The Lonely

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Everyone was very open to the idea of Karl getting his own story so here it is. I hope you enjoy!

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It's the Christmas season but you couldn't be less in the holiday spirit if you tried. Your parents passed away years ago and you were an only child. All your friends had either children, husbands or boyfriends. All except you, you are the only one who doesn't have a special someone in your life. You're getting older and starting to worry if you'd ever find someone and even if by some miracle you did you were getting to the age where having children was difficult. It was just lonely. You felt like there was something wrong with you. Why else would no one want you? Maybe you just weren't beautiful enough, maybe you weren't smart enough, maybe you were too big. You didn't know what it was all you know is that you were lonely and Christmas was the worst time of the year for you.

You had just arrived at work, you were Karl Hoffmeisters secretary. He owned the factory you worked at and you were hopelessly in love with him. He was having a lot of health issues that he didn't think he would live through. So he hired a young man named Friedrick to fall in love with his wife so she wouldn't be lonely after he passed. Sadly his plan worked too well and Lotte fell in love with him and left not long after Karl's condition was treated. Karl was now in perfect health and was forced to raise his son alone.

Karl was a great father but it was impossible for him to work and keep track of his young son. So on days where Karl had a lot to do Otto stayed with you in your office. You would talk and play card games and do other things like that. Otto reminded you of a son in a weird way. He told you things you kids would only tell their mother and since his mother was no longer around he confided in you for most things he didn't want to tell his father.

Sitting at your desk you heard a quiet knock at your door. Karl and Otto were both standing there waiting for you to invite them in. That's one thing about Karl, even though he owns the place he's always polite enough to ask permission to enter people's offices.

"Karl, Otto please come in." You waved them inside.

"Thank you." Karl replied. Otto ran up to you and hugged you, making you smile.

"Y/N can I stay with you while papa works?" Otto asked.

"Of course honey, you never have to ask." You ruffled his hair playfully. "You have a lot of work before the holiday?" You asked Karl.

"Unfortunately. You don't mind watching him do you?" Karl sighs.

"No I don't mind, if you have any work I can help with just let me know."

"Thank you Y/N." He smiled.

"Any time Karl." You and Karl became close friends after his wife left. You spent many days comforting him and Otto. With Christmas coming up it had to be hard for them. This would Karl's first Christmas without his wife since they met and it would be Otto's first Christmas without his mother. You understood how difficult it could be.

"I'll be back in a couple hours Otto be good for Y/N." He hugged his son and kissed his head. He gave you a wink as he left.

"Can we play cards? I got a new set." Otto asked, pulling out the pack of cards that were still in their wrapper.

"Of course, how about rummy?" He smiled and nodded his head.

You and Otto spent about an hour playing different card games then just sat there talking.

"I wish mumma would come home for the holidays. Me and papa haven't heard from her since she left. We've sent her lots of letters but she never replies." His head hung low as he spoke.

"I know you miss her honey. Your father is doing as best he can and I'll always be here if you need me."

"I know Papas is doing his best and I'm glad, I love spending time with papa."

After Lotto left you and Karl both realized how clingy Otto became. Everytime Karl left his side he got anxious thinking that he would disappear just like his mother. The only time Karl could leave was if he was at school or with you. For some reason if Karl left him in one of those two places Otto knew he'd come back for him. You didn't really understand it but people cope with these things differently.

"Your papa loves you so much." You smiled. You were both sitting on the couch and he moved closer to your side, his head resting on your shoulder. You thought it was sweet.

"Papa loves you too." He replied.

"That's because me and your papa are very close friends."

"No Y/N, papa loves you the same way he loved mama." Otto insisted.

"Buddy, I know you might think that but your father is a very special person. Someone as special as him could never have those feelings for someone as ordinary as me."

"But he does Y/N, honestly he loves you and so do I."

"I believe you do." You noticed him yawn. "Your papa's been gone for a little while. I think you need a nap, you seem to be tired. Did you sleep last night?"

"No, I couldn't." He confessed.

"Take a nap, I'll wake you when papa comes to get you."

"Please don't go." He grabbed your hand when you went to stand. There was that anxiety again.

"I'm right here, I'll stay with you." You sat back down and he curled up against your side once again. "I'll always be here."

Karl stood in the doorway smiling at the both of you. You had fallen asleep with Otto curled up against your side. To Karl it was heartwarming to see his son so comfortable with a woman who isn't his mother. Karl knew how much Otto adored you, he already saw you as a mother. Otto knew how much Karl loved you and he prayed his father would say something, he wanted you to be with his father more than anything. Karl went to the couch and kneeled in front of both of you. He shook your knee to wake you without scaring you.

"Wakey, wakey Y/N." He smiled as your eyes started to slowly open. "I see he had you nap with him. I know he didn't sleep well last night."

"Why hasn't he been sleeping, this is the 3rd time this week." You asked, running your fingers through the young boy's hair.

"I think he's having nightmares. I heard him calling out for his mother in his sleep last night. I wanted to comfort him but I was worried what would happen if I woke him. Part of me was hoping when he woke up this morning he wouldn't remember whatever he was dreaming about. I know it would only make him sad."

"Poor boy. Karl if you ever need me I am only a call away."

"I appreciate that love. But enough of what's wrong with us. What's wrong with you? You haven't been yourself lately." He insisted.

"It's nothing Karl."

"Ballocks. Tell me."

"Well..."

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