Anna hadn't seen Hans before he and Daniel had gone to give their evidence. She and Maria were due in court the day after, so she decided to simply spend the day with her friend. Neither of them was interested in going to watch the trial otherwise.

Hollywood went, far too curious not to. Abe and Charles stayed with their wives; they were only there for them. Sam had work to do, but often came and sat with Charles and Abe, aiding them with the language barrier. Charles and Abe seemed happy just to drink together. It gave Anna and Maria the much needed time to catch up. They happened to be staying in the same hotel, so they spent most of their time in Anna's room whilst their men stayed in the bar.

"So..." sighed Maria, sitting back with her coffee. "Have you thought of names for the baby?"

"Well, for a girl Abe likes Bonnie or Lois. I like Heidi. We can't really agree on one."

"And for a boy?"

"Joey, as a nickname. My father was a Josef, his was Josiah. So, Joey would be a way to honour both of them."

"That's so sweet! What do you think you're having?"

"I've honestly no idea," laughed Anna. "This feels so different to Reina, perhaps that means it's a boy-"

"You are rather large too... seems likely they're a big strapping lad like their father."

"Well, Ma says both him and his sister were big babies, so I'm not sure that follows." A warm smile spread across Anna's face, her expression dreamy.

"You're much happier with Abe than you were with Hans," commented Maria, bringing Anna's focus back. "You're more relaxed."

"Be fair to Hans, we were stuck in the camp."

"Yes, but you were still always on edge around him," continued Maria. "I watched the two of you together, and it was infatuation. You were both obsessed with one another. I'm not saying there wasn't love between you two, because clearly there was. It's just that Abe champions you rather than covets you."

There was a pause.

"That's a fair assessment," sighed Anna.

"How are things between you and Hans?"

"Difficult," grumbled Anna. "I still care for him, an inordinate amount, but I'm not in love with him anymore."

"He is with you."

"Yes, that's the problem. He is trying to win me back... and if anything, that drives me further away." There was a pause, Anna sighing and rubbing her belly as her baby squirmed. "I don't want to lose him again, I don't think. But it puts a strain on Abe, and I can't stand that. Perhaps if Hans would just stop trying to regain what we had, Abe might be more open to me seeing him-"

"That doesn't seem likely," cut in Maria. "Charles said that both of them have done nothing but make snide comments about the other."

"I know," sighed Anna. "Perhaps I'm hoping for too much?"

"Well, you're not going to leave Abe!" laughed Maria. "Why would you? You're happily married with a child on the way... and you only have to look at him to understand the appeal!"

"I've never heard you speak so openly about finding someone attractive," giggled Anna, Maria joining in.

"He's just so tall!" said Maria. "And the way he looks at you-"

"It's the same way Charles looks at you."

"I know," sighed Maria dreamily, blushing at the thought of her own husband.

A knock on Anna's door interrupted their conversation. Maria answered it, bidding Anna to stay in her chair. It's opening revealed such a welcome sight.

"Helga!" cried Anna, struggling to her feet as Helga bustled into the room. She threw her arms around her, the two women burying their faces in one another's shoulders. "I've missed you!"

"As I have you!" said Helga, drawing back to look at her. "Oh my love," she said, tears in her eyes. "You're so far along! It's so wonderful!"

"I know, I can't quite believe it," gushed Anna, then she looked behind her.

Freda was hovered in the door way, Anna sucking in a breath. She looked so much older; the two years had made such a difference. She was a young woman now, neat as a pin with barely any traces of the adolescent Anna had left behind.

"Freda," Anna breathed.

Freda didn't move. She seemed frozen, her eyes glued to Anna's belly.

"Come in, sweetheart," said Maria, but Freda wouldn't budge.

"Freda," murmured Helga, going to her and taking her hand, "my love, we talked about this."

"I know," managed Freda, her voice throaty. Her eyes met Anna's, their gazes locked.

Anna could see the betrayal in her stare, her heart pining with guilt. "It's so wonderful to see you," said Anna gently.

Freda's bottom jaw wobbled. "I'm not sure I can do this," she mumbled.

Anna's eyes brimmed with tears. "Freda," began Anna, but more footsteps came crashing towards them.

It was Charles. "Anna," he said breathlessly, "I think you need to come downstairs."

"Can it not wait?" she asked, a bitter edge to her voice.

"Hans and Hollywood are arguing and they're not letting up," he explained.

"What?"

"Herr Hollywood saw us at the trial," explained Helga, "and offered to bring us here to see you. Herr Lange followed, and Herr Hollywood seemed irritated by it. We left them all in the bar, but it was hostile."

"For fuck sake," cursed Anna, looking up again at Freda, but she'd disappeared.

As quickly as she could, Anna made her way downstairs, Maria helping her as Helga went chasing down the stairs after Freda. They were there by the time Anna reached the lobby. Hollywood and Hans were snapping at one another, Sam trying his best to quell it and Abe only fuelling it. When she appeared they all stopped, watching her intently. Anna wasn't interested, instead going after Freda.

"Anna," called Hans, trying to catch up to her.

"I will deal with you all in a moment," snapped Anna, going to Freda who was being coerced into staying by Helga. "Freda, please wait!" Anna begged, but Freda was glaring at her.

"Why?" she spat. "So I can watch as you focus on your new life again?"

"Freda, please understand-"

"No, you understand!" cried Freda, Helga having to hold her back as she thrust her face towards Anna's. "I have wanted to see you all these years... I wanted so badly to reunite and find some semblance of what we once had, but it's not going to happen is it?"

"Why not?" asked Anna, her voice pained as Maria kept supporting her.

"Look at you!" scoffed Freda, gesturing to her bump. "You have something far more precious than me to think about."

"Don't say that!"

"And yet again," cut across Freda, "these men fighting over you need you, and you come running!"

"I came after you!" insisted Anna. "I don't care why they are fighting, I want to make sure you are all right."

"I don't believe you," whispered Freda.

"Sweetheart," soothed Helga, hugging her tight, "I know this is difficult-"

"Do you?" managed Freda. "Did she lie to you for years? Did she promise to protect you and then hand you over to the world without so much as a backward glance?"

Hans was now beside Anna, Anna glancing up at him. "Freda," he said softly, "don't take this out on Anna."

Freda laughed incredulously. "Of course you're defending her," she breathed. "This is all your fault any way. You're the reason she forgot about us in the first place... and then she's cast you aside as well. It's what she does best."

Anna had tears streaming down her cheeks, her head hung low as Maria rubbed her back.

"Let's go, Freda," said Helga, her voice firm as she turned her to face the door. "We'll try this again another time."

Freda said nothing else, storming out. Helga took Anna's hand quickly, giving it a squeeze in apology before she followed her.

"Anna," murmured Hans, touching her arm lightly, "she doesn't understand what she's saying-"

Before Anna could respond, Abe had now pushed into the conversation, Sam unable to keep him at bay any longer.

"Come on, baby," he said gently, "let's sit you down..."

"I don't need to sit down," snapped Anna, now furiously looking at everyone. "Why on earth were you all fighting? Could you not afford me a moment of peace to try and repair things with Freda?"

Abe looked ashamed of himself.

Hollywood didn't. "Anna, this creep followed them here to find you! I wasn't having it-"

"Hans is not a creep," barked Anna, scolding Hollywood like he was a naughty child. "And you have no right interfering in my business."

"But Anna..." he started, but she had already shifted her attention to Hans.

"And you," she said, her voice low, "can you not understand that now is not the time for our next discussion?"

"I simply wanted to be here to support you with Freda-" explained Hans.

"That is no longer your place!" screeched Anna, her voice reverberating around the hotel lobby. "You are not my husband, Hans. You cannot be there at my beck and call anymore." She looked between the two men, sighing deeply. "You are no longer allowed in the same space together," she confirmed, both of them going to protest. "Tomorrow, Hollywood, you can stay here in the hotel when the trial is taking place."

Hollywood sighed heavily but didn't argue. He knew not to tangle with Anna when she was angry.

"Hans, you can come to watch the trial, but only if you are civil with Abe."

"I see," said Hans, his brow furrowing and looking at Abe irritably. "So he is in control of you now?"

"Hey..." began Abe.

Anna cut across. "This is my decision, Hans," she promised, their eyes meeting. "I want you there tomorrow... I want you by my side before I take that stand." He looked smug for a moment before Anna continued. "But it is only a want. I need Abe with me... always. So he comes first."

There was a long silence, Hans letting out a long frustrated breath.

"You owe me this, Hans. I've lost time with Freda..."

"Why am I the only one who suffers your wrath?" he bit back, Abe standing straighter beside Anna. "This is not my fault alone!"

"Do you believe me ignorant? I'll be having this discussion with my husband separately."

"Always does," added Abe.

"Why does he get a reasonable discussion?" asked Hans.

"Because he earned the right." Silence enveloped them all. Hans did not remove his eyes from Anna's, nor she his. "Can you be civil?"

"Yes," Hans replied bitterly.

"Good," she said, her rage beginning to relent. "Then we will see you tomorrow." She looked at him, willing him to leave. Giving her a curt nod, he did.

Anna turned around to fully face the rest of the group. Charles looked impressed, Maria giving her a proud smile.

Hollywood looked uneasy. "Anna," he began. "I'm real sorry. I was only lookin' out for you and Abe-"

"I know," she assured him, though her tone remained snippy. "But foul tempers only make everything worse." There was a long pause.

"Let's get something to eat?" suggested Sam. "We can all go to that restaurant across the way?"

"Good idea," agreed Maria. "Shall we meet down here in twenty minutes? Get freshened up?"

"Wonderful," said Anna.

They all headed to their respective rooms, Abe's grip on Anna tight and protective. As they closed the door to their room, Anna's stare fixed on Abe.

He let out a long breath.

"What am I going to say?" she said, her voice low.

"That I shouldn't've encouraged Hollywood."

"So why did you?"

"Because I wanted to see that bastard get a lashin'," he said honestly, Anna's eyes narrowing. "Why have you gotta protect him, baby?"

"I'm not," replied Anna as calmly as she could. "But having to interfere cost me my reunion with Freda. Not everything in my life revolves around the two of you."

He looked sheepish. "I'm sorry," he sighed, closing the space between them and taking her hands. "I promise, my attention is only on you now."

"Good," she managed, her eyes getting teary. "Because I meant what I said, Abraham. I really need you tomorrow."

"And I will be there," he promised, enclosing her in his arms. They stood entwined, Anna's heart filled with sorrow as she thought on to the days ahead.

***

Anna sat outside the courtroom, her hand firmly tucked into Abe's. She looked at her fingers, mumbling what she wanted to say to herself over and over.

Hans watched her from the seats opposite. She glanced up at him, their eyes meeting. He gave her a reassuring smile, which she returned. Charles sat beside him, clearly thinking only of his wife. Maria was inside, giving her evidence. He hadn't wanted to hear the details, so had remained outside. Helga and Freda were up in the stands, according to Hans. Anna hadn't wanted to see them before she was due in; she needed to focus. Sam and Hollywood were waiting at the hotel. Abe had shut Hollywood down when he had asked to come; they all knew he couldn't quell his temper.

Anna sat back in her chair, Abe kissing her hand lightly. Then her stomach cramped again. She squeezed Abe's hand, hissing through the pain.

Abe immediately placed his other hand on her stomach, Hans getting out of his seat in response. "Baby, are they getting' worse?" asked Abe, his voice filled with concern as she shifted uncomfortably.

"I'm fine," she insisted, Hans hovering by her. "It's probably just gas."

"This has been goin' on for weeks now," he murmured, trying his best to ignore Hans' probing looks. "I really think we should see a Doctor-"

"Anna, you shouldn't be here," said Hans. "You need to rest..."

Abe shot him a warning look, but Hans was undeterred.

"Ma said this would happen towards the end of the pregnancy," she assured them both. "I promise I'll rest when I've made my statement."

"Anna for God's sake," sighed Hans but Abe cut across.

"She said what she said. Just fuck off."

"I'm staying here to make sure Anna is all right," he growled, now making sure Abe could understand him. "One of us has to."

"Say that again!" said Abe rising to his feet.

Anna wished someone else was here. Charles looked at her with worried eyes. He had no idea what they were talking about but could sense the tone. She needed Sam... he'd calm things down. But he was keeping an eye on Hollywood.

"Would you two please give it a rest!" snapped Anna, both of them looking at her. She pulled herself up so that she sat straighter, Abe immediately helping her. "I cannot stand listening to you two bicker. You promised to be civil, so either behave that way or you can both leave. I'd rather have peace and quiet than sit between your stupid squabbles of masculine pride."

"That ain't what this is about," mumbled Abe.

"Really, Abraham?"

Abe let out a long sigh, but sat down beside her to show retreat. Hans made to say something, but Anna shot him a warning look. She was not the meek little cuckoo bird he had rescued all those years ago.

The door opened, and Maria walked out.

She looked shaken but triumphant, Charles running to her immediately and embracing her. Anna managed to get to her feet with Abe's support, going over to congratulate her friend.

"I'm so proud of you," whispered Anna, Maria taking her hand in appreciation.

"Me too, my darling," said Charles, kissing her cheek.

Anna's heart swelled every time she saw them together. She was so happy for Maria.

They went and took their seats again, Charles and Anna sitting either side of Maria and refocusing the conversation on something else. Abe stayed beside his wife, her hand tucked in his as he watched Hans the entire time. Occasionally, Hans would meet his gaze, but mostly it was fixed on Anna. Something that Abe noted with rage.

Time passed as they waited for it to be Anna's turn. Anna tried very hard not to dwell on it, but her stomach was churning. Finally, the doors opened, the attendant saying her name.

Maria squeezed her hand, Anna taking a deep breath. "He's sitting in a box opposite the stand," murmured Maria, meeting Anna's gaze. "He'll be looking right at you." Anna nodded a little, squeezing her hand in thanks. Then the attendant called her name again. Anna could feel her heartbeat in her ears, Abe taking her face in his hands.

"I'm gonna be right up there, baby, okay?" he murmured, kissing her cheeks, her forehead, her mouth. "You got this!" She clung to him a little longer, Abe sensing her distress.

"I don't want to see him," she confessed. The attendant called for her again, Abe huffing loudly.

"One moment, please," said Abe, holding his hand up to him before her turned back to Anna. "Yes, you do. You're gonna look him right in the eye and you're gonna let him know you survived. He has no hold over you anymore. You are thrivin'. You escaped him, you beat him. We've practiced what you wanna say so many times, baby. It's this one last thing, then it's over; forever." She took in a deep breath, nodding determinedly.

"All right," she said, psyching herself up. She glanced up again at Hans. He nodded too, reassuring her. She kissed Abe, then listened as the attendant explained what was going to happen.

It was time