Okay, here's one more. Don't feel like you have to read it. This has become more of a document for my own personal joy than one for people to read. But I would love you to read it. And review. I think I'll write this one and maybe one more for an even 8 alternate endings. If you have read up to here, I thank you for sticking with me.
This is one I thought of when I first read the book back four years ago. Since then I have read the book at least twice a year, so I have thought about it alot. It doesn't really make much sense, but it brings back memories of lying in bed dreaming of Himmel street.
When Alex Steiner came home, he took Liesel out to a little farm on the outskirts of Munich that they could both live in and commute to school/work. He was her third Papa, but only the second she could remember. They went to a funeral, even though the bodies had just been taken to a hospital to see if they could be saved.
One day, Liesel was reading by the fire when she heard a barking and howling noise from outside. She got up and looked out the window, but saw nothing. She went back to her perch. The noise continued. "Liesel can you - " he called, but Liesel was already out the door. She went around looking for the dogs or strays, but there was nothing. The noise stopped. She was about to go inside, but she decided to take a walk. She kept the lantern near her and her coat buttoned up. She walked for hours in the moon light. Eventually, she headed home.
Meanwhile, when he thought Liesel had gone, he let the survivors in. Miraculously, all of Himmel street was okay. Had they been in comas? Had they had a surge of life left - enough to fuel them to live? No one knew. But the farm was big enough for all of them to have little houses and a real soccer field. They had wanted to surprise Liesel, so they set up a little trick. No one thought she'd go for a walk. They waited in the dimly lit kitchen for hours. Mama and Papa sat patiently, and played the accordion, Rudy was antsy, having found out about the kiss.
The Himmel street residents heard a sound of footsteps and all stood up, waiting. They heard Liesel hang up her coat and put out the lantern. They caught glimpses of her putting her books away. "Come on, Saumench, hurry up" Rudy spoke under his breath. "Liesel! How about we have some supper now?" Rudy's father called out. "Okay" she said back, coming into the kitchen.
Her eyes widened and looked back and forth from person to person. He pink cheeks paled and she gasped out every one's names. "Mama? P-papa? Rudy? E-everyone?" she said. She ran to her foster parents and hugged them. "How is this possible?" she asked. They simply shook their heads. Next Rudy. He stood there, staring at her. She ran to him and embraced him. His thin frame collapsed in her arms and they fell to the floor. "Rudy. Are you alright?" she asked him. He nodded and clutched her still more tightly. 'I love you too, Book Thief" he wisperd. He knew. He knew of her screaming his name and kissing his dusty lips. She hugged him tighter and nodded into his Lemon-lit hair. They sat there awhile, oblivious to the stares and whispers of "finally", before standing up. "So how about that supper?" Rudy's father said. Everyone willingly sat around the long table.
They named the farm Himmel Leben, Heaven Lives, and lived there for many years. They raised families and worked at thier jobs, and one day, Max found them and joined the circle of friends and family. All was well.
