Vivian: Life in Estonia Ch. 03

The marriage between Eino Tarvas and Vivian Laaning survived the ugly aftermath resulting from the dispiriting crisis of Vivian's miscarriage and information that she had become infertile. The brutal corporal physical punishment meted out by Eino on Vivian as a result of her blatant adultery was conceded to be understandable, but its severity was mutually deemed by both of them to be excessive.

As a consequence of such sad events, both Eino and Vivian had pledged to each other to be better spouses. In particular Vivian promised that she would not engage in any form of adultery whatsoever. This meant that her semi annual trips to the United States to visit the families of her brother and sister would be devoid of her side trip to Dallas, TX. However, it's instructive to note that although Vivian did not then take advantage of her lifetime membership to the TLR, the swingers sex club located near Dallas, neither did she resign her membership.

Vivian had a feeling that Eino had suspected her of partaking in an orgy at the TLR during her visits to the United States. Unbeknownst to Vivian, Eino had more than suspicions about his wife's dalliances when in America. After the conclusion of the previous May visit, Eino happened to be in the company of his three-year-old stepdaughter Maia without the presence of her mother, Vivian. For her age, Maia was impressively articulate; so much so such that she could carry on a reasonable conversation with an adult, especially her parents as she considered her stepfather as her de facto father.

As it so happened in response to Eino's idle question of how she enjoyed her visit to America, Maia responded, "Oh I had a wonderful time. I met all my cousins, and they are all older than me except, Anna, who is the same age as me. Did you know Papa (although Eino had declined to formally adopt Maia, he had no objection to her addressing him as her father) that each of Aunt Erica's children have darker skin than we or Aunt Erica? Mama says that's because Uncle Rod has darker skin and that there are lots of people in America who have darker skin than us. And that's why we are called white people (valge) and they are called black people (must)."

Eino answered, "Yes I know that, Maia. You also know that Aunt Erica and Anna were here when your mother and I got married. I've seen your cousin Anna when she was a baby."

Maia then said, "You know what was so special for me? I got to ride in Aunt Erica's car, as she drove me to Uncle Paul's farm. She has a bigger car than Mama's. Aunt Erica says that Uncle Paul's farm was where she and Mama grew up. I think car rides are so much more funner than airplane rides. You get to see much more of the country in a car than you do in an airplane."

Slightly nonplussed, Eino asked, "Why didn't you and your mother not take the bus or an airplane to go visit your Uncle Paul? Why did your mother make your aunt drive you two, or did your aunt stay as well to also visit with your Uncle Paul?"

Maia answered, "Oh no, Mama didn't come with us. It was just me and Aunt Erica in the car trip and Aunt Erica returned to her home as soon as she left me at Uncle Paul's. Mama had to go somewhere else to meet some friends, so we went to the airport first to drop Mama off before Aunt Erica took me to Uncle Paul. Mama came to Uncle Paul's the next day."

Eino laconically replied, "I see."

Eino putting two and two together, determined that Vivian must have taken the opportunity to go to an orgy at the TLR premises. If she where to make a side trip, say to see her parents or her friends like Angela Peterson, surely, she would have taken Maia along with her. That being the case, Eino quizzed Maia after the next two American visits. From his stepdaughter's response to those visits, he was satisfied that Vivian, on those occasions did not separate from her daughter for a side trip. Apparently, Vivian was holding up to her part of the bargain with her promise to be sexually exclusive to him.

Although there was an understood reconciliation reached after the horrendous spanking episode, their marriage did not exactly return to the previous state of unbridled happiness. They realized instinctively that trusting each other had become an unstated issue between them. As a result, their interaction between each other was more guarded and not so free flowing. However, on a more positive note, the sex between them was as passionate as it ever had been, although they avoided BDSM role play by unstated mutual decision. Nevertheless, their joyful sexual life led them to an optimistic belief that time would eventually heal all wounds and that better days lay ahead.

Shortly after the passage of the time from this critical moment in their marriage, Vivian turned her attention to Estonian politics. She was approached by her wedding guest Kaja Kallas who now had become the leader of the Estonian Reform Party. The two women had become fast personal friends as they happened to have a lot in common. Ms. Kallas had studied law at the University of Tartu and had been employed as an attorney-at-law in Estonia. Like Vivian, she had married twice having her own child from her first marriage and acquired two more children as a result of the previous marriage of her second husband.

Once Vivian had formally attained Estonian citizenship for herself as well as for her daughter Maia, Kaja had invited Vivian to come to Tallinn for an informal meeting to discuss a possible political future. Vivian was attracted to Ms. Kallas' Estonian Reform Party (in Estonian 'Eesti Reformierakond'). Despite the name suggesting it would be left of center party, the Reform Party of Estonia was actually a center-right political party. This fitted nicely to Vivian's political conservative philosophy; she had been registered to the Republican Party when she was living in Chicago. Nevertheless, she was most interested in effecting certain reforms especially in increasing population growth. This made her a good fit for the center of this political party. Of course, it helped that there were more women members in proportion to this Estonian political party than to the other parties.

Kaja pointed out that in a forthcoming election there was an opening spot in the Party for Vivian to contest a seat in the Riigikogu (Estonian Parliament) representing the county of Valgamaa. If she were to be elected, she would be in a good position to advocate for legislation that would address the alarmingly low birth rate in Estonia. She could probably be deputized to travel to Budapest and see how the Hungarian government had dealt with this problem which seemed to have become a worrisome issue throughout most of Europe.

Vivian's involvement in the farming operation had become less crucial with the passage of time. The dairy farm had by now acquired its envisioned full complement of its dairy herd. All the contracts for selling the produce of the farm were satisfactorily in place as the Tarvas farm had become the major supplier for dairy products throughout southern Estonia as well as northwestern Latvia. Supplementing the farm income was their financially shared interest in a dairy in Tartu as well as a dairy in Riga, Latvia. Eino's dream of transforming his farm into the most prosperous farm in Estonia was well at hand.

In addition, a surprisingly unexpected extra source of income developed from the craft beer enterprise Vivian had launched utilizing the hops grown on the farm. In three short years the brand 'Vivian's Brew' had become the most popular local beer in Estonia and plans were underway to expand into the other two Baltic states. Vivian knew her main mission for the coming year was to establish a brewery in either Tartu or Tallinn to meet the demand.

As the Tarvas farm had become well established and had acquired a very reliable labor support force, Vivian's involvement in the farm operations had become less demanding. That in turn made the pursuit of an extraneous political career more feasible. As Eino had once again become extremely happy with his wife and recognizing her efforts to curtail her extramarital sexual proclivities, he had no objection to her newly found political ambitions. In fact, he could foresee an obvious advantage for the farm as a result of his wife's position in the national government.

Accordingly, Vivian did contest the seat and won her election relatively comfortably. Just like her friend and Estonian political mentor, Kaja Kallas, Vivian also opted to revert to her maiden name when pursuing her political career. Although the Reform Party did win the most seats in the Riigikogu, the Centre Party was able to form a coalition government and so Vivian and Kaja were among the opposition. Nevertheless, Vivian with her negotiation skills was able to help steer through legislation that was similar to the features of Hungary's legislation to encourage stay at home mothers more children in order to hopefully raise the birth rate. She was over all happy with her contribution.

Her political position necessitated frequent attendances in Tallinn to conduct her political career. As a result, Maia was taken care of by Maarja during those absences, and her mother-in-law had no complaints on that score. Maia was truly a delightful child and more mature for her age than her peers. It was a truly pure pleasure for Maarja to take care of Maia whenever Vivian was not available.

Unfortunately, the frequent absences did take its toll on the romantic life between Eino and Vivian. In this case the cliché: "Absence makes the heart grow fonder" did not apply, but instead it had the opposite effect. The inevitable diminishing of their sexual activity tended to weaken Vivian's resolve to remain faithful to her wedding vows and her iron clad promise to be sexually exclusive with Eino. She had acquired an understanding with a female member of the Reform Party to share a condominium apartment for her protracted stays in the capital city. As a result, she was continuously tempted to stray. Her penchant to drink in public taverns, subjected Vivian to constant entreaties to engage in one-night stands. Remarkably she held firm to her resolve, however in the back of her mind a suspicion formed that she just might not hold steadfast in her marital fidelity.

In February of the year Maia celebrated her fifth birthday, Vivian surprisingly received an unexpected phone call in the late afternoon, in her Tallinn office, which transpired as follows:

"Tere Vivian...Vivian Laaning?"

Not instantly recognizing the voice although there was a hint in the back of her mind that she ought to know it, Vivian hesitatingly replied, "Yes, this is she."

The caller then spoke in English, "By the way, that greeting has exhausted the full extent of my knowledge of Estonian. Anyway, it's Jed Baxter. How have you been Vivian?"

To say that Vivian was shocked and astonished to boot was an extreme understatement. Jed was her one-time billionaire lover to whom she last spoke only briefly approximately six years previously. Given her current circumstances she could not have ever fathomed that their paths would ever cross again. As a result, she was discombobulated to the extent that she was almost inarticulate in her reply, "Jed! Jed Baxter? And...and how did you reach me? Are you calling me from Chicago?"

Jed chuckled at Vivian's tentative response. He replied, "Oh no. I'm actually here in Tallinn. It's my first visit to this lovely country. I'm here for business meetings with a transport and logistics company concerning proposed dealings in northern Europe with Baxter & Sons. However, I got a tip from an Estonian business associate, about a fast growing craft beer selling under the label of 'Vivian's Brew" that has taken Estonia by storm. And I was informed that the owner and manager of this business is a certain Vivian Laaning. I replied, 'Oh my is that so! Why I do believe I know this woman. I think I should look her up while I'm here in Estonia'. So once again how are you, Vivian?"

Still completely surprised by this contact, Vivian could only reply, "I'm fine and you?" Realizing that was quite a lame response, Vivian added, "So what brings you to Tallinn?" Again, realizing she had made yet another stupid response, she added, "Oh, I guess you told me. Well, what's up?" She was now blushing at her truly inane utterances, thankful that she was not face to face for him to witness her insipidity. So, she now added, "I think I'll give up. I'm sure you have something more to say to me. So why don't you say it before I make a complete idiot of myself."

Jed chuckled some more as he replied, "Well yes Vivian, I do believe I've lots to say to you. So why don't you have dinner with me? How about the Horisont the restaurant here at the Swissôtel, Tallinn, where I'm staying during this business trip. Shall we say at six thirty?"

Not bothered at all by the coincidence of the restaurant choice, being at the hotel where Eino proposed to her. Or for that matter she had no objection to the short notice out of the blue invitation, and so Vivian readily agreed to the date. To at least differentiate from her date with Eino, she vowed to order a splendid entrée different from the three dinner dates she initially had with Eino and also hoped to imbibe a different wine. Happily, she believed she had available a perfect dress for this occasion. It was a silver sequin long sleeve faux wrap evening dress. Shiny silver sequins were interlaced across the black mesh overlay. The shape of the dress had a surplice neckline, with a fitted bodice, which allowed for a generous naked glimpse of her ample cleavage. For a touch of modesty, the dress contained long sleeves. A banded waist topped a faux-wrap tulip like skirt that ended with a knee-grazing hem. She knew she looked stunning and certainly she had no cause to fear of a lack of allure when wearing this dress. That gave her the utmost confidence and self-assurance to meet her extremely wealthy and beguiling former lover.

When she arrived at the restaurant, and was directed to Jed's table, as he instantly stood up, he beamed a truly happy smile. He greeted her, "Oh my lovely Vivian. You're as stunningly beautiful as ever. And as I'm told you are a member of the Estonian parliament; you obviously are as intelligent as ever."

Vivian smiled back totally enjoying his praise and approval. She in return replied, "Hello Jed. I note you haven't lost an ounce of your charm either, and you are still the stud muffin which would make any woman's toes curl. That is straight women, but I'm sure even lesbians would find you enchanting."

In fact, although Jed Baxter was now fifty-seven years of age, he still had a youthful, trim Adonis like look to him which would attract the attention of most straight females based on that physical quality alone, never mind his wealth. Vivian recalled that in the past she had believed that were she to conjure up in her mind the physique of the perfect photogenic virile handsomest man, such contrived image would not stray far from the actual resemblance of Jed Baxter. Even now that supposition would still be valid, except that she realized she preferred the rugged looks of her husband, Eino.

The material point was that Eino's appearance reminded her of the quintessential all male full of testosterone; a cave man image if you will, which she found truly irresistible. Whereas Jed's physical features reminded her of the perfect stereotypical metro sexual man and the inherent superficiality that goes with such image. Mind you to be fair to Jed, he certainly was not just a pretty face as his prowess in his business acumen had become legendary in American and worldwide business circles. That was though the last time during that evening Vivian compared her husband to Jed in her mind.

As they sat down, their server had instantly arrived and so they ordered the pre-prandial drinks as well as a couple of appetizers. Vivian settled for the best available Russian vodka on the rocks, and Jed had a high-end scotch on the rocks. The appetizers selected were a caviar spread and a platter of buttered escargot. Vivian settled on a veal parmesan and Jed had a filet mignon for the main course.

Jed started the conversation with, "Well Vivian it's been a long time no see. So let me cut to the chase. Tonight, I would actually like you to clarify a mystery for me which has perplexed me these past six years. There is no doubt that we were an item for almost three years. Aside from my occasional marital dalliance duty with Felicia, (Jed's wife) you were the exclusive woman in my life during that time. Certainly, from my point of view, the sex between us was the most fantastic I had ever experienced notwithstanding the orgies at the TLR, which we attended together. I also had the impression that you thoroughly enjoyed our sex as well; you certainly never uttered any complaints as to the inadequacy of our mutual sex life.

"Furthermore, you had to be intellectually aware of my devotion to you. You know that I had advanced a substantial sum of money to your sister to help her start her restaurant and night club venture in Chicago. You can be rest assured that I considered that as an extremely risky investment, one which I would not have made, had it not been for the high regard I had for you. Of course, had the investment turned sour, as I expected it would, it would be just a hiccup loss on my cash flow. Kudos to your sister that she was successful enough to repay me all the monies advanced, plus provide a nice cash flow from my 10% interest in her business.

"Then during this most enjoyable personal period in my life, almost exactly six years ago, I had to go to Japan. The occasion called for a three week series of important business meetings concerning the then current and proposed business dealings of Baxter & Sons with various Japanese corporate partners. So, when I returned, I was taken by complete surprise when Felicia informed me that you were now dating my CFO Sam Crawford. In retrospect, I guess I should have taken Sam with me to Japan. But hindsight is 20/20, as I felt at the time, that I needed him to stay in Chicago to handle the day to day corporate exigencies while I was away in Japan.

"When I got back, you did not return any of my calls, and so eventually I had to accept that our relationship was over. In trying to get in touch with you, I of course did want to convince you to come back to me but failing that I was also seeking a reasonable explanation for your decision to end our relationship. Then the only communication I did get from you, was a brief conversation wherein you advised me of your forthcoming marriage to Sam. You expressed your desire that you wished you could invite me to the wedding but the obvious indelicacy of necessarily including Felicia in the formal invitation precluded such social nicety.

"Then of course Sam got arrested for embezzling substantial sums of monies from my company and was subsequently murdered while in prison awaiting his trial. The latter event obviously ended your short-lived marriage. And then you disappeared! No one in Chicago knew where you had disappeared to. I suppose your sister would have known but I felt it would be too awkward for me to approach her for information about you.

"Now two days ago when I happened to arrive here in Tallinn for planned discussions of various new business ventures, which my companies might be willing to undertake in this part of the world, I was apprised of your existence here. First of all, I was advised that a woman by the name of Vivian Laaning had launched a successful craft beer operation that had become exceptionally popular here in Estonia. It was suggested that I might be interested in an investment to expanding such enterprise beyond the local interest.

"Now naturally I was intrigued by the name promulgated to me, such that I was interested to ascertain if it was really you. It was confirmed to me that the Vivian Laaning of this beer company was originally an American citizen who had recently acquired Estonian citizenship and is now a member of the Riigikogu, the Estonian parliament.