Now I'm hooked! You are doing a fantastic job. Am looking forward to the next one and it can't come soon enough!

Thanks Aylantafan.

So you're reading the story twice

great,


Thanks meech,

I'll try to write asap. Can't promise when. You'll see.

bye both of you

_________________
Our live begins to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King

Part 17

After her talk with Stella Carla was over the moon. Finally there was a small ray of hope. She went to Alain and Alegria in euphoria.
Alain and Alegria were very happy that Carla and Sophia were home again. Sophia couldn't stop to cuddle with both, but especially
with Algeria.

When Sophia went to bed after dinner, Carla told them about her days in Dusseldorf, but mainly about the conversation with Stella.
"And you finally know where she is?"
"No, Algeria, she has not told me yet, but she promised to call when she's home and then we make an appointment"
"Yes, but that perhaps can take a while, because she might be living in Australia or at the end of the world"
"I do not believe that"
"But you're not sure. Carla if it were up to me ... "
"Algeria!"
"Yes, yes, Alain. I'm not allowed to interfere"
"What is going on? You're not fighting over me and Stella! I think it's very nice of you to concern, but Stella and I really should do this
ourselves and as it stands, that is going to happen soon"
"Oh Carla, I hope so. Child I see how sad you become every time"
"Oh Alegria, I really appreciate your concern, but I can not force it. Stella holds all the cards and how much I would like to change that,
I can not. She determines when we see each other"
"Other subject. Carla the next few days, I do not want to see you in the gallery"
"But the vernissage starts Monday!"
"Right, but almost everything is ready. You have one more thing to take care of and that you are going to do the day after tomorrow with
Marina. Who would like to discuss something with you about the painting that she is going to make, but everything else is ready and you
go enjoy yourself for a few days. Go do something fun with Sophia and if you need some time alone, then we take care of Sophia"

The next morning Carla brought Sophia to the nursery and then decided to go to Notre Dame. It did her good occasionally go to a church and
just having a moment of reflection. Then she went to a beauty specialist, just enjoy the treatments. After visiting the church and the beauty
centre, she felt reborn. On the way home she walked past a store with art supplies. Without doubt, she walked in and bought the various types
of paints, brushes, canvas and a small easel. Since she was in Paris she had not painted yet, sure some drawing put painting, no. When she
wanted to pay for everything, there was also a painter set for children at the checkout. She bought this too, This afternoon painting with Sophia.
Enjoy a little time together. Carla had a great day. No work today just relaxing. Only tomorrow she had an appointment with Marina and then
till Monday no business appointments.

"Hello my dear. Did you have fun at school?"
"Yes mom, they said they had missed me"
"I've missed you too, but I have a surprise at home"
"Oh yippee, what is it?"
"I do not say, otherwise it's no surprise, besides I don't know whether we are going to unpack the surprise"
"Why not?"
"Have I got a kiss then?"
"Oh, sorry"
Carla sat on her haunches and Sophia put her arms around her neck and gave her a big kiss.
"Hey, what's that on your knee?"
"I fell and I got a patch"
"And look at what kind of patch, I see Hello Kitty. Does it still hurt?"
"Yes, will you carry me?"
"Little bit then, but then you walk again. Shall we go home?"
"Yes"

Carla stood behind the painting easel and tried to outline Sophia who stood on the other side. She had to laugh because Sophia was looked very
focused, while she stood behind her easel. Carla saw how she copied her. With the same intensity as she observed Sophia, Sophia was observing
her.

"Can you handle it, honey?"
"Yes, I'm almost done"
"May I come and watch?"
"No, only when it's ready. Are you ready?"
"No, far from"
"May I come and watch?"
"When you're done"
"Done!"

They changed places. Sophia immediately saw that Carla had drawn her. Carla studied Sophia's painting. Of course it was a children's drawing, but the
composition was right. The colour choice was good.

"You like it Mommy?"
"I love it"
Sophia beamed with pride.
"We'll let it dry and then we let it framed"
"Yes, and we give it to Stella"
"Oh, why to Stella?"
"She wanted paintings for the hotel?"
"That she... how do you know that?"
"Don't know"
"Hmm, I have to pay more attention to my words. She hears more than I think" Carla thought.
"You know what, we'll make a picture and send it to Stella"
"Yes, or a clip"
"Well, then we now wash our selves and changes clothes and we go have dinner together at a restaurant"
"Pizza?"
"Pizza"

"What clothes do you want to wear Sophia?"
"That red dress, because it fits nicely with my picture for Stella. Will you make a clip mommy?"
Carla grabbed the camera.
"It is on. What do you want to tell Stella?"
"Hi Stella, I have a picture for you. Look! Mommy says we let a frame put around it and then you can hang it at the hotel"
"Is there anything else you want to say to Stella?"
"Yes, I have hurt my knee and now I have a Hello Kitty patch. Look! Oh, and Mommy and I are going to have dinner in a restaurant. Pizza.
When will you come visit us and stay with us again .... "
"Sophia, shall we say hello to Stella together and wave?"
"Yes"
"Wait a minute, then I just put the camera. Yes, it's okay. Are you ready?"
"Yes"
"Okay, then I count to three and then say we both say hello and wave to Stella. Okay? One, two "
"Hello Stella!"

The same evening Carla sent the clip to Stella.

Who opened the mail the next morning when she was at work. The first time she saw the clip, the sound was off and she only saw Sophia
and Carla, but that caused a tear. When she saw it again, this time with sound. As a small child she was crying.

"It's enough. I immediately need a few days off and once and for all clear things with Carla"


...

_________________
Our live begins to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King

Once again, I anticipate more. This is so good and intense, I hope all turns out well for Carla and Stella in this Fanfic. I don't know if I could continue if I knew they didn't end up together. I think they make a wonderful couple. Even in your scenario, you can tell they just can't stop thinking about each other. Thanks for putting out this little teaser. You are doing a great job. Even if I still hope they end up together. ciao

Thank you very much meech.

Well maybe you'll know it soon.

I'll try to write the next part a.s.a.p.

Happy Easter

_________________
Our live begins to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King

Anticipation....is keeping me waiting. (Oh, and wanting,)

Happy Easter!

_________________
"Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching."
Satchel Paige

Well maybe tonight there'll be a new part..

Happy Easter to you too

_________________
Our live begins to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King

Part 18

"Morning Marina"
"Morning Carla, what time do you come?"
"I just brought Sophia to the nursery. I've still got some shopping to do and then I'll come, but where,
because Alain didn't tell me that"
"My studio"
"Oh, uh okay I'll be as fast as possible, but what do you want to discuss?"
"I bought some clothes and want to make a small preliminary study and discuss it with you"
"You take it very seriously"
"I do that with anything, don't I"
"Oh shut up. Should I bring some food?"
"Yes, some cheese and some baguettes will be nice. See you later"

"Morning Josephine, I didn't know you were here, but good that I've bought enough to eat"
"Morning Carla. No, I do not eat with you. I'm leaving right now. Marina had to try this costume"
"What is that costume supposed to mean?"
"Saturday night is a Masquerade Ball at La Champmesle with a Hollywood theme. Are you coming?"
"Oh, I'm not sure yet"
"Oh come with us. Marina and I are going as Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire"
"I don't know yet. Moreover, who should I dress like?"
"Yes well, I don't know, but don't you have a favourite, you can dress up like?"
"Uh, no I can not think of one quickly"
"You think of something. Shall we pick you up?"
"I'll let you know"
"Okay, see you Saturday. I really have to go now. Bye Carla"
"Bye Josephine"

"Hey beauty"
"And a good morning to you too Marina. What is that Lyre doing here?"
"Well Carla, that will be part of the portrait that I'm going to make of you"
"Why?"
"I'll portray you as Sappho including the Lyre"
"Where did you get that Idea?"
"That, an angel whispered to me. What goodies did you bring?"
"Nothing special, have you made coffee?"
"Yes, Josephine has just left"
"Yes, I met her. Which one of you two is Fred and which one is Ginger?"
"I'm Fred. Are you coming too and if so, as who?"
"That I do not know yet"
"Oh come on. Mask on and enjoy"
"As who then?"
"Uh Marilyn Monroe, Ingrid Bergman"
"I already know. My mother used to sing sometimes for my father. I'm going as Lola"
"Lola?"
"Yes, Lola from the movie Der Blaue Engel. You know Marlene Dietrich "Ich bin von Kopf bis Fuß auf Liebe eingestellt"
"Oh yes, beautiful, and sexy" Marina said with a wink to Carla.
"Uh yeah. What did you want to talk about?"
"I want you to put on that dress that is hanging there and then I will put in some poses"
"Now?"
"Yes, so we need not to do that Monday. I take some pictures and then decide which pose I like most"
"Hmm. It is not just an excuse to get out of my clothes"
"No, but that is a nice bonus"
"Tsss"
"What, tsss, just do it now. Oh my phone. Go change and then I'll take this phone call. Hi, wait I'm going to the balcony"

Meanwhile Carla dressed up. It was not easy to put on the Greek robe. Every time a piece of the fabric was draped on her shoulder good,
on the other part fell on the ground. Marina om the balcony looked at it amused. After her phone call was finished, she went back inside
and again watched it amused.

"What are you laughing now, better help me"
"I would love to but you still have not taken of all your clothes"
"Why? I only have my underwear still on"
"Yes, but it's terrible that bra straps are showing. Take it off!"
"Say, you really want me naked again"
"It's for the art, my dear just for the art"
"Yeah, yeah, I guess"
"Off!"
"Yeah"

Marina set Carla in various poses and just kept shooting pictures. The lyre was not a success. Carla with a lyre in her hands, no it did
not look good.
"So that's a nice pose, and that light. Carla remain still"
Marina was shooting one picture after the other, but at some point could no longer control herself. She walked to Carla, and without notice
kissed her passionately.
"Hey, what are you doing? We were here to prepare for the opening?"
"Yes, but if you stand in front of me like that Carla, then I'll just have to kiss you"
"Marina, we have to stop this. Josephine was just here, yeah I know, she just walked out the door, and it also seems that Stella and I will
get back together"
"Yes, but so far it has not happen and Carla come on, you know I love Josephine an you love Stella, but both are not here now and you look
so sexy" and she kissed Carla again. Who answered the kiss this time.
"Thou seest, you and I that's a class apart Carla"
Carla could now no longer control herself and carefully draped robe slipped from her body.
"Wow, Carla"
"Yes, wow, this is really the last time Marina"
"Oh that ..."

She could not speak more because Carla pulled her to the beanbag in the corner of the studio. They made love passionately.
For Carla, this was really the last time and to prove it she took full control.

"Wow"
"Hmmm"
"Are you sure ..."
"Yes Marina, I would like to remain friends with you, but this was really the last time"
"Hmmm"
"Nothing Hmm, I mean it. Monday you you paint me and we do so in a professional manner. No relationship, no flirting, no sex"
"How boring!"
"I mean it Marina"
"Yes, yes, Stella"
"Not just Stella. I feel uncomfortable when I speak to Josephine"
"She knows it anyway and is happy with it"
"Yes, but I'm not. I'm sorry"
"Okay, it's clear to me now. Too bad"
"So I must go now. I still have to get a costume for Saturday"
"So you're coming along?"
"Yes"
"We pick you up at 22.00 hours. Okay?"


...

_________________
Our live begins to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King

Oh, I'm getting excited about the party.

_________________
"Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's watching."
Satchel Paige

Well maybe tonight

_________________
Our live begins to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King

:hüpf: :hüpf: :hüpf:

_________________
There's a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in... (Leonard Cohen)

Part 19

Carla stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself in her costume.
"Hmm, isn't this a bit to much to expose? Surely I can not really do this. I am a grown woman and mother, I can not go out
dressed like that. However, mask on and nobody knows who I am. Or should I pick something else?"
She was removed from her thoughts by the doorbell.

"Wow, Carla"
"You too Josephine, Wow, but who is that guy next to you?"
"Wait, you do not know what's going to happen tonight"
"Why Marina, do you know what is going to happen?"
"Oh, everyone has a mask on, so you do not know who is who. Annabelle will also be there I guess and you won't recognise her"
"So what, we'll see. Come masks on and go"

It was very busy at the club. They didn't know where to look. It was indeed difficult for anyone to recognise. In some cases you didn't
even see whether it was a man or a woman. Carla was surprised to see everything. Until she felt she was being watched, but she could
not determine by whom. The masks made it all very difficult.

Marina and Josephine made their name true and danced like Fred and Ginger. And while she looked at them, she felt she was being watched
again, and again she could not determine by whom. She saw on the other side, the person standing who was dressed as Alice in Wonderland,
but she also saw immediately that it was Annabelle.

She decided to get a drink. As she drank her drink she felt she was being watched again. She wanted to turn but couldn't because someone
was very close to her.

Suddenly she felt that that person approached her. She was a bit nervous and did not know what to do. At the time she wanted to walk away,
that person kissed her on the neck. It felt very tender and loving and chills ran down her spine. Then she felt a finger on her back. The finger wrote
a Z on her back and she felt that the person walked away.

She turned and saw how a person with a black hat and black cape went up in the crowd. She smelled a whiff of a for her familiar perfume.
"Stella, but Z, uh Zorro. I need to find Zorro"
"Carla, will you join us for a drink?"
"Marina I have to look for Zorro"
"What? What do you mean?"
"Zorro, Where is Zorro?"
"Do you understand what she means Josephine?"
"No, Carla was there something in your drink"
"No, where is Zorro?"
"Carla. Slow down. I do not understand what you mean"
"Stella is here and she is dressed as Zorro"
"What! You're kidding. Have you talked to her?"
"No"
"How do you know that it was she?"
"She, she, she kissed me on my neck"
"Hmm, wasn't it someone trying to conquer you?"
"No, I'm sure. I also smelled her perfume"
"Carla, I do not know. A kiss on your neck and smell of a perfume. It is not really a sign of life from Stella. How do you know that so sure?"
"Because no one brings such a feeling in me by a kiss on my neck, Josephine. Nobody! I must seek her now"
"It's almost impossible Carla, look how busy it is and the tension builds as it is almost Midnight and then the masks go of!"
"Marina I must find her. Do you see a Zorro standing somewhere?"

The tension in the club rose indeed. There had formed several couples, but nobody had seen the face of the other. Carla tried to go through the
crowd looking for a glimpse of Zorro, but it was hopeless. There was the hostess. She walked to the middle of the dance floor. Now it was
impossible for Carla to search for Zorro.

"Ladies, ladies and some gentleman, although tonight there are a view more men. Or not? We will experience it. I count down and then masks off!"
There was a shouting through the bar and the hostess began counting down.

"10, 9, 8, 7,"

Carla looked around and yes there on the other side of the dance floor Zorro, but she could not go there.

"6, 5, 4, 3"

This could not miss. Zorro was gazing at her, there was a smile on Zorro's face, but she really could not see, because Zorro not only wore a mask,
the hair couldn't be seen by a bandana and hat.

"2, 1, unmask"

"Stella!"

...

_________________
Our live begins to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King

Wow! You really know how to draw out the suspense and tease us! I just read the last 2 parts. Now I'm sitting at the edge if my seat waiting for more. If this were a book, it would have been read all at once in one sitting! Fantastico! We want more! Ciao

Thank you meech. Thank you so much.

Well I think you have to wait till next weekend now.

Sorry, duty calls.

Bye

_________________
Our live begins to end the day we become silent about things that matter.

Martin Luther King