Part 11

Roxanne…

On their way back to the hotel a thought clicked in Roxanne's head. The meal, though at a small and rather cheap café, had been delicious and the wine had indeed topped it off. But that's what confused Roxanne as they walked down the coble stone street in the dark, arms linked together. She knew from passed outings with Maria that though she was not a big drinker she did like a good glass of wine with a meal. But today after Roxanne had ordered more wine she noticed that not only had Maria not drunk her first glass of wine, but she had declined trying any of the other wine Roxanne had bought.

Which is how they ended up now, a slightly tipsy and over analysing and thoughtful Roxanne and a sober Maria, both walking down the street in deep thought. Roxanne did think of pregnancy given the sudden sickness Maria had experienced on the bus the day before, but ruled it off the list straight away. It was impossible, well not impossible but most definitely unlikely. Maria was a virgin she knew it, Maria had sworn time and time again that she would never give it up and when Maria put her mind to something she could not be swayed.

Maybe she just didn't want any wine but never the less ruling it as a small thing she turned to Maria and asked her. Little did she realise it was more like a mountain she had unknowingly stumbled onto.

"Maria?" she said her words still crisp but maybe her footing a little off due to the wine.

Maria looked at her warmly "Yes?"

Roxanne cleared her throat before speaking "Why didn't you have any wine tonight" Maria's eyes widened at Roxanne's observation but Roxanne continued "I mean it's quite unusual for you to not have a glass of wine with your meal and I was just wondering" she finished oblivious to Maria's shock.

"I ugh, I just didn't want any tonight, I didn't want to risk being sick again after the bumpy bus ride yesterday. I must have eaten something dodgy and well anyway I didn't want to disturb my stomach just yet" she replied back smiling, her inner thoughts and mind breathing a sigh of relief at her excuse.

Roxanne nodded and looked ahead; the warm air like a comforting blanket around her before her quiet laugh broke through as Maria eyed her suspiciously.

"Before I had this ridiculous thought that you might be pregnant" she chuckled and Maria stiffened slightly "But that's ridiculous, impossible even" Roxanne said simply.

Maria forced herself to laugh and then nod "Yes that is quite impossible" she said as convincingly as she could. But inside, her heart was pounding and every thought of escape filled her mind. But then as soon as it had come it passed and reality set in, like Roxanne had quoted only moments before it was impossible. The thought of escape was indeed, quite impossible.

O0o00oo0

Georg…

After finally putting an upset and exhausted Louisa to bed Georg went back outside, his mind still needing to find some sort of peace in the dark blanket of the night. He ran the palms down the side of his trousers as he stood in the small country lane not far from the town centre. Though the hotel was not in the main town, the sheer beauty of the countryside around it drew in many punters. It's what had drawn him here, the lanes, the countryside, the trees and huge expanse of fields in abundance. It was these simple yet magnificently beautiful things that reminded him so much of Maria that drew him here.

He sighed and walked up the lanes, his mind wandering helplessly into a pair of dazzling blue irises. It couldn't be helped, he couldn't be helped and however much he tried he couldn't not think about her, it was impossible. To him it was like breathing, his lungs expanded with her touch, his heart beat for her gaze and her kiss made every blood cell in his body move. Without them he was nothing, he was deprived, a man suffocating so slowly it was almost un-noticeable.

Tears sprung to his eyes despite his best efforts at keeping them at bay. He couldn't stand this, his heart ached and screamed, the feeling so painful it almost felt as if he had been shot again. He couldn't understand how god could bless him with such beautiful children and two beautiful wives only for both of them to be ripped away from him, not only damaging his heart but also his children's. He yelled into the night air, releasing his built up frustration as he dragged his hands roughly through his hair.

Behind him Margret and Helen followed, their own hearts breaking at the Captains aching. They walked arm in arm, quietly and silently following him, watching him, making sure he didn't do something stupid, making sure that the children would always have a father. They watched as Georg stopped, tears running down Margret's face as they watched him slump to the floor, his hands the only thing holding himself up as they braced his body on the dusty concrete.

Helens heart tightened and Margret had to cover her mouth to stop a sob from escaping her when they heard the captain start to speak, his voice broken and filled with pain.

"Why? Why me? No not me! Why my children! What did they ever do to you!" he yelled at the sky "You take away their mother and then when they finally find someone who they trust and love after so many neglected years from me you go and fucking rip her away TOO!" he screamed his voice choked with tears "BREAK ME! TEAR ME DOWN, SEND ME TO HELL AND BACK BUT NOT MY CHILDREN" he sobbed before whispering "Please not my children" his whole body searing with unseen pain.

Slowly Helen let go of Margret and walked carefully towards Georg. As she came near, she did not touch him for she knew he was till tender, his feelings on such obvious display. Instead she edged closer and walked in front of him before bending down so he could vaguely see her.

Taking a breath she spoke "Georg, I know you're upset but please come back with us, let's put you to bed, you need rest my dear" she whispered gently.

Georg lifted his head slowly and Helen took a long breath when she saw his swollen red eyes. But it was not the red swollen skin around them that made her heart stop; it was what she saw inside his eyes. She had seen it for days now, the broken man forming, but now, even in the darkness she could see its full extent and it shook her to the very core.

Gently she reached out to touch his shoulder only for him to push her back making her land with a thud as he screamed in her face.

"Get OFF me!" his face dangerous and fuming.

Margret who's tears had now subsided and were now turning to fear stood motionless, scared that if she did move he would react too violently and end up hurting someone. She knew he would not mean it, did not mean it and that it was merely his emotions getting in the way but she could not risk Helen being hurt at his hands, or anyone's hands for that matter.

Helen who was slumped on the floor looked at him "Captain please!" she shouted "The children need you, they have already lost two mothers don't let them lose their father" she begged.

Georg's tears soon came back and his anger was again taken over by the pain he felt. Slowly Helen crawled over to him and took him in her arms. Margret looked at Helen who nodded and as quick as she could she went to find her husband to help the Captain back home and into his children's arms.

O000o00oo

Maria now changed into her night gown climbed into her bed and settled down. When they had arrived back at the hotel they had quickly ascended up the stairs and Roxanne had soon dumped herself on her bed and was now asleep. Maria had been thankful as the questions she had asked earlier had disturbed her.

Snuggling down she brought her arms above her head and rested her head in her upturned palms. It was one thing knowing you were going to have a baby but as Maria lay there the realisation that she was going to become a mother dawned upon her. She was going to give birth to a new life and if possible raise it with all the love she could muster.

Though this joyful thought filled her mind her heart couldn't help but ache at the thought that Georg would never see him or her. They would never be able to build a family together. She squeezed her eyes shut as her lips trembled and then in a childlike manner she turned dragging one her pillows from above her head and hugged it tightly as she sobbed into the silent night.

Little did she realise that Roxanne had awoken and watched as Maria's form shook under the covers.

Authors note: Is it me or do you think roxanne is getting a wee bit suspicious? Haha we will have to see what happens in the next chapter! :D Please please review it always awesome to hear what you think and it makes us oh so happy! Thankyou! :D