Gertrude softly kisses Wilhelm under the mistletoe in the Kommandantur. This is their last private moment until after Christmas. Wilhelm's mother and Gertrude's brother are joining the couple for Christmas.
"Please remember that I love you. No matter what my mother says while she's here please remember that." Wilhelm whispers when he pulls away from the kiss.
"I won't forget. You're nervous about your mother coming to visit, aren't you?" Gertrude asks holding Wilhelm tightly.
"Ja, I am nervous about mama's visit. I love her, but she does tend to make things more difficult in my life." Wilhelm admits to Gertrude. He stiffens when he hears a knock on his front door.
"Don't worry, just be you usual charming self. Go open the door and let your mama in. You can't leave her out there on the porch." Gertrude reassures Wilhelm.
Wilhelm takes a deep breath and opens the front door. Hi mama. Come in. Gertrude and I have been waiting for you."
"Wilhelm, darling! I've missed you!" Wilhelm's mama, Else, exclaims and hugs her son tightly. "You look so well! Gertrude must be taking good care of you!"
"She is taking good care of me, mama. Come and meet her. Mama, this is Gertrude Linkmeyer. Gertrude, this is my mama." Wilhelm politely introduces his girlfriend to his mother.
"Frau Klink, it is a pleasure to meet you at last. Wilhelm has told me so much about you." Gertrude says sweetly.
"Frau Linkmeyer, it is lovely to meet you. Wilhelm has spoken so highly of you." Else Klink says to Gertrude.
"Wilhelm, why don't you take your mama's case to the spare room and I'll tea on for the three of us." Gertrude suggests to Wilhelm.
"Alright, I'll be right back. Mama, why don't you help Gertrude in the kitchen?" Wilhelm suggests.
Gertrude glares at Wilhelm before she walks into the kitchen. Else follows Gertrude into the kitchen. Gertrude immediately feels nervous when Else follows her into the kitchen, which is not really big enough for both of them to be doing things.
"This is very small. How on earth do you cook in here?" Else asks as she watches Gertrude make tea in the small kitchen.
"Well, the kitchen was designed for a single man to be doing basic things in. I can make a meal for two in here quite easily." Gertrude says plainly.
"How are you two doing in here?" Wilhelm asks as he comes into the kitchen making it even more crowded.
"We're fine sweetheart. Gertrude is a miracle worker if she can cook in this tiny kitchen." Else compliments her son's girlfriend.
"She's brilliant. She can manage a dinner party in this kitchen." Wilhelm softly kisses Gertrude's cheek. "Can I take anything into the other room, liebchin?"
"I'll give you a tray to take in." Gertrude collects teacups, milk and sugar, and a plate which she puts some cookies on. "Take that and I'll bring the teapot."