Disclaimer: I do not own the Sound of Music. This is a work of fiction based on the movie.
A/N: This is not a historical story; although I do acknowledge that both the Anschluss and World War II happened. It follows my other two stories. Everyone is two years older than they were in the movie.
The von Trapp villa had settled back into a normal family routine following Liesl and Steve's wedding. Maria and Georg stood outside Liesl's empty room. All her things had been moved to the newlywed's apartment.
"In some ways, it's sad, Georg."
"Yes, you're right. I was thinking this would make an excellent nursery once this baby out grows the cradle. It's closer to our room." He was holding Maria so his hands would rest softly against her belly; he kissed her cheek.
"You seem excited, are you?"
"Yes sweetheart I am." He pulled her tighter to him and showered her with kisses.
"You really don't care if it is a girl or boy."
"Not really, but if you press me, I would tell you another boy would be nice."
"I know Friedrich and Kurt would probably agree with you. We'll see what they say on Sunday when we tell everyone. It will be nice to see Liesl and Steve; I do miss them."
"It is different without them." Georg gazed at his watch, I better get dressed for my dinner meeting.
Maria found everyone in the family room doing their homework assignments. Marta was reading to Gretl; Friedrich was helping Kurt with his math; Louisa and Brigitta were both writing book reports. Friedrich spotted his father as he came to say goodbye.
"Are you meeting someone important Father?"
"No, only Frank Oberlin." Maria noticed a funny look between Friedrich and Louisa.
"What's so funny you two?"
"Everytime Father meets with Herr Oberlin, he's late getting home."
"Why's that Georg?"
"He talks too much, always telling stories. I'll do my best to help him stick to our business."
Maria walked out to the car with him. "I'll be home as soon as I can, darling." He kissed her goodbye and headed for town.
Friday's were Franz's nights off. Katia came to the family room. "Dinner's ready, anybody want to eat now?"
"I do." Kurt quickly responded.
"You're always ready to eat." Louisa retorted.
"I know. I'm a growing boy. Isn't that right, Mother?"
"Yes, Kurt it is. I've already had to buy you new pants, twice. Katia, give us time to wash up. Dinner now would be fine."
With an early dinner and their homework finished, the children could play some games. "Mother, do you want to play 'War' with us?"
"War! Kurt explain please."
"It's a card game; some people call it Slap Jack."
"I think I'll let you play with Friedrich and Louisa."
Brigitta stuck her nose back into her book and continued to read. Gretl and Marta were playing those silly hands games that are a favorite of young girls. Maria sat and watched; she beamed. She had never been so happy and now she was going to have Georg's child.
It was just passed eight o'clock when she took the little girls up to bed. The others had gone up by nine. Maria read for about an hour and then decided to check on the children; everyone was asleep except Brigitta and Friedrich.
"Brigitta, you need to put that book down and get some sleep."
"I will mother, I want to finish this chapter."
"Well, okay."
She found Friedrich just ready to turn off his light. "Goodnight Friedrich."
"Is Father home?"
"No, but he should be soon, sleep well."
It was now after ten o'clock, Maria began to be concerned. Then she remembered what he had said about Frank. "Be patient Maria, he'll be home soon."
Another hour passed, Maria was getting really worried. Maria had experienced many things in her life but none of them prepared her for her feelings now. She suddenly longed to feel Georg's arms wrapped around her and hear his affectionate words whispered into her ear. The quiet was frightening; and then her mind started to hold terrible thoughts.
"What if something had happened, I may never see him again. And the children can't loose their father; they would be devastated. Maria, stop it, you can't think that way," she told herself.
"God, tell me what to do. I can't think straight." The Reverend Mother's words; we are never alone, He's always there. Let Him provide someone to help; gave her an answer. "Stefan's here, I need to wake him; he will help me."
The villa was an older home, it had been wired for electricity when it became available; most of the lights were in rooms not in hallways. The men's rooms were on the third floor; she needed to find the door for the stairs which led up there. The hallway was totally dark. Maria felt along the wall until she found it; on the wall inside she found the light switch. She opened the door at the top of the stairs; letting the light fill the upper hallway.
Maria had only been up there a few times, she did remember which room Max always stayed in; Stefan's was next to it. She hated to wake him but she had too.
Knocking hard enough to be heard; instantly there was a response, "yes, who's there?"
"Stefan, it's me, Maria."
It didn't take him but a second to open the door. "What's wrong?"
"Georg never came home last night." Now, all those terrible thoughts started to flood his mind. He had to clear his head; he couldn't allow Maria to notice.
"Let me get dressed."
The two of them went down to the study. "Where was he having dinner?"
"Probably, Joseph Isenhart's restaurant." Stefan picked up the telephone.
"Operator, connect me to the St. George Restaurant, please."
"Hello...Joseph is that you?"
"Yes."
"It's Stefan, Joseph. Was Georg there earlier this evening?"
"Yes, why?"
"He never came home."
"What can I do?"
"Stay there, I'm calling the police station before I leave here."
"Salzburg Police Station, Lieutenant Anderson speaking,"
"This is Stefan at the von Trapp villa. Georg didn't come home after having dinner at the St. George. Joseph is still there and I'm leaving shortly. Please meet us there."
"Maria, I'm going to wake Phillip to sit with you."
Tearfully, "thank you, I'm so scared."
Stefan hurried off to the restaurant. Phillip made some tea and brought it to the study. "Phillip, I keep having terrible thoughts; the children can't loose their father; I may never see him again." She wept uncontrollably.
"Maria, I've heard you tell the children that God will help us though all our troubles; you must believe that. I've known Georg for a long time; the war taught him how to survive and he will this time too. Maybe a cup of tea will help calm you."
Stefan called the villa shortly after he arrived at the restaurant. Phillip immediately picked up the receiver, "Stefan, did you find him?"
"There's no sign of Georg." Phillip heard. "The police are searching the area as we speak. Let me talk to Maria, please."
"Stefan wants to talk to you."
"Did you find him?"
"Not yet Maria; Joseph is coming with me to the villa. Would you like us to stop and see if Father Martin will come?"
"Yes, please, and thank you Stefan." She covered her face with her hands; she was trying to stifle more tears from falling.
Phillip reached out and touched her arm. "They'll find him, I have no doubt."