FORTYSIX.
Surprises
"Seriously, I can't take you anywhere," Rebecca joked tickling Marlene as they made their way down the beach slipping off their shoes and allowing the waves to lap over their feet. "That was fun, I might add," Marlene snickered clutching the straps of her sandals tightly, "Who was that girl?" Rebecca finally asked, "Andrea, I think she said her name was," Marlene squinted, "Hmmm and why were you on the dance floor with her?" She stopped locking her arms around her. "I don't know she asked me to dance and I thought you might be a little jealous if you saw me with another woman," Rebecca frowned, "Really?" She replied, Marlene began to dodge her they ran along the beach, "Come here you," Rebecca called after her tackling her as they both hit the soft sand with a thump, "Uh," Marlene grunted, "Are you alright?" Rebecca asked out of breath, "Yes silly," She quickly got up bounding away from her again. "I'm not jealous, on the contrary flattered that another woman thought you to be beautiful," She stated out of breath following her up to the cabana. They both sat in the lounge chair next to one another closing their eyes briefly, "Rebecca," Marlene started talking, "Yes Marlene," She knew she had something on her mind, "I want to try for a girl," Rebecca's heart raced at the sound of those words knowing eventually she would broach that subject. "I don't think this is the time or place to discuss a baby, we have four very fine children and before you say anything, I know they're boys but this is our holiday and I don't feel we should discuss it," She got up and walked inside leaving Marlene, alone and without another word.
Mark tapped lightly on Helena's door she answered he was rather surprised she did, "Please don't shut me out," He placed his hand tightly on the frame holding it opened. Helena remained quiet allowing him in, "Mark, we can't," She felt the shame and guilt from their recent encounter. "I know you feel angry, hell you might even feel regret that you've hurt Roger," He tried to be realistic. "It was a mistake, can't you see that?" She pled in question, "Is he here? I can tell you're lonely but I don't think its for him," Helena spun around, "Please don't drag that issue into this mess I've created, I care about him Mark, I want a life with him, we are a good match, we love the same things," Mark sighed, "Ok so he likes the same things you do, I can understand that being comfortable to you but if he really cared at all he would be here," He raised his voice. "He has a duty, you don't," She stopped short not saying anymore, Mark grimaced and then chuckled sarcastically, "So this is about me not being educated or worldly or even having a job," He became quite. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it that way," She confessed not wanting to irritate him any further. Mark lowered his head, "You are right, I'm not like him or you in that manner, it doesn't mean I'm a loser either, I just want you to know that the love we made was the best I've ever had, I've never met a woman quite like you and I'll be damned if I give up," He walked out closing the door behind him, Helena perplexed by his words.
Dana finished changing Victoria, "Hello," Hagen walked in getting a suitcase from the closet, "And where are you going?" She asked surprised by his entrance and demeanor. "I have to make a trip to Hannover, the Peterson's have decided to use Titan after all, this is big," He clutched Dana's arm in a grin and wink, "That is good news but," He cut her off, "But what? This is big Dana, a possible future Kentucky Derby competitor," He remarked, "How long will you be gone?" She inquired picking victoria up and cradling her in her arms. "Just a few days," He placed jeans and shirts in the suitcase he had tossed to the bed. "What about the barn?" She began to ask, "Your dad, I talked to him earlier and he can supervise and you can oversee things as well," He answered his eyes steady on the suitcase he was zipping up. Dana sat to the bed, Hagen joined her his index finger rubbing Victoria's cheek to get a smile from her, "I'm going to talk to Jessica about Maxie while I'm there, it's time for a visit to Königsbrunn," Dana swallowed hard, "Do what you want, you ignore me and you certainly don't take my advise, it's a real concern, his asthma and allergies he's healthy there," Hagen groaned, "And he's my son Dana, what am I suppose to do? Just have things one way?" He stood up from the bed in emotion she laid Victoria down in the playpen, "I understand you feel its one sided, I won't argue that but we left Hannover because you felt it was what was best for our family, Maxie wasn't part of this move Hagen," She tried to reason with him. "I can change my mind, can't I?" He responded, "You can do what you want, don't let me stop you," She answered he bent down kissing her cheek and leaving her to ponder their future.
Rebecca had breakfast spread out on the table under the cabana, "Good morning," Marlene spoke with the boys following her out, "Looks good mom," Matthew took a seat, "Coffee?" She poured Marlene a cup Marlene lowered her head uncertain of Rebecca's strange mood the night before. "Hello," Kim walked from behind the curtain, "Kimmie!" Marlene exclaimed they embraced in a laugh, "Where's Emilio?" She inquired looking around, "He's tied to the business these days," She bent down to Wolfgang, "It's been a long time nephew," She wiped his brow with a grin of happiness, "Aunt Kimmie," He hugged her, Matthew, Nicholas and Brandon followed, "Did you arrange this?" Marlene elbowed Rebecca, "Uh huh, I did, I thought Kim, you and the boys would enjoy a nice visit, I need to go up to Barcelona today for a visit to LCL, I hope you don't mind, a cab will be picking me up in a bit and taking me to the boat, I should be back late this afternoon," She worded, "Well I certainly didn't know work would be involved," She seemed miffed "Tanja text me earlier Marlene, I have to at least attempt to resolve this problem before I leave here," She remarked sternly, "Kim, its good to see you, coffee?" Kim looked at both Marlene and Rebecca, "I wish I could, just juice," She looked down to her belly rubbing it, "Are you pregnant?" Marlene eyed her, "I am," She grinned in happiness. They sat down together to eat, "How far along are you?" Rebecca asked, "Four and a half months, we just found out yesterday we are having a girl," Marlene listened to her words her heart sinking to her feet. "I'm so happy for you, finally you and Emilio have waited a long time for this," She commented. "We are definitely excited, "Does dad and Dana know?" Marlene further inquired. "I haven't told them yet, we wanted to wait, make sure I was far enough along," She relayed.
Rebecca clutched her hand, "I'm so happy for you both, a child finally, you'll be good parents," She reassured her, "I have to catch a boat," She laid her napkin on the table, "Boys, be on your best behavior," Rebecca had their attention. "How are things?" Kim asked Marlene as they watched the boys playing on the beach, "Fine," She answered. "You seemed a little upset when Rebecca had to leave," She insisted, "Work has been and always will be an interference, they say jump and she asks how high," She answered firmly. "Marlene, aren't you being unfair? I mean Rebecca has a job to do," She crossed her arms staring at Kim, "I just think it's a little too much, she knows good and well we are on a holiday," Kim gave a half grin, "So how is Dana, dad?" She quickly changed the subject, "Fine and if Biggie agrees dad may take a temporary position with the forestry service, Ansgar wants no part of it," She answered, "He plans a trip here with his new wife next month, can't wait to surprise him," Kim chimed, "That's right you haven't met Monique," Kim eyed her, "What about her?" She was curious, "She's beautiful of course," They both snickered, "She seems to make my father happy," Kim spoke, "She keeps him in line," Marlene added. "Try not to be mad at Rebecca, if she can take care of a problem while she's here that means she won't have to leave when you go home, I want to spend the day with my sister, catch up, talk about baby names," She rubbed Marlene's arm in an attempt to ease her mind, Marlene managed a grin, "It won't be easy but your right we should focus on baby names," They embraced.
Carla read the newspaper at the breakfast table, Tristan entered, "I thought I was the only one here today," She looked around, "Elisabeth had a brunch date with Charlie, shopping I'm sure," He sat down across from her as he spoke. "Hmmm, how's Emily, haven't seen her much lately," She asked in concern for her, "Resting, whether she likes it or not," He replied she could hear the tension in his voice. "Tristan is she alright?" Her voice heightened, "She feels she's fine and should return to work," Justus poured his coffee, "I wanted to talk with you," He became pensive, Carla furrowed her brow, "About what?" She fished, "I've spoken with Elisabeth about this situation and she thought I should talk with you," He sipped his coffee. "Ok," She relaxed her tone, "Emily is being stubborn, she needs more frequent visits to the doctor's office, checkups, you understand," He rambled, "I do, I know she had a really rough go of it the last time," She responded, "I need to take a leave from the bank," He clinched his jaw as he spoke. Carla listened to his words, "And you wanted me to oversee things while you take care of her," She lead into the conversation, "I do, you're the only one who could handle the duties, I'm caught up on a lot of things, including the books, well except for LCL's budget ledgers," He shrugged buttering his toast. Abby came to Carla's mind, "I can help," She agreed, "Thank you, this means so much to us, I will be able to come in a day or two a week," He mentioned a pact was made between the two of them.
"Did you enjoy your visit with Kim?" Rebecca asked stirring the lemon and sugar into her cup of hot tea, "I did, you're later than I thought you'd be," She smirked. "Please don't be angry," She held her voice down not wanting to awaken the boys, Marlene sighed with contempt, "I don't care to discuss LCL business, its ridiculous, Tanja has her nerve calling you knowing full well we are on vacation, I wish you would turn that fucking phone off sometimes," She blurted, Rebecca gave her a strange look. "Shh, do you want to wake the boys? I cleared the situation which means I don't have to return here," She reminded her, Marlene thought of what Kim had said. "I hope this is the last time you have to jump through hoops for your family, they call you run like a wounded animal," She voiced rudely. "What is wrong with you?" Rebecca questioned under her breath and in a huff, "Not a thing, you'll never get it Rebecca," She got up from the table and made her way to the bedroom, Rebecca followed. "Is this because I refused to discuss with you about having a baby?" She asked frankly, "No it is not," She was quick to answer, "Then what? You knew all those years ago when I took this job I would have to squelch things," She watched Marlene dress for bed as she spoke. "For once, just once I hoped for a week of relaxation and quite," She grimaced, "But in order for you to make a move with out causing a scene you inject my sister into it," Rebecca bit her lip. "That's not true, I talked to Kim before we even left, I had no idea this issue in Barcelona would pop up Marlene," She gruffly voiced. Marlene stared away and then climbed into bed ignoring Rebecca's efforts to talk to her.
"Mommy, mommy," Wolfgang pushed on Rebecca's shoulder awakening her she looked around in a blur, "What time is it?" Wolfgang shrugged his shoulders. "Mommy why are you sleeping on the sofa?" He questioned her in his meek voice she sat up quickly, "Where are your brothers?" She felt her body was in a haze, "There asleep mommy, where's mommy?" He asked, Rebecca looked in the bedroom and didn't see Marlene she got up and with Wolfgang behind her checked the bed but didn't see her. "She must be out on the beach," She took him by the hand, "I'm hungry mommy," He climbed into the chair at the table, "Ok, toast, cereal?" She asked pulling the cabinet open, "Oatmeal," He screeched, "We don't have oatmeal," She looked back at him, Marlene re entered the house, "Hey, uh, good morning," Rebecca spoke kindly not wanting disruption in front of Wolfgang. "Morning," She answered plainly, Wolfgang ran to her, "Mommy were you lost?" He asked his big brown eyes glowing, "No just thinking," She sighed. Rebecca got up and checked in on the other boys finding them still asleep, Marlene fixed his cereal and sat at the table with her coffee, "Did you sleep well?" Rebecca broached knowing the answer, "No and you know why," She calmly spoke, Wolfgang finished his cereal, "Go dress," Rebecca picked up his bowl and watched him run into the bedroom, "The sofa wasn't very comfortable," She started to say, "You didn't have to sleep on it, it was your choice not mine," Marlene reminded her, "It was too cold for me in the bedroom," She stammered. "Really!" Marlene exclaimed and added, "You're being ridiculous," Rebecca shook her head and got up from the table, "Excuse, I'm going to dress for the beach," She left the room without further speaking.
Carla fetched her cell phone from her pocket and considered calling Abby she sighed tossing the phone to the bed, "Should I?" She questioned herself plopping down on the bed and looking at her phone, Abby's number in bold text. "Hello, Abby," She stuttered a bit, "Carla, I'm surprised you've called," She plainly spoke. "I was, I, uh was just wondering how you were," She finally got the words out. "I'm fine and have been keeping busy, budget, ledgers, you know," She kept the conversation light not referring to their recent breakup, "Yourself?" She asked back, "I'm fine, I'll be taking over for Tristan for awhile, Emily is having a stressful pregnancy," She stopped talking feeling the moisture of a tear collecting in the corner of her eye. "Yes I knew Emily wasn't well, I wish only the best for her and that the baby is safe," She remarked there was silence between them. "I should go Abby, I was just checking on you," She mumbled, "Thank you for calling and Carla its probably for the best you don't call me anymore," Abby hung up not giving Carla much of a chance to say anything. Carla looked at the phone and then turned it off, "I can't believe I've wrecked my life," She laid back in the bed staring sadly at the ceiling as she talked aloud the tears she cried were a needed release.
Rebecca stepped from the shower towel drying her wet locks and staring into the partially fogged mirror she sighed deeply and could hear Marlene's footsteps and the creak of the door as she closed it. "Everyone asleep?" She questioned coming from the bathroom, "Yes," Marlene wouldn't look at her she opened the book she had been reading and began to peruse the page she had marked. "Don't you think you're being selfish?" Rebecca whispered under her breath, "I know you aren't speaking to me," She looked up from the book. "I am speaking to you," Rebecca answered climbing into the bed next to her, "Selfish? I don't believe you've ever called me selfish, is this, a new twist? And for every time I bring up something you don't like or want to hear are you're going to tell me I'm selfish?" She was adamant with her words. "I'm not sure why all of the sudden you want to try for a girl, our family is made, you wouldn't consider adoption," Rebecca implored quietly. "I've always wanted a girl, adoption was never in the cards," Rebecca interjected, "You can't carry anymore children Marlene," She eyed her sternly, Marlene swallowed hard, "I know that but you could," She shifted herself to face Rebecca, "We've both been disappointed that we didn't have a girl, its heartbreaking, I love our sons beyond anything on this earth, my god Rebecca they're ours," She had a tear come to her eye. "But the fact still remains we don't have a girl, please listen to me," Rebecca crossed her arms, "So you want me to try and get pregnant? Be realistic Marlene, there's always the possibility that we will have another boy, the only sure way of knowing we would have a girl is by adoption," She tried to make her see but felt it was a losing battle.
