New Beginnings Karl Hoffmeister

I Do

Good morning, love.” You yawned as you turned to face your soon to be husband only to find him nowhere to be seen. “Karl? Karl?”  You called all throughout the room. You opened the door to the bathroom but he wasn’t there either. You quickly made your way to Otto’s room to check on him, when Otto wasn’t in his room either you went into a full panic.  

“Elizabeth, ELIZABETH!” You yelled, running down the stairs as you held your nightgown up so you wouldn’t trip on it.

“Miss Y/N what is the matter?” She inquired, meeting you at the landing, gripping your shoulders to steady you. “You need to be careful you are carrying Mr Hoffmiesters child.”  She scolded you.  

“He’s gone, and, and Otto. I can’t find either of them, they are not in their rooms and after yesterday.” 

“Slow down, slow down, He’s off with Otto preparing for your wedding in a couple hours.  It is bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding.  They have gone to the courthouse to get dressed and talk to Judge Turpin about your service. You and I will meet them there in a little over 2 hours after you’ve eaten and gotten ready.” She explained. “Now let’s get you some breakfast.” She took you to the kitchen and asked you what you would like.

“I really want pickles.”  You said sitting down. 

“Pickles are not a real breakfast. How about some eggs and toast and I’ll put a couple pickles on your plate?”  The older woman suggested. You had grown to love Elizabeth, she reminded you of your mother. She always made sure you were properly fed, you slept well, you drank water. Now that you were pregnant with her best friend's child she got more protective to the point where you didn’t know who was worse. Her or Karl.

“Thank you Elizabeth.”  She got right to work making your breakfast and her own then setting your plate in front of you before sitting across from you.  “Have you decided what you’re going to do about retiring?”  

“I think I’m ready to retire, especially after yesterday… But I’m not ready to let go of you, Karl or that little boy, and now that there’s a little one on the way the thought of leaving seems impossible. Karl offered for me to retire but still live in the house. I think I will take him up on that offer.” 

“We would love to have you here, I can’t imagine not having you around the house. Otto thinks the world of you and you are Karls best friend, you remind me of a mother figure. I always know I can go to you if I ever need advice, or if I have questions about my fiance. You are the person in this house that everyone knows they can go to for anything and we are all grateful for that.  We all love you very, very dearly Elizabeth. I hope you know that.” You assured her.
 
“I know dear, and I love you all very much as well. When Ottos went missing I was terrified…. I already lost my daughter. Her name was Rose. If I lost him too, I think my heart would shatter in ways that could never be mended. My whole world came crashing down when I lost my daughter and the only reason I survived was because of Karl and Otto.  They pulled me out of a very dark place.” 

“I’m sure you have pulled them out of some very dark places as well.  When Lotte first left Karl told me that you were taking care of Otto because he was struggling to take care of himself.  Then I heard from Otto that he would hear you encouraging his father and counseling him through the heartbreak. They wouldn’t be in as good of health and wellbeing as they are now without you. You saved each other.”  

You smiled at each other and finished your breakfast then she took you up to your room and got started on your makeup. You told her to keep it simple, to just enhance your features. You didn’t want any concealer, just eye makeup and lipstick. Karl would appreciate that you didn’t completely change your appearance for your wedding.