eyes to Katherine. Katherine hung her head looking away, "If you'll excuse me but Katherine and I have much to discuss." She walked into the designing area there were strands of thread strewn about the tables, stacks of designs were placed at hands length numerous rolls of fabric and packets of buttons were labeled and readied for the seamstresses. "Looks like you've gotten a head start." She picked up one of the paper designs. "Yes I was hoping to have some things lined out before we met today would you like to see what we've made so far?" She questioned leading her into the sewing room. Rebecca picked up a pleated skirt, "Hmmm, I like, I would have put two pleats in the front and tightened the waist line a bit," Katherine raised the skirt up higher she turned it from side to side. "I didn't think of that I can cut another pattern out and then we can compare the two." She smiled openly. She gazed at Rebecca as she made quick study of her designs. She watched her hands touching the materials pulling them together and redressing them on the hangers. They worked into the evening exhausted from making new patterns. "Are you hungry?" Katherine offered, "I am," She looked at her watch, "I should go back to the hotel," Katherine sat the patterns to the side, "Where are you staying," She asked. "The Regency," Rebecca replied. "They have a restaurant and its opened late, I could drive you over we could discuss the fashion show," She nodded, "Ok," Katherine collected her purse and keys, she locked up the store and they headed for the hotel.

They sat at a quiet table away from the crowd and noise, "I must say I was excited when Tanja approached me about the fashion show, I only expected a photo shoot before Riga," Rebecca looked up at her over the menu, "I have to admit, I too was surprised but its understandable with the new lingerie line making its debut, I'm thinking she wants to extend the teen line beyond Germany." Katherine had a look of surprise. "I guess that would be good, good for me anyway," She laughed. The waiter approached them, "I'll have a chef salad and a glass of red wine," Rebecca ordered, "I think I'll have the same," Katherine added. "Your teen line has been successful here and any chance to jump on the international fashion wagon is a plus," She praised her trying to remain calm continuing. "So enough about fashion, how is you mother?" Rebecca asked politely. "She's doing fair, my father is worn out and my brother Miguel has been great, living with them has been a big help." She remarked, "So how is the new position? I never thought you would leave designing." Rebecca sipped her wine. "Marlene and I decided it was the best move for us." Katherine's look became sullen she stared at the gold band on Rebecca's ring finger, "I see you've married," She stuttered clearing her throat.

"We are," She spoke firmly, "Congratulations," She toasted her raising her wine glass, "Are you dating?" Rebecca tried to make the conversation more comfortable. "Yes, I met a wonderful woman last month and we've been out a few times nothing serious just dating." She mused with a grin, "I came out to my parents." She looked at Rebecca for approval, "Well good for you and how did they take it?" She awaited her answer, "My mother was sick about it at first my father didn't speak to me for two months and my brother was very supportive, its been a long road but we are getting there." Rebecca grasped her hand from across the table, "Stay strong to what you feel and who you are," Katherine looked at her hand a top hers she pulled it away, "How's Marlene?" She asked with some shakiness in her voice. "She's fine," Rebecca took in a deep breath, "We are going to have a baby," Katherine's heart skipped a beat as she tried to remain calm, "Have you decided to adopt?" She questioned, "Marlene is pregnant," She outwardly spoke. "Oh I see well this is great news," She tried desperately hard to be honest, "Its late, I should go," Rebecca motioned for the check. Katherine walked Rebecca to the lobby they stopped at the doors of the elevator Katherine extended her hand touching Rebecca's face, "There's nothing more I would love to do right now then to kiss you Rebecca," A tear formed in the corner of her eye.

Rebecca softly grasped her hand from the side of her face, "I'm so sorry I hurt you Katherine, you have to believe me, I never meant to ruin your life in this way, really." Katherine wiped the tears from her face, "I know and I also know we had something very special and that you love me deep inside, I know you Rebecca and if I could, I would go upstairs with you right now and prove to you that what we had is still there," Katherine's words became pleas. Rebecca grimaced, "Katherine, I'm in love with my wife, we're married and that makes it final, I chose to be with the woman I love, I will always love you we did have a bond and I'm grateful for the time we had but it was never meant to be and the love I feel for you is different from what I feel for Marlene and that won't change." Her words sincere, however hurtful they were to Katherine, "I will see you tomorrow," Katherine remarked walking away the door to the elevator opened as Rebecca stepped in. She entered her room lying across the bed she closed her eyes trying not to cry her phone rang she looked at it. "Marlene hey," She abruptly spoke in the phone, "Is everything alright? I wanted to call earlier but if I know you, you worked late, how did it go?" Rebecca didn't immediately answer, "Rebecca," She spoke her name again, "It went fine the new shop is beautiful you did a bang up job on the foyer and the store as a whole, it really looks great." She answered. "How did it go with Katherine?" She sighed before answering, "About like you envisioned it would, she was cordial but standoffish at first we worked together this afternoon and it seemed to ease her tensions," Rebecca noted before telling Marlene the rest.

"We had dinner here at the hotel and she expressed her feelings however she kept her composure and understands that we only have a working relationship and nothing more," Rebecca hesitated briefly, "I told her about the baby." She could hear Marlene breathing in the phone, "I'm glad you did, I know she must still be terribly hurt and hasn't had the time to heal, I wish I could have been there." She related, "I would have liked nothing more then for you to be by my side but this is something I needed to face on my own," She replied remorsefully. "I guess she had an easier time in handling the situation then Abby did." Rebecca's sorrowful face turned to a frown, "Abby has crossed the line too many times Marlene she doesn't understand or isn't in the realm of reality, Katherine simply did the right thing by walking away." She scolded her, "Nothing is simple where either of them are concerned we've both have been loved by different women, they've both felt the pain and anguish we inflicted on them and there fighting back just in different ways." Marlene advised, "I only know one thing," Rebecca calmly spoke, "And what is that?" Marlene giggled lightly, "That at the end of the day, I only love you." She laughed, "I'm tired and need a shower and a good night's rest," Rebecca remarked, "Goodnight, sweet dreams," She uttered hanging up.

Marlene viewed the manifest for the material that was needed for the lingerie backdrops. She spread the sheets out across her desk when a knock came to her door, "Come in," She ordered not turning around, "Good morning I'm sorry to disturb you but I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time," Angelo spoke in the opened doorway of her office, "Yes please come in, good morning," Her response quick as she gathered the pieces of paper back up. "I haven't had much of a chance to talk to you, Elisabeth keeps me on my toes," His words soft and calmly spoken, "Yes I know you've been working a lot with her," He nodded, "I wanted to apologize for my indiscretions, I should have realized you were a married woman." Marlene crossed her arms leaning against her desk, "It's ok, really, you didn't know and I'm flattered but yes I'm married to a very wonderful woman." He cleared his throat, "I Meant no harm and I'm asking for you to forgive me, I can assure you that won't happen again," She smiled. "I think we resolved that earlier and there's nothing to forgive, we have to work together and I ask that you respect me." He took in a deep breath, "Thank you Marlene and yes you don't have to worry." He spoke with reassurance. "Has Elisabeth gotten the line up ready?" She began to talk about work related issues. "Yes, she just told me she would meet with you later today," Marlene walked over to the door, "Thank you Angelo, I'll expect to hear from Elisabeth later." She closed the door returning to her desk she looked at her watch, when another knock came to her door, she walked over to it and reopened it, "Ollie, what a surprise, I've tried to reach you but wasn't very successful," He smiled embracing her, "Photo shoot with Jorge in South Africa, I'm afraid the phone service wasn't very good, is everything alright?" He questioned eagerly, "It is, I'm pregnant, I fainted the other day, I, thought it was just the stress of working a lot, Rebecca took me to the hospital and they confirmed it." His smile radiated at the news.

"I'm so happy for you Marlene this is great news, what can I do for you? Do you need anything?" He asked brushing the hair away from her face, "I'm good actually I was just getting ready to head to my Doctor's appointment, care to join me?" He helped her with her coat, "I have my car downstairs, I'll, pick you up in the front drive." She followed him down the stairs and stood by the door. "Good morning Marlene," Abby's voice spoke quietly from behind her, "Abby," She spoke turning around to see her standing directly behind her. "I have a budget meeting scheduled for Monday at two, will Rebecca be back in town?" She asked in a pleasant tone, "She will, do you have the booklet ready, I'd like to review it this afternoon, I'll be meeting with Elisabeth after lunch, can you drop it by?" Marlene answered firmly. "Yes, I can, I'll see you this afternoon then," Abby turned and walked away. Marlene and Ollie made her appointment. Ollie waited patiently when Marlene came out of the examining room with smiles, "The Doctor says everything is good, take my vitamins and watch what I eat," She explained to Ollie as they traveled back to LCL, "I think that means no over doing it or extreme hard work." He added in a laugh dropping her off at the front doors, "Thank you, dinner soon?" She asked getting out, "Jorge will be back from Melbourne in a few days, Rebecca?" He mentioned. Marlene looked at him, "She's in Berlin," Her heart sank a bit as she told him, "I'm sure you have nothing to worry about," His voice assured her not to be concerned. She entered LCL walking to her office and to the budget booklet Abby had left for her.