Page 311 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

Alex raised his eyebrows. “English, please, Greta. Anna doesn’t understand German.” He gave his sister a charming smile. “Would you please go get Sebastian and the others?”

Greta stuck her tongue out at her eldest brother and then bounded out of the room.

Alex walked over to the sectional. Kurt sat in between the two women. One had dark blonde hair and blue eyes, and looked very much like Ilsa, though without the friendly smile. The other woman had medium brown hair and brown eyes and looked very tired and grumpy.

“Anna, this is my sister, Liesl.” He motioned toward the blonde. “And Kurt’s wife, Gretchen.” He motioned toward the brunette.

“Hello, Anna.” Liesl stood and shook Anna’s hand, a polite smile on her face. She wasn’t overly warm, but she wasn’t radiating outright hostility at her like Gretchen was.

Gretchen didn’t stand, but nodded sharply and said hello.

“Anna!” Kurt stood and hugged her enthusiastically. He kissed her cheek and looked her over with a concerned look on his face. “Engel, you look pale. Have you been ill?”

Ilsa shook her head. “That is hardly a way to greet a woman, Kurt.”

“Oh, I am so sorry, Anna,” Kurt said. “I did not mean to imply anything. You look as beautiful as ever.”

Anna smiled. “It’s okay. I haven’t been feeling very well lately. There’s been a lot going on.”

Kurt gave her a sympathetic look. “I remember. I am so sorry I had to take Vati away from you.”

Gretchen muttered something to Liesl in German.

“There’s nothing to apologize for. You needed to get home. How is the baby?”

Kurt’s face lit up. “Wunderbar. He is sleeping right now.” Gretchen said something to him in German and he turned to her and responded sharply. “Do not be rude. You speak English as well as the rest of us.”

Anna had never heard such a sharp tone come from Kurt and took a step backward. She could almost see the hostility between them that Alex had spoken of.

He turned back to Anna with his normal bright smile. “How was your flight over? It is unfortunate that the new jet was not ready for you to take.”

Anna smiled. “It was good, as far as I can tell. I slept the whole time.”

Everyone except Gretchen laughed.

“That is the way to travel,” Wilhelm said, walking across the room to join them.

Ilsa came and stood next to Wilhelm. “Will there be a need for champagne, Alex?” Her eyes twinkled with happiness.

Alex slid his arms around Anna’s waist. “Ja.”

Ilsa motioned across the room. A woman wearing a black dress and white apron curtsied and disappeared through a door behind her.

A moment later, Anna heard heavy footsteps in the stairwell. Seth, Tony, Greg, and several other men appeared at the top of the stairs, grinning.

Alex swept his hand toward the newly arrived men. “Anna, these are my friends. You know Seth, Tony, Greg. And Sebastian, of course.” Anna nodded and the Immortal bowed his head and smiled at her. “The ones you haven’t met are Jesse, Michael, and Jason.”

Each man nodded as Alex introduced them. They were all tall and muscular, as would be expected from the military men Anna assumed they were. Jesse looked like he was of some Hispanic heritage and his head was shaved bald. Michael was a few inches shorter, with short brown hair and gray eyes. Jason had red hair, light green eyes, and freckles.

“Erich will be here tomorrow with my aunt and uncle. He’s my cousin. Well, our cousin.” He chuckled. “Now that everyone is here, I can make the announcement.” Alex gave Anna an affectionate look. “I asked Anna to marry me and she said yes.”

There was an outburst of excited exclamations and applause. Greta hugged her hard. “I am so excited to have another sister!”

Ilsa hugged her tightly. “I am so pleased to welcome you into our family.”

A champagne glass appeared in her hand and Anna looked at Alex. “I’m not old enough to drink.”

Alex laughed. “The drinking age here is sixteen. And you’re in a private home, so it doesn’t matter.”

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