Part 104
It was five months later.
Stella was in the studio. There were new materials delivered and she wanted to put them away. Carla always did that herself. She did not
want the staff to touch and put away her painting materials, because everything would be sorted the wrong way. Stella knew what she
wanted and had decided she wanted to do this.
She heard someone coming and looked up.
"Daniel, hey, how are you ... what?"
"Stella Uh, uh, I believe it started. Would you .. "
"I'm come straight away. You grab the bag and bring Sophia, then I get my bag and car keys"
"But I can still drive?"
"No way. I'll take you to the hospital"
Daniel left to get Sophia and Stella left to get bag and keys. They came met in the hall.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, but I would really like to go to the hospital now"
"Come let's go"
"Mum, I haven't called Mom yet"
"I'll do that. First we will take you to the hospital. Let's go"
During the ride to the hospital, Sophia had a number of contractions. Daniel supported her, but Stella tried wherever possible to
concentrate on traffic. When they arrived at the hospital she walked along to the obstetric ward. There she left them.
"Sophia. You can do it. I'm going to Carla, because don't think it is a good idea to call her. My cell phone is on. Bye, honey.
And Daniel keep breathing"
"Yes. Yes. Will you two come back here?"
"If you like us to"
"Yes very much"
"Okay, I'll go to Carla now"
Stella drove to the Holding. She saw that Carla was not in her office. She walked to the reception. There sat a stranger to her.
"Hi, I'm Stella von Lahnstein. Can you tell me where my wife is?"
"Who are you?"
"The wife of Carla von Lahnstein. I need to speak to her urgently"
"You can't, because she is in a meeting and should under no circumstances be disturbed"
"That is possible, but I need to speak to her real urgent. Where is the meeting?"
"That I can not say, they should not be disturbed"
Stella was already impatient, but now became a but angry.
"Ma'am I ask you where my wife is. If you do not tell me now, then I'll find her myself"
"You can not just go through. I, Madam if you go through, I have to call security"
"Do that" and Stella walked on, but was now so upset that she could not think clearly. She could not find the meeting room and was
getting desperate. There indeed was security, but gladly he knew her. He saw how helpless she was and tried to reassure her.
"You just sit here, then I'll go see were she is"
After he knew in where the meeting was, he brought Stella to the room. Stella went in without knocking and was initially greeted by a
withering glance of Carla, until she saw that it was Stella,
"Stella what is wrong with you?"
Stella walked to Carla, took her hand and pulled her out of the room, while a waterfall of words came out of her mouth;.
"Carla you must come now we must go to the hospital for Sophia is in the hospital because the contractions started, where's my bag?
and I have brought them to the hospital, and she oh, had it so difficult and Daniel was so nervous and the traffic was so busy and then
I then that woman wouldn't tell me where ... "
"Stop. Stella first calm down and then tell me what is going on because I can't understand you"
Stella took a deep breath and started again.
"I brought Sophia and Daniel to the hospital because the contractions have begun"
"Oh God, uh my bag. Where's my bag? Do you see it, uh my cell phone. Where's my cell phone?"
"Carla, calm down, you're making me nervous again"
"Oh God, Stella I can not breathe anymore"
"Carla calm down. You're hyperventilating. First we go to your office to get your stuff. Carla please calm down"
"Yes, but"
"No but. We're going to get your stuff, calm down and then we go to the hospital. Daniel has asked us to come over there"
"Pfff. Catch my breath. Oh God I need to call Susanne, Where's my cell phone?"
"Carla, calm. In your office, I think"
They grabbed Carla's purse and cell phone and went to the hospital. Along the way Carla continuously tried to call Susanne, but she
did not answer.
"Why doesn't she answer the phone? The restaurant also doesn't answer"
"Carla it is Tuesday. The restaurant is closed. Call her at home"
"Oh yeah ... no answer. Shit".
They arrived at the hospital and sign in. They were allowed to go to obstetrics, but not inside.
"But would you just tell our son in law that we are her?"
"I'll try. One moment"
The nurse walked into a room. Shortly after her a doctor ran hastily into the room. The nurse came back and told them that she had
given Daniel the message. The other nurse came out of the room and told that an operating room had to be prepared and walked back
in to the room.
"Stella, what's going on? Why doesn't Daniel come to see us? That operating room isn't for Sophia is it?"
The doctor came out.
"Are you the parents of Sophia von Lanhstein"
"Yes, but what is going on?"
"Your son in law has asked me to inform you. There are some complications. We are going to immediately start a cesarean. Your
daughter is well at the moment"
"Oh God, Stella. Oh God"
"Why a cesarean and what are the complications?"
"It's currently not going that good with the baby. We will now deliver the baby through a cesarean. Your daughter is currently being
prepared. If you excuse me now, because I have to prepare for the surgery"
There could not do anything but wait. Stella called the boys to go home to inform Elisabeth and asked them to call Charlie. She went
to get some food for them, especially since Carla had not eaten yet. She had her insulin syringes in her bag, but still.
They sat there waiting and waiting and nobody told them anything. They were desperate. Eventually, the same doctor came. He told
them that the baby was fine.
"And my daughter? How is my daughter? Say something?"
"Carla, calm down. Could you please inform us how our daughter is?"
"She has withstood the operation, but lost a lot of blood. My colleague is busy with her. As soon as we have more news, you are
immediately informed"
"Oh God I can not handle this Stella. I'm going crazy. Not Sophia, please not Sophia"
"Carla, now we can only wait. Try to stay calm"
Stella was very worried but preferred to stay strong to provide Carla because she was getting very upset. Of course they found it
amazing that she had become a grandmother. But as long as the health of Sophia was at stake, they had no rest.
"Why doesn't Susanne call back? I have left about a 100 messages"
"She calls when she has the chance to do so Carla"
"Stella I'm going crazy. I want to know how Sophia is doing, where is Daniel? Where is my child? Stella, why doesn't anybody say
anything?"
"Carla, please be calm. We can not do anything. We can only wait"
"There he is. Daniel, what's going on? How's Sophia? How's the baby?"
"It goes well with the baby. Sophia is also doing well. She is stable now. They are still busy with her, but she will be brought to her room
any minute now. Then you can go see her. But Carla, please get yourself together. I do not want you to go to Sophia this upset.
She is fine now. She is stable"
"Daniel how are you?"
"I'm well now Stella, thank you, but I was so scared"
"Oh boy, come to me"
Stella took Daniel into her arms and tried to comfort him, while Carla was walking around nervous.
"Carla, your phone is ringing"
"What? Yeah, uh where is it?"
"In your hand"
"Oh, Susanne, where were you?"
"Excuse me, uh what's going on?"
"Susanne. We are in the hospital. Sophia ... "
"What, oh, she gave birth?"
"Susanne, wait. Yes, she has given birth, but there have been many complications. Will you please come here as soon as possible?"
" ... ... .... "
"Susanne?"
"Carla, she is not .. "
"No, she's stable Daniel said"
"What do you mean Daniel said? Have you not seen her yet?"
"No. They are still busy with her, but we can see her any minute"
"Oh God, Carla. Are you okay?"
"Yes, I am now. I thought I was going crazy, but Stella is with me"
"Carla. The baby is it a boy or a girl?"
"Oh, I did not even asked it because of all the commotion. Wait .... Daniel, so stupid. I do not even ask whether you have a son or a
daughter"
"A daughter Carla. We have a daughter"
"Susanne ...."
"I heard"
"Susanne. We are grandmothers. You, me and Stella. Come quickly?"
"I'm packing already an on my way. Give Sophia, Daniel and our granddaughter a hug"
"I will"
"I'll go see if you can visit Sophia. I'll come to get you. See you soon"
Stella walked to Carla. Took her face in her hands and looked at her with penetrating stare.
"Are you somewhat calm now, Carla?"
"Yes, it's getting better. But I would like to see her so much. I want to see them both"
"Would you first like some water?"
"No, I, uh Stella, we have a granddaughter"
"Yes, we have a granddaughter"
They gave each other a tender kiss.
"Carla, let's try to stay calm when we go inside"
"Yes, you're right, Stella, how come you're so calm?"
"Calm? Sure, feel this" and she pressed Carla's hand against her heart, which beated like crazy.
"Ah, say, are you suppressing your feelings now?"
"No, only mask. One of us must stay calm" and she gave Carla another kiss
"Is Susanne coming to Dusseldorf?"
"Yes, as soon as possible"
"That's nice"
Daniel came to fetch them.
"Do not be alarmed. She is very tired and it shows"
"Yes, yes. I want to see her"
"Carla, calm down please"
"Yes, Daniel I'll be calm. Have you already called your parents?"
"Yes, they are on their way to Dusseldorf"
"Is our granddaughter also there?"
"Yes, Stella Our little angel is also there"
"What's her name?"
"That Sophia will tell you"
"Oh. Okay"
They were at the room and went inside. Both were shocked because Sophia really looked exhausted, but when she saw them there
was a radiant smile on her face. In her arms was her daughter. Carla could not restrain her tears and Stella dropped her mask. They
went to Sophia and gave her a kiss and then looked fondly at their granddaughter.
"She is so beautiful. Oh Stella look at her"
"She's beautiful. But what's her name? Daniel did not want to tell us that"
"No, I wanted to do that myself. Mom, Mum, as you know before our marriage we have already decided that our child or any
subsequent children would get the name von Lahnstein. And well, because that name still stands for tradition, this little angel will go
through life as Johanna Sophia von Lahnstein, but her nickname will be Hanna. Hanna von Lahnstein"
Stella saw that Carla was very moved and was afraid that this was too much for her. She held her tied and supported her.
Carla got her granddaughter in her arms, with tears on her cheeks. Softly, very softly she said,
"Hello Hannah. I love you"
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_________________ Our live begins to end the day we become silent about things that matter.
Martin Luther King
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