Page 325 of The Life of Anna-Tenth Anniversary Edition: Act 1

“Thank you,” she said weakly. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me lately.”

Ilsa gave her a warm smile. “It is quite alright. Things happen.” Ilsa walked Anna back out to the bedroom and had her sit on the chaise next to the fireplace. “I have something for you.”

Ilsa handed her a necklace. “I wore this on my wedding day. Alex’s grandmother wore it on her wedding day. It goes back many generations.” She smiled. “Wilhelm and I would be proud if you wore it on your wedding day.”

Tears fill Anna’s eyes as she looked at it. The pendant was a cluster of diamonds in the shape of a flower, with a pearl hanging from it. “Thank you, Ilsa. It’s so beautiful. I would be honored to wear it.”

Ilsa fastened it around her neck. She gave her matching earrings and a bracelet as well, then looked her up and down. “Beautiful. Are you ready?”

Anna nodded and she stepped into her shoes. Brigitte handed her a white satin purse and then Anna followed Ilsa out into the hallway.

Alex paced in the entry hall as he waited impatiently for Anna to come downstairs. He worried that he had overlooked some important detail, and that something would happen to prevent their wedding. His leather shoes tapped out a steady rhythm as he walked the length of the room over and over again. He straightened his tie for the hundredth time and turned to stare at the staircase, willing Anna to appear.

Seth, Tony, Greg, and Sebastian stood nearby. They would drive into town with the family. Michael, Jesse, and Jason were already in town, monitoring the Standesamt, where he and Anna would be married.

“Alex, you’re going to wear out the marble,” Kurt said, grinning as he reclined on a bench nearby.

Alex had pulled every string in the book to get this wedding to take place so quickly after Anna’s arrival in the country. Sometimes there were benefits to being an Elder-Son. For the most part, everything had been done in the proper fashion, with just a few requirements being bent to accommodate the hurried pace. It had been tricky to get Anna’s signatures on some documents without her knowing, but Isaak had helped with that. He hoped Anna would forgive him for his deceit, but if Devin found out... Alex shuddered to think of what might happen.

Alex heard footsteps on the stairs and wheeled around to see his sisters and Gretchen coming down.

He sighed and turned away, walking over to the round wooden table where a single, perfect pink rose lay. Whenever Anna saw pink roses, he wanted her to think of him.

“Don’t I feel like a valued sister,” Greta teased, walking up to Alex and hugging him. She looked very pretty in her blue silk dress and he told her so. She beamed.

“Vati, where is she?” he groaned. His physical discomfort only fueled his growing impatience.

Gretchen smirked. “I heard she got sick.”

Alex’s eyes widened and he looked at his father. “Again?”

Vati held up his hands, an understanding smile on his face. “I will go check on her. I’m sure she’s fine.” Wilhelm patted his shoulder and made his way to the stairs. He was just a few steps up when he chuckled. “There they are.”

Alex picked up the rose and hurried to the foot of the staircase as Anna, holding the railing very tightly, came around the curved section and into view. His heart pounded so hard, it wouldn’t have surprised him if his entire family could hear it.

He couldn’t have imagined a more beautiful picture. Her hair softly curled around her face. Her dress accented her figure perfectly. It was just low enough to show a bit of cleavage, but not immodestly. Her legs were encased in silk stockings and he could see the calf muscles flexing as she stepped down the stairs. She had fantastic legs. Hell, she had fantastic everything.

Her face, although pale, glowed with happiness and her eyes sparkled as their eyes met. It humbled him to think that he was the cause of that sparkle and glow.

He must have been staring because she stopped two steps from the bottom and bit her lip, her cheeks turning pink.

“Schatzi...” His most precious treasure. Here. Before him. Dressed for their wedding. The room threatened to spin and realized he’d been holding his breath. He took two steps and swept her up in his arms. She weighed practically nothing, and he spun her around and kissed her cheek.

“Oh, Alex, don’t spin her around!” his mother exclaimed. “She’ll get sick again.”

Alex cradled her cheek and gazed into her bright green eyes. “You were sick this morning again?”

Her brows drew together and she bit her lip. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”

He studied her face. Why would she be getting sick? Had he done something to cause it? He stepped back and looked her over. His eyes caught at her breasts. They were larger than they’d been when he’d seen her in San Francisco. She glowed. She was sick. She had said she’d barely eaten. His heart dropped into his stomach as he realized what might be causing all of it. Oh, God! It couldn’t be, could it?

Anna searched his eyes. “Did—did I displease you, Alex?”

She pulled away and he cursed at himself, pushing away his thoughts so she wouldn’t think anything was wrong. “No, not at all. I’m just concerned about you.” He kissed her gently on the lips. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” His voice cracked at his words.

She blushed again and looked away. He loved how shy she was. A normal woman could have been cold and arrogant because of her beauty. But not Anna. It made sense that Kurt called her “angel.” It fit her.

“Here,” he said softly, handing her the rose. “This is for you.”

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