The Plan

It was barely daylight. "Maria, are you awake."

"Yes, Georg."

"I need you get dressed and take a walk with me." She sat up and looked at him. She saw a deep dark worried look in his eyes; something she had never seen before.

"Georg," he put his fingers to her lips.

"Please don't talk, we need to go outside." He whispered.

Hurriedly they both dressed, Maria grabbed a shawl. He took her hand trying to comfort her. The look in her eyes told him she was scared.

They walked to the cow pasture. Georg wanted to be far away from the villa and any other building.

"Maria, this isn't easy."

"Tell me anyway."

"When Sidney came to see us, he had another reason. One of our fellow naval officers was a guest at the lodge. He wasn't there to see Sidney. He was there to meet with German officers." Georg could see the fear increase in her eyes.

"You remember Kirk, the kitchen attendant?"

"Yes."

"He was delivering their food and overheard some of their conversation. He heard them mention my name."

"And what Georg does it all mean? Tell me."

"Sidney did some investigating. Maria, the Germans want me. They will go to any means to compel me to command one of their submarines. Everyone is in extreme danger."

Maria grew a very pale white and collapsed to her knees placing her head in her hands. "Maria," he knelt beside her. "Talk to me sweetheart. Did you faint?"

"I got very lightheaded Georg." She raised her head to look at him. "I'm pregnant."

Now it was Georg's turn to be stunned. "How long have you known?"

"I thought so last week, I was just hoping I was late. But now I have other signs. This is not the time to have another baby."

"It's alright Maria, we'll manage." He cupped her cheek and with his thumb he wiped away a small tear that escaped her eye.

"Promise me you will tell me everything you are feeling or thinking and I will do the same."

She nodded, and then asked. "Do you have a plan?"

"Sidney and I are still working out all the details. I need to talk to Karl."

They held on to each other for a very long time before getting up. Georg gathered her into his arms as they stood, sealing their promise with a kiss.

Slowly they returned to the villa. They took the backstairs so as to miss seeing anyone, they both knew they must keep their emotions under control.

As was their habit, they opened the bedroom door sometimes before they got out of bed but usually after; Joy and David always ran down to their room the minute they woke up. Today was no different; seeing both of them, experiencing their smiles and hugs helped them both to hide their distress.

Sidney rarely came to the villa. He didn't want to cause Maria any extra anxiety seeing him and Georg was sure Franz was a member of the German Party in Austria. Although he had told Sidney he didn't believe he would betray the family.

Finding a way to meet with Karl was proving to be quite difficult. After the Ebersols moved to London, Stephanie lost her job. Karl was teaching two classes at the University. They lived in a small apartment in town; they no longer had a car. Karl hadn't like the idea of her mother living alone, she had moved in with them shortly after they were married.

Georg decided to go to the University and try to intercept him before he walked home.

This particular day he was lucky. "Karl, wait up."

"Oh hi Georg, what brings you to the University?"

Georg couldn't waste time or make small conversation. "I need to talk to you. Take a ride with me?"

"Sure, can't be gone too long, Steph is expecting me. I don't want to worry her."

Georg drove to the deserted army base and parked. Karl had a very keen sense of reading a person's emotions. "Georg, what's troubling you?"

"Karl, the Germans are after me. They will use any means to achieve their objective. All my family, your family, the housestaff and close friends are all in danger."

Karl was stunned, but quickly asked, "What is your plan?"

"We must leave Austria. I need you to meet with Sidney and me to discuss the details."

"He's the owner of the Lodge?"

"Yes."

"Tell me when and where. Does Maria know?"

"She knows as much as I told you. Now you need to tell Stephanie. No one knows Sidney is staying here in town; he has a room not far from you. Just this once, we will meet there; daybreak tomorrow."

It was dark when Georg left the house the next morning. He had parked his car on the road out by the cow pasture. He didn't want anyone in the villa to hear him leave, especially Franz. He really didn't think he would report his coming and goings to the Party; he didn't want to take any chances. Maria wasn't surprised to find a note from Georg. It simply read, "meeting today."

Georg had done a lot of work on the plan. He had divided them into three groups:

One with Maria, Sidney, Joy and David, Brigitta, Stefan and Frau Katia; another had Karl and Stephanie, Louisa, Friedrich, Marta and Phillip; Max would be added to this group if he decided to come with them. The last group was himself, Gretl, Kurt, Liesl, Frau Schmidt, Martha and Christine.

Sidney had obtained the train schedule. The train to Tyrol, Italy left three times a day from the train station near the villa; seven in the morning, two in the afternoon and the last train at midnight. It was about a six hour trip including stops.

"You know Georg, Tyrol is only the first part of our trip. I think we will only be safe in America."

"You are right Sidney. If war comes to Europe it will be devastating; the bombing and the strafing by the fighter planes will be most destructive.

"Sidney, what port should we travel out of?"

"My suggestion is the Port of London; take a train to the seacoast of France and then board a ferry across the English Chanel. A small ship leaves in about two weeks; it's not fancy but it will get us there."

"Sidney, if you will complete those travel arrangements that would be a big help. Are we finished gentlemen?" He saw affirmative nods.

"You both need to move into the villa in two days. Is that enough time?"

"It's fine with me, what about you Karl?"

"Yes, Stephanie and I have been preparing; as well as Christine."

"Have you heard from Max?"

"Yes, he'll arrive tomorrow. Once everyone is at the villa, the six of us will meet."