Page 323 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“Oh.” Anna smiled, embarrassed. “I’ve been tired, but I also haven’t been sleeping well. Ever since—‍” Anna swallowed and looked down at her hands.

“Ever since what?”

“Since Ben died.” She squeezed her eyes shut and pressed the palms of her hands to her face. She shouldn’t be crying. It was her wedding day. It wasn’t that Anna didn’t want to marry Alex. She did. But her heart ached for Ben. For his life that had been stolen away. Because of her.

Ilsa scooted closer and held Anna as she cried.

“I’m sorry. I just—I’ve been crying so much lately.” She blew out a soggy breath and shook her head. “I feel like such a mess.”

“Oh, Anna. It is alright. It has only been a few weeks since he died, yes?”

Anna nodded.

“Grief does not go away overnight. It may never go away. But it will soften. With time.” Ilsa stroked her hair as she spoke. “It will get easier.”

When Anna’s tears had subsided, Ilsa smiled at her. “Would you like to see the dresses I picked out for you? You can choose any of them to wear today.”

Anna sniffed. “Wedding dresses?”

“Not the elaborate styles that American brides think of. That would not be practical for a German civil wedding. I understand you have a beautiful dress for New Year’s Eve, though.”

“It’s so beautiful.” Her face fell. “But I don’t know if Kaitlyn found one that fit. The one she picked out originally was too small.” Anna burst into tears again. “I’ve gained weight. I don’t fit into any of my clothes anymore.” She looked up at Ilsa. “Will Alex be upset?”

“If you have gained weight, you were too thin to begin with. You are very thin. Alex said he thought you had lost weight.”

Anna stared at her. “How is that possible?”

Ilsa was thoughtful for a moment. “Women’s bodies have minds of their own sometimes.” She stood. “Let me get the dresses and you can pick one out. I am sure we will find something you like.”

“Wilhelm? Are you in there?”

Wilhelm looked up at the sound of his wife’s voice in the hall near his office. She sounded distressed. “I’m here, Mausi. What’s wrong?” He stood and hurried around his desk to meet her. He had just returned home a few minutes ago.

Ilsa walked into his study and closed the door softly behind her. “I think Anna might be pregnant.”

Wilhelm laughed and shook his head. “That’s not possible.” He didn’t want to discount his wife’s instincts. They were normally right on. But the likelihood of Anna being pregnant was next to zero.

Ilsa raised her eyebrows. “She was ill this morning. She was ill yesterday on the plane. She said she’s been emotional, tired and not sleeping.”

“Anna has been under a lot of stress lately?—‍”

Ilsa frowned. “She says none of her clothes fit her anymore, but Alex said she looked like she had gotten thinner.”

Wilhelm leaned back against his desk and thought back to the previous night. Anna had looked different. Her breasts were fuller and she just looked... different. He’d had a lot on his mind and it hadn’t registered. However, now that Ilsa brought it up...

He pursed his lips. But, how? There were ways for her to get pregnant, of course, but they were mystical and difficult to learn. Perhaps she’d had a particularly intense night with Ben. Intense emotions could make it happen. She had loved Ben very much.

“Wilhelm?”

Ilsa’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts. “I’m sorry, Ilsa. I know your instincts are usually correct.” Wilhelm sighed. “Don’t say anything about it to her. If she is pregnant, she’s likely unaware. The thought would never occur to her, and I don’t want to upset her.”

“You still want her to marry our son if she’s pregnant with another man’s child?”

“If it was anyone else, I would handle things very differently. But Anna is special. And she is meant to be with Alex. I know this without a doubt.”

Ilsa frowned. “His first child will not be his. That’s not fair to anyone involved.”

“I appreciate your concern, Mausi, but this wedding must take place. Alex will handle it. He loves her.”

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