Chapter 10

After the holidays, Maria returned to her schedule of music lessons for Herr Weiss. She was glad to see her young students again, but by the end of the first week she noticed that she tired more easily. She attributed this to her condition but since it wasn't too bad she was determined to maintain the routine. She certainly wasn't about to let a little fatigue prevent her from enjoying the best part of her week. Every Friday afternoon Smitty would arrive as her last student finished and they would spend the evening with their dearest friend.

Herr Weiss was, of course, the first person they told about the baby. Instantly he started to refer to himself as 'Opa' which touched Maria's heart deeply. She loved him as a father and delighted in the idea that he would consider her and her child his family as well.

"You worked very hard today," she told her student as she walked her to the door. "I can tell you practiced over the holidays. I'm very pleased."

"Thank you, Frau Schmidt," the girl replied as she hurried down the steps to the sidewalk. "Goodbye and happy birthday!"

"How did you know it was my birthday?" Maria called after her, quite puzzled. The girl only turned with a quick wave and disappeared down the street. Maria scratched her head in wonder as she closed the door. She turned to find Herr Weiss ready to go somewhere, ready to help with her coat.

"It's Friday," she reminded him.

"Yes, but your husband asked me to bring you home. He is worried that a late night will cause you to overdo, and I quite agree." He held her coat open and nodded for her to put it on.

"I feel just fine," she insisted, slightly perturbed that she was not even consulted before they cancelled plans.

"That's good," he smiled queerly. "But there's no point arguing. He's not coming and I don't have any food. So that's that."

"Did you tell Anna it was my birthday today?" she asked, following him to his automobile and sliding in the front seat next to him.

"Is it your birthday?" He asked with surprise. "Well, happy birthday, Maria."

"Thank you," Maria replied, still confused. "How did she find out? It is all very strange." Herr Weiss nodded agreement but said nothing more as he started the motor and pulled away. Maria shrugged and gave up when she suddenly noticed that they were not going in the right direction.

"Wha… where are we going?"

"You'll see," was the only reply. Maria frowned but said nothing else. She recognized the route and soon suspected they were headed toward the inn she and Smitty called home before they married. As they drove closer, she noted that there seemed to be more automobiles parked along the lane than usual and that every window in the inn was well lit.

"It looks like Frau Engel is having a party," she mused, and then it quickly dawned on her. "Oh, no… you tell me what is happening right now!" She didn't try to hide her vexation.

"It is not good to yell at old people," Herr Weiss defended, ignoring her tone. "My job is to deliver you here. Your job, if you can manage, is to not ruin everybody's fun." Maria rubbed her fingers against her forehead and sighed.

"Birthday parties are for children," she complained. "It's almost embarrassing."

"Try to look at it this way, Maria. This is just a party. Your birthday is merely the excuse for it."

"Fine. I'll be a good girl. But whoever thought up this idea is going to get a piece of my mind," she griped, slumping into the car seat in defiance.

"Then I'm very glad it wasn't me," he laughed, pulling up to the door and turning off the engine. "And I pity any man who might be married to you tonight."

"I might have known," she sighed, then quickly covered her mouth to hide her grin. "I guess it is rather sweet of him."

"But when you thought it was my idea…"

"Oh, you are very sweet, too," she giggled. She looked out the car window and saw people through the front windows of the inn. "My goodness, I didn't think I knew that many people."

"Well, they know you. They love you. That is why you need to just have fun," he said again. "Of course, married folk forget how to have fun, so I'm told."

"Oh, no we don't," Maria scoffed with a sly grin. She opened the door and braced herself for what was to come.

Mercifully, Herr Weiss told the truth; it was just a party with her birthday as an excuse. She was the guest of honor to be sure and there were many happy wishes and congratulations, but the point of the evening was merriment. Maria graciously greeted everyone, those she knew and those she didn't. Finally she found Smitty standing in a corner beaming like a house cat after a killing spree.

"I should be annoyed with you," she said.

"I know," he laughed. "I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself, and when I mentioned it to Frau Engel, well… the woman loves to throw a party." Maria chuckled and leaned to kiss him quickly. He guided her through the small crowd of people and found a place for her to sit.

"How are you feeling?" he asked. "Hungry? Can I bring something for you to eat? I'm your slave tonight, darling."

"I feel wonderful," she said. "And all I need is for you to stay here beside me." He held her hand and watched the party swell around them. It was clear that everyone was having a good time.

Herr Weiss and a couple of his friends began entertaining, and soon the couple joined the other guests gravitating toward the music. Smitty found a spot against the wall and pulled Maria against him, wrapping his arms around her waist. She leaned back contentedly and rested her hands on his, watching everyone appreciate her teacher for the genius he truly was. Herr Weiss started with a few classical pieces on the piano, but slowly the ensemble began to alter the sound to something modern and new. He discovered it on a trip to Paris, he told them, a new jazz sound that was becoming quite popular there. The guests were enthralled and wanted more.

Before she knew it, Weiss was calling for her, urging her to join them. The audience was incredibly enthusiastic and Maria decided there was no point in fighting it. In fact, she wanted to sing. She made her way through the crowd and consulted with the master musician. As he started to play, she smiled over the crowd to her husband and gave him a quick wink.

With my eyes wide open I'm dreaming

Can it be true I'm holding you close to my heart?

With my eyes wide open I'm dreaming

You're with me now sharing a vow never to part

I'm so afraid to close my eyes

Afraid that I'll find

This lovely thrill

Is just a silly illusion

With my eyes wide open I'm dreaming

Do I deserve such a break?

Pinch me to prove I'm awake

I can't believe that you're really mine

There were times, she thought as she let the instruments take their turn with the song, when she believed that she really was dreaming. The way Smitty came into her life, the life they found together in a small village at the foot of the mountains, the life growing inside her… all of it a cruel illusion. She never dared to dream of this kind of happiness growing up. She longed for it, to be sure, but it always seemed meant for someone else. But as she looked at him, standing against the wall with love in his heart for her that went as deep as the blue in his beautiful eyes, she was grateful that Providence had seen her deserving in some way for all of it to be hers.

With my eyes wide open I'm dreaming

Do I deserve such a break?

Pinch me to prove I'm awake

I can't believe that you're really mine*

She blew him a quick kiss and took a shy bow. As she started to walk away from the piano, Herr Weiss stopped her. He waved his hand and told her to stay where she was for a moment. He saw the warning in her half serious stare, but he ignored it.

"Isn't she wonderful?" he asked the guests who agreed with a cheer and applause. "I'm asking her to stay because it is time for her birthday gift. The nice thing is that we get to share it with her." He relinquished his seat at the piano to Smitty who had made his way from the back of the crowd.

Maria could already feel her emotions starting to reel. She clutched her hands together as she stood nearby, realizing he wrote something just for her. She could feel tears starting to fill the corners of her eyes. She willed them back, not wanting to fluster him or make him more anxious than she knew he probably already was. Then he simply reached for her hand and kissed it lightly and she lost the little control she had.

"Darling, I haven't even started yet," he teased, causing her to laugh at herself. She looked up as she wiped her eyes. Her tears did not go unnoticed by her friends and she laughed again. She could feel the heat of embarrassment rising as she covered her cheeks with her hands.

Finally, Smitty started to play. Maria watched his hands as the music built slowly… it wasn't exactly what she expected. It was somewhat dark, played in a minor key, and yet it was still pleasant. She closed her eyes and let her heart interpret his song to her.

There was something tortured about the line that repeated in the beginning. The notes seemed almost desperate, a word that Smitty often used to describe his mental affliction. It suddenly occurred to her that was his intention. She brought her hands together again, clenched to her heart.

The desperation slowly melted as he transitioned from the minor key to a tender and effortless melody. It built slowly, becoming grander and brighter. Maria's mind was instantly taken to their mountain, to the beautiful sunrise they shared on that misty autumn morning. It was there that they confessed their love to each other, a new dawning of a different kind. She marveled at his ability to capture everything she felt that morning… the relief that he wasn't going to leave her, the joy as he told her he loved her, the intoxication of their first kiss. She felt it all over again.

The song slowed to a near stop. As he started again, he plucked out singular notes. They were simple notes like a child would play. As she noted that the tempo had somehow switched to three quarter time, she laughed. She laughed, not because it was funny but because it was clever. She could hear a lullaby in the melody now. She realized it was pointless to try not to cry. Smitty was touching her heart in a way that only he could. No one could understand what these moments he captured in music meant to them. It was a love letter, and she felt sorry for any woman who was not her at that moment.

The music returned to the familiar melody line. It was grand and majestic. It was happily ever after. She didn't want it to end, but it had to. Smitty had barely taken his fingers off the keys when she rushed at him and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Darling, I… I have no words," she whispered into his ear. "What you've done is so fantastic. Thank you for my gift, Smitty. I'm deeply honored by it." Smitty didn't bother to acknowledge the cheering from the others. He reached for her face and brushed her lips softly with his. He was very glad she liked it, but just as glad to have it over with. He would never be the performer in their family, not like her. He finally nodded to their friends as he stood up.

As they mingled back into the crowd, many offered sincere compliments for what he had done, predicting great things from him in the future.

"There is only one future for me," he said in a low voice when they finally were able to speak alone. "And that is the one with you." She nodded as she wrapped her arms around him.

The party returned as the music started again. Some of the guests removed chairs and pushed larger pieces of furniture to the walls. The floor quickly filled with dancing couples eager to soak in some of the romance that filled the air. Smitty released Maria's arm, turned to face her and held out his hand with a slight bow. She took it and let him pull her into his arms. They didn't have much room to dance, but they felt like they were alone, twirling around a grand ballroom.

"I never had a birthday party," she confided to her husband as they gazed into each other's eyes. "But even if I had a hundred birthday parties, this would still be the best one."

"I'm glad," he replied.

After the party, Herr Weiss helped Smitty escort a very tired Maria to his automobile and drove them home. Maria fell asleep in the back while the two men talked about the evening. Herr Weiss expressed tremendous appreciation for the piece he composed for Maria.

"Thank you," Smitty said sincerely. "It is a very great compliment coming from someone like you."

"Can I make a suggestion?" The older gentleman continued.

"You mean, make a change?"

"Oh, that isn't what I mean at all! No, it was perfection! I know you were nervous and quite focused, but if you could see how it moved Maria, how it moved everyone! No, I would be your jealous enemy if I told you to change a thing."

"I wouldn't be offended," Smitty chuckled.

"No," Herr Weiss reiterated with a shake of his head. "I wanted to tell you about a music festival in Salzburg every summer. It highlights the fine folk traditions of Austria, but it also honors the contributions our country has made to the music and art world by producing some of the greatest composers of all time. There is a competition to showcase new composers and I think you should submit what you wrote for Maria. What do you call it, by the way?"

"What do I call it?" Smitty asked, surprised that his friend thought it was good enough for a competition. "I guess I call it 'For Maria'…"

"No offense to our girl back there, but naming it 'Maria' might make someone think you were trying to write a sacred piece."

"I'll think of something else," He replied hesitantly. He shot Herr Weiss a serious look. "You really think I should? I wrote it for personal reasons. I'm not sure…" Herr Weiss nodded vigorously.

"I do," he said with authority. "Of course, if it's too personal, I understand. You can think about it, but not too long. The submission deadline is the beginning of March. Let me know, I can help you get everything ready." Smitty remained silent, considering what it could mean to be part of a prestigious music festival, until they finally arrived at the footbridge.

"Thank you for helping making Maria's birthday special," Smitty said as he opened the door.

"I would do anything for her," Herr Weiss whispered, turning to look at her peacefully resting her head against the back of the seat. "There was a time that I ached to see that child have the happiness she deserves, but I ache no more. For that reason it is I who must thank you." Smitty opened her door and gently shook her awake. She yawned as climbed out and gave her beloved teacher a sleepy smile as she bid him goodnight.

Smitty put her arm in his and helped her make the short walk home. She rested her head on his shoulder and mumbled that she heard everything and wanted him to submit his composition. Smitty caressed the back of her hand tenderly and promised that he would do it for her.

He didn't think he had anything to lose.

A/N: Despite all the romance in the last few chapters, I'm sure you've noticed a sense of foreboding. Hold on to your hats, the schnitzel is about to get real, yo. To those who have left reviews, thank you from the bottom of my heart… they mean so much. I would love to hear from more people, especially now that the story is about to change, but I'm not going to beg. Even though I kinda just did. PLEASE REVIEW. What can I say, I'm shameless.

*With My Eyes Wide Open I'm Dreaming Words by Mack Gordon Music by Harry Revel