Authors' note: We're still getting requests to update more than once a week. We cannot do that because of our jobs and how we really want to remain ahead in our writing. We would update more if we could, but we'd probably have to write 24-7 to do that. We hope you understand. We're also toying around with starting a brand new story at some point and we'd like to have some time for that as well. We hope you understand. We love you guys!
In this chapter, you get a break from the Saffy/Andrew/Natalia drama. This one is Ethan/Maddie and Frankie/Will/Hannah along with some Drew and Darla stuff. We hope you enjoy!
Across town, Ethan, Maddie, Kiera and Blue were enjoying themselves at Frankie and Will's house.
Hannah giggled as Blue flew around her head throwing popcorn as he did so.
"Blue," Maddie said with a grin. "You're making a mess!"
"He's so funny!" Hannah giggled.
"He loves Kiera," Maddie said, looking at her daughter.
"He even hums her to sleep each night," Ethan told Hannah. "She won't go to sleep without it."
"That's so cute," Hannah said wistfully.
"Blue?" Maddie asked. "Why don't you show Hannah?"
Blue cackled, turning a few somersaults in the air.
Will chuckled. "He's a bit of a show off. I imagine he got that from Ethan..."
"Yeah right," Ethan replied. "He didn't even like me for the longest time."
"Show everyone how you can sing," Maddie said as Blue landed on her shoulder.
"Please Blue?" Hannah asked.
Blue rubbed his tiny hands together. "Hmmm....mmmm.....hmmmmmm," he hummed.
Hannah giggled with delight. "That's so good, Blue!"
"Oh, he's just getting warmed up," Maddie said winking at Hannah.
Kiera's eyes were wide open, watching Blue as he hummed.
"That's 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star'!" Hannah squealed.
"That's my smart little pixie," Maddie said with pride.
"Look at Kiera," Hannah said peering down at the baby. "She's smiling!"
"She looks just like her mum," Ethan said, lifting his daughter out.
Maddie smiled as she watched her husband with their daughter.
Kiera cooed up at her father, who laughed. "Are you trying to talk to me, baby?" Ethan asked.
"She's saying 'I have you wrapped around my little finger'," Frankie joked.
Ethan grinned. "She sure does."
"Just like this one has me," Will said tickling Hannah.
"Izzie's the same way," Hannah said, laughing.
"You've got him right where you want him," Frankie said with a grin.
"All my girls know that," Will replied saucily.
Hannah gave her father a hug. "Because you're the bestest daddy."
"You're the bestest too, sweetheart," Will kissed his daughter's head.
Hannah leaned against him. "How much longer till midnight, Daddy?"
Will checked his watch. "Just a little while, baby."
"Think you can make it?" Frankie asked her.
Hannah nodded. "Can I have a little more soda?"
"Sure," Frankie stood up. "Can I get anyone else something?"
"Champagne?" Ethan asked.
"Ooh and some more of those crisps, please," Maddie said with a grin.
Frankie laughed. "Coming right up."
"Did you have fun at Emma's party earlier?" Maddie asked Hannah.
Hannah nodded. "She got soooooo many presents!"
"She was more interested in the chocolate cake," Maddie laughed.
Hannah giggled. "That's what she liked the most!"
"Did you see her eyes when Allie brought the cake out?" Ethan asked.
"They were this big!" Hannah made her fingers into circles.
Will laughed. "They sure were, baby."
"Champagne and crisps," Frankie said, coming back into the room. "And I think Isabelle and Nathan want to come and celebrate with us."
"I'll help you with them," Maddie said.
Together the two friends headed upstairs to the nursery.
"So I've been dying to ask you," Frankie said. "What's going on with Darla and Hans?"
Maddie sighed. "I've never seen them fight like this. He wants to move them to New York, and she refuses to go."
"Weren't they supposed to have a big press conference announcing his contract tonight?" Frankie asked.
Maddie nodded. "Darla's over with Drew and Brian at the Ministry Ball tonight."
"I am married and I love my husband, but those photos of Hans are gorgeous," Frankie said opening the door to the nursery.
"I know," Maddie said. "I think so too, and he's my brother in law!"
Frankie giggled. "We're awful people, aren't we?"
"Just terrible," Maddie said wryly, lifting Nathan from his crib. "Hello handsome," she said softly.
Nathan smiled at her and reached out for a strand of her hair.
"Ow!" Maddie exclaimed dramatically. "Nathan Barron, what are you trying to do!"
"Make you bald," Frankie said. "Will was complaining that he's thinning due to Nathan's grip."
"And not because he's getting older, right?" Maddie asked with a grin.
"They're almost a year old," Frankie shook her head. "I can't believe it."
"I know," Maddie said making a goofy face at Nathan. "They're getting so big, Frankie."
"Too big," Frankie said, quickly changing Izzie's nappy.
"Muh," Isabelle said looking up at Frankie. "Muh-Muh."
Frankie gasped. "Maddie! Did you hear that?"
"What?" Maddie asked.
"Izzie just said her first word!" Frankie squealed.
Maddie gasped too.
"Muh-Muh," Isabelle said again.
"Oh Frankie!" Maddie said. "I can't believe she just spoke!"
Frankie picked up her daughter and hugged her to her. "Oh, sweetheart. You just made Mummy's day!"
"Let's go tell everyone," Maddie said, hugging Nathan to her.
"Let's," Frankie said carrying Isabelle out of the nursery. "Oh, William!"
"Yeah?" he asked as they came into the sitting room.
"Izzie has something she'd like to share," Frankie said happily.
Will's eyebrows knit together. "A dirty nappy?"
"No," Frankie glared at him. "Be serious, William!"
Isabelle looked at her father with wide-eyes. "Da-Da."
A huge grin spread across Will's handsome face. "Frankie! She's talking!"
Frankie nodded. "But before you get all excited, she said my name first! I have a witness, right, Mads?"
"That's right," Maddie grinned. "She was chatting with us upstairs."
"That's fantastic!" Will exclaimed. "Way to go, Isabelle!"
"Now this little guy's got to catch up," Maddie said, nuzzling Nathan's soft cheek.
"He will," Frankie said. "He's a smart little guy."
"Hear that Kiki?" Ethan asked his daughter. "We've got some coaching to do..."
Kiera smiled up at her father.
"That's my girl," Ethan said happily.
Maddie sat down with Nathan. "This is the best, isn't it? Being here like this?"
"Yes it is," Frankie agreed.
"I like it too," Hannah chimed in as she fed some crisps to Blue.
"This is definitely better than getting dressed up and going out to that ball," Ethan said.
"I sort of miss doing that," Frankie said. "Dressing up and going out. But then again... hearing Izzie talk for the first time definitely beat out."
"Ma-ma," Isabelle said clearly this time and smiling at Frankie as she did so.
Frankie hugged her infant daughter to her. "My big girl," she said, tears springing to her eyes.
"I hope she says my name next," Hannah said.
"I'm sure it's not far behind, sweetheart," Will told her.
"Pretty soon, both of them will be talking your ears off," Maddie told her.
"I'll teach them both how to talk," Hannah decided.
"You know, my mum told me that when I was a baby," Maddie said. "Drew and Darla used to stand over my crib all the time trying to get me to talk. They were sure that I was going to say one of their names first...and I did...kind of. My first word was ...Doo-doo. I was trying to saw 'Drew'."
"That's why I used to call Chiaki, Kiki," Ethan said, patting Kiera's back. "I couldn't say her name when I was a kid."
"You still call her that," Maddie pointed out.
"Now I can call my girl that too," Ethan grinned down at his daughter.
"I like that," Hannah said sitting down beside Ethan and looking at the baby.
"Want to hold her?" Ethan offered.
"Can I?" Hannah asked eagerly.
"Sure," Ethan said, carefully handing Kiera over to Hannah. "You're a pro!"
Hannah grinned down at the baby. "Hi, Kiki."
Kiera gurgled at her.
"That's baby talk for 'Hi, Hannah'," Will winked at his daughter.
Hannah giggled. "She's so cute, Daddy!"
"She is," Will said grinning at her.
"We're almost there," Maddie said after checking the clock.
"You know what else I can't believe?" Frankie asked.
"What's that, love?" Will asked.
"That we've had Hannah for three years already," Frankie replied with a grin.
Hannah looked up in surprise. "Really?"
Frankie nodded. "Three fantastic years."
Hannah beamed at her. "I think so too, Mummy."
Hannah handed Kiera back to Ethan and went over to carefully give her mother a hug.
"That's my girl," Frankie said hugging her tightly.
Will bounced Izzie gently. "Are you ready to ring in the New Year?" he asked with a goofy grin.
"Da?" Isabelle asked looking up at him.
"My smart girl," Will said proudly.
Isabelle giggled and held up her little hand.
"I love it when she laughs," Hannah said softly.
"Me too," Will said as Isabelle curled her little hand around his finger.
"Hannah, I know that you're having a lot of fun right now, but after midnight, you and your brother and sister are going to bed," Frankie reminded her.
Hannah pouted. "But I'm not that sleepy."
"I'll read you a story," Frankie promised.
"Okay," Hannah brightened.
"She's a sucker for a story," Frankie said.
"Especially Mummy's," Hannah replied.
"What about mine?" Will asked her. "Oh...wait. I know. The two of you are going to read those letters again, aren't you?"
"Guilty," Frankie said sheepishly.
"They're really good," Hannah said.
Will shook his head with a grin.
"Witch Weekly and Teen Witch Weekly have both come out with new issues," Hannah said. "We have to read them, Daddy."
"Before they go out of style, right?" Will asked.
"He's finally catching on after all this time," Frankie said giggling.
"About time," Hannah nodded solemnly.
"Speaking of time," Maddie said pointing toward the telly.
"Almost here," Ethan said. "Are you ready for your first New Year's, baby girl?" he asked Kiera.
Kiera let out a little yawn.
"Somehow I think she's a little bored," Maddie teased.
"She's over the whole party thing," Ethan said with a grin.
The two new parents watched their daughter's eyes blink closed. "I'm so glad I'm here for this," Ethan said softly.
"Me too," Maddie said resting her head on his shoulder. "Me too, Ethan."
He gave her a kiss. "Love you."
"Love you too," Maddie said as the countdown began.
"Ten!" Hannah counted happily. "Nine! Eight!"
"Seven! Six! Five!" Frankie chimed in.
"Four!" Maddie said happily. "Three... two..."
"One!" they all chorused. Blue excitedly flew around and around everyone's heads.
"Da! Da! Da!" Nathan unexpectedly shouted.
"Two for two!" Will said happily.
"You said Daddy's name, Nathan!" Hannah exclaimed. "Way to go, buddy!"
Nathan waved his little arms in the air, his eyes focused on Blue.
"Blue is dancing!" Maddie laughed as the pixie tapped his little feet on the coffee table.
"Ooooh!" Hannah said. "I've never seen him do that before!"
"Neither have we," Maddie said looking in awe at the pixie.
Blue twittered as he kicked up his tiny feet.
"He's definitely a better dancer than you, Ethan," Frankie said.
"I'm not a bad dancer," Ethan said defensively.
"He's a very good dancer," Maddie said. "Especially in the snow..."
"Twirling," Will teased.
"You're never going to let me live that down, are you?" Ethan asked.
"No way," Will smirked.
"It's okay," Maddie said. "He's just jealous because he doesn't twirl. Besides, it was your twirling that landed you me, Ethan."
"And vice versa," Ethan kissed his wife.
"Well, it's time to get our three to bed," Frankie said. "Hannah, go and get into your pj's and brush your teeth."
"Okay," Hannah said. "Bye Blue!"
Blue flew over to her and pecked her on the cheek.
Hannah giggled. "Good night!"
"Izzie," Frankie said hugging her daughter to her. "Let's get you and your brother to bed."
"Ma?" Isabelle asked.
"That's right my baby girl," Frankie nuzzled Isabelle's soft cheek.
"You too, buddy," Will said picking up Nathan.
"We should get this one home as well," Ethan set Kiera back into her carrier. "Thanks for having us over."
"Come here, Blue," Maddie said opening up his portable cage.
The pixie twittered and flew back into his cage, diving for his swing.
Maddie locked the cage. "This has been a great New Year's Eve. Thanks again, Frankie and Will."
"Anytime," Frankie said.
Maddie smiled at her friend. It had been a great night. She just hoped that her sisters and parents were having just as good a time at the Ministry ball.
Drew and Brian were having a great time. They had just celebrated the stroke of midnight and were enjoying a kiss in the middle of the dance floor.
"I should check in with Nana to make sure that Chloe's okay," Drew said.
"Sounds good," Brian said. "I'll go sit with Darla and keep her company."
"Ask her to dance," Drew said. "She hasn't danced all night. Unless you count the time she went out there with Dad and she just stood there while he did that goofy dance of his."
"Will do," Brian gave her one more kiss.
When Brian made it back to their table, Darla was asking the waiter to bring her over some dessert. "You would like a piece of cheesecake?" the waiter asked.
Darla shook her head. "Just bring the whole thing."
"I beg your pardon?" the waiter asked.
"You heard," Darla said. "The whole cake."
Brian laughed. "Surely you'll save your dad at least one piece, Dar."
"Yeah, maybe," Darla said grumpily.
"Come on and dance with me," Brian coaxed.
"Drew told you to task me, didn't she?" Darla asked.
"Guilty as charged," Brian said sheepishly. "But come on Darla. You haven't moved hardly at all tonight."
"Okay," Darla said taking his hand. "Fine."
"Great," he smiled. "I'll make sure to step on your feet."
Darla barely heard him. She hadn't heard from Hans since he'd left for New York. But, she'd have thought he would have called her to wish her a Happy New Year. It wouldn't be New Year's in the States for a few hours, but he knew what time it was in London. He should have called to wish her a Happy New Year.
"I won't bite," Brian said, noticing her faraway look.
"Sorry," Darla apologised. "I'm a little preoccupied with my absentee husband."
"Still haven't heard anything?" he asked sympathetically.
"No," Darla said grumpily.
"I'm sure he'll ring," Brian assured her.
Darla had her doubts about that.
"He loves you," Brian told her.
"He loves being nearly starkers on a billboard more," Darla said.
"Dar," Brian said. "You two need to talk and figure this out."
"Are you saying I should go to New York?" Darla asked. "Tonight?"
Brian shrugged. "That's up to you. But you both need to figure out a compromise."
"I don't want to move," Darla said.
"I don't think Drew would let you," Brian was only half joking.
"I know how hard he's worked and I don't begrudge him this success, but he didn't even ask me what I thought about all of this before he plunged right ahead," Darla tried to explain.
"And that's why you two need to talk," Brian pointed out. "I bet you've hardly exchanged a word since that discussion."
Darla sighed. "You know how much I hate to admit that you're right."
"About as much as Drew does," he grinned at her.
Darla grinned back at him. "Okay, well I'm going to go back to my place and pack an overnight bag. I have to ring in the New Year for the second time...with my husband."
Brian laughed. "I'll cover for you."
Darla gave him a hug and a peck on the cheek. "Tell Drew I'll call her later!"
"I will," Brian promised as she hurried away.
Drew stopped by the Portkey office and set up a portkey to New York in the next two hours. She didn't have much time, but she wanted to make sure she could spend some time with her husband before his big press conference.
After that, she ran home and packed a bag quickly. She was glad she was wearing a dress and not robes.
She'd missed him so much even though she'd been so angry when he'd left. And maybe when she met his agents, they'd see how much in love they were and not worry about their marriage affecting his career.
Darla just hoped he missed her as much as she missed him. She grabbed her bag and headed back to the Ministry.
In New York City, Hans was having cocktails with some of the other models and his agents before the press conference began. "These things are so boring," Katya, one of the female models said to Hans.
Hans smirked and nodded. "But they pay us to look entertained.
"And beautiful," Katya laughed. "Don't forget that."
Hans smiled crookedly. "Never could."
"You know, all the girls are going to love you especially with that accent," Katya told him.
"It's always been a draw," Hans said, drinking from his glass of scotch.
Katya nudged him. "It certainly drew me in."
Hans smiled politely.
Hans nodded. "I think so."
"Good," his agent said. "We're going to have you behind the curtain with Katya and Michaela. When they make the announcement, the curtains will pull back and you'll be wearing the same thing you're wearing in the billboard. Katya, you and Michaela know that you have to sell this, right? "
Katya smiled. "Absolutely."
Just outside the room, Darla was trying unsuccessfully to get the host to let her into the room.
"You're not on the list," the guard told her.
Darla didn't want to get Hans into any trouble so she didn't mention that she was his wife. "I---I'm a friend of Hans. He's one of the models. Can't you let me in?"
"You're not on the list," the guard repeated.
"I know," Darla said impatiently. "But, if you could just go inside and tell him that Darla's here, he'll let me in."
"If you're not on the list," the guard stated. "Then--"
The door opened and Darla spotted her husband just inside the room. "HANS!"
He turned just as the door began to swing shut again. "Dar?"
"Who's that?" Katya asked.
Hans didn't answer her. "I'll be right back."
Darla stood back as Hans came outside. "Dar?"
"Surprise," Darla said smiling at him. "I--I wanted to be here for your big night."
"I... I didn't expect to see you until I got home..." Hans was staring at her.
"Neither did I," Darla said a little worried that he didn't seem all that happy to see her. "But I was at the Ministry ball and Brian said that we needed to talk. So here I am..."
"I was just about to go onstage..." Hans said.
Katya stepped outside. "Hans, darling. They're ready for us."
Darla stared at the model before her; the woman was draped in satiny lingerie, her long hair curled and makeup done perfectly.
"Stephen?" Hans asked the security guard. "Could you make sure that Darla has a seat?"
"Yes sir," Stephen nodded, making a notation on his list. "Right away."
"Time to get you out of those clothes," Katya said grabbing Hans by the arm.
Darla sucked in her breath, wondering if she'd made a huge mistake. She bit her lower lip as she began to turn away.
"Dar?" Hans called after her.
She turned and looked back at him.
"I'm really glad that you're here," Hans said smiling at her.
Darla smiled too, a feeling of relief washing over her. "I missed you."
Hans turned and followed Katya back inside.
"Follow me," the guard told her.
Darla nodded and followed him into an adjoining room where a crowd of people were waiting. Someone handed her a gift bag of Calvin Klein items.
"Thank you," she said in surprise.
She took her seat just as the lights in the room dimmed.
Darla had been to some of the fashion shows in England that Hans participated in, but none of them had been anything like this. She stared up in awe at the huge sign that was covered with a large cloth.
Backstage, Hans positioned himself in between Katya and Michaela.
"We are going to be on fire tonight, Hans," Katya said, her lips touching his ear.
"I hope so," Hans said. "Nothing like this has ever happened to me."
"That's because we just met," Katya said huskily.
"Do we need to hose you down?" Michaela asked her sarcastically.
Katya gave her a dirty look and tossed her hair back.
"We need to pose just like we'll be in the billboard," Michaela reminded her.
"Right," Hans replied, loosening his robe.
Katya licked her lips as she watched him.
"Could you reel it in, just a bit?" Michaela asked.
"Jealous much?" Katya asked sarcastically.
"Hardly," Michaela fired back. "But I don't hang over someone I could never have."
The stylist helped position them under the watchful eye of the executives.
"Turn him a little more there," one of them said. "And you... with the black hair. Step away just an inch..."
"Right," Michaela nodded.
"Hold it just like that," the art director said, moving around them in a full circle.
"That's perfect," an executive said thoughtfully. "That just oozes sex."
"Mmmhmmm..." Katya purred.
The art director, stylist and executives stepped back. The moment of truth was finally here. Hans felt his heart beating a mile a minute.
Darla watched the stage anxiously as the curtains started to draw back.
"Introducing the new face of Calvin Klein," the announcer said. "Hans Feinbach."
A huge roar rose from the crowd and Darla felt short of breath when she saw her husband standing up there.
"Hans embodies all that Calvin Klein stands for," the announcer continued.
"He embodies a lot of other things," Darla heard a female voice say from somewhere behind her as flashbulbs began to pop all over the place.
"Where has he been all my life?" the woman beside her asked.
Darla shook her head. She could hardly take her eyes off Hans and was bursting with pride that it was HER husband up there.
The announcer went on about the ad campaign and what products Hans would be representing.
"Underwear," the same woman said behind her gleefully.
Hans walked the catwalk with Katya and Michaela.
He was dying to look down to see if his wife was anywhere near the catwalk but knew he'd lose his balance. With the flashing of the cameras, it was difficult to see anything. The press for this event blew away everything he'd ever done before in his career.
"Hans will take some questions from the press now," the announcer said. "Hans..."
"Hello," Hans said, stepping to the microphone. He was still flanked by Michaela and Katya.
"Hans, how are you finding New York City and all this attention?" one of the reporters asked.
"It's definitely different," Hans replied. "Far bigger than anything I've ever seen. And New York is a fantastic city."
"You've never done anything on this scale before," another reporter asked. "Can you handle the pressure and the spotlight?"
"Definitely," Hans replied.
"I guess the whole boxers and briefs question is out of the bag," another reporter said cheekily.
Hans laughed. "There's one secret revealed."
"Is there anyone special in your life?" the same reporter asked.
Darla sat up in her seat. What would he say?
"No," Hans said with a sexy, charming grin. "I'm single."
The smile dropped off her face and the elation she had felt just moments before came crashing down. How could he?
Hans fielded some more questions and by the end of the press conference, he'd won the crowd over.
All but one. Darla sat, her arms crossed, positively fuming. She couldn't believe she'd come over here only to have him deny her existence!
"Miss?" the same guard who had led into the room was asking her. "Mr. Feinbach is asking for me to take you to his dressing room."
Darla shook her head in disbelief.
"Just this way, miss," the guard motioned for her to follow him.
Reluctantly she picked up her things and followed the guard through the crowd.
"He'll join you shortly," the guard said opening the door for her.
Darla swept past him and threw her things onto the long black sofa.
She was knackered from the portkey travel and more than that she was angry. She'd known that this was what he was supposed to do, but she'd have thought he'd have changed his mind when he saw her there. She'd come here to support him and she felt as if she really shouldn't have even bothered.
The door cracked open and Hans came inside a few moments after that.
"Hey, you," Hans said coming toward her.
Darla faced him wordlessly, her eyes narrowed.
"How did you think I did?" he asked her. "I was so nervous..."
Darla shook her head. "You..." her voice was thick and she had a lump in her throat.
"What's wrong?" Hans asked.
"You completely denied me," Darla said, hot tears springing to her eyes.
"Babe, I told you about that," Hans tried to remind her. "It's just the job."
"Don't call me babe," she said angrily. "You could have said 'no comment', you know."
"Darla," Hans said with a sigh. "Don't be like this."
"How am I supposed to be?" Darla asked. "Tell me, Hans."
"Not like this," Hans said. "I haven't seen you for a few days. Come on..."
"I came over here to see you," Darla stepped back. "I wanted to apologise... and I wanted to share in your big moment... and instead I feel like a total fool!"
There was a knock on the door and Katya stepped inside. "Hans, you were brilliant!"
Darla stared at the other woman. "We're having a private conversation here," she said coolly.
"You're coming to Tom's party, right?" Katya asked, ignoring Darla.
"I don't know," Hans said. "Katya... can you give me a few minutes, please?"
"I'll give you anything you want," Katya said winking at him before she left.
"So if you were dating her, you could admit that, right?" Darla snapped before she could stop herself.
"Darla, I signed a contract," Hans said. "Those people out there scripted the answers. The important thing...is that you and I know the truth."
Darla shook her head. "I would have supported you in anything, Hans. But don't let them say I don't exist. It's like saying WE don't exist."
"It's not like that at all!" Hans exclaimed. "Darla, it's just for a little while is all."
"You say that now," Darla said. "But after a little while is over... it'll keep going. Because I'm not famous. I'm not a fashion model."
He shook his head. "No, it won't. We just...we just need to play along for awhile. Then, you can start going to parties with me..."
"How generous," Darla said coldly. "But I just can't be your wife in public."
"Darla, that's not what I'm saying," Hans protested.
Darla stood up. "I didn't come here for this," she said, wiping at her eyes. "Have fun with your New Year."
"Don't be like this," Hans reached for her. "Come on. We don't have to go to that party. We can go back to the new flat. You haven't seen it yet."
"I won't be needing to," Darla pulled away from him. "I already told you I'm not living here."
"So, what?" Hans asked. "You're going to live in London and I'm going to live here? That's no way to have a marriage!"
"Well according to you, we don't have one," Darla returned, grabbing her bag.
"That's just great," Hans said sarcastically. "Go running back to your family like you always do!"
"You jerk," Darla wanted to slap him. "My family at least would never deny me."
"Well, apparently, they're all that you care about," Hans said. "You know, we're magical people, Darla. You could Apparate whenever you wanted to."
"So could you," she pointed out.
"It would be a little harder for me, don't you think?" Hans asked her.
"Care to explain how?" she asked coolly.
"I'm going to travel a lot," Hans pointed out.
"So why even bother with owning a place here?" Darla argued.
"Because we'll need to have a home," Hans said. "You're really going to love the townhouse. Come on, Darla."
Darla shook her head. "I'm going home to England, Hans."
There was a knock on the door. "Hans? The Times wants to do an interview," his agent said. "Oh, I didn't realise you had company. Who is this?"
"Nobody," Darla replied before Hans could. "I'm nobody."
"Nobody?" his agent raised an eyebrow.
"This is Darla, Freddy," Hans said. "You remember me telling you about my wife. Darla, this is Freddy, my American agent."
"So you're Darla," Freddy said, looking her over.
"Darla decided to surprise me for New Year's," Hans told him.
"Some surprise," Darla folded her arms and looked away.
Freddy looked at Hans. "We don't want to keep that reporter waiting, Hans."
"I'll be there in a minute," Hans told him.
"Nice to meet you, Darla," Freddy said before leaving.
"He's the one that wants to keep me a secret?" Darla asked.
Hans nodded.
"I don't get it," Darla said. "I thought he'd be angry..."
"He knows how much you mean to me," Hans said.
Her eyes were filled with confused tears. "Then why the secrecy? Why would people like you any less because you're married?"
"It's some marketing thing that they've bought into," Hans tried to explain. "Baby, I love you more than anything in this world."
"But I feel like you're ashamed of me," Darla finally allowed him to take her into his arms.
"That's not true," Hans said. "I could never be ashamed of you."
Darla looked up at him. "Then please... let's just try and work something out here."
Hans smiled down at her. "That's what I want."
"I love you," she whispered.
"I love you too," Hans said leaning in and kissing her.
She held onto him. "I don't want to lose you."
"That's never going to happen," Hans said.
Darla closed her eyes and buried her face in his shoulder.
"Sweetheart," Hans whispered, holding her tight.
"I don't know why I'm feeling like this," Darla said. "I want to be supportive, but I just don't understand."
"I know this hasn't been easy," Hans said. "But it's going to be worth it. This is everything I've always wanted."
"Let me share it with you," Darla said softly.
"You are sharing it with me," Hans said.
"And we'll figure out this living arrangement somehow," Darla replied.
"I'd better go," Hans said. "Before Freddy comes and drags me out."
"I'll wait for you here," Darla told him.
"That's my girl," Hans said giving her a kiss before he left.
Darla sat down, exhaling.
She yawned as she looked around the room. It was quite posh for a dressing room.
She decided to kip- after all, it was after three am for her. She pulled over one of the pillows and lay on the soft plush sofa.
Two hours later, she woke up with a start. At first, she didn't remember where she was. But, the events of that night came flooding back to her. Surely, Hans couldn't have been talking to that reporter for two hours. Darla stood up and stretched.
She fixed herself up and decided to go look for her husband. Darla no longer cared if anyone saw her, she wasn't about to deny who she was.
The area had cleared out save for a few members of the cleaning crew.
"Has anyone here seen Hans Feinbach?" she asked.
"Who's he, honey?" One of the women asked her.
Darla's eyebrows knit together. "He's the new model for Calvin Klein."
"Oh, him," the woman said. "He left with some leggy blonde woman and some other people."
"What?" Darla asked in disbelief.
"Yeah," the woman said. "They were leaving just as we were coming in."
"I can't believe this," Darla muttered, thanking the woman and heading back for the dressing room. He had just left her there!
There wasn't even a note or something to tell her what had happened. How could he have done this to her when he'd just told her how much he loved her and wanted to make this work?
Darla collected her things and decided to cut her losses and go home.
She arrived back in London nearly an hour later, feeling knackered and angry all at the same time. She didn't want to be alone in their house. She Flooed over to her mum and dad's house.
Not wanting to wake anyone up, Darla decided to explain her presence in the morning and headed upstairs for her old bedroom
She kicked off her shoes and crawled into her old twin bed. Thinking about what had happened brought tears to her eyes.
She didn't even know Hans anymore. The man she'd married would never have agreed to something like this. That man never would have treated her this way.
She buried her face in her pillow to muffle her sobs. She didn't know if she would ever be able to forgive him for this.