The bowl in the kitchen - is that your famous Brandner marinade?
Oh, for heaven's sake, I forgot to put the steaks in
Here, take this...
Why didn't anybody say anything?!
== Here, it looks like my school exchange is going to work out. == Great.
Carla's been in London before. Do you think she could give me a few tips?
== Best if you ask her yourself. == Why?
We've separated
What?!?
== Why do all relationships go down the tubes? == I don't know.
Carla and you, you... You guys were THE dream couple.
== So maybe we weren't after all. == But how come?
== If I could only tell you... == She didn't even explain why?
She did. But it's an issue she's had for a while. Only, up until now she's been able to live with it.
You don't want to tell me, do you?
I can't go crying on my own daughter's shoulder
I do it to YOU
That's different
Oh well...
Carla just can't deal with the fact that I used to like men
But she's known that from the beginning
Apparently she's only become aware of it as time went on. No idea. And now she's stuck on it.
You love only her?
I don't know how I'm supposed to prove it to her, though
I'm really starting to lose faith in love
You can't do that. It's the most beautiful thing there is. And also the most painful.
Steak or sausage?
Steak
I'm gonna check on her
Hey
It's just for toasting. Even if that isn't an easy thing for you right now.
I wanted it this way, though
And somehow I hope these two are actually happy
I'm worried about you, nonetheless. Do you want to keep on living there all alone?
Why not?
Why don't you at least come back to the castle for a little while? Until the baby's here.
I'll be fine
Really
== I'm gonna go for a short walk. == All right.
Consti
== Is there anything still outside? == No. All taken care of.
This here can be tossed, right?
The Brandner marinade? Are you crazy?! We can reuse it!
You're planning to grill again tomorrow?
Listen, once you're in England, where it's notorious for raining all day long, every day,...
... you're gonna look back longingly on a nice lazy afternoon of grilling here on the mainland
Maybe I'll just blow off the school exchange
Oh, Arno's exaggerating again. The weather there isn't that bad.
== I was thinking more for your sake. == No way do I want that.
What do you mean? Susanne is hardly alone here.
Come, we're gonna see whether the fire's out
von Lahnstein
It's me - Susanne
Hello, Susanne, how are you?
I...
We have so much to discuss. Don't we want to meet somewhere?
I don't think that's a good idea
Carla, please. It doesn't have to be at your place or mine.
We could meet... this evening at Schneiders
I'll think about it. Ciao.
Well, Susanne, I guess Carla's running late again
Appears that way
How's she doing, anyway? It must be almost that time.
In four weeks
Well, brace yourselves for an extra ten days. The first baby never comes out on schedule.
I've heard that, too
So, are you getting excited?
I think it's great the way you guys are doing this. And with Lars you've found just the right one. True blue.
I know
Ah, there she comes!
My new pastry chef. Excuse me, Susanne.
May I bring you anything else?
== Yes, another one of those. == Sure.
Well? I guess something came up with Carla.
Looks that way, yes
But nothing serious - everything with the baby is okay?
Yes, sure, that's all in order. This just wasn't a good time for her.
Mhm. Naturally it's been my treat.
Thank you
You could have at least canceled
Are you all right?
No. Not at all.
What are they talking about all this time?
== Hm, shall I go eavesdrop inconspicuously? == Don't you dare!
Ms. Brandner certainly doesn't look like she's doing well, though
Now she believes I'm lacking something with her
So it IS my fault
I've told her a thousand times I only love her
She's convinced I'm looking for something with you...
... that I'm missing with her
And now here I am talking YOUR ear off about it
Oh...
I think you must be the best person I've ever met. Do you know that?
You're always there for me when I need you
And I always will be
Sometimes I'm afraid
Of what?
That Carla's right
Well, that's certainly possible
I mean,... feelings can change
Even if it isn't always easy to admit that to yourself
Even marriage isn't an insurance for love
Please, don't misunderstand me. I wish you two all the happiness in the world.
But you yourself say you aren't sure whether Carla might be right
If she is, then this separation is simply the final fallout of that
Carla has sensed that she's having to share your feelings with someone else
No, that isn't true
I love Carla, I'm married to her. We want to start a family together.
I know you'd like to hear something different, but Carla is the love of my life
And she always will be
Well. They really were a lovely couple.
I always thought, "Carla and Susanne go PERFECTLY together"
Please, no requiem, all right?
This isn't easy for you, either, I realize that
It's never been easy. How does that wonderful saying go? "I smiled and the worst was yet to come."
You mean on account of Carla's baby
It's MY baby, too. Why does everybody always forget that?!
I am the father. Without me this baby wouldn't even exist!
I know that, Lars. But what does that have to do with Susanne and Carla's break up?
If Carla is determined enough, a whole damn LOT to do with it.
Nobody can take away the fact you're the father
And what about custody or visitation rights?
Oh, I don't believe that. Carla wouldn't throw obstacles in your way.
Sure she would. Mammoth ones in fact.
== What's so important? == I want to research a few more things about the student exchange program with England.
Aha, then go ahead. What's the destination?
Reading, sister city with Düsseldorf since 1988
Mhm, the name sounds familiar. Where is it?
In Berkshire, approximately 60 kilometers west of London
== Aha, will you be living with a host family? == Mhm.
I'm sure there are a lot of great things to see in Reading
I think they have an old abbey
And Oscar Wilde was in the jail there for awhile. For sodomy or something like that.
You kids are really terrifyingly well-informed about some things
Hey, Susanne, do you wanna...
Have you been to see Carla?
Yes
It's going to be okay
Can I do anything for you?
Sorry, guys, I'm just tired
A lovely good morning to you! I just wanted to see if mother and child are doing well.
Okay, that was stupid
Actually, I just wanted to ask you how you're doing after your separation
Why don't you reconsider?
Susanne loves you, more than anything. I know that.
Oh well, regardless whether you stick with your decision...
... if there's anything I can do for you, then let me know. I will always be there for you and the baby.
You can actually do something for me
Stay out of my life in the future. I don't need either you or Susanne.
Without the two of you I will do a whole lot better
And what about the baby?
I'm going to raise the child by myself
As father of the child I have my rights. You can't just decide on your own what happens with the baby.
I should have known you'd start quoting law at me
For god's sake, I don't mean that legally. But it isn't good for any child to be raised by just one parent.
I've read studies in which it was proven that SOMETIMES it's actually BETTER for the children
Carla. I can understand that things are overwhelming for you right now...
... and that you want to be left alone. But that's going to change, after the birth, at the latest.
Then you'll be grateful for any help, believe me
Having a good relationship with the baby is equally as important to me as it is to you
Damn it! The three of us agreed that I wasn't merely going to serve as sperm donor, but would also take on the role of father.
I'm simply asking that you keep your word
I've never denied my feelings for Susanne
I love her. I can't change that.
But I've always respected your relationship, and never tried to force myself between you
For the baby's sake, if for no other reason. AND for you.
Please, the elevator
Carla, that things turned out this way makes me very sorry. You have to believe me.
I don't HAVE to do anything
Don't deny the child a father
Getting back to Carla, of course you're totally right. She can't deny you access to the baby!
What am I supposed to do? Take legal action against her? That would just further entrench the battle lines.
Well, maybe she'll come to her senses on her own
Isn't exactly looking that way
== Goodbye, Charlie. == Ah, goodbye! Till the next time. == Ciao.
See you
Count Lahnstein, Countess Lahnstein
Kurt Pröske from the Düsseldorf Courier. May I take a picture of you?
Is the slow news season still not over?
== All right... == Thank you, that was it.
How they stand the media hype...
Yeah well, that just now was harmless. When Ansgar's son disappeared...
Well, sensitivity is a foreign concept to the tabloids
If I were to lose my daughter... I don't know how I would survive that.
== You can't even THINK that, Lars! == Yes! Because that's what it would be like... if I weren't allowed any contact with my daughter.
== Lars! == Carla.
I waited for you here, since you weren't upstairs. Do you have a minute?
Yes
I've thought again about what you said to me earlier
That's how I see things, even if you're of a different opinion
No, Lars. You're totally right.
My--... OUR daughter can't help it that the idea of a three-parent family doesn't work
It depends on whether or not one WANTS it to function
It simply wouldn't be fair... to you or the baby, if she had to grow up without a father
She shouldn't have to pay for our problems
And therefore I would like for you to visit her regularly and spend time with her
If you would still like to
If I still want to? Of course!
I just wasn't still counting on that
Hello
Hello
Susanne
Anyway, it would make me happy
Your child needs you. I realize that now.
== The rose hip tea was really wonderful. == Sure thing, thanks.
I thought maybe if you have time...
No, I don't. Susanne, my decision stands firm.
== And I don't want to talk about it anymore, either. == But...
Sorry, I have to get to the auction house
Carla
== Is everything all right? == Yes, sure. I'm in a hurry.
Well, then I'm going on up. Thanks for inviting me. Grilling out was just the right thing.
Sure thing
So...
I don't know anymore what I should do
You saw her. She isn't giving me the slightest chance.
My God, Susanne, I would so love to help you
== Do you think it would have any effect if I-- == No.
You know Carla as well as I do. Once she's made up her mind about something, then--
It in no way means that she might not change it back. Like with me!
Carla will for sure realize soon that things can't go on like this
And that you two will have to come to some kind of arrangement. If for no other reason than the baby.
Let me do that
Is it so unusual for me to want to help you in the garden?
You've seen Carla
She totally clams up. I can't believe that's all there is, Papa.
I'll never have anything to do with our baby. Ever!
You shouldn't even be thinking such a thing!
Carla has permanently decided against me
Has she said that she wants to get a divorce? I mean...
== ... has she spoken those words? == No. Oh please, I...
You see? Nothing is permanent yet.
Still. Lars at least appears as the father on paper. He can petition for his rights, but I...!
Ach, you're looking at all this way too pessimistically
Carla and I, we... we're never going to have a family. We'll never raise our child together.
Susanne, Carla is just about to give birth. Her hormones are all haywire.
This has nothing to do with the hormones!
She's decided against me - quite pointedly
Ach...
And I can't do anything about it
Here you go
It's getting cumbersome, isn't it?
Yes, it's starting to get a little tight in here for her, too
== A girl? == Yes.
== My daughter's going to be born soon, too. == Oh, really? You'd never know by looking at you!
I know. Best of luck.
Thank you
== Thanks for bringing me with you. == It's the last chance to see your daughter live by ultrasound.
Hello
Are you on the way to the gynecologist?
Hello, Susanne
Is everything all right with the baby?
Purely routine
I talked Carla into letting me go with her this once
My god, I'm at least as nervous as she is about the birth
I... I need to go. A customer is waiting.
Good luck
Maybe you can let her know, afterwards, how the exam went
Sorry, I don't want to intrude
Thank you
Has something happened?
What might have happened? I forgot my cellphone, other than that, nothing.
Lisa might call from England
Take that there
Thank you
All right... see you later
Uh, now where are my...?
== Your car keys? == Yes.
At the phone
Thanks
Susanne?
You can't deceive your old dad that easily
I ran into Carla
She was on the way with Lars to... the gynecologist.
She's so dismissive. She barely speaks to me anymore.
Your meetings are probably as painful for her as they are for you
But then why did she split up with me? So shortly before the birth.
Now I don't even see the baby on the ultrasound monitor anymore
I miss her so
Carla will settle down again, hm?
Once the baby's here, you'll see. You'll find a way back together.
After all, she ultimately came to terms with Lars, too
He's the biological father, he has a right to see his daughter. I on the other hand have nothing.
I've made inquiries
Whether I ever set eyes on the baby depends solely on Carla
Every single finger, you could actually see every single little finger
Sorry, but I've never seen anything like it
It still always moves me, too
But it is a strange feeling for me to be there instead of Susanne
I'm sure she would have loved to come
== Maybe we should have asked her. == Most definitely not!
It would bring up too many feelings! During the last exam, we...
... we listened together to the baby's heartbeat
I wouldn't have been able to bear that today. And I'm sure she wouldn't have, either.
How are things supposed to go forward with you two?
You planned to bring up the child together
== Carla, there are various possibilities-- == I don't know if I want that.
At the moment, I don't know how I'm supposed to interact with her at all!
I knew I'd find you here
Lars. Were you looking for me?
Yes, since all I ever reach is your voicemail
Oh, my cellphone. I forgot it at home again.
Well, luckily you told me about your regular spot
Susanne, about this morning, you--
You don't have to explain yourself
This involves YOUR child
I just didn't want you to think I'm taking Carla's side, and...
I know. Thank you, though.
When I think about the fact that I was actually the one who wanted a baby so badly...
I had to actually force Carla, and now...
Susanne, I will do everything I can to come up with a solution where you can see the baby on a regular basis
I promise you that
I need to go
== Carla. == Hello. Is Susanne here?
Yes, uh...
We need to talk. About the baby.
About the baby
Yes. Lars has explained to me there are various legal options. I could allow you visitation rights.
Are you not feeling well?
I had a tough day
Well, then take care of yourself. So you don't collapse and end up in the hospital again
That's something you don't really need to worry about anymore
Of course I worry. Do you think I suddenly don't care about you?
Thanks
I... I was planning to fix lasagna. Wouldn't you like to stay for supper?
== Well... == We could sit in the garden afterwards and talk a bit.
Susanne
I really miss that
I don't think that's a good idea
I am not coming back to you
We promised each other we'd stick together, through good times and bad
It's over!
Please try to accept that. You need to look forward.
I see only YOU
Maybe it will be... easier for you, if...
What?
You're free, Susanne
Find somebody new