#markus treiberg

[zosa95]

Gemma fidgeted restlessly while Markus watched sports calmly. Gemma envied his unflappable nature. When the doorbell pealed, Gemma jumped, and her heart started pounding.

Gemma: (shakily) They’re here.

Markus: Ready?

Gemma: As I’ll ever be.

Gemma walked to the front door with Markus trailing behind. She took a deep breath and reached for the handle.

Once the door was open, Gemma stood face-to-face with her father for the first time since she was a toddler. Gemma’s eyes swam with tears, and she blinked furiously, trying not to break down. No one said anything or moved until Viviana broke the ice by stepping forward and hugging Gemma warmly.

Gemma clung to her stepmother like her life depended on it. When she finally let go of Viviana, Gemma turned to face her father. His eyes were filled with tears. She flung her arms around him, and he held her tightly.

Gemma: (shakily and quietly) Your hug feels like home.

Edward responded by tightening his arms and quietly weeping.

[mosneakers]

Just some of the many familiar faces from this night (more to come!) and also Cecilia serving drinks but also LOOKS 😍🥂

[zosa95]

Gemma pondered last night's dream. It was bittersweet. And once again, she felt profoundly affected by it. She would have been loved in a safe home. And knowing that - experiencing the emotions throughout the dream - felt somewhat cathartic.

Markus walked in fresh from showering.

Markus: You look happy.

Gemma: I had an alteravita dream about life if my dad had raised me.

Markus: How does that make you feel?

Gemma: Mixed emotions, I guess. I'm sad knowing what should have been. But there's a part of me that is starting to feel less damaged. I think I felt unlovable for too long. But it wasn't me, was it? It was the people around me.

Markus: It wasn't you. It was Kelly and the entire acting industry.

Gemma nodded as Markus went into their walk-in closet.

Markus: Gem-ma!

Gemma: Yes?

Markus: Why is there glitter all over my clothes on the lower rack.

Gemma: Oh shit. Sybil and Betty were playing hide-and-seek the other day.

Markus sighed in frustration.

Markus: (grumbling) I don't have time to rewash everything before our many guests arrive.

Gemma: (snapping) I'm sorry I added a few more guests. But your mom mentioned wanting to see Robert during their visit.

Markus: A few more? Instead of hosting four for Harvest Day, we are now hosting fourteen!

Gemma: I couldn't invite just Robert and Trevor without inviting the rest of the family. And what's the point of having a large formal dining room if you never use it. Besides, Erik is cooking half of the dishes.

Markus rubbed his forehead.

Gemma: I'll make sure the girls stay out of our closet in the future. And I'll wash the clothes for you. Just-- Please-- Don't be grumpy today.

Markus: Okay. I'm sorry. I was hoping for a quiet day. In the future, please discuss hosting and holiday plans with me so we can decide together.

Gemma: I promise. And our evening will be quiet. We can relax and watch sports while we eat leftovers in front of the TV. Pinky swear.

[zosa95]

Linda: Thank you for hosting everyone today. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a holiday this much.

Gemma: It was my pleasure.

Karl: What you both have accomplished this year alone is mind-boggling.

Linda: Truly. A new business, a new home, a marriage, and a baby on the way are tremendous accomplishments. Most people are lucky to achieve one of those, much less four.

Karl rested his arm around Markus's shoulders.

Karl: I'm so proud of you, son.

Markus smiled but felt a despair within his soul. His former military career brought him great joy and pride, but it never induced high praise from his parents like this. Was this adulting? Sacrificing your own happiness to please everyone else?

[zosa95]

Markus: Are you nervous?

Gemma: Yeah.

Gemma: I can't figure out how to greet him. Or what to call him.

Markus: I wasn't sure what to do when I met Aisla. It felt so awkward.

Gemma: My father is a stranger to me, but I have faint memories. And there are the alteravita dreams.

Markus: Dreams? Have there been more than one?

Gemma: Yeah. The first one was really tough. I dreamed about what happened and then what should have happened when he found out about me. There were bees.

Markus: Bees attacked you?

Gemma: No. They were like little guides. I mean, they didn't talk to me or anyone. They were just there during pivotal moments. That sounds stupid, doesn't it?

Markus: Not really. You are the most bee-obsessed person I know. It makes sense they'd be in your dreams, too. You didn't tell me about the first dream.

Gemma: You'd left work early for me and then needed to go out of town. I didn't want to make a fuss.

Markus: You don't have to tell me everything you dream about, but stop holding everything in because you're worried about me.

Pot, kettle, black, Markus thought. He had no right to chide her over something he was doing. He desperately wanted to clear the air with Gemma. Markus felt like there was a widening breach between them. But finding the right time seemed impossible. She had fainted, for fuck's sake. There was so much to process that she was struggling without him dumping his misery on her.

[zosa95]

Gemma woke up gasping, her face wet with tears. It wasn’t fair! The life she could have had if only Del, Mrs. Potter, and Kelly hadn’t stood in the way. She inhaled deeply, recalling the warmth of Viviana’s motherly embrace. Gemma couldn’t change the past, but her future looked bright. And today, she’d meet with her father and stepmother. This would be a fantastic day if they were half as wonderful as in her dreams.

Gemma found Markus in the kitchen cooking turkey bacon and eggs. He smiled as he plated their food.

Markus: Are you ready for visitors?

Gemma: I’m insanely nervous. I wonder how Lydia will react. Do you think she’ll be upset?

Markus: Lydia seems very fond of you from what I’ve seen. I wouldn’t worry about that.

Gemma: Should we clean the house after breakfast?

Markus: Babe, between cleaning the house for Harvest Day and this visit, I don’t think there’s a speck of dust anywhere, not even on the light bulbs.

Gemma: What am I supposed to do between breakfast and lunch?

Markus: Knit? Make jewelry?

Gemma: I don’t think I could focus.

Markus: We could watch a movie.

Gemma shook her head.

Gemma: I won’t be able to sit still; I need to do something.

Markus: Maybe we should clean?

Gemma: Yes, that’s a good idea.

Markus grinned and shook his head.

[zosa95]

Gemma: Before we settle in, I should call Edith and Brad. I should talk to them before I talk to my-- Ed. I don't know what to say. What if I'm wrong? What if there were many Ediths who had birthed baby boys? Edith isn't a rare name for that generation.

Markus: Possibly? But unlikely. Do you know Ed's birthdate?

Gemma: No. Maybe Jude knows?

Gemma grabbed her phone and fired off a text.

Gemma: when was my dad born? Jude: Lemme see if I can figure it out from Ches Simsta

Gemma waited impatiently.

Jude: April 12, and he's 56. Gemma: ta Gemma: hpy harvest day Jude: Anytime Jude: 🦃🥧

Gemma: Okay. I have a date. Now I need to call.

Markus: I'll turn the TV off.

Gemma: Nah! Enjoy the game. I'll go to the kitchen, and I'll bring back snacks.

Markus: (groaning) I don't know if I can eat another bite today. That was an amazing meal.

Gemma: It wasn't too bad having them all over, was it?

Markus: It was alright. I'm happy they are gone, though.

[zosa95]