Celebrating

Maria and Georg were in for a surprise; a wedding reception party. Rosemary had been up since way before daylight; she was soon joined by Liesl and Louisa. They baked and fixed a special breakfast and even fancied up the dining room.

As soon as Georg opened the door from their suite, they were startled to find everyone waiting for them. With juice glasses in hand; Maria and Georg heard, "cheers to your marriage. May you have good luck and many years of happiness; and may God fill your heart with joy and gladness."

"What have you done?"

"Come see, surprises are waiting."

"Look at the decorations Georg and the flowers on the table; they're beautiful."

"Sit please," Friedrich asked. There were two Captain's chairs at the head of the table. Each child came and presented a hand made card; each had written special words of congratulations.

Louisa's note included. I never thought that day when I pledged to myself to find a way to help you, that you would become my Mother. God seemed to take control and over time allowed you and Father to find your love. I love you Mother.

Liesl, who remembered her birth mother the best, wrote. I know she's looking down from heaven; she's blessing your marriage to Father. I always wondered how it would feel to have someone to call Mother again; now I know. It's a wonderful feeling. Thank you for becoming our Mother. I love you.

Maria's emotions got the best of her; she couldn't stop the tears of happiness. She hid her head on Georg's shoulder before she could speak.

"These are beautiful children; I will treasure them forever. And look at all this food. Rosemary you out did yourself."

"I had helpers." Apple strudel, cinnamon bread sticks, cheese pastries and fruit with a variety of cheeses filled the table. The children said a special blessing.

Thank you for the world so sweet.
Thank you for the food we eat.
Thank you for the birds that sing.
Thank you God for everything. And everyone said "Amen."

Georg had been fairly quiet during breakfast; he was waiting for the perfect moment. "Maria and I have something very special to tell everyone." It got very quiet.

"Ever since I first saw Maria, I had a strange feeling; a good feeling."

"And I did too." Perplexed looks covered everyone's face.

"We met many years ago."

Everyone took a deep breath, waiting to hear the rest.

"Your Mother was a little girl; about eight, I believe." Maria nodded. "She was standing beside the road with her Father as the parade went by. She ran out and told me, "thank you for your bravery."

"And your Father asked my name, 'Maria sir.' I answered."

"'Maria thank you, I will never forget you.' I told her. It was in the bomb shelter that it all came back to both of us."

"That's a miracle!"

"It's God's plan at work; your Father and I have a lot of sharing about our lives between then and now; married people keep no secrets.

"Now children what games do you want to play?"

"No games today, you go sit with Father. Today is your special day." The children disappeared; occupying themselves for the morning.

Maria and Georg found themselves alone in the living room. They sat like lovers; after all their relationship was still very new. They kissed and hugged before taking a walk in the garden; walking either hand in hand or slowly with one arm around the other.

After lunch, Rosemary produced a wedding cake. "Okay you two; just like at a reception, you both need to cut the cake." Karl had found a camera; "wait I need to get a picture."

"Now, how about a kiss for your bride, Georg?" Click went the camera again. "And now your first dance." Friedrich turned on the gramophone. Maria and Georg danced around the living room.

"And now, everyone dance." There was no reading hour for the children. They occupied themselves by playing card games; even allowed their Mother and Father to join them.


Concerned

The next morning Maria noticed Liesl staring out the window. Her posture told Maria she was thinking. "Liesl, why are you so deep in thought?"

"Mother, that sounds so nice."

"I like hearing it. What are you thinking about?

"The housestaff Mother, what will happen to them?"

"Your Father thought about them too. He told Father Martin about out plans; he wrote a letter to each one and asked Father to take them to the villa the last day of our tour. In the letter he told them about our staying here in England and he also gave them enough money if they desired to leave Austria."

"Mother, that's wonderful news. I feel so much better."

Georg had been standing close by; unnoticed but listening. "Thank you Maria, you handled that well. She's so much like her Mother. Agathe always wanted to help everyone. She would put people to work doing simple things just so she could pay them."

"You mean she has another gift she inherited."

"Have I told you today that I love you?"

"I think I might have heard it once but you can tell me again and again." They kissed passionately right there in the living room. "I love you. I love you." They couldn't stop kissing. "We better stop unless you want to go to our room."

"Take me there Georg." The couple disappeared for an hour or so.


Since the Whitehead residence sat outside the city limits; they only received mail delivery twice a week. Henry answered the bell. "Good day Sam, what do you have for us today?"

"A boat load of mail."

"I wonder who sent all this."

"They're from Switzerland and Austria sir."

"Thank you Sam, the children have been waiting for these."

"Mall call, mail call."

"Anything from Austria, Henry?

"Why do you ask Liesl?"

"You know Henry, don't tease."

"One is from Austria; the others are from Switzerland Liesl."

"Mother, Father, we got letters from Austria and Switzerland. Please come open them."

"Everyone heard her." They all came running.

"Which one should I open first Liesl?"

"The one from Frau Schmidt, Father." She had been with the children since before Gretl was born; she was like another grandmother to them.

Georg scanned it quickly; it was just as he had hoped. He read the important parts. I had an idea you weren't returning. You'll be happy to know we cleaned out the villa. All the clothes and the children's books were taken to the orphanage. Georg, your books were taken to the library. I went through each one to be sure you hadn't hid any valuables in them.

Georg laughed. "She's been reading too many mystery stories. Children she's living in Geneva with her cousin."

"Open the others Father."

This one is from Katia. I'm on my way to England with Audrey and Ralph. Father Martin told me many families have left. "Georg, I hope she comes here. Rosemary could use her help."

"Then you would still have your cookies."

"Georg, are you telling my secrets."

"No Mother, we all know you like cookies."

"I guess I'm eating all the cookies I didn't get as a child."

"You didn't have cookies Mother."

"No Gretl."

"Why."

"Oh, that's a story for another time.'"

"Read Stefan and Phillip's letters."

"Okay Kurt."

"They're not much for writing letters. They gave the cows and the chickens to the neighbors; they took cuttings from some of the plants. They plan to wait out the war on a mountain farm in Switzerland."

"And Franz's Father." He didn't read it to them. "He's staying with Stefan and Phillip for now."

"Come on everyone; let's go write everyone a letter." Maria watched them go up the stairs.

"Georg, you shared very little of Franz's letter."

"Maria, I always suspected Franz waivered about his loyalty to Austria; after all he was born in Berlin. He listened a lot to the Germans in Austria. His mind was recently changed. He wrote. I was home alone, in my room reading. The door bell rang and then I heard someone pounding on the door. Thank goodness it was locked. I heard a voice I recognized, Herr Zeller's. 'Shut up tight Rolf.' 'Remember the family is still away on tour.' 'When are they due back?' 'Not until next week sir.' 'Next time I'll bring more men. We'll get that ostrich who buries his head in that damn Austrian flag.'

Georg, I left the villa in the dark of night. I had your money but I couldn't take the train. I walked part way; hitched rides with farmers. I crossed the border up in the foothills of the mountains.

"I'm glad he is with Stefan and Phillip. They are very kind men; they will help him if they can."

"That's good to hear. Georg, I saw Herr Zeller in town one day; people stepped around him, they were so afraid of him.

"Maria, I believe God is holding us in the palm of his hand."

"Yes, Georg he is."


Their Stories

The evenings had gown cold; Maria and Georg loved to sit in front of a roaring fire in their suite. They would talk until the fire died down.

"I told the children that we needed to share our life stories. My life at the time we first met wasn't all that bad. At that time I was being cared for by my father's cousin. My father didn't think he could take care of me; I was only two when my mother died. I did visit with him; the day of the parade was one of those visits.

"Her name was Anika; mother Anika to me. As I'm sure you know a two year old can be quite active; I was no exception. Mother Anika was elderly and set in her ways; so I learned to play outside in a corner of the garden. I never had a Birthday Party; but she would always wish me Happy Birthday whenever it arrived. I would take my dolls to the garden and have a party with them. She was very religious; it was she who planted the seed of faith in my heart.

"Everything changed when my father died. The court appointed my guardian, Alfred. I never knew why he disliked me; he did get money from the government. I could never please him. He would spank me for no good reason. I would never let him see me cry; I would run to the barn and cry with Rufus our sheepdog; until he licked my face and made me laugh.

"When I got older he slapped me around a lot; especially when he had been drinking. Sometimes so hard I would have bruises but also from crashing into the walls by his brut force. I know I was lucky that he never used a belt or a stick. He always called me all kinds of nasty names.

"He fed me very little. I would milk the cow and always take out a cup full otherwise I wouldn't get any; absolutely no cookies, cake or candy. I'm still surprised I grew as well as I did; I could have been very sickly.

"One day he was asleep from drinking so much; that was the day I ran away. I'm not even sure how I found my way here; I was so tired. I climbed the tree to sleep. And you know the rest of the story."

"Maria, that seed of faith has grown into the 'faith of Job.' I've never known anyone like you. I see you planting that seed in my children and I know you have given it to me. Thank you sweetheart; my love for you grows stronger everyday. Let's go to bed; I'll tell you my story tomorrow night." All Georg wanted to do was hold Maria tight and try to take away those memories.

The next night Georg told his story. "My Father died when I was four. My brother and I were sent to a military boarding school. I grew up fast. I developed a passion for the water. I became a skilled swimmer; and probably could have competed in the Olympics.

Instead I began to sail the high seas as a member of the crews of all kinds of ships. I've been all over the world. Then I fell in love with submarines. I first saw Agathe when she christened a new powerful submarine; the best made at the time. For me it was love at first sight; she was young it took her awhile longer.

"We had a wonderful marriage; it was after Liesl and Friedrich were born did I receive my commission to command that powerful new submarine. The Empire wasn't at war yet; but that would all change the following year. In two years, the Empire crumbled; I fought to preserve it; but to no avail.

"Yes I came home a hero; but Austria lost the war and her coast therefore her navy. I came home to Agathe a defeated man. It was she and all the children that followed that gave me the will to go on; until that fateful day when she was taken from me as well. I swore at God; I was so angry; I didn't have the faith of Job.

"Alice took the children home; here, she and Agathe's sister Connie cared for them while I grieved. It took me over a year. I finally began to heal after I moved the children to Salzburg.

"The day I first saw you, playing tag with my children; I felt that hole in my heart begin to fill. Every day for the rest of my life I will tell you 'I love you;' you need to hear it often and realize its depth."

Now it was Maria's turn; "take me to bed Georg."


The Conclusion

Maria and the children expected Katia to show up any day now. Today when Henry answered the doorbell, he saw a total stranger.

"Hello Miss may I help you?"

"I'm Katia sir."

"Katia from Austria?"

"Yes, sir."

"Come in I'll find Maria and the children, they've been expecting you."

"Maria, children you have a visitor." Maria looked at Liesl. "It's Katia."

All of them came bounding down the stairs shouting. "Katia, Katia it's really you."

"You look radiant Maria."

"She should Katia, she and Father got married."

"Yes we did, I'll tell you later, let's go find everyone else." Maria took her to the kitchen. "Turn around Rosemary."

"Oh my goodness, Katia my dear; it's so good to see you. It's been a long time. Did you come alone?"

"Yes, Ralph and Audrey are still in London. Ralph is making plans to go to Ireland; he has a position waiting for him at the shipyard. They were planning on coming out here tomorrow. I hope that is alright."

"That's fine, we all want to see them."

"Well look who's here."

"Hello Georg, I'm told congratulations are in order. I have to tell you I'm really not that surprised. I knew you cared for each other; you had to wait for the right moment."

"Did Maria tell you our story?"

"Not yet, now I'm really anxious to hear it."

It would be later that night after the children were in bed that she would learn about the bomb shelter. "That's an amazing story. I have some disturbing news. Herr Zeller took over the villa as his headquarters; it seems he has a young lad with him named Rolf. I believe he was one of Liesl's classmates at school."

"Franz told me the same thing; he was with him one day when he came to the villa looking for me. We had just started our tour; Franz told me he was planning on coming back to the villa with more men. I'm grateful that you removed most of our things."

"Yes, Georg everything we could. Stefan even loaded his truck with some of the furniture. I was able to give your favorite desk to Father Martin."

Katia settled into their home. And yes she did make Maria her favorite cookies. Eventually the children heard a short version of her childhood; Maria didn't include all the details. She told them enough to satisfy their curiosity and Gretl's surprise that she never had cookies as a child.


Winston Churchill continued to warn his citizens that Hitler wanted their nation in his evil empire. He kept telling them, "Prepare – stock your bomb shelters now."

Gromi had lived through World War I, she prepared her cellar. It looked like a grocery store. They never went hungry and had more than enough to share.

Georg worked from home for the Department of Navy Intelligence. After having spent many years with a multicultural crew, Georg had command of several languages. They developed a currier system to transport documents back and forth. Even the government felt he might not be safe in London.

They heard from Frau Schmidt often; as often as possible. As the war progressed mail delivery was limited. She and her cousin were quite comfortable there in Geneva. That was until the German soldiers arrived; it was the place where they took their rest and relaxation. They made it difficult for the people to get food.

Frau Schmidt didn't even give them advance notice. She had traveled to London before; one day she and her cousin showed up at the villa. Her cousin eventually went on to Ireland where her brother lived. A room was found in the suite with Maria and Georg; it had once been the room of an extra housekeeper.

Franz stayed with Stefan and Phillip. They wrote occasionally to Georg. Franz was older than both of them; they learned that he had been a cook on a cargo vessel. He had learned how to make good meals with very little. We never go hungry Georg.

Years ago the country people outside of London thought it was more fashionable to live in the city. Now they were reconsidering their decision; they didn't want to live in bomb shelters. They began to return, re-opening homes which had sat empty. Families crowded together into homes once occupied by only one family, now was home to two or three. Times were tough; everything was getting in short supply. By working together they were able to survive.

The church which had remained was home for Father Edward, a few monks and a caretaker became an active church again. The families flocked to it; in fact all the churches in England found their membership increasing; people needed a prayer filled life to get through these next few years.

The church wasn't far from their home; Georg felt safe to attend Mass on Sundays. Just like with Father Martin, when Father Ed heard Maria and the children sing; he asked if they could prepare a special song for Sundays. Maria and the children hadn't sung very much lately; they did miss it. So the parishioners were treated to their singing.

In time the school re-opened; first the higher grades; Georg let Liesl and Friedrich attend. He thought they could benefit from some higher level of education. Later Friedrich would attend a branch of the University of London; pursuing his dream to be a doctor. And Liesl eventually became the choir director for the church. After the lower grades were added, all of the children attended school there.

Karl lived with them for awhile. He began to work for the British Corp of Engineers; they needed him in their office in London. He practically worked in a bomb shelter. He came back for Birthdays, Christmas and of course the birth of the babies.

Before the war was over, the family had celebrated the birth of a girl, Barbara Marie and on the day the Germans surrendered – a boy. They decided to name him Joseph Georg – Joseph in honor of Jesus' father who escaped with Mary and Baby Jesus; and of course Georg, Maria's hero.

A/N: Remember; don't try to put this in a true timeline. It's only a story.