The rest of the year went by and Maria grew further along into her pregnancy. Everyone was getting more and more excited about the new baby. Marta has gotten over her jealousy of the baby and was just as exited as her older siblings were and Gretl was starting to understand a bit now and she knew Maria needed to rest a lot more now that she was further along still there were occasional nights when Gretl ended up sleeping in Maria's bed but not every night.
One night in may Maria Georg and the kids were discussing baby named and if they should tour again over the summer.
"So what does everyone think we should name the baby if it's a girl?" Maria asked bringing up the subject of baby names.
The children thought for a minute and Brigitta was first to come up with one
"How about Rosemarie Agathe? So it's almost like your name, Maria but not exactly the same to avoid confusion and Agathe after our first Mother."
Maria and Georg were both so duly touched that they wanted to honor both of their mothers. Georg our a loving arm around Maria,
"That's a lovely name my darling I would love to have our baby girl named after both of your mothers whom I loved very very much. Now how about for a boys name?"
The children thought a bit but couldn't seem think of any boys names do Georg helped out with this.
"My brother who passed away in the First World War was Johannes and I would like very much to honor him."
All of the children thought that was a wonderful idea to honor their late Uncle Johannes who they heard so many stories about. Then Friedrich thought of a middle name for the baby
"His middle name can be Georg so we can honor you as well."
Again Georg was deeply touched that his children who for so long he ignored wanted to honor him in the new baby. They all agreed that those were perfect names for their new sibling. Then Georg brought up the subject of touring over the summer.
"Children how do you feel about touring again this summer? Maria I don't want to force you into anything especially since the baby is coming so soon."
"Georg I'll be fine I'll rest when I need to I love singing and I would absolutely love to continue touring and I know the children would too."
At that the children said at the same time
"Yes we would love to tour!"
Georg smiled at his wife and children and hugged Maria.
"Then it's settled we will go on tour as soon as you finish school and come back before the baby arrives. Maria I want you to promise me you will not tire or stress yourself out and rest as much as you can we can perform on our own if you need to rest."
Maria gave her husband an exaggerated military salute
"You have my word captain!"
Georg laughed and gave his wife a kiss and tight hug. They couldn't wait to spend time together exploring more of America and giving concerts. For the next few weeks they all practiced singing playing the guitar piano ans Kurt and Freideich learned to play the violin. Everyone did beautifully and couldn't wait to perform that summer. The children were glad to be getting out of school for the summer as well but they all enjoyed learning very much and couldn't wait to get back in the fall.
At the beginning of June Maria and Georg packed everyone up for a summer or touring ans concerts. Georg was lucky enough to rent a bus for the summer and hoped it would fit everyone plus all the instruments comfortably. They would tour all of New England New York New Jersey and Virginia then head back home at the end of July so Maria could have the baby at home
The first few weeks of touring went well. Everyone loved visiting and exploring new places. Everyone loved their music and singing. Georg loved hereby his beautiful wife and children sing and couldn't imagubw himself not even allowing music in his house for so many years. Now he embraced it more than ever. And at the end of every show he and his family sang Edelweiss the same exact way they did it on their last night in Austria and just like that night the audience joined in on the song at the last part and Georg couldn't help but feel that same sort of emotion he did on the night of their escape. But this time it was happy emotions his family was in a new country and they were forever safe and forever together.
On one concert in Boston there was a Deaf group who signed instead of sang the last part of Edelweiss . After the show the Deaf group went up to them to tell them what a great job they did through an interpreter of course.
"We loved your music very much but we could feel the vibrations of it all and it felt so wonderful we couldn't help but to sign the last song with you it was so moving and touching thank you for that."
Maria smiled and gave them all hugs
"We're so glad our music can touch anyone even people who can't hear thank you so much for attending ans were so glad you could all enjoy yourselves"
The other concerts were very much like those so touching and moving for all and many people came up to them saying they needed an agent. When they toured New York Annie Molly Grace and Oliver were in attendance and they were all so happy to see their friends! The Warbucks greeted their friends at the end of the show with flowers and hugs. Maria hugged Grace she missed them all so much and was so glad they could make it.
"Grace thank you so much for coming it means so much to us."
"Anything for and your wonderful family you all sounded to lovely! And played well too! We heard you needed an agent and Oliver knows someone by the name Father Wanser. Do you want to contact him?"
Georg heard this and was very happy at the news.
"Thank you Oliver we will be in touch with him soon that means a great deal to us thanks again"
Everyone enjoyed the rest of their tour and Maria rested as much as possible as she was getting bigger and more tired. By the time everyone knew it was time to head back to Vermont for Maria to prepare for th baby. When they arrived back home Georg contacted Father Wanser Ans he agreed to schedule and book all of their tours for now on and Georg and Maria were both very happy at that.
One night at around 5am in august Maria woke up with the worst pains she's ever felt. She was worried for a minute then she remembered that the baby was due soon! She was in labor! She quickly woke her husband up
"Georg! Wake up! The baby is coming!"
Georg quickly awoke when he heard his wife utter those words he quickly got himself dressed and helped Maria get ready to go to the hospital.
"Georg what about the children?"
"They'll be fine my darling Liesl and Friedrich will tell the little ones I'll leave a note now we must get you to the hospital."
Georg drove to the hospital as fast as he could. This was his first time birthing a baby in a hospital all of his other children were born at home with Agathe and a midwife but he know Maria would be in great hands and he had nothing to worry about. As soon as they got to the hospital Georg got Maria into a room and her labor contractions started getting closer and closer and longer by the minute.
"Oh Georg…."
Georg squeezed Maria's hand tightly
"You'll be fine Maria darling you're doing great you can push soon!"
After what seemed like endless hours of labor and pushing Maria and Georg heard a soft cry. The doctor announced proudly
"Congratulations you have a healthy beautiful girl!"
Maria's eyes lit up at the news and looked up at her husband who smiled back at her
"Oh Georg a girl! How lovely! We can name her Rosemarie Agathe Von Trapp."
"That's a beautiful name my darling now nect time can we have a boy? We have enough girls in this family!"
Georg chuckled and waited for his new daughter to be handed over to them. The doctor brought the baby over to Maria's open arms.
"Oh darling she is absolutely perfect! I love her so much! Come hold her."
Georg took his new baby gently out of Maria's arms and held her close to his chest.
"She is perfect I can't wait for the others to meet her! I'll get them in about an hour! Maria darling get some rest ok? I love you and the baby and our other wonderful 7 children."
Maria smiled and took Rosemarie back into her arms and fell asleep holding her new daughter. A few hours later Maria was woken up by her children's voices.
"Mother Rosemare is so beautiful!"
At that Gretl and Marta climbed up on either of Maria's sides.
"How do you like the baby darlings? Her name is Rosemarie Agathe"
Gretl looked up to her mother and snuggled into her side.
"I love her mama she's really cute! Can I hold her?"
"Of course you may my darling but you must be very very gentle with her ok?"
At that Georg put the baby gently into Gretl's arms and Maria helped support her head. Gretl gave her baby sister a soft kiss on the head.
"I love you Rosemarie."
"Oh darling thank you! You will be a great big sister! Marta would you like a turn?"
Marta nodded eagerly and Maria placed the baby into her arms.
"Wow mama she's really small! Was I that small Father?"
Georg chuckled and nodded his head
"You ans Gretl were both little peanuts! You still are my little peanuts."
Maria and Georg were so happy that Marta and Gretl were coming in terms with their new sibling and they were so happy together. The rest of the day was spent holding the new baby and talking about the fun things they would show and teach her. Maria and Georg couldn't wait for more memories and hopefully more children to come!
Here's chapter 8! I know the real Maria and the Captain has their first baby in Austria and two more in America but this is how my story is going anyway!
