Stitches and New Homes
Disclaimer: I don't own The Sound of Music.
"Liesl, how would you like to choose a wedding dress today?" Maria asked as she finished kneading the bread dough one morning. It was time that Maria started planning for Liesl's wedding as well, rather than simply accepting a ceremony would soon take place.
Putting away the last of the breakfast dishes, Liesl turned and grinned from ear to ear. "I would love to, Mother." From the expression on her face, Maria could tell she was already thinking of possible dresses.
"Da – ba!" Johannes babbled as he slithered himself on the kitchen floor. Maria smiled, her heart singing that her baby was healthy again.
"But who will watch Johannes, Mother?" asked Liesl, her huge grin fading. "Would we take him with us to the department store? He can get so fussy in a crowded place like that."
Maria shook her head as she washed her hands. "I wasn't planning on going to the department store. They still aren't selling many fabrics, after all. I thought we could find something for you here."
Wrinkling her nose in confusion, Liesl stared at Maria. "How? You don't have any spare wedding dresses laying around the house, do you?"
"Something like that," Maria replied. "Would you pick up Johannes, please, and I'll show you what I have in mind?" Liesl carefully picked up her brother, and Maria could hear her whispering to him as she led them up the stairs. Excitement built up in Maria, making her almost skip along the way. She'd always loved giving surprises to her loved ones.
Finally, Maria opened the door to the master bedroom and pulled out three white dresses from the closet. "These don't fit me anymore since I've had Johannes, but I'm certain they would look marvelous on you." She held one cotton short – sleeved cotton dress up for Liesl to see. It had some nice lace trimmed on the edges. "Or there is this one." She held up a long – sleeved white dress made of thicker material but had blue skirt. "And this one," Maria held up the final choice, a plain flannel white dress.
Liesl placed Johannes in his crib with one of his toys. Then she picked up the short – sleeved dress and held it to her chest. "This one is the prettiest, but I don't think it's right for November weather in Vermont."
Maria nodded. "Probably not," she agreed.
Holding up the flannel dress, Liesl shook her head. "I never thought my wedding dress would be made of flannel, but I think this is the best option." Still, she fingered the material of the other dress and sighed.
Maria looked at both dresses and inspiration struck. "Liesl what do you think of using a little of both dresses? I can cut off the end of this dress," she pointed to the dress with the blue skirt, "and sew it onto this one." She fingered the flannel dress.
Liesl smiled. "I like that idea."
"And if you like the lace," Maria rummaged through her sewing basket and pulled out an old lace runner. "I could sew this on the ends as well. Would you consider it a birthday present?"
Liesl's eyes lit up and she through her arms around Maria. "I love it! And it would be a marvelous birthday present."
Maria let her daughter's love fill her again, reminding herself that Liesl would always be a part of her family.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
That night, after Johannes was put to sleep, Maria gathered the dresses and the lace to create Liesl's wedding dress. She did her best to remember the expression on Liesl's face when she told the young woman of her plans. But Maria couldn't stop thinking of how Liesl would soon leave home. Her heart still ached to keep her girl here, safe and protected, with their family. "You have no family. You'll always be alone," her uncle's voice seemed to whisper in Maria's ear when she least expected it.
"I need to do this," Maria told herself firmly as she set up her sewing machine, trying her best to banish her uncle's words from her head again.
"Do what?" Georg asked causally as he flipped the newspaper. He looked sore again from the hard work he did on the farm, especially with the weather getting colder. Maria's hands ached to soothe him, but she couldn't forget how he rejected her care when he was ill a couple of weeks ago.
Liesl loved the idea of the wedding dress. That was what her hands would do. "I'm making Liesl a wedding dress out of a couple of my old dresses that don't fit anymore," Maria replied as she carefully cut off the blue skirt without damaging the bodice. "I told her it would be her birthday present."
Georg's eyes looked at her warmly and his smile was proud. "I think that's a wonderful idea. I have to admit, I never thought about what we'd do for a wedding dress for her."
Laughing, Maria said, "That's not surprising. When was the last time you've thought about dresses?"
Georg chuckled too. Maria loved the deep, happy sound that came from him and the little smirk he gave as he did so. It was so nice to joke with him again.
Eventually, she moved on to the next dress. Georg sighed as Maria snipped slowly. "I do wish Liesl wasn't leaving though. Especially not in only three weeks," he said, his voice startling her a little. Maria had known he was struggling with Liesl leaving as well for a month now, and they'd done their best to support each other through the struggle. But this was the first time Georg had admitted his feelings out loud.
Was he finally ready to be vulnerable with her again or was that too much to hope for?
"I know," Maria said as she continued cutting. "But you know, Liesl told me that even though she's leaving to make a new home, we'd always be her family as well." She glanced at Georg, curious to see what his reaction was to this information.
His eyes flashed in surprise but then he shrugged. "I suppose, but her priorities will still be different." Now he wore that blank look that he used when he was trying to mask his pain.
Maria hated that look. Putting the scissors aside, she made her way to his chair. Whether he liked it or not, she had to find a way to soothe him. "I know," she said carefully, looking right into his eyes. "I'm still struggling with that, too, as you know. Partly because I'm scared from what happened with Johannes, and partly because I hate to see our family breaking up so much. It reminds me too much of my lonely childhood."
Georg's eyes shown with tenderness. "Oh, Maria. I didn't think of that." He wrapped his strong arms around her and she felt safe and protected with his love.
In response, she placed her hands on his waist and rested her head against his chest. "I keep hearing my uncle's voice in my head, telling me I have no family and I'll always be alone," she admitted, the words tumbling out of her mouth on their own. His wonderful hands made soothing motions up and down her back. Maria's eyes felt suspiciously wet, and she tried to blink the tears away, but they fell anyway. "That was one of the reasons why I was so determined to join the convent, you know. I wanted to be surrounded by family. And with you and the children, for so long, I was. But," another tear landed on his chest. "Now I'm alone again."
"You're not alone anymore," Georg's commanding voice boomed into her into her hair. "And you do have family. Even without Liesl, we still have the other children."
"Not really," Maria sniffed. "Brigitta's in college, Marta is in high school in Montpellier, and who knows when they'll finally let Kurt come home."
"Yes, but they still write," Georg said. "And Friedrich returns home every week. Louisa is still here. Gretl is still here. And Rosemary and Johannes have a lot of years left to live under our roof. And," he pulled Maria's chin up to look into her eyes. Her eyes were still blurry from tears, but Maria could still see all the love he'd ever had for her on his face. "You have me."
Maria nodded, grasping on those details like a lifeline. "You're right. As long as we have each other, we'll never be alone." With that she kissed him, feeling love cover them like a warm quilt.
"I love you, Georg," she whispered as they finally drew apart.
"I love you, Maria," he said, his warm lips landing on all the tears still stained on her face. "And of course, I'm right," he added smugly, causing them both to laugh again.
OOOOOOOOOOO
Things were improving all the time now, Maria noticed. Liesl's face lit up with joy Maria stitched her wedding dress and discussed eagerly it along with the rest of her wedding plans each night at the dinner table. Her relationship with Georg was slowly being stitched back together as well. The night they finally discussed their concerns about Liesl's marriage felt like a big stitch. Maria felt Georg's love every time he spoke to her or looked at her once again.
Johannes was almost nine months old now and Maria loved how healthy he was. He even had a couple of teeth and was almost ready to start crawling. She was finally beginning to believe that nothing would happen to her son, although she'd never forget those terrible moments when he struggled to breathe.
Even Louisa, who always struggled with letting go of anger, was smiling and joking with Maria again. She begged Maria not to make her a fancy maid of honor dress. "If you do that, Liesl will have to find someone else," Louisa threatened with a smirk. "My light green dress is fine."
OOOOOOOOOOOO
"Does it fit, Liesl, or do I need to bring it in a bit?" Maria asked through the bedroom door. She had just finished sewing her daughter's wedding dress the night before and was hoping it was still a perfect fit.
Smiling softly, Liesl opened her bedroom door. "I think it's wonderful, Mother." Her eyes sparkled with joy as she glanced down at her dress.
"It's not too tight?" Maria tugged at the bust and the waist, just to make sure. "Or too short? I can add a bit on the end if you would prefer to have a dress that goes all the way to the ground."
Liesl chuckled a little. "No, Mother, it's very comfortable. And I think I prefer a dress that falls at my ankles. It's easier to walk this way." She demonstrated how easy it was to walk by marching down the stairs and back up again. "Most women who marry don't have gowns anymore, Mother. Just whatever is available."
"Well, as long as you're happy, Liesl," Maria told her.
Liesl smiled. "I am happy, but not just because of the dress. But because I'm marrying Patrick, and I still have the love of the rest of my family, too."
The rest of my family. Maria felt those words climb right inside her heart. "I love you, Liesl" she whispered as she hugged her daughter. Pulling apart, she looked at the dress again. "Are you certain it's complete, though? I thought you had said you'd like the lace?"
"Well…" said Liesl, almost giving in.
Feeling triumphant, Maria dashed off to find her roll of lace. "See, wee can add some trim to the edges, like this," she wrapped the lace around the sleeves and the bottom of the dress. "Or how about the waistband?" She wrapped it around Liesl's middle, causing the young woman to giggle a little.
Nodding, Liesl's fingers caressed the lace. "I suppose it couldn't hurt."
"Then take off the dress and I'll start working on it," Maria said with a grin.
Liesl paused before bedroom again. "Mother, speaking of that… It's something I've been concerned about. You know, when the dress comes off after the wedding? And… Patrick and I finally alone?
Maria stayed in the doorway, uncertain what to say. Her beat faster and faster as she was reminded that Liesl was about to leave home and become a wife. Her arms wished to gather Liesl and never let go, to protect her from the outside world. At the same time, Maria's feet itched to run as fast as she could to the mountains. You have no family, her uncle's voice said once again. You'll always be alone.
But the sound of the ax just outside stopped her. Georg's strong arms were cutting firewood. She took a deep breath and tried to remember his strength and courage. The way Georg's arms had felt around her the other night. You're not alone, Maria, the Lord whispered. She nodded. She wasn't, and she never would be. And Patrick loved her daughter. She didn't need to protect Liesl from the outside world if she was going to that nice young man.
Slowly, Maria walked into to Liesl's bedroom. "What about it?" she asked, deliberately not looking at her daughter.
"I don't know… I just don't know what to expect, really," Liesl said in a small voice. "How do I please Patrick if I don't know what I'm doing?"
Maria nodded. Thinking back to her own wedding night, she remembered being excited and nervous at the same time. She had briefly wished she had another woman to speak to about these things. But while she had made a couple of friends with the women of Georg's class, particularly Baroness Ebberfeld, she wasn't nearly close enough to discuss her wedding night with them. She'd been very close the Reverend Mother for a couple of years, but how did one discuss such a thing with a nun?
Fortunately, Georg hadn't minded Maria's uncertainty. She loved him even more for that.
"Well, I know Patrick loves you, Liesl, so I wouldn't worry about pleasing him. And he'll help you with the rest," Maria assured the girl.
"If it's anything like kissing him, then I suspect it will be enjoyable," Liesl admitted.
"It should be like that… if not more," said Maria, feeling her face heat up. She stared at her feet.
"More?" Liesl's voice was still small but sounded surprised and pleased.
"Yes. More. Although I warn you, the first time may hurt a bit. But I know Patrick will take care of you, even thorough that." Yes. Maria didn't need to worry about Liesl's safety with Patrick there to look out for her.
"How can it be 'more than kissing' if it hurts at first?" Liesl asked, her voice sounding confused.
Maria sighed, still not able to look at the young woman. "Do you remember when you asked me about kissing a few years ago? And I told you that there was more to it than how it felt physically?" *
Silence. But Maria continued anyway. "While… bedroom activity is like that too." She felt her face heat up again, but she kept talking. "It's… another way of saying you love each other."
Liesl suddenly turned and hugged Maria. "Thank you, Mother. I understand what you meant about kissing before. Every time I kiss Patrick, I can feel his love. Our love. It makes sense it will be the same with… everything else, even if we have a couple of roadblocks."
A loud baby's cry drifted into the room as they drew apart. "Oh, I think Johannes is ready to come out of the crib," said Maria, leaving the room with a smile on her face.
"I'll take off this dress and put it next to the machine if you want to sew the lace tonight," Liesl called after her.
Maria's smile grew even bigger. It seemed she would always be Liesl's mother, just as Liesl assured her she'd always be a part of their family.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
OOOOOOOOOOO
"Patrick, are you sure this is a good idea to go to Massachusetts today?" Liesl asked as they climbed into his shiny black automobile. "After what happened the last time you took me there?" Her mind flashed back to his extremely forward behavior when he was drunk and how uncomfortable that made her feel. Just as important was Patrick's extreme remorse the next day. Did he really wish to go through that again?
But to Liesl's surprise, Patrick smiled confidently and drove away. "I think it's a wonderful idea. I'm not taking you to my parents' place this time, Liesl. Like I told you, I'm taking you to somewhere you need to see. And there is no ale where we are going."
Liesl relaxed a little at that, sitting back comfortably in her seat. She couldn't think of a single place for them to go beyond his parents' place in Massachusetts, but if he said there was no ale, then it must be all right.
"Did you know I haven't had any ale in five days now?" Patrick voice broke the silence after a several moments. He sounded more excited than she'd ever heard him.
"Oh, Patrick, that's wonderful!" Liesl replied, feeling just as excited as he sounded. "I knew you could do it." She desperately wished she could throw her arms around him and give him a huge kiss, but she knew he needed to focus on driving right now. So instead she looks straight at his fiery red hair, sparkling green eyes and smiled as her heart swelled.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Patrick eventually drove up to a small brick house in the suburbs of Boston. "Who lives here?" she asked, climbing out of the automobile.
Pulling a skeleton key out of his pocket, Patrick unlocked the door with a grin. "Hopefully we will, if you like it, Liesl."
She threw her arms around him, as there was no reason why she couldn't this time. "Really, Patrick? You found us a home? With the wedding only two weeks away, I was beginning to think we'd have to live with your parents."
Patrick chuckled, and Liesl relished the rare sound. "I'd never let that happen. I just wanted to find the perfect house before I showed it to you." His green eyes looked deep into hers as he spoke.
"So, this house is perfect?" Liesl asked, moving her face closer. "I'll have to like it if that's the case."
"Definitely," he said as their lips finally touched. She forgot about everything except how this felt for a couple of moments. Pulling away, Patrick gave her a smile that showed all his love. "I want a perfect house for such a wonderful woman."
Then he took her hand and led her around the front room. It wasn't a very big room, but it made it appear cozy, especially with the fireplace in the center, full of strong bricks. "And this is the kitchen," Patrick continued, leading her to the next room. The kitchen appeared newer than the front room.
"There's even a refrigerator!" said Liesl, looking at the large, white cooling unit.
Patrick nodded eagerly. "I thought you would like that. Go on, take a look."
Liesl let go of his hand and opened the refrigerator. Inside were several shelves, a place for butter, and even a drawer for fruits and vegetables. "I love it, Patrick," she told him, feeling her smile widen more and more.
"And a nice big stove," he pointed at the white stove, sitting on the other side of the room. Liesl walked over to inspect the stove, examining all the burners and looking inside the oven. She nodded happily to Patrick.
"And I think it's great that the cupboard doors are all clear," he continued, opening them all one by one. "Then I won't be able to hide anything from you." He grinned, like he was joking, but there was a serious tone in his voice.
Liesl nodded, understanding what he wasn't saying. He wasn't going to hide his drinking problem from her any longer. And he was committed to stopping. "I love you Patrick," she told him simply.
Patrick's eyes sparkled, and his face softened. "I love you, too." He paused for a second, still looking at her. Then he took her hand again and led her to the stairs in the back of the room. "Let me show you the bedrooms."
Liesl's face heated up a little at the word, "bedroom," remembering her conversation with Mother last week. But she nodded, and they went up the stairs together. It was a spiral staircase, but the stairs themselves were not too steep, and Liesl climbed steadily holding onto Patrick's hand.
At the top of the stairs was a hallway. The first room was a bathroom, which Liesl thought looked quite nice. Next was a large room with several windows, which let in the bright afternoon sun. In one corner was a modest – sized closet with shelf space for shoes. "Would this be our room?" Liesl asked, her eyes widening as she examined every detail.
"If you like," Patrick's eyes widened as well as he met hers
"I would," Liesl told him, feeling her smile grow, while still staring right into his green orbs. Liesl suddenly remembered Mother's advice about after the wedding. About how it would be… more enjoyable than kissing. Would it happen in this room?
"Then it shall be," he said, moving closer to her again. She felt his breathe on her face and her heart beat faster and faster.
Their lips met at the same time, moaning as they did so. Once again, Liesl forgot everything except for how this felt. Somehow her hands made their way up and down Patrick's strong back, while his hands ended up in her hair.
Pulling apart temporarily, Liesl felt his lips on her neck within moments. One of his hands wandered down to caress her butt. She moaned again, louder this time. Her hands moved on their own to caress his collar.
Suddenly, Patrick pushed her away, his eyes wide with horror. "I'm sorry, Liesl. I shouldn't treat you like that. You deserve more respect."
Liesl shook her head. She knew courtship rules were important to him and she loved him for the respect he showed her. But why was he so ashamed of what happened between them now? "Patrick, you did nothing wrong," she told him firmly. "I wanted it." She looked directly into his eyes, so he would see how serious she was.
But Patrick stared at the floor. "Perhaps you did, but I still shouldn't have proceeded in that manner. It would be too easy, Liesl, to take things further. You are so beautiful, but it's my responsibility to protect you, even from myself. But thinking about this being our room…" he shook his head. "I need to leave. We need to leave."
Liesl nodded and they exited the bedroom. Despite her frustration, she couldn't help but think how sweet Patrick was. "Thank you for always looking out for me," she told him.
He smiled sweetly, and his eyes softened. "It's my job, Liesl. One I'm happy to have. Come, look at the other bedroom." He took her hand and led her across the hall to a room about half the size of the first. In the corner was a small window. She suddenly had a vision of a little girl with red hair, looking out that window as she waited for her father to come home from work.
"It's close enough to our room that we could make this a nursery," said Liesl. "Perhaps the crib would go here, near the door, and a rocker near the window?"
Patrick nodded, smiling along with her.
"And when the child gets older, this room is big enough for a regular bedroom," she continued. "I can picture her playing with her dolls next to the window, while she waits for you to come home from work."
Patrick grin grew wider. "Absolutely, but what makes you think we'll have a girl? We could have a little boy, who would play with his trains next to the window."
Liesl's imagination shifted as she pictured this, and she smiled again. "I suppose I could live with that," she teased him.
OOOOOOOOOOOO
"Happy birthday, Liesl," said Mother as she placed a yellow cake with white frosting in the center of the table a week later.
"Happy birthday!" everyone else in her family agreed, clapping. Liesl looked at each oft them in turn. Father's small smile with his eyes, gleaming with pride for her; Friedrich's warm smile full of the understanding he'd always given her; Louisa's little smile with a fierce face, ready to defend Liesl's choice at any time was necessary; Marta's soft smile with her eyes full of inner happiness; Gretl's wide grin; and Rosemary's mischievous grin, which made Liesl wonder if the girl was trying to sneak an extra piece of cake.
Babbling, Johannes sat in his high chair with a toothy grin. "Bir, ba!"
Then there was Mother, who was smiling brightly and sadly at the same time. Liesl tried to reach out to her to tell her everything was all right now. "Thank you, Mother," said Liesl, looking from the cake to her mother and then back again. "I wasn't certain you would make one for me this year. I know you usually make one for each of us, but you've been so busy with my wedding plans…" Her mind flashed to her mother busily sewing lace on her wedding gown, booking a spot for the reception, and helping Liesl choose the music.
Mother shook her head. "You've been just as busy as I've been lately, and you still have time for your siblings. So, of course I still have time for your birthday. Besides, I still owe you from the way I reacted when you first announced your engagement. I can't tell you how sorry I am for that, Liesl."
Liesl leaned over in her seat and hugged her. "I'm just glad everything is all right between us now."
With that, everyone broke into a chorus of the "Happy birthday" song. Their voices blended to a happy melody, as their songs always had. Liesl smile grew even wider. If her family was singing together, everything was truly all right.
OOOOOOOOOOO
Clearing her plate, Liesl watched everyone else do the same. Rosemary did attempt a second piece, but Father commanded she stop with one piece. Cakes and cookies with less sugar and eggs were so common to them now, they almost didn't notice it anymore.
"To the sitting room," said Father brightly. "There are some gifts there for our birthday girl." With that, he marched into the next room. Everyone else followed, some quietly, some almost running, and some moving their feet like thunder.
Liesl nodded, feeling like she was floating. She already knew what her gifts were, but that didn't stop her happiness from growing with each step.
"Here's your wedding dress, Liesl," Mother handed her the beautiful gown that looked exactly as she had planned. It was long sleeved and warmer than cotton, but thinner than flannel. Sewn on the sleeves, the edge of the skirt, and the waist was the lace that Mother had shown her. "Do you like it?"
"I love it Mother," she examined it closely, already picturing what Patrick would think when he saw her in this dress next week. Suddenly, she thought of something. Running upstairs, she picked out a new brooch and old necklace out of her jewelry box.
"What do you think of wearing these as well?" she asked. "Patrick told me in America, the bride is supposed to wear something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. That's why he bought me this for my birthday." She pointed to the blue brooch. "And this necklace is the oldest thing I own… considering – "
" – It was your first Mother's," Father and Mother finished at the same time. Liesl nodded.
"Now all I need is something borrowed…" She looked from Louisa, to Mother, to Marta, and to Gretl.
"You are welcome to borrow anything you like from me," Mother said firmly.
"I don't think we have the same tastes, but if you would like to look, you can," Louisa volunteered.
"I'd love for you to borrow something from me," said Marta and Gretl at the same time, with huge smiles on their faces.
"What about me?" Rosemary asked, obviously feeling left out.
Liesl smiled. "Thank you. I'll have to look at all of your things and choose something."
"I got you a birthday present, too," Friedrich suddenly revealed.
Liesl's eyes widened. She really hadn't been expecting this. Presents hadn't been exchanged between her and her siblings since they outgrew paper crafts.
Friedrich chuckled. "Well, if I have a job, I should spend some of my money on my sister's birthday."
"I suppose," Liesl agreed, still overwhelmed as he pulled out a box that had been hidden behind the sofa. Dishes. Friedrich had bought her a dish set.
"You need some for your new home," he explained as she examined the set. They were white with green trim. They looked nice enough, but not too feminine for Patrick to enjoy. They would fit well in her new kitchen in the little brick house. Liesl pictured herself serving dinner with these for years to come.
"Thank you, Friedrich," she smiled into her younger brother's eyes, still full of that understanding they'd always had.
"Happy birthday," he said again, hugging her. Her heart swelled.
Johannes picked up a piece of wrapping paper and put it over his head. "Ga ba!" he cried, as everyone laughed.
"Wait, I have a birthday present for you, too," Rosemary announced, disappearing for a moment. When she returned, she was holding a picture of Liesl dressed as a princess and wearing a crown. "Do you like it?"
Liesl's heart swelled again as she smiled at her youngest sister's innocent affection. "I love it, Rosemary." She felt surrounded by her family's love tonight. It seemed she wouldn't have to choose between Patrick and her family, after all.
*See "Kissing in Stowe" for details.